Her Very Own Family

by Trish Milburn

  KNOWING AUDREY WAS typically up and at work at the crack of dawn, Brady drove into the clearing as the first hints of pink were lightening the sky. He wasn’t surprised that Audrey was already dressed when she stepped out onto the porch.

  “What are you doing here so early?” she asked when he stepped out of his truck. “And what’s with the canoe?”

  “You and I are going for a ride down the creek today,” he said as he walked toward her.

  She shook her head and said, “I have too much—”

  He stopped her objection by putting his index finger against her lips. His heart kicked up a notch at the feel of that softness against his skin. Her eyes widened in response. “No arguments. Even workaholics take a day off now and then. We both could use the break.” How could he sound so practical and matter-of-fact when he wanted to replace his finger with his own lips? When he was freaking out at how Audrey made him feel, all antsy and overheated?

  He lowered his hand and watched as she considered his words. He imagined the war going on inside her head—her natural instinct to spend every waking hour working versus the allure of playing hooky.

  “Fine, but I want to get my camera.” She spun and disappeared into the mill before he could process his shock that she’d caved so easily. He’d been prepared for a long argument and was surprised by how much he was determined to win it.

  He decided not to analyze that too closely as he turned to unload his dad’s canoe.

  Once he had the canoe situated at the edge of the creek and loaded with the paddles and the cooler of food and drinks he’d brought, he straightened to find Audrey striding toward him with a camera bag over her shoulder. An unexpected bout of nervousness hit him. Would they find enough to talk about during their trip? He wasn’t a huge talker, but at the moment he felt like he had absolutely nothing of interest to say. He questioned the outing it was now too late to back out of.

  She glanced up through the trees. “I hate to waste a nice day for working. It’s supposed to rain tomorrow.”

  Brady tried to ignore the stab of disappointment that she considered this trip a waste of time. Of course, she probably hadn’t meant it that way. He was being too sensitive. Sophie would fall all over herself laughing if she knew how he was acting and thinking.

  He had to think of today as a mental-health break for both of them, nothing more. They’d been working long hours without a day off.

  After she seated herself in the canoe, he shoved it into the flow of the creek and jumped in. He took up a paddle as she pulled her camera from its bag and placed it near her feet. She seemed ill at ease and fidgety as she grabbed her own paddle.

  “Is something wrong?”

  She glanced over her shoulder at him for only a moment. “No, just lots on my mind.”

  “That never-ending to-do list?”

  She hesitated, long enough for him not to believe her when she said, “Yeah.”

  “It’ll get done.”

  She fell into silence and he let her. She turned around and started paddling again. He imagined he felt the tension knotted up in her shoulders and fantasized about massaging it away, making her forget all the things that were preventing her from relaxing. Would she moan in pleasure, pushing him to the brink of control? He looked away, wondering how his self-assertion that this trip was nothing more than a break from work had disappeared so quickly.

  After a few minutes of only the sound of the creek’s flow and the birds overhead, she pointed toward the bank on the right. “Can we pull up over there?”

  He steered them to the bank and held the canoe steady as she scampered out with her camera. When she squatted next to a pink wildflower of some sort, he realized she wanted to take some photos. Hey, if that would make her enjoy the day more, he’d turn the canoe into the Wildflower Express.

  After she shot the flower from various angles and distances, she made her way back into the canoe. He started to hold out his hand for her, but she hopped in unassisted. Why did he feel cheated?

  Brady nodded toward the flower. “Tell me if you want to stop again.”

  For the first time that morning, she really looked at him. “Thanks. I probably will want to photograph some more. I plan to put lots of native wildflower pictures in those frames your dad made and hang them all over the café.”

  He scrambled for another question to keep the conversation going. “You do lots of photography?”

  She shrugged. “When I can. I really like it, but I haven’t had much time the past few years.” Her words held an edge of sadness.

  “Well, there’s plenty to take pictures of around here.”

  Audrey offered him a small smile as he climbed in the canoe. “I’m sorry if I’ve been a grump. Guess I’m a little stressed.”

  “Understandable. Can’t say I’ve been without stress lately, either.”

  “You?”

  “Yeah, Craig and I are bidding on several projects. It’s kind of make-or-break time for the new location.”

  “Then why are you here? Shouldn’t you be working?” She sounded guilty, like they should cut their trip short immediately.

  “I have been.”

  “When, after you leave my place at night?”

  He shrugged. “Yeah. Lots of it is paperwork and talking to people on the phone, stuff I can do from here. Plus, Craig and Kelly are holding the fort.”

  “Kelly?”

  “Our intern.”

  “Oh.”

  Brady stared at Audrey’s back. Had he heard what he thought he had? She’d almost sounded jealous.

  He shook his head and made another stroke in the water. He was losing his mind.

  They spent the morning talking about the work on the mill and her plans, safe topics. Every few minutes, Audrey would spot another type of flower and ask Brady to guide the canoe to the bank. Each time he did so, he saw a bit more of her tension fade. After taking several shots of a white flower she called a Rue Anemone, she even gave him a big smile.

  “Those are going to be some awesome shots. The light was perfect.”

  “Why do I suddenly feel like I’m on National Geographic Explorer?”

  She laughed. “I guess this wasn’t what you had in mind for a leisurely float down the creek.”

  “It’s fine. I’m glad to not be working today.” He gestured toward the side of his head. “I was beginning to dream about trips to Lowe’s.”

  “I hope you at least had an unlimited shopping spree in the dream.”

  “Hmm, that sounds more like a dream a woman would have, except to someplace other than Lowe’s.”

  “Are you kidding? I’d love to win a big fat shopping spree there right about now.”

  Brady pictured her directing Lowe’s employees out of the store with new kitchen appliances, lighting fixtures and lumber to build the gazebo.

  A couple of minutes later, he spotted a sandbar in the middle of the creek, one shaded by the overhanging trees. “You hungry?”

  “Actually, yeah.”

  He steered the canoe up on the sandbar. “Then welcome to the Sandbar Café, the best in midstream dining.”

  She chuckled at his fake maitre d’ accent. “Why, thank you. I’ve heard this place is all the rage.”

  As they ate the cold-cut sandwiches and chips, Brady found himself watching Audrey’s mouth and wondering how it would feel to kiss her. The animal instinct side of him threatened to leap across the canoe and kiss her. He’d never had that kind of reaction to a woman before—not even Ginny. It was exciting and scary at the same time.

  Though she seemed to be in a better mood and more relaxed now than earlier, he still sensed that she was holding something back. He fought his instinct to suspect a hidden agenda. After all, why wouldn’t she keep things to herself? It wasn’t as if they were best buddies or lovers and all into sharing deep, dark secrets.

  After they finished eating, Audrey stepped out onto the sandbar and stretched. Brady swallowed hard when that movement caused her T-shirt to
ride up and reveal part of her flat stomach.

  He readjusted himself on his seat and eyed the surface of the creek. No cold shower presented itself, but the creek would suffice. He stood up and shucked his shirt.

  Audrey noticed his action and turned toward him. “What are you doing?”

  “Going for a little swim.” He jumped into the creek and let himself sink.

  AUDREY’S HEART THUDDED against her breastbone when Brady broke the surface of the water, lifted his arm and rubbed his hand back over his hair as he found his footing on the creek bottom. Her mouth ironically went dry as she stared at the expanse of his wet torso. She’d always had an appreciation for a nicely toned male chest, and Brady’s was right up there at the top of the list.

  His eyes caught hers, and for the life of her she couldn’t look away.

  “Come on in,” he said. “Feels good.” He looked up toward the sun. “Today’s going to be a hot one.”

  Going to be? Her skin was already so hot she feared she’d make the creek boil if she stepped into the water.

  “I didn’t wear a bathing suit.”

  “Don’t need one.”

  She swallowed hard.

  “Was that a naughty thought that went through your head?” His smile stretched wide, flustering her.

  “No. I just don’t want to get my clothes wet.”

  “Why? They’ll dry quickly today.” He dialed back the teasing, as if he’d been surprised he’d engaged in it in the first place.

  She eyed the water, imagined how cool it’d feel against her overheated skin. An uncharacteristic urge to ignore common sense overcame her. She realized she’d decided to take the leap, so to speak, when she slipped off her athletic shoes and walked to the water lapping at the sandbar. As if he sensed her nervousness, Brady took a few steps back to give her room.

  The cold of the water made her jump when she edged in the first few steps, but it also felt good as Brady had said it would. She did her best not to look at his wet chest, but she failed miserably. But if she gave in to the desire to run her hands up that chest, she would die of embarrassment. Then she’d run into the forest and hide until he went away.

  “It’s easier if you dive in, get it over with,” Brady said.

  “Huh?” Had he figured out what she was thinking?

  He pointed toward the surface of the water. “The cold. Just dive under and you’ll get used to it quicker.”

  “Oh.”

  He lifted an eyebrow. “You okay?”

  “Yeah, fine.” Unable to stand his scrutiny any longer, she took a breath, held her nose and submerged. When she came back up, she inhaled and squeezed the water from her ponytail.

  “Better?”

  “Yes.” Of course, she hadn’t looked at his chest again. Man, she felt like one enormous hormone. Sure, it’d been months since she’d been with a man, actually more than a year, but giving in to her current desire was a disaster waiting to pounce. No matter how much her body was badgering her to explore just a little.

  Brady lowered his body into the water and swam around to the other side of her, cutting off any possible retreat to the canoe. “Audrey, you seriously need to lighten up. You’re wound so tight, you’re going to pop.”

  “No, I’m not.” Of course, how her voice rose in defense negated her words.

  And Brady knew it. He shook his head. Before she realized what he was up to, he swam toward her, grabbed her hand and pulled her farther into the water so that she had to swim.

  “Hey!” She swatted at him as he swam away. “What was that for?”

  “Your own good.” He smiled, scrambling her brain again.

  Oh, that’s the way it was going to be, was it? She narrowed her eyes at him then dived in his direction. He evidently hadn’t expected it, because his late attempt to get out of the way failed. Audrey took the advantage and pushed him under before trying to make a quick getaway.

  Trying, that was the operative word.

  Brady resurfaced in a matter of moments and dunked her in turn.

  She came up sputtering. “Oh, you’re in for it now.”

  “Yeah, I’m scared.” He laughed, making her more determined to get the upper hand.

  They circled each other, and when she couldn’t find an opportunity to strike she splashed water in his direction instead. This only made him laugh more. Instead of biding her time, she let that laughter get to her and she made a dive for him. This time he moved out of the way and grabbed her on her way down.

  Audrey stiffened as she realized how close he held her, his firm chest pressing against her soaked shirt. She caught his gaze, and neither of them averted their eyes. Move away, move away, her brain screamed at her. But she couldn’t. She didn’t want to. She wanted exactly what she knew was about to happen, and her eyes drifted shut a breath before Brady’s warm, wet lips touched hers.

  She moaned as he wrapped his arms more firmly around her and pulled her closer. Her whole body tensed in the most delicious way, and she slid her arms around his neck as he deepened the kiss.

  Oh, it’d been so long since she’d felt this kind of thrumming awareness and need. A fantasy of making love on the sandbar flitted through her mind before the movement of Brady’s hands on her back dashed the ability to think.

  “Is this okay?” he whispered against her lips, his breath making them tingle.

  “Mmm-hmm.” She moved so that she could feel more of him.

  He needed no further encouragement and delved into another kiss, his hand holding her head.

  She kissed him back with a crazy need she only now realized she’d been keeping caged since she met him. She didn’t really believe in love at first sight, but lust? That was another matter altogether. Was she capable of having a purely physical relationship?

  She didn’t know, but right now she was willing to try.

  When Brady broke the kiss to breathe, he pressed his forehead to hers. “I’ve been wanting to do that for a while.”

  “Really?” she said, sounding out of breath.

  “Yeah. Don’t sound so surprised. You’d make a saint melt,” he said with a voice gone husky with desire.

  She blushed then initiated another quick kiss. “You’re not hard on the eyes, either.” Or the mouth.

  Brady cradled her face in his big hands. “Then I should have dunked you in the creek sooner.” He cut off her response with yet another mind-disabling kiss before growling and pulling away.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “As much as I’d like to continue this, we’re supposed to meet Dad at the takeout point in about an hour. If we’re late, we’ll never hear the end of it.”

  Audrey tried not to let her disappointment, or her arousal, show as they stole a few more kisses before getting back in the canoe and heading downstream. Maybe if they got back to the mill before the headiness of the kissing wore off, they could send Nelson home and indulge in a little more.

  Her thoughts went to her bed in the mill’s attic, and she wondered if she could go through with sex for sex’s sake. She pushed away thoughts of wanting more, of how she was opening herself up to pain again. If Brady found out about her mother and looked at her differently, if he pulled away, could she bear to stay at the mill he’d helped her refurbish?

  When Brady stopped paddling, she turned to see what was wrong. He surprised her by being so close.

  “I wanted another one of these before we reach the old man.” He took her face in his hands again and kissed her like they were facing the end of time. When he pulled away, he chuckled at what must be an addled expression on her face.

  As they rounded a bend in the creek and she spotted Nelson’s pickup, she fought to wipe her silly grin away. Even if she and Brady couldn’t continue what they’d started this afternoon, she was pretty sure she was going to have some hot dreams tonight.

  She buried her smile when they floated a little farther downstream and she noticed Nelson wasn’t alone. He stood next to his truck while a blond woman and
two little blond girls sat swinging their legs on the tailgate.

  “Who are they?” she asked Brady under her breath.

  “My sister and nieces.”

  “Oh.” Was their presence a good or bad thing? Disappointment that getting rid of Nelson just got a lot harder flowed through her.

  “Uncle Brady!” the little girls squealed in unison and waved with enthusiasm.

  “Hey, rugrats.”

  “About time you two got here,” Nelson said in fake exasperation as they pulled up to the gravel takeout point. “A man could grow old waiting.”

  “You’re already old,” Brady said as he stepped out of the canoe and pulled it farther out of the water so Audrey could step out.

  Nelson grabbed the ever-present towel hanging from his belt and snapped it against Brady’s arm. Audrey smiled to see the teasing between father and son, a good sign that maybe they were beginning to heal from their recent loss. They’d no doubt have bad days ahead, but at least bright spots made appearances, too.

  Just like today in her life. She’d been so afraid of the past catching up to her that she’d forgotten she should be enjoying the present. Wasn’t that what moving to Willow Glen and reimagining the mill was all about, starting a new, better life? Maybe she needed to take a few chances outside of the leap of faith regarding her new business.

  “You must be Audrey,” Brady’s sister said as she approached her and offered her hand. “I’m Sophie. And these two,” she said as she pointed to where her daughters had wrapped their arms around their uncle’s legs, “are Annie and Bethany.”

  Audrey shook Sophie’s hand and noticed how much she looked like her brother, but in a lovely, feminine way where Brady was all hunky male. “Nice to meet you. Sorry to have kept Brady from his uncle duties.”

  Sophie made a dismissive gesture with her hand. “No need to apologize. If he spoils these two any more, I won’t be able to stand living with them.”

  Still, as Audrey watched Brady and Nelson load the canoe, she wanted to make some gesture of friendship to these newly met members of the Witt family.