Authors: Nancy Hopper
After a few songs, the lead guitarist took off his guitar and offered it to Tim. The crowd started going wild, and so Tim shook his head and took off the bass guitar. The crowd noise rose to a roar as Tim strapped on the lead guitar, and walked up to the mic.
"You guys," he objected, laughing. They just roared louder.
Tim shook his head and made an exciting, screaming noise that sounded like a wildcat, come careening out of the guitar. As it died away, he counted off a fast beat, and the band came in with a driving rock sound.
The crowd went totally berserk, and Tasha could see why. He was very, very good. Passionate, skillful and wild. The music he created caused her heart to pound hard in her chest.
"Do you want more of Jesus? Do you want to go on with Him? Do you want to walk in the Spirit? Then get in the river and swim!" he roared at the microphone. The crowd reacted visibly.
He could really sing! He was filled with raw power, raw emotion, raw purpose – and he was purely anointed.
"You can have all you want to. Leave your cares behind. Leave your desires on the cross, you know this is the time. Get in the glory of the Lord; stay in His presence ever more; Get in the glory of the Lord, and carry on in His Name."
He repeated the glory lines. The third time, he stopped playing and started clapping and singing it A Capella. It was wonderfully powerful. Then he smoothly slid his fingers down the strings and started playing again.
Tasha was enthralled. He was incredible!
After he'd played for a time, he put the guitar down and wandered off the stage, through the back. Tasha noticed several rather crestfallen faces as he disappeared into the hidden forbidden, instead of coming out front where he was accessible to the people.
Tasha chuckled and shook her head. He was so full of surprises, it was no wonder he was in demand.
And, this was her cue to leave. She'd kept her promise to him. She scooted out the front door, and hurried to the elevator. She was going to waste no time making her exit.
CHAPTER EIGHT
She entered the elevator quickly when it opened, and pushed the lobby level button. This elevator opened from both sides. Sensing that someone was entering from behind her, she smiled absently and moved to one side. Unfortunately, she'd chosen the side away from the control panel.
The cologne, the Presence and the power struck Tasha all at once. She shot toward the door, but it was too late – they were already moving. Then to her horror, Tasha saw that the Lobby button was no longer lit. She had certainly hit it, but it was dark, now.
With a predatory smile, Timothy Rain pushed the button that would take them to floor six. "Well, well. Looks like you made a slight mistake in your timing. I didn't expect to see your pretty angel face, and it obviously wasn't your idea. Hello, Tasha. Nice of you to sneak in, tonight."
Tasha made a frustrated noise, and tried to catch her breath as the fire engulfed her. It came from his eyes, and the Presence of the Lord was all over him.
"I, um -- I'm glad I ran into you. I did want to apologize." She stammered. "Mr. Rain, I was very rude to you last night. I really couldn't feel good about it. Please know that I am very sorry." She said quietly. “I didn’t have any right to treat you so callously. I was not prepared, I just … don’t go around men. You were making me very nervous. I get kind of frightened. I’m sorry.”
She felt him staring at her, but she couldn't make herself look into those eyes, again.
"Well, it wasn't all your fault. I stepped in it, I admit that." He said with a sheepish grin. "Hey, are you hungry? I'm starving. Is there someplace we could sit and talk a little bit that won't be running over with conference people?"
"Not unless we go to town." She denied. "But Lucinda always has the stove on."
Tasha was as surprised as Tim was, by the offer she'd just made. "You could just stay in the guest room, and we could ski together tomorrow." She suggested. This offer shocked her even more than the last! What was she doing?!
Tim's eyes scrutinized her almost suspiciously. "All right. I'll get some clothes from my room, and we'll do that." He said at last.
Tasha's cheeks were flaming as they stepped off the elevator, and walked down the hallway to Tim's room. Tim glanced down at her with curiosity a couple of times, but she was still acutely embarrassed, and had her eyes fastened on the carpet.
He knew he'd do well to keep his mouth shut, for the time being. He unlocked his door, and stood aside to see her in. She sat down in the wing chair, and watched him pensively.
Tim made quick work of getting his stuff together before she could change her mind. Talk about miracle grace! This invitation was it, and Mr. Rain knew it.
It was quiet in the elevator, as they went down. Tim just watched her be uncomfortable, and wished he knew what to say. But he was very afraid of saying the wrong thing, so he held his tongue. He'd wait until the Lord gave him the right words, if it took all week.
When they got outside, he put an arm around her. She looked up at him sharply, and immediately slipped on the ice. He caught her, and had to laugh. He just couldn't help it. He dragged her back to a standing position, and there she was; cuddled up against him, again.
Tasha heaved a heavy sigh, and looked up at him with chagrin. "You are impossible." She admonished him softly.
"I know." He admitted, his smile admitting nothing of the kind. "I do the best I can, darlin'. Maybe I should go get the car, and bring it up."
Tasha's dimples jumped to life as she considered the offer. "No. No, Mr. Rain, I think we're doing just fine." She said emphatically.
Tim's eyebrows went up as she began their tentative journey across the shiny, slick parking lot. He couldn't for the life of him fathom that remark! He was acutely aware of the risk that one or both of them would end up on the ice, was very high.
The risk was even higher that if someone slipped, the other would try to catch; and then, they'd be back in each other's arms again. He shook his head in abject fear, as he considered that one.
“
Oh, my
.” He thought miserably.
They actually made it to Tasha's car without further mishap. Tasha unlocked the passenger door, and opened it. As Tim put his bag behind the seat and Tasha turned to go around the car, her feet went out from under her without an instant's warning. Tim reached out and caught her around the waist, just before she hit the ice. She managed to bang the back of her head on the running board of the Bronco, but Tim broke the rest of the impact. He grimaced and knelt down to help her up.
"Tasha! Are you all right?" he asked worriedly.
She struggled to her feet, and let her head fall against his chest. "I think so." She mumbled, feeling like an idiot. "I hope you didn't hurt your back, catching me that way."
"Not a chance." He denied immediately. "Let me see your head." He turned her around, and got the back of her head in the path of brightness from the truck's dome light.
Carefully, he felt around and found a lump. He pulled the hair away gently, and found an abrasion and a little gash, not bad. But the lump was getting sizable.
Tim turned her back around, and smiled at her. "What am I gonna do with you? Why wouldn't you let me bring the car up to the door? Now I'm going to have to insist on driving home, too." He chastised her.
She looked up at him pensively. "It can't be that bad." she scoffed.
"Probably not, but I'm not about to let you drive, right after a lump on the head. Be reasonable." He chuckled at her.
"All right, Mr. Rain, you drive." She agreed lightly. She handed him her keys with a look intended to convey that it was a great sacrifice. He steadied her as she climbed up into the Bronco, and shut her door. He had to hold onto the truck; and sucked in his breath as he realized the vehicle had begun to slide slowly on the ice, in response to the shutting of her door. The parking lot was incredibly treacherous, that night.
Tasha unlocked the driver's door and watched nervously as he hurried precariously around the vehicle and jumped in, frustration on his face. His added weight and the movement of his closing door caused the truck to slide sideways, and pick up a little speed. Thank goodness, the parking lot was nearly empty.
Tim just steered with one hand, and started the truck with the other. He skillfully brought the vehicle around, and got it moving in the right direction before he eased it into four wheel drive.
"Man, I can't believe this parking lot. They've gotta do something about it." He snapped. "And you! Was I ever mad at you last night, driving out of here like a bat out of hell."
She looked at him, and smiled sweetly. "You'd better watch the road and forget about nagging me, Timothy. It's pretty slick tonight."
"Yeah, well. You get your seat belt on, and don't give it another thought. We get our share of ice in Jackson." He grumbled, strapping into on his seat belt.
Tasha had to admit that he knew how to handle a truck on glare ice, very well. He got her home safely; and even though they slipped a few times, it didn't ruffle Timothy in the least. He always regained control of the vehicle with ease.
He held her arm as they went up the stairs from the garage, and opened the door for her. Lucinda was waiting in the kitchen, a smile of delight on her face when she saw Tim.
"Hey, Lucy. How are you tonight, honey? Get an ice bag for me, will you? Miss Tasha took a fall on the ice."
After Lucinda had the expected fit and got the ice bag, Tim filled it with crushed ice from the refrigerator door. Then, he grabbed Tasha by the hand and led her into the great room, by the fire. He sat on the couch, pulled her down beside him, covered her with the afghan from the back of the couch, and put her head in his lap, directly onto the ice bag.
"Timothy, this is not necessary." She objected, looking up to find Lucinda hovering worriedly. The feel of his hard, muscled thighs beneath her was making her wild, as was the warm, casual weight of his arm across her tummy.
"Never you mind. Nobody asked you." He replied.
Tasha sighed. "You're such a take charge kind of guy, Mr. Rain. Whatever would I do without you? Lucinda, please find out what Mr. Rain wants to eat, and cook it for him." She snapped irritably.
"Oh, yes." Lucinda answered immediately.
"How about an omelet?" he asked with a disarming smile.
"Absolutely." Lucinda agreed. "Miss Tasha?"
"No, nothing. And don't forget hot water for tea." She added, knowing Timothy would want some.
He grinned down at her, and chuckled. "What am I going to do with you?"
"You have absolutely no obligation to do anything with me." She corrected him primly.
"Now, that's where you're wrong. You know it was you I was talking to tonight, don't you? I even heard the lip you were giving me, in reply."
She looked up at him with sheer dismay in her eyes. She tried to get up; but he just laid a heavy forearm over her collarbone and gave her a warning look, and a shake of his head.
"I don't think so, darlin'." He denied softly. "You'd better start behaving yourself, or I may have to give you a spanking."
"That'll be the day." She snorted.
"One thing you need to understand, young lady, is that a challenge is a very difficult thing for this old cowboy to resist. Be it a kiss or a spanking, I'm very likely to deliver." He warned her quietly.