Page 72 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
Chapter Thirty-Four
‘Oh, Tom, it’s beautiful.’ Fee ran her fingers over the tiny doorframe. The dolls’ house was a beautifully crafted piece of carving and she couldn’t help thinking that no one had ever done anything as wonderful for her when she was a child. She swallowed hard, desperate not to give in to more tears. Between them they’d shed more than enough of those today.Fee had completely broken down telling Betty Mae about her mother after the older lady encouraged her to talk. Tom’s grandmother was better than any therapist on the face of the planet and all she’d really done was listen. ‘Lulu’s a lucky girl.’
‘No. I’m the lucky one.’ Tom’s gruff voice gave him away and Fee didn’t dare turn around. Children were one topic they’d avoided until now. Hisbroad hands circled her shoulders and she couldn’t resist any longer, meeting his gaze straight on. ‘It’s okay.’
Fee’s head dropped onto his chest and she rested against his steady heartbeat. ‘For lots of reasons I don’t think I can…’ her breath trailed away.
He shifted his right hand to the centre of her back and worked his fingers in gentle rhythmic circles. ‘I love you, Fee.You. Not any random woman who can give me a child but you.’ Tom lowered his mouth to hers and trailed his tongue around her lips until she sighed and gave in to his exploration for several wonderful moments. ‘No one comes without baggage especially at our age and I’ve got enough to fill the cargo hold of a Jumbo Jet. Remember I’ve got enough nieces and nephews, plus more on the way, to satisfymy desire for children.’
‘I’m not exactly young and my health isn’t the best.’ Were those feeble excuses?
‘There’s always adoption.’ Tom fixed his dark eyes on her and Fee shivered.
Taking a step backwards she let her arms fall to her side. ‘Tom. I…’
‘Don’t say it.’ He shook his head. ‘Not today. After we’ve seen your mother we’ll talk again.’
Would shebe taking the easy way out by going along with him or was it only common sense?
Tom grasped her face in his broad, warm hands. ‘Don’t you dare tell me you’re giving up. I expect better of you. Fight for us. I am.’ This time his kiss wasn’t gentle and his hard, uncompromising body pressed against hers. The shard of desire he ignited took her breath away. ‘I’m gonna send Billy on home toRayna and take you to my bed.’ He couldn’t have made his intentions any clearer if he’d shouted them from the mountaintop.
‘Oh. Yes, please.’ Her polite comment drew out the hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth.
Without another word he led her back outside.
Tom wanted to beat himself around the head. He’d almost lost Fee twice now. Once at the hands of Randy Watlingand again a few minutes ago because he’d stupidly spoken too soon. He’d almost been dumb enough to tell Fee what a wonderful mother she’d make but that was the last thing she’d want to hear. From day one he’d known Fee didn’t share his dream of a large family and it hadn’t mattered. Convincing her she was more important to him than any mythical children would be an uphill task.You’re still hopingshe’ll change her mind. Admit it. A corner of his heart still clung onto the vision but he swore to himself never to raise the subject again. He could live without having children but didn’t intend on living without Fee.
‘I think the phones and internet were connected today so Billy will be a happy man.’
‘Will it change things?’ Fee asked.
‘I’m not sure.’ He shrugged. ‘It’llmake running the business easier but take away part of the timeless quality I enjoyed being able to offer guests. Everything’s a compromise isn’t it?’ Her shrewd eyes narrowed and Tom yearned to assure her he hadn’t meant the words personally.
‘I’m sure your ancestors debated the virtues of candles versus oil lamps and whether to buy a length of factory-made fabric instead of spinningtheir own,’ Fee observed. ‘How about I leave you to speak to Billy and come back later? I need to throw some clothes in the wonderful, new-fangled washing machine.’
‘You’re telling me not to be a stick-in-the-mud aren’t you?’ Tom seized her in a massive bear hug.
‘Never.’ Fee wriggled in his arms but he tightened his grasp.
‘Good. If you aren’t careful there’ll be no funlater.’
She laughed in his face. ‘Oh, yes. And who’s that going to hurt most?’ Fee glanced at him from under her long dark lashes, fluttering them against her pale, perfect skin.
‘Go and do your laundry. Come back at six.’
‘Say please,’ Fee whispered, rubbing her finger back and forth over his unshaven jawline.
‘Go,’ Tom rasped and a streak of triumph flitted acrossher face. It seemed she was learning to enjoy the power she wielded over him. Tom decided to keep to himself how much he loved it too.
‘Later.’ With a quick wave she raced off, her heels barely touching the ground as she hurried along the path.
For a few moments he stood outside the office until he could wipe the satisfied smile from his face. He didn’t need his brother-in-lawteasing him for being a lovesick sap.
‘Finally. I thought you’d forgotten about me,’ Billy declared, swinging the chair around to face him. ‘I wanted to give you a run-down on the new systems before I beat it.’
Tom glanced at the clock. ‘What’s the hurry? It’s only just gone four.’
‘Yeah. I know but Rayna’s in a touchy mood. Tired of being pregnant I guess.’ He sighed.‘Did you go into the cafe this morning?’
