“Finn?” she mumbled, sounding disoriented.
“You okay?”
“I had a bad dream. I couldn’t find you.”
“I’m right here,” he assured her, tightening his arms around her again. “Go back to sleep. I’ve got you.”
For now, he thought as he felt her body relax against his again. But for how much longer?
* * *
Tamsyn woke feeling extraordinarily refreshed. She couldn’t quite wipe the smile off her face. She’d woken after nine, and couldn’t remember the last time she’d ever slept so late. Mind you, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d spent half the night making love, either. She stretched against the sheets, wondering what Finn was up to.
The scent of a rosebud perfumed the air and she turned her head toward the source. As she did so, a whisper of paper on the pillow beside her caught her attention. She lifted first the rose, then the sheet of paper, that happy smile widening as she read its contents.
Finn apologized for not being there when she woke and said that business had called him away for the day. He’d be back late that night but hoped to see her again on Sunday. While Tamsyn knew she’d miss him, at least she knew she’d be seeing him again soon. She held the rose to her face, deeply inhaling the heady fragrance, touched that he’d thought to pick it for her and leave it with his note.
Her insecurities of the night before had faded into nothing. She’d never thought she’d ever share with another person, outside her family, what had happened with Trent, but confiding in Finn during the night had been cathartic. He’d listened without judgment and, afterward, he’d made love to her again as if she was the most precious creature on the planet, wiping away any lingering doubts about her attractiveness or femininity.
He was a skilled lover and had driven her body to heights she’d never experienced before. Heights she was looking forward to experiencing again. Hopefully, tomorrow.
Over the next few days they fell into a pattern of sharing meals, and nights, together. For the first time since she’d discovered her mother still lived, Tamsyn’s need to find her softened. Oh, she still knew she wanted to track her mother down, but the urgency had faded, and exploring Finn’s likes and dislikes held more immediate appeal.
Maybe she was in avoidance mode, as it had occurred to her that she might not like what she discovered. Her mother had chosen not to be part of Tamsyn’s life years before. Did she really want to risk the pain of an in-person rejection when she could, instead, focus her time and attention on a man who made her feel so cherished? Being part of a twosome with Finn Gallagher had brought her more happiness in the past week than she’d known in a long time and she reveled in it. Plus, this week at the hall with her community group had gone exceptionally well. Every day, she felt more comfortable and at home in this town.
All in all, life was sweet, she thought as she prepared a meal for one the following Friday night. Finn was away again. He’d been distracted the past couple of days and she had the distinct impression that something was worrying him, but when she’d pressed him, he’d said he was fine.
The wind had come up today and thick black clouds, heavy with rain, banked up in the sky. It looked like it could be a rough night. Tamsyn didn’t mind a storm, it was always good for blowing away the cobwebs, but this would be the first time she’d weathered one on her own.
“Prrrp!” Okay, so not completely on her own, she smiled to herself, bending down to stroke Lucy, who wound around and around her legs.