Anything You Ask by Lynn Kellan

retreated to her office to prepare lectures or do research. When she emerged around ten o’clock, bleary-eyed and exhausted, she often found Hale dozing on the couch after he lost his battle to stay awake. She’d climb upstairs, glad for the privacy as she got ready for bed. Shortly after she’d slip under the covers, he’d pad into the bedroom, strip down to his boxers, and join her. She didn’t have to wait long before the sound of his steady breathing indicated he’d again fallen asleep.
    She loved the predictability of their routine. Life was peaceful, with none of the upheaval that used to bring her to tears or startle her boys into brittle silence.
    As the days grew longer, the farm began to change. The jagged brown fields sprouted neat rows of thriving green plants. Hale was so adept at getting things to grow in this Pennsylvania soil, she began to wonder if mud flowed through his veins. For the first time in years, every spare inch of the four hundred acres surrounding her house boasted valuable crops.
    The fields weren’t the only things transforming. The junk scattered around the property disappeared. Hale fixed the leaky faucet and repaired the broken cabinet in their bathroom. Best of all, he started inviting the boys outside for a game of catch after dinner. The moment the baseball thudded into their mitts, her sons’ quiet curiosity about him transformed into blatant adoration.
    No wonder they liked him. He was unfailingly gentle, patient, and kind. Just as she feared, he seemed too good to be true. Did he have a dark side, like Mark? Danielle thought he must. Hale grew up with the same father, who hid his feelings under a veneer of tight-lipped reserve until he lashed out at the nearest target. Danielle suspected Hale had buried a wealth of feelings after being treated so unfairly by his family.
    When would his hidden anger emerge?
    They’d been married almost six weeks when the first heavy rainstorm rolled over the Allegheny Mountains and parked above the farm. A loud crack of thunder woke Danielle, but Hale slept undisturbed by the noise.
    When the next boom shook the house, she wasn’t surprised when someone wearing Machine Man pajamas hurried into their room. Thanks to the glow from her clock, she could see the panicked distress on Luke’s dear face when he stood by her side of the bed.
    “I’m scared, Mommy.”
    To reassure him everything was all right, she squeezed his small hand. “Want to go downstairs with me? We can sit on the couch until the storm passes.”
    “I don’t know,” he whimpered.
    The dog whined and padded to Hale. Cocoa must have nudged him because he stirred and put on his hearing aid.
    “You okay, Dani?” His voice was gravelly with sleep. He rolled toward her and spotted their visitor. “What’s wrong, Luke?”
    A flash of lightning bleached the room, making Luke pale with fright. “I’m scared of thunderstorms. Can I sleep with you and Mommy?”
    “Sure. Climb into bed.”
    Hale’s invitation prompted Cocoa to jump onto the mattress and curl behind Hale’s legs.
    Luke laughed as the dog rested her head on Hale’s thigh.
    “She’s afraid of loud noises, too,” Hale explained, giving the lab’s ear an affectionate scratch.
    At the next crack of thunder, Luke scurried under the sheet.
    Danielle scooted over to accommodate him and elbowed Hale in his taut belly by mistake.
    He let out a grunt and rubbed his abdomen.
    “Sorry,” she apologized with an embarrassed wince.
    “How long until Drew arrives?” he drawled.
    A smile tickled the corners of her mouth when she heard the good humor in Hale’s voice. “I doubt we’ll see my other son. Nothing ever wakes up Drew.”
    “Good, because I doubt this bed can hold five of us.” Hale reached over her to tickle Luke’s ribs. “Have you got enough room, buddy?”
    “No.” Luke laughed, squirming so much he bumped Danielle against Hale’s bare chest. She froze at the contact and wished she’d worn more