Phoenix Inheritance by Corrina Lawson Page A

Having Charlie had obviously impacted her ability to do that.
    Daz still traveled a great deal, for work and to visit friends all over the world. He could go where he wanted, usually when he wanted.
    He’d never felt guilty about that before. He did now.
    Outside, he heard a nasty thump. That was close!
    He rushed over to the glass doors that overlooked the back deck but he still couldn’t see anything in the swirling snow. Dammit, if this kept happening, it was going to be a long night, with him twitching every time he heard wood crack. He really hoped Renee was right about that one fallen tree being the biggest one near the house.
    He strolled over to the kitchen from the hallway entrance and Charlie nearly knocked him over on his way out.
    His son skidded to a halt, the cat at his heels. “Sorry, Dad, Mom said I gotta set up a bed in my room for Odin. He’s tired.”
    â€œUh, no problem.”
    Wasn’t Charlie tired? He sure didn’t seem like it since he basically ran to his bedroom, the cat bounding around him. Renee was good with animals but, damn, those were dogs. But somehow Charlie had gotten a stray cat, who by rights should have found a dark, quiet spot to hide once in the house, to follow him around.
    â€œWhy did he name the cat Odin?” Daz asked as he came into the kitchen.
    â€œI assume because the name goes with Thor and Loki.” Renee was staring out the window over her kitchen table, into the storm, much as he had been.
    â€œYou sure we’re okay now that that big oak came down?”
    â€œAnd the one tree that just came down in the backyard? Yeah, I heard that too.” She shook her head. “Most of what’s left is the pine trees, and snow doesn’t bother them. Damn, the timing of this storm is just so odd. I’ve never seen anything like it. Another two weeks, the leaves would be gone from the trees and this would be just another winter storm.” She turned to face him. “It’s silly but I hoped to be immune to natural disasters in my own home.”
    â€œIt’s not silly, it’s natural to expect your home to be safe. Tell you what, I’ll stay awake until the storm’s over, stoke the fire when needed, and keep watch.”
    â€œThanks, that’d be great.” Her voice caught. “You’ve been wonderful today, Daz. I don’t know how to thank you.”
    â€œI told you, you don’t have to thank me. I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do.”
    â€œWell, it’s appreciated.” She held her right arm awkwardly at her side and rubbed her shoulder.
    â€œWhat’s wrong? You okay?”
    â€œSure, fine. You want some coffee?”
    â€œCoffee will be great. It’ll keep me up at night when the adrenaline wears off.”
    He leaned against the counter to watch her, keeping an eye on the shoulder she was favoring. She opened the cabinet and reached up with one hand to grab two mugs at once. Her right arm barely moved and remained awkwardly at her side.
    â€œYou are hurt.”
    â€œIt’s not so bad. It’s probably just a bruise. I hit the tree trunk hard when I slid into it.”
    She reached for the coffee pot and winced. Enough. She might like to do things on her own—he knew she did—but he couldn’t just watch her be in pain.
    â€œEasy. I got that.”
    He reached past her to grab the coffee pot, putting them only inches apart. They were so close he could smell the lingering scent clinging to her hair, the same enticing strawberry-vanilla scent as always.
    She froze, her eyes wide. Instinct told him to act, to kiss her, but if he was wrong…
    He wrapped an arm around her waist and hugged her, much like he had out there in the storm, except this time there were no layers of coats and gloves between them. His fingers settled just above her hip, separated from her skin only by the T-shirt. He longed to slide his hand under it, caress her,