"Like how?"
She shrugged. "You could write letters to congressmen and senators. Or post flyers or have people sign petitions. You have the right as an American citizen to protest, but there are certain procedures to follow that will keep you out of jail."
Max pondered it. "Instead of going off half-cocked? That's how Nick puts it. He says I'm too impulsive and that's why I get into trouble."
"It all depends on how you go about it."
"Do you think there's any way to save the marshlands?"
"I honestly don't know, Max. It sounds like a done deal."
"A lot of people are unhappy about it. I've cut out dozens of letters from the editorial page."
"Perhaps you should get together with some of the people who wrote them and discuss a solution."
He perked up. "I could form a committee."
"Yes, you could."
He stood so quickly he almost toppled over his chair. "That's it! If you want to be heard you do have to make a lot of noise, and if you get enough people together you can make a lot of noise."
"Even more noise than the small bombs you've been setting off," Billie said.
"Where's the toilet?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"I need to get working on the toilet. I think better when I'm busy."
"At the top of the stairs," Billie said. He raced toward the stairs, almost knocking Deedee over as she cleared them. "Max, what on earth are you doing here!" she demanded, grabbing the boy by his shirt.
"Going to the toilet."
"You keep your grubby hands off my makeup, little brother, you got that? You so much as go near my bedroom, and I'll have Frankie hammer you into the ground."
"You need to get a life, sis."
"I do have a life. Frankie treats me like a queen."
Max grinned. "Now he needs to find you a castle far, far away."
"And someone needs to throw you into a loony bin, kid."
Max pulled free and hurried up the stairs, chuckling to himself as though he found his big sister amusing.
Chapter Twelve
At precisely seven-thirty in the morning Nick rumbled down Billie's street in a rented motor home, trying to keep the smile from spreading across his face. He felt a little foolish, but the truth was, he'd always wanted to drive one. If he liked it, he might even buy it. He spied Billie's driveway and slowed. They were waiting for him.
Billie didn't know what she'd expected, but it wasn't this. She tipped her head back and laughed at the sight of her handsome, suave polo player/newspaper owner and lover trying to negotiate a big, gas-guzzling motor home into her driveway. She shook her head. With Nick Kaharchek you never knew what to expect.
Joel and Christie catapulted themselves off the front step with a shriek of excitement.
Joel was the first inside. "It's got a bathroom. Oh, neat!"
Christie climbed into the bunk above the cab. "Mom, look at this! You can sleep up here and it has a big window and it's so cozy and comfy."
"It has a refrigerator and there's food in it," Joel said, wide-eyed. "There are grapes and peaches and juice in here. And cupcakes and yogurts and lots of other stuff. Man, this is great!"
Nick leaned close to Billie. "It's also got a bedroom in back with a queen-sized bed. What do you think?"
"I think Joel's right. It's great. Are we going camping?" She had not planned to be gone overnight. Both animals were out of the house and Raoul was coming in to spray. She hoped Deedee would remember to leave as well so the fumes would not make her ill.
"Nope. This is a day trip—in style. Actually, a friend of mine sells these. Ever since I expressed an interest in buying one he's tried to get me to take one out for a day or two. What do you think?"
"It's very nice." Nice didn't come close to describing it. Billie couldn't imagine what it would be like to simply buy something because she wanted it; she'd always had to budget carefully or put things on a lay-away plan. She had taught her children to budget and save their allowances for special items they wanted because she felt it was important for them to know the value of money.
"You look pensive," Nick said, glancing over at her. "You don't like the motor home, do you?"
"It feels—" She paused. "Extravagant. Just like when you purchased Velvet for me."
"I can afford it, Billie," he said gently. "Surely you know I'm not hurting for money."
"I know that, Nick, but I worry what my children will make of it. I try very hard not to spoil them."
He nodded. "I understand. But you have to realize that while I play hard, I also work hard. The newspaper was struggling before I took it over."
"I know there's been a vast improvement."
"Circulation doubled within three years. And it has continued to grow enormously. I take the newspaper very seriously. Giving polo lessons is just a hobby of mine."
"I'm not trying to criticize you, Nick. I just don't want my children to think they can have everything their little hearts desire simply because you can afford it."
"Point taken. But I hope you'll let me do special things for them once in a while, like today, for instance."
Billie nodded. "I think it's sweet of you to include Christie and Joel in fun things."
They drove on in silence. Billie had no idea where they were going; she was just comfortable being with Nick and her kids, who were watching a program on TV in back.
"How'd Max do yesterday?" Nick asked.
"He repaired my toilet and two electrical outlets." She chuckled. "Only problem, every time I turn on the lamp in the living room, the garage door opens. He assures me he can fix it when he comes back tomorrow to work on the ice maker."
"He's coming back?"
"Yes. I think he likes being around us."
"Probably. He's never really had a normal family."
This time Billie laughed out loud. "Nobody said our family was normal."
Three hours later Billie looked up in amazement at the entrance to Virginia's largest amusement park, Kings Dominion. "I thought you said we were going someplace romantic."
"This is romantic," Nick told her. "It's got an Eiffel Tower. I know because I read the brochure." He bought four tickets and led them through the gate. "What do we do first? I guess we should go on a roller coaster, or maybe we need ice cream ... Oh, wow! Look at these ugly hats!"
"Gross," Christie said.
By the time they got to the first roller coaster, they'd eaten ice cream, pizza, and funnel cakes, and were wearing Foreign Legion-type hats that sported the park logo. Nick looked up at the high-tech roller coaster and swallowed. "These things safe?"
"Yeah, they're so cool," Christie said. "This is the best, but we have to sit in the first seat. The first seat is the coolest. And then we have to go on the pirate ship. The one that goes upside down."
"Yeah," Joel said, "the pirate ship is great. We were on that last year and three people got sick all over everything."
"Maybe I shouldn't have had that second funnel cake," Nick said to Billie.
She put her arm around him. "You'll be fine. Haven't you ever been to an amusement park?"
"Not since I was nine. And that was Seaside Heights, New Jersey. I went on the whip and the merry-go-round."
"Uh-oh, maybe we shouldn't start him off on this one," Christie said. "This is a world-class coaster."
A set of cars zoomed on the rail high above them, leaving Nick with a vision of screaming, terrified faces.
"I don't want to sit with Nick," Joel said. "I don't want him blowing chunks on me."
"I'm not going to throw up," Nick told him. "I'm a polo player. Polo players are tough. You joining us?" he asked Billie.
"I think I'll sit this one out. But you go ahead, big brave guy."
He tossed her a sheepish smile as he followed the kids to the line of people waiting to get on the roller coaster.
Joel turned around to observe Nick when the ride was over. "Did you like it?"
"Yeah."
"Nope." Nick thought Joel look disappointed. "I was too scared to get sick."
"Me, too," Joel said. But as the three of them descended the steps to where Billie waited, Nick walked over to a fence and pretended to throw up on the other side.
Billie chuckled and shook her head sadly.
"Oh, gross," Christie said, hurrying toward her mother. She covered her face with both hands. "This is so embarrassing. I hope I don't run into anyone I know."
Joel laughed so hard he had to grab Nick's belt to keep from falling to the ground.
Late in the afternoon they discovered the water rides and got soaked.
"Oh, gross," Nick said. "My shoes squish when I walk."
He looked so cute, standing there dripping wet, eating a corn dog, that Billie didn't have the heart to tell him he was beginning to sound like her children.
The sun went down, and the lights came on in the park—tiny twinkling white dots in all the trees, lining all the shops. The fountains were glorious in a bright display of color, and the rides seemed magical in the dark. They rode the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower and looked down at what appeared to be a fairyland.
"You were right," Billie murmured to Nick. "This is romantic. Especially for family people."
Nick put his hand on Joel's head. "Are you tired?"
"Nope. This is great."
"Good. Because I have something to ask all of you. I know we haven't known each other for very long, but sometimes that doesn't matter. Sometimes you meet people that you like right away, and in a very short time it seems as if you've known them all your life. I feel like that about you guys."
"Are you going to get mushy?" Christie asked, frowning.
"Yep." He took Billie's hand and looked into her eyes. "If I spent the rest of my life searching, I'd never find anyone like you." He looked down at Joel and Christie. "Except maybe for you two." He rubbed his thumb across the tender flesh of Billie's palm. "Will you guys marry me?"
Billie froze. She hadn't even seen it coming. She looked at her children.
"I guess so," Joel said. "I wanted Mom to marry a wrestler, but she said she isn't into wrestlers, so I guess you'll be okay. You're pretty fun to be around."
"Yeah, we'll marry you," Christie said. "If you promise not to do disgusting things like you did earlier. I can't have my friends seeing stuff like that, you know?"
Nick nodded soberly. "I'll try to be discreet."
Billie was the last to answer. She loved him without reservation, and she'd had a wonderful day. And this was a romantic proposal, just as she'd requested. Why was she hesitating? She knew very well the reason.
He had never mentioned the word "love."
He thought a double wedding would be fun, but he had not promised to love her for the rest of her life.
He was having fun right now, like a big kid, but he hadn't discussed with her the responsibilities involved in taking on a family.
"Mom?" Christie prodded. "Aren't you going to answer Nick?"
Nick watched her as he waited. She wasn't completely sure. She was a woman who made careful decisions, and she felt a strong commitment to her children. He respected those qualities. If she didn't say yes tonight, he'd court her for as long as it took to get the right answer.
Billie held her breath and bit her lip. "Um ..."
"I'm getting tired now, Mom," Joel said, rubbing his eyes and yawning. "I want to go home."
"Yes," Billie said. "I think—"
"Mom said yes," Christie shouted. "Do I get to be in the wedding? Can I wear a gown?"
Nick moved fast. He knew Billie had said yes to Joel's question and not to his, but he took advantage of the situation and slid a two-carat diamond on her finger. He grinned and winked at her and said, "Gotcha."
Joel hooted and Christie giggled. Billie felt her knees go weak. "I guess you do."
* * * * *
"You tricked me," Billie said when they were driving home and the children were asleep in their bunks.
"I thought you needed some help with the decision."
"I'm sorry I'm so skittish about every little thing, but marriage is not to be taken lightly. It's not just our future that's at stake ... it's my children's as well, and you don't want to make any mistakes that might cause them pain."
Nick took his eyes from the road for a moment and glanced at her. "We'll be fine, Billie. I promise."
It was late when they finally arrived home. The place was dark as Nick carried a soundly sleeping Joel inside and up the stairs to his bedroom. Deedee was out and probably wouldn't arrive home until all hours. As Billie checked to make sure the back door was locked, she wondered how the girl managed to keep going night after night. Christie mumbled a quick good-night and went to her own room while Billie managed to get Joel in his pajamas.
Nick paused at the door to Billie's room. "How about me? Do I get tucked into bed?"
"You get tucked into your RV and sent home."
He wrapped his arms around her and gently pulled her close to him. "It's lonely in my home."
"Nonsense. You have Max, and he needs attention."
Nick closed his eyes and groaned. "I know. I plan to try harder."
Billie saw the look of yearning in his eyes as he kissed her good-night, and she would have liked to invite him to share her bed. He felt good next to her. He was strong and possessive, in a flattering way.
Nick wasn't surprised Billie was sending him home. "I guess you have to be careful when you mess with a mother."
Billie moved so that she was perfectly molded to every part of his body. "We have to uphold our virtue and dignity."
Nick's breath hitched in his throat at the slight pressure caused by her thigh sliding between his. "You're teasing me."
"I'm just getting even with you for tricking me."
He chuckled. "You would have said yes eventually." He leaned close and whispered against her mouth. "I like the way you get even." His hands cupped her buttocks and he kissed her hot and hard to prove his point.
Billie felt the heat rush through her. She swayed and clutched his shirt, waiting for the sensation to pass.
"Good thing my bedroom isn't close to the others," he said. "We'll be able to make all the noise we want."
Billie's eyes fluttered open. She hadn't thought about houses. She liked Nick's house, but this house was hers. There it was, that question of change, made more difficult by the fact Nick seemed to be taking their engagement lightly. She suddenly thought of the doorjamb in her kitchen where she had recorded her children's height, and the garden she loved.
Nick held her at arm's length. "What's wrong?"
She yawned. "Life is very complicated."
"Yes."
"Sometimes it's overwhelming."
"Getting engaged is a big deal." He noted the fatigue in her eyes. "I think you're just overtired." He turned down the bed linens. "Get into something comfy, and I'll give you a good-night backrub. You'll be so relaxed you'll melt into the mattress."
"You promise this won't be a stimulating backrub?"
Nick selected a Redskins jersey-type nightshirt from a drawer and draped it over her shoulder. "My magic fingers are prepared to give a legitimate massage. How your body reacts to that massage is your problem."
Billie stepped into her bathroom to change. She experienced a feeling of unease at the thought of going to bed. She'd lain awake for hours the previous night listening to every sound. Perhaps a backrub was just what she needed. She crawled onto the bed and stretched out on her stomach.
Nick grabbed one foot and started to work on it.
"What are you doing?" Billie asked.
"Massaging your foot."
"I've never had my foot massaged. In fact, now that I think of it, I've never had anything massaged. I've never ... oh! Oh dear, that feels good." His thumb was making little circles on her arch. Billie groaned in satisfaction when his hands moved to her calves, squeezing, stroking, kneading. Hi
s thumbs strayed up the inside of her thigh and retreated, leaving in their wake the beginnings of an erotic ache deep within her.
"The most important part of a massage is the neck and shoulders," he said, straddling her, gently pulling at her tired muscles.
He should do this for a living, Billie thought lazily. His hands were strong and talented, easing away tension, smoothing out all the kinks and knots. He rubbed his thumbs over the nape of her neck, and a delightful warmth trickled along her spine. Heat radiated from the pads of his fingertips to every part of her body, fueling barely latent desire. His hands were doing legitimate massage things, but he was sitting astride her, and the massage she was getting on her backside was disturbingly sensual.
Billie swallowed and tried to keep her breathing normal. His hands moved along her shoulder blades, then traveled the length of her back and swept up under her nightshirt. Billie gasped and buried her face in the pillow. She was on fire. His fingers firmly pressed against the sides of her breasts, tugging at them slightly as he caressed her back. The need was building in her with each passing second. She wanted him—desperately. The heck with dignity and virtue. The heck with the kids.
She lifted her head and watched Nick move from the bed. "Where are you going?"
"Home. The backrub is over. Are you sufficiently relaxed?"
"Relaxed?" she croaked. "Relaxed?"
He put his finger to his lips. "Shhh. You'll wake the children."
It suddenly occurred to her that she'd been had. He'd been toying with her. "You tease!" she whispered. "You knew exactly what you were doing!"
"I wanted to make sure you'd dream about me tonight." He kissed her lightly, made for the door and shut off the light.
"Nick?"
"Yeah?"
"Would you please make sure you turn the lock on the front doorknob before you leave? Deedee will lock the dead bolt when she gets home."
"Of course." He tiptoed down the stairs. The last thing Billie heard was the sound of the motor home rumbling down her street.
* * * * *
Joel sat at the kitchen table and wrinkled his nose at the bowl of smelly brown mush Billie had placed in front of him. "What is this?"
"Lunch," Billie said, staring at her new engagement ring. It was beautiful. It was absolutely perfect. And the sight of it made her stomach upset.
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