Page 39 of Love in the Storm

Asa scrolled on his phone for a few seconds before dropping his spoon into the empty bowl.

“Three cans of soup wasn’t enough?” Lyric asked.

He tilted the phone so she could see the screen and pressed a button. A live forecast played over the radar.

The meteorologist waved in front of the map. “I’m afraid we’re in for another round tonight. This band is sweeping in fast, and it’s already left destruction in Idaho this afternoon. Expect high winds and more downed trees. If you’ve been lucky enough to keep the power on, prepare to lose it during this round. Remember to keep a stock of clean water and get those generators ready. Under no circumstances should you try to brave this storm. Stay where you are and stay safe.”

“Wow, that’s pretty ominous,” Lyric said.

Asa laid the phone down and picked up his bowl. “We don’t have much to worry about here, but not everyone is prepared for things like this.” He picked up her empty bowl and headed to the sink.

Lyric wrapped her arms around her middle. Asa was right. Even if she’d been stuck at her place during this storm, she wouldn’t have been nearly as comfortable as this. “I bet you see the worst of the damage when things like this happen.”

He stepped to the sink and started washing the dishes. “I usually don’t have much downtime to think about it. Going from one job to the next helps keep my mind off it.”

Lyric walked toward him, but he didn’t look up from the dishes he was scrubbing. When she stopped beside him, the muscles in his jaw tensed.

“I hate that you have to see all that,” she said. “But I’m glad you do what you do. Not everyone is that brave.”

It had taken years before she could look back at the rock bottom she’d been living in and see the good in anything. She’d been a part of the wreckage Asa and the other police officers had to deal with every day, and the guilt was thicker than the snow burying her car in the driveway.

She took the opportunity to watch him. All she’d known for years were selfish people, yet this guy was perfectly safe and comfortable during a naturaldisaster and wishing he could be out in the storm helping people.

When he finished washing the dishes, he dried his hands on a towel and rested his palms on the edge of the counter. A low scoff vibrated out of his chest, and he looked over to her. “I’m glad you’re here. I know we wouldn’t have even met if it wasn’t for the storm, but now that I know you, I’m worried about what could have been if you’d been stuck out here alone. Is that crazy?”

Lyric’s chest tightened. He did know her. He just didn’t remember. “You wouldn’t be worried about me if you never knew I existed. I would be just another stranger in this storm.”

He pulled her to him and wrapped an arm around her back. She fell into his warm embrace as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

She nuzzled into the warmth of his chest as her throat constricted. He wouldn’t be concerned about her at all if he remembered her. She’d be another nuisance he’d been forced to deal with. Another problem he’d taken care of that kept him busy. Another inconvenience who stole time from his family.

“Asa, I’m sorry,” she whispered.

His strong hand brushed over her hair. “You didn’t do anything. We’ll get out of here, and I’ll get right to work. There’s plenty to do, even in the aftermath of a storm like this.”

Good grief, the lump in her throat was growing, making it hard to speak. “I’m sorry you’re not with your family.”

He held her tighter. “They’re okay. Jacob is a good kid, and my mom is always prepared for things like this. Yeah, I wish I was there too, but if I wasn’t here, I still wouldn’t be at home with them. I’d be working.”

Turning her head, she wiped the tear that was sneaking out of the corner of her eye on his shirt.

“Are you tired of being stuck here?” he asked.

A soft chuckle bubbled out of her chest. “Not really. Stranded with a handsome man in a luxury cabin isn’t something to complain about.”

Asa hummed. “Handsome?”

She swatted his chest and lifted her head. “Don’t act like you didn’t already know you’re hot.”

“Oh, I’ve progressed to hot now. Keep going. You think I could be sexy before dessert?”

If he only knew. Asa was the perfect mix of masculine and model. The beard that was filling in fast only upped her attraction.

At this rate, dessert sounded dangerous.

Asa rubbed his beard. “Speaking of dessert. How do you feel about s’mores?”

Lyric arched an eyebrow. “Does anyone have negative feelings about s’mores? They’re probably the best treat ever.”

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