Hummingbird Lake Part 31

He grinned, and those devilish dimples of his winked at her. "Good, because I already had it brought over. So, you ready to go?"

He held up the keys. She laughed, swiped them out of his hand, and started for the motorcycle. "I'm driving."

"Oh, jeez."

Her heart lighter than it had been in years, Sage almost skipped to the parking lot where Celeste's ride awaited them. Before climbing aboard, she opened the tour pack, looked inside, and spied a small white box. Sage picked the box up, lifted off the lid, and gasped.

"Whatcha got?"

She grinned up at him, then strutted her shoulders and held up the Angel's Rest blazon. "I earned my wings."

"Well, aren't you special."

"That I am." She slipped the necklace over her head and snapped the trunk closed. Flinging her leg over the bike, she accepted the helmet he handed her and said, "Climb on, cowboy."

"Anytime you ask, Cinnamon. Anytime you ask."

She started the engine and drove sedately out of town, but once she hit the open road, she throttled up and let out a joyous laugh.

She had slain a monster today. Conquered a mountain. Destroyed a fearsome foe. She didn't expect that the nightmares were over for good, and she'd probably still suffer flashbacks from time to time. She'd never stop mourning the events of that horrible day. But now, finally, she knew that she'd survived them. "I'm a survivor, Rafferty," she shouted.

"That you are, woman."

"So marry me, Rafferty!"

His hands tightened around her waist. "What did you say?"

"I said marry me."

He leaned forward. "You just asked me to marry you?"

"Uh-huh."

"As we're riding down the highway at seventy miles an hour?"

"Sixty-five. Within the speed limit. So what's your answer, Rafferty?"

"Pull over."

"Not until we get to Eternity Springs. What's your answer, Rafferty?"

"Yes, dammit. I love you. Don't wreck this motorcycle before I can give you a proper kiss."

"I won't. I love you, too. Now, hold on, Rafferty. I intend to give you the ride of your life."

Colt spent the rest of the ride to Eternity Springs teasing her. She had to keep her hands on the steering, but all he needed to do was keep his hands on her. Putting his mouth on her was a nice little extra. As they flew down the road toward Eternity Springs, he made it his goal to torture her to the point that she'd surrender, pull off the road, and let him lead her into the trees for a little ... nature hike.

It became a contest. A war. Yet another siege.

He should have known the woman was so filled with power that she'd withstand his sensual a.s.sault. Still, he could tell that he'd gotten to her. All that s.h.i.+fting she did in her seat wasn't to help keep her balance.

When they finally crossed the Eternity Springs city limit, he heaved a sigh of relief. Forget her seat s.h.i.+fting. Sitting on this motorcycle with a log between his legs had grown downright uncomfortable. At least they'd be home in a few minutes.

With Spruce blocked off to traffic, he expected her to take Cottonwood on around the edge of town, and she did just that. But as they rounded the curve onto First and their route took them past the contest exhibit tents, she slowed.

She pulled off the road a short distance from the tents and said, "Let's check the winners, shall we?"

He groaned. "Can't it wait until tomorrow? The results aren't going to change."

"What's the matter, Rafferty?" She switched off the motor and climbed off the bike. Removing her helmet, she shot him a saucy smile. "Are you afraid that this year I won the blue ribbon?"

Colt couldn't take another minute of it. He yanked her into his arms, bent her over backward, and planted a blistering, extended kiss on her lips. Vaguely aware of the murmurs of the crowd, he realized they had an audience, and released her with a flourish. "Me, afraid, Sage Anderson? Not hardly."

She stood with her shoulders back, her chin up, and that gorgeous hair glistening in the afternoon sun. "So, you really think your carving might have won?"

"Doesn't matter." Colt gave her a wink, and his grin flashed his dimples. "You might have won the blue ribbon, but darlin', I won the prize."

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

New beginnings are exciting things. For this one I'd especially like to thank my awesome, talented, oh-so-keen-eyed editor, Kate Collins, and my agents, Meg Ruley and Christina Hogrebe, for their support and guidance and belief in this series. You ladies rock. Also, to my dear friends Scott and Christina Ham, who knew just the motivation to give me to find my way to Eternity Springs, and to Mary d.i.c.kerson for being my reader, my red-liner, and most important, my friend.

Read on for a preview of.

Emily March's next novel.

in her Eternity Springs series:.

Heartache Falls.

In the bedroom she shared with her husband, Ali Timberlake tucked her makeup case neatly into her suitcase, then zipped it shut just as her husband emerged from his closet, a duffel bag in one hand. "Are you sure about this, honey?" Mac asked, his brow knitted with concern. "We can still change the plan."

"Right," Ali replied, her tone dry. "And for the rest of my life I'll get to listen to Stephen and Chase talk about the one that got away."

"Hey, we can go fis.h.i.+ng in Alaska another-"

Ali interrupted. "No, it's okay. I'm glad you're getting to go. It's a minor miracle that your schedule and those of the boys meshed this time. If Caitlin wanted you with her, that would be different, but she's flexing her wings and feeling independent and ready to take on Vanderbilt University."

Her lips twisted as she added, "Frankly, I'm not sure she really wants me to go with her to Nashville. We haven't exactly been getting along very well lately."

Her husband tossed his duffel onto their bed, then gave Ali a rueful look. "She did tell me you packed her toothbrush three days ago. She thinks you can't wait for her to go."

"After the way she's been acting lately, can you blame me?"

"Now, sweetheart."

"Oh, I know." Ali shrugged and waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. "She's emotional. I'm emotional. It's not every day that your youngest child and only daughter goes off to college for the first time."

"Exactly." Mac grimaced and rubbed the back of his neck. "That's why I think I should be there. The boys could go to Alaska without me. No reason why they couldn't."

He truly appeared torn, so Ali swallowed her own misgivings and pasted on a smile. "Actually, there is. This is a father-son trip. You can't very well have a father-son trip if the father is a no-show. You went with me and Cait to orientation, and that was the important trip. This will be fun for me and Caitlin. An August road trip. A mother-daughter adventure. We'll do just fine."

He gave her a long, searching look, then nodded. "Okay. If you're sure."

"I'm sure." She smiled with a brightness she didn't feel. "Now I'd better get downstairs and see to breakfast."

"Leave your suitcase. I'll carry it down when I come."

"Thanks."

Ali tried to shake off her melancholy as she made her way downstairs to prepare a meal for her family. She wanted today's breakfast to be extra special since this was Caitlin's big day, the day she flew out of the nest and off to college. It was also the first time in months that the entire family would sit down to a meal together and likely the last meal they'd all share until Thanksgiving.

Throughout the children's lives, Ali had made the family supper a big deal. It was the Timberlake family together time, and everyone was expected to make a real effort to be there. Since Mac had worked at her father's firm while the kids were growing up, she had invoked the boss's daughter privilege in that respect alone. Mac had rarely missed dinner with the family. That had changed since he took the seat on the bench, but by then the crucial years were behind them, the precedent had been set. Their family was stronger because of it.

After today, family meals would be few and far between.

Ali briefly closed her eyes. Don't go there.

She'd have the kids set the table in the dining room and make it a celebration. Maybe even use her mother's china. The kids would complain about having to hand-wash the dishes, but if you didn't go to the trouble to make an occasion an occasion, it became just one more meal in a lifetime of meals.

Mentally she reviewed the contents of her fridge and pantry. Yes, she could do a Hollandaise sauce. She had fresh spinach. If she did eggs Florentine, at least the boys would have one serving of a vegetable today. Fresh berries. She could do pigs in a blanket for Caitlin. They were her favorite.

As she approached her kitchen, the aroma drifting in the air gave her warning. Bacon? Someone was already cooking? Her eyes rounded with surprise. What alternate reality was this?

Ali stepped into the kitchen and halted abruptly. The kitchen table was set with a "Bon Voyage" paper tablecloth. A Sponge Bob Square Pants paper centerpiece adorned the center of the table. Paper plates proclaimed "Happy St. Patrick's Day," and helium-filled Mylar balloons that read "Over the Hill" had been tied to the back of each of the chairs.

Each of her three grown children turned to look at her, and Ali desperately wished she had a camera. Stephen, looking like a lawyer already with his neatly trimmed hair, freshly shaved face, and b.u.t.ton-down s.h.i.+rt. Chase, the outdoorsman, with his three-day beard and longish hair drawn back and tied at the nape of his neck with a leather lace. And Caitlin, blond and beautiful and br.i.m.m.i.n.g with life, a typical college coed. Ten minutes ago these young adults had been grade-schoolers riding their bikes on the sidewalk. Where had the years gone?

Familiar impish grins spread across their faces, telling Ali that they were tickled pink that they'd surprised her. Some things never change, thank goodness. They'd recognized that this was an important family moment. Something she'd tried too hard to teach them had stuck. Happiness bloomed inside Ali like a springtime flower, and she didn't try to keep the smile off her face as she said, "Caitlin, did your brothers actually cook for you to mark your special day?"

"Sort of," Caitlin replied, glancing at the boys. "But not exactly."

"We are cooking breakfast," Stephen clarified as he removed the last piece of bacon from the frying pan and placed it on a paper towel to drain. He was a younger version of Mac, with his father's dark hair and brown eyes that now sparkled mischievously. "I know it's shocking, and I'm glad we didn't give you a heart attack. At your advanced age, I worried about that."

"Just because you are in law school, young man, doesn't mean I can't still send you to your room," Ali fired back. Her gaze fixed on the table, she asked, "Happy St. Patrick's Day?"

"We shopped the bargain bin at the party store," Chase explained. "G'morning, Mom."

"Good morning, son." She eyed the activity at the stovetop, counter, and kitchen table. Apparently the menu included bacon, scrambled eggs, toast, orange juice, and of course Chase's favorite, Froot Loops. "So, who is going to clue me in? What does Cait mean when she says 'sorta'?"

Chase opened his mouth, but Caitlin stopped him with an elbow to his side, then pushed the lever on the toaster and gave Stephen, their eldest, a look that said, Go on.

"We thought it was important to mark the occasion because today is a special day," Stephen said as Mac joined the family in the kitchen. Mac placed his hand on Ali's shoulder while their eldest continued, "The last of your chicks is officially flying from the nest today. It is a special day for Caitlin, and that's why we bought her a princess crown to wear during breakfast. But it's also a special day for you and Dad. We thought it was an appropriate time for the three of us to tell you both how much we love you and how much appreciate all you've done for us."

Oh. Ali brought a hand to her chest. Wow.

Stephen nodded toward Chase, then cracked another egg into a bowl. Ali's middle child flashed his father's grin, then said, "I'll keep my part short because I know you, Mom. You'll start bawling, and we don't want you dribbling snot into your eggs."

"Cha-a-ase!" Caitlin protested as the toast popped up.

"Well, it's true."

"Yeah, but you don't have to be gross about it. Are you ever gonna grow up?"

"Probably not."

Probably not, Ali silently agreed. Chase had been such a terror, such a daredevil, when he was little. Such a challenge to parent, yet so much fun.

"You are the greatest mom in the world, Mom," he continued. "You've always been there for us, and we always knew we could count on you. I was always proud that you were my mother."

Ali started blinking. She was moments away from bawling. My kids know me so well.

Chase made a sweeping gesture toward Caitlin. Ali's daughter, now a young, idealistic woman, stepped forward. Lacing her fingers, she spoke with solemn sincerity. "You guys gave us a firm, stable foundation on which to build our hopes and dreams. That's something few of my friends had. Actually, none of my friends had the great home and family life we have had. I know that makes me a stronger person, and it makes today easier for me.

"Today is my Independence Day, but it's also your Freedom Day. Especially for you, Mom." Then, with a loving smile, sweet, tender-hearted Caitlin shot the arrow through the very center of Ali's heart. "You're not a stay-at-home mom anymore."

Mac's hand gave her shoulder a rea.s.suring squeeze while Ali stood there bleeding.

"So," Caitlin continued, "the boys and I thought it'd be nice to mark this special day with a special thank-you-a family meal we prepared."

"Besides," Chase piped up, "we knew if we didn't do something first, then you'd go all out and we'd be stuck was.h.i.+ng Grandmother's dishes."

Ali couldn't speak past the lump of emotion in her throat. Mac stepped forward and covered for her. "This is a real nice surprise. How long before it's ready? I'm starved."

Breakfast was delicious, boisterous, and fun. The kids teased each other as usual, and for just a little while Ali could pretend the old days were back. All too soon, however, breakfast was finished, the paper plates relegated to the trash, and the pots and pans washed and stored away. Mac glanced at the clock. "You girls had better hit the road. Kansas City is a long drive."

"Don't remind me," Caitlin groaned. But excitement shone in her eyes as she hurried upstairs, saying, "I'll be ready in five, Mom."

A few minutes later, out beside the car, Mac studied the load and grimaced. "We should have s.h.i.+pped half of this stuff. If you have a flat tire ..." He exhaled a heavy sigh and shook his head. Then he gave Ali a long look and said, "Last chance."

"We'll be fine."

"I'll worry about you being on the road for the next week."

"I'll worry that you'll be eaten by a grizzly bear, too."

Caitlin bounded out of the house carrying her purse and a tennis racket that she somehow found s.p.a.ce for in the back of Mac's SUV. She exchanged hugs and more good-natured teasing with her brothers, then her father took her hands. Mac's voice was a little gruff as he spoke his traditional farewell, "Be careful, kitten. Wear sunscreen. Drink lots of water."