Page 89 of Dancing in the Rain

“Good, baby?” He lifted his head and looked into her eyes and the rest of the world disappeared at the look there…a claiming, an ownership that thrilled her to her core even though she didn’t understand it. He thrust into her again, her body still throbbing, and it was so sweet and hot she felt herself falling.

She couldn’t even speak to tell him it was good, so good; just lost herself in the sensation of surging waves pulling her down into warm, shivering ecstasy. She was sinking, or maybe floating, holding on as tight as she could.

This man…Drew…his scent filled her head; he filled her body and gave her pleasure beyond anything she’d ever known. But he also filled a space in her life…and in her heart.

He opened his mouth on the side of her neck, sucked her skin in so gently, his breathing harsh and fast in her ear as he came, too, the strength and heat of his body covering hers, and she never wanted this to end.

Chapter 18

The call from the hospice came Monday morning.

Chloe had refused to go to school that morning. Sunday’s visit with Sara had been difficult, and rather than force Chloe to go, Peyton let her stay home with the plan of visiting Sara that afternoon. But it was only ten o’clock when the head nurse called to tell them they should come right away.

She set the phone down on the kitchen counter, her body vibrating with fear and grief. Her heart galloped and her hands trembled as she set them to her mouth. She had to tell Chloe and she had no fucking clue what to say.

It was almost as if Chloe had known it was the end, and maybe she had sensed it with some mother-daughter connection. Last night the conversation between Chloe and her mom—well, really it had just been Chloe talking; Sara had been somewhat awake but uncommunicative—had brought tears to Peyton’s eyes. “You’re the best mom,” she’d said, lying on the bed beside Sara. “I loved it when we had popcorn and movie nights. I loved it when you took me shopping and we both tried on crazy outfits. And even when I was mad at you because you wouldn’t let me go to that concert without any parents, inside I was secretly glad because I was really kind of scared to go, and it meant you loved me.”

God, how had a twelve-year-old gotten so wise?

“I’m going to be okay, Mom, because I learned from you. I know it was hard being a single mom, but you never complained. And I’ll never forget everything you did for me.”

A smile had ghosted over Sara’s lips, and she’d managed to whisper, “I love you, Chloe.”

“Love you, too.”

They arrived back at the hospice to find Sara asleep…or unconscious. She didn’t rouse when they spoke to her or touched her.

“Hearing is the last sense to go,” the nurse told them quietly. “So you can keep talking to her.”

Was it too late? Yesterday it had almost been like Chloe had known to say goodbye, like she’d given Sara permission to go. So Peyton held her sister’s hand and told her, “You know I’ll look after Chloe with everything I have. She has me, and now she has Drew…who also loves her. I asked him, Sara…and he told me you asked him, too…and he loves her. So she has love. And she was right yesterday—shewillbe fine. Not as fine as if you were there, because losing your mother always leaves a hole in your life, but you will always be with her, we know that. Like Mom is always here with us…right? And I’ll be fine, too, because I’ve learned so much from you…I’ve learned the meaning of strength…” Her voice started to quaver and she paused. “I’ve learned courage from you. And I’ve learned grace from you. I love you, big sis.”

Sara’s fingers twitched in hers, and Peyton chose to believe that was a sign that Sara had heard her. She wiped the tears that streamed down her face and sat quietly.

“Peyton.”

She turned at the low, deep voice and saw Drew standing there with Chloe. Had he heard all that? Well, it wasn’t anything he didn’t already know.

Saturday night she’d slept with this man, shared her body with him, and it felt like she’d also shared her soul. He’d been there for her, easing her fears, and not just about being on a boat on the lake, but all the fears that crowded her head every day, all day, the fears she shared with him…that she was going to fail. She wasn’t going to be able to do this, and she was going to fail Sara, and fail Chloe. And she was terrified.

For a while in his arms that night, he’d chased out the fear, and a swelling gratitude mixed with longing rose inside her as she stared at his somber face. She wanted to get up and throw herself into those strong arms.

“Chloe called me,” he said softly. “I didn’t know if I should come, but…”

Peyton nodded and wiped more tears. She smiled at her niece. “If Chloe wants you here, then of course you should come.” She started to say something about saying goodbye to Sara, but remembered that Sara could possibly still hear them, and they shouldn’t talk about her…they should talktoher. “Drew is here, Sara,” she said. “He’s here for Chloe, like I said.”

She turned to Drew. “Do you want to say goodbye? We can step out of the room for a minute.”

His face tightened and his throat worked, but he nodded. “Yes.”

Peyton rose from the chair and set her hands on Chloe’s little shoulders. “Let’s give them a minute.”

They stepped out into the hall. Chloe turned in to Peyton and sobbed, “Auntie P. What are we going to do?”

Peyton hugged her niece, wishing she had the answer. More tears filled her eyes. “We’re going to be okay.”

Drew came out only a moment later, the look of panic on his face replaced with peace. “Thank you,” he said to Peyton. He rubbed Chloe’s back.

“Do you want to be with her, Chloe?” Peyton asked.

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