Thunder Snow (Thunder On The Mountain Series) Page 12

  “It was her idea, Charles. I just knew how to get it done.”

  After several companionable hours, Charles and all of the workmen were finally finished and gone. Everything was back in order, and Jack was surprised at how much he had missed Callie, even though she had only been gone a few days. He felt like a teenager as he lit candles and put the finishing touches on a simple dinner of grilled chicken with a fresh salad.

  ~~~

  When I walked through the door, Jack and I just stood for a few moments, staring at each other. I set down my suitcase and looked around. The table was set, candles were lit, and wonderful smells had my stomach growling.

  “You did all of this for me?” I asked, deeply touched by his thoughtfulness.

  He opened his arms and I stepped into them.

  “I’ve missed you,” he said. “I needed something to occupy my time while I waited for you to get back.”

  “Are you real? Where did you come from? Can I keep you?” We laughed until our lips met. Then there was nothing funny anymore, only the passion that continually flared between us.

  “Let me take care of one physical need before we start working on satisfying another,” he said. “Go wash up. I'll get the food on the table.”

  Dinner was intimate, romantic, and delicious. I told him about my conference, and how different it was from all of the others because, this time, I just wanted to get home to him. When we were finished, Jack poured a second glass of wine for both of us and said, “Would you like to continue this discussion in front of the fire? I've been stoking it all evening.”

  “Been stoking the fireplace, or a different kind of fire?”

  “Don’t you understand yet? The other fire just takes care of itself. THAT fire is always stoked. All I need to do is think about you and what you do to me, and I’m hot again.”

  That night I learned what it truly meant to make love to someone. The emotion involved, the passion, the sharing of spirits, the overwhelming feeling of being one. If this is what his response would be when I had been gone for a few days, I might have to take a trip more often.

  As the sun rose the following morning, Jack woke me with a steaming cup of coffee.

  “Wake up, little one. I have something to show you.”

  “What are you doing up? How can you possibly be up so early after last night?”

  “The sun is coming up, the snow is falling, and I have something to show you.”

  His excitement was infectious. After a stretch and a yawn, I put my feet over the side of the bed as I took the proffered cup. “Give me just a few. I’ll throw on some clothes and be right with you.”

  Ten minutes later, feeling almost human, Jack was waiting for me. He took my hand and said, “Come on, come on. I have something to show you.”

  “All right, all right. You’ve said that. Show me.”

  He led me towards the back of the house. “Wait, Jack. It’s snowing. Neither one of us is dressed to go outside.”

  “Trust me. You don’t need to be bundled up.”

  As we turned into the back hallway, where there had once been a wall, there was now a spiral staircase. Not understanding at all what was happening, and feeling out of touch with reality, I stepped forward.

  “I don’t understand?” I said, looking at Jack, then looking around at the transformed area.

  “You don’t need to understand yet. Just trust.”

  I stepped onto the first rung and turned to look at Jack. “This is surreal. Are you coming?” I asked, not sure whether or not to be excited. “Did you slip something into my coffee? Have we just fallen down a rabbit hole?”

  Patting me gently on the butt, Jack laughed and said, “Go on, go on, I want to show you.”

  Hearing the excitement in his voice, I made the tentative first steps. As I rounded the final curve, there before me was a completely enclosed, glassed-in platform that allowed me a view of the reservoir, the town, and the mountains to the west.

  Incredulous, not really grasping yet what was going on, I looked at Jack for some sort of explanation.

  The smile on his face was so engaging. “You are the one that mentioned the crow’s nest on a ship. I have been thinking of it and wondering what that would look like. I like the thought of an eagle more than a crow. ‘Eyrie’ is an eagle’s nest that’s often built into the side of a rock formation high above everything else.

  “I called your dad when I found out you were leaving town. He made the arrangements. The crew worked around the clock to have it done before you got back. Let me show you Callie’s Eyrie.”

  “Oh, Jack, I LOVE the name!”

  He smiled his smile and showed me an almost invisible handle that opened a long, narrow window. “There are three of these on the front, and three on the west side. When the weather is bad, you will be able to open any one of them, your lens will fit through with plenty of room to maneuver, and you won’t have to be out in the elements risking your life.”

  Overwhelmed, I stood motionless.

  “It’s designed so there are not many places east or north or west that your lens will not be able to capture. Since you can’t capture shots to the south on this side of the mountain anyway, it was the best I could do.”

  “The best you could do?” I asked with tears streaming down my face.

  “What is it, little one? Are you not thrilled?”

  “Thrilled? I’m speechless. I can’t even contain the feeling. I can hardly breathe with the excitement of it. Oh, my God, Jack. You thought I'd be thrilled? There doesn’t even exist a word for what I am,” I sobbed into his chest. “It’s so overpowering I can’t even feel it yet.”

  After a few minutes looking out over the falling snow, warm and secure in each other’s arms, he whispered gently, “You inspire me to greatness. You encourage me in so many ways I didn’t know I wanted to be encouraged. I wanted to do something nice for you. I wanted to do something that would bring you great pleasure. Well, more pleasure than what I do for you most mornings in your bed.”

  We both laughed, but I was full to almost bursting. Finally, excitedly, I disentangled myself and said, “Wait

  here,” as I rushed to get my equipment.

  Standing on the stairway with camera in hand, I took pictures of Jack above me, looking out over the reservoir. He smiled down at me as I captured the essence of him. “I’m so glad you like it,” he smiled. “I was afraid you would think I was trying to clip your wings.”

  “You can’t be serious?” I said, coming up next to him. “If I live to be a hundred, this will be the single most exquisite moment in my life. This is protection, not clipping my wings.”

  Opening the carefully disguised windows, I was lost in what was happening, in the design of it, the functionality of it, the excitement of it. “Jack, there just aren’t words.”

  “I’m so glad you are pleased. Let me show you some of the secrets of it.” There were switches that opened and closed the floor opening, that adjusted lighting, that adjusted the temperature.

  “I’ve been around building and design a long time, Jack. I can’t even imagine the work and man-hours that would have gone into something like this, much less getting the materials up here and finding the workers to get it done. I can’t even wrap my brain around it.”

  “Your dad and I talked, he loved the idea. I had been working on the plans since the first time you mentioned it, just waiting for a few days when you weren’t around to be able to implement it. I called in some favors . . . voila."

  Looking down at me, he said, “Why are you crying now?”

  “Again, the single happiest moment of my life.”

  The rest of the day passed blissfully. I kept asking questions as more logistics would occur to me.

  “How in the world did you get all of the debris out of here?”

  “Each of the guys had their truck. They just hauled it when they left.”

  “Where did you find electricians and carpenters and glass installers on such short
notice?”

  “I told you. I’m a builder. I’ve been in the business a long time. Your dad and I called in some favors."

  “Good God, Jack. I didn’t know the heart had this capacity to expand. If I died right this minute, I wonder if heaven could be more wonderful?”

  “After I’ve gone to all of this work? You better not die right now,” he teased.

  I couldn’t take it all in. I kept stopping and looking at him. Just looking and absorbing.

  “Isn’t it amazing that we have been in the same type of business for all of these years, both of us between Denver and Boulder, and we didn’t run into each other until we ran away to an obscure mountain town with little more than a thousand people?”

  “I’ve known about you for a while. Your father is pretty proud of you.”

  “Yeah, I’m all he has left, so he obsesses about me and tends to see my accomplishments as the only parent whose child has ever succeeded."

  “I didn’t know your mother, but I know your dad is one of the finest men I have ever known. You’re both pretty lucky."

  “Thank you, Jack. I sure think so.”

  “Before it gets too bad out there, I need to run home and take care of a few things. I’ve been a little preoccupied the past few days around here. They’re calling for over a foot, so I want to make sure things are secure.”

  “Jack— do you realize I’ve never seen your place? Can I tag along?”

  “Soon, little one. Right now, why don’t you head into town and check on Sam, grab some groceries in case we have to hole up for more than a day or two, and then I’ll meet you back here at the pass?”

  “Wouldn’t that be wonderful, not being able to leave for a few days? Maybe I’ll pick up a deck of cards so we have something to do to pass the time," I winked as I headed to town.

  “What brings ya down here as the snow starts ta fly? I thought ya’d be all cozy with appreciation this mornin’. Sure was a special thing Jack did."

  “It hasn’t even sunk in yet. Not just WHAT it is, but that he thought of it, that he implemented it. I’m blown away.”

  “Yeah, yer pa was pretty tickled.”

  “You saw my dad?”

  “Sure. He came up ta see what all the fuss were ‘bout, see how Jack Franklin was lookin’ out fer his little girl. Yep, he was one proud papa.”

  “I know Jack said that my dad was in on it, but it hadn’t actually occurred to me that he was here. That’s so strange to think that while I was gone for a few days, all of this was taking place. Another little treasure to put in the box to open at a later time.”

  “Ain’t none a us don’t have mighty strong feelin’s fer ya, Missy. Ya do so much fer all the town folk, helpin’ out Griz, takin’ Mz. Jenny ta the doc when she fell, buyin’ groc'ries fer Farley when he were sick, helpin’ me out ‘round here without even bein’ 'ware yer doin’ it. Ya bring us lotsa sunshine; ain’t many that don’t know yer family."

  “Oh, Sam. I’m not sure I can even understand all of the emotions that being here has shown me.”

  Looking out the window, the ground was turning white. “I came down to check on you and get some supplies. You closing up?”

  “Like a little mother hen. Get on with ya now and get what ya need. I’ll be heading out in a few. Folks keep showing up fer a cooked meal ta take home or I woulda been done long time ago.”

  “Do you need anything? Can I drop it off on my way up?”

  “Nah, ‘preciate it, but I’m all stocked up. This one’s s’posed ta be a Nor’easter, so get on outta here.”

  “Will do. Love ya, Sam.”

  “Ya sure can make me blush. Now get on down the road . . .”

  There was a definite spring to my step as I got supplies for a few days. Normally prepared, I had not replenished because I had known I wouldn’t be around, but it was a joyful rush knowing Jack and I would be spending the next twenty-four hours together, at least.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  When I set the grocery bags on the counter, there was an exquisitely carved box that looked like it had been made out of burled black walnut. “What’s this?" I asked Jack, who was loading the bin with firewood.

  “Just a little something I thought might help us to pass the time if we get bored.”

  “Yeah, like that’s gonna happen,” I smiled. “May I open it?”

  “Be my guest.”

  What was inside was the most exquisite chess set I had ever seen.

  “Do you play?” he asked when he saw me standing there motionless?

  “I’m almost afraid to touch them,” I said reverently, removing a Knight from its specially designed resting place.

  “Look at the hair on this horses head, Jack. It’s so intricate and curly. I’ve never seen anything like these pieces. The Queen is magnificent. Wherever did you find them?”

  “I made them,” he said. “They’re made from black walnut and bass wood. The board’s made out of the same woods,” he said, sliding it out of its hiding place.

  “NOW what has you crying, little one? Are you always this sentimental?” he teased.

  “Wherever did you get the idea for them?”

  “For so long now it’s been just me and the carnival of my mind. Kinda like Scott down at the Carousel. I figured my pieces could look anyway I wanted them to. They didn’t take me twenty-five years, but his carvings are life size. I had an advantage that mine were much smaller.”

  I looked at him, then gently touched the pieces. I knew I was being foolish, but I wasn’t able to stop. “Jack, this isn’t just about the amazing talent that would enable you to be able to do something like this. Or the patience it would take. It’s about the heart that went into making them. They are incomparable. Once again, the words don’t exist in my vocabulary that would allow me to adequately describe how these make me feel. It’s almost as if they’re real, as if they have personalities of their own, each of them an individual.”

  I could tell he was pleased with my response. He put his arms around me and said, “We’ll play after dinner. If you don’t know how, I'll teach you.”

  “My dad and I used to play while my mom was sick. We would sit in her room for hours, quietly, just to be there with her. Chess is a fond memory.”

  We spent hours playing that night.

  “Best two outta three?” he asked, after each of us had won thoroughly enjoyable games.

  “The snow is piling up and it’s almost midnight,” I said, not being able to control my yawns. "Shall we let the winner be decided tomorrow? It’s not like we’re going anywhere else.”

  “We are always on the same page – about everything. Tomorrow it is.”

  Falling asleep in his arms that night, I was sure I had never been more content in my entire life. “I love you, Jack Franklin,” I whispered as my last conscious thought.

  He squeezed me in acknowledgment. The next thing I knew, the sun was up, but the snowflakes were still falling furiously. Jack was under the covers, tenderly fondling my nipple with his tongue.

  “Is there anything you don’t do to perfection?” I asked, still mostly asleep.

  “I’m not sure. But let me know if I do something that doesn’t please you.”

  I could feel his smile against my chest with his morning growth of beard, feel his hardness throbbing against my leg. I wanted to grind against him, but I wanted also to just be still, to enjoy. “I have just enough stubble to make you aware. Let me know if it’s too rough."

  But I wasn’t listening. I was too busy moaning, moving, enjoying.

  As we worked companionably in the kitchen that day, Jack said, “One of the things I love about you is how sweetly affectionate you are after we’ve made love. Not just right after, but all day. There’s a fine line between sweet and cloying, and you don't cross it. It’s a pretty endearing quality.”

  “Thanks. Does that mean I’m better than a cigarette after?”

  He touched my face, covering my lips with his. “You’re fun, not nee
dy. I love our banter. Even my lips miss you when you’re not moving in sync with them.”

  “I’m always so aware of you afterwards.” I was surprised he could still make me blush. "It’s so much fun, the tease mode we get into. In my dreams, I couldn’t have even imagined you to conjure you up.”

  “You’re so much better than I deserve, little one. It’s hard to explain what you do to me. So often you keep me activated in a totally sensual state. It doesn’t need fulfillment all the time, it just is. You are always with me.”

  Our days were full of captivating hours, our nights overflowed with magic. One morning after the snow had melted, I found a letter on the kitchen counter. His handwriting was precise and perfectly formed, and my heart raced with excitement as I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down to read what he had written.

  Friend of my heart – No matter where I am, you are with me. You have become such a part of me that I don’t know where I end and you begin. You are always just below the surface or overflowing. I don’t seem to be able to adequately express what my heart wants to tell you.

  The first night you walked into Sam’s place, I felt the axis of my world shift. I didn’t want to be aware of anyone like that, but there you stood. My senses had alarms going off, and I knew in that moment my life would be altered. Every day I think I’m going to find you’re a dream I had, that you were something I wanted so much I imagined you. The remarkable thing is I had no idea how much I wanted what we have and now I realize how necessary it is to my survival.

  Over the months I came to realize I am complete with you. You make me a better person. I had never considered I was empty until you filled me. Last night when we were lying in bed and you put your hand against mine, I thought it was symbolic of how we fit each other – where I have valleys, you fill me. Where I have peaks, I am able to fill in your blanks, making us a whole unit.