She was wet for him, her honey-sweet juices hot on his tongue as he laved her clit and dipped it inside, causing her back to arch off the bed. He settled her legs over his shoulders and suckled to his heart’s content as she writhed and moaned in pleasure. Only when she’d climaxed did he release his hold and rise to stand at the juncture of her thighs, her legs still over his shoulders and her bottom clear of the bed as he plunged to the hilt.
Her insides clenched around him at the invasion and then relaxed, and he began to move, in and out in an age-old rhythm to a song only they could hear. She met his moves, thrust for thrust, their bodies sweat-slicked, their breaths coming in short, hard gasps as completion neared. Her hands were soft as they traveled over his skin, played with his nipples, and rested on his ass to pull him ever closer…deeper. When he felt her insides clench in readiness, he reached beneath her and pulled her upper body toward his, capturing her lips in a mind-blowing kiss as sensation washed over him in waves. Her scream of pleasure vibrated against his tongue but was silenced by their kiss as he continued pumping in and out, draining them both.
Cam lay down beside her, cradling her in his arms. The only sound in the room was their harsh breaths as they struggled to take in much-needed air. He was almost asleep when Lacey moved beside him.
“What is it, love?”
“I need to get dressed and go to my room. As much as I’d love to spend the night with you, I don’t want to fall asleep and be discovered coming out of here in the morning.”
“Would that be so bad?” he asked softly, brushing the hair back from her face so he could see her eyes, see the emotion displayed there.
“Yes, I’ve tried to teach the girls not to repeat my mistakes, and them finding us together like this…well, it just doesn’t seem right.”
“You think our love was a mistake?” His voice was gruffer than he intended, but he couldn’t help it.
“Cam, my father is a minister of the church. Do you realize how hard it was for him to accept that I hadn’t saved myself for marriage? How difficult it would be to explain to the girls now? Loving you wasn’t the mistake, but sleeping with you was.”
“Everything would’ve, could’ve been so much different if you’d gotten a message to me before you left.”
“There wasn’t time.”
“Wasn’t enough time to write a quick note and leave it at reception in your hotel? You knew I’d go there looking for you.”
“Yes, but honestly, when I found out my uncle had died, my only thoughts were for my family. It wasn’t until we were on our way home that I realized you didn’t have any way to contact me. I’ve paid the price for that, believe me.”
“Yes, I suppose you have, but we can’t go back, love. We can only move forward.”
She rose on one elbow and leaned in to kiss his cheek. “And I think we’ve made a jolly good start on that.”
“This is only the beginning, Lacey. There is so much more in store for us…as a couple and as a family. Is it too soon to ask you to marry this old lonesome cowboy?”
“Oh, Cam. We have so many decisions to make before I could even think of answering that question.”
“Such as?”
“Where would we live? Here?”
He nodded.
“And what about the bistro and our daughters? What if they don’t want to stay with us? It would tear me apart to live on separate continents.”
“Lacey, I’m a cowpoke, born and bred. You’ve had a hard time raising the girls by yourself. You’ve done a fabulous job of it, but now that we’ve found each other again, I’d like to make your life easier. Would it be so difficult to give up your restaurant and live here with me?”
“No, that’s the easy part, even though it’s darned cold in your country.” She smiled as she spoke and he knew she meant every word. “I like your family, and I think I’d enjoy being your wife, but I have to know what the girls’ intentions are before making any kind of commitment.”
“Fair enough. Now off to bed with you while I’m of a mind to allow you to go.”
She kissed him again, on the lips this time, and he held her close, not wanting to release his hold as they lay skin-to-skin and their passion reignited. The world outside was beginning to lighten with the start of a new day as she scrambled off the bed and into her clothes. Cam knew he wouldn’t get a lick of sleep, so he showered, dressed, and made his way to the kitchen after she’d gone.
The world outside was blanketed in white, and snow was still falling so thick that he couldn’t see the trees lining the back edge of his yard. Drifts halfway up the patio doors told him they were snowed in. Good! He needed this time with his girls. So far, the power was still on, but he’d have to go out to the shed later and make sure the generator was gassed up and ready to go just in case. For now, he brewed a pot of coffee and took a mug full of brew back to the den. He’d work on the ranch accounts until the girls came down or the power went out, whichever happened first.
****
Slightly sore from all the unaccustomed physical activity, Lacey still had a spring in her step as she went quietly up the stairs to her room. She showered and wrapped her hair in a towel, turban-style, and then decided a soak in the huge whirlpool tub was just what she needed. She turned the taps on, adjusted the temperature of the water, and grabbed a fresh towel while waiting for it to fill. A glance toward the window had her rushing over to look out, amazed at the amount of snow that had fallen overnight. And it was still coming down. So clean and beautiful, but there was so much of it! Her forehead tightened with a frown. How did the Mannings cope with this amount of snowfall?
Cam would know what to do. Determined not to worry about it, she turned back to the tub and slid into its warm depths. The jets pulsed decadently against her sore muscles and she relaxed. Memories of their night together kept thoughts of Cam at the forefront of her mind.
He’d asked her to marry him! She hugged herself in excitement. She’d loved him forever, and there was nothing she’d like better than to spend the rest of her days with him. Maybe she should just go for it—put herself first for a change. She’d think on it. A lifetime habit of putting her girls first would not be easily overcome, although they’d be the first to congratulate her.
All three loved their father. They’d accepted his presence in their lives without hesitation, something she hadn’t expected but was totally grateful for. It would make her decision to stay in Thunder Creek so much easier. And she would stay. Lacey knew she couldn’t bear being parted from him again. The first time left her yearning and hurting. The second time left her with regrets for what might have been. This time she wouldn’t let go.
Already the ranch, this house, felt like home. Had Cam built it with her in mind? She remembered them talking about so many things they’d had in common, among them the different styles of houses and how she’d always loved the look of a log home.
The lights flickered, and she sat up to reach for a candle in its holder at the corner of the tub. A book of matches rested beside the base. She lit the candle and wondered if the power would go out. It did. She enjoyed the glow from the candle and lit a couple more. The meager light from the window was enough to see by, but she enjoyed the ambiance of candlelight. The jets had stopped with the power outage, but the water was still warm enough to soak in. She wanted to close her eyes and lean back more comfortably, but she was afraid she’d fall asleep. Instead, she decided to step out and dry off, maybe lie down for a bit of a doze. A knock on the bedroom door interrupted her just as she crawled between the sheets.
“Mama, are you awake?” called Abby.
“Yes, but I’m being lazy. What do you need?”
“We’re snowed in and the lights went out. Dad has coffee made, and he said you might want a cup before it gets cold.”
“Coffee sounds good. I’ll get dressed and be right down.”
“Okay.”
Apparently Cam hadn’t slept either if he had coffee made. She smiled, dress
ed in warm clothes, and went downstairs. Cam had a fire going in the fireplace, and the wood stove was spewing forth heat when she arrived in the kitchen, but Cam was nowhere in sight.
“Good morning, ladies.”
“Good? What’s good about it? Dad says the power is sometimes out for days.” Rena sat with her sisters at the table, a frown marring her beautiful features as she stared at the patio door.
“Where is your father?”
“He went out to clear the steps and shovel his way to the generator shed,” replied Lynne.
“Maybe we should get dressed and go help him,” suggested Lacey.
“No, we offered, but he said to stay in where it’s warm and keep the fires burning.” Lynne got up and put another stick of wood in the kitchen stove. “I’ll go check the fireplace.”
“It was burning good when I came through just now.”
“I’ll go check anyway. Grab yourself a coffee and have a seat, Mama.”
Lacey sat at the table with her coffee and noticed the girls were slightly preoccupied. “What’s up?”
Abby shrugged her shoulders and pointed to Rena who was avidly watching the patio door as if she could see through the snow drifted against it.
“Rena, are you all right?”
No answer. No sign that she’d even heard her ask.
“Rena,” she said a bit louder, “what’s on your mind this morning? Is the snow making you nervous?”
She slowly turned her head as if in a daze. “My dream. He’s out there, Mama.”
Chapter Nine
“Oh, honey. No one could survive out there with all that snow.” As soon as she’d said the words, Lacey knew she’d added to Rena’s anxiety. “I mean, how would he get here?”
“What dream, Rena?” asked Abby as the lights suddenly came back on. “Daddy must have gotten the generator going,” she said, her gaze fixed on Rena as she waited for her answer.
“I dreamed a man died…out there.” Rena pointed outside.
“Really? Anyone we know?”
Rena looked at her mother as if to ask her permission to talk. Lacey nodded and Rena started explaining as Lynne walked back into the room.
“So that’s why you pleaded a headache and came home,” Lynne said.
“That guy was really obnoxious. Michael had his hands full trying to keep Walt away from us,” said Abby.
“Yeah, but I think he was too drunk to listen. When the bartender refused to serve him, he caused such a scene they had to throw him out.” Lynne laughed. “It was kind of funny.”
“I felt sorry for him. He only wanted to party and have fun.”
Abby was the quietest and most compassionate of the girls, so Lacey wasn’t surprised that she sympathized with Walt.
“Maybe so, but you have to admit, the rest of the evening was much nicer without worrying about him making a grab for one of us.”
Abby nodded. “Yes, that’s true.”
A thump at the back of the house had Rena rushing to see out the door. “Oh, no! Daddy’s shoveling the back step.”
“As he should, dear. He has to keep the exits clear in case of fire.” Lacey tried to remain calm for Rena’s sake, but she couldn’t help wondering if her daughter’s dream had some kind of hidden meaning. She went to stand beside her. Cam looked up, waved at them, and resumed shoveling. He had a lot of snow to get through before he made it to the door. They could barely see out, it had drifted so high.
“But, Mama, I need to warn him.”
“We can’t open the door, Rena. All that snow would tumble into the house.”
“I’ll get my coat and go tell him,” Rena said, already backing away from the door.
Lacey grabbed her by the shoulders and looked straight into her eyes. “Rena, listen to yourself. It was only a dream.” She spoke more harshly than she’d intended, but she had to get through to the girl. “Understand?”
Rena collapsed against her, and Lacey enveloped her in a comforting hug. She rubbed her back and talked soothingly to her, much as she had when she was a little girl. “It’s going to be all right, honey. You’ll see.”
“I hope so, Mama. I really hope so.” She straightened up, wiped the tears away, and returned to her vigil at the door. Lacey stayed with her.
Abby refilled their coffee mugs and brought them over. “It’s barely warm, but I thought it might help.”
“Thank you, dear.” Lacey held the cup to her lips and took a sip. “Now that Cam has the generator working, we should go around and turn the lights off, save energy. It’s hard to say how long the electricity will be off.”
“I’ll do it, Mama. I need to go upstairs for a sweater anyway, so I’ll turn off the lights as I go.” Abby left the room, and silence became their companion as they waited for Cam to finish shoveling. Lynne sat at the table, concentrating on a crossword puzzle.
Lacey could feel Rena’s tension as if it were a living thing surrounding them in gloom.
“Dad’s not clearing the whole deck, Mama. He’s just shoveling a path to the door.”
“I’m sure he’ll shovel off the entire deck if it will put your mind at ease.”
Rena shivered. With cold or dread, Lacey didn’t know.
“No, that’s okay. Like you said, it was only a dream, albeit an eerie one.”
“Very eerie. Can we sit down now?” Lacey asked.
“Yeah, sure. Want some breakfast? Dad has quite a selection of dry cereal.”
“That sounds quick and easy, but maybe I should cook something for Cam. He’s bound to be cold when he comes in.”
“On the wood stove?”
“Yep, it’s a cook stove. I wonder if he’s got a kettle we can put on to boil?”
“I’ll get it.” Rena walked unerringly to the cupboard and pulled open the door to the lazy Susan. On it was the kettle. She filled it and set it on the stove to heat. “I guess we’ll have to take it easy on the water, so we don’t keep the pump running.”
“Good idea. I hadn’t thought of that.”
“I can cook breakfast if you want,” Lynne offered, still mulling over the crossword she’d been working on. “Hmmm, six letters, criminal intent. Blank, U-R, blank, blank, R. Any ideas?”
Rena dropped the box of cereal she was bringing to the table. Lynne and Lacey both glanced her way.
“Murder.”
“What?” Lacey asked.
“The word Lynne is looking for…murder.”
“Yes! It fits. Thanks.” Suddenly, Lynne’s grin turned to a frown, and she searched her sister’s face. “You really believe that dream was some kind of premonition, don’t you?”
Rena nodded. “Yes, I think that’s exactly what it was.”
“Oh, wow!” Lynne sat back in her chair, seeming dazed. She glanced out toward the deck where Cam was still working to clear the snow away. He was nearing the door. “I think we should check it out, Mama. What if she’s right?”
“Nonsense. There are six-foot drifts out there.”
“We could help,” Lynne insisted.
“Mama, what if he’s out there and covered in snow, but still alive? Lynne’s right. We need to check it out.”
Lacey threw up her hands in defeat. “All right. Get your coats and boots on. I’ll tell Abby.”
“Tell me what?” Abby said, entering the kitchen.
“We’re going out to shovel off the back deck. Want to help?”
Abby threw a curious glance Rena’s way. “Sure, but are there enough shovels?”
Rena shook her head. “There’s only two more and a scoop.”
“Then we’ll take turns. Come along. Let’s get this over with.” Lacey led the way outside. They grabbed shovels and followed the path Cam had made to the back of the house. When they reached the back steps, she called out to Cam, “We’ve come to give you a hand.”
He turned toward them covered in snow wearing a smile of genuine pleasure. “Thanks, but you’re a little late. I’m almost finished.”
“Yeah, well,
we thought we’d clear the deck instead of just a path to the door.”
“Why would you want to do that?” he asked.
Lacey shrugged her shoulders, trying to message him with a look. “Better view.”
“Have at ’er then.”
He continued shoveling near the house as Rena and Lynne cleared the bottom steps of snow. At the third step, Lynne’s shovel hit something solid.
“Dad, is there a planter or something on this step?” she asked.
“Nope, just snow. Why?”
“Because my shovel hit something.”
Rena gasped and Cam darted a concerned glance her way. Then he came down the steps. Using his hands, he pushed the snow away from the area. “Damn! That’s a boot. There’s someone under here. Hurry! Help me clear the snow away.”
They waded hip deep in snow and dug furiously with their hands to clear off the body, exposing the man from Rena’s dream, Walt Carson. Lacey ran to comfort Rena, who hadn’t moved since they’d started digging out the body.
“What the hell?” said Cam.
The man was definitely dead. The knife sticking out of his chest attested to that, but Lacey saw Cam strip off one glove to check his pulse anyway.
He stepped away from the body. “I have to call Michael. Don’t touch anything.”
“We can’t just leave him here,” Rena cried.
“Honey, there’s nothing we can do for him. Come inside and get warm while we wait for the police to arrive.” Cam wrapped an arm around her shoulders and led her in through the patio doors. Then he stopped and looked back. “Thanks for unlocking the door before you came outside.”
“Uh, Cam, we didn’t unlock the door.” Lacey glanced at her three daughters who were all shaking their heads.
“Damn! I was afraid you were going to say that.”
Cameron's Quest Page 9