Just a Kiss in the Moonlight: Georgia Moon Romance Book 2

by Cindy Roland Anderson

  The cries coming from the family room got louder. Taylin pulled away as Vivian walked toward them, holding her sobbing son. Eyes full of anger, she spoke sharply. “Crew is tired, and I need to put him down. If you don’t want to get to know your son, then I’m finding a hotel and we’ll leave tomorrow.”

  It was so wrong for Taylin to hope Vivian would do exactly as she threatened. She wanted everything to go back to the way it was an hour ago. But it was foolish. If Vivian left now, Luke would always wonder if Crew was his.

  “What about the paternity test?” Luke asked.

  “What about it?” Vivian spat out. “You obviously don’t want him, so don’t bother.”

  “Vivian, that isn’t fair. If he’s mine, then of course I want him.”

  “I didn’t come here to stay in a hotel while you decide if you want our son.” She popped the pacifier into the little boy’s mouth and he quieted. “We stay here or we go home. It’s up to you.”

  That sick feeling was back, making Taylin’s stomach hurt. Surely Luke wouldn’t allow his ex-wife to move in with him.

  “All right.”

  His affirmation was like a death knell on their potential future. Taylin’s chest tightened with grief, and a lump the size of Montana lodged in her throat.

  “But,” Luke said in an even voice. “I’m going to see if my neighbor will let me sleep at her house.”

  “Is she your neighbor?” Vivian said, pointing a finger at Taylin.

  “What? No.” Luke blew out a big breath. “Miss Iris is a widow who has custody of her two grandchildren. Besides that, she’s old enough to be my mother.”

  “Fine. I wouldn’t want to tarnish your reputation.”

  Taylin was relieved with Luke’s stipulation, but weary of Vivian’s possessive attitude. It was like she wanted baby Crew, Luke and herself to all be one big, happy family.

  “Um,” Ashlee said. “Grayson and I are gonna go now.”

  Taylin’s eyes snapped to her sister. How could she have forgotten they had an audience? “I’ll walk you to your car.” Taylin didn’t wait for her sister to agree, but motioned for them to go and quickly followed them out.

  “Whoa, Tay, that was intense,” Ashlee murmured as they crossed the yard to Grayson’s car.

  “I know. I’ll explain everything later.” Unfortunately, her explanation would be limited, since she had no idea what would happen with Luke.

  “Okay, but if you need a ride home, then just text and we’ll come right back here to get you.”

  “Y’all are the best,” Taylin said, giving her sister a hug. “Don’t say anything to Mama and Daddy yet, okay?”

  “I won’t.” Ashlee stepped away. “Um, Luke’s coming over here so we’ll be on our way.”

  Grayson gave Taylin a sympathetic smile before helping Ashlee into his car. “Good luck,” he said as he rounded the front of the car and slid in behind the wheel.

  Luke reached Taylin’s side as Grayson started the car and pulled away. “I’m sorry, Taylin.”

  “You don’t have to apologize, Luke.” She took his hand. “We’ll get through this together.” Her voice didn’t sound convincing.

  “I hope so.” Apparently Luke wasn’t buying it either. “I need to get the portable crib out of Vivian’s rental.”

  Why did that feel so ominous to Taylin? Luke wouldn’t be sleeping here, and his paternity was still in question. But how would she and Luke continue to see each other until then? Did they put their relationship on hold until the results were back?

  Taylin didn’t ask Luke any of this, because she could see the whole thing overwhelmed him. It was awkward to say the least, but she helped bring in Vivian’s luggage. Luke put her in the guest room next to his, and Taylin had to keep reminding herself that he wasn’t sleeping here.

  She and Luke tried setting up the crib, but the side rails wouldn’t stay put. As soon as Vivian walked over next to him, Taylin knew what was coming next.

  “I can do it,” Vivian said. “But you’ll need to hold Crew.” Her words held a tiny note of challenge as she addressed Luke.

  The muscle in his jaw jumped before he held out his arms. Taylin’s heart cracked as she watched Luke hold—for all intents and purposes—his son for the first time. It was silly and petty, but if she and Luke married and had children of their own, Crew would be the older brother. The firstborn. Luke’s child, but not hers.

  Crew sucked on his pacifier and stared at Luke. Taylin tried to discern any like features between the two of them, but without seeing any of Luke’s baby pictures, she had no idea if they resembled one another in any way.

  Taylin wrapped her arms around her middle, as if to hold herself together. The scene before her was so bitter sweet as she watched the corner of Luke’s mouth lift into a soft smile when Crew reached out with his hand to touch Luke’s face.

  “It’s kind of prickly, isn’t it?” Luke said as Crew rubbed his hand against the shadow of whiskers covering his jaw.

  From the corner of her eye, Taylin saw Vivian watching the scene as well. It made her feel like an outsider, and she wanted to leave before she started to cry. “Y’all have everything under control, so I’ll just go now.”

  Two lines creased Luke’s forehead. “How are you getting home?”

  Taylin’s heart split in half. He wasn’t begging her to stay. “Ashlee is comin’ to get me.” She pulled out her phone, wishing she’d already texted her sister. “I’ll wait for her outside.”

  Taylin’s gaze shifted to Vivian. The smile on the woman’s face felt like she’d been punched in the gut. In that moment, it was so obvious to Taylin that Luke’s ex wanted him back. Unable to stand it another second, she spun around and practically ran out of the room. Her vision blurred as she raced for the front door.

  “Taylin,” Luke said from behind her. “Wait up.”

  She ignored him and quickly exited the house, pulling the door closed. “Hey, Siri, text Ashlee to come and get—”

  The phone was snatched out of her hand before she could finish the command. “I’ll take you home,” Luke said, pushing the home button on her phone to end the communication with the device.

  “You don’t have to.” She hated how wobbly her voice sounded. And she hated that she was crying.

  “I’m so sorry,” Luke said. “Please don’t cry.” He circled his solid arms around her, pulling her close to him.

  Taylin gripped the front of his shirt as a sob broke through. She loved having him hold her and wondered if this might be the last time it happened.

  “Shh,” he said softly. “It’s going to be okay.” He rubbed his hand up and down the back of her silky shirt.

  His words were as empty as her heart felt. If he was Crew’s father, it was not going to be okay.

  “I want to go home.” She needed her sister. She needed advice from her parents. And she needed to get away from here. Flattening her palms, she gently pushed against his chest until he released his hold.

  “All right,” Luke said with resignation. “Let me go get my keys.”

  He turned and left her standing all alone, walking back inside his house. She would’ve been tempted to text Ashlee, but Luke still had her phone. Although it was completely dark outside, there were still trick-or-treaters. Taylin saw a group of older kids across the street from Luke’s house. She hoped there was still candy left in the bowl. If not, she wasn’t going back inside to get them more.

  The garage door lifted, and she rushed inside to avoid seeing anyone. “You forgot this,” Luke said, holding out her purse.

  “Thank you.”

  He held her gaze for a heartbeat before opening the passenger door. Taylin slid in and clicked on her seatbelt as Luke rounded the front of the car.

  Opening her purse, she found her phone and quickly pressed the home button to see if she had any missed calls or messages. It was blank.

  Luke climbed in behind the wheel. Without saying a word, he started the engine and then slowly backed out of the g
arage. He had to veer around the obstacle of Vivian’s rental car. If only he could do the same thing with the problem the driver of the rental car had brought with her.

  They drove in silence until they exited his neighborhood. “We have to talk about this, Taylin.”

  “I know.” But really, what could they say? Until he knew for certain he was Crew’s father, there wasn’t much they could plan for.

  “I don’t want her here, but I can’t send her away without ever knowing if she’s telling the truth.”

  “I know,” Taylin repeated.

  “So, first thing in the morning, I’ll get the lab work started. I think I can get it expedited, so we’ll know within a week instead of two to three.”

  Each word felt like a knife twisting in her stomach. A week seemed like an eternity. And in that week when Luke wasn’t working or sleeping at Iris’s, he would be with Vivian and Crew.

  “Say something,” Luke said after a few seconds.

  Her temper flared at the impatient tone of his voice, making her want to lash out. But fighting with each other wouldn’t solve anything. “I’m not sure what to say, Luke.”

  “I know, but I feel like you’re shutting me out.”

  Anger bubbled up, and she pressed her lips together so something she’d regret later didn’t spew out of her mouth. She probably was shutting him out, but it wasn’t to hurt him. It was more like self-preservation.

  “I’m not doin’ it on purpose.”

  He sighed as he turned onto her driveway, bringing the car to a stop. “I’m sorry, Taylin. You don’t need to explain yourself.” He scrubbed his hands over his face. “I’m winging this too.”

  Taylin was so torn. She wanted to reach out and hug him while at the same time run inside her house to hide. A group of teenagers dressed up for Halloween ran up to the front door of her house. A second later, her mama answered the door.

  “What should I tell my parents?” she asked, knowing she had to say something. Her mama was already secretly planning her wedding. Plus, Luke was invited over for Thanksgiving dinner. Depending on how things went with the DNA test, he might be bringing his son with him. Hopefully he wouldn’t bring his ex-wife.

  “The truth.” He watched her closely, his gray eyes sad. “And don’t forget I was still married when Vivian got pregnant.”

  Guilt briefly overshadowed her grief. Luke had been married and had been hoping to stay married. It’s not like he’d had a one-night stand with someone that resulted in an unwanted pregnancy, even though that’s exactly what it felt like. Baby Crew had been very much wanted by his father.

  “I know.” Unable to help herself, she reached across to take his hand. “I love you, Luke.”

  He gripped her hand so tightly it ached. “I love you too.” He tugged on her hand, bringing her close enough to kiss. It was amazing how her body responded to this man. Despite the despair, sadness and frustration, a sense of well being wrapped around her as his lips moved over hers. In this moment, Taylin believed everything would work out.

  Headlights lit up the inside of the car and they drew apart as Grayson’s car pulled alongside Luke’s. “I better let you explain things to Ashlee and your parents,” Luke said.

  “Text me when you get settled at Miss Iris’s.” Taylin hoped that was still the plan.

  “I will. I’ll give her a call on my way home.” His thumb circled the top of her hand. “I can’t imagine she’d say no, but if it doesn’t work out, I’ll get a hotel.”

  Taylin wanted to tell him that she trusted him and not to worry about it, but she didn’t trust Vivian. “Okay.” She leaned over and brushed his mouth with hers before getting out of the car.

  Luke lifted his hand to wave at her as he backed out of the driveway. As soon as his taillights vanished, Ashlee got out of Grayson’s car. “You look like you need a hug,” Ashlee said, wrapping her arms around Taylin.

  “I do,” Taylin said, loving that her best friend was also her sister. She saw Grayson’s car back out. “Your date is leaving?” Taylin pulled back to frown at her sister. “I’m sorry I ruined your night.”

  “Hush up.” Ashlee hooked her arm through Taylin’s. “He wanted to give us time to talk, but I promised to text him later on with an explanation.”

  “Girls?” their mama called from the porch. “What’re y’all doin’ home so early?”

  “Is Daddy still awake?” Taylin asked as she and her sister approached the front door. “I’d like to talk to everyone at the same time.”

  “I’m awake.” Charles Nichols stood next to his wife, his brow furrowed with worry lines. “What happened, darlin’? Do I need to hunt down that Montana boy for something he did to you?”

  Her daddy’s protective side made Taylin smile a little. Unfortunately what Luke did wasn’t an offense he should be held accountable for. She needed to remember that when she told her family about Luke’s little boy. She just hoped she could remind herself about that fact in the coming days.

  Chapter 24

  After spending a restless night in Iris’s guest bedroom, Luke finally got up a little after six and quickly made the bed. He intended to go home and take a quick shower before heading to the hospital to get the paternity test done. But as soon as he stepped out into the hallway, the smell of bacon and eggs beckoned him toward the kitchen where he found Mrs. Bradford standing at the stove.

  “Good morning, Luke,” she said, looking more chipper than he felt.

  “Morning, Mrs. Bradford.”

  She wrinkled her brow and held up her spatula. “Since you’re my guest, I reckon it’s perfectly proper for you to call me Iris.”

  He smiled. “Okay. Good morning, Iris.”

  “That’s better.” She used the spatula to flip over one of the eggs. “Sit down and eat something before you head on home.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Luke figured he better listen to her, since she’d taken on the roll of his protective mother. Last night, she’d stayed up late, offering him solace and words of wisdom. She knew he planned on going in as early as possible to get the DNA test completed, and then later spend the day with Vivian and Crew. He also wanted to see Taylin again. He just didn’t know how to go about that with his ex-wife in house.

  “Did you call your mother yet?” Iris asked as she presented him with a plate full of bacon and fried eggs.

  “Not yet. It’s only four-thirty in the morning back home.”

  “I forget about the time change.” Iris lifted a coffee pot. “Coffee?”

  “No, thanks. I’m not much of a coffee drinker, but I’ll take milk if you have it.”

  “Sure thing, sweetie.” Iris poured him a glass of milk and handed it to him before taking a seat at the table. “Sleep okay?”

  “Not really.” He picked up his fork and offered her a smile. “But it wasn’t because of the bed. It was very comfortable. Thank you.”

  She waved her hand. “I know your poor night’s rest has nothing to do with the accommodations.”

  Luke’s phone dinged an incoming text, and he quickly looked at the screen, hoping it was from Taylin. It was, but her message wasn’t what he wanted to read.

  Got called in to cover a sick call. I’ll text you when I have a break.

  It was probably a good thing she was working today, since he had no idea how to operate with his ex-wife living at his house. But it bothered him how generic her message was. There were no words of love, or the mushy emojis she typically liked to use.

  He quickly sent her a reply.

  Sorry you have to work. I love you and hope you have a good day.

  He stared at the screen, waiting to see those three little dots that meant she was typing in a reply, but nothing happened.

  “Nana?” a little voice hollered out. “I can’t find my candy.”

  Iris sighed heavily as she got up from the table. “You’d think they’d sleep in a little after spending the night running around the neighborhood.”

  “Sorry.” Luke smiled. “But good cal
l on hiding the candy. I’ve seen what sugar does to those two.”

  Iris laughed. “Heaven help the poor schoolteachers today. All the kids will be so hyped up on sugar they won’t get anything done.”

  Luke finished his breakfast while Iris got the twins in the bathtub. He rinsed off his plate and loaded it in the dishwasher. Iris poked her head in the kitchen just as he was about to leave.

  “Good luck today, Luke, and let me know if you need anything, okay?”

  “I will.” Luke waved goodbye and opened the door.

  The morning air, heavy with moisture, smelled of grass and lake water as Luke crossed the yard to his house. Patches of fog hovered around the lakeshore and he longed to take his boat out for an early morning fishing trip.

  Luke opened the door, entering his house as quietly as possible. He hoped to shower and leave for the hospital before confronting Vivian for the day. His house was quiet, but the can of formula and the empty bottle sitting on the kitchen countertop reminded him he wasn’t alone.

  It felt so strange to know his ex-wife was sleeping in the room next to his. Even stranger was the possibility that his son also slumbered nearby. He was tempted to sneak a peak at the little boy, but dismissed the idea as soon as it popped into his head. Even though Vivian had acted completely normal the night before, he wouldn’t be surprised if she returned to her usual, controlling and selfish ways today. The sooner he could put off talking with her, the better.

  After a quick shower, he checked his weather app and saw it was going to be another beautiful day with the highs in the low seventies. He donned a pair of jeans and a cotton tee before exiting his room

  “Morning,” Vivian said, startling Luke.

  “You’re up early,” he said, ignoring her bedtime attire that consisted of a tee and skimpy shorts. “Where’s the baby?” Luke asked.

  “Still sleeping.” Vivian’s eyes slid over him, and she smiled. “I heard you showering and decided I should try to shower before Crew wakes up.” She walked toward him. “What shower should I use?”

  Luke narrowed his gaze, noticing the suggestive lilt to her voice. Early in their marriage, Vivian would often join him in the shower. From the look in her eyes, she seemed to be recalling the same thing.