Cody walked into the kitchen and it was then that Maizy noticed the foil-covered plate in his hand. He placed it on the kitchen island and finally said, “Jean sent pralines, Spencer. She’s been watching the weather forecast all day and was worried about us being on the road late at night. Storms are moving through the area for the next several days.” He leaned the heels of his hands against the kitchen counter and gazed her way. “It’s good to see you, Maizy.”
Heath grunted in disgust. “That’s all you can say?”
She didn’t like the “us versus him” vibe that was developing and stepped closer to Cody. When she was halfway across the room, she turned back to Spencer and Heath and said, “Can I talk to Cody alone, guys?”
“Sure, baby,” Heath said, still standing there with his arms crossed over his formidable chest.
She picked up her tote bag from the couch and turned to Cody. “I’m getting dressed first.” He nodded and she walked from the quiet room on legs that shook. She could feel and hear the roll of thunder as she quickly dried off and put fresh clothing on.
She stilled when she heard raised voices from the other side of the house and then a door slammed. Lightning struck somewhere close by, scaring a shriek out of her, and then the small bathroom was cast into pitch darkness.
Suddenly disoriented, she felt around in the small bathroom for her bag, and banged her elbow against the doorknob as she turned. Her heart began to pound as she yanked at the knob and finally succeeded in getting the door open. Breathing deep to calm herself before they realized what a ninny she was, she felt her way out of the bathroom. She leaned up against the wall in what she knew was the hallway and took a few breaths as she started inching in the direction of the living room, at least she hoped she hadn’t gotten turned around. The wind whistled outside.
Just relax, silly. Listen for them.
She heard a clatter and turned toward it. “Cody?”
“Stay put, angel. I’m trying to find the flashlight.”
A second later, a dim light reflected off one of the framed pictures in the hallway and then he was there.
“We lost power.”
The back door suddenly flew open and then closed a second later with a big bang.
“Damn!” Spencer muttered, sounding breathless.
Cody slid his hand into hers and smiled down at her before leading her to the living room as he whispered, “That lightning strike was close. Your hand is like ice. Are you okay?”
“Just a little disoriented in the dark. I’m fine now.”
She blinked when the lights suddenly came back on and she saw Spencer moving through the house with the cushion they’d used earlier. He took it in the garage and then returned and said, “It should be dry by morning. The wind has really picked up out there.” He grabbed a dishcloth and dried his neck and his face. He looked at her and she smiled back at the warmth she saw in his eyes which disappeared when he shifted his gaze to Cody. He snagged the foil-covered plate from the counter and said, “I’ll leave you two alone for a while.”
He walked down the hall to the den and she heard the door close softly behind him.
Cody opened his mouth to speak but she beat him to it. “I have something to say to you, Cody, and then I’ll leave if you want me to.”
Cody blinked and closed his mouth in a slight frown, and she pressed her lips together to keep from smiling. The man really didn’t like being interrupted. In the memorable words of her mother, he could just “suck it.” He sat back, giving her the floor.
“I think you were wrong in your decision to break up with me. I don’t believe it’s been for the best. You love me and so do Heath and Spencer. If anyone had told me last month that I’d ever believe a notion like that, I’d have told them they were crazy. But you do. And I do. Love you, that is. All of you.”
She’d risen from the couch and was now pacing back and forth, knowing she was rambling but couldn’t help it.
“I could see your protective instincts kick in when I told you about what Mrs. Dumphrey said to me. I like that you’re protective because it makes me feel safe. But thanks to your protectiveness, for the last few weeks I’ve felt all alone and adrift…and hurt. If we’d had problems of some kind it would’ve been easier to get through the breakup. This…this just feels wrong. I know there are going to be problems with the school. I think it’s inevitable. But my degrees have other uses and…and…Well, you’re crazy if you think I’ll let a collective of old biddies and prudish twats determine whether I get to love who I want to love or not.”