Return of the Prodigal Son

by Ruth Ryan Langan

  Minutes later Cory and Taylor were climbing out of his car and racing ahead to the porch, where they waited until he retrieved his battered duffel from the trunk.

  Once inside they ran around opening windows and doors, letting in the fresh air, while Donovan headed toward his bedroom.

  Over his shoulder he called, “I’ll be a new man in a few minutes.”

  He proved to be as good as his word. With his face clean-shaven and his dark hair still dripping from the shower, he was dressed in charcoal slacks and a matching polo shirt when he stepped from the room.

  “Ah.” He breathed deeply. “Now the house smells fresh again. Thanks to the two of you. Ready to go to dinner?”

  The two children hurried ahead of him to the car. He followed along more slowly before climbing in behind the wheel. Minutes later he parked his car beside Andi’s van and retrieved something from his trunk. As the children started toward the house they noticed a bulging shopping bag in his hands.

  “What’s in the bag?” Taylor asked.

  “Surprises.”

  “For us?” Taylor’s eyes were wide with excitement.

  “Could be.”

  He followed them into the kitchen, where Andi was busy filling a platter with fried chicken. Once again he felt the jolt at the sight of those long, long legs, and that tempting bit of flesh exposed at her midriff. “Need some help?”

  She paused to give him a smile, surprised at the change in him. Gone was the rumpled look of an hour ago. But though he was clean-shaven and dressed in the latest fashion, there was still something dangerous about him. Maybe it was the look in his eyes as he studied her. Like a wolf that had just picked up the scent of prey. It made her heart jittery.

  “Thanks, Donovan. I can manage.”

  Taylor eyed the bag in his hand. “Donovan’s got a surprise.”

  “For you, honey?”

  The little girl was twitching with excitement. “I don’t know. Is it for me, Donovan?”

  With a wink he reached inside and brought out a wrapped package. “This one’s for you, Taylor.”

  She tore off the wrapping and opened the cover of a big box, then removed layers of pink tissue to reveal a basket of stuffed animals. A spotted dog with soulful eyes and a white fluffy cat sporting a pink bow around its neck. To Taylor’s delight, wedged between them was a brown woodchuck with a toothy grin.

  “Oh, Donovan.” The little girl threw herself into his arms and hugged him fiercely.

  Caught off guard by her reaction, he wrapped his arms around her and held her close for long moments, wondering at the strange pounding of his heartbeat.

  When at last he released her he gave her a big smile. “I figured they could be your pets. Just until you get those allergies under control.”

  “I love them. Look, Mama.” Taylor picked up the basket and held it out for her mother’s inspection.

  “Oh, my. A dog, a cat and a woodchuck. That’s quite a collection of pets.”

  “They’re going to sleep with me tonight. And every night,” she said, hugging each stuffed animal in turn.

  Donovan reached into the bag and pulled out a second, smaller box. “This one’s for you, Cory.”

  The boy seemed stunned that he was getting something. For the longest time he merely stared at the box, then up at Donovan’s face. Finally he lifted the lid and stared at a scarred and battered round metal disk encased in tissue. “What’s this?”

  “A compass.” Donovan watched as the boy turned it over.

  Cory looked up. “What do the letters R. L. stand for?”

  “Riordan Lassiter. It belonged to my father.”

  “You’re giving me your father’s compass?”

  Donovan nodded. “You’re getting pretty good at navigating the woods. With that along as your guide, you’ll always find your way back home. I ought to know. I’ve carried it with me through dozens of countries. Through jungles and mountains and deserts.”

  The importance of this gift suddenly dawned on Cory. But all he said was, “That’s pretty neat.” He thought briefly about throwing himself into Donovan’s arms the way his little sister had, but he managed to hold back. Instead he stuck out his hand. “Thanks, Donovan.”

  Donovan solemnly shook the boy’s hand. “You’re welcome.”

  Cory fastened it to the belt loop of his shorts. “I guess I’ll carry it with me all the time, just like you.”

  Taylor glanced at the shopping bag. “Did you bring something for Mama, too?”

  “Now, Taylor.” Andi looked embarrassed.

  “As a matter of fact, I think there is something in here for her.” Donovan reached to the bottom of the bag and retrieved a small ivory box, which he handed to Andi.

  “I can’t imagine what this could be.” She was blushing furiously as the two children gathered around to watch her open it. Inside the ivory case was a small, sky-blue music box with clouds floating across the top. When she lifted the lid it began to play a hauntingly beautiful song.

  Andi was so startled she was forced to blink back tears. For a moment she was afraid to speak. Afraid if she did, she would embarrass herself. When she was certain she had her emotions under control she looked up at him with shiny eyes. “Oh, Donovan. This is…” She shook her head, unable to continue.

  Taylor touched a hand to hers. “Don’t you like it, Mama?”

  “I love it, honey.”

  “Are you crying?”

  “Of course not.”

  “What’s that song?”

  Still not trusting her voice, Andi looked to Donovan for help.

  “It’s something from a long time ago. Something your grandparents would probably recognize. It’s called ‘Beautiful Dreamer.’”

  Andi sniffed and set the music box on the counter before taking a deep breath. “I think this calls for a celebration. I have some champagne in here somewhere.”

  She began rummaging around in a cupboard, until Donovan crossed to her side and reached a hand over her head to lift down a slim bottle. “Is this what you were looking for?”

  Hearing his voice so close beside her, she went very still and turned. Their bodies brushed. Just the merest touch, but she was absolutely shattered by the feelings that ripped through her.

  “Yes. I’ll…open it.” She didn’t move. Couldn’t.

  “I’ll do it.” He continued standing there, the champagne forgotten as he stared down into her eyes.

  The need for her was so sharp, so deep, it took all of his willpower not to kiss her. Knowing the children were watching, he allowed himself nothing more than the touch of a hand to her cheek. She moved against it like a kitten and murmured a sigh that had all the air backing up in his lungs.

  “Donovan.” She closed her eyes a moment and pressed a hand to his chest to steady herself.

  “Shh.” He lifted her hand to his lips, sending her heart into a series of dizzying somersaults.

  “Are we ready to eat, Mom?”

  At the sound of Cory’s voice they both turned with matching looks of surprise mingled with guilt.

  “I’ll…be right there.”

  While she filled two glasses with milk, Donovan popped the cork on the champagne.

  Minutes later they were gathered around the table. While Taylor regaled Donovan with tales of what she and her brother had done for the past three days, he sipped his champagne and struggled to pay attention. All during the meal he kept glancing at the woman seated across from him.

  In his whole life he’d never wanted anything or anyone the way he wanted her. That was hard for a man like Donovan Lassiter to swallow. But as much as he wanted her, he knew the choice had to be hers alone. Hadn’t he vowed to give her all the time she needed?

  Still, with each passing minute, he began to think the waiting might be the death of him.

  Chapter 10

  “More chicken, Donovan?” Andi held the platter toward him.

  “No, thanks.” He glanced down at his plate and was amazed to see it
empty. He couldn’t remember eating a bite. Nor could he recall a single thing they’d talked about.

  “Would you like coffee?” Without waiting for a reply, she was up and heading across the kitchen.

  “I’ll get it.” He walked beside her and reached for the coffeepot at the same moment she did.

  Their hands met, then froze.

  Donovan stared down into her eyes and felt himself drowning in those honey depths. “I should go.”

  “No.” She said it quickly. “I mean…the children have been missing you so much.”

  “I’ve missed them, too.” His tone softened. “I missed their mother even more.”

  “Well.” She picked up the coffeepot, praying she wouldn’t spill any as she filled his cup. “I made chocolate parfait for dessert.”

  Donovan shook his head. “I never thought I’d see the day when I’d refuse chocolate, but I couldn’t eat a bite.”

  Andi touched a hand to her stomach to calm her nerves. “I feel the same way.” She handed each of her children a dessert and said, “Maybe you’d like to eat it on the back porch.”

  Donovan thought about keeping her here all to himself and giving in to the need to hold her. Instead he took a deep breath and followed Cory and Taylor out the door, where he settled on the top step, leaning his back against the rail while he sipped his coffee. Cory sat below him on the next step, while Taylor chose the glider alongside her mother.

  Andi nudged off her shoes and wiggled her toes before giving a contented sigh.

  The sun had already set behind the hills, leaving the sky streaked with ribbons of purple and pink and mauve. There was a sweet, clean taste to the breeze that whispered through the leaves of the trees. It was a perfect summer evening.

  Donovan studied a freshly painted arbor across the yard, abloom with pale-pink roses. “I don’t remember that being here before.”

  Andi smiled. “It was old and faded, so I gave it a fresh coat of paint. Then I just tied up the roses here and there where they’d fallen to the ground, and I’m amazed at how different it looks.”

  “You seem to have a magic touch.” He nodded toward the flower gardens, abloom with foxglove and delphinium and sweet peas in a riot of texture and color. “That looks like it took some doing.”

  “I love flowers. And I’ve never minded hard work. In fact, the greater the challenge, the harder I dig in.”

  He fell silent, mulling her words. It occurred to him that they were quite a pair. All his life he’d embraced challenge. There was just something perverse in his nature that had him always eager to push the envelope. But he’d never before given much thought to the challenge of mundane household chores. He was beginning to see them in a whole new light.

  Taylor polished off the last bite of parfait and looked over at her mother. “Can I take my new pets upstairs now and get them ready for bed?”

  “So soon?”

  “I never had pets to sleep with before. Please, Mama.”

  “Of course, honey.”

  “When we’re ready to be tucked in, can Donovan come upstairs and see them?”

  Andi merely nodded, too surprised to say a word.

  Cory set aside his empty dish and held up his compass. “I can’t wait to try this in the forest. Think we could go hiking tomorrow, Donovan?”

  “I think I could spare a couple of hours.” Donovan drained his cup and set it aside, leaning back to look up at the stars. He pointed. “There’s the world’s first compass.”

  The boy looked confused. “What do you mean? The sky?”

  “The stars. Ancient sailors were able to navigate the whole world with only the stars to guide them.”

  “Do you think sailors could still do that today?”

  “You bet. The stars, like that compass, are constant.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means they never change. They’re in a fixed place in the heaven. And no matter where you are, you can find your way back by following your star.”

  Cory stifled a yawn. “Will you tell me the names of the stars?”

  “I will.” Donovan grinned. “Another night. I think you’d better get to bed before you fall asleep right here on the porch.”

  “Yeah.” Cory got up and started up the steps. As he passed Donovan he paused. “I’m…glad you’re back.”

  “So am I.”

  Just then they heard Taylor calling from her room. “Mama. Donovan. Come up and say good-night.”

  They followed Cory into the house and up the stairs.

  Andi led the way to Taylor’s room.

  Inside, the little girl was already snuggled into her bed, with the spotted dog and white cat on one side of her pillow and the woodchuck on the other.

  “I’ve given them names,” Taylor announced solemnly. “My dog is Spot, my kitty is Snowflake, and my woodchuck is Woody.”

  “Very inventive.” Donovan swallowed back his smile.

  She held them up. “If you’d like, you can both kiss them good-night.”

  Andi and Donovan took turns kissing the animals.

  “Now me.” Taylor puckered her lips and kissed them both, then wrapped her arms around Donovan’s neck and hugged him fiercely. “I love my new pets, Donovan.”

  “I’m glad, Taylor. I can see that they love being here with you. I just hope they don’t keep you up tonight while they get used to their new home.”

  She giggled at his little joke.

  After switching off her light, Andi moved to her son’s room.

  “Ready for bed?” she called.

  “Just about.” Cory was dressed in his pajamas and kneeling at the window, staring up at the darkened sky. He turned and caught sight of his mother and Donovan in the doorway. The sight of them together gave him a funny feeling. It wasn’t, he realized, a bad feeling. But seeing them together made him feel safe. “I was thinking how glad I am that I have this.” He opened his hand to reveal his new compass. “So I won’t ever have to rely on the stars to help me find my way back home.” He climbed into bed, and Andi hurried across the room to kiss him good-night.

  He looked over at the man in the doorway. In the shadows he couldn’t see his face clearly. Maybe, if he squeezed his eyes really tight, Donovan would turn into his father. “‘Night, Donovan.”

  “Good night, Cory.”

  He watched as his mother switched off his light and joined Donovan in the hall before pulling the door shut. For the last three nights the little boy’s sleep had been tormented by frightening dreams. But now that Donovan was back, he could feel the fears beginning to slip away.

  He was asleep before they descended the stairs.

  Donovan was strangely silent as he followed Andi to the kitchen.

  She padded barefoot across the room before turning to him with a smile. “More coffee?”

  “No, thanks.” His tone was gruff as he started toward the door. “It’s time for me to leave.”

  “I wish you wouldn’t.”

  “Look, Andi, I…”

  “Stay a while longer, Donovan.” She laid a hand over his. It was the simplest gesture, but she saw something dark and dangerous in his eyes as he drew back.

  “It wouldn’t be safe to stay. Not with the kids asleep upstairs, and the two of us alone down here.”

  “No, it wouldn’t be safe.” She twisted her hands together, fighting nerves. “I’ve always played it safe. All my life I’ve followed the rules. I floss every night.”

  Despite the tension building inside him, his voice warmed with unspoken laughter. “It shows in your smile.”

  There was no answering smile from Andi. In fact, she looked achingly sad. “You don’t understand. I buckle my seat belt. I don’t cross streets against the light. I eat my vegetables, knowing they’re good for me. I’m a conscientious mother.”

  He nodded, not sure where this was leading. “The best.”

  She gave a long sad sigh that seemed to come from deep within. “And I find myself wanting a man who, if ru
mors are to be believed, has never once played by the rules.”

  His eyes narrowed. He was like a coiled snake as he caught her roughly by the upper arms and held her a little away. “Say that again.”

  She shrugged aside her fear and stiffened her spine. “I said, if rumors are to be believed—”

  “Not that.” His voice was hard as nails. “The first part.”

  Her eyes went wide at the change she could sense in him. It took her a moment to recall just what she’d said. When she did, the fear drained away, replaced by the sudden realization that he wasn’t so much angry as disbelieving. “I said I find myself wanting—” she had to stop and swallow hard “—wanting you.”

  He pinned her with a look that had her heart stuttering. “You’re sure?”

  “Yes.” She nodded for emphasis. “This isn’t easy for me to admit. But I…want you, Donovan. Desperately.”

  “Desperately.” He closed his eyes, needing a moment to absorb the blow to his heart. “Desperately.” He said it a second time, almost like a prayer. “So, I’m not alone in this.” When he opened his eyes, they fixed on hers like a laser. “Do you understand where this is leading?”

  Her chin came up. “I’m not an innocent, Donovan. After all, I’ve been married. I know about the things men and women do.”

  His teeth flashed in a heart-stopping grin. “You only think you do. You don’t have any idea about where I want to take you.”

  “I’m a big girl now.” Her heart was slamming against her ribs, making her feel like anything but an adult. “I know what I want. I want you, Donovan.”

  “How can you? You don’t even know me.”

  “Then…I’ll get to know you. And you’ll get to know me.”

  There was a long moment of silence before he spoke. “I’ve waited so long for this, I can’t promise to be gentle, Andi.”

  She lifted her hands to either side of his face. “I don’t need you to be gentle. I just need you, Donovan.”

  He muttered an oath. The touch of her hands was his undoing. He remained as still as a statue, struggling to bank the fire that was racing through his veins and straight to his loins. Then he gave up the battle within himself.