“Well, then we will just have to find something to tide you over.”
She climbed out of bed and got the coffee going while her son devoured a banana and laid waste to a single-serving strawberry yogurt. Together, they packed for the sleepover—well, Riley packed. Dillon helped by tossing in toys at random including his Optimus Prime Transformer and the slime-green kids’ camera he loved so much.
Riley debated how much food to bring. Josh had insisted that he would take care of the meals. So she settled on fresh fruit, a bunch of different snacks and some juice boxes. She’d planned to bring a present for the birthday boy today, but Josh had insisted she should save the gifts for the party next Saturday at Lenore’s.
At six thirty, she and Dillon climbed into her Chevy Tahoe and headed out of town. Twenty minutes later, they rolled onto Josh’s woodsy plot of land with its gorgeous pond and the pretty little creek that flowed through it.
As she pulled to a stop in front of the two-story log house, Shane burst out the front door and raced down the steps to greet them. Josh ambled along in the birthday boy’s wake as Shane shouted, “Come on, Dillon! Bring your stuff in so we can go fishing!”
“Okay!” Dillon shouted. Then, at the same volume, he announced, “Mom, I’m getting out!”
“I’m right here,” Riley replied from three feet away behind the wheel. “Inside voice, please.”
“Sorry…”
At least he’d asked first before unhooking his seat belt. “Okay, then,” she said as she pushed open her door. “Get your things and take them upstairs with you…”
“Yes!” He was out of the car and shoving the door shut in two seconds flat.
She met him at the hatch in the back and handed him his pack. By then, Shane was right there at his side.
“Hi, Riley!” he said with a giant smile.
“Good morning.” She passed him the six-pack of juice boxes. “Would you carry this in for me?”
“Yes, I will!” Shane replied, his big smile getting bigger. She handed it over, and the boys took off at a sprint.
“Slow down, you two,” Josh advised as they flew by him on the way to the front door.
“We’ll be careful,” Dillon promised, following Shane across the front deck.
Josh descended the steps and joined her at the open hatch. “Riley Jane, you look especially fine in waders and rubber boots.” He tugged on the bill of her hat as he gave her a slow once-over, those hazel eyes of his warm and approving. “There’s something about a hot redhead in a dad hat. All of a sudden, I can’t wait for bedtime.”
“Keep your mind on the fishing,” she advised as she pulled her duffel bag from the car. “Bedtime’s a long way away—and didn’t we already discuss the sleeping arrangements for this weekend?”
“Yeah, but a man can dream…” Deftly, he edged aroundher and took both her duffel and the bag of snacks. “Follow me.”
“I can carry that stuff.”
“No way. I’m on it.”
Inside, as she did every time she visited him, she admired the open living area with its big stone fireplace, cathedral ceiling and beautiful hardwood floors. At the far end of the expansive room, the kitchen had warm granite counters and lustrous maple cabinets.
Josh dropped the snacks on the counter and led her up the wide staircase to the bedroom directly across the hallway from his. “Make yourself comfortable.” He pushed the door shut and set her duffel on the bed. “I’m right across the hall if you need anything.”
As if she didn’t know. She’d slept in this room three times in the past—once before she and Josh had started their secret fling. That time, she’d had the floors refinished at her house, and he’d offered her a place to stay while the work was completed.
The other two times were more recent. Each of those times, she’d waited to be sure the kids were asleep before tiptoeing across the hall and tapping on Josh’s bedroom door.
Now she leaned back against the door. They grinned at each other.
“Fishing,” she said firmly as he left the bed and came toward her.
“Fishing,” he repeated, getting right up close and personal. He touched the bill of her hat. When she made no objection, he lifted it from her head and tossed over his shoulder.
“Hey. Don’t mess with my hat.” She tried to sound offended, but she wasn’t. She was too busy admiring theflecks of gold in his eyes, memorizing the full, tempting shape of his mouth.
He bent close. She reached up and laid the tips of her fingers along his warm cheek. His mouth met hers, and she sighed in the most perfect combination of contentment and desire.
