Free Sunflower by Jill Marie Landis

sleeping soundly. When the tremors started, Analisa tried to still her body’s reaction to the nightmarish scenes. She had to move, to get out of the room before her tears began. With a quick movement, taking care not to disturb Kase, she scrambled out of bed. Swift, soundless steps carried her to the door.
    Drinking in the cool night air, Analisa stopped just outside, pressing her back against the sod wall. Silent tears coursed down her cheeks as she stared unseeing into the darkness of the yard, her arms wrapped around herself below her breasts, her lungs heaving with the need for air.
    Caleb found her thus as he rounded the corner of the sod house. Wary of frightening her, he called her name softly in the darkness, but his words went unheeded. He moved to her side and, without hesitation, pulled her into his arms. She did not resist his touch, nor did she pull away as he half expected, but stood stiffly within his embrace, much like one of the porcelain figures in his stepmother’s parlor. He could feel the tremors moving through her in waves and so stood as silent as she, waiting for her fear to subside before he spoke to her.
    Deep inside herself, Analisa was aware that she was enfolded in Caleb Storm’s arms. She knew it was wrong and that she should pull away; yet it felt so good to be wrapped securely against harm. How long had it been since she’d been taken care of, held close by another human being? After the attack on the wagon and the loss of so many loved ones, Analisa had been forced to be the strong one, the giver of comfort. Now it was her turn to receive and, although her mind told her to pull away, her heart surrendered to Caleb’s silent strength.
    As she felt his hand move slowly up and down her spine, gentling her as he would a frightened child, Analisa’s silent tears gave way to choking sobs. She pressed her face against the warmth of his neck, letting her arms encircle Caleb as she clung to him for support.
    As he felt her relax against him and listened to her anguished sobs, Caleb knew that the reason for her tears was buried deep inside her. He knew, too, that the cause of her sorrow held the answer to the riddle of her son, Kase. The longer she forced the past to stay buried deep inside herself, the more the pain would grow and fester like an untreated wound. Caleb hoped that soon she would feel free to unburden herself. But, for now, he could only offer whatever comfort she would accept.
    Her fear subsiding, Analisa stood with eyes closed, pressed against Caleb’s hard frame, blessing him for his silence, but wondering how to extricate herself from his embrace. She wished the pleasant, comforting sensation she was experiencing in his arms would never have to end. A quiet strength emanated from him. His dark clothing was scented with wood smoke and leather. Slowly, regretfully, Analisa pulled away from him, wiping her eyes on the sleeve of her nightgown, trying to avoid his gaze. She could almost feel his eyes reaching her through the darkness, questioning silently.
    “Feeling better?” he finally asked, forcing lightness into his tone.
    She nodded.
    “How about a walk?” Caleb hated to let her go inside alone, wrapped once more in her cold, protective shell.
    “No shoes.” She spoke in a whisper as she curled her toes up out of the dirt.
    They stood in silence, Analisa’s back brushing the outer wall of the soddie as Caleb stood before her, a breath away. He reached out and touched her hair, which was plaited into a long, thick braid that hung forward over her left shoulder. He rubbed the end of the braid between his thumb and forefinger, then untied the ribbon and combed the strands of honey gold with his fingers. Analisa’s hair slipped through his hands like fine silk. Caleb arranged it around her shoulders in a golden cape that fell nearly to the small of her back. He stared down into her eyes and even in the darkness could see confusion mingled with fear reflected in them. He