Return of the Prodigal Son (12 page)

She was thinking the same thing. Aloud she merely said, “I’ve been meaning to scrub the barbecue. I think this would be a good day to tackle it. Want to help?”

He shrugged. She could see that his heart wasn’t in it. Neither was hers. But she’d always found solace in work. Maybe it would help Cory to stay busy.

“Come on,” she coaxed. “Afterward, I’ll cook burgers.”

“Okay. I guess.” Cory glanced at the note again, then walked away.

Suddenly all the joy had gone out of his day.

As Donovan turned off the highway and drove through the little town of Prattsville, he touched a hand to the dark growth that shadowed his lower face.

He hadn’t expected to be gone for three days. But once he got to D.C. he knew he wasn’t going to leave until he had all the information he wanted. It had been far from easy. If not for his old connections, it would have been impossible to access the government’s files and come up with some of the material that was listed as classified.

Donovan had mastered the art of using his clout only when it was absolutely necessary. There were plenty of people in Washington who owed him favors. He rarely called in his markers. But when he did, old friends responded and seemed almost gleeful at the prospect of breaking a few rules. After all, that had been one of the traits that had brought them all together in the first place. Their ability to think on their feet, to defy logic, to question authority, had brought them to the attention of a top-secret organization hoping to recruit enthusiastic members. Donovan and his cohorts had seen themselves standing tall and proud against any and all aggressors. Even, at times, their own government bureaucracy.

He turned onto the gravel path and slowed his car when he saw two figures up ahead.

Cory and Taylor looked up, then started running toward him.

“Donovan. You’re back.” Taylor’s voice was high-pitched with excitement. “Mama. Look. Donovan’s back.”

Andi was sweeping the front porch. She set aside her broom and walked out to the road, hoping she didn’t look too eager to see him.

“Hi.” Donovan brought his car to a stop and lowered the window.

Taylor stood on tiptoe to peer inside the car. “Where’d you go, Donovan?”

“I had some business in D.C.”

“We missed you. Didn’t we, Mama?”

Andi had no chance to reply before Taylor said, “We were afraid you were never coming back. Weren’t we, Cory?”

“Yeah. You were gone a long time, Donovan.” The boy’s tone was accusing. He was studying the dark beard that covered the man’s cheeks and chin, and the rumpled clothing that gave him the look of something untamed and more than a little dangerous. “Did you sleep in your car?”

“At a friend’s place.” Donovan was working hard at not staring at Andi. But it wasn’t easy. She looked so good. She was wearing some kind of pink gauzy shirt that clung to her breasts and was tied at her midriff. Below that were shorts in the same material. Between the shorts and blouse was a tantalizing expanse of pale flesh.

“A girlfriend?” Taylor asked innocently.

Andi’s hand paused midway to her throat.

“No. A guy I used to work with.”

She felt her heart resume beating. And though she wasn’t aware of it, her smile was back. “If you haven’t had dinner yet, we were getting ready to eat. I’m making fried chicken.”

“And biscuits.” Taylor added.

Donovan touched a hand to his beard. “Do I have time to go up to the house and shave?”

Andi hoped she didn’t look as eager as her children. “Take all the time you want.”

“Can Cory and I go along?” Taylor turned pleading eyes toward her mother.

She was shaking her head. “I don’t want you pestering—”

Donovan gave her a quick smile. “Let them come. They can open up the house and let in some air while I clean up.”

She relented. “As long as you don’t mind.”

Cory was already opening the car door and helping his little sister inside to ensure that their mother didn’t have a change of heart. With their seat belts fastened, they waved as Donovan pulled away.

Taylor turned to watch her mother climb the steps of the porch. “Mama missed you, Donovan.”

“Now how would you know that?”

“She talked about you a lot. And sometimes when she thought we weren’t looking, she’d stare up the hill at your house.”

Donovan had to take a moment for his heart to settle. Thank heaven for little tattlers. “I missed her, too. I missed all of you.”

“You did?”

He was aware of two pairs of honey eyes watching him in the rearview mirror with a hunger that did strange things to his heart. One of them looked hopeful. The other looked as angry and hurt as ever. “Yeah. I did. A lot.”

Minutes later Cory and Taylor were climbing out of his car and racing ahead to the porch, where they waited until he retrieved his battered duffel from the trunk.

Once inside they ran around opening windows and doors, letting in the fresh air, while Donovan headed toward his bedroom.

Over his shoulder he called, “I’ll be a new man in a few minutes.”

He proved to be as good as his word. With his face clean-shaven and his dark hair still dripping from the shower, he was dressed in charcoal slacks and a matching polo shirt when he stepped from the room.

“Ah.” He breathed deeply. “Now the house smells fresh again. Thanks to the two of you. Ready to go to dinner?”

The two children hurried ahead of him to the car. He followed along more slowly before climbing in behind the wheel. Minutes later he parked his car beside Andi’s van and retrieved something from his trunk. As the children started toward the house they noticed a bulging shopping bag in his hands.

“What’s in the bag?” Taylor asked.

“Surprises.”

“For us?” Taylor’s eyes were wide with excitement.

“Could be.”

He followed them into the kitchen, where Andi was busy filling a platter with fried chicken. Once again he felt the jolt at the sight of those long, long legs, and that tempting bit of flesh exposed at her midriff. “Need some help?”

She paused to give him a smile, surprised at the change in him. Gone was the rumpled look of an hour ago. But though he was clean-shaven and dressed in the latest fashion, there was still something dangerous about him. Maybe it was the look in his eyes as he studied her. Like a wolf that had just picked up the scent of prey. It made her heart jittery.

“Thanks, Donovan. I can manage.”

Taylor eyed the bag in his hand. “Donovan’s got a surprise.”

“For you, honey?”

The little girl was twitching with excitement. “I don’t know. Is it for me, Donovan?”

With a wink he reached inside and brought out a wrapped package. “This one’s for you, Taylor.”

She tore off the wrapping and opened the cover of a big box, then removed layers of pink tissue to reveal a basket of stuffed animals. A spotted dog with soulful eyes and a white fluffy cat sporting a pink bow around its neck. To Taylor’s delight, wedged between them was a brown woodchuck with a toothy grin.

“Oh, Donovan.” The little girl threw herself into his arms and hugged him fiercely.

Caught off guard by her reaction, he wrapped his arms around her and held her close for long moments, wondering at the strange pounding of his heartbeat.

When at last he released her he gave her a big smile. “I figured they could be your pets. Just until you get those allergies under control.”

“I love them. Look, Mama.” Taylor picked up the basket and held it out for her mother’s inspection.

“Oh, my. A dog, a cat and a woodchuck. That’s quite a collection of pets.”

“They’re going to sleep with me tonight. And every night,” she said, hugging each stuffed animal in turn.

Donovan reached into the bag and pulled out a second, smaller box. “This one’s for you, Cory.”

The boy seemed stunned that he was getting something. For the longest time he merely stared at the box, then up at Donovan’s face. Finally he lifted the lid and stared at a scarred and battered round metal disk encased in tissue. “What’s this?”

“A compass.” Donovan watched as the boy turned it over.

Cory looked up. “What do the letters
R. L.
stand for?”

“Riordan Lassiter. It belonged to my father.”

“You’re giving me your father’s compass?”

Donovan nodded. “You’re getting pretty good at navigating the woods. With that along as your guide, you’ll always find your way back home. I ought to know. I’ve carried it with me through dozens of countries. Through jungles and mountains and deserts.”

The importance of this gift suddenly dawned on Cory. But all he said was, “That’s pretty neat.” He thought briefly about throwing himself into Donovan’s arms the way his little sister had, but he managed to hold back. Instead he stuck out his hand. “Thanks, Donovan.”

Donovan solemnly shook the boy’s hand. “You’re welcome.”

Cory fastened it to the belt loop of his shorts. “I guess I’ll carry it with me all the time, just like you.”

Taylor glanced at the shopping bag. “Did you bring something for Mama, too?”

“Now, Taylor.” Andi looked embarrassed.

“As a matter of fact, I think there is something in here for her.” Donovan reached to the bottom of the bag and retrieved a small ivory box, which he handed to Andi.

“I can’t imagine what this could be.” She was blushing furiously as the two children gathered around to watch her open it. Inside the ivory case was a small, sky-blue music box with clouds floating across the top. When she lifted the lid it began to play a hauntingly beautiful song.

Andi was so startled she was forced to blink back tears. For a moment she was afraid to speak. Afraid if she did, she would embarrass herself. When she was certain she had her emotions under control she looked up at him with shiny eyes. “Oh, Donovan. This is…” She shook her head, unable to continue.

Taylor touched a hand to hers. “Don’t you like it, Mama?”

“I love it, honey.”

“Are you crying?”

“Of course not.”

“What’s that song?”

Still not trusting her voice, Andi looked to Donovan for help.

“It’s something from a long time ago. Something your grandparents would probably recognize. It’s called ‘Beautiful Dreamer.’”

Andi sniffed and set the music box on the counter before taking a deep breath. “I think this calls for a celebration. I have some champagne in here somewhere.”

She began rummaging around in a cupboard, until Donovan crossed to her side and reached a hand over her head to lift down a slim bottle. “Is this what you were looking for?”

Hearing his voice so close beside her, she went very still and turned. Their bodies brushed. Just the merest touch, but she was absolutely shattered by the feelings that ripped through her.

“Yes. I’ll…open it.” She didn’t move. Couldn’t.

“I’ll do it.” He continued standing there, the champagne forgotten as he stared down into her eyes.

The need for her was so sharp, so deep, it took all of his willpower not to kiss her. Knowing the children were watching, he allowed himself nothing more than the touch of a hand to her cheek. She moved against it like a kitten and murmured a sigh that had all the air backing up in his lungs.

“Donovan.” She closed her eyes a moment and pressed a hand to his chest to steady herself.

“Shh.” He lifted her hand to his lips, sending her heart into a series of dizzying somersaults.

“Are we ready to eat, Mom?”

At the sound of Cory’s voice they both turned with matching looks of surprise mingled with guilt.

“I’ll…be right there.”

While she filled two glasses with milk, Donovan popped the cork on the champagne.

Minutes later they were gathered around the table. While Taylor regaled Donovan with tales of what she and her brother had done for the past three days, he sipped his champagne and struggled to pay attention. All during the meal he kept glancing at the woman seated across from him.

In his whole life he’d never wanted anything or anyone the way he wanted her. That was hard for a man like Donovan Lassiter to swallow. But as much as he wanted her, he knew the choice had to be hers alone. Hadn’t he vowed to give her all the time she needed?

Still, with each passing minute, he began to think the waiting might be the death of him.

Chapter 10

“M
ore chicken, Donovan?” Andi held the platter toward him.

“No, thanks.” He glanced down at his plate and was amazed to see it empty. He couldn’t remember eating a bite. Nor could he recall a single thing they’d talked about.

“Would you like coffee?” Without waiting for a reply, she was up and heading across the kitchen.

“I’ll get it.” He walked beside her and reached for the coffeepot at the same moment she did.

Their hands met, then froze.

Donovan stared down into her eyes and felt himself drowning in those honey depths. “I should go.”

“No.” She said it quickly. “I mean…the children have been missing you so much.”

“I’ve missed them, too.” His tone softened. “I missed their mother even more.”

“Well.” She picked up the coffeepot, praying she wouldn’t spill any as she filled his cup. “I made chocolate parfait for dessert.”

Donovan shook his head. “I never thought I’d see the day when I’d refuse chocolate, but I couldn’t eat a bite.”

Andi touched a hand to her stomach to calm her nerves. “I feel the same way.” She handed each of her children a dessert and said, “Maybe you’d like to eat it on the back porch.”

Donovan thought about keeping her here all to himself and giving in to the need to hold her. Instead he took a deep breath and followed Cory and Taylor out the door, where he settled on the top step, leaning his back against the rail while he sipped his coffee. Cory sat below him on the next step, while Taylor chose the glider alongside her mother.

Andi nudged off her shoes and wiggled her toes before giving a contented sigh.

The sun had already set behind the hills, leaving the sky streaked with ribbons of purple and pink and mauve. There was a sweet, clean taste to the breeze that whispered through the leaves of the trees. It was a perfect summer evening.