I CANNOT BELIEVE I’m doing this. First shopping for kids’ clothes and now children’s museums.
Marin chuckled to herself as the four of them strolled down the boardwalk at Canal Park, an old warehouse district converted into a touristy waterfront area jutting out into Duluth Harbor.
Adam had thrown out all the activities in the area and let the kids pick. Rather than perusing the trendy clothing, gift shops and galleries, Marin had joined everyone at the children’s museum, the aquarium and the Maritime Visitor Center where they were able to watch giant ships, both foreign and domestic, pass under Duluth’s famous Aerial Lift Bridge. Even more amazing than joining in all the family-oriented activities was the fact that she’d actually enjoyed herself.
More than anything, though, Marin had enjoyed watching Adam interacting with his kids. In spite of how busy he was with his job, he clearly adored them both. She couldn’t help but feel a bit remorseful over confronting him the night Julia faked being sick.
“How ’bout a couple pictures,” Adam said, pulling out his camera as they walked the sidewalks of Canal Park. “You three go stand right over there. By that ship’s anchor.”
“Me?” Marin pointed to herself. “You want me in it, too?”
“Yeah!” Julia and Wyatt each grabbed one of her hands and tugged her toward the giant anchor sitting near the edge of the rocky shore. They stood next to her and Adam clicked off several shots. Then Marin took some photos of Adam with his kids. He looked good, relaxed and calm.
“Do you want a picture of your whole family?” a young woman said as she walked by. “I’d be glad to take a shot.”
“Yeah, Marin!”
“Come on, Marin.”
She hesitated.
“Ah, come on, Marin,” Adam called, a slight smile on his face.
Marin handed the woman the camera and then joined the three Hardings. Wyatt climbing onto her lap she could tolerate. When her arm brushed up against Adam’s all she could think about was the way he’d touched her on Tequila Night.
“Smile,” Adam said softly. “It’s just a picture.”
The woman snapped off several shots. “Nice-looking family,” she said, handing the camera to Adam.
“Thanks.”
“I’m hungry,” Wyatt said.
“Me, too,” Julia added.
They headed toward the shops and restaurants. “Let’s let Marin pick where we’re going.” Adam handed her a pamphlet listing the various restaurants. There were a few fast food alternatives, but most of the establishments were geared toward adult entertainment. He pointed to one. “What do you think? You game?”
A kids’ pizza arcade. She grinned. “In for a penny, in for a pound.” Her decision was worth it just to hear the kids scream with excitement when they found out what was next.
The pizza, it turned out, wasn’t too bad. The beer was ice-cold and the arcade games, batting cages and minigolf course were a hit with the kids and, surprisingly, Marin.
“I’ve never played laser tag,” she said after they’d finished eating. “Who’s game?”
“Me!” Both kids called in unison.
In no time, they had their laser guns in hand and their vests on, complete with electronic scorekeepers. Wyatt wanted a picture of himself, and that led to pictures of the entire group. Adam gave Marin a quick tutorial. “It’s every man for himself out there,” he whispered into her ear only a moment before the game began.
Marin followed the others into the arena. While her eyes adjusted to the dark lights, Adam shot her. Another whisper in her ear, “Bang, bang, you’re dead for thirty seconds.”
“No fair.”
“So come and get me.” He grinned before disappearing into the darkness.
It took her a few minutes to get used to how the gun worked, but in no time, she was shooting targets and the kids. Adam, though, had clearly done this on several occasions. She couldn’t get near him. Finally, she caught sight of him, followed him for a moment, and predicting his next move, went the other way around an obstacle. She was waiting for him when he turned the corner.
“Gotcha!” Marin exclaimed, firing. Then she ran off.
“I’m coming for you, Marin.”
“That’s supposed to scare me?” she called.
They chased each other and the kids. Marin hid in a corner. A moment later, Adam backed into her dark hiding place, obviously unaware she was behind him. As he moved close, and closer still, playtime turned serious. She felt too stunned to say anything. Then he turned, bumping into her and knocking her off balance.
“Whoa!” Putting his hands on her waist, he steadied her. “You okay?” he asked, but his hands never left her as they stood in the dark only inches away from each other.
“I’m fine.” Her gaze flew from his eyes to his lips. This was crazy. This day hadn’t been a date, but it had, in a way, felt like one, and she found herself wanting to kiss him to make it real.
His smile disappeared as his mouth parted. As his gaze slipped to her lips, it was obvious his thoughts were tracking along the same lines as hers. One breath. Two. His head seemed to angle toward her. Were his hands tightening around her, his thumbs moving to caress her abdomen? Then, abruptly, the arena lights blinked on as their time ran out on the laser tag game.
“Dad?” Wyatt called. “I hit the jackpot!”
“Game over,” he whispered, his accent suddenly heavy and deep. Then he spun away from her.
Not a moment too soon.
BY THE TIME THEY DROVE into Bayfield, it was late and the kids had long been asleep in the rear seat of Adam’s SUV. He and Marin had talked most of the way home about everything including favorite foods and restaurants, the towns and cities he and kids had lived in while his company did restoration work, and the pros and cons of living in D.C. and Manhattan.
“I think I’m ready to live someplace else,” she said softly as they drove into Bayfield. “I’m just not sure where that someplace might be.”
“What about staying on Mirabelle?”
“I like being close to Missy, but I’m fairly certain I’m not a small town girl,” she said, laughing. “What about you? Do you think you’ll ever go back to St. Louis?”
He didn’t know what to say.
Her features, illuminated by the dashboard panel, turned pensive. “Too many memories?” she asked softly.
“I guess. I still haven’t sold the house Beth and I bought when we first got married.”
“So you do think about moving back.”
“More out of necessity than anything.” At the thought of work, he tensed. “My company has more business than I can handle on my own. I’ve decided to put a couple operations officers in place to manage the smaller projects, but there’s some sense in me being centrally located at our corporate headquarters in Missouri.”
“I shouldn’t have brought up work. I’m sorry.”
Hoping the sight of her might relax him again, he glanced over at Marin. It worked. “I had a nice day. A much needed break. Thank you for coming with us.”
“I think I’m the one who should be thanking you for letting me come along.” She grinned. “I had no idea arcade pizza places could be so much fun.”
Adam pulled his car into the garage he was renting near the Bayfield marina and gently woke the kids. “We’re almost home, guys.” He helped them put on their jackets.
“Daddy,” Julia murmured sleepily. “Will you carry me?”
“Sorry, sweetie, but I’m going to need you both to walk. I’ve got too many packages.”
“I’ll help with the bags.” Marin took as many as she could in each hand and Adam grabbed the rest.
Rather than wait for the ferry, Adam hired a water taxi and they were docking at Mirabelle’s marina in no time. A few minutes later, the kids trudged groggily into the house.
“I’m so tired,” Julia moaned. “I can’t go up the stairs.”
“All right, I’ll carry you the rest of the way.” Adam set the bags down in the living room and lifted Julia into his arms.
“What about me?” Wyatt groaned.
“I got you.” Marin set down her bags, lifted him and followed Adam up the steps.
“They sleep together,” he whispered as he went into Julia’s room. He drew back the bedcovers, laid Julia down and eased off her shoes. Marin followed suit with Wyatt. A moment later, he’d closed their bedroom door and was following Marin down the stairs. He reached around her to flick on the outdoor light, bringing them to within inches of each other, and Marin went utterly still. For a moment, he looked into her eyes, felt her leaning toward him.
“Thanks again for coming today,” he whispered.
“I had a nice day,” she said, almost breathless.
Kissing her at that moment seemed like the most natural thing in the world. This time, he was the one who moved toward her. Her mouth parted as their lips touched. Their tongues danced softly, slowly and before he knew it he gripped her shoulders and pulled her close, but that didn’t seem to bring her nearly close enough. He tried wrapping his arms around her and, slanting his head, dared to let his tongue slip through her lips for a better taste.
That did it. Almost.
She drew in a shuddering breath and melted against him. Her arms flew around his neck, her fingers dug into his hair, his shoulders. He wanted to sink into her, her into him. He kissed her neck, breathed in her scent, soap and the fresh lake air.
This is going too far again, a tiny corner of his brain whispered. In another minute, you’re not going to want to stop.
Reluctantly, he drew back, ran his hands down her cheeks and drew a thumb over her mouth. A few inches lower and he could feel her neck, her chest. Lower still and he would feel her breasts heavy in the palms of his hands, but he wouldn’t want to stop there. Neither would she.
You know you want this.
Quickly, he pulled his hands away from her.
“Remind me again why this is wrong,” she whispered. “Daddy?”
Julia. At the top of the steps. Looking right at them. Adam held Marin’s gaze. She looked as drugged as he felt. “What do you need, Julia?” he called over his shoulder.
“I’m thirsty.”
“I’ll be right there with a glass of water. Go back to bed, honey.” The moment Julia disappeared, he whispered, “That’s why.” He rested his forehead against Marin’s. “Wait here. Please. We need to talk.” As quickly as he could, he filled a glass with water and ran up the stairs to Julia.
“Why is Marin here?” she asked.
“She helped carry in all our shopping bags.”
Her sleepy expression was tinged with hope. “Is she staying the night?”
“No, honey, she’s leav—”
“But she could stay, couldn’t she?”
Adam wasn’t sure how to respond to the question that seemed to have come out of left field. “She has to go home. Now go back to sleep.”
Quietly, he left the bedroom. By the time he got downstairs, Marin was gone. That’s when he saw her outside running to her house, running to safety. That was one smart woman, much smarter than him, that was for sure.
TALK? TALK ABOUT WHAT?
Marin raced into her house, quickly locked the patio door and leaned against it, catching her breath. She wasn’t fool enough to believe she wouldn’t unlock it if he came after her, but he wouldn’t come. Would he?
Keeping the lights off, she studied Adam’s house. The rooms were still dark, but he was there in his kitchen. She could feel him. Hurting. Wanting. Needing.
Who was he trying to kid? If she’d stayed there in his house waiting for him to come back to her, they wouldn’t have talked. There was nothing to talk about. There would’ve been only one outcome to her staying at the Harding house tonight, and it wouldn’t have been merely getting a glass of water for Julia.
It wouldn’t have been just sex, either. Adam was right.
Marin had made one crucial mistake. She was starting to care for Adam. Even worse, she was starting to care for his kids.
ANGELICA STOOD IN THE BATHROOM off her main floor bedroom brushing her teeth when the patio door quickly opened and just as quickly slammed shut. She wiped off her mouth and cocked an ear, listening. There was no other sound other than the lock clicking into place.
Had she been in Manhattan or D.C. she might’ve had cause to be alarmed, but this was Mirabelle. Already in pajamas, she tiptoed through the dark house and found Marin standing at the door looking out toward the Harding house. “Marin, are you all right?”
Her daughter spun around, looking for all the world as if she were a five-year-old caught with her hand in the cookie jar. “Yeah,” she said, a bit on the breathless side. “Yeah, I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” Her cheeks were flushed, her lips cherry-red and what was that on her neck?
Good, Lord! If that wasn’t a whisker rub on her skin, Angelica was a monkey’s uncle. But how—?
Adam. Good for him. Angelica should’ve expected as much. With the way those two had been making eyes at each other every chance they got, she should’ve been surprised her daughter had come home at all after spending the day with them in Duluth.
“I’m going to bed,” Marin said, rushing past Angelica. “Good night, Mom.”
“Night, sweetheart.”
With a smile on her face, Angelica returned to her bathroom. As she washed her face, she considered the possibilities of a real romance between her daughter and Adam Harding. That man probably didn’t even know it yet, but he needed someone exactly like her daughter, someone strong, generous and loving. And Marin? No doubt she was struggling to see past those two children, no matter how lovely they were, to the attractive, honorable and very lonely man standing behind them.
Oh, to feel that kind of passion and angst again. Hard to believe she was once that young. With a long heavy sigh, she gently brushed night cream over her face and neck, smoothing the heavy emollient into her wrinkles, and studied herself in the mirror. The color of her eyes was still a bright blue. Her thick, chin-length hair was more gray than blond these days, but the silvery sections were, thank heavens, manageable and blended well with her natural color. She was, she supposed, maturing well, but this body had seen better days.
Where had the time gone? How had she gotten to be so old? It was as if one day she’d been in college having the time of her life and the next she’d been raising babies. Then before she’d known it, her children were all grown and living their own lives and she was a damned empty-nester. What had happened to that energetic and determined young woman who had looked forward to her future with hope and fearlessness?
Angelica sighed. That bold woman was still there, hiding, deep under all those wrinkles. She just needed a little TLC before drumming up the courage to show her face again, but show her face, she would. Very soon.