Discovery

by Radclyffe

  Close by Emma heard Hannah let out a shriek followed by giggles, and that could only mean Cain had found her and tossed her in the air. To the outside world Cain was a mobster, but here she was just head playmate to her children and loving spouse. It was two roles she did well.

  “If she throws up egg all over that great suit, don’t come crying to me,” Emma told Cain when she found her with Hannah lifted over her head. The tease made Cain cradle Hannah in her arms and tickle her. “What’s on your agenda for today?”

  “I’ve got a few meetings with our new partners this morning, then I thought I’d ask my wife to lunch.” Cain put Hannah down after she kissed her forehead. “Unless she’s busy,” Cain said, and kissed Emma next.

  “I’ll squeeze you in, but only because I like you so much.” Emma rested her chin on Cain’s chest so she could look up at the face that dominated her dreams from the day they’d met. “Thanks for asking, since I’ve hardly seen you in the last couple of weeks.”

  “Considering you asked for ID when I came to bed last night, I thought it was time to forget about business for a little while and concentrate on the important things.” Cain combed Emma’s hair back and ran her fingers along the blond eyebrows. “I’ve missed you for a lot of reasons, but mostly for all the small things like lunch.”

  Emma peeked over her shoulder to make sure Hannah wasn’t about to stick something into an electric socket and smiled when she saw their housekeeper carrying her toward the kitchen. “I was thinking the same thing, and I don’t know why. It’s funny that I’d miss you this much since I spend all night with you, but I do.”

  “We have a lot to catch up on as a family, but there’s even more to rediscover as a couple.”

  “God, I thought I was being selfish for thinking that way,” Emma said as she wrapped her arms more tightly around Cain’s waist. “I love you and the family we have, but I miss us.”

  Cain cupped the side of Emma’s neck and lowered her head to kiss her. “Sounds like you’re as ready to be romanced as I am to romance you.”

  “You romance me every day,” Emma said, but it felt good to hear Cain say it. “Don’t think you’re neglectful in that area, and don’t feel that I don’t love being mama.”

  “How about you get dressed and meet me downtown at noon? I’ll call with the details later.”

  Cain kissed her again, but it wasn’t long enough for Emma, who watched her until the door closed behind her.

  “Chill, Emma, or you’re going to freak her out,” Emma whispered to herself, but she wasn’t lying about missing Cain and the heat they generated as a couple.

  *

  By noon they were seated next to each other at a table in the corner of Antoine’s in the French Quarter with a bottle of wine on the table. Cain sat back, relaxed, and studied the expression on Emma’s face. Because of their history together, Cain knew her wife was daydreaming, which she did herself on occasion, but not usually during lunch and not when the subject of most of her fantasies was sitting across from her.

  “What are you thinking about?” Cain asked.

  “The first time you asked me out.” The chilled light white wine was one of Emma’s favorites, and Cain refilled her glass after Emma took another sip. “Are you trying to make me lower my defenses?”

  “Absolutely, though thankfully that’s gotten easier over the years.”

  “I never did have any defense against you, so stop telling tall tales, mobster.” Emma placed her hand in the one Cain was offering and leaned in. “Tell me another story and I’ll see if you remember all the particulars.”

  *

  “Do I want to go out with you tomorrow night?”

  Cain sat on a bar stool in her pub, the Erin Go Braugh, in the Quarter and tried not to laugh out loud. “I’m taking into consideration that I don’t date much, at least not in the conventional sense, but I’m fairly sure the answer to that question is yes or no.” Emma hadn’t lost that deer in the headlights appearance, so she went on. “If the rules of engagement have changed, and now you’re supposed to repeat every word I say, that’ll get annoying fast.”

  “I’m sorry, it’s that I’m shocked you’d ask me anything after last night.” Emma was wiping her hands with a bar towel as if she’d gotten nuclear waste on them.

  “A little spilled beer never did anything but make an Irishman cry. So how about it?”

  “What’d you have in mind?” Emma asked, still rubbing her fingers with the towel.

  A few feet away Cain could hear her brother Billy laugh, most probably at her expense. Getting a woman to go out with her was never this difficult. “You want a complete itinerary?”

  “No, I just want to know what to wear.” Emma threw her towel on the bar only to have it land in Cain’s half-full glass. “Oh jeez.” She moved to yank it out and knocked one of the other waiters into Cain. When she looked again, her boss was dripping with spilt beer.

  “I don’t know about you,” Cain said, “but I’m wearing a rain coat.”

  *

  Emma laughed and tapped her wineglass against Cain’s. “I’d forgotten about that.”

  “Mighty convenient of you, Mrs. Casey,” Cain said as she removed the last of the oysters Rockefeller they’d ordered as an appetizer from its shell and fed it to Emma.

  “I couldn’t help it back then, honey, you made me nervous,” Emma said after she swallowed. “Besides, if I hadn’t been such a bumpkin, you wouldn’t have such a good story to embarrass me with.”

  Cain filled their glasses again and pushed Emma’s closer as an encouragement to take a sip. “I don’t tell that story to embarrass you. Every once in a while I love thinking about that shy farmer’s daughter because it makes me realize what a lucky bastard I am. You started off shy but you’ve come into your own, and the results are beautiful.”

  “I hope you know how much I love it when you talk to me like this, but you can relax if you want. You’re getting lucky even if it’s downhill from here.”

  The waiters came out with two trout almandine dishes, but Cain never let go of Emma’s hand as they were served. Their first date hadn’t been very different from this one, and in a way, it was as if Cain had gone out of her way to re-create it.

  “Are we going out for coffee and beignets after this?” Emma asked, because that’s what they’d done after that first date. Emma had momentarily panicked when Cain had asked for the check, not caring to hear the dessert specials. She’d started breathing again when Cain held her hand all the way to Café Du Monde and ordered their famous café au lait and beignets.

  “I had something else in mind this time, but if you want, we can stay here and try their famous baked Alaska.” Cain placed her hand on Emma’s forearm and stroked the soft cashmere fabric. It was like she couldn’t help but admire Emma’s choice of outfit again.

  The temperatures in the city were cool, but nothing like the cold they’d encountered in Wisconsin while they visited Emma’s father, so Emma had picked a fairly short skirt, tight sweater, and pumps. When she’d purchased them the salesman had given her more than a few compliments on how well the clothes fit, but nothing came close to letting Emma know how she looked than the unveiled want in Cain’s eyes.

  Before they’d met, Emma had considered herself one of those women who wouldn’t ever consider dressing to attract someone, but then she’d met Cain, and while her partner had never asked anything of her when it came to her wardrobe, Emma could see the small laugh lines around her eyes when she smiled at something she really liked. Those little lines were the only way to tell that Cain’s smile was genuine, and seeing them when Cain looked at her never made Emma feel like a plaything Cain wanted to show off.

  Right now Cain had that look, and it had nothing to do with flaming ice cream or small sugary square donuts. She’d had it since that morning, when Emma had been only a frazzled mom trying to get her kids ready for the day and not anyone remotely sexy.

  “Maybe the next time we come we can try somet
hing from their dessert menu, but right now I’m thinking that I’ll take you up on your offer,” she said to Cain.

  “Mighty trusting of you, lass.”

  “The way I look at it, the first time I took you up on your offer of something different, it worked out really well for me, so why would I want to buck that adventurous side of me now?”

  “Some would say thinking like that is where you went wrong.” Cain’s voice cracked uncharacteristically when Emma ran her nails up the inside of her thigh.

  “Probably.” Emma pushed her half-eaten lunch aside and leaned closer to Cain. “Everyone else wanted me to pick some corn-fed boy who would’ve spent his days talking about cows and what to feed them, but the choice I made makes me want to not waste any of my time sleeping on the off chance I might miss something. I don’t think it’s wrong to want to share my life with someone who fills my life with love, passion, and fun.”

  “You make me sound like a vacation destination.”

  “If I were to do that, I’d make sure the advertisements mentioned the fantastic rides that leave you breathless. I’m just glad I’m tall enough to ride.”

  Cain laughed and lifted Emma’s hand to her lips. “I’ve missed you, lass.” She pointed to Emma’s plate. “Are you finished?”

  “Lead on,” Emma said as she entwined their fingers.

  One of Cain’s guys stayed behind and paid the bill, and only Lou got behind the driver’s side when they got outside. As always, the FBI surveillance was close by, but for once Emma almost forgot they were there as Cain opened the back door for her and helped her inside. Emma had no clue what Cain had in mind, but she gladly pressed up against her and returned the kiss Cain initiated when she got in behind her.

  When the car finally stopped they were at the Lakefront Airport in New Orleans east and the private jet Cain had arranged was ready to go. Emma watched the city recede in the small window before she finally turned to Cain.

  “Where are we going?”

  “You said you were willing to try something new, and I really want to get something sweet, so the only hint I’m giving is that we’ll both get what we want.” Cain sounded playful as she stroked Emma’s hair.

  “What about the kids?”

  “Muriel,” Cain said, talking about her cousin, “promised they’ll be fine until we get back. It’ll do her some good since it’ll convince her one way or another on the question of wanting kids.”

  “I’m in the mood for whatever you have in mind, and you’ve taken care of everything I would’ve worried about, so I’ll sit back and enjoy the ride. The other encouraging sign is that we’re alone on this plane.”

  The small light over the pilot door went off, so Cain went to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of champagne. “Desserts are usually enjoyed more if it’s not a group activity.”

  “True, baby. So does that mean that Merrick, Lou, and a host of other armed people aren’t in a plane twenty feet behind us?”

  “It’s just you and me, and the guy behind that door. Once we land, though, he’s not coming with us, so you think you can stand it if it’s just you and me?”

  Emma accepted the glass and patted the seat next her. “That wasn’t a serious question, was it?” She kicked off her shoes and brought her feet up beneath her. “Asking me if I want to be alone with you is like asking Hannah if she’s up for ice cream. Believe me, no matter what else is going on in our daughter’s life, she’s up for ice cream.”

  “Then here’s to you and me, and whatever sweet things are in store for us.”

  They tapped glasses and drank, but this time Cain didn’t bother with her refilling duties. When the glasses were empty she set them aside and pulled Emma into her lap. For the duration of the flight she kissed and touched enough to excite but never enough to send Emma over the edge. Emma almost screamed when Cain sat her back in her seat and got up to put the drinks away when the light came back on and a slight ding signaled that they were about to land. They’d been so busy Emma didn’t have a clue as to how long they’d been airborne, and when she looked out the window the landscape didn’t appear familiar.

  “What are you up to, mobster?” she whispered, but she was so excited she had goose bumps.

  *

  Miguel Flores, the manager of Carly’s Sound, waited a few feet from the steps of the plane with a jeep. Sitting next to him was a Venezuelan customs agent ready to inspect the passports in Cain’s hands so they could get into the helicopter Miguel had waiting at the other side of the tarmac.

  “Welcome,” Miguel said in his accented English as he drove them. “I hope you had a pleasant flight.”

  “It was wonderful, and if I knew where I was I’d be great,” Emma said. The hangar they were heading toward had a logo painted on the front, and while the guitar leaning on the palm tree seemed familiar, she hadn’t placed it yet.

  “You should think of it this way, señorita.” Miguel stepped out of the jeep and waited for Cain to help Emma out. “There are surprises you should fear, like the tax man coming to your house and holding his hand out for more money.” He frowned, which made Emma laugh. “And then there are surprises that you spend time thinking about, hoping they will happen to you again, they are so wonderful.” He held open the door to the helicopter and helped them with the seat belts. “I can promise you one thing.”

  “What’s that?” Emma wished now that she’d gone with cotton that morning instead of cashmere.

  “I am not the tax man, but your spouse, she looks like someone you spend a lot of time thinking how wonderful she is. No?”

  “Yes, sir,” Emma said louder as the helicopter started up.

  “Then you got nothing to worry about.”

  Cain laughed as Emma pointed from one side to the other every time she spotted things in the water on their short hop to Carly’s Sound.

  “Poppy called ahead and made all the arrangements, Cain, but please let me know if you need anything else,” Miguel said as he drove them to their destination at the secluded resort.

  “Thanks, but after hearing her talk about you, I’m sure everything’s fine.” Cain shook hands with him and led Emma to the last bungalow at the end. Now it was used for Valente extended family and friends, but it had been originally built for a very special woman who gave the island its name.

  “Poppy?” Emma asked.

  “An old friend,” Cain said and took her hand again.

  “This place is beautiful,” Emma said as they took the steps up to the porch.

  “I’ll tell you all about it, but why don’t you go inside and change and I’ll wait for you out here.”

  “Aren’t you coming?”

  “Just a few more surprises and then you’ll get sick of having me around.”

  Emma found her luggage in the second bedroom and her clothes hanging in the closet. Either they’d already been on the plane or Cain had shipped them ahead. How they got there didn’t matter, but there was a simple sundress laid out across the bed, so she stripped and put it on. She walked out barefoot since there were no shoes and she figured that wasn’t a mistake.

  Outside Cain had changed as well into white drawstring pants and a loose-fitting shirt. In her bare feet, she looked different. More relaxed than Emma had ever seen her. They didn’t exchange a word as Cain led them to a spot from which they watched the sun make its rapid descent into the water.

  As they strolled back to the bungalow, Emma noticed that the stretch of beach wasn’t empty anymore. She tilted her head in the direction of the table and chairs that had been set out. “You’re ready for dessert, I take it?”

  “I think it’s a little more than that.” Cain pulled Emma’s chair out for her and popped the cork on the bottle of champagne that was sitting in the bucket of ice. Two barefoot waiters served a light dinner.

  “Are we celebrating something?” Emma felt as if she’d fallen through a cloud and into one of her fantasies.

  “My mother always told me that even in the worst momen
ts of your life, there is something worth celebrating.” When the waiters disappeared, she handed Emma a glass and dropped to her knees next to her. “If that’s true, then imagine all there is to celebrate when things are as close to perfect as they get.”

  Emma was glad that the food they’d been served was a selection of fruit, cheese, and bread. It would hold. “Are you really hungry right at this moment?”

  “Famished, but not for mango.” Cain put her glass down and scooped Emma off her seat, but headed in the opposite direction from the bungalow.

  “I’m sure if you carry me that way,” Emma pointed toward their rooms, “you’ll find there’s a great bed in there.”

  “I think there’s a great bed out here as well.” Cain walked to the point where they’d watched the sunset. Under the palm trees was her last surprise of the day.

  The staff had draped a canopy bed with white linens that billowed in the wind and placed a few candles in lanterns nearby.

  Cain gently lowered Emma to her feet and kissed her until Emma wrapped her hands in the material of her shirt. As slowly as she could, Cain lifted her dress up and off, leaving Emma in just her panties. Before she could take care of those, Emma stopped her with a hand on her chest.

  “Let me see you,” she told Cain and started on the buttons of her shirt. The pants were easier and after a slight tug on the tie, they pooled at Cain’s ankles. Since their reunion they’d made love more than enough times to ease the ache of loss, but this still felt like the first time they’d been together. Only this time, Emma didn’t feel the slightest hesitation.

  Cain might have been feared by many, but she belonged body and soul to Emma. Every moan, every touch of her lips, and every caress of her fingers belonged to Emma, and the only way they wouldn’t was if Emma gave them away. But that would never happen again in this lifetime, or in what came beyond it. In Cain’s arms she’d found not only acceptance but a home, and she gave thanks to any higher power listening that when she’d found it again, the door was open and waiting for her.