by Molly Cannon
Theo opened the door, and Sadie came bounding out to greet him. Kneeling down to her level, he rubbed her fur with both hands. “Hey, girl. Did you miss me? I missed you. Yes, I did.”
He was so cute with Sadie. She never considered a cat or dog for herself. She seemed to lack the gene that nurtured animals and small children. Besides Sven had been allergic. But Theo needed a dog of his own. That was plain to see. If he ever settled down anywhere permanently, she would recommend it. A sweet dog like Sadie. If they were still in touch. A really big if.
Theo got Sadie settled down and led Irene inside. It was sparsely furnished. A couple of folding chairs and a card table sat in the living room. A vase of mixed flowers sat in the middle and a bottle of red wine. Two wineglasses flanked the bottle.
“What’s all this?” Irene asked.
“Sorry. I did all of this before you called off the date. I was trying to make a good impression.” He seemed a little embarrassed by his attempts.
She leaned over and smelled the bouquet. “It’s very nice, Theo. I’m impressed.”
He smiled. “Would you like some wine?”
“I would like that very much.”
He poured the wine and handed her a glass. “Let me make a toast.”
“Okay.” She held her glass out and waited.
“To you and me. And to whatever we may be to each other at this time in our lives.”
“I’ll drink to that.” They both took a sip, their eyes locked on the other’s.
Theo took her glass and set it on the table. “Friends?”
She nodded, and he kissed her on the cheek. His face was all sharp angles and planes in the dimly lit room. His blue eyes narrowed with warning as he pulled back to measure her response.
Then his mouth moved from her cheek to her lips. “Lovers?”
She moaned. That was the only answer she could give him as they wrapped their arms around each other. It wasn’t the first kiss of the night and it certainly wouldn’t be the last, but Irene would remember the slight taste of wine on his lips, the sound of the ceiling fan lazily turning overhead, and the certain knowledge that she was exactly where she belonged. In this moment, nothing else mattered.
“I’m not trying to rush you,” he whispered.
“Rush me,” she said with a nip of his ear. Her smile was an open invitation.
He didn’t need any more encouragement. With a whoop of laughter, he scooped her into his arms and headed toward the bedroom. At least that’s where she assumed he was taking her. He paused at the doorway and set her on her feet. Then he opened the door with a sweeping flourish and led her inside.
“I’m not sure that it can live up to its reputation, but here’s what all the fuss was about.”
She walked inside, taking in the giant bed, the dresser, the nightstands, and lamps. “Wow, this works pretty good for a den of inequity. I guess you haven’t even had a chance to try it out?”
“Only at the store. Gavin let me take it for a test-drive.”
She wandered over and wrapped her hands around one of the massive corner posts. “This bed looks like it can handle just about anything.”
He advanced on her with a wicked gleam in his eyes. “I’ll take that as a challenge.”
“Please do.” Then he was kissing her again, and she didn’t care about talking anymore. He backed her up until the backs of her thighs were pressed against the edge of the bed. And then it was so easy to fall backward. His arms cushioned her fall, and he followed her down. She unbuttoned his shirt, stopping to trace the small scar on his shoulder. She mapped and bookmarked all the old familiar places on his body that had once been as well-known to her as her own. The freckle on his rib cage. The flat muscles of his stomach. That hadn’t changed. It all added up to Theo. The man she’d loved and lost.
He turned her around, moved her hair aside. Then he worked quickly, unzipping her dress and pulling it off her shoulders. He sprinkled kisses down her shoulder blade before pushing the dress down and off her arms. “You’re beautiful, Ree.”
“I feel beautiful when I’m with you, Theo.” She turned in his arms, pulling him down for a long open-mouthed kiss. They fell into old patterns. He knew the places to touch her that made her dissolve with desire. He knew the rhythm that let her free fall, and then let her fly. She opened up under his sure touch, allowing herself to be vulnerable. His mouth worshipped her breasts, using his tongue and fingers, sucking until she thought she’d lose her mind. Insanity seemed like a tempting choice if the alternative meant he would stop touching her.
She was doing her best to drive him crazy, too. She feasted on his neck, kissing and licking, moving down his body until she reached the waistband of his blue jeans. She reached for the button, looking up into his face as she flipped it open, letting her hand travel down the length and breadth of his desire.
With a growl he jumped off the bed, pushing his jeans and his boxer shorts off of his long legs. She lolled on the bed, enjoying the sight of his naked body. He was tall and proud, a man whose gaze swept over her, adoring her without reservation. She sat up, moving to her knees as he returned to the bed, facing her on his knees as well. His hands went to her face, and he pulled her close until they were touching thigh to thigh, chest to chest.
“I’ve dreamed of this night for so many years now.” His words were a balm to her homesick soul.
She couldn’t hide the truth from him. “It was bound to happen. The moment you flew back into town, you’ve been seducing me.”
“Have I?”
“You know you have. And I’m tired of resisting.”
He kissed her cheek, and then her neck, and then her shoulder. With a grin he asked, “So, I’ve just worn you down?”
She sighed. “Not yet, but I expect you will before the night is over.” She longed for his strength to take her over the edge that glimmered just out of reach. “Please, Theo. I want you now.”
Theo pressed her into the mattress, covering her with his hard body. She spread her legs to welcome him, cradling him with her hips, smoothing her hands down his back stopping at the flare of his hips and moving back up to run her fingers through his hair. The curls sprang out, holding her subtly, without chains, binding her softly as he moved inside of her.
He moaned, sinking into her with sureness, with a boldness that took her breath away. Irene closed her eyes, flying through a fog of passion, buffeted by updrafts, rolling in his arms as the earth tilted below, circling ever higher in a spiral that went on and on.
Then she came apart in his arms, a shattering moment that seemed to stop time. He followed, and his yell echoed through her head like a victory cry. She floated back to earth slowly, languidly, holding onto his body like stolen treasure.
“Theo.” His name was like a prayer on her lips.
“Ree, oh, God, Ree. I’ve missed you so much.” His voice was harsh, and his words pierced her to the core.
She didn’t want to cry for what she’d lost. Or for what she’d been lucky enough to find again, so she kissed him. Stealing his breath for her own, snuggling into his heat, into his space as if she could crawl inside him and live there until it was time for him to go.
Ree was sleeping like a baby. Some things never changed. When they’d lived together all those years ago, she would fall asleep after they made love and an earthquake wouldn’t disturb her. But in about an hour she would wake up, if things followed her normal schedule, and she’d be ravenous. Back in the day, bacon and eggs were her favorite, so he’d stocked up just in case. Again he wasn’t sure if that made him creepy or thoughtful.
He stretched, easing himself from under her slumbering body. She whimpered and then curled up, hugging the pillow instead. Theo took a moment to watch her. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known, that had been his unwavering truth since the moment he’d first seen her. Her lush, curvy body with her long legs and slender arms moved with a grace that made him wish he could write poetry. Her long, black hair against her p
ale skin, and now in sleep, those long, dark eyelashes lying against her cheeks. That cute nose and lips that were lush and pink and soft and aligned perfectly with his mouth. Magic. She stirred him in ways he didn’t understand. He could sit and watch her all day long and never grow tired. But she was beautiful inside, too. Sweet, generous, funny, smart.
He tried to think of something wrong with her. It would make saying good-bye that much easier.
She’d loved another man after him. He’d never found anyone else that compared. It didn’t seem to matter now. She was here in his bed, and he hoped that she would choose to stay there for at least a little longer.
Marla Jean and Jake were due home soon, and then it would be the Fourth of July. The time he had left in Everson would fly by now. Bart told him he’d found an interested buyer for his plane. He needed to e-mail Mitch down in Australia and keep him apprised of his plans. Every time he started to contact his old friend, he’d found a reason to delay.
He pulled a sheet over Ree, tucking it around her, brushing her hair from her face, and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. She smiled without waking, and he shrugged into his jeans. He walked out into the hallway and took a deep breath. Making love to Ree had been better than he remembered. Maybe it was because before he’d thought she was his forever. He’d never pictured his future without her in it.
This time the fragile nature of their relationship had him holding onto his nights and days with her for dear life. He walked to the kitchen and pulled out a skillet from the cabinet. He got eggs and bacon and orange juice from the old refrigerator and then found whole wheat bread for toast in the pantry.
Sadie padded into the kitchen, watching him with a puzzled look on her face. She wasn’t used to seeing him cook, especially not in the middle of the night. “It’s okay, Sadie. I’m making an early breakfast.”
Sadie seemed to take him at his word and curled up in the corner of the kitchen and went back to sleep while he cooked. He was going to miss Sadie when he left, too. Of course, even if he stayed, she would go home to Jake’s house where she belonged. He’d miss Lily Porter and her stale muffins. He’d miss all the folks he’d met while working on the danged float. Everson would be a nice place to live. But that wasn’t going to happen, so he needed to stop dwelling on it and figure out what his future looked like without this town. And without Ree.
The toast popped up, and he grabbed a plate to put the slices on. The bacon was crisp, and the eggs were done. He buttered the toast and arranged everything on the plate. He carried it into the living room and got a single flower from the arrangement sitting on the card table. A nice little touch to add to the meal. He turned toward the bedroom, and that was the moment Irene appeared in the doorway.
She was wearing his shirt and her hair was mussed. Theo thought she’d never looked more beautiful.
“Hi,” she said with a soft smile. “I’m hungry, and I smell bacon.”
He held out the plate, and she squealed like he’d offered her diamonds and pearls.
“Oh, you are the most amazing man.”
“I know.” He was going to bask in all the extra points he was getting for doing this part right.
She grabbed his arm and dragged him back to the bedroom. “Come with me. After I rebuild my energy, I have plans for you.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Hey, Theo.” Irene nudged him with her elbow.
“Hmmm?” He didn’t open his eyes.
It was the second night she’d spent at his house. After work they’d met at Lu Lu’s and danced while the whole town watched with undisguised curiosity. She didn’t care. It was past time to worry about the gossip in this old town. After that they’d driven to Theo’s house, fallen into bed, and made love. Twice. Theo had just dozed off when she got a brilliant idea.
“Theo?” She tried again.
He made a sleepy noise, but she wasn’t ready to give up yet.
“Let’s sneak out to the hangar, and see if we can catch anyone causing mischief.” She whispered the suggestion into his sleeping ear. Irene was stretched out on Theo’s super-comfy bed. He was wrapped around her. They were both naked.
“Huh? What time is it?” He tried to pull a pillow over his head.
She pulled it off and kissed the side of his neck. “It’s three in the morning. The perfect time to steal out to the airfield.”
He turned, wrapping both arms around her, pulling her snugly against his side. “Dunno. We’d have to get up,” he mumbled. “And get dressed.”
She rubbed his bare chest. “I know, and that part sucks, but it could be fun. We could wear all black and tiptoe around with flashlights.” Someone was still stirring up trouble at the hangar around the floats. So far, it had mainly been moving things around, hiding tools, minor pranks. But still, things had to be sorted out every time anyone tried to get to work. It was a pain in the butt, and Irene suspected Nell. She’d love to catch her in the act.
Theo seemed to be more awake now. “Uh-uh. Bad idea. If we get caught, everyone will think we’re the ones causing mischief. We already went to jail once this week.”
“Come on.” She was halfway off the bed before he could argue anymore. She stopped stark-naked by the side of the bed. In her most seductive voice, she said, “It will be an adventure, I promise.”
He stared at her like he’d never seen a naked female before. “You make it awfully hard to resist.”
“I hope so,” she said as he got off the bed. He didn’t have enough black clothes to go around, so they wore their blue jeans, and a couple of his dark-colored T-shirts. “We’ll do,” she declared as she inspected them in the mirror. Then she grabbed her car keys from the dresser and held them in the air. “And to make it worth your while, I’ll let you drive the Shelby.”
Theo parked at the front of the airfield across a parking lot with a good view of the entryway. He pulled the car next to a shed that would shield them from anyone watching. Irene grabbed some binoculars and peered across the lot, eager to catch anyone up to no good.
Theo rolled down the windows, and a warm wind brushed their faces and rustled through their hair. The moonless night shaded everything in a gray gloom, making it difficult to make out details. Everything was quiet except for a couple of dogs barking in the distance.
“I don’t see anything,” she said, sounding disappointed.
Theo rested his arm on the steering wheel. “And maybe you won’t. They might have done their handiwork already and gone home. Or maybe this is their night off.”
She hit his arm playfully. “You’re such a pessimist, Theo.”
He grinned. “No, I’m optimistic we won’t see a thing. And if we do, what’s your plan? Make a citizen’s arrest?”
She put the binoculars down. “I don’t know. I was just feeling all Nancy Drew. She’d catch them red-handed and turn them over to the authorities. Everyone has worked too hard for someone to be causing trouble.”
“Speaking of hard work, have you come up with your wow factor yet?”
She gave him a sly grin. “I think so. Lizzie Harris came to see me the other day.”
“The young woman I met in your shop?”
“That’s the one.”
Theo narrowed his eyes. “The one that wanted me to marry them dressed as Elvis.”
She nodded eagerly. “That’s right.”
Theo didn’t like where this was going. “What did she want?”
“Well, they haven’t been able to get their wedding together yet, and I asked her if she’d consider getting married on the float.”
“During the parade?”
Irene gushed with excitement over the plan. “Exactly. All of her family will be in town, and the town picnic will serve as a giant reception. She loved the idea.”
“I have to admit it’s different,” he said cautiously.
She clapped him on the arm. “I know. It’s going to be fantastic, but…”
“But what?” He knew he shouldn’t ask.
; “If you’d play Elvis that would put us over the top. I think we’d win the trophy without a doubt.” She looked at him like he held her fate in his hands.
He held up a hand. “Oh no. I thought I made it clear I wasn’t interested.”
She sighed. “I understand. I’m looking at other options, but since they are willing to do this for me, I’d like to give them what they want. Without Elvis it won’t be perfect.”
Headlights sliced across the parking lot. Theo grabbed her arm and pulled her down in the car. They slumped down while still peeking out the windshield, trying to tell what was going on. But they were too far away. The car cruised around the hangar and then suddenly headed straight for the place they were parked.
Theo tried to start the Shelby and make a getaway, but red-and-blue flashing lights filled the night sky.
“Tell me this isn’t happening again.” Theo banged his head on the steering wheel.
Irene bit her lower lip. “I’m sure we can explain everything.”
“Whatever you do, just stay in the car.”
The cop car stopped in front of them, and they sat quietly as Officer Melber walked up to the side of the car. “Excuse me, sir, but can you tell me what you’re doing out here in the middle of the night?”
“Good evening, Officer.”
The policeman flashed his light inside the car, and his eyes widened when he recognized Theo. “Not you again. What’s going on this time? I see you’re in a different car. Does this one belong to you?”
“No, but—”
Irene spoke up. “It’s mine, Officer Melber.”
He leaned down and looked inside. “Is that you, Mrs. Cornwell?”
She waved. “It’s me. Good evening, Owen.”
He sighed. “And I suppose you have a perfectly good reason for being here?”
Theo spoke up. “Yes, sir. We were guarding our float from vandals.”