Heather Rainier (31 page)

Seth chuckled and Lucy said, “Might be easier to just hose him down outside.” Toby cackled as he clapped his gooey hands and applied them to his cheeks as everyone laughed.

After a quick cleanup with diaper wipes, Lucy snapped pictures while Seth and Jayne assisted Toby in opening presents until he got the hang of it. Lucy offered to put him in the bathtub as the gang departed until only Seth’s and Lucy’s parents remained.

Looking at Seth’s parents, Jayne could clearly see the familial resemblance. Seth had gotten his piercing blue eyes from Eva Carter, and he’d gotten his black hair and skin tone from his father, Mason.

Eva reached out and squeezed Jayne’s hand. “We want you to know that we appreciate the nurturing you’ve given to Toby and all the support you’ve given to Seth. Toby has grown so much just in the few weeks he’s been here, and he’s settled in so well.”

“Your son has done an amazing job as a new dad. That’s partly because he had great parents.”

Lucy called Seth from to the bathroom to ask him something and Mason and Eva both leaned forward. Mason said, “Jayne, you’ve made a big difference in Seth’s life too. He’s happy and we know you’re responsible. Tamar was…well, let’s just say she couldn’t hold a candle to you, young lady. I hope you become a permanent part of our family.” Jayne’s mouth dropped open but intelligent words failed her.

“Mason, now you’ve embarrassed her! Don’t mind him, sweetie. But I want you to know that we’re so happy you’re a part of Seth’s life and we hope you’re in it for a long, long time to come.”

Seth returned in time to hear the last words his mom spoke. “Well at least they weren’t grilling you, baby. Lucy needed to know where his pajamas were kept.”

Mason asked, “So, have you heard from Tamar?”

Seth shook his head but didn’t show any emotion other than disinterest. “Not since the night she left him. As far as I know, she went to Japan just like she said she would. Her parents have no interest in us or him, and she signed away her rights so he’s in my sole custody.” Seth eased onto the couch beside her and she settled back against him, everything right with her world as he put his arms around her.

Eva nodded. “Probably for the best. But I can’t imagine not wanting to see your grandchild.”

“I don’t understand it myself but the most important thing is that Toby has a home. A permanent one, with us.”

The circle of Seth’s arms, and that knowledge felt so right, Jayne’s heart did a double flip.

The Carters were staying for the weekend at a local hotel, and after they retired for the evening, to spend some time alone with Lucy, Seth drew Jayne by the hand to the couch. Once seated, he looked at her with a gleam in his eyes and lifted a gaily wrapped rectangular box that she hadn’t seen before from the drawer in the coffee table. He handed it to her.

“What’s this?”

“Open it and find out.”

Tilting her head in wonder as she gazed at him, she slid her fingers through the wrapping paper and gasped when she looked down at the weighty box in her lap. She slid her hands over the familiar name and then stared at him in shock.

“A laptop? You bought me a laptop computer?”

Seth nodded. “For your stories. And e-mail, and whatever else you need it for. It’ll make it easier for you, if you ever decide to submit them to a publisher.”

“I—I don’t know what to say, Seth. Thank you.” She clutched it and wrapped her free arm around his back to hug him. Money was tight. Likely to always be tight for her because of doctor bills. A computer had never really been in her budget. She’d never minded writing by hand but he was right. It would be nice to have. She slid the box back onto the coffee table and climbed into his arms. “Why today?”

“Because, it made me happy to see the look on your face. My life is happier with you in it. Toby’s life is too. I hope you enjoy using it.”

“The first story I write on it is dedicated to you.”

His hands were gentle as they feathered across her jaw and cheekbones before he kissed her. The tenderness of his touch made her heart ache with love for him as he smiled and replied, “Then I’d better do something to inspire you, huh?”

* * * *

The weather turned a little milder as September wore on to early fall and October, and at Jayne’s suggestion, they decided to paint Toby’s room and fix it up with a little boy theme.

While at the hardware store waiting for the pale yellow paint to be mixed, Seth left Toby in Jayne’s arms, holding on to the board book that had been Mimi Durand’s birthday gift to him. Seth made a short detour to the key-making department in the far corner of the store.

After getting what he needed, he found Jayne at the checkout counter and stopped her from paying for the paint with her money. “But this was my idea.”

Seth handed the cashier the appropriate bills and kissed her cheek. “It was a great idea. But I’m buying. You can fix supper to make it up to me.”

Jayne rolled her eyes and laughed. “There’s no arguing with you, is there? Okay. I’ll cook for you.” Chucking Toby playfully under the chin, she murmured, “Want some spaghetti, Toby?”

Toby stopped gumming his book and replied, “Sketti!” He looked up at Jayne and patted her neck with affection in his eyes.

The cashier handed Seth the change as she smiled at Toby. “Your little boy is the spitting image of his father, but I can see you in him too, ma’am. He’s precious.”

Jayne’s cheeks warmed at the compliment and then she blushed harder when Seth agreed with the cashier and thanked her. “Why didn’t you correct her assumption?” Jayne asked after nudging him as they walked out into the fall sunshine. There was a whisper of coolness and changing seasons in the air which invigorated her.

Seth shrugged as he carried the paint cans and shopping bag. “Because she’s right. I see you in him too. He’s not nearly as shy as he used to be, or as hesitant. He’s influenced by your sweet spirit. That’s what I see in him. So, I think she’s right.”

Jayne blew out a breath and hugged Toby to her and leaned into Seth as he pulled her near and kissed her neck. “You’re going to make me cry, Seth Carter.”

At home, while she cooked supper, he pulled all the furniture from Toby’s room and prepped the room for painting as his son watched in fascination from his playpen. She planned to start painting the following morning since it was a Saturday, and her day off, while Seth was working. Toby would be sleeping in his crib in Seth’s bedroom while his room was unavailable and she’d assured him that Toby could watch her from the security of his playpen while she worked.

On silent, bare feet, Seth walked into the kitchen to find her on top of a stepladder, stretched up, reaching into one of the high cabinet shelves. The hem of her white T-shirt was hiked up, revealing several luscious inches of her waistline and the rose tattoo. He drank in the sight of her, not wanting to startle her while she was up high. The temptation grew strong, however, and he put his hands out to catch her, just in case, as he pressed a kiss to her soft abdomen, just above the waist of her jeans. She yelped and froze, holding on to the shelf, as she looked down, her cheeks reddening like the blush on a Fredericksburg peach in July.

“You startled me.”

He grasped her hips as he glanced at Toby playing contentedly with one of his toys and grinned with wicked delight as he pressed a slow kiss to the denim covering her mound, which was at eye level. Her breathing stuttered, and she lowered one hand to brace herself on his shoulder.

“Toby—”

“Happily occupied, like me.” He nipped at the succulent, sweetly scented flesh below her belly button and then nuzzled her navel with the tip of his nose, making her belly flutter as she gasped. “Wait until I get you alone.”

“Oh…um…” Her voice trembled, and he glanced up watching as she bit her lip and her eyes rolled back as he continued kissing her abdomen. She tilted her head and moaned softly, enjoying the moment. Remembering herself, she peered over at Toby and whispered, “He’s sleeping in our bedroom tonight.”

A bolt of pleasure shot through him that she’d referred to it as “our” bedroom. A feeling of rightness came into his heart as he stroked her smooth abdomen underneath her T-shirt and then helped her step back down the ladder.

“You know you’re not supposed to stand on the top step of a ladder.”

“I know. That’s me,” she quipped, “rule breaker to the core.” He drew her into a tight embrace and joined his lips to hers as she tilted her chin up for a kiss. They wrapped their arms around each other and stayed that way until Toby called out, “Sketti?”

Seth chuckled and hugged her. Suddenly an odd chiming music filled the air.

“What’s that?” Jayne asked as she looked in Toby’s direction. “What’s in his mouth?” She ran to the playpen. “Oh no, I left the diaper bag on the couch.”

She lifted it out of Toby’s reach, and as he came close, Seth could see that he’d dumped the contents in the playpen. Diapers, clothing, toys, and wipes lay scattered in the playpen with him. The chime sounded again.

Jayne squatted and softly said, “What have you been up to, Toby?”

She tickled him, and he giggled and stuck a metallic object to his mouth. Seth lifted a teething toy to him, and he reached for it as Jayne slipped the other object from his drooly grasp. He grunted and reached for what turned out to be a cell phone, but Jayne distracted him as Seth stood and flipped the silver phone open.

“I don’t recognize this phone, do you?”

Wondering how he’d gotten it, Seth wiped the wet phone off with his T-shirt, which inadvertently opened the menu on the phone. He perused the contacts list and call history and then it dawned on him.

“This is Tamar’s phone. It must’ve been hidden in the bag and she forgot it. He must’ve pushed the power button and turned it on.” The call history indicated several calls, all from the same overseas number and then nothing else since then.

“I’m surprised we didn’t find it before now. That bag has so many hidden pockets and compartments. We should probably check it for any other surprises.”

Looking at the phone in consternation, Jayne asked, “What should we do with it?”

“Well, it’s been two months since she left him. I guess if she wanted it, she’d have contacted me by now.” Seth laid the phone on the kitchen counter. “We’ll decide later. We’ve got a hungry little boy. Isn’t that right?” he asked in a playful voice as he lifted Toby from the playpen and took him to his high chair while Jayne gathered the contents of the bag and replaced them.

Tamar hadn’t bothered to check on Toby even once in the last two months. Jayne’s heart hurt for both of her men. For Seth, because Tamar had purposely kept Toby a secret until she could no longer deal with him, and for Toby, because it seemed as though Tamar had abandoned him permanently.

* * * *

Jayne sighed happily as she returned to Seth’s living room after putting Toby to bed in his crib. Seth had poured a pale, peach-colored wine in two goblets and placed them on the hearth in front of the unlit fireplace and turned on her favorite music. It was still much too warm for a fire in the fireplace, but she looked forward to the romantic ambience of a crackling fire in there in the winter. He smiled at her from the kitchen where he was slicing a fresh, juicy peach onto a plate. Next he sliced several strawberries and arranged them.

“Wow. Is this a special occasion? Is that white chocolate?” she asked as he poured a thick white sauce he’d warmed in the microwave into a small bowl.

“Yes, it is. I made a friend at the local wine and liquor store who gave me the suggestion. She thought we might like it with the wine she sold me.” He handed her the bottle as he came around the breakfast bar with the platter. She ran a finger over the label of the chilled bottle. Moscato d’Asti. “Come sit on the cushions with me.”

Seth had recently bought a thick rug to put on the hardwood floor in the living room since Toby played in there a lot. Big, comfy cushions were piled to the side, and he arranged them after placing the platter on the hearth next to the goblets.

He eased into a cushion and drew her down with him. “Toby okay?”

“Yeah. He was out before I left the room.”

She eased into his arms and received his kiss and the glass of wine he offered. Detecting the trace of white flowers in its scent, she took a sip and enjoyed the light fizz and hint of honey and peaches in the chilled wine.

“I love this.”

Seth seemed pleased. “I hoped you would. It’s low alcohol too. Try this.” He lifted a fork from the tray and dipped a small slice of fresh peach in the white chocolate sauce. He watched with warm eyes as she let him feed it to her, and smiled when she groaned with pleasure as the flavors burst on her tongue and combined into a decadent, tasty mouthful. She leaned forward and kissed him as he drew even closer, watching as she ate.

“Mmm.”

He lifted a bite to his lips and echoed his agreement. He fed her another bite, and then she took another sip of her wine. She fed him a slice of strawberry dipped in the chocolate, and he returned the favor.

Finally finished with the delectable dessert, she took a sip of her wine and laid her head back on his shoulder. For several minutes, he did nothing but stroke her. Her arm. Her hair. Her cheek. Feeling cosseted, she melted against him and listened to the comforting sound of his heart. She looked up at him when she noticed the gradual increase in the rhythm of his heartbeat. Desire was written on his face, which the thick bulge at his groin attested to, but she saw something else in his eyes as well.