Claiming Amelia

by Jessica Blake

  “Wait,” I called after her and tossed the picnic basket in the back bucket of the ATV. It roared to life and I chased after her. When I pulled beside her, I shut it off. “Come on, hop on.”

  “No, I’m perfectly fine walking, thank you very much.” She had never sounded more British to me than she did in that moment.

  “Liane, come on. Don’t be ridiculous.”

  That was the wrong thing to say, I quickly learned.

  “Ridiculous? I’m being ridiculous?” Her eyes had hell’s fire behind them. “Let’s define ridiculous, shall we? Ridiculous is making assumptions about people’s feelings and thinking you know what they’re going through. Ridiculous is hiding out behind a gated fence when what you really want, deeply want, is to be included in a family. Ridiculous is—”

  “Fighting on the side of a hill when we could be fighting in a climate controlled home.” I was careful to keep laughter from my tone even though she was truly adorable.

  She growled at me. Growled! Then turned and headed up the hill again.

  “Come on. Get on. I promise we’ll talk about it more when we get inside.”

  I waited for her to come to her senses, to stop and get on. Nope. She was practically jogging up the damn hill. I exhaled, but didn’t start the ATV right away. Damn. Her ass looked fucking amazing.

  “And stop staring at my butt,” she yelled back at me.

  I turned on the ATV and gave it a shot of gas. I sped by her before doing a U-turn, coming around to face her. Turning off the machine, I said, “And that’s another thing we need to talk about. If I wanted all of my thoughts read, I’d send you an e-mail of each one. Some things are private, Liane. Private. Do you understand the meaning of that?”

  She looked abashed for a moment, and her toe caught on a rock. She stumbled, but didn’t fall. “Are you accusing me of snooping into your thoughts?” Her hands were on her hips again.

  “Yes. No. Shit, I don’t know.”

  She narrowed her eyes and stalked right past me.

  I sighed and turned on the four-wheeler, then turned back up the hill, coming up along beside her.

  “I do not snoop on you,” she yelled over the noise of the engine. “I don’t need to. Nearly everything you feel shoots out at me like a bloody bullet.”

  I turned off the engine, but she didn’t stop, just picked up speed. Turning it back on, I pulled in front of her and shut it off. I jumped off and marched up to her, not stopping until I’d tossed her over my shoulder.

  “Hawk!” Her small fists wailed on my back, hurting more than I’d like to admit.

  Straddling the ATV, I started the engine again and smacked her bottom when she started kicking. “Be still!” I yelled at her. “Now, do you want to ride this way or in front of me like a normal person.”

  Wrong thing to say. Again.

  She began kicking like a caged animal and, to my amazement, pulled my hair. I never imagined in a million years this normally calm creature resorting to violence.

  Pulling her off my shoulder, I plopped her down facing me, her legs straddling my hips. I wrapped my hands around her thin wrists. “Stop it.”

  A second later, I was seeing stars. I lifted my hand to my nose. This she-cat had head butted me. I couldn’t believe it.

  Spotting the blood, she became immediately docile and horrified by her actions. “Oh no, I hurt you. I’m so sorry.”

  She whipped her t-shirt over her head, leaving only a tank top underneath. Was she not wearing a bra? I didn’t have a chance for a second look because she was stuffing the shirt against my face.

  “Are you alright? I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to do that, but, oooh…”

  She lifted the shirt to check on the blood and I couldn’t remove the smile from my face in time. Her eyes narrowed and I quickly grabbed her wrists again, then move my head out of her reach.

  “It’s not funny,” she shouted. “I injured you. I’ve never even injured a mouse. I’m a catch and release kind of person.”

  I couldn’t hold it in any longer, a hoot of laughter came flying out of my mouth. Her lips grew thin, then curved a little at the corner. Then she was laughing too.

  My side hurt, my jaw ached, my temples even throbbed before I could make myself stop. Tears were spilling down my face. Just when I thought I’d gained control, I’d look at her and lose it all over again.

  “Is this our first fight?” she asked me, wiping the corner of her eyes. She had hiccups now from laughing so much.

  Each time she hiccupped, her breasts bounced up and down. She noticed my distraction and crossed her arms over her chest. Then her eyes dilated as she gazed up at me and she lowered her arms to her side.

  “I wish we were married already,” she said, her gaze falling to my lips.

  My cock swelled and she shifted on my lap, her cheeks turning the prettiest pink. “I wish that too, Liane, more than you could ever know. If we were, we could begin making up right about now.”

  Silence stretched between us.

  “I’m still mad at you,” she said after a while and lifted a hand to my cheek.

  I turned my face to press my lips into her warm palm. “I know. I don’t blame you. I’d be mad at me too.”

  “Will you try? With your mother? With your family?” Her thumb brushed across my lower lip.

  “Yes. I’ll do anything for you.”

  Her fingers slid around my neck and she pulled my face down to within millimeters of her own. “I love you, Hawk.”

  My heart squeezed. “I love you too.”

  She smiled against my lips. “Good. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to hit you again.”

  I kissed her all the way home.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Auggie

  I felt staggered by the sight of Hawk and Liane; knowing that either one of them could have hit a button and welcomed me in. Instead, they chose to remain anonymously at home, Hawk heaving guilt upon me despite my attempt to heal with gifts in hand. I couldn’t say I was angry with Liane. She was siding with the man who was almost her husband. I suspected she wanted the rift healed as much as I did. I understood it was at her urging that Hawk had even contacted us in the first place. That said, I knew she felt her goal was furthered by staying close to Hawk — as a loyal mate should. I would stand by Worth in the same situation.

  There was one thing about anger, pain and tears. It forces you to resolution. That’s where I’d arrived. I was going to fix this even if that meant dragging every one of them behind me. That’s when I came up with an idea.

  I missed Dad and had promised myself to bring the family down to stay. I would take the kids out of school for two weeks and make Worth clear his schedule. I doubted Hawk and Liane would come, but I would definitely invite them. We would all fly down to the condo and spend some time with Dad. It would be a luxurious prison, and we needed to be away from our normal routines. People tended to hide in their routines.

  Worth was home when I got back. He was sitting in his study doing some kind of paperwork. I tapped on the door frame, and he looked up as I went in and sat in one of the chairs opposite his desk. “I’ve always wondered why you do that?”

  “What are you talking about?” He was impatient.

  “You have chairs facing your desk, as though clients are coming in.”

  He shrugged. “Call it shrink feng shui,” he said, and I laughed aloud. It helped to lighten the atmosphere.

  “Wanted to talk with you if you have a few minutes?”

  He nodded and laid down his pen. “What’s up?”

  “I tried a bit of a peace offering today, and it blew up in my face,” I began.

  “What did you do?”

  “I had Letty make me a huge picnic of Hawk’s favorite foods and took the golf cart up there to surprise him. He’s got the place surrounded by security fencing, including a huge gate that’s locked. I realized I didn’t even have a phone number for him. I tried calling you, but you were in conference. I finally found Liane’s
number, and she was with him. He was rigid and bitter; very, very angry. I told him I’d leave the picnic, and when he came home, he could eat it. After I headed toward home, I turned around and saw them both at the gate, bringing in the food. They’d been inside all along and could have opened the gate with the push of a button. Do you have any idea how that feels as a mother?”

  “Ouch!”

  Well, Worth was willing to extend a bit of sympathy to me. It seemed we weren’t past that point of return, at least. “I’m so hurt.”

  “I can understand that. If it makes you feel any better, I doubt he would have even answered my phone call.” Worth shifted in his chair, and I knew his body language well enough to know the thought made him uncomfortable. He began tapping the pen on his desk.

  “I’m not content to leave it this way. I want my family. Together. I want my husband.” My face burned as I said the last word.

  He seemed taken by surprise, his brows rose, and he stifled whatever sarcastic response he was about to make. “I miss you, too, Auggie. You’ve been pretty rough on me lately.”

  “Well, I have an inspiration. I’d like to take the kids out of school for a couple of weeks, have you clear your schedule and let’s go down to the condo and visit Dad. It’s such a huge place, and there’s the boat and everything — it’s all going to waste. I need to check in on Dad anyway. I thought it might be a good family getaway.”

  “How about Hawk?”

  “I’ll let you call and invite him.”

  “Pffft!” he uttered. “Fat chance of him talking to me.”

  “Well, I have his number. Call it from your personal cell and if he doesn’t answer, leave voice mail. We will have, at least, given him the opportunity to go. If he chooses not to, it’s on him. What do you say?”

  “I think it’s a great idea, actually,” he agreed. “You call the school and I’ll line up the jet. Shall we take Letty with us?”

  “Why not? I’ll ask her. I need to talk to Lily too. I’m so glad that I hired her. I can leave and know that everything will still be in good hands.”

  “You’re not inviting her?”

  “No, her job is to back me up here. Anyway, she wouldn’t go if she could.”

  “Why not?”

  “I think there’s a little heat beginning to grow between Brandon and her.”

  “Brandon?”

  “Yes, haven’t you noticed him hanging around here so much lately? He met her that night on the patio and showed up in the middle of the day today, as you know. He’s become a piece of flypaper.”

  “Well, damn!”

  “Why are you cussing?”

  He flushed and quit the pen tapping. “Promise not to get mad?”

  I frowned but nodded.

  “I thought he was here for you and that you might be thinking about leaving me.”

  My mouth dropped open. “You thought I was going to divorce you?”

  He cocked his head sideways. “Well, not entirely sure about the divorce part, but I did think you were escaping from our marriage, in one way or another.”

  I sat and thought about this a moment. “So, let me ask you. Have you done anything you shouldn’t have, thinking that I might be doing the same thing?”

  “Of course not,” he said in a cold, clipped voice.

  “Doesn’t feel very good to be accused, does it?” I asked him, and he just stared at me. “I’ll get started on my share of the planning.” I rose from the chair, turning to leave.

  “Auggie.”

  I turned to look at him.

  “I’m sorry.”

  I nodded and left the room.

  There wasn’t exactly an abundance of receptive joy in the house that night. I knew Worth tried calling Hawk, but the line went unanswered. There were no callbacks. Marga shrieked as though her foot had been cut off. There was outrage regarding some special date she had that weekend and the following week she wanted to try out for a play. “You’ve ruined my entire life!” she accused me.

  I nodded. “Sometimes mothers do that. You’ll get through it.”

  She quit speaking to me at that point.

  Mark was more accommodating although I could tell he was only obliging to me, not because he was enthusiastic about the idea. The most cheerful person was probably Letty. She untied her apron, threw it on the counter and hooted “Whoopee!” on her way to her room to pack.

  I went down to Lily’s house and interrupted her phone call with Brandon. She came to the door with the phone in her hand. “Let me call you back,” she told him and welcomed me in. I hadn’t been in her house recently and was surprised how beautifully she’d decorated it.

  “I love what you’ve done with the place,” I told her. She had superb taste. It was a mix of Kentucky traditional and French country. I absolutely loved the look. “Would you consider doing some interior design for me?” I asked. “I’ve got some rooms that look like a Penny’s catalog — no personality. Especially my bedroom.”

  “I’d love to! I considered going to interior design school after the farm sold. It just takes so long to get established with a client list.”

  “Well, now, maybe I should rethink this. If too many of my friends see what you’re capable of doing, I might lose my farm manager!” I teased. “Honestly, you really are talented, girl.”

  Lily flushed with pleasure at my effusive compliments. “Was there something you came to ask me?”

  “Oh, yes. I’m making the family go to Florida and visit Dad for a couple of weeks. I’m leaving the development in your capable hands. If you have any problems, you can call me. The hands will also be here, of course. They pretty much know the routine. They just need someone to give them direction.”

  “Sure, no problem. How lucky you are to have that place in Florida. It’s beautiful there this time of year.”

  “Well, if you play your cards right, you just might need somewhere to honeymoon. I’ll give you a set of keys to the condo and to the boat.” I watched her face to see how she’d react.

  She blushed, just as I’d hoped and didn’t deny the attraction that was building between the two of them. “I like him, a lot, Auggie. You wouldn’t be opposed to my seeing him more often, would you?”

  “My god, why do you need my permission?”

  “I know he’s had a thing for you for a long time. He told me so.”

  “We’ve known each other since college. Worth has always had my heart, though. Brandon is a fine man and an excellent friend. I think both are important.”

  My words gave me pause for thought. I realized that Worth and I hadn’t been friends for a long time. We never did anything together, but were caught up in our work and taking care of the kids’ problems. I’m not really sure how it happened, but it seemed to happen to many couples. I had hoped we would be an exception.

  We decided to leave immediately, and Worth had the plane waiting for us at the airport. My phone buzzed and my heart skipped when I realized it was a text message from Hawk.

  Sorry. Can’t leave on such short notice. Maybe we can get together after you return. Have a safe trip. Tell grandpa I said hi.

  I held the phone to my chest before I sent a reply. I understand. I very much want to see you soon. I love you.

  He didn’t reply.

  The flight was smooth, and it was beautiful flying above the clouds where the moon shone down in reflection. It felt like we were skimming the surface of a lake of clouds. I fell asleep, even though the trip wasn’t very long. There was another limo waiting in Florida, and it had just passed midnight when we arrived at the condo.

  “Dad!” I hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.

  “What a surprise! Hello, Worth. Marga, Mark, come give Grandpa a hug,” he said, holding out his arms. Worth held out a hand and the kids set aside their sleepy aggravation long enough to hug him. “You all hungry?” he asked, starting up out of his chair. I saw how hard it was for him to get up and it worried me.

  “No, Dad, stay seated. Letty and
I can throw something together if anyone wants something but otherwise, I think we’re ready for bed.”

  “Okay, okay, if you don’t mind,” he answered in a tired voice and apparent relief. “My knees have been giving me a little trouble lately,” he added. I was disturbed by this. I couldn’t ever remember hearing him complain.

  “Letty, in the morning, would you mind doing some shopping to the stock the kitchen? We’ll need some things for the boat too. I’d like to go out on it a night or two.”

  Letty nodded. “Will do.”

  “Dad, have you seen the doctor about those knees?”

  “No, no… no need for that, Auggie. It’s just age. It’s been rough without Margaret, and I’m not getting out as much as I should. I just need more exercise is all.”

  “Balance in all things, Dad. Don’t overdo.” He did look a little pale, and that was odd, considering this was Florida.

  After a last hug, the kids headed off to their respective rooms, bickering as they went. They were both overly tired, and I knew they’d sleep until at least noon. While Letty tidied the kitchen, I sat down with Dad. Worth waved a sleepy hand and headed off to the master bedroom.

  “Dad, I’ve missed you. We should have come down sooner.” I settled into the bamboo chair and breathed in the warm ocean air, leaning my head against the thick cushion.

  “How are things, Auggie? I sorry Ford didn’t come with you. I was hoping to see him.”

  “He goes by Hawk now, Dad. I’m sorry. I was afraid that would hurt your feelings.”

  “He was young when he left us, Auggie. You can’t hold things against him. It must have been very hard on him.”

  “He holds a great deal of bitterness. Well, actually, he doesn’t hold it in at all — he’s quite open about it. We invited him to come with us, but he wasn’t able to. He’s getting married, Dad. He’s met a young woman, daughter of a minister from England. She’s very well-mannered and gentle. You should have seen her touch with one of the mares having difficulty foaling. She soothed the animal like a mother humming to her baby. It was really remarkable.”