The Unexpected Wedding(52)
“No, you haven’t.” Cal leaned in and took both her hands in his. He needed her to know how he felt. “These weeks have been the happiest of my life. I mean, I miss Gordon and I’m sad about him. I’m worried about TJ. But being married to you and having Scotty with us. Best thing ever.”
He looked into her eyes. “I’ve been wanting to do this for the longest time.”
He tilted her chin up and leaned in and kissed her lips. A long, lingering kiss. Not for anyone’s benefit but their own. She kissed him back and wrapped her arms around his neck. He placed one hand on her soft, warm cheek.
He finally pulled back slightly and she dropped her arms to her side.
“That was just for us.” He grinned at her. “Did you like the real thing?”
“I… did.” A sweet smile spread across Becky Lee’s face. “I liked it a lot. I might even like another one.”
“As you wish, ma’am.” He stood up and pulled her to her feet. He leaned down and kissed her again, wrapping his arms around her slender body, pulling her close until his thoughts were tangled in wanting and giving and knowing he was falling for this woman.
Heck, he’d already fallen for her.
What kind of mess had he gotten himself into? He’d fallen for a woman who had married him just to keep her nephew safe.
~ * ~
Becky Lee tried to collect her thoughts as Cal finally released her. She reluctantly pulled back, wanting to touch her lips where his kiss still haunted her.
“We should go in and get supper ready, I suppose. Scotty’s probably starving. He’s always starving.” Cal’s practical words brought her out of the haze of his kisses.
“Growing boy.” Becky Lee turned, pulled open the screen door, and paused. “Cal, I’ll make it up to you and Scotty. I will.”
“I told you, none of this is your fault.”
She walked into the house with Cal right behind her. She went to the fridge and opened the door, her mind muddled, and for once she had no idea what she was going to make for dinner.
Cal crossed to the back door and looked out. “Scotty?” He stepped outside. “Scotty?”
Becky Lee heard the change in his tone of voice and closed the refrigerator and walked to the door. “What’s the matter?”
“Scotty’s not here.” Panic edged Cal’s voice.
Becky Lee scanned the small backyard. It’s not like there was anywhere to hide. “Scotty.”
She came up beside Cal and grabbed his arm. “Look, the gate is open.”
They hurried over to the gate and looked in each direction. No sign of the boy.
“I’m going to look out front.” Cal turned and headed toward the front yard.
Becky Lee stood frozen for a moment, fear cascading against her, hammering her with guilt. Greta had told her to be careful. What if whoever was after her Aunt Ellie got Scotty? Why had they let him play outside alone? That was just… unforgivable.
She ran around to the front yard and saw Cal coming back down the street. “I don’t see him anywhere.” Cal raked his hand through his hair.
“Let’s split up. I’ll go towards Main Street, you go that direction. I’ll grab my cell. Call me if you find him.”
Cal nodded.
She looked up at the darkening sky. Thunder rumbled in the distance. The breeze picked up suddenly and she could smell the rain in the air. It was not a good time for a storm. They needed to find Scotty and find him fast.
Cal loped off down the street, calling Scotty’s name.
She raced inside and for once found her cell phone immediately. She snatched it off the kitchen table and hurried toward Main Street. A loud crash of thunder and a flash of lightning cracked through the sky. Ever since the tornado, she’d made sure she was safely inside somewhere if a storm came in, but tonight she had to find Scotty.
Twenty minutes later she’d walked down Main Street and stuck her head in any open business, asking if they’d seen Scotty. A large plop of rain splashed on the sidewalk. Then another. She looked up at the gray sky. Ominous dark clouds rolled in from the distance.
Another crash of thunder made her jump. Her phone rang and she snatched it out of her pocket. “Did you find him?”
“No, you didn’t have any luck either?”
“I’m going to call Sheriff Dawson and let him know that Scotty is missing. Just in case he or his deputies see him.”
“Good idea. It looks like it’s going to storm any minute.”
“We have to find him.” Becky Lee could hear the panic in her voice.
“We will.” Cal’s voice was low but had an underlying tone of panic matching her own.
“I’ll call the sheriff. Maybe we should meet back home? Maybe he’s back there.”