Home for Love (An Adult Contemporary Romance) (4 page)

Amber rolled her eyes and giggled, “Mom,
don’t be silly!” She exclaimed with such drama, making Bree and Todd giggle too
and breaking the tension, “He can’t hug and kiss himself.”

“Clever girl,” Todd praised. “I guess
I’ll just have to give you a hug and kiss instead.”

Bree left the room while father and
daughter, besotted with each other, exchanged hugs, kisses and smiles.

xxx

They were all in the kitchen, cleaning
up after the feast that Bree and Moira had prepared. Todd enjoyed this
Christmas more than any other in his memory. All the adults exerted extra
effort to make Amber feel cherished and to give her a real family celebration.
He lightly fingered the woolen neck-scarf, dominated by reindeers that his
daughter had given him. It was the best Christmas gift he’d ever gotten. All he
needed to top it off now was a kiss under the mistletoe with Bree, which she
was determinately avoiding.

After stacking the last plate in the
cupboard, Todd, the quintessential planner, pointed to his itinerary that was
stuck against the fridge with Christmas-themed magnets. “So, what are we doing
for New Year’s? That’s about the only gap on our schedule.”

“On New Year’s Eve, mom and I make
popcorn and watch the countdown in Time Square. We have a disco in the lounge
and I get to stay up late!” Amber suggested, “We can do that.”

“We certainly could,” Todd replied, “if
you promise to save me a dance, young lady.”

“I have a better idea,” Moira announced.
“I admit that I’ve been jealous of the time that you two,” she waved a hand at
Todd and Bree, “have been spending with my great-granddaughter. We’d like some
time alone with her. So, how about you let Daniel and I spend some special New
Year’s Eve time with Amber and the two of you can have our tickets to the
annual dance in town?”

Seeing the speculation in Bree’s
expression, she smoothly persisted, “Amber, honey, what do you say? Grandpa and
I can sort through the attic with you and I’m sure we can find some costumes
that will just need a bit of sprucing up. If I remember correctly, there’s a
disco ball up there too!”

“You’re right Gran. I’ve been egglecting
you.” Amber’s reply was so contrite that no one had the heart to correct her
vocabulary.

“That’s okay,” Moira smiled at her
sunshine girl. “You can make it up to us with our very own grandma, grandpa and
Amber New Year’s Eve dance and then your mom and dad can go out and have some
fun on their own and not bother us. What do you say, honey?”

“I think that’s a great idea.” Daniel
caught on to what Moira was doing; raising an eyebrow at her behind Bree’s
back, which she pointedly ignored. “I haven’t been to a disco in decades.”
Daniel broke out into a dance resembling a chicken having a seizure that had
them all hooting. Catching his breath at the end of his act, he looked at Bree
and Todd. “Indulge us old folk, will you? Your Gran’s also right in saying that
you kids need to have some adult time and it would be good for the folk in town
to see you two having fun together. Put to bed some of the nastier gossip
that’s probably going around.”

Todd wanted to grin like he’d just hit
the jackpot, but forced his expression to look thoughtful. “You’re right. We
could do with some good PR and a bit of fun in the mix, an opportunity to get
to know each other again.” He looked at Bree, quickly correcting, “It will help
cement the good footing we’ve begun on as parents. Are you game, Bree?”

 She’d been cornered and could only
acquiesce, albeit grudgingly. “Okay, if that's what works for everyone, I don’t
see the harm in it.” Spending time in Todd’s company, alone, wasn’t going to
assist her in battling the itch being with him was giving her. What’s more, she
didn’t have anything to wear. Thankfully with the money she’d saved from Todd
paying for Amber’s school things and clothes, not to mention quite a few items
for her, she could splurge on a dress and some heels. “I'll have to go buy a
dress, though. Are there any new places in town that I can shop for something?”

Bingo, thought Moira. “Honey, I’m the
wrong person to ask that type of thing. I have my few standards from way back.
But, Shelly’s still in town. You remember Shelly from high school, don’t you?”

“She was my best friend through high
school Gran,” Bree offered a droll response. “I haven’t forgotten her; I just
haven’t been in touch.”

“Well she’s the same sweet girl she
always was,” Moira countered. “In fact, she’s opened up a swanky boutique to
cater to both the tourists and the locals; you’ll see that we have quite a few
events here now. It’s still new, but she’s already quite busy so she must know
what she’s doing. Emma…you remember her?” At Bree’s affirmative nod she carried
on with the tale, “Well, she needed an urgent dress for some do for her son at
the University. A cocktail thing. She found out about it last minute and gave
Shelly’s a try. She was quite impressed by what was in store. So, I’m sure
Shelly will be able to help you out.”

“Okay, it can’t hurt. Amber and I can
pop by the shop on Tuesday.” Then she looked at Todd, thinking that she saw a
self-satisfying smirk but it was replaced so quickly by nonchalance that she
shook her head – she must have imagined it. It was probably her hormones going
on over-drive being so close to him. It filled her with trepidation about a
whole evening in his company without Amber to monopolize his attention.

Thinking quickly, Bree said, smacking
her forehead forlornly, “I forgot, we’re supposed to go snow-machining on
Tuesday.” She looked at Todd seeing an out. “And, your itinerary is still quite
full for the rest week, so I guess we’ll have to can it. I can’t exactly go
dressed in what I’ve got. Sorry Gran, Granddad, it was a sweet thought, but I
guess it’s a bit late notice to get a dress.” It was hard not to look smug.

“Oh, that’s not a problem at all.” Todd
wasn’t going to let this little thing get in the way of the bigger plan. “I
also haven’t spent much time alone with Amber, so it can be our little
adventure. I’ll take her on the snow-machine and you can meet up with some of
your old friends. Have some girl time.” He didn’t think she’d had much of that
over the last six years. She obviously seemed so used to being around Amber
twenty-four, seven.

Outmaneuvered, Bree nodded, feeling as
though she’d just been played. “Thanks. It seems that it’s worked out well
then. I’ll go to town on Tuesday and hook up with Shelly.”

Days filled were with continued
sight-seeing, flight-seeing, and orientating Amber to Devil’s Peak and the farm
made the time to the dreaded New Year’s Eve dance speed by. Bree focused her
thoughts on Amber’s face when she got to collect eggs from the chicken coop for
the first time or her excitement when she went up in the plane alone with her
daddy. Although Bree’s heart had shot up to her larynx when her daughter flew
above her, she’d been less anxious then than now, as she got ready to go to the
dance with Todd.

Her palms were sweaty, face flushed, and
eyes a bit brighter than normal. She had never been this grateful before for
makeup – maybe someone would assume that her blushing cheeks was due to
excitement rather than the unease that she actually felt. Bree gave herself a
good once over in the full length mirror on her closet door. Her hair was loose
and she'd kept her makeup to the bare essentials. Shelly had helped her choose
a cerulean blue cocktail dress that ended just above the knee. Except for the
color, the style of it was elegant in its simplicity, allowing her to wear the
dress rather than the other way around. She wore no jewelry other than dangling
diamante earrings that matched the only flashy thing on the dress, a lovely
diamante adornment strategically positioned just before her waist to create the
illusion of a completely flat tummy. The halter-neck satisfyingly emphasized
the increase in cleavage courtesy of having carried and born a child. She
carried matching silver and diamante strappy sandals and a silver clutch purse
in her hands. Because it was Alaska and it was winter, she’d go in bunny boots
and multiple layers of outer-garments, then change into her formal shoes and
shed the extra layers when she got to the hotel. Alaskan women never let the
weather stop them from looking good.

It reminded her of different times,
different circumstances when she did just that in preparation for a date with
Todd. Junior Prom, Valentines Dances, Spring Dances, and Senior Prom… what
she’d give to have that back at that moment! Not at the expense of Amber of
course. No matter what had happened, she was glad for her daughter - being a
mom was the one thing she was most satisfied with. That and her studies.

Regardless of everything that had
happened in her life, Bree allowed her to appreciate that she’d done well.
Standing a bit taller, squaring her shoulders, and sucking in her tiny mummy
tummy, she resolved to go with the flow that night. She was an adult. She’d
been through worse, a lot worse. With that mantra complete, she headed
downstairs to the living room where she heard Todd’s occasional response to
Amber’s incessant chatter. Here goes…

Bree walked down the stairs to the
picture of Amber, dressed in a multi-colored, glittery costume that represented
disco to her six year old imagination. “Wow, mom, you look like a princess!”
Amber’s awestruck response was exactly what she needed to boost her confidence.

Bree bent down and kissed Amber, leaving
the replica of her lips on her soft, rosy cheek. As she wiped it off with her
fingers due to Amber’s protests, she threw a glance at Todd. Sucking in a
sharp, quick stream of oxygen, Bree pasted a smile and gave him a nod in
greeting. She was unprepared for the undisguised lust she saw on his face.

Turning back to Amber she said, “Thank
you for the compliment, Amber, that means a lot to me, coming from a real
princess, of course.”

“Oh, mom,” Amber rolled her eyes at
Bree. Another one of her little quirky mannerisms. “If I’m a princess and
you’re my mom then you’re one too.”

Lips curving, Bree responded, “Of
course. I stand corrected.”

“You look great! Beautiful!” Todd’s
simple remark laced with sincerity, made Amber giggle and her turn a bright
shade of pink.

Todd was looking pretty good himself in
a black pants and perfectly matching black shirt, casually opened at the top to
reveal his delicious looking Adam’s apple. Black only made his dark looks more
devilish and broody, something women wanted to sink into. Unfortunately, with
the way he looked, Bree felt like one of those women. He bent over to chat to
Amber as she tugged on his sleeve in excitement. Bree sighed, it gave her a
fantastic rear view that nudged the temperature up a few notches. Todd turned
around and caught her staring at him. He grinned in response, which she duly
ignored offering him a blank expression in exchange.

“Are you ready to go?” Todd asked,
holding his arm out, ready for her to hook into.

Bree nodded, bending down to kiss Amber
first and greet her grandparents. Not, yet ready to speak to this sinfully
delicious version of Todd, she took his arm and left for town to the sound of
giggles in the background.

xxx

“Bree Tanner Ramsay,” a shrill voice
interrupted her conversation with Shelly.

“Hi Sandra,” Bree replied, keeping her
voice light and interested. Sandra was one person she had not missed while gone
from Devil’s Peak. The feeling was as mutual as their common lust for Todd.
From the looks, that Sandra had been throwing Todd the whole evening that
seemed to be another irritating constant.

With a dress as brassy as her voice,
Sandra dramatically stopped in front of Bree and gave her outfit an inspection.
“I see that little has changed since you left us. I was hoping that some of the
Lower 48 sophistication had rubbed off on you.”

Bree discreetly nudged Shelly who was
about to deliver a scathing retort and with a fake smile still pasted on,
responded with the nonchalance, she was far from feeling. “Well, you know me
Sandra; I’m just a hometown girl at heart.” Before the verbal boxing match
could be further entertained, Bree grabbed Shelly by the hand and headed over
to the hotel bar, “Excuse us, hun, we’re a bit parched. See yah around.”

“Two things,” stated Shelly, “first -
you don’t drink, and second - you’re too nice to that cow.”

“Killing her with kindness, Shelly,”
Bree laughed. Now, this was one person she definitely had missed. Shelly may be
direct and come across as no-nonsense, but she was loyal to a fault.

“Uh-huh,” came Shelly’s skeptical
response.

“Now what’s the beef with Todd?”
inquired Shelly. “You know I don’t entertain rumors as far as the people I love
are concerned, so you better tell me.”

“Todd and I are trying to come to terms
with co-parenting Amber,” replied Bree.

Shelly quirked an eyebrow in response,
“Honey, you can’t fool anyone. Todd hasn’t been able to take his eyes off of
you the whole evening.”

“That’s just high school flames still
burning, Shelly,” returned Bree. “We didn’t have closure when we broke up.”

“As I recall,” drawled Shelly, “you
didn’t break up. You upped off and left. And, from what I see, you still
haven’t ‘broken up’.” Shelly used a well-manicured hand to make air quotes
before flipping her long, mahogany curls over her shoulder.

“And this is a good conversation. Thank
you.” At yet another quirked eyebrow, Bree laughed and carried on, “No,
seriously. Maybe closure is what we need before we move on.”

“Sorry to interrupt, ladies but I
believe, Shelly that our dance is up.” Shelly’s date, a sinfully handsome
newcomer to town, dragged Shelly away to the dance floor.

It gave Bree a moment to gather her
thoughts. Closure. That was exactly what was needed. And, the sooner it was
done, the better. She scanned the hotel bar cum dining area for Todd without
any success. The evening had gone better than she’d imagined. They’d seemed to
have put their differences aside and had even managed to dance together and
have fun. They’d gotten quite a few looks when they’d arrived, but as the
evening progressed, less people seemed focused on them, so the tactic to meet
the grapevine head on must be working. What wasn’t working was controlling the
pull he had on her. It had seemed so easy, so natural to dance with him.
Swaying in time to the music had allowed a number of intimate memories to creep
in. Not cool and not what she needed right now.

“You’re looking far too serious for a
night out,” Todd’s voice interrupted her thoughts. He’d come up behind her and
she could feel the heat coming off of him. Again, not cool. In fact, it was far
too hot in the room.

Resisting the urge to fan her, she
looked up into the chocolate warmth of his eyes and swallowed as discreetly as
she could manage. “Oh, I’m just tired,” Bree replied, shrugging her shoulders
in nonchalance. “I haven’t been out to a party in a while.”

“Well, let’s make it worth it then,” the
smile Todd threw as he held out his hand, lit the room.

“Okay,” Bree squeaked, inwardly cursing.

The dance was the same torturous
exercise in masochism as the previous ones. Their bodies moved in sync,
touching teasingly when a dance move from either allowed a bump, a caress. The
sudden cheers of, “Happy New Year,” broke the spell woven by the dance and
startled her, bringing her closer to him. And just like that, he leaned down,
kissed her and it was as though seven years had not even passed.

The kiss was tender, sweet, filled with
fondness, and banked heat. It was a mouth she was familiar with, a mouth she’d
been craving without knowing. The touch of his hands as they slipped around her
waist and drew her closer felt right as did her arms snaking around his
shoulders to lightly tug him down, his hair was like silk between her fingers.

All too soon, the kiss ended and Bree
looked up into eyes that had turned the brown of good, dark chocolate;
kiss-swollen lips that had her wanting to close in for another nibble.

Taking a breath, she said, as steady as
she could, “Happy New Year, Todd. I’m just going to freshen up before we
leave,” and she fled to the bathroom.

The drive back to the farm was awkwardly
silent. When they arrived, Bree noticed that the only lights on in the house
were on the porch and in the hallway. Thank goodness, she didn’t need to fake a
‘fun time had’ to her grandparents.

Todd cleared his throat and turned to
her with an expression that was hard to read. “I had a great time tonight.
Thanks Bree.”

Bree swallowed. It was easier to ignore
the attraction in the quiet discomfort of the drive there. Face to face bedding
down the internal sparks was a monumental task. “Pleasure…uh… thanks too,” Bree
squeaked. She took a moment, “I mean thanks. I had a great time too.” Go figure
that she’d act like a high school kid around her high school sweetheart. And oh
yes, we was swooping in for the end of date kiss. Knowing his moves, Bree
preempted it and scooted out the door before he could paste his delectable lips
on hers.

Rubbing her arms to ward off the tingles
of the cold and not in exaggeration, she blurted out, “Yikes, it’s cold. I
better get going before I catch my death. I actually forgot how cold it’s here.
See you tomorrow, Todd.”

Later that night, Bree finally gave up
on the succumbing to the dreamless sleep she so eagerly wished for and got up.
Because she was alone in the privacy of her old room, she took down a box from
the top of her closet. At the very top of the contents was a photo of her and
Todd at the high school prom, a heart around their faces glowing with the love
of hope, the love of teenagers, and in it was written “Todd and Bree
forever." Sighing, she closed the lid and got back into bed, the heat she
felt on the dance floor gone and her heart filled with aching loneliness and
longing.