Page 79 of Until the Storm Breaks
CHAPTER 21
MAREN
A few days later I wake to the smell of coffee and the sound of Calvin moving quietly in the kitchen, trying not to wake me. The floorboards creak despite his efforts. Morning light filters through the curtains, soft and golden, telling me it’s probably after seven. Maybe closer to eight.
The bed is still warm where he was lying, his pillow still indented, the sheets twisted from last night. His t-shirt is draped over the chair where he tossed it. I pull it on, breathing in his scent—soap and that subtle cologne I’ve become addicted to—and pad out to find him.
He’s standing at the counter in just his jeans, hair still mussed from sleep, pouring coffee from Susan’s old pour-over setup. The morning light catches the muscles in his back as he moves, and I let myself appreciate the view for a moment before he notices me. There’s something intimate about seeing him like this.
“Morning,” I say, and he turns with that slow smile that still makes my stomach flip.
“I was going to bring you coffee in bed,” he says, already reaching for a second mug from the cabinet. He knows which one I like. The blue one with the chip on the handle.
“You were taking too long,” I tell him, moving closer. “I got lonely.”
“Needy,” he teases, but his free hand finds my waist, pulling me against him. His skin is warm, and I can feel his heartbeat when I press my palm to his chest.
“Says the man who wouldn’t let me leave the bed until 3 AM,” I remind him, feeling heat rise to my cheeks at the memory.
“That was different,” he says, voice dropping lower, thumb stroking along my ribs. “That was necessary.”
My phone buzzes on the counter, breaking the moment. I glance at it, expecting work stuff—maybe Lark with a crisis about inventory. But it’s from Theo.
Hey Maren. Coming by tomorrow morning to drop off Laila as planned. Also wanted to see if you and Calvin could come by the restaurant tonight? Just me and Alex, casual dinner. Would really like to talk about the cabin situation and clear the air. I know this whole thing has been handled badly and I feel terrible about it. Does 7 work?
I read it twice, my stomach tightening with each pass.
“What is it?” Calvin asks, reading my expression. His hand tightens slightly on my waist, protective.
I hand him the phone. He reads, his jaw working slightly, that muscle jumping the way it does when he’s trying not to say what he’s really thinking.
“He feels terrible,” I say, trying to process Theo’s genuine tone. “That’s... something.”
“Heshouldfeel terrible,” Calvin says, setting the phone down harder than necessary. The counter vibrates slightly. “They all should.”
“Calvin—”
“I know they’re my brothers,” he says, turning to face mefully, both hands on my waist now. “But the way they handled this, not telling you until it was basically done?—”
“They couldn’t,” I interrupt, even though it hurts to defend them. “I get that. I really do understand it. It’s just...”
“It’s just that you’re losing your home,” he finishes quietly, and the gentleness in his voice makes my throat tight.
“Yeah,” I admit, voice a whisper. “That.”
He pulls me against him properly, and I let myself lean into his warmth for a moment, my face pressed to his chest. “I’ve been talking with a preservation attorney,” he says against my hair. “The house might qualify for historic status. That would complicate any demolition plans, maybe force them to renovate instead. Then it would be easier to work you into the deal.”
“Calvin, that sounds like a long shot. And you can’t fight your whole family.”
“Watch me,” he says, pulling back to look at me, his eyes fierce with determination. “This isn’t right, Maren. None of it. And Mom wouldn’t want this. She promised you’d always have a home here.”
“Promises don’t hold up in real estate law,” I say, trying for humor but falling flat.
His thumb traces my cheekbone, gentle. “We don’t have to go tonight,” he adds, softer now. “If it’s too much. If you’re not ready to hear whatever they have to say.”
I lean into his touch, considering. “No, we should go. Theo’s trying. He and Alex have always been kind to me. And honestly, I’d rather know what’s happening than be in the dark. At least if I know the timeline, I can start looking for places.” I swallow hard. “It’s not the end of the world.”
“You’re sure you want to go?” His eyes search mine.
