Hunter moved aside. Hell, this was the last thing in the world he expected. He couldn’t say no, or close the door in her face. In fact, he was shaking, thrilled to see her.

  She walked inside and looked around slowly.

  “Not exactly the Taj Mahal,” he smiled, despite himself.

  “I could barely sleep last night,” Megan said.

  Hunter wanted to grab her, kiss her, reassure her.

  “Neither could I,” he said.

  Megan looked out of the wind for a moment and then continued speaking.

  “I had to come,” she said, almost apologetically. “I couldn’t stay away.”

  Hunter couldn’t take it. “Don’t apologize,” he drew closer. “You never have to apologize for anything, you’re beautiful, wonderful.”

  “I don’t understand why you’re not coming back,” she whispered.

  “For both of us,” he whispered back, “I wanted to protect you, and I want to protect me too.’

  She pressed herself completely up against him. He could smell her deep perfume, feel her heart beating, was helpless beside her.

  “That’s not the way to protect each other,” her voice was throaty.

  “My God,” he said as he pulled her to him, tighter.

  “You can’t just run away from something like this,” she breathed as he kissed her shoulders and neck.

  “I know, I know,” he responded as they melted passionately into each other’s arms, kissing and moaning until they fell together back onto the bed.

  They made wild love all night long as the sky changed colors, time stood still, and everything Hunter had ever yearned for was here in his arms. Every cell of his body trembled, every cell of her body trembled along with his. How did this happen? They were made for each other, he kept saying out loud. This was everything he’d ever wanted and more.

  *

  Morning came and the world was different. Not only was the world different, she was. Hunter had awakened an entirely new part of Megan. They spent the next day in bed together making love. In between, they got up, laughed, put some coffee on, and fell back down together to kiss and talk. A strength and power she had never felt came rushing through Megan with each embrace. His powerful energy flooded through her every pore, clearing away pain and memories. It made her time with Kyle fade away. All their years together was only playing at love, Megan realized. She and Kyle had barely skimmed the surface of what was possible. She’d never been touched in this way before, never experienced this kind of connection or intimacy. Megan had not even dared dream of the deep fulfillment she felt with Hunter now.

  Megan ran her hands up and down Hunter’s bare chest as they lay together. Who was I before I knew you, she thought? Who would I be if you had never come to town?

  Hunter slowly opened his beautiful eyes then, with a deep smile of contentment all over his face.

  “How did this happen?” he murmured again.

  Megan laughed happily.

  “You know one day we’ll have to get up and walk out of the cabin and go back into the world,” he said slowly.

  “One day,” Megan said, “not now. Not yet.”

  Megan dreaded having to return to life as she knew it. But, then she realized in that moment that life as she knew it was gone. It could not be returned to. And Hunter was, forever, a part of her new self.

  “Still planning to leave the job?” she asked him jokingly.

  He leaned up on his arm and gazed at her.

  “No. Not if you’ll still have me.”

  Megan reached up towards him. “I’ll have you,” she said. She wanted to say I love you, but couldn’t yet. The words I love you didn’t have to be said though. They’d been spoken to each other in hundreds of other ways all during the night and day.

  “Why don’t you just come and live at my house,” Megan said then, surprising herself as well as Hunter.

  He lifted himself up further, and grinned.

  “Just like that? You’re moving in with a stranger?”

  Megan laughed. Hunter was the least like a stranger of anyone she’d ever known. Next to him everyone else seemed like strangers. He seemed like a part of her, a part that had always been there, but that she just hadn’t found as yet.

  “You’re hardly a stranger,” Megan said.

  “You really mean it?” he laughed.

  “I mean it,” she said. It seemed totally natural to have him move in. She couldn’t see any reason for them to be apart.

  “Whoah,” said Hunter, “it’s way too soon. How do you think the town would react? It would be like another tornado touching down.”

  But all sense of who Megan used to be, all concern for how the town would react, had dropped from her completely. Time meant nothing to her anymore either. She knew that time brought treasures and then took them away in an instant as well. She didn’t want to miss a second with Hunter.

  “What difference does it make how others react?” Megan said in a hushed voice. “When have you ever cared so much about something like that?”

  “I care about you,” he said. “I care about your being hurt. This is your town, it’s the world you live in.”

  “And I care about our being together,” Megan said. “As far as I’m concerned, the timing is perfect.”

  “Looks like I found a wild woman hidden here in Tom’s River,” Hunter murmured.

  “But I don’t have to be hidden anymore,” said Megan.

  He leaned over then and smothered her with kisses.

  “When the time is right, it will happen,” he murmured, “everything happens when the time is right.”

  CHAPTER 21

  Peter Burns didn’t like that guy Hunter Clay Borden from the first minute he laid eyes on him. Didn’t trust him as far as he could throw him, either. Megan wasn’t herself around him and couldn’t be expected to use her judgment at a time like this. Guys like Hunter made a specialty out of preying upon vulnerable women, getting all they could from them, and then leaving them flat. It didn’t take a cop to realize that. None of the other guys in town liked him either. They didn’t appreciate hearing their women talk about him on the phone, or hear that the Pastor’s wife had actually gone down to the Lumber Yard to see him with her very own eyes. How in the world this guy ended up working at Megan’s home was something Peter would never understand. It was crazy. When he’d asked Randy about it, Randy just pooh poohed him, though. Obviously, this guy had wrapped Randy around his little finger as well.

  But Peter had no intention of letting one more lousy thing happen to Megan. He cared about her, always had, and especially loved her daughter. Hell, Mallory had practically become his own second child, she played with his son so often. Peter had to russell up support for getting this guy out of town. It probably wouldn’t be hard to do, either and he decided to talk to the Pastor about it. It wouldn’t hurt to have someone with special clout. Peter felt close to the Pastor, respected him. Look how he’d reached out and taken that runaway girl into the church, given her a few rooms to say in and even found her a part time job. How many guys would do that?

  Peter walked over to the Church from the police station. It was a good plan and he felt comfortable with it.

  Much to his surprise, when he arrived Angela was there, talking to the secretary. Angela looked softer than usual and pretty in the late afternoon light. Peter was surprised how good it was to see her.

  “Hey,” he said as he walked in.

  Angela seemed glad to see him as well. It sure felt good being valued like that.

  “How are you doing, Peter?” Angela said.

  “Could be better,” he said, “could be worse.”

  She smiled. “Same for all of us.”

  “And what brings you here?” the secretary joined in, turning to Peter.

  “Thought the Pastor might have a free moment,” Peter said lightly.

  The secretary shook her head. “Some people just don’t believe in making appointments.” she smiled.

  “I’m a fly by the seat of your pants kind of guy,” Peter joked.

  Angela laughed out loud at that, and the secretary smiled.

  “Is he busy?” Peter said.

  “He has another appointment right now,” she answered, “but he’ll be free in about fifteen minutes or so.”

  “Pastor’s a busy man,” said Angela. “I just saw him a little while ago myself.”

  Peter wondered why. “Sorry,” he said.

  “Why, sorry?” said Angela, “we’re lucky to have someone like him here in town that we can all turn to.”

  “How about catching a cup of coffee with me for about fifteen minutes?” Peter said, while I wait for my turn.

  “Terrific,” said Angela.

  The two of them walked to the coffee shop on the corner. As they left, Peter saw the secretary watch their every move out of the corner of her eye.

  *

  “What’s wrong?” Peter asked Angela directly as soon they were seated and their coffee came. “How come you had to talk to the Pastor?” He figured he had a right to ask, he’d seen Angela so many times at Megan’s house. She probably viewed him as an old friend, too.

  Angela picked up the coffee, suddenly looking somber.

  “I’m breaking up with Brian,” she said.

  It was high time, Peter was glad to hear it. He was even a little excited about it.

  “That’s got to be rough,” he said.

  “Not as rough as I expected,” said Angela. “The Pastor’s guiding me through it. He’s a good person, does a fine job, only wants what’s fair. I love people who are fair.”

  “Me, too,” said Peter, appreciating that.

  “It only makes sense for me to leave Brian. He refuses to commit,” Angela continued speaking quickly.

  “How’s Brian taking it?” Peter was curious.

  “Very well, if you asked me, Strangely enough, I’d say he was relieved,” Angela looked more closely at Peter then, as if fishing for a response.

  Peter frowned. “Relieved to lose a wonderful girl like you?”

  Angela laughed. “That’s pushing it, I’d say. Feels like he’s relieved to get out of the relationship and have me be the one to say good bye. But I am. There’s a time for all things.”

  Indeed there is, Peter thought.

  “Well, I’m proud of you, Angela, if that makes any difference.”

  Angela grew quiet. “Yes, it does, Peter, thank you for that,” she said.

  Angela was a fine woman, Peter realized, upright, gracious. Any guy would be lucky to have someone like her around. It made perfect sense for him to take this opportunity to ask her out, but he couldn’t, something held him back.

  “How are you doing with Megan? “Angela asked unexpectedly then.

  “Barely see her these days,” said Peter.

  “No one has. The storm was terrible. She’s having a hard time coming back to herself, buried in all kinds of repairs,” said Angela. “She must be very busy with the construction.”

  “Busy with more than that, if you asked me,” Peter said.

  Angela looked startled. “Like what?”

  “Have you seen the guys working over there?” Peter asked casually.

  A look of concern flashed across Angela’s face then, “No, I haven’t.”

  “Well, I suggest you go over and take a look,” Peter said. “You’ll see the whole story for yourself.”

  “What story? What are you talking about?” Now Angela truly looked afraid.

  Peter smiled and reached out to her lightly.

  “Go see for yourself, talk to Megan and then report back to me. I’d appreciate it.”

  Angela put her coffee cup down. “What’s going on Peter? You’re scaring me.”

  “Too many shocks can unhinge a person,” Peter said. “I suggest you check in on your friend regularly, hang around as much as you can, help her out.”

  Angela seemed frozen. “I call and she doesn’t answer. I can’t just walk in.”

  “Sure you can,” said Peter. “And I’d do it if I were you.”

  After coffee they walked back to the church together, said good bye and promised to talk soon. Then Peter walked in for his appointment with the Pastor.

  *

  Nelson Halding stood up as Peter walked in to his study, extended his hand, and looked glad to see him.

  “What can I do for you, Peter?” It never failed to impress Peter how gracious the guy was to everybody. Today there was a troubled look in his eye, but he tossed is aside as soon as Peter sat down. “It’s a pleasure to see you,” he went on.

  Peter looked around his small study. There were rows of bookshelves lining the walls, filled with scripture, books of poetry and essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson. A square wooden desk was placed in the center and assorted plants were growing on the window sills. The floor was covered with a small, hand woven area rug and two chairs for visitors were placed opposite one another.

  “There’s trouble in town,” Peter got right to the point. “And I’m really concerned about Megan.”

  The Pastor’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

  Peter leaned back in his chair, half parishioner, half cop. He wanted to feel the Pastor out, see his reactions, figure how far he could push him with this whole thing.

  “You know about the stranger that’s come to town?” Peter said, “the one that’s working in Grave’s Lumber?”

  The Pastor didn’t display any reaction at all. “I’ve heard about him,” he said non-committally.

  “I mean the one your wife went to visit,” Peter went on emphatically.

  The Pastor didn’t miss a beat. “Abigail is a friendly sort. She enjoys visiting all kinds of people. I can’t keep track of her every move.”

  Clearly he was covering his upset.

  “This guy’s a ladies man,” Peter was blunt. “He has all the women in town buzzing over him.”

  A slight smile played at the edge of the Pastor’s mouth. “Really?” he seemed to find it amusing. “Well, it’s true that women can be like children at times,” he said.

  “Yeah,” said Peter, “and men can be their latest toys.”

  The Pastor didn’t flinch when Peter said that, just looked at him evenly.

  “What is it you want, Peter? Have you crossed paths with this fellow?” The Pastor wasn’t impatient, just interested.

  “This fellow’s name is Hunter Clay Borden,” Peter said.

  “Yes?”

  “Right now he’s working at Megan’s home every day, re-building the roof, making repairs.”

  “Okay,” said the Pastor.

  “It’s not okay,” Peter was getting agitated. “He’s actually working for Randy at Grave’s Lumber and Randy sent him over there.”

  “So what’s the problem?” the Pastor said.

  “I don’t trust the guy for a minute,” said Peter. “I don’t like having him there every day with Megan. It can’t lead to any good.”

  “The two of them are there alone?” asked the Pastor.

  “No, there’s a crew.”

  The Pastor sat further back in his chair, looking at Peter closely.

  “You have feelings for Megan?” he asked then.

  “I am her good friend and have been for years.”

  “Yes, and do you have feelings for her, Peter?”

  “What has that got to do with anything?” Peter asked.

  “Sounds like jealousy,” the Pastor said quietly.

  “I am not her boyfriend,” said Peter.

  “But you are jealous of him.”

  “I’m concerned. I want your help with getting him out of there.”

  The Pastor looked startled for a moment. “Out of here? My help?”

  “He doesn’t belong in town,” said Peter. “He’s a tricky stranger, just passing through.”

  “In God’s world there are no strangers,” the Pastor said. “He has a right to be here. We are commanded to love the outcast, the stranger -.”“

  Peter didn’t think he was getting it. “Let’s get real for a minute,” he said.

  “Unless there’s some evidence you have that he’s up to no good,” the Pastor spoke slowly, “there’s nothing to do.”

  “He’s playing with Megan,” Peter interrupted. “I saw it in her eyes when I was there to visit. She’s taken in.”

  Peter was surprised. He frankly thought that the Pastor would be on his side, be willing to find a way to get rid of the guy.

  “Megan’s been through hell,” Peter said. “This can’t be good.”

  “Her husband has vanished,” the Pastor responded, “she has a right to care for somebody else.”

  Peter was shocked, offended.

  “But who? That’s the question, isn’t it?” Peter said as he stood up.

  The Pastor stood up, opposite him. “We cannot control the human heart. It needs closeness and love. We have no say over who the heart chooses, either. None at all. Believe me Peter, I’ve grappled with this for years.”

  Peter shook his head. “I disagree,” he said. “We can see danger when it’s coming and do something about it.”

  “First you have to be sure it’s danger,” said the Pastor, and not just personal jealousy.

  Point well taken, thought Peter. Okay, he’d find out, make sure. He would investigate Hunter thoroughly and see what he could turn up.

  CHAPTER 22

  Megan could not believe how easy and beautiful it was having Hunter here beside her, working in her home every day. As she cleaned up the kitchen and he was out chopping wood in the back, it seemed as if they’d been together like this forever. Every night they would go to his cabin, make love all night long, then come back to the house in the morning. Mallory’s room wasn’t ready yet and she slept at Megan’s parents. Megan’s parents thought that Megan was sleeping back at the house. It didn’t matter what they thought, it was none of their business.

  The other guys in the crew only came in the afternoon. When no one was around, Hunter would take little breaks from work, come into the house, hold Megan, tell her how beautiful she was, then return to the job. Megan had never received that kind of spontaneous love and attention. In fact, she could think of nothing but Hunter, all day long. She planned their meals, bought delicacies and even started a collage of wild flowers for him, something she hadn’t done for years.

 

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