by Elle Linder
“Oh, you two are so not funny.” Julia rolled her eyes. Luke leaned into Julia and whispered in her ear. Whatever he was telling her made her breathing deepen. They were the ultimate couple.
Were there more men like him in the world? She looked back at Rick. Maybe there was one more. Her face warmed as she watched Rick walk her way with a squirmy Izzy in his arms and Brice by his side. He played the part of dad perfectly, but she knew it wasn’t an act. He was the perfect, attentive, loving dad. Seeing him with his daughter made her heart soar.
“Ulia,” Izzy whined.
“Come here, sweetie.” Julia opened her arms to her, giving Rick a look that said this won’t be long.
“Okay. Say goodbye to Julia.” He set Izzy down. “She’s all danced out. And tomorrow is a big day, right Brice?”
“Birthday pancakes!” Brice grinned.
Luke patted his back as he stood. “Go run this over to Bruce.” He handed Brice some money for the bill. “Then we’ll get you all home.” He kissed Julia’s cheek, and Izzy shook her head, pushing him away. “Uh-oh, looks like someone’s a little possessive.”
Rick laughed. “She loves Julia. I think she misses you know who, and Grammy isn’t a good substitute. She’s a tough Puerto Rican who doesn’t have the patience for cuddles and bedtime stories.”
“Poor baby.” Julia held her closer. If Lauren had her in her arms, she would hold her close too. It broke her heart that Izzy didn’t have the gentle touch of a woman caring for her, even though it seemed Rick was doing a phenomenal job with her. There were just some things a woman did better, she felt.
“Let’s go, princess.” Rick took her from Julia, and the wails began. She reached for Julia, kicking her feet.
Julia made a sad face. “Aww, how about we—”
Luke snaked his hands around her waist, cutting her off. “Don’t say it. Tonight’s our night.”
“She’ll be fine. Once I get her to the resort, she’ll pass right out. We’ll see you tomorrow.” Rick waved as Izzy thrashed in his arms, but his sights were on Lauren. She nodded; she would most definitely see him tomorrow.
Julia sighed, rather loudly, interrupting Lauren’s enjoyment of Rick’s backside as he left the bar. She turned back to Julia as Luke scooted close to her. Great.
“You almost ruined our night.” He winked. “I need you, baby.”
“But—”
“No buts. You’ll see her tomorrow. Let’s get Brice home.” Luke waved Heather over. She had been on the dance floor with Erika and Lindsey most of the night.
Lauren envied the little family, and to her surprise, she felt a longing for one of her own. Maybe it was the summer heat, the three screwdrivers, or the charming and sexy Rick Torres who made being a father the most attractive sight ever, making her crave…him.
If only he had kissed her or danced with her, she might be able to make sense of all the crazy feelings rushing through her.
At least there’s tomorrow. And then the next day.
She smiled, thinking of the possibilities as she followed Julia and her family out of The Peak.
nine
A Family
Julia rushed around the little lake house, making sure everything was ready to go for Brice’s birthday. Even though the party wasn’t until Saturday, she had Friday booked solid with Lauren, and tonight Luke was whisking her away to her suite. So she needed to make sure everything was in order, one last time. She dug through a bag filled with party favors on the dining table and then made sure all the accoutrements for pancakes in the morning were in place.
Every time she passed through the living room to Luke’s bedroom, he groaned impatiently. “I’m almost ready to go,” she assured him.
After they’d left The Peak, she’d dropped Lauren off at the resort before heading over to Luke’s place. Friday night was their standard date night, but with all the guests and Brice’s birthday celebration, things weren’t typical.
Luke lived for Friday nights these days. So when he’d complained for days on end about missing it, Julia had agreed to ask Erika to babysit. As expected, Erika had agreed to spend the night at the lake house with the kids, and Luke was chomping at the bit to get to Julia’s suite.
Of course, it wasn’t all Luke. Julia also cherished their one night a week together. Times had certainly changed since his kids had moved in. The biggest change had been the loss of their freedom to be together whenever they wanted.
Luke did his best to keep firm boundaries, and one he would not bend on was his Friday night slumber party in Julia’s suite. Despite her protests about leaving the kids for the night, he would not budge, and for that she appreciated him even more. The least she could do for his dedication was give him a Thursday night private slumber party.
“How many times do you have to double-check if everything’s perfect after you double-checked if it’s perfect?” Luke grumbled.
“Luke, don’t question me.” She stopped with her hands on her hips. “I want everything to be spectacular for Brice’s birthday.”
“All right, I’ll shut up now.”
“Perfect! But I’ll hurry, handsome.”
“Julia, will you read me a story?” Brice hollered from the loft. She froze mid-step with bags in her hand.
“Julia’s busy. I’ll read you a story,” Luke responded, standing up.
“Luke,” she whispered sternly. “He didn’t ask you. Now sit. We’ll leave after the story.”
A knock at the door interrupted their exchange, followed by Heather running down the stairs. “I got it! It’s Erika.” Heather rushed to the door. “We’re painting our toenails tonight.” She swung the door open. “Hey!”
“Hey, yourself.” Erika laughed. “Hi, Luke. Hi, Julia.” Erika entered with a backpack and a pizza in hand.
“You brought a pizza? We just ate.” Luke looked at Erika, dumbfounded.
“Seriously, Luke? It’s a slumber party.” Erika rolled her eyes.
“Luke, leave them alone.” Julia waved him off. “It’s totally fine.” She winked at Erika and Heather.
“But you keep the fridge and cabinets stocked with snacks. Hell, we could feed an army.” He pulled his wallet from his back pocket, removed twenty bucks, and handed it to Erika. “For the pizza.” She stared at him, unsure. “Take it.”
“Okay!”
“Julia!” Brice called again.
“Coming, sweetie.” She stopped at the bottom of the stairs, then looked over her shoulder at Heather. “In the bottom drawer in Luke’s bathroom, I have some new polish if you want to check it out. And new tinted lip balm. Help yourselves.”
“Really? Cool!” Heather clapped excitedly.
Luke threw back his head, letting out an exasperated sigh.
“I’m going, I’m going.” Julia ran up the stairs.
At the top of the stairs, she looked down at Luke and smiled. Even when he was irritated, she adored him. They had been through a lot in the last six months. Her feelings had never been stronger for anyone.
She continued to Brice’s room and found him with a book in his hand and a smile stretched across his face. He was different from Luke and Heather in many ways. This child melted her with his sweet voice, dazzling blue eyes, and spunky attitude. She often wondered if he was more like Renee, but from what she knew, he didn’t sound anything like her either.
The little guy had an active, curious mind that produced nonstop questions from the moment he woke until he faded off into dreamland at the end of the day. Whereas Luke and Heather would contemplate things silently, Brice spouted out every thought in his head. The little chatterbox always had a smile on his face, a one-liner joke to tell, and a bounce in his step. This contrasted his father and sister’s demeanor of keeping to themselves or only showing their playful side to a select few.
“I see you’re ready for story time?”
“Ah-huh!”
“What book are we reading tonight?” Julia snuggled next to him as she had dozens of times befo
re, the act as natural as if he were her own child.
Above them were twinkling lights strung across the ceiling like a canopy of stars. Luke had had the idea one June night when they were stargazing on the deck. Brice had sat mesmerized and silent until he begged to sleep outside beneath the balls of fire, and Luke gave into his enthusiastic request.
The next day, Luke had taken Brice into town to buy twinkling lights. Finding Christmas lights in June, and in Faithful Falls, was not an easy task. But Louise came through for them and found the lights after spending an hour searching in Seaton’s storeroom.
The lengths Luke would go to for his kids had proven to Julia many times the depth of his devotion to his kids, to his family—to her.
“Actually, can we talk instead?” Brice laid his book down beside him on the bed.
“Sure. What do you want talk about?” She brushed blond bangs out of his eyes.
“I like living here with you and Dad. But I wish you lived with us all the time so we could be a real family.”
A real family? Oh, boy. A lump formed in her throat as his bright blue eyes looked up at her expectantly.
“I’m here every day, sweetie. Your dad and I”—she swallowed hard trying to avoid throwing Luke under the bus—“well, we feel it wouldn’t be right for me to move in if we aren’t married.”
Her stomach twisted at the lie. If Luke had it his way, she would have returned to the lake house that night he stormed into her suite like a raging bear after finding she’d moved out and the engagement ring in the empty dresser drawer. She would never forget the fear and panic in his face, in his voice. If he hadn’t returned from Alaska with the kids two days early, she wouldn’t have seen how much he truly loved her that night.
Even so, she was putting off the wedding because of Renee, and Luke amazed her with his understanding and support.
And now, the decision to stay at the resort was all hers.
“Then when are you getting married?” This wasn’t a conversation she was prepared for, especially without Luke by her side. How could she appease Brice without keeping her lumberjack waiting?
“I’m not sure.” She grimaced watching his excitement turn to disappointment. She hated to lie to him, but like she had told Luke, she wanted to wait until the birthday weekend was over before telling the kids they had set a date.
“But I don’t want you guys to leave tonight. I want you both here. Can’t you stay here? Please…?”
Where was Luke when she needed him? He always knew how to answer the hard questions. And he never crumbled under the pressure of the hopeful eyes of a child—unlike her with Izzy earlier at The Peak. She had been ready to bring the toddler home, but Luke had stopped her. She just didn’t have the heart to disappoint a child.
Luke had it right when he called her a softie. Everybody called her a softie. It didn’t bother Julia, but during moments like this, she wished she could be strong and not swayed by emotions. How she’d love to be more like Lauren: a badass, take no prisoners, ruler of her own heart.
Julia laughed inside. That was so not her, nor did she believe it was truly Lauren. She had seen the soft side of Lauren a few times. She’d bet that, in the right situation, she could be a softie too.
“Julia, let’s go, baby,” Luke called from downstairs.
Brice sank under his covers into a blue funk. She cuddled him closer, placing soft kisses on his forehead. This sweet boy tugged at her heartstrings. Julia could not imagine the depth of love she would feel for the baby she would one day carry inside her.
“We’ll figure this out soon, okay?” she said, consoling him. But he only nodded despondently. “I want you to get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow will be another fun day for you, and then Saturday will be the best day ever! Double digits,” she sang.
He nodded again, now with the cutest grin on his sweet face.
Again, she kissed him. “Good night, buddy.” It took everything in her to pull away from him, and when she finally did, the weight of his innocent request followed her to the resort.
Julia entered her suite with Luke following close behind her. The door latched, and he swept her up into his arms. But he didn’t ravage her with kisses; he studied her as he often did.
“Talk to me. I know something’s on your mind.” He pressed warm lips to her temple.
“It’s Brice.” She took his hands, pulling him to the bed. “He didn’t want us to leave tonight.” She grabbed the hem of Luke’s T-shirt and lifted it roughly over his head. Heat radiated off him, turning her insides to liquid.
Softly she ran the tip of her finger up his arm and across his chest. Not a single word left his lips; she had his undivided attention. “He said he wants us to be a real family.” She dotted kisses over his neck, down to his shoulders, and across his Semper Fi tattoo.
He inhaled deeply as he untied her sundress, slipped it off, and let it drop to the floor. Julia gripped the back of his head as his lips brushed against her cleavage, evoking soft hums from her.
Briefly, she was without words, but the wheels in her head were turning. “Do you think it’s time I move back into the lake house with you?”
Luke stopped his gentle caresses, cupped her face, and in a resolute tone said, “Fuck yeah.”
She giggled, throwing her head back, and before she could say another word, Luke had her on the bed in nothing but pink cheekies. “Luke, we’re having a conversation.”
“No, baby, you were having a conversation, and I listened to every word while you talked out your thoughts.” He lowered himself to her chest, teasing her with his tongue. “Yes, I want you to move in. Yes, I want us to be family. Yes, to every goddamn thing you ask of me. Now quiet, so I can ravage your body…my love.”
He proceeded down between her legs, his beard brushing lightly over her skin and leaving a trail of goosebumps.
Julia closed her eyes. Discussion over.
ten
Pancakes and Irritation
Lauren arrived at Luke’s house for the planned pancake breakfast, which had been requested by Brice. It seemed the little guy was getting the birthday weekend of a lifetime. She thought it was sweet Luke wanted to make up for all the birthdays he had missed while in the Marines. Julia had told her Luke was committed to giving the kids a memorable summer, and by the looks of it, he had succeeded.
She knocked, and to her surprise Rick opened the door.
“Morning. Or shall I say good afternoon?” He opened the door wide for her to enter.
“Before eleven still counts as morning. Did you have a rough night there, daddy?” She waltzed in, giving her hair a flip. “If you needed a night to release some tension, I’m sure Julia could have hooked you up with a babysitter.”
Rick didn’t respond. He only stared at her as he closed the door.
“Hey, sweets! Can I get you some coffee and pancakes?” Julia offered.
“Coffee would be great, thanks.” Lauren took in the house. It was just as Julia had described it—totally Luke. Stone fireplace with a deer’s head mounted above it, a distressed leather sofa, and a lot of wood. Wood floors, paneled walls, and a wood beam above her. It was a warm and rugged space.
Gourmet stainless-steel appliances were located opposite the living room. Black shiny granite counters and open shelves hung on the walls. No doubt Julia made sure everything sparkled brilliantly, the neat freak.
“And here you go.” Julia handed her a mug. “No pancakes?”
“No, just coffee. Where are the kids?”
“Up in the loft playing with Izzy. I’ll be ready to leave shortly.” No sooner had the words left her lips than Luke appeared behind Julia. His hands snaked around her waist.
“Morning, Lauren. Did you get some of my world-famous pancakes?”
“Morning, Luke. I did not. I’m not much of a pancake girl.” She shrugged her shoulders.
“That’s blasphemy!”
“Yeah, well, I’m damned to hell for a great many things, but not liking pancakes
isn’t one of them. Wouldn’t you agree, Rick?” She looked his way. After closing the front door, he had promptly sat on the sofa.
She didn’t like that he ignored her. Now he would have to speak to her.
He turned toward her as she continued. “I mean, pancakes are the least of our worries when it comes to the afterlife, right?”
“Oh yeah…” He shook his head with a perturbed look. “Two peas in a pod we are, cut from the same vile cloth.”
“Lauren,” Julia whispered with a stern voice.
Rick held Lauren’s gaze. A crease between his eyes appeared as it had last night at The Peak when she had razzed him. “I better check on Izzy.”
She blinked, dumbfounded, as he took the stairs two at a time.
“That was more than a little awkward.” Luke snorted. “I’ve never seen a woman chase him off like that. Nice work, Lauren.” Julia elbowed him.
“Let’s go now,” Julia said. “I’ll grab my purse.”
No woman had ever chased off Rick, but she had? It didn’t make sense. He didn’t seem like the easily offended type. Had she offended him? Hurt his feelings?
The activity in the house faded around Lauren as she chided her stupid, sarcastic mouth. If she’d hurt Rick’s feelings, she would feel like a pile of shit, California-style. She flicked her gaze up to the loft, saying a silent prayer and promising to keep her mouth in check so she didn’t offend Rick. From here on out, she’d try to mind her p’s and q’s.
Julia returned with her purse in hand. “Now remember, I’ll be back late tonight, so I’ll see you in the morning, okay?”
“Sure, baby. You girls have fun shopping…for a wedding dress,” he whispered, pulling her into his arms.
“Great, more kissing. I’ll wait for you in the car,” Lauren mumbled to hide her jealousy. The soft sound of wet kisses made her shiver in disgust as she escaped Julia and Luke’s passionate goodbye. Were they for fucking real? Love wasn’t like that…or was it?
