Out of the Wreckage (2 page)

"OK, that would be great.  I haven't been home in ten years, so I wouldn't even know who to call."

"This place is stranded in time." Nate says with a chuckle.  His brown eyes sparkle with flecks of gold and 'Drea is lost in them.  "Nothing much ever changes around here."

"Yeah, tell me about it." 'Drea smiles as they walk through the orchard back up to the house.
"So Nate, where are you from and how did you end up here?"

"Born and raised in Iowa.  Then I got out of there when I was nineteen, traveled with work.  Now I just sort of landed here."

"Oh sounds like fun.  I have only been here and New York.  I never thought I would leave here...'Drea says as her voice trails off.

"Really?" Nate asks eyeing her.  He swears he can hear her trying to hide pain in her voice. "Why did you leave then 'Drea?  It is obvious you love it here."

She stops and turns as their eyes meet, his eyes seem to study her trying to delve into her and search for all the answers.  She shivers and shakes it off, "Oh after high school graduation... you know stupid teenage girl." She replies shrugging it off.

Nate realizes as he nods a simple r
eply that there is much more to this story, but decides it best to let it lie as she has laid it... for now.  What business is it of his anyway?  Giving her a smile, letting her know that the discussion is over they turn and walk to the house.  As the front door opens, the smell of pot roast and fresh cornbread hit them both right away.

"If she would marry me, I wouldn't want for another thing in my life." Nate says with a sigh. "God, is that apple pie too?"

'Drea smiles, "Yes it is, and sorry no one would ever measure up to Grand-dad.  You will have to settle with a food affair, like everyone else."

"This is what she tells me. I was hoping to sway her with diamonds and flowers, a man can dream can't he?" He teases nudging her with his elbow.

"Get in here you two, supper is done.  Don't make me come a huntin' for ya!"

"Yes, Ma'am." 'Drea and Nate both say in unison. 

"She loses her 'gs' when she gets irritated or impatient.  Just a tip." 'Drea says to him with a giggle.

"I'll do well to remember that, es
pecially when she has a skillet in her hand." He snickers making 'Drea toss her head back and laugh.  They way her green eyes sparkle when she laughed...like emeralds in sunshine...made his knees go weak.

              Later that night as she lay in bed, 'Drea's mind wanders.  She thinks back to the store and how much she wants to do with it.  To the orchards and all the fruit that will be ready soon to use in the kitchen.  To her Grams, who is not admitting how bad off she is but 'Drea is determined to deal with it all accordingly.  Then finally and lingering to Nate.  He will be a hard worker to get everything done, so she can open the store, do big things with the orchard and maybe even fix up the house to make Grams' life easier.  It doesn't hurt that he is scorch-the-sheets-hot.  How will she ever get any work done around him?  She may have to learn to cook wearing a blindfold.  He could be a welcomed distraction... She quickly dismisses the thought. 

No 'Drea men are off limits!  This is just about Grams and you
fixing up the orchard and bringing it back to its glory days.

She repeats the thoughts over and over in her head, as a mantra as she drifts.  And damnit all if she doesn't dream of melted chocolate and ripped Levi's
.

In town Nate tosses and turns in his sm
all bed at his apartment above Vanover’s Grocery.  Why is it that every time he closes his eyes he sees her?  He promised Ms. Ruthie he would help do whatever was needed.  She was the only one who accepted him here at first.  When he showed up in town, people were skittish.  She gave him work, which with a flush bank account he didn’t really need the money.  Hard work took his mind off things.  She cooked for him, made him pies and treated him like family, something he never really had.  Now there is ‘Drea, she is so much like her Grams.  Which makes this all the more important for him to help them.  As sleep takes him, he doesn’t have nightmares tonight.  For the first time since he can remember he sleeps peacefully.  Tonight Nate’s dreams are of a raven haired, green-eyed goddess and he knows now he is in trouble, big trouble.

Chapter
Two:

Change in the Wind

‘
Drea spends most of the next few days, cleaning the kitchen in the store, she has ordered her updated kitchen appliances and both the plumber and electrician gave them a clean bill of health.  Nothing could have been more perfect, all her things had been delivered and she unpacked and organized everything with glee.  The kitchen inside the store would rival all kitchens, she thought as she turned to throw a box to the pile by the door she slams into Nate.

“
Oh! Shit, sorry you snuck up on me.” She says with a squeal.  He was warm and all man, ‘Drea thought.  Shaking her head, she pulls away.  Bad idea, she scolds herself. 

Nate felt a pang of disappo
intment as she turned from him and frowned unsure why. “You have been busy ‘Drea.  The new appliances will be here tomorrow right?”

His question made those emerald eyes sparkle with excitement. “
Yes, and then I will be baking away in here.  Grams was able to talk the grocer into delivering all I needed tomorrow as well.” Her eyes brighten and dance with excitement making Nate pants become uncomfortable.  He was staring at a woman who put his sanity and his dick in a vise…and he was enjoying it.  How sick was he? “Nate!  I can bake in here tomorrow, I can’t wait!”

‘
Drea’s excitement makes him smile, “What do you bake ‘Drea?” He asks scratching his chin. 

Wiping the sweat from her forehead she smiles, “
You come in here tomorrow afternoon, and you can see for yourself.”

“
Well you have a deal, I am more than happy to play taste tester.  I fixed the fences in the orchard; I will start on the roof now.  Tomorrow I can paint the front room and get measurements for the display cases.”
 

“
That would be great; it seems you have been busy yourself.  I sure hope you’re hungry, Grams is making fried chicken and will not take no for an answer.”

“
Well I can’t say no to a beautiful woman, who cooks.” Nate says teasing. “I had better get to the roof and earn that supper.” He nudges her playfully and walks outside.             

After ‘Drea is done in the kitchen, she walks out to the grass and sprawls out with a bottle of water: Nate is up on the roof, shirtless repairing the busted shingles.  ‘Drea watches as his muscles bunch as he nails each shingle into place, those torn Levi’s stretch as he bends.  Wow.  ‘Drea wonders what his strong arms would feel like around her, making her shiver with want.  Suddenly his eyes meet hers and she freezes.  Damn, busted!

“
Enjoying the view?” He asks playfully raising a brow.

‘
Drea takes a drink of her water, her mouth suddenly dry, “Um…what?” She asks innocently.

“
Oh, you heard me Sugar.” He teases bending to pick up another shingle, giving her another heat flash.

“
I am just cooling off.” She says shakily.

Nate chuckles, “
That’s the last thing on your mind ‘Drea.”

“
Oh honestly!” ‘Drea sighs.

“
Anytime you want a closer look Sugar, just ask.” Nate teases as ‘Drea goes into the kitchen to get another water.

Pacing around the kitchen island ‘Drea scolds herself. “Idiot!  What were you thinking?  It’s one thing to oogle; it is another thing entirely to get caught, Jesus ‘Drea!”

“
So you were oogling me?”

‘
Drea jumps and jerks into the island. “Damn it, what are you a ninja?”

Pulling his shirt on Nate laughs, “So was it one thing in particular you were oogling or just the whole package in general?” Taking her water from her hand he gulps it down.

“
Oh my God!  Don’t say package!” ‘Drea shrieks as she blushes crimson.

Nate roars with laughter. “
Don’t sweat it ‘Drea, you are worth the oogle yourself.”

“
Let’s go eat.” She stutters.

As they walk out toward the orchard, his arm brushes hers making her shudder.  Nate notices and smiles at her, his heart racing. 
Jesus Nate!  Over a touch!  Are you a horny teenager or what? 
He knew he shouldn’t have teased her over watching him but, he liked getting her all worked up, those green eyes of hers dance with fire.

             
After dinner ‘Drea sits on the porch swing staring out at the orchard.  Nate strolls out and sits beside her.  “Hey.” He says nudging her with his knee. “Penny for your thoughts?”

“
Hey.” She replies sighing, “I missed the quiet and the trees.  I could stare at it all night.”

“
Me too ‘Drea.” Nate says sweetly.  ‘Drea peaks over at him watching her and blushes. 

“
Sorry to bail but I have an early morning…deliveries and all.” ‘Drea says nervously standing.

“
Yeah, I’ll see you ‘Drea.” Nate says as he walks down to his truck and then he is gone.

Shaking her head, trying to figure out what the hell what was
all about, ‘Drea goes to bed.

              From the window, Ms. Ruthie shakes her head with a chuckle, holding the photo from her wedding day. “Well Frank our ‘Drea is finally home.  It seems to be getting interesting around here.  Seems to me, love may be in the air again darling.  She is broken right now but, I think being home and Nathan Kyle are just what she needs.”

              The next morning ‘Drea practically dances up to the store.  Shortly after 8:00 am, two delivery men set up the new kitchen appliances.  Just as she signs the slips and old black truck pulls up with ‘
Vanover Grocery’
printed on the side.

“Well Andrea Ruth, as I live and breathe.  Look at you all grown up.” A white haired man says as he unloads bags with Nate. 

“
Mr. Vanover, how are you?” ‘Drea replies with a smile.

“
Just look at me honey, I am doing well.” He says with a chuckle.

“
Yes, Sir. Thank you for the delivery.”

“
You just make my day, bake an old man somethin’ good.” Mr. Vanover says as ‘Drea pays him and he kisses her cheek. “It is good to see you home again ‘Drea.”

“
It is good to be home, see you.” She replies as he climbs into the truck and pulls out.

“
Drea walks into the store kitchen and starts putting away groceries. “Did I get replaced as taste tester?” Nate teases as he sits the last of the bags on the bar.

“
No of course not.  This afternoon?” ‘Drea answers with a smile.

              Nate smiles making ‘Drea’s knees go weak, and then leaves.  Shaking it off ‘Drea cranks her IPod in her stereo deck.  As REO Speedwagon blares on about Ridin’ the storm out “Drea is rolling dough and filling cake pans.  Nate peeks in watching her; she is maxing icing swaying to the music.  Shaking his head he chuckles to himself and starts measuring the room for the display cases he is going to build.

Later that afternoon, Nate’s stomach forces him to notice the smells coming from the kitchen.  Peaking around the door he shouts, “Is it safe?”

No answer…

He walks in and sees ‘Drea shimmying to the music, as she adds meringue to a butterscotch pie.  He stands in awe as the smells hit him; she is baking pies, cakes and he swears he can smell donuts. “’Drea?” He shouts again.

This time she turns and smiles, “
You caught me.  I couldn’t stop once I started.  Nate lets out the breath he didn’t realize he had been holding, making ‘Drea laugh.

“
Why Nate…” She says arching a brow, “Were you oogling?”

Laughing he just nods, yes he was staring watching her ass shake to the music as she danced around the island made him hard. He was hard and laughing…
that isn’t normal. Changing the subject he glances around the room, “It smells amazing.  I got the room ready to paint and the measurements for the cases… Um, do I smell donuts ‘Drea?” Nate says sniffing.

“
Yes, just out of the fryer.” She replies gesturing to the granite island where the baked goods lie cooling. “Sit, I’ll get you a plate and some coffee.”

“
Who am I to turn down a woman who can cook?” He teases as he sits at the small table in the kitchen and ‘Drea places a plate with donuts on it and hands him a cup of coffee.  He bites into a still hot donut and groans, “Damn ‘Drea these are amazing.  You will be a millionaire.”