by Francis Ray
“Remodeling it for our daughter and her husband,” Stella answered when Paul remained silent.
“Maybe you should take your wife inside. I’ll put out an APB, then come in shortly to get more information.” He pushed to his feet. “If you could move your truck out of the street once you have her inside, I’d appreciate it.”
Paul’s arm tightened around her. She wasn’t ready to be away from him either. “I’d rather be with you. We can call Faith together,” she said.
He nodded and led her toward his truck. Stella frowned up at him. What was the matter with him? Why was he so silent?
* * *
Paul couldn’t stop shaking, couldn’t stop the images of Stella being at the mercy of the two thugs. The one who had stolen her rental had been caught trying to use her credit card. Both were in jail, but it shouldn’t have ever happened. The only reason it had was because he’d been angry and wanted his revenge.
And it might have cost her her life. The one who had stolen her car had a knife on him, and had been known to use it on his victims. Paul swiped his shaky hand over his face. He hadn’t been able to continue driving. He kept hearing her desperately calling his name. He’d turned his truck around, knowing he shouldn’t have left her alone.
The police had come and gone at the house. Now, they were back in Stella’s hotel suite with Brandon and Faith.
“Mama, are you sure you’re all right?” Faith continued to ask. “Dr. Anderson can be here in ten minutes.”
“I’m fine,” Stella said, patting her daughter’s hand. “Thank you for not calling Cameron or Duncan. Cam is at the tracks today preparing for his race on Sunday, and this is a busy time on the ranch for Duncan.”
“They’d want to know, Mrs. McBride,” Brandon told her.
“And I’ll tell them in person so they can see that I’m all right.” She looked from Faith to Brandon. “Now that it’s behind me, it wasn’t as scary as it sounded.”
“He had you.” Paul gritted out.
Stella, remarkably calm after what she’d been through, looked at him. “Not for long, thanks to you.”
Paul folded his arms and remained silent. He was having a difficult time reconciling this new, stronger Stella with the mild-mannered, somewhat timid woman he’d known.
“Brandon and I have decided not to proceed with the renovation of—”
“No.” Stella quickly cut Faith off. “And that’s final. I should have had the car key in my hand when I left the house, turned the porch lights on, and been more aware of my surroundings. It won’t happen again. Your father and I will have the house ready in time for Mother’s Day as promised.”
“Mrs. McBride—”
“No, Brandon. Discussion over.” She leaned forward to hug Faith and then Brandon. “I’ll see you both for breakfast at nine in the morning. Good night.”
“I love you, Mama.” Faith stood and went to her father. “You, too. ’Night. I’m so thankful that you were there. That you both are all right.” Her arm around Brandon’s waist and his around hers, they left.
Silence reigned in the suite. “Thank yo—”
“Don’t,” Paul snapped, cutting Stella off.
She clasped her hands together. “All right.”
He blew out a breath, then crossed to her. “You went down in the street. Show me your hands and knees.”
“Because I was frightened for you, my knees gave out.” She held out her hands, then stood up and reached for the snap on her jeans.
“What-what are you doing?” he asked in an unsteady voice, very much aware of what she was doing.
“There’s no way I can get these jeans up over my knees.” Her shoes already off, she slipped the denim over her hips, down her thighs, and over her bare feet. “How do they look to you?”
He intended to check out her knees, but somehow his gaze was caught on the scanty black panties. She’d never worn anything like that before.
“I was coming after you.”
This time his head did come up. “What?”
“I was coming to find you,” she repeated and stepped closer. “I love you, Paul. I’ll keep saying it until you trust me enough to believe it. You don’t have to do anything—well, kissing and making love would be nice—but if you’re not ready, we can talk, hold hands, argue. Whatever it is that you want of me, I’ll do, except go away.”
“You should hate me,” he said, his voice ragged. “I left you there unprotected.”
“And I left you.” She blinked away tears. “At the time, I thought I had reasons. Now, I can’t believe I was ever that insecure or starry-eyed enough to leave you.”
His hands clenched. “I can’t go through that again. I can’t.”
She dropped back into the seat. “I’m sorry, Paul. So terribly sorry.” She was sobbing by the time she said the last word.
He should leave, but he couldn’t make his feet move toward the door. Instead, he knelt on the floor in front of her. If he touched her, he’d be lost. Yet, as he heard her sobs, he realized he’d been lost without her. They both had made mistakes. Perhaps the only way to heal was with each other.
“Don’t.” He reached for her. Her head jerked up. The hope and fear in her eyes tore at his soul. “I never stopped loving you. God knows I tried.”
“Paul.” His name shivered over her lips.
His hand flexed on her bare arm. “Be sure, Stella. I can’t lose you again.”
Her arms curved around his neck, her body trembling, then she began kissing him, crying. “You won’t. You won’t. I don’t want to lose you. I don’t want to go another day without you in my life.” She sat back. “I meant what I said. I’ll do anything you say, anything you want to make you believe in me again. I know it will take time. You just tell me, and it’s done.”
“Go camping with me this weekend, and clean your own fish.” She hated both.
“I’m sure I can find what I need in town,” she said without missing a beat. “Brandon can show me how to clean a fish, so I can help instead of being a bother while we’re there.”
“You never before went fishing with me and the boys or cleaned the fish we brought home,” he reminded her.
She almost smiled. “I can’t honestly say I’ve changed my mind about doing either, but as long as it gets me with you, I’ll have a smile on my face.” She kissed him on both cheeks. “You’ve already given me more than I thought possible.”
“Another chance?”
“That and just us talking.” She kissed him on the lips. “I love you.” Briefly her head lowered. “Please forgive me. I realize nothing I can do or say will make up for what I did. If-if sometimes you … you remember, I’ll understand.”
“No. I can’t do that.”
CHAPTER NINE
She would have lowered her head if not for his strong fingers. “We agree tonight that the past is the past. We move on from this point going forward. If something bothers either of us, we talk it out. Agreed?”
“Agreed. But…”
“What?” he asked.
“We can’t do that if I’m in New York and you’re someplace else,” she said.
“What do you suggest?”
She didn’t hesitate. “I’ll put my apartment on the market and follow you wherever you go.”
He frowned. “The places I stay during the fishing tournaments aren’t fancy.”
“I’ve had fancy and was miserable. I just want you.”
His hand tightened. “I almost went crazy when you left. If not for Faith, I might have. The boys helped, but she was here loving me, telling me it would be all right.”
Tears fell unheeded from Stella’s eyes and rolled down her cheeks. “Nothing I can ever say or do will ever make up for that. Please believe me that I’ll never leave you again. I know where I belong—with you.”
“Stella.” His head pressed against hers. “I want this to work, for the doubts and anger to always stay behind us, for us to always be honest with each other and say what’
s on our minds.”
“I want that as well. Tonight can be a new beginning for us just as Faith said and hoped.” She smiled. “We can get to know each other all over again and have just as much fun. I’m sure Sierra knows a Realtor in New York. I can fly back to pack up my apartment and be back in a couple of days or you can come with me.”
He made a face. “You probably have a lot to pack.”
She didn’t take exception. “I do. When I was lonely, which was most of the time, I shopped.”
“I fished and brooded.” His hand swept over her face again. “I love you, Stella. You won’t ever have to doubt my love again.”
“I love you, too.” She snuggled in his arms. “Remodeling our house brought back so many memories.”
“I sold it because of those memories.” He kissed her on the cheek. “We have a lot to thank Brandon for. Remodeling the house made us face each other with our fears and anger.”
“And our love,” she said. “I’m going to say something utterly selfish since we agreed we’d always be honest and speak what’s on our minds. I wish we had a chance to live there, just for a little while.”
“I think that’s what they intended all along,” Paul said slowly.
“What? But Faith said…” Her voice trailed off. She laughed. “No wonder she wanted my opinion on everything when she’s proven with the hotel and Brandon’s place what an accomplished decorator she is.”
“They gave us a second chance and we’re going to grab it with both hands. With Mother’s Day coming up the timing is perfect.” He took her face in his hands. “We keep moving forward from this moment on. Looking back will eventually destroy what we’re going to build.”
Her lips trembled. Hope and love shone in her watery eyes. “Going to build?”
He smiled. This time it would be forever. “A lifetime of happiness.”
“Paul.” They moved at the same time, their lips fusing.
He lifted his head. Her hold tightened. “You’re not leaving me.”
“I need to go back and get your rings,” he told her.
“You won’t have to.” She knelt on the floor and pulled the rings out of the pocket of her jeans and gave them to him.
He swallowed and slipped the engagement ring on her finger. “I love you, Stella.”
She swallowed before she could speak. “I love you, Paul, completely and forever.”
He kissed her tenderly on the lips, then placed the wedding band in his shirt pocket. “This comes later. First, we’re going to get to know each other again and talk just like you suggested.”
“And when it’s finally on my finger again, it’s never coming off.” Her arms circled his neck, and she leaned into him. “This might sound equally crazy, but I think we should drive back to the house and go into the bedroom together.”
“It’s not crazy at all.” His hand swept up and down her back. “But if you’re doing it for me, I’m free of the anger. Almost losing you—”
“Shh. I’m right here, and now I think I’d like to go to bed. With you.”
He lifted his head. “I’d carry you, but I’m still a bit unsteady.”
She rose and held out her hand to him. “We’ll save that for our camping trip.”
He took her hand. “And for all the years to come.”
She smiled. “Tub or shower, and if it’s the shower I promise not to squeal if you get water in my hair.”
He lifted his hand and ran it through her soft curls. “I did that sometimes just to get a rise out of you.”
“I know.” She led him into the bathroom and unbuttoned his shirt, kissed his chest, sighed. “I love you so very much.”
“I could never have loved another woman the way I love you.” His voice trembled as he unfastened her black bra, pulled it away, then brushed his lips across the rounded curve.
“We-we better get in the shower while I can still stand.” Swallowing, Stella stepped into the walk-in marble shower.
Paul finished undressing and was right behind her. He turned on the twelve sprays and reached for her. Her eyes rounded as she glanced down. His back to the water, he chuckled. “I’m glad everything still works.”
She laughed with him. “And looks impressive as always.” For a long moment they just stared at each other, just enjoying. Stella reached for the soap, lathered her hands, and rubbed them over Paul’s muscled chest. “McBride, you still have a body on you.”
He lathered his hands and washed her as well. “So do you.”
Her hands paused on his lower stomach. “I would have done anything to show you how much I love you.”
His hands tenderly cupped her breasts. “We’ll get a chance to show each other.”
“Paul.” One hand lowered to circle his manhood, the other circled his neck as her hungry mouth found his.
His arms tightened like bands around her, lifted her woman’s softness against his hard arousal. Need swept though him like fire. He’d hungered for this woman, this moment, too long. She twisted in his arms, rubbing her body against his, murmured his name as if the same need raged through her.
“Bed,” he managed.
He turned off the water with one hand, his other unwilling to release her. They stepped out of the shower together. She reached for a towel and ran it over the front of his body. He shivered, groaned as the cloth ran across his throbbing manhood. He took the towel and dried the water from between her breasts, her stomach, and lower. Now, she was the one who trembled.
“Bed,” she said hoarsely.
On shaky legs, they made it to the king-sized bed, both grateful that the maid had already turned down the covers. They fell upon the bed, their mouths fusing in a torrid kiss, their hands gliding over each other’s body. Each remembered the moves, what pleased the other.
Lifting her hips, he entered in one smooth thrust. He sucked in his breath at how good it felt, how right. She moaned his name, her eyes slightly closed, her lips parted. He began to move, the rhythm slow and easy at first, then faster as her body called to his.
This is what she had wanted, needed, desired. The intimacy that went beyond the physical. In his arms, she felt cherished, loved. She wrapped her arms and legs around him and enjoyed. Without him saying a word, she knew he felt the same way. She reveled in the merging of their bodies, his mouth against the side of her neck as he pumped into her again and again.
Soon, she felt her body tighten. She wanted to hold back, to keep enjoying, but the pull was too strong. She felt him stiffen above her and let herself fly with him, fly with the man she’d spend the rest of her life showing how deep her regret, how much she loved him.
His breath gushed out like he’d run for miles. He lifted his head to see a sated smile on her face. He remembered that smile and his pride soared. He still had it. Smiling, he rolled to his side, pulling her so they faced each other.
Her hand swept over his damp face. “Pleased with yourself, I see.”
He kissed her nose. “Because I pleased you.”
“That you did.” She snuggled closer. “I won’t even mind getting up at five to go fishing, although I won’t have time for Brandon to show me how to clean them.”
“I have a better idea.”
She angled her head to look at him. “Whatever it is, I’m in.”
“After breakfast we’ll act like tourists and just have fun,” he said. “Neither one of us have probably done that in a long time.”
“I’d like that.” She rose up on her elbow. “Do you think we should tell the children we’re talking?”
He lifted a brow. “We’re doing more than that.”
Stella giggled. “You’re bad, Paul.”
“Entirely your doing.” He rose up. “We’re going to make it. No half-measures. No looking back. Agreed?”
She swallowed. “Agreed.”
The phone at the bedside rang. “Faith,” they both said.
His arm around Stella, he answered. “Hey, baby?”
“Daddy? I must have
called you by mistake,” Faith said.
“No. This is your mother’s room.”
There was a long pause. “You’re still there? She’s all right, isn’t she?”
“Perfect,” Stella said into the phone.
There was another long silence, then a scream. “Please. Please tell me what I’m thinking is right.”
Stella blushed. Paul grinned. He refrained from saying that it depended on what she was thinking. “Your mother is wearing her engagement ring. When the time is right, it will be joined with her wedding band.”
More happy screaming and laughter. In the background, he heard Brandon’s laughter.
“Thank you, Faith, for leaving them in our old bedroom.” Stella leaned closer to Paul. “They made the difference.”
“I’m so happy,” Faith cried.
“So are we, thanks to you and whoever cooked up this plan to get us back together,” Paul said. “I know the house is for us and we’d like to buy it, and invite everyone for a Mother’s Day dinner.”
“Sierra can help with the title transfer,” Brandon said. “Mrs. McBride, I’ll help with the food.”
“Thanks, Brandon,” Stella said.
“Oh, Daddy, Mama. I can’t wait to call Duncan and Cameron. You’ll probably get more phone calls tonight,” she told them.
“No problem,” her father said. “By the way, your mother and I plan to sightsee tomorrow and just hang out. More than likely we’re going to eat breakfast later, if that’s all right?”
“We’ll see you when we see you. I love you, Daddy and Mama. You’ve just given me the best gift in the world. This will be the best Mother’s Day ever. ’Night,” Faith said.
“’Night, baby.”
“’Night, sweetheart.”
Paul hung up the phone and stared at the tears in Stella’s eyes. He kissed away each one. “Faith was right. This is the new beginning of the rest of our lives together.”
“A new beginning.” Stella leaned in to kiss him just as the phone rang again. Both laughed. Paul reached for the phone, a wide grin on his face. He had the woman he loved, his children, and his grandson. He had everything. The past was behind them: their future ahead of them.
