The Time of Aspen Falls

by Marcia Lynn McClure

  “I wanted to kiss you the very first time I saw you sitting on that park bench,” he confessed. He wanted her to know—know he was instantly drawn to her, from the very first moment.

  “Really?” she asked, her eyes bright with being pleased.

  “Really,” he said. “Kind of like right now.” She bit her lip with delighted anticipation. “Actually, right now I want to haul you off to my house, carry you into my bedroom, throw you on the bed, and—” He chuckled when her hand covered his mouth, stopping his scandalous confession. He adored Aspen’s habit of covering his mouth to silence him whenever he was about to say something outrageous. It was part of the reason he said some of the things he did.

  “You can’t say things like that!” she scolded, a smile of pure delight brightening her face.

  Rake pushed her hand away and said, “Well, I think them…so I might as well say them.” She blushed and giggled, and he gathered her into his arms, inhaling the sweet fragrance of her hair.

  Rake loved Aspen, more than he could ever have imagined loving someone, and it was time—time to step up to the plate and tell her what he needed to so their relationship could advance to the next level. Yep! Tomorrow—he’d tell her tomorrow. And if she forgave him his transgressions the way he prayed she would, then he’d take the next step—hoped she’d take it with him.

  As Rake’s mouth captured hers in a heated and driven kiss, Aspen sighed. He was delicious. Rake Locker was wonderful—her every dream come true! As she wrapped her arms around his neck, returning his kiss with her own demanding ardor, Aspen thought nothing could strip her of the pure euphoria expanding inside her—nothing! Rake loved her—she knew he did. He’d told her he loved her many, many times, and she believed him. She trusted him—trusted him to continue loving her, trusted him not to break her heart—and it was a magnificent sensation. For her part, she never imagined she could love someone so entirely—so desperately—but she did! Rake had become everything to her—her happiness, her reason for getting up in the morning, her life. At times she couldn’t believe the handsome real man who had once been a stranger had chosen her—plain little Aspen Falls—to be the one he loved. But he had. He had, and it was wonderful!

  Aspen giggled as Rake suddenly swooped her up in his arms, carrying her toward the pickup.

  “Brrr!” he exclaimed, shivering as he carried her. “Let’s go to my house for dinner. I’ve got a couple of chicken pot pies in the freezer, not to mention some barbecue potato chips…the wavy kind.”

  “Ooo! The wavy kind?” Aspen giggled.

  Rake let her feet drop to the ground as he dug in his pocket for the keys to the pickup. He kissed her cheek as he opened the driver’s side door. Aspen crawled into the pickup, snuggling up against Rake as the engine roared to life.

  “It’s freezing!” Rake said, shivering again as he turned the heater knob to high.

  “That’s because you never bring a coat,” Aspen scolded.

  “I don’t need a coat,” Rake said, smiling at her. He shifted into reverse and said, “I have you to keep me warm.”

  Aspen giggled with delight. She sighed as Rake pulled the pickup out onto Corrales Road and headed toward his house. Everything was perfect—especially Rake Locker.

  

  Aspen was tired—tired and resentful. She hadn’t wanted to work the midnight release event, but she’d ticked off Michael the week before, and he’d scheduled her to work it anyway. She’d gotten in so late, having stayed way too long at Rake’s house after dinner—just talking and kissing and being lost in the bliss of his company. Then when she’d returned home at one a.m., it was to her cell ringing—to Gina’s report on her evening with Sean. And what a report it was! Sean had taken Gina to Sadie’s for dinner and then to a movie. Afterward, they’d sat in his car for four hours just talking and getting to know each other.

  “I swear, Aspen,” Gina had said over the cell, “it’s like I’ve known him my whole life. Actually, like I knew him before my whole life!”

  Aspen and Gina had talked for over an hour—about Sean and the miracle of his knowing Rake, about how it all just seemed meant to be. Aspen was elated—ecstatic over hearing the joy and hope in Gina’s voice. Nick was finally beaten, Gina was revitalized, and Sean was meant to revitalize her.

  Now—now Aspen was at the store, working the midnight release event, and she was tired. It was nearly one a.m. The store would be closing in a few minutes, and Aspen couldn’t wait to get home and fall into bed.

  “Excuse me,” a woman said, smiling at Aspen.

  “May I help you find something?” Aspen asked.

  “Well, if you’re Aspen…then I think I’ve found it,” the woman said. She smiled, and Aspen thought her smile held something not quite kind—something that made the hair on the back of Aspen’s neck prick.

  “Excuse me?” Aspen asked. The woman was very beautiful—dark-haired, dark-eyed, with a supermodel figure. She looked to be a bit older than Aspen but not by much.

  “Are you Aspen?” the woman asked.

  “Yes. Did the front desk refer you? I do work in the children’s section if you’re looking for—”

  “I’m looking for you,” the woman said. “I’m Serena.”

  “I-I’m Aspen,” Aspen stammered. Quickly she searched the archives of her memory trying to put some sort of recognition to the woman’s face or name. Did she know her? From high school or something?

  “Do you mean to tell me you don’t know who I am?” the woman named Serena asked.

  Aspen bit her lip, frowned an apologetic grimace, and said, “I’m sorry. I just don’t remember where we’ve met. I—”

  “We haven’t met,” Serena said, “but you should know who I am.”

  “I-I just can’t seem to—”

  “I’m Rake Locker’s ex,” the woman said.

  So many thoughts and feelings began racing around in Aspen’s mind, she felt sure she would faint. Rake’s ex? His ex what? Ex-girlfriend, his ex—his ex-wife? Instantly Aspen’s mind fought the concepts—each of them—all of them. Rake would’ve told her if he’d been married before. She knew he would’ve! And as far as ex-girlfriends, he’d mentioned a couple, but Aspen couldn’t remember any of them having been named Serena.

  “His ex?” Aspen managed.

  “That’s right,” Serena said. “Serena Sanchez. Rake and I dated for two years. Surely he’s mentioned me. I mean…we do have a son together. You’d think he would’ve at least mentioned his son.” The women smiled, her eyes narrowing with the triumph of owning a knowledge Aspen didn’t. “I mean, I know all about you…so I just assumed Rake had told you about us.”

  Aspen swallowed hard—tried to keep the contents of her stomach from spilling out onto the floor by way of her mouth. It couldn’t be true! He would’ve told her! She knew Rake would’ve told her if he’d had a child. Rake was different than other profoundly good-looking men—she was certain he was. He wasn’t a liar and a jerk—he wasn’t! And yet, as a little dark-haired boy of about three ran up to the woman, wrapping his arms around her leg, Aspen stopped breathing.

  “This is Manuel…our son,” Serena said. “I can’t believe Rake hasn’t told you about Manuel. Of course, I guess it is kind of a big revelation to make to a new girlfriend.”

  “I-it’s a little late for him to be out…isn’t it?” Aspen stammered. She couldn’t think of anything else to say. Rake’s son? He had a son? She was sure she felt her heart begin to ache—ache at the thought of Rake’s having been intimate with the woman standing before her—ache with the knowledge he had a child and never told her about it.

  “Manuel loves the Boggy Froggy books,” Serena explained. “I let him take a longer nap so we could be here for the midnight release of the new Boggy Froggy book tonight.”

  Aspen nodded. When Serena had announced she was Rake’s ex—when she’d produced Rake’s son—Aspen had totally forgotten the reason she was even at the store. Earlier in the day, she’d simply been glad she
hadn’t been the one to have to wear the giant green Boggy Froggy costume coinciding with the new Boggy Froggy book release. Now she was having trouble remembering she had a job at all. All she could think of was that this woman—Serena—had been Rake’s girlfriend, that he’d been intimate with her, that the little boy gazing up at her with deep, dark eyes was Rake’s son.

  “So, you’re Aspen,” Serena said. She studied Aspen from head to toe, smiling. “You’re very different from any of the other girls Rake has dated since we broke up. He usually only goes out with really beautiful women.”

  “Can I help you find a copy of the new Boggy Froggy book or something?” Aspen asked. She could feel the tears welling in her eyes and frantically fought to contain them. “It is why you came in, isn’t it?”

  “Oh, we’ve got our copy,” Serena said. “I just wanted to get a look at Rake’s next victim.”

  “Well, you’ve seen me,” Aspen said.

  “Don’t let him fool you the way he did me, Aspen,” Serena said. She reached down and tousled her son’s hair. “He puts on a really good act—a real gentleman, kind, considerate…and so in control. But, in the end, he’s just out for one thing. And once he gets it…you’ll be old news.”

  “Thank you for your concern,” Aspen said. “I’m sure it’s well-meant and totally sincere.”

  “Totally,” Serena said.

  “Good night,” Aspen said. “You enjoy your new book, Manuel,” she said to the toddler a moment before she headed for the front of the store.

  Grabbing her coat from the coat rack, Aspen was glad she’d left her purse in the car. She reached into her pocket and found her keys.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Michael asked as Aspen pushed the front doors open.

  “I’m sick,” she told him. “And unless you want my dinner all over the front of your shirt…you won’t give me a hard time, Michael.”

  Aspen couldn’t even enjoy the look of forfeit on Michael’s face. She hurried to her car, barely holding down the remains of her dinner. Her stomach heaved and lurched with overwhelming anxiety and heartbreak. She slid into the driver’s seat—watched as her own hand struggled to push the key into the ignition. Tears were streaming down her face, and she covered her mouth to keep from throwing up.

  She shouldn’t be driving; she knew she was in no condition to drive. As heartache, anger, and fear wracked her body, Aspen reached behind the seat and retrieved her purse. Frantically digging through it, she sobbed when she found her cell. Gina! She’d call Gina. Gina would calm her down—help her to think rationally. But as she pressed her speed dial, she shook her head. No. Rake hadn’t been truthful with her. That or the beautiful vixen in the bookstore was lying. She hoped the second were true, yet doubt gripped her like a vise. Still, Gina couldn’t solve anything. Rake could. Either solve it or confirm it, and she had to know.

  Peeling out of the bookstore parking lot, Aspen angrily brushed at the tears on her cheeks. He would’ve told her—he would’ve! Aspen knew Rake could not be the creep this Serena chick had made him out to be. Yet what about the little boy? She couldn’t have been lying. It was too easy to disprove.

  Aspen gasped, realizing how frantic she was as she ran a red light. She’d seen the intersection camera blink; she’d be getting her ticket in the mail soon enough, so she’d worry about that later. All she could think about was Rake—how desperately she loved him! He would’ve told her if he’d had a son. She was sure he would’ve!

  Rake growled as he opened his eyes.

  “Who the hell would be banging on the door at this hour?” he grumbled as he tossed his blankets aside. Almost instantly, full consciousness washed over him, however. Aspen! That idiot Michael had scheduled her to work the midnight release event. What if something were wrong? A weird sort of fear rose in his chest as he fairly leapt out of bed and headed for the front door.

  Fumbling with the deadbolt, he opened the door, relieved to see Aspen standing before him safe and sound. He frowned in the next moment, however—for her face was red, tears streaming from her eyes.

  “What’s the matter?” he said, reaching out, taking her by the shoulders, and pulling her into the house. “Are you okay, baby? What’s wrong?”

  Aspen tried to ignore the titillated thrill running through her at the sight of Rake standing there in nothing but a black pair of boxer briefs. His tousled hair, muscular torso, and legs only accentuated his already magnetic good looks, and she couldn’t afford to weaken toward him—at least, not until she knew the truth.

  “I just met Serena,” she said. It was all she needed to say. The expression on his face was all she needed to see. His broad shoulders slumped forward, and he exhaled a heavy breath.

  “Where?” he asked.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Aspen knew then. It was true! She felt sick and tried to swallow the burning in her throat as she burst into tears.

  “It’s true? It’s true and you never told me about it?” she cried.

  “I meant to,” he began, running his hand through his hair. “I started to tell you…so many times…”

  “She had Manuel with her,” she sobbed. “How could you not tell me about him?”

  “Manuel? You mean Manny?” he asked. “Her little boy?”

  “Rake…I-I thought I knew you. I-I wanted to believe you were everything you seem to be. I-I really thought you…I can’t believe this!” Aspen buried her face in her hands, bitterly sobbing, certain she would die. The pain in her heart was overwhelming, suffocating, and destructive. She couldn’t endure it. She couldn’t!

  “What did she tell you?” he growled. He took her shoulders again, glaring into her face. “What did she tell you? Why are you so upset? You do know me, Aspen. So please…don’t tell me you would believe something a stranger told you if it contradicts what you know about me.”

  Aspen covered her mouth—willed the contents of her stomach to stay where they were. She studied his face for a moment. Anger and pain mingled in his expression—some sort of fear too. He was right. Somehow a rational thought penetrated the heartache and pain overtaking Aspen’s body and mind.

  “Did you really date her…for two years?” Aspen asked.

  “Yes,” Rake said.

  “Is the little boy yours? She says he’s yours. Is he?”

  She saw Rake’s jaw clench. “No,” he growled.

  “Are you sure?” Aspen asked, still irrational with heartache.

  Rake’s eyes narrowed, his jaw still clenched. He leaned forward, glaring down at her. “It would be pretty miraculous if he were mine…considering I never slept with her, don’t you think?”

  Aspen tried to breathe, tried to calm herself down. She gazed into the dark flames in his eyes—and she believed him.

  “Sh-she came into the store just now,” she whispered. “She knew who I was…and she told me she was your ex and that…”

  “And what? That I had a son?” Rake growled.

  “Sh-she had him with her…and she said…she said…”

  “I know what she said, Aspen!” Rake shouted. “She’s been saying it since the day she found out she was pregnant!” He swore and turned away from her, his shoulders rising and falling with his labored, angry breathing. He shook his head and swore several more times. It was obvious he was infuriated.

  Aspen felt a wave of nausea wash over her, but it was different this time—for its source was different. He was right to be angry with her. After all their time together—months together—she’d believed a stranger’s accusations over what she knew his character to be. Her faith in him had been tested—and failed. She’d proven herself weak and disloyal, and she knew Rake was strong and fiercely loyal. She’d lose him over this, and it was exactly what Serena had wanted. In those moments, Aspen realized it had been Serena’s plan all along—to drive Rake away from Aspen, not to drive Aspen away from Rake.

  “I-I’m sorry, Rake,” Aspen stammered. “I-I…it was just such a shock. I-I just couldn’t imag
ine anyone would lie about something like that. I-I know you would never—”

  “No, you don’t!” he growled, turning to face her. Tears burst from Aspen’s eyes as she saw the moisture welling in his. “Obviously you don’t know that I would never…now do you?”

  “It just caught me so off guard,” she began. “I-I’m just tired, and…and I have such a hard time believing someone like you could really care for me and—”

  “Stop!” he growled, raising a hand in a gesture she should stop trying to explain. “Just stop, Aspen.” He put his hands on his hips, clenched his jaw once more, and nodded. “I should’ve told you about this. I knew I should’ve.” His eyes narrowed as he looked at her. “But I didn’t want to. I was afraid of how you’d react.”

  Aspen brushed tears from her cheeks and swallowed the hard lump of guilt in her throat.

  “I-I’m sorry, Rake,” she began, “Please don’t—”

  “Come on,” he growled, taking hold of her arm and pulling her toward the bedroom.

  “Rake…really…I’m so sorry,” she stammered. He didn’t say a word—simply pulled her into his bedroom and pushed her to sit down on his bed.

  “I can’t believe her,” he mumbled as he picked up a pair of jeans that had been tossed onto a nearby chair. Aspen watched as he stepped into the jeans and rather violently zipped the fly. He strode to a chest of drawers on one wall, pulled open a drawer, withdrew a pair of socks, and then slammed the drawer shut. Sitting down on the chair where his jeans had lain, he pulled on the socks, all the while shaking his head. “I don’t know what I ever saw in her,” he mumbled as he pulled on one beaten-up roper boot.