7. Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Lilah
I almost kissed Gene last night. When I pulled him down to me I was fully prepared to kiss him on the lips, but I chickened out at the last moment. I'm very confused after his confessions and I don't know how to move forward.
He's a different man now. I can sense it. A man that I'm starting to want for my own. When he says I'm worthy, I worry he's got some ideal woman in mind that is not me. I mean how could I be worthy if my life is such a mess. A mess I have created all on my own.
I get up, shower and change and hurry to fix breakfast for all of us. Taking care of others makes me feel better about myself and having Gene here is a special treat. Connor comes out of his room, backpack in tow, ready for school.
"Eat here or should I pack it to go?"
"To go. I need to finish my homework."
"Connor…"
"Get off my back!"
"Hey, don't talk like that to your sister. She's only concerned about you."
I'm surprised to hear Gene's voice as I hadn't heard him come out of his room.
"It's okay, Gene."
He directs his next words to Connor. They are soft but sure and you can feel the truth in them.
"Part of being a man is not just providing for your family. It's also about being respectful and caring for one another."
Connor seems to be mulling things over in his head then comes to some sort of decision.
"I'm sorry, Lilah. Seems like everything around us is against us. School is hard, we can't pay the bills. It feels like too much."
"I'll talk to the bank today. I'll get some answers as to what we can do."
"Do you think they'll take away our home?"
"I don't know, buddy. Hey, bring those friends of yours to dinner tonight. I want to meet them and talk to them."
I hand him a bag with his breakfast and mess up his hair. He hates that, but bites back a retort. Once he's gone I focus on Gene. He's standing there looking at me like he wants to eat me alive. That makes me warm all over and I just know my cheeks have gone red.
"Coffee?"
"You didn't have to fix breakfast. I can get some food in town."
"Sit. Eat. I have to eat too. You can keep me company."
"Yes, ma'am."
We eat in silence for a few minutes. I'm wondering if I'll be brave enough to ask Gene to come with me to the bank.
"Lilah, I want to come to the bank with you."
What? Is he reading my mind?
"I don't know that I'd be much help, but this is a small town and knowing you have some support and are not alone helps."
"Thank you. I was getting up the courage to ask you."
"Lilah you have to know that our friendship is strong enough that you can always talk to me or come to me for anything you need."
"I don't know about all that, Gene, but I'll be grateful for your company today."
"Hmm. You seem all gentle and kind when one meets you, but you've got a backbone of steel, lady."
I smile at his words. My mama used to tell me I was as stubborn as a mule when I was growing up. I guess Connor is not the only one that has it. I reach over and give his hand a squeeze.
"I'll go get ready then."
Two hours later and I'm in despair. All bad news from the bank. There's no way to refinance my mortgage with the current numbers I have for my shop and we are set to be evicted in two weeks. Gene and I leave the bank – he was unusually quiet during the meeting with the banker – and we go back to my shop.
"Will you open the shop today?"
"I think I'm going to give away the stock I have and then fill out the paperwork he gave me to file for bankruptcy."
"Oh, honey."
I turn around and he's right there and I don't hesitate. I go into his arms and start sobbing. The tears flow down my face and they don't seem to stop. He says gentle words with the intent of soothing me, but right now I don't even know if that is possible.
When I've run out of tears – I didn't even know that was possible – Gene starts wiping my face gently with…what is that? A handkerchief? Who has that these days?
"Shh, sweetheart. Will you give me some time to see what I can do to help?"
"You heard him. The-there's nothing to be done."
"Do you trust me, Lilah?"
"With my whole heart."
"Then let me see if I can make sure the Castle household has an amazing Christmas this year."
I know my whole face shows how doubtful I am of miracles even if its the season for them, but I just nod and step back from him. I'm feeling embarrassed and vulnerable right now. Gene won't stop looking at me and I feel like an open book before him.
I feel his warmth as he lowers his face and looks deeply into my eyes. Our mouths are a breath away from touching, but he hesitates. I close the distance and place my lips against his. The kiss is like nothing I've ever experienced before. His lips are soft but firm and he's so gentle with me I start to melt. I feel his arms going around me and I'm thankful because my legs are feeling wobbly.
Ending up on the floor because of this hot scorching kiss is not something I want to remember as our first kiss together so I grab his shirt and pull him to me so that we are further connected. He licks the seam of my lips and I open my mouth for him.
That's when a battle starts between our lips and tongues. I feel like I can't get enough of him and even though I know it's naughty, I keep seeking his tongue with mine. Pretty soon the kiss is getting out of hand and our bodies are fused together. I jump when the bells in the door of my shop jingle, telling us someone is here.
We quickly pull apart, but are both panting and flushed. I must look like a mess, but I'm so overwhelmed that I don't really care anymore.
"The sheriff told me you were back, Mitchell." Michael Hoffer says in an angry tone.
Gene turns around and faces one of the Hoffer brothers.
"I'm not here to make any trouble Mayor."
"I don't know if I can believe that. You make trouble wherever you go."
"Not anymore. I'm back because my mother is dying. She's in Spring Brooks if you want to check."
"Don't mind if I do. Are you okay, Lilah?"
"Gene is my friend, mayor, and so is his mother."
"Well, if you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out."
"People have stopped coming here because of our friendship. Can you do something about that?"
The mayor looks at Gene, distrust in his eyes.
"Maybe. I'll talk with my mother. You have a good night, Lilah."
The mayor leaves and I can see how Gene's body immediately relaxes.
"There's no time for anything they can do to help."
"You never know. Make a wish and it might come true, sweetheart."