“Really.” Hauling her bodily into his embrace, he proceeded to kiss her good morning. Breaking the kiss before it became unmanageable, he chuckled. “I knew I was in trouble the moment I spotted your red hair.”
“It’s not red!”
“Is so.”
“It only has red highlights,” she mumbled as she stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.
“Thank goodness for small favors. I don’t think I could handle you with totally red hair.” He brushed a soft kiss across her lips. “Did I wish you a perfect morning?”
Returning the feather kiss with one of her own, she answered, “You just did.”
“I had better get those kids moving before they miss their bus. It looks like I’m going to have another late breakfast.”
He draped his arm across her shoulders and they started back to the house. Right before they entered the kitchen she whispered in his ear how she could possibly make up the late breakfast to him. At his growl she giggled and entered the room full of kids.
Jason was busy ushering kids out the door when Travis - or was it Trevor? - said, “I wish you could kiss Mom more. Maybe she wouldn’t be so grumpy in the morning.” Laughing out loud, Jason turned to Riki. Seeing her stick her tongue out confirmed she had heard the comment.
Yes, sir, it certainly was a perfect morning.
Nine
After dinner and with everyone dressed in their matching blue T-shirts, they headed for the van. Raw energy and tension crackled in the air. Tonight was their first game. The boys were all giving their expert opinion to one another. Even Jake had a firm belief concerning what should and shouldn’t be done.
Jason had never seen anything more vicious than a parent whose son was just called out. He had never been to a Little League ball game before, and to say it was culture shock was an understatement. While Riki’s team was at least halfway normal - he counted Mr. Farley parking the hearse at the curb a little extreme - the other team bordered on ridiculous. Not only did they have the matching shirt and cap, they had matching pants and socks. Every boy on the team was wearing spikes and wrist bands, and had a pair of batting gloves hanging out of his back pocket. By the bottom of the second inning it was obvious that fancy uniforms don’t make ball players.
Jason was sitting on the bench next to Jake with Billy-Jo on his lap. Charlie and Andrew held their key positions next to the bats. The score was tied three to three. Little Tommy was finally on base, third to be precise. How he had gotten there Jason hadn’t a clue. The poor kid had such a limp that no matter how far he hit, he couldn’t run the bases fast enough.
Travis was up, there was one out, but the play was at home. Travis hit a high pop to the second baseman, who caught it and threw it home. Jason had to admit Tommy gave it his best shot. He even slid the last ten feet. He was definitely out. Anyone could see that.
As soon as the umpire called the out, Riki went charging in. She didn’t stop until she was nose to nose with the two-hundred-and-fifty-pound umpire. Her ponytail was bobbing, her cheeks were flushed, and her arms were gesturing wildly. Everyone in the stands could hear her. She very politely and bluntly was telling the umpire what she thought of his eyesight. At one point she threatened to pull Jake in to ump the rest of the game, because obviously he had better eyesight.
The poor umpire never had a chance. Jason had never seen Riki so infuriated, and was starting to believe Tommy might have been safe. The umpire was a brilliant red at this point, hardly getting in the first syllable of a sentence. Riki raised her fist and waved it under his nose.
The umpire looked ready to pick her up and ditch her in the Dumpster. Jason decided this had gone far enough. No one was going to lay a finger on his Riki. He cautiously set Billy-Jo on the bench and started out to the field.
At that point Riki made a comment only the umpire could hear. If anything he turned redder. She marched back toward the bench with her breast heaving. The light of victory was in her eyes, but Jason couldn’t figure out why. The decision remained the same. Cries of “You tell him, Riki” and “Always said he was as blind as a bat” were coming from some of the parents in the stand.
Riki placed a comforting hand on Tommy’s shoulder. The little boy smiled and hugged her. As the team gathered up their gloves and headed for the outfield, Riki leaned against the fence and marked her clipboard.
“Hey, coach.”
“Yes, Mr. Nesbit?”
“Didn’t you know that Tommy was really out?”
“Of course.”
He stared at her in total confusion. “Then why did you practically cause World War Three over it?”
“Besides the fact that I’m the only female coach and wanted him to know I won’t be pushed?”
“Besides that.”
“Because if I did nothing, Tommy would have started to cry. It was the first time he had ever made it to home plate. Now he knows I have confidence in him and it doesn’t seem so bad that he was out.”
She gazed into Jason’s eyes to see if he understood. His expression softened and she knew he did. He leaned forward and kissed her softly.
“Did I tell you today that I love you?”
“Yep. That just made it number three.”
“Keeping track?”
“Yep.” She started to giggle.
“Why?”
“Because for every time you say it I am going to . . .” She whispered the rest into his ear, then turned back toward the game, shouting, “Let’s play ball.”
Jason leaned his forehead against the fence. “Why now, lord? Why does she say things like that here?” Taking a few deep breaths to steady himself, he turned back toward the bench.
That night set the pattern for the next two weeks. During the day Riki handled the domestic end of the home, while Jason finished painting. His next projects were to repair the treacherous brick walk to the front door and to somehow speed up the relationship with Riki. He’d been in Virginia for nearly a month now. Charlie seemed to accept him. His brother-in-law Sam was running his business with no major problems. The problems that did crop up were handled with a couple of long-distance calls. For some reason climbing that tree every night was becoming less and less appealing. Not the lovely woman waiting for him every night.
She was quickly becoming a necessity. His business couldn’t hang forever, though, Charlie had to be told he was her father, and Riki had to realize he wasn’t just having a lusty affair. Someday soon the entire situation would come to a head. He only hoped he’d be able to handle it.
One day he returned home with Charlie and Billy-Jo after taking them on a shopping trip. Each was clutching a brand new doll. He had promised all of the kids something special. He decided to break it into three separate trips after Riki fell off the couch laughing when he told her he was taking all the kids at once.
The downstairs was empty, which was quite unusual for a home with seven children. As he stepped onto the back porch, he spotted all the boys practicing ball. Charlie, Billy-Jo, and Tiny followed him as he headed toward them. One of the twins spotted him, waved, and started running toward him.
“Hi, Travis.”
“I’m Trevor.”
“Whoever. Where’s your mom?”
“In the basement.”
“What is she doing there?”
“Don’t know. She was in the attic looking for something. The next thing I knew she was running down the steps screaming ‘I’ll be in the basement.’ The slamming of the door was the last thing I heard.”
Trevor started to chuckle, then stopped all of a sudden. “Hey, Jason, she was white and all. You don’t suppose she saw a ghost up there?”
“No, there are no such things as ghosts.”
“You’re sure?”
“Positive. Your mother has a problem with attics, that’s all.” Jason couldn’t help it, he started to laugh.
“The last time I seen her turn that color was when me and Travis brought home a garter snake and hid it in the cookie jar.”
“You didn’t.”
“Sure we did.”
“What did she do?”
“There was this racket in the kitchen that sounded like elephants were into the pots. Me and Travis peeked in the door ’cause we figured she was going to kill us. Anyway, she was standing on the kitchen counter throwing pans at it. That poor snake didn’t know what to do. It was going around in circles in the middle of the floor. Travis picked it up and took it over to the creek.”
Jason had tears running down his face from laughing so hard. He could picture Riki on the counter throwing pans.
“Do us a favor, Jason?”
“Sure.”
“Never ask Mom why some of her pots are dented.”
He started to laugh again. “Why?”
“Because every time someone does, she sends us to our room.”
“Okay.” After calming down some, he asked Trevor if he and his brothers would keep an eye on Billy-Jo for a while.
Jason cautiously opened the basement door. If he had learned one thing about Riki, it was that she was unpredictable. The only light came from the single bulb dangling from a rafter. After descending the stairs he spotted her rearranging some canned goods. She was singing a very off-key “Waltzing Matilda.”
“Riki?”
She jumped two feet straight up. “Jason. Lord, you scared me.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
“That’s okay.”
“You okay?” he asked, concerned. She still looked pale.
“Of course. Just doing a little spring cleaning.”
“Why ‘Waltzing Matilda’?”
“It’s the only song I know from ‘Down Under.’”
He opened his arms and she flew into them. “Riki, I know you’ve been up in the attic.” She snuggled tighter against him. “Want to talk about it?”
“What?”
“Why you are frightened of heights.” He ran his hand up and down her back, trying to soothe her. At her continued silence, he asked another question. “How long have you been afraid of heights?”
“Since I was five.” Her voice was muffled against his chest.
“What happened to you at five?”
“I got stuck in an elevator.”
He could barely make out the word elevator. Wouldn’t that cause claustrophobia? “How long were you stuck?”
“About half an hour.”
“Who was with you, honey?”
“No one. I was alone.”
He could feel her shake, and tightened his grip. “It’s okay, darling. I’ve got you. Nothing will hurt you now.” He still couldn’t connect an elevator with her fear of heights. Then an idea struck. “What floor were you on?”
She let out the most pitiful wail he had ever heard. “The ground floor.”
He could feel the front of his shirt becoming damp. She was crying. He continued rubbing her back. He kissed the top of her head and mumbled encouraging words. He still couldn’t figure what had prompted the fear. When she stopped crying, he handed her his handkerchief. After she blew her noise and wiped her eyes, he asked, “Better now?” His voice was laced with tenderness and concern.
“Yes, thank you.” Her eyes were still pools of sparkling emeralds.
Jason had difficulty clearing his throat. “What was so important in the attic?”
“A surprise.”
“For whom?”
“You, silly.” She grinned.
“Can I see it?” He was relieved to have his old Riki back.
“Nope, it has to be washed first.” She was still grinning.
“When can I see it?” His interest was starting to increase.
“Tonight, if you’re a good boy.” She leaned over and ran her tongue down the side of his neck.
He grabbed her and kissed her thoroughly. “And if I promise to be a good boy?” His voice was starting to get the husky sound Riki loved.
“If you are real good, your surprise will never be taken off.”
She sounded disappointed, and his eyes lit up as the meaning became clear. She ran up the steps and he bellowed after her, “Come back here, wench.”
As Jason climbed the maple tree at a quarter to ten,he was still trying to figure out what Riki was up to. All during dinner she had given him knowing looks. That look was designed to turn a sane man crazy, and since he considered himself on the down side of insanity since coming to Virginia, he wondered where that left him.
As he silently stepped over the windowsill, he saw the room was empty. The door was locked, so he figured she must be in the bathroom. Walking over to the closed door, he heard her humming. He couldn’t place the tune, but he’d recognize that perfume anywhere. It was Riki. It smelled of jasmine and summer rain.
When he pushed open the bathroom door, he felt like someone hit him in the stomach with a sledgehammer. Riki was standing in the middle of the room, brushing her hair and wearing a corset. It was yellowed with age, but otherwise in perfect condition. There had to be at least fifty tiny pearl buttons down the front, he thought with dismay. Her breasts were pushed up so high, he had no idea why they weren’t overflowing the garment. His gaze was glued to that spot for the longest time, then slid to an impossibly thin waist, down past the rounded hips and onto the slender legs. She actually had a garter belt on, with the sheerest white stockings attached. It wasn’t the stockings that held his attention. It was the creamy, satin-smooth skin of her upper thighs. His gaze moved past the curving calves to her dainty feet. She wore high heeled slippers with white feathers all over them.
His smoldering gaze started to work its way up. He got as far as her knees when she turned her back to him to give him a better view. He could feel his blood starting to boil. The fire was moving downward, and his jeans were becoming uncomfortable. He took one look at Riki’s delectable buttocks and growled.
She glanced over her shoulder and winked. Taking his hand, she led him from the bathroom.
After gently pushing him onto the bed, she knelt down and slipped his sneakers off.
Jason was having a difficult time breathing as he watched her breasts defy gravity. She slowly rose to her feet and turned to the nightstand. Chilled champagne and two crystal glasses stood on top of it. After pouring the champagne and handing Jason a glass, she raised her own.
“Here’s to the first six dozen prominent members of the birth control society. May their memory live on into infinity.”
Riki never got to taste the champagne. Jason had her pinned to the bed and was kissing her like a dying man. His trembling fingers were trying, without too much success, to unbutton fifty pearl buttons. At one point Riki was trying to help, but be pushed her hands away.
“Didn’t they believe in zippers?” he muttered.
“Anticipation.”
“Hell, woman, I’ve been anticipating since the basement.”
“Touchy, aren’t we?”
“I’ll give you touchy.”
“Please.”
Jason was trying to find his other sneaker as the first ray of dawn slipped into the room. Riki mumbled his name, then rolled over. He was still chuckling when he stepped on a pearl button. Damn, that hurt. As he placed the button with all the others, he wondered how long it would take Riki to sew them back on. He gently kissed her cheek and whispered he loved her. She smiled in her sleep and he slipped out the window.
* * *
“Get your toe out of there.” Riki blew at the bubbles floating dangerously close to her nose.
“It got cold,” Jason pouted.
“You’re going to smell real cute after this.”
“Well, you looked so lonesome in here all by yourself. Nothing but a washcloth and a tub full of bubbles for company.” He gave her his most innocent smile.
“Jason, please remove your toe immediately. That part of the female anatomy was not designed for toes.”
He lunged at her. As he placed wet kisses along her neck, he whispered in his best pirate voice, “Lassie, surely
you wound this pirate’s heart, thinking he not knoweth where to place his sword.”
Riki was giggling and trying to get out of Jason’s hold when there was a knock on the bathroom door. “Mom?”
Her eyes opened wide and she smacked her hand over Jason’s mouth, not noticing it was covered with bubbles.
“Mommy?”
“Yes, Andrew?”
“I’m thirsty.”
“I’m coming.”
Jason was spitting out bubbles and glaring at the door. Riki was trying to dry off and put on her robe at the same time. “Didn’t you lock the bedroom door?” she whispered fiercely.
“Sorry, I forgot. I seem to have gotten carried away with a vision of a mermaid and her bubbles.”
Riki finally got her robe belted and kicked Ja-
son’s clothes behind the door. “Duck,” she whispered to him.
“Duck?”
“Yes.”
“It’s full of bubbles.”
“Hold your nose.”
As Jason went under Riki slipped from the room to take care of Andrew’s problem.
“What took you so long, Mom?”
“I was in the tub.”
As they headed out of the room, there was a loud splash from the bathroom. Andrew glanced over his shoulder. “What was that?”
“The washcloth must have slipped.”
“Must be a big washcloth.”
When Riki returned and firmly locked the door behind her, she found Jason in the shower trying to get the bubbles out of his hair. She slipped off her robe and slid open the shower door. “Did I ever tell you about this fantasy I have about a pirate, his sword, and a waterfall?”
Riki’s back was toward the door as she was making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the kids’ lunches. Jason silently crossed the floor. He wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck. Feeling her relax and bend her neck forward to give him better access increased his desire.
“Perfect morning, darlin’,” he whispered in her ear before taking a nip at the lobe. “I hate to tell you this, but there’s a strange man in your garage.”
“Mmm, that’s nice.”
Jason couldn’t suppress a chuckle. What was he going to do with her? He knew what he would like to do with her, but with seven kids running around screaming, fighting, and downing Fruit Loops like the bottom was going to drop out of the sugar market, he’d have to show some semblance of control.
Perfect Morning Page 12