A Jackson Hole Homecoming

by Cindy Kirk

  “I don’t think I can.” After all, Tripp hadn’t even said he loved her. Or given any sign he wanted to be with her permanently. And he certainly had no idea she’d overheard his private conversation with his sister.

  “You say you love him?”

  Anna nodded.

  “The way I see it, if you’re old enough to be in love with a man, to even consider a future with that man, you should be mature enough to talk to him about your feelings.” Betsy slipped her arm through Anna’s and gave it a squeeze. “Once you have all the facts, you can make your decision.”

  “Our thirty days will be up soon,” Anna murmured, wondering why that was even relevant.

  “I know you’re feeling discouraged. I had some of those same fears when Ryan and I were dating,” Betsy said with an understanding smile. “But you know what I learned?”

  “What’s that?”

  “Sometimes we do get what we want.” Betsy smiled at her son, then raised her gaze to meet Anna’s. “I did. Something tells me you will, too.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Anna was fully prepared to confront Tripp about his feelings for her the next night. She planned to do it when they met for coffee after a chamber of commerce meeting they’d both planned to attend.

  But one of her patients showed up in labor at the end of the workday, and she’d had to cancel. When she’d called Tripp, he said no worries, they’d be seeing each other the next night.

  At first she thought he might have something special planned, but he’d simply told her his parents had insisted they come for dinner that night.

  Even though she enjoyed seeing his parents, Anna admitted—but just to herself—that she wished Tripp had planned something special involving just the two of them. Most of all, she wished he’d remembered her birthday.

  The staff at work had brought a cake. She’d received birthday cards in the mail from her friends. But Tripp hadn’t mentioned her big day once. Not when he’d called to make the “date.” And not when he’d arrived at her place to pick her up with empty hands.

  They were driving up the lane to his parents’ home when she decided she was being ridiculous. While he’d promised at the country club party to make a mental note of the date, everyone knew men were notoriously bad about remembering special occasions.

  “Perhaps, on our way home tonight, we could stop at Hill of Beans and share a piece of cake,” Anna said in what she hoped was an off-hand kind of tone. “Their triple chocolate is my favorite.”

  “I believe you mentioned that to me once,” he said.

  “Because today is my birthday,” she said quickly, “and though I don’t often eat sweets, I do like to have cake on special occasions.”

  “Your birthday?” He slanted a glance her way, not appearing overly impressed. “Well, happy birthday, Anna.”

  “Thanks.” Her lips began to tremble and it was only with great effort that she managed to keep the smile on her lips.

  You’re not a child, she told herself sternly. Birthdays are just not that big of a deal to most people.

  Still, she found herself dragging her feet as they parked, then headed up the walk to his parents’ porch. She climbed the steps and suddenly made her decision. Once they reached the top step, she lightly touched Tripp’s arm.

  He tipped his head back and smiled.

  “Do me a favor,” she said, swallowing past the emotion clogging her throat. “Don’t tell your parents it’s my birthday.”

  Clearly puzzled, his brows pulled together. “Why not?”

  “I don’t want them to feel bad that they didn’t make a fuss.” Anna had gotten to know Tripp’s mother well. Kathy would feel terrible that not only hadn’t she realized it was Anna’s birthday, but she also hadn’t done anything special to help her celebrate.

  Tripp shrugged and reached around her for the screen door.

  “Tripp,” she said, urgency in her voice, “promise me.”

  He pushed open the door and gestured for her to step inside.

  “Tripp,” she said again, not bothering to conceal her irritation at his lackadaisical attitude. Didn’t he realize how bad his mother would feel? Kathy had enough on her mind without—

  “Happy birthday!” The words rang out from dozens of voices followed by laughter. Then the singing began, an off-key rendition but with much gusto.

  Anna widened her eyes, taking in the faces of friends and colleagues. Her heart skipped a beat. Then another. She smiled, a goofy grin that only got wider as the song progressed.

  When the chorus ended, Tripp leaned close, kissed her cheek, then whispered, “Did you really think I’d forgotten your birthday?”

  Tears of joy slipped down Anna’s cheeks. She hastily wiped them away as her friends crowded around.

  There were balloons everywhere and decorations celebrating the “Big 3-0.” Frank and Kathy Randall stood back with huge smiles on their faces. Anna rushed over to them and gave them each a hug. “Thank you for remembering and doing all this.”

  “Thank my son,” Kathy said proudly. “He orchestrated the whole thing, but we were very happy to help him put it together.”

  Anna’s heart swelled with emotion as she made her way through the crowded room, accepting more birthday wishes.

  There was a buffet table with all her favorite foods and a table full of presents. But looking around, Anna knew the greatest gifts weren’t the ones in brightly colored wrapping paper and gauzy bows. The friendship of each and every person in the room this evening was what mattered most.

  Tripp remained at her side the entire evening. When he brought in a triple-chocolate cake from Hill of Beans, decorated with thirty candles glowing brightly, Anna’s heart burst with joy.

  “Thank you so much, everyone,” she said, but her eyes were on him. On the man who had made this the best birthday ever. On the man she loved.

  * * *

  “I wanted to stay and help your mother clean up.” Anna turned to face Tripp when they reached the front door of her condo.

  “I heard you the first ten times.” A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “And what was my response?”

  “That she has Hailey tonight and the housekeeper tomorrow,” she said a bit sulkily. “But it was a fabulous party. I want her to know just how much I appreciate her going to all the effort—”

  “She knows.” He closed her lips with his fingers. “And she’s also aware that your special night is far from over.”

  Anna met his gaze and something in her belly clenched at the look in his eyes.

  “I still have to give you my gift.”

  She couldn’t stop herself. Her eyes, which seemed to suddenly develop a mind of their own, zeroed in on the area directly below his belt buckle.

  Tripp chuckled, a low, pleasant rumbling sound. “Something in addition to that...”

  Anna’s heart did a backflip. Was he saying that tonight they would finally make love?

  What about Gayle?

  Even though the worry had consumed her waking hours for the past few days, she swept the thought aside as of no consequence. When she looked into Tripp’s eyes tonight, what she saw there had reassured her that she was the one he wanted. Her. Only her.

  Even if she was wrong, if she couldn’t delude herself on her birthday, when could she?

  “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

  Anna turned toward him, her pulse rioting. “If you promise to behave yourself,” she teased.

  “I’m not making any such promise, darlin’.” He bent his head and planted a hot kiss on the side of her neck. “And I don’t think you really want me to.”

  With heart pounding, Anna squirmed from his arms, slipped the key in the lock and managed the door. “You seem pretty sure of yourself, fella.”

&n
bsp; “I am sure.” He stared at her for a long moment, his eyes boring into hers.

  “I guess that’s good.”

  “It’s very good.” He winked and followed her into the condo.

  She flipped on the lights, then turned. “I’ve got champagne. Or I can make some coffee.”

  He took the fingers of her hand and kissed them, featherlight. “There’s only one thing I want.”

  A shiver of anticipation traveled up her spine.

  “First, I need to tell you something.” His gaze met hers. “I care about you, Anna. This isn’t playacting for me, not anymore. The only woman I want to date is you.”

  Their eye contact turned into something more, a tangible connection between the two of them.

  Emotion strong and swift rushed over Anna. When she looked into his eyes, she saw something that looked a whole lot like love reflected back at her.

  Anna reached out and touched his cheek, one finger trailing slowly along the rough stubble of his skin until it reached the line of his jaw. “I don’t want to date anyone but you either.”

  “I don’t want to kiss anyone but you.” His mouth moved up and down her neck, scattering little kisses before his hand slid up to cover her breast. “I don’t want to touch anyone but you.”

  Desire shot through her and her nipple hardened beneath his touch.

  “I don’t want to make love with anyone but you,” she whispered in a husky voice.

  His gaze met hers, strong and steady, his blue eyes as dark as the sky before a storm. “You want to make love?”

  There was a beat of silence.

  “Only,” she whispered against his mouth, “with you.”

  In seconds she found herself pressed against the sofa. They kissed with a feverish intensity that set her blood on fire. Her need for this man was a stark carnal hunger she hadn’t even known she was capable of feeling.

  Anna didn’t remember removing her clothes or him removing his, but soon they were naked and he was touching her and caressing her and she was doing the same to him.

  She’d been with only one other man in her life and she’d been disappointed. But when Tripp’s lips moved down her belly and heat enveloped her, Anna knew this time would be different.

  “Are you protected?” he murmured against her throat.

  She stilled. “No,” she stammered, “I had no reason—”

  “No worries.” He closed her lips with his fingers. “I have condoms.”

  “You carry condoms?”

  “Only recently,” he said with a chuckle. “I picked up a box when I was in Idaho City.”

  He grabbed his wallet and pulled out several, keeping one and dropping the rest on the coffee table.

  She widened her eyes. “Do you really think we’ll need all those?”

  “Honey, the way you make me feel, I’m wondering if they’ll be enough.”

  Suddenly, his arms were around her again, and the intense pleasure was back, rolling like large waves propelling her to great heights. His lips were where no man had gone before.

  Anna told herself to hang on, to make the pleasure last, but the feelings were so strong she couldn’t stop it. She clenched the top of his head and bucked up against him, riding the waves until she shuddered.

  “I’m sorry,” she said.

  He lifted his head and brushed the strands of hair back from her face, his eyes still dark.

  “Nothing to apologize for,” he said in a husky voice that made her blood feel like warm honey sliding through her veins.

  “But it’s over.”

  She saw the corner of his mouth twitch as if he was amused by her reaction.

  Indignation flooded her. “What’s so funny?”

  “That was just an appetizer.”

  “Oh.” She felt her cheeks warm.

  “I think it’s time for the main course,” he said with a wink, his erection nudging her leg. “What do you think?”

  She planted a kiss at the base of his neck, his skin salty beneath her lips. “I think I’m ready to put in my order.”

  * * *

  Tripp slipped out of bed the next morning, careful not to wake Anna. He’d kept her pretty busy during the night and wanted to let her sleep.

  A smile remained on his lips as he showered, dressed, then started breakfast. By the time Anna padded into the kitchen, her hand covering a big yawn, the food and coffee were ready. Her feet were bare and she hadn’t bothered dressing, unless you counted an oversize T-shirt. He couldn’t be sure, but it appeared she wasn’t wearing any underwear beneath the thin white fabric.

  His body stirred and for a second he was tempted to forget the food and much-needed caffeine. But he’d seen how little Anna ate, so he gestured toward the table. “Sit. I’ll serve you.”

  “You made this?” Her eyes widened at the square white dinner plate filled with a perfectly formed omelet, wheat toast and cut-up pieces of fresh fruit.

  “It wasn’t easy.” Tripp grimaced. “You only had that egg-white mix. No real eggs. No white toast. I couldn’t even find regular butter, just that yogurt-blend stuff. When I saw the carton of cream, I thought I was hallucinating.”

  “I’ve learned skim milk just doesn’t cut it in coffee.” Anna took a seat, smiling appreciatively when he set a large mug of steaming brew in front of her. He noticed she was wearing the silver heart-shaped pendant he’d given her for her birthday.

  “The necklace looks good on you,” he said.

  “I love it.”

  They exchanged a smile, then he busied himself fixing a plate for himself and bringing it and the coffee he’d been sipping to the table.

  Anna took a bite of omelet that he’d spiced up with multicolored peppers and onion. She looked up and smiled. “This is delicious.”

  “I’m one of my mother’s success stories,” Tripp said, attempting to be modest but failing. “Hailey is still a work in progress.”

  “I’m more like Hailey,” Anna admitted. “But I want to be more proficient in the kitchen. Did I tell you that your mother offered to give me lessons?”

  Tripp froze. He still remembered the big blowup when his mother had offered to show Gayle how to make his favorite potato salad.

  “That was so sweet of her,” he heard Anna say and he released the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

  His heart, which had stopped beating, jerked back into a normal rhythm. “After breakfast, let’s head back to bed.”

  Anna lifted an eyebrow. “I suppose you’d like to spend the day there?”

  “What a great idea.” He leaned across the table, framed her face with his hands and kissed her. “I always knew you were a smart woman.”

  The beautiful brunette’s lips twitched. “If you have a full day of activity planned, you’d best eat up, cutie pie, because I’m going to wear you out.”

  Tripp didn’t think that was possible. But, hot damn, what a way to go.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The next week passed quickly. Even though no words of love had been exchanged, Anna was convinced Tripp loved her. She could see it in his eyes, feel it in his gentle touch. Sometimes, while they were making love, the words would push against her lips. But she held them back, wanting to hear him say them first.

  Any day now, she told herself. One of these days he would surprise her by confessing his feelings. Perhaps after tonight’s party.

  Her lips curved upward as she sat on her bed and bent to tie her shoes. When Mary Karen had first mentioned having a retro-themed party this fall, Anna had ordered a poodle skirt and saddle shoes from an online specialty store.

  A tingle of anticipation traveled up her spine. This party would be her and Tripp’s first big event as a couple since their relationship had undergone a change. />
  How many years had she dreamed of dating Tripp Randall? Now it was a reality. Being with him was even better than she’d imagined. They talked. They laughed. They made love. Anna couldn’t remember ever being so happy.

  The doorbell rang just as she finished tying the black-and-hot-pink shoelaces around her ponytail. She hurried across the hardwood floors, her heart thumping in her chest.

  She opened the door and gasped. While she’d decided to dress in fifties garb, Tripp had chosen the sixties. Anna resisted a sudden urge to giggle.

  From the leather headband on his head to the huaraches on his feet, Tripp fit the picture of a hippie to perfection.

  “I like the fringed vest.” She motioned him inside. “And the beads.”

  He gave her a wink. “Love beads, baby.”

  “Groovy,” she said, giving him a kiss.

  “Are you chewing gum?”

  “Taste the spearmint?” She snapped the gum, then grinned at his stunned expression.

  “Where’s my Anna?” he teased. “What have you done with her?”

  My Anna. Oh, how she liked the sound of that.

  “She’s right here.” Anna gave in to impulse and twirled in her poodle skirt. “Ready to rock ’n’ roll.”

  “Well, I’m ready to get my groove on.” Tripp held out his arm. “Shall we split like a banana?”

  Anna laughed. Something told her this would be a night to remember.

  * * *

  One of the first people Tripp saw when they walked through the front door of Mary Karen and Travis’s large mountain home was his sister, Hailey.

  Her mile-high bangs, thick eyeliner and tight designer jeans told him she’d picked the eighties as her decade of choice. Either that or she’d had a serious fashion meltdown.

  Tripp tipped his head back and studied her for a moment longer. The vintage Bon Jovi T-shirt was a nice touch. “Don’t you look...interesting.”

  “Don’t mind him.” Anna stepped forward and gave his sister a quick hug. “You look adorable.”

  “Thank you.” Hailey took a sip from the tall glass of what looked like orange juice but probably wasn’t. “So do you.”