by Joleen James
"Where are we going?" Danielle asked when she joined them in the driveway. Her hair still wet from her shower, she'd changed into faded jeans and a simple mint green tank top. She'd left her feet bare.
Nico pointed to her feet. "You'll need shoes, preferably hiking boots."
"Hiking boots?" she repeated her eyes narrowing. "It will be dark in a few hours."
"I know, and for where we're going, the darker the better. And grab warm jackets for you and Kaiden."
Maria gasped. "I think I know where -- "
Nico held a finger to his lips. "Shh. It's our secret."
Maria smiled, the smile warming Nico's heart. How long had it been since he'd seen his little girl smile? No wonder she was having such a rough time. For too long he'd had tunnel vision where Whitney Vineyards was concerned. Dear God, was he doing to Maria what Phillip had done to Danielle? Was he ignoring his little girl all for the sake of the grapes? His heart pinched at the thought.
"Well, let's get going," Danielle said brightly. "I'll grab my boots and the coats and be right back."
Nico ran a hand over Maria's dark head. "Everyone in the truck." He exchanged a special smile with his daughter. "Maria and I are going to show you a good time tonight. And baby," he said to Maria, "we all need a good time right now."
Chapter Twelve
"Are you sure there's something up here?" Danielle asked.
They'd been driving straight up a dirt road for almost an hour now. On one side of them the Blue Mountains jutted toward the sky, on the other side loomed a drop off, an abyss so frightening Danielle knew she'd kiss the ground the minute Nico parked the truck. A thick dust shrouded the truck, casting a brown haze over everything. She thanked God it was still daylight. She couldn't imagine making a trip like this in darkness. One tiny mistake and the truck would plunge over the cliff.
She glanced over her shoulder at the kids. Both sets of eyes were glued to Kaiden's handheld game. Oh, how she hated that thing. Kaiden spent more time with the toy then he did doing anything else. She'd considered taking the game away, but after the divorce, the toy seemed to be the only thing that made him happy, and she didn't have the heart to be the bad guy. But time had passed now. She wanted the old Kaiden back, the one who liked to climb trees and ride his bike. For a moment she considered taking the game from Kaiden and chucking it into the abyss. Danielle smiled. Naughty Mommy.
She stole another glance out the window. Her stomach cinched up tight.
Maybe it was a blessing the kids were so focused on the game; otherwise they might be as freaked out as she was about the possibility of plunging over the side to her death.
"Relax." Nico reached over to pat her arm. "I've been here a million times. It's safe. I've never driven over the edge, not once. Besides, the worst is over; we're almost there. The road is starting to flatten out."
Danielle swallowed the lump in her throat. Nico was right. There was a more substantial shoulder on the right side. The shoulder began to grow, the slope flattened out, until they were driving on a level area covered with wild, sun-singed brown grass.
Nico stopped the truck in a cloud of dust.
"Are we there?" Danielle asked, thinking he was nuts. There was nothing here; just a stretch of dry hard earth, sporting intermittent clumps of wildflowers -- if you could call the dried out white plants flowers.
"We're here," Nico confirmed. He turned to Maria. "You know what to do."
She nodded, excitement shining in her eyes.
They exited the truck. The whirr of grasshoppers was deafening. The sun had baked this place dry. Even now the temperature here had to be close to eighty though it was almost seven p.m.
"Come here." Nico took Danielle's arm and walked her over to the edge. "Look."
The bottom dropped out of Danielle's stomach. They were so high up! She could see the Snake River in the distance, and part of the vineyard, but it was far away, a cool dot of green in a dry valley of brown.
"I don't understand," she said. "What is this place?"
"Our campground, for tonight." Nico grinned.
"Campground?" she repeated. "We're in the middle of nowhere."
"Exactly." Nico spun away, back to the truck. "That's what camping is all about, being one with nature. Help me unpack before it gets too dark to see."
Maria had already unloaded most of the truck, showing Nico where she thought the tent should be set up. Danielle sat on a camp chair, provided by Maria, and Nico and the kids worked to erect their night-time shelter.
She'd never camped before, and these conditions seemed more primitive than most, but she held her tongue. The kids and Nico seemed to really be enjoying themselves. Maybe this outing was what they all needed.
The tent popped into place. Danielle peered inside, surprised to find the tent could easily sleep ten people.
"Do you want to set up the sleeping bags while the kids help me with the port-a-potty?" Nico asked.
"The port-a-potty?" Danielle echoed, hoping a port-a-potty didn't look as bad as it sounded.
"You know," Maria said with a giggle, "it's where we pee."
"I get it." Danielle wrinkled her nose. "I hope I can hold it all night."
"Boys don't have to use it," Kaiden said. "We can go anywhere, right Nico?"
Everyone laughed.
They worked together for another thirty minutes, setting up the rest of their camp. Danielle had to admit, Nico knew what he was doing. The tent was set up, the front flaps rolled back, netting at the entrance keeping unwanted bugs out, but allowing fresh air to flow through the tent. Inside, Danielle had rolled out all four bags, hers and Kaiden's on one side of the tent, Nico and Maria's on the other. The few belongings they'd brought were also inside. They couldn't have a fire; it was too dry, but Nico had brought a pop-up picnic table and a battery operated lantern sat in the center.
Way over to the side behind a grouping of large rocks, sat the port-a-potty.
"I'll have to admit," Danielle said with a smile, "everything looks great."
"Let's eat before it gets dark," Nico said, "that's when the real show begins."
"The show?" Danielle asked.
"You'll see." He winked at her.
An answering warmth filled her. The more time she spent with him, the more she liked him. He was such a good man, kind and honest, not to mention a great dad. Too bad she could have no real future with him. Her life was elsewhere, with Kaiden. She didn't want to live in Sun Grove, no matter how tempting Nico made the place. Men came and went. No one knew that better than she did. She needed to stick to her plan, get her money, and make a fresh start. She didn't want to depend on anyone but herself.
Her pep talk over, Danielle opened the cooler and removed the food Lola had packed, finding a variety of sandwiches, chips, a fruit salad, and a thermos of lemonade. There were fat oatmeal cookies for dessert, as well as sweet rolls, cereal and fruit for breakfast.
As she set out the food, Nico unpacked a large box.
"What's that?" she asked.
"My telescope. Astronomy is a hobby of mine."
"Ah," she said, finally understanding. "The show."
"The best you'll ever see." He put the telescope together.
She waited for him to finish before calling the kids to the table to eat. For the first time in a long time, Danielle relaxed. Watching Kaiden and Maria lightened her spirit, made her heart soar.
When they finished the meal, they cleaned everything up before settling into their camp chairs to await the first star. They didn't have to wait long before the first star popped into the sky, at first a tiny burst of light, but it quickly grew in brilliance.
"Tell me something good that happened to you when you lived here as a child," Nico said.
"A good memory?" Danielle searched her mind, surprised to find Kaiden and Maria both watching her, waiting for her to tell them a story. "Let me think." She thought back to the days before her parents used to fight. "My dad used to take me fishing. We'd fish all day,
then build a fire and cook the fish. We'd stay until dark, just the two of us. We'd talk all day and my dad would tell stories about his childhood, growing up here at Whitney House. I loved those stories."
She exchanged a glance with Nico, and he smiled. Somehow he'd managed to pluck another good memory from dusty corners of her mind.
"My dad never took me camping," Kaiden said wistfully. "I always wanted to go. It's cool."
"Dad and I love to camp," Maria said. "My mom would never come along though. She doesn't like bugs or dirt."
Nico gave Maria a soft smile. "No, camping isn't your mom's thing."
"I didn't think it was my thing, either," Danielle admitted, "but I'm having a great time."
They took turns telling stories, sharing their favorite memories. It was a bonding evening, a healing evening, and the start of a new beginning for Danielle.
Because for the first time ever, she got a taste of what it was like to have a real family.
***
Nico extinguished the lantern and brought his chair over next to Danielle's. He held her hand. Stars filled the sky, starlight illuminating their makeshift campground.
"They're finally in bed," he said. "I know it's after eleven, but I don't think they'll be going to sleep anytime soon."
"I know," Danielle agreed. "I never expected it to be so light. The starlight illuminates everything. It's magical."
"I know. Being here makes me feel insignificant. There's an entire universe out there, and I'm just a tiny dot."
"I know what you mean."
Danielle's eyes were on the sky. He'd never seen her look so relaxed, and he liked it, wanted her to be like this all the time. They were all here together, safe. Inside the tent, Maria and Kaiden talked softly, the ping from the video game the only sound that didn't belong here.
He'd given them fifteen minutes to play, the video game their only source of light inside the tent. Nico intended to use those fifteen minutes to romance Danielle, out here in the starlight, where the tent walls gave them some privacy.
He leaned close, whispering in her ear, "Are you game for a little necking?"
Danielle whispered back, "I don't think that's going to happen. This is a family vacation."
A family vacation. Jacques would be so proud of him. He'd romanced Danielle, inserted himself into her life and Kaiden's. Danielle trusted him, but was he worthy of her trust? For him, owning the vineyard was still the ultimate prize. Danielle was a means to an end, yet his physical attraction to her kept getting in the way. They had great chemistry, he couldn't deny that, but was sexual attraction enough to keep them together after the ninety days? Or was it better if they kept things simple, enjoyed their summer fling, then parted ways as planned? It was the only way he would own the vineyard. If she stayed, he'd have to give up his dream. She'd always be the boss, and he wasn't sure he could handle that.
There were no easy answers. For tonight, he just wanted to be with her.
"It's beautiful here," Danielle said. "No one's ever shown me the stars before. I never knew there were so many. It's awesome."
"I'm glad I was the first," he said. "Want another look through the telescope?"
"Sure."
Nico positioned the telescope on the night sky. "Okay. Look."
He stepped aside. Danielle peered down into the telescope. "I don't see it."
"Move a little," he said, his hands bracketing her hips.
She shifted over. "Okay, I see now. What am I looking at?"
"Do you see four bright stars with a fifth star slightly apart from the grouping?"
"Yes."
"That's Delphinius." He moved in behind her, cupping her body with his, the contact electric.
"Why do they twinkle?" she asked.
"Turbulence in the atmosphere." He kissed her neck, his lips grazing her soft skin.
"Fascinating." She tilted her head to give him greater access to her skin.
His arm wound around her waist, his hands roving higher, to her breasts.
Danielle straightened, leaning against him. They didn't speak, but he held her, explored her body in the starlight.
She shivered.
"Cold?" he asked, his hands finding their way under her sweatshirt.
"A little," she said softly.
His hands closed over her breasts. He found the front closure of her bra, and released the clasp, her soft breasts filling his hands.
"How about now?" he asked.
"I think I'm getting warmer."
"I think so, too."
She turned in his embrace.
In the back of his mind he could hear the ping of the video game, hear Maria and Kaiden talking.
He took a risk, and kissed Danielle, his hands slipping up under her sweatshirt, touching the smooth skin of her back.
Her sweetness filled him, made him ache for her. He felt her surrender, wanted to surrender himself, but knowing the kids were nearby kept him from stripping her clothes off and doing all the things to her he longed to do.
"Ohhhh," the kids groaned in unison, signaling the end of the game.
Nico broke the kiss, but not body contact, wanting to hold Danielle for another minute. He pressed his forehead to hers, fighting to get his raging libido under control. Her warm breath mingled with his.
"Dad, are you guys coming to bed?" Maria called from inside the tent.
"On our way." He continued to hold her, caress her back, breathe in her scent.
"We should go to bed," Danielle said with obvious regret.
"My thoughts exactly."
"You know what I mean," she said with a smile.
Nico groaned as she turned out of his embrace.
Inside the tent, the kids had turned on the flashlights, shining the beams of light all over, making it easy for them to find their way inside.
Neither of them bothered to undress. They removed their shoes and crawled into their sleeping bags.
"Good night, everyone," Danielle said in the darkness.
"Good night," Kaiden and Maria echoed.
"Sweet dreams," Danielle replied.
"Good night," Nico said, his body still aching for Danielle. The lights went out.
Man, it was going to be a long, long night.
***
Danielle was forced to use the dreaded port-a-potty for the second time the following morning. Surprisingly, she didn't find the act as bad as she'd feared. At first glance, it looked like a mini toilet only it didn't flush. When everyone had their turn, Nico disposed of the waste -- she didn't know how, and she wasn't about to ask for details.
Right after breakfast, they tore down camp and started for home. Nico wanted to get some work done in the vineyard, and Danielle wanted to contact her attorney about Peter.
On the ride down the mountain, she thought about her time with Nico last night. He'd been wonderful, and she knew that no matter what happened between them, she'd be grateful for last night, one of the most magical nights of her life. Best of all, Kaiden and Maria also carried the wonderful memory. Both kids had needed a little fun, a diversion from the reality of divorce.
She glanced over at Nico, his strong hands on the steering wheel. Looking at those hands sent a thrill through her. Those hands had been on her, had touched the most intimate parts of her body. He had sexy hands.
She was falling for him and in a big way. What would happen when she left? Could they carry on a long distance relationship? Would Nico still want her, or was part of her allure her connection to the place he loved and would do anything to keep?
"What are you thinking about?" Nico glanced at her.
"What I need to do when we get back," she lied.
Owning the vineyard was a powerful motive for Nico to keep her happy, and while she didn't want to believe he'd used her to get what he wanted, in the back of her mind she couldn't trust him completely and that saddened her.
He gave her a gentle smile. "Try not to worry. Everything will be fine."
"I hop
e so." She checked on the kids. For once, they weren't playing video games. They both stared out the window at the scenery.
Back at Whitney House, they all helped with the unloading.
"Thanks for everything," Danielle said when they were ready to part.
"My pleasure," Nico said warmly.
The kids had disappeared inside the house.
"Will I see you later?" she asked, knowing she'd need her Nico fix.
"Try and keep me away." He stepped close to her. "I want to kiss you."
An alarm bell went off in her head. She wasn't ready to go totally public. "Someone will see." She placed her hand against his chest to hold him back.
"So?" His hands found her waist. "This is a small place. Everyone here already knows we're seeing each other."
"The kids..."
"...will survive." Nico kissed her, shutting up her protests, shutting off her mind.
The purr of an engine signaled an approaching car. They broke apart. Sheriff Anderson.
Nico frowned.
"I wonder if he's found anything out?" Danielle asked.
"Come on." Nico took her arm and they walked to meet the sheriff.
"Good day," Sheriff Anderson called. He removed his sunglasses as he walked toward them.
"Hi," Danielle said. "Any news?"
"No." He shook his head. "We did lift some prints from the paper, but judging from the size of the prints, I'm pretty sure they belong to the kids. We could fingerprint them. I'm sure that would scare the bejesus out of them and get a confession."
"No," Danielle said, a mix of relief and disappointment filling her. Kids meant it was an inside job. She and Nico could deal with Maria, but it was disappointing to think Maria wanted her gone. "I don't want to do that." She looked to Nico. "Do you?"
Nico frowned. "No. Let me talk to Maria first. If it's her, and she thinks we're on to her, I doubt there will be any more pranks."
"Fair enough," Sheriff Anderson said. He glanced up at the upper windows of Whitney House. "Maria's watching us. If she is responsible, she's probably scared to death about now."