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HER DAD KNOCKED ON her bedroom door when he got home from Austin’s party. “Where did you disappear to tonight?” he asked through the door. “Everyone was looking for you.”
She’d spent the last hour crying into her pillow, so she should have expected her father’s dark expression when she opened the door to let him in.
“Everyone?” she asked, her voice froggy from tears.
“Austin, especially. Poppy and Ginny too. I think they thought you were going to help clean up.”
“Well, Beck and I took a little ride, and then I just couldn't face everyone.”
Her dad frowned. “It was mentioned that Beck was also MIA. What did he say to you?”
“He proposed.” She sputtered the last word, bursting into tears all over again.
“He did what?” Her dad’s voice was like bullets from a gun as he guided her into the living room, onto the couch and sat across from her.
“He wants to marry me.”
“I thought you were just friends.”
“I did, too. I mean, we spend a lot of time together, or we did, before he started working in the basin, but I didn't think this was going to come up.”
“I guess I’m just—why are you crying? You didn't say yes, did you?”
“No, because, I don't know. I just want to—it’s not like he’s wanting me for me. He’s wanting to take care of me. He’s asking because I’m pregnant.”
“Which is more than Jesse did,” her dad pointed out.
“”But I didn't want Jesse to ask me because I was pregnant, either.” She smoothed both hands over the curve of her belly. “I wanted him to ask me because he wanted me. Because he wanted to be with me, because he valued me. Not because he felt sorry for me. And it’s worse with Beck because....” The tears started fresh, burning her eyes, burning her throat.
“Because why?”
“Because he doesn’t have a connection with the babies. He just thinks I can’t handle it on my own and he wants to be there.”
“He wouldn't think that if he didn't care about you.”
She lifted her gaze to her father. “You want me to marry him?”
“I don't want you to do anything you don't want to do, but I don't want you to be crying that he doesn't care about you when he’s clearly worried about you and thinking about you.”
“He even said he didn't love me. He didn't think.”
“Lace, I guess I’m trying to figure out why you’re crying here. He asked you to marry him. You said no. Why are you crying?”
“He’s never even kissed me. He never even kissed me and he wanted to marry me?”
Her dad shook his head. “So...you want him to kiss you?”
She beat her hand against the arm of the couch in frustration. “Of course I want him to kiss me.”
“Is it the hormones? Is that why I’m not following here? You want him to kiss you but you don't want to marry him?”
“How can I know if I want to marry him if he hasn’t kissed me? Don't you see? I was completely blindsided. I had no idea he was thinking romantically about me, but he wasn't because he’s being practical, I think, but I don't just want to be practical, you see?”
He nodded, then shook his head. “You like him.”
“Yes.”
“You didn't know he liked you.”
“I didn't know he was thinking about staying. I always thought he was leaving, so I didn't let myself think about what it would be like if he stayed, and he said I’m part of the reason he wants to stay and build a house at his mother’s place and work in the basin and not go on the road anymore.”
“And you don't think he cares about you after he told you that?”
“Then he told me to forget all that!” Her voice rose in a wail.
Her dad shook his head and lifted his hands to his temples. “I’m feeling really stupid here right now. You like him. He likes you. I can see where you wouldn’t want to get married yet, but why are you crying?”
“Because if not for the babies, he would already be gone.”
“But he’s not gone.”
“He wouldn't have thought twice about me if not for the babies, don't you see? I want a man who wants me for myself. Not because he thinks I need him.”
“Ah.” Her dad nodded. “I do see that. But don't you think Beck is smarter than that? That he sees your value? I mean, if he wants to marry you, he’s thinking longterm. If he’s building a house here, he’s thinking permanence. And babies don't stay around forever.”
She smiled up at him through her tears. “I did.” Then she frowned. “Or are you in this together? You’re trying to marry me off so you can get rid of me.”
“God, Lacey, you’re kidding, right? These are going to be the first grand babies I’ll get to spoil every day. I’m ridiculously excited about your babies. But I also think you deserve to love someone. You deserve to have someone love you. You and me, we will always have each other to lean on. But it’s okay to welcome someone else in, too, don't you think?”
“I think it’s more than time we do,” she said, knowing he mean Marianne as much as Beck. “I think we both deserve love. But maybe Beck isn’t the one for me.”
“Do me a favor and don't write him off just yet. He’s a good guy. Don't avoid him. See what he does next. And keep an open mind.”
“So how does Marianne feel about becoming a step-grandmother?” Lacey asked, pushing her way out of her own head.
Her dad blushed. “I think she doesn't think we’re that serious yet.”
“What do you think? Are you that serious?”
“I don't move very fast, you may have noticed.”
“Oh, I’ve noticed. And I think she has, too.”
Her dad rose with a laugh and gave her hair an affectionate ruffle, like she was twelve instead of twenty eight. “Maybe I should start bringing her around more, so the two of you can get to know each other better.”
“I think that is a good idea.? Even though the idea of sharing her dad with another woman gave her a bit of a twinge. She hadn’t had to do that in years, and part of her was sad her dad had been alone so long, and part of her was jealous.
Ridiculous. She couldn't have things stay the same always. She had to be ready for change.
Just seemed like a lot of change was coming in a very short time.
*****
DUST DOWN THE DRIVEWAY signaled a visitor on Saturday, and Lacey peered through the kitchen window where she was doing approximately a week’s worth of dishes, so she could see who it was.
Marianne was coming to dinner tonight, so the women could get to know each other, and Lacey had spent the day making the house look like two grown adults who knew how to keep house lived here.
She didn’t know why it mattered. Marianne had been out to the house several times when Lacey wasn't home, and she had dealt with the mess just fine.
Maybe it was a territory thing. Whatever the reason, Lacey wanted the place to look nice tonight. She was cooking, but Marianne was bringing dessert, and maybe a salad, Lacey thought she heard.
And now she was having a visitor.
Her heart thudded against her ribs when she recognized the truck.
Beck. What was he doing here? She hadn’t seen or heard from him since she turned down his proposal. While she wasn't exactly fine with it, she was resigned to the idea that he’d taken her answer at face value. Why was he here now?
She set down her kitchen towel and hurried through the house, smoothing a hand over her hair, tugging the hem of her t-shirt down over her belly. She slipped her feet in her flip flops and opened the front door to see him standing at the open bed of his truck, where he’d lashed a...stock tank?
“Beck?” she asked, stepping out on the porch.
He was working the bungee cords free, and rolled the enormous metal tank toward the tailgate, hissing and snatching his hand back when he touched the hot metal.
“Your dad around to give me a hand?”
“He went to town to get groceries for tonight. Marianne is coming to dinner.” She walked toward him. “What are you doing?”
“Marianne, huh? I heard they were seeing each other. That’s okay. I think I can get this.”
“What is it? We don't have stock to water.”
He turned to face her, one hand holding the tank so it didn't roll out of its own accord. “I thought you could use a way to cool off. A lot of people use these as wading pools, you know. I thought a wading pool was a little too flimsy, you’d have trouble getting in and out, plus I didn't know where you could put it so it wouldn’t get holes in it. So I got you this.”
“Beck, those things are a couple hundred dollars.” She only knew that because one of her patients, Mr. Dunfry, had just ordered one and was complaining about the price.
“Maybe you can guide it off while I lift. I just don't want it slamming into me. That could hurt.”
“You shouldn’t have done this.” She stood where she was, her arms crossed.
“You say that to me a lot. Look, do you want to help me get it off of here or not?”
“I cannot accept it.”
He sighed and leaned against the tank, his mouth pressed together. “Why the hell not?”
“Because I can’t accept it. It’s too expensive.”
“Lacey, do you know the kind of money I make? It’s fine. Consider it my baby shower gift to you. Now come guide it so I don't hurt myself getting it off, because otherwise I’ll just hang out here until your dad gets back.”
“I’d put you to work.”
He met her gaze. “I’d let you.”
She wiped her forehead with the back of her wrist and studied him. She knew him well enough to know he would do as he said, so she walked down the steps to the truck.
“Where do you want it?” he asked after she held it upright so he could lower it to the ground, on end like a wheel.
“Ah. I guess the faucet’s over here, and there’s some shade over under that tree. There’s no grass for it to kill, either. And when I drain it, the tree will get watered.”
“Which reminds me. I have a pump in the truck so you can drain it pretty easily.”
“What?”
“You just put it in the water when you’re done, plug it in, and it will drain it. It has a hose, so you can water whatever you need to.”
“Beck.” She stopped rolling and looked at him from the other side of the tank.
“What? You think I’m going to stop thinking about you because you said no?”
“Yes. And I think you’re going to stop doing nice things for me because I said no.”
“Maybe I will. But not today. Show me where you want it.”
She had so much work to do, but the idea of filling the shiny tub with cool water and just sinking into it....
He helped her pull the hose over and positioned it so it wouldn't pop out with the water pressure, then he went back to his truck, presumably for the pump.
Why, why, why was he doing this for her? Why was she letting him? His gesture meant so much. She could come home in the evenings and cool off after a long day, for months to come. That he’d even thought to provide a pump....she couldn't help but be touched by his thoughtfulness.
“Would you like to come to dinner tonight?” she invited when he came back around the side of the house with the pump. She should ask her dad before she issued the invitation, since the purpose was for her to get to know Marianne better, but she wanted to thank Beck.
“I would like that,” he said. “Can I bring anything?”
“Sunglasses, because I’m not going to get the rest of the cleaning done. I’m going to get in here and not get out until it’s time to start dinner.”
He laughed. “Then I can show you how to use the pump this evening. You want me to grab dessert or anything?”
“Marianne’s bringing dessert, and Dad has the rest. But maybe, if you want, you can bring your bathing suit.” Even this invitation made her heart race
A smile spread across his face. “I guess I could do that.” He started toward his truck. “I’ll get going so you can relax.”
“You can, um, bring your mom, too, if you want.”
She kind of winced at the invitation because she knew Mrs. Conover was not the easiest person to get along with, and she didn't know Marianne enough to know how she’d tolerate Mrs. Conover’s attitude. But Lacey figured she didn't want to leave the old lady alone, and if Marianne was good enough for her dad, she was surely patient enough for Mrs. Conover.
*****
“THIS IS TURNING INTO a regular dinner party,” her dad said as they set the table with mismatched dishes. They had two sets of four dishes, so an extra guest meant they had to mix and match, two of one kind and three of another. And the sets didn't really go together, but it was what they had, so they were rolling with it.
“I really should have asked you before I invited them, but I wanted to do something nice for him after he brought that stock tank for me, and I didn't want to leave his mom out.”
Her dad grimaced. “It’s not going to be the most peaceful of dinners, but we’ll manage.”
She rolled shoulders maybe a little sunburned from sitting in her tank so long. But she hadn’t been this cool in weeks.
“So why do you think he did it? Brought that for me?”
“I think what you said he said made it very clear why.”
She braced her hands on the back of a chair. “But I turned him down.”
“He doesn't appear to be ready to take no for an answer. And based on tonight’s dinner invitation, maybe you’re not sure you’re going to stick with that answer.”
The sound of a car driving up had him heading to the door without looking out the window to see who it was.
“I’m going to go help Marianne carry the stuff in. And give her a warning about Mrs. Conover. You got this?”
Lacey lifted an enormous pitcher of iced tea in salute. “I’ve got this.”
She set the tea and the glasses on the table, her nerves a little shaky. She’d let her dad carry the lasagna to the table since the last thing she wanted was to spill it and have nothing to serve her guests.
“Smells delicious,” Marianne said as she walked into the kitchen, carrying a grocery bag. Lacey’s dad was behind her with a round cake carrier.
“Dad did the hard part. I made the garlic bread,” Lacey said.
“With just the two of us, we don't get to have lasagna so often, unless we want leftovers for days,” her dad explained, setting the cake on the counter and turning to take the bag from Marianne.
“Everything looks really nice,” Marianne said.
“Lacey worked really hard to get everything shiny for tonight.”
“Oh, I worked hard until Beck brought the tub,” Lacey said, aware of the odd brightness in her tone. Once she knew Marianne better, maybe she would know how to talk to her easier. She’d know the woman’s interests and personality. Right now she was flying blind.
And suddenly she was grateful she’d invited the Conovers. Beck was a pretty good conversationalist with people he didn't know.
She wondered why they hadn’t arrived yet.
“So what did you do today, Marianne?” her dad asked as Marianne took a seat at the table.
Lacey’s usual seat, but she didn't say anything, just moved the glass she’d already sipped from to another position. She wondered if Marianne usually sat there when she came to visit.
“Oh, I worked on my quilt, you know, and since I can’t just do one thing, I cut out a purse for my granddaughter.”
Okay, two avenues for conversation. “I didn't know you were already a grandmother,” Lacey said. “You sure don't look old enough.”
“Well, thank you, sweetie, but I’m actually older than your dad.”
Lacey looked at him in surprise, and he wiggled his eyebrows.
“Older woman. Ten months, but still. And I’m a grandpa. Do I look old enough?”
“Of course not,” she said affectionately, but turned her attention back to Marianne. “How many grandkids? How old?”
“I have two kids, and each of them have two kids. The oldest is eight, and the youngest is three. No twins in the batch, though.” She smiled at Lacey.
“Yeah, that was a surprise.” So his dad had told. Well, now that Beck knew, she supposed she didn't need to keep it a secret anymore.
“It will be fun. And your dad is excited about getting to help you. I’ve already got a couple of baby quilt patterns in mind. I’ll run them by you before I make them, of course. Are you having a baby shower?”
“I...don't know. I hadn’t thought about it. I’m still a few months away. Aren’t baby showers closer to the due date?”
“Well, sure, but I didn't know if any of your friends were planning one. If not, I’d be happy to host one for you.”
“That’s incredibly sweet, Marianne. Thank you so much.”
“Well, sure.” Marianne smiled first at Lacey’s dad, then Lacey.
Lacey tensed when she heard the crunch of tires outside. “Oh. Beck and his mom are here. I’m sorry. Inviting Beck was kind of spur-of-the-moment, and I thought he probably wouldn't want to leave his mom.” She rose from the table, and hurried to the front door to see Beck walking up the sidewalk alone.
“Mom didn't want to come,” he said when she opened the door. “Some days it’s easier to convince her than others. I knew if I pushed too hard, she’d just be unpleasant all night. It was just better this way. I left her with something to eat and her shows. But I came anyway. Is that okay?” He took a step up on the porch. “I didn't know what to bring. If the grocery store had flowers, I would have brought some.” Instead, he handed her a bag of chips and a container of dip. “The grocery store doesn't have a lot in the way of things to bring to a dinner party. This town needs like a bakery or a deli or something.”
She relaxed a little knowing she didn't have to entertain Mrs. Conover. Beck was easy. “Oh. I didn't expect you to bring anything. We’ve got it covered.”
Not knowing what to do with her hands once she took Beck’s offering., she turned back to lead him into the house. She stepped back as he shook hands with her dad and Marianne, apparently meeting her for the first time.
“Your mom didn't come? I thought Lacey said she was coming?” Marianne asked.
“Yeah, she decided she wasn't up to socializing tonight.”
Lacey wished she had known Mrs. Conover wasn't coming and she would have reset the table with one set. At least she’d give the appearance that she had her act together.
As Beck took his seat at the table with the mismatched dishes, Lacey poured the tea, then sat awkwardly beside him, on the edge of her chair, not sure exactly what to do next. They hadn’t had people over for dinner ever, that she could remember, and tonight they had two important people. She exchanged a look with her dad. What had they done?
“Shall we say grace?” Marianne asked, reaching for her dad’s hand.
Lacey and her father exchanged a glance before they bowed their heads.
Conversation turned to small talk as everyone dug in. She couldn't help glancing at Beck to see his reaction to the food, to the conversation. As usual, he was affable and seemed to be having a good time. Her dad and Marianne had wine, but Beck held a hand declining it, and she wondered if that was because he was driving, or because he knew she couldn't have any.
“So Marianne, you make quilts?” Lacey asked.
“Oh, yeah, nothing fancy, though. I just started when I retired from teaching. I kind of taught myself from videos online.”
“So you’re a retired teacher?” Beck asked. “Did you ever teach Conrad Conover? That’s the youngest in my family.”
“No, I didn't come out here until about five years ago, when they were offering incentives. I’m from San Antonio, originally.”
“I guess this was kind of a culture shock to you.”
“In a way, but I’ve really come to love it here. I don't have any plans to go back. I’m on the council with your dad, and it’s fun to make decisions that will make Broken Wheel better for families.”
Lacey had so many questions. Was her family back in San Antonio? Didn't she want to live closer to her family, since she had grandkids? And if she’d only lived here five years, she might lose interest, like Lacey’s mom had. But she didn't want to grill the woman in front of Beck.
“What kind of dessert did you make?” she asked instead.
*****
“YOU GOTTA ADMIT,” BECK said as he stepped into the stock tank beside Lacey. “The woman can make a mean cake. Maybe we can get her to open a bakery and a deli.”
“I think she’s pretty content with her life. But that was a really good cake.” Lacey leaned back against the side of the tub and looked up at the stars overhead. “I like her.”
“That’s good, because I think your dad is in love with her.”
That gave her a jolt, and she snapped her head up to meet his gaze. She’d seen the affection between them, but for Beck to come to that conclusion surprised her. “I’ve been teasing him about marrying her, and making her a grandmother again. But you think he really is?” She had to wonder why he hadn’t mentioned Marianne to him before, why he’d let her discover their relationship on her own. Was it just because he was working it out? Working out how he felt?
Were she and her father so damaged they didn't know how to handle adult relationships?
Maybe something she shouldn’t be thinking about while she was sitting in the stock tank with the man who had proposed to her.
“So now that Austin is back, are you going to be out of work?” he asked.
“That was something I worried about, and people will be getting more regular check-ups. But part of what I’m paid to do is clean house, like for those who can’t do for themselves, and make dinners. So I don't think I’ll be out of a lot of patients. In fact, with his referrals, I might get more.”
“And what’s going to happen when you’re on maternity leave? Who’s going to take your patients?”
“The company is sending a floater in for two months. I’ll show her the ropes for a week or two, depending on when the babies are born. Then she’ll take over for me until I come back.”
He shook his head. “Two months doesn’t seem very long to recover from having two babies.”
“Well, even if I was the wealthiest woman in town, I wouldn't abandon my patients for longer than that.”
He shifted in the tub, sending ripples through the water. “I’m sure they’d understand if you needed more time with the babies. From what I hear, some of them are pretty invested in your life.”
“Some of them are, and some, like your mom, won’t do well with whoever my replacement is. They like consistency. I need to think about that.”
“My mom, and whoever else, will be just fine. It’s not like you’re leaving town, or changing jobs, or abandoning them. You’re going to have to take care of yourself and your babies. You don't know what kind of recovery time you’re going to need.”
She did not want to get into a financial discussion with him, about needing to go back to work. Her company only gave six weeks of maternity leave, and she needed the money. She didn't know if he would press her to marry him, or if that was a one-time offer. She didn't want him to repeat the proposal out of pity.
“Beck. Just trust that this is something I worried enough about to figure out, okay?”
He lifted his hands in surrender. “I will shut up. And we will use this place for relaxing, not worrying, okay?”
He stretched his legs out so that she felt she had to shift hers away. She could feel the warmth of his legs in the gap of water between them.
“The water warmed up since I got out,” she said. “I guess the shade wasn't enough to keep it cool.”
“Remind me to help you empty it out,” he said. “We don't want scorpions or anything to find their way into it.”
She shuddered. “I hate those things. Creepiest animal ever.”
“You didn't see the nest of snakes under Mom’s house.”
She shuddered again, harder. “I wonder if actually seeing it would be worse than how I imagined it.”
“Yes,” he said definitively, which made her laugh.
“So let me ask you this. You’ve done all this work on your mom’s place. Why are you building your own place? You’ve made hers really nice.”
“But it will always be hers. And while my siblings are okay with me building on the land, since they’ll probably never come back here, they wouldn't be as excited about me taking over the house where we grew up. And while I’ve modernized hers, there are some limitations in a house that old. My house will be completely modern, and on a slab, so snakes can't get under it. New plumbing and wiring. Big porch, maybe with ceiling fans.”
“Aha. I knew you were pumping us for ideas when you started that conversation about dream houses the other night.”
“Yeah, well, a good idea is a good idea. Four bedrooms. Lots of space. What was Poppy’s? Big kitchen?”
“Which is ridiculous, because Poppy’s current kitchen is the size of a postage stamp, so she never goes in there.”
“All the more reason for her to want a big kitchen. Two bathrooms will be nice. It’s not easy sharing with my mom, especially since she’s used to living alone and doing her own thing.”
“And so are you,” Lacey pointed out.
“Yeah, it’s not been an easy adjustment. Nice to stay in one place, though. It’s been a while.”
Why were they talking like they didn't know each other? Did they, really? Enough for him to be in love with her? Her to be in love with him? She didn't think so.
“What do you know about planets? Stars?” she asked.
“Well, you know, science guy, so I’m pretty okay with constellations and stars. You see that hook? Right over there?”
“Big Dipper?”
“Nope, your friend the scorpion. Scorpio. Actually, that’s what your babies will be, Scorpio.”
“What? Oh, I hadn’t even thought about that. They couldn't be something sweet, huh?”
“Well, I mean, I don't know. What are you?”
“Taurus.”
“That figures.”
“Why?”
“The literal only thing I know about personality traits of the astrological signs is that Taurus are stubborn.”
“Why do you think I’m stubborn?”
“I don't know. Why are you stubborn?” he countered.
“You think I’m stubborn because I said no?”
“No. Look, Lace, I don't want you to marry me if you don't want to marry me, all right? If it’s something that’s going to make you uncomfortable, going to make your life harder, I don't want that, not for either of us.”
Just hearing him say that eased the muscles in her shoulders.
“But I care about you, Lacey. I think about you a lot. And not in the rescuing way that you think. I think you’re pretty damn strong, if you want my opinion. I think a lot of women would have crumbled under what you’ve been through lately.”
“You don't know how close I came. But then I think about, what would my kids have if I did? So I pulled myself together.”
“I just want you to know I admire the hell out of you. You have to know that a lot of women wouldn’t be able to do what you’ve done.”
“I don't think I’m anything special.”
“I do.”
Something in his voice had her turning her head to look at him. His gaze was on her lips. Her pulse started pounding as he leaned closer.
Her brain screamed at her to put distance between them, that she didn't need Beck Conover kissing her, making her want something she couldn't have.
Because if he couldn't love her, she didn't want a relationship. And if she couldn't have a relationship, she didn't want a kiss.
Except she did. Every fiber of her body had been aware of him since he slipped into the stock tank with her. And for weeks, she’d wondered what his kiss would be like. Here under the stars seemed like the perfect place to find out.
So she leaned in, too, just enough that he knew she wanted this. He cupped a wet hand behind her ear, the cool water dripping down on her breasts as he first brushed his lips over hers, then parted, taking the kiss deeper more quickly than she expected. Her own hand flew up to his hair to hold on, and that was the last practical thought she had before sinking into the kiss, the softness of his lips, the prickle of his stubble, the subtle sweep of his tongue against her lips. She drew in a breath, taking in the scent of him, the scent of sunshine and sawdust, the taste of him, just a touch of spice from the lasagna, a touch of sweetness from the cake, but the rest a taste that was Beck alone.
The howl of a coyote in the distance had him pulling away, slowly, his eyes opening as he did so, as if he was holding onto the sensation.
“If that makes any difference,” he said, easing away from her. “We better get the pump going to empty this thing out before it gets too late.”
She wasn't sure how she got out without falling on her butt. She almost felt drunk, definitely floaty. She wanted to hang onto him, to use his strength, but decided she was better off using her own, bracing her hands on the side instead. He picked up the pump from the back porch, set it in the water, and plugged it in. Immediately, the hum of the pump vibrating against the metal tub filled the air, and Lacey and Beck stood awkwardly, watching the water level lower bit by bit in the light from the back porch.
“Why don't we sit on the porch while we wait?” she asked, finding her voice at last.
He took her hand to guide her to the porch, where he released her before he sat on the step. When she sat beside him, she reached over and took his hand again. The look of surprise on his face matched the surprise she felt at making the gesture. God, what was she doing? She eased closer and this time she kissed him, wanting this floaty feeling to continue, wanting to feel his arms around her. Why hadn’t she kissed him when they were standing, so he could wrap his arms around her, hold her against him, even though her enormous belly would be in the way?
But she liked his fingers in her hair, stroking her temple, the back of her neck. Every nerve ending was alight like a sparkler, sending fizzes of anticipation through her body.
Slowly she ended the kiss, drawing back, just as the pump started buzzing in the stock tank.
He turned his face away from her, for which she was glad. She didn't like him seeing her so vulnerable.
“I guess it’s empty.”
He rose in a fluid motion and unplugged the pump, then retrieved it before bending and lifting the tub on its side to dump out the rest of the water that the pump couldn't get. Behind him, Lacey saw a scorpion scurry from beneath the pool, and she shuddered as Beck rolled the pool and set it against the base of the tree.
“You’ll be able to get it down?” he asked over his shoulder. “It’s not that heavy when it’s empty.”
“I can do it.”
“I’d say call me if you need help, but I’m going to be up in the basin for the next three days. I rented a room, so I won’t be back until Sunday.”
His words sent a pulse of sadness through her. She didn't see him that often now, but knowing he was over a hundred miles away for days....
“I’m going to say thanks to your dad and Marianne, then will you walk me out to the truck?”
She didn't want him to leave yet, but she nodded anyway. He took her hand as they walked into the house. The cool air hit the wet skin that hadn’t dried in their brief time on the porch. Lacey felt self-conscious when her dad and Marianne noticed their joined hands, as Beck bid them good night, then drew Lacey behind him out the front door, where he turned her into his arms and kissed her again, his hand at the small of her back bringing her body against his. She slid her hands from his chest up to his strong shoulders, let her hands rest there as his mouth moved over hers, igniting those sparklers again. She tried to remember what her obstetrician had said about the urges common in this trimester, but no, this was more. This was a man who wanted her, who wanted to be a part of her life.
She was ready to let him in.
“Be safe,” she said, hearing the breathlessness in her own voice when he broke the kiss and started down the steps to the truck.
“Yeah, I will. I’ll be back Sunday. See you at The Wheel House?”
She nodded, feeling his absence as a physical sensation as she watched him climb into his truck. “I’ll see you Sunday.”