Falling For A Stranger

by Barbara Freethy

  "Did you have a good time?" Drew asked.

  She nodded. "I'm very impressed."

  "Well, that is partly why I became a pilot—I figured it was a good way to get girls," he said with a smile.

  "It definitely is," Megan put in from the back seat.

  Ria laughed. "Sixteen-year-old girls," she said.

  "I know. You're a tougher nut to crack, Ria."

  "I'm impressed, too. Megan and I read an article about one of your rescues."

  "I forgot that was still on the wall. No big deal," he said with a shrug. "It's what anyone on the crew would do when faced with a similar situation."

  "Did the other pilot want to make the rescue attempt?" she asked.

  "I was in the right seat that day. Tim was in control of the helo."

  She stiffened at the mention of Tim. The name set off warning bells from a long time ago. "Tim," she muttered. "He was the guy on the island with you, wasn't he?"

  He shot her a quick look. "Yes."

  "And he works with you now?" Her stomach turned over. "Was he there this afternoon? Did he see me? Did he see us?" She didn't remember seeing the attractive blond from the island, but there had been a lot of men milling about the air station.

  "Relax. He left at four. He didn't see you."

  She blew out a breath. "You should have told me that I might run into him."

  "I knew you wouldn't. That's why I didn’t tell you."

  "But someone might tell him we were there."

  "I introduced you as Tory," he reminded her. "And what would anyone say? That I showed a woman and a teenager around? That's hardly big news."

  "Who's Tim?" Megan asked.

  She glanced back at her niece's curious face. "He was with Drew on the island when we met."

  "He thinks you're dead, Ria," Drew said, drawing her attention back to him. He placed his hand on her thigh. "There really isn't anything to worry about."

  She looked into his eyes and felt reassured by the confidence she saw there. "I hope not."

  "So I'd like to treat you to dinner," he said, as he turned on to the freeway.

  "I'm starving," Megan immediately put in. "So I'm in."

  "What about you, Ria?" he asked.

  "I could eat. What did you have in mind?"

  "The best spaghetti in the city."

  "I like spaghetti," she admitted. "Is it on the way?"

  "It is."

  There was something about the way he wouldn't look at her that made her think there was something else about to happen besides a meal out. Ten minutes later she knew she was right when he turned into a residential neighborhood.

  "Drew?" she questioned.

  He parked in front of a two-story house. "It's spaghetti night at the Callaways."

  "This is your house?"

  "It's my parents' house. We're celebrating Aiden and Sara's big news tonight."

  "Then you should go. Megan and I can catch a bus home."

  "Don't be silly. I want you to meet my family. And my mom really does make the best spaghetti in town."

  "It's a private celebration. Megan and I will be intruding," she protested.

  "At the Callaways, it's always the more the merrier."

  Ria glanced back at Megan. "What do you think?"

  "It sounds good to me," Megan said with a shrug. "Drew's family sounds cool."

  Everything having to do with Drew seemed to be cool in Megan's eyes.

  "Well, I survived meeting your grandparents, so I guess I can survive this, too," she said with a sigh.

  He laughed. "I'm thrilled you're so enthusiastic. You'll have fun. Trust me."

  * * *

  Midway through the spaghetti feast, Ria realized she was having fun, and so was Megan. The Callaways had welcomed them like family. In fact, Drew's mother and two of his sisters had given her big hugs upon arrival. She'd been so closed off from people the last two years; she'd almost forgotten the pleasure that came from a simple hug.

  And Drew was right; there were no strangers in the Callaway house. After an initial round of introductions, in which Drew absentmindedly called her Ria instead of Tory, it was a free for all as far as conversation was concerned. While Ria wasn't happy with his slip on her name, she was pleased that he'd made no mention of their previous encounter on the island and had simply referred to them both as friends.

  While Drew got caught up in a conversation with his brothers, Ria was more than happy to sit back and observe. Megan also seemed a bit in awe of the big, loving family, but when Drew's younger cousin asked Megan if she wanted to watch a video upstairs with her, Megan went right along.

  Ria glanced up as Sara joined her in a corner of the living room.

  "How are you doing?" Sara asked, giving her a warm smile.

  "I'm great. Congratulations on the baby."

  "Thanks. It still doesn't feel quite real. Actually, I take that back. It feels very real when I'm throwing up in the morning."

  "Morning sickness?"

  "And afternoon and evening," Sara said. "Just looking at the spaghetti made me queasy. But it was really nice of the Callaways to have a party for us." She paused. "You look a little overwhelmed."

  "That's because I am," she admitted. "I come from a very small family."

  "Me, too. I grew up next door, and my house was as quiet as a church. I'd come over here to hang out with Emma and feel like I'd landed in the middle of a tornado. But it was nice to have a second family."

  "And now you're an official Callaway," Ria commented.

  "Another fact I still can't quite believe. I had a mad crush on Aiden as a teenager. He actually broke my heart back then. We didn’t see each other for a decade, and then last fall I came back to see my father, and there was Aiden. It was finally the right time for both of us. And I'm glad that we had our time apart. We both needed to grow up," she added with endearing honesty. "So tell me about you and Drew."

  "We're friends."

  "Just friends? Because the way Drew looks at you—"

  "It's complicated," she said, her cheeks burning at the knowing gleam in Sara's eyes.

  "Love is always complicated."

  "I don't know if you'd call it love," she said immediately, but then she wondered if that wasn't exactly what she'd call it. Neither one of them had said I love you, but she couldn't deny that there were deeper feelings brewing below the surface, at least on her side. "I'm raising a sixteen-year-old," she added, seeing the curiosity in Sara's eyes. "I'm sure Drew could find any number of women not carrying around that kind of baggage."

  "I could see Drew as a father," Sara said. "Growing up, he was always nice to the little kids in the neighborhood. Burke was always demanding, impatient. He was the leader. Aiden wanted to win at all costs, but Drew tried to make sure everyone played—everyone got a chance. I always liked that about him."

  "Are you talking about Drew?" Emma interrupted. "Because I have lots of stories."

  Ria smiled at the mischievous sparkle in Emma's eyes. From what she'd seen so far, Emma was a firecracker, pretty, funny, and outspoken. She also seemed to be in everyone's business.

  "Don't scare her off," Sara said.

  "Yeah, don't scare her off," Drew echoed, coming up behind Ria. He slung a casual arm about her shoulders and gave her a smile. "What have my sister and sister-to-be told you?"

  "We were just getting started," she said, feeling both very comfortable and a little awkward with Drew's arm around her. So much for trying to look like just friends.

  And she wasn't used to being part of a couple. It had been years since she'd met anyone's family. In fact, she couldn't even remember the last time. Her relationships had been brief and very transient from the end of high school on. She'd never stayed in one place long enough to get serious about anyone. Nor had she met anyone who'd made her want to stay. Funny, Drew had said pretty much the same thing about his romantic past. In some ways, they were a lot alike.

  "I could tell you about the time Drew threw my doll off
the roof," Emma said.

  "She had a cape. I thought she could fly," Drew put in.

  "He was always trying to make things fly," Emma said with a laugh. "You don't know how many paper airplanes hit me in the back of the head."

  Drew laughed. "That's true. You were a good target. Where's your better half tonight?"

  "Max is working," she said. "And I think I'm his better half."

  "Of course you do," Drew said.

  Ria smiled at the teasing conversation, her normal tension dissipating as Emma and Sara shared stories about Drew. It was so nice not to have to guard every word, to just be normal for a while. She was beginning to realize how addicting that sense of normalcy was and she could understand better why Megan didn't want to leave her friends. It was much more tempting to believe that the danger was over, and they were free now, but was that true? She couldn't quite bring herself to believe that.

  A half hour later, Drew asked her if she was ready to leave, and she reluctantly said yes. Spending time with his family had been a nice respite. But she had to get back to her real life, a life that didn't include Drew by her side, acting very much like her boyfriend.

  After driving them home, Drew insisted on walking her and Megan upstairs. Even though there wasn't the constant threat of danger, she doubted he would have acted any differently. And now, having met his family, she could see the influence they'd had on him.

  Once inside the apartment, Megan mumbled a quick goodbye and headed into the bedroom.

  Ria lingered at the door. "Thanks," she said. "For everything."

  "You're welcome. It was fun."

  "It was fun," she agreed. "Your family is amazing. You're very lucky."

  "They didn't scare you off with their stories?" he asked, taking a step closer to her.

  "Unfortunately, no," she said, drinking in his warm, musky scent as he put his hands around her. She wanted what was coming, wanted it more than her next breath. "Kiss me," she whispered.

  He answered with his mouth, with a sensuous kiss that went on for several long minutes, their lips clinging together, tasting, touching, wanting…

  Finally, he lifted his head, his breath coming fast. "I really want to get you alone, Ria. Any chance that could happen any time soon?"

  She hesitated for a long moment, then said, "Saturday is the prom. Megan will be gone all night."

  Desire flashed through his eyes. "I like the sound of that. But Saturday is too far away."

  "Only four days."

  "Feels like a lifetime."

  She had to admit it felt that way to her, too. On the other hand, she should probably use the time in between to come up with a reason not to see him again. Nothing was resolved. There was still a big secret hanging between them.

  "I'll see you Saturday," he said. "Don't come up with a way to ditch me."

  "I might have to try. I feel like we're too close."

  "Really? Because I feel like we're not close enough." He gave her a kiss. Then left her with tingling lips and an aching heart.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The rest of the week passed both slowly and also too quickly, Ria thought, as Saturday dawned. But she had no time during the day to worry about her date with Drew. She was too busy getting Megan and Lindsay manicures, hairstyles and makeovers. By the time four o'clock came, Ria was more than ready to send the two incredibly primped girls on their way.

  A knock came at her door at half past four. It was her neighbor, Amelia, and her daughter, Beth, wanting to see Megan in her prom dress. While Beth went into the bedroom to join the girls, Ria gave Amelia a tired smile. "Getting beautiful is exhausting."

  Amelia laughed. "I'm sure it is. Big night for Megan."

  "I just hope it won't be a let-down. She's built it up so much in her mind, that anything short of fantastic might be a disappointment."

  "She'll have a great time. She's really come out of her shell the past few months. I remember how quiet she was when you first moved in. Now she's very outgoing."

  "And never shuts up," Ria said. "But she's happy, and that makes me happy."

  "Is Megan's improved mood the only thing making you happy?" Amelia asked with a gleam in her eyes. "I saw a very good-looking man leaving your apartment last night."

  "That was Drew."

  "And Drew is…"

  "I'm not sure. We're figuring that out."

  "I hope you're having fun doing the figuring."

  "We're going out tonight," Ria admitted.

  Amelia gave an approving nod. "Good. It's about time you thought about yourself for a change. Not that I don't admire what you're doing for Megan, because I do. I just know it's difficult to be a single mom. And you have to take care of yourself, too. Megan will be happier if you're happier. So suck it up, let down your hair, and have some fun."

  "Well, if I have to," Ria said with a smile.

  "I know, it's going to be a real hardship," Amelia returned. "If you don't want him, send him my way."

  "I want him," she said, surprising both herself and Amelia with her candor. "I just wish I didn't."

  "Why?"

  She could have fallen back on her usual answer—that her life was too complicated for a relationship—but for the first time in a long time the truth slipped through her lips. "I'm afraid he could break my heart."

  Amelia gave her a sympathetic look. "Love is always a risk. That’s why they call it falling in love. You never know where you're going to land. But if you pick the right guy, he'll catch you, and together the ride will be amazing."

  * * *

  Ria was still thinking about Amelia's words when she opened the door for Drew a half hour later. Amelia and Beth had left, and Megan and Lindsay were breathlessly awaiting the arrival of their dates.

  But when she saw Drew, the furthest thing from her mind was the upcoming prom. He wore tan slacks and a dark brown knit shirt, and he must have recently stepped out of a shower, because his brown hair was damp, and his cheeks were cleanly shaven. He looked good enough to kiss, and her heart speeded up at the thought of the evening ahead. They were finally going to have some time alone together, and she was both terrified and exhilarated by the thought.

  But first she had to get Megan and her friend off.

  As Drew stepped into the room, he waved his hand in the air and coughed at the thick smell of perfume.

  "Did you break a bottle or something?" he asked.

  Ria laughed. "Or something. Try two teenaged girls and two battling scents of seduction."

  "They want to dance with these guys, not kill them, right?"

  "Drew," Megan squealed as she came out of her bedroom. She struck a model pose. "What do you think of my dress?"

  "You're beautiful."

  She blushed under his compliment. "I wouldn't go that far."

  "I would. Your date is going to be knocked out. And yours, too," he added, turning to Lindsay, who was standing in the doorway. "You must be Lindsay."

  "And you must be the pilot," Lindsay said, a touch of awe in her voice. She glanced at Megan. "I see what you mean."

  Megan nodded. "Told you."

  As the girls returned to the bedroom, Drew turned a quizzical eye in Ria's direction. "Do I want to know?"

  "All you need to know is that you're a hit with the teen crowd."

  "I'm more interested in being a hit with you." He gave her a quick kiss. "How soon are they leaving?"

  Before she could answer, the buzzer pealed.

  "Right now," Ria said, then buzzed in the boys.

  The next few minutes were a blur of corsages and boutonnieres and lots of pictures. Every time Megan smiled for the camera, Ria felt a twinge of fear, but she told herself she was being foolish. And since there was no way she could stop it, she needed to just let the worry go.

  Eventually, the kids made their way downstairs where a limo was waiting. Eric's father had paid for their ride to the prom. Ria stood at the window, watching as they got into the car. She felt suddenly emotional, wishing Kate co
uld be here to see her daughter.

  Drew peered over her shoulder. "Megan looks happy," he said.

  "So far it's the perfect night." She blinked the tears out of her eyes and glanced back at him. "I hope it ends up that way."

  "And no one throws up on her shoes," he said.

  She smiled. "Exactly. So what now?"

  He smiled back at her. "I'd really like to take advantage of this empty apartment, but I've made plans for us."

  "You have," she said, a little surprised.

  "I asked you on a date. That usually requires a plan."

  "What are we going to do?"

  "Grab your jacket, and you'll find out."

  "I'm not dressed up." She'd put on her nicest sweater and her best pair of jeans, but they were still jeans.

  "You're dressed perfectly. But it's going to get cold later, so bring a warm jacket."

  She moved over to the closet and grabbed her coat, wondering where they were headed. Drew looked smug and a little too proud of his plans. She had a feeling he had more in mind than dinner and a movie.

  "When is Megan expected back from the prom?" he asked as they walked out to his car.

  "Tomorrow morning," she admitted, suspecting Drew was going to like her answer.

  His face lit up. "Really? You're actually going to let her stay out all night?"

  "Yes. I fought the battle, but I lost. They're staying at a hotel about six blocks from here. There are three couples, one room, so hopefully not a lot of—you know."

  "Oh, I know," he said. "And are you that sure you've been given the right information?"

  "Megan wouldn't lie about it to me."

  "I lied to my parents," he said with a frank smile.

  "Yeah, I did, too," she said. "But Megan knows that she can't treat this like the other kids. I have to know where she is. And she has to tell me the truth."

  His expression grew more somber, but all he said was, "Okay."

  She was surprised he'd let the subject drop so easily, but perhaps that was another hint that he still wasn't ready to know everything just yet. That was fine with her. She wanted time off from the worry and the danger. She just wanted to have some fun and be with Drew. Like Megan, she would pretend for a night that her life was perfectly normal.