Mom In The Making

by Carla Cassidy

  Russ quickly introduced Bonnie to his neighbor, who, he explained, watched Daniel for him whenever Russ needed her to. “I told him not to climb the tree without you being here,” Mrs. Garfield declared. “But Daniel wouldn’t listen to me.”

  “It’s fine, Mrs. Garfield. Thanks for coming over.” Russ smiled warmly at her. With a nod to both of them, Mrs. Garfield left.

  “Daniel, Miss Baker is here. It’s time to come down and wash up for dinner.”

  “I’m not hungry,” Daniel’s voice drifted down from the top of the tree. “I don’t wanna come down.”

  Russ shot Bonnie an apologetic look. “First the divorce and his mother leaving, then the move... it’s been hard on him.” He walked to the bottom of the tree. “Daniel, Bonnie is our guest.”

  There was a moment of silence, then the rustle of leaves as Daniel descended the tree. He landed on his feet in front of them, his face smudged with dirt and his dark, curly hair in disarray.

  “I’d say a bath is in order before dinner,” Russ observed.

  Daniel opened his mouth, obviously to protest.

  “A bath,” Russ repeated firmly.

  “How about something to drink?” Russ asked when they were back in the kitchen, Bonnie seated at the table, with Daniel upstairs taking a bath. “I’ve got some red wine.”

  “Sounds good,” Bonnie replied. “Can I help do anything?”

  “No. It will just take a minute for me to boil the spaghetti.” He poured her a glass of the wine, placed a large pot of water on the stove, then joined her at the table. “Brenda Jo tells me you’re doing a good job helping her at the station.”

  Something about the setting, the coziness of the kitchen, the intimacy of sitting next to Russ scared her. “It’s something to do until the next inheritance check comes,” she replied flippantly, then instantly wished she could recall the words.

  “Yeah, I’ll bet you can’t wait to jump on a jet and get out of this provincial town,” he said dryly, his eyes darkening.

  “At the moment I’m in no hurry to leave Casey’s Corners.” She sipped her wine, looking at him thoughtfully. “Why did you invite me to dinner tonight? It can’t be because you wanted to spend time with me—it’s obvious you don’t like me very much.”

  He flushed slightly, disconcerted by her question. “I didn’t like the fact that you’d gotten a negative impression of Daniel, and, I have to admit, you fascinate me, Princess.”

  “You must fascinate easily,” she returned with a wry grin.

  “And I know why you agreed to have dinner with me.” He stood and returned to the pot of now-boiling water, and efficiently added the noodles. “You’re fascinated with me, too.”

  Bonnie nearly spit out her mouthful of wine at his confident words. Before she could recover, he continued.

  “I figure it’s the old thing of opposites attracting.” He turned back and looked at her, his gaze assessing. “Of course, if we ever decided to do anything crazy like date, we’d probably kill each other inside of a week.”

  Bonnie laughed. “As if I’d ever agree to date you in the first place.”

  “As if I’d ask you in the first place,” he countered.

  “Is it time to eat?” Daniel walked into the kitchen, his presence effectively stopping their contentious conversation.

  Dinner was an odd experience. Daniel alternated between sullenness and belligerence. She was surprised Russ never lost his temper, never raised his voice with the boy. The spaghetti was superb, and Russ kept her entertained with stories about the lighter side of his police work in Chicago.

  She envied him the pride he took in his work, the sense of purpose that obviously filled his life. They talked about politics, and as a staunch liberal she wasn’t surprised to discover him a loyal conservative.

  “Why don’t you two go in and play a video game while I clean up the dishes?” Russ suggested when they had finished eating.

  “Oh, no, I should help with cleanup,” she protested.

  He grinned. “I’ve seen you dry dishes, and it wasn’t a pretty sight. Besides, you’re my guest. Go on, get out of here.”

  Reluctantly Bonnie followed Daniel into the living room, where he inserted a game into the video machine and handed her a paddle. “You like to play video games?” she asked brightly.

  He shrugged, not dignifying her with an answer. Instead he focused his attention on the TV screen.

  “So what do you like to do besides play video games?” she asked, once again trying to make conversation. Again he ignored her. “Is there anything else you like to do when you aren’t being a social butterfly?”

  “You’re dumb.”

  Bonnie grinned. “I’m not too dumb—I made you talk.”

  He scowled. “You’re stupid.”

  “And you’re rude,” she countered. “But that’s okay. There are moments when I’m rude, too.”

  They took turns playing the game for a few minutes in silence, and she felt him glower at her several times. He was definitely an unpleasant kid, Bonnie thought. He didn’t even attempt to be civil to her. She wondered if he was unpleasant to everyone or if it was something personal with her. When she was about to beat his score, he abruptly shut off the machine. He leaned back against the sofa and glared at her.

  “I don’t like you,” he stated.

  “You aren’t exactly impressing me, either.”

  He nodded slightly, almost as if he was satisfied with her answer. “I’m going up to my room.” Without another word, he stood and raced up the stairs.

  Bonnie sat for a long moment, wondering if eight was too young to induct a boy into the army. The kid could definitely use some discipline or something. Thank goodness it wasn’t her problem.

  She looked up as Russ came in. “What happened to Daniel?” he asked.

  “He had some things he wanted to do in his room. I told him to go ahead.” Bonnie wasn’t about to tattle on the kid for his poor manners.

  “How about a cup of coffee out on the swing?” Russ suggested.

  “That sounds great.”

  “Let me just check on Daniel, then I’ll bring the coffee outside.”

  Bonnie walked out the front door as Russ went up the stairs. The sun had set, pulling a blanket of darkness onto the sky. There were no stars, and the air was thick and heavy, scented with flowers and the underlying promise of a late-night storm.

  Sitting down on the swing, Bonnie wondered what she was doing there. Why was she having coffee with a man she wasn’t sure she liked, a man who didn’t seem to realize he had the child from hell?

  She’d done some crazy things in her life. Two years before she’d run with the bulls in Spain. She’d scubadived in shark-infested waters and parachuted out of a tiny plane that had been going down. But none of those seemed as crazy as her being here in Russ’s house. Those other things had placed her body at risk, but being here with Russ somehow threatened her heart, and that was something she’d never before allowed. Always before, if she’d felt her heart getting involved, she’d run as fast and as far away as possible.

  You’re being ridiculous, she chided inwardly. Her heart wasn’t about to become involved with Russ and his wayward kid. Russ had said it earlier: what she felt was a certain attraction to an opposite. She was fascinated by him, but certainly not about to become involved emotionally with him.

  He stepped outside, a mug of coffee in each hand. “Hmm, smells like rain,” he murmured as he held out one of the mugs to her.

  When she’d taken it, he eased down beside her on the swing, his thigh pressed warmly against her own. “Maybe the rain will cool things off,” she replied, trying to ignore the heat that swept over her, that had nothing to do with the night air and everything to do with Russ’s closeness.

  “August rains seldom cool things off.” Russ leaned back in the swing, causing it to sway gently.

  “Tell me about your family, Russ. Are your parents still alive?” She wanted conversation, anything to distract h
er from his closeness.

  “There isn’t much to tell. My father is dead, but my mom lives in Chicago, in the same house where I was born.”

  “Are you close to her?”

  He grinned. “She threatens to ground me if I don’t call her at least once a week.” He looked at her for a long moment. “I gather you weren’t close to your parents.”

  Bonnie laughed, recognizing a touch of bitterness in her laughter. “I was closer to the cook, and she hated me.” She took a sip of her coffee and stared reflectively at the night-blackened sky. “I didn’t seem to fit anywhere. Sam was the only son and followed my father into his business. Carolyn worked her tail off to gain Father’s respect by also going into the business. Colleen was the baby, and probably the smartest of us all. She turned her back on the entire Baker empire. She’s now a social worker on Long Island.”

  She shrugged and laughed again. “It’s no big deal. We all managed to survive without our parents’ love and nurturing.” Raising her chin slightly, she eyed Russ defiantly. “I learned not to need anyone except Garrison.”

  “Garrison?”

  Bonnie grinned. “Garrison Fielder, my father’s partner and the one who cuts my inheritance checks.”

  Russ shook his head. “What on earth would you have done if you hadn’t been born rich?”

  “I would have learned to travel coach instead of first-class.”

  He laughed, then drained his cup of coffee and set it on the porch next to the swing. “Oh, Princess.”

  The laughter faded and instead of mirth, desire darkened his eyes. Before she had time to prepare, or even guess his intentions, his lips descended toward hers as his arms enfolded her and drew her nearer.

  His mouth moved hungrily against hers. There was nothing tentative, nothing hesitant, in the way his lips claimed hers. She tasted his hunger, and it evoked a like emotion in her. Allowing her coffee cup to drop to the porch with a thud, she wound her arms around him. He moaned, his tongue deepening the kiss as his hands tangled in her hair.

  Heat suffused her, centering in a ball of flames in the pit of her stomach as his tongue danced with hers in a battle of raw desire. It was a kiss like no other Bonnie had ever experienced. It jangled every nerve ending, banished every other thought out of her mind, stirred her very soul.

  Finally he drew away from her, and Bonnie stared at him. “Oh, my,” she managed to gasp. She stood up and stumbled to the edge of the porch. “I... I think I’d better get home.”

  “Bonnie, don’t go.” He leaned forward and raked a hand through his hair, then looked at her again. “I don’t think either of us can deny there’s something strong between us.” He held up a hand to still her protest, then stood up and approached her. “Bonnie, I felt your heartbeat racing when I kissed you.”

  “You caught me off guard, that’s all.”

  “Is this your usual habit, Bonnie? To stir up a man, then run?”

  “I’m not running,” she protested. “I’m just going home. It’s late, and I’m tired.” She flushed as he eyed her knowingly.

  He sighed in defeat. “Let me get my keys. I’ll drive you back.”

  “That’s not necessary. It’s not that far, and I really feel like walking.” She moved down the porch steps to the sidewalk. “Thanks for dinner, Russ.”

  “Sure.” He leaned against the banister, his eyes glittering darkly in the night. “Bonnie, it was just a kiss.”

  “I know that,” she snapped.

  “It wasn’t a proposal of marriage or anything like that.”

  “Like I’d accept a proposal of marriage from you,” she retorted.

  “Like I’d offer one.” He snorted disdainfully.

  She refused to dignify his answer with a response. Instead she whirled around and headed down the street. She slowed her footsteps, refusing to let him see her hurry away, not wanting him to notice that she was in any way affected by his kiss. Drat the man anyway. He was the most arrogant, obnoxious man she’d ever met.

  When his house was out of sight, she picked up her pace, anger giving way to wonder. Who would have thought it? She touched her lips, remembering the heat, the hunger, of his kiss. Who would have thought that a briefs kind of guy would kiss like a wild and crazy boxers fellow?

  Chapter Six

  “How was dinner last night?” Carolyn asked.

  “Fine.” Bonnie eyed the toaster irritably, wondering why there were mornings when it seemed to take forever for the bread to pop up.

  “Just fine?” Carolyn eyed her curiously.

  “He fixed spaghetti. It was good. We ate, then I came home.” The bread popped up and Bonnie grabbed it. She busied herself buttering it, ignoring Caro’s speculative gaze. She carried the toast to the table and plopped down across from her sister. “It wasn’t a date—it wasn’t a big deal.”

  Carolyn sipped her coffee, her gaze remaining on Bonnie. “Is somebody a little cranky this morning?”

  “I suppose I am a little,” Bonnie agreed with an apologetic smile. “I’m really tired. I didn’t sleep well last night.” She took a bite of toast. “It must have been the storm.”

  “It was quite a storm,” Carolyn agreed. “I didn’t know the wind could blow so hard. I heard on the radio a little while ago that electrical lines are down all over town. I’m glad we have power.”

  “I know the wind was fierce. I was afraid I’d wake up in the munchkinland.”

  At that moment the twins yelled from their room. Carolyn laughed and stood up. “Ah, speaking of munchkins, there they are now. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” She left the kitchen and disappeared down the hallway.

  Bonnie ate quickly, glancing at the clock and realizing it was time for her to leave for work. She went into the twins’ bedroom, where Carolyn was changing Trent’s diaper, while Brent jabbered and jumped impatiently in his crib. “I’ve got to get to work. I’ll see you tonight.”

  “Would you do a favor for me?” Carolyn finished the diapering.

  “If the favor has anything to do with me touching that dirty diaper, the answer is no.”

  Carolyn laughed and tossed the soiled diaper in the trash can. “I’m planning a barbecue next weekend for Beau’s birthday. Sunday afternoon, around two o’clock. Would you invite Russ and Daniel for me?”

  Bonnie controlled the frown that tried to take over her features. “Why me? Can’t you just call him or something?”

  Carolyn looked at her in surprise. “I just thought you could mention it when you see Russ at work today, but if you don’t want to, I’ll call him.”

  “No, it’s okay,” Bonnie replied, realizing she’d overreacted to a simple request. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it. See you tonight.” Waving a quick goodbye, she left the house.

  As she walked down the sidewalk, evidence of the late-night storm was everywhere. Leaves littered the ground, pounded by rain or blown out of the trees. Despite the fact that the rain hadn’t cooled things off, a fresh, clean scent hung in the air. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the sweetness.

  Bonnie had lied when she’d told her sister the storm had kept her awake. In reality, it had been the kiss. That damnable kiss had kept her tossing and turning all night long. It had sparked with electricity, snapped with energy and touched her like no other she’d ever experienced. The fierce storm that had raged for over an hour in the middle of the night couldn’t compare with the intensity of that damned kiss. There had been nothing artful in Russ’s kiss, only raw emotion that had demanded a response. And God, how she had responded.

  Even now the memory had the power to curl her toes, weaken her knees, warm her throughout. She kicked at a rain-sodden leaf in her path.

  Russ had said last night that something was obviously at work between them, something powerful. Lust? Certainly she felt a physical attraction to the man. Was it more than mere physical attraction?

  As much as she hated to, she had to admit she liked his wit. Few men in her life had been able to spar verbally wi
th her and win.

  As the station came into view, she slowed her footsteps. Thank God she wouldn’t have to face Russ until two, when he came on duty. By then she would have a tight rein on her emotions. She’d run last night, confused by the feelings his kiss had evoked. Her head was clearer this morning, despite her lack of sleep. She could accept the fact that she was physically attracted to Russ, but she knew she could allow the attraction to go no further, no deeper, than sheer lust.

  She and Russ were all wrong for each other. Hell, if put in a room alone together for an hour, they’d probably kill each other...or make delicious love. Her mind filled with a vision of the two of them naked and in each other’s arms. “Stop it,” she hissed to her traitorous mind as she walked into the station.

  “Okay, I’ll stop,” Brenda Jo said. “But what am I supposed to stop?”

  Bonnie laughed. “Nothing. I was talking to myself.” She looked at Brenda Jo curiously. In the past week of working together, she and Brenda Jo had discussed many things, but Brenda had never mentioned a husband or boyfriend. “Brenda Jo, do you have a significant other?”

  Brenda Jo frowned. “A significant other what?”

  “You know... husband, boyfriend, important person in your life, lover.”

  “Sure, I’ve got a boyfriend.” Her cheeks flushed an uncharacteristic pink. “You know Lloyd Kingburg?”

  “The produce guy at the grocery store?” Bonnie asked incredulously.

  Brenda Jo nodded, her blush deepening. “We’ve been seeing each other for almost five years. We’re planning on getting married as soon as we can afford it. Right now Lloyd is putting three of his children through college and he refuses to marry me until he can give me a honeymoon in Paris.” She tilted her head and eyed Bonnie curiously. “Why all the questions? You having man trouble?”

  “Hardly. I don’t have a man to give me trouble.”

  “That’s not what I hear.” Brenda Jo grinned knowingly.

  “Whatever you’ve heard, it’s not true. That kiss between Russ and me meant absolutely nothing.”