Hunter had been working at the house since early that morning with the crew. The tresses were going up and he felt great about it, almost as if he were re-building his own home. He wondered where Megan was now, and what she was doing. He’d gotten used to her drifting in and out of the house, coming over to where he was working, checking the progress, wishing him a good day. Once in a while he’d catch her staring at the construction with a distant look in her eye. Times like that he wondered what had gone on in her life, where her husband was and what had happened between them. What kind of guy wouldn’t come back to check on his family after a tornado had hit their house? She and Mallory were obviously living alone together. This guy Peter was probably just her boyfriend. And, not a very good one at that, they didn’t seem very close.
Hunter missed Megan’s presence around him today, enjoyed having her nearby, watching her come and go. How couldn’t he? She was beautiful, lithe, sexy, but that wasn’t it. It was something else that touched him, something strong and free inside of her. He felt good around her, fully planted, able to be himself. It surprised him to realize how much he missed seeing her around today.
Hunter sat down for a break on the little back hammock under a tree. Funny how most of the trees hadn’t been torn down during the tornado and the basic infrastructure of the house stood. It was mainly the roof that sustained damage, and of course some siding here and there. There was also furniture, tossed upside down, that needed to be repaired. He’d be here for a while and he was glad of it. There was plenty to do. For the first time in a long time, he didn’t want to roam. Somehow when he was here, he felt as if he’d found his true North.
Hunter peeled an orange slowly, and looked up at the clouds drifting in the sky. Summer was just around the corner, strong sun, musky nights. He thought about what it would be like to stay here for a while. He’d also taken a real liking to Mallory and she to him. The little girl was spunky, smart and fun to be around. Mallory stayed near him so often these days, it made him wonder whether her dad ever came to visit at all?
As he sat there musing, to his delight, Megan walked out of the house and back to where he sat on the hammock.
“Taking a much needed break,” he smiled.
““Take as many breaks as you like,” Megan said, “you’re doing such an amazing job. Want some coffee or tea?”
She looked at him with a lilt in her eyes that made him shiver. Tea and more, he thought to himself, disturbed that she was having this kind of effect on him.
“This orange is plenty,” he said.
Every day Hunter brought his own fruit and sandwiches, packed them himself and ate them under the tree. He knew she was aware of his routine, had been watching him, taking it all in. There was definitely something between them, for sure. What it all could amount to, he had no idea.
“Oranges are good,” she said and smiled at him with that beautiful smile that lit up her face, like it was glowing in the summer sun.
For a second it seemed as if she were about to come closer, sit down with him on the hammock and rock. But the moment passed and she pulled back, and looked down the sloping hill. Had he been imagining that she wanted to come closer? Was he only hoping for it? He felt so incredibly attracted to her and it had been such a long time since he’d felt so comfortable with a woman, his imagination was probably playing all kinds of games. But Hunter had promised himself when he left Upper Valley that he was staying away from women. He didn’t need that kind of trouble now, couldn’t afford it. It never added up to anything but pain anyway, he’d told himself. It was better, far better to learn how to live on his own, and like it.
“I wanted to ask you a question,” Megan said then, stepping closer again.
She was so close he could smell her sweet, lilac perfume.
“Sure thing,” he looked up at her and felt the rush of warmth through his arms and legs. He wanted to pull her to him and seat her beside him.
“I was wondering if you could extend your hours, work a little later at night?” she said. “Mallory and I are really eager to be able to move back in.”
The idea thrilled him. More time to be close to her.
“Sure thing,” he said easily.
The two of them locked eyes again, the way it did when they first met at Grave’s Lumber. It took his breath away.
“Mallory really likes you,” Megan said.
“She’s a wonderful little girl. I like her, too,” Hunter said without reservation. “You’ve done a great job raising her.”
“Thank you.”
It was a perfect opening to ask about Mallory’s father, but Hunter couldn’t bring himself to do it.
“I’m glad you can stay later,” Megan said. “I didn’t know if you had to be home early? If, maybe, someone was waiting for you there?”
She spoke so softly and gingerly that Hunter smiled to himself. She was really asking if he had a woman in his life? It mattered to her. He wanted to tell her there wasn’t anyone else, ask her to join him for dinner after work, or take a walk at the lake near his cabin, but he stopped himself. Jesus, he thought, this was completely nuts. She had a child and boyfriend, Peter. He had to stop feeling this way.
“No one’s waiting for me,” was all that he said, matter of factly, without fanfare, pity, or extending an invitation.
“Sorry,” she said.
“I’m not sorry he said. I like it just fine,” he said, trying to convince himself.
Her eyes opened and he saw her surprise. Immediately, he was sorry he’d said that. She might think he was telling her to stay away. Part of him actually wanted to send that message, another didn’t.
“Anyway,” he tried to correct himself, “I’d be happy to stay here as late as you like.”
“Thank you, Hunter,” she answered, a bit more formal than before.
“You’re quite welcome, Megan,” he tried to be playful.
She seemed to like it and that relieved him. He’d never called her by her first name before.
“It’s a pretty name, Megan,” he added for good measure.
She lingered a moment. “I’m glad you like it,” she softly said.
*
Megan knew she had to stop behaving this way, she was making a fool of herself. Hunter was warm, open, sensuous, but over and over he’d made it clear that he wanted to be alone. That really surprised Megan, she didn’t get it. Beneath his words she felt a whole different life swirling around inside of him. It was a life that reached out for her every moment, wanting to draw her close.
Megan went back into the kitchen, over to the window, and watched him on the hammock. His long legs hung down as he was swung back and forth, finishing the orange, tasting every bite. She didn’t care what he said, this wasn’t a man who was made to be alone. Everything about him said Yes to life.
Megan had some more straightening up to do here and then was expected back at her parent’s home by the end of the afternoon. She didn’t want to go. It was hard to be there when Hunter was here. There seemed to be a magnet between them, drawing them closer day by day. She was sure that he felt it, too. Beyond that, it was hard being back at home, listening to her family’s small talk, having nothing to add. She never really cared about the things that were important to them and now she felt that way more strongly. These past months had changed her. Life didn’t feel safe and secure anymore. She had to live differently, from what was deepest and most important to her. She’d never known how to do that before, but was beginning to find out now.
Megan turned away from the window, and returned to her chores in the house, turning the radio on for music as she worked. She enjoyed the oldies, sang along with them at times. The music played for a few minutes and then there was a news break.
“Storm coming tonight,” the announcer said.
Megan’s heart clenched. Oh God, no, she thought. Not again.
“Heavy winds and rains. Nothing to worry about folks, just be aware.”
It wasn’t possible. A flash of fear swept all over her. That’s what the news said before, just a storm on the way.
Megan rushed outside and stood at the back door, scanning the sky. It had grown cooler, with light winds blowing. The edges of her skirt were flapping around her knees. Megan stood riveted to the spot, unable to move. What was coming next? She watched the clouds moving faster in the sky.
Megan was so fixated on the sky that she barely saw Hunter run up the hill towards her. Before she knew it, he was at her side.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, concerned.
“Storm coming tonight,” Megan breathed.
“Thought the sky was getting darker,” he said.
“This is how it started before,” said Megan.
Hunter put his hand on her arm to calm her.
“It’s just a storm, not another tornado,” he said.
Megan loved having his hand on her arm, didn’t want him to ever take it away.
“How do you know?” asked Megan, her lips trembling.
“You can’t expect every storm to turn into a tornado,” he murmured. “Doesn’t work like that.”
“How does it work?” Megan asked then, frightened.
“Works like you never get more than you handle,” he said, a slow smile crossing his face. “And also, it’s natural to expect something awful to happen again, once you’ve been through it before.”
Megan wanted to grab him and hold him close. He was so strong, and smelled so good of earth and leaves, of sawdust and lumber. His words were so soothing. Despite herself, her eyes filled with tears.
“Thanks,” she said softly.
“For what?” he said, moving closer.
Being here, she wanted to say, for being exactly the way you are.
The sky got darker then suddenly, and another wave of fear rose up. He sensed it.
“Clouds are going to pass,” said Hunter. “We’ll have strong rains and it will be fine.”
“Will you stay here for dinner with me?” Megan looked up at him tentatively.
A craggy smile swept across his face. “I’d love to stay for dinner,” he said, “if that will make you feel better.”
“It will,” she said.
He looked pleased and surprised. “But you’ll be fine either way,” he added.
No I won’t, thought Megan. Storm or no storm, I’ll be missing you. She realized then that he might be thinking she wanted him to stay because she was afraid of the storm. Was that why he was staying?
“You don’t have to stay to keep me safe,” she said slowly then. “That’s not why I asked you.” Megan was shocked by her own strength and courage.
“No,” Hunter responded in his husky voice, “that’s not why I’m staying, and it’s not why I thought you asked me.”
They stood close together for another moment, and then tore themselves apart.
“Well, there’s stuff to do before the rains come,” he said.
“Of course,” Megan said, jolting herself back to reality. “And plenty to do to prepare for dinner as well.”
Hunter returned to his work. Megan couldn’t move from the spot she was standing on. She couldn’t believe they’d be having dinner together tonight. Half way down the hill, he stopped, turned around and waved up at her. It was all Megan could do to wave back.