“You are the night sky over Northstar,” he murmured, skimming his fingertips under the line of her jaw to her chin, “and I am utterly dazzled by your radiance.”
The only thing that kept him from kissing her right then was a vague awareness that they had an audience that included Lindsay’s eight-year-old son. Even with their agreement to keep things mostly casual around Noah in the back of his mind, he barely resisted.
“I do hate to interrupt,” Steve remarked, “but Pat and Aelissm just pulled up over to Bill and Mary’s, so you should probably headed over.”
Henry helped Lindsay into the knee-length coat Debbie loaned her, and they bid her parents and Noah farewell with a promise to enjoy themselves and their night on the town. As Lindsay lifted the skirt of her dress and sauntered through the front door Henry held open for her, taking the open umbrella as she went, Henry gave Noah’s shoulder a squeeze with a twinge of guilt for leaving him behind. He did his best to ignore it, and as he huddled under the umbrella with Lindsay with her hand around his arm, it wasn’t too difficult. Once they were safely under the overhang of the eaves, Henry collapsed the umbrella and carefully shook the water from it away from Lindsay so he wouldn’t splatter the unprotected skirt of her dress.
“I can’t remember the last time I used one of these before I arrived here,” he remarked. “And I’m pretty sure I’ve needed one more in the last couple weeks than in my entire life.”
“You never use them in Montana?” Lindsay asked after she knocked.
“Not really. They’re damned inconvenient when you’re out working the ranch, so we just tough it out and get wet. Of course, the rain doesn’t keep coming down there like it does here. Rarely does it last more than a day or two.”
“Do you not like the rain?” she asked with a note of disappointment in her voice.
“I wouldn’t say that. It’s just a different world than I’m used to. Kind of fascinating really.”
Mary Granger opened the door wearing a beautiful mauve dress. “My, my, my, aren’t you both stunning? Come in, come in.”
Henry embraced Mary as he walked by her into her lovely house. Furnished entirely in Western style, he felt like he’d stepped out of Washington and back into Northstar and was at home in the space she had so artistically and lovingly decorated.
“It’s so good to see you again, Henry,” Mary said. “It’s been a long time.”
“Too long,” he agreed. “I’m sorry I missed the last couple trips you and Bill took out to Northstar.”
“But I hear you’ve moved back home. That’s wonderful to hear, even if your reason for leaving Denver isn’t.”
“Thank you, Mary. I’ve very much enjoyed reconnecting with my family and the ranch, but right now, I’m enjoying your hometown and the company of a certain beautiful, redheaded neighbor of yours.”
“So I see. And I hear her best friend is enjoying the company of your twin brother.”
“That’s the rumor.”
They found Pat and Aelissm standing in the living room with Bill. Aelissm’s uncle was clad in a tailored three-piece suit, but like Henry, Pat wore a tux—black with a deep emerald green vest and tie that matched his wife’s glamorous strapless gown. She was every bit as ravishing as she’d been back in the day when he’d once taken her dancing and idly entertained thoughts of dating her, perhaps even more so.
“Aelissm, you are absolutely bewitching,” he said, taking her hand to kiss her knuckles. “Are you certain you had a baby barely a month and a half ago?”
“I was up three times in the middle of the night with the proof of it, so yes, I’m certain.” She glanced up at her husband and tucked her arm around his waist, and a smile of adoration and deeply felt love softened her expression. “But thank you, Henry.”
“What a delight to see you here in Indianola, Henry,” Bill greeted. “And with our beautiful Lindsay on your arm. I hear there’s a story behind this.”
“You just keep your matchmaking tentacles to yourself, Unk,” Aelissm chided without heat. “By the looks of things, they don’t need your assistance.”
“Matchmaking tentacles?” Lindsay asked. “That sounds like a story to me.”
“Bill was rather instrumental in pushing Pat and Aelissm together,” Mary explained.
“Pushing?” Bill retorted. “It was barely a nudge.”
“Uh-huh.” Aeli rolled her eyes. “If that’s what you call sending Pat to Montana ‘on vacation’ to keep me safe from Adam, then you need to reevaluate your definition of the word nudge.”
They exchanged a few more pleasantries, but they had a ferry to catch, so they headed back out into the rain and piled into Pat and Aeli’s Suburban. The O’Neil children, Henry learned, were with Aelissm’s parents, giving them their first no-kids date night in months. On the ride to the ferry, Pat, Bill, and Mary talked about Shannon’s new career path, and Lindsay and Aelissm chatted about the challenges and joys of a new baby and the bittersweet inevitably of babies growing up too fast. Henry was content to listen, amused that Lindsay and Aeli chatted like old friends though they hadn’t had much interaction during Lindsay’s stay in Northstar. When Aeli asked her if she wanted more kids given the right situation, Henry leaned in a little closer so he didn’t miss her response.
“I was so young when I had Noah that I hadn’t even started to figure out how many kids I wanted someday or if I wanted any, and I’ve spent so long trying not to have any more that it’s strange to even think about it. But with the right man, yes, I think I would. I know Noah would love to have a brother or a sister.”
“With a brother being more likely if Mr. Right is a Mr. Hammond.”
Having known Aelissm as long as he had, he should have expected her comment and the blatant sideways glance in his direction, but it floored him, and he turned his head away as his neck and face heated uncomfortably. He swore under his breath.
Lindsay, however, didn’t miss a beat, and her response surprised him even more than Aelissm’s shameless remark.
“But Aaron has Jessie.”
No hesitation whatsoever and no balking at the idea of having children with him. Had she already considered that possibility? He snorted. The thought had already crossed his mind, so he supposed it was a good sign that it had apparently crossed hers, too.
“Yes, and she’s the first girl to be born to the Hammonds in… four generations, isn’t it, Henry?”
“Yep.”
“Beth calls it the Hammond Curse.”
“Considering that this tomboy barely knows how to be a girl herself, that might actually be a good thing.”
The comment elicited two very different aches, and again, Henry swore, but this time, Aelissm heard it.
“What’s wrong, Henry? Is our conversation making that tux a little—”
“Don’t you dare say it, Aeli,” Henry interrupted with a chuckle. “No, it’s not exactly the most comfortable conversation for me, but the reason why has little to do with what that dirty mind of yours is thinking right now.”
“That’s not to say we don’t have plans for after Shannon’s play,” Lindsay added. She walked her fingers up his chest, then smoothed her hand over his collarbone and up his neck before leaning over to kiss him soundly. “Because we do.”
“We do, but unless you want to miss the play, knock that off.”
“Tempting, but I wouldn’t want those two tickets to go unused.”
Aelissm laughed. “Henry, my friend, you’re in trouble.”
Grinning, he replied, “Maybe so, but I love it.”
* * *
Several hours later, Henry and Lindsay stood on the front walk of Bill and Mary’s house to say their goodbyes to the Grangers, Pat and his wife, sister, and parents, who’d joined them for late-night snacks out on the Grangers’ deck to celebrate Shannon’s incredible debut. Henry had met Pat’s little sister a few times when she’d come out to Northstar to visit, and he’d heard that she was musically inclined, but she’d blown him and
the capacity audience away with her powerhouse voice and emotional performance. He never would have imagined the bold confidence she’d displayed on stage to come out of the outwardly shy young woman with ivory skin, blue-flecked hazel eyes, and hair almost the exact shade of dark copper as Lindsay’s who currently stood with her arms around her brother’s and mother’s waists to thank Henry and Lindsay yet again for coming to her play.
Without dropping his hand from Lindsay’s waist, Henry leaned in to kiss Shannon’s cheek. “Congratulations, Shannon. You were amazing tonight, and I can’t wait to see what’s in your future.”
“Thank you, Henry.”
“Thank you, Bill, Mary, for an incredible night,” Lindsay said, briefly stepping away from Henry to embrace them. “And Pat and Aelissm, I can’t even begin to describe how wonderful it was to see you both again. But it’s time Henry and I head home to tackle the rest of our plans for the night.”
With a wink, Aelissm said, “We certainly don’t want to keep you. Hopefully we’ll see you back in Northstar soon?”
She slid her gaze to Henry with that last part. He nodded, and she grinned in reply.
“I hope so,” Lindsay replied, oblivious of the silent conversation between her date and his friend. “Noah’s been pestering me about it.”
“In that case… see you soon.”
They crossed the street to Henry’s truck, which he’d parked in front of the Millers’ house, and he opened the passenger door for her and helped her into the cab. She leaned out and rewarded him with a delightfully flirtatious kiss.
It was late enough that Noah would be in bed and hopefully asleep, but the lights were still on in the living room of Steve and Debbie’s house, and Henry almost popped in to thank them for providing the means for him to treat Lindsay to a night out. Remembering Debbie’s express demand that he and her daughter treat the evening like they were young lovers without a care in the world, he slid in behind the wheel of his truck and started the engine. Some of that adventurous spark Lindsay had treated him to in Northstar had returned to night, and he’d done his best to stoke it because it was good to see her set her stifling worries for a few hours.
At his rented cottage overlooking the beach, he continued his stately gentleman routine and offered his hand to help her out of the truck, and they strolled up the walkway arm-in-arm. Just before they reached the step up to the covered front porch, Lindsay stopped and turned her eyes skyward. Following her gaze, he saw that the last of the clouds had dissipated, and in the narrow clearing between the monstrous cedars that towered above the cottage, the black night sky was studded with a scattering of stars.
“What do you think of Washington?” she asked softly.
“It’s beautiful. So green. I love the trees and the beach, and the smell of the salt air is sort of magical. Why do you ask?”
“I was just wondering if you miss Northstar as much as I do.”
“Of course I miss it. Just like I missed it when I lived in Denver, but I know it’ll always be there waiting for me whenever I want to come home.”
“I miss the stars,” she murmured. “Of all the things…. It’s the stars that have remind me the most that I’m here and not in Montana with you.”
He reached out and tilted her face toward him. “But I’m right here with you.”
“For now, but you have a home and a life you’ll have to go back to. And what happens to us then?”
Because he didn’t have an answer for that—at least, not one he figured she was ready to hear just yet—he drew her body against his and kissed her deeply, willing her worries away. Then he took her hand and pulled her toward the front door, unlocked it, and closed it behind them. Flipping on the lights, he helped her out of her coat and hung it on one of the hooks beside the door. Then he took a step back, drawing her with him, leading her in the first steps of a waltz.
“What are you…?”
“Shh. Just trust me.”
At his entreaty, doubt left her, and without that tension stiffening her movements, her body became fluid grace and elegance. The beads on her dress flashed and winked as they moved across his living room to the stereo so he could turn on some music. Though she had no trouble dancing in her strappy high heels, they paused to kick off their shoes, and before long, they were gliding around the open living area. The concern that had shadowed Lindsay’s features vanished, and in its place, an open smile lit up her entire countenance. Laughter danced in her eyes, and in the absence of strain, she was breathtaking. In their time together in Northstar, she had eased his anger and pain without effort, refocusing his attention to her, and now he was glad to do the same for her.
“We move well together, don’t we?” he inquired gently.
“We do. Even though I know next to nothing about this kind of dancing.”
“I’m not talking about dancing, but yes, we move flawlessly together in that way, too. I’m talking about the way we pick each other up when we’re down when no one else can do that for us.” He leaned down to press a kiss to the curve of her neck, and she shivered. “I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I want to find out because I know what I want it to hold.”
“And what do you want it to hold, Henry?”
“The same thing that, when Aeli asked you if you wanted more kids and suggested you’d end up with boys if you married a Hammond, spurred you to question the Hammonds’ propensity for sons instead of dismissing the idea.”
Shyly, she averted her gaze. “You don’t want to marry me. I’m—”
“Faulty? Broken? Nothing more than a hot piece of ass?”
She met his gaze again, and pain flashed in her eyes.
“That’s what Max and Logan and the other men you’ve dated have tried to make you believe because they’re too goddamned stupid to see how amazing you are. The fault is theirs, Lindsay, not yours, and I cannot fathom that they could all be so blind. Especially Max. He doesn’t have a clue what he lost when he turned his back on you and Noah.” He twirled her, brought her against him, and said, punctuating each statement with a kiss on her lips, her neck, her shoulder, “You make that gown look incredible, not the other way around. You are a wonderful mother, a beautiful dancer, and an electrifying lover. You are up for every adventure I can throw at you, my family adores you, and you have become my best friend. You are the first person I want to talk to whenever I have to deal with Mel and Doug and the last thing I think about every night.”
“You believe all that? You’re not just saying it to make me blush?”
“I’ve been completely honest with you about everything else to this point, haven’t I?”
She nodded.
“Why should or would I be anything else right now? You started something amazing when you laid everything out on the table that first night at the Bedspread.” He whirled her away from him, then brought her back, splaying his hand across the small of her back and pressing their bodies tightly together. “Would you believe me if I told you that I never had much patience or passion for dancing before I met you?”
“If you hadn’t said something similar at Vince and Evie’s wedding, I might not because you seem to be thoroughly enjoying yourself right now.”
“I am, but it’s all because of you, gorgeous. I just can’t get enough of your body.”
“Is that so?”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“We need to do something about that. But not quite yet.”
“No, not yet,” he agreed. “When do you have to have that dress back? Didn’t you say it’s on loan from a friend with a shop in exchange for doing a photoshoot for advertising?”
“Yes, I did. She asked me to come by for that sometime this week, and I’ll take the dress back then. Skye’s assistant, Joel, will be taking the pictures.”
“He any good?”
“Taught by Skye and almost as naturally talented.”
“In that case, does your friend have any specific shots in mind? Do you think she’d be willing to incorpo
rate a guy with a tux?”
Lindsay eyed him. “What do you have in mind?”
“I know Pat took a few pictures of us, but it might be fun to get some professional shots, too. Think she’d be up for it if we let her use whatever shots Joel takes of us together?”
“I’m sure she’d love that, especially if you’re thinking of shots of us dancing. That’d probably be a lot more visually interesting for marketing than me by myself just standing there smiling. And with how damned fine you look in that tux… she’ll be flooded with new business.” She smiled up at him. “It says a lot to me that you want keepsakes of us together.”
“What can I say? I’m sentimental and I like to have reminders of what I love.”
Her mouth fell open at his statement, but she snapped it shut and didn’t ask for clarification. He didn’t offer further explanation. Instead, he spun her around and pulled her against him with her back pressed to his chest, stepping backwards in perfect timing to the beat of the song. She tipped her head back, laying it on his shoulder and baring her throat. He accepted the invitation and trailed kisses across every inch of skin he could reach, eliciting a shudder of pleasure from her that jammed his sex drive into gear. A fast-paced song came on the radio, and he coached her through ever more complicated steps in a pulse-pounding tango, amazed at how quickly she caught on, and let the physicality of the dance fan the flames of desire.
The steps were forgotten as seeking hands and mouths demanded more. Lindsay grabbed his tie and tugged him toward the stairs and his bedroom at the top. Impulsively, he swept her off her feet and carried her up the stairs. There was no squeal of surprise, no coy laughter, only blatant hunger in the way she kissed him as he ascended to his bedroom. Miraculously, they made it to his room without a single misstep and all their clothing still on. That didn’t last long once he set Lindsay on her feet. She had his tie loosened and off faster than he’d ever managed to do it himself, and he quickly reached around her to unzip her gown. With only a fleeting regret that the cultured segment of their date was over, he slipped the dress down her body, pausing to let her step out of it, and tossed it with as much care as his need-driven haste allowed over the footboard of the bed.
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