by Lacey Wolfe
His body shook as a shiver went down his spine. He couldn’t take the cold anymore, and he headed back inside to start a fire. In the living room, he got it going and went in search of a beer. He sat in his recliner, put his feet up, and sipped his beverage. This was just a normal Saturday night. Each Saturday night, he drank his beer and watched something sports related, all alone.
Damn it. He wanted Lily. He could be at her place right now, eating and doing whatever they had planned, not alone in his house. Maybe he shouldn’t have taken his sisters advice. What did they know anyway?
Diane couldn’t shut her mouth long enough to quit arguing with her husband, Matt. And Alyssa was too afraid of being rejected by Connor to let her feelings be known before they started seeing each other. Yet they were supposed to know just what he needed to do with his relationship. He was going to text Lily. This was silly; he didn’t want to play games. Games were for teenagers. They were adults. If he wanted to go over there, then he would, if it wasn’t too late.
Cody set his beer down on the end table next to his recliner as he put the foot rest down. He dug his cell phone from his pocket and started to compose a text.
Ding dong.
He wasn’t expecting company. Though, he had told Bo if he was ever in the area, he was welcome to stop by. Cody crossed the small living room and flipped on the porch light. He peeked through the small side window.
Lily.
This was a good surprise. He swung the door open and wondered if she was here for a replay of Thursday, when she’d come in here and ravished him. He’d take it.
“Hey,” he said.
She held out a plate of baked goods. “I brought these for you.”
He took the plate from her. His stomach rumbled at the delicious aromas. “Want to come in?”
She nodded and came in. “That’s a pretty fire. It’s chilly tonight.” She sat down on the couch.
The couch they’d made love on a few days ago. The same place their relationship shifted. He chose to sit in his recliner.
“Yeah, we won’t see a warm day until March, and only then if we’re lucky.”
She glanced around with a nervous look in her eyes. He then realized just how unbusy he looked. He was going to kill his sisters. However, Lily was here by her own free will, so he was going to keep his lips zipped and see where this conversation went.
“So, when I get stressed, or I’m upset, I bake.” She pointed at the plate he’d set on the coffee table. “I usually start with making a pitcher of lemonade, then I move to muffins, and so forth. I would’ve brought you some lemonade, too, but my son and ex drank it all.”
“It’s okay. I’m happy you brought me these. Thank you.” Finally, she was sharing things about herself.
She took a deep breath, leaned forward, and took a cookie out from under the wrapping. She bit off a piece and chewed slowly. He was sure she ate the baked goods, as well, when nervous.
“You freaked me out the other night.”
He smiled. He’d done the same to himself, but the words were out there.
“This is moving so fast. I don’t feel like I know you enough.” She fidgeted with a button on her sweater. “I mean I know things like your favorite foods, beer, etc, because that’s what we’ve talked about on the phone. I haven’t given us a chance to go deeper.”
Damn, his sisters really knew their stuff. Here he was ready to throw their advice out the window, yet everything they said would happen was happening.
“Have you been married?” she asked, throwing him off guard.
“Uh, no.” He leaned forward and grabbed a cookie. She was rubbing off on him. He broke off a piece, but before placing it in his mouth, he answered, “I’ve been close. Her name was Tori. We did everything by the book. We were engaged and she thought she was pregnant.” He ate the piece of cookie he’d broken off. “She never told me her suspicions, but once she learned she wasn’t pregnant, she ended things. Apparently, having a child with me was the last thing she wanted. I’ve really not dated since she and I split a few years ago. I’ve been a workaholic, or I’ve been caught up in my sisters drama.”
“Wow. I’m so sorry. So I take it you don’t have any kids.”
He shook his head. “Not yet.”
Her eyes were wide, but she blinked a lot. “Do you want kids?”
Cody was pretty sure he did, but if Lily was done, it wasn’t a deal breaker. “If it’s in my life’s plan. Do you want more?”
“I don’t know,” she said softly. “After Gunther was born, I thought I did. But as he got older, it was perfect with just the one. I suppose I have the same answer, if it’s in my life’s plan.”
He smiled, imaging a mini-Lily running around this place with cute little pigtails and bare feet. “It’s good to talk on this level. I want you to let me in, Lily. I know this has moved fast, but I can’t imagine you not in my life anymore.”
“This is fast, and different than the first time I fell in love.”
Love. She’d said love. Patient, be patient and see what she says next.
She broke her cookie in half. “It’s crazy, but I think I love you, too.”
Cody sprung out of the recliner and onto the couch next to her. This time it was him who needed to take her. He’d waited for the one woman in his life that would make him feel the way she did. The world could burn down all around him, and all that mattered was her. Her son, too, of course, but in this moment, she was it.
Not holding back, the passion that was like a strong magnet between them grabbed hold of him. He had to have her, right there on this couch again. There was no way he could wait.
Fuck. The fucking condom. He really should start storing them in the living room.
Breaking the kiss, he stood and held his hand out, but she didn’t take it.
“Sit, Cody.”
He did. Okay, so his need and desire to tear her clothes off and take her right here wasn’t going as planned.
“I didn’t tell you I loved you because I wanted sex.”
“I never thought that.”
She touched his cheek. “I’ve only got a few more minutes before I need to get back and be there for my mom. She’s having a hard time with Heath in the house. That was a mistake, I realize now. She doesn’t understand why we aren’t married and keeps forgetting.”
“That must be difficult.” He couldn’t even wrap his head around what her days must be like.
“It is. I told her about you, and I’d really like it if you came and met her, but it might be better when Heath isn’t there.”
He stared into her eyes, feeling the pain he saw in hers when she spoke about her mom. “I understand. I’m always here for you to talk to. I don’t have to just be your happy place. I can be more.”
“I just have to let you in, right?” Her smile was so sweet and carefree. At that moment, he fell even more in love with this woman.
“Right.”
She claimed his lips in desperation. It was soft, but boy did it get his heart pumping and his blood flowing down below. This woman was going to be the end of him.
Her ringing cell phone interrupted the sensual exploration.
“It’s Heath.” She pressed a button. “Hello. What, slow down…she what?...Oh God, I’m on my way. Call the police, if you haven’t already.”
“What’s going on?” Cody stood promptly, grabbing his own cell phone to call whatever help they might need.
“I’ve got to go. My mom’s missing. How does that happen? There are three fucking people in the house. Three!” She ran toward the door.
“Lily, stop!”
She spun around with her hand on the doorknob. “I’ve got to go, Cody. This is why I’m so afraid of what you and I have. My mom needs me.”
“And you need me.”
She stood there, tears streaming down her face. He could see how conflicted she was, but she couldn’t deny she needed him emotionally, as well as for his profession.
“I’m coming wi
th you. Give me your keys.”
“I can drive,” she snapped.
“I’m sure you can, but you’re not thinking rationally. Now give me your keys.”
She roughly pushed them into his hands and stomped heavily toward her car. He’d just learned a new thing about Lily. She liked to be in control, and giving it up was the last thing she wanted to do. Too bad. He knew what she needed right now.
Chapter Thirteen
Lily stared out the window as Cody drove toward her home. Thank goodness he knew this town like the back of his hand, she’d suck at directions with the way her mind was running.
Brent, Heath, and Gunther were there. How could her mom wander off? She just couldn’t wrap her head around that. What the hell were they doing that none one of them saw her leave?
“We’re almost there.” Cody rubbed her knee.
She glanced at him as he stared ahead at the road. He’d stepped in and taken control when she needed it. Of course, she hadn’t wanted to let him help, but if she was going to be with him, she had to let him be there for her. She had to open her heart and let him in to love her. That was the hard part, depending on someone again, when she was so used to doing everything herself.
Love. It had happened so fast. Who would’ve guessed that the man she spilled hot coffee on would be the one she’d fall in love with.
They turned down her road. “God, I hope she’s okay.”
“She will be. Don’t worry.”
As soon as he parked the car, she jumped out and ran for the entrance to the house. She found Brent, Heath, and Gunther inside with a police officer. She hadn’t even noticed the cop car out front.
“Have you found her?” she demanded.
“Not yet.” Brent walked over to her, hugging her. “We will.”
She pulled away, her blood boiling too much to be comforted. “I don’t understand. How did you guys lose her?”
“It’s my fault, Mom.” Gunther had tears in his eyes. “I asked them both to come in my room and play video games while Nana napped.”
Her heart broke seeing her son take the blame. “It’s not your fault, sweetie.” She wrapped her arms around him.
“Officer Duncan, what are you doing here?” The other officer asked.
“I came with Lily.” He stood next to her. “Any idea where she would wander off to?”
He sounded so official and serious.
“Did you guys check the barn?” she asked.
“No. We ran around outside calling for her.”
Lily released her son and stormed off toward the back door, then down the steps. She trudged through the snow with heavy feet toward the vacant barn. Please let mom be in here, please!
“Mom, it’s Lily!” she called out over the squeak of the old wooden door. “Are you in here?”
No such luck, the barn was empty. Lily slouched against the wall. Where was her mom? Was she hurt, scared? Why would she have wandered off?
“Lily.” Cody stood in the doorway, illuminated from the outside lights.
She wiped the stray tears from her eyes. “Here.”
He came toward her and wrapped her in his arms, holding her tight. He made her feel safe.
“We should be out there looking for her.” She started to pull away, but he tightened his arms.
“We’ve got officers out there searching. She’ll be found. Come on inside with your son and family.”
He took her hand and led her back to the house. Gunther sat with his dad and Brent had his face buried in his hands.
“I can’t stand just sitting here,” she said.
Heath cleared his throat. “How about I go out and look for her. You three stay here.”
“You don’t know the area,” Lily said.
The front door opened, and they all turned.
“Mom!” Lily was by her mom’s side in a heartbeat, wrapping her arms around the frail woman. “Where were you?”
“I was visiting the neighbor.”
Lily glanced at the policeman who had brought her mom in, and he nodded.
“Why were you at the neighbors?” Brent asked from behind her.
“I woke up and remembered I had a plate of hers I needed to return.”
“Mom, I could’ve done that for you.” Lily held her mother’s hand.
“I’m not dead, I can do it.” Her mom shook her head with irritation. “You kids forget that.”
“But at this hour?”
Mom shrugged. “It is late, I didn’t realize the time. Why did you send the police after me?”
“You didn’t tell anyone where you were going,” Brent said.
“I did, too. There is a note on the counter.”
A note! Lily glared at her brother. He was moving back to town to assist in the care of their mom, yet he wasn’t much help. Lily stepped back and walked toward the kitchen, where she found a sheet of paper on the counter by the fridge with the note her mom had written.
Rage shook her body. How could she ever trust Brent to care for their mom?
“Lily, I’m sorry.” Brent entered the kitchen. “It won’t happen again.”
“Damn straight it won’t! I won’t ever leave her alone again,” She said in the quietest, yet loudest way possible so no one heard her but Brent.
“You can’t do that. You have a life.”
She rolled her eyes. She’d sacrificed before; she could do it again.
“You can’t blame me for not checking for a note. Honestly, would you have?” He crossed his arms.
Fine, he had a point. One she didn’t like. This same thing really could’ve happened under her watch. Those evenings she locked herself in her bedroom to talk with Cody, at anytime her mom could’ve gotten up and left.
She had two options. Devote her time to her mom, or find a way to keep her mom in the house in the event this happened again. Maybe it was time to get an alarm system that would alert them if her mom tried to leave.
Lily stared out the kitchen doorway at Cody as he spoke with Gunther and Heath. She didn’t want to give up her life with Cody. The life she was building. If her mom were in her right state of mind, she’d say the same thing. With Brent in town to help, it was time to step up on security and divide their time with Mom.
“You’re right. I’m sorry I took it out on you.”
“It’s okay, sis. I’d have done the same thing. In fact, I have.” He sighed. “You’re right. This is the best place for her, home with us. I’m only staying at Honeycreek for this weekend, but I plan on living here, too. It’s not fair for this to be all on you.” He glanced over his shoulder, then back at her. “You’ve got yourself a good guy there. I don’t want you using mom and Gunther as a reason to not let things go further.”
Why did everyone think she was using them as an excuse all the time? She was just being cautious. “They aren’t.”
“No, but I know you. You love them both with everything in you. It’s time for you to let someone else love you.”
She chewed her bottom lip. “I need to get mom tucked in. Will you finish up with the police?”
“Yup.”
She went to her mom, who was seated on the couch, unaware of the fuss that had happened this evening. Cody stared at her as she helped her mom up.
“Cody, would you mind if Heath drives you home? I need to get her tucked in.”
He nodded. “Call me in the morning when you can.”
She returned the gesture and wrapped an arm around her mom’s waist as they strolled toward her bedroom. Tonight had been scary, but it had turned out all right. It could’ve been much, much worse. Being home was the best thing for her mom, but she and her brothers needed to sit down and put a plan in action to keep her safe. Her condition was only going to get worse.
“I love you, mom.”
“I love you, too, Lilbug.”
* * * *
“My house is right up there on the left. You gonna be able to make it back?” Cody asked Heath as he rode down the darkened road.
“Yeah, it seemed easy.” Heath put his blinker on.
Cody suppressed a chuckle. He was probably only using the blinker because Cody was in the car.
“So, you’re the new man in Lily’s life.” Heath parked the car.
This suddenly felt very father-to-potential-suitor like. “Yeah.”
“She’s a special girl. I can see the way you look at her, and she returns the feelings. She’s closed off; though most wouldn’t think it, with the way she talks as though she’s an open book.”
Cody understood. “I just hope she likes me enough to let me in.”
“She does.” Heath turned the heat down in the car. “I know it’s weird to talk to me about it, but her and I are over. We were never more than friends, really. So no worries on my swooping in and snatching her back.”
“I’d fight you for her,” Cody joked.
“Good to hear. My son likes you, too.”
“Gunther is a good kid.”
“Thanks. He seems to be adjusting finally, which will be one less stress off Lily’s shoulders. Hopefully Brent moving back will help, as well.”
“She’s got me, too. Just as long as she lets me in.”
“As long as you stick around, she will. She worries and over thinks things. She needs someone who is going to take care of her.”
Cody could do that without a problem. “That’s my plan.”
Heath rubbed the steering wheel. “All right, well, we’ve got this talk behind us now. Maybe next time I’m in town, we can get a beer or something.”
Cody wasn’t sure he’d be getting a beer anytime soon with Lily’s ex. While they could be friendly, Cody still had to get past the fact that she was once married to the man, had had sex with the man, etc. “Yeah, we’ll see. Thanks for driving me home, man.”
“No problem.”
Cody exited the vehicle and made his way along the dark path to his front door. Once he was inside, he watched as Heath backed out of the driveway, heading back to care for the ones Cody hadn’t wanted to leave.
