Page 28 of Surly Sheriff
And couldn’t find a window.
It’s abasement, Rae.
The apprehension from moments ago returned, and panic snaked up her spine.
It’s okay. It’s okay. You’re with Beau.
But …
There were no windows!
Rae leaped to her feet. “I … I can’t,” she cried, and rushed forward, dodging his outstretched arm. She raced up the stairs and burst into the kitchen.
Heavy footsteps bounded behind her.
She spun around, searching for an escape.Get out! Get out!
The familiar surroundings came into focus. The table where she recently ate a meal with new friends. The counter where Beau kissed her into oblivion.
“Rae?” His call came from across the room.
She shut her eyes and took a couple of calming breaths before looking in his direction.
Beau stood just inside the kitchen by the entry to the basement, his head tilted to the side, eyebrows drawn together, and arms outstretched, palms down. “What happened?”
His voice, calm and gentle, washed over her.
She lowered her eyes, unable to meet his, and rubbed her sweaty hands over her thighs, gathering courage. “Sorry ‘bout that,” she whispered, finally making eye contact. “It’s not you. I …”
“May I come closer?”
She bit her lip. And nodded.
Beau slowly approached her, stopping when he was at arm’s length. “Tell me,” he urged.
She clenched her fists, knowing he deserved an explanation. “I don’t like rooms without windows,” she admitted, exhaling, and even managed a half-laugh. “Kinda killed the mood, didn’t I?” She closed the distance between them and placed her hand overhis chest. His heart drummed beneath her palm. “If I’d been thinking clearly—” She stopped mid-sentence, shrugging.
“Shh. It’s okay.” He caught her hand in his and softly rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. “Is there a reason you’re afraid of basements?”
“It’s notbasements, per se, but rooms without windows. They freak me out. And the dark. I always have a light on somewhere. I … I even sleep with the curtains cracked open.” She looked over his shoulder and managed a shaky laugh. “Crazy, huh?” As far back as she could remember, the irrational phobia of dark, windowless spaces plagued her. It was something she had learned to live with. But tonight, much to her regret, that hangup had shattered any hope of a romantic fling with Beau.
“We all have something we fear.”
“Except I have many somethings.”
He cupped her jaw with his free hand and urged her to look back at him.
She blinked. Repeatedly. Finally met his compassionate stare. To her disgust, her own eyes flooded with tears. “I … I think it’s best if I … go upstairs,” she whispered. “Alone.”
He gave her a searching look, nodded, and stepped back. “I’ll walk you to your room.”
“You don’t have to,” she demurred.
He said nothing, just held her hand securely in his as they climbed the stairs. At her door, he brushed a light kiss across her lips. “Will you be okay?”
She nodded. He turned and left.
Rae lay in bed for a long time staring out the window at the waning moon tracking across the sky, angry about the host of uncontrolled neuroses branding her a basket case, dooming her to a life of singleness.
