He turned the key on her car and heard the engine hesitate. He had to bite back a comment about her needing new tires and a tune-up. Only the man in her life had a right to nag her that way. To yell at her about stuff like that. To watch over her.
And that sure as hell wasnt him.
She suddenly turned to look at him. Pete, you passed right by the road to the cottage.
I know. I figured wed go somewhere quiet for a few minutes. Not for long-but Id like to talk to you where no ones likely to interrupt us, and that includes both my family and yours.
Oh, well She looked as if she considered objecting, but then changed her mind.
That didnt surprise him. There was showdown written all over her. Her eyes were snapping fire. Her jeans were as threadbare as everything else she wore, but there was attitude in her hips-pure female attitude, and she was tossing her hair every step-until she got in the car, when she folded her arms in that make-my-day-mess-with-me posture she could get.
He knew-hed always known-that they couldnt continue on the track they were on for long. Being a climb-in-her-bedroom-at-night-lover had been a lot of fun the first time. And the second. But a romantic impulse was one thing, and not being straight about something important was another. Subterfuge wouldnt work in his life. She couldnt tolerate it in hers. And hed known a showdown moment was coming. He just wasnt prepared for it at this precise instant.
He drove the back farm road that skirted the acres of the lavender, then farther back, past his McIntosh and Red Delicious orchards, then back to the far nestle of woods.
Several acres of old, virgin hardwoods scattered across a high knoll, then gently sloped down to a spring-fed pond. The MacDougal boys and Campbell girls used to sled that hill every year when they were growing up, the girls trying every girl flirting trick they knew to get the boys to carry their sleds uphill again. The tricks usually worked.
A smile whisked across her face. Although God knows she didnt know it-or admit it-she was getting those unshakably sexy smiles of hers back.
Yeah, Pete murmured, as he braked and climbed out of her car. I remember a dozen winters from when we were kids. Just this spot. In fact, I specifically remember Daisy begging my oldest brother to pull her toboggan. He couldnt say no to her and breathe. Heck, he couldnt say yes to her without stuttering and turning red as a brick.
Daisy could make any boy stutter. And oh, brother, I loved all those winters. I was the young one, tagging after all of you older kids, but I loved every minute. Skating on the pond. Sledding that hill. For an instant she seemed to forget how mad she was, because she ambled next to him, looping her hands in her back jeans pockets. You havent mentioned your brothers in a while.
He wanted to mention that her asking such a question was a sign that she was seriously ready to join real life again. Weeks ago, she wouldnt have given a thought to his brothers-or anyone else. It was all she could do to get up in the morning. Unfortunately, now that she was better, she seemed unquestionably in a fast hurry to throw him out of her life. And he was bracing for that-hed expected that point to come for weeks. But temporarily, he hoped some general conversation would ratchet down the tension between them.
Both my brothers are doing great. Websters standing in front of a classroom at Stanford. Hes married, got two kids and a station wagon kind of life. I dont think his feet have seen mud since he left the farm. Griffs just the opposite-hes in North Dakota. Married a woman with a big ranch in her family. He seems to love the life and the work-and the two of them seem to attract kids like mosquitoes. Last count, they had four of their own and another three that seem to be just living with them.
In spite of feeling like an axe was about to fall on his head, Pete almost started to relax. Both of them instinctively seemed to follow the trail down to the water, Cam so easily hiking next to him. No matter how hard she was trying, it just wasnt an easy morning to stay mad. The temperature had already kicked up in the past hour. A warm breeze fluttered the leaves, allowing sunshine to shiver through the forest canopy in yellow polka dots. A rabbit scrambled across their path. The air was soft, tender with spring smells, and the farm pond was just below them, a diamond, with a whisper of morning mist still dawdling on the far side.
In a curve in the path, they startled a doe and her young fawn, who froze at the unexpected intruders. He glanced at Camille. It hurt his heart, how easily he could share a smile with her, share the magic morning. She belonged on this land no different than he did.
Hed fooled himself into believing she belonged with him. No one to blame for that, of course, but himself.
The mama deer finally freaked and bounded off, her fawn gamboling right behind her, breaking that moment of magic silencebut at least Camille was still talking to him.
When I was growing up, I assumed all three of you MacDougals would end up back on the farm-same as I thought my sisters and I would never grow up and move off. This was home. I couldnt imagine being anywhere else when I was little. Butyoure the only one of your brothers who actually did it, came back to the land, she said.
Actually, I was the only one who could come back, right at the time my dad needed help. Maybe I would have ended up back here sooner or later, anyway. I never wanted to farm the same way my dad did, but I always felt a draw to the land. I like the heritage and history. Cant imagine working at something where I couldnt sometimes get my hands dirty.
Neither of your brothers felt that way?
Not that they ever said. There are plenty of acres here. We could have found room for all of us. Maybe they didnt carebut I think, more than that, most men just plain tend to settle where their women are. It seems to be one of those universals. Men wander around, unsettled and uncommitted, until they meet a certain woman. Web and Griff took up new roots from the day they got married.
Neither of your brothers felt that way?
Not that they ever said. There are plenty of acres here. We could have found room for all of us. Maybe they didnt carebut I think, more than that, most men just plain tend to settle where their women are. It seems to be one of those universals. Men wander around, unsettled and uncommitted, until they meet a certain woman. Web and Griff took up new roots from the day they got married.
He knew the instant he used the word marriage that hed royally screwed up. She stiffened up like a poker, fastened on a glower, and that was it for the peaceful conversation. Damn it, Pete. I dont want that damn cat!
No?
No. I dont want a cat. I dont want a dog. I dont want your kids thinking that we-
He cut in quietly. Yeah. I know. They were trying to matchmake. He thought being honest would help, but she looked even more frantic. So he tried to explain further. Sean-like you would expect-is the one who brought home the cat. He brings home anything thats still breathing. He knew I wouldnt let him keep it-but he and his brother started talking about giving it to you.
You could have easily said No. Dont do that to Camille.
Yeah, I could have. But the fact is, I thought it was a great idea.
How amazing. Why did you think that giving me a forsaken mangy cat was a great idea?
He ignored that question temporarily and went back to the point. The boys have talked more and more about the two of us getting together, being together. So has my dad. They think the sun rises and sets on your shadow-which is great, but I just couldnt believe it when they first started with the matchmaking talk. As far as I can tell, youre the only woman they trust-or have come close to trusting-since their mother took off.
But thats crazy, Pete. I havent done anything to make them like me. Or trust me.
He rolled his eyes to the sky. Im not sure youd see good in yourself if someone slapped you in the face with it. And hell, Cam. That follows through with everything else as well. You cant think of a single reason why Ive been sleeping with you either, right?
She edged back a step. Of course I can, she said testily. Sex.
Camille. He lowered his voice a full octave. Youre coming close to pissing me off. And you dont want to do that.
Im ticking you off! Try and get this through your head, MacDougal. Im the one whos mad. You leave me this aggressive, killer dog that acts as if hell attack anyone who looks at him sideways. Then you leave me a cat that looks so bad its own mother would disown it. Like you think I need trouble, is that it? You really think I need more problems in my life?
He warned himself that she looked ready to bolt and he needed to keep his cool. But just possibly, he was as ready for a showdown as she was, because he leaned over her, glowering as damn hard as she was. I think youve done enough feeling sorry for yourself.
What?
You heard me. I think its time you kicked yourself in the keester and figured it out. Youve been through hell, but you made it through to the other side. You dont need more coddling.
Since when- her finger started poking his chest, hard -did you ever coddle me?
Since never. Because everyone else was doing it. And if all that coddling had helped you, itd be fine. But it didnt. In fact, it was turning you into a liar.
Liar? Her finger poked him again. A totally enraged finger. I never lie. Im the most honest person youll know or ever know, MacDougal.
Horse hockey. When you first came home, you were beat up. You were like the lavender, full of weeds and tangles and too choked up to breatheand way too scared to care about anything. I get it, Cam. Ive been hurt. But these last weeks, its not that way
Oh? You think youre going to tell me what I feel?
Nope. But Ill tell you what youve been doing. Lying. Making out like you dont care-about anything or anyone. Youre nuts for that dog.
I am not!
And youre going to be just as nuts for that derelict cat. You always did have a gift for animals, used to be able to talk down a scared cat or an injured dog, even when you were a scrawny little kid. Maybe you forgot that, but I didnt. Youve got to have something to love or you go nuts.
In your dreams, MacDougal. Im not going to be nuts for that cat! Ever! Im giving the dog away as soon as I find a home for it. And the same thing with the cat.