“Then I’ll try to be there by eleven-thirty—if not sooner. I have to wait around and make sure Luke and Sabrina see me leaving Ben’s suite.”
“And I have to sneak out of here and pray they don’t see me.”
She grinned and dragged her index finger down his gorgeous six-pack. “You might be less noticeable if you put your shirt on before you leave.”
He grabbed her wrist and shuddered. “Keep that up and I won’t be able to go.”
As soon as Justin crept out the door, Trisha quickly pulled on her underwear and dress so she would be ready to walk out the door when she heard Luke and Sabrina in the hallway.
Only five minutes passed before laughter drifted through the door. She backed out of the room as if sneaking out, and pretended to be caught in the act. “Oh, umm, hi.”
“Uh, good morning.” Sabrina glanced away as if she felt uncomfortable running into Trisha outside Ben’s room. “Did you have a good night?”
Man had she ever. Justin had made love to her three times before they both finally passed out. She stretched her arms over her head. “I had a wonderful night.”
“Where’s BJ?” Luke asked.
“Oh, he went ahead to the brunch. I’m just slow getting started this morning. The wedding was so beautiful,” she told them as they descended the stairs. “Ben told me to find Thomas to take me back to the resort. Do you have any idea where he might be?”
“Don’t bother him. You can ride with us,” Luke offered.
“Oh, I don’t want to horn in on the newlyweds’ morning after. Ben said Thomas has to pick up the Fosters at ten, anyway.”
“Nonsense.” Sabrina waved her hand. “We have a couple of months at sea ahead of us to make goo-goo eyes at each other.”
“I heard about the yacht Ben bought you. That should be a fabulous honeymoon.” She followed them out to Luke’s Pathfinder and climbed in back. Less than ten minutes later, she arrived back at her hotel room and jumped into the shower. When she emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel, she found Frankie placing her clothing into her suitcase.
“Leaving so soon?” Trisha smirked. “Was it something I said?”
“Okay, have your fun teasing me.” Frankie raised her hands in surrender. “Andy and I reconciled last night. I’m moving to his room. So you’ll have this place all to yourself.”
“Nothing like inviting a friend on a vacation and then abandoning her when you get a better roommate.”
Frankie pointed to Trisha’s still neatly made bed. “If I’m not mistaken, you didn’t sleep here last night, either. I guess Ben made your lady parts tingle after all. You’re practically glowing this morning.”
“As far as Sabrina and Luke know, yes, Ben and I spent the night together. But the truth is Justin is responsible for my post-coital glow.”
“What?” Frankie’s head snapped up. “Start spilling.”
While Trisha got dressed for an afternoon on the slopes, she explained her less than happy history with Justin. “He was the love of my life, Frankie. No one else ever made me feel the way he does. That’s why when I visited the sperm bank, I asked if they could find me a Ricky Martin lookalike to be my donor.”
The nurse at the clinic had laughed and said, ‘We should all get so lucky.’ “Oddly enough, the woman told me they’d approved an applicant the week before who might fit that description.”
“You’re right. Justin does look a little like Ricky Martin.
The donor’s profile had included childhood photos of a beautiful dark-eyed little boy who could easily have been the singer’s son—or Justin’s.
“So did you tell him you’re pregnant again?”
“No way. And don’t you dare drop any hints around him. I don’t want to ruin what’s left of this vacation. He’ll find out soon enough when he sees me blow up like the Good Year blimp in a few weeks.”
~*~
Justin ducked as Trisha and Haley bombarded him with snowballs on the way to the chairlift to take their fifth run down the mountainside. At brunch, he’d hesitated telling Haley he’d invited someone to go skiing with them, but when Trisha showed up, the child had saved him from confessing when she suggested Trisha join them.
“I’d never guess you haven’t been on skis before,” Trisha told Haley. “You’re a natural.”
“The hardest part is getting back up after I fall. So I’m doing my best not to.” Haley laughed.
The two of them had gotten along so well that afternoon, he couldn’t help wondering if Haley might like sharing his attention with someone else—especially another female. But how could he ask a woman to take on raising a teenager she barely knew—especially an emotionally needy teenager whose mood changed with the wind.
Trisha massaged her thighs. “You know. I didn’t realize how out of shape I’ve gotten. I think my legs have had enough skiing for today. Why don’t you two do this run alone?”
Great, she was bailing already.
Haley gazed longingly into the distance toward their lakeside resort where she’d told them Jamal had plans to play ice hockey with his Explorer friends.
“I have a better idea.” Justin suggested. “Why don’t we get a cup of hot chocolate at the lodge, and then, after we warm up, we can go ice skating for a while?”
Trisha froze in her tracks. “Uhh . . . I’m not very good on ice skates. I, uh, don’t want to ruin my vacation by falling.”
“Okay, then you can rest your legs on the shore if you’d like.”
“Cool.” Haley immediately agreed. “I don’t really want any cocoa. Can I skip it and take the shuttle back to the resort alone? I can meet you at the lake.”
“Sure.” He wouldn’t admit he was just as happy to have some time alone with Trisha.
After returning their ski equipment at the lodge’s rental desk, Haley hugged him and raced off to catch the shuttle just as it prepared to pull away from the curb.
“She seems to be having a good time,” Trisha said as he led her to the lodge’s coffee shop.
“That’s today on vacation. Talk to me next week when we’re back home and she’s in a funk because her parents aren’t there to set off firecrackers with her on New Year’s Eve.”
“So, then, you’ll set off firecrackers with her.”
“That’s just it.” He pulled Trisha’s chair out and sank into the one across from her. “Anytime I try to continue some custom she practiced with her parents, she goes into a nuclear meltdown.”
“In that case, make new traditions for the two of you. Haley clearly doesn’t want you to replace her dad or the memories she shared with him. When kids lose a parent—especially both of them, the way Haley has—they often fear they’ll forget their mother or father. When the pain starts to fade and they start enjoying life again, which they inevitably do, their pleasure is frequently cut short by intense guilt feelings.”
“Guilt about being happy when her parents are dead.” He never really thought about it that way, but it made sense.
He ordered two hot chocolates with extra marshmallows from the waitress and turned back to Trisha. “It’s like Haley’s on an emotional rollercoaster. First, she’s up, and then, she’s down. Most of the time, I have no idea where she is on her ride, so I’m constantly misreading what she needs.”
Trisha laid her hand over his on the table. “It’ll take time for the two of you to adjust and develop your own traditions. You’re right to make her your first priority. She needs to be reassured she’s not alone—even when she claims she wants to be.”
“You mentioned some personal commitments last night. Feel like sharing what they are?”
She shrugged one shoulder. “I just bought a small house that needs some work and redecorating.”
“Anything I can help with? I’m good with a hammer and a paint brush.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re determined to extend this little fling of ours.”
“Maybe because I am. I want you, Trisha, in every way a man wants a
woman. At my breakfast table, by my side when I go out, and in my bed every night.”
“That sounds a lot like marriage. Is that what you’re suggesting?”
He swallowed hard. He wanted that more than his next breath. But he wasn’t sure he could handle it. “Maybe. While I watched you with Haley today, I couldn’t help wondering if I’m wrong. She may need more than my undivided attention.” He paused while the waitress served their hot chocolate. “The thing is,” he explained after the woman left, “it’s not fair to saddle you with Haley’s problems. Raising a teenager, especially an unhappy one, isn’t for the faint-hearted.”
“I’m a high school counselor, Justin. If anyone knows that, I do.”
“I’m not even sure what the right thing is to do for her. She’s lost so much. She never had the chance to say good-by to her mother, and Marc slipped into a coma before we expected and never came out of it. So we never really got to say a final good-bye to him, either. Haley actually blames herself.”
“Why? It couldn’t have been her fault.”
“It wasn’t. Marc didn’t want to sedate himself with pain meds because he wanted to spend more time with her. She couldn’t stand seeing her dad suffer, so she pushed the button on his morphine pump. He never woke up.”
“Poor kid. I’d love to be there for her, and six months ago, I would’ve jumped with both feet and agreed to give a committed relationship with you a try. But I’m not in the position to do that now. And the fact that Haley could get hurt if things don’t work out is something you and I both have to seriously consider.”
“I know. What’s different now than last summer?”
“It’s personal.... as in not something I want to talk about.” She stirred the marshmallows into her cocoa and blew on it before taking a sip.
“If it’s something—”
“Why can’t you let it go? Do you want to ruin what could be two fabulous days and nights together?”
“No.”
“Then let me be clear. When I go home the day after tomorrow, I won’t be seeing you socially. Can you accept that? If not, we might as well end this right now.”
“Fine.” He spread his hands. “It’s probably just as well. Haley’s already lost the two most important people in her life. If I get involved with a woman, I’m afraid she’ll feel as if I’ve deserted her, too.”
“That’s a definite possibility.”
“I guess I’ll simply enjoy the time I have with you.” He took a sip of his hot chocolate. “Just promise me one thing.”
“What?”
“That you’ll keep an open mind, and if you feel differently when we leave here, you’ll say so and agree to date me when we get home.”
“Okay. But that’s highly unlikely to happen.”
At least he had a chance—and less than forty-eight hours to change her mind.
~*~
After the post-wedding brunch, the party at the hotel hadn’t ended. The resort had organized games for the guests who preferred to relax by the fireplace in the large lobby. When Trisha and Justin returned, they competed in a battle of the sexes, which the women won. The prize was a box of Godiva chocolates for each of them.
Just what her expanding waistline needed.
“So what’s on the agenda for tonight?” Casey Lambert asked, cuddling up to her husband, David, on one of the sofas.
“There’s an international buffet, served from seven to eight-thirty, with a trivia challenge in the cocktail lounge afterward,” Annie read from a flyer that listed the schedule of activities. “Then, at nine-thirty there’ll be a group of stand-up comedians, followed by a karaoke competition.”
“I understand BJ flew in some headliner talent for us,” Tyler added. “It should be fun.”
“Are we dressing up?” Trisha asked. “After that dinner last night, I’m not sure the second cocktail dress I brought will still fit.”
“I vote for casual.” Justin’s sister-in-law, Sam laughed. “Because I know the other dress I brought will be too tight—especially after that buffet. Not to mention, my husband will balk at wearing a tie two nights in a row.”
“You’ve got that straight.” Nick pulled her close and nuzzled her ear.
“Name a man here who won’t,” Tyler challenged. “I have to wear a suit to the office every day. When I’m on vacation, I like losing the noose.”
“I don’t mind putting on a tie.” Jake shrugged, smiling at his wife, Maggie. “When I dress up, it substantially increases my chances of gettin’ lucky.”
The men all laughed.
“I’m actually surprised you and Maggie are still here,” Nick said. “Didn’t Alex and Emma come home from college for the holiday?”
“They’re spending Christmas with my ex, Roxanne,” Jake explained. “We’ll celebrate with the kids on New Year’s Day. Since they’re broke, their gift to us this year was to babysit with Katie so we could get away alone for a few days.”
“I’d hardly call this alone.” Trisha gestured toward the other four couples seated in front of the fire.
“You only think this is a crowd because you’re still single with no kids,” Maggie pointed out. “When a mother leaves her baby home, it’s nearly as good as being alone, no matter how many people are around.”
“Amen,” the other women all agreed.
Great. Trisha released a soft snort. With no one to share the parenting responsibilities, that would be even more true for her.
She would love to be able to continue her relationship with Justin, but she’d already committed herself to the challenge of working full-time while caring for a newborn.
To take on any other responsibilities would not only burn her out faster than a short matchstick, but it would be totally unfair to Justin and Haley who needed more support than Trisha could offer at this crossroad in her life.
Between decorating a nursery, taking childbirth classes, shopping for the baby, and actually giving birth, she had more than enough to keep her busy for the foreseeable future.
She must be crazy. What on earth had made her think becoming a single mother was a good idea?
CHAPTER 6
An active day on the slopes made the international buffet a welcome addition—and not just because of the abundance of food served. The quality and unique selections surpassed any multicultural feast Justin had ever eaten.
Despite how memorable the gourmet meal and trivia contest were, the improvisational comedians that followed were the highlight of the evening. Justin couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed so hard.
It turned out the residents of Redemption were master hecklers, and the performers had risen to the challenge, returning the audience’s zingers with witty comebacks.
BJ had not only provided top-shelf entertainment for the adults, he’d also kept the kids amused with a scavenger hunt, a teen movie marathon, and a video game tournament on the I-pads they’d all received from Santa at the wedding.
When the final stand-up comedian finished his act, the fun didn’t end. The teenagers rejoined the crowd in the lounge, and the DJ coordinated the karaoke competition, during which Haley and Ryan both received standing ovations.
Afterward, his brother, Nick, glanced at his watch and slanted a smile at Sam. “It’s after midnight. We can either dance for a while, or I can take you back to our room and have my way with you. I’m too tired to do both.”
Without answering, she grabbed his hand and dragged him out of his chair. “Good night, everyone. Justin, it’s your turn to tuck the girls in for the night.”
Justin shrugged and glanced at Trisha. “I guess that eliminates dancing for me, too.”
“That’s okay. I ate too much and am too tired to move, anyway.” She looked beautiful in the soft lavender sweater and black slacks she’d changed into for dinner.
He stood and extended his hand to her. “Too tired to walk Haley and Dani back to their room with me?”
“I think I can handle that short stroll.”
/>
He pulled her out of her seat and murmured in her ear, “How about something more energetic in your room?”
She twined her pearl necklace around her finger and curled her lips in a seductive smile. “You might be able to persuade me.”
It took a lot longer to get the girls to leave than he hoped it would. They’d had too much fun and ingested way too many sweets. Haley chattered at a speed he’d once thought humanly impossible as she recounted their evening during the trip back to their room. Jamal’s name came up more often than Justin would’ve preferred. Haley had obviously developed a giant crush on the boy, and hoped to see him after they got home.
“Ryan told him his band needs a good roadie and sound board technician. Jamal is thinkin’ about taking the job.”
“Shhh!” Justin took their key and opened the girls’ door. “Keep it down. Uncle Nick and Aunt Sam are trying to sleep next door.”
Trisha smirked and fired a yeah, right look at him. The low chuckles filtering through the connecting hotel door disproved his claim.
He ignored Dani’s rolling eyes. “You two get your PJs on and lights out.”
“What’re we doin’ tomorrow?” Haley asked
“I thought we’d go sledding, and then, borrow some snowmobiles Ben offered to let us use after lunch.”
“Can I come?” Dani asked.
“I think your mom and dad are planning to go with us.” He kissed both girls on the forehead. “Now goodnight. Make sure you lock the deadbolt after I leave.”
Trisha waited in the hallway while he hung their please don’t disturb sign on the door.
He jabbed the elevator’s up button.
“My room is one floor down,” she told him.
He stepped onto the elevator and pulled her in behind him. “I want to stop at mine first to grab some clean clothes for tomorrow.”
“Aren’t you being a bit presumptuous, assuming I want you to spend the whole night with me?”
“Am I wrong?”
“No.” She shrugged and grinned. “I just want you to work to convince me.”
He pushed the emergency stop button and pressed her against the elevator’s wall. “Oh, baby, convincing you to let me stay will not be work,” he whispered in her ear, nibbling it. He cupped her bottom and lifted her, spreading her legs to wrap around his waist as he ground himself into the cradle between her thighs. “It’s pure pleasure.”
Don't Break My Heart (Return to Redemption, Book 6) Page 8
