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dismal gray that blackened the sky and put dread in Jenna’s heart. Wind kicked up, blowing hard enough to make the shutters on the house rattle noisily. Jenna left her garden, deciding the herbs she was about to pick would have to wait. Storms meant trouble and this one promised to be wicked. She ran to the barn and thrust the door open.
    Thankfully, either Ben or Blue had groomed and settled Mac in his stall. Larabeth, the big old milk cow, looked peaceful enough. Jenna made sure there was enough feed for both, handing reliable Mac a handful of oats, just as a loud clap of thunder blasted throughout the sky.
    Jenna trembled. Storms meant trouble. She closed her eyes, blocking out memories, of fearsJenna needed to put to rest. But the sounds and the smell of wet earth always brought it back.
    She rushed to the door and ran smack into Blue. She tried to get past him to the safety of the house, but with a quick jerk of his arm, he grabbed her. “Whoa, slow down, Jenna. It’s coming down hard out there.”
    She blinked and blinked again, coming out of her daze. Blue was drenched. Rivers of water ran down the brim of his hat. His clothes clung to his body.
    “I gotta get into the house.” Where it’s safe. “
    It’s best we stay in here, sugar. Until the rain lets up.”
    “No, no! Not in here, Blue. I don’t like storms.” She didn’t want to stay in the barn. Not with the rain coming down in sheets and night falling. “Take me back to the house,” she pleaded. “Please.”
    Blue’s expression changed instantly and she knew she could trust him. “Okay, Jenna. Okay. We’ll get you into the house.”
    Thunder boomed overhead. She leapt into his arms.
    Blue lifted her, casting her a questioning look, but he didn’t ask. She’d be forever grateful for that. Shutting the door, he took off running. They were hit with hard rain. Blue bent over her, trying his level best to keep her from the brunt of it. But Jenna didn’t mind the rain, the wind or the cold.She was out of the barn. She could breathe again. That was all that mattered.
    Once inside the house, he carried her up the stairs and deposited her inside her bedroom. “Get out of those wet clothes. I’ll make sure the windows are closed up tight.”
    Jenna nodded, her mind numb.
    He slanted her a stern look. “When you’ve dried off some, meet me downstairs, Jenna. We’re gonna have us a talk.”
    Again, Jenna nodded. She moved slowly about the room, peeling off her wet clothes. She changed into a cotton skirt, tucking a shirt in, and glanced at herself in the cheval mirror. She looked a sight.
    It wouldn’t do.
    Jenna sat down on her bed, untangled her hair with her fingers, then brushed the long tresses until they were nearly dry.
    Much better, she thought. Well, an improvement, at least. Jenna ambled downstairs. She heard noises in the kitchen, but didn’t join Blue there. Instead, she walked into the parlor and stared out the window.
    Once a body was safe and warm inside, rain could be a beautiful thing. It cleaned the air and wiped away thick dust that layered the land. It nurtured new growth, put color on the earth, helped sustain all living things. Yes, rain could be something beautiful, sweeping away all the ugliness inthe world, allowing for a new day, allowing for a fresh start.
    Jenna took a deep breath. Her sigh was audible and profound. She sensed Blue come up from behind, felt his solid warmth. He wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her back against his chest. Jenna knew it wasn’t an act of lust this time, but more an act of friendship. She rested back against him, taking in his comfort, the strength he offered.
    “What’s got you so scared, Jenna?”
    She shrugged, “I don’t like storms. Ever since I was a little girl, I’d curl up in bed and cover myself with my quilt, but after Mama and Papa passed, I couldn’t do that anymore. I couldn’t pretend away the storm. I had responsibilities…the animals, the house. I