Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 42461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
“I’m just checking on something,” he murmured, still staring out of the window at the heavy snow.
Royal padded barefoot across the floor, pressed into his back and wrapped both arms around his stomach. “What is it, what’s wrong?”
The question hung out there, unanswered for a long moment. Stone wasn’t sure what to say yet. His thoughts were tangled. Part of his mind was on preparation and if his town would be okay, and the other half was trying to convince him to bury himself under the covers in the warmth of the man behind him and stay there until it was all over.
A storm was nothing new this high up in the mountains…but this was different, this weekend was different.
The town’s festival that brought in tourists from miles away, was tomorrow. The highways had to be clear for people to drive through. This yearly event was what kept the town afloat for the next four months until the spring jubilee.
Stone rubbed his hand down his beard, the weight of a repeat of nineteen years ago settling anxiously into his chest.
“Looks like the storm coming is worse than we thought, Royal.” Stone stared at his phone as it buzzed again in his palm. “It’s going to get pretty bad overnight.”
Royal’s hand was gentle and comforting on his back. “It might not, Bo. The news always exaggerates the forecast.”
“Not always in our case. It’s because of the mountains, they’ll shelter some areas and enhance the wind in others. If the storm hits like they’re now predicting it will.” Stone shook his head. “It could destroy the decorations and stalls, everything that’s been constructed could be blown over if the winds are too strong. Then…”
The wind howled louder, shaking the trees. The snow piled up in thick drifts, already beginning to cover the driveway.
“Come to bed with me.” Royal’s voice was soothing this time, his breath warm against his neck.
Stone closed his eyes and dropped his chin to his chest.
Royal massaged his shoulders. Stone was sure he could feel the knots forming already.
“There’s nothing you can do right now, Bo. You can’t go outside, you shouldn’t drive.”
“I know,” he growled.
Royal stood in front of him and wrapped his arms around the back of his neck until he pulled him down to his lips.
“Let me help. Come to bed. We’ll think up a plan together.” Royal gazed into his eyes, “But you have to calm your mind, first.”
Stone stood frozen, his thoughts running wild. Should he rush to the town hall, coordinate his guys, get some volunteers working, connect his snow plow to his truck and head down the mountain now before it got too bad, and what about the stalls that’d taken him weeks to build?
Royal’s soothing voice broke through the chaos in his head, as he ran his hands through his hair, grounding him. There was a peaceful command within his touch. He wasn’t getting riled up or frantic like Stone’s insides were doing. He just let the situation hang there.
Stone took a deep breath, the cool air filling his lungs as Royal’s heat wrapped around him. He didn’t even realize his fists were balled tight until Royal grazed his fingertips over his wrist, gently uncurling them.
“Come on,” Royal whispered, his voice so gentle it felt like a whisper of a touch. “You’re not alone tonight…let me help you.”
Stone always wore his resolve and stubbornness like a suit of armor, but he fought that resistance and nodded.
“Whatever happens tonight, there will be work to do in the morning.” Royal guided him back to the bedroom. “You’ll need rest.”
The thought of letting go of the stress and worry and allowing someone else to take control felt foreign and strange.
Stone exhaled a heavy breath. “I’ll try to rest, I just don’t know if I can.”
The wind fluctuated from an unrelenting cry to shrill whistles. It was the kind of mighty rush of air that bent trees and sent debris flying.
“I’m not used to…”
Royal winked, his smile so serene and convincing. “You don’t have to be. I’m learning it’s all right not to have everything figured out or do it alone. I’m not going anywhere, Bo. I promise.”
Those words seeped into him, quiet and insistent, and Stone did just that, he allowed Royal’s assurance to sink inside.
“Come on, trust me.”
Stone scanned Royal’s face, searching for any sign of insincerity, but finding none. He nodded.
Royal’s eyes gleamed, quiet victory in his light brown eyes. He pulled Stone towards the bed, away from the madness looming outside and stripped him out of his lounge clothes.
“Lie down.” Royal’s voice was barely audible. “I’ll get the fire restarted.”
“That’s okay, I can do—”
Royal put his hand on his chest, the touch hot and searing as he pushed him until his ass hit the mattress.
“I said lay down,” Royal ordered, his insistence laced with compassion.