Country Wishes

by RaeAnne Hadley

  After a few minutes of pacing around the room, she remembered her old high school yearbooks were in the same hutch as the quilts, in the bottom drawer. She pulled out the one from tenth grade and sat on the couch to flip through it. There he was—Ben Dawson—same face but with shaggier hair. She ran her finger over the photograph. He’d been cute as a boy. Now he was a man. Attractive, intelligent, and…available. She drew out the word available. Why did that word make her nervous? Marilee had been pushing them to hook up. What’s the worst that could happen if they did?

  Give it a rest, Robyn, she told herself. Men run away from independent women and he’d end up running like the rest of them. Why do men have to control everything? Forget about her stupid wish at the well. She had her shop and her friends, and she was satisfied with that. She had her plans for the future. Even if she dropped the Airbnb idea, she could still board horses for an extra source of income. The last thing she needed right now was another failed relationship, especially one with a kid in the middle.

  Robyn checked her watch. Where was Ben anyway? She stood and went back to the living room, wanting to go through the remaining boxes but finding herself unable to settle down. What if something happened to him? Is this what it felt like to be a cop’s wife? Never knowing, always wondering. This damn well sucks. She’d lose all sense of control. She sat down to wait, pulling out her sewing basket and hand-sewing a giraffe applique onto a baby quilt meant as a gift for a pregnant cousin.

  Chapter Eleven

  It was nearing dawn when Ben made it back to Robyn’s house. She’d given him a key so he let himself in as quietly as he could only to find her sleeping on the couch. She’d dropped a sewing project on the floor and a half empty glass of wine sat on the coffee table. The fire had burned down to glowing embers and she looked cold. Had she been waiting up for him? In their entire marriage, Joyce had not once waited up. He picked up a quilt from the loveseat to cover Robyn. Was that mistletoe along the border? If he weren’t so tired, he’d be tempted to crawl under the quilt with her and wake her up. He crouched down, brushing stray hair from her face and watching her as she slept. After a few minutes, he checked on Aidyn in the top bunk of her room before crashing on the four-poster bed in his.

  Waking to the smell of bacon, Ben decided he’d died and gone to heaven. That was another thing which never happened when he was married. If he wanted bacon, he had to fix it himself. Slipping into a pair of worn jeans, heavy socks, and a flannel shirt over a black t-shirt, he followed his nose to the kitchen.

  His daughter sat at the dining table with a sketchpad, colored pencils, and an empty breakfast plate.

  “Morning, Daddy,” she said, returning to her drawing of a snowman and three people.

  He looked over her shoulder. A woman stood on one side of the snowman, and a man and a little girl stood on the other. The picture made him uncomfortable. She normally drew just the two of them together. Was she becoming too attached to their new friend? What little girl didn’t want a mother? On the other hand, maybe she was jealous since she was used to having Ben all to herself. He rubbed at his jaw, reckoning he’d find out soon enough.

  Robyn glanced at him over her shoulder. “How do you like your eggs?” she asked.

  “Over easy,” he answered. The situation made him unaccountably nervous. It was all too homey. He’d been a single dad long enough to know some women were attracted to him for just that reason. The elderly female dispatcher back at his old job explained it was because a man had to be emotionally mature to raise a kid. He figured it was more likely because women thought a divorced man might be easier to train than one who’d never been through it before. The thought gave him a chuckle. Joyce had tried to train him, and she’d failed miserably. He was the same stubborn blockhead he’d always been. None of it mattered anyway since he was in no way prepared for the dating scene.

  Robyn joined him at the dining table with plates loaded down with bacon, eggs, and potatoes – the full monty. “You were out late last night,” she said. “Did you catch the bad guys?”

  “Yeah. Drunk teenagers got a bit wild and we had to break up the party. Most made it home safe but one is in the hospital after his car slid off the road. A few others are in jail.”

  Robyn was too polite to ask their names even though she looked curious. “Is he going to be okay?”

  “For now. When his dad gets through with him, I’m not so sure.”

  What’s their punishment going to be?”

  “Community service is my bet.”

  Robyn bit at her lip. “Marilee throws a Christmas party for foster kids every year. Maybe some of those teens could come and help?”

  “Good idea. If we can push it through the legal system in a hurry.” He liked the way she thought. Hanging out with disadvantaged kids might encourage the teens from last night to appreciate what they had and clean up their act.

  “So, what’s the plan for the day?” Ben asked. “Marilee designated me as your personal lumberjack for the weekend.” He showed off his muscular biceps. “I’m all in for chopping wood if that’s what you need.” His look turned serious. “Besides, after bailing on you last night, I deserve a trip to the woodshed.”

  Robyn laughed. “Aidyn and I did just fine without you. If you insist on making it up to me though, you could help with the foster kids too. Maybe show up in uniform and show them cops aren’t all bad.”

  “You got it.” He couldn’t stop the glow in his eyes if he wanted to. Robyn was something special. “If you need any toys assembled ahead of time, I’m your man.” He placed a hand on his daughter’s back. “Aidyn and I are a team when it comes to assembly. She’ll vouch for me, won’t you sweetheart?”

  “Daddy cussed up a storm when he put my bike together.”

  Robyn gave a shocked expression. “Noooo,” she said.

  “You little traitor.” Ben reached out and tickled his daughter. The sound of Aidyn’s laugh was the sweetest thing on the planet, but he found the smile on Robyn’s face came a close second.

  When Aidyn stopped her giggles, she said, “Robyn’s going to help me make an ornament today.”

  “Yes, I am. And then I have a surprise for you.”

  “A surprise.” Aidyn’s eyes grew wide. “What kind of surprise?”

  “I’ll show you later.” She winked at Ben.

  What was she up to? He helped her clear off the table and wash up the dishes while Aidyn went to play in the living room.

  “I hope you’re up for it,” she said. “But I thought you and Aidyn might like to go sledding today instead of hanging around the house.”

  “Well, hell, how could I mind a thing like that? I thought about taking her by myself but sleddings more fun with a group.”

  “Do you remember the hill on Blue Mountain Pass?”

  “Absolutely. I remember seeing you there with a bunch of your friends.”

  “It’s our favorite run. Marilee’s bringing her kids, and another friend Stephanie. It’ll be great.”

  She turned to wipe down the counters and Ben walked over. “Robyn, thank you for watching Aidyn last night and for including her in your plans.”

  She turned, her body mere inches from his. “About last night. I was worried about you. What if something happened?”

  He held her gaze and answered in a husky voice. “No one’s worried about me like that in a very long time.”

  “What about your ex-wife? I’m sure she worried. It can’t be easy being a cop’s wife.”

  He leaned against the counter and scratched an itch on his neck. “Joyce worried more about my paycheck than she did me. When we married, life was one big adventure. I grew up fast with a young wife to take care of and bills to pay. I’m not sure Joyce ever did grow up.” Talking about his failed marriage was something he didn’t do. Robyn was interested though and easy to talk to. “She wanted to party, and have am extravagant lifestyle that we couldn’t afford.

  “What did you want?”

  “Me?”
He stopped to think, as if no one had ever asked him before. “Stability, kids, a dog. The usual things.” He paused. “Aidyn wasn’t planned, but she was a beautiful, happy baby and I thought Joyce would devote herself to her child. Unfortunately…things didn’t go as I thought.” He scratched at his neck again as he thought of Joyce. “She wasn’t abusive or anything like that. She just seemed detached from our little girl…and from me. Don’t misunderstand; I don’t blame Joyce for all of it going sour. If anyone was negligent, it was me. I worked long hours and, honestly, I didn’t want to go home. Joyce was so…needy. When she finally left us, I was relieved more than anything. I stopped putting in the long hours, and Aidyn became my life.”

  Robyn stayed quiet at first, then she moved to him, placing her arms around his back and giving him a swift hug. To his disappointment, she stepped back before it could turn into anything more. “I’m sorry you had to go through all that. People can be so self-centered.”

  “I’ve heard you’ve had a few bad relationships yourself.”

  “Don’t listen to everything Marilee says. She’s been known to exaggerate.” She grinned and turned back to finish wiping down the counter.

  Ben watched as the soft curves of her hips moved in motion with the cloth. Her innocent hug had done more to him than lift his spirits. She reminded him of what he’d been missing over the years. A woman with a soft heart. A woman who cared. And a woman whose body could excite a stone statue. Fuck it, he had to get out of here before he jinxed his luck in meeting up with her again. She was too good for him back then and was probably too good for him now. She deserved a man who could give her the world.

  “I’m going to chop some wood before we go sledding,” he said, needing to get some air.

  She dropped her damp cloth in the sink and turned to him with a wicked grin. “I was joking about chopping wood all weekend. I had a truckload delivered and stacked in November, enough to last through the winter.” She moved in close and gave him a flirtatious look, batting her eyes, and using her womanly charms in a playful way. She even placed a hand on his bicep. “I could use a man though, one to haul a few logs in the house. We’ll need a fire started when we get back. Know any willing volunteers, Slugger?”

  He flexed his muscles in response to her playful tone. “Anything you need, Sunshine.” He headed out the kitchen door, pleased to be done talking about his ex. Even more pleased that Robyn trusted him enough to tease him. Damn if she wasn’t something though. If he’d known back in tenth grade what he knew now, he’d have stayed in Hopeful and let his folks move on without him.

  As he stacked logs in the fireplace, Aidyn ran into the room. She had on her heavy coat and gloves, and her cheeks were flushed with excitement. “Daddy, come see what Robyn has.” She took his hand and pulled him toward the door. “She wants to borrow your truck.”

  He glanced out the window at the old barn. Robyn stood in front of it with an innertube nearly as tall as she was. Scattered around her were several smaller tubes. When he stepped outside, she pointed to the back of his pick-up and he gave her a nod. He stayed on the porch and watched with amusement as Robyn and Aidyn eagerly tossed the sledding equipment in the back of the truck. When everything was loaded, he helped tie it all down so nothing would blow away. Aidyn skipped back inside as they finished up by themselves.

  “You’ve done this before,” he said.

  “Lots, but I’ve been too busy since I opened the shop. It’s about time I had some fun.”

  Chapter Twelve

  “My hands are freezing,” Robyn said as she stood next to the truck, tugging one last time on a tie-down. Despite the cold, she enjoyed being outside.

  “I can help with that,” Ben said. He took her bare hands between his own, rubbing them gently and raising them to his lips to blow his warm breath on them.

  When she met his eyes, a rush of heat warmed her from the inside out and when he placed her hands against his chest, covering them with his own, she no longer noticed the cold.

  “How’s that?” he asked.

  “Better.” Her teeth caught at her lower lip, desire flaming despite the cold. She could feel the beating of his heart in a rhythm matching her own. The moment became trapped in time, the lust-filled look in his eyes, his hand moving to her waist. She raised her face, her lips slightly parted as the core of her filled with an unexpected need.

  “Daddy,” Aidyn shouted from the porch. “Can we go yet?”

  Robyn dropped her hands as though she had touched a hot stove. Blushing, she stepped away from Ben as if guilty of a crime.

  Ben’s eyes never left her face. “In a minute, Aidyn,” he said. “Go back inside where it’s warm. It’ll be a few more minutes so take your coat off.” He took Robyn’s hand again, letting her know it was okay for Aidyn to see them together. They walked back to the house hand in hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world. For Robyn though, there was nothing natural about the way her heart beat inside her chest.

  Even as she made sandwiches and filled two separate thermos containers of coffee and cocoa, Robyn’s body tingled with desire. How long had it been since a man had lit that kind of fire inside her, one that burned like a four-alarm blaze despite the Colorado cold? If it hadn’t been for Aidyn, she might’ve laid down in the snow and let him take her right there. What had come over her…besides the fact that looking in his eyes stimulated every nerve ending in her body. He exuded strength and, like an aphrodisiac, he brought out a frisky side of her she wanted to explore. Her fingers flexed as she remembered the feel of his chest, and a shiver caught her by surprise. She licked at her lips and grinned at her naughty thoughts. For once, she should throw caution to the wind and forget about tomorrow and follow Marilee’s advice; she had to get her some of that.

  When she returned to the living room to see Ben brushing the tangles out of his little girl’s hair, she returned to her senses even as her heart melted. Robyn liked the predictability of her world and Ben was anything but predictable. Sexy, dangerous, and nomadic, when she preferred safe and established. The sexy part she could live with if she had to. The dangerous and nomadic gave her second thoughts.

  With her mind in a whirl, she nearly tripped and spilled the tray holding hot cocoa for her guests. “We should head out soon,” she said trying to get her mind back on track.

  “We’re ready when you are.” He wiped at a spot of whipped cream from his daughter’s lip. “What do you think, Aidyn, should we race Ms. Robyn down the hill?”

  “Yes,” Aidyn answered with excitement. “We’ll race and I’ll win!” She set her cup on the coffee table and rushed to get her coat. “Come on, hurry up, let’s go.”

  Ben looked at Robyn with a wry grin. “The life of a parent,” he said, giving an exaggerated sigh. He studied her face, like he was evaluating her. What was he thinking? She blushed under his examination. Maybe she had something in her teeth? She distracted herself by selecting a couple of her grandma’s warmest quilts to take with them.

  They drove in the pick-up with Aidyn between them, each absorbed in their own thoughts. Marilee was parked at the bottom of the hill and Aidyn was excited to join them. Marilee’s daughter, Sarah, was a year ahead in school so the two didn’t know each other very well. While Ben and Robyn unloaded innertubes with Marilee and her two boys, the girls quickly became friends, running up the hill ahead of the adults. The family’s Chocolate Lab, Bruno, happily chased after them.

  “Sarah, wait,” Marilee shouted, dangling her daughter’s gloves in one hand and her youngest son’s hand in the other. “Brian, go with them,” she told her older son. She plopped Billy in an innertube and took off, trying to catch up to the other children. Ben and Robyn followed at a slower pace, hauling tubes and each carrying a thermos. A fresh layer of snow lay over the mountain and the sledding hill glittered in the sunlight.

  “Looks like we’re first,” Ben said, looking around at the pristine snow.

  Robyn nodded, feeling shy after her heated thoughts
of seducing Ben and seeing him naked. This was a play date with the kids, nothing more.

  “You don’t look too happy about being here,” Ben said as they trudged up the hill. “I thought this was your idea.”

  “It’s silly,” she said. As she huffed up the steep slope, her thoughts slipped back to her past. “You know how my mom gave custody to my grandparents when I was a kid?”

  “Yeah, I heard about that.”

  “It never bothered me much except on things like these stupid sledding trips. My grandparents were old, and they couldn’t get up and down the hill as easily as the other parents.” She stopped to catch her breath. “As they got older, they stopped trying. I remember watching dads send their kids flying down the hill. I was always jealous of that.”

  Stephanie and her husband, Rob, pulled into the parking lot and Robyn stopped to give them a wave. “I love sledding, but I guess it makes me feel like an outsider. Even today. Everyone has their little family units…and then there’s me.”

  Ben wrapped an arm around her, and they continued up the hill. “If that’s how you feel, consider yourself adopted into my family for the day. I’ll be glad to send you flying.” He bent to scoop up a handful of snow. Marilee’s enormous mutt, Bruno, saw him and came running over, nearly knocking Ben down in his excitement. Ben managed to throw the snowball anyway, but Robyn ducked and ran for the tree line. She stuck out her tongue, “na-na na-na…”

  Before she could get the rest of it out, he rushed her, grabbing her by the waist. Ben swept her up in his arms and dumped her in a snowbank. She spit out a mouthful of snow and tried to sit up. Well, damn, that’s what she got for wishing she’d be swept off her feet by a man. Stupid wishing well. Robyn grabbed Ben’s arm and pulled him to the snow with her, grabbing a handful to smear in his face. He laughed as he spat it out and wrestled her, pinning her arms over her head as she wiggled beneath him. She had a bad case of the giggles going as he let her shove him off.