A Masterpiece Of Our Love (The Masterpiece Trilogy Book 1) (7 page)

She nodded. Her heart sank as he retreated down the steps and turned right. Shivers still wracked her body. She just couldn't get warm! It wasn't even that cold out, even with the rain and how soaking wet she was. As she wrapped her arms around herself, she realized she still wore the life vest. No sense in keeping it on now. With shaky fingers, she unclasped the front and shrugged out of the vest, letting it slide to the ground.

Hunter returned, his lips in a thin line. He looked grim. He ambled up the steps and stood before her. "Oh, sweetheart, you're shivering. More reason to get inside. Maybe a warm bath and dry clothes will be available. Once we get inside, I'll run back to the beach and grab the rest of our stuff. No one seems to be here, but I did find a window in the back that looks easy to get through. The screen pops out easily. Little damage and I can fix it right away."

She nodded again. Hunter's gaze landed on something, but she wasn't sure what. Becca opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Words escaped her as her brain's signals couldn't get with it. She hadn't froze like this in a long time, but then again she hadn't had a stressful event like this. It just seemed like she either stuttered terribly or she couldn't speak at all.

She tugged on his hand. Hunter stared back at her. Unsure of how to get through to him, Becca put a hand over her throat. Hunter had been around her enough to hopefully understand.

He knelt beside her and wrapped her in a hug. "I'm so sorry. I know this is pretty traumatizing. Don't worry about not talking. We'll get you taken care of. I'll run around back again, get in and open the door from the front." He brushed her wet locks behind her ear. She frowned at the dried blood on his face. He needed to be tended to as well. She couldn't wait to get inside so that his face could get properly cleaned and bandaged. Rising to his feet again, he turned back to her one more time. "Be right back." She watched him disappear and figured she'd better get up and meet him at the door. If her knees would cooperate with her and stop shaking so much! About a minute later, the front door swung open, and Hunter rushed to her side and pulled her gently to her feet. "Let's get clean and get you warm. I'll change when I get back. No sense in getting me in dry clothes when I plan to grab the cooler. I know you're not going to like being here by yourself, but I want to make sure we have food on hand. By the looks of this place, I'm not sure what we're likely to find inside." His voice was low, soft and gentle as he wrapped his arm around her and stepped inside.

She wanted to flop on the couch and rest again, as she was consumed by waves of fatigue, but realized she didn't want to ruin anything with her being soaking wet.

Hunter pointed to the kitchen. "Wooden chairs there, if you want to sit. I'm going to grab your purse and the first aid kit, then I'll see what we can find." He bolted out the door, returning only seconds later with the items, which he set on the floor. He closed the door behind them, drowning out the sound of the storm winds whipping through the trees. The steady thrum of raindrops falling on the roof actually had a soothing effect now that they were inside a structure.

"I'm going to do a quick search and see what's here. I won't tell you what to do, because I know you hate that, but I really think you should stay off your feet right now," Hunter suggested. His gaze swept over her face.

She nodded in agreement and after another moment of hesitation, he finally went to explore the cabin. When he headed down the hall and she was left alone in the kitchen, panic seized her. Her breath hitched as she fought to gain control of her erratic heartbeat.

I'm fine! I'm just fine!

"Guess what I found?" Hunter carried a sweater and a pair of sweatpants in his hands. "You'll be nice and warm in no time." He handed them to her.

Becca pointed to his head. She wished her words would just come out already.

"You don't want to change into dry clothes first?" He raised a brow, then winced. "Damn that hurts. Okay fine, you win. I will probably curse and go stark crazy, so bear with me please?"

She may not have been able to find her voice to speak, but a quiet laugh escaped her throat. At least, that's what she thought it was.

Hunter crossed his arms over his bare chest. "Are you laughing at me?" Amusement danced in his gorgeous eyes. "That's so messed up! There is a little devilish side to you after all. I like it," he teased.

Becca smirked and pointed at the first aid kit. She wondered if he remembered any of the sign language, back from when she'd been mute and unable to communicate all those years ago. But so far, he'd been able to understand what she needed. The very first time he came to visit her, he'd learned it so they could talk. She remembered that day well on her aunt's back porch when Hunter sat beside her. He asked if she remembered him. She nearly cried that he'd taken the time to understand sign language for her.

"All right little devil, have at it. Just don't get offended for any swear words I may use." He cracked a smile. She loved that he could still have a sense of humor. It showed that even though he had some injuries, he was the same old silly Hunter she knew. She pointed down at the floor, wanting him to kneel before her. Again, he cued in right away and lowered to his knees.

Becca opened up the first aid kit and searched for what she needed. As she pulled out a large bandage, cotton swabs and the small bottle of peroxide to clean the wound, Hunter hissed. She flicked her gaze back to him.

"Call it psychological warfare. I'm anticipating that it's going to sting like you wouldn't believe. I know, I know, I'm being a baby and I should just shut up." Hunter raised his hands. "Think you can do that one handed? I might need you to hold mine with the other."

Becca grinned and held out her hand. She wished her voice would work with her so she could tell him how cute he was being. She couldn't be too sure if he was putting on an act to make her laugh or if he really was bothered by what she had to do. Regardless, she felt needed. Important. Something she longed for. When his shaky fingers curled over hers, a ripple of electricity zipped through her.

Now those were strange, random thoughts.

"Your hand is so cold. Not that mine is any better," Hunter said softly. "I know, I'm stalling. I should just man up and take it, huh? You won't tell anyone about my weak side there, will you?" He chuckled.

She slid him a knowing grin and put a finger to her lips, then ran the finger across them as if to say 'My lips are sealed'.

"I knew I could count on you."

Becca opened the bottle and poured a little bit of the liquid on the cotton swab. She raised it and moved it closer to Hunter's face. She dreaded doing this even more than he dreaded having it done. She didn't want to cause him any discomfort and she knew this wasn't going to feel good at all. He flinched as the swab barely touched his skin and let out another hiss. He also squeezed her hand.

She used a small handful of the cotton balls before she considered it clean. Hunter swore and growled like a wild animal, but had held still fairly well. Becca opened the package for the bandage and gently smoothed it over the wound.

"That is some mind-numbing pain right there," Hunter grumbled. "Thanks Becca. Now do me a favor. Go and get yourself changed into warm clothes. I'd feel a lot better knowing that you're warm when I leave. When I get back, if you're hungry, we'll eat. I think the rain has let up some, although it still sounds pretty ferocious out there."

She nodded and stood, picking up the folded clothes he'd brought out earlier.

"Bathroom is down the hall and to the left. On a good note, we have working electricity in here. Want me to run out now or wait until you've changed?"

She shook her head no and signed
'Go now'
. She hoped he'd understand.

"I'm so glad you were taught sign language when you were younger. It helps a lot. I haven't used it in years, but I remember it. I'll go. I won't take long, okay?"

She hated the idea of him having to go out there. She wished she could tell him to stay, but he had a point. Just because they had power didn't mean they had food, and both of them could stand to eat.

Her expression must have given her away. Hunter rushed forward and gathered her in his arms. "I know it's not ideal. I don't want to leave you, but I don't think bringing you back out in the storm with me is a good idea either. Just trust me. I'll be okay, and I'll be back so fast you won't even realize I was gone. Okay?" He gently tipped up her face and his dark, concerned eyes bore into hers. "Go on, get warm." He brushed a kiss on her forehead before releasing her.

She slid one more glance his way before shuffling off to the bathroom to change. As soon as she closed the door and flicked on the light, she studied her surroundings. The front door squeaked, signaling that Hunter had left. What a beautiful, old fashioned bathroom. She loved the deep red colors and the style of the décor. As quickly as she could, Becca stripped out of her wet clothes. She had no dry bra or panties, and she didn't feel like having anything on that was wet, so she'd just have to deal without. At least Hunter had found some cheap clothes. They were nothing that she would feel too guilty about wearing and possibly ruining.

After she put the clean clothes on, she draped her wet ones over the shower curtain bar, making sure to spread them out in order for them to dry. Just as she was about to leave the bathroom, the front door opened again. Hunter was back! She pulled open the door, eager to see him and not be so alone.

She stopped short when she stared into the surprised, angry eyes of a middle-aged man.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" he shouted.

Such bad timing for her to go mute. She opened her mouth and while she formed the words on her lips, no sound came out. No, no this wasn't good! He didn't look like he had a shotgun or any other type of weapon on him, so that was good. Was this his house? Acid churned in her gut again and she fought down a wave of bile.

"I asked you who you are. Why aren't you answering me? You know you're on private property, so you're trespassing."

Becca wasn't sure what to do. She had no idea if the man would even know sign language, but she had to try. She had to show him somehow that speaking out loud wasn't something she could do. Her hands flew through the signs and the man's eyes widened.

"I'm sorry, but I have no idea what you're trying to tell me."

Hunter ran through the mud almost the entire way back, wanting to get to the cabin as quickly as possible. He hated that worried look on Becca's face. She was having a hard time dealing with the fact that she couldn't talk. He remembered a time when she'd told him the doctors used to think she faked it, that she could have talked if she'd wanted to. Hunter knew better. Something within her just stopped, and it seemed that a big event brought it on. He should have realized the possibility of it happening today after he fell.

She'd saved him. She'd jumped into that water and pulled him to shore.

They had a habit of saving each other.

"Okay, I'm back! I told you it wouldn't take long-" Hunter stopped. Becca stood in the hall with her eyes wide. A dark haired man stood before her, but turned to him when he walked in. "You probably want to know who we are," Hunter blurted. Maybe he was the owner of the cabin.

"That's what I'm trying to find out from the lady here." The man waved his hands at Becca.

"Look, we don't mean to intrude. We'd spent the morning on a boat and happened to come across the island. As we were heading back, the ties on our boat came loose and then the storm hit. We're both injured. The boat is still in the water somewhere. I hated the idea of having to force our way in here, and we don't mean any harm. We just needed a place to clean up and shelter from the storm for a bit."

The man's features softened. Concern filled his eyes instead of the irritation Hunter had seen when he first walked in. "Is she deaf?" he asked, pointing at Becca.

Hunter sucked in a breath, hating the way the man used the words as if something were wrong with Becca. Then he pushed the fury aside. "No, she can hear. She's just having a hard time." He motioned for Becca to come closer. When she did, he pulled her in for a hug. "It's all right now," he whispered. He let her go and slid an arm around her shoulders. "Look, is there a way we can stay here for the night, until the storm dies down?"

"It's actually not my house. The summer residents are arriving in a few days. I came to see how the cabin was doing in the storm. Your lady friend was the last thing I expected to find. Not sure how much I trust strangers, but I can see that you're injured. All right, a night. But no damage. I want your name then. I'll help you in the morning to get back to where you're going. I assume the main island?"

Hunter sighed in relief. "Yes, the main island. I really appreciate this. My name is Hunter Beckman. I don't intend to cause any damage, but rest assured, if there is any I will pay for it."

The man nodded as if to say 'Damn right you will' but said nothing more on the subject. "There isn't any food in the fridge, but I can bring a few things over for you. My wife tends to make leftovers, and we have plenty of beverages."

"We'd appreciate that."

"My name's Shane. I'll be right back with something for you guys then." Shane nodded at Becca, his eyes inquisitive and curious.

"Thank you." Hunter squeezed Becca's shoulder affectionately. As Shane left and shut the door, Hunter turned back to Becca. "I bet that must have scared you," he said softly.

She nodded and signed
"I hate when I get like this. I signed to him, but he didn't understand."

"Well, it was good thinking. It gave him the impression that you couldn't vocally talk to him. Let's hope that after a good night's rest you'll be good as new."

"How is your head?"

"It hurts like hell, but I'm going to survive. Maybe I'll see if Shane has anything I can take for the pain, but it's bearable for now at least. And you? Your legs and ankle?"