And would never have.
It was a good thing their alliance was temporary. He could never offer her a home like this.
And sooner or later, she’d want more than he could afford.
Hadn’t that been one of Sylvia’s complaints? She’d wanted him to kill himself slaving away at some high powered law firm, racking up billable hours so money would pour in. And still be available for all the social events she wanted to attend.
Yet being an investigator was something he loved. He couldn’t imagine making a living doing anything else. And, of course, his job was the sole reason Michelle had come into his life—even for a short time.
They explored the second floor until they’d seen into every room. Michelle even led them briefly to the attic to show Josh where Caroline and Brandon had found the boxes that also led to their discovery about her father. He listened to all she had to say, trying to get a feeling for things unsaid.
As they headed back downstairs, Josh scooped Penny up and paused at the head of the stairs.
“This is your chance, Michelle. Go for it.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Sliding down the banister.”
He found life more fun when trying new things and daring to take chances. Would Michelle feel the same?
She looked at the long expanse of highly polished mahogany, at the steep drop to the side and shook her head.
“Of course if you are some sissy, chicken girl, I guess you can’t do it,” he teased.
“I’m likely to fall off and break my neck! There was a good reason grandmother forbid us to even try.”
He grinned, and started down the stairs. He’d give her one minute. He could recognize indecision mixed with raw desire when he saw it.
“I'll stand beneath the railing and catch you if you fall. You’ll probably never have another chance,” he called over his shoulder.
Michelle watched as he went down the stairs, but she made no move to take the stairs.
Josh set Penny on the marble floor and pointed to the doorway into the living room.
“Wait there,” he said in a stage whisper, “and watch Michelle.”
Walking to stand beneath the highest part of the stairs, he looked up.
He could see her take a breath and the smile of pure delight that spread.
“Catch me at the bottom,” she instructed, as she sat sideways on the wood.
Josh had no sooner moved to the base of the stairs than she let go a shriek and came sailing down the railing, plunging right into him. She was laughing as they tangled and fell back to the floor. He was glad he'd been there. She’d had no control and could have hurt herself.
Penny laughed and ran across to kneel beside them. “I want to do that, Daddy. That’s fun!”
Josh slowly sat up, Michelle still in his arms. Her laughter was infectious and he began to chuckle. “Not this time, Penny. You can’t reach the banister like Michelle can. Maybe when you’re older.”
“That was wonderful. I felt like I was flying.” Michelle exclaimed, still laughing.
“I want to fly, Daddy!” Penny insisted.
Michelle jumped up and reached down a hand for Josh. “Okay, punkin, we’ll see what we can do, right Daddy?”
Josh didn’t release her hand when he rose, but pulled her closer. “Just how do you propose to do that?”
“She could do it for just a few feet. I’ll put her on it and hold her, you catch her at the bottom. It was so much fun I wished I had been able to do it when I was younger. Let’s indulge her.”
As you were not indulged, Josh thought, nodding in agreement. “Okay, but only for a few feet.”
Penny loved sliding and insisted on playing that new game a dozen times more. Josh finally put his foot down, asking Michelle if she wanted another try.
She shook her head.
“No. That was great. But once was special. To do it again might not be as special. I want to always remember it as it was.”
She sat on the top step and began to take off her shoes. “But I’ll take you up on your other offer.”
He nodded and toed off his shoes. But there was another way he wished they could shock her grandmother’s ghost, and it had nothing to do with dancing or playing tag.
She rose and shyly looked at him.
He was beginning to understand this complex woman who was his wife. His temporary wife. And that worried him.
“May I have this dance?” he asked with a mock bow.
Penny stood on the bottom step and clapped her hands. “Dance!”
“With Michelle the first time, okay?”
“Then me.”
“Then you.”
Penny sat on the stairs and took off her shoes, watching them dance and calling out to them to hurry.
Josh swept Michelle into his arms and swooped and turned and carried them all around the wide foyer. The marble was cool beneath their feet, the humid Mississippi air wafted in from the opened front door. Before long they were both hot and breathless.
Josh stopped and kissed her. She was warm and smelled heavenly. The taste of her lips was sweet as honey and he wanted her as he hadn’t wanted a woman in years. Maybe never.
“My turn,” Penny said, racing across the foyer.
Josh pulled back, his eyes finding Michelle’s. The heat in her cheeks was not all due to their exertion. He recognized the dazed look in her eyes and something grew inside. He didn’t need Michelle to tell him that she wasn’t very experienced. He had only to look into her eyes to see the signs.
“Okay.” Josh reached down to pick up Penny. He didn’t relinquish Michelle’s hand even when she tugged.
“We can all three dance,” he said.
When he saw the delight in her eyes, he was glad he’d suggested it.
They danced around and around, Penny shrieking with laughter. Michelle giggling at them all.
Finally, Josh stopped.
“Enough! It’s hot as blazes in here.”
He put Penny down and straightened, arching his back and raising his arms over his
