Page 40 of Master Cole

“Yes, sweetheart.” Cole adjusted the pillows and helped Janie slide into position. He moved the chair to his side of the bed, set the extra blankets on it, and put one of the lanterns on the nightstand closest to him. As he started to turn off the lamp, a huge crack of lightning filled the room, and then they were plunged into darkness.

Janie let out a cry.

“It’s okay.” Cole gathered her trembling body into his arms. “I’ve got you.”

“I’m scared,” she whispered.

"Nothing will harm you, Janie. I’ll make sure of it.”

“Thank you.” She let out a sigh and fell asleep.

Cole lay there holding her against his chest, his hand rubbing her back. Poor Janie. At least she was warm, there was more color in her face, and her tremors were settling down. He’d wake her in a couple of hours to make sure she didn’t have a concussion.

More thunder and lightning cracked. It was going to be a long night.

Cole wokethe next morning to bright sunshine and Janie still cradled in his arms. The storm had abated a few hours after they went to bed, and the lights had come back on about four that morning.

Janie had slept through it all. He woke her once, but her eyes were clear and her headache gone, and she mumbled at him to shut up and let her sleep. He finally fell asleep once he knew she was going to be okay.

Carefully, he slid Janie’s head onto the pillows and climbed out of bed. Cole stretched and yawned. First order of business, coffee, then he’d check the news to see the damage done to the area. After he started coffee he noticed Janie’s purse on the table where he’d tossed it the previous night.

He fished her cell phone out and hooked it up to the charging station in the kitchen. She’d mumbled in her sleep last night that she needed to charge her phone.

“Cole?” He turned to see Janie standing in the doorway in his robe. She’d rolled back the sleeves, but looked adorable with tousled hair and the oversized garment.

“Janie.” He crossed the tile floor to her side. “I didn’t expect you up already. How are you feeling?” Slipping his arm around her waist, he guided her over to a chair.

“Better.”

He looked her over from head to toe. Her color was good, her fingers no longer had a bluish tint to them, and no more tremors shook her body.

“Sit.” He pulled the chair out and waited for her to sit. “I’ll get you some coffee.” Turning, he pulled two mugs out of the cabinet and poured them each a cup, adding cream and sugar to hers before carrying it to the table.

“Thanks,” she said in a soft voice. She took a sip of her coffee and smiled. “That is good.”

“I hope so.” He sat down watching her. Something was bugging her.

“I want to apologize for last night.”

He frowned. “Why?”

“For dragging you out into the storm, for crying all over you, and whatever else that might have happened.”

Cole shook his head. “None of that matters. What matters is you are safe.”

“I ... ” She took another sip of her coffee. “I thought I was going to die last night.” Her hand began to shake as she set down her mug.

“Sweetheart.” Cole scooted his chair closer, putting his hand on her arm.

“The rain was bad enough, but when I got to the bridge, water was already lapping at the edges. But I knew if I didn’t make it home, you’d worry.”

“I was worried. I tried calling you.”

“I forgot to charge my phone. It was dead.” She took a breath. “I couldn’t think once I made it to the driveway. I barely remember turning off the engine, laying my head on the steering wheel, and starting to cry.”

“It’s okay.” This time he didn’t hesitate, he gathered her into his lap. “Being out in a storm like that would have frightened anyone.” He’d already glanced at the news on his phone. The storm had left quite a mess.

“All I could think of was if I got home, you would be here and take care of me. Protect me.”

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