“Hey,” he said, his heart skipping a beat at the sound of her voice.
“Hey yourself.”
“Any problems getting here?”
“Nope. Smooth flights all the way and an easy drive over.”
“I wish I could have been at Cora Jane’s when you got there,” he said.
“You could have been,” she said, her tone mildly accusatory.
Her attitude caught him by surprise. “Come on, Emily. I explained about this sleepover.”
“You did, but I’ve been giving that some thought. Would it have been so awful for you to bring both boys over here for a couple of hours? We could have grilled some burgers or something. B.J. wouldn’t have made anything out of that.”
“Probably not,” he admitted. “I just didn’t want to chance it.”
“Because B.J.’s so intuitive or because you’re afraid word will get back to Jodie?” she pressed.
Boone was taken aback by the unexpectedly bitter note in her voice. “Both,” he said. “But I thought you understood. What’s changed? Did somebody say something to upset you? Cora Jane, for instance?”
“It’s not about what anyone else thinks. I’m the one who’s frustrated,” she admitted. “I came all this way. I have only a couple of days here, and we’re going to spend, what, maybe a few hours together? That’s not going to work, Boone. We can’t build a relationship that way.”
“Sweetheart, believe me, I am every bit as frustrated as you are. This sleepover came up before I knew your schedule. Next time I won’t let anything interfere. I’ll make plans for B.J. so we can have every minute together. Don’t you think that’s what I want, too?”
She sighed. “Yes, of course.”
“Come shopping with us tomorrow,” he said impulsively. “I know you wanted to.”
“But you said it was a bad idea,” she countered, clearly surprised by his change of heart.
“It may be, but it’s not as if anybody can make anything of us being caught together buying school supplies or eating lunch in a mall food court.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” he said before he could change his mind. He couldn’t allow Jodie’s hostility to rule his life. If she got wind of him being with Emily, so be it. She needed to get used to the idea sooner or later and it might as well start now.
Of course, if him being with Emily infuriated his former mother-in-law, it was likely to be nothing compared to what she’d have to say about B.J. being along. Still, B.J. was his son, and a shopping trip was about as innocuous an outing as the three of them could possibly take.
“I’ll pick you up at ten, as soon as I drop Alex off. We’ll make a day of it. You game?”
“For shopping?” she asked with a laugh. “Hon, you are talking my language.”
Boone had a feeling he’d opened more than one can of worms with his invitation. Giving his credit card a serious workout was probably the least of it.
* * *
B.J. flew across the yard when he spotted Emily and threw his arms around her. “You’re back!” he announced happily. “Dad, look who’s here.”
Boone grinned. “I heard. I figured you’d want to stop by and say hello.”
“Are you back for good?” B.J. asked hopefully.
“Only for a couple of days,” she said, hugging him tightly. “Now, stand back and let me get a good look at you. I think you’ve grown at least an inch since I left.”
“Dad says it’s at least two inches this summer. All my school pants are too short.”
“Then you definitely need new ones,” Emily said. “Ready to do some serious shopping?”
B.J.’s eyes widened excitedly. “You’re coming, too?”
“I am,” she confirmed, her gaze on Boone, who was smiling, even though she thought she could detect a hint of worry in his eyes.
“Awesome!” B.J. said with a first pump. “Dad says we can eat in the food court and I can have pizza and tacos.”
Emily feigned surprise. “Really? That’s a lot of food. Think you can handle it?”
“Sure,” B.J. said confidently. “I’m a growing boy. I need lots and lots of food. That’s what Grandma Jodie says. But she thinks I should only eat vegetables and fruit and stuff like that. She’s a veggie...” He glanced at Boone. “What is she, Dad?”
“A vegetarian,” Boone explained.
“Ah,” Emily said. “That can be a very healthy lifestyle.” Just a little tough on a kid, whose friends were eating pepperoni pizza, burgers and fries. Still, she wasn’t about to criticize his grandmother’s choices. That was a surefire way to stir up trouble with Jodie Farmer.
“Son, why don’t you run inside and say hello to Cora Jane?” He glanced hopefully at Emily. “She’s home, right? Doesn’t she go in a little later on Saturdays?”
“She’s here,” Emily confirmed. “She claimed she took the morning off to spend a little time with me, but the truth is, I think she’s worn herself out the past few weeks getting the restaurant back into full operation.”
B.J. dutifully scampered off, leaving them alone. Boone took a few steps toward her. “I want to kiss you,” he murmured with only inches between them. His breath fanned across her cheek.
“Then do it,” she said, her gaze locked with his. “We have maybe five minutes before B.J.’s back. Grandmother will keep him occupied for at least that long.”
Boone grinned. “Five minutes, huh? It will have to be some kiss.”
“I’m sure you’re up to it.”
“I guess we’ll find out,” he said, pulling her into his arms and sealing his mouth over hers.
Emily swayed into his embrace, letting everything go except the sensations he stirred in her—the desire, the heat, the familiar scent of citrus and pure male.
“Much better,” she murmured as the kiss ended. “I was so afraid we weren’t going to sneak in even one kiss on this trip.”
“It’s going to get better,” Boone promised. “We won’t always have to sneak around.”
“I hope not, because I’m not sure I can do that,” Emily told him candidly. “It feels too sleazy, as if we’re ashamed or something.”
Boone touched her cheek. “Maybe you’re just looking at it all wrong.
