Chapter 35 #2
While I wait for Cooper to find me, stuck in this car, and possibly about to fall to my death. I ask myself the same question as Whitney. How will I know?
How will I know if turning down this promotion, which I’ve worked so hard for, is right?
How will I know if staying in Paxton, leaving my parents, and giving my all for this shop and Cooper is not going to bite me in the long run? My past is full of the heartache of rejection and wondering when I’ll finally have my moment. But am I ignoring the moment?
The car door whips open, startling me, and Cooper leans in, dripping wet, shirt soaked through and worry covering his face.
“Hey, stubborn, you alright?” he asks.
I nod because I can’t talk.
“You’re lucky. If you drove twenty more feet, you would have slipped into the ravine,” he says as rain pours over his shoulders.
Is he my moment? Is this it?
“Come on, I’ll take you home. We’ll get the car later, hopefully the water level doesn’t rise too high,” he says loudly as the wind and rain whip around us.
I unbuckle my seatbelt, and Cooper catches me from dropping onto the steering wheel. Reaching around, I shut the car off, and he takes my purse, looping it over his head as he pulls me out of the car. It’s at an awkward angle against the ditch, and I struggle to get my footing.
Cooper closes the door and comes up behind me. “You’re going to have to dig your feet in to get up. I’m right behind you,” he says, as thunder booms.
I swipe the water out of my eyes and grab onto the rock and plants to pull myself up.
Cooper pushes his large hand on my butt, helping me go first.
Eventually, we make it out, and he helps me into the truck.
When he slides into the driver’s side, he pats my knee, and I promptly burst into tears.
“Hey, hey, it’s okay. We’ll get your car out tomorrow. Fletch has a winch on his truck. I don’t. You’re okay.”
I try to smile and wipe my tears, but I can’t stop the sob as it yanks itself from my body.
Windshield wipers going as fast as they can, he pulls the truck back onto the road, driving slowly until we come up on my gravel driveway. Our phones blare at the same time. TORNADO WARNING SHELTER IN PLACE.
“Naomi,” I gasp, the tears for myself immediately ceasing. I know in the back of my mind Cooper would never leave her by herself, but my heart can’t seem to put the two together.
“She’s safe. I left her with Aunt Dixie before I came to get you. It’s just a summer storm,” he says gently.
“I should have called 911. I’m sorry,” I rasp.
Cooper pulls to a stop next to the house, and thunder rumbles, making me jump.
“I’m glad you called,” he says.
I pull my eyes from the sky and look at him.
“Let’s get you inside,” he says.
I grab my purse, and we jump out at the same time and run to the porch. Cooper tries to cover me with his jacket until we get under the porch roof.
Wind whips and sprays in six different directions, and my hands shake as I struggle to get my key in the door.
Cooper’s hand covers mine and steadily puts the key in the lock and turns it.
I push the door open, and he closes it behind him, letting out a breath and I turn around, dropping my purse on the floor before throwing myself into his arms. He takes a step back, catching in his strong arms.
“Thank you,” I mumble into his neck.
“No problem, everything is going to be okay,” he says and kisses my temple. “Mind if I hang around for a bit until this passes?”
“Of course.” Then the power flickers and then it goes dark.
“I’m assuming your aunt and uncle have a generator,” Cooper says, still holding onto me.
I groan and shake my head against his shoulder. “It’s getting repaired next week.”
Cooper chuckles and pulls back. “Do you want me to look at it?” he asks.
“In this weather? No, please don’t.”
He rubs my back and stops. “Though I am enjoying this wet dress contest, that you are absolutely winning, why don’t you go get something dry on and I’ll find some candles,” he says with a smirk.
“I’m sure my uncle has some extra clothes lying around you could wear.”
“I’m fine in my boxers, but that works too,” Cooper says, tucking a wet curl behind my ear and gently grabs my chin, bringing my lips to his.
My heart snaps.
I don’t know the singular moment when it changed.
I don’t know how it all clicked into place, and maybe it was my not-brush-with-death, brush with death, or maybe it was finally talking to Mom, or sitting still long enough to be alone with my own thoughts, or it was the freaking Whitney Houston song.
Whatever it was, I want to let go of the rope because I can’t let go of him.
I lean into the kiss, inhaling him, taking everything he gives me.
He grunts opening for me, and instead of a tentative exploration, it’s an all-out duel. His hands clutch my hips, squeezing and kneading.
My hands wander over his chest and under his wet shirt. He shivers against me, and I tug on his belt loop.
He pulls back with a grin and kisses my cheeks. “Are you asking for somethin’, stubborn?”
I nod, too overwhelmed by an acute need for him.
“Then ask,” he breathes, but it tastes desperate.
I swallow thickly, wondering if this is the right choice. But maybe it’s not a choice I have to actively make at all because it’s already been made.
“I got a promotion, and my mom has MS and I take care of her most of the time,” I say, the words tumbling from my lips.
Cooper’s hands don’t drop from my hips. He doesn’t retreat, but smiles sadly. “That’s great. I’m happy for you, and I’m sorry to hear that. Is she doing okay?”
The only light we have is coming through the windows, and it’s grey at that. The storm rages outside, but I’m lost in Cooper.
“Thanks, but I’m not going to take the promotion, and yeah, it’s hard to see someone you love struggle like that,” I rasp.
He frowns and slides his hands to my lower back. “Why aren’t you going to take it? Haven’t you been working for it?”
I nod.
He huffs, and I can see the lack of joy in it, but I appreciate that he’s happy for me anyway. “Then help me understand why you’re not taking it? Is it because of your mom?”
“No, I don’t want it.”