Amy felt for the first time since Celeste’s arrival, a great sense of relief. She began to hope their ‘encounter’ was behind them, and hoped with a little work a friendship could be encouraged.
Chapter 14
“Josh, please make sure it’s no more than two days,” Amy said, hugging him.
“I promise.” He kissed Amy then headed for his car.
Amy waved goodbye and wondered absentmindedly if that was all Josh did—sort software glitches. She was sure the company he worked for would never release this software, as there always seemed to be a problem with it. When she told him that grumpily this morning, he laughed and told her the business he worked in meant that even when it was released they would still have problems.
Closing the door, Amy frowned. She didn’t understand how his company could spend so much time and money sorting something that probably would need to be sorted again when released anyway. In her business, when you built something, you tried to ensure it was built right the first time.
Amy smiled at the ruffled sight of Celeste and the two boys coming down the stairs. Moving toward the kitchen, she called over her shoulder, “Let’s have a decent breakfast before we head out this morning.”
Eventually, after a few false starts and lots of running around, Amy and Celeste managed to pack the Jeep with the boys, the puppies, and their accoutrements, and get going. Amy laughed at Celeste’s incredulity over the amount of stuff they needed to pack.
During the drive, the excited noise from the boys about seeing their grandparents encouraged the pups to bark. Within the hour, Celeste asked Amy if she had any headache tablets.
On arrival, Celeste asked, “How do you cope?”
The boys asleep, Amy started to unload things from the Jeep quietly. She looked at Celeste in surprise then teased, “Ask my therapist.”
Laughing, Celeste said, “You’re a Scot, Amy. The Protestant work ethic surely doesn’t allow time for a little therapy.”
“Okay, you got me there. Only therapy I get is retail, and that’s usually in the boys’ department.”
Celeste helped Amy unload the Jeep. “This is good. I need the practice. Motherhood is seriously tough.”
Amy looked at her quizzically. “You want to share something?”
Celeste shook her head. “No jumping to conclusions, Amy. It’s not what you think.” Her eyes twinkled. “Forget the twenty-six miler,” she said, heaving a bag out the back of the Jeep. “There should be an Olympic award for endurance with motherhood, don’t you think?”
“You’re not kidding,” Amy replied. She smiled. “Especially with my two ragamuffins.”
“Are you planning any more?”
“What!” Amy exclaimed. “You have met my kids, haven’t you? She laughed. “Don’t you know what motherhood does to a woman?”
Celeste smiled. “You want to tell me the horror stories?”
Amy grinned. “Just remember at the thousandth story you asked first, okay?”
“Remind you at the thousandth story, got it.”
“Where do I start?” Amy said, scratching her head. “Oh yeah. A couple of weeks ago, Josh and the boys met up with me after I was finished at a hair salon I use. We’d made plans to take the boys somewhere that afternoon. When I went to pay, Ryan decided just at that moment to release some pent-up energy and run amok. Josh gave chase, of course, and I got so distracted that instead of asking how much it was for a shampoo and blow-dry, I asked how much it was for a shampoo and a blow job.”
Celeste grinned.
“A blow job!” Amy turned beet-red. “I asked my hairdresser how much for a blow job.”
“Wasn’t on special that day I take it?”
“Blow jobs aren’t a service they offer apparently.”
Celeste laughed. “Okay, point taken. Note to self, Amy would rather hit her head until unconscious than have any more kids.”
“You’ve got it.” Amy looked toward the house. “You sure your folks said they wouldn’t be long at store when you spoke to them? They haven’t decided to run out on us since the last time they had the kids?”
“Nope, from what I’ve heard Mom’s over insisting Ryan eat his vegetables.”
“He puked you know.”
Celeste smiled. “I know.” She tried not to laugh. “He puked in a restaurant, right in her lap.”
Amy nodded. “He had the cheek to insist he told her carrots made him sick.”
“They’re here,” Celeste said as her parents’ car pulled into the drive. “If you want them to hang around, don’t ask for a blow job anytime soon.”
Amy smiled. “It’s a deal, but only if we both make an effort to check the oven for teddy bears, next time your dad volunteers to make brownies.”
“Who was it?”
“Chris. He thought the teddy would help his Papa with the cooking.”
Celeste grinned. “Insurance job?”
Amy nodded.
“You gotta deal.”
Getting out the car, Camille called out to them.
Amy smiled. “You get the boys, I’ll get my in-laws.”
Once they unloaded the Jeep and settled in the house, Fraser had gifts for the boys.
“I’ve brought some kites back for the boys,” he said, showing Amy kites from large to small.
“They look great,” Amy replied, pleased and grateful that Josh’s parents were such a thoughtful couple. Wherever they went, they always returned with wonderful gifts for their grandsons.
“Kite flying was a childhood hobby of mine,” Fraser said, unraveling the string from a small kite. “I know these days kids are into everything hi-tech, but nothing can beat feeling the wind at your back and flying a kite high. What do you say boys, wanna go fly a kite?”
As Ryan and Christopher whooped with excitement, Fraser encouraged everyone onto the beach.
The afternoon was fun and passed quickly. Amy didn’t quite master kite flying, but enjoyed it anyway. Eventually, they decided to quit when the boys began squabbling, and the pups more than once brought them all crashing down.
Back at the house, Amy was preparing the boys for a nap when Celeste mentioned to Camille she was going for a swim. Camille looked at Amy. “Why do you not go too?” she asked. “I will put the boys to bed.”
Amy looked at Camille. “I thought you were cooking?” She raised her eyebrows teasingly. “Don’t tell me Fraser is cooking now?”
Camille laughed. “Yes,” she replied. “We have now agreed on a barbecue, and Fraser can’t go wrong flipping a burger.”
“I’m not so sure, Mom,” Celeste teased.
“Go…now…both of you,” Camille said, smiling.
Amy shrugged her shoulders and turning to Celeste asked, “Is that okay?”
Celeste nodded.
“Can we try the kites again?” Amy asked enthusiastically. “Let’s take the big kite. I’d like to give it another go.”
Celeste smiled, and picked up the kite that Amy had difficulty with earlier. Together they strolled onto the beach.
Removing her shorts, Celeste challenged. “First to swim to the buoy can forget eating Dad’s burgers and have takeout.”
“You’re on,” Amy replied. Stripping off furiously, she raced after Celeste.
After their swim, which Celeste won by a mile, she flew the kite demonstrating to Amy how easy it was.
For the last two weeks, Celeste had worn her hair in a ponytail. Today was the first time she had worn it down. Amy noted she had pulled back the top and sides into a braid; the rest hung below her shoulders. It was much longer than she remembered, but the shine was still as deep.
“So, do I really have to eat your dad’s home cooking?” Amy asked. Stretching out on the sand, she propped herself up on her elbows.
The kite flying high, Celeste pulled the cords together, “Yup,” she replied. “Unless you have a talent you can show me.”
Amy blinked. “Like what?”
“You know, useless talents like whi
stling through a curled tongue, wiggling your ears, standing on your head, juggling with your feet, that kind of thing.”
“I don’t think I can do any those,” Amy said then laughed. “How about vacuuming and using a Dustbuster at the same time?”
“Maybe,” Celeste replied, grinning.
“What can you do?”
“I can do the alphabet backward and forward.”
“Oh…I see,” Amy replied, enjoying the challenge. “Uhmm…” She raised her eyebrows. “Okay, I carry a huge cache of commercial jingles in my head, particularly ones aimed at kids under five.”
“Wow.” Celeste laughed. “Now that is useless.” She squared her shoulders. “Okay, I can contract my eye muscles and make them shake.”
Amy clapped her hands. “No way.”
Celeste nodded. “Yes way.”
Amy grinned. “Show me.”
Celeste fluttered her eyelashes then demonstrated.
Amy laughed hard. “Okay, you win.”
Celeste smiled. “Good, because wiggling my ears is something I only do as the last resort.”
“No way.”
“Yes way.”
“You can wiggle your ears?”
“You betcha.”
“Your dad always burns everything.” Amy pouted. “I’m going to have to eat his food, aren’t I?”
“Aww, poor baby,” Celeste teased. “Don’t forget there is a doctor in the house if things get serious.”
Amy stuck out her tongue.
Celeste laughed.
After a few moments, Amy pointed to the kite. “You’re good at this.”
A brisk wind pushed Celeste, who struggled, but kept her balance. “Dad loved taking us kite flying as kids,” she said, gaining control.
“Did you ever try it with one of those bike things?” Amy asked. “You know the ones the kite pulls along.”
“Nope,” Celeste replied, maneuvering the kite.
Amy’s eyebrows rose delicately, when she noticed that certain movements forced Celeste’s black bikini top to push her breasts up and forward.
“But, now he’s bought these, I reckon it won’t be long before Dad will have one.” Celeste yanked her left hand down forcing the kite to come back to her.
Standing, Amy moved close to Celeste. “You’re probably right,” she said, enjoying the easy banter between them. “Now that he’s retired, your mum’s going to have one helluva time trying to stop him filling the house with unnecessary objects.”
“You’re not kidding,” Celeste replied. Clenching her teeth, she tried to stop a gust of wind from pulling her several feet.
An unexpected pleasure filled Amy. Her stomach tightened as she watched Celeste gain control.
“You want to try?”
“Had enough?” Amy asked challengingly.
“Maybe,” Celeste said. She tilted her head then grinned.
Disarmed by Celeste’s killer smile, Amy blushed furiously.
“The wind’s getting up,” Celeste said, looking around her. “If you don’t want to be dragged across state, you’d better hurry.”
“I’m ready to take the reins, Captain.”
“How confident are you?”
“So, so,” Amy answered. “It probably would help if you showed me.”
“Okay,” Celeste replied, opening her arms. “Come here.”
Not hesitating, Amy moved into Celeste’s arms. Encased, she looked at the brunette expectantly.
“Amy you need to turn around,” Celeste said playfully.
“Uh…okay,” Amy replied, cringing.
Celeste positioned herself behind Amy. Close enough for Amy to feel the warmth emanate from her body, but not enough to touch.
“If you can manage, place your hands under mine,” Celeste encouraged.
Amy squeezed her hands into the space Celeste made on the handlebars.
Celeste rested her hands lightly on Amy’s fingers.
Breathing in deeply, Amy caught the musky scent of Celeste’s perfume. Color heightening, she waited for her next instruction.
“Ready?” Celeste whispered into Amy’s ear.
Neck tingling, Amy replied in an odd sort of breathless voice. “Yes.”
“It’s all yours,” Celeste said, pulling away.
Enchanted, Celeste sat cross-legged on the sand and watched Amy fly the kite. After a few nosedives, Amy’s hesitation quickly faded. Celeste smiled, pleased that Amy was enjoying herself.
Celeste looked Amy’s bikini-clad body over. She noted her blond hair was richer with color than she remembered. She could see the changes in Amy’s body from having the twins; her breasts were fuller and her hips carried a roundness that hadn’t been there before. She realized Amy was skinny before, but now the new curves really brought out her beauty. She was stunning.
A sudden gust of wind grabbed the kite. Soaring up, it pulled for release. Celeste watched Amy hang on as it dragged her on its path to freedom. Quick to her feet, she chased after Amy and grabbing her, successfully brought her and the kite down.
Laughing they collapsed alongside each other.
Turning on her side, Celeste watched Amy. She smiled, adoring the husky sound of the blonde’s laughter.
Eventually, Amy controlled her mirth. “Thanks,” she said then smiled. “If only we had done this after we’d eaten your dad’s barbecue.”
Arching an eyebrow, Celeste looked at her. “Why?”
“Given his cooking, a hurricane wouldn’t have lifted me off my feet.”
Propping her head on her palm, Celeste said with some amusement, “Believe it or not, Mom has repeatedly tried to teach him the basics, but I think he kind of likes the reputation.”
“What reputation?” Amy asked, untangling her hands from the cords of the kite.
“He’s the bad boy of cooking.”
“What?” Amy replied. “You mean instead of a life of notoriety through bar brawling, booze, and broads,” she teased, “he’s built his reputation on being lethal around…kitchen utensils?”
Celeste laughed. “Give him a frying pan,” she said as she watched Amy, “he’ll cause havoc wherever he goes.”
Blowing a strand of hair from her face, Amy looked up at Celeste and with big blue eyes and pleaded, “Help me, Celeste!”
Celeste grinned. “I thought you’d never ask.” She reached down and quickly helped untangle the cords.
Once loose, Amy sighed and rubbed her hands together in relief.
Celeste brushed strands of hair from Amy’s face. Her fingers lingered on Amy’s cheek.
Their eyes locked. Stomach knotting, Celeste whispered, “Amy.”
Gripped by a powerful need to touch her, Celeste slowly rested her forehead on Amy’s. It would be so easy, she thought wanting to devour her. So easy, just one kiss.
Eyes wide and barely breathing, Amy lay perfectly still as Celeste’s forehead touched hers. A barrage of emotions and excitement swept through her. This feels good, Amy thought through a haze, so good.
Lifting her head, Celeste whispered, “I want to kiss you.” She swallowed. “I need to kiss you.”
The raw want in Celeste’s voice brought Amy thudding back to reality. She tensed. Oh God, she thought, remembering the only other time in her life she felt this terrified, or this aroused was with this woman, she whispered, “We can’t.” Her stomach churned with desire. “We can’t do this. Not again.”
“I know.” Celeste groaned. “God, don’t I know it!” She pushed away from Amy. Sitting, she hugged her knees.
“Celeste, I—”
“Go, Amy.”
Sitting, Amy looked bleakly at her. “Celeste, I want—”
“Please, Amy.”
“I—”
“Go!”
Lost, Amy moved closer, and touched Celeste’s arm.
Celeste stood. “I’ll go before we do something we’ll regret a second time.”
Stricken, Amy watched her walk away.
Chapter 15
&n
bsp; An hour after Amy’s return, Fraser Cameron watched his daughter come off the beach, smile at him briefly, then go directly to her room.
After ten minutes and no appearance, Fraser knocked on her bedroom door. He was unsure why she hadn’t come back with Amy, and felt slightly uneasy that something had happened between them. Amy had been exceptionally quiet since her return.
When Celeste opened the door, he noticed she had changed into a pair of denim shorts and a black V-neck tank top. Even though she looked tense, his heart swelled with pride that he had created such a beauty. He reached out to embrace her and whispered in her ear as he rubbed her head. “All right, pumpkin?”
“Enough, Dad,” Celeste said affectionately. “I’m not a kid, you know?”
“I know,” he replied, smiling. Even though Celeste was thirty-three, he often forgot himself and treated her as if she were still nine years old. He chuckled and picking her up, swung her around.
She smiled when he put her down. Pleased the tension had left her face, Fraser took his daughter’s hand and led her out to the patio toward the still smoking grill where he showed her a plate piled high with burnt food. “I’ve saved some for you.”
Celeste looked at the plate and lifting her eyebrows looked at her father. “Dad,” she said teasingly. “It’s a grill. You know the simplest method of cooking since humans harnessed fire. How do you still manage to do this?” she asked, pointing at the plate.
“Okay,” he answered. “I know it’s bad. But you’re the one with the passion for cooking, not me.”
Wrapping her arms around him, Celeste whispered affectionately, “I love you, Dad, but I think it’s better if I eat out. In fact, I think you should fight the urge to cook in future.”
Fraser smiled. Unable to read her expression, he watched her look over at Amy, whose full attention was on the boys. Ruffling his dark gray hair, she said restlessly, “I’m going to go out.” She gave him a brief smile before turning to go.
“Okay, pumpkin,” he replied, watching her leave. He picked up a burnt burger and chewed on it. Out of all his children, Celeste was the one he worried about most. She was the most complex.
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