Page 48 of Westbound Awakening

"I can't believe you're comforting me. I should be the one taking care of you, ensuring you are well and not in pain." Mae jumped to her feet. "I'm sending Alan to get the doctor." She pushed Miss Lady to lie down onto the bed. "Rest. Can I get you some tea?"

Just as she reached the door a chuckle stopped her, and she swirled to face the woman who was now laughing, her eyes twinkling. "I would prefer just to take a nap. Go on girl, go see about whatever you were doing before we got home and please do not fetch a doctor, he cain't help me right now. I'm feelin' fine."

Numb Mae stumbled out of the room only to lean on the wall in the hallway as the tears began to slide down her face. The kitchen was dark when she finally made it past the hallway, the moonlight from the window giving the room a shadowy appearance. Her eyes landed on the cloaks hanging on the hooks on the sidewall. Her hand trembled when she lifted one off the hook and slipped it over her shoulders. The darkness beckoned and she opened the door and stepped outside.

A lightening bolt lit the night, and she let out a loud sob. Breaking into a run, she headed to the barn and a few minutes later, on her horse she galloped away.

A pounding sound startled John awake. Apparently he'd fallen asleep at the table. He rubbed his eyes and blinked only to jump to his feet when another sound, closer to a thump sounded at the front door. He got to his feet and leaned his ear to the door.

"John?" Mae called from the other side and he yanked the door open. A soaking wet figure fell into the room, and he grabbed her before she fell.

"Is there something wrong with Wesley?"

She shook her head and wiped without much result at the wetness on her face. "No, he's fine." Her voice shook and she began to sob.

He lifted her face to him and inspected it for any signs of injury. "What are you doing outside alone in this rainstorm?" He pulled her toward the hallway. "Let's get you out of these wet clothes." John guided her toward his bedroom. "You can find a clean shirt in there." He pointed to a wooden truck at the foot of his bed. When she slumped against him shivering, he realized she would not be able to do it on her own.

He began to peel her clothes away and then grabbed a clean cloth and began to rub her dry with quick movements the entire time straining to ignore the soft plush tantalizing curves. After he'd helped her into a clean shirt, he settled her onto a chair back in the front room and then wrapped a blanket around her. Once he was assured she was settled, he went to see about her horse.

She remained in the same place when he returned. The fire in the hearth warmed the room perfectly and his eyes were drawn to the beauty sitting wrapped in his blanket without moving, her eyes trained on the fire. He placed a pot of water to heat on the stove and then returned to her.

"What happened tonight?" John asked after sitting down next to her.

She didn't turn toward him, instead kept her eyes on the hearth. "I am returning to Virginia."

His gut clenched at her words. "What about the ranch? I thought you planned to stay on there."

"It doesn't make any sense to stay here any longer. It's no use. I'm no use to anyone." She began to cry again and when he attempted to put his arm around her but she jerked away. "I don't want your pity John. It's clear to me now. I have to stick to reality and accept I'm not meant to be happy but to live out my life at the house in Virginia. This is my reality." She waved her hand in the air and let it fall onto the blanket slumping forward.

John did not to reach for her although he ached to do so. "Something happened didn't it?"

Mae nodded, swiping tears away with the back of her hand. When she remained silent, he got up to make them coffee. When he returned with two cups and gave her one, she took a sip and began to talk again.

"Miss Lady is dying." Mae sagged and took a deep breath. "What am I to do? I can't stand it any more John." Her eyes met his and a soft smile lifted her lips. "Every person I care about is torn from me. First my parents, you, Wesley, and now Miss Lady are leaving me. I can't do this any longer. I'm finished. I give up."

Shoulders rounded, she heaved a heavy sigh and stared at a spot on the floor. When he reached for her, this time she allowed him to wrap his arms around her.

"Wesley and I are here. We're not going away." His voice was gruff at seeing the proud woman so devastated. "I'm here Mae."

"Are you really here for me John? I don't think that is true."

When she lifted her face to him, she was offering herself to him fully and he took her mouth with desperate hunger.

Her arms slipped from under the covers, and she grabbed onto him as if he were her only hope. Mae clung to him, her lips responding to his kiss with an ardor different from any time before.

Her taste stealing any resolve, John picked her up and carried her back to his bedroom, the entire time their lips fused, probing, tasting, and taking.

They fell into the bed together and he into her softness. John reveled in the lush curves against his much sturdier body and the world became lost in the heat and emotion swirling around them like smoke, enveloping them in a vice so tight, turning back became impossible.

Mae welcomed him into her body, every touch, caress and response like the clashing of their souls. The knowledge that what existed between them was unique struck him. He would never care for someone on such a deep level. He could never love someone more than the woman there with him now.

Free of clothing, John held her against him as they became one, the feel of her undoing him to the point his eyes were squeezed shut to keep from crying out and to keep from begging her not to ever leave him. He considered divulging in detail how he felt about her. No longer could he hide the fact from himself. He loved Mae and could not fathom a future without her. She moved beneath him and the climb ensued, both seeking the highest point from which to fall and crash into the waves only to drown tangled the each other's arms.

Mae cried out his name, and John held her until her shuddering stopped and while she began to float back to him. Yet he climbed still, not sure he'd survive the fall. Finally he recognized the hoarse call as his own as he fell over the cliff and into her arms.

"I must go. They'll be worried." Mae was dressed in what looked like still soggy clothes and looking down at him when John opened his eyes.

Her eyes lingered on him and then followed the descent of the blankets when they slipped to his waist as he sat up. There was no mistaking the heat in her eyes, and John smiled at her. "Good morning."