He stretched out his hand, his forefinger drawing circles on her shoulder, trailing down in loops to run across the top of the towel. He shifted her away from him, his legs closing and thrusting between hers as he pulled her down on his lap. “Tell them we realize we love each other.”
“Do we?” she asked, suddenly wanting him to say it. In spite of his declarations, she had yet to hear an “I love you.”
“Yes, we do,” he said solemnly. His arm banded her waist and she sucked in her breath. She straddled him, the towel pulling open. She wore nothing beneath it and he only had the sheet across him and she could see his manhood pushing above the strip of white.
“Now, baby, I’m going to do my damnedest to get my way with you again. You’ll see. They wake up and find us in here together and it will save multitudinous talking. I’ll just say, ‘Guys, I love your Aunt Juliana—’”
Something seemed to crack within her, her last defenses coming down as she threw her arms around his neck and leaned forward to kiss him with all the heart and passion she felt. His arms tightened around her and pulled her up close against his body, spreading her legs wide.
“Here we go again,” he said in minutes as he kissed her throat and his hand slid over her bottom and down be- tween her legs.
It was sunrise when Juliana fell asleep in his arms. Con- tentment filled her and he had finally convinced her to stop worrying. The next thing she knew, she opened her eyes to find bright sunlight streaming over her. She sat up, looking around. The bed was empty and she glanced at the clock.
“Eleven!” She threw back the sheet and scrambled out of bed. “Dammit, dammit!” She tried to remember what day it was, what she was supposed to be doing. It was Wednes- day. She tried to think where she should be while she scrambled up and dashed to shower and dress. As she stuck the last pin in her hair, she heard a light knock on the door.
“Yes?”
The door swung open and Quin stood there holding Snookums. “Cal said you didn’t feel like getting up this morning and not to bother you, but I heard you moving around.”
“Come in, honey.”
He came inside and crossed the room to sit in the rocker and settle Snookums on his lap. “Juliana, Cal said he’s go- ing to be a dad like you’re our mom now.”
“That’s what he wants,” she answered, her heart miss- ing a beat to hear Cal’s declaration. She picked up navy pumps and slipped her feet into them.
Quin smiled. “I’m glad.”
“That’s good, honey,” she said, feeling a squeeze to her heart and praying that Cal meant what he said. She would survive a hurt, but she couldn’t bear for the boys to get hurt.
“The lumber’s here for a corral and we get to start build- ing it soon. I’m going to help.”
“That’s good.”
“Cal has gone to work. He said to tell you he’d be home as soon as he could get here.”
“Thank you. Message delivered.”
“He’s going to take us canoeing Saturday.”
“Good, sweetie.”
“Some flowers just came for you. They’re downstairs. Cal said he’s moved to this room.”
“That’s right,” she said, wishing people could control blushes as she thought about the night they had shared.
Quin rocked and stroked Snookums. The cat purred loudly, his eyes closed in serenity. “Cal said he loves me as much as I love Snookums and then more besides.”
“That’s good.”
“I’m going with Chris in the boat in a little while.”
“You two be careful. The highway bridge is as far as you can go.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, picking up the cat and leaving the room.
She went downstairs and spotted the bouquet of two dozen red roses on the credenza just inside the front door. She crossed to them to pick up the small white envelope and remove the card.
Cal’s message was scrawled in black ink. May we have a lifetime of nights like the last one. See you tonight. My love, Cal.
She tucked the card into the pocket of her navy-and- white-striped cotton suit and went to the kitchen.
“Good morning,” Gladys said cheerfully. “Mr. Duncan said to leave you undisturbed. He said you helped him pull the poplar out of the sun room last night. There’s your or- ange juice and I’ll pour you a cup of coffee.”
“Thanks, Gladys,” Juliana said, relieved Gladys didn’t give her the scrutiny Mimi would have. She picked up a phone book to call to get the windows repaired and then re- alized Cal might have already called someone. She called his office and in minutes he was on the phone.
“Hi, sleepyhead,” he drawled in a husky voice that made her think about their intimacy.
“The roses are gorgeous.”
“So are you.”
“Thank you.”
“Thinking about us?”
“Too much,” she said, and heard his deep chuckle.
“Yeah. I’m having a hell of a time concentrating on any- thing. I keep remembering.”
She inhaled, feeling weak-kneed, wanting him home and his arms around her again. “I started to call someone to get the windows repaired.”
“I already have and he’ll be out anytime now. Anything else you want me to do?”
“I’ll tell you when you get home,” she said softly and listened to his groan.
“Woman! I wish I could cancel work and come home right now.”
“You can’t.” She closed her eyes, feeling her pulse jump at the suggestive tone in his voice. “I’m late for work. I’m leaving as soon as I eat a bite.”
“Go out with me tonight. Gladys and Stoddard will be there with the boys.”
“Yes,” she answered. “Gotta run.”
“Love you, babe. I’ll show you tonight.”
She replaced the receiver and looked out the window, re- membering the night and Cal’s hands and kisses. She felt like singing and
