All Summer Long (Fool's Gold #9)(70)

Charlie stifled a groan. “From, ah, New York?”

Her mother smiled. “That wouldn’t be very practical, would it? No, I’ll live here part-time. I’ll keep the house in New York and London but sell the one in Los Angeles. This will be my West Coast residence.”

“Fool’s Gold?” Charlie was impressed she could speak what with her chest so tight.

“Yes. It will be wonderful. I won’t be teaching. Can you imagine me with a class full of beginning students? I would intimidate them too much. Perhaps I can give the older students a lecture or two. The ones that have promise. I could help them.”

“Just knowing you’re around will be an inspiration,” Charlie said, almost meaning what she was saying. She was sure that for some little kid all excited about dance, Dominique was a big deal.

“I hope so. While I’m in town, we can spend time together. I meant what I said, Charlie. I want us to get to know each other. We’re the only family each of us has left.”

There was a sense of inevitability in the situation, Charlie thought. Her mother’s use of her preferred version of her name was a huge concession. Perhaps she should stop fighting and simply accept. Dominique would never be warm and fuzzy, but someone who doted too much would drive Charlie crazy. Dan had loved them both and they had both loved Dan. That was a place for them to start.

Charlie stood and motioned for her mother to do the same. Dominique did as she requested. For a second they looked at each other, then Charlie held out her arms. Her tiny, perfect mother flung herself at her daughter and hung on tight. Charlie did the same. In that moment, it seemed like they might never let go.

* * *

CLAY STARED AT the tidy rows that would grow into his alfalfa crop. The planting was done and now there was just the waiting.

“I’d say it’s like having a baby,” Shane told him. “But I’m thinking this is cleaner.”

Clay chuckled. “And no one’s screaming.”

His brother winced. “Don’t even joke about that. Not with Annabelle pregnant.”

“She’ll be fine.”

“I don’t want to think about her in pain.”

It was a part of birth, Clay thought. The cycle of life and all that, but he didn’t think his brother was in a mood to be philosophical.

“She’s not in pain now,” Clay said.

“Good point. I heard from Rafe this morning.”

“Me, too. I don’t think he and Heidi are ever coming home.” So far the newlyweds had put off their return twice.

“Heidi will eventually start to miss her goats,” Shane said. “Sooner would be better for me. Athena is getting a wild look in her eye. I think she’s planning a breakout.”

Heidi’s small herd was mostly well behaved. But every now and then Athena organized a field trip.

“As long as she doesn’t let Priscilla out,” Clay said. “I don’t think Fool’s Gold is ready for a free-roaming elephant.”

The two men turned from the field and headed toward the truck.

“How’s the house coming?” Clay asked.

“Nearly finished. It will be done by mid-October.” Shane shook his head. “Annabelle is willing to move in with me, but she’s still insisting on waiting until next year to marry me.” He muttered something under his breathing that sounded like “damn fool woman” but was smart enough not to say it too loud.

“You love her,” Clay said, opening the driver’s side of the truck and getting in.

Shane climbed in on the passenger’s side. “I know, but why does she have to be so stubborn? Why would anyone care that she’s pregnant? Okay, sure, it’s unconventional, but so what? We love each other. We’re spending the rest of our lives together. But can we start that now? Nope. We have to wait so she can be the perfect bride.”

“She wants to have the right kind of memories.”

“She wants to drive me crazy.”

“That’s a bonus. Accept it, bro. From now on, she’s going to run your life.”

Shane grinned. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“You’re a lucky man.”

“Yes, I am.”

Clay started the engine and headed back for the main house. “Annabelle’s not the only one’s who’s stubborn,” he said. “Charlie insisted on replacing her dishwasher herself, even though it was clearly a two-person job. By the time I got there to help, she was wedged between the counter and the dishwasher.” He glanced at his brother. “It’s not just you.”

“I don’t really find that knowledge comforting.”

Clay grinned as he turned down the dirt road. They bounced along in comfortable silence. His thoughts once again returned to Charlie. Because he liked and respected her. She was fun, interesting and one of the sexiest women he knew. A lethal combination.

He knew it wasn’t love. Love was dramatic. It was meeting someone’s eyes for the first time and knowing that you wanted to be with her forever. But what he felt for Charlie was still significant. She was the first woman to interest him in years. The first one he wanted to spend time with. They were friends and lovers. It wasn’t being in love, but it was still good. Something he wanted to hold on to.

“What are you going to do when Rafe and Heidi finally come home?” Shane asked.