by Kristi Gold
The pastor invited the audience to the dining area for the reception and they heeded the call en masse. Valerie worked her way through the crowd, searching for Gavin, who wasn’t anywhere within her view. She briefly wondered if the dishonorable maid had carted him off to another room so they could get to know each other better.
On top of the bite of jealousy, Valerie also experienced the sting of loneliness that had been such a prominent part of her life over the past few years. She considered taking a seat somewhere out of the way, until she heard, “I knew it would look great on you.”
The comment drew Valerie around to face Alison Lind-Hartman, who’d recently married Mark Hartman, another member of Gavin’s secretive group. Her winter-white formfitting suit enhanced her flawless warm-chocolate skin and showcased her elegant carriage. Now Valerie truly felt short, insignificant and definitely scrappy. Yet she’d grown very fond of Alli in recent months, so she certainly couldn’t fault her for anything, particularly since she seemed to be involved somehow in the selection of Valerie’s new dress.
Intent on covering her stupid lack of confidence, Valerie propped both hands on her hips and smiled. “Let me guess. You got roped into going shopping with the sheriff.”
Alli shrugged. “Mark asked me to help Gavin out. He seemed pretty desperate for some womanly advice.”
“You did a great job.” Valerie drew Alli into a brief hug and told her, “Thanks so much.”
Alli returned her smile. “It wasn’t a problem at all. I’m just glad I guessed your size correctly.”
Valerie was glad to have Alli’s company. “Where’s that beautiful baby?”
Alli pointed behind her. “She’s with Mark right now. We hadn’t planned to bring her, but Mark’s niece isn’t feeling well. I think she might have the flu.”
Didn’t everyone? “I can relate to that.”
“I know,” Alli said. “Gavin told me you’d been very sick. In fact, you’re all he talked about today. He’s got it bad for you.”
Valerie definitely had it bad for him. “He’s been a wonderful friend.” And the best of lovers.
“Mama! Mama!”
Valerie looked down to see fifteen-month-old Erika wrap her chubby arms around Alli’s slender legs.
“There you are!” Alli swept Erika into her arms, popped a kiss on the toddler’s cheek and balanced her on one hip. “What have you been up to, baby girl?”
Valerie reached over and took Erika’s tiny hand. “Hey, honey. You’re getting so big.”
Erika grinned, flashing a deep dimple. “Cookie?”
Valerie laughed over Erika’s usual request. “Sorry, sweetie, I left them at the diner. But when your mama brings you in, I’ll be sure to have one waiting for you.”
When Erika began to squirm and called for her daddy, Alli released her and she took off through the crowd, sprinting as fast as her little legs would allow.
“She’s such a joy,” Alli said. “I don’t know what we’d do without her.”
Valerie looked beyond Alli to see Mark holding Erika above his head, causing her to let go a raucous belly laugh. “She looks so much like your husband.”
Alli glanced back, then smiled at Valerie. “Yes, she does. But Mark and his brother favored, too. That’s why Erika could easily be mistaken for Mark’s biological child.”
“Are you and Mark still planning to adopt Erika?” Valerie asked.
“Definitely. We know that’s what Mark’s brother and his wife would have wanted. But we don’t have a home study scheduled until February because of a shortage of available caseworkers. As much as I want it to happen, the whole process makes me nervous.”
A process that was very familiar to Valerie. “I’m sure you’ll do fine, Alli. Caseworkers love adoptions. That’s the best part of the job.”
Alli gave her a questioning look. “You sound like you’ve had some experience.”
“I have,” Valerie admitted. “I was studying social work before my grandmother passed away. I did some interning with Social Services. I hope to go back to it eventually and finish up.” As soon as she put together her own past in order to help others deal with theirs.
“You should go back,” Alli said. “As much as I love taking care of Erika, I’m glad to be in school.”
When someone called her name, Alli turned and nodded before bringing her attention back to Valerie. “I guess I should join my husband now. He looks like he could use some help with Erika.”
Valerie waved a hand in dismissal. “Go ahead. I’ll see if I can find Gavin. He’s probably off somewhere talking with friends.” She hoped that was who he was with and not the maid of honor.
“I think that’s why Mark’s calling me,” Alli said. “He mentioned something about a few of the guys having a brief meeting to discuss whatever it is they usually discuss.”
Valerie suspected it had something to do with the murder investigation, and she also suspected that Alli knew exactly what it was all about. Probably one of the perks of being a Cattleman’s Club wife. “Then I’ll go mingle for a while.”
“I’ll catch up with you in a while.” Alli hugged Valerie again and set off to join Mark near the buffet table.
Valerie considered grabbing a bite to eat, maybe even a glass of champagne, but her stomach hadn’t quite returned to normal. Or maybe the heaviness had to do with her sudden melancholy. Everyone in the house seemed to be paired up, and although she was technically with Gavin, she wasn’t really with him, at least not for much longer.
As soon as she had the opportunity, and her car back on Monday, she intended to seriously seek what she’d been looking for, then return to St. Louis to get on with her life—without the sheriff—even knowing she would never be the same again.
Gavin had spent the past hour in a private room filled with fellow Cattleman’s Club members, receiving surveillance reports on Gretchen Halifax that amounted to nothing, as well as being the brunt of several jokes about his relationship with Val. Now all he wanted to do was find his girl and get home.
He spotted her sitting in a fancy gold chair in the corner of the living room without any company, hands folded tightly in her lap. At that moment he hated himself for leaving her alone for so long without any explanation. But he’d wanted to get the meeting over with as soon as possible so he could get to the next phase of the evening—his second surprise.
As Gavin crossed the room, Val glanced up and met his gaze. She looked genuinely pleased to see him, and he was definitely happy to see her. He knelt before her and laid his hands on hers. “You still feeling okay?” he asked.
She rubbed her thumb along his wrist. “I’m fine. They’re cutting the cake now and I hear they’re going to be tossing the bouquet, which means the garter comes next. You might want to get in there and give it a go.”
Gavin shook his head. “Can’t say that I’m interested in any of that.”
She rested a hand on her chest. “What? You don’t want to watch the single women fighting over a bunch of flowers like desperate alley cats?”
“I don’t think that’s going to be much of a competition considering the lack of single women here tonight. Unless you’re going to do it.”
“No, not me.” She looked away. “Melissa’s maid of honor will probably be there. What’s her name?”
“Madison.”
“Oh, so you two are on a first-name basis?” Her smile looked forced. “You work fast, Sheriff.”
Gavin couldn’t believe she sounded so jealous and he had to admit he was kind of pleased by that. Male pride, plain and simple. “Look, Val, I talked to her for about two minutes. I also met her husband.”
Now she looked chagrined. “I didn’t realize she was married.”
“She is. And even if she wasn’t, I’m not interested.” He stood and pulled her to her feet. “I’m only interested in one lady, and she’s coming home with me right now.”
When he started tugging her toward the entry, she pulled him to a stop. “Aren’t
you even going tell the bride and groom goodbye?”
Good point, but he’d call Logan in a couple of days, apologize and tell him Valerie was still under the weather. That might not be the case, but he did plan to get her under the covers real soon. “He’ll understand.”
After retrieving their coats from the hall closet, Gavin made sure Val was sufficiently wrapped up before he led her outside to the SUV. Even though Logan was his neighbor, several acres and a couple of miles separated their ranches, so walking wasn’t an option. Even if it had been, he would’ve taken his vehicle to shorten the time it took to arrive at his house.
They drove in easy silence, Val’s head tipped against his shoulder, her hand firmly in his. Since the weather had turned warmer, only a few drifts of snow remained on the side of the road. At least the conditions weren’t conducive for more weather-related accidents. Tonight he wanted no interruptions whatsoever and he’d told his deputies that very thing. He only hoped they would adhere to his request.
After they pulled into the drive, Gavin cut off the engine and turned to Val. “After we get out, I want you to do everything I ask, no questions.”
She frowned. “What’s this all about?”
“I said no questions.” He gave her a quick kiss. “Trust me, you’ll know soon enough.” Or at least he hoped she would. He’d relied on assistance to execute the second part of his plan, and if that hadn’t panned out, someone was in big trouble. Specifically a group of teenage jocks.
Gavin rounded the hood and helped Val out of the truck, showed her to the front door, then took a red bandanna from his jacket pocket. “I’m going to put this on you for a few minutes.”
She eyed the bandanna then surprisingly smiled. “Why, Sheriff, are you getting kinky on me?”
He rubbed his chin. “Actually not at the moment, but we could consider using the blindfold later. Not a bad idea at that. But first…” He stepped behind her, covered her eyes with the kerchief and tied it. “Is that okay?” he asked when he stepped back in front of her.
“If you mean can I see anything, no.”
“Good.” Gavin unlocked the front door and guided Val through the foyer and into the great room. Just as he’d planned, the surprise he’d designed solely for her benefit had been carried out down to the last detail—every multicolored ornament and flashing light strategically placed on the twelve-foot fir set near the window.
He shrugged out of his jacket and took off her coat, then tossed them on the sofa. Taking her hand, he led her to the tree and loosened the knot binding the bandanna. “Okay, I’m going to take this off now and you tell me what you think.”
When he dropped the blindfold from her eyes, she sucked in a sharp breath. “Oh, my gosh, it’s beautiful.” Her tone sounded awed, almost reverent.
He stood beside her, her hand curled into his. “It could use a few more ornaments, but it was the best I could do in the time that I had.”
She slipped her arm around his waist and leaned her head against his shoulder. “Is this what you really did when you disappeared tonight?”
“Nope. I hired a few elves. Actually some of the kids who have gotten into trouble lately. Just minor offenses, vandalism, that sort of thing, including the boy that was involved in the wreck the other day.”
Val looked as shocked as she had been when she’d first viewed the tree. “You let them in your house when you weren’t here?”
“Yeah. I figured I’d give them a chance to work off their debt to society by doing this. After they finished, they were supposed to go over to the convalescent home and help the Historical Society ladies hand out gifts to the residents.”
She turned into his arms and kissed his cheek. “Just one question, Sheriff. Where have you been keeping your white horse?”
He grinned. “In the closet with my white hat.”
“You are just full of surprises tonight.”
“And I’m not done yet.” Taking her hand in his, he led her to the hearth and flipped on the switch that illuminated the fireplace. “I thought you’d appreciate this one the most.”
Gavin watched Val’s gaze track upward to where the green construction-paper Christmas tree, decorated with misshapen glitter ornaments, hung above the mantel. He watched the wonder pass over her expression and her hand flutter to her mouth.
Moving behind her, he circled his arms securely around her waist. “This is compliments of Mrs. Brady’s third-grade class. I spoke to them last month about the job, and she returned the favor by making this a special art project.” He pointed at the tree. “I like the star at the top, even though they did leave the E off the end of your name. Kind of gives it a special charm, don’t you think?”
Again Val faced him, her blue eyes clouded with tears. “I think this is probably the most wonderful thing anyone has ever done for me.”
“It’s only fair considering what you’ve done for me.”
She lowered her gaze. “I haven’t done anything for you, Gavin, except get sick and borrow your car and your guest room.”
“You’re so wrong, Val. You’ve brought a lot to my life.” He pulled her against his chest, close to his hammering heart, and tipped her chin up. “It’s been seventeen years since I’ve had holiday decorations in my house, and I thought it might bother me. But seeing the look on your face, knowing how much it means to you, it makes me feel great. At peace, I guess you could say, for the first time since my parents’ deaths.”
“I’m glad.” She said it softly and with a sadness Gavin couldn’t ignore.
He drew in a deep breath in preparation to tell her exactly what he was feeling. A first for him. “I love you, Val.”
Taking him totally by surprise, she wrested out of his arms and turned her back to him. “There’s something I have to tell you, Gavin.”
Considering her serious tone, he had a gut-level feeling that he might not want to hear that something. Namely she didn’t feel the same about him. “Val, look at me.” When she slowly turned to him, he said, “Whatever it is you have to tell me, if it’s not good news, it can wait until morning.”
She studied the slate floors and kneaded her hands. “I don’t think it should wait.”
He definitely didn’t want to get into this, at least not right now. “Do you have some kind of disease?”
Val’s gaze zipped to his. “No, that’s not it.”
“A husband or boyfriend waiting for you somewhere?”
“No. Nothing like that.”
He brought her back into his arms. “Then that’s all I need to know. Right now, I want to make love to you, unless you don’t want that.”
Gavin held his breath until she said, “I want that more than anything. And you’re right, it can wait until morning.”
Now that Gavin had told her he loved her, Valerie knew it was wrong to put off the inevitable. But at the moment she didn’t care about right or wrong. She only cared about being with him this final time. Still, when tomorrow arrived, she would answer his gifts with one of her own—the truth.
Right then, her focus centered on Gavin standing behind her in the great room, a glowing fire and the blinking lights providing the perfect backdrop, several blankets and pillows laid out on the floor providing the perfect place to make love. He slid the zipper down, parting the fabric and taking the dress with him as he glided his warm lips down her spine. After turning her around, he kissed his way back up her body, pausing to press his mouth against the sheer triangle of her panties. He stood and rimmed a finger beneath the lace band securing the stockings at her thighs. “All night I imagined you wearing these and nothing else,” he said, his voice incredibly low, intoxicating. “I want you to leave them on.”
“All right,” Valerie said, all she could manage as he effortlessly removed her bra and tossed it aside.
Gavin seated her on the edge of the sofa and removed her heels before taking his place beside her. He worked his boots and socks off, then came to his feet to face her, shedding his tuxedo one articl
e at a time at an agonizingly slow pace. When he finally stripped out of his briefs, Valerie’s stomach was tangled in nervous knots of anticipation and a strong heat had settled between her thighs.
She was completely captivated by the feel of his callused hands skimming up her legs to her panties that he soon slid away. He nudged her back on the sofa and knelt before her.
“You’re shaking,” he said as he splayed his palm across her trembling belly.
She smoothed a fingertip over the cleft in his chin. “It’s not because of any kind of illness, I promise. It’s just being here like this, with you.”
He captured her lips in a gentle kiss before finding her gaze once more. “I’ve wanted this all week.” He twined his fingers with hers. “Us, together again.”
So had Valerie. Little else had occupied her mind today. “So have I. In fact, I had all this energy last night and I started to wake you. But I knew you hadn’t slept all that well when I was sick, so I didn’t have the heart.”
“I wasn’t too tired to make love with you. I never will be.” His expression turned somber. “I want to make you happy, Val. I want you to feel better than you’ve ever felt before. Not only tonight but every time I make love with you.”
Little did he know, this would probably be the last time. “You already make me feel that way, Gavin.”
“But I want to do more.” He nuzzled his face between her breasts. “I plan to do more.” He lifted his head and studied her eyes. “Do you trust me?”
“Yes.” And she did, with her very life.
“Then just hold on to me.”
He pulled her forward until her hips were at the edge of the cushions and parted her legs. With one hand clasped tightly with hers and the other beneath her bottom, he leaned forward and trailed his warm lips down her body. She knew exactly where he was going and what he was about to do. She also recognized that to trust him with this much familiarity was totally foreign to her. But she had all the faith in the world that he would take her to a plane she’d never been before, a place she wouldn’t easily forget, as if she could ever forget anything he’d done for her to this point.
