Page 12 of Love in the Storm

“Book the rest of the week under my name. It’s the least I can do for letting us stay here.”

“You’re a sweetheart, Asa. I’ll be fine without the rental. You two just stay safe.”

“Thanks. I owe you one.”

Brenda laughed. “Bye, sugar.”

Asa rested his head back as the call ended. The headache was really hanging on.

“Is your head hurting?” Lyric whispered.

When he opened his eyes, she was leaning over him. The light behind her created a halo around her and cast a shadow over her face.

He squeezed his eyes closed. “Yeah. Any chance you have something for it?”

Lyric quickly shook her head. “Sorry. I don’t know of any here either.”

Asa leaned up. “It’s okay. Brenda said we can make ourselves at home.”

Lyric clasped her hands in front of her. “What do you want to eat?”

Standing, Asa bit back a grunt. His back was going to be screaming by tomorrow. “Let’s see what our options are.”

Lyric held out a hand. “Are you okay to walk?”

“I’m fine to walk. Just getting hungry.”

Lyric stepped away but kept a watchful eye on him. “Me too.”

He followed her to the kitchen where she started naming off the contents of the pantry and fridge.

“That’s enough food to feed an army,” Asa said when she’d finished her list.

“A family of six was coming in, and they were supposed to stay four days. Guests send Brenda a grocery list before they arrive, and I pick it up. The cabin is a bit out of town, so she likes to have things here for them.”

“That’s really nice of her. And you.”

Lyric moved some things around in the fridge. “I’m sure they pay handsomely for it. Anything sound good to you?”

“A sandwich.”

Lyric held up two lunch meat packages. “Ham or turkey?”

The headache was pounding again, and Asa rubbed his forehead. “Either.”

She pulled the condiments out of the fridge, and Asa retrieved the loaf of bread from thepantry. Lyric took it from him as soon as he turned around.

“Sit,” she demanded.

“You don’t have to do that. Let me do something for you for once.” He’d been fending for himself for years, and having Lyric do things for him brought back memories of living with Danielle. Things had been so simple when they were married. They were two halves of a whole—a perfect team.

Lyric shook her head, keeping her chin down, and pointed to the barstool. “Sit.”

Without protest, Asa relaxed into the seat and propped his head in his hands. Seconds later, his phone rang. About time. Chief must have been busy.

“Hello.”

“Can you come in?” Chief Wright asked in greeting.

---