by Nancy Fraser
Once they’d taken their first few bites, he asked, “So, do you like being a teacher?”
The nod of her head sent her hair cascading across her shoulders. She set her sandwich down and raised her head, meeting his gaze. “I love it. I wouldn’t want to do anything else. What about you? Is being an Assistant D.A. as exciting as you’d thought it would be?”
He reached out and dabbed at the mustard on her cheek. She pulled back slightly. “Mustard,” he said before handing her the paper napkin. “And, yes, my work is exciting.”
“I’d once thought of teaching in a big city school. I even applied to the San Francisco public system.”
“What happened?”
“I turned in my application in June, and they announced budget cuts in July.”
“Ouch.”
“I figured there was less chance of the same thing happening in a smaller school system like Santa Rosa. It’s worked out well, other than the tenure issue.”
“Tenure issue?” he asked between bites of the world’s greatest corned beef.
“The teachers in Santa Rosa have been there forever. They’ll be there until they retire. Nobody with tenure ever leaves. Most teach well past normal retirement age.”
“I’d imagine some of the teachers I had are still there.”
“Did you have Alden McCarty for Social Studies?”
Wyatt nodded. Once he’d swallowed his food, he answered properly. “Meanest old bastard to ever grace a classroom.”
“He died at his desk. He was seventy-two.”
“At his desk?”
“Thankfully, after school not between classes. The janitor found him.”
They shared a properly subdued laugh at Old Man McCarty’s expense. “You know, they’re always hiring teachers in Los Angeles. If you want some big city action, you could apply there.”
She smiled at him and gave a slight shrug of her slim shoulders. “I suppose anything’s possible.”
“I was wrong yesterday,” he said.
“About?”
“About the last time I saw you.” He paused long enough to take a drink of his soda. “It was at the party my father threw for Garrett’s graduation from University.” He took a second drink to wet his suddenly dry throat. “You were wearing a yellow sundress.”
“You have an excellent memory.”
“What I remember is thinking my kid brother has all the luck.”
Her cheeks flushed. “He’s my best friend.”
“Friend? Or, boyfriend?”
“It’s complicated.” She made an elaborate show of checking her watch. “I really need to get going, if you’re done with your lunch.”
He gathered their empty paper plates and soda cans and carried them to the designated area. “I’m ready whenever you are.”
From the deli he took the long way back to Rebecca’s house. He expected she’d comment, offer up a more direct route, yet she didn’t. Instead, she relaxed back in the plush leather seat and closed her eyes. Her hand rested on her lap, her fingers drumming against her right leg in time with his preferred light jazz.
His hand itched with the urge to slide from the gear shift and tap out an accompanying rhythm on her left thigh. He thought of asking again for clarification of hers and Garret’s relationship but decided against it. She would tell him when she was ready.
In the meantime, a man could dream.
Rain spattered against the windshield. The wipers beat a fast tattoo against the glass. He pulled into the Winstons’ driveway and drove as close to the house as he could get. By the time he’d reached Rebecca’s door and opened it, his shirt was soaked clear through.
“We can wait it out a few minutes if you’d like,” he suggested. “Or, make a run for it.”
“I’d better get inside. I’ve been gone far longer than expected.” She took his offered hand and climbed out of the car. “You don’t need to walk me. Get back in the car before you drown.”
He put his arm around her shoulders and steered her in the direction of the cobblestone walkway. “I’m not going to walk you. I’m going to run you to the door.”
He rushed her forward. Past her mother’s prize winning shrubs, through the freshly tilled garden awaiting the spring plants. Water splashed around their ankles as they ran. By the time they’d reached the porch, they were drenched but laughing hysterically.
Rebecca brushed the rain from her arms. “I must look a sight.”
Wyatt lifted raindrops from her cheek with the pad of his thumb. “You look beautiful.” He threaded his fingers through her wet hair and cupped the back of her head, pulling her close. “And, I’m going to kiss you.”
She looked up at him with wide eyes. Her lower lip quivered but she didn’t pull away.
“If you do,” she said softly. “I’m going to kiss you back.”
He lowered his head. Their lips met, briefly at first, the dampness from the rain creating a unique and undeniably arousing friction. He shifted his stance, drawing her into his embrace, closing his mouth more firmly over hers.
When she parted her lips, he willingly took what she offered, deepening an already perfect kiss. When they finally came up for air, they were both breathing heavily. Rebecca clutched the front of his shirt tightly in her hands.
He pressed a kiss to the top of her damp head. “Wow.”
Wyatt could feel the brush of her forehead against his chest and realized she was shaking her head. “No, no,” she whispered. “What have we done?”
“Rebecca?”
She released the grip she’d taken on his shirt and pushed him away. “I’ve got to go inside. I never should have…” Tears filled her eyes. “I’m sorry…I…we…”
Within a heartbeat, she was gone and the door shut firmly between them.
Regret filled his chest with an ache like none he’d ever known. Not regret for kissing her. The kiss…kisses…had been wonderful. His regret stemmed from her tears…her obvious upset over what they’d shared.
Perhaps he should have prompted her for an answer about his brother’s non-proposal. Instead, he’d been selfish, content to forego proper clarification in favor of a couple of heart-stopping kisses.
He felt like a grade-A, number-one cad.
****
Rebecca threw herself face down in the middle of her bed. What in heaven’s name had possessed her? Why had she let him kiss her? And, more importantly, why had she kissed him back?
She licked her lips. Wyatt’s taste clung to her tongue.
His kisses had been so close to perfect they’d drawn her tears. The realization she’d never kissed Garrett with as much enthusiasm or desire shocked her.
The attraction she felt for Wyatt was undeniable. She’d enjoyed every moment, every touch of his lips to hers. If he did everything with such skill, making love with him would be heavenly. And, no doubt, anything but routine.
How had things become so complicated in less time than it usually took her to grade her students’ spelling tests?
In a matter of a few hours, she’d gone from a semi-content, almost-but-not-quite engaged, steady girlfriend of one brother to a woman who desired the other brother. A woman who willingly kissed said brother with every ounce of passion she could muster…given she was soaking wet and had barely stopped laughing before he’d pressed his lips to hers.
And kissed her. Thoroughly.
Rebecca pushed herself from the bed and stripped away her wet clothes. She needed a warm shower and a hot cup of cocoa. Chocolate always helped her think.
Given all she had to think about, she might need to add marshmallows.
Chapter Four
Rebecca removed her hat and light jacket and hung them in the front coat closet. She drew a deep breath for strength and then turned toward her mother. “You did what?”
“I invited Garrett and his family for Sunday dinner.”
“Without asking me first?”
Heloise shot her a glare. “I wasn’t aware I needed your permi
ssion to invite people into my own home.”
A stab of remorse…shame…swept through her. Her anxiousness over seeing Wyatt again had made her rude and thoughtless. “I’m sorry, Mother.” She offered her mother an apologetic smile. “It’s just…with Mr. Langley in the hospital…and Garrett so busy with his regular patients. I’m surprised he accepted.”
“It wasn’t Garrett I talked to. It was Christina. She was more than eager to accept.” Her mother chuckled. “Heaven knows it saves her from making dinner herself.”
“She has a cook,” Rebecca pointed out.
“Not on Sundays. It’s the one day her staff is not required to work.”
When her mother started toward the oversized kitchen, Rebecca followed in her wake. “I suppose you’ll need my help with the meal.”
“That would be nice, dear.”
Rebecca withdrew one of her mother’s aprons from the drawer and tied it around her waist. “What are we going to make?”
“I have a nice beef roast already in the oven.” Heloise nodded toward the sink. “You can start peeling potatoes.”
****
The doorbell rang promptly at four. Rebecca discarded the flour-coated apron on the countertop and brushed her hands over the pleats of her dress. She’d been dreading this event all day. Now that their guests had arrived, she wanted nothing more than to feign illness and hide in her bedroom. A distinct knot formed in the very pit of her stomach.
Not only did she have her mother’s customary grilling of her and Garrett to worry about but, now, she also had Wyatt’s presence with which to contend. She felt far more comfortable with the first problem than she did the latter.
She arrived in the foyer just as her mother was closing the door behind the last Langley. “Rebecca, dear,” her mother said, her voice dripping with sugar, “you remember Garrett’s big brother, Wyatt, don’t you.”
“Yes, of course. We’ve actually run into one another a few times in the past two days.”
Ever the gentleman, Garrett took her mother’s arm and ushered her toward the living room. “Wyatt’s actually done me a favor by driving Becca back and forth to the hospital. I get there and can’t seem to get away.” Once they’d taken their seats, he added, “Can’t have my Becca taking a taxi, now can I?”
Rebecca perched on the arm of the sofa closest to were Garrett sat, only then realizing her mistake. The spot put her in Wyatt’s direct line of sight, and him in hers. Short of closing her eyes, there was no way to avoid his stare or the way he supressed an outright grin behind tightly pursed lips.
Albert Winston shifted in his seat. “So, Wyatt, how long are you here?”
“Approximately three weeks. If my dad’s health requires it, I’ll stay longer.”
“He’s been a godsend,” Christina added. “And just the handiest to have around.”
Wyatt’s shoulders lifted and fell on a sigh likely not seen by anyone but Rebecca. She met his gaze and bit her lower lip to keep from laughing outright.
In turn, he shot her a teasing glare.
Their ability to communicate so easily with nothing more than a glance set butterflies loose in her stomach. She’d never had such profound reaction to any man, not even Garrett during their full-on romantic college years.
Lost in thought, it was a moment or two before she realized her mother was calling to her from the kitchen. “Excuse me,” she said, standing. “Supper must be ready.”
“Are you okay, Becca?” her mother asked the moment she stepped through the kitchen door.
Rebecca took the casserole dish from her mother’s hands. “Yes, of course.”
“You seem preoccupied. You barely responded when Garrett asked you about your art fair.”
“I…uh…” How could she admit she didn’t even remember him asking?
“I see they brought two cars. No doubt he plans to take you on your usual Sunday drive. Maybe he’ll finally pop the question.” Her mother stifled an outright show of excitement behind her usual ladylike exterior. The contradiction made Rebecca smile.
“I’m pretty sure he’s not going to propose.”
Heloise held out a second serving dish. “Take these to the dining room and then come back for the dinner rolls.”
Rebecca stopped just short of the dining room door. “No talk of engagements at the table, Mother.”
Her mother raised her hands in surrender. “Not a peep.”
The seating arrangement couldn’t have been any worse. With her mother and father at opposite ends of the table, and Christina and her son on one side, Rebecca found herself sandwiched between Garrett and Wyatt.
A place most women would no doubt envy. For her it was going to be an hour or so of nervous anticipation. On one side, she had the man she’d known her entire adult life. The man everyone thought would become her husband.
At her other side, she had Wyatt. The sensual heat radiating from his body was enough to send her senses skyrocketing. The occasional brush of his thigh against hers stoked those senses even higher.
Distracted by thoughts of Wyatt and how he affected her, she nearly jumped out of her skin when Garrett closed his hand over hers and squeezed gently. “I hope you’ll forgive me, Becca, but I have to beg off our evening drive.”
“Of course,” she said. “If there’s something…” Her words trailed off when Wyatt gave her leg an intentional bump with his. The memory of his husky laugh echoed through her head. Was he taunting her because his brother was ditching her yet again?
“I want to check on my dad. And, I have another couple of patients due to go home tomorrow.”
She pulled her hand from where Garrett still held it and placed it over his. “Whatever you need to do. I’ve got some papers I can grade and a lesson plan to review.”
Garrett leaned close and brushed a chaste kiss across her cheek. “You’re a peach, Becca. Thanks so much for understanding.”
When Garrett turned to speak to her father, Wyatt leaned close. “That’s not exactly the kiss I would have given you.”
She cast a quick glance in his direction but said nothing. He bumped her knee a second time and chuckled beneath his breath. When she raised her gaze, her mother was staring at her as if she had two heads.
Had she overheard Wyatt’s comment? Or, was her mother disappointed that she’d not put up more of a fuss over Garrett’s dismissal of their standing Sunday drive?
Garrett excused himself once they’d had dessert. Wyatt, Christina, and Toby left shortly after so they could reach the hospital before the end of visiting hours.
Rebecca gathered a handful of dishes and carried them into the kitchen. Her mother stood at the counter scraping plates into the garbage disposal with an unusual amount of force.
“You think I should have shown some disappointment over Garrett’s leaving early, don’t you?”
Heloise shook her head. “No.” She set the thoroughly scraped plate aside. “He’s a busy doctor. He has important responsibilities.”
“I know you were counting on—” Her mother’s drawn-out sigh stopped Rebecca’s words in their tracks.
“So, it was Wyatt you were kissing on the porch yesterday.”
“What?” She drew a quick breath and held it, certain she was about to be thoroughly scolded.
“I wasn’t spying, if that’s what you’re thinking. I heard a car so I peeked out the window. I saw you wrapped in a man’s arms and engaged in a very lengthy and, no doubt, improper kiss.” A second plate landed heavily atop the first. “I had a feeling it wasn’t Garrett at the time, but I kept telling myself the darker hair was only a result of being drenched by the rain.”
“And so you assume it was his brother.”
“You might think me an old fuddy-duddy, my dear, but I know tension when I see it. Not to mention the fact, as Garrett said himself, Wyatt’s been driving you back and forth in his stead.”
Rebecca swallowed back her embarrassment and asked, “What do you mean tension?”
“
He leaned over and whispered something in your ear. I couldn’t hear what he said, but your cheeks flushed and you held your breath. Obviously, it was something provocative and inappropriate.”
“It wasn’t—ˮ
“You should both be ashamed of yourselves. You for cheating on the man you’re supposed to love. And what’s even worse, he’s trying to carp his brother’s girl.”
“I’m sorry if I’ve disappointed you, but it’s not Wyatt’s fault.”
“Really? He kisses his brother’s almost fiancée, and he’s not at fault?”
“As hard as this may be for you to hear, Mother, there is no almost fiancée. Garrett and I have never seriously discussed marriage. As a matter of fact, our last conversation along those lines was nearly four years ago not long after his second year of medical school.”
“But…I thought…”
“The truth of the matter is, we’ve been slowly drifting apart for the better part of the last two years. He cancels more dates than he keeps, and I understand and accept that. It doesn’t bother me.”
“He loves you,” Heloise argued. “And I know you love him.”
“We do love each other. Just not in the way we should.”
Her mother turned toward the sink and busied herself with running the water for the first load of dishes. Just when Rebecca thought the subject was dropped, Heloise asked, “Do you love Wyatt?”
She paused, choosing her words carefully. “I have feelings for him. I’m just not sure what they are. It’s far too early to call them something as serious as love.”
“You haven’t done anything…uh—ˮ
“No. Of course not. It was only the one, very nice kiss.”
“What do you plan to do?” Heloise asked.
Rebecca released a long sigh. “Absolutely nothing until I’ve had a chance to talk to Garrett. Besides, Wyatt goes back to Los Angeles in a couple of weeks. It’s doubtful anything more than that kiss will happen between us while he’s here.”
“Maybe you and Garrett can still work this out.”
“I think Garrett will agree…it’s time to pull the plug on this relationship and move on. No matter who it’s with. We’re only stifling each other’s lives by hanging on to something that’s going nowhere.”