Cathy woke to smoldering embers in the fireplace, the smell of pine and cinnamon from the candle that had long since burned out, and the warmth of a man by her side. Her impulse was to run away screaming. The thought of a man spending the night at her home, even if nothing went on between them, was scandalous. Then she looked out the window and realized no one would even notice. They were all stuck inside, too.
“You’re awake?” Devon asked, a sexy rasp to his voice.
“Yes. Did you sleep?” Cathy kept her head on his shoulder. They’d passed out in an awkward position and her neck and back were now in knots, but it was a small price to pay for a night of comfort and companionship.
“Not much, but I enjoyed watching you sleep.” He pressed his lips to the top of her head and she snuggled in even more. His arm wrapped around her body and he squeezed her to his side. “That’s the best night I’ve had in a long time.”
Cathy felt heat rise in her cheeks, but refused to look up at him. “Sure, it was. You’ve already told me about all the women you’ve…”
He stiffened by her side then leaned back and tilted her chin up to look at him. “Don’t ever think this is anything like when I buried my sorrow with those women. I assure you the flings were mutual and I tried to never hurt anyone, but this is different. It’s…real.”
She didn’t know what to say. A man had never paid her so much attention before and it was unnerving, in a good way. Was she falling for him? Could he actually be attracted to her?
He leaned in, his gaze capturing hers, his lips a few inches away. Her body thrilled with the idea of losing herself in his kiss, and things started to stir that hadn’t stirred in decades.
“You’re a beautiful, sexy and caring person, who any man would be lucky to have in his life.” His lips parted as he came closer, but something inside her snapped.
She turned her head and leaned away. A feeling of guilt plagued her, but why? Her husband had been gone for a long time. Maybe it wasn’t guilt, but fear.
“You okay? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push you.” Devon sat forward and ran his fingers through her hair, sending vibrations down her arms and back.
“It’s not that.” She sighed. “You’re the first man I’ve been close to since my husband died. I’m not sure how to feel, but I can tell you everything in me wants to kiss you. My body longs for it, but my mind is stopping me. I’m always so sure of everything. But this is different.”
Devon laid a finger on the side of her face and nudged her to look at him. “Then I’ll wait. I have a feeling you’re worth waiting for.”
Cathy trembled at his gentle touch, his knuckles gliding to her neck and over her shoulder. “Let’s concentrate on you and your daughter, and baby Amelia for now. We have to pull off a fundraiser tomorrow and a wedding the day after. We’ll pick this up later.”
“I think that’s a great idea.” Devon rose and offered his hand. “Is it still okay to hug you?”
“Is a spotted puppy in a wagon cute?”
Devon laughed. “I love that you always make me laugh. There’s a lightness about you that cradles my heart and lifts it up.”
She slid her arms around his waist and he enveloped her in a warm, strong cocoon of comfort and…love. Perhaps at her age feelings developed quicker because people had less time. It had taken more years than she cared to admit before she found this kind of feeling with Sam.
“Let’s scrounge up some breakfast before we try to walk back. The sun’s just coming up, but hopefully it’ll melt the ice quickly.”
“I glanced at the weather last night on my phone application Trianna set up for me and it should heat up fast.” Cathy made her way to the kitchen and found some bagels and cream cheese. “I’m afraid coffee will have to wait until we get power back.
As if on cue, the lights flicked on. “I guess I’ll make coffee then.” She laughed. “If I didn’t know better I’d think this town was trying to tell us something.”
“What do you mean?” Devon asked.
“Oh, it’s an old saying. Did you see the welcome sign on your way into town?”
“I think so. Why?” Devon walked up behind her and placed his hands on her waist.
“It says where your heart and home belong. Some believe that this town has a way of pulling you in, finding your happiness and keeping you here. It sounds silly, but that seems to be the case for most people.”
“Can you give me an example?” Devon asked, moving to her side and leaning against the counter with that movie star flare he had.
“Well, Lisa came here, sight-unseen, to work at the antique shop with Judy. She had only ever talked to Judy through the Internet. Lisa came to hide out in this town after she’d gotten pregnant by an epic jerk. But she found Eric and made Sweetwater her home. Trianna came to town to search for clues about her brother’s murder and ended up falling in love with the town sheriff, a man who swore he’d never marry again. Even James, who disappeared for decades and everyone believed to be dead, returned and married Judy.”
Devon crossed his arms over his chest and studied the house. “Well, I hope I’m worthy of the town spell.”
“I’m sure you don’t believe in such nonsense.” Cathy scooped grounds and poured them into the coffee maker.
“If it gives me a life with you and my daughter then I’ll believe anything.”
“Woo. What are you talking about? You just met me.” Cathy absently brushed non-existent coffee grounds off the counter.
“True, but I know you’re like no other woman I’ve ever met and that intrigues me. I know I want to stay long enough to get to know you, and if you’re even half of what I see in you right now, I’m staying for good. Perhaps it’s the Christmas season, but I’m hopeful.”
Cathy closed the lid and flipped on the coffee pot. “I thought you weren’t gonna lay it on thick any more, Mr. West.”
He tugged her into his arms and gazed down at her. “I can make a Christmas wish. Anything can happen in a couple of days.”
For a second, she thought maybe she could kiss him. She imagined the illusive toe-curling kiss women always went on about, the kind she’d never experienced, but something inside still kept her from moving too fast. She didn’t believe he was playing her, but she still didn’t fully trust him. She believed what came out of his mouth, but once he had his daughter back, would he change his mind? If he was a long time user of women, what would make him stop now?
“I see in your eyes that I’ve got a shot. Don’t worry, though. I don’t expect you to come around by Christmas, I’ll give you all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere.” Devon kissed her cheek. “Hey. Let me see those artistic pieces of yours.”
“What? Why would you want to see those?” Cathy shook her head and moved to get coffee mugs from the cupboard.
Devon’s eyebrows rose. “I’m a Humanities professor. Of course I want to see the art you’ve created.”
Cathy snickered. “Art? Um, I doodle.”
A large truck drove by, spraying sand onto the road.
“It looks like the county managed to get something to coat the roads with this morning.” She set the two mugs beside the coffee pot, waiting for it to finish gurgling as the eye-opening aroma filled the kitchen.
“Let’s have our coffee and bagels then I’ll head back to the inn to get cleaned up and we’ll open up the shop. Why don’t you go ahead and shower and get ready. I’ll wait here. Don’t think I forgot about seeing your art, though.”
“Sounds good, but I need a cup first. And give up on the art. I told you, no one’s ever seen it.”
Devon grabbed a mug and poured the moment the machine shut off and handed it to her. “You’ll trust me some day. Now, hurry up.”
“Thanks. It might take me a bit to get ready, though. It takes time to cover up the wicked queen of age.”
Devon laughed. “I bet you look beautiful even with nothing on.”
Her hand trembled and coffee sloshed in the mug.
Devon cocked an eyebrow at her. “I meant, without make-up, but I like where your mind went.” He winked, causing that knee-weakening thing to happen again.
Darn him. She rested a hand on the counter, trying to act nonchalant, and took a sip of coffee to buy some time for her legs to start working again.
He tore off a piece of bagel and held it up for her to open her mouth. “There. You have sustenance and coffee. Now, go get ready.”
She snagged her cell phone and made her way upstairs to clean up. At that moment, she wished she’d gotten more clothes when she went shopping with Judy. The kitty sweatshirts and old lady pants didn’t fit her any longer. She wanted more calf-hugging boots and flattering sweaters. Of course, her budget dictated she best make do with what she had.
At the top of the stairs, she stopped and eyed a family picture. Once upon a time, she’d had children and a husband in this house. She ran a finger down the dusty frame and thought about the gift she once had. It was a good life, full of love. Perhaps someday she’d get an invitation to see her grandbabies, but for now it was time to move on with her own life and stop pressuring and guilting her kids into inviting her. Maybe by next Christmas they’d agree to come home for a weekend or something. But if they didn’t, she wouldn’t spend any more time mourning their loss. She’d raised them up to be strong and independent, and that was what they were. Now, it was time to move on to the next stage of her life.
The sound of dishes being washed caught her attention. No one but her had ever washed a dish in this house. She didn’t know men knew how. With a grin, she sauntered into her bedroom and found a sweater that Devon hadn’t seen her wear, leggings and her goulashes. At least it would be practical.
After showering, she saw she’d missed a message from Judy.
All is fine. Be home Christmas Even. Thanks for all your support. I’ll explain her diagnosis further when I see you.
Cathy wanted to call, but knew the message didn’t invite it. There was a time she wouldn’t have cared about boundaries, but now she had other things to focus on. And she could do more good here than waiting at the hospital. She wanted to have everything set for the fundraiser and donor matching program before Judy returned.
I need to get to work.
After drying her hair and primping for at least thirty minutes, she went back downstairs to find Devon snoozing on the couch. “Hey you, I’m ready. I didn’t know I took that long.”
Groggy, he pulled himself upright to face her. Then his eyes snapped wide and he let out a whistle. “You look mighty fine, lady. Can I walk you into town?”
She shook her head. “I guess it takes a while for a leopard to change its spots.”
“If you’re expecting me to give up complimenting you, you can forget it. I have a feeling you haven’t been receiving many lately and I’m making it my personal mission to make up for that.” Devon snagged his jacket from the back of the couch then took Cathy’s coat and held it up for her. She slid her arms in and Devon lifted her hair over the collar then pressed his lips to that sensitive part at the nape of her neck.
A jolt of something powerful woke her body. Instead of pulling away, this time she rested her head back against his chest and held his hands around her middle for a second. She could stand there all day, but it wasn’t an option, not with Judy returning soon.
“Okay. Let’s go.” Cathy opened the door, spotted the ice on the stairs, and closed it again. She wasn’t going to have a repeat of the winter of 1994, when she took a clown-like slide down the front steps and landed in an unladylike position in the front yard. “I’ll be right back.” She scooted past him and snagged the salt from the kitchen pantry. The large blue container would just about do it.
With a tentative step, she walked out onto the porch and poured salt across the first step then held the banister and tried it. Sure enough, it worked pretty well. Step by step, she salted and made her way down. The ice was still thick along her front walk, but they managed to make it to the street, hand in hand, where they decided the sanded asphalt was a lot safer than the sidewalk.
At the edge of town, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead. “I’ll miss you. But most of all, thank you for trying to talk to Becca for me. It means the world to me to have someone, a woman, to help.”
Cathy stood on her tiptoes and brushed her cheek against his. “I’ll do my best.” A hint of cologne remained and her body took over her mind for a second, drawing her lips to his neck. She pressed a kiss to his warm skin. He held her tight against him and sucked in a long breath. Her arms and legs trembled at their closeness. She raised her head and hovered her lips near his. White clouds from their shallow breaths joined between them teasing Cathy’s resolve, until a car honked and broke the spell.
He released her. “I guess we should get out of the street.”
Cathy sloshed up toward the café without facing him, positive her cheeks were flaming. “I’ll come by the inn when I’m done speaking with Becca.”
As Devon’s footsteps faded into the distance, she eyed Café Bliss. It was already lit up and she hoped Becca had the morning shift. Trudging to the front door, she kicked the sandy ice from her goulashes before entering.
“I see you didn’t take my warning.” Becca stood in the center of the shop with a rag in her hand, eyeing Cathy.
“Hi, Becca. It’s good to see you, too.” Cathy slipped her coat off and took a seat at a nearby table. No one else wanted to brave the roads this early, so she’d have a chance to talk to Becca in private. “I think I’ll have one of those peppermint mochas. Lite, with no whip, please.”
Becca put on a fake smile. “Certainly. My pleasure.”
The aromas of brewed coffee, nutmeg, and fresh baked pastries soothed Cathy’s nerves, but one look at Becca warned this wasn’t going to be easy. The sound of clanking tin pitchers and spoons echoed through the empty café. For a second, Cathy worried Becca might christen her drink with her own special sauce.
Watching her out of the corner of her eye, she saw Becca slam a spoon down, gripping it so tight it bent slightly. The girl looked down and sighed. Holding both ends, she managed to return it to its original shape. Then she flipped her hair back, marched over to Cathy, and set the drink firmly down in front of her. “Here. I made it to go. And it’s on the house, so you can be on your way.”
“Boy, you must not get many tips with that sour attitude,” Cathy said.
“I only have an attitude for meddling old women who won’t mind their own business.”
Cathy pushed her chair back and stood, hands on her hips, ready to hog-tie that little back-talking child. “You ever heard about respecting your elders? I might be old, but at least I’m not a hostile little brat who doesn’t know a good thing when it’s there. Now, you can just relax because a little temper tantrum isn’t enough to drive this old bird out.”
Becca stomped and huffed. “I can’t believe him. Hasn’t he done enough? Now, he has to sic you on me?”
“What has he done besides raise you, take care of you after your mother ran out, and search over several state lines in hopes to bring you home?”
“He lied to me. My entire life was a lie.” Becca threw the rag down on the table and slumped into a chair. Rubbing her temples, she closed her eyes. “I don’t owe him anything. Why doesn’t he just leave so I can figure out who my real family is?”
Cathy pulled a chair up next to her and smoothed some hair away from her face. “You’re not making any sense, child. What do you mean, who your real family is? Devon’s your real family.”
“No, he’s not. I overheard him and my mother arguing one night over the phone. She said he’d never been my father. I found a document in her old file box. It showed who my real father was. A Mark Brenson.”
“Mark Brenson?” Cathy hissed.
“Yes…you know him?”
Cathy glanced away, trying to decide how much she should tell the girl. “He was Lisa Gaylord’s fiancé. When she became pregnant, he dumped her. Tried to force her to give the baby up.”
“Just like he did my mother.” She sighed. “That’s when my parents got married.”
Cathy thought back to what they’d discovered about Mark. He had gotten women pregnant before but bribed them to get abortions. He was the lowest form of the male species.
Becca quirked her head to the side. “You’re not surprised by this, are you?”
“I wish I could say I was, but it fits Mark Brenson’s MO. Is that why you were in New York?”
“Yes, but he denied I was his.”
Cathy shook her head. “Maybe you’re not. Maybe you really are the daughter of Devon West. That paper you found could have been anything. You shouldn’t jump to conclusions.”
Becca shook her head. “When I overheard my mother talking about my dad not being my biological father, I had a paternity test done.” Tears streamed down her face. “He’s not my biological father.”
Cathy’s head spun, her brain flipped through all the information Devon had told her. Nothing led her to believe he knew that he wasn’t the father. Certainly, he would’ve mentioned that fact. “Becca, I’m not a hundred percent sure, but I don’t think your dad knows he isn’t your biological father. People say things in the heat of the moment. I’ve spent a few days with him and he’s never mentioned anything about you not being his.”
Becca eyed her suspiciously. “You’re just saying that because you want me to feel bad for him so I’ll talk to him, but it won’t work.”
Cathy grasped both of her hands. “I do want you to talk to him, but you have to make that decision on your own. But before you do, think for a minute. Has your dad ever indicated he knew about you not being his biological daughter? Trust me when I say, I don’t believe he has a clue.”
Her face scrunched then her mouth dropped open and she gasped. “I…I don’t know. All this time I was so sure he knew and that he had lied to me, but you might be right. He never gave any indication that I wasn’t his. Could he really not know? Did my mother lie to him all that time?” A hint of remorse sounded in her voice.
“It’s possible, based on what limited information I have about your mother. I’m not sure why she ran out on you guys, and you may never know, but you need to talk to your father.”
Becca bit her nails and scanned the window. Rays from the rising sun seeped through the dark clouds, shimmering off the icy street. “No, I can’t. Not yet. Promise me you won’t tell him. I need more time.”
“Why? Time for what?”
“I need to figure out if I really do have a sibling in this town. If so, I don’t want my father getting involved. Not yet.”
Cathy gasped.
“What is it?” Becca scooted forward to the edge of her seat.
“You’re related to Amelia Gaylord, Lisa and Eric’s baby.”
“I know. That’s why I’m here and chose to work a few doors down from Lisa. To get to know her so that…”
“So that you can be part of a family again,” Cathy finished for her.
The front door opened and Rusty entered. He removed his hat and coat, eyeing Rebecca with more than a friendly good morning.
Cathy grasped the girl’s knees to keep her seated. “Wait. There’s something you need to know. Amelia’s ill. She needs your help. You might be the only one that can save her.”
“What’s wrong? What can I do?” Becca asked.
Please, dear Lord. Let her help save Amelia. This will make everything right, Cathy prayed. “She has leukemia and might need a bone marrow transplant. From what I’ve read, a sibling has the best chance of being a match. Becca, you were brought to this town for a reason.”
Becca rolled her eyes. “I don’t believe in divine intervention, if that’s what you mean.”
“We call it town intervention. This county possesses mysterious powers. That’s what I believe, anyway. It tends to draw those we need the most to join our town family.”
“Did you forget to take your crazy meds this morning?” Becca laughed.
“You can believe me or not, I don’t care, but would you be willing to be tested to see if you’re a match to Amelia?”
Becca glanced at Rusty who sauntered past, strutting like a peacock looking for a mate then waited at the counter for her. “Yes. She’s the only family I have left.”
Cathy shook her head. “No, darling. Your father’s right by your side and he’s not leaving. He may not be blood, but he’s been there for you your entire life, and he’ll continue to stand by your side, even if your mother doesn’t want him to.”
“It’s not that I don’t want him to,” Becca mumbled. “I just can’t right now. I’ve been mad at him for so long, but now…I don’t want to hurt him. Promise me you won’t tell him that I’m not his real daughter. Not yet. I just need time and then I’ll tell him myself.”
Cathy didn’t like this. She leaned back in her chair. “I don’t know. I’ve grown fond of your father, and he has the right to know. You need to tell him soon before he finds out some other way.”
“How else would he find out?” Becca asked.
Your mother.
The thought of Devon’s wife being in town was reason enough to be concerned, but if she told Becca, would it change anything or make things more confusing for the girl? That was something she needed to talk to Devon about. Perhaps if he came to speak to her, to tell her about her mother being in town, it would open dialogue between them. “Okay. I’ll keep it to myself for a few days, but then I’m telling him if you haven’t.”
“Deal. I promise I’ll tell him as soon as I find out for sure if Amelia’s my sibling or not.”
“If Mark Brenson really is your biological father, then Amelia’s your half-sister. And if you agree to the bone marrow test, I know you’ll be a match.”
“It would be a great way to be welcomed into their family. They couldn’t turn me away if I’m the match for Amelia.”
Cathy knew she should set her straight. Tell her that being a donor wouldn’t make a difference. Lisa, Eric, Judy and James would all welcome her to the family no questions asked, donor or not. But something kept her mouth shut. Would Becca still agree to the test and bone marrow transplant if she knew it wasn’t necessary?
Cathy struggled between hiding the truth and saving Amelia. She would do anything to save that little baby, but was it right to keep so many secrets?
This was her chance to help Judy, wipe the slate clean. She knew Judy had forgiven her for keeping James’ secret for so long. Would she forgive her again? This would all work out. It had to. She’d save Amelia and reunite Devon and Becca. It was what she was born to do.