“Did you love her?”
“I thought I did. At least I had that much character,” he added with a self-deprecating laugh. “Hell, any guy with a pulse would think he was in love with her. Michelle’s smooth and polished. It takes awhile to see past the veneer.
“After the divorce, I figured out a few things about myself.” His voice sounded stronger. “I want kids—eventually. You saying you don’t would be a deal breaker between us,” he added with quiet yet absolute finality. “I want a woman I can love for the rest of my life, but I also want someone who’ll be a good mother and love being with kids as much as I do. I’m not being sexist. The reality is my job requires travel. My wife will have to be willing to devote more than her share of time to raising children.
“I’ve had plastic and perfect, and it didn’t work. I want genuine.” The sound of his voice, which had filled the room seconds before, became softer. He lifted their intertwined hands so he could kiss her knuckles. “I also hate jealousy. I own a mirror, so I know what I look like. My looks open doors, but it also draws the kind of attention I’d rather live without. There’s a real man inside here, with real emotions and capable of a helluva lot of love. You get that about me.”
He fell silent for a moment, and Shelby appreciated the opportunity to process. He felt strongly enough about her to talk about a future—lay out concrete needs and wants. He’s also thrown the W-word out there. Wife. As in his. Maybe that’s what she’d missed most when she’d been with Raleigh? Not that she’d wanted to marry a dead guy, or even pretend to be. Raleigh’s ghost, for all his drifting about within the years of his life, was static. They could never grow together and she’d grow past him, eventually. Maybe her ending things between them earlier than later had been for the best? After reading the Tanner wives’ journals, she’d realized she’d been the first not to think she was going crazy.
After awhile, Lee continued. “I hate it when people come on to a pretty outer shell. I could be a serial dick for all they know. I…I’m falling in love with you because you took the time to look inside me. You like what’s in here, and you don’t treat me like a trophy lay. I know you didn’t like it when other women came on to me today, but you were cool about it. I’ve got no control over how my face looks, just like I’ve got no control over other people’s narcissistic libidos.” He squeezed her hand and held on determinedly. “You’ve got to know upfront—getting mad at me over something I can’t control and something I do everything to discourage will push me away.”
Lee fell silent.
With her head rising and falling with the steady cadence of his breathing, Shelby thought over everything he’d said.
“I’m pretty sure I can do that,” she said. “I always knew I wanted kids. I also knew I wanted the right man to have them with. No pressure and not right away…I want to be clear about that,” she qualified. “But since you put it out there, yes. My hopes for the future don’t clash with yours.
“And about the people who want to use you as a trophy lay? Women I can understand. Just don’t expect me to make nice with guys who come on to you. ’Cause, baby”—grinning in the darkness, Shelby kissed the side of his pec, then bit him gently—“this fine ass is all mine.” He rolled over with obliging ease when she pushed him onto his stomach.
“It is, huh?”
“Oh yeah.” Still grinning, she dragged her teeth over the taut curve of one butt cheek, then the other. “They can look, but no way will I take it lying down if they try to touch the fineness.”
The sound of Lee’s laughter made Tazer stir and snort.
By the time he rolled back to her, Lee’s laughter was spent. “I want you to come into the city with me during the week,” he said.
“Are you asking me to move in with you? What about the break-ins?”
“There haven’t been any break-ins here for awhile. And, after today and with winter coming, I don’t expect any more.” He gathered up her hair then kissed her throat. “I’ll hire a house sitter if I have to, or a security guard if it’ll make you feel better. But, yes, I want you to move in with me. You and Tazer,” he added when the dog grumbled in his sleep. “We haven’t known each other that long, so maybe you think it’s too early, but I’ve got a feeling about you. About us. I’d like to give it a try.”
In the dark and comforting quiet of their lake house, Shelby thought over everything Lee’d said.
“Yes,” she said and drew his mouth to hers.
* * * *
Shelby wasn’t sure if she’d fallen asleep, but the murmur of voices coming from downstairs roused her. Putting on her robe and with Tazer padding along in her wake, she headed for the light spilling out of the front parlor. Nan West then Em Fletcher walked into the main foyer. Nan looked decidedly disheveled, and she was running her fingers through her long hair with sensual focus. Even though nobody looked interested in their surroundings and she was standing in shadow, Shelby pressed her back against the wall when she heard Raleigh’s muted but unmistakable laughter. Naked, he came out of the parlor with one hand on Helen Whitevale’s breast and the other around Lucy Spence’s waist. He kissed each woman in turn, straightened a collar here, tugged on a sweater there, while a pair of pressed linen slacks slowly gained substance around him.
“Good night, my lovelies,” he murmured as the Four made their way toward the front door. They giggled quietly and angled their necks for more kisses. Raleigh sighed with what could only be deep-seated satisfaction.
Shelby blinked in the darkness. Had she expected the rakehell ghost to be monogamous? Even before she’d put a stop to the physical part of their relationship?
Not really. Still, being confronted with the reality of an orgy in her own home…well, Lee’s home…left her unsure of what to make of anything that went on inside the place. And what about a month from now? Or a year? The few boyfriends she’d had and broken up with, that was it. They never saw each other again and when they did, they greeted each other politely and moved on. Raleigh, however, was grounded to the house he’d built. He’d be here forever and she didn’t know how she’d react to seeing her dead ex-lover drift in and out of her and, fingers crossed, Lee’s life.
Tazer sat down and leaned into her leg. He made quiet grunts of approval as she stroked his shoulder then rubbed his ear. With a sigh, she left off ruminating for the night and made her way back to bed. As she was passing the second door before hers, she caught a faint whiff of fresh air and flowers. Tazer perked up instantly and nudged the door fully open. Inside, he shot his neck out to receive pets from small, phantom hands.
“Hello, Devon,” Shelby whispered and smiled when the little girl appeared beside them. In the moonlight, her dark hair looked as downy as ever, and her mouth, above that unmistakable Tanner chin, split into a wide grin.
“Hello, Shelby,” Devonna whispered then bent so she could hug Tazer. The dog held himself still, except for his tail which began thumping the floor in a steady, ecstatic rhythm.
“Did you have fun tonight, Devon?”
“Oh yes. I liked seeing the other children play, although I was a bit jealous because I couldn’t join in. Still, it was fun having so many people around again.” She turned her serious gaze up to Shelby. “Will you be staying now?”
“Yes. I think I will.”
“And will you have babies? Lots and lots of babies so there will be children for me to play with?”
“I think there will be. Maybe not lots and lots but some.”
From downstairs, Shelby heard the front door open and a few muffled giggles. After the door closed, she heard a car start up and drive away slowly. On a whim, she held out her hand. “Come on. There’s someone I’d like you to see.”
After smoothing the fur she’d mussed around Tazer’s neck, Devon took Shelby’s hand with a guileless trust. “Is it time?”
“I think it is.” Together, they walked down the stairs.
“Raleigh?” Shelby said quietly as they entered the parlor. He was loung
ing on a sofa with one bare foot resting on the floor. The satisfied, almost smug expression on his face faded when he saw his daughter standing beside Shelby. With his mouth hanging open, he stood, and as he did, a shirt, jacket, and shoes appeared on him. He straightened his clothes self-consciously.
Devonna didn’t say anything. She simply regarded him with undisguised interest, with her head tilted to one side. It seemed to Shelby like the child was expecting him to turn away or even disappear.
The expression that came over his face stilled Shelby’s breath. It started slowly but blinding pleasure shone on every one of his features. All traces of the glib, carefree seducer disappeared. He looked younger somehow, or perhaps like a man of simpler, purer desires.
If he’d ever, even once, looked at her like that, she’d never have left him.
Shelby spoke softly. “You told me the others follow your energy, but I think, all this time, you’ve been following hers. You’ve been anchored to her just like you were when you were alive.”
With slow, measured steps, he closed the distance between himself and Devonna until he was standing in front of her. When she lifted her hand, when she reached for his, his eyes shimmered and he made an obvious effort to blink back the wetness.
He took his daughter’s hand in his, then clasped the other over hers as well. After a moment, he cleared his throat. “Come outside with me, Devon. I can hear the ponies from here.”
“Ponies?” she said with childish anticipation.
Hanging back, Shelby followed them toward the front door. Unwilling to break the wonderful mood that had settled around the pair, she kept her mouth shut about the ponies having been trucked back to their farm.
The door opened for them, revealing the night and the silhouettes of dark, quiet carnival attractions waiting to be picked up in the morning. Like hands unfolding, sunlight began to stream into the foyer. From outside, where it was now unnaturally bright and colors shimmered and glowed, she heard the sound of the carousel and ponies neighing in welcome. The air that spilled into the foyer didn’t smell like a cold, fall night. It smelled warm and clean, like a perfect summer day, and carried with it hints of watermelon and cotton candy.
Laughing delightedly, Devonna swung her father’s arm alongside hers and started to skip. As the door slowly closed on Tazer and Shelby, she heard the excited yip of a smaller dog and saw Devonna bend down to pet whoever it was that was racing toward her.
Epilogue
Ten Months Later
“Oops.” The expression, the grin taking over Lee’s entire face told Shelby he wasn’t sorry. Not in the least. He looked down at the thin plastic stick in her hand, at the small, blue positive sign on it, and radiated smug satisfaction. “Guess you were right when you thought that contraceptive ring failed last month.”
Sighing, Shelby tossed the home pregnancy tester into the wastebasket of their townhouse. Despite the thick walls and double-paned windows, she could hear the sounds of traffic as downtown Detroit roused itself for another day of work.
Tazer padded into the room and, wearing an expectant look, sat in front of them. It was time for his morning walk, and he liked to keep to schedule.
“So, um…” Lee’s voice faltered, like he knew he should say something commiserative about knocking her up. He just couldn’t seem to manage it. Instead, he reached into his pant pocket. “I was going to wait until Christmas.” He flipped open the lid on the small blue box he was holding. “I want to marry you, Shelby Prentice. Raise a family with you. And since you’ve already succumbed to my, er, potent charms,” he added with a ribald grin that would do Old Raleigh proud, “I’m hoping you’ll say yes.”
Her fingers trembled as she reached out to touch the diamond ring. “Yes,” she said and began to tear up when Lee slid it on her finger. “First thing I need to do is make a phone call.”
“Ooh-kay,” Lee muttered in obvious confusion as he followed her into the bedroom. He sat beside her on the bed and watched as she picked up the receiver and hit an autodial button.
“Beth? Hi. It’s Shelby. Terrific news. Lee and I are pregnant.” Beth squealed with delight, and Shelby had to hold the receiver away from her ear. In the background, she could hear small dogs barking. “Yes, I love the ring he got me.” One brow shot up when she looked over at Lee. He feigned innocence. “I need to ask a huge favor though,” Shelby said, returning her attention to his mother. “Your idea to theme the Historical Society fundraiser around Halloween was brilliant. We’ve already sold almost twice as many tickets as last year. Problem is, the Festival is in two weeks, there’s a ton of work still left to do, and I’ve got morning, noon, and night sickness.” She held up her crossed fingers as an act of contrition for the lie. “Can you come up and help?”
There was silence from the other end of the phone. Eventually, even the cocker spaniels fell quiet.
“I haven’t seen him in a couple of months,” Shelby added softly. “Since last Thanksgiving, the few times I saw them they were always together, and the last time was during the summer. I think they’ve…moved,” she added with a nervous glance at Lee. What he was making of the obviously coded girl-conversation, Shelby couldn’t tell. At least he wasn’t asking. He was always good about respecting her privacy.
“Yes,” Beth Tanner sighed. “Of course. I’ll book a flight right away. I can stay…”
“Here. With us,” Shelby insisted. “Bring the dogs. Tazer will love the company. We’ll drive up to the lake house this weekend. It’s so peaceful and…empty,” she added with a touch of emphasis. “I can’t wait to get together with you again. Bring the sunshine with you!”
After Shelby hung up, Lee regarded her warily. “You do realize this will be the first time my parents have been together since I graduated college.”
“Yep,” she said and bounced off the bed. “You and I should come up with a sneaky plan or two to give them some time together.” Lee’s brow furrowed. She could tell he wasn’t opposed to the plan because he simply shrugged his shoulders. Shelby followed him downstairs where he put on a coat and gloves and got Tazer’s leash out for their morning run before he headed out for work.
“So…have any names in mind?” Lee asked out of the blue. “If it’s a boy, I think my father would be pleased if we named it after him.”
“I like the name Ryan,” Shelby agreed quickly.
“And if it’s a girl—”
“If it’s a girl,” she interrupted smoothly, “I’d like to name her Devon.”
“Devon? Hmm. That’s pretty. I like it.” Ignoring Tazer’s whine, Lee bent to Shelby, kissed her, and cupped her breast in his hand.
From behind them, Shelby swore she heard the nasal, titillated, faint music of Agatha’s giggle.
THE END
WWW.GWENCAMPBELL.NET
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gwen Campbell lives in Canada and got her start in the magazine industry, writing everything from news stories to obituaries. A life-long believer in romance, she’s combined her passions and now focuses on romantic fiction. Gwen is married and she and her husband contribute the success of their relationship to making a point of saying “I love you” at least once a day, sometimes saying “yes, dear” just because, and making sure the toilet paper always comes over the top of the roll.
Gwen claims her best sticky-plot resolutions come to her while dog walking. She and Mr. Campbell recently adopted a retriever mix and have taken in a total of eight foster dogs over the past six months. They were all adopted by loving families which goes to prove you don’t need a lot of space to save a shelter dog’s life, just some patience and will power when it comes to doling out the dog treats. At times, a good carpet cleaner doesn’t hurt either (grin).
She’s always tickled to hear from readers. You can reach her at www.gwencampbell.net.
For all titles by Gwen Campbell, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/gwen-campbell
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