“Did you play cards?”
“Cards?”Billie took a bite of her apple.“Can’t talk with my mouth full,” she mumbled.
“How convenient.”
There was a knock at the screen door.“What’s convenient?”Adam asked as he let himself in and paused just inside the kitchen.
Jane straightened and told herself not to stare.It didn’t help.He’d showered recently.Dampness darkened his short brown hair, and he looked as if he’d just shaved.The smoothness of his jaw made her wonder what it would feel like against her hand.The crisp cotton short-sleeved shirt stretched across his broad shoulders and chest.The open V allowed a few hairs to peek out.She recalled touching that chest, so many years ago.A light dusting of hair, broad at the shoulders then narrowing toward his waist, had teased her fingers.Even now, her fingers curled into her palms at the memory of how he’d sucked in his breath when she’d accidently brushed her fingers across his flat nipples.It hadbeen a moment of triumph for her, she remembered.A brief time when she’d been able to ignore her fears and reduce this strong man to hungry passion.
His chinos hugged slim hips and outlined the lean muscles in his thighs.Her gaze dropped farther down to the casual loafers, then began to move back up.His carefully constructed wall of control didn’t seem to be working tonight, she thought in surprise.She could see his discomfort in the way he shoved his hands into his pockets, then removed them.She studied his face.The square jaw, the firm mouth that had claimed hers so recently, the eyes that he’d passed on to Billie.
Pain flickered in the brown depths.And confusion.And something that might have been longing.For the time lost?For the fact that he’d missed those years with Billie?Or for her?No, she thought.She couldn’t allow herself to think like that.It cost too much.
“I’m glad you could make it,” she said softly.
“Thanks for inviting me.”He gave her a quick smile, then looked at Billie.“How are you feeling?”
“Okay.”Billie finished the last of her apple and began to lick her fingers.She yawned suddenly.
“She’s a little tired,” Jane said.“I think Charlene kept her up last night.Can I get you something to drink?”
“Thanks.Whatever’s easiest.”
“Beer?”
He raised his eyebrows.
She shrugged.“We went to the market.”
“Yeah,” Billie said.“She bought this bread.The long kind.”She held out her hands to show him the length.“We’re going to make garlic toast.I know how.”
“Maybe I could help you.”
Billie tugged on the bill of her cap.Jane held her breath.It had been a gesture of friendship by Adam.She hadn’t forgotten the look on his face when he’d watched her with Billie that afternoon.The need in his eyes, the obvious disappointment at being shut out.Go on, she urged her daughter silently.He’s not so bad.
“Okay,” Billie said.“I have trouble stirring the butter sometimes.You can do that.”
“Great.”Adam tugged off her hat.
“Gimme!”
He held it out of reach.She jumped up and tried to grab the cap.When that didn’t work, she grinned.“Please.”
“Why should I?”
“’Cause it’s mine.”
He chuckled and pulled the hat over her head.
“Here.”Jane handed him a glass of beer.
Adam leaned against the counter and took a sip.His gaze flickered over her, and she was glad she’d taken the time to shower and change her clothes.The sleeveless sundress with its rows of tiny buttons up the bodice made her feel pretty.And right now she could use all the confidence she could get.
Billie yawned again.Adam frowned.“What time did you go to bed?”
“I don’t know.”
“Was it past your bedtime?”
