by Violet Howe
Our mouths never parted as we made our way to my bed, tearing at each other’s clothes until we could feel the heat of skin upon skin. He reached and swept the duvet aside with a grin before pushing me back onto the bed and pressing his weight on top of me.
I lifted my knee between his and pushed to roll him over on his back, sitting astride his hips as I eased myself down over him.
His sharp intake of breath matched my own, and I began to rock my hips back and forth. He lifted his hands to caress my nipples, and I tilted my head back and arched my spine, pushing my breasts into his grasp and pivoting my hips to bring him deeper inside me.
He gasped, and I moved faster, bracing one hand on his stomach as I slid the other hand down over my ribs, past my bellybutton, and into the warmth between us. I moaned at simultaneous stimulation from the pressure of him filling me, the friction of our frantic joining, and the circular motions of my own fingers.
It didn’t take long for me to cry out in ecstasy, collapsing across his chest as he grabbed hold of my hips to thrust hard up against me until he reached his pinnacle of pleasure.
We lay sweating and panting, unwilling to move for quite a while after the passion subsided. I listened to his heartbeat as he stroked his fingers through my hair and down my back, tracing each vertebrae as my body continued to contract and release in response to his touch.
“Do you need to get on the road soon?” I whispered, dreading the answer.
“Do you want me to stay?”
I hesitated, wanting desperately to fall asleep in his arms, but knowing he had early morning obligations to meet at the ranch. “It’s okay. I know you need to go take care of your animals.”
He tucked his thumb under my chin and lifted my face to look at him. “Maggie, do you want me to stay? It’s true that those animals never take a day off, and they don’t work their schedule around mine. But there are some perks that come with being in charge, and if you tell me you need me to be here, then I’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen. Now, do you want me to stay?”
“Yes,” I said, lowering my lips to his as my hair draped over his face.
“Can you reach my phone in my jeans pocket?”
I was still sitting astride his hips, and he held his hands firmly on my thighs to keep me from falling as I leaned over the side of the bed to grab his jeans and hand him the phone. I sat back up and traced his abs with my fingernails as he texted someone at the ranch and waited for a reply.
When he got the confirmation he was waiting for, he set the phone on the nightstand and then put his hands under my rump, moving me to the side and rolling until I was beneath him. His touch was light, and his lips were like feathers on my skin as he made love to me so slowly and so gently that it was almost as if he feared I might break. By the time we lay spent again, the hour was late, and I curled up against him, my knee over his thigh and my arm around his waist. We drifted off to sleep and neither of us moved from that position until the alarm sounded in the morning.
45 A PARTY INVITATION
“Would you like an omelet?” I asked Dax with a yawn as he showered.
“I’d love one, but you don’t have to be up for another hour, so I can grab something on the road.”
“Nonsense. I’m awake, and you need something decent to eat. I already kept you up most of the night, so it’s the least I can do.”
He leaned around the tile enclosure and grinned, his wet hair dripping down his face. “Believe me, I didn’t mind you keeping me up. Not at all.”
He joined me in the kitchen when he was dressed, and I rubbed my hand across his facial stubble and grinned. “Have you ever had a beard?”
He nodded and scratched his chin. “Yeah. Most winters I let it grow out. Why? Do you like beards?”
“I’ve never had one personally, but I might like one on you.”
I smiled as he put his arms around me, his lips touching mine before he took the china coffee cup I offered him.
“We’re using the fancy cups this morning since I trashed all my favorites.”
He leaned back against the kitchen counter and watched me flip his omelet onto a plate.
“So we got a little, um, sidetracked last night, and you didn’t tell me how you ended things with your daughter. Did you get it worked out?”
“As worked out as it’s likely to get. She’s going to invite Jeffrey and Julie to the wedding against my wishes, and her father is going to pay for her honeymoon. Also against my wishes.”
“Is he coming to the wedding?”
I cut my eyes around to him with a death stare. “Over my dead body. She knows better. Or at least she should.”
“Hmm. That’s too bad. I’d like to meet Gerry and have a word with him.” He took a long sip of coffee, staring at me over the rim of his cup with no humor in his eyes. “You gonna be okay with his kids there?”
“I don’t really have a choice. I have to put my own feelings aside and put my daughter first. It’s her wedding. Her big day, not mine. They’re important to her, and she wants them there.”
He took the plate I handed him and followed me to the table to sit. “Yeah, it’s her day, but if them being there is going to make other people miserable, how happy is she gonna be?”
“It’s not going to bother anyone other than me and my parents, so we need to suck it up and deal with it for her benefit. It’s not ideal, but I’ve been through worse. I want her to be happy.”
“Why don’t you want him to pay for the honeymoon? It seems to me he should be contributing something after all he’s put y’all through.”
I chewed my eggs and swallowed, wiping my mouth with a napkin. “I guess it goes back to the money thing. I look at it kind of like blood money. He sold us out to get that money, so I don’t want any part of it, and I don’t want her to feel comfortable taking it. I would like her to be more principled than that.”
Dax shrugged and lifted an eyebrow. “Maybe she sees it differently. Maybe to her, he owes her something, and this is her way of getting it.”
“Maybe.”
We finished breakfast in silence, and then he helped me clear the dishes.
An idea had been flickering in the back of my head for some time, and after crossing such a big emotional hurdle to open up to Dax the night before, I felt empowered to take another step forward.
“So, I’m not sure what you’re doing on Sunday,” I said, looking down at the sink to hide my nervousness, “but Cabe and Tyler are coming over to celebrate my birthday. Nothing fancy. We’ll probably cook something on the grill, and we’ll watch a movie or get in the pool if it’s hot out. But if you’re not busy, maybe you could stop by.”
Dax put his arms around my waist from behind and leaned forward to kiss my cheek. “I would love to. What time should I arrive, and what should I bring?”
“The kids will probably get here around one. Any time after that is fine.”
He rested his chin on my shoulder and swayed his hips back and forth, pulling me from side to side with him. “You mentioned grilling. How about I bring steaks?”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. I’ll pick something up.”
He turned me in his arms to face him, grinning as he looked down at me. “Maggie, I run one of the biggest beef ranches in the country. You’re not going to pick anything up that’s better than what I could bring.”
“True. Didn’t think about that.”
He kissed me as we said our goodbyes, his lips lingering on mine as I held my breath and tried to memorize every detail to hold with me when he was gone.
I called Cabe later that afternoon, anxious to gauge his reaction in case inviting Dax had been a mistake.
“Hey, Mom! What’s up?”
“Hi, sweetheart. I wanted to talk to you about Sunday.”
“Did you change your mind? You want to go out to eat instead of staying in?”
“No, you know I’d rather stay in and cook. But I invited someone, and I wanted to make sure you’re
okay with it.”
Cabe chuckled. “It’s about damned time. I was wondering if I was ever going to meet him.”
“You’re sure you don’t mind if he comes? I don’t want you to feel like it’s an intrusion.”
“Mom, don’t be ridiculous. It’s your birthday. You can invite whomever you want. To be honest, I was feeling a little left out since Tyler already got to meet him and I didn’t. Bronwyn tells her you guys have been taking dance lessons?”
A warm blush colored my cheeks, and I smiled. “Yeah. We have. How did Bronwyn know?”
“I guess she says he practices in the barn. He’s got the music cranked up and when she goes out there, he’s doing waltz steps all by himself with the horses staring at him like he’s nuts. At least that’s what she told Tyler.”
I laughed at the image of Dax dancing alone in the barn, and my heart warmed as I thought of him.
“He’s a great guy, honey.”
“He must be,” Cabe said. “You’ve never invited anyone to dinner with us before. As long as he makes you happy and treats you right, I like him.”
“You haven’t even met him yet.”
“Are you happy?”
I smiled and bit down on my lip as a rush of Dax memories flashed in my head. “Yes. I am. I truly am.”
“Then I like him. I’ll see you Sunday. Love you, Mom.”
“I love you, babe.”
46 MEETING OF THE MEN
Sunday took forever to arrive, but when it finally came, it was a gorgeous day. The sky was a brilliant blue without a cloud in sight, and although it was hot in the sun, a light breeze and the motion of the ceiling fans kept the shaded area of the patio pleasant.
Cabe and Tyler arrived a little before one with Deacon, and I swear I think Tyler was more excited for Cabe to meet Dax than I was.
“What time is Mr. Pearson arriving?” she asked as we cut up vegetables for the tossed salad.
“I told him any time after one, so he should be here soon.”
“Are the steaks in the outside fridge?” Cabe asked, standing with the refrigerator door open as he searched. “I don’t see them in here.”
“Dax is bringing steaks,” I said. “From the ranch.”
Cabe looked up in appreciation and smiled. “Awesome. I’m liking this guy more and more. So, what’s the protocol for interviewing your mom’s boyfriend? Are there questions I’m supposed to ask? Do I need to see his credentials? His health records? His bank account?”
Tyler laughed as I tossed a carrot slice at his face.
“You don’t need to ask him anything. Behave yourself. Please?”
“I’ll be on my best behavior.” He held his fingers up. “Scout’s honor.”
“What is up with you guys all taking a scout’s honor when you weren’t scouts? Oh, what movie did you bring?”
“The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” Cabe said, grabbing a cherry tomato and popping it in his mouth. “It’s about a bunch of old people who go stay in a resort in India to die.”
“Sounds lovely. Exactly what I want to watch to celebrate turning fifty.”
“Cabe!” Tyler rolled her eyes. “It’s supposed to be really good, Maggie. It’s got Dev Patel in it, and I know you like him. Dame Judi Dench is in it, and Dame Maggie Smith, and Bill Nighy.”
“Like I said, a bunch of old people.” Cabe laughed as Tyler pinched his arm.
The doorbell rang, and we all froze, staring at each other for a second before all three of us set into motion to be the first one to answer it.
Cabe reached it first, but by the time he turned the knob and pulled it open, I had gotten there to squeeze in and be the first to say hello.
Dax looked a bit startled to see so much commotion at the door, but then he laughed and I backed up to let him in.
He bent to plant a kiss on my lips, which felt natural and awkward at the same time. I’d seen Tyler and Cabe kiss plenty over the course of their relationship, but I’d never been on this end of it.
“Dax, you’ve met Tyler, and this is my son, Cabe.”
The two men shook hands, standing almost eye to eye, although Dax was broader than Cabe, and substantially more muscular.
“Nice to meet you,” Cabe said as they sized each other up in that way men do. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Likewise,” Dax said, still gripping Cabe’s hand. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”
They concluded their male greeting and dropped hands, and Dax picked up the cooler he had set on the floor as he entered.
“Steaks for the grill. Where do you want me to put them?”
“Right this way,” Cabe said, leading Dax to the patio.
Tyler and I returned to the kitchen, and I couldn’t help stealing glances out the window to see how things with the men were transpiring.
“They seem to be getting along well, huh?” Tyler asked, her eyes bright with excitement.
I nodded, staring at the two of them. I’d never dated anyone seriously enough to need Cabe’s approval before, and I never realized how important it was to me.
“I love the way he looks at you,” Tyler whispered over my shoulder as we watched them. “His eyes get all gooey, like you’re the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen.”
“Are you saying I’m not?” I teased and turned to make a pitcher of tea.
The conversation never stalled during the meal, with topics ranging from sports to movies to ranching and the new technology Cabe was using in his job as a programmer.
When we’d eaten our fill, the three of them insisted that I stay on the patio as they cleared the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen.
“It’s your birthday party,” Tyler pleaded. “You don’t clean up after your own party. Go put your feet up and enjoy the breeze. I’ll get you another glass of wine, and you relax while we clean up.”
I didn’t argue any further. I propped the pillows on one end of the patio sofa and leaned back against them, bringing my feet up and laying my head back with eyes closed.
“We’re just about done in here, Mom,” Cabe said after a bit. “You ready for the movie, or you want to sit out here a while longer?”
“Come sit by me for a minute.” I swung my feet around to put them on the floor, patting the sofa next to me as I waited for him to come sit. “I don’t know if you’ve talked to her, but Galen and I had a bit of a tiff the other night. She said some things that have weighed on me, and I need to say something to you.”
Worry clouded his clear, blue eyes, and he tilted his head. “What did she say to you? You know better than to let her get to you.”
I shook my head. “It was fine. She was getting things off her chest. But I think there was some validity to them, and I want to address it.” I took a deep breath and put my hand over his. “When your father left the second time, before Galen was born, I made a decision to cut all ties with him.”
Cabe drew his eyebrows together at the mention of Gerry.
“I was hurt at the time. I’d been betrayed, as you know. I felt like the best thing for me, for us, was to have him out of our lives. I worried about what a relationship with him might do to you or Galen. I never wanted him to lie to either of you or betray you the way he did me. So, I kept him from you. I rebuffed any attempt on his part to be involved, and I forced the two of you to live without knowing your father.”
“Mom,—”
I lifted my hand to stop him.
“Hear me out. I don’t know if that was the right decision. I don’t know if I did more damage by making you both feel like he didn’t want you or he didn’t care. I’m sure in his own way, he wanted you both. He cared for you deeply when the three of us lived together, Cabe, and as much as I was duped by his lies, I don’t believe he was pretending to love you.”
“You don’t have to do this,” Cabe said. “You don’t have to make excuses for Gerry or justify his behavior.”
“I know, but I do have to be responsible for mine. I don’t know that I
’ve ever apologized to you, Cabe. I want to say how sorry I am that I picked a father for you who turned out to be a lousy one, and how sorry I am that he was ripped from your life without any warning when you were young. Because of my decisions to keep him away, you grew up feeling like something was missing. I know how hard that was on you, and I’m sorry. I honestly thought I was doing the right thing, but now I’m not so sure.” My voice cracked a little, and my son turned my hand in his and squeezed it as he smiled at me.
“Mom, I could not have wished for a better mother. Yeah, my father sucked. And yes, I missed out on having a dad and it pissed me off. A lot. I struggled with it for the longest time. I resented Jeffrey and Julie because I felt like they got the dad I never had. Like he picked them over me. But you know what I’ve found out since hanging out with Jeffrey?”
“What?”
“They didn’t have him either. Yeah, he left us and went back up north to live with them, but he wasn’t much more of a father to them than he was to me. He still didn’t make baseball games or awards nights or teach them to catch a ball or ride a wave. Sure, he might have been there on Christmas morning or they could see him at the end of the dinner table now and then, but they had him just enough to want more. And I think in some ways, it was easier to have nothing at all, than to see it right in front of you—close enough to touch it—but still not be able to have it.”
“You guys coming?” Tyler called out the door.
“Be right there, babe,” Cabe answered. “Look, Mom. All of us can make ourselves crazy asking what if. But there’s no way to know the answer. We do the best we can do with the information we have at the time, and if we get more information, we do better. I don’t hold it against you at all that my father wasn’t around. That’s on him. He chose to be somewhere else, and you just held him to that choice. Galen’s a drama queen. You know that. If it wasn’t this tragedy, she’d be harping on another one. Don’t let her get to you. You have nothing to apologize for. You were a great mom, and you still are.”
