Page 14 of Come to Me

“I have to call about the car too, but then yes, I’d like to learn how to skip rocks.”

Tate looked down. “I’m sorry about your car. I didn’t mean it.”

“I know you didn’t.”

“Go get your bucket Tate and I’ll be right there.” Michaela gave Tate a gentle nudge sending him back up the trail to the main house. She turned to Patrick, and he found himself hoping she wanted another kiss. Lord knew he did.

“Be sure to let us know if you need anything to help with the car.”

He nodded, hoping the disappointment that they weren’t going to kiss again didn’t show on his face.

She stepped out the door, and looking over her shoulder, she brought her fingers to her lips and gave him a coy smile. Where her lips still tingling like his were?

Then she was off.

Patrick shut the door and leaned against it. He still felt like he was in a netherworld, but now instead of feeling out of place or unsettled, he wanted to explore it.

CHAPTER 5

Micki licked her lips as she headed up the path where Tate waited with his bucket. She hadn’t intended to kiss Patrick, at least not now. As coiled up tight and square as he seemed, there was something about him that hinted at something deeper. She’d been telling him the truth when she said he was like a package, and she wanted to discover what was inside. Actually, she wanted to unwrap him.

She laughed at her libidinous thoughts. She was no stranger to attraction, but Patrick was different. Her other beaus were country boys driving trucks, hunting and fishing, and using obvious pickup lines when they were interested in her. She was sure Patrick had never been in a truck, held a gun, or put a worm on a hook. Even the way he stalled her departure that led to banter and a kiss was subtle, initially. She found his approach sweet. His kiss, however…his kiss would have knocked her sock off if she’d been wearing them. Wow! She let out a giggle and then covered her mouth and hoped no one saw her. She wasn’t the giggling type. But Holy Moses, could he kiss.

“Aunt Micki, I got the bucket.” Tate waved the bucket.

“Let’s go hunt up some skipping rocks. How about over by beach two?” They’d have to pass the honeymooners to get to beach two. Hopefully, they were sleeping in and not enjoying marital relations. The cabins were old, and it was quite possible sex acts could be heard from the outside of them. She didn’t want to have to explain the birds and bees to Tate. That was Logan’s job.

“Do you think Dr. Patrick will forgive me?”

She took Tate’s hand. “I think he already has. In fact, I don’t think he was upset at you at all.”

“Is Paw Paw and Mema going to make him leave?”

“No. Why would they do that?”

“I don’t think they liked what he said at breakfast. What did he say that was bad?”

She sighed. Kids could be so astute to the moods of the adults around them, even as they didn’t understand what was going on. “He didn’t say anything bad. Sometimes people don’t like other people getting into their business, that’s all.”

“Did he get into your business?”

“It’s going to be okay, Tate. I promise. I went to his cabin to make sure there were no hard feelings.”

“Were you kissing him?”

She tripped and stumbled a few steps. “Ah…what?”

“It looked like you were kissing. It was how my mommy used to kiss Mr. Jones.”

The anger that rose from knowing that Tate had witnessed his mother’s infidelity squashed the embarrassment of being caught kissing Patrick. Then she felt guilty because Logan’s wife was dead now and while she and Logan were in the process of separating, that didn’t mean her death wasn’t difficult for him. And because Logan made sure Tate only heard good things about his mother, Tate didn’t know about his mother’s indiscretions. She was a terrible wife, but she’d been a good mother and Tate loved her. So, Micki bit back her bitterness.

“I was just giving him a hug.” She hated lying, but she also didn’t need Tate sharing what he saw with her brother or parents. “I think he feels like he’s on a planet in outer space.”

Tate laughed. “Really?”

“Yes. I mean, who has never skipped rocks? Only an alien.”

Tate cut up laughing, dropping his bucket. He quickly grabbed it again, and they made their way past the honeymoon cabin, which, fortunately, was quiet.

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