Coveting Love (Jessica Crawford) (14 page)

“
They were sure surprised when they saw that I was just as capable a businessman as he was, more so in many respects. Most of their profits have doubled in the time since I have taken over the ranch.” He shook his head. “But still, they look at me and see Andrew Phillip’s little boy. They have a hard time seeing the successful businessman I have become.

“
I also hope to have a family someday. I would especially like to have a son to whom I could leave my share of the ranch. I hope he would be out there working alongside me, just as I did with my father.”

The display of sentimentality evident in his eyes and in his voice touched her. This kind of expression was so rare in men. She felt like reaching out and touching him, but she knew this was exactly the kind of reaction most men tried to avoid. She blinked back the tears that had welled in her eyes.

“
I’m sure that you, too, will get what you desire.”

In an effort to regain her composure, she glanced thoughtfully around her, noting they were the only ones in the park. “Where do you suppose everyone is today?”

“
Probably being smart and staying inside, instead of sitting on a park bench freezing their asses off,” he replied, grinning. “Come on,” he said, offering his hand to her. “Why don’t we find some romantic little bistro where we could lunch?”

“
Lunch?” she said. “My dear Brandon, it is well past lunch. Look at the sky.” She pointed upwards.

“
It doesn’t matter what time the clock reads. We slept so late and had breakfast for lunch. My body thinks it’s time for lunch. But it doesn’t matter whether we eat lunch or dinner. I’m hungry enough to eat both.”

They managed to find a small café just a few blocks from the park. They ordered soup and hot muffins, letting the warmth of the soup envelop them.

“
Exquisite!” Brandon proclaimed. This soup may just be my new best friend.”

“
I think I’m in love with the muffins. What do you think they put in them to make them so moist and sweet?”

“
Probably either honey or buttermilk.”

“
All I know is it’s the best muffin I’ve ever had.”

He shook his head. “They are excellent, I agree. However, you haven’t tasted Henry’s muffins yet. They are superb; the absolute best muffins I’ve ever tasted. Only don’t tell my mother. She still thinks her carrot raisin is my favorite. I don’t have the heart to tell her differently.”

“
Who is Henry?”

“
Henry is a local baker, near the ranch. It’s a thirty-minute drive to get there, but it’s worth it. I keep trying to talk him into expanding and shipping, but he’s happy just serving the local public. He has a family and an apartment over the bakery. He’s a good father and a loving husband. He can be seen every Saturday at the local little league field pitching balls to this sons, and every Sunday at the Catholic Church. He works hard and makes a good living. He employs quite a few of the local high school students after school.” He nodded at her. “I’m rambling, sorry.”

She smiled at him, marveling at how comfortable she was with Brandon. It scared her to think she was becoming dependent upon his company. She knew that after the weekend, he would be returning home, and she would not be seeing him again until they left for his house in California, in three weeks. She wondered how she was going to make it through until then.

He slipped his hand into hers, and they began their walk back to the apartment. She grasped tightly, never wanting to let go. He glanced down at the added pressure of her grip, amazed that this beautiful woman could so easily capture his soul.

The past few weeks had been torture for Brandon. He had never met a woman with such strength and courage as she. He had thought about her day and night. Her very being had made such an impression upon him that he had been unable to get her off his mind. Unable to bear the burden of missing her any longer, and with constant urging from his brother, Matthew, he had decided it was time to pursue her.

Being here with her today was his dream come true. He could not bear the thought of leaving her tomorrow, knowing it would be weeks until they saw each other again.

He pulled her closer to him. He held her tight, until he felt her squirm in discomfort. Apologizing, he loosened his hold. His body began to respond to his urgent needs. He quickened their stride lest she sense the change in him.

They were barely inside the door when he pulled her close. He whispered her name, his mouth mere inches from her ear. Her skin was soft and smooth, creamy white against his own sun-stained brown. He could smell the sweet scent of lilacs that she had bathed with that morning. He longed to smooth the creamy soap over every inch of her.

He closed his eyes, imagining every curve. His hand crept up, longingly, stopping only inches from her breast, sending ripples of excitement through them both. Her hands began their own exploration, being careful not to impose immodesty. His mouth traced the sides of her neck, nibbling as his lips drank in the sweetness of her.

A soft moan escaped her lips, begging for more. He devoured her mouth. He couldn’t seem to get enough of her. At last he pulled his mouth from hers, panting as he savored the smell and feel of her. His hands cupped her buttocks, sliding up to wind themselves in the silkiness of her beautiful hair. Their lips met again, hungrily seeking fulfillment. Unable to bear it any longer, he pushed her away and stared into her eyes. He saw lust, and something else he couldn’t put a name to.

She wanted him desperately, could wait no longer, but she had to. She ran into the bathroom and slammed the door. She caught her reflection in the mirror. Who is that? She wondered. She didn’t even recognize herself. This woman had a glow to her, a softness that she lacked, a maturity that wasn’t there before, and something else, too. She couldn’t decide on it. Never in her life had she been so happy. Was this what being in love felt like?

He rapped softly on the door. “Jessie, are you all right,” he whispered through the locked door. She opened it and their eyes met. Neither of them spoke, afraid to break the spell.

Brandon made the first move. He kissed her again, but this time there was no passion to it, only a loving firmness. He thought he heard her utter her love for him, but he wasn’t sure. He wanted to return the expression but held back, unable, or unwilling to break the spell. Tomorrow he would analyze his feelings. Today, he thought, as he buried his face deep into her neck, today was just for feeling.

He didn’t want to talk about the future, fearful of what it might bring. He didn’t want to think of never seeing her again. He was afraid saying it might make it so. He was content to glorify himself in her beauty for what little time they had left of today.

She was exhausted, that was clear to see. He gathered her into his arms and carried her to her bed. He lay down beside her, pulling her close. She slipped quickly into a deep, peaceful sleep. Unable to fall asleep, he just lay and watched her. Her chest rose and fell with every breath she took. He wondered what she dreamt of as he watched the look of pleasure seep into the corners of her mouth.

He would remember this night forever and face whatever tomorrow had to bring. He was frightened of loving this woman, fearful of getting hurt again, yet life would be unbearable without her. He rolled over and gently, so as not to wake her, placed his arm across her chest. She had bewitched him with her beauty and laughter.

She stirred softly, her mind floating somewhere between her dreams and the twilight sleep, her lips parting ever so slightly, moving gently as she murmured softly, “I love you.” Then she was sleeping soundly again, before she finished the final breath.

“
I love you, too,” he quietly replied before kissing her gently on the head and drifting off to sleep.

**********

CHAPTER 5

Amy cursed angrily as the knife sliced into her thumb. She grabbed a towel, pressing it firmly against the injured digit as she ran to the door.

She stared in amazement as her visitor came through the doorway, looking dismayed at her bleeding thumb.

“
Did I do that?” he asked with regret.

“
Randy. What are you doing here?”

He turned and pointed toward the door, pretending hurt. “I can leave if you want me to.”

“
No,” she said, a bit too eagerly. Then she giggled, grabbing hold of his arm and pulling him into the room before he could escape. “Please don’t leave. But really, what are you doing here?”

He came up to her and touched her softly on the cheek. Pity played in his eyes as they traveled down to her slightly swollen abdomen. “Why didn’t you tell me about your baby?”

She blushed with embarrassment. “How did you know?”

He grinned and teased. “It’s kind of hard to miss, you know.” She hit him. “I guessed there was something wrong the last time we spoke. You seemed so aloof. I thought I had done something to anger you. And Jessie fusses over you so much one might think you would break.”

She giggled again. “Yes, she really is overprotective.”

“
Anyway, I got concerned so I cornered Sarah on it. She said you were going through some emotional problems and could use some strong support, but she warned me that I shouldn’t crowd you right now. Although she didn’t tell me what it was, it’s obvious when I look at you. So there you are. I make a good sleuth, and you make a lousy chef. Here, let me bandage this up for you. My father’s a pharmacist, you know, which means I have to have a tiny,” he held his fingers apart, indicating the smallest amount possible, “bit of medical knowledge.”

She sighed and led him to the bathroom where she stored all her first aid gear.

Randy nodded toward her abdomen. “Do I guess right that you’ve decided to have your baby?” She nodded, blinking back her tears. “What about the baby’s father? Does he intend to marry you?”

She shook her head. “He doesn’t even know about the baby. I decided not to tell him.”

He pulled his eyebrows together in a deep frown. She quickly told him of the circumstances of her relationship with Bob. She saw hostility in his eyes and was flattered that he would feel so protective of her.

“
That man is a snake!” he hissed. “You certainly deserve better than that man. You shouldn’t have had to go through all this on your own.”

“
I’m not alone. I have Jessie, a bunch of friends, and more marriage proposals than I can count on my hands,” she said, grinning.

“
You turned them all down, I hope.”

“
Of course, I did. When I marry a man, it will be because I love him, and he loves me, not because I’m pregnant and need to be taken care of. I’ll have you know that I’m a perfectly self-sufficient woman. I can take care of both myself and this baby.” Her hands traveled down to where her baby lay. She softly caressed her slightly swollen abdomen.

“
I admire both your strength and determination. However, I do hope your pride doesn’t cause you to turn down every proposal of marriage.”

She looked deeply into his eyes, tears forming in the corners. “I hope someday the right man comes along, but until then, I will have to make do on my own.”

He slid in closer to her. “Amy.” He said her name softly, filling her with tenderness. “You’re missing every single hint I throw your way. Therefore, I’m going to be straightforward. Would you consider marrying me?”

She began to protest, but he silenced her with a kiss. When he pulled away, he could see her tears begin to fall. He continued, encouraged. “You took my breath away the instant I saw you, and each day I spent time with you, and got to know you, I became more in love with you. I never dreamed there would be someone out there for me, but I was wrong, because here you are.

“
I would be so honored if you would let me love you, and this little baby. He or she, make that she—yes, she, I’m sure it’s a she. She would be our baby, Amy, truly our baby. And we could give her little baby brothers and sisters to play with, so she wouldn’t be alone all the time.

“
I love children dearly, and I assure you I would love her as if she were my own daughter. It makes no difference to me who fathered her. What matters most is who is there for her while she is growing up. You wouldn’t even have to tell her I’m not her father, because she would never know the difference from the love I will give her. She will have your eyes and my name so, what do you say, Amy? Will you marry me?”

She stood and crossed the room, pacing back and forth. Her tears were coming in sobs now. She stood with her back to Randy for several moments. He gave her the space she needed.

She was fond of him. There was no denying that, but was love what she felt? She wasn’t sure. She had never experienced being in love, not in the real sense, anyway. She had her share of puppy-love crushes, and she had thought she loved Bob. She had opened herself up totally, only to have him trample upon her heart. Could she stand that kind of abuse again, especially now that she had the baby to consider?

She knew Randy was waiting patiently for an answer. His offer was so appealing to her. She never imagined this opportunity would come. She had resigned herself to raising her child on her own. She had even play acted, in her mind, some of the things she would do with her daughter, and thought joyfully of the times they would share together.

Sensing she had made a decision, Randy rose nervously from the sofa, and crossed to stand within a few inches from where she stood. He placed his hands gently on her shoulders and turned her to face him. There were tears of joy in her eyes, and peacefulness about her face, as if her soul had suddenly become unburdened.