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“Dream on. The kids are joining us.”
Before Noah could respond, an eruption of hurried footsteps announced Emily’s breathless arrival into the study. “Aren’t you ready yet?” she grumbled. “I thought we were going on a hike.”
“We’re on our way,” Sheila laughed. “Did you pack your brownies?”
“Shhh . . .” Emily put her finger to her lips and her face pulled into a pout. “They’re supposed to be a surprise!”
“I promise I won’t tell a soul,” Noah kidded, his voice hushed in collusion with the excited child. “This will be our secret, okay?”
Emily smiled, and Sheila couldn’t help but wonder how long it had been since she had seen her daughter so at ease with a man. Emily was shy, and even when her father visited, it took time for her to warm up to him. But with Noah it was different; a genuine fondness existed between the man and child. Or was it her imagination, vain hopes that Emily would take to Noah....
Emily raced out of the room, and Sheila cocked her head in the direction of the retreating child. “I think we’d better get going before Emily’s patience wears out.”
“I can’t believe that little girl would ever lose her temper.”
“Just wait,” Sheila warned with a warm laugh. “You’ll see, only hope that you’re well out of range of her throwing arm if you ever cross her.”
“Emily? Tantrums?”
“The likes of which haven’t been seen in civilization,” Sheila rejoined.
Noah rose from the chair. “I wonder where she gets that temper of hers?” he mused aloud. The corners of his eyes crinkled in laughter as he stared pointedly at Sheila. He crossed the room and encircled her waist with his arms. His fingers touched the small of her back, pressing her firmly against him. He pushed an errant lock of copper hair behind her ear as he stared down at her, a bemused smile curving his lips. His clean, masculine scent filled her nostrils.
She lifted an elegant eyebrow dubiously. “Are you accusing me of being temperamental?”
He shook his head. “Temperamental is far too kind. Argumentative is more apt, I think.” His lips caressed her forehead and his voice lowered huskily. “What I wouldn’t give to have just an hour alone with you,” he growled against her ear.
“What would you do?” she asked coyly, playing with the collar of his shirt.
“Things you can’t begin to imagine.”
She felt a tremor of excited anticipation pierce through her. “Try me.”
His eyes narrowed in frustration. “You’re unbelievable, you know, but gorgeous. Just wait, you’ll get yours,” he warned as he released her and gave her buttocks a firm pat. “Let’s go—we don’t want to keep Emily waiting.”
The hike up the steady incline of the surrounding hills took nearly an hour, but Sheila insisted that the view from the top of the knoll was well worth the strain on their leg muscles. Noah appeared openly doubtful, Emily was an energetic bundle of anticipation and Sean had once again donned his role of bored martyrdom.
The picnic spot Sheila had chosen was one of her favorites, a secluded hilltop guarded by a verdant stand of tamaracks and lodgepole pines. After selecting an area that afforded the best view of the surrounding Cascade Mountains, she spread a well-worn blanket on the bare ground and arranged paper plates and sandwiches haphazardly over the plaid cloth. The tension of the previous night was subdued, and Sheila relaxed as she nibbled at a sandwich and sipped from a soft drink. Even Sean began to unwind. letting his mask of rebellion slip.
“I know a good place to catch trout,” Emily stated authoritatively. She was still trying to impress Sean.
“You do, do you?” Sean kidded, rumpling Emily’s dark curls. A mischievous twinkle lighted his blue eyes. “How would a little kid like you know about catching trout?”
Emily’s face rumpled in vexation. “I’mnota little kid!”
“Okay,” Sean shrugged dismissively. “So how do you know how to fish?”
“My grandpa taught me,” Emily declared.
Sean’s indifference wavered as he sized up the little girl. She was okay, he decided, for a little kid. His expression was still dubious. “What kind of trout?”
“Rainbow . . . and some brook.”
Sean’s interest was piqued. “So how do you catch them?”
“With a pole, stupid,” Emily replied haughtily.
Once again Sean was defensive. “But we didn’t bring any poles.”
