Mikey took a deep breath as he finished telling the private investigator about Gerard’s duffle bag. For the past thirty minutes he and Alicia had been filling the man in on every detail they knew about Gerard’s disappearance.

“I’d like to see the duffle bag.” Alan Combs said looking up from his notes.

“I’ll get it.” Alicia said getting quickly to her feet.

He nodded to her then turned his attention back to Mikey. “I understand at this time you don’t want to involve the police?”

Mikey’s stomach was in knots. “Do you think that’s a bad decision?”

Alan sighed, “I do understand your reluctance to go public with this. My firm handles many cases like this, celebrities who drop off the radar. I will tell you most of the time it was their choice, they don’t want to be found.” He sat back in his chair, “And I will tell you I’ve already did my homework as soon as you called me.”

“Your homework?”

Alan nodded, “Yes, the first thing I did was go in the Internet and see what I could find, so I do know about your brother’s recent problems with the former nanny.”

Mikey glanced down, “Uh, I was going to mention that.”

“It seems she returned to California after being dismissed.”

“I don’t have a clue where she is.” Mikey said the anger in his voice unable to be disguised.

“I’ll look into it.” Alan said making another note.

“Why?”

Alan’s blue eyes locked with Mikey’s, “There is of course the possibility your brother is with Ms Kline.”

“No” Mikey shook his head, “Gerard wouldn’t be with her. He was very upset about what happened…” He paused, “What I tell you is in strict confidence?”

“Yes, of course.” The blond man answered.

Mikey nervously nodded, “Okay. Gerard was drunk when he hooked up with her. He hated what happened between them. It caused his wife to take off for New York.”

“Yes, I do know Mrs. Way left for New York. However by Ms Kline’s account Mrs. Way took her to New York also.”

Mikey sighed, “Yeah, she did but she fired her there.”

“In order to find your brother I need to know everything.” Alan said, “Would it be possible to speak to Mrs. Way?”

Alicia returned with the duffle bag. She set it on the coffee table then moved to take her original spot next to Mikey. She’d heard Alan’s question. “You need to tell him.” She said softly.

Mikey nodded then turned back to the private investigator. “Lindsey is divorcing Gerard.”

He was surprised when Alan nodded, “Yes, I’d already caught wind of that fact. So you don’t think she’d be open to talking to me?”

“You knew?” Mikey asked.

“We have an office in New York.” Alan explained, “I called them once I learned of the situation with the nanny. It wasn’t difficult for us to learn Mrs. Way had spoken to a lawyer and started divorce proceeding.”

Mikey looked over at Alicia wanting to fill her in on what had been said while she was out of the room. “He thinks it’s possible that Gerard is with Karli.”

Alicia’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, shit I really don’t think so.” She paused, “But….”

“But we really don’t have a fuckin’ clue what’s going on in his mind.” Mikey said softly.

“For now we’ll forget about involving Mrs. Way.” Alan said getting the conversation back on track. “But you have spoken to her recently?”

Mikey explained how he was trying to keep in touch with her and how she’d promised to tell him if she’d spoken to Gerard of if he’d used any of his credit cards.

“Since, as you told me earlier, he withdrew cash before leaving, and hasn’t used his credit cards, seems to point to the fact he knows he can be traced and he doesn’t want to be found.”

“But he needs to be found.” Alicia said, “For all we know he doesn’t even realize Lindsey is divorcing him.”

Alan turned his attention to the bag. “I’d like the contact information for the police in Kansas.” He said while examining the bag.

“But I don’t want the police involved, not yet.” Mikey answered.

“I understand but it’s crucial I speak to them. This bag at the moment offers our best hope to finding your brother’s location. We can assume he was in Kansas at some point. If they are correct, that this bag was somehow involved with a tornado it give us a timeline. I will look into that particular storm, study its path.” His fingers ran over the outside of the bag. “Does your brother know anyone in Kansas?”

“We have some friends in Lawrence.” Mikey explained, “But I’ve spoken to them. I didn’t come right out and ask if they’ve seen Gerard but from talking to them I got that they haven’t seen or spoken to him in almost a year.”

Alan nodded, “It’s possible he was simply driving through the area on his way to another location.”

“But it’s good the money was inside, right?” Mikey needed some sort of hope.

“Yes” Alan nodded, “I know you’re concerned that your brother met with foul play but the fact that the money is here and that none of his credit cards have been used seems to dismiss that theory.” He sat back. “Now my next question may be hard for you to answer but in order for me to have the best chance of finding Gerard I must ask.”

Mikey nodded nervously.

“It is a matter of record that your brother is an alcoholic. From what you’ve said I gather he’s drinking again. Is it to access?”

Alicia placed her hand on Mikey’s arm offering him strength.

“Yeah” Mikey whispered. “The last couple of months he’s been drinking a lot.”

Alan nodded sadly, “I understand how difficult this is for you. But it’s important I know.”

“Why? You think he’s just holed up somewhere drunk?” Mikey asked.

“It is of course a possibility. However if he’s drinking again it’s possible he’s been seen in a bar or liquor store. I’m going to center my search in Kansas to start. It is the only location we can assume he’s been. Of course he may have moved on but it’s a starting point.”

“But this needs to be kept quiet.” Mikey stressed.

“I understand.” Alan nodded. “Believe me my firm deals with this sort of thing more often then you’d think. We will find your brother.”

“I just want him found.” Mikey reiterated, “I don’t want anyone to confront him.”

“When I find his location I will tell you immediately.”

Mikey nodded, “Yeah, good. I just hope it’s soon. I’m really worried about him. He’s never done anything like this before, just taken off like this.”

“Things have never been this bad for him before.” Alicia said softly.

Alan snapped his small notebook shut. “I do understand you’re worried.”

“I just can’t stop thinking…” Mikey paused then realized he wanted to admit the truth, “I can’t stop thinking about the tornado. What if he was caught in the tornado and they just haven’t found his car?”

“From what you’ve told me they did search the area.”

Alicia spoke up. “Being from the Midwest I know that a tornado can carry debris for miles.”

Alan nodded, “That’s true but with today’s technology storm tracks are followed closely. Helicopters and planes fly over looking for damage. I would assume your brother’s car would have been spotted. However, we can hire a plane to fly over the area again.”

Mikey nodded, “Maybe that would be a good idea.”

Alan stood, “I’ll call you in a few days and report my progress. If you hear anything in the meantime call me immediately.” He handed Mikey his business card.

“Thank you.” Alicia said as they walked him to the door.

Alan paused, “Try not to worry. I know that’s hard but really like I said in almost all of the cases we handle the person simply doesn’t want to be found. It’s rare that any trouble has befallen them.”

As Mikey closed the door Alicia placed her arms around him. “See, he thinks Gerard is okay.” She whispered.

“He’s not okay if he knowingly has done this to all of us. Made us worry like this.”

Given the way Gerard had been acting this past year Alicia didn’t agree. Gerard’s drinking had changed him into a selfish, volatile man. However that was an opinion she didn’t voice.

__________________________________________

“Smooshed up car is now smooshed up in the trees.” Gerard informed Lucy as he walked back into the kitchen. He’d heard the equipment in the field and had gone to take a look.

Lucy sighed, “Sorry about that.”

He pulled out a chair and sat down. “Hey, it’s just a car. But damn, when I see what’s left of it and think I could have been in it…”

She reached across to touch his arm. “But you weren’t.”

“Yeah because a beautiful woman pulled me out of it in time.” He smiled. “So since you didn’t eat much for breakfast what would you like for lunch?”

“Not really hungry yet.”

Gerard sighed, “I knew yesterday wasn’t a good idea.”

“Not a good idea?” Lucy fringed anger. “So our trip yesterday was bad? You didn’t enjoy it?”

He grinned, “You know damn good and well that’s not what I meant.” He gently stroked her cheek, “But it did tire you out so don’t even bother to tell me it didn’t.”

“Hey, it was my first outing since coming down with the pneumonia, of course it tired me out a little.”

“More than a little.” He didn’t like how weak she seemed this morning.

“It made me deliciously tired.” Lucy smiled.

“Deliciously tried?” Gerard laughed. “What kind of tired it that?”

She was glad he was smiling again. “Deliciously tried, that’s a good tired. My body still feels tingly.” She absently ran her tongue over her bottom lip. “It’s tired but happy.”

His eyes flashed with desire. “Enough of that woman.” He ground out. “Today you do nothing but rest.”

Lucy pouted, “Nothing?”

“Nothing.” He nodded. “So don’t try to tempt me.”

“Me?” Lucy giggled, “Tempt you?”

“Hell you tempt me all the time.” Gerard said setting back in his chair. “Now about lunch.”

Lucy sighed, “Not hungry yet. Can I type for a little bit?”

“No” He shook his head, “That’s not resting.”

“Can I at least read some of what you’ve been writing? I really want to find out what happened down by the lake.”

He was pleases she was so caught up in his story. “Yeah okay. How about this…I let you read a few chapters then you have lunch.”

“Sounds good.”

“And then.” He said pointing his finger at her, pretending to be stern, “You take a nap.”

“Oh whatever.” Lucy rolled her eyes.

“Whatever?” Gerard wanted to keep her in a good mood. “Whatever? Is that any way to answer me young lady?” He teased.

Lucy winked at him, “How about whatever, sir?”

“Lucy” He tried to sound stern.

“Yes, sir?” She batted her eyelashes at him “What, sir? I’m trying to be good.”

“Sure you are.” He laughed.

Lucy giggled, “Wait, I got it wrong again. I don’t want to be good. I want to be naughty so you have to deal with me.” When she saw him start to shake his head she reached across to stroke his arm, “You know… punish me.”

“Woman you are insatiable.” He ground out feeling his body react to just the sound of her voice.

“You make me that way.” Lucy purred.

Gerard sat back pulling his arm out of her reach. “What am I going to do with you?” He sighed shaking his head.

Lucy couldn’t remember feeling this happy in such a long time. The fact that she’d admitted her love for Gerard had freed her soul. “Oh, Oh” Her hand shot up. “Pick me, pick me. I know what you can do with me.”

He threw back his head laughing. “Oh, I’m sure you do that’s why I’m not going to ask. You need your rest.”

“Damn” She muttered pretending to pout.

“Come on, back to your sofa.” Gerard said pushing his chair back from the table. Lucy sighed as he took her arm to help her stand.

“Two chapters, then lunch, then nap.” Gerard reminded her once she was seated on the couch.

“Okay.” She grouched but as she started reading her whole attitude changed. “Hey, this is good.” She said looking over at Gerard who’s taken a seat at the deck. “Gotta admit I wasn’t expecting this to happen.”

He was pleased, “Good, I’m glad you’re surprised.”

Lucy’s eyes went back to the page.

Gerard couldn’t help but smile as he watched her read his work. It was obvious she was engrossed by the story. Page after page she kept reading until he knew she was starting on a third chapter. “Hey, I said only two.”

“Oh, I can’t stop now.” Lucy said refusing to look up at him.

“Lucy you can read more later this afternoon.”

She sighed, “Damn, I was just getting to a really good part. It all has something to do with the willow tree, doesn’t it?”

“Why do you think that?” He asked trying to hide his frown.

She smiled, “Hey, I’m pretty sure most people reading this wouldn’t think of it but I’ve got a weird mind. Maybe it’s because growing up I read tons of mysteries, so I was always trying to figure stories out.” She thought a minute. “But I still don’t completely understand. Does it have something to do with the swing?”

Gerard laughed, “I’m not telling. Now I’m gonna go make your lunch.” When she started to stand he shook his head, “Stay here. I’m sure by now the kitchen is too hot.”

Lucy’s mind was still wrapped up in his work. “You’ve really changed the direction of the story.” She paused, “I love how we know Levi is dealing with such inner torment but we don’t understand why, not yet.” She gave him an imploring look, “Please can I just read one more chapter?”

“It’s not done.” He nodded to the legal pad she was holding. “If you look there are only about four more pages.”

“Oh” She sighed, “Damn, you need to get cracking. I gotta find out what’s going on.”

He grinned, “I’ll work on it while you’re napping. Go ahead and read those last pages while I get our lunch.”

“Thanks.” Immediately she began reading again.

Gerard left the room smiling, He’d been a bit nervous about letting her read what he’d written, he hadn’t been sure it was good. But her praise of his work meant a lot. However something she’d said, about Levi’s inner torment, had struck a nerve. Right now at this place in time writing a characters inner torment wasn’t hard for him to do. Trying to shake off that thought he quickly made lunch then returned carrying a tray to the living room. He was shocked to see Lucy was sitting clutching the legal pad to her chest with tears in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” He asked as he set the try on the coffee table. “Don’t tell me my writing is that bad.” He teased.

“Oh no, it’s wonderful.” Lucy wiped her eyes. “It’s just Levi. He’s so tormented, and that line about how he views Claire as his light…that was touching.”

Gerard gently took the legal pad from her hands. “Okay woman, lunch time.”

“But you’re gonna write more soon?”

Nodding he sat down beside her. “Yeah, I’ve got a lot of ideas rolling around in my head.”

Lucy picked up her bowl of soup. “So you’re sorta writing this was you go along?”

“I have the basic story line in my head but as I write it keeps evolving.”

For several minutes they ate in silence. Gerard was again thinking about her comments concerning Levi. Lucy on the other hand was concentrating her thoughts on the woman in the story.

“Claire, isn’t what she seems, is she?”

Gerard glanced over at her with a grin, “Not telling.”

Lucy set the bowl down then lifted her sandwich. She took a bite then chewed while she continued to think. “I get the feeling she’s got just as many inner demons as Levi. But the willow tree…..” She smiled, “Damn, you’ve got me so wrapped up in this story.”

“You really mean that don’t you?”

“Oh yes.” She nodded, “Gerard this is such a good story, but the way you write the characters, that’s what really makes it interesting. I can’t believe you’ve never written a novel before.”

He shrugged, “Just haven’t had the time before now.”

“Well, you’ve got time to write now. Not much to do in this boring place.”

He was shocked at the sadness he suddenly heard in her voice. “Hey, this isn’t a boring place. And to be honest with you the day we toured the town…” He waited until she nodded, “That day, especially in the school gave me a lot of inspiration. Listening to your voice and words as we stood in that one empty classroom…it fired my imagination.”

She gave him a surprised look, “My words?”

“Yeah, about how you felt you could almost feel the dreams and thought of those who had passed through…you’ll understand as the story progresses.”

“Wow” She grinned, “I inspired you?”

He looked deeply into her eyes, “You have no idea how much you inspire me. Not just my writing but the way I look at the world now. I know you said meeting me has changed you…well, Honey you’ve changed me too.”

“I love you.” She whispered unable to hold back the words.

“Ditto” He whispered back. “Now, eat your lunch.”

Lucy giggled, “Yes, sir.”

________________________________________________

“Fuck” Ray muttered as his hand ran over the outside of Gerard’s duffle bag. “It looks like it’s been through a war.”

Mikey sighed, “You wanted to see it.”

“Yeah, guess I just wasn’t really prepared to see this.” He tore his eyes away from the bag to look at his friend. “So what did the private investigator say?”

“Mostly he asked us questions. He already knew about the Karli shit going on and he knew Lindsey had started divorce proceedings.”

“He already knew?”

“Yeah, he said they have an office in New York. So…”

Ray sighed heavily. “Do you want me to fill Frank in on what’s going on?”

“Did you tell him about the duffle bag?” Mikey asked.

“I didn’t know if you wanted me to or not. He called me this morning, he’s wondering what we’re gonna do if Gerard don’t show up for the meeting with Warner.”

“Fuck, I don’t know.” Mikey sighed “Guess we’ll have to come clean about the situation, admit we got no fuckin’ clue where he is.”

Ray’s eyes went to the duffle bag again.

“His wedding ring was in the bottom.” Mikey said softly.

“So he knew his marriage was over.”

“I guess I mean I know Lindsey had told him at first that she’d continued to stay married but….”

“Gee wouldn’t live like that.”

“No, the Gerard I knew before wouldn’t live a lie like that but he’d changed and we both know it.”

“That was because of the drinking” Ray said sadly. “He’s changed because of the alcohol.”

Mikey stated silently at the floor.

Ray tried to put a positive spin on this for his friend, “Maybe he’s somewhere getting his head straight about everything. He’d hit rock bottom, we both know that but maybe he’s tying to figure things out.”

“Or maybe he’s drunk somewhere not giving a shit about how bad he’s hurting all of us.” The pain in Mikey’s voice was clear.

_______________________________________________

Gerard wrote feverishly, page after page, as his words flowed almost effortlessly. Something about his discussion with Lucy earlier had once more fired his imagination. Occasionally he’d stop, glance over at her sleeping form, then begin witting again. He realized he was excited to be getting this part of the story on paper, he truly wanted to hear Lucy’s opinion. She was without a doubt his inspiration.

The sound of thunder in the distance finally pulled him away from his writing. Quietly he left the living room to walk out onto the porch. Taking a seat he pulled out his cigarettes amazed then he realized this pack had lasted more than a week. At this rate if he wanted he was sure he could quit but for now he wanted to savor a smoke while he went over in his mind the chapter he’d just written.

“Hey” Lucy’s soft voice started him. “Am I intruding?”

He grinned, “Intruding?”

“Well you looked pretty lost in thought.” She explained walking out onto the porch.

“Just decided to take a break.” He patted the spot on the glider next to him. “Come here, woman.”

Lucy smiled as she joined him on the glider. “More rain.” She said as he eyes caught sight of the clouds rolling in.

“Yeah, it was actually thunder that made me stop writing. Figured I’d better take a look at the weather.” He put his arm around her shoulder.

Lucy pulled her legs up so she could lean against him. “You can already smell the rain coming.”

“Yeah, it’s nice.” He took a deep drag off his cigarette then asked, “So you still feeling tired?”

“A little” She admitted, “But it’s weird, I think I woke up as soon as you left the room.”

“I didn’t mean to wake you.”

She sighed contently, “It’s just…I don’t know how to explain it. While you were there I felt safe and peaceful but once you were gone…”

He tightened his arm around her. “You make me feel the same way.”

“So” She smiled, “Did you get a lot written while I was sleeping?”

“Yeah, actually I did, a whole chapter.”

“More about Levi’s past?” She guessed.

Again he was shocked at how she seemed to be so in tune with his storyline. “Why would you think that?”

“Because I get the feeling that while Levi might not truly realize it, his past is controlling his life. The things that are happening have a direct tie to that past.”

“Wow, you’re good.” He whispered.

Lucy smiled under his praise. “But what I haven’t even begun to understand is Claire and how she ties into everything.”

“Don’t think she’s just a woman he met?”

“No” Lucy shook her head while continuing to think, “I don’t think so. You’ve hinted that there is something about her Levi is attracted to and I don’t think it’s just her looks, it’s deeper, much deeper than that.”

He loved how she was giving this so much thought and he wanted to hear more. “And the tree?”

“At first I thought it was the willow, then I thought maybe the swing.” She paused, “Now I think it’s both. You’ve made something usually so comforting feel dark.”

“Hey Babe, I’m a dark guy.” He laughed.

Lucy sat back to look into his eyes, “Yes, in a way I can feel that.”

He didn’t like how serious she’d become.

“I was kidding.”

“No” Lucy said softly, “You really weren’t. But the darkness you believe is in your soul is that of your own making. You can either choose to let it live there or you can choose to dispel it.”

He was shocked by her words. “You really believe that?”

“I believe every person faces that same choice at some point in their life.” She blinked wondering why she’d just felt the need to say those words. “Hey, what’s for dinner?”

Gerard was shocked by her sudden change in attitude. “Dinner?”

She forced herself to smile, “Yeah, I’m sorta hungry.” Needing to pull herself out of the sudden sadness she had felt she settled her hand on his thigh, “Unless you’d rather go inside and make love.”

He was reeling from the way she’d been so serious only to flip a moment later. “Lucy, are you okay?”

She didn’t want to think, only feel. It was her way of dealing with the sudden fear she felt. “Hey, I ask if you want to make love and you ask if I’m okay?”

“You know why” he said softly searching her eyes.

“I can’t explain why” She whispered. “Please, just make love to me.”

She looked so fragile, so scared, “Lucy, I love you. Please don’t tell me you doubt that.”

“I don’t doubt that.” She leaned foreword to drop a kiss at the base of his neck.

“Then why are you afraid?”

She lowered her head to rest on his chest, “I’m afraid to feel this happy.” She whispered. “Afraid it will be taken from me.”

Now he understood, “My love for you isn’t going to be taken away and it’s not going to ever fade.”

“I’m sorry.” She sighed, “I don’t mean to act so needy.”

He pushed her back gently so he could look at her face. “Honey, I understand. Don’t you think I worry sometimes that you’ll stop loving me? Hell I was beginning to think you’d never love me the way I love you. Now,I worry your feeling will change.” He sighed, “There are things about me I’m afraid you’ll discover” He forced himself to go on, “And I’m scared shitless that they are things that will cause me to lose your love.”

Lucy shook her head, “No, that won’t happen.”

Tell her, the voice in his head screamed. Damn it, tell her.

“So” Lucy smiled speaking before he could, “About making love…”

Heaven help him, he needed this woman, he needed her love. “Let’s go inside.” He whispered.

They walked hand in hand back into the living room. Gerard led them to the mattress on the floor. “You’re so beautiful” He whispered as he lifted the gown over her head. Lucy stood staring at him, her heart rate beginning to pick up speed. When he fell to his knees in front of her she reached out to run her fingers through his hair.

Gerard placed his hands around her, cupping her bottom through the satin panties she wore. “So beautiful” He ran his tongue over the silky material hiding her sex.

“Oh” Lucy leaned into him.

His mouth continued to make love to her though the satin barrier. The feeling was strangely erotic. Lucy was moaning softly when he leaned back on his heels to look up into her face. Silently he held out his hand.

“I love you.” Lucy whispered as she fell to her knees, her eyes locking with his.

“I love you.” He answered as he gently helped her to lie on the mattress. “I want to show you how much. Leaning over her he first kissed her deeply then began to rain kisses down her neck.

Lucy closed her eyes, a smile covering her face.

Gerard wanted to take this slow, he wanted her to understand this wasn’t just sex, this was love. He wanted to worship her body slowly, gently. His hands caressed her soft skin as his lips moved on to her breasts. When he began to gently suckle her nipples Lucy moaned.

“Oh, that feels so good.” Her fingers entwined in his hair holing his head to her breast.

For several minutes he continued to love her breasts until she began to squirm. Then he moved his mouth down, kissing her stomach, her hip bones, the skin just above the panties. When his fingers slid under the top of those panties Lucy’s breath caught. Anticipation was making her body hum.

Slowly he peeled the material down her legs but instead of returning his mouth to where he’d been he kissed each of her ankles. He kissed both calves, he kissed both of her thighs.

“Gerard” She whispered his name. “I need…”

He settled his body between her legs gently pushing them apart. “Soon” He answered softly. His fingers massaged as they cupped her sex, his thumb rubbing her exposed nub. She was so wet, so ready. When he tongue replaced his thumb he flicked then sucked.

Lucy’s back arched to meet his mouth. Her body was on fire, her mind oblivious to anything but his touch.

Slowly his tongue ran down her wet, hot, slit. Lucy cried out.

“Please, I want you inside me.”

Her words spurred him into action, his own body craving hers. Standing he quickly shed his clothing then lowered his body over her. “Lucy, open your eyes.” He whispered.

Here eyes were bright as they locked with his.

“So beautiful” Gerard smiled, “I want you to see me making love to you. I want to see the moment you come, it’s so beautiful.” His last words were ground out as he thrust into her deeply.

Lucy’s arms went around him, holding him in place. “Don’t move.” She whispered, “Just for a moment I want to feel you inside me, like this.”

He lowered his head to kiss her deeply while buried deep inside her heat.

“Feels so good.” Lucy whispered as he lifted his body using his arms.

“Feels like heaven.” Gerard smiled.

Lucy reached up to touch his cheek, “Love is beautiful.” She whispered.

He slowly began to move and this time she arched her hips to meet his thrusts.

“I love you.” Gerard said as this thrusting became deeper, harder.

“I love you” Lucy cried out as his thrust pushed her over the edge. She wrapped her legs around him pushing him inside her as deeply as possible, then holding him there while she watched his face. His release was swift, he threw back his head as he filled her.

For several minutes they remained that way, finally Lucy unlocked her legs from around him. However instead of pulling out Gerard rolled her body with his so they were now lying side by side, still connected.

Lucy loved that he was still inside her. “Thank you.” She whispered brushing her lips against his. “Thank you for making me fell so loved.”

He brushed the hair away that had fallen in her eyes, “You are loved, Lucy. I love you more than I could ever put into words.”

She buried her face against his neck, inhaling his scent. “Wish we could stay like this forever.”

Gerard stroked her arm, “Yeah, me too.”

A sudden crash of thunder shook the house.

“Damn” Lucy laughed, “Guess that means we can’t.”

He slowly pulled out of her to roll onto his back while still keeping his arm around her. “I better go let poor Rex in.” He started to sit up but Lucy grabbed his arm.

“I just want you to know.” She said softly, her face searching his, “There’s nothing in your past that would change the way I feel about you.”

For a moment he forgot to breath. His mind was screaming, maybe not his past but the present?

Lucy didn’t understand the look of torment in his eyes. “I really do mean that. I love you.”

Another crash of thunder pulled him out of his thoughts. “I love you too.” He smiled, “Now you just stay right here and close those beautiful eyes. I’ll let Rex in and make us some dinner.” As he spoke he pulled the sheet over her body.

“Okay” She smiled happily unaware of the storm brewing in Gerard’s mind.

He started to stand but couldn’t stop himself from placing one more kiss on her lips. “You are my light, Lucy.” He whispered.

Her eyes flew open but before she could speak he stood, grabbed his clothing, then left the room.