He smiles and softly touches his lips to hers. Gentle at first they explore each other, lips part, tongues dance, and teeth nip. Serenity grabs a fistful of Michaels black hair and whispers, “I asked if you were gonna kiss me, Michael?”
“You are healing,” Michael says releasing her and pulling her to her feet. Her clothes are soaked and his frustration is evident as he turns to go back to the house.
Serenity bends down and grabs another handful of snow, making a large snowball. She lets its fly. Accurate, and deadly it explodes in the center of his back. “What are you afraid of?” She giggles as he turns swiftly and runs at her. Her squeal explodes as she tries to run in boots that are way too big. He tries to stop her from falling but she loses her balance and falls forward, face first into deep snow.
He roars with laughter as Serenity comes up covered in white, coughing, and spitting snow. “Serves you right,” he says through his chuckles. Serenity smiles through her chattering teeth thoroughly enjoying his company.
“Michael, where am I?” she says as her smile fades. Any heat she had is gone and the wet clothes are not helping. In her mind she hears wolves howling.
He moves quickly towards her noticing the blue tinge of her lips. “Let’s get you warmed up.” Sweeping her up into his arms he strides back to the house. “Baron, come!”
Kicking the door closed he hurries to the back room where the fire is still roaring. “There are towels in the bathroom,” he starts to say but she is shaking and can’t seem to stop.
“I’m okay, j, ju, just cold.” Her skin has an unhealthy gray tinge to it. He throws a towel around her shoulder and begins rubbing her.
“What were you thinking, going out in this cold without a coat, Serenity?” he asks gruffly.
“Baron wanted out, Michael,” she stills his hands with her freezing ones and whispers, “I can take it from here. I need dry clothes.”
“Okay, I will see what I can do.” He hurries out to give her privacy. Michael could easily create a pair of pajamas for her, but something in him wants to see her in his shirt. He jerks off his wet clothes and pulls on sweats and a large sweatshirt. He grabs a large flannel shirt of his and makes her some broth and toast. When he returns she is standing near the fireplace wrapped in a towel, drying her hair. She turns with a smile and his heart stops. “Mine!” He thinks.
“This will have to do for now, Serenity,” he says offering her his shirt. She takes it and pulls it on over the towel and buttons it slowly. His shirt covers her to her knees and she lets the towel drop to the ground and his mouth goes dry.
“Michael, where am I? Why am I here? Why do I keep hearing wolves?” she asks afraid of the answers. She can sense his trepidation and it makes her apprehension grow.
“Serenity, you are safe with us. That’s all you need to know for now. Come and eat, then rest. Once the boys return, you will not have a moment’s peace.” He takes her hand and draws her to the bed. She climbs in and he covers her with the blankets. The tray is settled on her lap and he decides to sit nearby, and talk to her while she eats.
“Have you always been able to sing so beautifully, Serenity?” he asks hoping to distract her.
She sips and the salty broth explodes in her mouth. “Ohh, that’s so good. My mama said I was born singing. I sang before I could talk, but I would not sing in front of anyone until my senior year in college. I was dating a guy who was interning at the hospital, in North Carolina. He explained how the children enjoyed having visits from special guest. I struggled trying to figure out what I could do to help. Then, I thought about singing. I was a college student, with no money. I gave what I could, but I got more than I bargained for.”
“What do you mean, didn’t they enjoy your singing?” He asks as he takes her tray and sets it aside.
“No, they loved it, but it’s what I got back in return, Michael. I felt a connection to them, helping ease the burden they carry, if only for a moment. It’s just a song, but it felt like more. It felt natural and right. I finished my degree, because my daddy would have had a fit if I didn’t, but the moment I left the graduation stage, I knew what I was meant to do. I packed up and moved to Tennessee. That was six years ago before my sister Bailey got sick. I had to leave that dream behind, to go to Maine.”
He sits back eyeing her carefully. “You have a beautiful heart for others, Serenity. You use your God given talent to bring peace to others. That brings honor to your family, and your creator. You should be proud of that.”
Serenity stares at him with wide blue eyes, moved to tears by his words. “Thank you, Michael. What about you? What do you do, besides chase two very cute boys around?” She settles back into the pillows enjoying his company.
“I run my father’s manufacturing and production company. Dad handles the production and I handle the marketing and customer service aspects.” He says with a small smile.
“Oh, so it’s a family business. That’s nice. Are you happy doing it, Michael?” Her eyes are serious as she searches his face.
“I love it. I can’t imagine doing anything else. I spend a lot of time visiting those in need or those who have fallen on hard times. Either through job loss, sickness, or just plain economic struggles. I help where I can, like you do and hope that it makes a difference in the lives I
