Though Charlotte felt badly about Beth’s current problems, she also recognized when she was being played, and Beth did it well. “How about this?” Charlotte offered as a compromise. “When I have news, I promise to share. Right now all I have is … hope.” Hope she held close to her heart, too afraid to let it into daylight for fear her dreams would be just that—and she’d be left alone, like her mother.
She met her friend’s concerned gaze. “If I had something to tell, you’d be the only person I’d talk to.” She leaned forward and squeezed Beth’s hand. “That’s a promise.”
Beth exhaled hard. “I know. I just hate being the only one revealing all her problems and weaknesses.”
“You are not weak. You’re human.”
Beth shrugged. “Let’s drink up.” She raised her Styrofoam cup. “Cheers.”
“Cheers.” Charlotte finished her now lukewarm tea in a few satisfying sips. “So. Do you mind tending shop today? I’m going to hole up in my apartment and crochet.”
“Oooh, sounds exciting.”
“Not really.” She laughed. “But the money that’ll come in when we deliver the finished goods is definitely worth the hours of television watching I’ll have to endure.”
Beth rose. “Better you than me.”
“I’ll meet up with you at the Little League game later, okay?” Charlotte’s Attic had sponsored a team and Charlotte tried to get out and cheer the kids on as often as possible. Though the season was barely under way, they’d already played twice and were going into tonight’s game with a winning record. She thought of them as her team and was proud of every hit and catch made.
Beth shrugged. “Why not? It’s not like I have anything more exciting to do.”
“Gee, thanks,” Charlotte said wryly.
“Actually, I’m serious. Watching the game beats an evening of solitaire.”
Charlotte tossed her empty cup into the garbage can. “Sad as it is, the game is the highlight of my day too.” Unless Roman stopped by. You will be seeing me, he’d said, and her stomach twisted in coiled knots of anticipation. She couldn’t wait.
“My heart bleeds for you.” Beth eyed her with a complete lack of pity.
Charlotte laughed, “Yeah, yeah. Just bring dinner, because after a day of hard work, I’ll be starving.” By agreement, Charlotte and Beth alternated supplying food. Last week they’d frozen over fried chicken, and with the temperature dropping, tonight would be no different. “Don’t forget your jacket.”
“Yes, Mom.”
At Beth’s words, an odd flutter took up residence in her chest. Maybe it was her biological clock that caused the accompanying lump in her throat because it certainly couldn’t be a sudden desire for children. Roman’s children.
Keep an open mind. But the man was still a traveler, by choice and by occupation. No way could she open her mind that wide.
Or could she?
* * *
Later that day, Charlotte’s hands were tired, her shoulders stiff, yet she had a sense of accomplishment running through her veins. She’d crocheted, sewn, and put in a full day’s work. Then she’d painstakingly hand-wrapped a light blue pair of panties and delivered them to the next person on her customer list before stopping by the general store for some staple items for her refrigerator.
She’d returned home to find an odd message from her mother on her answering machine, promising to meet up with Charlotte tonight at the baseball game. Little League games were a town event, but her mother never made an appearance. Charlotte wondered if the local vet had anything to do with her mother’s sudden willingness to go out. If so, Charlotte was heading over to Harrington, the next town over, to pick out a dog from the shelter as added incentive for Annie to visit with the man.
Though her mother had called, Roman hadn’t. Of course, he hadn’t made any promises, which meant he hadn’t broken any either. Still, she was disappointed their time together hadn’t left him panting for more of whatever she had to offer. So much for her charm. Skill. Erotic proficiency, she thought wryly.
She couldn’t completely shake off the dismay, but she knew she’d be fine. She wasn’t her mother’s daughter, at least in that respect.
She straightened her spine, held her shoulders back, and approached the school. A chilly breeze floated in the air around her. As promised, the temperatures had taken a bizarre drop throughout the day and she hugged her arms closer around her. But, lucky for the kids and the bleacher bums like herself, they had perfect softball weather in which to enjoy the game. Charlotte’s Attic sponsored the Rockets, and she wanted to see them kick some more butt.
As she walked through the full parking lot, the baseball diamond came into view in the distance, located beyond the football field and bleachers. Her stomach growled and she placed a hand over her empty belly. She hoped Beth was waiting with something good to eat, because she was starving.
As she reached the rows of makeshift stadium seats, a place where she’d spent a lot of time as a teenager, she quickened her pace. Without warning, she was grabbed from behind. A strong hand anchored her waist, locking her arms at her sides.
Fear lodged in her throat—for all of two seconds—before familiar cologne assaulted her senses and a sexy voice muttered in her ear. “I always wanted to make out with you under the bleachers.”
Fear turned to excitement, excitement to arousal. She’d missed Roman today. And if she let herself think about just how much, the fear might well return. Instead she chose to relax in his arms and enjoy now.
As soon as he spoke, Roman felt Charlotte’s muscles ease against him. He didn’t know how he’d managed to stay away from her all day. Hell, he didn’t know how he’d stayed away from her for the last ten years. A humbling admission, for a man who made traveling his MO. He buried his face between her neck and shoulders, inhaling her fragrant scent. “You know I’d have killed to get you behind the bleachers back in high school.”
“And what would you have done with me?”
From her playful tone, Roman figured she was in a good mood. Obviously she hadn’t yet heard about her father’s return, which gave him this small window of opportunity to cement everything they’d shared. He grabbed her hand and pulled her around the benches until they were well hidden from view. He ought to know. He’d specialized in hanging out here in high school. With the wrong girls.
Now he had the right one. She was dressed in blue jeans and a Little League jersey beneath an open denim jacket with a fuzzy lining. But what drew his attention most was her mouth—her lips were as red as her snakeskin boots.
He grabbed the white fleece collar and pulled her within kissing distance. “You never wore such hot-looking makeup back in high school.”
She grinned. “I wasn’t looking to attract attention back in high school.”
Unexpected relief washed over him. “Missed me today, did you?” He’d wanted to give her time to do just that before seeing her again. But he hadn’t stayed away easily.
She rolled her eyes. “I didn’t say I was looking to attract your attention.”
He wasn’t fooled. She’d missed him as much as he’d missed her. “Well, you’ve got it anyway. Now shut up and kiss me.”