"Would you hurry up?” Davy called.
“On our way.”
When they reached the inn, Mark lifted the bike from the Jeep. Davy walked around his new set of wheels, then ran to the inn. He returned a few minutes later. “Sammy can stay the night. He won’t be here for an hour. Can I ride the trails?”
“To the lake and back. You need to be here when Sammy arrives. We’re not chasing after you.” She ruffled his hair. “Would you mind if Mrs. Lowrey watches you this evening?”
“Why?”
Mark put his hand on Davy’s shoulder. “I want to take your mom on a date. We have some things to discuss.”
“More rules?”
“Maybe. Also to decide when I can take you to meet the relatives you now have.”
Davy’s eyes widened. “Are there a lot?”
“Definitely. I’ve a brother and two sisters. The sisters are getting married around Christmas. Then there’s my dad and his wife plus my aunts, uncles and cousins.”
Davy grinned. “Cool. There’s just Mom and the half-aunts. See you.” He rode away.
Mark turned to Christa. “That went well.”
“He likes you and you’re also a novelty.”
“That’s different. You can choose the restaurant and show me to the jewelers. You are going to say yes.”
“Do I have a choice?”
“Not really.”
She laughed and moved into the circle of his arms. “We’ll go to the mall for the ring.”
“Good. And the restaurant?”
“There’s a German one with sauerbraten that’s wonderful.”
He chuckled. “If the food is really good, I’ll let my sister know.”
They walked to the inn. The young woman behind the counter looked up. “Christa, could we talk about more hours?”
“There’s a good chance you’ll get your wish,” Christa said. “How about over breakfast tomorrow? I’ll make coffee if you bring coffee cake.” She squeezed Mark’s hand. “Mary, this is Mark Blakefield. He’s staying in the cottage.”
Mark smiled. Here was a possible solution to the problem of a long-distance marriage. “Good to meet you.”
“Mr. Blakefield, you have a visitor. Peggy and Stella took him to the cottage.”
Mark groaned. Only two people knew where he was and he didn’t think his secretary would just pop by. “Did he leave a name?”
“All he said was Tony.”
Why had his attorney come? Mark turned to Christa. “I’d better go.”
She smiled. “I’ll take care of diner reservations and the sitter. Go see your friend. If there’s a problem we can put our plans for this evening on hold.”
“Not a chance. I’ll send him on his way.” Mark turned to leave. Until he knew why Tony was here Mark didn’t want Christa to know his friend was an attorney. Mark kissed her. “Keep your attention on tonight.”
Mark left the inn and jogged to the cottage. Tension settled between his shoulder blades and tightened a vise around his head. Had Tony learned something to send plans crashing? What tale had Christa’s half-sisters concocted? Their ability to indulge in flights of fanciful thinking astonished him.
Mark opened the cottage door. Tony sprawled on one of the couches with a beer in his hand. “What are you doing here?” Mark asked.
“Curiosity and I’m glad I came.”
“Reason.”
“You need to be kept from making a huge mistake. Your lady’s sisters gave me quite an earful.”
“Half-sisters.” Mark made a face. “I’m sure they did. Stella and Peggy have vivid imaginations. Which of their takes did they tell you? I especially liked the one about the exchange of letters I had with Christa.”
Tony shook his head. “Between their tears and how they didn’t want me to think their sister was a thief I dug out this story. The boy isn’t yours. The father was a guest who was here for a few weeks. She wants you to pay child support.”
Mark laughed. “When you see Davy you’ll know he’s mine.”
“The boy’s father was blond.”
“Believe what you want but they lied.”
Tony put the beer on the coffee table. “They also told me how she’s trying to sell the inn and cheat them out of their inheritance. I’m going to help them. They’ll testify to how their sister set out to cheat you.”
Mark’s laughter grew louder. “You’re an ass.”
“What’s so funny?”
“The inn was left to Christa by her mother. The Sisters Curious have no interest in the place. After their parents died, Christa cared for them and sent them to college. Their only inheritance was a stack of bills paid by Christa. On Monday drop by the courthouse and check the records.”
Tony groaned. “You’re saying I was had by a pair of con artists.”
“More like practiced liars.” Mark beckoned. “I’m off to see what story they told Christa about my plans. Then you can go home and come back Saturday to be my best man.”
* * * *
Christa covered her ears to dull the shrill voices of her half-sisters. She felt an urge to slap them and shove gags into their mouths. The tale they told was unbelievable. How could any attorney find a way to give them a share of the inn? Ownership was hers and a trip to the courthouse would reveal the truth.
“Enough,” she said.
“You’ll see and you’ll give us what we deserve,” Peggy shouted. “Davy’s daddy is going to sue you for custody. Why else would his attorney appear?”
“Could be that they’re friends,” Christa said.
Stella laughed. “Look at this paper again. We found it in the cottage. Sue. Custody. Visitation. Looks to me like he wrote this.”
“I don’t believe you.” Christa crossed her arms on her chests. They didn’t know she and Mark had been with Davy this morning. “This is one of your inventions. It’s time you learned you can’t have everything you want.”
Peggy stepped closer. “Then believe this. Unless we get a third each of the inn, we’re going to testify in court that you’re an unfit mother.”
Christa glared. “Another of your lies.” She drew a deep breath. “My earlier offer hasn’t changed yet. I’ve let misplaced guilt run my life. That’s over. The time for a free ride has ended.”
A rapping at the door interrupted her. She opened the door and saw Mark. “No matter what they told your friend, they lied.”
“I know that.”
Peggy appeared in the foyer. “Your friend misunderstood.”
“Wrong,” Mark said. “According to the pair of you Davy isn’t my son and you’re willing to testify to that in court."
Christa laughed. “Guess they got their stories crossed. “They were going to court and sweat I was an unfit mother.”
“I really think we should call the police,” Mark said. “I believe they could be charged with attempted extortion, especially when they told their story to an outsider.”
Stella looked at Christa. “We’ll take your offer.”
Christa arched a brow. “Good. After Monday it would have changed.”
Peggy walked to the stairs. “Stel, come on. We need to go to St. Johnsbury.”
As the pair scurried away Christa clasped Mark’s hand. “I’m sure they’ll attempt another ploy.”
“Let them. I have your back. What time do we leave?”
Christa groaned. “I haven’t called a sitter or made reservations. They ambushed me.”
Mark pulled her to the door. “Come and meet my friend. He owes me so he can sit with Davy.”
“And a friend?”
“Why not? You need to meet him since he’ll be our best man on Saturday.”
“Sure of yourself.”
“Damn straight.”
“What about your family?”
“They’ll be here. I’ll call them tomorrow. After the introductions I need to find Davy and ask his permission.”
Christa smiled. “There’ll be no contest.”
* * * *
Mark opened the cottage door and ushered Christa inside. Tony rose. “Problem solved?” he asked.
“Of course.” Mark watched his friend’s eyes narrow as he studied Christa. “Christa, meet Tony, a long time friend and attorney.”
“And a sucker for a tall tale,” Christa said.
Mark laughed. “Good one.”
Tony reached for Christa’s hand. “Now I know why Tony refused to go on spring break with me. Can I steal you?”
“Not for a moment,” Mark said. “You owe us and you’re going to pay.”
“Didn’t mean to cause a problem.”
Christa smiled. “Apology accepted. I know my half-sisters. You don’t.”
Mark gestured to the door. “Come and meet your payment. Christa and I are going out to dinner. You’re going to watch my son and his friend.”
Tony groaned. “What will I do with them?”
“Dinner at the inn,” Christa said. “There are some videos at the house. Pop some corn. There’s cider to drink.”
Mark laughed. “Slip Davy the money for the top and he’ll think you’re cool.”
“The things I do for you. What time will you be home?”
Mark shrugged. “Expect us when you see us. Oh, you’ll get the bunk beds.”
Christa walked to the door. “I’ll go make the reservations.”
He handed her his cell phone. “Use this and wait here. Davy can show Tony where things are. We still have some things to discuss.”
She laughed. “I see.”
As he and Tony left the cottage, Tony smacked Mark’s shoulder. “I can see why you’re in such a rush.”
“Is it that evident?”
Tony laughed. “She’s hot and smart.”
“And the mother of my son.”
As they started down the trail leading to the lake, Davy and his bike appeared from a different direction. He popped a wheelie and skidded to a halt. “Is Sammy here?”
“Don’t know,” Mark said. “Tony, this is Davy.” He put his hand on his son’s shoulder. “Tony will be staying with you and Sammy this evening. He’s an old friend.”
Tony nodded. “He’s you when we were kids.”
Davy grinned. “I bet you can tell me lots about Dad.”
A rush of warmth flooded Mark. “You can show him things at the house. Your mom said dinner at the inn and then videos.”
“All right.”
“I need to ask you a question.” Mark’s hand tightened on his son’s shoulder.
“Shoot.”
“Do I have your permission to marry your mom?”
“Oh wow. Wait ‘til I tell Sammy. Boy, the half-aunts are gonna be mad.”
“Half-aunts?” Tony asked.
“They’re Mom’s half-sisters. Makes them half-aunts.” Davy motioned. “Come on, I’ll show you around.”
* * * *
Though Mark had told her to wait at the cottage, Christa went to the house. She needed the local directory to make the reservation. After leaving Davy and Sammy with Mark’s friend, she carried the dress she intended to wear to dinner. She also held a note from her half-sisters. They had gone to spend the weekend with friends and would return in a week. They were sure by then she would change her mind and they would have what they were due.
Christa laughed. They certainly would receive that. They were due for a shock and she didn’t care that they would be absent for the wedding. Her decision to cut them loose had been made and she had Mark at her back.
She opened the cottage door. Mark glared. “Thought I told you to stay here.”
“Suggested.” She walked past him to the bedroom and hung her dress in the closet. “I brought the things I’m wearing tonight. Dressing here gives us time to talk.”
“Sounds like a plan. “He gathered her into his arms.
Christa raised her head and touched her lips to him. Hunger flowed and the kiss became heated. She opened her mouth to admit his questing tongue. As he explored her mouth she circled his neck with her arms. He cupped her rear and brought her tight against him. His erection pressed against her lower abdomen. The kiss continued and ended in an abruptness that left her wishing for more.
Mark released her and stepped away. “We’ll talk over dinner.” He walked to the bathroom. She heard the Jacuzzi filling. He appeared in the archway. “Join me.”
“Yes.” She kicked off her sneakers. She pulled her sweater over her head and unfastened the bra. His green eyes narrowed as she stripped her jeans off.
He tossed his sweater on the bed and soon had removed his jeans. When she started to slide her panties down he shook his head. “Don’t.”
Christa laughed. “Why not?”
“There’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”
She caressed her breasts and stepped closer. He covered the distance between them and drew one nipple into his mouth. She leaned against the bathroom door. Mark trailed kisses down her abdomen and slid his tongue over her panties to touch her clitoris. Then he hooked the sides of the bikini and knelt. With his teeth, he pulled the lace fabric down. He stroked the sides of her inner thighs and moved his hands toward her labia.
As his tongue circled her clitoris, he stroked her labia with his fingers and slid one inside. A second joined the first and then a third. Christa moaned and whimpered. “Mark, please. Her knees wanted to buckle. She forced herself to remain standing. Then like being struck by lightning, she climaxed. She grasped Mark’s shoulders. As the aftershocks shuddered to a halt, she straightened. “Mark, the tub.”
He moved away and turned off the water. “I need you.”
She walked to him and ran her hands down his chest. She followed their path with her mouth and tongue. He sat on the edge of the tub. She knelt and took him into her mouth.
“Not too much,” he said. “You know where I want to be.”
She didn’t answer, just continued her assault. Her tongue curled around his shaft. She stroked his inner thighs.
“Enough,” he cried. “The Jacuzzi.”
Christa slowly withdrew her mouth. The groans he made stimulated her desire.
Mark slid into the large tub. Christa stepped into the warm water. She slid along his legs. Jets played along her body. “We fit in this tub.”
“Remember the one at the apartment.”
“We nearly were stuck.”
The lapping water and Mark’s hands played on her breasts. She continued to inch forward until she could guide him inside. For a time they didn’t move.
“Saturday?” Mark asked.
“Yes.”
“I’m glad.”
“You will let your family know and the cottages will be open for them.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
She met his gaze and ran her hands over his chest. “I’m glad your writer took those pictures and you decided to make the trip.
“We could wait and have a fancy wedding.”
She shook her head. “I don’t need one. I want to be with you.” She pressed her lips to his.
Mark grasped her waist. As the kiss deepened they began to move. Her body took fire. She pulled her mouth away and arched her back as the sensations peaked. She cried her pleasure and heard Mark’s answering shout.
She slumped against him. “I love you.”
“And I love you.” His gaze meshed with hers. “The second seduction has been better than the first.”
“Who seduced who?”
“Does it matter?”
She shook her head. “Quick question. What was Davy’s third wish?”
“For a brother or even a sister.”
“We’ll have to work on that.” She caught his mouth in a searing kissed.
He laughed. “Ring, dinner and back here. I figure we’re well on the way to granting all our son’s wishes.”
The End
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