by Rita Herron
August nodded. “I member the fun times with our Mommy.”
Paige nodded. “I know you do. And when you feel sad or miss her, you have to think about those good memories.”
“She’s beautiful.” August rubbed her fingers over one of the doll’s brown ponytails.
“I named her Mad Molly,” Paige explained. “When I was little and felt angry, I’d tell her my mad feelings. Then she’d hug me and make it all better.” She handed the doll to August, smiling when August hugged it to her chest.
“And who’s this one?” Summer reached for the doll with the yellow string hair.
“Sad Sue.” Paige gently stroked the yellow braids. “Whenever I felt sad, I told her and she’d hug me and make me feel better.” Summer pressed the soft cloth face to her cheek and kissed the yarn hair.
August and Summer cuddled closer to Paige and she snuggled one on each side of her, tugging a worn afghan over them. She needed to call Zeke and tell him where the girls were, but first she wanted to reassure them she cared about them. “I’ll have a talk with your dad and work out some way we can all be friends.” Even if it kills me.
“’Kay,” both girls whispered.
August traced her finger over Molly’s denim jumper. “Will you sing us a night-night song?”
“Sure.” Paige thought for a long minute, remembering Joey’s favorite song, then began singing the soft lullaby. Before she’d finished the first chorus, both girls drifted asleep, the dolls pressed tightly to their chests. She studied their precious innocent faces and her heart melted. She loved the little stinkers, but their mother would be coming soon, and they’d naturally want her with them.
And according to the girls, so did Zeke.
WHERE WERE THE twins? Zeke searched the house, his heart racing out of control. It was dark outside and the house was empty. Dammit, he was going to have a heart attack if they kept disappearing on him.
He ran out the back door to see if they’d sneaked out with Henrietta and noticed the gate swinging back and forth. Remembering their earlier argument, he knew exactly where they would be. At Paige’s.
He should have known they’d pull something like this. Taking long strides, he crossed the backyard, pausing at Paige’s back door, wondering what he would do if they weren’t there. Call the police?
Panic seized him. He raised his hand and knocked, the long seconds that followed stealing the air from his aching lungs. Once again he’d screwed up this parenting thing. All kinds of scenarios bombarded him. The girls had wandered into the street, had gotten lost, had been picked up by some stranger… He shuddered and banged on the door again, not caring it was after midnight or that he might disturb the entire neighborhood. Finally Paige swung open the door, her robe rumpled, her green eyes heavy as if she’d been asleep.
He opened his mouth to speak but he was so frightened, his voice squeaked, “The twins, are they here?”
Paige nodded and placed her finger to his lips, leading him to the couch where the girls lay huddled underneath a bright afghan. Zeke expelled a shaky sigh of relief. She took his hand and coaxed him out front to the porch swing, gently shutting the door behind them. “Come on, Zeke, we need to talk.”
THE FRUSTRATION AND fear in Zeke’s eyes tore at Paige but she had to caution herself against comforting him. Zeke dropped his face into his hands and groaned. “God, I’m messing up,” Zeke said in a hoarse voice.
“No, you’re doing fine, Zeke. The girls are okay. Really.” Paige gently tugged his hands away from his face and cupped his jaw, forcing him to look at her. “You’re a wonderful, loving father and the girls are lucky to have you.” Her own voice sounded thick with emotion but she didn’t care. She was worried about Summer and August and Zeke. She couldn’t stand not touching him another second.
She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him, aware Zeke had tensed. But slowly he relaxed against her and placed his arms around her waist, then dropped his forehead against the top of her head. She held him, letting him cling to her for support for several long minutes. His breathing was labored, his heart beating erratically beneath her ear, his big body trembling slightly. He’d truly been frightened, and she wanted to kick herself for not calling him the moment the girls had shown up.
“You don’t understand,” Zeke said in a rough voice. “I can’t do it all, they need their mother.”
“I know,” Paige whispered, remembering the girls’ comment. She rubbed her hands up and down his broad back, trying not to think about how wonderful his powerful muscles felt beneath her touch.
He shook his head and started to protest, but she stroked his cheek with her finger. He paused, his eyes filled with turmoil. “They ran away from me. They were both so upset. I don’t know what to do to make it right.”
“Just keep loving them,” Paige said softly, moisture filling her eyes in spite of her determination to prevent it. “They’re confused, Zeke. About us. But mostly about their mom and why she’s left them. You can’t do anything but be there for them.”
Zeke’s hands shook as he reached up and caught her hands in his. “But what if I’m not doing enough? What if…”
“You do the best you can. You love them and listen to them, watch them make mistakes, comfort them when they’re hurting, and pray they’ll turn out all right.”
His breath heaved out in a sigh. “Yeah, but Renee called and she’s not coming like she promised.”
“I know.” His gaze flew to hers in surprise. “The girls told me, and I know they’re disappointed, Zeke. But it’s not your fault.”
He nodded, resignation lining his features. “But I have to deal with the fallout, every time she disappoints them, I have to pick them up and try and act like it’s okay.” His voice cracked. “But things aren’t okay. They need her.”
“I know,” Paige whispered sympathetically. She brushed a curly lock of his dark hair away from his forehead. “It’s not fair, Zeke. Maybe when she comes for their birthday, you can convince her to stay and you all can be a family.”
“I hope so,” Zeke said in a voice filled with emotions.
Paige smiled gently, ignoring the sharp pain his words brought, more certain than ever that if Zeke’s ex-wife returned, he’d do anything to get her to stay there with him and the girls.
He angled his head, looking up at her warily. “What else did they tell you?”
“They told me a little about what happened tonight with…um, Vicky,” she said, hesitating awkwardly.
“Icky Vicky.” Zeke grimaced, his hands loosening at her waist. “What a disaster.”
“I’m sorry the evening didn’t work out the way you wanted.”
Zeke shrugged, his hands lingering on her hips, and she suddenly realized the intimate position they were in. His hard body pressed against hers, his feet parted slightly so she fit into the crook between his legs, his arousal nudging her stomach.
“What else did they tell you?”
She swallowed, his warm breath brushing her cheek in an erotic whisper. She had to distract herself. “That Icky Vicky doesn’t like frogs.”
Zeke chuckled, a low rumbling sound that resonated through the night air and made heat coil in her belly. “That’s putting it mildly.”
Paige laughed softly at his mischievous grin, but her worries over Summer and August quickly returned. “They also wanted to know why they couldn’t come over and see me, Zeke.”
The tension in his shoulders returned, the brown irises of his eyes turning black in the dimness of night. Paige traced her finger along his knuckles. “I promised the girls you and I would work things out so we could all be friends.”
The breath Zeke exhaled radiated with tension, then relief. He leaned back and looked into her eyes, winding a strand of hair around his finger. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. We have to bridge this gap for the girls’ sake.” She resisted the temptation to rest her head against his shoulder and add that she wanted to work things out so they could be together—for her
sake.
“Yeah, for the girls,” he said, disappointment lacing his voice. Silence hung between them for several seconds.
Finally Paige asked, “So what did you think about Icky Vicky?”
Zeke chuckled softly and twined the strand of hair tighter around his finger, tugging gently. “She reminded me of a cairn terrier.”
Paige laughed softly. “Is that a compliment?”
“If you like short, wiry-haired females with snippy voices.” He brought the strand of hair to his nose and sniffed it gently, a slow smile spreading on his mouth. “But I prefer Irish setters myself.”
Paige sighed, wondering how in the world they could remain friends when she wanted to take him inside and comfort him with loving kisses and tender touching all through the night. Zeke feathered the strands of her hair through his fingers and dropped a kiss into her hair.
“I guess I should take the girls home and let you get some sleep,” Zeke said in a voice barely above a whisper.
“I suppose.” She raised slightly, already missing the comfort of his body next to hers. Tilting her chin with his thumb, he brought his lips to hers. It was the sweetest, gentlest kiss Paige had ever known. Her lips melded to his, hot need awakening, then burning deep inside her. His lips felt soft and wonderful, his touch tentative and vulnerable, but as he deepened the kiss, she responded, melting into his arms. Heat and passion ignited between them. Her nipples beaded, ached, her own desire spiraled out of control. She reached for the buttons on his shirt—
“Daddy, why you kissin’ Paige?” August asked from the doorway.
“You like her again?” Summer asked.
Paige and Zeke jumped apart guiltily. Zeke chuckled, dropped his arms and stood. “Yeah, I like her.”
“Goody,” both girls squealed.
“Now, we’d better leave and let her go to bed.” Zeke winked devilishly, but his voice sounded thick, full of sweet regret meant for Paige’s ears only.
Paige watched the threesome truck across their backyard, her emotions tangled, her feelings for Zeke growing like the wildflowers in her backyard, beautiful and sweet and wild, with no order or certainty at all.
And she liked order and certainty. Everything tidy in its place. Not this chaotic tumble of emotions running rampant through her body.
ZEKE ROLLED OVER and groaned, his body aching from unfulfilled dreams—dreams of lovemaking with Paige. He’d never realized how utterly erotic simply kissing a woman could be. Innocent, yet enticing, sweet, yet provocative—the woman was driving him absolutely crazy. Just like his kids. Well, maybe not exactly like his kids, he amended, with a chuckle as he recalled Paige in his arms. She’d felt so right pressed against him, so perfect, as if their bodies would fit as one.
“Daddy! Grammy’s here!”
“What?” He ran down the steps so fast he almost tripped over his own feet.
“Hi, honey,” Mrs. Blalock said. She offered him a quick kiss on the cheek. “I thought I’d take the girls for breakfast before we go to my house for the night.”
Summer and August jumped up and down squealing about pancakes. To his surprise, they’d already dressed themselves, packed their pink suitcases and were ready to go.
“Zeke, dear?”
“Yes, Mom?” He squinted through sleepy eyelids, wondering what she had up her sleeve.
“Morgan—you remember, that sweet schoolteacher—she’s home today if you want to give her a call.”
So that was the reason she’d planned this little outing. August and Summer frowned. “But Daddy’s—”
“I’m busy today, Mom,” he interjected, giving the girls a warning glare.
“Well, see if you can at least call her. She’s a fine lady and her mother and I are best friends,” Mrs. Blalock said as she turned and hurried the girls to the car.
Zeke took the steps two at a time and flew into the shower. He’d made arrangements for a substitute vet to work his clients every other Saturday so he could have more time with the twins, but since they had plans, maybe he’d surprise Paige. Maybe he could convince her to spend a romantic day with him, then maybe…the entire night.
PAIGE ROLLED OVER in bed, feeling languid and mellow, and confused. The night before, she’d lain awake for hours fantasizing about Zeke’s body lying next to hers.
She liked him, his kids, his menagerie of animals, even the slimy salamander.
What was wrong with her? She couldn’t give up her dreams to chance being a replacement wife and mom again. Especially knowing Zeke planned to do whatever he could to convince Renee to stay. Plus she’d had that awful dream about Joey getting hurt.
She checked the clock. 8:00. Her first Saturday off in weeks, but Derrick was due any minute for another house hunting venture. If he didn’t choose between the three houses today, she’d decided to write the addresses on slips of paper, put them in a hat and make him draw one out. He was the most indecisive male she’d ever known.
Thirty minutes later, she’d showered and dressed and was sipping a hot cup of coffee when the doorbell rang. She grabbed her purse, breezed to the door and swung it open, greeting Derrick with a hug. Then she looked up in dismay to see Zeke frozen in her driveway, wearing a scowl that would make grown men shake in their shoes.
ZEKE STARED AT Paige, disgusted to see the security consultant once again at her door. So much for his plans for sweeping her off her feet and spending the day romancing her.
Paige and Derrick walked down the steps to Derrick’s car and Paige waved to him. “Good morning, Zeke. What’s up?”
My temper. “Nothing,” Zeke said, shoving his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
Paige arched an eyebrow, obviously puzzled, so he continued, improvising with the only excuse he could think of, “Mrs. Spivy called and wanted a dog and so did the Jensens down the street. I thought you might like to help me deliver them.”
“Sure,” Paige agreed. “What time?”
“This afternoon, maybe around four.”
Paige opened Derrick’s car door. “I’ll make it a point to be back by then.”
Derrick lifted his hand in a wave, and Paige slipped into his car. They sailed away, leaving Zeke all alone, feeling as though he’d been ditched and sent to the doghouse.
“DERRICK, AMELIA WILL love this place,” Paige said convincingly. “Any woman would be wowed to know you put so much thought into choosing a future home.”
Derrick frowned in worry. “I want it to be perfect.”
“Trust me, she’ll love the house,” Paige said, admiring the beveled glass above the garden tub. She pictured Zeke and her climbing into the huge marble tub, bubbles spiked to the edge, a bottle of champagne sitting on the side, the two of them undressing and slipping into the warm water…
“You don’t think she’d like the Colonial better?”
Paige shook her head. “Nope, too traditional for Amelia. She’ll love all this fancy molding, and that beveled glass in the front door is exquisite. Plus you have a private backyard for sunbathing.” Or for a dog.
“Yeah, the yard is nice.”
“And the two upstairs bedrooms share a bath. It would be perfect for kids.” Like Summer and August. “And that small room would make a great office.” Or nursery. “And you have that big bonus room for company.” Or a playroom. “And that small room off the master for a sitting area.” Or a sewing room.
“Okay, okay, you convinced me,” Derrick said. “I’ll call the agent tomorrow.”
Paige sighed and shut the front door, suddenly wondering why she felt disappointed Derrick had chosen the house. After all, it was perfect for him and Amelia.
“THIS IS MAVERICK,” Zeke said as he handed Paige the yellow lab’s leash.
“He’s adorable.” Paige stooped to pet the waddling puppy, laughing when he licked her face.
“Now, you’ll come back and help me train him, won’t you, Doc?” Mrs. Spivy asked.
Zeke grinned. “Sure. Maybe I can trade off for some parenting lessons.�
�
“Oh, pooh, your kids are precious,” Mrs. Spivy said with a laugh.
Zeke shrugged. “Seriously though, you might want to sign up for dog obedience classes. They teach them at the community center.”
“That’s a good idea,” Mrs. Spivy agreed.
Mr. Spivy rubbed Maverick’s neck. “We’re having a fence installed next week.”
“Good, he’s going to get pretty big. He’ll need lots of room to run and play.”
The Spivys both knelt to play with the puppy and Maverick dropped to the ground, sprawling with his belly up, begging for a tummy rub.
Paige laughed. “He’s a sweetheart. You really know how to pick good pets, Zeke.”
Better than I do women. He bit back the remark, wondering how long he and Paige had to stay with the Spivys to be polite, and wondering if Paige would balk if he suggested they spend some time alone. He hadn’t been able to take his mind off of her all day.
“It’s easy when you know the breeds,” he said instead. “Golden retrievers and Labs are some of the most dependable ones. Irish setters are a little more feisty and temperamental, but I still think they’re some of my favorites.”
And I like women with fiery red hair and sparkling green eyes. The thought of her with Derrick all day had driven him mad. After holding her last night on her porch, he was determined to try and win her trust. The night before, she’d been so loving to his children and understanding to him, as if she really cared about all of them. And now, he kept studying her, watching the way she watched him, noticing the yearning in her eyes when she thought he wasn’t paying attention. Paige was afraid of something. If he only knew what it was. Sure, she had reservations because of her mom, but did she still love Derrick?
Maybe if he had her alone tonight, he could figure out her secrets, if she had any, and why she couldn’t be happy with him and his girls. Maybe he could wipe the fear from her eyes and replace it with hot passion and wild loving, and maybe he could convince her to stay in his bed forever.