And Never Say Goodbye: A Town of Destiny Novel Read online

  “It was nice.” She must have looked like a moron with that smile. Not quite sure how to handle his kindness. Used to be so easy to hate him. Now…

  “I love watching you in your element. You’re so concentrated. I was impressed.” He jumped into his truck.

  “Trained by the best.”

  “Who is he?” He grinned.

  “Or she?”

  He laughed. “Or she.”

  “I’d like to assist you next time.”

  He turned the key in the ignition. “I don’t think you could do that, McShane. Give up the power in your OR?”

  “I could do it. I’ll prove it to you when I come back.” She pushed his door closed and smirked. “You’ll see.”

  “Can’t wait.” He pulled the belt over his chest.

  “Have a good case, Gallagher. Don’t lose any organs on us.”

  “Don’t plan on it.” He smiled and waved, making sure Sadie was close to the house before he pulled out. His eyes stayed on her before he turned around and drove off.

  She walked to the barn and pushed the service door up. The dust particles flew all around, boxes toppling each other, some opened and some tightly closed. Sadie padded in, sniffing the floor.

  Kicking a box, she glared down at it as if it were alive. She bent to open it and felt a chill lick her back. She turned to see trees bending and the windmill spinning out of control. “Great.”

  A gust of wind whooshed through the barn, scattering debris everywhere. Papers flew out of opened tubs, triggering her to snatch them and place them back. She shuffled to the door and looked up to glimpse black clouds drifting overhead.

  Sadie barked and spun in circles, making Mallory nervous. “You don’t like storms, either? Better get inside.” She pulled the heavy door down, slamming it to the ground in a loud bang. “Come on, girl. Let’s go!”

  Dirt and gravel funneled around them as they darted for the house. She ran next to Sadie, pushing her hair out of her face, praying it was just a storm and nothing else. Just a summer storm. She could handle a storm. After getting inside, she exhaled and dashed for the flashlights just in case power was lost.

  When she turned the TV on, she found the news and saw the alerts close to her area. Alerts for spotted funnels in the Joliet and Aurora areas. She tapped her foot and pet Sadie who curled up next to her on the couch.

  “I know what you want. You want a treat.” She headed for the kitchen with Sadie following behind. “I know the rule, but this is special. There you go.” But Sadie just looked at her with fear in her eyes. “Here, take it.” She held her hand out, but no response.

  Her nerves began to fray as she put the biscuit back into the bag. She walked to the window over the sink and watched the sky transform from gray to purple…to green. Her heart pounded, searching the sky. The lights flickered, causing her to run for the flashlights on the coffee table.

  Sadie whined and glued herself to Mallory’s leg, her whimpering growing louder.

  “I think we need to go to the shelter.” She grabbed Sadie’s bag of food and bowls before she ran to the door. There’d be plenty of food stocked down there already.

  When she found the door in the ground, she bent and yanked it open and let Sadie run down the steps. Before she ducked below, she looked up and saw blackness swirling around her. She struggled to pull the door down, but finally slammed it shut and hooked the lock through the hinge, securing it. The door rattled, but she felt safe.

  She turned on the lamp, thanks to her father’s electrician skills, filling the damp-smelling dungeon with dim lighting. Sadie found a place on the bright red rug her mother had put there to make it homey. A stuffy sofa covered in flowers lined the cement wall. Memories of her parents and her huddled together had rushed in, making her smile.

  A distant deep voice sounded out to her, remembering her father’s playful but serious tone. “Mallory, these storms make you stronger. If you can’t handle ‘em, then leave Illinois.”

  “But they scare me, Daddy. They can hurt you.” Her lip had trembled, trying to be brave for him.

  “Charles Dempsey, don’t you scare her,” her mother had said with a twinkle in her eye. Katie Dempsey was the strongest woman she knew and would ever know. Mallory smiled at the memory of her blonde-haired mother who’d be considered a MILF by today’s standards, even as a farmer’s wife. She was Destiny’s own beauty queen, winning every pageant they ran. And her father knew he had a good one. Treated her like a true queen.

  His deep voice spoke of love to his wife. “Oh, honey. I just want her to stand strong in these times. We’re not going to always be around.”

  “Don’t say that, Daddy!”

  He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her head. “It’s true, pumpkin. All this will be yours one day, so I want you to handle yourself like a warrior. A storm warrior.”

  “Yes, Daddy. I will.”

  Mallory sat on the couch and rubbed Sadie’s head to calm her. It was an eerie quiet and couldn’t tell what was happening out there. She silently prayed for her house to be intact when it was over.

  She wondered if Gallagher had made it safe to the hospital. The sound of her phone ringing caused her to jump. She grabbed it and saw it was Gallagher. “We’re okay, don’t worry. Are you okay?”

  “Are you? The family rescinded so I’m on my way back.”

  “No. Don’t drive in this, Gallagher. Don’t be a fool.” Her hands shook at thinking of him out there. She couldn’t go through that again.

  “Hey, I’m fine. You in the house or the shelter?”

  “Shelter, but please don’t drive.” Tears formed in her eyes as her voice cracked.

  “Too late. I’m ten minutes away. Let me in when I knock. I think I saw it—near the back of the barn?”

  “Yes, but pull over to a ditch if you see anything, okay? Promise me.”

  “Promise.” He hung up.

  She paced the small space, picking up framed pictures of her growing up. Chewing on her nails, she stared at one with Scott at their senior prom. Tall and dark-haired, and chased by all the girls. But he had wanted Mallory. She traced his grinning face and jumped when she heard the thunderous knock.

  “Hang on…I’m coming.” She clasped the lock and dialed the code, unclicking it, and letting Gallagher pull it open. A whistling whirled around him as he pulled it shut and locked it.

  “It’s bad out there.” He smiled, teasing her, stepping down the stairs and taking in the small room.

  “You’re an idiot. Why would you leave the safety of the hospital? Why? We’re fine here. I didn’t need you to come save me.” She stood, glaring at him, wanting to hug him to her that he was safe. Instead, she opened the fridge and threw a bottle of water at him.

  “Thanks.” He sat on the couch and looked around. “You’re right. I was worried was all. I just wanted to be sure, but you’re right. I’m sorry. I just know how you don’t like storms.” He opened the bottle and took a drink.

  She briefly closed her eyes and drank her water. “No, I’m sorry. Thank you for being concerned.” She sat next to him and tapped his bottle with hers, bringing a smile out of him. “Can I ask how my house looks? How anything looks out there?”

  “It’s still there. I didn’t see any funnels, but they’re reporting spottings near here. It’s pretty wicked out there.” Sadie sat between his legs on the floor, her head on his lap.

  “She doesn’t like this at all.” She rubbed her soft fur.

  “No.”

  Their hands bumped and stayed, fingers touching. His large hand covered hers, and she felt her heart stop. She looked up to find him watching her with a straight face but soft eyes.

  “Why are you so nice to me now? You used to be cocky. I don’t know how to react to your…kindness.”

  His thumb rubbed her knuckles. “I’ve always wanted to talk to you, but you have this wall up.” He shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess after working with you I somehow got through to you, broke something. When I saw t
he crack, I slid in.”

  She stared at him. “Was I really that unapproachable? I mean I know I have the nickname “Ice,” but I didn’t know I was that bad. I just take my work seriously. Is that so wrong?” Her thumb entwined with his, feeling fluttering in her chest.

  “Not at all.” His gaze caught her prom photo and laughed. “I get a peek into your past?”

  Rolling her eyes, she shook her head. “No. Just some old pictures my parents never took down.”

  “Who is that? Your first love?”

  “Maybe.”

  His eyes turned down, a sadness filling his face.

  “Didn’t you have a first love?” She pulled her hand away and sat back, drinking her water. This actually did help with forgetting a tornado could be looming out there.

  “Me? Nope. Never been in love.” He rested his hands behind his head.

  “Really? Wow.”

  “What’s so wow about that? Because how old I am?” He leaned on his elbow to face her.

  Sadie curled back on the rug, relaxed more.

  “No. Well…maybe. Did you ever think you were in love but then realized it was only lust?” His love for women intrigued her, curious how he came to be.

  “No. I know what lust is, McShane.”

  “Oh, I’m sure you do.” She got up and walked to the fridge to get more water. “Stop staring at my ass. I know you are.”

  He chuckled. “How do you know that?”

  “I just do.” She threw another bottle at him. “I’ve seen you do it to others.”

  “Jeez, I am a pig.”

  She sat back down and laughed.

  “I’ll have you know I’ve been too busy for that and haven’t noticed anyone else’s backside, just so you know.” He cracked open the bottle and drank.

  “I don’t care what your eyes are plastered on, Gallagher.”

  “Yes, you do.”

  “Why would I? You are free as a bird. You don’t belong to me.” She sat back and looked over at him staring at her.

  “You do have a nice one.” He grinned, guzzling his water.

  “Nice what?”

  He gave a lopsided smile.

  “Oh, you!”

  He laughed and looked at the photo again. “What was his name? This boy you were in love with.”

  She cleared her throat, gazing at the photo. “Scott.”

  “Scott what? Does he have a last name?”

  “Yes, he does.”

  “Well?”

  “McShane.”

  “What?”

  “Yep. You’re looking at a married woman…or was married.” She guzzled her water down.

  He sat up, stunned. He set his water down and turned to her. “You were married?”

  “I really don’t want to talk about it, if you don’t mind.”

  “Where is he?”

  “I said I don’t want to talk about it. Okay, Gallagher?” she said in a firm voice, her heart hammering in her chest.

  “I knew you were a mystery, but Jesus. How does no one know this?”

  “It all happened before I started at Hope of Life. The only people who know are HR and Ellen.”

  He stood and walked to the photo, lifting it up as dust scattered about. “Nice-looking guy. You were still okay looking.” He smirked.

  “Gee, thanks.”

  “Married, huh? Wow. Well, that ends the rumor of you being gay.”

  “Yeah, I’m definitely not gay.” Her eyes drifted down his body and back up.

  “I think I need proof. You might be, so let me be the judge of that.”

  “Funny.”

  “You were a cute little girl with your blonde pigtails. These your parents?” He looked at each photo set on the cement ledge.

  She nodded. “Yep.” After joining him, she picked up one photo. “They were the best.” Tears filled her eyes.

  “Hey, I didn’t mean to make you sad. Last thing I wanted to do. Tell me what happened. I know they’re not around anymore, but you never talk about it.” He turned her into him.

  She shook her head, not wanting to open her heart and bleed all over this man. Just wasn’t ready for that. Didn’t know if she ever would be. The past was meant to stay in the past. Sniffling, she smiled up into his eyes. “One day.”

  “All these secrets for one tiny woman. I’ll wait.” He tilted her head up and searched her eyes, his chest heaving against hers. He lowered his mouth to hers slowly at first, wanting permission. When she lifted her chin, he pressed his lips to hers before sliding his tongue inside.

  Her knees almost buckled before she wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening their kiss. She could feel his heart crash against hers, moisture develop on his neck as it twisted, trying to taste every corner of her mouth. His one shaky hand tangled into her hair as the other one massaged her back.

  “Let’s sit before I melt into a puddle,” he said, pulling her down to the couch. “That’s better.” His hands roamed down her back and down her bare leg, massaging her calf.

  She didn’t know it could be like this. Never felt like fireworks exploding with just a kiss. Like an out-of-body experience, watching herself in this pleasurable state. Maybe she was just lonely…horny. Maybe it’d been too long. But she knew deep down she never felt this way. She had loved Scott, but that was puppy love. This was something different. This was more mature.

  The taste of Spearmint Gum flavored his mouth as she rolled her tongue against his with pleasure. He tasted so good, too good. And that vanilla musk scent again. What was that? He began to lean against her, pushing her down against the couch, their bodies now attached as he positioned himself between her legs.

  Who needed real sex when you could make out like this? This delicious sensation of heated body friction grinding through clothes, especially thin scrubs. She did. She knew she’d need more from this man, but for now, it was perfect.

  She offered her neck to his hungry mouth, her hands in his damp hair, moaning against his ear as she licked the lobe, making him cry out. She crossed her ankles over his lower back and moved with him, as he groaned against her throat. It was the perfect rhythm, perfect spot, perfect friction to cause an explosion.

  His breathing grew heavier as his hands dragged her hair down from its bun, sucking below her breast bone, his tongue dipping lower. “Mallory,” he whispered.

  Her eyes popped open. “Mallory?” She laughed but feared the reason he was saying it.

  His voice thick and husky, he said, “What difference does it make?” He sucked on the slopes of her breasts, moving his body against hers.

  Panting between words, she said, “You never call me that. Why now?”

  “Because McShane’s not your real name. It belongs to your ex-husband.”

  She closed her eyes. “I knew it.” She pushed him away and sat up. “I think the storm is over. We should head to the house.”

  He adjusted himself, a glazed look in his eyes. “What’s wrong? Because I called you by your first name? Are you serious?”

  “It’s the reason you did. I’m not ready for this. Not yet.” Maybe it was the excuse she needed to not allow this.

  Trying to catch his breath, he said, “Fine, but we will talk about this later. Let me check how it is.” He fixed his hair and stood to climb up the stairs. He put his ear to the door and then asked for the code, still out of breath.

  “10-3-16.”

  He clicked it open and pushed the door. “It’s calm. Let’s go.”

  “Come on, girl,” she said and allowed the dog to run before her. He extended his hands for her to grab and pulled her up and out.

  They observed the land to find fallen branches, a split tree, and puddles everywhere.

  “Not too bad. We’ve had worse,” she said.

  He nodded and took her elbow to guide her to the house.

  She opened the door and breathed a sigh of relief. Nothing was touched, but the power was out. “Damn. It’ll be too hot to sleep.”

  “Let me call my ne
ighbor and see how it is over there.” He walked to the kitchen and made his call. When he came back, he smiled. “It’s on at my house. We can sleep there.”

  “Listen, you just go. I’ll be fine here. You don’t have to take care of me, Gallagher.”

  “I’m not leaving you here with no power. Forget your pride and pack a few things. I’ll wait.”

  “You seem to be saying that a lot to me lately. Okay, I’ll be right back.” She ran up the stairs and grabbed her nightgown and a few other things. She hated seeing that hurt in his eyes, but he had hurt her. McShane was her name and always would be. For him not to understand that would be a problem for them.

  Especially when he would find out the rest of the story. There was no way he’d stick around after knowing the truth. What man would? It was too bad because she was starting to feel something for the cocky bastard.

  Chapter Eight

  As Lawson drove up his driveway, an older woman waved from her porch, curlers in her black hair, wearing a glowing yellow bathrobe that lit up the dark night. “Prepare yourself for questions.”

  She laughed. “Who is she?” Glad to be in cotton sweatpants and a T-shirt, she unclicked her seat belt. Lawson still wore his scrubs and ones he probably wanted to get out of.

  “A mother trying to marry her daughter off.”

  “Gotcha. And you’re the prospective groom?”

  “Among any single suitor with red blood.” He patted Sadie’s head.

  “Does she always sit out at this time of night?”

  “In the aftermath of a storm, she does. All the older people around here do. Only thing going for them, I guess.” He opened his door and let Sadie out in the back.

  Mallory grabbed her bag and slid out, lowering her eyes to the ground to not attract the woman’s attention. Too late.

  “Lawson, who’s your friend?”

  “Mrs. Katz, this is Mallory McShane, a friend and coworker. Any damage around here?” He shifted his eyes to Mallory, raising his brows.

  “Some. So, she does what you do?”

  Mallory cleared her throat. “Hello, Mrs. Katz.”

  “Hello, dear. Do you work as hard as Lawson here does? He’s always coming home so late. I was starting to worry about you when you didn’t come home yesterday. Back-to-back cases?”