“Shi,” he whispered roughly, “please, baby. Let me in.”
She turned around, holding her breasts, kneading them and moving her body like a temptress. “Do you want me?”
“You know I do.”
“Do you want to touch me? Like this?” She plucked at her nipples, and his hips jerked. “Or this?”
He nearly toppled over when her hand moved inside the tiny black V. Kevin groaned and leaned his forehead against the glass. “Shi, please.”
She stepped closer and put her face against the glass. “You’re not going to get it, honey, until you figure out a way for us to live together.”
“Are you serious?” he blurted, not even mindful of his voice carrying.
“I love you. I want you inside me, but we’re not in high school anymore. If you want me, then we need to figure a way out of this mess together.” She knelt, but her boobs hanging like globes of fruit in front of him didn’t help his concentration. “I don’t like living with my parents while you live with your brother. You’re not sneaking into my bedroom like you did when we were kids and didn’t have any other choice. You’ve got a choice. It’s not your way. It’s not my way. It’s our way. Until you figure out how to trust me so we can make decisions about our future together, you can’t have me.”
“I do trust you. It’s me I don’t trust.”
“Then figure out how to trust yourself.” She stood and flung her hands on her hips. Her naked chest taunted him through the window. “I know darn well how to please myself, and I’m more than happy to do so until you figure things out.” When she yanked the curtains closed, Kevin sat where he was, painfully aroused and more confused than ever. When he heard the bed creak, he imagined her doing just what she’d threatened. He shimmied back to the trellis and made his way down clumsily. By the time his feet hit the ground, he knew he deserved what she’d done. He might be able to appreciate her methods after his body stopped throbbing. In a weirdly twisted way, he was proud of her for taking a stand.
She’d taken one hell of a stand.
Chapter 22
Dodge walked into the Golden Tap hungry, tired, and looking for the owner. He figured he’d order his favorite bacon burger, and by the time it was ready, Tommy would make an appearance. If he didn’t, Dodge would trek across the street to Golden Mountain Sports. Dodge had just flipped through the front section of the local paper when Tommy barreled in wearing a dark green sock cap, a day-old beard, and a scowl. Dodge waved him over with the lift of his chin.
“Hey,” Tommy said when he stopped by the table. “You need me to see what’s up with your order?”
“No.” Dodge kicked out the chair in front of Tommy. “Have a seat.”
Tommy looked over his shoulder at the half-full restaurant, shrugged, and sat down. He steepled his fingers on the table and blew out a breath. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“How do you know what I’m going to say?”
“Did you want to discuss the storm predicted to hit us this weekend? The cost of hay? Complain about my food?”
“Storm predictions are never right, the cost of hay is what I expected, and I haven’t had any food yet today, so you’re batting a thousand in that department. Ahhh,” he said as Tommy’s new waitress delivered his burger and fries. “Give me a minute, and I’ll let you know.”
Tommy passed Dodge a bottle of ketchup and waited. “How’s my average now?”
“Home run,” Dodge said and wiped his mouth. “I don’t want to sour this delicious meal with a bunch of personal talk, but that meeting the other day’s been sitting on my mind. When I can’t get something off my mind, I start to get pissed. I don’t want to be pissed at you.”
Tommy ripped the sock cap from his head and ran a hand through his hair. “We were involved.”
“I figured that much. How involved and when?”
“Very involved. College.”
Dodge knew an evasive answer when he heard it but decided not to push. “It didn’t end well?”
“It ended when she ran off to marry somebody else. I haven’t seen or spoken to her since. I guess you could say I’m harboring some lingering resentment.”
Dodge folded a fry into his mouth. “Patrick’s been asking questions. I don’t like any Garrity coming around and poking into my business. I’d rather know what’s up so I can shut him down. Telling him, ‘I don’t know,’ only seems to keep him interested.”
“Patrick,” Tommy mumbled under his breath. “He’s relentless.”
“He’s getting folks stirred up. Pretty soon everyone’s going to ask questions, and I won’t get anything done. Spill it, son, so I can get on with my nice, quiet life.”
“Garrity’s digging into Gretchen’s past. He digs deep enough, he’ll find me. I’m not going to have to step down from STS. I’m going to get run out of town.”
Dodge took a sip of soda and did what he hated most: butt his nose into someone’s personal business. “Before you do something stupid like step down, you need to get over your resentment so we can get back to fighting the development.”
“It’s not that simple,” Tommy said. “I read the file Patrick started on Gretchen. The resentment’s not going anywhere.”
“You read the file?”
“He dangled it in front of my face like a carrot to a horse. As pissed off at her as I am, I won’t use anything he finds. I can’t.”
“That means there’re still feelings involved. We can’t fight Holcomb with emotion.”
Tommy sighed. He looked as if he hadn’t slept in days. “I thought I knew her better than anyone. Thanks to Garrity and his father’s detective, I know that wasn’t true. No volunteer job is worth stirring up all that old bullshit.”
“Hell, son, it’s already stirred. The way I see it, there’s only one way to put it aside.”
“What’s that?”
“Talk to her. Clear the air.”
“I can’t do that. I won’t go through that again.”
“I saw her face when she walked in. She put up a good front, but the woman was scared out of her mind to see you.”
“So?”
“So I don’t think a woman that scared would put herself through a meeting with you if she didn’t have to.”
“Of course she had to. She’s Holcomb’s flunky.”
“I don’t know about you, but I don’t think any job is worth facing the firing squad of a lover scorned. Would you put yourself through that unless you didn’t have a choice?”
“No, and I’m not going to.” Tommy tugged the sock cap back on his head. “I can’t even begin to wonder what was going through her mind.”
“I know what it looks like to be sick in love and not know what to do. I saw it on my face when I almost let Sarah go. I see it every day on my stepson’s face since he mucked up his marriage. I see it,”—Dodge pointed a finger between Tommy’s eyes—“sitting in front of me. Neither one of you is fit to broker a peace treaty between Holcomb and STS.”
“I’m not sick in love. It’s been ten years.”
“The heart can’t tell time.” Dodge picked up his burger. “You’ve got questions. She’s got the answers. Unless you want Garrity to keep poking around, I suggest you get her alone, out of the way of everyone’s prying eyes, and ask. Truth’ll come out one way or another. If it were me, I’d rather be prepared.”
Chapter 23
Lyle looked up when Kevin came out of his room and slung himself onto the couch. It was six in the morning, and Kevin was already dressed and ready for the day.
“Why do you look so grouchy?” Lyle asked. “Didn’t you get lucky last night?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“You didn’t get lucky?”
Kevin glanced over his shoulder at Lyle. “I can’t talk until I’ve had coffee.”
Lyle poured him a cup. Kevin grabbed it like a lifeline and downed half the cup.
“You fall off the roof?” Lyle asked.
“Fuck
off.”
“You went all the way over there, and she didn’t let you in?”
“What are you doing up so early?” Kevin asked. “You work from home and set your own hours.”
“I’m going for a run.” Lyle lifted his foot to the arm of the couch and tied his shoelace.
“In this weather?”
“I love this weather,” Lyle said. “Besides, Erica makes me breakfast when I’m done. She’s the best cook in the world.”
“If she’s such a good cook, then why are you so skinny?”
“Too much running and too much sex.” He chuckled when Kevin growled. Getting a rise out of him was too easy. “Go ahead and invite Shiloh over. I’m going to ask Erica if I can stay the night.”
“I thought you wanted to wait?”
“I do, but I’m starting to feel guilty about your marriage. Besides, Erica’s a little shy. She’s not comfortable being here when you’re here, and I don’t have an aversion to sex like you do.”
“I think Shi’s reached her limit. I could have a penthouse suite at my disposal, and I think she’d say no.”
“What are you going to do?” Lyle asked. “We can’t live together forever.”
“I’m calling Skip this morning. If Manny’s retiring, I need to know so I can adjust my pilot’s license and make some plans. It’s not fair to keep Shi waiting.”
“That’s only seasonal work. What would you do in the winter?”
“Flying lessons?” Kevin guessed. “Or keep working with Dodge. I thought I’d hate it, but truth is, I don’t mind. It’s honest work, and God knows it keeps you in shape. I haven’t felt this sore in years.”
“He’d love the help. Mom said he’s thrilled you’re back and taking on so much responsibility. Every winter he grumbles about slowing down.”
“Slowing down? Dodge?” Kevin scoffed. “He’ll take his last breath checking on cattle.”
“I think he’d like to dial it back a bit. She seems to think he’d hand the responsibility over to you eventually if you were interested.”
Kevin rubbed his chin. “I might be.”
“You going to talk to your wife about this?” Lyle asked. “It’s not just your future.”
“I’m going to talk to Skip, and then I’m going to talk to Shi. Hopefully I’ll have something to offer her.”
Lyle watched his brother. They were cut from the same cloth. Lyle didn’t want to sleep at Erica’s for the same reason Kevin couldn’t live with his wife until he had a plan. Stubborn Woodward pride plagued them both.
“I’ll see you later,” Lyle said on his way out the door.
“Yeah,” Kevin said. “Enjoy your run.”
Erica made bacon. Lyle could smell it a hundred yards out on his cool down through the woods. He loved so many things about her, including the idea that she’d go to the trouble of cooking his favorite breakfast. She acted as though it was no big deal, but it made him feel special. Everything about her made him feel special.
He’d thought about Kevin on his run. The way he moped around reminded him of how his brother moped around right after they’d moved from Atlanta to Hailey. The only thing that had gotten Kevin out of his funk was Shiloh. The two of them had been together for so long, Lyle could barely remember one without the other. Lyle understood how deep his brother’s longing for her ran. Poor guy was dying without her. Thank goodness Lyle didn’t have that problem. He knocked on Erica’s door after stretching.
She answered wearing pajama shorts and a threadbare T-shirt. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“Aren’t I always?” He toed off his shoes and took an enormous whiff. “Smells divine.”
Her quick grin lit up his world. “Can’t you talk like a normal person?”
“No.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “And you don’t want me to.” She only grunted. “Do you mind if I grab a quick shower?”
“You know I don’t mind. You left some clothes here, and I washed them. They’re on the chair in the bedroom.”
“I’ll be out in a sec.”
The bathroom smelled like Erica: earthy, wild, and full of passion. He intended to taste that passion as soon as he filled his belly. I could get used to this, he thought as he lathered up with her soap. Running every morning, home-cooked meals every day, a beautiful and fascinating woman to share his life with. No wonder Kevin was so depressed. If Lyle couldn’t be with Erica, he’d be grumpy, too.
She was standing at the sink when he came out, her dark hair cascading down her back. He sneaked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her stomach. “I thought I could wait until after breakfast to touch you but turns out I can’t. I missed you last night.”
“I missed you, too.” She turned off the water and dried her hands before leaning back into his chest. “I don’t like waking up alone.”
He kissed her neck, and his hands wandered. “Can I make it up to you?”
“You can. After you eat breakfast. Food is fuel, and I want your tank full.”
“Oooh. I like the sound of that.”
She swatted his hands when he tried to untie her pants. “Eat!”
“Yes, ma’am.” He sat at the table and shoveled the eggs, bacon, and toast into his mouth.
“Slow down. I’m not going anywhere.”
“No plans today?”
“I’m studying.” She flipped her knife around on the table in what he recognized as a nervous gesture. “Olivia thinks I’m making good progress, so I made some calls. There’s a GED prep course that starts in April. I want to enroll.”
Lyle dropped his fork and looked Erica in the eye. Her cheeks had turned a lovely shade of pink. “That’s awesome. I’m so proud of you.”
She lowered her eyes and shrugged. “I hope I’m not jumping the gun. I want this, Lyle. I really do.”
She’d struggled to read her whole life. With Olivia’s help, Erica’s hard work and determination had brought her far enough to see a future, close enough to take a chance. If Erica could take a chance, maybe Lyle could too.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” she asked. “You think it’s too soon? You think I’m making a mistake?”
“No,” he said and carefully stood. “I think you can do anything you put your mind to.” He skirted the table. “I think you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.” He lowered onto one knee in front of her. His heart clapped stronger and harder than it ever had, even on his most challenging runs.
“What are you doing?” Her brows slammed together, and she shifted to face him.
He reached for her hand. “Erica, I love you. There isn’t anything about you I don’t love. I’ve been watching my brother die a little bit every day being without his wife, and for the first time in my life, I understand how he feels.”
She swallowed and ran a hand through his still damp hair. “I love you, too.”
“I don’t want us to be apart because Kevin’s at my place.”
“I told you before you can stay here.”
“I know you did, and I want to, but…”
“But what?” she asked.
“I don’t want to move in with you. I don’t want to live with a woman unless we’re married.”
“That’s a little old-fashioned. Besides, we wouldn’t be living together. Not really. You’d just be staying here until your brother gets back on his feet.”
Lyle closed his eyes and shook his head impatiently. “I’m getting this all wrong. I don’t want to talk about my brother.” He jerked his eyes open. “It’s not about him getting back on his feet. It’s about us. You and me and our future.”
“Our future?” Her chest rose and fell with a quickening pace.
“I’m in love with you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to wake up with you every day, go to sleep with you every night. I want to have babies with you and watch them grow. I want to watch you grow old. I want to take my last breath with you by my side.”
“Lyle…”
“Marry me, E
rica. I don’t have a ring. I’ll get one. I didn’t plan this out. I’ll get one.”
“Oh, Lyle. I…I don’t need a ring.”
“Will you marry me?”
She slid to her knees, their hands clasped together. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Fingers linked, hearts thudding, their lips met and held. Lyle felt everything, her breath on his face, her heart thumping, each fingertip where it touched his skin.
She pulled back and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, swaying him side to side. “What the hell did I put in those eggs?”
“Your heart,” he said. “You put your heart into everything.”
“My heart belongs to you, Lyle. Everything I have is yours.”
“It’s ours. I can’t offer you much, nothing like your brother, but what I have is yours.”
“It’s everything. You’ve given me everything.”
Chapter 24
Gretchen knew what she had to do, but that didn’t mean she liked it. She’d put it off long enough. She couldn’t will the environmental impact statement to be released, she couldn’t click her heels three times and magically appear back in Chicago, and she couldn’t quit the job that paid her bills. She had no choice but to face Tommy and try to broker a deal.
She took deep breaths in her rental car after parking in the lot of Golden Mountain Sports. The lone vehicle in the parking lot could belong to Tommy, a late model truck with big tires and a lockbox in the bed. A confrontation would go better alone in the ski shop than with an audience across the street in the restaurant.
She opened the car door but didn’t turn her face from the blast of cold air. She wanted to feel numb, and she figured the freezing air might help. Her stomach, however, had different ideas. It jumped and sputtered, igniting an explosive sensation that couldn’t be tamed. She laid a glove-covered hand on her belly and walked to the door as if facing a firing squad.
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