At least that’s what Hayden thought she had said in two-year-old-speak. As she glanced over at Hutton, the little girl started clapping her hands together as soon as she spotted the county patrol car rolling past with its lights flashing, kicking off the start of the Homecoming parade. From their perch sitting on the back of Max Bingham’s pickup truck, parked in front of the Diner, they had a front row seat. As soon as Hutton heard the band, as if on cue, she came over and plopped down onto Hayden’s lap.
At the first notes from the high school marching band, Hutton began to bounce to the music, a rendition of The Contender, a song probably chosen to gear up the fighting spirit of the football team in anticipation for their game later that evening. But Hutton could’ve cared less what song they played as long as it was loud. The girl loved music, loved to dance and for a little bitty thing, had rhythm.
For the first time in almost ten years, Hayden listened to a fight song played by a group of kids dressed in their white shirts and jeans as they marched down Main Street. It took her back to another time and place to Champaign, Illinois, when she and Sydney had participated in a similar event. Both had played the clarinet and both had done plenty of marching.
She thought back to the night Ethan had played guitar and she’d discovered his incredible vocals. How long had it been since she’d picked up a sheet of music? He’d pursued what he enjoyed doing. She’d followed…what? Her love of money? Her bliss certainly hadn’t been in accounting.
Rather emotional at the memory of her old self once upon a time, Hayden’s vision blurred with tears.
Ethan came to a stop from a good twenty feet away and watched Hayden as her eyes grew moist and tears leaked down her cheeks. He saw her wrap her arms tighter around Hutton as if she might need the little girl as an anchor.
He stood there more than a little perturbed wondering where exactly she had gone during those few minutes. Wherever it was it had made her cry. That alone didn’t upset him. What did was the fact that he couldn’t ask her about it. She’d made it clear, more than once, she didn’t want questions about her past.
The minute she looked up and spotted him, wearing his tan official uniform, she began to wipe at her wet face. He recognized the moment she went on alert and resented it. But those images in his head of a parking garage had him tamping down his annoyance. Instead, he walked over, leaned down and brushed his lips against her forehead. “How’s it going, Hayden? Who do we have here?” he said to Hutton.
Hutton went into her shy mode, burrowing closer to Hayden’s body.
But when Hayden pointed out that the cheerleaders on the flatbed trailer being pulled by a Dually were throwing out candy, the little girl went from reticent to talkative in a heartbeat. Hutton forgot about her shyness and scrambled to pick up as many pieces of candy that were now landing in the back of the truck aimed there just for her. Soon she had her fists full of Tootsie Rolls and Starbursts.
Hayden laughed at Hutton’s exuberance. “I think, Deputy Dawg, you’ve finally found a female who doesn’t fawn all over you.”
Next to her ear, he whispered, “I’m hoping, come tonight, you’ll fawn over me, Hayden. Whaddya say?”
“I might. But first we have to get our babysitting chores out of the way, which includes bath time and reading her a story.”
Before Ethan could respond, Harold Boedecker called out to get his attention. “Hey, Ethan. A couple of kids over at the pier are tossing firecrackers into the water. You better get over there.”
Ethan rolled his eyes, leaned over. “I’ll be finished here around five, sooner if I can manage it. You call me though if anyone shows up looking for trouble out there, okay?”
Hayden snickered. “The only person I know looking for trouble is you, Ethan Cody. Fortunately for me, I have your number though.” She brushed her lips quickly against his mouth before whispering, “I bought a black teddy online a week ago. UPS delivered it yesterday morning.”
“You’ve got a mean streak, you know that, Hayden. I still have five hours to think about that image.”
“Probably longer, what with babysitting duties and all. Anticipation is half the fun.”
She watched him reluctantly stroll off to his patrol car until she finally turned back to Hutton, chuckling at the look of lust she’d left on his face.
By the time a classic Camaro convertible rolled past carrying the Homecoming queen, who sat atop the back seat waving at the sparse crowd, Hutton was already bored and restless. She needed lunch and a nap.
Hayden climbed down off the truck as she followed Margie and Max into the Diner, where she intended to take care of getting Hutton fed.
Hayden was in the kitchen a little after five o’clock when she heard Ethan’s truck pull into the driveway. Anticipation had her belly fluttering. But when the sound had Hutton for the tenth time in an hour asking about mommy and daddy and where they were, Hayden’s heart went out to the little girl. Even though the toddler had spoken to both mommy and daddy earlier on the phone when they’d called after checking into the hotel, Hayden still wanted to reassure her.
“That’s Ethan, Hutton. You remember Ethan from the parade. He’s here for supper. You want to help me set the table?”
Luckily, that took the baby’s mind off missing mommy and daddy at least for ten minutes.
Hayden’s Crock-Pot chicken had the house smelling like Chinese takeout, which in turn had her feeling a certain amount of pride at making a meal from scratch. She set the rice in the cooker to steam.
When Ethan came through the back door, she felt the immediate harder pull to her lower belly and wondered if she would ever get used to that little pang of desire she felt every single time she set eyes on the man.
And just like that, from across the room their eyes zeroed in on each other.
He was holding a garment bag draped over his shoulder, a reminder that he was spending the night. She watched as he hung the bag on the peg by the door, unstrapped his weapon, and placed it inside the top shelf of the kitchen cabinet, well out of reach of the baby.
When Hutton toddled up to him, he bent down and picked her up. “Well, what have we got here? Look what I found, Hayden, a gorgeous little bundle with big blue eyes waiting for me.”
By mouthing to him without words, Hayden let Ethan know, “She’s missing mommy and daddy so do not mention Nick and Jordan at all.”
“Ah, got it. Why don’t you show me your doll, Hutton? Where’s your doll? Go get your doll so I can see if she’s as pretty as you are.”
As soon as the baby wanted down and took off to get her doll, Hayden breathed a sigh of relief. “That was thinking on your feet. Thanks. She was so close to crying when she heard your truck pull in. She thought it was Nick and Jordan. And it isn’t the first time today she’s gotten weepy. I’m not sure what I’m going to do for two more days when she’s missing them this much.”
He came up behind her at the counter and kissed the back of her neck. “Have you heard from them?”
“They called from the hotel, got there safely. She talked to them for over five minutes. But then she went room to room looking for them. It broke my heart. I was able to get her mind off of them long enough by playing some music and dancing with her, but I’m not sure it’ll work every time.”
Not knowing a whole lot about kids, he said the only thing he could think of. “I guess we’ll have to take it day by day. Get through tonight; keep her busy tomorrow and the next so she won’t think of…you-know-who. All quiet out here?”
“Nothing but peace and solitude in the country. How about you? Did you arrest anyone today, Ethan?”
“Nope. If I had I’d still be doing paperwork in Santa Cruz.”
“Hmm, not fond of paperwork, huh?”
“No cop I know likes paperwork.” He nibbled on her ear. “What smells so good?”
“Ginger chicken.”
“No kidding?” He picked up the lid on the pot, inhaling the aroma. “You make this yourself?”
“No, the food fairy delivered it about an hour ago.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m getting a little tired of everyone thinking I’m totally brain-dead when it comes to the kitchen. I told you, I’ve been practicing.”
“Aww, I like it when you get all indignant. It smells delicious.”
“Thanks. Now if the rice turns out as well as the chicken…” About that time Hutton came running back in with her doll. Both of them focused their attention on the baby. While Ethan made a game out of playing hide-and-seek with Hutton, Hayden threw a salad together and put the finishing touches on supper.
By the time they sat down to the table, the toddler was in a better frame of mind. And thinking ahead, Hayden had fixed chocolate tacos for dessert which provided that extra incentive to get the baby to finish her rice and chicken.
They cleaned up the kitchen together, even Hutton helped load the dishwasher.
But later, when Jordan called around seven-thirty, even though Hayden did her best to sound upbeat, she had to eventually explain to the worried mother how much the baby missed them and how hearing her voice over the phone earlier, had sent her looking into every room downstairs for them.
“She’s fine now. She’s had her bath and Ethan and I are about to read her a story.”
“This is the first time I’ve left her alone with a sitter for this long. Nick and I didn’t even have a honeymoon because we were just getting the B & B going. I didn’t realize how hard this would be on both of us. I was so excited about the trip in the car, but now…”
Hayden glanced over to make sure Ethan had the baby occupied with one of her dolls before explaining in a gentle tone, “Listen, Hutton is just fine, more than fine. I’m just trying to tell you that hearing your voice right now may set her off again. The next two days, Ethan and I will keep her busy so she’s not asking about you and Nick every five minutes.” She tried to redirect the conversation. “Are you and Nick having a good time, Jordan?”
Jordan’s voice cracked. “We were.”
“Then keep doing what you’re doing, keep enjoying this time alone together. Think of it as your long overdue, but fairly abbreviated honeymoon. With another baby on the way, who knows how long it will be before you get this opportunity again. If it will make you feel any better, it’s okay if you call fifteen more times tonight. But I bet in thirty minutes she’ll be fast asleep and she won’t know you’re an hour and a half away.”
Hayden heard Jordan sniffle. “Okay, but call me if she so much as wakes up, no matter what time it is.”
Hayden chuckled at that. After another five minutes of assurances, she finally managed to get off the phone.
From the sofa Ethan looked over and grinned. “That was some nervous mother.”
Hayden put her fingers to her lips and shook her head. “Shhh. No mention of m-o-m-m-y. She was crying about not being here. That is so sweet.”
After getting Hutton to bed, they settled in front of the fire with a glass of wine to watch a movie. Ethan dug out the Casablanca DVD, the film they’d both agreed on during dinner.
As the credits rolled on the flat-screen TV, Ethan told her, “You did a good job with the food. You’ve come a long way in a short amount of time. The chicken was great, the chocolate taco an inspiration.”
“That was out of necessity. Jordan clued me in that Hutton loves them and can be bribed. Besides, I’m a quick study.”
“Me, too.” He nuzzled her ear, nibbled on her jaw. “Whaddya say we make out to As Time Goes By?”
“Is that all you ever think about?”
Ethan busted out laughing. “I’m pretty sure it is. I’ve had that image of you wearing a teddy on my brain since this afternoon. As I see it, it’s really your fault.”
Glancing down at the bulge in his pants, Hayden snickered in his ear. “Hmm, I don’t think you need much incentive.”
He started sucking on her neck. “How many times have you seen this movie?”
“About two dozen.”
“Me, too. What are we still doing on the couch when there’s a nice bed upstairs where we could get horizontal? Besides after patrolling Pelican Pointe and keeping law and order all afternoon, I need a shower.”
“Then what are we waiting for?”
“Now you’re talking, which room do we get? Point me in that direction and I’ll take my stuff up.”
“The infamous Sand Dollar Room. The one I stayed in the first night I got here. You remember that, don’t you? Back when you thought I aimed to plunder and steal from Nick and Jordan first chance I got.”
His lips curved at the memory. “Yeah, well, I had a change of heart.”
“Change of heart my ass, you were wrong Ethan Cody. Admit it!”
“I love it when your green eyes fire up.” He moved closer to her on the sofa, teased her lips apart to deepen the kiss. Her mouth felt warm, the taste a mix of dark chocolate and red wine. He drew the kiss out, need springing up between both of them.
“That’s it! I’ll grab the baby monitor, check on Hutton, and meet you upstairs in five minutes.”
He shot off the couch, grabbed the remote, putting an end to the movie, and switched off the TV. He headed to the kitchen to get his garment bag still hanging by the back door. “It won’t take me five minutes to lock up. And don’t forget to put on the black thingy,” he reminded her over his shoulder.
When he heard her laugh, he added, “On second thought, don’t even bother with it.”
“Are you kidding? I paid a day’s worth of tips for that tiny scrap of lace, I’m wearing it―eventually.”
“Fine. Then I’ll just have to rip it off.”
“Promises, promises,” she challenged as she headed down the hallway to check on Hutton, chuckling to herself all the way.
The minute Ethan set foot in the kitchen, he went about checking to make sure all the doors were locked, including the one in the laundry room. He grabbed the change of clothes he’d brought, and on instinct, took out his .45 from its hiding place in the cabinet. With naked thoughts of Hayden running through his head, he didn’t linger. Instead he dashed upstairs via the back staircase, taking the steps two at a time and set out to locate the Sand Dollar Room.
Thanks to a little gold plaque on each bedroom door indicating which room was which, Ethan stepped inside. He went to the closet, hanging up his garment bag on the rod and stowed his gun on the top shelf. Heading into the bathroom, he quickly began to shed his uniform. He turned on the shower. While the water heated, he took out his shaving kit.
By the time Hayden strolled into the room, she heard the shower running. She set the baby monitor on the dresser, and began pulling off her top, jeans, and underwear. When she opened the door to the bathroom, she stopped to listen. Ethan stood behind the curtain―singing the song, As Time Goes By.
With the tune drifting in her ears, she stretched back the curtain enough to step into the tub. Seeing his skin wet and slick, her heart did a little extra bumpity-bumpity. And they hadn’t even touched each other yet.
All singing ended in mid-tune. Ethan narrowed his eyes and pulled her to him. Around steam and swirling mist, he took her mouth. It thrilled him to see the green of her eyes darken with sheer lust. He backed her up against the wet slate and was inside her in two seconds.
“Hang on,” he said as he grabbed her hips and hoisted her up. She wrapped her long legs around his waist.
Plunging, diving, Ethan took them both up and then over, driving slow and then fast. She rode out the pleasure in all its glorious heat.
Afterward, Ethan could feel her body still quivering and pulsing.
“Well.” She dropped her head to his chest. “We got that out of the way pretty quick.”
“Hmm, sorry. It’s just…I’ve wanted you all day.”
Her fingers stroked his face. “Not complaining here.”
He laughed, telling her, “I think you’re clean from the inside out.”
“Since you’re so thorough, why don’t you wash my back?”
/>
“Hmm, how about if I start right…what is this on your hip?” He turned her around to stare at the little cluster of freckles in the shape of a bear. “How come I didn’t see that before?”
“It’s a birthmark.”
“I’ll be damned. It looks like a bear. Are you sure you don’t have Native blood somewhere in your gene pool.”
She chuckled. “I’m pretty sure I’d know if I did.”
Later, they were sprawled in the king-sized bed, working up to round two when Hayden looked over at him and saw questions form in his dark eyes. It had been happening a lot lately, especially after they made love.
She took a deep breath, blew it out. “Come on, Ethan, something’s been bothering you. I see it on your face. I saw it again today at the parade and now...what’s wrong?”
“Hayden, you know I said it didn’t matter about your past.”
Her belly tightened. It felt like her heart might drop out of her chest. She’d been afraid of this moment, the moment when the secrets she kept would be too much for a cop to handle. “But it does, of course it does,” she finally managed to squeak out.
“Some. Keep an open mind though, okay? Remember, I accepted the fact you were having conversations with Scott Phillips, didn’t I?”
Her brow creased, wondering where he was going with this. “So?”
“I’ve been getting flashes, almost from the beginning. That night you were on the side of the road until…when we started making love, they got a lot stronger.”
A sinking feeling hit the pit of her stomach. “Flashes?”
“Who was in that parking garage with you that night?” He saw her go white. Lose all color in her face. Her eyes were as big as quarters.
“Oh, God! Before I answer that, I want to know which hat you’re wearing right this minute. Is this an official conversation with law enforcement, or am I confiding to the man I’m sleeping with, my lover?”
“Hayden, that isnt fair and you know it.”
“Maybe not, but I want you to answer the question.”
Pelican Pointe Boxed Set Books 1 - 3 (A Pelican Pointe Novel) Page 54
