by Robin Bayne
The phone rang, and Tia picked it up as she emptied a tray of cubes. “Crane and Cardinal.”
Ice cubes flew across the counter, some scurrying onto the floor. Tia turned to Colt, holding the phone out from her body. Her voice cold enough to keep his ankle from swelling, Tia said, “It’s for you. It’s Cami.”
Colt’s temple began to pound, picking up a nice rhythm with the throbbing in his ankle. The kitchen phone was cordless, and Tia dropped it in his lap when he didn’t refuse the call.
Colt hesitated until Tia shook her hand at him, indicating he should pick it up, so he put the receiver to his ear, a sound he didn’t like escaping his throat. “Yeah?”
“Hello, Colt.” Cami’s voice filtered softly through the phone, tinged as it was with amusement.
“Hi.” He wasn’t sure what to say. Tia’s presence only tied his tongue up worse. He half expected to hear evil music start playing. “What’s up?”
“I have some paperwork for you. How are you getting along with my sister?”
“Just mail it.” Colt growled the words. His ankle throbbed harder.
“We’ll see. Tell me; is she standing there, listening, tapping her nails on something?”
Colt glanced at Tia, and smiled as a wave of tenderness hit him. “She’s here.”
“Really, Colt, do you know I had to hear it from Liz that you and Tia were shacking up? After all we’ve been through together, you should have told me.”
“Should have told you?” Colt slid his chair back and started to stand, but sat again as his ankle demanded. “Should have told you?” His attention returned fully to the woman on the phone. She had to be kidding. He turned away from Tia, trying to formulate something to say, anything to clear up Cami’s misconceptions.
Finally she spoke again. “Colt, are you there?”
He wanted to pace, the cordless phone would make it too easy. “Do you really want to discuss what things should have been told, and when, and to whom?”
Silence.
Nothing. Only the sounds of Tia retrieving the ice cubes from the floor and tossing them into a plastic cup.
Colt had the random thought that he’d actually used the word “whom.” When it quieted, he twisted around and saw Tia had left the room. Only the flapping kitchen curtains moved.
“You’re right. I should have told you.”
Her admission stunned him. “Told me what?”
“Exactly what you’re implying. I should have told you right in the hospital that you were Tia’s man, not mine. I shouldn’t have told George you and I were together. As I told Tia the other night when I called, I really am sorry, Colt. For all of it.”
“Uh-huh.”
Cami sighed. As if she had the right. “Can I come out and see you?”
Colt needed that ice, so he moved to the sink where Tia had left the cup. He tried to ignore the heat that radiated from his ankle to his thigh, and looked out at the deserted pool. “Probably not a good idea.” He poured cubes into a clean dishrag, and then saw Tia leave her room by the slider and curl up on one of the deck loungers. “Look, I gotta go. Mail me whatever and I’ll sign it.”
Another sigh hissed through the line. “OK. I understand. Go get her, Colt.”
He decided to do just that. When he reached Tia’s not-so-private hiding place, he felt a tug when he saw her still curled in a fetal position. “Hey. I’d ask you to take a walk with me,” he said, and sat at the edge of the shallow end, and let his foot dangle in the cool water. “But I don’t think my body would be pleased.”
Tia’s legs relaxed, like a kitten stretching after a long nap. “How is your ankle?” She sat up, facing him.
Light was dwindling but Colt saw that she’d been crying. He internally chastised himself, but found it didn’t help. He did nothing but cause her pain. The ankle was so minor in comparison. “It’s better. Thanks.” Looking around to avoid her probing gaze, he noticed the telescope set up in the corner. “It would have been a good time to check out the stars. Tonight.” Cold water eased the tightness in his joint, and he felt the whole leg start to relax.
“Yeah.”
“Can’t you even talk to me, Tia?” He gave the water a vicious kick, and then winced at his own stupidity. He could taste the chlorine he’d just splashed.
Long moments passed with only the chirp of crickets.
“What would you have me say?” Tia eased to the edge of her lounger, and her nails found the plastic arm rests and began to tap out a tune to match the noisy insects. “I can say I think we’re ready for tomorrow.”
Colt stared into the pool, mesmerized by how quickly the ripples he’d stirred had settled.
Tia stopped tapping. “And I think I’m ready for tonight.”
He watched her go, waited a few moments and followed her into the house, determined to stick with his good intentions.
~*~
The door to her suite hung open, and Colt strode in as if that were invitation enough, his sensitive ankle ignored. Lit only by a row of little candles on the fireplace mantle, the bedroom was dim, the air cool. He saw the glass doors to her private balcony were also open, moving back and forth with the breeze, letting in the bugs and humidity. Following the chirp of crickets, he crossed the room.
“You know it’s over, don’t you?” Colt spread his arms in the frame of the patio sliders, watching Tia on her balcony soaking up moonlight. He kept his weight on his good foot. “Cami was a long time ago. I was a different person then.” And that was true, if memories made the person.
She nodded, but kept her face hidden in the night. Tia’s figure called to him from the wood railing where she leaned on her elbows, chin in hand.
“If she hadn’t called...” Tia’s voice quivered.
“She just needs me to sign a piece of paper, about our lease or something. That’s it.” Colt moved closer, his bare feet quiet on the smooth planks. He was grateful for the waning moon that had yet to cloud over.
“Why can’t she mail it?”
A reasonable question, but Colt had no answer. He shrugged and then realized she couldn’t see him behind her. “Tia? Forget her, please. I have. And you know I don’t want to say that about many things.” Even as he spoke he knew that was impossible, for both of them. “What are you doing out here?”
This time she shrugged.
“Come inside? It’s getting cold.” Her hair smelled of vanilla, and something flowery, and he tugged a lock with his teeth.
She shivered, and Colt reached up, brushing her cheek with his hand. “You’re freezing.”
“No,” she said, turning in his grasp to face him. “I’m not.”
Colt leaned in, touching his forehead to hers and lightly rubbing her arms. “No one’s here tonight, the guests are asleep.” he said. “It’s just you and me, the innkeepers.”
“The crane and the cardinal?”
“Yeah.” He nibbled her ear. “Just like the sign says.” He knew he didn’t deserve this chance. He’d given up Tia years ago, when he’d had no memory of her and had decided her sister was the one for him. Being with Tia tonight was a gift.
“Thanks for doing the kitchen tonight,” she said, focusing skyward on what he thought might be the Big Dipper. And he must be the biggest dip of all.
OK, he could take a hint. What was the matter with him? He’d decided they would wait. He swallowed hard, ran a hand through his hair, and took a mental giant step back. What could he talk about? “Thanks for making the lasagna earlier. Your own recipe?”
“Yeah.”
“I think we’re ready for the reception tomorrow. Your cooking is amazing, although I’m not really thinking about food right now. The place looks great. We’ve done well by our guests.”
She slapped her leg, and Colt looked around, spying more candles on the picnic table. He had matches in his pocket from lighting the grill for the lunch burgers, and used them to light a series of round citronella candles. The acrid scent rose up and bit his nose before he ba
cked away, hoping Tia would move in front of the flickering light.
~*~
An owl hooted in the trees beyond Tia’s balcony, and she tapped the railing, punctuating Colt’s words of compliment. It had been eight years since she’d felt his touch. Eight long years, an engagement and a break-up, for him, and here they were, together again.
He still smelled of pine and something musky, with a dash of sawdust added in. She liked it. Tia decided she’d like him closer, despite common sense screaming at her to go inside, to put some clothes between them. The not-so-sensible part of her wanted to be with him again. She silenced her nails.
“Come here,” she whispered, curling her index finger like a wanton calling her prey as she backed against the railing. He moved in front of her, effectively imprisoning her against the rough cedar. “Is your ankle feeling better, Colt?”
“Mm? What ankle?” His nose burrowed into her neck, covering it with kisses that boggled her brain.
But she had to say something else, so she pulled him up by his hair, forcing him to meet her gaze. “You need another haircut.”
He looked puzzled. “OK.”
“And Colt? Don’t ever leave me again.”
He snorted, bringing her hard against him. “Tia, I never meant to. You know I lost my mind. Thank God, you came back,” he said.
He wasn’t alone in his pleasure. Tia smiled. “Thank God, you remembered.” She wanted this feeling back, forever, this sense of safety and warmth she felt with Colton Reece. Even before that fateful night when he’d saved her from drowning, she’d had no fears when his strong arms had been holding her.
“Tia?”
Startled back to the present, Tia felt a surge of emotions as she looked up into Colt’s gray eyes. “Yes?”
“We’re waiting and doing it right this time. Forever.”
Before she lost her own control, she nodded, and thought she heard him whisper, “I love you.”
~*~
Colt awoke early, even before Tia could rise for her morning swim. He poured water into the coffeemaker and then brushed away what had splashed with his thumb. It was barely light out and he was the alone in the kitchen. The few guests were still asleep.
Tia was still asleep in her own bed, which he’d thought about all last night. Had she lain awake as he had, thinking about what had happened?
Propping his foot on a chair, Colt yanked his pant leg up and checked the size of his ankle. It looked normal to him, and he rolled it a few times to be sure. The popping sound he heard was normal, for him.
The machine stopped fizzing and Colt grabbed a mug, filled it, and headed outside to check on the platform, grabbing his favorite hammer from the counter where he’d left it. He stood staring, coffee forgotten.
Cami’s purple car sat in the driveway, casting a shadow over the entire lot. She backed away from the vehicle, wrenching a huge duffel bag from the back seat. She’d cut her hair short, he noticed, wondering if it was normal that he had no feelings for this woman who’d once been his world--just a distinct anxiety that she would be causing trouble in his new home. The door slammed, and she turned toward Colt, waving her free hand.
But it wasn’t her arm that caught his attention. Colt dropped his hammer, heard it clank to the ground as if in the distance. He forced his mouth closed, his tongue dry, pasty.
Cami waddled near, smiling. She was very, very pregnant. As in, close to term. Cami smiled wider at Colt, who stood stock-still.
At least he’d managed to close that gaping mouth.
“Hello, Colt.” Cami sat her bag at his feet, near his forgotten hammer.
“Camilla,” he said, nodding, arms crossed in front of his chest. “I would ask to what we owe this surprise, but I guess it’s obvious.” He leaned against a wooden arch.
“Ohhh, using my given name,” she said, and glanced toward the structure. “You build this?”
Colt nodded again. “We’re having a wedding here. Today.”
“Today. You don’t mean…”
Colt grunted, bent and retrieved the hammer. “No, it’s not my wedding. Why are you here? Have you even taken my name off your lease yet?”
“We opened joint accounts, and I need access. I have some papers for you to sign, one of which is the lease addendum.”
“Well, I have to finish tacking up this flower stuff and get this arch in place. Then I’ll look at your papers.”
~*~
“Oh, please, don’t let me stop you.” Cami shifted her weight, the pressure growing in her bladder. The temperature was climbing steadily and her clothes stuck to her skin. “Where’s Tia?”
Colt stopped and looked at her, his eyes cold, distant. “She can’t afford a confrontation today. In fact, it might be better if you left and came back another day.”
“I understand. I promise I won’t say a word to her today beyond hello.” She gripped her stomach. “Oh! He kicked! Colt, you want to feel it?”
Colt stepped backward. “Cami,” he said, growling more than speaking. “What are you really doing here?” He reached out to clasp her wrist. “If you have something to tell me, you’d better do it right now.”
“Yes,” she said, shifting her weight from foot to foot. “You should know I’m going to pee on your lawn if you don’t let me go.”
He released her instantly.
“Colt,” she said, moving closer to him, “You know it’s not your baby.” Cami sighed and patted her stomach. “I’ve met someone. Pete’s wonderful, and he understands about our previous relationship. He wants to marry me. I’ve changed.”
He grabbed her by the wrist again, keeping their bodies far apart, and tugged her toward the back entrance of the house. Colt released her in the hall, in front of the powder room door.
“Thanks,” she whispered, reaching for the doorknob.
Tia appeared, gazed at her sister’s belly, and then at him before she sucked in her breath.
“Be right out. The baby’s on my bladder.”
Colt watched Tia’s mind work, watched the expressions of surprise, disbelief, and then horror cross her pretty features. He reached out to her, feeling helpless until he could allay her fears. Letting out a breath he hadn’t realized he'd been holding, Colt took Tia’s arm, felt the cool skin. She looked frozen, and time seemed to be moving in slow motion, even the clock chiming the hour sounded sluggish. “Tia,” he began, “come out to the kitchen so we can talk. It’s not what you think.”
“Yeah,” she spit out, coming back to life. She shook off his hand. “I’m sure it’s not.” Whirling, she disappeared into the depths of the house, leaving an almost visible void.
He wanted to go after her, holler out the truth if she wouldn’t listen, but his boots felt glued to the floor. It would be easier if she would calm down first, get used to the idea that her sister had shown up, then he could tell her that Cami was not carrying his baby. Then he’d help her get ready to cater a wedding.
~*~
Curled in a tight ball, Tia rocked, her stomach clenched, her knuckles white where they gripped her knees. Slight ripples tossed the little boat to and fro, but she didn’t bother to steady herself.
Not only was Cami back, she was extremely pregnant. As the pulse pounded in her temples, she tilted her head up to keep the tears from spilling out. It was the post-accident trauma all over again.
Water slapped at the sides of the craft, thrusting it against the unfinished pier. It was almost like this was destined to happen. She’d finally let Colt back into her life, and now this. How stupid could she be?
The smell of brackish water settled over in a humid cloud, and she decided to let the tears just spill out, so maybe her eyes wouldn’t get too red. She did have to work this afternoon, regardless of the turmoil going on in her personal life. She wiped her face with the hem of her tank top, and when the shirt was soaked, she sat up and looked around.
Bleary-eyed, she straightened her spine. She was tired of feeling sorry for herself. She was a big girl
and could handle this. God would help her handle it.
If Colt was going to be a father, and he hadn’t denied it, well then, he needed to prepare. And that couldn’t include her. She didn’t know quite how they’d manage the inn, but it could be done without them being personally involved. Isn’t that what she’d convinced herself of when she’d bought in to the place?
If Cami and Colt were having a baby, Tia would not stand in their way. No, sir. She hefted herself out of the dinghy and onto the side of the pier, scooting gingerly so she wouldn’t add splinters to her misery.
She could be businesslike, and had to start immediately. First, she’d make sure the arch and platform were precisely in place; if not, she’d ask Jake or Tim to move them. Then she’d check on her appetizers in the ‘fridge and send Liz to the bakery. She had paper streamers to hang all over the place, and she’d do it herself instead of asking Colt as she’d planned. She would not fall apart as she had after the accident. She could do it all herself. Please, God.
A lone bird swooped close by, probably searching for food. He made a sad, trilling sound before flying away, and Tia knew just how he felt.
~*~
Colt couldn’t find Tia. He’d searched the inn, and ended up back in the kitchen where he’d started. Maybe he shouldn’t have given her those extra minutes to compose herself. Had she taken off on foot after getting an eyeful of Cami’s belly? Her car was still in the garage.
“Colt!” Liz stormed through the back door, armed with a flat box and a covered tray.
Jake followed her with shopping bags he dumped on the counter. “Heading out to set up the tables and chairs.”
“Hey, Liz,” Colt said, wincing at how wounded his own voice sounded. He didn’t feel very macho. Thoughts of Tia kept playing through his mind. Since he’d started remembering, he had a terrific collection of Tia memories. Maybe he’d keep the new ones he’d made with her last night, ones he could file away for when he was alone again. But the mature part of him wanted to wait until they were legal. He had hoped to propose to her tonight.
