Renting to Own

by Linda Rettstatt

  “Not for long.” He kissed her once more, then reached back and opened the car door. “I’ll explain that better in the morning.”

  Not for long? What does that mean? He was out of the drive before she could ask.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “Those waffles were delicious, Lily. I’m glad you learned to cook.” Mason stood. “Maybe I’ll stop by again on my way back to Columbus. Rick, it was nice to meet you. I hope to see you again.”

  Rick shook his hand. “I hope so, too.”

  Mason dropped onto his haunches beside Chelsea’s chair. “And it was very nice to see you again, Chelsea.”

  Chelsea turned in her chair and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you, Uncle Mason. I love my tea set.”

  “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

  Lily walked her brother to the door. “Be careful driving.”

  “I will, Sis.” He smiled down at her. “Good to see you. I like Rick. I hope there’s a future for you two.”

  “Us three. Chelsea’s a part of that future, too. She adores him, as I’m sure you noticed.”

  “I think it’s a two way street. Hold onto him.”

  She glanced back into the kitchen where Rick leaned across the table, smiling and listening intently to Chelsea. “I will.”

  She stood in the open door and watched until her brother’s car disappeared from view. Rick stepped up behind her, his hands searing her shoulders. His breath caressed her cheek as he whispered into her ear. “I missed you.”

  Closing the door, she turned to face him. Her gaze locked onto his. “I missed you, too.”

  He kissed her deeply and smiled. “How are we doing with this ‘get to know one another better’ thing?”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I think we’re making progress.”

  “Good. Can I give you and Chelsea your Christmas presents now?”

  “Let me clean up the kitchen first.”

  “The dishes will wait.” He took hold of her wrist and tugged her toward the living room. “Don’t make me regret this already. Just sit down here and wait a minute.” He eased her down onto the sofa. “Chelsea, will you come into the living room, please? Have a seat beside your mother.”

  Chelsea jumped up onto the sofa and sat beside Lily, her heels kicking the front of the sofa cushion. “What are we doing?”

  Rick knelt between them, reaching into his pocket and extracting two small velvet boxes. He turned first to Lily and lifted the lid on one of the boxes. A teardrop diamond glittered in the light. “Lily, will you marry me?”

  The diamond caught the colored tree lights, sparkling in red, green and blue. She tried to speak, but no sound came out of her mouth. She nodded, tears brimming her eyes.

  He removed the ring and took her left hand, sliding the diamond onto her ring finger. “I’ve never seen you speechless.”

  “Mommy, it’s so sparkly.”

  Rick turned and opened the other box, extending it to Chelsea. “And, you, Chelsea—will you let me be your daddy?”

  The child’s eyes widened and she stared as Rick removed a small opal ring and slid it onto her finger. “Yes!” She grinned up at Lily. “Mommy, we’re engaged!”

  “Yes, we are, sweetie.”

  Still focused on her ring, Chelsea asked Rick, “Can I call you Daddy now?”

  Pulling Chelsea into a hug, he replied in a thick voice, “You sure can, Princess.”

  Chelsea wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled up at Lily. The joy in her daughter’s face caused Lily’s heart to stutter.

  Rick released the child and winked. “Now, I think I should hug Mommy, too, don’t you?”

  Blond curls bounced and the tiara tilted as she shook her head. “I think you should kiss her.”

  Rick pulled Lily to her feet. “If you say so.” He wrapped Lily in his arms and dipped her backward, kissing her softly.

  Chelsea giggled. “Kiss her again.”

  “Well, if you really want me to.” He planted kisses all over Lily’s face until she was laughing. He turned and scooped Chelsea up, kissing her face and neck.

  Laughter reverberated off the walls. Lily felt the foundation solidify beneath her feet.

  “Mommy, can we call Auntie Helen and tell her we got engaged?”

  “We’ll call her in a bit. Let’s open the rest of the presents first. I’ll bet Santa brought something from Auntie Helen, too.”

  Rick spent the entire day with them, helping Lily clean up from breakfast while Chelsea watched the new DVD rerelease of Cinderella. Lily stopped whatever she was doing every few minutes, extended her left hand and stared at the diamond.

  Stepping up behind and pulling her close, Rick asked, “Do you like it?”

  “I love it.” She turned in his embrace. “And I love you.”

  “You can trust me, Lily. Always. Sometimes you don’t know what you’re missing until it’s right in front of you. I can’t even imagine the rest of my life without you and Chelsea being in it. Then there’s the matter of that little boy with my chin and your eyes.”

  Lily shivered and Rick pulled her closer. “I hope that was a shiver of anticipation and not a shudder.”

  She stretched up and kissed him. “Definitely anticipation.” She stepped away and picked up her cell phone. “I’m really worried about Helen. I’m going to try her phone one more time.”

  “Then can we walk to the park and try out Chelsea’s new sled?”

  “Sounds like fun.”

  Rick returned to the living room while Lily punched in Helen’s number. Still no answer. She left another message—her third—and tried to dismiss the worry. It was a holiday and maybe Helen was celebrating with John and his family. She called out to Chelsea and Rick, “Okay, who wants to go sledding?”

  A light snow fell as the three of them took turns on the one sledding hill in the park. Lily was exhausted by the time they headed for home. Chelsea was sure to sleep soundly after her day in the snow. And that made Lily realize that there was no reason for Rick not to stay that night. And that thought dispelled the chill of the winter wind and snow.

  After they watched yet one more Disney movie, Lily said, “It’s getting late, Chels. I think it’s time for you to go to bed.”

  Chelsea, who had changed into her pajamas after sledding, looked up at Rick. “Will you tuck me in?”

  “I’ll help Mommy tuck you in. How’s that?”

  “Mommy always reads me a story, but now you can do it.” Chelsea climbed the stairs ahead of them and jumped into bed.

  Lily brushed curls back from her daughter’s face. “Oh, so, you don’t want to hear my stories now, huh?”

  Rick sat on the opposite side of the small bed. “Tell you what, let’s all tell a story. I’ll start. Once upon a time there was a little girl who…” He nodded to Lily.

  “Oh. Who…was loved by everyone who met her. She was cute…” Lily tweaked the child’s nose. “…and she had the most beautiful smile. One day…” Lily stopped and pointed to Chelsea. “Your turn.” But her gaze locked on Rick. God, he was good with kids. Perfect Daddy material.

  “One day the girl had a birthday and she made a special wish. She didn’t really believe the wish could come true, but then it did.” She looked from Rick to Lily. “I made a wish on my birthday that Rick could be my daddy, and he’d come and live with us and we’d be a family.”

  Rick smiled at her and then looked at Lily. “Those were some candles you put on that cake.”

  Chelsea yawned and hugged Grilla tightly.

  “Looks like you’re ready for sleep, pumpkin.” Lily kissed the child’s cheek. “Sweet dreams.” She stood, her heart thudding as Rick leaned over and kissed Chelsea, who blinked and grinned. “Goodnight, Daddy. See you in the morning.”

  “Goodnight, Princess.”

  Lily turned off the light and followed Rick from the room.

  In the living room, he walked to the sofa and pulled her down beside him. “I think that went well, do
n’t you?”

  “She’s so happy.”

  He traced a finger along her jaw. “And you?”

  “I’ve never been happier.”

  He eased down on the cushions, pulling her on top of him. He looked up into her face. “I love you, Lily Champion.”

  “I love you, too.”

  His lips trailed along her cheek and down her neck, stopping just above her collarbone. The sensation sent a tremor through her. Her breath quickened.

  Eager fingers pulled her blouse free from her jeans and caressed her bare back. She pressed her hips against him. In a quick action, he undid the hook of her bra. She lowered her head, nuzzling his neck, breathing in the musky scent of him.

  When he tugged at her blouse to remove it, she gasped. “Rick, no. Wait. We can’t. Not here.”

  “God, Lily. I want you so much.”

  “I know, I want you, too.” She sat up straightening the blouse. “But I have a perfectly comfortable bed upstairs.”

  Rick stood and took hold of her hand. “Sounds good.”

  Upstairs, Lily checked on Chelsea before joining Rick in her bedroom and locking the door. Just in case.

  In his arms, she extended her hand to view the diamond. “You have good taste in diamonds.”

  “I have good taste in women, too.” His tongue slid across her lower lip and then inside to explore her mouth.

  She pulled back and gazed at him. “How will I explain to Chelsea that you’re here in the morning?”

  “You weren’t worried about that yesterday.”

  “I’ve had time to think.”

  “Remind me to never give you that much time.” He nuzzled her neck. “I can slip downstairs before she’s awake and sleep on the sofa.”

  “But what if she goes to school and tells her friends or her teacher you slept over and they go home and tell.”

  “Lily.” He held her gaze. “You worry way too much about other people. Do you think Mrs. Higgins will come to the door with a ruler in hand to reprimand us? If it makes you feel better, we could get married tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow? Oh, no. I want a wedding.”

  He lifted her and laid her on the bed. After kissing her again, he asked, “Do you really want me to leave?”

  Lily stared up at him—his face flush with desire for her, eyes darkened and narrowed, the strong jaw and full lips. She reached for his hand. “Stay.”

  As Rick made love to her, Lily gave herself over to the sensations his hands and mouth created. She clamped her mouth on his shoulder to keep from crying out as he took her over the brink of ecstasy. He rolled onto his side and pulled her body against his, holding her close. His breath ruffled the hair at her ear. “I love you, Lily.”

  She kissed his wrist that rested below her neck.

  They lay in the dark, breathing hard, snuggled together. “Can we talk for a minute?”

  “Uh-oh. Should I be worried?” he asked.

  “No.” Lily settled her head on his chest. “My father’s coming for dinner after New Years.”

  “How’d that happen?”

  “I called him. Seems to be a theme taking shape here. Family.” She turned her head and looked into his eyes. “Will you come?”

  “If you want me here. So, what’d he have to say?”

  “That he wished he’d known about Tyler being Chelsea’s father. If he’d given me half a chance to explain, he would’ve known. But, that’s in the past. Time now for a fresh start.”

  “You’re doing the right thing, Lily. We all have regrets, things we wish we’d done differently. Don’t you?”

  “Well, yeah. But if I had, I wouldn’t have Chelsea.”

  “And I’d be a sad, lonely old bachelor forever.” He tilted her chin and brushed his lips over hers.

  “Are you sure this isn’t one of your fabricated fairy tales?”

  He traced his fingers along the side of her breast and looked down into her eyes. “This is as real as it gets.”

  God, how she wanted to believe him.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  The sound of a voice penetrated her sleep. Lily blinked her eyes and listened. Chelsea was talking to someone. Oh, no. She leapt from bed and jammed her arms into her robe, cinching it around her waist. As she opened the bedroom door, she saw Chelsea in the hall holding the telephone. “Yup, me and Mommy both got engaged—to Rick. ’cept I get to call him Daddy now.”

  “Chelsea, who are you talking to?”

  Her daughter looked up, smiling. “Auntie Helen.”

  “What time is it?”

  “I don’t know. Auntie Helen, Mommy’s awake now. Want to talk to her?” She nodded. “Okay, I love you, too. Here’s Mommy.” Chelsea handed her the phone.

  “Helen, is everything all right? I left three messages…”

  “I went with John to his daughter’s house and forgot my phone. It was late when I got in. Chelsea just called me. It’s all of six-thirty in the morning. Scared me out of my wits when the phone rang.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize she knew your phone number.”

  Chelsea pointed to the paper Lily kept by the phone for emergencies. “It’s right here. I know my numbers.”

  Lily nodded. “I’m sorry she woke you.”

  “I’m not. I hear there’s good news?”

  Lily sat on the floor in the hall, her back against the wall. Chelsea mimicked the position, sitting beside her. Lily grinned at her daughter while she spoke. “Rick and I are getting married.”

  “I think that’s wonderful. Quite a surprise.”

  “I know. Maybe it’s happening too fast.”

  “Lily, do you love him?”

  She thought of Rick who, right at that moment, was just beyond the door in her bed. “Yes, I do. And he loves both of us.” She ruffled her daughter’s hair. “I just don’t want to be impulsive.”

  “Trust your heart. When’s the wedding?”

  “Oh, we haven’t gotten that far yet. Not right away.”

  “Well, I’m happy for you. He’s a good man.”

  A good man who could come through that door in his boxers at any moment. “Helen, would you hold on for one second?” She covered the phone. “Chels, could I talk with Auntie Helen alone for a moment? Grown-up stuff.”

  “Okay.” Chelsea sighed. “I’m gonna go downstairs and play.”

  “I’ll be there in one minute.” Lily waited until the child had descended the stairs. “Helen, I spoke with my father. He’s coming for dinner after New Year’s.”

  “That’s wonderful.”

  “I hope you’re right. He swears he’s changed, that he’s sober. I hope it’s not a mistake. Mason surprised us yesterday. He was on his way to Dad’s house. He says Dad is trying to change.”

  “Sometimes parents screw up, Lily. They make bad decisions out of hurt, disappointment, even fear. Give him a chance.”

  “I will.” She yawned and glanced up as Rick emerged from her bedroom to head to the bathroom.

  He paused and bent to kiss her cheek. “Good morning.

  “Lily?”

  “Yes. I…what was I saying?”

  “You sound like you’re still asleep. Why don’t we talk later? I’m just glad everything’s working out for you.”

  “Thanks, Helen. Talk to you later.” She hung up the phone and stumbled back into the bedroom.

  Rick returned and slid his arms around her, kissing the back of her neck. A wave of desire bolted through her, and she moaned.

  His hands found her breasts and caressed.

  “Rick, we can’t. Chelsea’s already up.”

  He sighed. “To be continued.”

  And the promise of that made her shiver.

  *

  Lily had made arrangements for Chelsea to spend the night at Amy’s house. She flitted around the house trying to think of something she was certain she’d forgotten. The phone rang and she answered, breathless, “Hello.”

  “Hi.” Rick sounded nearly as breathless.


  “Oh, jeez. I started to call you an hour ago, then the phone rang and Mrs. Glenn needed some help. I just got back here.”

  “Okay. So, are we on for tonight?”

  “Yes. Vicki’s going to keep Chelsea overnight.”

  “Want to come to my house now?”

  She laughed. “It’s a little early. I’m dropping Chelsea off at four. Where are we going for dinner?”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  “Well, I need to know how to dress.”

  “You don’t need to dress.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I mean, you don’t need to dress up. I thought we’d dine here. Don’t worry, I didn’t cook. Francois did.”

  “Francois?”

  “My personal French chef. He also runs a restaurant by the same name that prepares dinners for take-out. Want me to pick you up?”

  “No, I’ll drive there.”

  “Great. So, I’ll see you soon.”

  “See you soon. Bye.”

  She hung up the phone, leaving the damp imprint of her palm on the receiver. She felt as giddy as a teenager. Though she and Rick hadn’t discussed it, Lily was pretty sure she wasn’t coming home tonight.

  Chelsea sat on Lily’s bed and watched her apply makeup. “Why can’t I go to dinner with you and Rick?”

  “Because Rick and I have some grown-up things we need to talk about, and we’re going to be out late. Besides, you’ve been wanting to stay at Amy’s house.”

  “Yeah. Can I take my tea set and the doll Auntie Helen sent me?”

  “Sure.” Lily stood and smoothed her hands down her abdomen, smoothing the snug-fitting black dress. She looked over her image in the mirror, then into her own eyes.

  Chelsea’s reflection appeared at her side. “You look pretty.”

  She turned. “Thanks, sweetie.”

  “When’s my grandpa coming to visit?”

  “Next week.”

  “I got two daddies and three grandparents, all at once.”

  Lily sat down and pulled her daughter against her side. “You okay with all of this?”

  “I’m okay.” Chelsea looked up at her. “Mommy, why didn’t we ever visit Grandpa Champion?”

  “Your grandpa and I had a disagreement a long time ago, and we didn’t talk to each other.”