Relentless Pursuit

by Sara Orwig

  “I think that’s a cute name,” Ava agreed, sitting in a chair, wanting to intrude as little as possible on uncle, niece and puppy.

  “We’ll call her Muffy, and in a day or two, she’ll know her name. I have a trainer coming by who will work with her every day. He’ll be here tomorrow and work with her for a week, then come back when she’s a little older because she’s too young now for a lot of the training.”

  Caroline picked up the pup to place it in her lap. The white pup stretched out, falling asleep in minutes. “She’s a baby, Caroline,” Will explained. “She’s worn out and she’ll sleep soundly for a little while because that’s what most babies do. When she wakes up she should go outside—I’ll take her—and then she might want some water.”

  Later, when dinner was finished, Caroline slid out of her chair and ran to sit with Muffy.

  “You’ve handled this just right, Will,” Ava said.

  “I never been so at a loss as I am with her,” he said quietly while Caroline ran around and Muffy chased her. Laughing, Caroline climbed in a chair.

  “Look at her laugh, Ava. She hasn’t done that since we lost Adam.”

  Ava sat back, observing the scene, watching Caroline reach down to pet Muffy.

  When it was story time, Ava got up to go, crossing to Caroline to touch her head lightly. “I’m glad you have Muffy. Dogs are fun and they become part of the family. Good night,” she said, brushing Caroline’s cheek with a kiss.

  “Good night, Miss Ava,” Caroline said quietly.

  Ava smiled at Caroline. “Good night to Muffy, too,” she said, touching the pup’s head as it slept again in Caroline’s lap.

  As Ava walked out of the room, Will came after her. “Ava, wait.”

  She turned. He had changed clothes after dinner, pulling on jeans and a T-shirt. He caught up with her. “Wait for me downstairs. I missed you last night.”

  She could refuse. Instead she nodded and he headed back to Caroline.

  She went by her room to take the clips out of her hair and let it fall loosely around her shoulders. With a cursory glance at herself, she went downstairs to wait, taking her cell phone to send texts to her sisters.

  It was over an hour before Will came through the door. Closing the door behind him, he crossed the room in long strides just as he had before to pull her up into his arms and hug her. He leaned away. “Thank you! You have to admit today was a big, giant change.”

  She smiled at him. “I will agree it was. You’re a good dad, Will. You handled everything well.”

  “I’m flying by the seat of my pants with her. I don’t know what’s best, but she talked to us. She named the pup and said she wanted it. She’s even laughed out loud twice. Ava, I can’t tell you how grateful I am.”

  “I still say I haven’t done that much, and you would have thought of a puppy before long yourself.”

  “I might not have. I haven’t in all the time Caroline has been in my care.”

  “It’s a beginning, Will. Maybe she will be happy enough to talk more often.” Ava turned to walk away to sit. Will caught her arm, turning her back to face him.

  “Ava, come here,” he said in a husky voice, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her. His kisses were passionate, driven, and she was swept away, unable to resist kissing him in return. She was adding to her problems with him. Night by night, she was binding her heart to Will in a manner that was going to hurt when she broke away.

  “I want you,” he whispered.

  “Will, don’t mistake your gratitude for something else. There can’t ever be anything much between us.”

  “Oh, yes, there can,” he said. “There can be so much. I’m grateful, but I know the difference. You’re a gorgeous, sexy woman and we have an electricity we both feel always.”

  Her heart pounded with his words, magic words that were another tie that bound her. He framed her face with his hands and kissed her possessively, his kiss conveying his intent. She resisted for seconds and then kissed him in return, wrapping her arms around his slender waist, holding him tightly while they kissed.

  His hands roamed over her, caressing her, unfastening buttons. She should stop him, but it was impossible. Too soon she would be gone, back into her busy working life and her solitary hours on her own.

  In minutes he had stripped his shirt and boots, He cupped her breast to caress her while he continued kissing her and then leaned down to kiss each breast while his hands slipped lower, unfastening her slacks and letting them fall.

  He stepped back, holding her hips while he looked at her. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered. He picked her up, carrying her to the sofa where he placed her on his lap, kissing her without pause as his hands moved over her.

  When he shifted to lie down, holding her close, she slipped away and stood, turning to gather her clothes. “Will, we’re going further and further and I don’t want this. I’ve told you why. We have to work together all summer. I can’t get deeply involved with you and I can’t have a quick, meaningless fling.” She yanked on her shirt and turned to face him. He had walked over to her and slipped his arms around her waist.

  “I want you, Ava. You want me, too. You’re fighting something that you also desire.”

  “I’m going to keep fighting you on this. I will not get emotionally involved or too physically involved. I just can’t do it. I shouldn’t kiss you. I need a solid commitment—you can’t give me that.”

  “Ava, take life as it comes. I’m not looking for a one-night fling. I promise you that. Frankly, I think you’re lecturing yourself. This is something you want. We both want. I still say it’s time you come back into the world and live a full life the way you were meant to. You’re too much a desirable, beautiful woman to shut yourself away and live a solitary, empty life.”

  “I don’t see a summer fling as any solution.”

  He kissed her cheek, her temple and then her mouth, holding her close. She only had on her blouse and a narrow strip of lace panties. The kiss deepened, changed and became passionate. She was sliding right back to where she had been only minutes ago. She wriggled away from him.

  “I’m going, Will. You’re too damned appealing, but I do have a shred of willpower.”

  He smiled faintly at her as he if knew it was only a matter of time until he seduced her. She stepped into her slacks, buttoned them and walked toward the door.

  “Ava,” he said in a commanding tone that stopped her and she looked back at him. “It’s early. Let’s sit and talk. This has been a very special day and it’s too early to end it now. I want to savor the moments.”

  She took a deep breath and nodded, caving the minute he asked.

  “I agree that it has been a special day. One I think she’ll always remember. I hope Muffy works out to be a great pet.”

  “I’m going to try to see to that. The guy who is coming to train Muffy works on our family ranch. He’s excellent with animals. He’s trained dogs for us, and horses.” While Will talked, he walked over to pick up his shirt and pull it on. Muscles in his smooth back rippled, and she inhaled deeply.

  She sat in the closest chair, wanting to avoid the sofa where he could pull her into his arms easily.

  In spite of her declaration, she was on fire with wanting him. She had fallen in love with him and she ached to walk back into his arms, kiss him and make love.

  She had sense enough to know that was the way to disaster. To get tied up with Will invited catastrophe for her heart, calamity for her school plans. Any woman he saw on a regular basis would be on his terms. And those terms would not include marriage. Eventually, he would be through and walk out of her life, another heartbreak. Ava never wanted that to happen.

  She tingled and hoped she could keep from showing how much she wanted him.

  He faced her. “Would you like something to drink?”

  “Actually, iced tea sounds delicious.” She stood to follow him into the kitchen. “Can I help?”

  “No. Just sit and talk to me. I
feel like shouting for joy. Caroline laughed and talked tonight. It’s been a year, Ava. I knew you would be so good for her.”

  “I can’t take credit.”

  “You should. It’s wonderful. I don’t think she’ll go back to the way she was. At least, I don’t think she will as long as she doesn’t suffer some other kind of loss.”

  Ava watched him fix drinks and then they moved to the living area adjoining the kitchen. She took a chair again and he sat facing her.

  “I don’t hear the puppy, which surprises me.”

  “These walls are thick, and Rosalyn has the puppy with her. Later, I’ll get it and put it in my room where I can keep up with it tonight.”

  “Another surprise,” she stated, smiling at him. “I would never have guessed you would give up your peaceful sleep to babysit a new puppy.”

  “One, the trainer isn’t here yet. Buck will care for her tomorrow night. Two, I don’t want Caroline to hear her crying and worry about her.”

  Ava smiled.

  “I feel so good, as if a huge stone has been lifted off my shoulders. Let’s go out and celebrate Saturday night. Early evening. I’ll get you back when you want.”

  “All three of us?”

  “No. I don’t want to take Caroline out yet. This is too tenuous a thread for me to risk having her retreat back into her shell. She’ll be more relaxed at home. Will you go with me Saturday?”

  “You are a persistent devil,” she teased. With a crooked smile he winked at her.

  They sat and talked until two, when she said she had to get to bed. Will walked her to her room and kissed her good-night with one long kiss.

  “Are you still going to get Muffy?”

  “Yes. Rosalyn reads until all hours. She’ll still be awake. I don’t hear any howls or crying. Rosalyn is probably holding Muffy. I think she likes Muffy as much as Caroline does.”

  “It’s been a good day, Will.”

  “Thanks to you,” he said, brushing her lips lightly with his before he left to get the dog.

  * * *

  The next morning after breakfast, Ava, Will and Caroline went out on the lawn to see the trainer playing with Muffy, who was on a leash.

  “Both of them seem to be having a fun time,” Ava said.

  “They are. This afternoon, Caroline, you’ll have Muffy with you part of the time and again tonight. This is just for a short time while he gets her trained.”

  The trainer picked up the dog and came over.

  “Ava, this is Buck Yarby. Buck, this is Ava Barton and here is Caroline.”

  “Glad to meet you both. Caroline, you have a good little dog here. She’s going to be a lot of fun for you. I’ll show you what she can do after I get her trained.”

  They talked a few minutes while Caroline petted Muffy, and then they headed back inside to start their day—already off to a very good start.

  * * *

  Will arrived home early from work. He entered the room with the same commanding presence as always, plus this time he carried the puppy. He scooped up Caroline with one arm.

  “Hello, hello,” he said. “Want to play with your dog?”

  “Yes, please,” Caroline answered, smiling at him.

  “Ah, that’s a wonderful smile, sweetie. You have fun with Muffy.” He set Caroline down and carefully handed her the puppy. “Hold her gently and be very careful to not drop her because that would hurt her.”

  “I won’t,” Caroline said, holding the dog and sitting on the floor to put Muffy in her lap.

  Will looked at Ava. “This is good.”

  “It’s been an unusually fine day. Caroline read to me,” Ava said, wondering whether her pulse raced over Will’s appearance or over being able to tell him the exciting news.

  “Wonderful! Caroline, that’s fantastic,” he said. “Look at Muffy, she likes to have you scratch her ears.” Caroline smiled again.

  Will tossed off his navy suit jacket and kicked off his shoes, sitting on the floor with Caroline while Ava began to gather books and games to be put away. She listened to Will talk to Caroline a little, and then he sat in silence while they played with Muffy. Caroline laughed when Muffy caught her shoe and tugged on it.

  Will picked up the puppy to get Caroline’s shoe away from the dog. He grabbed a dog toy, squeaked it and gave it a toss. Caroline laughed when Muffy dashed after it.

  Thrilled by the change in Caroline, Ava sat in a rocker and watched, remaining quiet.

  “Muffy, here Muffy,” Caroline called. The pup ignored her, and Will stretched out his arm to catch the dog and hand it to Caroline.

  They played with the puppy for a long time, and Ava was not alone with Will until that night after he came back from tucking Caroline into bed.

  He found her sitting out on the veranda. “Tell me about the day. I’ve been wanting to hear since I arrived home and you indicated it had been very good.”

  “I think so. The walls seem to be crumbling for her. When I read today, she started reading when I paused and then I gave her a chance. I’ll ask her tomorrow if she’ll read for you, and we’ll see what she says. She’s a good little reader. By the end of summer, Will, she will be more than ready for kindergarten. She should be confident enough to do well.”

  “Ava, this is just amazing when I think of all I’ve gone through. You have come in here and quickly healed the terrible hurt that’s kept her wrapped up in herself.”

  “I don’t think I can take that kind of credit,” she said, aware he sat only a few feet away. He rested a hand on hers, their fingers linked together. He acted unaware of the touch. For her, it was a smoldering flame she could not ignore. It was tangible, a steady contact that made her want more.

  “I think Caroline may have been ready,” she continued. “I think the puppy has been a trigger for release. She is so happy and excited over Muffy.”

  “She laughed. She talked to me. She read for you. We’ll go out to dinner Saturday night, but I don’t think we should leave until near her bedtime. I don’t want to skip out on her when all this is happening.”

  “Very good idea, Will. We don’t need to go at all.”

  “Yes, we do. I want to celebrate and do this as a thank-you.”

  Her heart skipped a beat. Saturday night. Dangerous for her heart, yet exciting and too big a temptation to turn him down.

  * * *

  Excitement coursed through Will’s veins on Saturday. He wanted to be alone with Ava, to take her out where he could hold her, dance with her. Gradually, their kisses were heating and she was letting down her barriers. He wanted to be with her all the time now. He had never wanted a woman the way he did Ava. She was in his thoughts constantly. She wanted commitment—could he make some kind of commitment? Since when had he ever given a thought to commitment? With Ava, the idea seemed different than it had before. He wanted her in his life.

  He wanted to treat her to an evening out as a special thank-you for how she’d helped Caroline. Will’s throat tightened and emotions gripped him when he thought about the change in his niece.

  Ava had been all he had hoped for and more. The breakthrough had come sooner than he had expected. She was fabulous with the little girl. Ava was just the person Caroline had needed: not too gushy, not too remote. Lost in thoughts about Ava, he dressed in his navy suit, finished combing his hair and left to wait in the downstairs study.

  He heard a faint rustle and the click of high heels on the polished wood floor. He turned and his breath was gone as if he had received a punch in his middle. He couldn’t keep from staring as he walked toward her.

  “Ah, you look stunning,” he said, crossing the room to her while his gaze went over her sleeveless red dress with a low V-neck and short skirt. Its plain lines hugged her tiny waist. Her hair was looped and pinned on her head with a few loose strands. Desire burned, hot, intense. He wanted to carry her to bed instead of taking her out for the evening, but that was impossible.

  “Thank you,” she replied with a smile.

>   “I won’t be able to see anything or anyone tonight except you. You’re a very special woman.” How could he hold her past summer? He wasn’t going to want to let her go. The idea surprised him, but he was as certain as he could be. He wanted her in his life and the thought of her walking out and saying goodbye was unacceptable. When had he developed such strong feelings for her? When had he ever known a woman as special?

  “Shall we go tell Caroline good-night?” she asked, breaking into his thoughts.

  “Yes. I thought about doing it before I came down, but I wanted to wait until you were ready.” He wanted to do everything with Ava by his side.

  Together they walked upstairs to the playroom. Before they reached the open door, Will stopped her when they heard Caroline’s laughter. His insides squeezed and his throat knotted. Joy and relief rocked him and he tried to control his reaction.

  “Listen,” he said. “I thought I’d never hear that again.” He squeezed his eyes shut. “She’s laughing,” he repeated, thinking her childish laughter was the most wonderful sound in the world.

  He looked at Ava with a burst of gratitude. “I was right about you,” he whispered. “You’ve transformed our lives by finding the way to reach her.” He stared at Ava, certain he had never known a woman he cared as much about. Beautiful, breathtaking and she was so much more. For the first time in his life, he was thinking about a serious, long-term relationship.

  He took Ava’s arm to enter the playroom. Rosalyn sat in a chair while Caroline ran around the room chasing Muffy, who had a toy in her mouth.

  “Uncle Will, look at Muffy,” she cried and laughed again. “Catch her.”

  He didn’t trust his voice for a moment as emotions tore at him. His eyes burned and he was overwhelmed again.

  “She loves for you to chase her,” Ava said, filling in for him when he didn’t speak.

  He pulled himself together. “Want me to catch her?”

  “Yes, please,” Caroline answered.

  “She’s been having a very good time with the dog,” Rosalyn said, smiling broadly at him.

  Will reached out to grab Muffy’s toy, catching a leg of the sock monkey. Muffy gave a playful growl and pulled, shaking her head and yanking the toy away from Will. When she dropped the monkey, Will snatched it up to hand it to Caroline. “Throw it for her, Caroline. She’ll run and get it.”