“Come on,” he stroked his thumb along my jaw, “you need to eat.”
I opened my eyes and inexplicably felt like crying.
His thumb continued its journey along my cheekbone.“You’ve held it together all alone for far too long.”
I closed my eyes tight.“I can’t, Daire.Not with tomorrow--”
“Tomorrow?”he prodded.
“Tomorrow is the anniversary of the day we lost my brother.”
13
Vanillarian
“OnceIsawhispicture, I remembered him clearly.From the few times I met him I could see he was special.He was a spitfire, too.Just like you.”
“Please, Daire,” I begged, my voice thin.“I don’t want to do this.”
“Then we won’t.”He dropped his hand and opened his door.“You’ve got exactly five seconds until I get around to your side of the car to pull yourself together.”
The door shut before I could answer.I watched him, bemused.What manner of man was I getting myself involved with?
Was I?Was I getting myself involved?
He rounded my door and swung it open before reaching in for my hand and hauling me up into his arms, my feet dangling off the ground.
“Daire,” I sputtered, all too aware of his hard chest pressed against me, both of his arms banded tight around my back.
I couldn’t believe he just picked me up like a doll, yet my body flared to life.
“This is for me, not you,” he confessed, his voice strained.“Give me ten seconds and then I’ll let you go.”
Sorrow and gratitude softened the sharp edges of my arousal.Without hesitation, I embraced him back and tucked my face into his neck.
Inhaling deeply, he muttered against the side of my face, “Thank you.I don’t like to see you hurting.”He held me quietly for another breath.“Are you ready to explore?”
I cupped my hand around the back of his neck.For the first time in a decade, somebody gave me the brand of attention and support Hunter offered on a daily basis.
Clear.Focused.Intent.
Not like I was a passing thought, but like at that moment, I was his only thought.
And for just a moment, I pulled him closer before loosening my grip and sliding down his body.When my feet hit the ground I rested my palms on his biceps and bowed my forehead to his chest.
Who would have thought he of all people would offer me peace?
I filled my lungs with his scent.“I’m ready.”
He linked his fingers with mine.Something that ten minutes ago would have seemed forced felt entirely right.
We were welcomed at Farm to Table’s gates with iced apple cider and a brochure which necessitated dropping Daire’s hand.A loss that left me a little colder despite the warmth of the day.
There was so much going on, I didn’t know where to look or go first.
Of course, there was the requisite children’s area much like the one I put together for our annual fundraiser, but theirs offered a petting barn as well.My dad would lay an egg if I tried to bring a petting zoo on-site.
There was a silent auction set up in what was normally the dining area of the Farm-to-Table store and café, with all seating moved to a massive tent outside surrounded by food trucks and vendor booths from local eateries.
