WindSwept Narrows: #9 Guinevere Paddington

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  “Can I go to bed now?” Zoe wandered around the corner, tugging on the blankets until Gwen lifted her to the bed. “We’re going to find our tree tomorrow,” she looked excitedly from one to the other.

  “We are,” Gwen promised, sliding to the floor and carrying her to the bedroom to change into her pajamas. “Bathroom…”

  “Whose car is going on this adventure?”

  “Yours….you have a nice chrome rack on top. I have the bungee cords to bind it down, don’t worry,” Gwen told him, biting her lip thoughtfully. “I don’t suppose you have something to cut a tree with? Like…an axe…or saw…”

  “I think I can handle that part,” Ethan laughed at the little girl squeezing between his legs to get back into her room, her giggles filling the house when he scooped her up and tossed her to the bed. “Hey…she bounces…”

  Gwen stood up and went to the door, touching his bare arm lightly. “You can handle this part…and tuck her down. I’m going to finish cleaning my kitchen,” she walked off, letting him handle her changing clothing. She heard lots of giggling, even some relaxed, deep laughter before he came to join her in the kitchen. His eyes seemed a little brighter and she swore she actually saw a tiny smile on his face.

  “Where is the tree going?” Ethan looked around the large room, watching her move to the large sofa and give it a little shove. Then she was over by the recliner, pushing it toward the empty slot. He moved behind her, hands on her waist and lifting her to the side. “Tell me what you want moved, Geneviève.”

  “Why do you believe I am helpless?” She straightened with a little groan and faced him.

  “Why are you so stubborn that you can’t accept help?” Ethan stared down into the wide eyes, her pouting frown too damn appealing. Without waiting for an answer, his palms framed her face and his mouth covered hers. Soft and caressing; tasting and teasing in a long, slow kiss. Her mouth softened and returned the pressure, the touch of her tongue on his sending hot sparks along his spine.

  Her hands began holding onto his bare forearms and moved to his chest. He thought she was going to push for space. Surprise and more than a little relief struck him when she pressed her hands heavily over his chest instead. Gwen felt her knees shaking and pulled her mouth from his, her head shaking as it fell against his shoulder.

  “No…Ethan…this is…”

  “Talk to me, Geneviève,” he whispered against her ear, teeth nibbling over the bare expanse of her throat. “Usually I can’t shut you up…”

  She heard the sexy laughter and closed her eyes. “My father should have adopted you…” she groaned softly.

  “Now that would have seriously put a crimp in what I’m imagining,” Ethan didn’t stop her when she straightened and shoved against his chest.

  Gwen turned from him, gesturing to the large square where the dining table was sitting. “That…needs to be moved over here. The tree stand sits best on a flat surface, so I always put it on that spot near the patio doors. It’ll last longer…what…Ethan…this is a really bad idea…” Thick lashes closed against the sensations he was creating along her spine, his teeth biting and lips kissing along her shoulder and throat.

  “Convince me,” he whispered, inhaling the faint scent of spices. “You know what Zoe just told me when I was tucking her down? That we’re going to the snow…to find a Christmas tree…because we’re a family…” He listened to her groan, felt her body sway and lean back, her hands on his where they rested on her waist. “Are we a family, Geneviève?”

  “This was not the intent…business…” Gwen moaned softly, the sensations coursing through her weakening the speech she had prepared.

  “You don’t think we’re mature enough for sex?” Ethan chuckled, turning her to face him, the back of his hand lifting her face to his. “I have condoms. I bought them yesterday…just in case…tell me you don’t feel an attraction…”

  “I do…and it’s been bothering me for days,” Gwen admitted, her tongue out and moistening her lips. “I…I think I understand why…but I’m just not…”

  “Why we’re attracted to one another?” He asked, leading her to the sofa and sweeping her into his arms, laying her along the back. He quickly filled the space on the outside edge, leaning on his elbow and watching her.

  “I can’t answer for you…” Gwen sighed. She knew exactly how it happened. It was watching him change and grow closer to Zoe. She didn’t know why it softened her but it did. “Then…Sunday.”

  “Sunday? The wedding is set for six, like you asked,” he answered, his hand up, the backs of his fingers brushing over the soft line of her face. He hoped she didn’t ask anything else about the ceremony. It would definitely shatter the mood.

  “I meant…the wedding night…”

  “A carrot, Geneviève?”

  “A request that you don’t…breech my defenses until then,” she sighed, the soft husky laugher greeting her only melting her a little more.

  “Alright. Why?” He already knew he’d honor her request.

  “It gives us time…all day tomorrow…tonight…just getting to know each other better,” she answered honestly. He’d begun to let down the barriers. Like Zoe, now and then, there was laughter in his eyes even when he grumbled. His laughter and smiles were coming more frequently.

  “Huh…” Ethan lay staring at her, his imagination at work and bringing out a long, tired sigh. “You are definitely a talker…but you have my word.”

  “Thank you…and I don’t think you mind a talker so much as you pretend to, Ethan. I grew up with parents who encouraged talking…as opposed to fighting,” Gwen drew one finger around his jaw, stopping in the small indent in the center. “That doesn’t mean I can’t fight.”

  “We are what went before,” Ethan said quietly, seeing his reflection in the dark brown eyes.

  “Would you be who you are today if you were raised with my parents? Unlikely. A lot of your core would be changed, I’m not sure I’d like that, though if I could take away the memories that are sad or hurtful, I would,” she held her breath when he leaned close, their lips barely touching.

  “And you don’t think…too much talking…being too open…”

  “Would scare you? Or me?” Gwen asked with a little laugh. “A person is made up of so many personalities. The one you betray in the bedroom, is vastly different than the one you show people in the office; and even more different than the one your parents see. Then you have your parental personality and the one who plays tag football with your buddies…I don’t like being lied to. I’d rather hurt from the truth.”

  “It’s been an interesting two weeks,” Ethan commented quietly.

  “You’re willing to make a radical life change…all for a job…”

  “Are you changing your mind, Geneviève?”

  “You’ve signed the papers and I have, too, Ethan. But it doesn’t concern you that…sometime in the future, you might meet someone you want to be with…”

  “Many arranged marriages work out well for the people involved,” Ethan said carefully. “Believe me…at lunch the day you walked off with Zoe, this is not what I envisioned in my future,” he admitted wryly. “What about you?”

  “I think I’ve been too busy to think about anything but family for a long time,” she stared at the indent in his chin, thinking.

  “They’re stronger than you believe, Geneviève.”

  “I…” she met his gaze for a long minute. “I also didn’t want to be pressured into having a child,” she said very softly. “This restaurant…being so completely in charge and cooking and…it’s just me, Ethan. For once, it’s just me, without the family. I had no idea how very important that was to me…”

  “Geneviève…I can remove that problem. I’m thirty-six. I’ve come to realize I don’t dislike kids…there’s an amazing calm I’ve discovered just sitting on the floor and playing with Zoe with all the garbage of the day gone for a short time. I like that. I can call up Ian and get a vasectomy.”

  �
�I…Ethan…you would…” Gwen stared at him, her mouth closing only when she realized it was open in amazement…or shock. Why wasn’t he what she had pictured in the beginning?

  “Geneviève…” Ethan shook his head, a long sigh breaking free as he thought his way through the words. “I’m okay with not replicating myself. But I’m also okay if you wanted a child of your own.”

  “I…um…you know…I could make a decision like that for myself,” she closed her eyes.

  “If the procedure for you, as a woman, was as simple. And you knew it was forever…would you have it done?”

  “Yes,” she answered softly. “I don’t know if that is selfish or not…”

  “I don’t think it’s selfish, if that counts,” he moved carefully, righting himself and standing up.

  “Zoe will be up early…she’s very excited about the tree hunting…” Gwen sat up and went toward the back. “Good night, Ethan.”

  “Good night,” he waited until she was gone, checking the locks and heading to his bedroom.

  A talker. Who would have thought he’d get interested in a talker.

  Chapter Nine

  Gwen lay awake a long time, just staring and trying to figure out the man who had stumbled into her life. She had never envisioned herself with a child of her own. All her dreams and tomorrows revolved around the family and various businesses.

  And now the chance to be part of the resort further sent her mind into a whirlwind of decisions. It was not unnatural to not want to have a child of your own, she repeated firmly. And her real friends and family would understand that, was the last thoughts before she drifted to sleep.

  Somewhere in the middle of the dark night, a set of very cold little fingers were tugging on her arm. Gwen lay on her stomach, one eye opening to see a head full of curls in mass disarray, her eyes wide and hands shaking her.

  “Zoe…what’s wrong, baby?” Gwen moved to the other side and lifted her to the bed.

  “It’s Uncle Ethan! He’s sick…and making noise…”

  Gwen was up instantly, scooping Zoe in her arms and making a quick dash along the hall to his bedroom. She dropped Zoe onto the chair.

  “Stay there,” Gwen told her firmly, barely seeing the nod before she slid across the empty surface of the bed. He was perspiring, his legs kicking and he was almost growling, arguing, she guessed with something in his dream. She knew from friends that many soldiers return to dread sleeping because of the nightmares.

  “What’s wrong with him?”

  “I…it’s just a bad dream, Zoe…give me a minute here,” Gwen realized just how firm, just how solid he was when she tried shaking him. He lay on his side and would not budge when she tried forcing him to his back.

  She had her hands on his waist when his arm was flung high and back, his elbow striking her in the temple and sending her careening backwards, off the bed and onto the floor, her head bouncing with a thump.

  Ethan bolted upright when Zoe screamed. He knew he’d been having a nightmare and looked around to find Zoe on the chair crying and Gwen unconscious on the floor.

  “Zoe! I need you to stop…please…let me look at Gwen…” He held her shoulders gently. “Okay? What happened?”

  “Gwen said…” sniffle. “You had a bad dream…” sniffle. “And…and you were shouting…” Sniffle. “And she tried to wake you…”

  “Okay…” Ethan lifted Gwen carefully in his arms. “Follow me, Zoe…alright?” He waited to see her nod, the little body climbing to the floor, dragging her bunny behind her as she followed him down the hall. He placed Gwen on her bed before going into the bathroom, found a small towel and damped it with cold water.

  Recalling the courses he’d attended for battle field first aid, he felt carefully at the back of her head and found no bumps.

  “Ethan?” Gwen groaned softly, pale lashes opening with a wince. “Oww…are you okay? You were having a bad dream…”

  “Am I…” Ethan dragged a set of shaking fingers through his hair. “Yeah…yeah, I’m good…”

  “Gwen!” Zoe scrambled, growling and trying to climb into the larger bed, hands and feet moving when Ethan gave her a little help.

  He watched the slim little arms instantly go to Gwen’s neck, their bodies close together in a hug. His girls, he thought for the first time.

  “Ladies…this is too damn early…” He made a move to stand when her palm came out, raking his.

  “Stay here, Ethan, please…” Gwen moved slightly to the side, holding Zoe against her and pulling the blankets over them.

  “Geneviève…” He wasn’t convinced this was his smartest idea, but it was a very big bed. “Keep your hands to yourself,” he said with a wink, sliding beneath the quilts, his head on the pillows and eyes closing. It definitely was a more comfortable bed than the one in his room.

  “I’ll do my best, Ethan,” Gwen promised with a chuckle, curling on her side and settling down with Zoe next to her, already fast asleep. “She was very worried about you.”

  “I should have warned you about the nightmares, I’m sorry,” Ethan rolled over and closed his eyes.

  “Except for the flinging arms thing, it’s okay, Ethan…I’ll be more careful next time, I promise you,” Gwen said with a light laugh. “Good night.”

  Ethan wasn’t sure when he finally fell back to sleep, the rush from the nightmare still too fresh in his mind. It wasn’t until Gwen turned on her side, away from him that he rolled over, his palm resting gently around her middle, her head beneath his chin.

  Gwen opened her eyes when she felt the bed moving. Zoe sat cross legged with her bunny in the middle, dark hair a mass of curls around her face. Her palm came up and lightly touched Gwen’s face.

  “You got hurt.”

  Puzzled, Gwen put her palm up, wincing at the tenderness. She slid quietly from the bed, carrying Zoe with her into the bathroom. Two hands held tightly to the edge of the sink. She dropped her head and closed her eyes, hoping her eyes were bad. She looked into the mirror once more. It didn’t go away.

  “Swell…this’ll be loads of fun to explain,” she said, helping Zoe with her underwear and leading her toward her bedroom to change clothes.

  “Are we going today?” Zoe asked after chewing through her cereal and drinking the milk.

  “We are…how about you play for a little while so Ethan can finish his breakfast,” Gwen helped her down and smiled as she ran off down the hall, chattering to her dolls about the pending excursion. She sunk to the stool and met his fixed gaze. “It was an accident, Ethan. I am okay.”

  “You are black and blue, Geneviève. And I did it,” he pushed the words through his teeth.

  “And it was an accident,” She repeated firmly. “And I will detail that to anyone brave enough to ask or comment about it. I’m going to get me and Zoe ready to go on our tree finding morning.”

  Ethan was still grinding his teeth as he buckled Zoe into the car seat, the little pink snow boots making him shake his head and smile. He’d about come to the conclusion he didn’t stand a chance. Gwen had put extra clothes in the back seat, her own warm fleece lined coat on the seat. She had used makeup and covered a good part of the bruise, but he was still furious with himself.

  He tossed his own heavy coat to the center, tapping in the destination and heading them out on the highway, north to the high mountains where the tree farm was located.

  “You can’t be angry at yourself forever, Ethan, it’ll ruin the day,” Gwen said with a hopeful grin. “Need more coffee?”

  “I don’t need more coffee,” he said with a sigh and shake of his head. Zoe was singing off key and definitely off word Christmas songs behind him and he was finding it harder and harder to not laugh.

  Gwen began talking. Distracting talk about everything passing them until she saw the gates declaring they were at The Holiday Forest. It was a nice family owned farm and it was covered with recent snow.

  Ethan looked over at Gwen and then into his mirror at Zoe. Both were bouncing
off the seat, anxious to get outside.

  “I’ll talk to the guy,” he told her, laughing as he walked over to talk to a man about his age striding to greet him.

  Gwen got Zoe bundled up, mittens in place and then put her heavy jacket on, winding the bright yellow scarf around her head. She was laughing when Ethan walked to join them, watching Zoe try and lift the little legs high enough to step through the snow. Ethan handed her a small backpack seconds before he swept in and lifted Zoe off the ground, tossing her up on his shoulders.

  “I can see all the trees!” She declared, holding to the sides of his face. “There’s lots of snow!”

  “We aren’t going that far…just until we find the right tree,” Gwen said, still thoughtfully examining trees thirty minutes later.

  “Gwen…it’s a…just pick one already,” Ethan told her, glare meeting glare.

  “You don’t rush this kind of thing. This is our first tree. It has to be perfect,” she said firmly. “Put Zoe down and let her play in the snow. You should have had more coffee.” She hung back on purpose, pulling Zoe with her and bending down to whisper in her ear. On cue, they both made big snowballs and started throwing them at him.

  Ethan saw the first one sail past his head and stopped moving. He closed his eyes. Naw…she wouldn’t…and then one smacked him in the back of the head, cold snow dribbling down the open neck of his jacket.

  “You realize that was a big mistake, lady?” Ethan turned in time to see four more snow balls come at him, both girls yelping and trying to run through the snow. He lost track of Gwen watching Zoe try and lift her short legs high enough to run in the snow. He was laughing so hard he didn’t see Gwen until the snow ball struck his shoulder. Zoe giggled and scooped up some snow for another toss at him.

  Half an hour later, there were snow angels across a swatch of once smooth snow and Gwen stood before a blue green tree a little taller than she was, watching as Ethan worked at cutting through the trunk. She stood back with Zoe, both of them covered with snow as he attached some rope to the top portion, pulling it easily behind him.