by Maree, Kay
Callie blew out a low whistle. I can’t even imagine what that would be like. I’ve only ever lived in two places . . . well, three if you count the first place I lived in with my husband.”
Cody gave her a hard stare. A mixture of emotions passed behind his blue eyes. She longed to know what he was thinking but didn’t know him well enough to ask.
“What happened with your husband?” he asked finally.
“Well, he’s my ex-husband now.” She offered a sad smile. “I don’t know. Drifted apart,, I guess. Married too young. Having the kids was hard on him. He wanted his career and the lifestyle that went with it; that didn’t really include having a family. I suppose he fell out of love with me.”
“Do you believe that?”
“What?”
“That people fall in and out of love?”
“I do. I used to believe that marriage was forever. When Adam and I married, I never dreamed I’d be where I am now. I always told myself I would work on it, no matter what. Know what I mean?” She didn’t wait for him to answer before continuing. “In the end, there’s not much point working on a marriage when the other party just isn’t interested anymore. When I came back out here, it just felt like that was the end, everything kind of dissolved. Know what I mean?”
He stared off into the distance as he spoke. “I don’t know. I’ve never been in love.”
“Maybe you just haven’t met the right person yet.”
Taking another swig of his beer, he leaned back against the chair and caught her eye. “Maybe. Perhaps my idea of being in love is much like your own, that you make it work no matter what. Or maybe that’s just pie in the sky, bullshit.”
“Mum, I’m finished. Can I play my game now?” Austin called from the doorway, disrupting the moment.
“I’ll have to take a look first.”
“What games have you got, buddy?”
“My dad bought me the latest Ricochet Buck Shooter, wanna play with me?”
Cody turned back to Callie, waiting for permission, which she gave with a nod of her head and a laugh. “You boys are all the same. Go on. I’ve got to get dinner cooked anyway.”
~*~
Friday night’s routine consisted of pizza for dinner, followed by a movie. They would each settle into a beanbag; more often than not, Grace would be asleep before the second ad-break. Austin would usually take himself to bed before the movie reached the end. Leaving Callie to watch the remainder of the show alone.
“Would you like to stay and watch the movie with us?” Callie asked, not wanting to lose Cody’s company already.
“Sure. Do we have popcorn?”
Austin glared hard at him before turning his gaze to his mother. “Mum doesn’t let us eat after dinner.”
“Oops.” He raised his hand to his mouth in mock shock. “My bad. Sorry, Mum.”
Callie laughed and led the way to the lounge room. After a few minutes of squabbling over who got to have the best beanbag, even though they were identical, the kids settled in. Callie made herself comfortable on the couch, and Cody sat beside her. Close. So close, they were almost touching but not quite. If she just relaxed her legs a little, their knees would hit. Her hands rested on her thighs. He could easily reach over and loop his with hers, but he didn’t. He kept to himself. A perfect gentleman, although she found herself thinking more about him than the movie.
As the credits rolled, Austin excused himself. Callie hit the power on the television remote, leaving nothing but Grace’s soft snores to fill the room.
“Will you be alright with her?” Cody asked, pointing to the sleeping child.
“Yeah, I’ll wake her, and she will take herself to bed, then tell me in the morning, she watched the whole movie.”
Cody chuckled softly. “Thanks for inviting me to stay. It’s nice to feel like part of a family for a while.”
“Thanks for staying,” Callie replied softly, suddenly feeling enveloped by the silence.
“Maybe I can cook for you tomorrow?”
“Wow, that would be nice. Thank you. I don’t remember the last time someone cooked for me.” Adam had never cooked her anything, not even a slice of toast. He had been big on dinners at fancy restaurants without the kids. Whereas Callie often longed for a nice romantic dinner at home. It could still be romantic with the kids around. Anyway, what was she doing, thinking about romance? That wasn’t what she was looking for. Was it?
“Well, I better let you get to bed then,” Cody said, abruptly rising to his feet.
“I’ll see you out,” she replied, rising to stand beside him.
“No need.” His gaze fell back to Grace. “You’ve got sleeping beauty to deal with.” His hand squeezed her shoulder, and she hoped he might lean in for a kiss. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Then, just like that, he was gone. Leaving her with nothing but the wish she had done something to stop him.
Callie
It was Sunday morning, and the event was closing in on her. In just a few short weeks, the place would be teeming with people, and she still had so much to organise. Having Cody around the last few weeks had freed her up for the office work she needed to do. The list was endless, though; phone calls, printing, contracts, and orders.
Opening her wardrobe, she reached for her skirt and blouse. Business attire today. Her father always told her, “Dress for the job at hand.” That was why he was the only man seen around Harlow’s Bend sporting a suit and tie. Initially, the townfolk thought of it as a bit of a joke, but they soon changed their tune when the tourist dollars started flushing into town. Several businesses even struck up on the back of Carrillo’s rodeos. Vin Carrillo soon earned the respect he deserved.
Tying her hair into a low bun, she made her way to the kitchen and grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl on the table. That would see her through until lunchtime. Cody had come by every evening for dinner in the past week, even offering to cook for her and the kids several times. He was great company, easy to talk to, and easy on the eye.
To keep business and home life separate, she had set up her office at the arena. It meant she would need to drive the almost one kilometre to the showground, but it was all part of her property. As she made her way to the car, something caught her eye. Just a flash. She knew the kids would still be in bed asleep. They had to rise early each morning to take the bus to school, so they made the most of their Sunday morning sleep-ins. Taking the extra steps, she rounded the corner of the house to the yard.
Blinking several times, she could barely believe her eyes as she spotted Austin, saddled proudly atop Marla, Cody at his side. Austin had never shown the slightest interest in horses. He was more academically minded, like his father, she supposed. They had all tried to encourage him to ride, but he had never learned. Now right before her eyes, Cody appeared to be teaching him.
Picking her way across the gravel in her office shoes, she leaned against the railing and watched as Austin tugged the reins, and Cody led Marla around the yard. When Cody looked up and noticed her watching, he offered her a wink and a nod. Her heart skipped a beat.
“What on earth?” she mouthed.
“Oh, hi, Mum.” Austin turned and waved before shakily turning back to his steed. The smile on his face was priceless. He had taken his parents’ separation very hard. It was he who constantly asked when they were moving back to the city, or if he could go back and live with his dad. She guessed he needed a father-figure in his life. She failed to see how Adam could ever fill that role.
“You’re doing great, buddy,” she smiled, calling back to him.
Cody brought Marla to a halt and reached up, Austin leaned forward as the older man whispered something in his hear, and Austin nodded. He turned and looked at his mum before Cody jogged over to her.
“I hope you don’t mind. Austin asked if I could give him a few lessons.”
“Mind? Not at all. I’ve been trying to get him in the saddle his whole life. How
did you manage it?”
Cody shrugged. “He just asked while we were playing his game yesterday.”
“I am amazed. Well done.”
“Are you off to work?” His eyes flitted over her, warming her skin.
“Yep. Hopefully, just a few hours. I thought the kids were still asleep. I wanted to get some stuff done before they woke.”
“Well . . .” he gestured to Austin.
Callie chuckled. “Well, obviously not.”
“I can keep an eye on them if you like. Until you’re done.”
“Thanks.” She smiled.
“My pleasure.” His smile lit up his face, and she felt his eyes on her as she turned away.
Callie loved that Cody had fitted in so well with her family. It just seemed perfect, like he belonged there. When she divorced Adam, she thought she would be alone forever, after all, who would want a divorcee with two kids, and the encumbrance of the estate? It wasn’t like she was stinking rich, and her body wasn’t what it used to be before twins. Now, she was beginning to think, just maybe there might be something with Cody. Not that he had made any moves, but the way he looked at her. The way it felt when they worked side-by-side with ease, when their hands would accidentally brush each other. Surely he felt it too.
~*~
“Do you want another drink before you head back to the quarters?” she asked Cody. “It’s kinda nice having some adult company.”
Cody’s gaze fell to the lounge room where the kids were settling in. Perhaps he’d prefer to have a movie night with them. “Sure,” he said with a smile, before reaching for the half bottle of wine, still set on the kitchen table. “Lead the way.”
The night was warm, and crickets chirped in the distance. As she often did, Callie switched on the radio, allowing the soft sounds to radiate out into the darkness. Soon, Carrillo Estate would be teaming with people. Staff and contractors, all were pouring in for the rodeo, disrupting her peace. She didn’t mind the busy times; it kept her mind off all the things she didn’t want to reflect on. Her failed marriage, her father’s passing, her son’s desire to leave Harlow’s Bend.
“I like your kids,” Cody stated as he poured her a fresh glass of wine.
“Do you want them?” she asked with a laugh before back-peddling. “Y’know I’m joking. Austin really misses his dad. Keeps holding out for him to come and take him back to the city.” Cody’s brows raised high on his forehead at her revelation. “He’s not coming,” she added sadly. “He just won’t see it. I think he likes having you around, though.” She let that hang in the air a few moments before adding. “I do too.”
Cody let go of his breath with a sigh, and she knew she’d said too much. She didn’t want to pressure him or make him feel like he had to stay. She knew he wouldn’t, but deep down couldn’t help but wish he might.
“Do you want to dance?” he asked, his question taking her by surprise.
“Sure, I might be a little rusty, it’s been a while.”
“I’m no Fred Astaire darlin’, don’t worry,” he said with a wry smile before rising to his feet and holding out his hand.
Placing her own in his, she noticed his warmth as he pulled her in close to his body. The music hummed away with its inane tune, something about love or losing love, but weren’t they all? She softened into him as he tugged her close, and his arm slipped low around her back. It was the closest they had been, on purpose, aside from when they were working in the yard and bumped into each other. His body felt hard against hers, and it made her tingle all over. A sensation she was sure she would never feel again. She wasn’t sure it had felt like this the first time.
Cody’s warm breath fell over her ear, and his heart beat hard against her chest. She felt at home in his embrace, like she had finally found someone who really got her. Closing her eyes, she willed this moment to last forever.
When the music paused between songs, she pulled away from him slightly to find his hooded blue eyes peering down at her. She wasn’t sure who made the first move, but within seconds his lips descended on hers, moving softly, slowly at first, savouring her as she was him.
It wasn’t long before their soft kisses deepened, her fingers tangling in his hair, trying desperately to pull him closer as if she could. His warm hand worked its way around behind her, gripping her butt and pulling her thigh up, Callie wrapped her leg around him. Their curiosity turned to passion as he lifted her into his arms and carried her into the house. Their lips barely breaking contact.
Finding her bedroom door and closing it behind him, he allowed her legs to fall and held her while she found her feet, before eagerly tearing her sundress up over her head, leaving her exposed in just her bra and panties. He stopped then, drinking her in, his eyes wide.
“Wow! You are even more beautiful than I imagined,” he confessed.
Callie blushed. He had been thinking about her? She had been thinking about him too. Imagining how this moment might be. She hadn’t been with anyone but her husband in almost fifteen years. Talk about being rusty.
She had seen him mostly naked that first night when she had caught him in a towel. She knew what to expect, but she’d longed to touch, to taste, and to be touched by him. With shaky hands, she reached for his buttons and silently sought his permission. His smile was all she needed to unbutton his shirt. Within seconds the buttons fell away, exposing his hard chest. She knew he worked hard, and his rippling muscles showed that, as she ran her fingers softly over his skin.
His big hand wrapped around the base of her skull, and behind her neck, tilting her head to face him. As his lips found hers again, he kissed her while he reached behind her, skilfully unhooking her bra. She let out a small gasp as his lips left hers and trailed soft kisses over her neck, her clavicle, and finally down to her breast. His lips and tongue grazed her sensitive nipple, and she leaned into him with a moan.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered as his mouth moved to her other breast.
How long had it been since anyone had called her beautiful? Too long.
Feeling for his belt buckle, she hastily loosened it before clasping the zip of his jeans, feeling the tightness that strained against the denim as he gently walked her backward her bed.
Cody
Sunlight tore through the bedroom window, forcing him to blink several times to adjust. He hated to sleep with the curtains open. He preferred complete darkness, but rolling over and taking in the vision beside him, he was grateful for the same.
Spending the night with Callie had been more than he had dared to imagine, and he had gone to bed many nights thinking of her. Her skin was soft beneath his touch, and her kisses devouring. She was different from other girls he’d slept with; with her, it hadn’t been about showing off. It was like a slow dance of passion, one that they each knew the moves to, had rehearsed a hundred times, and yet, they hadn’t danced together before. It was almost graceful. Perhaps this was what it felt like; to be falling in love with someone. To want to give yourself over so completely to another soul and feel they were giving themselves to you.
“Hmm, hello,” Callie squeezed out, her voice still thick with sleep.
“Hey, beautiful.” He smiled before planting a kiss on the side of her forehead. “How’d you sleep?”
Callie stretched, and let out a soft, pleasurable moan. “Amazing, “she sighed.
Somewhere in the house, they heard a noise. One of the kids was getting breakfast. Callie’s brow furrowed. “Oh shit. The kids.”
Caught up in their passion, they hadn’t given the kids any thought. Well, he hadn’t at least. He was not familiar with needing to worry about such things, but still, he understood.
“Do you want me to go?” he asked, nodding toward the double French doors that opened from her bedroom out onto the wrap-around veranda.
A mixture of sadness and relief passed across her face before she reached out and placed a gentle palm on his cheek. “Do you mind?” her eye
s questioned.
“We haven’t done anything wrong.”
“I know.” When she moved to a sitting position, she took the sheet with her, covering her breasts, and he felt a pang of disappointment. “I enjoyed your company last night. Thank you,” she said. Her actions not matching her words.
His mind ticked over. He had never had an issue with leaving in the morning. The truth was, he usually couldn’t get out of a girl’s bed fast enough. Pulling back the covers, he reached for his jeans when Callie clasped his hand.
“I’m sorry, Cody. It’s just . . .” she hesitated as she had yet to formulate what she wanted to say. “The kids have never seen me with anyone other than their dad and . . . well . . . you know.”
He nodded slowly, taking her words in. Grace and Austin had been accepting of having him around as a farmhand. His mind wandered to his parents. How would he cope being thrust into a similar situation?
Meeting him at the door that opened to the veranda, she leaned in for a kiss. Her lips were soft, her kisses not as urgent as they had been last night, but it took all his will power not to take over and drag her back to her bed. He wanted more of her. All of her. Everything.
Pulling away from him, she placed both hands on his side and pushed him toward the door. “Later,” she smiled as if she were reading his mind.
Callie
“Hey, good morning,” she called out to Cody as Grace and Austin climbed into her four-wheel drive. “I’m taking the kids into town this morning. I have to pick up some supplies from the store. Do you want anything?”
It had only been a couple of hours since he had left her bed, but he had obviously showered and shaved in that time. A small touch of warmth touched her cheeks at the memory of their night together.
“I’m good. Is there anything you want me to do while you’re out?”
“What are you like at mechanics?” she asked as he made his way to her.
He raised and dropped his shoulders in a shrug. “Not too shabby. What do you need?”
“I was hoping to get Dad’s old tractor started. It’s been locked up in the shed since we moved here. I don’t know what it needs.”