She recalled Aaron speaking about his late wife and the expression on his face when he did. Her mood immediately sank.
Flirting was one thing. Love, another. He’d had that once with Robin, his obvious soul mate. Mel couldn’t expect anything remotely close to that, and wishing for it would only bring her pain.
What would it be like to be loved by Aaron? Robin’s life had been cut short, but she’d been one incredibly lucky woman to have been the object of Aaron’s adoration.
Mel set down her fork. Who was she fooling? No way could she compete with Robin’s memory. The best possible circumstances were she and Aaron getting along, him being a great date and them united in giving their child a wonderful upbringing.
“I’m going to take care of you and the baby, Mel.”
Shoot. He must have guessed her thoughts. She wasn’t always guarded with her emotions.
“You don’t have to take care of me, Aaron. I’m quite capable of supporting myself and the baby.”
He shook his head. “You’re not really going to pull the old independent woman act?”
“Yes,” she conceded. “I’ll accept your help and support. We can share custody. Swap weeks when the baby’s a little older.”
“Is that what you want?”
His sincerity momentarily threw her, prompting her to answer in kind. “Honestly, I always figured I’d be married when I started a family.”
And in love, she silently added. The way you were in love with Robin.
“We can talk about that. Down the road.”
Memories of her father saying he’d offered to marry Carrie Anne flashed in her head. He might have done the right thing according to some, but Mel wanted more than a husband who proposed simply out of duty and not love.
“No rush. Lots of couples raise their child together without being married.”
After that, Mel and Aaron never quite regained the fun, flirty camaraderie from earlier. For the rest of the meal, they discussed Kaylee, Mel’s nieces, Mel’s progress with Samantha’s horse and how the orphan foal wasn’t doing as well as Mel would have liked.
In the parking lot, Aaron took her arm, just as she’d expected. That didn’t stop her from enjoying the feel of his strong fingers on her skin, the heady scent of his aftershave and the occasional bump and brush of his body against hers. She was reminded of the many times she’d lain beside him, her leg draped over his and her fingertips drawing patterns on his bare chest.
At his SUV, he opened the passenger door, repeating his chivalry from earlier. She was about to climb in when he caught her by the wrist and tugged her into his embrace.
Ignoring the other patrons returning to their vehicles, she met Aaron’s stare, searching his eyes for the look she’d seen when he talked about Robin. It wasn’t there. The hunger burning in them, however, did give her a sensual thrill, and she involuntarily arched into him.
All right, not involuntarily. She very much wanted his arms circling her waist and drawing her close. She also wanted him to kiss her. Wildly and without restraint, like the other night.
When he threaded his fingers into her hair, she leaned her head back. When he nuzzled her ear, she sighed. When his lips skimmed the column of her neck, she moaned softly. When he whispered her name, she melted.
Finally, thankfully, his mouth found hers and took it possessively. Pressing her against the SUV, he trapped her between the rear door and the long length of him. As his tongue swept into her mouth, she relished in the familiar, exciting taste of him.
Aaron certainly knew how to kiss. Hard and demanding. Gentle and coaxing. She took what he offered and gave in return. Of their own volition, her hands worked their way up his back to his shoulders. There, they gripped the hard muscles and brought him closer—if that was possible. When he would have broken off the kiss, Mel refused to release him. Not until she was fully satisfied.
By the time they were in his SUV and driving toward her house, Mel was almost sorry they weren’t going to the motel instead. It wasn’t very far.
Chapter Nine
Aaron wasn’t disappointed he and Mel had skipped the motel tonight. Okay, that wasn’t entirely accurate. But he hadn’t wanted her thinking sex was the only thing between them. Besides, he’d enjoyed their interplay during dinner, and the kiss in the parking lot afterward had tested the limits of his willpower.
Whatever was changing between them, and he still wasn’t able to define it, had affected every aspect of their relationship, including intimacy.
Could be he was more disappointed about not going to the motel than he first thought. She’d looked so pretty tonight, her hair loose around her shoulders rather than twisted into her usual braid. Her skin aglow in the candlelight. Her mouth full and wide and impossible not to kiss.
Pregnancy certainly agreed with her. Then again, it might be those changing feelings affecting how he perceived her.
Pulling into the garage, Aaron jangled his keys as he walked into the house, his steps light, his mood elevated.
Kaylee was awake, something immediately apparent when he entered the kitchen.
“Hey, kiddo. Why aren’t you in bed?” She should have been asleep an hour ago.
“I had a bad dream.” She sat at the table, a glass of milk and half an English muffin in front of her.
“That’s not good.” He sat beside her and tweaked her nose.
Her silly giggle washed over him, elevating his mood even higher.
There was probably no bad dream. Kaylee used that as an excuse whenever she had trouble falling asleep or woke up after a short time. The excuse worked better on her grandmother than Aaron, landing her a little extra attention.
Speaking of which...
“Where’s Gramma?” Aaron stole a sip of her milk.
“On the phone.”
“Really?” She didn’t usually leave Kaylee alone for any length of time. And it was late for a phone call.
“Tell me a story about Mama?” Kaylee pleaded when she was done eating.
“You got it.”
He scooped her into his arms and carried her down the hall to her bedroom, passing Nancy’s room as he did. The older woman sat on her bed, her phone glued to her ear. Seeing him, alarm flashed across her face. He tilted his head at Kaylee’s room, indicating he was putting her to bed.
“Gramma must have an important call,” he said, drawing the sheet up to Kaylee’s neck and dropping down beside her.
She snuggled with a well-worn and well-loved stuffed bear, and he began telling one of her favorite stories about how Robin broke the news to him that she was pregnant.
“When I got home from work, there was a big teddy bear sitting on the counter with a pink pacifier tied to the bow around its neck.” He poked the stuffed bear’s stomach.
“Why pink?”
“Because she wanted a little girl.”
“Were you surprised?” Kaylee gazed up at him, her expression so reminiscent of Robin’s.
“Very surprised.”
The story took five more minutes to finish. Kaylee wouldn’t allow Aaron to skip a single part, despite having memorized every word. When he was done, he stood and kissed her on the forehead.
“Go to sleep now. I love you.”
“Love you too, Daddy.” She curled her fingers into the shape of a heart and held them to her chest.
He left the door partially open behind him and headed toward the kitchen, planning to shut off the lights before going to bed himself. Shonda was expecting him tomorrow morning at the crack of dawn.
He found Nancy sitting at the table, nursing a cup of tea and wearing a scowl. Strange, she usually retired early herself.
“You’re still up,” he said.
“We need to talk.” Her clipped tone put him on the defensive.
“What’s wrong?”
“Sit down.�
��
Aaron tolerated a lot from Nancy, including her often short temper and surliness, because she adored Kaylee, was a wonderful grandmother and helped him enormously with daycare. He also understood he was the closest target when it came to venting her heartache over the loss of her only child.
Not that she blamed him or held him responsible for Robin’s brain tumor. If anything, Aaron had fought hard to extend Robin’s life. Nancy’s grief was simply overwhelming and beyond her abilities to cope with most days.
But she was making progress, if slow. No one had celebrated more than Aaron when she joined the Bunko group. If she wouldn’t attend counseling or support groups, at least she was getting out once in a while and making friends.
“That was Winnie Hensley on the phone.” She paused, apparently waiting for him to make a connection. “From church.”
“Okay.”
“She and her husband were at Vito’s Old Country tonight, having dinner.”
Aaron said nothing as the pieces fell into place.
“She saw you,” Nancy accused.
He refused to volunteer any information. There was a big difference between seeing him and Mel sitting together in a booth and them kissing in the parking lot.
“Why didn’t she say hi?” he asked, feigning mild interest.
“You were occupied. Having dinner with Melody Hartman.”
“I see.” Tiring, he cut to the chase. “Before I get upset, why don’t you just say what’s on your mind?”
“You were on a date with another woman.”
“I was on a date with a woman. Not another.”
Nancy became flustered. “H-how could you?”
He was glad her friend Winnie missed seeing Aaron and Mel’s scorching kiss and that Nancy hadn’t learned about their evenings at the motel. “Mel and I are friends.”
“Winnie said you looked pretty cozy.”
He considered insisting the dinner was strictly business. Mel was helping him with the horse thefts. Instead, he came clean.
There was a reason he’d been careless lately about hiding his relationship with Mel. The fact was, he’d grown weary of sneaking around and suspected Mel had, too. He subconsciously, and possibly consciously, felt ready to go public, even before Mel got pregnant.
Time to start preparing Nancy. “We were on a date,” he admitted.
“Oh, no.” Her face crumpled, and she swallowed a sob. “I don’t believe it.”
Out of respect for her distress, he gentled his tone. “It’s been three years, Nancy. Even Robin would expect me to start dating again.”
“But Melody Hartman?” Nancy made a face.
He was slightly offended. No, a lot offended. “Mel’s a great gal.”
“She may be great, but she’s isn’t very...ladylike.”
What worse insult had Nancy been about to utter? And if she’d seen Mel in that sundress and sexy sandals, the last thing she’d be calling her was unladylike.
Comparisons were bound to happen, and Nancy was comparing Mel to Robin. He decided not to get upset about it and try a different approach instead.
“You like Dolores. And you’re always saying how nice Frankie is when we go to the café. I’m sure you’d like Mel, too, if you got to know her.”
Nancy’s eyes widened in alarm. “Is there a reason I need to? How serious is this?”
Aaron changed his mind. This wasn’t the right moment to tell her about the baby. “I will always love Robin and miss her. She’s the mother of my child, and that won’t ever change. But chances are, I’ll eventually meet someone new and possibly marry again. You need to accept that.”
“She sacrificed months of her life for Kaylee. And you promised her to always put Kaylee first. Above everything and anyone else.”
“I do put Kaylee first.”
“What about when you work late?”
“My job provides a decent roof over her head, food on the table and a roomful of toys. I call that making her a priority.”
“Instead of being home with her, you went on a date.”
Aaron had spent almost the entire day with Kaylee. Even so, the invisible dagger Nancy thrust hit its mark.
He had made a commitment to cherish and honor Robin’s memory. Promised to put Kaylee first. Told Nancy she was a welcomed and valued member of his family for as long as she wanted.
On the other hand, Mel was pregnant, and he had an obligation to her, too, as well as their baby.
When had things become so complicated? Why had he let them? What had he been thinking, sleeping with Mel when he wasn’t willing to do right by her? Aaron didn’t have a high opinion of himself at the moment.
Remembering how she’d looked at dinner and the sparks that had flared between them when they’d kissed was part of the answer. She was hard to resist. But, perhaps he should. For the time being, anyway. At least until Nancy became more accustomed to the idea.
He got up from the table.
“Where are you going?” she demanded. “We’re not done talking.”
“I have to be up at five.”
“What about Melody Hartman?”
He pushed in his chair. “I’m going to keep seeing her.”
“Have you considered Kaylee? She may not accept a woman in her life who isn’t her mother.”
“She’s young. Mel’s nieces are her friends.” Aaron stopped at the doorway, thinking Kaylee would like Mel and just might love having a baby brother or sister.
“She’ll forget about Robin.”
That, Aaron suspected, was the real reason for Nancy’s objections.
“I won’t let her,” he said with utmost sincerity. “And neither will you.”
* * *
EYES CLEAR AND BRIGHT. Ears pricked forward. Attentive and alert. No fever. No lameness. No swelling or tenderness. The horse, a sleek and muscular roan with proved speed and agility, was the epitome of health.
“He’s ready to rock and roll,” Mel said, finishing her routine exam.
Samantha’s worried expression eased a tiny fraction. After Big John’s injury, she’d probably always fret before a competition. And this particular horse belonged to Ronnie, not Samantha. A lot of responsibility and yet another reason for her to be chewing her nails to the quick.
“You’ll do great,” Mel assured her. “You were flying at practice last night.”
She’d had a vet call near Powell Ranch and decided to drop by and observe the practice. That was the excuse she told herself, anyway, not admitting to a much-needed distraction from her many problems.
Despite her pregnancy being confirmed for almost two weeks now, she’d yet to do anything about it other than visit her doctor, purchase prenatal vitamins, struggle with bras that were becoming tight and painful, and discover plain crackers and ginger ale helped with the morning sickness.
Sure, she and Aaron talked daily, and he’d been adamant about providing for the baby. But no specifics had been decided, and she wasn’t telling her family until at least a basic plan was in place.
“I’m still getting used to him.” Samantha absently groomed the horse, running a thick brush over his flank. “He thinks and reacts differently than Big John.”
She’d gone twice with Mel this week on calls, and Mel had heard the entire lowdown on the horse to the smallest detail.
Ronnie appeared from behind the trailer, stared long and hard at Samantha and said, “Shouldn’t you have saddled up by now?”
“Yeah. Mel was just examining the horse.”
“It’s hot. You’d better take him to the water trough for a drink.”
“I will. Give me a minute, okay?”
It wasn’t what they said as much as the way they spoke to each other that had Mel paying close attention. The friction was undeniable and uncomfortable and apparently brand-new.
Had something happened between yesterday and today that set them off? A difference of opinion, perhaps? Could be stress, Mel supposed. Ronnie’s temper always flared before a competition, though she wasn’t the one climbing into the saddle today.
Later, perhaps, when she and Ronnie were alone, she’d ask what was going on. Then, Ronnie would probably ask her the same question and bring up Aaron. Not what she needed at the moment.
Returning from stowing her medical case in her truck, she grabbed the bridle hanging from a hook on the side of the trailer and handed it to Samantha. The young woman had finished saddling the horse, triple checking the cinch and adjusting the length of the stirrups. Only the bridle remained. And herself.
She’d yet to fix her hair and change into nice boots and her fancy show chaps. The competition wasn’t an official rodeo event, but that didn’t change the fact competitors were expected to adhere to a certain dress code. Horses, too. This roan’s coat shone, and he wore tack decorated with gleaming silver conchos.
“You’re going to get dirty,” Mel said when the horse bumped his nose against Samantha’s clean dress shirt sleeve. “Let me.”
She bridled the horse while Samantha braided her hair, tied it with a ribbon and applied makeup, using the truck’s side mirror to view her handiwork. Mel was struck with a sudden sentimental pang. How many times had she seen Ronnie do the same thing before an event?
Glancing about, she searched for her errant sister. Apparently, she’d left to help another student prepare.
The person she did spot was Aaron, carrying his young daughter and accompanied by his mother-in-law. They made a charming picture, Dad, daughter and grandmother.
Mel’s hands suddenly went still and only the horse bobbing his head prompted her to finish her task. She automatically buckled the bridle and straightened the reins, her mind wandering and wondering where she and her child would fit into that picture.
At the entrance to the bleachers, Aaron parted from Kaylee and her grandmother. He then went off to join a group of local ranchers gathered at the arena fence. What was it he’d said? Whenever horse folk gathered, they talked, and worthwhile leads could come from the most unexpected sources.
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