Seducing the Innkeeper (At First Sight Book 3) (9 page)

“Mark.”

“I mean those words.”

Christa wrapped her arms around him. “I love you.”

He kissed the tip of her nose. “We’d better get dressed before I take you home.” He stepped back. “In December you’ll be attending a double wedding.”

She made a face. “Do not consider a triple header.”

“No way. If Davy agrees, what about next Saturday?”

“We’ll see. I haven’t said yes.”

“You will.”

Chapter Six

Mark settled in the passenger’s seat of the Jeep and fastened his seatbelt. He would rather drive and use his car but there wasn’t room for three people and the bike they planned to buy. When he’d offered to drive the Jeep Christa had laughed.

“My car. My neighborhood. I know the roads.”

“I’ve driven to town.”

“Won’t hurt you to be a passenger. Are we quarreling? Not a good idea. I have yet to answer your question.”

She was right. He wanted nothing to ruin the rapport between them. He was nine- tenths along the way to obtaining his goals. Though he had proposed and she hadn’t refused he needed the answer to be yes. Once he’d spoken to Davy there would be no contest. Mark turned his head and looked at his son.

Though belted in Davy managed to bounce. “This is so cool. Two of my wishes in one day.”

Mark chuckled. “The third may take some time.”

Christa glanced at Mark. “Just what is that about?”

“When the time is right you’ll know.” Mark stared out the window so she wouldn’t see his grin. He recalled the early morning chat with his son. A bike, his dad to live with his mom. A brother or even a sister. That wish might be in the works…unless Christa used birth control.

“He can’t tell you,” Davy said. “It’s our secret.”

Mark winked. “When it happens there will be no questions. You will know.”

Davy hooted. “That’s a good one. Mom, are we taking the back road? I want to show Dad where we sled ride.”

“Maybe on the way back.” Fifteen minutes later they reached the small town. Christa stopped at the bank to deposit last night’s receipts. They found a parking spot and walked to the bike shop. Mark watched Davy try a dozen bikes before selecting a silver one with red stripes. “Almost like your car, Dad.”

Mark sucked in a breath. Warmth infused him. He would never become used to hearing his son call him Dad. His gaze met Christa’s. Her smile spoke of understanding.

After loading the bike in the back of the Jeep, Davy and Mark strolled along the wide street while Christa ran errands. Mark placed his hands on his son’s shoulders and watched Christa walk away. They were his or would be as soon as the bond became official. “Where for lunch?”

“The diner,” Davy said. “We always eat there on Saturday. They make the best burgers, onion rings and shakes. You can have anything you want on your burger. Mom always has bacon and blue cheese.”

“Sounds good.” For a moment Mark wondered how his son would handle the move. Would he be angry about leaving his home, friends and routine?

Christa joined them. “Lunch now. You’ll enjoy the food.”

“More than at the inn?”

She tapped his arm. “No food snobs allowed. We’re not talking gourmet but the burgers are a higher level than fast food or the take-out you used to order.”

"Still do.” They entered the diner and found a table. A short time later their order arrived.

Mark savored the bacon burger topped with caramelized onions. He watched his son devour not only a cheese burger but half the family-size platter of onion rings. He clanked at Christa “After the breakfast he downed I can’t believe he’s eating this much.”

She laughed. “His appetite for food is almost as big as his father’s for other things. Are you sure you want to consider feeding him when he hits his teens?”

“I can afford that. You ready to say yes?”

“Perhaps.”

Davy looked up. “What are you talking about?”

Mark looked at his son. “That’s your mom’s and my secret. When the time’s right you’ll know.” He reached for the check.

Davy finished the last of his chocolate milkshake. He slid toward the edge of the booth. “Come on. I want to try my new bike. Can I call Sammy and see if he can come over.”

“Sure,” Christa said. “Maybe he can spend the night if you promise to behave.” She winked at Mark. “By Monday everyone in the area will know about the bike and you.”

Mark handed Davy the tip money. “Don’t forget this.”

“You learn fast,” Christa said.

“Looks that way.” He stopped at the cash register to pay. Davy dashed outside. Mark reached for Christa’s hand. “See if you can find a sitter for tonight. I want to shop for a ring.”

“Aren’t you jumping ahead?”

He grinned. “I want to take you to dinner and spend quality time with you at the cottage. I need you.”

“Again?”

“And again. And forever.”

“I’ll see what I can do about a sitter.”

“Not your half-sisters.”

“Never on a bet even if they’re available. Weekends are their fun times.”

“Wouldn’t want them to act responsible.” He paused. “They won’t be living with us.”

“I’ve already decided that. I told them to find a place and a job and I would give them three months seed money.”

“Would you hurry up?” Davy called.

“On our way.”

When they reached the inn Mark lifted the bike from the Jeep. Davy walked around his new set of wheels and then ran to the inn. A short time later he returned. “Sammy can stay over. He won’t be able to come for an hour. Can I ride the trails?”

“To the lake and back. You should be here when Sammy arrives.” She ruffled his hair. “Would you mind if Mrs. Lowry watches you this evening?”

“Why?”

Mark put a hand on Davy’s shoulder. “I want to take your mom on a date. We have matters to discuss.”

“More rules?”

“Possibly. Also to decide when you can meet all your new relatives.”

Davy’s eyes widened. “Are there a lot?”

“Definitely. I have a brother and two sisters. Allie and Meg are getting married in December. There’s your grandfather and his wife plus my aunts, uncles and cousins.”

“Cool. There’s just Mom and me and the half aunts. See you.” Davy waved and rode off.

Mark reached for Christa. “That went well.”

“You’re a novelty. He does like you.  About this date.”

“You can choose the restaurant and give me directions to the jewelers. You are going to say yes.”

“Do I have a choice?”

He ran a hand over her belly. “With our luck the answer is no.”

She moved into the circle of his arms. “We’ll go to the Mall for the ring. You’re not choosing alone.”

“And the restaurant?”

“There’s a German one with sauerbraten that’s wonderful.”

He chuckled. “If the food is as outstanding as at the inn, I’ll let Allie know.”

They walked to the inn. The young woman behind the counter waved. “Christa, could we talk about more hours?”

“There’s a good chance you’ll get your wish,” Christa said. “How about over breakfast tomorrow?” She squeezed Mark’s hand. “Mary, this is Mark Blakefield. He’s staying at the cottage.”

Mark shook the young woman’s hand. Here was a possible solution to the problem of a long distance marriage. “Good to meet you.”

“Oh, you have a visitor. Stella and Peggy took him to the cottage.”

Mark groaned. Only two people knew he was here. His secretary would call or text. She wouldn’t drive just to give him a message. “Did he leave a name?”

“All he said was Tony.”

Why had his attorney arrived? He kissed Christa’s cheek. “I’d better see what he wants.”

“I’ll handle dinner reservations and the sitter. Go see your friend. If there’s a problem we can put our plans on hold.”

“Not a chance. I’ll send him on his way.” Mark turned to leave. Until he knew why Tony was here he didn’t want Christa to know his friend was an attorney. “Keep your mind on tonight.”

He hurried from the inn and jogged to the cottage. Tension settled between his shoulders and tightened like a vise around his head. Had Tony learned something to turn his plans on end? What had Christa’s half-sisters concocted? Their ability to indulge in flights of fanciful thinking astonished him.

Mark opened the cottage door. Tony sprawled on one of the couches with a beer in his hand. “What are you doing here?”

“Curiosity. I’m glad I made the trip.”

“Why?”

“You must be kept from making a huge mistake. Your friend’s sisters gave me an earful.”

“Half-sisters.” Mark frowned. “I’m sure they invented quite the story. They have vivid imaginations. Which of their tales did they spin? I especially liked the one about the letters Christa sent telling me about the pregnancy and the ones I wrote back denying paternity.”

Tony shook his head. “Between tears and how they didn’t want me to think their sister was a thief I dug out this story. The boy isn’t yours. The father was a guest who was here for several weeks. She wants to sue you for child support.”

Mark laughed. “When you see Davy you’ll know he’s mine.”

“His father was blond.”

“Believe what you want but they lied.”

Tony put the beer on the coffee table. “They also told me how she’s trying to sell the inn and cheating them out of their share. I’ll help them and they’ll testify about how their sister wants to cheat you.”

Mark’s laughter grew louder. “You are an ass.”

“What’s so funny?”

Christa’s mother was sole owner of the inn. Her father only ran the place while she was a minor and when she was in college. The Sister’s Curious have no share in the inn. After their parents died Christa cared for them and paid their college tuition. Their only inheritance was bills Christa paid. On Monday if you’re still here, stop by the courthouse and check the records.”

Tony groaned. “You’re saying I was had by a pair of con artists?”

“More like practiced liars.” Mark beckoned. “Come with me so we can see what story they told Christa. Then you can go home and come back next Saturday to be my best man.”

* * *

Christa covered her ears to dull the shrill voices of her half-sisters. An urge to gag them warred with a need to slap them. The tale they told was unbelievable. How could any attorney find a way to grant them a share of the inn? Ownership was hers and a trip to the courthouse would reveal the truth.

“You have said enough.” Christa’s hands formed fists.

“You’ll see. He’s gonna help us get what we deserve,” Peggy shouted. “Davy’s daddy is suing you for custody. Why else would his attorney appear?”

“Could be they’re friends.”

Stella laughed. “Look at this paper again. We found it at the cottage. Sue. Custody. Paternity. Visitation. Looks to me like he wrote this.”

“I don’t believe you.” Christa crossed her arms. They didn’t know she and Mark had spent time together and had taken Davy to buy his bike. “This is another of your fantasies. The time has come for you to learn you’ll have to earn the things you want.”

Peggy stepped closer. “You’d better listen. Unless Stella and I get our third each we’ll testify in court that you’re an unfit mother.”

Christa glared. “Another of your lies.” She drew a deep breath. “I won’t change my offer. I’ve allowed your bullying and making me feel guilty long enough. One week and your free ride ends.”

A rapping at the door silenced her. She answered and saw Mark. “No matter what they told your friend, they lied.”

“I know and was about to tell you the same thing.”

Peggy slipped toward the door. “Your friend misunderstood.”

“Doubtful,” Mark said. “According to the pair of you Davy’s not my son and you’re willing to testify in court.”

Christa laughed. “Looks like they crossed their stories. They were going to testify that I was an unfit mother so you would have custody” She paused. “They would do this unless I give each of them one third of the inn.”

Mark slipped his arm around her waist. “We should call the police and charge them with attempted extortion.”

Stella looked at Christa. “All right, we’ll take your offer of three months rent and enough money to pay our bills for that long”

Christa arched a brow. “Good. Starting Monday I want to see you making a move.”

Peggy walked to the stairs. “Stel, come on. We need to get to St. Johnsbury and check some of the places we circled.”

As the pair scurried away Christa clasped Mark’s hand. “I’m sure they’ll attempt another ploy.”

“Let them. I have your back. What time do we leave?”

Christa groaned. “I haven’t called a sitter or made reservations. They ambushed me.”

“Forget the sitter. I have an idea. Come meet my friend. He owes me and I know how I can collect. He can stay with Davy this evening.”