Authors: Melissa Price
Fifty-one
When she awoke, Sean was gone. She sat up in bed and saw a note on his pillow.
Gone to work. Try not to go out and rescue any more deer or dogs. Stay inside and stay warm. I’ll call you later when I get a chance.
Sean
She crawled across the bed, went to her room and got some warm clothes on. Downstairs, she let a reluctant Tango out, then fed him. She got a call from Maggie to see if she was okay. Lisa called her to fuss about her being alone in this storm, and then she decided to call her grandparents to check on them.
Her grandmother answered after the forth ring with a subdued voice. “Hello, Taylor?”
“Hi, Gran. How are you guys doing? I was worried about you with this storm.”
“Sweetie, your grandfather had a mild stroke early this morning,” she heard the gasp escaping from Taylor’s lips, “but he’s fine. We’re at the hospital and it was minor but they are going to keep him here today and if the storm shuts everything down, we’ll both be here where there’s power and food and care. Don’t worry about us, sweetie. We could be home without power and without help. I’ve always told you to look at the positive and this is one of them. He really is okay and he’s sleeping comfortably.”
“I wish I was there.”
“No, it’s cold and the snow is getting deep. We are happier if we know you are safe and warm. We worry about you all alone in this.”
“I’m not alone, Gran.” She decided to tell her about Sean. She tried to tell her everything but there was so much to tell, she was sure she forgot something.
When she was done, Gran said, “He sounds like a wonderful man, sweetie. Don’t let the good ones go. When I met your grandfather, I knew I had to keep him. Here we are 56 years later and just as happy to be together as we were when we first met. Do you love him, your Sean?”
Her Sean? “Yes, Gran, I do.”
“Then make sure he knows, sweetie. Special comes along very rarely. I know men aren’t very good at interpreting things we women say or do so sometimes you have to just come right out and say it. Tell him how you feel. He deserves to know.”
“I’m not sure. What if he doesn’t feel the same way? How do I just come out and say something like that?”
“Sweetie, you will know when you should say it but don’t wait too long. Sounds like he is a catch to me.” She laughed.
When she got off the phone, she thought about these past weeks. How had she fallen for a guy in such a short time? Just because he was amazing and fun and kind and strong. Gran was right. If special came along, you had to grab hold of it. But how did she do that? Sean had kissed her, but had not told her he loved her. Still, she hadn’t said it either. She would find the right time and just come out and say it.
She waited but Sean never called her. Was that good or bad? He had written he would call if he got a chance so maybe he was overwhelmed at work. She couldn’t help but worry a bit.
Later, she made white chicken chili for dinner. She had just turned it off when she heard Sean come home. He looked exhausted. When he didn’t come down from changing right away she got concerned. Was he okay?
She went upstairs and found him sitting on the edge of his bed, head down, and elbows on his thighs.
She asked softly, “Sean, are you okay?”
He looked up and smiled, “Really tired.”
She stood there. She was worried but was not sure what to do. She walked quietly to the bed and sat very close next to him. She said nothing. She reached her arm around his neck with the other around his back. He wrapped his arms around her.
“We’re like a couple of octopuses.” She giggled.
“Sorry I did not have a chance to call you today. We were so busy responding to accidents we couldn’t keep up.”
“I understand. I’m just glad you are home. Do you want me to bring you a bowl of the white chicken chili I made?”
“Sure. I might be too tired to eat though.”
“Lie down and if I have to, I can feed you like a baby.” She said in a teasing tone.
“Babies breast feed.” He regretted saying it immediately. He was too tired to think straight. He was hoping she wasn’t upset.
“Well, that you are not going to get,” she said in a perky voice.
He watched her leave, thinking about what she had said.
She brought up two bottles of water and two bowls of white chicken chili on a tray she had found. It was hard to carry it up but she was happy that she could. Even if it meant she had to put the tray down, go up a couple of steps, put the tray down…
After they ate, he laid down with a sigh. She laid down next to him and put her head on his shoulder. He put his arm around her waist and closed his eyes.
He mumbled, “Did you talk to your grandmother today?” She had mentioned calling her last night.
She gave him a sorrowful look, “Granddad had a stroke this morning.”
Sean looked at her quickly. “Is he okay?”
“Gran says it was minor and that he is fine. They’re at the hospital which I guess is better than them being home alone.”
“True. They’ll be warm and have something to eat. I’m glad he’s okay.”
“I told Gran about you.”
He looked at her, “What did you say?”
“Oh, I told her how much you have helped me. And a bunch of other stuff.”
“What other stuff?”
She shrugged and smiled, “Stuff.”
He stared at her. He knew it was useless to keep asking. She was obviously not going to tell him. He was curious so maybe he would bring the subject up later but right now but he was too tired. Just before he drifted off to sleep, he heard her say softly, “I love you Sean.”
Fifty-two
The phone rang early and Sean mumbled into it. Taylor pushed her hair out of her face and sat up.
“Who was that?”
“The precinct. The weather is so bad, they are calling to say not to come in. There are tow trucks and transport vehicles picking up people who need it. The police are on skeleton staffing to avoid more problems. Our cars are not made for this kind of weather.”
“Oh, good. I won’t have to worry about you.” She laid back down and closed her eyes.
Sean smiled. She would worry about him. He thought about what she had said just before he fell asleep. He was not sure if he should tell her he had heard. Instead he asked, “Taylor, what did you and your grandmother talk about?”
A smile formed on her lips, “You’re still tired, Sean. Go back to sleep.”
She screeched when he grabbed her and started tickling her. “Are you going to tell me?”
She was laughing so hard and wiggling she couldn’t answer him. She shook her head no.
“You are going to give in and tell me, you know.”
“You are so competitive. Did it ever occur to you that you can’t win all the time?”
She reached up and pulled him down and kissed him. He returned the kiss with ardor. Then he pulled back. He sat up on the side of the bed and ran his hands through his short hair.
“What’s wrong?” She asked him tentatively.
He looked back at her with hunger in his eyes. “I’m human, Taylor. Kissing you while lying in bed with you is more than I can handle right now.”
She gave him a shy look, “Sorry. You’ve been so good to me. I didn’t think of how it made you feel just now.” He wanted to make love to her? Is that what he was saying? Or was she just hopeful? Did he just want sex? Hope rose in her that he wanted to make love to her. Maybe he loved her.
He started to reply when the power went out.
“Uh oh” was all she said. Sean got up and went downstairs, Taylor followed him into the kitchen.
He went out and started the generator. When he came back in, he checked the refrigerator, “Seems to be running.”
“Maybe the power will come back on soon.”
“Maybe.”
“Let’s go back upstairs. It’s still early.”
When they got to the top of the stairs, she stopped. She was uncertain about where to go. She wanted to go with Sean but after what he said, maybe she should go to her own room. She needed to be fair to him.
Sean watched the emotions play across her face. He realized what was happening, she was not sure which room to go to. No matter how hard it was, he wanted her in bed with him. He took her hand and led her to his room.
After they had settled, he spoke softly, “Taylor, if the roads clear and your car still isn’t ready, you can take my car and visit your grandparents.” And, he thought, it would get her back here.
“Thank you. I might have to do that since you offered.” She did not add that she did not want to go, even if it was to see her grandparents. The thought of leaving did not appeal to her at all but she had started out to see them so she should go.
Later, she was standing on the porch and watching the light snow come down as it continued to blanket the ground and trees. The fresh snow on the road at the end of the driveway, showed a clean smooth surface. She was not surprised that no one had tried to traverse it.
She heard Sean come out and stand behind her. He reached his arms around her and held her against him. They stood silently.
She wondered if she should tell him she was ready. Her legs were stronger but still weak and the high school incident had been awful. Really awful. She was sure with Sean it would be different, but she was still hesitant. Why? Maybe it was because her mother had suspected she had slept with her boyfriend, if you could call it that. It was over fast and then he left, and although she had not admitted it to her mother, she had ranted on and on about getting pregnant, being foolish. Taylor wasn’t sure how she knew. Of course, she had resented her saying those things considering her own behavior and Taylor had said something in hurt and anger. That had not helped their rocky relationship. She would love to have had a least a little sympathy from her mother. She couldn’t remember if her mother had ever said I love you to her.
Was that what made her wait? She knew her mother had an affair or affairs behind her father’s back and they had married very young. She knew how hurt her father was over it when he finally caught on. So was she.
The fact that she was dragged into the middle of it had not helped. Her father wanted confirmation from her and she finally told him she had come home from school and seen someone in bed with her mother. Her mother suspected she had told her father but he denied it.
She knew Sean was the right person and she was not foolish or too young, so why did she have any misgivings? She thought she was ready but now she was nervous about it. What if she did a poor job and he didn’t like making love to her?
Sean whispered in her ear, “What are you thinking about?”
She giggled, should she say it? Why not? “Sex.”
She could tell that took him by surprise. He finally managed to say, “Sex? With who?”
She turned in his arms, “You.”
His eyes darkened. “Me?” He could hardly breathe.
“I’m wondering why I wasn’t ready to sleep with you. Well, I have been sleeping with you so I guess sex is a better word. It’s not you, it’s me. I’m afraid.”
His brow furrowed, “Afraid of me?”
“No, me.” She tried to tell him about her misgivings.
He gave her a slight smile, “Sometimes you have to just trust your heart and take a chance.”
They stared searchingly at each other. “Okay, you’re right, but please be patient with me.”
“Haven’t I been this far?”
She gave him a huge smile, “Yes, you have.” She reached her arms around his neck and kissed him. He kissed her back.
“You know,” he said with amusement, “we can do this inside where it’s a little warmer.”
Sean had noticed how she had talked about the fact that she hadn’t been ready, not that she wasn’t ready. Was he reading more into it than he should? How in the hell was he going to convince her that they were ready to take that step. That he wanted her and it was getting harder and harder.
For the rest of the day, they talked, played cards, worked on puzzles, and read.
Fifty-three
The next morning the power had still not come back on. Sean was still asleep as she slipped out of bed and went to her room to put on some warm clothes. She was sitting on the couch, looking out the window at the white covered world.
Sean came downstairs and sat on the couch very close, “What are you doing?”
“Just looking out at the snow. Are you hungry?”
He pulled her up, “Yes, let’s find some food.”
Sean brought in firewood and started a fire while she got them some items to eat. They sat on the floor on a blanket in front of the warm fire and ate. Tango sat with them. He tried to sneak a bite of Sean’s sandwich and they laughed. Sean gave in and gave him a piece.
He tickled her when they were sitting on the couch again and asked her what her grandmother said.
“I’m not telling you.”
He tickled her more and she ended up wriggling and laughing. Sean kissed her and she slipped her arms around his neck as she kissed him back. His cell phone rang and he looked at her with chagrin, “Guess I have to answer it.”
The call was from Sargent Mayfield. “Sean, I just wanted to pass along that the guy at the school, Henry Walker, has escaped custody. He was being transported to Franklin by some Franklin cops for a prior warrant and he got away. He knocked one of them unconscious and the other was unharmed. Anyways, the teacher and her daughter are being given protective custody until he is re-captured or they make other arrangements to go to relatives.”
Sean was gripping his phone tightly, “Does he know about Taylor?”
“I’m not sure but I don’t think so. I’m just being cautious and warning you so that you can watch out for her. Her name was never released but who knows if and how he could figure it out. I’m pretty sure he would not know where she is.”
Sean realized he had been holding his breath and he let it out slowly. “Okay. Thanks.”
“I’m sorry, Sean. I can’t justify protection for her right now, but you’re as good as anyone for that.”
“I get it.”
He hung up and turned to see Taylor staring at him. “You said my name. Bad news?”
He took her hand. “Taylor, the man at the school, his name is Henry Walker. He escaped custody.”
She gasped so he hastily added, “He doesn’t know who you are or where you are, so don’t worry.”
She had a look of doubt on her face, “Are you sure?”
He nodded his head, but he needed to be completely honest with her. “He would have to be very clever to find out your name and it would be really hard to find out where you live.”
She put on a too bright smile, “Of course.” She jumped up off the couch and headed towards the kitchen.
“Taylor.”
She stopped but did not look at him. “I won’t let anything happen to you, you know that.”
She said so softly he barely heard her, “I know.” She went to the refrigerator and got out a bottle of water. He saw her hand was shaking a little.
He came over and held her, kissing her. “Don’t worry, baby. Okay?”
“I’ll try. Do you think they’ll get him soon?”
“I’m sure. Besides,” he gave her a big smile and tugged on her loose hair, “weren’t you the one who said he was not too bright?”
She put her arms around his waist and hugged him, “I do remember calling him some names, none of which were flattering, but all of them were true.”
At bedtime, she changed in her room and sat there for a long time. She knew she would not be able to sleep. Not with the creature loose. Still, how could he know her name or where she was? She was also not feeling well. Not sure what was wrong, she just knew that she was not feeling as good as she had been.
Sean came in. “Taylor, what are you worrying about? Not Walker?”
She shrugged, “Some. I’m not feeling too good. Maybe I’m too tense.”
He rubbed her back, “You know everything’s going to be fine.”
She nodded in agreement.
He spoke very softly, “Come to bed.”
He pulled her up and led her to his room where she fell asleep in his arms.