Chapter 58 58
Her mother laughed sharply. "Friends? The way the two of you look at each other?" She leaned close. "And buddies share a bed, right? Pals can't keep their hands off each other, although we all know you two have to try real hard. I hate to see the two of you the minute we all leave."
Alana blushed ten shades of red. “Mom… Pllleeease,”
Laura laughed again. "I've seen the way Stefan looks at you. He's drunk with loving you."
Alana's gaze snapped to her mother's as she poured detergent in the dishwasher. "Oh, I don't think so."
Laura folded her arms and smiled as she leaned back against the counter. "I know he does, and he doesn't hide it at all. I know his reasons behind wanting to marry you at first was Juliana, and the two of you may talk a good game, but I can see it in his eyes. He does all that tough guy thing, looking all cool and aloof, but it doesn't hold up when he looks at you. So you keep telling yourself this was just for my granddaughter's sake if that helps you accept it. But I know better."
Alana almost resented that. As if her mother sensed it, she stepped close. "He loves you. Madly."
Alana closed the dishwasher, her hands shaking as she switched it on.
Laura slipped out of the kitchen as Alana looked out the windows at Stefan.
She loved him too, but now that they'd both acknowledged their love for one another, she was scared that something would happen and she'd lose him. She didn't think her heart would be able to take it if she did. He was the love of her life. A part of her now and their daughter.
As if her addiction was trying to prove her right, she moved to catch a glimpse of him. The men were having a beer and discussing woodworking, she didn't doubt. God, Stefan was handsome. The black polo shirt combined with the black hair made him look dangerous. Desirable.
Laura strolled past, laughing to herself. As if to say, "See? Told you so."
Alana stepped away, and hoped that her fears didn't come to pass.
__________
Stefan frowned down at the wrapped box tied with ribbon. There was no mistaking that it was for him, since the card stated his name. He called out for Alana, tossing his keys on the table.
She walked out from the hallway. "Shh, she's sleeping."
"What's this?"
"What's it look like?"
"A present for me, but why?"
"Open it and find out, silly."
He eyed her, his lips curving slightly. He tore open the package and lifted out the heavy toolbox. "Man, this is a nice one."
"Look inside."
Setting it down, he flipped the heavy latches. It was filled with tools: tape measure, level, a hammer, screwdrivers, even a power drill and handsaw.
"I thought you might like to have a set. Seeing as you've taken your woodwork with my dad so seriously."
He lifted out the drill, checking it out the way only a man could, she thought. Boy toys.
"Thank you."
She frowned. "You don't seem pleased."
"I am, I love it. It's very thoughtful, but…" He hesitated and her heart sank a little.
"But?"
Now would be the right time to tell her, but damn it he couldn't. He didn't want to leave. Their relationship was growing stronger by the day, and he knew the news of him leaving would hurt her. Would they be able to recover from that?
"Nothing. I love it so much, baby."
He said instead.
Alana smiled now, even though he could see that she was now a bit concerned, "I'm glad."
He set the tools aside and moved close, settling his hands on her waist. "You're an amazing, wonderful, woman."
She spread her hands over his chest, “Hmmm. Thank you, Stefan,” Her eyes settled on his face, “Is something wrong? I feel like there's something you're not telling me,”
He shook his head, hating that he had to lie, Don't bother yourself, Alana,”
She sighed, “You do know that you can tell me anything, right?”
His gaze raked her. "You so sure?"
She nodded. "One thing I know right now, right this minute, Stefan l, is that what I feel for you is more than I expected and just what I wanted."
He grinned. But her features were somber. "I love you. Just don't lie to me. I don't think I could stand it," she said.
“Okay, honey,” Stefan replied, as a horrible guilt passed over his spine.
____________
That evening Alana followed the notes Stefan had left. It was cute, she thought. She took the glass of wine from the fridge and sipped as she made her way to the bathroom as instructed. The note said he had Juliana with him, and he was picking up Chinese food after a quick visit to the grocery store.
She followed his instructions and stepped into the bathroom. Her breath caught, and something sharp touched her deep in her heart. Steam rose from a bathtub filled with bubbles, and though only two candles were lit, several circled the tub. It smelled like lavender and rosemary, and the tiredness she felt melted away with the anticipation of soaking in the bath. She set the glass aside long enough to tie up her hair and strip off her clothes. The water was near scalding hot and her muscles relaxed. She sank to her chin and closed her eyes.
This, she thought, was pure heaven.
__________
Stefan set the bags of Chinese food down on the table, Juliana asleep in his arms. Quietly he changed the baby and put her down for the night, glad he'd bathed her earlier and feeling terrible for forcing the child to stay awake while he shopped. But he had plans with her mama.
He laid Juliana in her crib, tucking her in and bending to kiss her. The child smiled in her dreams and it cut his heart in half and made it spill with hard emotions. She has me in her fist, he thought, closing the door. The baby monitor was on, and he tucked the receiver into his back pocket. He knew where Alana was, and as he headed to the living room, he heard the sound of water in the bathroom.
Temptation clubbed him and he paused at the door, pushing it open a crack.