"Yes," Darrell said, squatting beside his son.
"She’ll never be sick again?" Eric asked hesitantly.
Darrell ruffled his son’s hair. "Never."
Eric smiled. "Goodbye Mommy," he said solemnly, and he leaned his head against his father’s shoulder.
Christie absorbed the emotions surging around her. Darrell and Eric seemed held together by a bond stronger than any she had known with her nephew. The right decision had been made, keeping Eric with his father. Perhaps she had been slow in coming to that realization, but now she knew it was the truth.
A knot of emotion that had been lodged in her for what felt like forever slowly loosened and slipped away.
Christie felt the weight of an arm across her shoulders. She looked into Garrett’s eyes and read his concern for her. He held his daughter close on his other side and she felt included in their circle of love.
Garrett’s eyes seemed to promise her more caring than she’d ever dreamed possible. Her breath caught in her throat. Was she seeing something she wanted to see?
"I need to talk with Darrell," she told him.
"Eric can come with me and Hannah back to the house," he suggested, looking at Darrell.
"Sure," Darrell said. "We’re leaving tonight so it might be a good idea to say our goodbyes now." Darrell put his hand on Eric’s shoulder. "Go on with Garrett. Christie and I will be along soon."
"Okay, Daddy."
As Garrett and the children walked over the knoll of the meadow Christie turned to Darrell. "You’re leaving tonight?"
"Yeah, right after dinner. There’ll be less traffic traveling at night. We’ll get into New York tomorrow."
"Thank you for coming back." She swallowed with difficultly, but knew the words had to be said. "I’m sorry for the terrible things I said to you. I know you loved Ellen, and she knew it too, even at the end she knew you loved her. She understood better than I did what her illness did to you."
Darrell looked away, his jaw clenching. "I’m not excusing what I did, but Ellen had a sixth sense about a lot of stuff."
"I’m ashamed of the way I treated you, but I have to deal with my own demons. I wouldn’t admit it, but near the end I couldn’t handle her being sick any more. I cracked. Just like when the judge awarded you custody of Eric, I knew it was the right decision, but I felt like I’d failed."
"We both know you kept everything together."
"I’ve made a lot of mistakes."
"I made my own."
"I’m sorry for the pain I’ve caused."
"I was worried about you Christie. That’s one of the reasons I came here."
"I know. It’s like I’ve told Garrett, it’s hard to believe someone wants to look out for me. He doesn’t understand it takes some getting used to."
"I know your background Christie. I know you’ve always been the strong one. But now you’ve found someone who cares about you the way a man should."
"He wants me to stay."
"Then I guess you should. Maybe I was being selfish. It’s not so easy caring for a kid. Sometimes I worry I’ll make mistakes with Eric. Maybe that’s part of the reason I came after you. I don’t want to mess him up."
"Eric is happy."
"Thanks." He squeezed her shoulder. "This is your chance at happiness, don’t let it slip away. Life is too damned short."
"Sometimes I wonder if I can get past my background. It’s weighing me down."
"Have you told Garrett?"
"Not everything."
"Don’t you think you should?"
"Yes." Christie rubbed her palms together, suddenly cold despite the sun overhead. "The last time I told anyone was Allen and he walked out on me."
"Ellen said he was a jerk, so you can’t go by him." Darrell gave her a half smile. "Good luck Christie. We both know you’re strong enough to do whatever you want with your life."
It seemed quite natural to go into his arms. Christie hugged him tightly, closing her eyes and biting her lip as all the old hurts between them fell away. "Thank you for caring." With tears filming her eyes she stepped back. "I do know one thing, Darrell, Ellen would be proud of the father you are."
###
Dinner that evening turned out to be a festive occasion. Garrett sat back and observed the happy faces around him. Randy and his Mom had joined them and a big surprise had been Sam’s announcement that he and Ruth were going to be married.
Garrett marveled at the changes in life at the farm in less than a month. His glance lingered on Christie as she talked with his Mom. Christie had been the catalyst. Each day he found her more amazing. He no longer searched for comparisons between her and Judith. Christie was her own person.
"What do you think if we have the wedding here Sam?" Garrett said now. All eyes turned to him. "Well, why not? Unless you have somewhere else in mind."
"I think it’s a great idea," Christie said, smiling at him. She looked at Ruth and Sam. "And I would love to help."
"Of course I would lend a hand also," his mother said, throwing Christie a conspiratorial smile.
"Me too -- me too," Hannah said excitedly.
"I know we can depend on everyone here," Ruth said in her usual forthright manner. "But we’ll see what the future holds before there’s definite plans made. Who knows, there might be a flurry of activity at the farm in the near future." Her glance at him and then Christie was full of meaning.
Garrett watched Christie and they shared a smile. They had all the time in the world. He was not letting her go.
###
Darrell and Eric left immediately after their early dinner. Christie knew she would miss Eric, but she felt at peace saying goodbye, knowing he was in good hands and that they would be keeping in touch. She made Darrell promise to call when he arrived home.
Afterward, everyone helped clear away the dinner dishes and they’d gravitated out to the terrace. It’d been fun to sit and just talk companionably. Christie liked to hear Sam and Garrett discussing strategies for the farm, the progress and setbacks. She and Hannah had finished playing a board game when Ruth and Sam decided to leave, citing the cool night air as the reason.
Caroline yawned and nudged Randy, who had been uncharacteristically quiet the entire evening. "I’m ready to go home also," she said.
"And it’s your bedtime, young lady," Garrett told his daughter.
"I guess I’ll call it a night, too," Christie said.
"But it’s only nine!" Ruth declared. "I remember when I was your age, I’d be out dancing into the morning hours."
"That’s what we were doing last week," Sam grumbled, but his glance at Ruth was teasing.
"Ruth’s right," Garrett said, his glance lingering on Christie. "It’s early. Why don’t you stay longer?"
"I have to get a sweater though."
"I’ll get Hannah into bed," Garrett said.
Randy reached down and scooped Hannah up into his arms. Hannah squealed and clasped her arms around his neck as he swung her around. "Good night, kiddo."
Hannah kissed Randy, then held out her arms to Caroline.
When everyone moved out to the driveway, Hannah stood on the back porch steps beside her father. "Christie?" she called.
Christie looked back at Hannah.
"When you come back can you say goodnight?" she asked shyly.
Christie felt a burst of happiness. "Of course I will."
Christie walked out to the cars to bid everyone goodnight. Randy was the last to leave. As she moved beside him she wondered at his preoccupation all night.
"How are you doing Randy?"
He looked up, smiling automatically.
"How’s Ally?"
"We had a fight. I told her about the place I’m buying and asked her to marry me. She thinks I’m moving too fast." He put his hands in his pockets.
"Well, you haven’t been going out that long."
"We’ve known each other our whole lives."
"It’s not the same."
"That�
�s what she said. I just don’t want to lose her."
"You won’t." She touched his arm reassuringly. "She needs some time." She paused. "Why don’t you suggest a long engagement?"
A spark of hope lit Randy’s face. "Hmm, maybe hope you’re right. Thanks Christie, I gotta go."
After he left, Christie hurried toward the barn, wondering if the excitement she felt showed on the outside. Surely her feet weren’t touching the ground. She felt as if she fairly radiated with happiness.
She entered her apartment, hugging herself to ward off the cool night air. She wanted to be close to Garrett tonight, feel his hard arms around her. She had an urge to cover his face with kisses.
Christie retrieved her sweater and hurried back over to the house. As she entered the semi-dark kitchen she saw Bo Peep watching her from her dog bed by the door. Christie moved over to the dog and bent down to carefully stroke the golden head. "You’re a good dog, Bo Peep," she whispered. Bo Peep’s tail thumped the floor.
Christie ventured down the hallway. Peeking into Hannah’s room, she saw she was already in bed. Christie stepped inside and crossed the room to the bed, then bent over to place a gentle kiss on Hannah’s smooth forehead.
"Night, Christie," Hannah said in a drowsy voice. "Eric’s okay for a boy," she added, almost as an afterthought. "He’s a pretty good cousin too."
Christie stifled a laugh. "He thinks you’re pretty cool too. Sweet dreams," she told her.
Christie continued down the hall to the living room. Only one light was lit, leaving the rest of the room in shadow. Country music played softly as Garrett sat in his oversize recliner.
She rubbed her hands up and down her arms, suddenly feeling nervous after her heightened anticipation of being alone with him. "It’s getting cool outside." She carefully rolled her sweater cuffs back one turn.
"Why don’t you sit down?"
Christie perched on the edge of a chair across the room, kneading the material of her dress with her fingers. She felt unaccountably nervous.
"Are you okay with Darrell and Eric leaving?" he asked quietly.
"I’ve finally made my peace with Darrell." She gave a deep sigh.
"So there’s nothing immediate pulling you back to New York?" His voice sounded husky. Christie felt the start of goose bumps along her legs, recalling the night they’d made love. His voice had been husky then, too.
She rubbed her palms over her knees. "There’s no reason to go back. I feel like I’m getting a fresh start here, and I like that idea." She wiggled her toes in her sandals and then bravely looked up at him. "You asked me if I’d consider staying, Garrett, and I want to do that."
He held out his hand.
Without hesitation Christie moved over to him. He urged her down to his lap. "This is where I want you to be," he murmured. "What do you have to say about that?" He pushed aside her hair and brought his mouth close to her neck. Her stomach muscles tensed in anticipation but still his lips didn’t touch her.
A groan of pleasure built in her chest. "I say yes," she muttered as her fingers worked their way up his shirtfront.
His mouth finally touched the sensitive skin of her neck and she started in surprise and longing. She felt his hot tongue on her skin. Christie lost her grip on his shirt and closed her eyes, concentrating on the sensation of his mouth on her skin.
With shaking fingers she pulled the buttons of his shirt open. She wanted the material off his shoulders so she could feel him against her. She kissed his mouth, swirled her fingers through his chest hair, aware of his quickened breathing. Christie felt his reaction to her in the tightening of his arms, the strength he’d never use against her.
Their lips met and an immediate heated reaction coursed through her body. She craved Garrett’s closeness, her memory crystal clear of the one and only night they’d made love. Taking the initiative, she eagerly touched his mouth, grazed her teeth along his whiskers, enjoying their sensual appeal. This strong man wanted her. His breathing, now as erratic as hers, told her that.
Christie nipped at his lips, wound her fingers through the fine hair at his nape. She wanted nothing more than to stay in his arms all night.
His jaw clenched. "If this goes on much longer," he growled, "we’re going to end up in my bed. You won’t get out until morning." He tightened his arms around her. "Maybe not then."
Christie shivered with anticipation. "I’m prepared to face the consequences," she whispered provocatively.
His long fingers threaded gently through her hair. "You keep giving, Christie. I’ve never known anyone with such a big heart. I want to try to give back some of what you've given me." Garrett placed his hands on either side of her hips, their heat burning through the fabric of her dress.
Christie closed her eyes tightly, savoring his touch. Her eyes flew open a moment later. "We still have to talk about my background."
"I know." He cupped her cheeks with his palms. "But maybe your past isn’t as important as you think it is. Maybe it should stay in the past."
Christie moved her head jerkily. "That's what I've been doing my entire life, trying to bury the past."
"You have a knack for talking at the wrong moment." Garrett touched his lips to hers, rubbing gently, the friction escalating the heat between them.
Wanting to believe a future waited for them, Christie ignored the warning jangle at the back of her mind. She wanted to laugh and to cry she felt so keyed up. The freedom to love Garrett was only a small step away and she intended to grasp it with both hands.
Fiercely, she pressed up against him, aware of his body’s reaction to her closeness. She pressed kisses along his chin, let her lips trail across his. Her gaze met his as his fingers splayed across her neck. In an agony of feeling, she pressed her cheek to his chest, turned her nose into the skin, allowed her tongue to trace and swirl, wetting sensitive spots. "You don’t know how many nights I’ve wanted to do this. I don't intend to wait another moment."
He murmured her name, his voice hoarse. He surged to his feet, bringing her with him.
Christie stood on her toes, gently bit along the cord of his neck, then found his mouth, hungrily assuaging the bone-deep ache inside. Again, her body remembered the exquisite loving; their one night of passion.
Garrett took her hand and she allowed him to lead her down the hallway and into his room. The door closed and for some reason she didn’t mind the closing of that door. Then they were beside the bed and with one hand out behind him, Garrett lowered them onto the mattress, his fingers moving to splay over her belly. Her breasts, threatening to spill from her dress, ached for the touch of his lips. Christie wanted them there. The sensitive skin invited his tongue, his exploration. All of her body quivered in response to his journey across it. Christie pulled her legs up, her hips thrusting against him, her hands around his back now, pulling him down onto her. His weight made her shiver and crave more.
Fleetingly, her vulnerability scared her. When you loved someone, you opened yourself to so much. Would she be defenseless?
"Christie," he whispered. His voice caressed her, deep, vibrant, full of promised delights. "Come back to me."
Strength and joy infused Christie as realization struck. No, not defenseless. When you loved someone you were empowered.
She watched Garrett's mouth move over her skin, her body reacting erotically, wanting again the feel of him inside and filling her. This man completed her, helped her realize the woman she was meant to be.
Strong hands caressed her skin, cupping her breasts, encircling her, pulling her into him. Christie clasped his hips with her legs, letting her head fall back, just letting herself feel all of him.
###
Garrett didn't have time to think of anything but Christie, sweet, trusting Christie, and the way she filled him with desire. She was a light in his life, in Hannah’s life. At moments like this, he couldn’t imagine her being like Judith, who’d been unable to shake free of the demons that pursued her.
Lifting up o
n his elbows, he watched her, the passion in her half closed eyes, the breath escaping past full red lips. He dropped his mouth once more to those lips, loving their fullness and texture, the way she opened up for him.
They were face to face with barely a breath between them. Her dress hung off one slim white shoulder and the sandals were still on her feet.
Garrett leaned over her and cupped an ankle. He slid the sandal off one foot, then the other. He gently ran a fingertip over her finely arched foot, then moved both hands up over her calves, traced her knees and pushed her thighs apart. He moved closer, kneeling between her legs as she gave him a kiss certain to blow his remaining control.
Maintaining eye contact, Christie trailed two fingers down to his stomach, stopping at his jeans. She circled the jeans snap and then slowly undid it. The zipper slid down, the metal click ... click the only sound in the room. Breathing hard, he stood and pulled off his boots. Impatiently, Garrett jerked his jeans off and kicked them away.
Dry mouthed, he watched Christie lift her dress and pull it over her head. He swallowed quickly as she sat up on the bed, clad only in sheer underwear. The pale skin of her hips drew him, tantalized him as they curved into her rounded bottom. Unable to resist the temptation he cupped her with his hands and pulled her against him.
He felt the shivery breath she took and he dropped his mouth to hers, taking that breath, giving it back, tracing her exquisite lips with his tongue. He could devour her and not get enough. Garrett made himself go slower, savoring her. There was no rush, until the torment of her smooth, slim body was suddenly against him.
Christie closed her eyes and gave what sounded a murmur of satisfaction, her body trembling against his. She gripped his waist, moved her hands along his back. Garrett felt the groan building inside. He shook with mixed sensations of wonder and giving, taking and sensation. Stumbling back, he dropped to the edge of the bed. Spreading his legs, he pulled her up against him, letting her nestle against his thighs.
With a small laugh, Christie pushed him and he let himself fall backwards. He lay on his back waiting, hardly daring to breathe as she studied him curiously. Christie pressed her palms flat against his chest. Climbing on top of him, she moved forward until she sprawled erotically and shamelessly wriggled against him.
Echoes From The Past (Women of Character) Page 25
