Chapter 30 — The Cottage

Tess could hear Buddy barking on the other side of the door. He jumped up and down, unable to contain himself when he saw her. Tess got down on the floor and hugged him. He rolled over, and Tess rubbed his belly. She felt guilty and neglectful for leaving Buddy and the kitten. She checked their bowls to see if they had food and water.

“We took good care of them, Tess,” Richard said. “The kitten is asleep. She’s spoiled rotten. Mother got her a new bed and some catnip. She’s been at Mother’s almost all day playing with her cat, Dell. They’re getting along fabulously.”

There was something in Richard’s voice that inferred she’d been gone for days, and it had only been hours. It was as if Richard was trying to make her feel a little guilty for leaving. She shook off the thought and thanked him. She was grateful. She went into the bedroom and peeked at the kitty, sound asleep. The kitten looked adorable, snuggled up in the soft bed, its chin on the catnip.

“I didn’t know you liked cats,” she said, remembering that Richard had hated Stephanie’s cat.

“She’s a kitten. Who wouldn’t love a kitten?” Richard said. “You look tired. Take a hot bath, and I’ll get you a glass of wine.”

“Sounds good. I’m exhausted.” She was emotionally drained and didn’t feel up to talking to Richard about Stephanie’s cat. She told herself that Stephanie was probably planting seeds of hate. Richard had not shown her any affection, perhaps because she cried so hard on the way home. It had been cleansing, as if she were washing all the hurt and disappointment out of her body. The hot bath relaxed her as layers of stress fell away. When she walked out of the bedroom in a white robe, she noticed a box on the bed.

“What’s in the box?” she asked, though she had a pretty good idea.

“A nightgown,” he said. “You desperately need clothes. You like silky things, don’t you?”

“I’ve never had a silk nightgown,” she said. “That’s a luxury item. Don’t you think we should save it for our wedding night?”

“Don’t be silly. Every day should be special. Open it.”

Tess smiled when she saw what he’d bought. It was an emerald green long v cut silk nightgown. “It’s beautiful,” she said. “Thank you.”

“How’s the tape on your ribs?” he asked.

“It came off when I fell off the rock and into the creek,” she admitted, feeling a little sheepish.

“Do your ribs hurt?” he asked with a look of concern. “Would you like an ice pack?”

“No. Only my pride was injured,” she said, hoping he wouldn’t ask her to explain. He didn’t. She thought he probably already knew everything. There were no secrets between the Stratford’s and Cooper’s. She guessed Stephanie had told Daniel what had happened, and Daniel had told Richard.

Richard taped her ribs. Tess put on the green nightgown. They fluffed the pillows, and she lit a scented candle. “It’s good to be home,” she said, sipping her wine. He was being so nice, yet she felt like she had put him through a lot and owed him an explanation. “Do you want to know—?”

“No, I don’t want to know,” Richard said. “You’re home. I love you, and I think you love me. You look stunning in the negligee—sexy—something you try to downplay.”

Tess loved him and wanted to please him. “You’re right,” she said, smiling, “but I don’t know what we’ll do in the winter. We’ll compromise. I’ll wear my flannel nightgowns in the winter.”

“Do you think I’m not capable of keeping you warm in the winter?” he said. “Flannels are out. And the word compromise is not in my vocabulary.”

She could tell by his serious expression that he was not joshing. A thought came to mind of something Parker had said about Richard… Even oak trees bend—but not Richard.

It suddenly occurred to her that she’d come back to Brier Hill County because she loved the simplicity and peacefulness of country living. A feeling of panic went through her—like a trap door had just gone down. But it only lasted for a moment.

She stiffened when he took her in his arms. “Are you going to kiss me, or are you playing hard to get?” he asked, his steel-blue eyes penetrating.

“Sorry, I’m just having a moment,” she said apologetically. What was she thinking? Richard had done nothing wrong—he’d taken care of her, showered her with gifts and affection. It was her—not him.

He took the crystal goblet from her and set it on the nightstand.

“I need to hold you, feel you next to me. You have the most exquisite body,” he murmured, burying his face in her neck. “Too tired to make out?”

“No, I’m fine,” she lied.

“Come here, woman,” he said. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”

He sat down on the edge of bed and pulled her onto his lap, wrapping her legs around him. He drew her in with his kisses, his firm, warm lips on her breasts causing her body to come alive. It was arousing, erotic, and the things he was doing gave her libidinous thoughts.

Moonlight cast a glow on his chiseled facial features. She ran her hand down his chest, stirred by his masculine physique, thinking he was the most handsome man she’d ever met.

Richard pulled down the covers, and she slipped under the fresh sheets that smelled of the outdoors. He threw his leg over her and drew her close, cocooning her with his body.

The mood changed when Richard’s cell phone rang. “I’d better answer it,” he said, rolling out of bed.

Stephanie lay listening to his conversation, her head on a billowy pillow.

“Yes, everything is fine, Mother. The kitten is sleeping. No, we aren’t hungry. I’ll ask her. Talk to you tomorrow. Love you, too.”

“Sorry,” Richard said. “Mother was just checking in. She wants to know if you want to go to lunch tomorrow.”

“Sure,” Stephanie said. “I’ll call her in the morning.”

Richard climbed into bed. “Where were we?” he asked, pulling Tess into his arms.

“That’s okay. I’d like to talk,” she said, snuggling close, feeling unmoored as she struggled with guilt. “Can you ever forgive me for my bad choices?”

“The way I look at it—nothing happened between you and Sawyer, and you came back to me,” he said calmly. “I knew Sawyer would try to get you back. He was wearing his heart on his sleeve the night he came to dinner.”

“I went there for closure and I had it. It wasn’t pleasant.”

“Somebody has to get hurt, Tess. Sawyer will get over it. He and Stephanie are probably together right now.” Richard chuckled. “You know what they say—-misery loves company.”

“Or she’s in a psych ward and he’s drunk at The Road House,” Tess said, pulling at a corner of the sheet.

“Not our problem,” Richard said dismissively.

“I don’t agree,” Tess said. “It is our problem. We have to settle our differences with Sawyer and Stephanie. They will be in our lives forever. I’ve never known a family that’s as tight as the Coopers and Parkers.”

“Trust me. It will all work out. Time has a way of making people forget even the most horrible things. Every day it will be easier.”

“You’re being philosophical,” Tess said. “And I’m being logical. I think we should call a family meeting, and everyone should be able to express their grievances. Somehow, we have to find a way to live with each other peacefully.”

“Nonsense. It would end in a brawl. Stop being logical and kiss me,” Richard said in a teasing tone. “All that really matters is that we love each other.”

He kissed her tenderly.

“You know, Richard, I’m at a terrible disadvantage.”

“Why?”

“Because something tells me I’m never going to win an argument with you. Your kisses are to die for, you have to be the most romantic man in the entire world, and I feel like the luckiest woman in the world.” She ran her hand down his hard chest. “It makes me want to show my appreciation.”

“Don’t get any ideas, baby,” he whispered. “I want to have something to look forward to on our wedding night. Now go to sleep. I have to be up early. I have a meeting first thing in the morning.”

Tess smiled. He looked unbelievably handsome with the moonlight shining on his face. She couldn’t resist kissing him softly, even though she knew by his rhythmic breathing that he was asleep.

She closed her eyes and snuggled close to him, wondering how she could ever have been so foolish as to risk everything on a tryst. And Richard had forgiven her for everything.

Tess fell asleep with a prayer on her lips.

Thank you, God. Thank you.