Page 36 of Unexpected Union

In fact,she now wondered if she could ever face him again. She was notgoing to start weaving fantasies about a change in their relationship. Not going toimagine he’d miraculously let work slide and concentrate hisattention on her—not even for a brief few weeks.

So he couldkiss like no one else. Kisses were fleeting. She wanted more. Sheneeded more.

And not morepassion, but a strong, sustained, enduring relationship. She wantedsomeone she could depend on to share his life with her, not beconsumed by a job to the exclusion of his family.

She’d beenthere, done that and didn’t plan to repeat it.

Closing herbedroom door, she leaned against it a moment, then pushed away andbegan to get ready for bed.

Lying in thedark a little later, she brushed her lips with her fingertips, herheart still pounding. What was she going to do?

ChapterEleven

Descendingthestairs the next morning Audra knew she’d been silly to waste amoment’s thought on Mitch’s reaction. He was glued to the phoneagain, last night’s kisses already forgotten.

Shewaved a greeting and hurried to the kitchen. Staring in therefrigerator,nothingappealed. She didn’t want pancakes again and she’d had eggs forsupper. Deciding to indulge herself, she called the lodge andrequested a pickup. She’d splurge and have a fancy breakfast at therestaurant and see about completing her circuit of the lake bywalking home.

When shewent toget her purse,she hesitated, knowing the courteous thing to do would be to letMitch know where she was going, but not wishing to interrupt sherationalized away the urge. They weren’t each other’s keepers.Chances were he’d never know she was gone.

Shestepped out onto theporch just as she heard the jeep. In no time she sat at one of thelarge windows in the lodge’s restaurant overlooking the lake. Shepushed away the thought of how nice it would have been to sharebreakfast.

Aftereating, Audra headed forthe lake. Her thoughts were in turmoil. Maybe the walk would helpher focus—see things clearly. Such as what Mitch wanted and whatthey were going to do, and what had been missing from hermarriage.

Was it astrong binding love onboth sides? She loved Mitch. Had thought he hung the moon. Until hefound it necessary to spend more time at work than athome.

Shewondered what it would be like if he took time now and then tofocus that intensity on her as he had yesterday during their hike. Not once untilafter their nap had she felt he was thinking of work. Maybe a fewmore outings would show him he could manage a bit more recreationand the world as he knew it wouldn’t end.

But shewas not on a crusade to save MitchWells. She had her own life to take care of andplans to make for after her baby was born.

The daywas beautiful and the walk easy. This side of the lake wasprimarily sandy beaches with few trees growing near the water’sedge. She waved at fishermen in boats, laughed at the children playing in thetwo-seater paddle wheels and watched with amazement those who wereactually swimming in the cold lake water.

“We’llhave to come back here when you’re older,” she said, rubbing hertummy as the baby stretched androlled. “You can play in the lake and we can go on thepaddle boats together. And explore the caves and have a greatvacation.”

Smilingdreamily she continued on. It would be nice to have a completefamily, mother, father and child. Children. But the onlyimage that rose was that ofMitch Wells as the father. And Audra firmly squelchedthat.

Mitchwas pacing on the porch when the cabin came into view, that cellphone against his ear. How long did the battery last, she wondered.Not that he wasn’t chargingit every night, but still, she would have thought it’d havegiven out by now.

He saw her andstopped pacing. His eyes watched her as she made her way to theporch.

“I’ll call youtomorrow, Teresa. Take the rest of the day off.”

Heclipped the phone shut and leaned one shoulder against the roof support.

“Where haveyou been?” he asked as Audra mounted the steps.

“For awalk.”

He reached outand caught her arm, bringing her closer.

“Did youtell me? I don’t remember. I would have followed, but didn’t knowinwhich direction you’dgone.”

Sheshook herhead. “You were on the phone, remember?”

“You mean whenyou came down this morning?”

Shenodded.

“That washours ago.”

---