A Jackson Hole Homecoming

by Cindy Kirk

  “We both left,” Tripp pointed out. “If we wanted to attend college, we had to go.”

  Leaving Wyoming to get his bachelor’s and then his master’s degree had been a necessity. And the experience Tripp had gained working in New York City had been vital to his getting his current position. Yet, Adrianna was right. During all those years away, he’d never stopped missing Jackson Hole.

  “You stayed away a long time,” he heard her say.

  “Too long.” Tripp stared into the darkness, remembering all the years he’d tried to persuade Gayle they should return. “We think our parents are going to live forever.”

  “Nothing in life is guaranteed,” she said with a heavy sigh, then appeared to shrug off her melancholy and smiled. “Your father looks good tonight. How is he doing?”

  “We’re waiting to see how his body has responded to this latest round of chemotherapy.” Tripp cleared his throat. “I’m...hopeful.”

  Adrianna surprised him by stroking his arm. “I have a good feeling.”

  Dear God, he hoped her feeling was borne out in the upcoming lab tests. He loved his father. The thought of losing him...

  Emotion welled up inside Tripp. He couldn’t think of losing him. Couldn’t talk about losing him. “You smell good.”

  “Amber Romance lotion,” Adrianna informed him, not mentioning the abrupt change in subject. “Victoria’s Secret.”

  “Very nice.”

  “I’m glad you like it,” she said in a husky voice that reminded him of tangled sheets and entwined legs. The sounds of the party faded and the darkness closed in around them.

  Adrianna took a step forward. Or had he moved closer?

  Regardless, it seemed so natural to wrap his arms around her and pull her to him. Her curves molded to his body perfectly.

  Her fingers played with his hair. “Did I ever tell you how much I like these little waves just above your collar?”

  “I don’t believe so.” He nuzzled her ear. “Have I told you I like the way you smell?”

  She giggled and he didn’t know who was more surprised. He never thought he’d hear Adrianna Lee giggle.

  “What’s so funny?” He slid his hand up her spine.

  “Not five seconds ago you told me you liked my lotion.”

  He paused, then chuckled. “You’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  She lifted a finger and pressed it against his lips. “You were thinking about kissing me.”

  “I was?”

  She nodded. “Yep.”

  Giggling. Saying yep. The woman had obviously had too much to drink.

  “Want to know how I know that?”

  “Sure.”

  “Because I’m thinking the same thing.”

  “You want to kiss me?”

  She nodded, her eyes glittering. “You’re supersexy.”

  “You’ve had too much to drink.”

  “I had two margaritas.” She cocked her head and brought a finger to her lips. “Or was it three?”

  “And very little to eat.”

  “Why, Mr. Randall, have you been spying on me?” she said in mock outrage before another giggle escaped her lips.

  Okay, it was official. Adrianna was buzzed. Which meant only a cad would take advantage of a woman in her condition.

  Tripp didn’t bother to examine the disappointment coursing through him. Stepping back, he took her arm. “We should get back.”

  She dug in her kitten heels and lifted her chin. “I’m not going anywhere until you kiss me.”

  Her eyes were large and luminous. It took every ounce of strength Tripp possessed to not pull her into his arms and give her what she was asking for. What she wanted. What he wanted.

  The realization surprised him. While Adrianna was a beautiful woman—that fact would be impossible for any red-blooded male to deny—he’d never seen her as anything more than Gayle’s friend. The idea that he would even seriously consider kissing her was mildly disturbing.

  Yet when she unexpectedly wrapped her arms around him and pressed her lips firmly against his, Tripp could only react.

  Unfortunately—er, fortunately—the kiss was over almost as soon as it had begun.

  “What was that about?” he heard himself say.

  She shrugged. “I guess I wanted to see what kissing you would be like.”

  “I was an experiment?”

  “Don’t look at me like that.” Adrianna gave a little laugh. “It was okay. Not great, but good.”

  Before he could respond, she shifted her gaze toward the house. “You’re right. We better get back.”

  Without another word, she started off on a brisk trot in the direction of the party. He had to hustle to keep up.

  But as he watched her cute little derriere swing from side to side, he couldn’t help feeling like an Olympic contender who’d been cut out of the medals.

  His kiss had been only good.

  Not great.

  Chapter Six

  Because Adrianna had Sunday off, she slept in. Last night when she’d gone to bed she’d thought about setting her alarm so she could make it to church, but one too many Crazy Coyote Margaritas swayed the vote.

  By the time she pushed back her quilt, ready to face the day, it was almost ten. After popping a couple of aspirins, she found herself humming as she showered and dressed for a relaxing day at home in black leggings and a garnet-colored cotton shirt. It wasn’t until she drank from a carton of orange juice and felt the cool tang against her lips that a memory from last night surfaced.

  She’d kissed Tripp.

  What was I thinking?

  She hadn’t been thinking. That was the problem. Hadn’t she learned from the past? From that horrible senior year in college? A person had to be alert at all times. The alcohol had been a mistake.

  Deep down she knew the kiss had more to do with the way Tripp made her feel, rather than any alcohol she’d consumed. But the Crazy Coyotes had let the barriers she normally kept in place slip.

  The ring of her cell phone jarred her from her reverie. Even though she wasn’t on call, if one of her patients presented ready to deliver, she would be notified.

  She hurried across the room and snatched her phone from the counter. “Adrianna Lee.”

  “Adrianna,” a pleasant feminine voice responded, “this is Kathy. I hope I didn’t wake you.”

  “Kathy?” Her muddled brain fumbled for a connection.

  “Tripp’s mother,” the woman said with a laugh in her voice.

  “Of course. Mrs. Randall, how are you?”

  “I’m very well, thank you. And it’s Kathy, not Mrs. Randall.” There was a slight pause before she continued. “I wondered if you had lunch plans.”

  “Uh, no, I don’t.”

  “Wonderful. Would you be interested in meeting me at the Green Gâteau?”

  The small bistro on Scott Lane was one of Adrianna’s favorite places to dine.

  “I’d love to,” Adrianna said, then paused. “Will Tripp be joining us?”

  “No.” Kathy’s tone remained light. “Just the two of us. Will noon work?”

  “That will be perfect.”

  On the drive to the bistro, Adrianna almost wished it had been the hospital calling. At least she’d know what to expect. She hadn’t a clue why Tripp’s mother wanted to have lunch with her.

  At five minutes before twelve Adrianna walked through the door of the quaint bistro that was a favorite of the women in Jackson Hole. With an eclectic atmosphere that included stained glass, tin ceilings and mismatched pub chairs and tables, the place had a funky but homey feel.

  Kathy motioned to her from a small table by the window. Looking stylish as always in a wrap dress in muted celery-gre
en and a light cotton sweater, her appearance made Adrianna glad she’d changed into a pair of linen pants.

  When she reached the table, Kathy stood and greeted Adrianna with a hug. “I’m happy you could make it.”

  “Thanks for inviting me,” Adrianna murmured, settling into the chair across the table. “You look nice today. I love that color on you.”

  “Oh, my dear, you’re the one who’s drawing everyone’s eyes.”

  Adrianna didn’t bother to glance around. She’d learned long ago that men simply liked to check out women. That didn’t mean they were interested in dating them. Her never-ending dateless status was proof of that fact.

  They chatted about the weather for several minutes, then ordered the special: a vegetable quiche with a side of fruit and mango iced tea. After the waitress had brought their beverages, a serious look filled Kathy’s eyes.

  Her gaze searched Adrianna’s face. “I suppose you’re wondering why I asked you to meet me today.”

  Adrianna took a sip of tea and let a smile be her answer.

  “You know Frank has cancer.” A bleak look filled the older woman’s eyes. “While we’re hopeful he’ll have a good response to this latest round of chemo, he’s very ill.”

  Adrianna reached across the table and impulsively squeezed the woman’s hand.

  “Seeing Tripp settling down has made Frank very happy.”

  Adrianna started to nod. Then it hit her. Settling down? Something was very wrong here.

  “It was hard on everyone when Gayle and the baby died.” Kathy stared down at the cloth napkin in her lap for several long seconds before lifting her gaze. “Tripp was inconsolable.”

  “He loved her very much.”

  Kathy nodded. “But I believe Gayle wouldn’t have wanted him to grieve forever. She’d have wanted him to move on.”

  Adrianna couldn’t argue with that. “But he has to be ready.”

  “And he finally is.”

  “I’m not so sure,” Adrianna murmured.

  “Oh, he’s ready.” A pleased smile tugged at his mother’s coral lips. “Everyone at the party was commenting how he couldn’t take his eyes off you.”

  She wondered what Tripp’s mother would say if she told her the real reason she was there with her son.

  “Even though getting together today might seem to indicate otherwise, I want to assure you that I’ll never be a meddling mother-in-law.”

  “But Tripp and I—”

  Kathy waved her silent.

  “Please, let me finish. We don’t know how much time Frank has left, but it would make both of us extremely happy to see Tripp married before...” Kathy swallowed hard. “I’m just saying Frank would love to see his son settled down with you.”

  “Kathy, I—” Adrianna had been prepared to tell his mother everything. How she and Tripp were simply friends. How he’d invited her to go with him to the event at the country club so they’d both be free to network. How Jim Ferris had misunderstood and thought Tripp was settling down. But the look of bald hope in eyes that were so much like Tripp’s made Adrianna reconsider.

  She’d heard the rumors that Frank Randall’s health was failing. There were few secrets in Jackson Hole, especially in the medical community. Everyone knew Tripp’s dad had been diagnosed with melanoma and hadn’t had a good response to the initial treatment.

  Adrianna had been shocked and saddened to hear the news. Not only because Frank had been a driving force for civic improvements and conservation in Jackson Hole for many years but because he was also Tripp’s father. She knew what it was like to lose your dad.

  “You were saying,” Kathy prompted, a smile trembling on her lips.

  “Tripp hasn’t proposed.” That much at least was true. Adrianna saw no need to tell Kathy that she was certain the thought had never entered her son’s mind.

  A look of relief crossed his mother’s face. She reached over and patted Adrianna’s hand. “I feel confident it won’t be long.”

  Once again Adrianna let a tiny smile and a slight lift of one shoulder serve as her response.

  The waiter brought out their food and the talk turned casual. Then, when a small boy at a nearby table created a ruckus, the lunch conversation shifted to children.

  “Have you thought how many children you’d like?”

  Adrianna breathed a sigh of relief. Although personal, it was a general topic she could handle. After all, Kathy wasn’t asking how many children she’d like to have with Tripp. “I always thought I’d like three.”

  “Frank and I had three.” A wave of sadness crossed Kathy’s face. “But our oldest, Frank Jr., died of SIDS at ten months. Then Tripp and Hailey came along.”

  “I didn’t know you’d had another child,” Adrianna said sympathetically. “I can’t imagine what losing him must have been like.”

  “We were devastated,” Kathy admitted. “Even after all these years the pain is still there. Just like I’m sure it hurts when you think about your parents.”

  Adrianna thought back to the phone call, the rush trip back to Wyoming from college, having to make the funeral arrangements, the two caskets at the front of the church...

  It wasn’t long until the tears welling in Adrianna’s eyes matched the ones in the woman’s eyes sitting across from her. She cleared her throat and blinked rapidly.

  “Like you said, when someone you love dies—especially unexpectedly—it’s difficult.” Adrianna pushed her plate aside, no longer hungry.

  “Well, don’t we make a fine pair?” Kathy gave a choked laugh. “We go out for lunch and end up crying. I’m sorry I brought up your parents.”

  “Don’t be,” Adrianna said with surprising vehemence. “No one mentions them anymore. It feels as if they never existed. But they did exist. I like talking about them.”

  “That’s how I sometimes feel about Junior. He was such a sweet baby.” A wistful look crossed Kathy’s face. “There are times I’m reminded of something he did and I’d like to mention it, but I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable.”

  “Tell me.” Adrianna leaned forward. “I’d love to hear about him.”

  A soft look filled Kathy’s eyes. “Only if you also tell me about your parents. I don’t think I had the pleasure of meeting them.”

  The lunch that Adrianna had planned to last less than an hour ended up going closer to two. By the time Kathy looked at her watch and yelped that she had to get back home to Frank because Hailey had plans, Adrianna realized not only had they both eaten their quiches, but they’d also had dessert.

  And the slight headache she’d started the day with had completely vanished.

  “I really enjoyed getting to know you better,” Adrianna said as they walked to their cars.

  “I feel the same.” Kathy looped her arm through Adrianna’s and gave it a squeeze. “Our lunch has solidified my belief.”

  Adrianna lifted a brow.

  “You are the perfect woman for my son.”

  * * *

  When Adrianna walked into Tripp’s office Monday morning and shut the door, Tripp wasn’t sure what to think. His thoughts couldn’t help but rewind to Saturday night when she’d kissed him.

  Perhaps she’d come to apologize. Or to tell him the kiss had been great after all. He grinned at the thought.

  “Is this a good time?” she asked.

  “Depends on what you have in mind.”

  She must have taken that for assent because she crossed the room. He watched her cast a curious look at the bookshelves he’d had put in this week. He thought she might comment on them. Instead she met his gaze. “You and I need to talk.”

  Tripp inwardly groaned. He knew he should have told Jim Ferris that he and Adrianna were only friends. He also should have called her Sunday and thanked her for going with
him to the party. That would have been common courtesy.

  But he hadn’t told Jim because there hadn’t been a good opportunity and he hadn’t called Adrianna because he didn’t want to make whatever there was between them seem like more than it was...simply two friends attending a work-related function together. Of course, kissing wasn’t usually a part of those types of evenings, but there were exceptions to every situation.

  “May I have a seat?”

  He pulled his thoughts back to the brunette who stood before him in heels and a yellow dress topped by a white lab coat. Good God, she was beautiful.

  “Certainly.” He gestured to one of the two wingback chairs that faced his desk.

  She dropped gracefully into the nearest chair and crossed her long, slender legs. “There’s something I need to discuss with you.”

  “Look, I admit I should have called and thanked you for going to the barbecue with me.” Tripp ignored her startled expression and plunged ahead. He’d learned long ago the best defense was a good offense. “But I didn’t want to give the wrong impression.”

  The second the words left his mouth, and her lips tightened, he wished he’d kept his mouth shut. Or perhaps he should have started with why he hadn’t informed Jim as he’d promised.

  “You didn’t want to give the wrong impression.” She spoke slowly and distinctly, crossing her arms in the process. “What wrong impression would that be?”

  “Uh, that I was interested in you?” Instead of getting out of the hole he’d dug, he felt himself sinking deeper.

  “Oh.” Adrianna lifted a perfectly arched brow. “Because I’m desperate or because you’re such a hot guy?”

  “No. No.” Tripp couldn’t believe this conversation had gotten so out of control. “Not true.”

  “Which part?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Which part isn’t true?”

  “You’re not desperate.”

  “What about the other part?”

  He grinned. “Well, I am kind of hot.”

  To his relief, Adrianna smiled.

  “And I think I’m a great kisser.”

  Her smile vanished.