by Susan Crosby
“It’s okay. Not hot. Dad says it’s overcast in the mornings, something called a marine layer.”
“Have you seen the ocean?”
“For a little bit on the drive to his place. We’re supposed to go play in it, maybe tomorrow.”
“That’ll be fun. You haven’t done that before.”
“Yeah.” He finally began to sound enthusiastic. “I can watch the surfers. I’ll try to bring you home a shell.”
“That would be great.”
Her talkative boy went silent again.
“Are you tired after your long day?” she asked, aware of Mitch’s interest in the conversation. He looked as if he would grab the phone himself if he could, offer his own kind of comfort and encouragement.
“I guess. Can I call you tomorrow?”
“You can call me anytime at all, honey. If I’m out in the yard and don’t hear the phone ring, just leave me a message, and I’ll call you right back. A day—”
“At a time,” he said, finishing her sentence. “Night, Mom. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
She cradled the phone gently. “I think it’s not what he expected and he’s disappointed. I don’t know why, however.”
“He’s never been away from you before.” Mitch rubbed her back. “Give him a day or two to adjust.”
“You’re right. I know you’re right. I’ve just never heard him so down before. Angry, yes, even hurt. But not down.”
“Wouldn’t Rick call you if there was something seriously wrong?”
After a minute she nodded. “Yes, of course he would.” She let that thought settle, then said, “I believe we have a date in the shower.”
“I was here to pick you up on time, but you had all that primping to do.”
She smiled, enjoying his sense of humor.
Later she decided that she was never going to get into the shower again without thinking about this perfect night.
And no matter what happened at the end of the week, she would have no regrets.
Chapter Sixteen
“I want to come home.”
It was Wednesday night, only the third full day of Austin’s visit. He sounded pitiful, Annie thought, his depression having worsened daily. “Your dad will bring you home on Sunday, honey, just like we planned.”
“Tonight. I want to come home tonight.”
Panic set in. Annie sat on a kitchen chair. Mitch was outside rounding up the chickens. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to come home.”
“You need to tell me why, Austin.”
“Just tell Dad he has to bring me.”
Annie rubbed her forehead. “Let me talk to him.”
“Okay.”
As she waited, her mind whirled with possibilities of why he was cutting his visit short. Four days short. As a mom, she was worried. As a woman who’d been enjoying sexual freedom and satisfaction, she was annoyed.
“Hey, Annie,” Rick said.
“What’s going on? Why does he want to come home so soon?”
“Got me. He hasn’t been happy the whole time. I’ve been doing my best, but he won’t snap out of it.”
Snap out of it? “Then I guess we need to accommodate him.”
“I can’t just drop everything. We have tickets for Sunday. I might be able to move them up to Saturday, except we have plans for Saturday that can’t be changed. You’d have to come get him.”
She needed to think it through. “Hold on a second.” She rested the phone against her thigh and considered her options before she spoke again. “Could you drive him to LAX? They have a direct flight to Medford.”
After a long pause, Rick said, “I can do that. It’ll have to be tomorrow, not tonight.”
“Of course. Will you make the arrangements?”
“Yeah. Listen, Annie, until we know what’s bothering him, I can’t do this again.”
“Do what? See your son?” Anger swept through her in an instant.
“You know that’s not what I mean.”
“I don’t know that, especially since you hadn’t bothered to see him for a year.”
“Look, you’re upset right now. So am I. Let’s talk about this later.”
“Let me talk to Austin.”
In a few seconds, Austin picked up the phone. “Mom?”
“Here’s the plan.” She outlined what would happen. “All right? Are you comfortable flying by yourself if you don’t have to change planes?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay. Your dad will let me know your schedule. I’ll be there to pick you up.”
“And Mitch.”
Annie tried not to react to the insistence in Austin’s voice. She knew he was attached, but apparently that attachment had intensified during the time spent with his father.
“I don’t know what his schedule is, honey. It’ll depend on when your plane lands.”
“He’ll change his plans for me.”
All sorts of caution bells rang for Annie. “We’ll see. I’ll talk to you in the morning. I love you.”
“Bye.”
“What’s going on?” Mitch came into the room.
She wondered how long he’d been there. She explained the situation.
“You don’t think he’s being abused, do you?” Mitch asked.
“By neglect, maybe, but not action. Physically, it’s not even a remote possibility.”
“Then do you really think he should get his way on this? The only way their relationship can improve is by spending time together, don’t you think?” Mitch grabbed a glass from the cabinet and filled it with water. “I’m not trying to tell you how to parent. It’s just an outsider’s perspective. I’ve never been a parent, so I’m just talking off the top of my head here.”
“I appreciate the input.” She put her arms around him and laid her head against his back. After a minute he set down his glass and turned, wrapping her close. “I’ll know how to handle it in the future once I know what’s upsetting him,” she said.
“I’m being selfish, too, I admit,” he said. “I thought we had more time.”
“You can’t possibly be more disappointed than I am.”
Mitch was sure that wasn’t true. Sleeping next to her had been the highlight of his return to the Red Valley, hell, maybe the highlight of his entire life. He woke up frequently, assuring himself she was there, pulling her even closer, sometimes rousing her with kisses. Sometimes she roused him. If he hadn’t had the dwindling supply of condoms to prove it, he wouldn’t have believed he could have sex so many times in so few days. And that didn’t count the times they’d been creative in ways not to need them.
He’d arranged for Buckshot and a gentle mare to be ready tomorrow afternoon for their ride. Now that would be canceled.
“I want to go pick him up by myself,” Annie said, stepping back a little.
“Why?”
“Because I’d like to get to the bottom of his issues, and being in a vehicle is a good place for that. We’ll have an hour to talk it out.”
Mitch grabbed his empty water glass, moving out of range to refill it. “Based on what I overheard of your side of the conversation with him, he wanted me to be there.”
She closed her eyes for a few seconds. “He’s gotten too close to you, Mitch. You’ll be leaving soon. We need to deal with that ahead of time, not just after.”
She was right, absolutely, undeniably right. “Okay, I get it. I’ll stay here.”
Her relief was visible. “Thank you.”
He didn’t want their last night alone to be anything but perfect, so he proposed an idea he’d been thinking about for a couple of days, one he’d planned for the last nig
ht before Austin came home.
“Since we won’t get to go skinny-dipping at the river tomorrow, which I know disappoints you,” he said, “I’d like to suggest something for tonight.”
“Why do I have the feeling I’m going to need convincing?”
“You’re a reluctant adventurer.”
“What’s your daring plan, cowboy?”
“After dark, I move my truck into the yard, make a bed out of the back and we make love under the stars—”
“Okay.”
“We don’t have to spend the whole night, just—”
“Okay, Mitch.”
“Part of— What? Did you say okay?”
“Twice.” She grinned. “I’ve got a couple of air mattresses.”
He was surprised she’d agreed so readily, but he sure wasn’t going to argue. “If you’ll give me the mattresses, I’ll make up a nice bed for us.”
While Annie made dinner, he fixed a cozy bed then showered. When they were done eating, he ran a warm bath for her. After letting her soak for a while, he washed her back, turning the moment into a massage. The steam made her cheeks pink. Her sighs of pleasure made him happy.
He toweled her dry, helped her put on her robe, then carried her from the house to the truck. As they lay side by side, fingers entwined, watching the night sky, she asked about the constellations. He had almost an astronomer’s knowledge, passed on by his grandfather, and could have navigated himself home from anywhere.
Contentment blanketed Mitch. He’d found his North Star, his constant.
Not long ago, that thought would’ve sent him running to the top of Gold Ridge Mountain. Now he accepted it. He’d fallen in love with the courageous, stubborn, hardworking, beautiful Annie Barnard.
Mitch turned on his side, propping himself on an elbow. She’d left her hair down and it framed her face like a halo, seeming to light the space when there was actually no light anywhere, no moon, no front porch beacon, just stars. It was enough. What he couldn’t see, he could touch.
He kissed her, savoring her as he stroked her hair then her shoulder, her arm, her abdomen, moving the sheet down, uncovering the treasure that was Annie. Sometimes she took charge, but not this time—and he was glad. He wanted to give her another night to remember. He laid his head on her abdomen and breathed in her scent, the clear night air adding something unfamiliar but good. She ran her hands through his hair as if they had all the time in the world.
“Cowboy?” she said quietly.
“What, boss?” He could feel her laugh.
“Have you spent a lot of time under the stars?”
“A fair amount.”
“My family never went camping. I never went to summer camp, either. This is a first for me.”
“Are you enjoying it?” He closed his eyes as she massaged his scalp, managing to arouse and relax him at the same time.
“I’m sure it’ll spoil me for going camping in sleeping bags on the ground.”
“Yeah, I’m liking that less and less as I get older.” He explored her with his fingers, still not in a hurry, loving the way she squirmed and moaned. “You warm enough?” he asking, blowing warm air over her.
“Hot.”
He settled his mouth low on her and maneuvered himself into a better position. He knew what she liked, that she responded to light touch more than heavy, slow more than fast, and then deep. He took her almost to the point of no return a few times, then asked, “You wanna be on top?”
He had no doubt about what her answer would be. She had a fondness for that position, and he wasn’t complaining about it. He liked watching her, liked being able to put his hands and mouth on her breasts. It would be the image he would carry with him the most, at least in bed. Out of bed, he loved the sight of her cooking a meal, her apron tie resting on her rear.
He was attuned enough to her that he knew exactly when she would climax, but then she stopped moving. “You’re not wearing a condom,” she said, her voice strained.
He’d forgotten. He’d never forgotten before, not in his entire adult life. He reached for where he’d stashed them and made quick work of it.
“That could’ve been disastrous,” she said, repositioning herself, immediately getting caught up again.
Disastrous? Not a good thing, for sure, but disastrous? All thought scattered then as she arched her back and moved against him. He joined her in the magical, miraculous, loving event that lasted forever and a few seconds more....
Struggling for breath, Annie collapsed onto him. He locked his arms around her.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she murmured, his intensity not easing. “This was a great idea, Mitch.”
He made a vague noise of agreement.
Annie’s throat started to burn, and her eyes teared up. If only they’d had more time, maybe he would’ve fallen in love, too. And soon there would be no secrets between them, and who knew where that would lead? If they loved each other, it might only be a stumbling stone to their future, instead of a roadblock.
Finally he loosened his hold, letting her roll onto her side next to him but keeping her close. “Why are you so tense?” she asked. Usually after sex, he was almost boneless he was so relaxed, and playful.
He didn’t say anything for what seemed like a lifetime. “I’m sorry this is going to stop.”
“I’m disappointed, too. But it seems like more than that. What’s going on?”
“Just that.”
She didn’t believe him, but she didn’t want to hound him about it.
“Do you want to go back into the house?” he asked.
“Not yet. This is nice.” She was starting to find it hard to stay upbeat. Was this the last night they would sleep together? It felt like it. As if the impending doom hovering over them like a little black cloud was about to break loose with torrential rains.
But not at this moment, Annie reminded herself. For the rest of the night, she would enjoy herself and him. Tomorrow would happen, no matter what.
* * *
Mitch kept himself busy the next day after Annie left for the airport. He finished the shelves in the barn. He hauled huge bags of chicken feed and dog food into their own areas. The material used to line the chickens’ nesting area had its own spot.
He stood back, studying the space. Much better than when he’d arrived. She could find anything now. One more item checked off his list.
The entire property was in working order, even if a lot of it was old and outdated and held together with baling wire. He was proud of what he’d done for her, for them. Austin would understand now how important it was to keep the farm organized, to know the value of a property’s inventory, and keeping it tidy and in good repair.
Mitch thought he’d passed on other useful education to the boy, too. How to fish. How to repair an old truck—or at least, how engines worked and what fit where and why. Respect for traditions was no small thing.
But maybe all that would be overshadowed by Mitch not being honest from the beginning about who he was. Although that was a lesson in itself—withholding the truth was as bad as telling a lie.
Mitch knew they were home when Bo barked happily, a sound different from when other vehicles pulled into the driveway. Mitch figured Austin would jump out of the truck, greet Bo then hug Mitch.
But he climbed down slowly, his expression somber, although he did fall onto his knees to let Bo lick his face, making him laugh.
Mitch met Annie’s gaze. She shook her head and shrugged. So. Austin still wasn’t talking. That worried Mitch a lot.
“Hey,” Austin said, not making eye contact.
“Did you see the ocean?” Mitch asked.
“Yeah. It was big. And salty. The waves were kinda scary. Nothing like our river.” He gave Mitch a quick look. “I missed you.
”
“I missed you, too. I had to gather eggs. Got my hand pecked a few times.”
“Guess I can’t ever go away again.”
Mitch decided it was best not to comment on that.
Austin grabbed his suitcase from the backseat and headed to the house.
“I take it he’s not talking,” Mitch said to Annie.
“He said little, and none of it enlightening. I hope he opens up at some point. I don’t think I can send him back to Rick for a visit without knowing what happened.”
“I get that.” Would the boy open up to him, instead?
“How’d you spend your time?”
“Finishing up the barn. You still need to shelve some things, but the rest is done.”
“I don’t know how I can thank you.”
“We helped each other.” He wanted to pull her into his arms. Instead he folded them across his chest.
“Mom!” Austin called from the porch. “Brenna James is on the phone.”
“Be right there!” Excitement radiated from her. “I’ve been so anxious to know what her plans are.”
Mitch waited her out by checking on the new plantings in the high tunnel. Lettuce leaves were poking through the soil. She could start a new batch by the end of the week.
When she joined him in the greenhouse, she looked happy but also bewildered.
“Brenna has an idea—a charity dinner here on the farm to benefit the food bank. It’ll be a big deal, a spectacular meal and entertainment, and something she’d like to make an annual event, at least.” She drew a big, shaky breath. “And she’s considering partnering with me here.”
“Is that something you want?”
“I don’t know. I need to sort it out and think it through. For the moment, I’ll focus on the event. Her idea is that we till part of the back field, lay down plywood floors and erect a big tent.”
“When is this supposed to happen?”
“In a month, mid-September. It’ll be the last of the summer harvest for most of us.” She laid a hand on his arm. “Can you stay on until that’s done?”
It would please his father, that much Mitch knew, but he was done pleasing his father. He wanted to get back to the ranch, to his own home, to whatever new working situation his father was going to grant him. Leaving Annie and Austin was going to be hard, but leaving meant he could court her properly, an optimistic goal if ever there was one.
