Page 23

SADIE

When a knock soundedat the door, Sadie grabbed the shotgun propped at the side of her bed and stood poised to shoot, barefoot in her nightgown.

“Who is it?” she yelled, expecting either Amos or Otto’s voice to respond.

She didn’t expect to hear Wally on the other side. If he thought he could just skip back into her life whenever he so chose… But then, after what she’d said to Amos, she needed him.

Sighing, she set down the shotgun and opened the door for the man she’d assumed deserted her without so much as a goodbye. But when she saw the smile on his face and those big coffee eyes shining with the reflection of the moon, she couldn’t help but relax.

It didn’t mean he was getting off easy, though. Crossing her arms over the gauzy fabric of her nightgown, Sadie glared at him.

“So you’re back, are ya, Wanderin’ Wally? Thought you got everything you needed here. What happened? Did you leave something behind?”

Wally laughed like she’d made the best joke he’d ever heard. He slipped inside and closed the door behind him, then grabbed her by the arms and pulled her in until his mouth was on hers, hot and hungry.

Sadie’s arms fell open to her sides with the surprise of it. Her lips parted to allow him access, each sweep of his tongue igniting long neglected parts of her. Parts she kept locked up tight along with the memories of her and James.

In a flourish, Wally swung her around so her back pressed against the hard wood of the door and his body melded into hers. She barely captured a breath before he cupped her face and dove back in, this time slow and deep, drawing a soft moan from her gut.

Sadie threw her arms around his waist and drew him closer. The thin material of her dress felt like nothing as her nipples, erect and sensitive, rubbed against his shirt.

Then, just when she was ready to be carried to the bed, Wally pulled back, breathing heavy, lips swollen. He drew his fingers down her mouth and chin, eliciting shivers of goose flesh that traveled over her body all the way to her toes.

“You’re beautiful,” he said, voice hoarse with desire.

“Then stop talking and do something about it.” Sadie jumped up, wrapping her arms around his neck and legs around his waist.

Wally caught her ass in his hands and stumbled forward, backing her into the wall for leverage. If they didn’t make it to the bed for round one, Sadie was fine with that too.

But just as she slid a hand down to release him from the constraint of his pants, the door to Teddy’s room creaked open and Wally dropped her like a hot potato.

“Wally! You’re back.” Teddy ran toward them. Sadie intercepted him before he could get to Wally, who struggled to get himself under control while standing awkwardly, back to the boy.

“Yes, he is, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still be in bed.” Sadie steered him by the shoulder back toward his room.

“No way, Ma. I have important business to discuss with him. I figured out the problem with the clock.”

“That’s cool, Teddy,” Wally said, composed enough to turn around and ruffle the boy’s hair.

“Cool?” Teddy asked, smiling up at him. “It’s pretty hot outside right now.”

Wally’s face colored a bit. “I mean it’s great. But now is bedtime. You can show me tomorrow.”

“You’ll still be here?” Teddy narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

“I’ll be back,” Wally promised, meeting Sadie’s gaze even as he assured her son. “In fact, I need your mother’s help with figuring something out for tomorrow that’ll let me visit longer. If she’s up for it.”

Sadie ushered Teddy out the door and back toward his own bed then turned toward Wally, all too aware of the see-through nature of her nightgown even in the flickering light of the gas lantern on the table. She didn’t move to cover herself, though, as she rather appreciated the way Wally swallowed as he took her in, like a man contemplating his last meal.

An electric current of anticipation zinged between her legs as she remembered the feeling of his body against hers.

“I’m glad you forgave me for running out earlier,” Wally said, approaching cautiously and sitting at the table.

“Who says I forgive you?” she answered coyly as she sat on the top of the table, leaning toward him.

“Well, if that was how you treat men you won’t forgive, I don’t know what to think.” Wally let out a slow whistle.

Sadie chuckled. The man made her laugh, and it had been some time since anyone had done that.