by Kim Turner
“We get chocolate pie from there, and Uncle Gabe says it is better than sex.” Lily said it as if it were nothing at all.
“Well, uh, that must be some kind of pie.” It was evident Lily had been raised around single grown men and it was rubbing off, though her innocence made it hysterical. She stifled her giggle.
“Yep.” Lily pulled her ahead toward the barn as Aaron emerged, the front of his shirt and jeans, wet and soapy.
“Hi Daddy, is Uncle Gabe back yet?” Lily handed her backpack to him.
“Yeah, he’s taking a shower in the camper. Apparently, the Indians got chased through the mud. I finished washing Scout and Charger who were not too happy about it. They were a mess. Guess I am too.” He shivered, walking to toss Lily’s backpack into Gabe’s truck.
“We had fun, Daddy.” Lily danced around the small picnic table outside the camper.
“That’s good, Munchkin.” Aaron grabbed a towel and brushed his jeans off, looking at Jenna. “So, simple supper in my lovely camper?”
“Sounds nice.” She wondered at being alone in his camper with him. She’d thought a lot about tossing her fears to the wind and letting what was happening between her and Aaron just happen. Wasn’t that all right? Didn’t she deserve to be happy? These days there didn’t have to be promises for the future to simply enjoy each other’s company, right?
Gabe exited the camper, walking to toss his bag into the truck. “Whew, hard playing an Indian on a horse all day. I’m beat.”
“Uncle Gabe, did the cowboys get you muddy?” Lily asked walking closer.
“Yep, are you ready to head for home?” Gabe hopped into the seat of his truck, turning over the engine.
“Yep, but I’ll miss you, Daddy.” Lily ran to hug Aaron who scooped her up in a bear hug, swinging her around.
“I’ll be home tomorrow night to tuck you in, I promise.” Aaron kissed her cheek and forehead multiple times.
“Okay.” She wiggled out of her father’s arms and ran for Gabe’s truck. “We are getting pie at the diner.”
“Yep, supper first and then pie.” Gabe rubbed his belly.
“Best behavior, Lily.” Aaron followed her to the passenger side of the truck.
“All right.” She climbed in, and Aaron buckled her into her car seat. “I love you like roses.”
“I love you like horses.” Lily giggled. “Bye, Jenna.”
“Bye Lily, I sure enjoyed our day together.” Jenna walked closer, glad she hadn’t been needed anywhere on the set, though she had items in the schedule for the next day.
Lily waved as his brother backed the truck up. “I love you, Daddy,” she yelled again from the half rolled up window as Gabe drove them away from the set.
Aaron watched until the truck had disappeared and then turned back to Jenna. He stepped closer and shook his head looking at her.
“Good-night is hard I’m sure.” She smiled.
“It is what it is, but I have to hang out here tonight.” He looked back at the camper and turned to her. “Are you hungry?”
She shrugged. “A little.”
“I need a shower first.” He led the way inside the fifth-wheel camper.
She stepped inside, it having been years since she’d been in any kind of camper. It was fairly roomy inside and to her surprise organized and clean. A lot of the crew and even some of the cast had trailers and campers parked on the other end of the set. Aaron’s camper was the one near the barn and she imagined others didn’t want to be too close to the animals.
The camper was really like a home. The living area they had stepped into had push out walls making it a bit more spacious and to the left was a kitchen with all the modern conveniences. Thick dark brown carpet covered the floor except for the tan linoleum in the kitchen. It even smelled fresh inside.
“This is nice.” She spoke as Aaron closed the door behind them.
“Yea, Gabe and I got this at a steal, and he, Jeremiah and I refurbished the whole thing ourselves.” He walked ahead of her pointing. “Console with all the hook ups, compliments of Gabe who’s an internet junkie. Kitchen with all the fixings, and television, music and books.” He pointed to a nearby book shelf, loaded with a variety of novels.
So he read. She loved it when a man read books. Funny, Aaron surprised her in so many ways. On the outside some kind of longhaired biker man and on the inside, a keen mind and tender heart.
“I had no idea you men were living in such luxury out here.” Jenna traced her thumb along the books on the shelf.
Aaron kicked out of his boots, leaving them at the door. “It’s home away from home. I’m gonna get a shower. You can read or turn on the television. I won’t be but a minute.”
“I’ll be fine.” She turned back to him, having been eyeing the books, and nearly lost her breath. He was pulling his shirt off, and she caught herself admiring his physique once again. He carried a six pack of muscles to meet a fine scattering of dark hair across his chest. Seeing him as a nurse when he’d taken the water spill was one thing but seeing him now made it more personal. She turned back to the books and moments later the water in the shower was running, giving her racing heart a break.
She turned around and eyed the inside of the camper again. She’d never stayed in a camper except as a teenager when she went camping with some friends. It was still hard to believe that three single men kept the place so nice. There were no plates lying around, no clothing on the floor, a small basket of what were probably Lily’s toys sat in the corner as the only thing that seemed out of place.
“You can help yourself to a beer or juice if you like.” Aaron called from the shower. Jenna folded her arms, the image of him showering crossing her mind. She pushed her thoughts away, heat flowing to her center.
“Sure.” She walked toward the refrigerator trying to let go of her bit of nerves. She’d kept telling herself she deserved a chance, and it was all right to let someone care for her again. And it was, wasn’t it? She opened the door and took out two beers, struggling to twist the caps on both. She took a sip of hers and set them both on the small kitchen table.
Thinking of making herself useful, she opened the cabinets and found plates and began setting the table, unsure what he had in mind for dinner. The shower stopped, sending an image of Aaron naked to the forefront of her mind once more. She took a much needed deep breath and glanced out the small kitchen window, to free her mind of the mental picture that made her pulse race. Most of the set was winding down with dusk was setting in and a few of the crew were walking about with equipment.
“What’s so interesting?” Aaron entered running a brush through his long, wet hair and wearing jeans—unbuttoned jeans. Oh God he is so sexy, I have to be dreaming.
He yanked a dark T-shirt from his shoulder and began pulling it over his head.
She found her voice with some effort. “Just looking. I set the table but wasn’t sure how I could help with the meal.”
“Won’t take but a minute.” He tossed the brush to the bedroom.
“I opened a beer for you. I hope that’s all right.” She nodded toward the table.
“It’s kind of a staple around here for Gabe and me, at least some evenings after a hard day on the set, though Jeremiah doesn’t drink.” He lifted the light beer and took a sip.
“Because of his work? That’s usually my issue.” She took a sip of her own and let the bubbles ride her tongue and swallowed.
He shook his head. “No, his parents were alcoholics, and he remembers too much. You’ll see him sip on one all night but never really drink it. I guess it is easier not to answer the questions.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
Aaron interrupted. “It’s fine. Nothing’s really a secret with any of us. I was always in foster care, don’t know anything about my parents. Don’t remember anything. Gabe remembers his mother from what he says and lots of parties and drugs. He was pretty young as well.”
“That’s such a hard life you all had until yo
u found your parents.” She added hoping that was the right way to say it. “I miss my parents most all the time. Mom died with cancer too young. And my dad died a few years ago. They had me at a much older age and sometimes I feel cheated, but I had a wonderful childhood.”
“I’m sure that’s hard.” He turned to open the refrigerator to grab what he needed. “I sometimes wonder how we would’ve ended up without Amos and Sarah. Do you eat Sushi, smoked salmon?”
“That’s fine.” She sat at one of the chairs at the table and watched as her readied what he needed. She loved sushi, but she hadn’t expected him to make it right before her. Amazing. Now she was certainly dreaming.
“So you call your parents by their first names?” She was curious if nothing else.
He placed the wooden plate and spread cold sticky rice across it, nodding. She looked on as he added the salmon and cucumber slices along with a bit of cream cheese and avocado to the roll. “When Amos and Sarah took us in, it was some time before I referred to them as my parents. I wasn’t sure that it wasn’t just another foster home for a while. Jeremiah was young, and it came natural for him to call them Mom and Dad right away, but Gabe and I were older. Amos and Sarah kind of stuck. I call Amos Pop and Sarah Mom sometimes.”
She listened, surprised at his disclosure, respecting that he was telling her part of his life that might have been difficult. He didn’t hesitate with his words at all but seemed to be thinking, not looking at her as he prepared yet another roll.
“I kept calling them Amos and Sarah, but it wasn’t ever an issue. They’re great. Really great, but until Lily came along I didn’t realize the impact of being called Daddy.” He sipped his beer and then sliced and put the sushi rolls on each of their plates.
“Well, she is a pretty amazing little girl,” she added. “She is so much like you. I think I just kept staring.”
“Thanks again for today. Sarah had to take Amos in for his check up, and it’s easier without Lily along.” He handed her chop sticks and poured soy sauce over slices of ginger into a small dish he sat between them.
“So how is your father doing?”
He picked up a slice of the sushi, dunked it in the mixture and leaned forward. “I need to call and check on him but he’s not getting any better.” He raised the chopsticks toward her, offering her the first bite along with a tender smile.
Jenna’s heart raced, being fed by him. She leaned forward, and he placed it in her mouth.
He chuckled as she grabbed her napkin and closed her mouth chewing. She wasn’t sure whether she should be embarrassed or ask for another, given his grin. The sushi was actually amazing the salmon rich and as fresh as the vegetables.
She sipped her beer to wash it down. “That’s really good. Who knew cowboys ate sushi.”
He took his own bite, chewing and swallowing hard. “Stuntman.”
She gave into a small laugh. “Yes, I have that on my phone.”
“Well, you see. There’s lots of cowboys out there but few stuntmen, and it drives the ladies wild.” He raised his eyebrows, and his green eyes sparkled with the lights of the camper.
“Is that right?” She met his gaze in match.
“Yep, makes them all but swoon, like those friends of yours at the hospital.” He took another bite of Sushi and sipped his beer.
“My friend’s think you are the hells angel type,” she kidded.
He laughed. “I’d tell you I’m sorry, but not a chance. I like kissing. A lot.”
She smiled though heat rushed her cheeks. That kiss had stolen all the breath her body had held. “No apologies needed, Stuntman.”
He took another bite and pushed the plate away, leaning back in his chair to watch her.
Jenna swallowed. “Not hungry?”
“I’m six-one and a bit heavy for what Magnus needs to jump with, cutting back a little to help.” He sipped his beer. “For every greasy burger I consume, I try to have a meal like this.”
“So the pancakes this morning call for a healthier meal tonight.” She nodded.
“Yea, that usually works. Then once we jump, it’s steaks on the house.” He smiled.
Jenna finished her sushi, leaving one piece which she used her chopsticks to lay on the plate with his leftovers. “I’ll help you clean up.” She took the plate of remaining sushi to the fridge.
He nodded and was up behind her tossing their plates in the sink and turning on the water to let everything soak. He grabbed their beers, holding them in one hand and took her by her other hand. “Come on, we’ll clean up later. I’ve got a picnic table with a view.” He handed her his coat and followed her outside.
She wrapped the coat around her shoulders and followed him to the table where he sat on top and pulled her to sit on the bench between his knees. There was something cozy about sitting there, the warmth of him around her.
“The sun’s setting, and the colors are sometimes nice.” He pulled her back against him, used both his hands to pull her hair free of his coat collar, making her shiver. Oh, God, but something in her wanted his touch so much.
“So have you had much time to work on the writing you do?” he whispered, massaging her shoulders now.
She had to focus to speak. “I work on it a little each day, some days more than others, but the current story is coming along.”
“Tell me about it.” His voice showed enthusiasm.
She turned to look at him, surprised as his interest. “Really?”
“Sure.” He shrugged.
“Well,” she began, “the current thing I’m writing is actually something I first wrote as a novel, but I’m redoing it into a script. You don’t want to hear this do you?”
“Go on.” He continued with the massage of her shoulders, and she leaned into him wanting to moan, “That feels nice. The story is more of a family saga. There are four brothers, and when I am done, I’ll have a story for each I think.”
“What time period?” he asked.
“Late eighteen-seventies.” Oh, God, his hands were amazing.
He nodded, his fingers kneading deeper.
“I have some completed stories but I really like the characters in this one.” She focused to take in a deep breath to keep talking. His touch was so much; so much of what she hadn’t had in such a long time. Somehow, she wanted to let go, melt into him, and stay in his embrace.
“Oh, maybe I am just rambling but I do work on the stories each day.” She stopped, unsure how much more to share and changed the subject. “The lights are nice. Big Sky they say. I suppose I never believed that until I got here. I describe this kind of sky in my stories.”
He didn’t say anything but continued with his massage, watching the sky with her. It was nice, being with him, so close. She rolled her shoulders and moaned in spite of herself, thinking he could likely do magic of all sorts with those fingers.
After a time she shivered, and she wasn’t sure if it was from the cold or him.
“Are you cold, we can go inside?” he offered.
She nodded. Her current chills caused her to pull his jacket fully around her but the slight scent of him lingered on the jacket, and she’d caught herself inhaling deeper. Going inside was dangerous wasn’t it especially after the sensations he’d created with the massage? Somehow, she knew it was and while she had at first run from him, overwhelmed by her own emotions, she wasn’t going to run any longer. She was worth it and she did deserve to touch and be touched, to love and be loved, and she was going inside because she wanted to…
Chapter Ten
Aaron pulled Jenna closer once they were inside, taking his coat from her and tossing it aside. The closeness was comfortable, though his mind wanted to wander to the things he shouldn’t be thinking with them alone. Ah, there would be time for that when she was ready, but he still didn’t want to let her go.
“There. Warmer?” He turned up the tiny thermostat to warm to camper, concerned as the night had turned off colder than he’d expected, even if inside him a heav
y furnace of passion had built with letting his fingers massage her shoulders and neck. And as much as he didn’t need to delve further in caring for her…he was helpless in not wanting her fully.
“I’m fine. It was a very nice day with Lily and now…with you.” Her amber eyes held his gaze for a length of time.
Was that an invite? He hesitated. The hell if he was good at reading the thoughts of a woman, but for the life of him he couldn’t resist. He kissed her, drawing her closer nibbling her tender lips until she placed her hands against his chest, clinging to his shirt. He pulled her to fit his body and deepened the kiss. She was a great kisser, parting her lips and dancing her tongue along his. It’d probably kill him to have his way with her, but that might be worth dying for. There was no way she could deny the chemistry between them, and the physical attraction for him was evident, straining against his jeans.
He scolded himself as he didn’t want to give her another reason to run from him. Time. He’d said he would go slowly but couldn’t force himself to let go as their breath tangled. He pulled away. It was best, though difficult. “I’m sorry if I’m not going slow enough…” He took a deep breath, running one hand the length of her dark hair. “God, you are beautiful.”
She glanced down and back to him, her cheeks a fine mist of pink. “Then don’t…go slow, Aaron.”
He tilted a glance at her for a moment and whispered. “This from the same woman who ran not so long ago.”
“I needed a bit of time to think, but each moment I spend with you…” She leaned into him, wrapping her arms around the girth of his chest. “I know this is right.”
In spite of himself, he took her mouth for his own and let his hands wander the curves of her body, memorizing every inch of her.
Jenna ran her fingers into his hair, and some part of him warned he should send her home without delay. But as their bodies tangled, she wrapped her legs around his hips and hung on as he consumed her neck and shoulders with urgent traces of his lips. He walked into the small bedroom, carrying her, and fell with her onto the top covers of the bed, planting himself between her thighs.