“Okay, I’ll go check to see if Arthur is awake. Meet me upstairs in ten minutes.”
Annie went off to the kitchen and Mac went up to knock on Arthur’s door. He was about to get dressed and join the others for breakfast.
“Arthur,” Mac said, not sure where to begin, “I have a small problem I was hoping you could help me with.”
“Sure, what can I do?” Arthur replied.
“Well, my father insists I cannot spend the night here; he’s afraid I’ll jinx my marriage. It’s an old custom,” Mac explained.
“Not such an old custom at all,” Arthur added. “It’s still practiced to this day. Why do you have a problem with it?”
“I don’t, not really. It’s just that there isn’t any more room down at Luke’s house, so I’ll have to move someone back here.”
Carolyn slipped into her robe. She heard the two men talking and was now listening at the door.
“Mac, why don’t you let Monica and her husband take my room. I don’t mind sleeping on the sofa in your office,” Arthur assured him. “They are Annie’s out of town guests and I don’t want to inconvenience anyone.”
“Thanks Arthur, I can’t thank you enough for your understanding and I hope you won’t be too uncomfortable sleeping on…”
Rapping lightly on the partially opened door, Carolyn entered the room without waiting for an invitation. “Good morning,” she said, as she smiled to both men. “I would say I hope I’m not interrupting anything but I know I am.”
“No, not at all. We were just talking about…”
“I heard the conversation. I wasn’t eavesdropping, the door was ajar and I couldn’t help but hear what was being said,” Carolyn shaded the truth successfully.
“I think we’ve got it all worked out,” Mac assured her.
“And what do you think?” she said, turning to Arthur.
“The sofa in the office works for me,” Arthur said.
“Good morning,” Annie broke in all smiles, carrying coffee and Danish pastries. “How are you two this morning?”
“I could use a cup of strong coffee right about now,” Carolyn said as she sat down on Arthur’s bed.
“Mom, what’s wrong? And don’t say it’s nothing because I can hear it in your voice.”
The look on Carolyn’s face spoke volumes to her daughter. Annie knew, as did everyone else in the room, where Arthur spent the night. She assumed it had been a great night and they wouldn’t mind sharing a room again—maybe she was wrong.
“Mom?”
“I guess I’ve made a mistake,” Carolyn confessed, a tiny tear escaped down her cheek.
“Oh, Mom, I don’t think so.” Annie handed Mac the tray and sat beside her mother.
“Well, I didn’t either, at least not at the time, but in the light of morning it appears I may have.”
“Carolyn, what are you talking about? Do you regret last night?” Arthur sat beside her on the bed, genuinely concerned.
“I didn’t until you said you were more than willing to sleep on the sofa in Mac’s office. Now I don’t know, and we probably shouldn’t be discussing this in front of Annie and Mac.”
“Wait,” Mac cut in. “I think I better let you two know that Annie, convinced something was going on between you, took it upon herself to watch, well…to see if you stayed in separate rooms last night.”
“I wasn’t exactly spying,” Annie said, “I just happened to open our bedroom door and saw you, Arthur, going into my mom’s room.”
“And I came up to ask if you would mind sharing a room again but I didn’t want to push either of you into a situation that you didn’t want to repeat,” Mac explained.
“I only offered to sleep on the sofa because I didn’t know either of you knew and I didn’t want to be disrespectful of you, Carolyn.”
“I feel like a teenager; I thought you preferred the sofa after last night.” Carolyn brushed away her tear.
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” Arthur said, as he placed a soft kiss on her temple.
“Well, then,” Annie mused. “I think this is all straightened out. Arthur, you put your bags in my mom’s room and we’ll say nothing more about it. Mac, you take the tray back downstairs and mom and I will change the sheets on Arthur’s bed.”
“There’s no need for that. I never slept in the bed.” Arthur smiled. “I think your mother and I will have our coffee in her room; we have some things to talk about and a little later we are going to run into town for something.”
“Yes, good…talking is good. Mac and I always talk when we’ve had a little misunderstanding. Come on, Mac. Let’s get back down to our guests.”
Mac and Annie left and quietly closed the door. Arthur eased Carolyn back onto the bed and began kissing her tenderly.
“I don’t think we should mess up this bed,” Carolyn said. “Someone else is going to use it tonight.”
“What are you suggesting?” He raised an eyebrow and a smile danced at the corner of his mouth.
“My bed is already a mess.”
He stood and drew her up into his arms. “Good idea.” He winked as he picked up his bag and carried it into her room.
Mac and Annie both heard the click of the lock turning on bedroom door.
“I won,” Annie said. “You were wrong.”
“Darlin’, I look at it another way. They won and are smart enough to know they are perfectly right for each other.”
Chapter 10
They sat on the rumpled bed in Carolyn’s room and Arthur took her hand. “I wouldn’t have traded last night for anything in the world. When Mac started to explain that he needed my room, I wanted to tell him but I couldn’t without discussing it with you first. Maybe he offered me the leather sofa in his office just to see what I would say since they both saw me sneak into your room last night. I never meant to hurt you or to imply that I didn’t want another night with you. I do, in fact I want many more nights and days with you. I know we barely know each other, so please stop me if it feels like I’m rushing you.”
“Rush me! Please!”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m more than sure. I’ve been known to drag my feet and I don’t want to do it with you. Sometimes I don’t know what’s good for me, but I know this. I’ve never been happier in my life. God, I can’t believe I’m saying this…I must be crazy.”
“Then I am too; crazy for you,” Arthur answered as he stripped off his robe and then hers.
Carolyn slid her hand up his cheek and curled her fingers in his hair. “Mmm, stubble,” she whispered.
“Maybe after the wedding I’ll skip a few days of shaving.”
“Please do. I like the way it tickles my skin.”
“I grew it out once but there was a lot of silver in it and it made me look old.”
“Well, if silver makes either one of us old, I’m well on my way too.”
“The silver in your hair is gorgeous,” he murmured against her lips before he took her mouth in a full kiss.
Her arms went around him completely as she deepened the kiss and pressed her breasts into the salt and pepper hair that trailed down his chest.
“I have a suggestion,” he said as his lips trailed away from her mouth and he taunted one of her erect nipples. “Before I can no longer control myself, I think we should get dressed and go downstairs. The sooner we join the others for breakfast, the sooner we can leave and head down the mountain to the pharmacy and pick up some of that his and hers lube for later. I want to make love to you over and over again tonight.”
“That’s an offer I can’t refuse and I’m excited to try it.”
“Me too. I’ve heard it’s got some staying power for men.”
“Will you please quit worrying about last night? It was wonderful.” Carolyn picked out her panties and bra and started for the bathroom.
Arthur joined her and started shaving. “I think I like sharing a room with you.”
“You’re stuck with me,” she sa
id and she laughed. “I guess we can thank my very nosy daughter for that.”
“Yes, I will, but very privately of course.”
Arthur finished shaving and was finished dressing first. “I think I’ll go down before you if you don’t mind.”
“I think that’s a good idea. I have to fix my hair and I’d like to avoid inquiring eyes.”
“Right. Got it. I’ll see you in a few.”
“Good morning,” everyone said in chorus.
“Where’s Carolyn?” Trudy asked.
So much for avoiding the curious, he thought.
“I’m sure she’ll be down in a while. I’m used to flying all over the country, but I think yesterday tired her out.” That would have to suffice. It was all he was going to say.
Hungry, he sat down at the breakfast bar to a plate of scrambled eggs, sausage, and pancakes. As he ate, he listened to everyone talking at once about their plans for the day. Monica and her husband were going down to Estes to check out the oxygen bar. Mac’s parents were going with them and Mitch was going to hang out with Luke and Elise in the stables. He was hoping he and Carolyn could get into town and get what they needed without seeing anyone.
“Good morning, sleepy head,” Annie said to her mother as she entered the kitchen.
“Good morning,” Carolyn replied and kissed her daughter.
“Mom, have a seat and I’ll get you something to eat. There’s room right next to Arthur.”
Carolyn slid onto the barstool next to Arthur and he lowered his head closer to his plate.
“She’s not going to let up, is she?” he whispered as softly as he could.
“No she isn’t.”
“No she isn’t what?” Annie asked as she set a plate of food in front of her mother.
Mac intervened and shot Annie a look she knew all too well. “I think Arthur was wondering if my mother was having difficulty breathing at this altitude. They were all talking about going down to the oxygen bar.”
Having learned to follow his lead, Annie smiled and zipped her lips closed using her fingers and then pretending to throw away the invisible key.
Arthur turned to Mac and nodded before he spoke. “I was wondering if I might use one of your cars. I have to run into town for a little bit. I left my car at the airport. I guess I wasn’t thinking; with all the guests in the house I should have known I’d need it.
“Of course you can, but everyone seems to have plans this morning. If you’ve got a couple of hours to spare, I’ll drive you and we can pick up your car. I’m sure you’ll be glad to have it here.”
“Thanks, Mac, I don’t want to trouble you; it’s the day before you’re wedding.”
“No trouble at all. Let’s leave now,” Mac said seeing that Arthur had finished eating.
Arthur whispered ‘sorry’ to Carolyn as he got up and before Carolyn could respond they were headed toward the front door.
Mac’s father was in rare form. “Let’s get a move on. C’mon, Carolyn. We are goin’ to town to get a snort of pure Rocky Mountain oxygen. Trudy, are ye ready?”
“I appreciate the offer, but I should probably stay here and help Annie. I’m sure she’s got some last minutes things to do,” Carolyn begged off.
“No, go ahead. Have a good time,” Annie said. “Everything is under control here. Do you want me to run up and get your purse?”
“Thanks, but I brought it down with me; it’s in the foyer.”
“Then we’ll no be wastin’ time,” Mac’s father said as he took her arm and headed for the door.
They all piled into the SUV and were down the mountain in short order. It was a white-knuckle ride for Carolyn who wasn’t used to winding mountain roads.
As they exited the car, Trudy was excited to see so many shops she didn’t remember being there the last time she was in Estes. She and Carolyn were eager to visit them all and spend some money.
“Ye can shop for an hour and one hour only. I’ll no be goin’ home broke. But first we hit the pharmacy. I left somethin’ important at home and I’ll no be without it.”
Trudy cringed but Carolyn was over the moon. Now if she could just find that lube Arthur told her about the trip would be worth it.
Once inside, Trudy steered Carolyn to the card section. She wanted to pick up some post cards to mail to her friends back in Florida.
Mac’s father, Conall, started roaming up and down the aisles. He wasn’t a quiet man to begin with, but the high ceilings in the old building made for great acoustics and even as he muttered everyone could hear him.
“Where the hell are they keepin’ that? At home it’s right in this aisle with the sweet smellin’ pussy stuff, douches, and rubbers.”
His voice was entirely too loud for Trudy’s liking and her face turned crimson as others in the store began to look down the aisle where Conall was perusing the merchandise.
“Come on, let’s get out of here, pretend we aren’t with him,” Trudy pleaded.
Talking aloud to himself—well actually anyone in the store—Conall started naming off the things he was seeing on the shelves. “Tampons, Always, Maxi Ultra thins, can’t imagine they’d do much good. Hmm, panty liners, pregnancy tests; a woman would no be needin’ those if they had some damn rubbers in this place. Ovulation tests…nope, I’m not ovulatin’ this month.” He laughed. “Douche bags, Summer’s Eve buy one get one free…probably a good deal if ye neglect to bathe.”
He continued down the aisle. “Well, what do ye know,” he said as he picked up a container and started reading. “Say Good-Bye to chafed thighs. Sweat absorber and friction fighter. Lady Anti Monkey Butt is specially formulated…” He started laughing so hard he couldn’t finish reading. “Friction fighter, that’s not for me, I like friction. But it does say it’s for indoor and outdoor use. I wonder what the neighbors would be thinkin’ about that.”
By now he’s attracted enough attention that the pharmacist came out from behind the counter and asked if he could help him.
“It depends,” Conall said.
“Oh, Depends, they’re right down this aisle. What size are you?”
“I’m no in need of those paper diapers,” Conall shouted. “Do I look incompetent to ye?”
“No sir, you do not. I thought you needed something for incontinence.”
“Well, ye made a simple mistake then.”
“What I need comes in a little package about this big. It’s blue and pink and inside there are two containers, one for him and one for her. Have ye tried it?” Conall then lowered his voice for the first time. “It’s for makin’ love, thrillin’ stuff; ye should try it. At home it’s right next to the rubbers, but I see ye no have any of those either.”
By now, Trudy had paid for her cards and was standing outside. Carolyn on the other hand, remained in the store and was all ears.
“I think you mean K-Y Yours + Mine. We keep it behind the counter with the condoms. Young kids have taken to stealing them these days.”
Conall spoke up, ceasing to whisper. “Ye should keep those rubbers right up front by the cash register. ‘Tis a shame. Ye no be preventin’ any unwanted pregnancies by hidin’ them back here.”
“Here you go, sir. Enjoy your evening,” the pharmacist said as he took Conall’s money and handed him a small bag.
“I will now!” Conall called back over his shoulder as he made his way back down the aisle.
Carolyn ducked back into the card section and headed to the back of the store. After she saw Conall leave, she hurried to the pharmacy counter.
“Can I help you, miss?”
“Yes, please. I’ll have what he just bought and I’d like to pay for these postcards here if I can.”
“Hmm, popular item today,” he said. “Do you want a bag?”
“Just a small one for the cards.” She paid, snatched the product out of his hand, and stuffed it deep into her purse as she hurried outside.
Trudy and Conall were having a conversation—one Carolyn wasn’t about to inte
rrupt—so she wandered up the street and found Monica and her husband who were just coming out of the oxygen bar. The women wanted to shop but when Trudy and Conall caught up with them, Conall said they’d have plenty of time to shop after the wedding.
“Yes, we should go back. The wedding is tomorrow and I’m sure Annie can use my help,” Carolyn said and they all piled into the SUV and headed back to the ranch.
Chapter 11
Mac and Arthur were nearly back from the airport when Arthur stopped in Estes and pulled into a parking space in front of the pharmacy. Mac pulled up next to him and unrolled his window.
“Go on ahead,” Arthur said. “I’ve got to pick up some shaving cream and I’ll be up in a few minutes.”
Mac nodded and took off for the ranch. Arthur was relieved Mac didn’t want to go into the store too, and he looked up and down the aisles for what he wanted.
As he neared the pharmacy counter, the pharmacist asked if he could be of any help.
“Yes, thank you. I’m looking for this product I’ve seen advertised and I think it’s called His and Hers. I couldn’t find it on the shelves.”
“I think you mean Yours + Mine,” the pharmacist said, holding up the package. “You’re in luck. This is the last one I have.”
“Must be good stuff,” Arthur said.
The pharmacist smiled. “Apparently so. I think I’ll look into buying stock in the company.”
Arthur handed the man his credit card and found himself smiling all the way up to the ranch.
It was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the Colorado sky, and everyone was enjoying a late lunch on the deck. After spending the morning with Luke and Elise at the stables, Mitch was lamenting that he didn’t have a date for the wedding, but at the moment he was single.
“You don’t have to worry about that. In fact, I’m glad you’re still single. Melanie, the girl who took over my job when I left the hotel, will be here tomorrow. You two will get along fine and actually I have a feeling you’d be perfect together,” Annie said.
Hot Silver Nights: Silver Fox Romance Collection Page 27