by Sara Orwig
“Okay, Scarlett, the jet’s fueled and ready to take us home.”
“When we get there, I’d love for you to come in and see Mom and Carl. Mom will want to hear about the Double U∆ and Carl will just want some attention. I bought him a toy downstairs in the gift shop.”
“I should get him one, too. Come help me because I have no idea what’s safe to give him or what he would like or what is appropriate for his age.” He grimaced. “Scarlett, I know absolutely nothing about babies.”
“You did fine with him. He liked you, and you made him happy. You don’t need to get him anything. He’s happy whether or not he has a toy. And he does have plenty. I just can’t resist taking him something.”
“I suspect he likes everyone he meets and he’s happy all the time.”
She smiled. “That’s true. You did quite well with him, and I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you again.”
They started to go to the door, and Luke caught her arm, pulling gently. Surprised, she turned to look at him.
“I don’t want to leave yet.”
“Luke, we can’t hole up here—”
“One more kiss,” he whispered and slipped his arms around her to draw her closer as he leaned forward and placed his mouth on hers. The minute his lips touched hers, her arguments vanished. She dropped her things and put her arms around him, holding him tightly, feeling each time they were going to part that it was probably the last time she would see him before he left for California.
When he ran his hand over her breast and then reached for the zipper to her dress, she caught his hand and stepped away.
“You’re headed for another hour in bed, and we can’t. Let’s go, Luke. We both have things to do and places to be.”
For a moment she thought he was going to argue with her, but then he nodded and reached around her to open the door. As they walked out, she felt as if she was walking out of his life for the final time. Would she feel that way each time she left him?
Six
Luke returned to the Bellamy to his suite. He’d had his computer set up where he could work. Cole was getting information to him about the stolen money with dates and what little records on withdrawals the PI had unearthed. Luke worked at night, going to the Double U in the day to see what progress they were making and to go over plans for the new ranch house.
On Monday, Luke asked the architect for a copy of the plans so he could review them back in Royal. That afternoon, he called Scarlett and told her he’d like her to look at the plans for the new ranch house and see if she had any suggestions. “I need a woman’s perspective.”
She laughed. “Sure. Come have dinner with us. Mom is cooking her chicken and dumplings, and they’re good.”
“I remember and they are good, and you don’t have to ask me twice. What can I bring for Carl?”
“Like I said the other day, you don’t need to bring him anything. He’ll be happy to see you. Just smile at him.”
Luke laughed. “It’s easy to smile at him because that’s all he does. Does he ever cry?”
“Of course, he cries. He can get grumpy when he’s tired. But most of the time, he’s happy.”
“He gets that from being around you.”
“I hope so. I try to be happy around him. So far, he’s a sweetie.”
“I never knew a little kid could be fun, but yours is,” Luke said.
“It’s good that you like him,” she said, but her voice had a wistful quality, and he wondered if he had said the wrong thing.
* * *
That night when the doorbell rang, Scarlett opened it to welcome Luke. She took a deep breath as her heartbeat sped up. He wore a white shirt, navy slacks and his black boots. Taking off his black Stetson when he entered the house, he filled the room with his masculine presence, and she couldn’t help noting that he looked more handsome each time she saw him.
“You look great,” he said softly, his gaze sweeping over her and making her tingle. They wouldn’t be alone until maybe late this evening before he went home. She just wanted to walk into his arms and kiss him.
“Thanks,” she said, wondering how many outfits she had pulled out before she decided on her blue sleeveless dress and sandals. “Come into the kitchen. Mom’s cooking and Carl is playing with his toys.”
“I brought the house plans. I’ll leave them with you—these are copies. Look at them when you can, and we’ll get together to discuss them. I want your input.”
“Sure,” she said, thinking with a pang that she would never live in this house she was going to help him plan. Would he ever marry, or was he just going to avoid marriage because of his parents’ disastrous marriage?
Her mother came from the kitchen to greet Luke. She wore a bright red apron over her gray slacks and white blouse. Her honey-blond hair grazed her shoulders, and her vivid blue eyes sparkled with warmth. Scarlett knew how angry she had been with Luke in the past, but that was gone tonight and she was her usual friendly self. “It’s good to have you here with us, Luke. It seems like old times.”
“It smells wonderful in here. Thanks for having me for dinner. The Bellamy food is good, but I remember yours, and there’s no comparison.”
She laughed. “I remember you used to like the chicken and dumplings.”
“Yes, I did, and I imagine that I still do.” Scarlett walked to Carl, who sat in a little bouncy chair. Scarlett picked him up and handed him to Luke.
“Hi, Carl,” he said, smiling.
Carl smiled back and patted Luke with a chubby little hand. “Ahh, those dimpled smiles of his. Let’s look at the toys.” Luke glanced at Joyce. “Mrs. McKittrick, can I help you in any way?”
“No, thanks. We’ll be ready to eat in about half an hour. I’m going to check on the dumplings. I’ll join you two again in a few minutes.”
“Sure, Mom. When you’re ready, I’ll help get dinner on the table.” She turned to Luke, who was playing with Carl, swinging one of his toys back and forth.
“What would you like to drink? Beer, red wine, white wine, margarita, old fashioned, whatever. Mom has a well-stocked bar.”
“I’ll just have a glass of water, thank you. Scarlett, I’ve been drinking beer since I was about sixteen or sooner. My folks didn’t care. Now when I look at alcohol, I just think about the ranch and Dad, and I don’t want a drop.” He exhaled roughly. “I know that will pass, but that’s the way I feel right now. I just keep seeing the sick livestock and the dead carcasses.”
“I can understand. That was a shock.”
“Does your brother know I’m here tonight?”
She shook her head. “No, I don’t think Mom said anything about it.”
“I’m glad. Keep peace in the family. Your mom’s cooking is fabulous. This is going to be a real treat. This and maybe a few other things,” he said, winking at her and she felt her cheeks grow warm and knew she blushed.
During dinner Luke entertained them and he also fit in and Scarlett was sorry Toby couldn’t accept Luke.
At one point Luke smiled at her mother. “Dinner is delicious and this is great. I feel at home here,” he said, looking at Scarlett and she was startled that he felt totally welcome and at home during dinner. Her mother had a way of making company feel part of the family.
After dinner, Luke said he would clear and for Joyce to join Scarlett and Carl and put her feet up. After a polite argument, which Scarlett ruled, she and her mother cleaned the kitchen, leaving Luke with Carl.
When Joyce and Scarlett joined him, all of them had to smile at Carl’s antics.
Scarlett smiled with the others, but she felt a pang. It was wonderful to have Luke with them, but soon he would go back to California, and she really didn’t expect to ever be with him like this again. Luke would marry some wealthy woman, and his life would move on.
At one point, Luke picked up Carl a
nd held him on his lap, making faces and funny noises at the baby, and when Carl laughed, all of them laughed. Scarlett got her phone and took a picture of Luke and Carl, both laughing up a storm. She couldn’t resist—she shifted and took a picture of Luke.
“A baby’s laughter is contagious,” Scarlett said, loving having Luke play with Carl, yet wanting to avoid times like this too often where Carl would get attached to Luke.
“He sounds so damn happy,” Luke said. “Whoops. I better watch my language around him. At least he won’t copy me tonight.”
Finally, Joyce picked him up. “I’ll take him up to bed. Kiss Mommy goodnight, Carl,” she said, handing him to Scarlett, who hugged him and kissed his cheek.
“Mrs. McKittrick, that was a wonderful dinner. Thanks for including me. You have a cute grandchild.”
“Thanks, Luke. He keeps me young. I have so much fun with him. And as he grows, he just gets to be more fun.”
“Well, he’s the first baby I’ve ever been around. He’s set the bar pretty high.”
“He’s special. Come back and see us, Luke,” she said. “You’re always welcome.”
“Thank you. That means a lot,” he replied. Scarlett knew from her mother’s tone of voice that she had meant what she said to Luke, which had surprised her. And she thought Luke was also sincere in his answer. His answer didn’t surprise her, but she intended to ask her mother about her remark.
He smiled as Joyce left with Carl in her arms.
“She sounds as if she means that,” he said to Scarlett.
“She does or she wouldn’t say it, believe me. I think you mended some fences with her tonight. You said and did all the right things, and you took a second helping of her chicken and dumplings, which she loves to see someone do.”
“You’ve got a great family, Scarlett. I’ve always thought that. Is your mom coming back?”
“No. She’ll read to Carl and then rock him, and when he finally goes to sleep, she’ll go to bed to read. We’ve seen the last of her tonight. Want to go to my place? It’s next to this house.”
“Sure. Carl sleeps here, and you sleep there?”
She shook her head. “Nope. I still have my suite here, and Carl’s nursery is here because Mom keeps him so much of the time while I work. I just stay over here since I got Carl. I don’t mind. There’s no husband—just Carl and me—so we might as well stay here. And, besides, Mom is here and she loves taking care of him.”
Luke put his arm around Scarlett’s shoulders. “Scarlett, I hope you say, ‘Thank you, God,’ every day in your prayers for your family. You are so blessed to have them. My dad can be mean as a snake.”
“Believe me, I do.” She gazed up at him. “Your dad wasn’t that mean when you were growing up, was he?”
“Not to me. He and Mom fought like a mountain lion and a rattlesnake. They had big fights—verbal, not physical—but then they’d drink themselves into not caring, and life was bearable. Actually, I just got out of the house as often as I could—worked on the ranch, hung out with the cowboys, went into Royal to see my friends. Later, went out with you.”
“You didn’t complain.”
“It was just a fact of life and when I was away from it, I didn’t want to talk about it.”
As they talked, Scarlett took him next door to her house. “I’ve had this all redone,” she said. “I used to have my office downstairs and I lived upstairs. I had my clinic and everything out here, but later, I built in Royal and then changed this from an office downstairs turning all of it into a house for me. I didn’t think about becoming a mom then. I don’t spend much time over here now,” she admitted, stepping inside and switching on one light. “Come look around.” She led him into a living room that was rustic with framed paintings of horses and ranch scenes on the walls.
Luke turned her to face him. “It feels good, Scarlett. Being with you just feels so damn good. Tonight was just like I’d come home, only my home was never as filled with love as this one is,” he said and pulled her to him to kiss her.
Her heart thudded and she wrapped her arms around his neck as their lips met. She pressed against him, desire sweeping over her. “Luke,” she whispered and then kissed him again, tightening her hold on him. He shifted, his hands moving to the buttons on her dress to unfasten it.
“Do you have a bedroom in this place?” he rasped against her lips, kissing her between each word.
“Oh, yes,” she answered breathlessly. “I’d hoped we’d end up here. The bed is ready.”
Scarlett pushed against him, turning so she could walk backwards while they kissed. He continued to kiss her as he followed her from the living room to her bedroom.
She had unbuttoned his shirt and pushed it off him, pulling it out of his slacks to toss it away. While she peeled away more of his clothes, he began to remove hers. She stepped back from him to unfasten her bra and take it off, watching him as he yanked off briefs. Her breath caught in her throat and her pulse pounded. He looked magnificent with his muscled body, his broad shoulders and trim waist, his narrow hips. Just looking at him made her throb and want to reach for him, to feel his hard body pressed against hers.
“You look like one of the California stars,” she whispered, running her hands over his shoulders, his biceps and his chest.
“You’re the one who’s gorgeous, Scarlett. You take my breath away and keep me awake at night. You’re beautiful. Your body is stunning, and the sight of your legs can have me ready for love in seconds.”
His hard erection sure was ready, and she slid her fingers over the smooth tip, leaning down to run her mouth over him, curling her tongue around him and stroking his rod while she toyed with him between his legs. She peeled off her panties and reached out again to caress his erection, leaning close to run her tongue over him again, and then turning to rub her bottom slowly against him.
He reached around her, fondling her breasts, circling her nipples with his thumbs so lightly that she gasped with pleasure.
With a groan deep in his throat, he wound his fingers in her hair as she knelt to kiss and fondle him.
She heard his sharp intake of breath and then, in seconds, he swept her up into his arms, carrying her to bed, where he stretched out and pulled her on top of him. His body was marvelous, masculine and strong, and hard-muscled, his arousal big and erect. She wanted him with all her heart, wanted to hold him and not let go, but that was impossible and she knew it.
She was astride him as he positioned her over his hard cock and then pulled her down to enter her, thrusting inside, filling her and beginning to move.
Closing her eyes, she cried out, feeling him hold her hips as he moved with her, pumping into her, each thrust and withdrawal heightening the tension that gripped her. She rode him hard and fast until release burst and she cried out in ecstasy, falling over him and gasping for breath.
“I can’t move,” she whispered.
“You’re fabulous,” he said, trailing his hands over her back and down over her bottom. “So beautiful, so sexy. This is paradise,” he whispered. One hand stroked her bottom while the other fondled her breast. “Scarlett, I’d like to touch you all night long.”
“You can’t. We have to go back. I sleep in the room next to Carl, and I get up with him at night so Mom doesn’t have to. He doesn’t always wake up, but I can’t stay out here tonight.”
“Okay, I’ll get up and go home soon, but let’s take one more hour, maybe one more round before I go.”
She smiled as she sprawled over him, her fingers running through the hair on his chest. “I might be talked into that,” she purred.
“If I have to talk you into it—”
“Surely you can think of something persuasive,” she teased. “But not yet. For right now, just hold me against your heart and let me hold you and pretend you’re not going to leave me.”
“It’s good to
be together. It feels right, doesn’t it?” His voice was a lazy drawl as if he might be on the verge of sleep. She suspected it might just be euphoria, him rambling without really thinking about what he was saying. She wished he meant it, but she was certain he didn’t. In any case, it felt right to her. She loved him and had loved him since she was fifteen years old. Sadness gripped her. She wasn’t the woman for Luke, and she knew it. He didn’t think he was the man for her, but he was being ridiculous. He would never be like his parents. Luke had too much drive, self-discipline, control. He didn’t have bad genes. She couldn’t argue much, however, because she knew she could never be his wife. He needed a woman who could have his babies. She thought of precious little Carl. How lucky she had been to get him. She couldn’t get a more wonderful child.
She kissed Luke. If only—“if onlys” were impossible. She had to take life like it really was, but she was thankful for what she had, thankful for Luke in her arms tonight, that they could have memories. So thankful for little Carl, the joy of her life. Thankful for Toby, Naomi, her little niece, Ava, her precious Mom. They had a wonderful family, and when she was with Luke and he talked about his family, she knew how lucky she was. It was a good thing Luke wouldn’t be around a lot because they would never marry, but Carl would love Luke so easily. Luke was great with Carl. She could spend a bit of time with him while he was in Royal, but it was just as well that he would go back to California soon.
She showered light kisses on Luke’s throat, shoulders, chest and then snuggled against him. She loved him and there was no way to keep from loving him. She would get hurt again, but this was worth some hurt.
