Kurt had waved to me a moment ago from the pasture, and now he’s coming up the front walk. He gives me a kiss on the lips. “Hi, baby. I didn’t know that you were coming over.”
“I wanted to get Laura’s opinion on something.” I smile at him, as he searches my eyes. Kurt and I haven’t touched on any of the events while we were broken up, we’ve been focusing mostly on my convalescence. Since I returned to work yesterday, he came over last night, but I fell asleep so fast we didn’t get a chance to talk about much. Being back in the grind is exhausting to say the least. I’m backed up with clients, but I’ve made it clear to them that I’ve just had emergency surgery, and I won’t be back full for a couple more weeks, as per doctor’s orders.
“Are you staying for lunch?” he places his hands on my waist. His affection has been modest, and I’ve been keeping a safe distance, not just because I’m still healing, but also because…well, we haven’t crossed that path yet.
“If I’m invited.”
Laura overhears. “You’re always invited.”
Kurt grins. “There you go.”
“Okay,” I smile. “You better get back to work.” I lean in and kiss him quickly.
“If you say so.” He says playfully.
“Get out there and get my fence finished, mister.” Laura warns teasingly. “You can play with your girlfriend later.”
He winks at me and Laura, and leaves.
A couple of days later, I go visit Grayson’s office, for a checkup. I must admit, seeing Grayson in a smock is very sexy. Something about a man in uniform. But then, Kurt is very sexy with his jeans, boots and Stetson, too. But so is Grayson when he switches from doctor to cowboy. Difference is…Kurt is mine.
“So, feeling any tenderness?” Grayson asks, as he grunts down into his leather chair.
“Not anymore, no.”
He gestures with his chin. “Step up onto the bed here. Let me take a look.”
I get up on the bed, with my head pressed on the small pillow, covered in noisy paper. He presses here and there gently. “Any pain?”
I shake my head no.
“Have you had any blood or discharge?”
“No.”
“And you’re finished your medication?”
“Yes.”
“Your ultrasound from yesterday came back clear. You’ve healed well, but it’s difficult to tell what kind of scar tissue we’re dealing with.”
“Will that give me any symptoms?”
“No. It shouldn’t.” he opens his computer screen. “Your bloodwork looks good, too.” His eyes go back and forth on the screen as he scans the document. He turns to me and smiles. “Looks good.”
“Good.”
“Any questions?”
I swallow. There is one question, but I’m embarrassed to ask. My face turns pink.
Grayson places his hand on mine. “Lisa, I’m giving you the green light for that, too.”
Sighing, I bite my lip. “I think I’d rather die than ask.”
“Well, if it’s any consolation, you almost did.” He says jokingly. “Now get out of here. Go make up with my brother properly.”
I punch him in the arm. “I’ll tell him you said that, jackass.”
He makes a snorting noise, trying to stifle a laugh. “Get out of here.”
***
When I pull up to my house, Kurt’s truck is in the driveway. He went and had a key made while he was staying with me for the week, and I didn’t think that he would pay me a surprise visit. I’m smiling as I walk inside the door. The house smells divine, and what’s more, Kurt is standing in my kitchen, cooking. He’s wearing my apron, and he’s glancing at a recipe book on the counter. “Hi, baby.” He says, not taking his eyes off the book.
I walk in the kitchen and wrap my arms around his middle from behind. “This is a pleasant surprise.”
“I figured you’d be tired after working all day, and you wouldn’t feel like going out to dinner. And I didn’t fancy having dinner with the guys tonight, so Laura lent me this cookbook, and I picked up the grub on the way here.”
“Could you be any sweeter?” I ask him, laying on his back.
“Well, I could try…” he trails off.
“What are we having?”
“It’s called ‘stir fry’. I got this here wok that Laura let me borrow, and some tongs and a wooden spoon. I even chopped up the vegetables myself.” He lifts his hands in the air. “Not a cut in sight. I’d say that’s pretty impressive.”
“That is, baby.” I grin. “And dinner looks and smells great.”
“Well, here’s hoping it tastes great, too.”
And it does. It’s so good I swear it’s better than restaurant food. “I think you missed your calling, babe.” I gush.
“You’re just saying that.”
“No, I’m serious. This is utterly delicious.”
“It’s not bad.” He points to his food with his fork.
After we clean up, we snuggle on the couch. And this time, I’m able to do for real snuggling. Kurt lays on his back, and I lay on top of him, with my arm wrapped around his middle. “You comfy?” he asks.
“Yes. Very.”
“How have you been feeling, anyway?”
“Very good. I was in to see Grayson today.”
“And everything is fine?”
“Perfect.”
He kisses my head. “I’m so glad, Lisa. Really, I am.”
I lift my head, so we’re face-to-face. “Me too.”
Kurt turns, conveying that he has my attention, regardless of the movie that is playing.
“I know that things were pretty bad before. You know, how I broke it off with you, and didn’t even explain.”
He lifts his hand. “Baby, we don’t need to talk about this. It’s in the past.”
I place my index finger on his lips. “I want to talk about it.”
He kisses my finger, pressing it against his lips, and then holds my hand in his.
“I…I don’t even know where to start.” I stammer.
He looks at me, cocking his head to the side. “Lisa, your folks told me what happened with Harlan.” He searches my eyes.
“They did?”
He nods. “There’s no need to explain. I know it’s painful.”
“So you know that I can’t have children?”
His voice is a soft whisper, as if he feels for me. “Yes, baby. I know.”
“And you still want to be with me? Even though we can’t have a family?”
He sighs, twirling one of my curls around his finger. “As long as I have you, darlin’, there isn’t anything we can’t get through. Babies. No babies. Whatever.”
“Are you sure?” my voice cracks. “Because…you can change your mind, you know.”
“I’m not going to change my mind, Lisa. I love you. Having you is what I want. Anything else is just gravy.”
“You have got to be just the sweetest man alive.” I can barely get out without the tears coming down my cheeks. Leaning in, I plant a full-mouth kiss on his lips.
A sexy little groan comes from his throat. “You better be careful kissing me like that, little missy.”
“It’s okay.” I kiss him again. “I’m allowed.”
He pulls back. “Seriously?”
I nod slowly, and move in, so we’re nose-to-nose. “Um…hm.”
He reaches for the remote, switching the television off. “Screw the movie.”
Tilting his head, he envelops my lips with his, making love to my mouth. This time, a soft groan comes from my throat. “God, I missed you.” I breathe against his lips.
“I missed you too, baby.” He whispers between kisses. “Let’s go upstairs.”
As we rise, he lifts my feet off the floor, draping my legs over his arms. I let out a squeal of surprise. He kisses me. “You like that.”
“Haven’t been swept off my feet in a while.”
Another kiss. “Baby, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”
He carries me up the stairs, kissing me in between steps. His muscles bulge with my weight, making him look even hotter than he looks, especially after not making love with him for so long. As he sets me on the bed, he hovers over me. “You tell me if something hurts.” The look in his eyes is intense, smouldering. I nod, biting my lip.
He peels my shirt off, cupping my breasts in his hands, kissing the bulging flesh, making me arch my back, begging for more. Leaning up, he pulls his shirt off, and I can’t take my eyes off him. Somehow, he seems even sexier. His muscles look more defined, his body is glistening, and I can’t help but lean up, unbuttoning his pants. “Oh, you want to do that?” he asks in a low drawl.
“Love to.” I tease him, slowly pulling his zipper down, feeling his girth bulging behind it.
His lips find my neck, as he trails kisses down it while I’m sitting on my heels. Directing me to the edge of the bed, he slides off, and pulls his jeans and briefs down, peeling his socks off, too. The man is a marvel. His body is bronze from the summer sun, and a perfect ‘v’ runs from his navel to his unmentionable area. Muscles are perfectly toned, and his rear end is rounded and firm. Not taking my eyes off him, I unclasp my bra, letting it fall to the floor, and then I lift off the bed, and remove my pants and panties. He watches me intently, with a gaze that makes me blush.
Bending down, Kurt gently pushes me down on the bed, so my legs hang over the side. Hooking my feet on his shoulders, he kisses my newest scar, and trails kisses down so far, I can only see his eyes as they watch me writhe from his touch. His mouth makes love to me in ways that I’ve never experienced before. It isn’t until I cry out his name, God’s name, and rest my back down on the bed, that he stops.
Gently pushing my head up to the headboard, Kurt guides me, and then he slides his body over mine. “Does this hurt?” he whispers, kissing me softly.
I shake my head no.
He tilts his head, kissing me hungrily, as I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him close. My ankles lock together, making our most intimate parts connect. He gets a concerned look on his face. “You sure?”
I nod, angling my body so he slides in. His eyes close, and he draws in a deep breath, moving slowly inside. He opens his eyes. His smile is so sexy. “Hi,” he whispers, and then kisses me.
“Hi,” I say back, giggling softly.
“Doesn’t hurt?” he murmurs, as he continues to move slow.
“Um…um.”
His kisses become deeper, lethal, driving me over the edge. I never knew a man could accomplish so much with just his mouth. Lifting my knees, I force him in deeper. He responds in kind. Hours later, just when I think that he can’t bring me any more pleasure, he does. Breathlessly, with our hands interlaced above our heads, with his back covered in sweat, and his body pleasantly satisfied, he murmurs softly, “I think you’ve got more in you, baby, but I don’t want to wear you out.” A kiss. “I should let you get some sleep.”
Sliding out of me, he snuggles in behind me. “I love you so much, Lisa.” He whispers, kissing my back.
“I love you to the moon and back, Kurt.”
Chapter 20
Clint
Sneaking a peek at Laura’s ultrasound records, I see that my future niece or nephew is looking healthy and vibrant. Just as I suspected. One worries when a woman nearing forty is about to have her first. Laura is no exception. Whether she’s my sister or not, I would still be concerned. As I pass through the vestibule between each of the two examination room hallways, where the receptionists are sitting behind a glass wall, my eyes scan the waiting area, in an attempt to gauge how busy the rest of my day will be.
When I look, I stop dead in my tracks. As I live and breathe, I thought I’d never see her again. Cassie Michaels is still as beautiful as the day she left Huttonville. The day she left for another man. The day she broke my heart. Sure, Laura tried to set me up with Lisa and countless other women, but they only filled a physical need for me. Cassie, she was my heart and my soul. I loved her like I have never loved a woman again since her.
As she sits there, scrolling through her phone, she is oblivious to the set of eyes watching her. I ask the receptionist if she’s been registered yet, and she nods yes. And I wonder…is she here for me? “What’s the reason for her call?”
“Possible urinary tract infection. I already had her provide a sample. It’s over there.” She says, pointing to the small plastic basket next to the counter, marked ‘Lab’.
“Did she make an appointment, or is she here for the walk-in clinic?”
“Walk-In.”
So she doesn’t even realize that I’m here. She’s not here for me. My name isn’t posted on the wall anymore. It’s general knowledge that I’m the doctor here. Grayson’s name is still posted, but not for long. His patient roster is nearing full. Our clinic has a generic name, so she wouldn’t even know that this is my operation. I can’t decide if I should let Grayson take her, or if I should. Then I look at her record up on the screen. She’s still using her maiden name. Did she never marry that son of a gun she left me for? Or did she leave him too? Did she come out here, back to Huttonville, to return to her roots? My mind is racing as I stand here, staring at the screen from behind the glass.
I decide to take her, if nothing else, to find out what she’s doing back here in Huttonville. But then Grayson appears, and I lose my nerve. “Hey, Clint.” He says, as I watch the patient he just attended to, come up to the glass. The receptionist hands her an order for some kind of diagnostic procedure, and she leaves.
“Hey, Grayson.” I say in return. “How’s Laura feeling today?”
“Good.” He grins.
“Baby moving yet?”
“She thinks so but isn’t sure. She’s had a lot of gas.” He chuckles, waving the air in front of him.
“It feels like bubbles at the start.” Katie, one of the receptionists, supplies. “Then it feels like little flutters, and then it turns into full-on kicks.” She smiles. “She getting big?”
“Yeah,” Grayson chuckles, good-naturedly. “All in front though. Her belly is round and firm. She’s cute pregnant.” He changes the subject. “Lisa’s coming along.” He volunteers.
“Laura was telling me. I’ll have to catch her at the ranch one day.”
“You should. She’s been asking about you.” Grayson says. “Hear Carson’s moving back to Huttonville?”
“Yeah, I was talking to him yesterday.” I smile. “He was flip-flopping the idea around when you two got married, but he’s finally decided.”
Katie flips around. “Carson? Carson Kelsey? He’s coming back to Huttonville?”
I tilt my head. “Yeeesss, ma’am.”
“Didn’t he move away to Dallas for a teaching job?” Katie asks.
“That he did. He couldn’t get the one he wanted out here, but now one’s come available. One of the teachers is going on maternity leave.” I mention the name of the school.
“Laura offered for him to stay at the ranch until he’s settled.” Grayson adds. “He sold his house when he moved away three years ago.”
Katie whistles through her teeth. “Carson Kelsey…wow.”
Grayson and I exchange a look. “Something you want to tell us, Katie?”
She giggles, staring off into space. “No. Not really.”
Grayson looks at the lone patient sitting in the waiting room. “You want to take this one, or shall I?”
I hesitate, looking at her.
“Something wrong?” Grayson asks.
Bridget, the other receptionist, is newer. She finishes the task she was working on a moment ago, and her attention comes to me. “You want me to test her sample, Doctor Kelsey?”
Katie, breaking out of her dreamy spell, looks over at Bridget’s screen. “Wait a minute. Cassie Michaels…where do I know that name from?”
“That’s another…blast f
rom the past.” I volunteer.
Grayson looks at me. “You know her?”
“Yeah…kind of.”
Katie and I are the same age. We went to high school together. Recognition comes to her face. “Wasn’t she…oh…” she looks at me. “Yes, you do know her, Clint.” Another giggle.
“You want me to tend to her, Clint?” Grayson asks levelly.
Another hesitation. My heart pounds. Do I want to go down this road? Do I want to know her story? Do I want to be reminded of our story? “Yeah. Yeah, you go ahead.” I state finally.
Katie and Grayson are looking at me. I take a step outside the viewing area, scratch my head, and walk away.
***
Kurt
When I pull up to the ranch this morning, I see will’s truck in the driveway. It was difficult saying goodbye to Lisa this morning. After making love half the night last night, she didn’t want to let go. We’re both exhausted this morning, but it was worth it. She’s coming by for breakfast in a while, once she’s ready for work. It’s so early, the sun hasn’t even finish rising yet. I’m curious why Will is here at such an hour.
“Hey, man.” I say when I enter. He’s standing in the doorway of Laura’s study, talking to her.
“Hey,” he shakes my hand. “How’s it going?”
“Can’t complain.” I tip my chin at him. “What brings you here before the roosters are up?”
“I haven’t been over in a couple of weeks. Got a busy day ahead. Thought I’d stop by before work and see Laura. Word has it around town that she’s really sprouted.”
“She has.” I grin at her.
Grayson comes down the stairs. “Hey, brother.” He says to me. “Hey, brother-in-law.” He says to Will, before going over to Laura and giving her a kiss.
“Hey, man.” Will says.
I address Laura. “Hey, I saw that the one corporate van is due for some maintenance. I think the mechanic opens at seven. You want me to haul it over there before the rest of the crowd wakes up?”
“Sure.” Laura says, handing me the keys.
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