by Diana Tobin
“She’s all right, dear.” Eileen took one of Mike’s hands. “Just a little shaken up. They took a tumble off the sled.”
Mike turned to see the sled in question had a bent runner. She put her arms around Charley. “That sled is older than me. Don’t worry about it. As long as you’re not hurt.”
“Not me. Ethan.”
Immediately, Mike began searching the crowd for him. “What happened to him? Where is he?”
“He’s fine.” Eileen winked at Charley behind Mike’s back. “You know men, just overgrown little boys. He decided to take Charley and Noah for a ride on the sled.”
Mike looked back at the sled. “Was he trying to kill you kids?”
“Now, Micki, it looks worse than it is,” soothed Eileen.
“It’s my fault, Mama. Noah and I wanted him to ride with us and he did, but we couldn’t steer and we hit the snow bank and Noah and I are fine but Ethan got hurt.” Charley’s words were nearly a blur she spit them out so fast.
“You’re not hurt?” Charley shook her head. “Noah’s okay, too?”
“The kids are fine, dear,” put in Eileen. “Ethan is just bruised a bit. Go see for yourself. Charlotte and I will enjoy this cocoa and maybe another cookie.” She made a shooing motion at Mike.
Mike headed for Ethan’s SUV and was surprised to find him in the passenger seat. Did his mother lie about the extent of his injury? The door hung open so she stepped up to his side. “Are you really all right?”
Ethan opened his eyes and smiled at her. “Yeah.” She saw his grimace as he turned toward her. “Did you get a tree?”
“How bad do you hurt?” He opened his mouth and she said, “Don’t lie. Your mother is doing a song and dance about foolish overgrown boys and Charley is blaming herself.”
His cheeks reddened, but he kept his gaze on her. “I, uh, twisted my bad leg a bit. No permanent damage, just be sore a day or two. The kids didn’t get hurt,” he assured her. “Noah thought it great fun.” He grinned at her and she could picture the little guy thrilled with his wild ride.
“Do you need anything?”
“Yes, I really need to talk to you.”
“Okay,” she said slowly.
“Not here, not now. Some place alone.”
Mike took a step back and he reached out to grab her arm before she could move away. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said.
Ethan turned in the seat more, placing his right foot down on the running board. “Please. It’s important. There are things I need to tell you. Things I need to explain.” He reached for her hand with his free one. “I can come over later. Please.”
She was shaking her head. “Bruce is leaving tonight.”
“Okay. Will you and the girls eat with us tomorrow night? We can talk after dinner.” His eyes pleaded with her. “My parents are leaving Tuesday, and they’d really like some time with the three of you.”
“We’ve spent today with them.”
“Come on, Michaela. They’ve spent time with Nettie and Wil. Now, they’d like some time with you and the girls. It’s been over a week since we’ve had a meal together.”
“We all ate together on Thursday,” she protested. She knew she was being difficult, but she was trying to keep her distance from him. What could he possibly want to tell her? You’re a great cook, but I’m not in the market for anything else. You’ve been fun. Too bad I can’t stick around for more. If he was going to give her the kiss-off why couldn’t he just do it now? “Why can’t you tell me now?”
“What we have to discuss is personal and this isn’t the time or place for it. Please, have dinner with us tomorrow night. You don’t even have to cook. I’ll pick up something. Or, get my mom to cook.”
“I’ll bring supper. It’s part of my job and I see things through to the end.” Yeah, she was a glutton. Ethan didn’t want her for a girlfriend, but she’d keep cooking for him. At least, until he returned to Georgia.
“Thank you,” he said. “It means a lot to me. And, there will be a houseful of people when we talk.”
Little arms wrapped around her leg. “Me ride. Whee!”
Ethan released his hold on her so she could bend down and pick up Noah. “I heard you had a wild ride.”
Noah nodded his head. “Eth’n owwiee. Mama kiss.”
She gave the man a long cool look. “Really.”
“No one kissed my owwiee,” he assured her.
Noah tangled his fingers in the hair hanging below Mike’s knit hat and patted her chin with sticky fingers. “You kiss owwiee.”
Smiling, she rubbed her nose against the toddler’s small one. “Maybe you should kiss Ethan’s owwiee since you crashed with him.”
Noah puckered his lips and looked up at Ethan. Too much distance separated them. Ethan reached for Mike’s arm and tugged her up onto the running board so he and the boy could reach each other. In the process, she ended up gripping his thigh with hers to keep her balance.
Noah smacked a slobbery kiss on Ethan’s chin, then turned to peer into Mike’s eyes. “You kiss owwiee.”
“Oh, well, I—”
“Yeah, Michaela, would you please kiss my owwiee?” Ethan’s voice was more a rumble.
“Mic kiss. Mic kiss,” Noah chanted as he pulled her hair to get her closer to Ethan.
“I thought you hurt your leg. That’s nearly—”
“You can kiss me right here,” Ethan tapped his lips and Noah continued his chant. “It will reach all the sore places.”
Mike could hear the others headed their way to see what all the fuss was about. “Fine,” she grumbled ungraciously. She leaned forward to peck Ethan’s lips.
As soon as her lips touched his, Ethan opened his mouth over hers and clamped his hand to the back of her head, keeping her firmly in place. His tongue traced the shape of her mouth before gliding over the seam seeking entrance. Unable to deny him, she opened to him, savoring the taste of cocoa and Ethan. Her thighs tightened around his, and she had to stop herself from rubbing her core against the hard muscle of his leg.
Slowly, Ethan released her, and she blinked her eyes open.
“Be’er?” Noah asked.
Ethan’s lips spread into a grin. “Much better.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
She made Yankee pot roast, complete with potatoes, carrots, and a savory gravy for the Reighs’ last meal in Webster. The typical New England meal was in direct counterpoint to the very southern pies Eileen Reigh had made for Thanksgiving. A food version of North versus South. Showcasing how ill-suited Ethan and Mike were.
Something he’d made very clear the night of their one and only date.
Mike wouldn’t think about the way she’d responded to Ethan’s kiss the day before. That was merely hormones. Or, proximity. Or, a full moon. Or, some other silly idea. It had nothing to do with heartfelt emotion.
Just as it shouldn’t matter what sort of impression she left on Ethan’s family—but it did. Even knowing she’d never see them again.
Just as she knew once the season ended, she’d never see Ethan again.
Hard and fast rule number one: men leave. Rule number two: protect yourself. Rule number three: when rule two fails, put the pieces back together better and stronger.
Mike figured she should be made of iron by now.
Her salon was quiet after the holiday weekend. She and Rose had spent the day decorating the tree she’d gotten. The scent of pine overrode the fragrances of hair spray, shampoo, and nail polish. At least, for a day or two.
Rose insisted Mike leave work early. She would send Dani and Charley over to Nettie’s when they got off the school bus, then Rose would lock up, unless someone had a nail emergency. Nettie would drop off the girls at Ethan’s house on her way home.
Left with no arguments, Mike went home to gather that night’s meal. She and the elder Reighs could share a glass of wine while supper finished cooking. Eileen Reigh was a very nice lady, and Mike knew Nettie had enjoyed getting to kno
w the other woman. Mike was sure Eileen knew her son and Mike didn’t belong together. She’d been a convenient way for Ethan to pass his time while in the northern state.
At the last minute, Mike changed into a soft knit blue dress that showed off her curves and brought out the color of her eyes. Black leather boots that hugged her calves completed her outfit. She would show Mr. and Mrs. Reigh she could dress like a lady at times, and if Ethan realized what he was missing out on, so much the better. He’d had his chance.
Wil and Nettie delivered the girls to Ethan’s and stayed to eat.
“Nice choice, Micki, especially with all the turkey we’ve had the past few days,” Nettie complimented.
“I wanted the Reighs to have an authentic Yankee meal.”
“Bless your heart, Micki,” said Eileen. “It was truly delicious. Someday I hope to be able to return the favor.”
Mike smiled in answer knowing it would never happen.
“Micki, let me help you clean up,” offered Nettie.
Before she could respond, Ethan pushed back his chair and stood. “No, ma’am. The boys do the cleaning when Michaela cooks.” When his father gave him a startled look, he explained, “The hockey boys. One of Michaela’s rules.” He gave the boys in question a steady look as he stepped around the table to Michaela’s side. “If you’ll excuse us, Michaela and I have some things to discuss. In private.”
“We don’t need to do this right now,” she protested.
Ethan pulled back her chair and all but lifted her from it. “Yes, we do.”
“We’ll say goodnight,” said Nettie. “Micki, we’ll take the girls home. I kept them busy decorating my tree so they haven’t had time for homework. Come along girls.” She stepped over to give Eileen and Robert each a hug goodbye. “I enjoyed getting to know you both.”
Wil shook hands with Robert, gave Eileen a quick hug, then gave Ethan a hard look. “Call if you need me, Micki.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead before ushering his women out the door.
Ethan kept a firm grip on Mike’s arm as he led her to his bedroom, locking the door behind them. “That isn’t necessary. We could’ve easily spoken in your office.”
“I don’t want us to be interrupted by anything or anyone.” He led her to the large bed, nudging her to sit before sitting next to her. His lips twitched. “I’ve imagined you here, in my room, in my bed, many times, but never with my parents’ luggage around us.” When she began to rise, he clasped her hand, urging her to stay. “I’m not going to seduce you, Michaela. Much as I would like to, but we have some things to clear up between us. Things you should know. Things you should’ve known before we made love together.”
“We’re not together and it was only sex,” she protested.
“I know,” he said sadly, “and, that’s mostly my fault. It’s hard for me to trust. As it is for you.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” She avoided his gaze, looking around the room.
He gave her hand a little shake. “Why didn’t you tell me you’d never been with a man? You had been a married woman. How was your husband able to keep his hands off you?”
She pulled her hand from his, wrapping her arms about her waist. “Easily. I told you we married for the sake of Dani and Charley.”
“Didn’t either of you want a real marriage?”
“I—no.” Of course she wanted a real marriage. She hadn’t wanted it with Denny Sparks, but there was no one else on her horizon and if marrying their father helped Dani and Charley she was willing. “I thought we’d stay married until Charley reached eighteen.” She shrugged her shoulders as if it hardly mattered. “There might’ve been a chance our feelings for each other would change and grow. If not, by that time there would be no need for us to be legally bound.” Mike straightened her spine and drew in a deep breath. “Obviously, that’s a moot point now.”
“Did you love him very much?” he asked quietly, as if he feared her answer.
Mike turned her head to meet his gaze for the first time since they’d entered his room. “No. I barely liked him.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked again.
Turning away, she shrugged one shoulder. “What difference does it make?”
“Sweetheart,” he took hold of both her hands, placing them on his thigh. “It would have made all the difference. I’d have taken more time, I’d have been more gentle, I’d have controlled my response to you better. At least, I would have tried.”
“It doesn’t—”
“It does matter,” he insisted. “You matter. I’ve wanted you from the first moment I set eyes on you. You know how close we’ve come to making love before that night. I didn’t take you to my old room with that in mind, but once I had my hands on you, could kiss you, I couldn’t stop. I wanted all of you. And, you weren’t telling me no.”
“No, I didn’t,” she admitted. Because she’d been so sure of their feelings for each other she had wanted to share herself with him. She’d wanted to be part of him. Fool that she was!
“You felt so good,” Ethan continued. “Once I got inside you, I couldn’t stop. No,” he squeezed her hands, “that’s a lie. I didn’t want to stop.”
Mike was shaking her head in denial. “You were cursing. You kept saying no. You were disgusted at being my first.”
He pulled her resisting body into his arms. “No, Michaela. I’m not really sure what I said at the time, but I was thanking God you were mine. All mine! How could your husband be so stupid to deny himself the pleasure of your loving?”
She pulled out of his arms, rose to her feet and began pacing the room. “I just told you. He never cared about me, he just wanted to be sure his children were taken care of. The one person Denny Sparks truly loved was his wife, Nancy. He did love his daughters. Not as much as he loved his wife, but he loved them enough to do whatever he needed to keep his parents from gaining custody. Those grandparents never fought me for custody, so how much did they really want Denny’s children? They told me I could hand them over and they’d see both girls got good educations, if that’s what they wanted. Otherwise, if I refused, none of us would see a dime.
“As if I’d only want those two precious girls because of money. No wonder Denny stayed away from them! But, he didn’t care about any of us enough to live. I was just part of his plan to seeing to the future for Dani and Charley.”
“Wasn’t Denny’s death the result of an accident?”
She ran a shaky hand through her hair as she came to a stop. “Yes. Of course.” But she’d wondered if Denny’s death was to get away from her or his memories.
Ethan rose to stand before her, gripping both her biceps. “Do you have reason to believe it wasn’t an accident?” He tugged her closer when she didn’t answer. “Michaela?”
“No. Yes. I-I’m not sure.” She fisted her hands on the front of his shirt. “I can’t let the girls think I have doubts.”
He pulled her into his arms, letting her head rest on his chest. “You should know I’d never let them hear something like that. Why do you think it was deliberate?”
“I’m being silly.” The sound he made denied what she’d said. “I—the day we got married, Denny took out a large life insurance policy. He named me beneficiary. It will go a long way to help pay for college for the girls.”
He smoothed a hand up and down her back. “Hmm. Something a good husband would do. Provide for his family’s future.”
“He’d never done it before. Remember, I wasn’t really a wife. I was basically a housekeeper and nanny.”
“What else?”
“Denny insisted I adopt the children. It wasn’t something that should be necessary with us being married, but he had the papers drawn up the day after we said our vows.” She lifted her head to look up at Ethan. “When I asked him about it, he said he didn’t want to have to worry about anyone questioning my rights. I took that to mean his parents.”
He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Sounds to me like a man making sur
e his children are provided for—and by the best person for the job. Was it his idea for the two of you to marry?”
She nodded her head. “I thought…doesn’t matter. It was pretty much a business deal. I had been staying at their house, caring for the girls since the accident. I doubt anyone around Norwich cared about what we were doing, or not doing, but I thought Denny felt marriage would make it more respectable for me to be there all the time.” She tried to push away from Ethan, but he didn’t let go. “He gave me the bedroom and he always slept on the couch. We never acted like a married couple. None of those little touches or kisses. Which was fine. We didn’t feel that way about each other.”
“Idiot!” Ethan mumbled. “My good fortune,” he said, pressing more kisses to her hair.
“One of the things Nancy got him to do was cut back on his drinking. After she died, he drank himself to sleep each night. I don’t think he drank during the day. He went to work with a hangover each day, but he did go to work. Now, I know it was to make those insurance payments.”
She pulled in a shuddering breath. “The police officers said they could smell whiskey on his body. They didn’t need the blood results. Also, that the driver who hit him was blinded by the setting sun and didn’t see Denny until it was too late.” She rolled her shoulders. “It sounds like an alcohol-related accident. I have a feeling it could be more.”
“I’m sorry, honey.” He hugged her. “You’ll never know for sure, but I’m glad you told me.” Now, Ethan was the one to pull in a deep breath. “Would you sit down, sweetheart? I need to tell you the truth about me.”
Mike sprang away from him. “Oh, God! You’re married, aren’t you? You made your parents keep your secret. Do they even know?”
He placed his hands on her shoulders, forcing her to sit on the side of the bed. “I promise you, I’m not married.” He sat next to her and reached for her hand, twining their fingers together. “This is hard for me. I should have told you before. In fact, I’ve decided to be a bit more public with this, but I wanted you to hear it from me, first.”
“I know you’re leaving.”
