“If you touch me there, I’ll explode.”
* * *
Music to his ears. “I love watching you come apart for me.”
“But I want to experience the same pleasure watching you. Come inside me.”
“I have every intention of doing so, but you’re coming with me.”
Her impish smile and the whispered “If you insist” heated the blood in his veins even more. His fingers stroked her gently at first, avoiding the most sensitive bundle of nerves. When the smile left her face as she concentrated on what he was doing, he began to piston in and out of her with increasing tempo.
Sex was like riding a bicycle. He was thrilled to know he could get right back in this saddle, too.
So freaking tight. He never wanted to leave the vise she gripped him in, so he delayed his orgasm as long as he could. She’d closed her eyes, passion pouring from every cell in her body, and he gave up on prolonging his pleasure. He pumped harder. Tillie’s eyes flew open at the shift in momentum, and their gazes locked as he rode her hard, moving his finger on her bundle of nerves until her breathing became shallow and she closed her eyes again. Almost there.
So was he.
The tension built until the explosion ripped through him like nothing he remembered experiencing before. She screamed her release with him, which only fueled his to last longer. His heart almost burst from his chest as he came with her.
When she grimaced, he stopped touching her. She smiled. “It’s a little sensitive at the moment.”
“I’ll bet. That was beautiful, as are you, sweetheart.” Resting his upper body on his elbows, he kissed her, reluctant to leave her warmth just yet. Staring into her eyes again, he whispered, “Feels like I’ve come home at last after a long journey.”
She blinked rapidly, but he saw the glistening tears welling in her eyes. “You complete me, Gregory Buchanan, plain and simple.”
He’d stay like this all afternoon if they didn’t have to pick up Derek in an hour or so. What would his son think about him marrying Tillie, especially if he decided to spend most of his time in Kentucky? Of course, he’d already given Nancy a heads-up about his proposing, because he needed assurance that his living in Kentucky wouldn’t infringe upon his paternal rights. This might be an opportune moment to discuss the future with Tillie, because if she wasn’t on board, that would pose a major problem.
He kissed her before rolling off and heading to the bathroom to dispose of the condom. Within minutes, he’d returned to the floor and settled her on top of him before cocooning them under the blanket. She rested her head on his chest, and he wrapped her in his arms. Could she feel his racing heart beating against her cheek?
Blissfully entwined between the blankets, he stroked her hair. “I talked to Nancy about us—and Derek.”
She leaned up and searched his eyes. “What did she say?”
“She wished me well and hoped I’d found happiness at last. I told her I’d learned from the mistakes I’d made with her and didn’t intend to repeat.” He shrugged. “But I’m human. I may screw up at some point.”
She grinned. “I’ll hold your…feet to the fire if you do.”
He smiled. “I have no doubt you will.” He smiled before continuing. “We also discussed arrangements for joint custody of Derek.”
Her eyes opened wide. “That’s a big step for you. I know you questioned how good a father you were when you first came to the inn.”
“That’s changed now, too. I know I can love and protect him better than any other man. But I also have come to terms with the fact that I’ll only have him with me for summer vacations and holiday breaks when he can be away from school. How do you feel about becoming a mother during those visits?”
Her face beamed. “I can’t wait. You know, if not for him, I would have given you the boot that first day. You annoyed the hell out of me at first, you know.”
He shook his head. “Put a ring on her hand and suddenly the truth comes out.” Good thing he had Derek with him.
“You were my guest, so I had to be polite and bite my tongue back then, even when you accused me of terrible things like being a charlatan. Derek saved your bacon and forced me to find something likeable in you—for his sake if nothing else.”
“I see. So you fell for my wingman first then.”
“Most definitely. And returning to your question, I’ll be the best stepmom I can be to him. But are you saying you’re okay with living with me in Kentucky at least part of the year?”
“Oh, did I forget that part?” He lost a bit of his mind whenever he was with her. “Of course I am. You might enjoy visiting Minnesota occasionally—if nothing else for a snow fix—but I can’t picture you thriving anywhere but in that house you love so much.”
“You love it, too, right? I don’t want you giving up everything for me. We could probably develop a schedule and move back and forth between our two places.”
He shook his head. “I like setting down roots and don’t want us to be apart from one another too much. I can start a new architecture firm anywhere. I already have some potential clients and referrals with that preservation project in Nelson County.”
“What happens to your firm here?”
“Yesterday, driving over to get Derek, I talked with the senior architect who tentatively agreed to put in an offer to purchase the firm. I’ll stay on as an off-site consultant when needed, but she’s already been running most of the business while I was gone and doing a great job.”
“Sounds like you’ve been fitting a lot of puzzle pieces into place before you proposed.”
“If any of them hadn’t dovetailed so perfectly, I’d have found a way to make it work. But I’m thrilled there won’t be any major repercussions to deal with, as long as Derek will be content with me whisking him off to Kentucky a few times each year and having me for weekend visits up here throughout the long stretches between major school breaks. My focus will be on you and Derek and, if we’re blessed with more kids, them, too.”
“You’re open to having babies?”
“Babies, toddlers, teenagers—I’m up to the challenge with you by my side.”
She gently batted his nose. “Stop it. You’re a wonderful dad, and I hope we have at least four more.”
“Only four?”
“Well, my house might be large, but there is a limit to the number of bedrooms. I do think I might have to move into Mrs. Foster’s old room so we can have Derek in the next room. Somehow I fear having him in the attic above us might cramp our style.”
He kissed her. “What about your guests?”
“I can set a specific schedule for when the house will have guests, but as we fill the bedrooms with kids, I fear my days as an innkeeper might be limited.”
What was she saying? “You’d give up what you love doing most of all?”
“I love taking care of others. I never had anyone of my own to do that for, but I also find I enjoy writing cookbooks. And I could host special dinners for small and large groups that wouldn’t involve overnight stays whenever I need to get my fix for cooking and serving others. But I intend to block out most of the calendar for us and our family. In summertime, I’ll be busy teaching Derek all about gardening, and perhaps we can sign him up for horseback riding lessons, if you’re okay with that.”
“He certainly seems interested in it. They wear helmets, don’t they?”
“I think those equestrian hats are actually helmets and not just for looks.”
“Good. Then we’ll see if we can find a stable where he can take lessons in the summertime and on breaks.”
“And before any more little ones come along, I’d like to go on a few adventures with you, too.”
“How do you feel about a road trip—mostly by bicycle?”
“As long as you’re there, I’m game. Go easy on me at first and give me until the summer to get into shape for anything too long, although my garden will keep me tied down from late July to October, so we’d better plan
on early November for that. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been on a bike.”
“It’ll come right back to you. Trust me.” The road ahead of them might have a few bumps they hadn’t considered, but nothing the two of them couldn’t handle. “So how long will you need to plan the wedding?”
Epilogue
“Quit your sniveling, woman. Ain’t this what you wanted all along?”
Amelia dabbed at her eyes, even though there was no real moisture to wipe away. “I always cry at weddings. Isn’t Tillie the most beautiful bride you’ve ever seen? And Gregory—what a dashing groom.”
They watched from their perch on the top of the Victorian-style privy turned storage shed as Tillie and Gregory moved among their guests on the front lawn with a tuxedoed Derek in their wake. When they arrived at Margaret’s side, Amelia wondered what Gregory said to make her daughter cry. Suddenly, Margaret smiled and hugged him. That cold Yankee she married hadn’t bothered to come to his own son’s wedding, but at least my Margaret was here. Seeing her at the house again did Amelia’s tired old heart a world of good.
“Let’s move closer. My hearing isn’t what it used to be,” Amelia said.
“Neither of us are what we used to be.”
She slapped his arm before floating down to lean on the picket fence surrounding Tillie’s herb beds, as she listened in.
“I can’t thank you both enough for bringing me down here in February and helping me see what I’d been blind to for so long.”
Tillie remembered that weekend vividly. Margaret had been her most challenging guest yet, but by the time she left, Tillie and Greg had helped her to see Mrs. Foster in a new light.
“You two gave me back something I never imagined I’d have again,” Margaret said. “These past few days, I’ve read every page of the journals Mother wrote during the years I spent growing up in this house. Why didn’t I remember most of those stories? Instead, I focused on a few isolated happenings of a spoiled teenager not getting her way. When I ran off and married your father, all I wanted was to start a new life far removed from the boondocks. I wanted instant gratification and threw away any chance of reconciling with my mother because of my stubbornness.”
“I’m sure she forgave you, Margaret.” Tillie believed the dear woman heard her daughter’s regret today as well.
“It didn’t help that I was angry at the world for losing my father when only fifteen. Not that I’m making excuses, because that was no reason to reject my mother.”
Amelia had been so devastated to lose Elmer she hadn’t been able to comfort her own daughter.
“What’s important is that you’ve come back,” Tillie said. “I know you’ve made Mrs. Foster very happy by being with us today.”
Indeed, you have, Margaret.
“Tillie, you’ve kept this such a lovely, warm home. Mother was right to bequeath it to your loving care.”
“Thank you. I love this place. It’s been my haven for a long time.”
“Greg tells me that Caroline Simpson was your great-grandmother. I’d forgotten about her until I read Mother’s journals. Actually, I didn’t know her personally. I was born the year after she passed, but Mother spoke fondly of her so often.”
So Mrs. Foster hadn’t only told Tillie about her so she’d learn more about her. “They had a special friendship. I’m glad she had Mrs. Foster, given how tragic her life was. I had a hard time reading about her, knowing she was my great-grandmother and the sacrifice she made, but I feel as if I knew her now. Before, I didn’t even know her name.”
Greg wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer, but addressed his mother. “Gram’s other journals are equally fascinating, but I chose those particular ones so you could see how much you meant to her.”
Margaret dabbed at the corners of her eyes, crying the tears Amelia never would be able to again. “I promise to read every single one before I leave.” She grinned and addressed Tillie in particular. “Don’t worry. I read fast and will be out of your hair before you know it.”
“We love having you here. So does Derek. I hope Greg’s dad will arrive soon, though. Derek wants to play Civil War with him on the chess board again.”
“The blizzard shut down the airport a while, but Albert thinks he’ll make it by tonight. He insisted you not postpone taking your vows. We’ll watch the video with Derek tonight while you’re…” She glanced away. Amelia hadn’t seen Margaret at a loss for words before.
To Gregory, she added, “I can’t make up for all those lost years, but you can be sure I won’t hesitate to come visit y’all anytime you’ll have me. Your father and I are thinking about retiring and should have more freedom without a business to run.”
Amelia’s heart jumped. “Did you hear that, Jesse? Margaret said ‘y’all.’ I haven’t heard her use that expression since she left Kentucky.” She dabbed at her eyes.
“I do believe you accomplished more here than joining those two in marriage, Miss Amelia.”
“And you can now let go of any guilt you have over ruining Tillie’s life.”
“Her mother and grandmother bore the brunt of heartache over my dalliance with Caroline. But you, my dear woman, your reaching out to her was what it took for Tillie to find her core strengths and to eventually learn what was important to her.”
“Tillie had such a rough start in life, but seeing the woman she’s grown into makes me so proud. Caroline’s taking her own life at such a young age set the stage for tragedy that would last three more generations. But that cycle has now been broken.”
“Indeed, it has. Society can be so cruel to the innocents.”
“It’s pretty rough on the guilty, too,” Jesse added.
Amelia chuckled. “That it can be. I realized who she was during that first visit when she turned up at my doorstep with my wandering tomcat,” Amelia said. “I knew I had to try and right a wrong. After all, if I hadn’t hooked you and Caroline up—even though I’d only intended for her to be your nurse, not your lover—Tillie wouldn’t have had to live in such squalor.”
“If Caroline and I hadn’t…well, Tillie wouldn’t be here at all.”
“I never thought about it that way.”
“Still, it’s sad how one mistake can carry down through generation after generation.”
“Nonsense. No baby is ever a mistake. Why, we waited so long to have Margaret, I didn’t think motherhood would be in the cards for me. And she was well into her thirties when Gregory came along, too.”
“All the same, you know how bad I felt when things got out of hand. I had no business taking advantage of a young thing like Caroline.”
“Takes two to tango. She loved you in her own way—at least loved the adventure of it all. That girl was always too much of a thrill seeker.”
“Not unlike her dearest friend.”
Amelia laughed again. “What’s the point in living if you don’t have some adventures to reflect on?” She glanced back at the two. “Doesn’t appear they’ll ever figure it out, though. Should I have spelled it out in my journals that the man Caroline slept with was you?”
Jesse shook his head. “Nobody’s business. Wouldn’t make no difference in their lives one way or ’nother. What would Tillie do with the claim of being the great-granddaughter of Jesse James when she couldn’t tell anyone for fear of being called a liar or a lunatic like her grandmother and mother?”
“You have a point. I just wanted to protect Caroline’s memory and her daughter and granddaughter when I wrote those journal pages. Not that I knew who had adopted the baby while I was off to war. You truly left your most precious treasure in that house. Little did I know those words spoken to the wrong person would almost drive a wedge between Tillie and Gregory.” At least Peterson’s trial was over. Tillie had testified, and with the video footage from the basement, he’d been found guilty on all charges, including attempted murder. He wouldn’t see the light of day for a long while, if ever.
Amelia had made her worst error in
judgment the night Caroline gave birth when she went home to her first husband spouting her romantic nonsense about Jesse James leaving behind his greatest treasure at Dr. Foster’s house. If only she’d kept her mouth shut, Mark Peterson wouldn’t have broken into the house and tried to kill Tillie. She’d been right to send Mercer packing when he’d taken up with another woman while she was working long hours with Dr. Foster.
She sighed. Mercer was water under the bridge. And she’d spent more than twenty years married to Elmer Foster. She couldn’t wait to see him again now that her work on Earth was done.
Glancing wistfully at the beautiful pair, she said, “I hope they remember to take time to explore new places and never let this house entomb them the way it did me in my later years.”
“Don’t have to convince me none. Had more than my share of adventures while here on Earth.”
A strange female voice interrupted them from above. “But those days are over for you, Jesse Woodson James.”
Amelia and Jesse turned their faces upward simultaneously and saw Zee Mimms James swinging her legs while sitting on a branch high above them.
“Zee! You’re talkin’ to me again!” he said.
“I had a long talk with Caroline, and I forgive you. Figure you can’t get in any more trouble now anyway.” She reached out her hand. “Let’s go home, old man.”
Jesse revealed a spark of excitement Amelia hadn’t seen in his eyes in forever. “If you’ll excuse me, Miss Amelia, now that we’ve finished this mission, I’m ready to move on to the next phase.”
She waved him away. “Go on, you old coot. I won’t be far behind. But I want to relish the moment of this special day a little while before I say my goodbyes to them.”
“You’ll still be able to visit them now and again.”
“I know, and this is what I’ve been hoping for since Tillie came into my life.”
“I’ll see you on the other side.” Jesse pecked her on the cheek before drifting toward Zee. Hand in hand, the two floated into the light.
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