Once More A Family Part 16

"The bed with the Pooh bear quilt is yours," she said when the boy hesitatedon the threshold. Sarah had insisted on holding it ready.Ria felt a pang ofguilt at keeping Grady's family at bay. But it was necessary, she remindedherself. Tomorrow, though, she would call her ex-mother-in-law and tell herall about her grandson.

Warning herself not to hover, she ambled over to the window to raise theminiblinds. Suns.h.i.+ne flooded into the room, warming her face. She took atesting sniff, drawing in the mingled scents of musty air and Sarah's homemadepotpourri that invariably greeted her when they arrived. Years of memoriesflooded her senses as she unlatched the window and pushed up the sash. Windfrom the lake beyond the sloping lawn wafted over her, adding a fishy flavorto the mix.

Located on a spit of land guarding a pretty little cove, the white-painted,frame bungalow Mason Hardin had built with his own hands looked out over asandy beach on one side and a deep-water pool on the other.

At the end of a long, white pier she'd helped Grady build one hot, lazysummer sat a sleek maroon-and-white powerboat, bobbing impatiently in theswells. An aluminum fis.h.i.+ng boat covered in canvas had been pulled up on thebeach.

All six of the Hardin kids had learned to swim in the shallow water on the leeward side of the spit, then tested their courage in the dark green depthson the other side. She pictured the legendary four-foot catfish called OldWhiskerface lurking somewhere beneath the wind-ruffled surface that looked soserene in the late-morning suns.h.i.+ne and smiled as she turned.

Jimmy was standing in front of the open closet door, a thoughtful frown playing over his face as he studied a series of marks scribbled onto theyellow paint.

"Your grandma calls that the Hardin family history," she said when he cast askittish glance her way. "Every year, on the Fourth of July, Grandma andGrandpa would stand each of their children up against this door and measuretheir heights."

Encouraged by the tiny kernel of interest that flashed for a moment in theback of his brown eyes, she stepped closer.

"This is Daddy, see?"

She watched his eyes widen as he trailed his gaze upward to the final line,etched there when Grady was eighteen.

"He's a fraction over six-two," she said, answering the unspoken question inthe light brown eyes. "I have a feeling you're going to be at least thattall."

He absorbed that with a thoughtful look. At least he wasn't scowling, shethought as she traced her fingertip downward along the uneven line ofhorizontal marks.

"Let's see, age nine, age eight ... here, age six." She touched a red line,then turned to measure the top of his s.h.a.ggy head against the marker. "I thinkyou have Daddy beat, sweetheart."

Jimmy's face crinkled into the grin that was a little-boy-version of hisdad's-lopsided, dimpled and more than a little c.o.c.ky. Her mother's heart gavea hard thump of joy-and she wanted to shout. Thank heavens for thealways-predictable male ego, she thought on a brilliant burst of hope as shesquatted next to him. He smelled like soap and grape bubble gum.

"This is you at age three." She touched her nail to a bold green mark aboutthirty inches from the floor. "You didn't want to stand still long enough forDaddy to measure you, so I bribed you with a gingerbread man." She smiled. "Ipacked the ones Grandma Hardin made. Just in case you change your mind aboutnot liking them."

His eyes lighted. "The ones with green b.u.t.tons?"

Her heart jolted. He remembered! It was the first crack. A beginning. G.o.dbless Dr. Roth and her brilliant idea.

"No, she only makes green b.u.t.tons for St. Patrick's Day." She had to swallowthe need to smother him with kisses. "Were those your favorite? The ... the oneswith the green b.u.t.tons?"

He considered, then darted a glance around the room, as though afraid to beoverheard. "I don't remember," he muttered, glancing down at his new sneakers.

Patience,she told herself.Give him time.

"Hey, how about we measure you now?" she suggested in her brightest voice."We can show Daddy when he comes in?"

"Daddy's already in."

Startled, she let out a whoosh of surprise and spun around. Grady had a garment bag over one shoulder, her tote on the other and two suitcases in eachhand.

Looking more relaxed than she'd seen him since that heart-stopping momentwhen he'd guided Jimmy across the threshold, he was wearing khaki shorts and ayellow polo s.h.i.+rt she'd bought him years ago, faded now to a soft b.u.t.terycolor. Frequent was.h.i.+ngs had shrunk the material so that the cotton knit wa.s.stretched over his chest, and the tight ribbing of the short sleeves cut intohis biceps. She felt the liquid pull of desire and fought a need to rub upagainst him.

"What are you two up to here?" he demanded in his best street cop tone."Plotting against Dad already?"

Riacaught the quick, uncertain look Jimmy sent her way and winked. "I wa.s.showing Jimmy the famous Hardin family history."

Grady grinned. "Impressive, isn't it, son?" Jimmy blinked, and for thetiniest instant, she thought she might have seen a gleam in his eyes beforehis mouth turned wary again.

"Lance is alot taller."

Grady dumped a stack of briefs into the dresser drawer and slammed it shut."I gotta tell you, honey, I'm getting d.a.m.n tired of hearing about thatb.a.s.t.a.r.d, Lance, and how great he is."

Riaclosed the suitcase she'd just emptied. "Jimmy remembered the greenb.u.t.tons on the gingerbread men, Grady. It shook him pretty bad, too, which iswhy I think he said that about Lance as a kind of security blanket."

His eyes darkened, and a muscle ticked just above the hard knot of tension inhis jaw. "You think talking about Lance is his security blanket?"

"Yes, that's what I think."

He sighed, then took her into his arms. "I think you're one smart lady,Victoria Madison Hardin. Gutsy, too." He kissed her forehead, then rested hischin on the top of her head. She smelled suns.h.i.+ne on his skin.

"I figure, with your guts and my stubbornness the kid will make it past thisadjustment period in good shape." She heard him chuckle deep in his throat."If old Dad's patience holds out."

"I'd bet on it." She burrowed closer, needing to lean just a little longer.

"It's d.a.m.n humbling when a guy's only son thinks a frigging drug runner issome kind of hero." She heard the bleak note in his voice and realized he was hurting. Grady all but wors.h.i.+ped his own father, and she suspected he'd alwayswanted Jimmy to look up to him in the same way.

At three Jimmy had.

"Maybe he hasn't had any other male adult in his life as a comparison," shesaid, tightening her arms around his solid waist.

Returning to the familiar room where they'd lain together during theirhoneymoon talking about the life they would make for their children had shaken her more than she'd expected.

Her dreams had been so bright then, and they'd been so young and hopeful. Sofull of promises. He would always make her feel special and adored. She wouldfill his life with strong sons and adorable daughters.

Now they were no longer young, no longer full of idealism and impossibledreams. Jimmy would be the only child she would ever give him. Grady had hiswork, she had hers.

He stroked her back with the flat of his big hand, and she felt the tensiondraining away. Little by little she relaxed, letting herself be lulled by hiswarmth.

"Hey, you're not falling asleep on me, are you?" He drew back to look down ather.

"Mmm." She opened her eyes and smiled up at him.

"Guess you think I'm a jerk, wanting my son to like me better than that ...other guy," he said with a smile playing over his mouth.

"I think you're a good man who loves his son and is trying every way he knowshow to be there for him."

"I'm not so sure I've done anything to earn many points so far."

She saw a muscle bunch in his jaw and smiled. "I thought I was the impatientone in this family."

His face changed, and his eyes grew very dark. "Is that what we are now, Ree?A family."

She heard the quiet note of hope in his voice and ached. "I don't know,Grady. I just know I like being here with you, even though it scares me. Iknow you want more, but..."

His lashes flickered, and for an instant he looked disappointed before hisgrin slanted. "Hey, you ain't seen nothing, honey. Just wait until I turn onthe old Hardin charm. Ain't no way you're gonna keep from falling for me allover again."

She laughed because he expected it. But even as she lifted her face for hiskiss, she felt the tug of guilt. What if he was wrong? What if she'd built thewalls around her heart too high and too strong? What if even the two of themtogether couldn't find a way through them?

Grady felt her stiffen and made himself pull back from the hunger that grewstronger in him with each minute he spent near her. Hunger to hold her. Tokiss her long enough and hard enough to push her past her need to test eachstep. To earn again the love he'd so carelessly thrown away.

"Relax, honey, I'll hear him if he starts down the hall."

He was giving her an out and prayed big time she would take it. The lastthing he wanted at the moment was more talk. After a man spilled out his heartat his feet, anything he added was too d.a.m.n close to groveling.

"It's just that ... I can't make any promises."

"I don't remember asking for any."

"Not in so many words." She sighed, then touched his face so gently it painedhim all the way to the quick. "I don't want to hurt you, Grady."

He'd seen enough suffering to last a dozen lifetimes. Seeing it in her eyesnearly laid him flat. Knowing it was because of him had him wanting to b.l.o.o.d.y someone.

Instead, he found the c.o.c.ky grin that no one but his mom had ever caredenough to look behind. "I'm already hurting, honey." He cupped her bottom andnudged her closer to the arousal that was already straining his shorts.

Her eyes widened, and her breath hissed out in a little gasp. He gritted histeeth and thrust gently against her. "That's ... oh!" She took a quick breath."That's not, uh, what I meant and you know it."

"I know I want you." He clamped his jaw down tight and rubbed against her.The jagged burst of desire in her eyes was enough for now. "I know you wantme. Anything else can wait."

"Be serious, Grady."

"Honey, I don't know how much more serious I can get before I burst."

Her laughter was a gift he cherished. "Hold that thought," she whispered,doing a little rubbing of her own. He nearly lost it before he made himselfdraw back.

"Tonight," he grated, his voice raw. "Five minutes after Jim's tucked uptight, I want you naked."

It took considerably longer to finish unpacking and coax Jimmy through ashampoo and bath. Then whileRia read him a chapter of the tattered copy ofTheAdventures of Tom Sawyer she'd found tucked into one of the bookcases, Gradyhad checked the locks on all the doors and windows.

A cop's paranoia, he'd told her. She'd simply smiled, but he'd seen therelief in her eyes. While she showered, he put in a patient half hour watchingJim annihilate galaxy after galaxy while excitedly explaining each complexmaneuver that had laid the enemy low. By the time Grady's ears were ringingand Jimmy's eyelids were drooping, it was close to ten o'clock.

"In you go, tiger," Grady ordered, drawing back the covers.

"Moira always lets me watch that funny guy with the cigar who comes on afterthe news," Jimmy protested sullenly as he climbed between the sheets.

Grady figured Moira wasn't watching much late-night TV these days. Not unlessCalifornia jails were a lot more liberal than the ones in Indiana.

"One of these days real soon your mom and I will sit down and iron out somerules, but until then, we'll go by the ones my folks had for me." He grinned."Which means lights out by ten during the summer."

Jimmy's lower lip zoomed out. "That's a dumb rule."

"You're certainly ent.i.tled to your opinion." Grady slipped the computer game out from under the pillow where Jim had stashed it. The sleepy look vanished as the boy reared up. "Hey, give that back." "Tomorrow." Grady grinned. "Right before old Dad leaves for town." "Not fair," Jimmy muttered, but he settled down again, only to rear up almost immediately. "Where's Trouble?" Grady glanced around. "It takes him a while to settle in someplace new.Probably doesn't know where he's supposed to bunk, so you'd best whistle for him." Jimmy stared, big-eyed and skeptical. "Cats don't come when you whistle." "I have a dollar that says he does." Jimmy worried his lip and considered, looking for the kicker. Grady hoped the cat didn't come waltzing in before he got this particular fish on the line. "Don't have no money to bet," Jimmy declared finally, looking disappointed. Grady set the hook. "How about this? If you're right, I'll give you back your game and pretend I don't hear those G.o.dawful noises in the middle of thenight. But if I'm right, you agree to callRia Mom all day tomorrow." Pressinghis advantage, he stuck out his hand. "Deal?"

Jimmy hesitated. "Who gets to do the whistling?"

"Your call."

"I'm not much good so you'd better do it," Jimmy said, before sealing the bet

with a quick handshake. Grady gave it all he had, splitting the air with a piercing whistle, thenheld his breath. Right on cue, Trouble came trotting through the door, his tail twitching. "How did you do that?" the boy said, clearly in awe. Grady wanted to strut. "Patience and bribery." And a long string of empty nights to fill. Training the cat had tested his patience and tired his mind. Seeing Grady, the cat paused, then executed a perfect leap onto the pillownext to Jimmy's head. Grady made a mental note to buy a case of those gourmet cat meals. * * * He came to her naked from the shower, with hungerinhis eyes and a hint of a

c.o.c.ky smile on his lean face. He was beautiful corded steel and fluid gracelayered with bronzed muscle.

Riafelt desire flash inside her like the sudden kindling of a flame. Oh, yes,he wanted her, she thought as she watched him walk toward the bed, his bodyalready fully aroused.

Magnificentlyaroused.

It was a woman's pride that ran through her. It was a heady drug, this power

she had over him. Watching his eyes turn hot and needy as his gaze ran thelength of her body had excitement dancing in her head and her pulse pounding.

Last night he'd been achingly gentle with her, and though he'd found his ownrelease, she had sensed the restraint in him. Tonight she wanted him wild andout of control.

"If you're too tired, tell me now," he ordered, his voice raspy.

She summoned a siren smile and let it bloom. "Not a chance."

"Thank G.o.d," he grated, his eyes a little reckless as he flicked a quick lookat the closed door.

"Already locked," she murmured, feeling smug and daring-and wonderfullywicked.

"Proud of yourself, aren't you?" His grin was lethal, his movements lightningas he grabbed the sheet she'd pulled to her waist and jerked it free of thebed, sending it whipping across the room.

She felt a wanton excitement sizzle across her nerve endings, leaving herjittery and impatient. "I love to see a man take charge," she murmured, rakinghim with her gaze.

The mattress dipped as he braced himself over her. "How about a man beingtormented into a mindless frenzy by a dark-haired temptress?" he all butgrowled.

"Mmm," she managed, already linking her arms around his neck. His skin wa.s.still warm and dewy from the shower, the scent of soap as intoxicating as themusk of climax.

"Hang on tight, honey," he warned an instant before his mouth crashed down onhers.

Her senses exploded, raw heat and brilliant light. Like a roaring wave,pleasure rolled through her, rippling and surging until she was liquid andpliable and hot. His mouth was greedy and clever, his tongue persuasive onemoment, demanding the next. His hands were everywhere, sometimes stroking,sometimes kneading.

"Let go, sweetheart, let it go," he urged, even as she bucked and writhedunder the onslaught.