Last Night's Kiss

by Shirley Hailstock

  “I guess you can now say you’ve saved the lives of both the Osbornes.”

  Rosa nodded. She was light-headed and working hard to remain conscious. “And I never want to do it again.”

  It didn’t take long for the story to run through the Valley. Each retelling was embellished, until the story had her practically fighting the animal with her bare hands. It was necessary for Rosa to report the shooting to the park rangers, even if she hadn’t killed the bear. From that report, word spread until the local news in Butte wanted to interview her. Rosa refused.

  To get away from her ringing phone, she went to Vida’s. Apparently everyone else decided to drop in that day, too. Rosa was obliged to repeat the story over and over.

  “You understand how reporters work, don’t you?” Vida said later that night after everyone was gone except Adam and Mike Holmes.

  Rosa frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “She means,” Adam said, “if you don’t grant the interview they will print other things about you. You’re already a celebrity. The morgue must be full of photos of you. They can dig into your background and find your sister, your adoption, and incorporate that into the story.”

  “If you do the interview, it’ll be over in one report,” Vida continued.

  “I hate interviews,” Rosa said.

  “Then let Adam do it,” Mike suggested.

  “No,” Adam said quickly. “I’m no longer in the business.”

  “You were there, Adam,” Vida said. “You’d be perfect. And since you know Rosa, you won’t ask her questions she doesn’t want asked.”

  Rosa looked at Adam. She wasn’t sure she trusted him, either. She’d seen his interviews, and while his reports from war-torn areas of the world held a bit of compassion in the reporting, she had no doubt he could be ruthless. Yet if she compared him to someone she didn’t know, he was the better choice. “If you’ll do it, I’ll accept the interview.”

  “Are you sure?” Adam asked.

  “No,” she said. “But I don’t want a bunch of strangers prying into my life and possibly upsetting my family. This will be a straight interview, right? A few questions. I’ll tell what happened and it will be over.”

  Adam spread his hands. “Any way you want it.”

  And that’s how it happened. Or how it was supposed to happen. Adam’s report and footage, which were supposed to be a thirty-second filler on the evening news, were expanded into a full story. Rosa Clayton, supermodel and the face of Arrow Cosmetics, saves reporter Adam Osborne from being mauled by a bear outside the little town of Waymon Valley, Montana, the story began. On the screen were side-by-side photos of her and Adam.

  Somehow the tape got sent to WNN and was shown on television stations all over the country, including those viewed by her family in Texas and Philadelphia.

  Rosa hadn’t even seen the segment when her cell phone started to ring. Luanne, her psychologist sister, was the first to call. As soon as Rosa assured her she was fine, Brad, Digger, and Dean in that order also needed promises from her that she would be careful and stay away from places where bears were known to inhabit.

  Rosa promised even though that would include most of the state of Montana. She had to promise; otherwise she might open her door one day and find any number of the Claytons waiting there. They’d flown to places before to make sure one of their own was safe.

  She would keep her promise, maybe not to the letter, but she would certainly never again leave home without the rifle.

  The next morning, Rosa was back on her horse. She rode along the upper ridge beyond the Osborne Ranch but miles from the moutains. The air was crisp and fresh and she enjoyed this part of her day. She’d taken to meeting Bailey each morning and they rode together while he told her stories of his ancestors and the settling of the land. He spoke of his ranching, raising horses as if it were still the territory from the early part of the last century. After an enjoyable beginning to the day they’d separate, returning to their respective homes.

  Since his heart attack, Rosa had ridden alone, keeping to the old trails and only exploring new areas when she was sure they were safe. She marveled at the wonder of the trees, lakes, and rivers that traversed the land. And she carried the rifle.

  This morning she saw him. Frowning, she shaded her eyes and watched as Bailey rode up the hill. She thought it was too early for him to be on a horse, but she’d learned that Bailey never took anyone’s advice over his own. She waved, her smile wide and welcoming. Turning her horse, she rode in his direction. A moment later she realized the man on the horse was not Bailey.

  It was Adam.

  Her frown turned to a scowl. She didn’t want to see Adam. He’d interviewed her and brought out her family’s wrath. Their last encounter hadn’t added any affection between them. In fact, it had deepened the shaft of misunderstanding they couldn’t seem to seal. And she’d promised not to ride alone. Anyone who’d come across a bear should know better. But she wasn’t far from the house. Was she?

  Swiftly she turned the horse around and began riding away from him. She had no desire to begin her day with another argument. Why didn’t he just leave her alone? If he didn’t like her, why was he always in her path of view at every turn?

  She urged the horse into a canter; then seeing Adam following her, she broke into a gallop. Adam was tenacious. Each time Rosa pushed her horse faster, he asked his for an equal or greater measure. Her filly was light, agile, and swift, but no match for the gelding that carried Adam ever closer to her.

  Rosa pulled up. She didn’t want to injure the horse by pushing her past the point of exhaustion. She couldn’t ignore Adam. The community was too small. They were bound to run into each other. They might as well have their confrontation here and now.

  He caught up with her in no time.

  “What do you want?” Rosa asked.

  “I want to apologize.”

  “Apology accepted. Now go away.”

  “That doesn’t sound like an acceptance,” he said. “I didn’t know they were going to broadcast that story on WNN. I didn’t file it there.”

  “But you knew the station would put it out there. And you didn’t warn me. You’re a reporter. They know you and your work. And what happened to the thirty-second spot?”

  “That was my fault,” he admitted.

  “You couldn’t resist, could you? You were back in a studio. You had film and a story and you couldn’t resist turning it into the next Pulitzer nomination.”

  “Rosa, I never meant to cause you any strife. I expected the station to cut it.”

  She sighed, knowing he didn’t know about the phone calls that had come from the people she loved, the cosmetics company, her modeling agency, her agent, and scores of friends.

  “Apology accepted,” she said in a lower voice.

  “Friends?” he asked.

  Rosa looked up. They had never been friends before. He was smiling and offering her his hand.

  “Friends,” Rosa said, and accepted it. The clasp was short, but seemed to seal the bond growing between them.

  “I thought you were going to call before going riding alone,” he said.

  “I’m not going anywhere I haven’t been before. And I have the rifle.”

  “I had a rifle, too, on that day. Anyway, I thought you liked company on these morning rides.”

  The right company, she thought, but held her tongue and said nothing. They’d just become friends. Rosa didn’t want to spoil it.

  “I even brought a peace offering.” He reached behind him and placed a hand on a small wicker picnic basket. “Dad said you liked your coffee with a sweetener. I have some in my pocket.”

  Rosa narrowed her eyes. Was this real? Did he want something?

  “No strings,” he said, seeing her distrust of his motives. “If you’re not hungry, I can go.”

  The smell of something delicious wafted toward her and her stomach spoke for her.

  “There’s a good place over there.” Ada
m pointed toward a clearing that afforded a view with distant gold and orange mountains.

  He hadn’t waited for her to agree verbally, but nudged his horse toward a flat area under a tree. The trees grew tall out here, too, as if they were trying to reach that huge sky.

  Rosa got down from her horse. Adam did the same, pulling the basket and a blanket down with him. He’d brought a picnic, she thought. There he was again, acting like he liked her.

  He spread the blanket out and sat on it. She joined him, keeping as far away as the space allowed. Unable to resist looking inside, she smelled delicious scents. He handed her a thermos and a cup. Rosa poured the coffee, finding it already included the cream and sweetener. It was perfect. She closed her eyes as she drank, thinking this was the best cup of coffee she’d had since the Kona brand she’d developed a taste for in Hawaii several years ago.

  “I never got a chance to really thank you for saving my father’s life,” Adam said, his voice serious.

  “Both Osbornes,” she teased.

  Adam smiled, but quickly the serious expression returned. “I am grateful,” he stated.

  “I won’t go so far as to say I saved his life,” Rosa said. “I was just there. I didn’t do nearly as good a job as my sister-in-law.”

  “What did she do?”

  “She saved my mother’s life.”

  “How?”

  “My brother Brad is a doctor—”

  “Pediatrician, lives in Philadelphia, married to a doctor,” he interrupted.

  Rosa smiled. Adam had a good memory. She liked that. “During his wedding reception, my mother had a heart attack in the ladies’ room. Owen’s wife, although she wasn’t my sister-in-law then, just one of the guests, found my mother and gave her some aspirin, then called for help. Later we discovered she was related to our mother and she wound up marrying my brother Owen.”

  Adam sat up straight. “What a story. I remember something about…” He stopped trying to remember.

  “A kidnapped child who finds her birth mother after thirty years,” Rosa supplied.

  He snapped his fingers. “That’s it. She was related to you?”

  Rosa nodded. “At first we didn’t get along.” She looked at Adam. “It was all my fault. I didn’t trust her. Owen was a ladies’ man and I thought she had ulterior motives. Eventually I discovered she was trying to learn about us and Owen was the one falling in love with her. We’re very good friends and family now.”

  Adam gave her a look but said nothing. She wondered if he was thinking of the way the two of them got along. That had not been all her fault, although she’d been talking to him so easily, she’d forgotten they were adversaries. It was only a short while ago they had agreed to be friends, but friendship was earned and Rosa was unsure if he was sincere in his offer.

  “Seriously,” he said. “I’m grateful you stopped and helped Dad.”

  Rosa felt a tug of embarrassment. She hadn’t done anything special. Nothing a neighbor wouldn’t do. “Isn’t that what people do out here? It’s one of the stories I read in your great-grandmother Clara’s diary. The tradition continues to this day, your father says. How is he doing, by the way?”

  “He’s the same, cranky, wants to have his way. But Medea’s keeping him in line.”

  Rosa laughed. “I’m sure she’s capable.” She could picture the woman taking charge and ordering Bailey around even if he didn’t want to do what she said.

  “Very capable. She’s been with us since I was a boy. She knows all my father’s tricks.”

  Rosa stared out at the mountains. They fascinated her. They had a calming effect on her and she liked seeing them, knowing they were there each day when she woke.

  She looked back at Adam. He was staring at her, his expression confusing to her. It was open, seeking, intense, both asking and wanting something.

  The air between them went from comfortable to awkward. Rosa didn’t know why. Then Adam looked down. His index finger touched hers. It slid along her hand. Rosa felt goose bumps travel up her arm. But it felt good. These weren’t the kind that she got when she was cold, dressed too scantily for the weather but posing for the perfect photo anyway. These were the chemistry kind. His touch was light, yet it caused a chain reaction in her. Localized for the moment, the swarm of warmth only covered her arm. Rosa knew it could burst into flame at any moment and encompass all of her.

  “Adam.” She spoke softly. Her voice wouldn’t get any louder. “What are we doing?”

  “Nothing yet,” he said.

  “Yet?” Anticipation jumped into her. She could almost hear it buzzing in her ears.

  He lifted her hand. Rosa resisted, pulling slightly on it, but not hard enough to dislodge his grip. He brought it to his lips and kissed her knuckles.

  “Adam, you don’t want to start something we can’t finish.”

  “We can finish this.” The seduction in his voice was almost her undoing.

  “No,” she said a little stronger. “I’m only here for the summer.”

  Adam didn’t hold her any tighter, but he kept her hand. “What are you afraid of?”

  “Nothing,” she denied.

  He watched her a moment. Rosa wanted to drop her eyes, but she didn’t. Wouldn’t.

  “You’re afraid of me,” he stated.

  “Why would I be afraid of you?”

  “Like you said, afraid of starting something you can’t finish. I know what you’re thinking.”

  “You do?”

  “I’ve been there. Always moving, having no time to make lasting friendships, and relationships are out of the question. All you can think of is the next plane, the next city.”

  He was right. He read her as openly as if he were reading a tried-and-true plot.

  “There comes a time when you have to stop,” he said. “Miss that plane. Stop and be a part of what’s going on around you.” He tugged at her arm and she fell a little closer to him. “We won’t say we’re starting anything. We’re just two people enjoying a morning on a Montana mountain.”

  His mouth was close to hers. Rosa could feel his breath on her lips. The airwaves between them transported the coffee he’d drunk to her taste buds. It was a fervent elixir and turned her blood to fire. Even though he held only her hand, he was carrying all her weight. His free hand went around her back and he pulled her close.

  “Tell me to stop,” he whispered.

  Rosa could say nothing. The only thing she could do was lean into him. Her eyes focused on small portions of his face, his eyes, his cheeks, his lips, his chin. She looked up and down, as they moved closer and closer to each other. She wound her arms around his neck and let thoughts of resisting him fall away like discarded laundry.

  Rosa wasn’t sure what was happening to her. She should have been pushing herself up, or at least not letting herself get involved, but something was happening to her that had never happened before. She wanted Adam to kiss her. She wanted to feel his arms around her again.

  She moved in, eliminating the millimeter of space that separated them. His mouth was sure, his lips soft and wet. Sensation streaked through her like lightning. She ran her tongue along the line of his mouth. It opened to admit her. Adam’s arms tightened around her. The griplike vise felt good. She liked the feel of his chest against hers. While it was hard and solid, she felt safe and cared for. His arms caressed her as his hands smoothed over her skin. Fingers threaded through her hair, dislodging it from the confining band. He gathered the locks, using the band as a gentle rope to tie her hair.

  The wind swirled around them, a vortex encapsulating them, bonding them together, and restricting the world to nonexistence. Adam’s mouth tantalized hers. She never wanted it to end. She wanted this sensual assault to go on forever. Adam’s hands had moved from the outside of her blouse to the bare skin of her back. She arched when he touched her naked skin. Fiery trails banked along the places where his hands explored.

  Rosa’s breath caught in her throat as his thumbs came around
her body and rubbed across her nipples. She wanted to get closer, remove the fabric of her bra, and feel the raw touch of his hands roaming over skin so sensitive she thought it would melt.

  Finally, Rosa slipped her mouth from Adam’s. She rested her head on his shoulder. Even from there, she could feel his heart beating against her cheek. Hers was beating fast, too. Adam’s hands continued to caress her. Her eyes closed and she let the wonderment course through her. Then his hands stopped. He pulled them down her back and below the hem of her blouse.

  Rosa lay for another moment lost in a dreamlike state. Then she pushed herself back. His legs were behind her and she couldn’t move very far away.

  “It’s started now,” Adam said.

  For a moment she didn’t understand what he meant. Then she remembered her own comment about starting something they couldn’t finish.

  “I suppose we’re going to have to finish it,” she said. “One way or another.”

  Chapter 6

  It didn’t take them long to decide which way. They rode the horses back to Rosa’s as fast as they could. Adam slapped their tails as soon as they dismounted. The horses took off.

  “They’ll go back to the stables,” he said. “The groom will rub them down.”

  “Won’t he wonder where we are?”

  “He might.” Adam didn’t explain any further, grabbing Rosa’s hand. The two went inside and straight up the stairs to her bedroom.

  He turned her into his arms, his mouth seeking hers like a homing device. He stopped just before their lips melded. Rosa wondered if there was something wrong. Had he changed his mind? He was looking at her as if he were memorizing her features, as if he wanted to capture this moment, burn it into his memory bank to pull out on some future night and relive.