by Cate Beauman
She walked up the steps, still high on her fury. Procedures had been overlooked. Huge mistakes made. Now that Henry was gone, there would never be proof of his disease except for the x-rays Doctor Jacobson refused to admit were black lung. The ugly idea that Henry’s expedited trip to the crematorium wasn’t an accident at all crossed her mind more than a few times while she played phone tag with the hospital and director of the funeral home. The very thought seemed as preposterous as it did feasible. Now if only she could run her theory by Shane, but they weren’t exactly on the best of terms.
Taking a final steeling breath, she fought with the box and doorknob and stepped inside to the scent of some sort of heavenly baked good.
“Good. You’re home.” Jenny came barreling down the hall with Faith crying in her arms.
She set down the box. “What’s the matter?”
“Faith’s been fussin’ all day.”
“Let me wash up.” She went into the kitchen and scrubbed her hands, noting the two circular cake pans on the cooling rack by the oven. Shrugging, she dried off as Faith cried harder. “What’s the matter, Ms. Faith?” She took the baby from Jenny. “What’s got you feeling so sad?”
“She’s been off all mornin’. I’m startin’ to worry.”
Reagan pressed her cheek to the baby’s forehead as she sat on the couch. “She’s not feverish, so that’s good. How did she do with her bottles?”
Jenny sat next to her. “She sucked on the nipple some, but then she pulled away.”
Reagan laid Faith in her lap, looking the baby over, feeling for swollen glands. “We’ll check her ears and make sure she doesn’t have an infection starting.”
Faith let out an all-out wail, and Reagan saw the small bump on her lower gum. “Oh, poor baby girl.”
“What?” Jenny scooted closer.
“Sweetie, Faith’s teething.” She lowered Faith’s bottom lip. “See?”
Jenny winced. “Her gums’r lookin’ real red.”
“They’re irritated and sore.” She lifted Faith, hugging her, kissing the baby’s forehead. “Oh, honey.”
“What should we do?”
“Wash up the teething rings Shane bought and throw them in the freezer. In the meantime we can give her a clean finger.” Reagan demonstrated, pushing gently on the baby’s gums.
Faith wailed her protest then settled, whimpering and biting down.
“Maybe that feels pretty good after all, huh?” Reagan kissed her again. “How did you get big enough for teething rings?”
Shane walked into the living room. “You’re back.”
She looked up, dismissing the flutters in her stomach as their eyes met. He was too handsome for his own good. “Yes.”
“I really need to talk to you.”
“I need to talk to you too.” She wouldn’t be able to settle until she discussed her new thoughts on Henry.
“Okay.”
“Um, Faithy and me’ll go take care of the teethers so we can get her feelin’ better,” Jenny said.
Shane’s brow furrowed. “What’s wrong with Faith?”
“She’s gettin’ her first tooth.”
His brow creased even deeper. “She is? Isn’t she too young?”
“Reagan says she’s gettin’ a tooth, and her gums are lookin’ awful sore.” She took the baby, walking off with her finger in the Faith’s mouth the way Reagan showed her.
Shane shook his head. “Wasn’t she just born yesterday?”
She tried her best to ignore her soft spot for Shane’s adoration for Faith. “Kids grow.”
“Too fast apparently.” He sent her a small smile. “Can you come with me for a minute?”
“Sure. Your box came in.” She stood, gesturing toward the entryway.
He followed her gaze. “Good.”
She reluctantly followed him to his room, not looking forward to the conversation they were about to have. He would undoubtedly want to pick apart their latest disagreement and discuss how their night together had meant far more than either of them… She stopped short in his doorway, staring at the mess and half-packed suitcases on his bed, her heart sinking as her gaze met his. “You’re leaving.”
“Yeah.” He took her hand, tugging her further into the room and shut the door. “I have to go to Madrid earlier than expected. Cally Carlyle added more concert dates to her tour.”
Cally Carlyle, one of pop music’s biggest names—and Shane was her bodyguard. The punch of reality reminded her that he didn’t belong here in The Gap. “Oh. When?”
“I leave for LA tomorrow.”
She slid several strands of hair behind her ear, absorbing the next blow. “Oh.”
He squeezed her fingers he still held. “I want to have Jenny’s party tonight. I baked her a cake.”
She swallowed. “Okay. Sure.”
“I’m going to finish up most of my packing, then I’ll make dinner.”
Why did she feel like she was going to cry? All along she’d known this was coming. “I can, uh—I can help.”
“It’s supposed to be a party, not a punishment.”
She smiled as he did. “It’s a good thing your package was at the post office.”
“Thanks for picking it up.”
She nodded, glancing at his bags.
“I don’t want to leave with the way things are between us.”
Did it really matter? He would go back to his life and she would stay here. “It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not.” He took her other hand as he stepped closer. “I’m sorry for pushing you last night when you’d clearly had a long day.”
She shrugged. “I apologize for my short temper.” But she couldn’t apologize for what she’d said. Everything was true. Whatever this was between them didn’t do either of them any good. She pulled away, reaching for the doorknob. “I’ll let you get back to packing.”
“Is everything okay with Daisy?”
It was far from it, but he had enough to worry about. The Gap and its problems were no longer his. Her issues and ideas about Henry’s cremation were her own. “Yes, just a mix up.”
“Didn’t you want to talk to me about something?”
“No. It’s no big deal—nothing I can’t handle.” Over the last several weeks she’d gotten used to Shane’s support. For eleven weeks, she’d had someone to lean on, but those days were over. He would go, and the next man would come, followed by two more after that. She would never have with them what she had with Shane. “I guess I’ll see you in awhile.”
He nodded and she left, walking to her own room, pausing and pressing her lips firm as the echo of Shane zipping a suitcase carried into the hall.
Chapter Twenty-three
“Happy birthday to you,” Shane and Reagan sang in unison as Shane set Jenny’s pink-and-white-frosted cake in front of her at the table. “Go ahead and blow out the candles.”
“After you make a wish.” Reagan smiled, placing her free hand on Jenny’s shoulder while she held Faith in her other arm.
Jenny glanced up, smiling before she closed her eyes and blew out the seventeen candles he and Reagan had struggled to light.
“Did you make a wish?” Reagan wanted to know.
“Of course.”
“Awesome. Now cake or presents?” Shane asked, wiggling his brows, rubbing his hands together, impatient for Jenny to open her gifts.
Reagan laughed, rolling her eyes. “You’re like a kid on Christmas, and they’re not even your presents.”
He grinned. “Hey, this is exciting stuff. So, cake or presents?” he asked again, turning up the wattage on his smile.
Jenny darted a glance from the semi-sorry looking cake he’d decorated to the small pile of gifts. “Um, gifts.”
“Good choice. The cake isn’t going anywhere.” He handed over the card from Reagan.
Jenny smiled and opened it. “Aw, Reagan.” She unfolded the paper inside and her eyes grew huge. “I get to get my hair done by a real hairstylist? And have a massage when we go to Lexin
gton?”
Reagan nodded. “And a manicure and pedicure.”
“I’m actually goin’ to a spa.” Jenny rushed up and wrapped her arms around Reagan, careful not to disturb the sleeping baby. “I’ve never had a gift so nice. Thank you.”
Regan hugged her back and kissed her cheek. “You’re welcome. I can’t think of anyone who deserves a day of pampering more. You’ve been working so hard.”
Shane stared at the two women and pretty baby girl who’d become such an important part of his life, hating that this was their last night together.
“Next.” He picked up the large box he’d rifled through before dinner and set it on the chair next to Jenny. “It’s not wrapped super fancy, but I think you’re going to like it.”
Jenny tore at the mailing box he’d retaped, folding back the flaps, and gaped. “This thing’s full.” She pulled out several pretty frosted silver boxes with McCabe Jewelry’s insignia on them. “Oh my heavens.” She opened assorted earring, necklace, and bracelet sets, gasping each time. “I have jewelry. Designer jewelry from Rodeo Drive.”
“There’s more.” He gestured to the box.
She dove back in, tossing tissue paper aside, squealing as she pulled out a huge bag of cosmetics and hair stuff, trendy tops and sweaters, shorts, skirts, designer jeans, shoes, boots and belts, all from Abby’s Escape line. “I’ve got like ten new outfits here.”
“Probably more,” Reagan said. “You can mix and match everything.”
“I just hope everythin’ fits, but I’m wearin’ it even if it doesn’t.” She slid her hand down one of the creamy cashmere sweaters.
“It’ll fit. Abby guarantees it. I sent her a picture of you. She and her pals picked out all the stuff you’ll need.”
Jenny squealed again, jumping up and down as she threw herself into Shane’s arms. “This is the best birthday ever. Ever.”
It hurt his heart to know he would more than likely miss her future ones. He hugged her back, leaning down and resting his chin on top of her head as his gaze met Reagan’s. “That’s what we wanted.”
She eased away. “Thank you, Shane.”
“I have one more thing.” He pulled the sheet he’d folded into his back pocket.
“What is it?”
“Read it and find out.”
She opened the paper, scanning the words. “It’s plane tickets for me and Faith.”
“It’s a credit. I want you and Faith to come see me out in Los Angeles.”
Her eyes watered. “You want us to come visit?”
“Absolutely.” He hugged her again. “And after you use those tickets, we’ll get you both another. Just because I’m leaving doesn’t mean we won’t see each other again.” He kissed her forehead and glanced at Reagan as she cuddled Faith closer, blinking rapidly.
“Thank you.” Jenny wiped at the tear falling down her cheek. “I sure do love you and Reagan to pieces. You’ve been so good to me and Faith.”
What could he possibly say when Jenny and Faith had been just as good for him? “How about some cake?”
Faith opened her eyes and started fussing.
“Well, it looks like someone’s awake,” Reagan said quietly, wiggling her arm in a soothing, rocking motion. “Go ahead and have your cake. I’ll give her a bottle. Hopefully she’ll fall right back to sleep.”
“I’ll take her.” Jenny took Faith from Reagan. “In fact I’m probably gonna give Faith her bottle and go to bed myself. It’s pretty late.”
He raised his eyebrow. Jenny was a night owl. “It’s nine o’clock.”
She glanced at the floor, then toward Reagan, before she looked at him. “I didn’t get much sleep with Faith’s teethin’.”
He nodded, understanding that Jenny was bowing out of the rest of the evening. “Good night then.”
Reagan frowned. “What about your cake?”
“I’ll eat it for breakfast.” She flashed Shane a quick grin, grabbed a bottle she’d readied for the baby, and started down the hall. “Thanks for everythin’, guys. I’ve never had anythin’ so special.” Moments later her bedroom door closed, and Faith stopped crying.
“Well, so much for her party.” Reagan started gathering unused dishes. “But I think it’s safe to say she likes her stuff.”
He picked up the glasses still out from their dinner. “Sophie and Abby are the best.”
“You have great friends.” She put away the plates.
“I do.”
“I’m sure it’ll be nice to get home.”
“It’ll be nice seeing everyone.” He put the dirty cups in the dishwasher. “I’m looking forward to being back in civilization, but I’m going to miss you and the girls.”
She turned away, restacking the napkins already perfectly in place. “We’ll miss you too.”
“I have something for you.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “I don’t need anything.”
“I have it anyway.” He closed the dishwasher and took her hand. “Let’s go see.”
She walked with him to his room, hesitating in the doorway.
“Come on in.” He handed her a small box similar to the ones Jenny had opened.
“What’s this?”
“I guess you’ll have to open it and find out.”
Swallowing, she held his gaze.
“Open it, Reagan.” He held his breath as she pulled off the lid, revealing sapphires twisted among delicate sterling silver ropes, forming a simple bracelet.
“Shane, this is beautiful.”
His shoulders relaxed and he smiled, certain she liked it. “I asked Sophie to design it for me. She wanted me to describe you—even though I talk about you all the time—so she could get a feel for the piece.” He took the jewelry from the soft padding and fastened it on her wrist. “I told her you have the most amazing blue eyes and an incredibly kind heart. I also told her you’re smart and beautiful and probably the strongest woman I know.”
Her eyes grew misty in the dim moonlight pouring in through the windows.
He traced his fingers along her jaw. “She thinks you sound pretty special.” He played his thumb over her bottom lip. “I absolutely agree.”
“Shane—”
He touched his lips to hers. “Stay with me tonight,” he whispered.
She blinked, eyes still watery. “I can’t,” she trembled out.
He kissed her again, cupping her face. “Stay with me, Reagan. One last night.”
She gripped his wrists, staring at him, finally bringing her mouth to his.
He closed his eyes with the rush of relief, wrapping his arms around her, easing her back against the door as he shut and locked it. Clasping their fingers, he pulled her hands above her head, savoring her taste and the slides of her tongue meeting his, neither of them in any hurry.
Minutes slipped by before he slid his palms down her waist and hips, unzipping the simple black skirt she’d changed into for Jenny’s party.
She unsnapped his jeans as he cupped her ass and pushed her forward, rubbing her against him, relishing her small, throaty moans. He flicked the front clasp on her bra, taking off the undergarment as he peeled off her sweater next, letting them fall. He wandered back to her pretty black panties, tugging at the elastic edges until they too fell to the floor.
She lifted his shirt over his head, sending it to join her clothing; his pants and boxers came next, more pieces joining the heap.
He picked her up, and she wrapped her arms around the back of his neck as they lay on the mattress. Their mouths collided again in a long, lazy dance, and then he moved down, feathering kisses over her neck, collarbone, breasts, making a trail to her belly button.
Pausing, he met her eyes and kept going, stopping between her legs. He laved his tongue where sensitive flesh and thigh met, growing hungrier, eager to give pleasure as she whimpered and played with his hair.
He dipped his fingers inside her wet warmth, pulled them out to slide against delicate skin, plunged and rubbed in a sl
ow, gentle rhythm until her stomach muscles trembled with her rapid intake of breath. He took her hands in his, waited for their eyes to meet, and finally tasted her, sucking, teasing as her thighs tightened and her hips rocked in time with his tongue.
“Oh, God. Oh, God, Shane,” she whispered on a quiet moan. “Shane,” she called louder, gripping his fingers, arching her back. He sent her over slowly, drawing out her orgasm with delicate pressure.
Gasping, she lay still, breathing deep as he made his way back up, kissing dewy skin, and she opened her arms to him. He settled himself and entered her, both of them groaning as he sunk deep.
She touched his cheek, smiling as they moved together.
He smiled back, kissed her chin, then took her lips, kissing her until her breathing changed and her hands tensed against his waist. He watched her, holding her gaze as desire flashed in her eyes. “Come with me,” she whispered in the height of passion, and he followed her, filling her.
~~~~
Reagan stroked her fingers up and down Shane’s damp back, closing her eyes as her heart stuttered when he kissed her neck. Here they were again, in his bed, the connection he spoke of undeniable as they held each other close. Perhaps she should have said no when he asked her to stay. She was definitely foolish for hanging on when their situation was so hopeless, but she wanted this last night as much as he did.
He lifted his head, looking into her eyes, smiling as he brushed the hair back from her forehead. “Thanks for staying tonight.”
She smiled back, wanting desperately to keep the mood light as she memorized the way his green eyes held hers as his body covered her. She’d shared more, experienced more with the man above her in three months than she had with anyone else in her twenty-six years of living. Tonight he’d gifted her a gorgeous bracelet and pretty words. He’d given her pleasure and true intimacy. Tomorrow morning he would be gone. “Thanks for having me.”
He kissed her again and pulled away abruptly. “I can’t do this. I’m not leaving. I’m calling Ethan. He needs to send someone else to Madrid.”
Her gaze darted to the pictures on his desk he had yet to pack, the symbols of the life waiting for him back in California. She wanted him to stay but knew he needed to go. He’d given his time to Black Bear Gap. Now it was time for him to move on. Their ending would come eventually—if not tomorrow, then some other month in the near future when Ethan called him back from Kentucky. It was better to go their separate ways now before their feelings grew deeper. “No.”