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“That’s okay, love. Whatever you want.” Tom sat up. “Breakfast?”
Wiz shook her head and climbed back on the bed. “Let’s see if I can do this much.” She swallowed hard enough for him to see.
“Are you sure? We can take this slow.” He didn’t want to push her because he wasn’t sure where the lines were. And hers might change every second. “I don’t expect anything, ever.”
Wiz nodded and sat, sliding next to him. “I know. But I do.”
“Do you want my arm around you?” He’d move at her pace and try not to assume anything.
“Yes, please.”
Tom grinned. “You are so cute.” He put his arm around her shoulders, and she slid hers across his back, leaving fire in her wake. Good thing he had a T-shirt on because her hands on his skin would be almost irresistible.
“We can lie down, if you want.”
“Oh, I want to.” Tom let his head fall back to the pillow. Wiz snuggled into his side, with her head resting on his chest, above his heart, and her hand just below. Right where she belonged. He tried to keep his breathing steady, so his heart rate didn’t rise, but his body didn’t entirely get the message, reacting like a schoolboy. “You feel perfect here.” He turned his head and kissed the top of hers, then relaxed into simple enjoyment of their time together. “Can you tell me what you’re thinking?”
“I like this. But I’d like to try more.” She pulled away from him, propping herself on a hand, leaned over, and kissed him.
He returned her kiss but clamped the sheets so he didn’t reach for her. Her lips were soft and warm, and when she withdrew, his head rose automatically, chasing hers. She came back, and they kissed some more.
A chime sounded, and she pulled away, smiling down at him. “Sorry. I set alarms for this week so I didn’t miss anything.” Her nose scrunched. “I think your brother and sister are leaving today, right?”
“Right.” Tom ran his hand through his hair. “Guess I should go say goodbye.” He rolled off the bed and pulled on his clothes. She rustled behind him, doing the same. After he yanked his sweater on, he turned. “This has been the very best morning of my entire life.”
“But we didn’t do anything.” She shook her head, her nose scrunched adorably.
He grinned. “Sure we did.” He winked. “We slept together.” At her frown, he laughed but sobered quickly. “Seriously, though, that’s a lot of progress really fast. I don’t expect to spend every night with you, but I’ll treasure the ones I get, especially if my presence comforted you.”
She sighed. “It did. But I wish...”
“Wish what?”
“Wish I knew if I will ever be able to do more.” She hung her head.
That wouldn’t do at all. He rounded the bed and sat, holding out his hands. She put hers in his. “Love, we’ll get there or we won’t. I love you regardless. But, if it will help, I’m happy to talk to your doctor or therapist.” He was fairly certain they would get there. “Look, let’s enjoy the ride, rather than worrying about the destination, okay?”
She grinned at him. “Is that what you were doing in your city boots on Strawberry?”
Tom huffed. “I’m never going to live that down, am I?”
She shook her head. “Nope.”
If it made her smile, he’d get thrown by a spoiled horse every day. “Come on, let’s go say goodbye and get some breakfast.”
She led him downstairs, poured them both a cup of coffee from her fancy automated coffee maker, and they walked to the neighbor’s house across from the ranch. Marie and Scott had left already; Tom wasn’t surprised or upset.
Alex and Tara were packing the last of their gear in their rental SUV. Alex hugged him. “Come on out to LA any time and bring Wiz.” Tara and the kids followed. Wiz surprised them all by not only hugging the kids but Alex and Tara as well. After repeating their goodbyes several more times, Alex drove away with his family.
They went inside, and Tom opened the refrigerator. “I’ve arranged for cleaners, but we should clear out any food. Wiz, there’s a cooler and a couple of boxes in the mudroom.”
“Got it.” She turned away.
Dad entered the living room and lifted the couch cushions. “I’ll check for toys or clothes. I’m sad to see them go, but they sure bring a lot of noise and fuss. I hope they make it out this summer. Alex said they’d try, and both Yvonne and Peter told me that they wanted to come on our summer ride.”
“Really? That’s very surprising.” Tom figured they’d never come back. At least not Yvonne.
Dad chuckled, shaking his head. “It’s too bad you two left right away. Yvonne put Marie in her place but good. She told Marie, in no uncertain terms, that the only reason she was still on the pageant circuit was for the scholarships and that she and Peter were both smart enough to get academic scholarships, so they didn’t need Uncle Tom’s money. Oh, and they both like Wiz, and Mom should leave her alone because Uncle Tom seemed really, really happy and they both deserved love.” He laughed. “It was quite the show. Marie huffed off to her room. Scott told me later that he’d been talking to Marie about her assumptions and that he didn’t need our money.” Dad shrugged. “I told him that’s good because you were going to bankrupt us on some scheme for natural raising soon anyway.” He laughed.
