Chapter 47

Not every day was perfect. There were times when Brook couldn’t handle even the thought of physical intimacy, much less the act. At those times, Lance would hold her in a chaste embrace, or he’d leave her enough space to wrestle her demons before finding her way back to him. As with anyone and any life, there were joys and there were sorrows. There were ups and downs, but far more of the former than the latter.

One day, Brook seemed particularly agitated. Lance sat patiently with her, waiting. He knew she was building up to something. At last, she spoke.

“If not for you, I’d be dead,” Brook stated, holding his gaze.

“Not necessarily,” he answered slowly, wondering where this would lead. “It would depend on which direction you traveled. Had you gone one way, you might have eventually found my cabin. Had you gone the opposite direction, you could have ended up at the main house of the man who owns this land. But, it’s a really long, rugged hike. Or you might have just wandered in circles in the forest. Perhaps you would have come across cold-weather hikers or climbers had you gone far enough. It’s hard to say.”

“No.” She took his hand. “I was at the end of my strength. I’d have died if I hadn’t found you. You’ll never convince me otherwise.”

“Brooklyn, I don’t want to convince you otherwise. I don’t know why it happened or how. I only know I’m glad it did. I’m glad I was there in the right spot at the right time. I just wish you hadn’t suffered so much.”

“I’m still trying to sort this all out in my mind.” She struggled for words. “I hate what happened to me, hate it. It was horrifying and painful. I don’t know how I survived. But there is one thing that stands out above all the rest. And that one thing is very confusing.”

“What’s that, honey?” Lance stroked her hand.

“If it hadn’t happened, I would never have met you.” Tears spilled from her eyes and she swatted at them as if annoyed. “How can I balance the two? The worst thing that ever happened in my life made possible the best thing. Knowing you. And now I love you, and I’m not supposed to. I’m not supposed to feel this way. But I do. I can’t help it.”

“Sometimes there are things in life that just can’t be reconciled. They just are what they are. As far as loving me, I can’t help you with that, Brooklyn.” His eyes were intense. “I can’t be objective because I love you, too. And I want you. I want you like I’ve never wanted anything else. Right or wrong. I can’t help it either.”

“What are we going to do?” Her anguish was plain in her voice, her face inches from his. He took her into his arms and they clung to each other.

“I don’t know, Brooklyn,” he murmured. “I guess we’ll just take it a day at a time for now.”

Her mouth found his and their passion blazed again. Filled with emotion, they sank into the swirling heat and tenderness once more.