In This Life

by Cora Brent

  Suddenly I found the words I’d been searching for. They weren’t hard to say at all.

  “I love you too.”

  She was right on time. Of course.

  Kat strolled through the door of Hawk Valley Gifts with her laptop bag on her arm and those rowdy curls contained in a loose bun. Her long navy blue skirt would have looked modest on another woman but on Kat it highlighted the shape of her incredible ass and beckoned to me like an invitation to that luscious back door.

  “Are you ready for our meeting, Mr. Ryan?” she asked and from the way she smirked I could tell she guessed the trajectory of my thoughts.

  I cupped my hand over my dick and rubbed just enough to make sure she understood what I had in mind. “I’m ready.”

  Kat set her bag down, unfastened the first two buttons of her white blouse, then released the front clasp of her bra. God bless her. And those tits.

  She watched me while I walked around her and locked the door after ensuring the CLOSED sign was still out. We wouldn’t open for another half hour and the college student who would be running the cash register this morning wouldn’t be here until then.

  “Not so careless anymore,” she remarked, referencing the fact that I hadn’t always bothered to lock the door. Kat set her hand on her hip and I got a tantalizing peek of a nipple.

  “I just don’t want any interruptions,” I said, closing in. I was ready to get my hands on her. I ran my palms over her hips and around to her ass so I could press against her hard. I wanted her to feel how hard I was. That breathy little sigh escaping her lips told me she was getting all kinds of hot and bothered. If I slid my hand down into the waistband of her skirt and went exploring I knew I’d find some damp panties and eager flesh.

  And, lo and behold, that’s exactly what I did find.

  “Fuck,” she moaned, straining against my hand, trying to get my fingers to go deeper. I liked her like this; needy and dirty. Ready to let me finger her or fuck her in the middle of an aisle full of coffee mugs and cheesy Hawk Valley t-shirts.

  But I was in the mood to take my time so I didn’t do either one. I withdrew my hand from between her legs and wordlessly led her to the back office. I barely had time to shut the door before Kat dropped her skirt.

  “Shirt too,” I demanded because I always demanded that.

  She finished escaping her clothes and sat down on the plush sofa I’d recently bought for this room just for this reason. Kat smiled at me then reached up to set her glorious hair loose. It spilled in riotous red waves past her shoulders and she looked so sexy it was sick. Then she took it a step further, leaning back and opening her legs while touching her tits.

  Meanwhile, my dick was conducting a major tantrum over all this torture so I did us both a favor and yanked my pants down to my knees. I’d been brooding about today’s planned meeting ever since we kissed goodbye just after breakfast.

  Our mornings at home were blissfully chaotic these days, a hectic hurricane of diapers and preschool plans and barking dogs. There was no time for fun and games while all that was going on. But moments like this more than compensated.

  Kat was ready for me, lying back on the sofa and widening her legs so I could fit between them. I hooked one of her knees for leverage and two seconds later I was buried in heaven.

  It didn’t take too many thrusts to get her to come. She must have been thinking about this since breakfast too. I looked down at her, this gorgeous creature full of humor and intelligence and kindness and marveled over the fact that she belonged to me.

  “I love you, Nash,” she moaned as she was still shuddering in the wake of her orgasm.

  “I love you too,” I said and pulled out to come all over her tits. Just because I could. Because she was mine and because she liked it when I did moderately kinky shit.

  Afterwards I grabbed a box of tissues and helped her deal with the aftermath. Then I collected her in my arms and held her close for a few peaceful moments.

  “You’ll be opening the store soon,” she sighed as she ran a finger up and down my bare thigh.

  I checked out the time. “Yeah, I guess so.”

  “And I’ve got to get to another meeting. A real meeting,” she emphasized, giving me a playful slap.

  I tipped her chin up and kissed her lips. “There’s nothing more real than this.”

  Her eyes softened. “No, there’s not.”

  She let me kiss her soft and slow, both of us getting all excited again in the process.

  “But I do need to get out of here,” she said, wriggling out of my embrace and seeking out the clothes that were strewn all over the floor. I just stayed where I was and watched her get dressed. I never got tired of looking at her.

  “You’d better put on some clothes,” she said while buttoning up her blouse. “You can’t sell souvenirs to tourists while naked.”

  I laced my hands behind my head. “Actually I think that’s a fucking great idea. A naked gift shop. I bet no one’s tried that gimmick before.”

  She threw me a look and tossed my boxers at my head. “And no one’s going to try it now.” She looked around. “Where’d I leave my laptop?”

  I pulled my boxers up and grabbed my jeans. “In the store I think.”

  “Oh, right.” Kat tied her hair up into a prissy bun once more and bent down to give me a kiss. “See you at home.”

  I pinched her ass. “See you at home.”

  Kat blew me one last kiss before she was out the door and I finished returning to a state of decency while reflecting on the sad fact that nothing nearly as exciting would happen for the rest of the workday.

  The store opened. An overly perky employee named Hayden arrived and industriously dusted every surface of the store. People stopped in to buy postcards and key chains, mugs and Christmas ornaments even though it was months until the holidays. The busy summer season was officially over but the Hawk Valley Chamber of Commerce had invested in an expensive ad campaign hoping to lure people to the area in autumn. After all, the mountains were even more stunning in the fall. Most of the trees were evergreen but some did change colors and with the cool bite in the weather it was a popular daytrip for the folks still sweltering down in Phoenix. Yet another new tagline was invented: Hawk Valley, The Best Place You’ve Never Been. Surprisingly, it was starting to catch on. There was a new steakhouse opening at the end of Garner Avenue and an old mansion on the edge of town was being renovated into a bed and breakfast. There was more optimism in town than there ever had been.

  And I was damn glad to be here.

  After lunch Jane arrived with a new painting she’d just finished and wanted to sell. She also had some news. Kevin had been asking her to marry him for two years and she’d finally said yes. I was happy for her, for both of them. Kevin adored my aunt and he was a good guy. They both deserved some permanent happiness. Seeing Jane was nice but I was still counting down the hours until I could head home.

  Right after Jane left Betty showed up. I’d just given her another raise because she’d proven how indispensable she was. Betty liked having her mornings free and then working until closing, which worked out great for me because I could be home for dinner every night. We chatted about inventory orders and last month’s fantastic sales receipts in between customers.

  Kat texted me that she was finished running around on all of her errands earlier than expected. She wanted to get Colin from Nancy Reston’s right after she picked up Emma. Kat was as devoted to Colin as she was to her own child. It was just one of the many reasons I worshiped her.

  At five o’clock I told Betty I was taking off. She was studying the art gallery wall in search of a place for Jane’s new painting. She waved and cheerfully told me to have a nice night.

  “Thanks,” I said, thinking about everything that was waiting for me at home. “I will.”

  As soon as I turned down my street, the distinctive yellow Victorian house loomed into view and I could feel myself grinning already. I couldn’t help it. I’d become on
e hell of a cheerful motherfucker lately.

  One month ago Kat and her daughter had moved into the house and every day was a new adventure in the best way. Life could be amazing if you embraced it.

  The sound of a bark coming from the backyard meant Roxie had been alerted to my presence. I could hear Emma’s laughter coming from there too so I followed the sound through the back gate.

  Emma was currently in the midst of a Wonder Woman phase, inspired by the early purchase of a Halloween costume. Then Kat had to buy three more because Emma was temporarily refusing to leave the house in anything else. At present she was running around the backyard with her arms out and a red cape streaming behind her.

  Roxie was waiting by the gate with her tail wagging so hard you’d think she hadn’t seen me in a year. I paused to give her a few seconds of attention so she would let me pass.

  Kat relaxed on a large blue picnic blanket in the grass while Colin sat up beside her and avidly watched Emma’s every move as she conquered the backyard.

  “I’m all powerful!” Emma cried, still flapping her arms.

  Kat made room for me on the blanket and I knelt down at her side. Colin babbled with delight and immediately tried to crawl into my lap.

  “Badabadabadabada,” he said and I wasn’t sure what the sounds meant to him but they must mean something. I picked him up and gave him a sloppy kiss on the cheek and he clung to me for a moment before demanding to be released.

  My eyes swept over Kat, who had changed to jeans and a plain gray sweater. Her hair was loose again, her face free of makeup. She was a vision, a rare beauty with the power to be gorgeous even in old jeans and a baggy cardigan.

  “You’re beautiful,” I told her.

  She tipped her face up for a kiss. “I’m so glad you’re home.”

  “Mommy!” Emma shouted with impatience. “You’re not watching me!”

  “I’m watching you, Ems,” Kathleen called.

  “Hi, Emma.” I waved to the little girl who stared at me for a second and then broke into an impish smile. She picked something up out of the grass and came bounding over with Roxie eagerly following.

  “Nash,” Emma said breathlessly and handed me a heavily chewed tennis ball that had been slimed with dog slobber. “You’re a good thrower so throw this.”

  “Say please,” her mother prompted.

  Emma offered up a winning grin. “Please.”

  Roxie was excited now, jumping around and waiting for the chance to catch the ball. I got to my feet with the rather disgusting ball in my palm and threw it high in the air to the opposite corner of the yard.

  Emma bounced on her toes and clapped when Roxie caught it in her mouth like a pro and came running back over to deposit it on the picnic blanket.

  “Again!” Emma insisted. Then she glanced at Kat and added, “Please.”

  How could I refuse? I threw that ball about a dozen more times while Kat dashed into the house to check on the food in the oven.

  “Fifteen minutes until dinner,” she announced, returning to the blanket.

  Emma had become distracted by a hole Roxie had dug and was in the process of filling it with leaves. I saw an opportunity to abandon the game of fetch, dropping the slimy ball in the grass and wiping my hands on my jeans.

  “What’s for dinner?” I asked, settling down between Kat and Colin.

  “Roasted chicken,” she answered. “With peas and biscuits. Is that okay?”

  “Hell yes.” I surveyed the happy scene in the backyard. “That’s perfect.” And it was. I only wished Chris and Heather Ryan were somehow able to see this, the legacy they’d left behind.

  Kathleen snuggled against me. Colin ripped out a handful of grass, became disgusted at the sight of the detached green blades and hurriedly dropped them.

  “Oh, there’s some good news,” I said and told her about Jane and Kevin while the shadows of oncoming dusk approached.

  Kat was delighted. “That’s amazing. I’ll have to call her tomorrow.”

  I pushed a red curl out of her face. “Maybe there’s more than one wedding in the future for this family.”

  “A bold assumption,” she said but she blushed and I could tell how the words had thrilled her.

  “A bold prediction,” I corrected and possessively slid my arm around her body.

  “Badabada!” Colin exclaimed.

  “See? Even Colin agrees.”

  Kat smiled. “Then maybe you’re onto something.”

  I smiled back. “You’re damn right I am.”

  One Year Later

  “Colin, look at me. What a good boy! Emma, please smile. I promise we’re almost done.”

  The kids looked adorable today and I had my heart set on catching some memorable shots of them on the gorgeous grounds of the brand new Hawk Valley Inn .

  Emma kept making a face and Colin was determined to avoid standing still for an instant but I finally got them to smile at the same time while sitting on a stone bench beneath a sprawling cottonwood tree. I snapped a series of photos with my phone in a hurry.

  “Can we eat now?” Emma asked.

  “You just ate, sweetie. You had a bowl of strawberries.”

  “I want more.”

  “Me!” Colin shouted. “Me eat!” Then something else caught his interest and he scrambled down off the bench. “Doggie woof woof!” he said, determinedly toddling after a golden retriever that was obviously a service dog belonging to a woman in a wheelchair.

  “No no.” I scooped him up and kissed his chubby cheek. “You come with Kat now.”

  “Kat!” he said. “Katkat.”

  “That’s right.”

  I escorted the children back to the lobby where the inn was celebrating its grand opening. Since Nash was on the Hawk Valley Chamber of Commerce as well as a minor investor in the new place, we’d all been invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony.

  The event was crowded. The free food and the fabulous early autumn weather had drawn everyone who had any interest in the inn. There were local politicians, business owners, educators, and just about anyone who was well known in the community.

  Emma made a beeline for the food buffet and pouted when I limited her strawberry consumption but cheered up when she found some finger sandwiches.

  “Baby sandwiches,” she marveled as I put several on a plate.

  “Just don’t eat the toothpick in the middle,” I said.

  For Colin I found a soft buttery biscuit that I planned to break up into small pieces, if I could manage to get the job done before he snatched the thing out of my hand.

  Once we had some snacks I considered our seating options but there weren’t many. I spotted my mother cozied up beside Steve Brown, who happened to be her new boyfriend. She would have welcomed us but I opted to give her some privacy.

  Jane and Kevin were by the inn reception desk chatting with the high school principal but there were no seats nearby. I watched as Jane laughed at something her husband said and he wrapped an arm around her, planting a kiss on top of her head. They were married this past spring. And Nash had been right about something. A year ago when he’d predicted theirs wouldn’t be the only wedding in the family.

  “Where’s Nash?” Emma asked, echoing my thoughts. She was always looking for Nash. He was devoted to her. He treated Emma like a daughter. Before he’d presented me with an engagement ring he’d gone about the very solemn task of asking for Emma’s permission to marry her mother. Of course she said yes. And so did I.

  “I don’t know,” I said. “Let’s go back outside.”

  The three of us wound up sitting on the same stone bench where I’d posed the kids for pictures earlier. Emma primly ate the contents of her plate while I offered Colin-sized pieces of the biscuit to his hungry mouth.

  “More,” he said every time he swallowed a bite. It seemed he would keep his light hair, at least through childhood. He looked a little like photos of his mother at this age. But his mischievous blue eyes were just like his big brot
her’s.

  “Nash!” Emma abandoned her plate and took off to fling herself into the arms of her soon-to-be stepfather.

  Nash had arrived outside in the middle of a conversation with several other Garner Avenue business owners but he stopped talking and crouched down to receive Emma’s hug. Damn, he was a gorgeous man in every way.

  “I’ll catch you later,” he told his companions and swung Emma up, carrying her over to Colin and me.

  “I was looking for you guys,” he said as he sat down next to me.

  “Mommy was making us take pictures,” Emma said, scrambling out of his lap with some indignation in her face.

  “Oh.” Nash nodded. “Well I’m glad because you look so pretty in your new dress, Emma.”

  She looked down at her pink dress that was really more suited to the Easter season, but it had been her undoubted favorite so it was the one I bought.

  “I do look pretty,” she agreed.

  “You sure do,” I said, glad that my girl did not suffer any shortage of self-confidence.

  “Hi-oh,” said Colin.

  Nash grinned down at his brother and smoothed his hair. “Hey there, handsome.”

  “Hi-oh,” Colin repeated.

  Emma spotted a flowerbed about twenty feet away that she wanted to get a closer look at. Colin cried to go with her so Nash asked her to please hold his hand.

  “And don’t pick any of the flowers,” I called.

  “Okay, Mommy,” Emma said as she slowed her steps to accommodate Colin’s toddling.

  Nash slipped his arm around me. “Hi-oh.”

  I grinned. “Hi-oh.”

  He kissed me. A familiar thrill rolled through my body, as it always did when he got close.

  Emma and Colin were in front of the flowers now. Emma held tight to his hand like she was supposed to and pointed out the different colors. Colin seemed enthralled.

  I touched Nash’s knee. “Did I tell you I got a letter from the college?”

  “No. What kind of letter?”

  “One congratulating me on my scholarship and saying my financial aid package was approved, which means I can register for next semester’s classes.”