The Brookfield Series Volume One (4 page)

Mark set his fork down. There was no way he could finish this, knowing she was puking hers up right now. Might as well clean up and wait for her to re-emerge to see if she needed anything.

* * *

Julie sat on her mother’s bed, trying to remember anything about pregnancy she could. Was she eating foods she wasn’t supposed to? She hadn’t been sick once but, now that she was in her hometown, every morning she puked. How was she to face Mark? Surely she couldn’t fool him again. Maybe he didn’t know where she went, and she could just strut back into the kitchen like nothing happened. He was a guy, she reminded herself. He was single, and it wasn’t like he had any experience with this.

She looked herself over in the mirror and figured she looked the best she could without any make-up. Leaving the bedroom, she saw Mark was now at the computer in the living room.

“Any news?” she asked.

He turned to her. “Storm should be passing by soon.”

“That is good to hear.”

“Have you been to the doctor?” he asked.

Shit
. “It’s just a bug. It’ll pass soon.”

“I know you don’t know me, but you can talk to me. I understand.”

“There is nothing to talk about.” Julie crossed her arms and decided it was best to leave the room. Maybe the dishes hadn’t been done yet.

Luck wasn’t with her. Her mess had already been washed and dried. The counters and table had been wiped off. Damn, what could she do to busy herself?

Seeing as this wasn’t her kitchen, it wasn’t her place to organize and clean out the cupboards. Maybe she would sneak back to her mom’s room and look at all the postcards. She walked quickly out the doorway but bumped right into a broad, hard chest.

“Yikes, are you okay?” he asked.

Julie stood frozen and then slowly let her eyes drift away from his firm chest and up to his face, where his gaze burned down at her. Her eyes locked on his. Something stirred in her, and she recognized it right away. Arousal. She wondered what it would feel like to wrap her hand around the back of his neck and bring his lips to hers. Would the kiss be sweet and sensual or hard with passion? Without even realizing it, she’d moved in closer, and her breasts were now touching his chest. Damn, she didn’t even know this man.

Breaking the connection, she placed a hand on his chest to push him away. He was firm, and it took everything in her not to explore.

“Sorry,” she mumbled. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go clean up for the day.”

Mark didn’t budge right away. Breathing in his musky scent, her arousal stirred more. She had to get away from him and fast.

Finally, he stepped out of the way. She took the extra space and dashed toward her room. However, luck was still not with her. Right as she was about to turn the knob on the door, a loud crackling sound came from outside. The lights went off.

“No!” She ran toward the window.

Mark came up close behind her. A tree had fallen from the heavy snow and crashed right through the power lines. Now not only was she snowed in with this damn hot stranger, who she had an urge to kiss, but
now
there was no power. Which meant there was no heat. Where was her mother when she needed her the most?

Chapter Six

“I can’t believe there isn’t a corded phone in this entire house. My cell phone is out there in my car. How are we supposed to call for help?” Julie yelled.

She was freaking out and wasn’t afraid to show it. This wasn’t at all how she’d envisioned this trip home. Her mother was supposed to be there for starters and would have told her everything was okay. The worst damn snowstorm of the century wasn’t suppose to hit and trap her with the hottest man she’d ever seen, leaving her wanting to do all these dirty things with a stranger. While she was at it, she shouldn’t have puked up that delicious omelet either. She was hungry—again.

“Everything will be okay.” Mark stood there, looking awkward. “Does your mom have a generator?”

“Check the basement.”

He nodded and went toward the basement door.

“While you’re down there, check for a phone.”

He disappeared, and all she heard were his feet pounding the steps on his way down. Without power, they were liable to freeze to death. All they had was the fireplace. How would they eat? She wasn’t sure if the stove was gas or electric.

The sound of Mark on his way up the stairs made her turn to watch as he came through the doorway. In his hand he carried a phone.

“Found the phone and the generator. Only problem is it’s outside and not down there.”

“Well, let’s go get it.”

“You can’t carry it.” His eyes were on her belly. “I’m gonna have to dig a path in the snow to get it out.”

Julie bit her lip. “Let’s just think about this a minute. There has to be another option.”

Mark stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the door jam. He looked damn sexy in a gray shirt and loose jeans. The last thing she really wanted to do was send him out in this storm.

“Maybe we can call someone to come out here and help,” she suggested.

“It’s an idea, but why ask anyone to come out in this? I need to start digging a path anyway.”

“What can I do to help?”

“Quit freaking out. Have you ever been in a blizzard before?”

Her cheeks burned. It had been a while. “I’m really surprised there isn’t a back-up generator that’s already hooked up. Mom, being here by herself, never would have been able to drag a regular gas one out on her own.”

“I can look again.”

“I’ll come with you,” she said.

They headed together down into the damp basement. It was really chilly down there. Crossing her arms, she rubbed them vigorously.

Mark turned and looked at her. “You’re freezing. Go back up there.”

“No, I can help you look.”

He rolled his eyes. “How about calling a neighbor maybe and seeing if they know anything about your mom’s place?”

“Maybe Mr. Daniels might know something.”

Julie turned, ran up the stairs, and grabbed the phone to plug it into the kitchen outlet. Right as she entered the kitchen, the lights flashed on. There was a faint hum from outside. She smiled. Maybe they weren’t going to freeze to death.

Mark entered the kitchen. “Kicked on all by itself.”

“Really?”

“I feel kind of silly I didn’t think about that to begin with.”

She giggled. “No reason to feel that way. We both kind of panicked there for a moment.” Julie stepped closer, feeling comfortable with him. Looking up into his eyes, she reached out, letting her fingers lightly rub his arm. “Thank you for putting up with me.”

Mark stiffened under her touch. He either wanted her to stop touching him, or he was feeling the same thing she was. She really wanted his big arms wrapped around her, hugging her, keeping her warm. But it was too forward with someone she’d only met just yesterday.

“Uh, let me go see how many rooms have power.”

Julie nodded. “Want me to make some soup or something for lunch?”

“Sure.” Mark dashed out of the room.

* * *

It took everything in him not to take those lips of hers and kiss her thoroughly. Mark was almost certain Julie would not have protested. He was pretty sure she was attracted to him as much as he was her. But there was no way he could get involved with her. Not with the baby and whatever story she had following her. Drama was something he had come to Brookfield to escape. A fresh start. No one here knew anything about him or what had happened to him. He wanted it to stay that way. If he got any closer to Julie, she was going to want to know more.

His room was without power, and he was certain the rest of them were, too. He checked anyway, and what he suspected was true. The generator was only hooked up to the kitchen and living room, which made sense. However, that meant they were going to have to sleep in the same room. Definitely not what he needed since he was trying to avoid having his way with her.

He returned to the kitchen where Julie was stirring a pot of soup. It looked like it came from a can, which was fine by him. Thank goodness she wasn’t crying about not having homemade soup.

“Power is only in the living room and kitchen. I’m going to call the power company to let them know about the tree. Maybe, once the snow stops, they can get out here and help.”

After lunch, Julie lay down on the couch for a nap. Mark started to shovel a path from the kitchen door. He had hoped to make it farther, but the snow was thick. There was also nowhere to throw the snow. Needless to say, he didn’t get too far and the hope of getting to her car for her wasn’t happening.

He took a shower to warm himself up and thought it might be best to make a casserole or something for dinner. He didn’t know a whole heck of a lot about them, but they were warm and filling. It seemed easy. Toss a bunch of stuff together then bake. He couldn’t go wrong.

Julie was no longer on the couch, but he heard her talking. He stopped right outside the doorway to the kitchen, eavesdropping on her conversation.

“Mom, it’s me again. I really need you. Please call me back. I miss you, and I need to tell you something, and I don’t want to do it over voicemail. I need to hear your voice and your wisdom telling me it’s all going to be okay. I love you.”

He wished he had a way to help her and tell her it would all be okay. Clearing his throat to let her know he was entering the kitchen, he noticed her sitting with her face in her palms. A snort told him she was crying. Damn, he couldn’t handle her crying.

Mark grabbed her, jerked her up, and then wrapped his arms around her. She was stiff at first then relaxed, burying her face in his collarbone. Resting his chin on the top of her head, he inhaled her scent. It was light and flowery. It was just how he’d imagined she would smell. Julie was as soft in his arms as he’d thought she would be. It had been a long time since he’d had a woman in his arms, and she seemed like the perfect fit.

“Julie,” he whispered.

She gazed up at him, tears in her eyes.

Before he knew what he was doing, he found himself brushing a tear away. Her lips were slightly parted, and he licked his. He wanted just one taste. That was it. Would it be so wrong? He leaned down, about to brush his lips against hers when she pulled back.

“I’m pregnant.”

Damn, so close.
“I know.”

Julie released his waist and stepped back. “I can’t hide it anymore. I had to tell someone.”

“Why are you hiding it?”

“I’m unmarried and homeless.”

She didn’t have a place to live? “Boyfriend?”

“Dumped me when he found out. Told me I did it on purpose and, unless I was going to abort it, I had to leave.”

What a son of a bitch!
Kids were a blessing, even if you only had them a short time.

“I didn’t know what else to do, so I came home to my mom to see what she thought I should do. Only, as you know, she isn’t here. And I’m left still with no clue what to do.”

“Are you moving back to Brookfield?”

“I don’t know. My life is in New York. I’ve been a city girl since I graduated and love it. I can’t imagine coming back here. But I also don’t know that the city is a good place to raise the baby on my own.”

“How far along are you?”

“I think three months. I was so caught up in life I didn’t realize I was late until, one day, it dawned on me.”

“Once this snow clears up, you’ll need to get it confirmed by a doctor. Your morning sickness should be clearing up since you’re starting your second trimester.”

“How do you know so much?” She gave him a quizzical look.

He ran his hands through his hair. He hadn’t meant to come across so knowledgeable. Having her ask questions was the last thing he wanted.

“My sister had a baby, and she shared every detail with anyone who was willing to listen.”

Julie nodded, and he was glad she believed him. It wasn’t a lie at least. His sister had had a baby a few years ago, and she was rather chatty about it, just not with him.

“And you paid attention?”

He smiled. “I’m a good brother, I guess.”

“She’s lucky to have you then.”

“Thanks.” He missed his sister. She’d been mad when he told her he was leaving, but she understood. He was being held back by the past, and he had to move on.

“It feels good to have told someone. I guess I’m going to have to get used to it. It isn’t like I can hide this. Before I know it, everyone will know just by looking at me.”

“There’s no reason to be ashamed. You’re an adult. It isn’t your fault the person you were in a committed relationship with didn’t want you. That baby is a blessing. A gift from God.”

A tear trickled down her cheek again, and he reached out, wiping it away. “Thank you.”

Her big brown eyes studied his face, and then she lingered on his mouth. Julie licked her lips, and he decided that if she kissed him, he wasn’t resisting. As much as he should, he wouldn’t. But she didn’t. Instead she smiled and thanked him. Then she left the kitchen without a look back. He heard the bathroom door shut.