Page 91 of Love in the Storm

Asa chuckled. “Trust me. The next time I really kiss you, there won’t be anything proper about it.”

Her chin quivered, and she pressed her lips together.

Man, he knew what it was like to worry about the person you love. It was the last thing he wanted for Lyric.

“Hey, that was supposed to be funny. Or ambitious. Take your pick. Just anything but sad.”

“I love you,” she whispered.

“I love you too.”

The door flew open, and Jacob darted into the room.

Lyric stood and opened her mouth, but his mom beat her to the punch.

“Easy!”

Jacob skidded to a stop beside Asa’s bed. “Are you okay?”

“I’m great.”

Lyric raised a hand. “Just to be clear, you’re not great.”

“I am.” Asa reached for Jacob, guiding him into a gentle hug. “I have everything I love right here.”

31

LYRIC

Lyric walked into Asa’s living room and lifted the warm cup of tea to her face. The peppermint aroma filled her lungs and spread like energy through her limbs.

Asa looked up from the TV, and his entire demeanor changed when he saw her. He sat up straighter on the couch, and his eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. The jolt of happiness struck her in the chest. No one had ever looked at her the way Asa did, and she’d never get enough of it.

He opened his arm to her as she approached. “Get over here.”

She rested the steaming cup of tea on the end table and took the seat beside him. Draping her legs over his lap, she snuggled into his side and laid her head on his chest. “Did you figure out who did it?”

Asa wrapped his arm around her and pointed atthe TV where a romantic mystery played. “I can’t believe you talked me into this. It’s obviously that grouchy granny.”

As much as she hated Asa had been shot, there were a few blessings in the aftermath. He hadn’t been released to return to work yet, so her off days were spent cuddling on the couch—which had become her favorite thing to do.

After school, Asa and Jacob got to spend time at Beau’s garage, and she got to join them whenever she didn’t have to work. Both of the boys in her life were happier.

“I’m not so sure,” Lyric said. “I was thinking the owner of the diner did it. He has a motive.”

Asa’s arm around her tightened, and he pulled her into his lap in one quick movement.

“Asa! You’ll hurt your arm.”

He brushed a stray lock of her hair behind her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. “My arm is good as new. The doctor released me to go back to work tomorrow.”

“On light duty. You get to do paperwork.”

“We’ll see about that.”

He slid his fingers into her hair and pulled her down to him, pressing his lips to hers.

If his looks sent sparks flying, his kiss was a wildfire. His lips moved over hers, stoking the flames in her middle. He adored her, and she poured all the love she had into every movement.

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