by Judy Duarte
“That must have been tough.”
It was, but he wouldn’t admit it. Instead, he shrugged off the disappointment he’d felt at being left behind. “The second family lived in Wexler, and they enrolled me in high school. The best part of that time was making the two good friends I still have. It’s just too bad foster family number two didn’t see it that way.”
“They didn’t want you to have friends?” Julie turned toward him even more, her knee touching his and sending a shot of heat through him.
All he had to do to allow more of his leg to touch hers was to lean closer. Or he could just reach out and give her knee a sensual stroke.
Instead, he remained on topic and slowly shook his head. “They didn’t like those particular friends. They thought Clay Masters and Matt Grimes were too wild and fun-loving.”
“Were they?”
“Back then? I’d have to admit we were. More often than not, we all ended up in trouble at school and at home.”
“Bad trouble?”
Adam shrugged. “We managed to avoid going to Juvenile Hall.”
“I guess that’s good.”
“It depends upon who you ask. Foster dad number two had high expectations for the kids living at his house, so he grounded me and banned me from hanging out with Clay and Matt.”
“I take it you didn’t like that.”
“Nope. And at that point, being homeless seemed like a much better option than living by unfair rules, so I shoved some of my stuff into a backpack, climbed out a window and took off.”
“Where’d you go?”
“I spent a couple of nights in Matt’s barn, but he lived with his uncle George. And one morning George came in and pitched a fit. So I took off. The next night, a police officer approached me in Wexler Park. It was well after curfew, but instead of clamping down on me, he drove me to an all-night diner and made sure that I had something warm and filling to eat.”
“Was that Stan?” she asked.
He nodded. “Over dessert and coffee, we kind of...formed a tentative connection. He took me under his wing, and before I knew it, he became my third and last foster dad.”
“Tell me about Stan,” Julie said. “What kind of man was he?”
“A great one. Good looking—the tall, dark and handsome type. He was in his late forties and had always wanted a family, but he’d never been able to commit to any one woman. Then again, maybe he’d never found the right one.”
That is, not until he met Darlene. And if they’d lived... Who knew what might have happened.
“You were lucky,” Julie said.
“To cross paths with Stan? That’s for sure. He devoted himself to me, and I latched onto him immediately. I might have been a rebel at heart, but I wasn’t stupid. I realized that I finally had someone who really cared about me.”
“I guess that’s why you joined the police force. You wanted to follow in his footsteps.”
“Yeah. Stan was a great role model.” But Adam didn’t just emulate Stan in his career choice. He also enjoyed the carefree, bachelor lifestyle. Like Stan, Adam didn’t believe in fairy tales.
“I better check the sauce and put the pasta on to boil,” Julie said. “Then I’ll ask the kids to wash up for dinner.”
Good idea. Adam needed to shut his trap and quit revealing crap that he’d never shared with anyone before. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll tell the kids it’s time to come inside and wash their hands.”
She blessed him with a smile that dimpled her cheeks, and a laser of heat shot through him, creating a dull ache of sexual need. He wouldn’t follow through on it tonight—not with the kids here. But he sensed this was going to be a special evening anyway, one that was cozy and warm.
As he savored the warm scent of tomatoes, basil and spice, it struck him he could get used to nights like this. It would be nice to come home to a wife and kids after a hard day on the job.
Had he met his own Darlene? The one woman who might make him reconsider his anti-commitment philosophy? Had he found whatever it was that Stan had briefly found and lost all too soon?
Adam didn’t dare give that crazy idea much thought. Because if he let himself ponder it too long, he’d be more than a little disappointed if things didn’t work out that way.
* * *
Julie’s spaghetti sauce turned out better tonight than it ever had before, and everyone seemed to like the taste.
“A guy could get used to having meals like this,” Adam said. “I eat a lot of fast food when I’m on the job, and even though I can cook, I’m not always home at mealtimes.”
Julie had once thought that Adam was the epitome of a die-hard bachelor, but he’d shown her another side. He was so good with the kids, and he’d practically adopted the stray dog himself, even if he hadn’t admitted it yet.
Wasn’t that a sign that he was open to falling in love someday and creating a family?
She didn’t dare to pin her hopes on something like that, at least, not yet. But her life had changed in a good way ever since meeting him and becoming...his friend. And now she was also his wife, even if their marriage wasn’t supposed to last.
After dinner, she served strawberry ice cream for dessert. Adam and the kids helped wash the dishes, then they all went to the living room, where they watched an animated movie on television.
Every once in a while, Julie stole a peek at Adam, who seemed to be enjoying the cartoon as much as the kids were.
During one especially funny part, he turned to her, lowered his voice and said, “This is hysterical. I had no idea they used so much adult humor in a cartoon made for kids.”
“I think the idea is to appeal to both children and their parents. That way, Mom and Dad are more eager to take their kids and to spring for the price of admission if they think they’ll enjoy it, too.”
“Good point.”
When the cartoon ended, Julie told the kids it was time to brush their teeth and get ready for bed.
“Are Adam and Biscuit spending the night, too?” Eddie asked.
Julie’s cheeks warmed, and she knew better than to look at Adam, who answered for both of them.
“No,” he said, “Biscuit and I will be going home soon. But don’t worry. We’ll have fun again. My friend has a ranch, and earlier today, I asked him if I could take you guys horseback riding on Sunday.”
“That would be way cool!” Eddie turned to his sister, who was nodding enthusiastically, then back to Adam. “Do we need cowboy boots? If so, we don’t have any.”
“Not this time.” As Julie took the kids to help them get ready for bed, Adam remained behind and said, “There’s some wine left. Do you want to finish it off?”
She also had a full bottle in the pantry that had been there since her next-door neighbor brought it over as a Christmas gift. But she needed to keep her wits about her, especially with the kids here tonight. “How about a cup of decaf?” she asked. “I can make a pot after the kids go to sleep.”
“I’ll make it.”
“You’ll find a new can, as well as the filters, in the cupboard above the coffee maker.”
“How do you take yours?” he asked.
“Cream and sweetener. You’ll find half-and-half in the fridge and sugar in one of the canisters on the counter.”
“Leave it to me.”
By the time the kids had washed up, brushed their teeth, put on their pajamas and climbed into bed, Julie caught the aroma of a fresh brew emanating from the kitchen. After tucking them in and giving them a good-night kiss on the brow, she returned to the living room, where Adam had a cup of decaf waiting for her.
She took it, then settled in on the sofa. She’d planned to keep a safe distance this time, but ended up sitting close enough to reach out and touch him.
“What will you do with the dog while you’re gone next weekend?”
>
“I’ve got it covered. I’ve asked Duck to watch her while I’m gone.”
“Duck?” Julie laughed. “Don’t tell me you found a stray mallard and took it in, too.”
“I’m sorry.” Adam’s smile dimpled his cheeks, making him look boyish and sweet. “That’s what I call Matt Grimes, my old high school buddy. We all had nicknames back then, and every now and then they creep back into our conversations.”
Julie lifted her cup. She hadn’t tasted it yet, but by the creamy color, she saw that Adam had doctored it up, just the way she liked it. She blew across the brim to speed up the cooling process so she could take a sip. “It’s nice that you’re still connected to your friends from high school.”
“Yeah, that’s true. But we don’t get to see each other as often as we once did.”
She took a drink. Mmm. Perfect. “Why don’t you guys get together as much?”
“Matt still officially lives on the Double G, a ranch in Brighton Valley, but he’s a champion bull rider, so he’s out of town a lot.”
“How did a real live cowboy end up with a nickname like Duck?” she asked.
“Back in the day, the high school girls used to flock around him. A couple of them told him he had a sexy cowboy swagger. After that, he strutted around like a peacock all day. So we told him he waddled like a duck, and the name stuck.”
“I take it he really didn’t waddle,” Julie said, savoring another taste of coffee.
“Heck no. But Bullet and I didn’t want the girls’ comment to go to his head. For the record, Duck was cowboy through and through—and he still is. No doubt women still tell him he has a sexy swagger.”
“You and Bullet, huh?”
“That would be Clay Masters. He was a star quarterback with a dead aim.”
“So he threw the ball like a bullet?”
“Yes!” Adam tossed her a wink. “You’re catching on.”
She was also learning a little more about the guy she’d sized up at first sight, only to learn she’d been wrong. And that realization made her want to know even more about him—his past, his day-to-day life, his plans for the future.
“So why did they call you Pancho? Your name is Adam. I had a friend in third grade, and that’s the nickname his parents called him. Is your middle name Francisco?”
“No, not even close. I’ll tell you how that came about. Back in the day, I was the wildest and biggest rebel of the group. A real teenage badass. So one day, after a lecture in US history class, they dubbed me Pancho Villa. Pancho for short.”
“Okay, I get it.” She also saw the transformation he’d made, thanks in large part to Stan. “So the rebellious teenage boy made a U-turn and became a law-abiding cop?”
“That’s about how it all went down.” He lifted his mug and took a drink.
She did the same, noting again that hers seemed to taste better than usual this evening.
They sat quietly for a while, each lost in their thoughts, or so it seemed. Every once in a while, she stole a glance at Adam, then quickly took a drink of her coffee. As the clock ticked softly on the fireplace mantel, she’d never felt so...cozy. So comfortable.
It was nice being with Adam, especially now that the kids were asleep. He was a real live hero who kept the city of Wexler safe, and he was becoming her personal hero, too. A man she could look up to, depend upon. A husband she could easily fall in love with—if she hadn’t done so already.
Every time the handsome hunk tossed her a charming smile, it turned her inside out. He was also a darn good kisser, which probably meant he’d be an amazing lover.
Had his thoughts drifted that way? Was he thinking about kissing her again?
“It’s been a nice evening,” he said.
“I think so.”
He took in a deep breath, then let it out. “I probably ought to go.”
“Do you have to?” Her cheeks warmed. It sounded as if she was inviting him to spend the night. And she would, if the kids weren’t here. She didn’t want any slip-ups before Ms. Kincaid made her decision. “I mean, do you have to go now?”
“I should. Otherwise, I might forget the kids are in the house. And I’d hate to have them wake up and find us kissing...or whatever.”
If she was allowed to keep the kids, they’d have to get used to seeing her and Adam kiss. She’d also have to put a lock on her bedroom door, just in case.
“I’d hate for them to mention anything to their social worker,” Adam added. “You don’t need any bad press.”
“That’s true. But just for the record, if things weren’t still hanging in the balance, I’d invite you to spend the night.”
“And I’d stay in a heartbeat.”
Their gazes locked for a moment, then he pulled her into his arms and drew her mouth to his. This time, the kiss exploded with passion, and as they stroked and caressed each other, she yearned for him even more.
Adam slipped his hand inside her blouse, his fingers scorching her skin, taunting her, tempting her to throw caution—and Ms. Kincaid—to the wind.
When he reached her breast, his thumb skimmed over her nipple, sending her senses reeling. As he worked his magic, an ache settled low in her core.
He was good at this, she thought. So good.
But they had the kids to think about. And even if she had a lock on the bedroom door, which she didn’t now, making love with him tonight didn’t seem right.
Reluctantly, she pulled her lips from his. “I’m sorry. If I don’t stop things now, I might not be able to later.”
“What can I say?” A slow smile lit his eyes. “I told you I had a rebellious streak.”
Maybe he did, once upon a time, but Julie doubted he still had one. She smiled, glad they could make light of something so... Well, so tempting, so arousing.
Adam got to his feet. “I’ll pick you and the kids up tomorrow morning around ten o’clock.”
“All right.” She straightened her blouse, wishing she could remove it instead. “I saw Biscuit sleeping on the bedroom floor, keeping watch over the kids.”
“I’d leave her here, but I didn’t bring her food.” He retrieved the leash from the lamp table, where he’d left it when he arrived.
When he returned to the living room with Biscuit, he said, “When the time is right, we can finish what we started tonight. And believe me, it’ll be worth the wait.”
She didn’t doubt that for a minute. She just wished they didn’t have to wait too long.
Chapter Nine
Julie might not have any experience with camping, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t smart enough to do an internet search and learn all she could. It might only be a one-night trip, but at least Adam wouldn’t think she was a total novice and completely out of her element.
So on Saturday morning, when Adam arrived at her house to pick up her and the kids, she was not only dressed and ready to go, she was standing on the front porch. Beside her sat a bulging backpack that carried everything she could possibly need—sunblock, insect repellent, anti-bacterial wipes, paper towels, two large jugs of water, some healthy snacks, a couple of plastic trash bags, a change of clothes and a toiletry bag. Hopefully she hadn’t forgotten anything.
“Good morning,” Adam said as he climbed out of the driver’s seat wearing hiking boots, worn Levi’s, a flannel shirt and a dazzling smile that set her heart on end. “I’m glad you’re ready. And by the way, you’ve got on the perfect outfit for camping.”
She glanced down at the old pair of Skechers she wore, as well as the worn jeans and faded sweatshirt. Then she looked back at him, watching him make his way toward her. “I knew better than to put on anything new. I figured I’m bound to get dirty before we’re done.” She’d also pulled her hair into a messy ponytail, assuming she’d be hard-pressed to keep it brushed and neat.
Adam met her on the por
ch and reached for her backpack, but before heading back to the car, he paused and swept a gaze over her. An appreciative glimmer lit his eyes. “You look great.”
Pride rose up in her chest. She might be dressed in ratty clothes, but she’d taken the time to apply a little makeup—waterproof mascara and a cherry lip gloss. “Thanks. So do you.”
And did he ever. His dark hair glistened in the morning sun. His eyes, the shade of warm honey, sparkled. A smile dimpled his cheeks...
She fought her attraction by calling the kids from inside, where they’d been having a morning snack at the kitchen table.
“We’re coming!” Eddie called out, as he and his sister dashed out of the house and hurried to the car, where Biscuit sat in the back.
After locking the door, Julie carried her gym bag to the car and handed it to Adam.
“Are dogs allowed at the campsite?” she asked, as Adam tried to cram her bag, as well as both backpacks, in the rear of the vehicle, which was already full.
“If they’re on leashes. I could have left Biscuit at home and asked my neighbor to look after her, which is what I usually do when I know I’m going to be away from the house for a long period of time. But I thought bringing her along would be a nice treat for the kids.”
Adam clearly loved that sweet dog. Julie chalked that up as one more reason to believe that she’d completely misread him on day one.
She glanced at the top of his Bronco, where he’d secured a couple of long boxes with green bungee cords on the roof rack. “Are you sure we’re only staying one night? It looks as though you expect to be roughing it for a week or more.”
“Yep. I’ve brought two tents, sleeping bags, a first aid kit, wood for the fire and food.” He opened the passenger door for her, and as she took a seat, she caught a hint of aftershave, a woodsy scent that confirmed he was an outdoorsman at heart.
About thirty minutes later, as the Bronco kicked up dust and bounced along a rutted dirt road that led to Miller’s Creek, Julie said, “Boy, you weren’t kidding when you said this place was ‘rustic.’ It’s rugged, too.”
