Going to the Chapel Read online

  “Of course they are,” she teased. “You’ve probably named them, too.”

  “I have not,” he denied, holding in a smile. He pointed to a white one with orange spots. “That’s fish number one and she’s expecting.”

  “Fish number one? Seriously, that’s what you named her?”

  “Nope. It’s what I call her because she’s always the first one to come greet me.”

  “Like I said. It’s her name, and I’m guessing you built this pond. Am I right?” He nodded. “And the gazebo down by the pond?” she asked, tilting her head in that direction.

  “Guilty. When the wisteria blooms, which won’t be too long now, the gazebo will be covered in purple. It’s a pretty sight.”

  “Wisteria is one of my favorite plants. I can easily visualize what it looks like covering the gazebo. Absolutely divine,” she added with a sigh. “So do you sit out there?”

  “Well, yeah,” he answered, wondering if that made him sound a bit dorky. “It’s peaceful. Lots of birds singing and flitting through the trees. Fowl on the pond. Matter of fact, there’s a nest of duck eggs now.”

  Her gaze skimmed over his land, and the look on her face pleased him. “Your handiwork has created a beautiful and peaceful place, Sam.”

  “I enjoy building things.” He brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed it—watched the slight hitch in her breath and felt a rush of pleasure.

  “We’re missing something, though,” she said, her brows creased.

  Her statement surprised him. “What?”

  “Brutus.”

  Sam chuckled. “He’s in a crate because he has to stay quiet for a few more days. No running. We’ll get him out after our ride. He’ll whine and carry on forever if he sees you now and then can’t go with us.”

  “Is he allowed to go for a walk on a leash?”

  “So long as he doesn’t jump. We can do that after dinner if you’d like.”

  “You know I would.” Her eyes softened as she watched him, and he felt himself being drawn in. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt this pampered,” she said. “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure.” He pulled her close. “I’m sorry you haven’t been pampered because you deserve it.” He kissed her lightly, then forced himself to step back. Taking her hand, he led her farther down the stone path to the pond. “Let me show you the duck’s nest. They don’t hide their nests very well, which always surprises me. It’s really not even a nest. Just a scooped out spot.”

  A cool breeze skimmed over them. “You cold?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “Not at all. I brought a jean jacket though, just in case.”

  “In case I don’t keep you warm?”

  “I doubt you’ll flunk the keep-Claire-warm test.”

  He grinned, wondering if she’d brought an overnight bag, but he wasn’t about to ask and run the risk of making her feeling pressured. He guided her closer to a tall clump of grass and pointed. “There’s mom doing her thing. I think I counted six eggs the other day. The turtles will probably get some of the ducklings.” Claire winced. “That’s nature,” he said. “It can be brutal. I try not to interfere, but sometimes I can’t help it.”

  “Of course you can’t,” she said with a smile that surrounded him with warmth. “You told me the day we met in the chapel that you rescue animals. Hence, Brutus,” she added.

  “True.” He also tended to rescue damsels in distress and was determined not to do that with Claire. “You ready for our ride?” She nodded and they headed back to the deck where he grabbed the backpack filled with various cheeses and crackers, then took an unopened bottle of wine from the bucket of ice and the wine bottle opener. “I’m ready if you are.”

  “More than ready.”

  He draped an arm around her shoulders as they started toward the horses. Both looked up when they approached. “This is Jack,” Sam said petting the chestnut. “And this is Jill. Don’t laugh. My nephew named them.”

  “Sure, sure,” she teased. “He probably named the pregnant koi, too. I think I want Jill. She’s not as big. Plus I’m kind of partial to paints.”

  Sam grabbed the mare’s reins and handed them to Claire, then hooked his backpack onto Jack’s saddle horn, grabbed a rolled up blanket he’d set aside earlier and tied it on the back of the saddle. By the time he’d mounted, Claire was sitting on Jill, a big grin on her face. He nudged his horse over to hers. “I think in order to start this ride off properly, I need something from you.”

  Before she could do more than cock her head in question, he leaned over and kissed her. “Now I’m ready to ride,” he said, easing away.

  “I’m not,” she replied, laying a hand on his arm and leaning in for another kiss.

  Sam was more than happy to oblige. Kissing this woman filled his senses with pure pleasure. He captured her pliant lips, going slow and easy and savoring every second of not only her taste but her response to him. “Will that hold you for a while?” he murmured against her mouth when he finally broke the kiss.

  She opened her eyes, looking dazed. “I think so.” She straightened in her saddle, and they nudged their horses forward.

  “I’m taking us to my next door neighbor’s acreage where there’s a spot I want to show you. The man who owns it lets me ride there anytime I want. He’s getting up in years, and I help him keep things up.”

  “Now why does that not surprise me?” Claire shot him a playful smile as they nudged their horses into a trot down the gravel driveway. “I can’t imagine what could be prettier than your land,” she said as they turned onto the road.

  “I give you permission to take that back in a few minutes. This is one of my favorite places in the world, and that’s saying a lot.”

  “I think I’m honored that you’re taking me there.”

  “You should be. I’ve never taken anyone there before.” He’d surprised himself when he’d decided to show Claire this piece of land, but something told him she’d be as taken with this slice of heaven as he was, and he was eager to share it with her and see her response.

  ****

  “Oh, Sam, this is absolutely breathtaking.” Claire slid down from her horse and breathed in the view. A small waterfall cascaded down smooth rocks into water as clear as if it had come out of a kitchen faucet. Tall trees created a blanket over the area, and some of those trees were starting to bud. Deep purple buds from the smaller redbud trees made a colorful canopy under the taller trees, and the sounds of birds filled the air—mockingbirds singing, cardinals chirping to one another as they flitted from tree to tree, and even the sound of bullfrogs.

  Sam shook the blanket onto the ground, set the backpack of food down and then got out the wine and a couple of plastic cups. Taking her hand, he pulled her down beside him.

  When she reached for a plastic knife to cut some white cheese with herbs swirled in it, he stopped her. “Let me.” He scooped the cheese onto a cracker and held it to her mouth.

  She took the bite, moaning with delight. “Heavenly. What is this and where did you get it?”

  “Barambah Organics Marinated Feta. It’s a full flavored marinade made of high quality certified organic sunflower and olive oils. If you’re lucky, I’ll tell you someday where I picked it up.” Winking at her, he covered a cracker for himself and ate it.

  The gelding blew out a breath and pricked its ears. A minute later, he stomped a hoof and snorted. “Wonder what he hears?” Claire asked.

  “Good question. Let’s go investigate.” Sam stood and pulled her to her feet.

  “What if it’s something wild?” she asked, inching closer to him.

  “Then more than likely it’s also cute.”

  She edged even closer to him, just in case, and stayed practically glued to him as they walked into the dense foliage. A minute later, Sam stopped and put a finger over his lips. He nodded to the left and she saw it—a tiny fawn mostly hidden under a bush. “Where’s its mother?” Claire whispered, then practically jumped out of her skin as the m
other deer bounded through the woods toward her fawn.

  “We’d better go,” Sam said softly, turning around and leading her away.

  “I don’t think a horse would have alerted on a sleeping fawn,” Claire said.

  He scowled. “You’re right.”

  Claire stopped dead in her tracks. “Don’t scare me like that.”

  He grabbed her hand and pulled her back up close. “And here I thought you were a country girl at heart.”

  “I never said I was a country girl. I said my mother was, and that I liked to ride horses.”

  “Want to get on our horses and ride back in here and look around some more?” he asked. “I’ll protect you.” She elbowed him and he grabbed her arm, laughing as they made their way back to their picnic. A horse’s snort and loud whinny had Sam picking up the pace. When they stepped into the clearing, they froze. Three coyotes were sniffing through the food, taking bites out of even the unopened cheeses, and the horses were nowhere in sight.

  “Oh God,” Claire gasped.

  Sam shot her a quick look. “Don’t panic. They’ll run away.”

  “Yeah, just like our horses did.” Claire’s blood roared through her veins.

  “Get behind me,” Sam said. She didn’t hesitate. He waved his arms and yelled, and the coyotes darted off. He walked over to the scattered food, hands on his hips. “Dammit. I was hungry,” he groused.

  “You think the horses are somewhere close?”

  He shook his head. “I think the horses are about to hit the barn about now.” He glanced down at her, and she could tell he was about to laugh.

  “These boots are not made for walking,” she said with a frown.

  “We’ll cut through the pasture. It won’t take us long to get home. Maybe we’ll see more wildlife.”

  “Trying to cheer me up?”

  He sank down on their blanket and pulled her with him. “We still have wine.” Leaning against a tree, he settled her between his legs, her back toward him, and rested his head on the top of hers. “I’ll get Ed to drive us back. Take a deep breath and try to enjoy this place before we leave. Nothing is going to hurt us.”

  She leaned against him and tried to relax. “It truly is beautiful. I guess we shouldn’t have left our food out.” Her stomach growled as if on cue.

  He covered it with his hands and desire shot through her. “I’m grilling steak later. Does that help?” he asked, nuzzling her ear.

  The picnic Sam had planned had been ruined, and they might have to walk back to his place, but he seemed to take it all in stride. “Are you always calm?” she asked.

  “Mostly, but not always,” he said, kissing the back of her neck. “Sometimes I get excited.”

  She felt his chest shake with silent laughter and turned in his arms. “I hope to see that,” she said, glancing at his lips. His smile vanished and he pulled her onto his lap and then proceeded to devour her mouth.

  By the time he broke the kiss, she was gasping for air.

  He rested his forehead against hers. “Let’s get back home and check on the horses. I’ll fire up the grill and we can eat early. We’ll both need our strength for what I have planned for you. And, yes, excitement is definitely part of the package.” Grinning, he stood and pulled her to her feet, and she was glad he had hold of her because every bone in her body felt like rubber.

  Her woman parts, on the other hand, were on full alert. If being intimate with Sam McGinnis even came close to living up to her fantasies, she was about to become a very satisfied and happy woman.

  ****

  Sam took his last bite of steak and leaned back, patted his full stomach and watched Claire stroke a hand over Brutus’s shoulder.

  “Let’s take the Brute for a walk. Let our steak settle,” he suggested, when what he really wanted to do was carry her off to his bedroom and do all the things with her he’d been fantasizing about this week. “After our walk, I’m pretty sure I’m going to need a shower.”

  “That makes two of us, so save me some hot water.” Her gaze locked on his and his heart revved like a race car.

  “You go first, Claire. And use all the hot water you want. A cold shower is probably what I need anyway.”

  She shifted in her seat, a smile playing on her lips. “It’s what I need, too, but I doubt it’s what either of us want.”

  He leaned over and kissed her again. “You surprise me at every turn.”

  “I bet I surprise myself even more.”

  “I hope that means I’m a good influence on you. By the way, I put out fresh towels and got you a bar of rose-scented soap. Thought you might enjoy that.”

  “You bought me some rose-scented soap?” she asked, a hitch in her voice.

  “You said roses were your favorite flower. I figure you like the smell of them, too.” She looked like she was about to cry, so he leaned over and kissed her. “You deserve to be pampered.” Standing, he took her hand. “I’m glad you thought to bring your tennis shoes. As you discovered earlier, boots aren’t made for walking.”

  “I try to be prepared.” They started off, Brutus walking close to her side on the leash. “My brothers and sister tease me unmercifully about always being prepared, but they’ve had to eat their words plenty of times, when I’m the only one who remembered to bring something we needed.”

  “You the oldest?”

  She shook her head. “Jillian is. Then Logan and then me. Spoiled Justin is the baby of the family.”

  “Speaking of…He have the big date yet?”

  “You mean the disaster date?”

  Sam grimaced. “Thank God you bought me from the dragon-lady. Remind me to tell Justin sometime how much I admire his courage to go out with her.”

  “It might be smarter to never bring it up. He’s barely speaking to me.”

  “That bother you?”

  “Well, he is pretty angry.”

  Sam stopped and covered his heart with a hand. “I hope I was worth it.”

  “So far, so good.” Grinning, Claire tugged on his arm and they started walking again.

  “Are you close to your sister?” Claire asked him.

  “Yeah. We’re pretty tight. I think when you’ve got a parent who’s a royal jerk, you tend to stick together. Cover for each other.” Brutus pulled on his leash and barked at a rabbit hopping through the pasture. Sam corrected him then took Claire’s elbow. “Let’s head back before he gets himself too riled up. I sure wouldn’t want him to tear his stitches.”

  They turned and started back toward the house, Brutus glancing behind him and tugging on the leash as they walked. “What about your mom? Did she ever stand up to your dad?” Claire asked.

  Sam scowled. “Mostly, we all just tried to stay out of his way. Thank God he wasn’t a drunk. Just moody as hell and sometimes mean. When I got bigger, I did my best to keep him away from everyone.”

  “Oh Sam, no child should have to do that.”

  “It’s okay, Claire. I’ve come to terms with it, and I turned out halfway decent.” She leaned into him, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, surprised he’d shared a bit of his past with her. He never did that, but somehow it felt right with this woman. “This has been a good day,” he said, warmth spreading through him.

  “It’s been a great day,” Claire amended. “Even if the coyotes did eat our cheese and crackers.”

  They finished their walk in companionable silence. “Why don’t you shower first?” Claire suggested, “while I get my bag out of the car.”

  “Nope. Ladies first,” Sam protested.

  “Such chivalry, but I’ll be in there a lot longer than you, so you’d better grab your chance at hot water.”

  “I’ve had plenty of cold showers,” Sam said. Especially this week. “Let’s go get your bag. I’ll get some chores done while you shower. Or bathe.”

  “Actually a hot bath sounds wonderful.”

  Sam pulled Claire’s bag from the car, his mind filled with visions of her soaking in his tub. They wal
ked back to the house and went inside. He led her to the bathroom and set her overnight bag on the counter, then pulled her into his arms and gave her a soft kiss. “Take your time. I have some chores to do.”

  He strode out while he had enough self-discipline to leave and busied himself as best he could, even though there was no way he could quit thinking about Claire soaking in steamy water in his tub.

  ****

  Claire let out a soft sigh as she sank into the tub of hot water and let the heat that surrounded her loosen her tense muscles. Today had been wonderful. Fabulous in fact. The grand finale was fast approaching, and so were the nerves she’d somehow managed to hold at bay most of the day. Every time Sam kissed her, her mind dissolved into a puddle of pure bliss, and she was sure that’s exactly what would happen when they went to bed. Getting to that point, though, would take more spunk than she’d realized.

  What if she disappointed him? Or, even worse, didn’t please him? The man was hot. And, unlike her, very experienced. At least according to what Justin had heard about him. Oh, God, was she really ready to find out if she would measure up in bed? Her nerves sizzled like a lit firecracker, and she pressed a hand over her jumpy stomach.

  Pinning her hair on top of her head, she sank deeper into the hot water in an effort to relax. Grabbing a bar of soap, she smiled when the scent of rose filled her senses. She lathered up, enjoying the luxury of feeling pampered. By the time she stepped out of the tub, dried off, and slipped on the white terrycloth bathrobe that hung on the back of the door, she had herself so worked up she had to fight the urge to bolt to the safety of home.

  She tugged the robe’s sash tight, let her hair down and went to find Sam. When she didn’t see him in the house, she stepped out onto the deck and spotted him and Brutus by the koi pond. “You did good, Uno,” he said, throwing fish food into the pond.

  “I knew it,” Claire exclaimed, walking over to him. “What exactly did Uno do?”

  Sam’s lips quirked up. “Popped out her babies, and she’s the only one I’ve named.”