Page 41 of Master Cole

He frowned. “Protect you from what?”

Janie’s head jerked up. “You don’t know?” Her green eyes were wide.

Cole shook his head. “Tell me.”

“I’ve always been afraid of thunder and lightning storms. I would always crawl in bed with my dad when there was one. After he died, your dad would sit with me. Even at college, Alicia would stay with me.”

“How could I not know this?” No wonder she had been so freaked out last night.

“Storms like last night are rare here, and I don’t think you’ve been around when there was one.”

“Janie, I’m so sorry.” He brushed his lips over her forehead. “Now that I know, I promise you’ll never have to worry about going through a storm alone ever again.”

She let out a little laugh. “That’s nice of you, but I’m learning to deal. It was just the flooding and trying to drive home. I probably should have stayed in town.”

“Yes, but I’m glad you made it home.” His arms tightened around her. As much as he wanted to wrap her in cotton wool and never let her out of his sight, he couldn’t. In order to keep her happy, she needed to be free.

“I vaguely remember you carrying me from the car.” She rested her head on his shoulder.

“I did.” He loved the feel of her in his arms. “I undressed you, put you in the shower to warm you up, washed your hair, brushed it out, fed you some food, and then you fell asleep.”

“I’m so sorry you had to do all that for me.”

“Hey.” He cupped her chin and tilted her head up. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.” Color rose in her face, and Cole smiled. “Now how about I get us both some breakfast? Neither one of us is going to be able to go to work today.”

“What?” Her gaze went to the window where the sun was shining through.

“It may be sunny now, but I checked the news reports a little bit ago. Several roads are still closed because of downed trees and power lines.”

“Oh. We got power back pretty quick.”

“Yes.” He sat her back in her chair. “I found out a few years ago I happen to be on one of the grids they restore first. How about pancakes?”

“Sounds great.” Janie sat in the chair and watched Cole as he moved around the kitchen. She loved the way his back muscles danced as he moved.

She only had faint snatches of what had occurred last night after she got home, but she did remember Cole’s soft voice and the feel of his hands as he brushed her hair. No matter what happened between them, Cole was one of the good guys.

Her body stiffened. Her journal. Had he read it? She remembered how frustrated she’d been after they’d made love on Saturday and he’d been so cold on Sunday and Monday. She’d taken her frustration out in her journal and then left it for him yesterday morning.

Well, if he had read it, he wasn’t upset. Was that good or not? She wasn’t sure. Picking up her mug, she downed the rest of her coffee. Today was going to be a long day with them both stuck at home. Just as they were finishing up breakfast her cell phone rang.

“It’s on the counter charging,” Cole said as he expertly flipped the pancakes.

Janie hurried to the counter and picked her phone up off the charger. “Hello.”

“Hey, girlfriend.”

“Alicia.” Janie let out a sigh. “How are you?”

“Good. It’s just a quick call. I’ll be arriving tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Janie glanced at Cole, who was leaning against the counter next to the stove watching her.

“Yep, my flight comes in at four-thirty, will you be able to come and get me or should I arrange transportation?”

Janie ran her calendar through her head. The roads would be clear by this afternoon, and her only appointment tomorrow was in the morning with Liz, so it shouldn’t be an issue. “I shouldn’t have problem picking you up.”

“Great. I’ll text my flight information. I can’t wait to see you.”

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