Chapter Twelve
Once back in town, having delivered their passengers safely, Raven and Cane made sure the boat was tied up carefully. Then she led him to the sheriff’s office, hoping that Palmer might be there.
On the way, she turned to Cane who’d been silent for a long time.
“Are you okay?” She’d noticed the seriously tender look on his face as he’d held Bess’s girl.
As if he’d wanted to instill his own strength into her small body.
She’d seen that same expression on other parents’ faces while holding a loved one that had been injured.
Heartbreaking and disbelieving, their silent prayers being screamed to the universe for help.
In his case, Cane’s body language said it all. He’d known this agony before. Not willing to push in where she wasn’t wanted, Raven waited. As if coming out of a dream, Cane turned to her. “What? Sorry. Thinking about little Bess.”
She nodded, accepting his words because she’d been thinking of the child too. “It’s hard when an adult is sick, but it’s heartbreaking when it comes to a child. Just asking if you’re okay. Maybe you want to take a break.”
“No. Can’t. Too much to be done.”
“Bullshit. This isn’t your battle, Cane. You’re soaked and exhausted. We both are. Look, it’s a few hours till dawn. How about we check in with Palmer and then go back to Winona’s and get some shuteye.”
“Works for me.” Cane gestured for her to enter before him.
Stepping into the small building that housed the post office on one side and the larger police department on the other, Raven flashed her phone into the darkness.
She figured they lost power here too and was startled to find Palmer sitting alone at the desk, his head nestled in his arms. She called out to him, only for the man to remain still.
Not sure why… she approached and shone her light toward him, only to see an exhausted drunk passed out. The almost empty bottle of Jack Daniels proof that he’d reached the limit of his endurance and had sunk to his old tricks of getting courage elsewhere.
“Shit me, he’s no help now.” Raven slugged Palmer’s arm, and he didn’t even flinch. “Help me carry him to the back room, will ya?”
When he didn’t answer, she turned his way and saw the longing Cane wore as he stared at the bottle of booze. She’d have sworn that the man battled against his inner demons not to grab it and drink the rest.
“Cane?”
“Yeah, yeah.” Turning back to her, he grabbed Palmer’s arms while she lifted his legs, and they hauled him the few feet down the hall. Once they dumped him there, they went back to the main office.
“Hey, don’t be so pissed off at Palmer. I feel for the guy. I’ve been in his shoes.”
Though Raven heard the honesty in his voice, she didn’t have any sympathy for Palmer’s weakness. Not now. Her voice judgy, she muttered, “Tonight of all nights? In his position? To get plastered? Give me a break.”
“You’ve obviously never been so low that you didn’t give a shit.” Now his tone held anger.
Not me, but I suspect you have. Those words came to her out of nowhere, but she knew them to be true. Backing off, she said, “Sorry. And you’re right. Guess like Winona says, unless you walk a mile in another’s moccasins, you don’t truly understand what motivates a person.”
Cane grunted his agreement before asking, “So, what now, boss?”
Raven swung around to see an inquisitive grin slowly lighting Cane’s face.
“Same question I had for you. Guess we need to head to the school, try and find some dry clothes, and see what’s been done here in town.
Since the streets are basically empty, I’m thinking most everyone has sought shelter by now. ”
“Sounds like a good plan. I’d give my left… ahh, arm for some hot coffee right now.”
“Me too. And I want to find out what’s been organized so far.”
“Palmer mentioned the fire chief earlier. Where would we find him?”
“Oh, you mean Henry Bates. Yes, he’d be the likely one to step up as a first respondent. Good idea.”
Clutching their hoods over their heads, they both ran out into the storm and made their way up the hill to where the school sat plunged in darkness.
Once inside, they found coal oil lamps sitting in strategic areas to light their way to the kitchen.
Once there, they saw a group of folks crouched in a group, talking quietly.
They all looked their way and waved a welcome for them to join.
Raven waved back. “Be right there. Just need to get some coffee.”
An attractive fellow who looked like he just stepped out of a movie screen stopped nearby to where they were pouring the aromatic brew into large mugs sitting in a nearby tray.
“Hey, Raven. Am I glad to see you. Palmer said he’d sent you out to pick up Mike and the family.
Wasn’t sure if you’d make it, considering the winds we’re battling. ”
“Just the man we’re here to see, Henry. Meet Cane Masters. He’s been with me all along.”
Henry reached out to shake hands, his charming smile welcoming. “Palmer mentioned it. Pleased to meet you, Cane. Thanks for helping out in our community.”
“No problem. Glad to help.” Cane wiped his hand on his pants before picking up the cups of coffee and handed one to Raven. “Heard you might be able to help us here with some dry clothes. We’re dripping water everywhere.”
“Yeah, in the first room off the kitchen. The ladies piled a whole stack of clothes there for anyone who needs a change.”
Raven groaned in appreciation after taking her first sip of the hot liquid. “Give us a few minutes Henry while we get out of these wet things and get warm.”
“I’ll get some sandwiches made for when you’re ready.” His welcoming smile deepened when turned on Raven. Then he casually touched her nose playfully before moving toward the fridge while Raven and Cane headed to the room where Henry had pointed.
Raven, used to flirty Henry’s antics, shook off her annoyance. Her first priority was to get warm. She opened the door and held it for Cane. “This way.”
Sure enough, there were desks piled high with various items of clothing in all sizes.
One side of the room held articles for men while the other side had mostly women’s stuff.
And in the back, there were scads of choices for kids.
Seeing that some kind soul had left a large coal-oil lamp to light the room, they could make out the details easy.
Heading to where she saw female items, Raven put her mug down and rifled through a few piles before finding a fleecy gray sweatsuit that would work for her size.
Not thinking, she began to strip down. The groan from across the room startled her.
Without turning in his direction, she grunted her truth.
“I’m sorry if I’m shocking your sensibilities, but I’m too cold to act like a shy virgin. ”
“Hey, it’s not the sight of your naked body that prompted my reaction. It’s the relief of changing from drenched clothing to warm, dry ones.” His explanation fell a bit flat, but who was she to argue.
Upon hearing his reaction, she’d gripped the sweatshirt to cover her breasts and turned to see his muscled form highlighted by the lantern. Captivated, the sight made her wish she was getting her warmth from human contact… his.
As if he’d sensed her thoughts, he made his way toward her, carrying a pair of thick socks. “I thought you’d like these. They’re on the smaller side and might fit your feet.”
Quickly slipping into the sweatshirt and glad for the instant warmth, she looked up into his face to thank him and found him staring down at her, a look of tenderness coating his expression.
“What?”
“Nothing. It’s just that seeing what a slender woman you are belies the strength you’ve shown today. It’s mind-boggling to a mere male that you’re so strong.”
“I thought you didn’t look.”
“I lied.”
Caught off-guard, Raven’s composure melted. A sigh blocked by a sob escaped, and her body slumped. “It’s all an illusion. Truth be told, I was terrified on the river, frightened I’d run Palmer’s boat into an embankment, and now seeing his condition, I’m scared silly to deal with what’s next.”
She heard his shocked reaction and then felt strong arms wrap around her, pulling her close, holding her gently… protectively. “I’m here with you, Raven. I won’t leave you alone in this, I promise.”
Her glance drawn to his, she read the truth in his piercing gaze. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d have done without you, Cane. I’m serious. You’ve been wonderful.”
Slowly his look changed, an unfamiliar teasing smile lightened his expression. “You could thank me again like you did before.”
She knew he referred to their kiss, and his sudden playfulness made her feel much better.
Without thinking through her next moves, she stepped up on tiptoe and aimed a kiss to his cheek only to be stopped by his lips.
He’d moved his mouth catching her off-guard.
This time, they both indulged in the moment, both sunk into the sudden heat, and both satisfied the growing passion.
His hands smoothed her wet hair away from her face and then cradled it in his gentle palms while he devoured her mouth. Feeling like a woman whose man wanted her and only her, she put her arms around his back and let him have his way.
If Henry hadn’t called out that their sandwiches were ready, they might never have left the room. Instead, she pulled back, swiped the socks from where he’d dropped them, and bent to put them on with shaky hands. Christ, what just happened? She’d never responded to a man like that before.
Knowing she hadn’t been the only one aroused made her feel slightly better. When interrupted, she’d heard his groan of denial, and it pleased her that he’d been as invested in the tender moment as herself.
Refusing to look his way, she gathered up her clothes and said, “Bring along your things, and I’ll put them all in the dryer they have behind the kitchen. Shouldn’t take too long for our own things to dry.”