by Fiona Lowe
He put his arm around her waist. “I was right? Can you text me that so I have it on my phone to show everyone?”
Instead of telling him where to get off, she spun abruptly out of his arms and drew circles in the gravel with her shoe. “So tomorrow’s the Holzworth wedding and I’m on duty until after the photos so I was thinking maybe we could do something today. Like a fall picnic or go fishing?”
He liked the sound of that. “Good idea. Should we invite your parents seeing as they’re leaving on Sunday?”
The sound of car tires on gravel made them both look up. Amy made a sound at the back of her throat that was half squeal and half groan. Before he could ask, two cars had come to a halt and doors opened.
“Amy!”
Three women rushed toward her, arms wide open.
Amy managed a strangled, “Hi,” before receiving and giving hugs.
Meanwhile, three guys were getting out of the cars and unbuckling children from car seats.
Todd and Lisa ran from the house, their faces wreathed in smiles. “Girls, you made it,” Lisa said, hugging each one in turn.
All three women had long, straight brown hair with blond streaks and trim up and down bodies that lacked Amy’s lush curves. Close in age, they could have passed for triplets and all of them looked like younger versions of Lisa. None of them looked anything like Amy.
“How was the drive up, Cindy?” Todd asked.
“Long. Traveling with a baby is hard work. Holy crap, look at the size of this place.”
Amy’s throat was working and her large, gray eyes were the size of saucers, filled with a mixture of pleasure and dread. “What are you all doing up here?”
“Mom invited us.”
“Mom?” Amy swung her gaze to Lisa. “Why did you do this without mentioning it to me?”
“Don’t go all lawyer interrogation style,” Cindy said with a smile. “Relax, you’re on vacation.”
Lisa took the baby from one of her sons-in-law and bounced him in her arms. “I didn’t mention it because you have that wedding tomorrow and I thought you’d say no. I didn’t think that was enough of a reason not to take advantage of having us all here together for the weekend and besides,” Lisa hooked Amy with a look, “can you promise me you’ll be home for Thanksgiving?”
Ben watched Amy squirm and for the thousandth time, he wished she’d tell her family about her lack of a job.
“I promise to try, Mom.”
“Wow, Amy,” said another sister as a toddler pulled at her dress. “And this is your boss’s house? I guess it might make up for all those crazy hours you work. Man, I probably should have finished graduate school.”
One of the men slipped an arm around her waist and kissed her indulgently. “Heidi, you’d have hated working for a corporation.”
She picked up the toddler. “True. I just need more people to buy my nursing blouses so we can have a house like this.”
“You look different, Ames,” said the third sister who looked slightly younger than the others. “Good different, I mean. I like that scarf.”
“Thanks, Sally,” Amy said weakly. “Hi, Corey, Zac, Dan.”
“Hey, Amy.” Her brothers-in-law all gave a wave as they unloaded bags from the trunk.
“Does it have an indoor pool?” Heidi asked hopefully.
Amy, who’d lurched from indignant to passively accepting, seemed at a loss so Ben said, “No, but it does have a large spa.”
Six sets of questioning eyes suddenly swung toward him. He imagined he felt much the same as a kangaroo might when caught in the glare of a truck’s headlights.
“Who are you?” Sally asked, her brown eyes full of intrigue.
“This is Ben,” Amy said quietly.
“You’re Ben?” Cindy said on a rising inflection as she exchanged a look with Heidi and Lisa.
Something made Ben sling his arm around Amy’s shoulders as if she needed protecting. “That’s me.”
“You’re not quite who we were expecting,” Heidi said.
“Sorry about that. What you see is what you get,” Ben said, feeling the unintended insult from Heidi was more directed at Amy than at him.
“No wonder you’re taking vacation,” squealed Sally, punching Amy in the arm.
Amy’s cheeks went from pale pink to fire-engine-red in two-tenths of a second.
“Come inside, everyone,” Lisa instructed firmly as if her maternal instincts had just kicked in and she realized that Amy was under intense sister scrutiny. “Todd will give you a tour.”
“Hell, is that a vintage Harley?” Corey asked on seeing Red.
“Ben’s a biker,” Amy said firmly as if she’d just found her feet, “and that’s Red. She’s a 1957 Hydra-Glide.”
That’s my girl. He gave the top of her arm a squeeze, not quite able to believe she’d actually remembered.
As everyone walked inside ahead of them, Amy held back. “Ben, I’m so sorry about this. My mom has this thing about having the four of us under the same roof whenever she can manage it. I’ve missed a few gatherings recently what with Jon—work and stuff and I guess she saw an opportunity and took it.”
He thought about his own family and how his mother probably would have done a similar thing given the opportunity. “No worries. It’s just a couple of days.”
She bit her knuckle. “I love my sisters but they can be pretty intense when they’re in the same space.”
“Amy,” Sally called from the veranda. “Stop hogging that Aussie hunk and bring him inside so we can grill him Sagar-sister style.”
Amy dropped her head onto his shoulder. “Oh, God, I’m sorry. It’s just they’re not used to seeing me with a...”
He heard the hesitation in her voice and he wrapped his arms around her. “Lover?”
She groaned. “It’s more like they’re not used to seeing me with a guy, period. I’m Amy the workaholic, the single sister, the one they love, envy and pity all at the same time. They’ve never seen me with a lover.”
“Well, they’re going to today. Let’s go show your sisters you’re not a woman to be pitied.”
“It’s going to involve soccer and board games.”
“I can do that.”
Her gray eyes filled with gratitude. “How come you’re so nice?”
The question made him wonder yet again about this guy Jonathon who he’d already tagged as a jerk. “You make it easy.”
Her shocked expression said she didn’t believe him and he really wished she would. When she’d resolutely told him she was a good lawyer, her self-confidence had sung but it seemed outside of her job, she didn’t recognize what she had to offer. It was like there was this needy little girl inside the competent woman.
Not knowing how else to show her, he leaned in and kissed her full on the mouth and then walked her into the house and in front of Cindy, Heidi and Sally, he kissed her again.
They cheered.
She blushed.
Todd and Lisa frowned.
* * *
Amy stepped into the well-lit Weddings That Wow’s warehouse and watched Ben putting the gleaming, vintage 1930s Rolls-Royce to bed. The Holzworth wedding reception was now in full swing and both of them were off the clock.
She couldn’t believe how sexy he looked in the period chauffeur’s uniform and the now-familiar rush filled her. There was definitely something about those brass buttons and a man in a hat. “How you doing?”
He looked up with a smile. “Good.”
She walked over to him. “Sure?”
“Yes.” The word came out flatter than usual and there was a definite edge to his voice.
She’d been surprised he’d agreed to work the wedding but when she’d questioned him earlier, he’d said Al needed a hand and he was
helping out by driving the bridesmaids. Part of her had been secretly relieved that he’d agreed to do it. She hoped it meant he was getting over his own wedding experience. That he was moving beyond the legacy of Lexie. She could forgive the unknown woman her confusion about her sexuality, just not the way Ben had become collateral damage.
She thought about today’s bride—the smiling Janey. Swathed in swirling organza with a train streaming out behind her, she’d looked radiant and blissfully happy as she’d stepped out of the church with her newly minted husband on her arm. When Amy had seen her, she’d got a hitch in her chest—a combination of happiness overlaid with pride and a slight disbelief that she’d created the beautiful gown.
“How do you think it all went, Ben?”
He pulled a rag out of his pocket and rubbed at a smudge. “She ran pretty smoothly but there’s a knocking noise that needs checking out.”
She elbowed him in the ribs. “I wasn’t talking about the car. I meant the wedding gown.”
His green eyes studied her. “Are you pleased with the way it turned out?”
“Thrilled.”
“Then that’s what matters.” He moved away and polished the fender.
Disappointment slugged her.
Seriously, what did you expect him to say? Great stitching, Amy? Even if he hadn’t been jilted at his own wedding, he’s a straight guy so he’s not going to notice the art of a wedding gown.
She hated that she’d wanted some approbation from him, especially given that her mother and sisters had been so complimentary and Janey and Melissa had been thrilled. She quickly changed the subject. “I heard the bridesmaids doing some pretty outrageous flirting with you.”
He grinned. “Too much champagne.”
She stepped in close, wanting to take his mind off weddings and for that matter, bold and forward bridesmaids who’d looked stunning compared to her in her utilitarian black business suit. Battling the blush she could feel rising, she said, “I think all the flirting might have something to do with this uniform.”
He leaned against the car, taking her with him. “Is that so?”
She loved the gentle way he held her at the waist. Ben had only ever been caring and she trusted him implicitly. “Hmm, it may be. In fact, I might just have to live out my fantasy of the rich girl seducing the chauffeur.”
“Now there’s an idea.” He grinned down at her. “After all, there’s a lot of room in the back of the Rolls.”
A thrill shot through her and she lost the battle to hold back the blush, feeling her cheeks blaze hot.
He laughed and kissed her tenderly. “You almost did it. Good job, though, on telling me your sexual fantasies. Next level is sexting.”
Her mouth dried. “I don’t think so.”
He tilted his head. “It might be fun.”
That’s what Jonathon said. “I just graduated to fantasies, Ben. Don’t rush me.”
He raised his brows at the snappish tone in her voice and panic set in, rippling through her in waves that he was going to push it.
Instead he wound one of her curls around his finger. “So back to this rich-girl fantasy. Does it start with her finding the chauffeur at the end of his shift?”
She slid his hat off his head and ran her fingers through his thick hair. “As the chauffeur, you’re totally at my disposal.”
“Yes, miss.”
She undid the buttons and slid the jacket off his shoulders. “Open the door for me, Armytage.”
He opened it with a flourish and then stood to attention, his knee-high boots shining under the lights. “As you wish.”
Westley. Her heart sighed at the memory of the movie she and her sisters had watched more than three times. She sat down on the wide seat, inhaling the scent of leather. “I need some assistance with my...” What? They didn’t have seat belts in 1930s cars.
Ben poked his head inside the car. “With the driving rug, miss?”
Driving rug? “Ah, sure, if you say so, Armytage.”
He sat down next to her and flicked a woolen rug over her knees. “You don’t want to get cold, miss.”
“Actually, Armytage, I’m feeling a trifle warm.”
His eyes sparkled at her. “May I help you off with your jacket, miss?”
“Yes, please.”
He eased her jacket off her and started undoing the buttons on her blouse one by one—kissing each bit of skin that became exposed before moving on to the next. She realized this was the first time he’d ever undressed her.
“Your arm, Armytage,” she said, giggling at similarity of the words as she lay back on the seat. “It’s, um...much improved,” she said, trying to stay in character.
“It’s working quite well now, miss. Thank you for asking.” He pushed her skirt up and pressed a kiss to her inner thigh.
She sighed. “You do that quite well, Armytage.”
“I’m glad you think so, miss. I aim to please.” He lowered himself over her and kissed her on the mouth, just the way she liked it before turning his attention to her breasts. And her belly. And her thighs.
Her body melted under the delicious onslaught and when she heard the rip of foil, she was hot, panting and oh so ready. He lowered himself over her. With his hands behind her thighs, he pulled her gently forward and entered her. Filling her. She gasped.
He tensed. “Is this okay, Amy?”
His caring wrapped around her. “Yes,” she half said, half sobbed.
“You sure? You don’t sound very certain.”
But she was certain. Certain she loved the feel of him inside her, certain he was the most considerate lover she’d ever had and certain he was a good man.
Certain she loved him.
Her heart stuttered in her chest. Oh, God, she loved him.
How had that happened?
He cares.
And there it was. Outside of her father, Ben was the only other man who’d ever truly cared for her and protected her. And he’d done it right from the very start when he’d told the doctor that crazy story rather than the truth that she’d hit him.
“Amy, let’s not test my shoulder too much, okay?”
His strained words broke into her thoughts, centering her. “Sorry.” She put her palm to his jaw, leaned up and kissed him hard and fast and then, wrapping her legs around him, she met him thrust for glorious thrust, letting the sensations build, each layer combining with her freshly discovered love for him in new and wondrous ways.
As he tipped her over the edge, she called out his name, engraving it on her heart.
* * *
Ella couldn’t focus on anything. With the Holzworth wedding over, she should be using Sunday as a day of rest but she was jumpy and unsettled. There were plenty of things she could do, like oil the screen door, but nothing was holding her attention. She didn’t have a wedding cake to make for another week and earlier in the day she’d done a casserole and cream puff delivery to the town’s shut-ins. She felt like company but the Sagars were busy with their family and anyway, they were about to leave town. She was missing Todd and Lisa already.
Sunshine streamed through the kitchen window, warming her through the glass, and she thought about how the sun had warmed her the day they’d all gone on the picnic. She thought about that day a lot. The leaves had fallen so fast in the breeze it had been like confetti and each dropped leaf reminded her that sunny days like these were numbered. Winter was nipping at their heels with frosty mornings and soon the first snow would hit and motorcycles would be garaged until spring. And spring came late this far north. The thought made her inexplicably sad.
Admit it. You want another ride.
She did, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to see the I told you so look on Al’s face. With a jerk, she realized that more than a week had gone by since
he’d stopped by for a chat or to offer to fix something or to hint that she might like to make him supper.
Her chest tightened. What if he was ill? She hadn’t seen him yesterday and Ben had been driving one of the wedding cars.
She gave herself a shake. If he was sick someone would have told her. Heck, Al would have told her, wouldn’t he?
Of course he would have. For gosh sakes, they’d been friends for years. Still, he’d been acting odd for weeks, badgering her to go for a ride on his bike and now that she had, he’d disappeared. Men! She pulled on her coat and stomped outside across the lawn and up the back steps of the Swenson house.
Al sat at his kitchen table, looking tan and relaxed. He had a sandwich on a plate on his left and a coffee on his right and was reading the paper. “Ellie?” His forehead creased into two worry lines. “Everything okay, eh?”
“Of course everything’s okay,” she said, not liking the strength of relief she was feeling that he looked so fit and well. Not that she wished him sick, mind.
“Good to know. Coffee?”
“I don’t have time for coffee, Al,” she said, trying to cover her reaction. “I was just checking you were okay.”
“Why wouldn’t I be okay?”
“Well, I haven’t really seen you since the picnic.”
“I gave you a wave yesterday at the wedding. Not my fault you didn’t see.” He grinned. “Don’t tell me you missed me, Ellie?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said, straightening his tablecloth and knowing full well that she had. “I was just checking in, is all.”
“Well, thank you but I’m not one of your shut-ins, Ella.” He folded up the paper. “Lovely day, eh?”
“It is.” She sighed. “Probably one of the last.”
“Yep. Weather’s going to close in soon enough. Perfect afternoon for a ride on the bike, eh?”
She didn’t want to look too eager so she gave a huff. “What about the garage?”
“It’s Sunday, Ella, and if there’s an emergency, they can call Ben. He’s got one and a half functioning arms. He may not be a qualified mechanic but what he doesn’t know about an engine isn’t worth writing about. Figure I use him until he leaves town.”