Authors: Charlotte Hughes

High Anxiety (32 page)

BOOK: High Anxiety

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“You’re doing the responsible thing. Nobody can hurt you. I won’t let them.”

She surprised me by smiling. “See, that’s the thing about us. We have this special bond. I felt it the first time we met. I’ll bet you felt it, too. Like I said, I don’t know where one of us ends and the other begins.”

I smiled but did not reply.

I was lying
in Jay’s arms the following morning, riding my afterglow, having just made glorious love. Mike, who’d been curled at the foot of the bed trying to sleep, had obviously become annoyed with the sound and movement and had left the room. I suspected she had sought out the silence and stillness of her pillow in the laundry room.

Jay pulled me closer, enveloping me in his heat. He felt strong and solid and very male; his nearness through the night had allowed me to feel safe and cherished. His love-making had been a balm for my weary soul. I felt transformed.

“How do you feel this morning?” he asked.

With my head on his chest, I could feel the vibration of his deep voice against my ear. “Like a real girl-girl,” I said on a contented sigh.

“That’s my favorite thing about you,” he said with a chuckle. “I was just thinking,” he said. “If you moved back into the loft with me, you would never again have to worry about not having enough hot water.”

“That’s true.”

“Of course, there are other reasons you might want to move back,” he added. “The fifty-two-inch flat screen with Blu-ray.”

“I love that flat screen.”

“Plus, all the appliances work, and you can plug in the toaster without blowing all the fuses.”

“It’s very tempting.”

He kissed me tenderly.

The phone rang. I groaned but picked it up. Thad spoke from the other end.

“I’m waiting to be released from the hospital,” he said. “You’re certain Crazy Abigail has been locked up, and it’s safe for me to be on the streets again?”

“Yes, Thad. I was there when she was led away in handcuffs.” I didn’t think it was a good time to tell him I planned to do all I could to help her get the treatment she needed.

“What do you think Mona would say if I asked her to bring me chicken noodle soup?”

“I’m sure she has a can of it in her pantry, but she’s probably going to be grossed out over your scar.”

“Very funny, Kate. Hey, have you seen the news?”

“No. Am I missing anything?”

“It’s raining down south.”

“Where?” I asked.

“Apalachicola National Forest.”

“No way!”

Jay gave me a questioning look.

“It started at midnight,” Thad said. “A real gully washer. They don’t expect it to let up anytime soon. All those rain dances and prayer vigils must’ve worked.”

“I have to tell Jay,” I said. “I’ll call you back later.”

“What is it?” Jay asked as soon as I hung up.

“I have good news and bad,” I said. “The good news is Jesus came through for us, and it’s raining buckets on that fire.”

“That’s great!” He looked delighted. “What’s the bad news?”

I gave an enormous sigh. “The bad news is I’m probably going to have to start being nice to Bitsy Stout and to a preacher by the name of Brother Love.”

“Aw, Kate, you’re such a trouper.” He suddenly grinned. “This calls for a celebration!”

Without warning, Jay ducked beneath the covers, and I felt his warm mouth on my inner thigh.

I didn’t stand a chance.