Davy hooted. “That’s a good one. Mom, are we taking the back road? I want to show Dad where we sled ride.”
“Maybe on the way back.” Fifteen minutes later they reached the small town. Christa stopped at the bank to deposit last night’s receipts. They found a parking spot and walked to the bike shop. Mark watched Davy try a dozen bikes before selecting a silver one with red stripes. “Almost like your car, Dad.”
Mark sucked in a breath. Warmth infused him. He would never become used to hearing his son call him Dad. His gaze met Christa’s. Her smile spoke of understanding.
After loading the bike in the back of the Jeep, Davy and Mark strolled along the wide street while Christa ran errands. Mark placed his hands on his son’s shoulders and watched Christa walk away. They were his or would be as soon as the bond became official. “Where for lunch?”
“The diner,” Davy said. “We always eat there on Saturday. They make the best burgers, onion rings and shakes. You can have anything you want on your burger. Mom always has bacon and blue cheese.”
“Sounds good.” For a moment Mark wondered how his son would handle the move. Would he be angry about leaving his home, friends and routine?
Christa joined them. “Lunch now. You’ll enjoy the food.”
“More than at the inn?”
She tapped his arm. “No food snobs allowed. We’re not talking gourmet but the burgers are a higher level than fast food or the take-out you used to order.”
"Still do.” They entered the diner and found a table. A short time later their order arrived.
Mark savored the bacon burger topped with caramelized onions. He watched his son devour not only a cheese burger but half the family-size platter of onion rings. He clanked at Christa “After the breakfast he downed I can’t believe he’s eating this much.”
She laughed. “His appetite for food is almost as big as his father’s for other things. Are you sure you want to consider feeding him when he hits his teens?”
“I can afford that. You ready to say yes?”
“Perhaps.”
Davy looked up. “What are you talking about?”
Mark looked at his son. “That’s your mom’s and my secret. When the time’s right you’ll know.” He reached for the check.
Davy finished the last of his chocolate milkshake. He slid toward the edge of the booth. “Come on. I want to try my new bike. Can I call Sammy and see if he can come over.”
“Sure,” Christa said. “Maybe he can spend the night if you promise to behave.” She winked at Mark. “By Monday everyone in the area will know about the bike and you.”
Mark handed Davy the tip money. “Don’t forget this.”
“You learn fast,” Christa said.
“Looks that way.” He stopped at the cash register to pay. Davy dashed outside. Mark reached for Christa’s hand. “See if you can find a sitter for tonight. I want to shop for a ring.”
“Aren’t you jumping ahead?”
He grinned. “I want to take you to dinner and spend quality time with you at the cottage. I need you.”
“Again?”
“And again. And forever.”
“I’ll see what I can do about a sitter.”
“Not your half-sisters.”
“Never on a bet even if they’re available. Weekends are their fun times.”
“Wouldn’t want them to act responsible.” He paused. “They won’t be living with us.”
“I’ve already decided that. I told them to find a place and a job and I would give them three months seed money.”
“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 and then ran to the inn. A short time later he returned. “Sammy can stay over. He won’t be able to come for an hour. Can I ride the trails?”
“To the lake and back. You should be here when Sammy arrives.” She ruffled his hair. “Would you mind if Mrs. Lowry watches you this evening?”
“Why?”
Mark put a hand on Davy’s shoulder. “I want to take your mom on a date. We have matters to discuss.”
“More rules?”
“Possibly. Also to decide when you can meet all your new relatives.”
Davy’s eyes widened. “Are there a lot?”
“Definitely. I have a brother and two sisters. Allie and Meg are getting married in December. There’s your grandfather and his wife plus my aunts, uncles and cousins.”
“Cool. There’s just Mom and me and the half aunts. See you.” Davy waved and rode off.
Mark reached for Christa. “That went well.”
“You’re a novelty. He does like you. About this date.”
“You can choose the restaurant and give me directions to the jewelers. You are going to say yes.”
“Do I have a choice?”
He ran a hand over her belly. “With our luck the answer is no.”
She moved into the circle of his arms. “We’ll go to the Mall for the ring. You’re not choosing alone.”
“And the restaurant?”
“There’s a German one with sauerbraten that’s wonderful.”
He chuckled. “If the food is as outstanding as at the inn, I’ll let Allie know.”
They walked to the inn. The young woman behind the counter waved. “Christa, could we talk about more hours?”
“There’s a good chance you’ll get your wish,” Christa said. “How about over breakfast tomorrow?” She squeezed Mark’s hand. “Mary, this is Mark Blakefield. He’s staying at the cottage.”
Mark shook the young woman’s hand. Here was a possible solution to the problem of a long distance marriage. “Good to meet you.”
“Oh, you have a visitor. Stella and Peggy took him to the cottage.”
Mark groaned. Only two people knew he was here. His secretary would call or text. She wouldn’t drive just to give him a message. “Did he leave a name?”
“All he said was Tony.”
Why had his attorney arrived? He kissed Christa’s cheek. “I’d better see what he wants.”
“I’ll handle dinner reservations and the sitter. Go see your friend. If there’s a problem we can put our plans on hold.”
“Not a chance. I’ll send him on his way.” Mark turned to leave. Until he knew why Tony was here he didn’t want Christa to know his friend was an attorney. “Keep your mind on tonight.”
He hurried from the inn and jogged to the cottage. Tension settled between his shoulders and tightened like a vise around his head. Had Tony learned something to turn his plans on end? What 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?”
“Curiosity. I’m glad I made the trip.”
“Why?”
“You must be kept from making a huge mistake. Your friend’s sisters gave me an earful.”
“Half-sisters.” Mark frowned. “I’m sure they invented quite the story. They have vivid imaginations. Which of their tales did they spin? I especially liked the one about the letters Christa sent telling me about the pregnancy and the ones I wrote back denying paternity.”
Tony shook his head. “Between 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 several weeks. She wants to sue you for child support.”
Mark laughed. “When you see Davy you’ll know he’s mine.”
“His 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 cheating them out of their share. I’ll help them and they’ll testify about how their sister wants to cheat you.”
Mark’s laughter grew louder. “You are an
ass.”
“What’s so funny?”
Christa’s mother was sole owner of the inn. Her father only ran the place while she was a minor and when she was in college. The Sister’s Curious have no share in the inn. After their parents died Christa cared for them and paid their college tuition. Their only inheritance was bills Christa paid. On Monday if you’re still here, stop 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. “Come with me so we can see what story they told Christa. Then you can go home and come back next Saturday to be my best man.”
* * *
Christa covered her ears to dull the shrill voices of her half-sisters. An urge to gag them warred with a need to slap them. The tale they told was unbelievable. How could any attorney find a way to grant them a share of the inn? Ownership was hers and a trip to the courthouse would reveal the truth.
“You have said enough.” Christa’s hands formed fists.
“You’ll see. He’s gonna help us get what we deserve,” Peggy shouted. “Davy’s daddy is suing you for custody. Why else would his attorney appear?”
“Could be they’re friends.”
Stella laughed. “Look at this paper again. We found it at the cottage. Sue. Custody. Paternity. Visitation. Looks to me like he wrote this.”
“I don’t believe you.” Christa crossed her arms. They didn’t know she and Mark had spent time together and had taken Davy to buy his bike. “This is another of your fantasies. The time has come for you to learn you’ll have to earn the things you want.”
Peggy stepped closer. “You’d better listen. Unless Stella and I get our third each we’ll testify in court that you’re an unfit mother.”
Christa glared. “Another of your lies.” She drew a deep breath. “I won’t change my offer. I’ve allowed your bullying and making me feel guilty long enough. One week and your free ride ends.”
A rapping at the door silenced her. She answered and saw Mark. “No matter what they told your friend, they lied.”
“I know and was about to tell you the same thing.”
Peggy slipped toward the door. “Your friend misunderstood.”
“Doubtful,” Mark said. “According to the pair of you Davy’s not my son and you’re willing to testify in court.”
Christa laughed. “Looks like they crossed their stories. They were going to testify that I was an unfit mother so you would have custody” She paused. “They would do this unless I give each of them one third of the inn.”
Mark slipped his arm around her waist. “We should call the police and charge them with attempted extortion.”
Stella looked at Christa. “All right, we’ll take your offer of three months rent and enough money to pay our bills for that long”
Christa arched a brow. “Good. Starting Monday I want to see you making a move.”
Peggy walked to the stairs. “Stel, come on. We need to get to St. Johnsbury and check some of the places we circled.”
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.”
“Forget the sitter. I have an idea. Come meet my friend. He owes me and I know how I can collect. He can stay with Davy this evening.”
She grinned. “Leaving the cottage empty. Will he mind if Davy has a friend stay overnight?”
“Why should he. You need to meet him. He’ll be the best man at our wedding next Saturday.”
“Sure of yourself.”
“Damn straight.”
“What about your family?”
“They’ll be here. I’ll call them tomorrow and clue them in. After I introduce you and Tony I need to find Davy and ask his permission to marry his mom and turn us into a family.”
Christa smiled. “There will be no contest.”
* * *
Mark opened the cottage door and ushered Christa inside. He kept his arm at her waist.
Tony rose. “Problem solved?”
“Yes. Christa, meet Tony, a longtime friend and my attorney.”
“And a sucker for a tall tale,” Christa said.
Mark laughed. “Good one.”
Tony reached for Christa’s hand. “Now I can see why Mark wouldn’t 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 pulled her hand free. “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 spending the evening with my son and his friend.”
Tony groaned. “What will I do with them?”
“Dinner at the inn,” Christa said. “There are videos at the house. Pop some corn. Cider, soda and beer in the fridge.”
Mark laughed. “Slip Davy the money for the tip at dinner 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, the bunk beds are yours.”
Christa walked to the door. “I’ll make the reservations.”
“Your cell?”
“At the house.”
He tossed her his. “Use this and wait here. Davy can show Tony around. We still have things to discuss.”
She laughed. “I see.”
As they left the cottage Tony smacked Mark’s shoulder. “I can see why you’re in 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 placed a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Tony will be staying with you and your friend this evening while your mom and I go to dinner.”
Tony chuckled. “He’s you when you were that age.”
A rush of warmth flooded Mark. “You can show him things about the house. Your mom suggested dinner at the inn and videos to follow.”
“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. The half aunts are going to be mad.”
“Half aunts,” Tony asked.
“They’re Mom’s half-sisters so that makes then half aunts.” Davy motioned to Tony. “Come on. I’ll show you around.”
* * *
Though Mark had told her to wait at the cottage Christa ran 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 and the other things she would need. She also held a note from her half-sisters. They were spending the weekend with friends and would return in a week. They were sure by then she would change her mind and they would have all they were due.
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 his. Hunger flared. The kiss heated. She opened her mouth to admit his questing tongue. As he explored her mouth she circled his neck with her arms. He clasped her rear and brought her tight against him. His erection pressed against her lo
wer abdomen. The kiss continued and ended in an abruptness leaving 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, pulled her sweater over her head and unfastened her bra. His eyes narrowed as she stripped off his jeans.
He tossed her sweater on the bed and stepped out of his jeans. When she slid her panties down he shook his head. “Don’t.”
“Why not?”
“There’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”
She cupped her breasts. He covered the distance between them and drew a nipple into his mouth. She leaned against the bathroom door. Mark trailed kisses down her belly and snagged her bikini bottom with his teeth. He bent his knees. As he knelt the lace fabric pulled away to reveal her. He stroked the sides of her thighs and nudged her legs apart,
As his tongue circled her clit he clasped her rear. He slid one hand to stroke her labia. Christa moaned. “Mark, pleasure.” Her knees buckled but she straightened. Like being struck by lightning she climaxed.
She grasped Mark’s shoulders. When the aftershocks ended she sighed. “Mark, the tub.”
He moved away and closed the tap. “I need you.”
She went to him and ran her hands down his chest. She followed the path with her tongue and teeth. He sat on the edge of the tub. She knelt and took him into her mouth.
“Not too long,” he said. “You know where I want to be.”
She continued her assault. Her tongue curled around his shaft. She stroked his inner thighs.
“Enough,” he said. “The Jacuzzi.”
Christa slowly withdrew. His groans stimulated her desire to consume and be consumed.
Mark slid into the large tub. Christa stepped into the warm water. She slid along his legs. Juts played currents along her skin. “We have plenty of room.”
He chuckled. “Remember the tub at the apartment.”
“We nearly were stuck.” Her thoughts flashed back to that day.
The lapping water and Mark’s hands played with her breasts. She inched forward until she could guide him inside. For a time they didn’t move.
“Next Saturday,” Mark said.
Seducing the Innkeeper (At First Sight Book 3) Page 7