Love Takes All Page 20
“There is the irony of that,” Lydia replied.
“Then Andrew started making decisions for me and I just let him even though I resented it at first. This is why I’m not going back to New Orleans. I think we need time apart. I’m hoping you will allow me to stay with you while we work things out between us.”
“Are you thinking of a divorce?” Lydia said, alarmed.
“I don’t know. It is an option, but not one I want to think about right now. I’m so proud of you and a bit envious.”
“Envious of what?”
“You are having this incredible adventure and I’m on the sidelines when I want to be a part of it.”
Lydia was too surprised to respond. Her mother, always so prim and proper, was envious of her! “Mom, I would like to have you stay with me, but I think you need to be on your own. I’m sure we can find you a gorgeous little house out here. Or better yet, just stay in my suite at the hotel.”
“I’ve never been on my own.”
“Neither was I until after Mitchell passed away. I like it. There is something incredibly empowering about making a decision for yourself, even if it’s the wrong one. I’m not sure learning how to ride a horse is my best decision, but I wanted something I could so with Maya that she chose.”
“We never gave you that choice,” Caroline said sadly. “We put you in situations that were advantageous for us. For that, I’m truly sorry.”
Lydia leaned over and gave her mother a kiss on the cheek. “Those things that you did for me made me who I am and I don’t regret that. But I want something different for Maya.”
“I understand,” Caroline said. “I have to find a way to support myself until your father is back on his feet.”
Lydia burst out laughing. “You go talk to Miss E. She’ll put you to work.”
Chapter 13
Hunter set the picnic basket down on the ground. Lydia sat on a rock, her feet dangling in the heated water of the hot strings. He opened the basket and pulled out a bottle of wine and two glasses along with an assortment of cheeses and fruit.
Overhead stars twinkled and a new moon lit the darkness. Lydia wore her bathing suit with a terry cloth robe over it to keep out the chill. Muted sounds from the casino parking lot reached them. Distant music filled the night.
“Maya wants the paint the stable pink. Princess pink.” Hunter opened the wine and poured it into the glasses. He handed one glass to Lydia. “And a pink saddle, bridle and reins along with matching pink boots for her.”
Lydia sighed. “Pink is her new favorite color. Purple is for babies.”
“But a pink stable!” He sat next to her, her closeness a warmth against him.
“Hopefully horses are color blind,” Lydia said. “Do you know?”
“Not a clue.” He sipped the wine.
She splashed the water with her feet. “My dad left for New Orleans this morning.”
“I know. I hear your mother didn’t go along.” He’d been so prepared to dislike her parents, and discovering they were just fallible humans had tempered his dislike.
“Apparently, she wants a little me time.” Lydia nibbled a tiny triangle of brie. “She’ll be staying in the hotel for the time being. I’ll be moving into my house next week and she’ll move into my suite.”
“And my grandmother gave her a job.” Hunter had been completely caught by surprise at seeing Caroline Fairchild acting as Miss E.’s personal assistant.”
“Miss E. will whip her into shape.” Lydia chuckled.
“I’m proud of you, Lydia.” Seeing her change and grow into her natural strength made him happy. “You’ve gone through a lot the last couple of days. You outwitted the two stooges, bought two horses, bought a house.”
“Fell in love.” She gave him a sideways look.
“About that.” He pulled a little plastic bubble out of his pocket. He twisted it open and handed her the plastic ring inside with a purple plastic bead in the center. “I won it at Circus Circus when Maya and I were playing some of the games.”
“It’s lovely.” She took the ring and pushed it onto her finger. “Just what I always wanted.”
He laughed. “It’s a promise ring.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “What are you promising?”
“Several things. Number one, you have my heart forever. Number two, I intend to spend the rest of my life making you happy. Number three, when you’re ready I want to get married.”
“What makes you think I’m not ready now?”
“Because you’re still on your grand adventure.” He stared at the tacky ring on her finger. “I’m not Mitchell. I’m not going to make decisions for you, or expect you to act a certain way. I need you to be the woman that you are, the captain of your own ship.”
She leaned against him. The moonlight lit her face and he saw tears sparkling in her eyes. “Thank you for understanding and your patience.”
“I’m having a hard time with the patience part. I can’t wait to be Maya’s dad.” Maya was a bonus. He’d already come to love her as though he were her biological father.
“Maya feels the same way. She’s desperate for a father...and brothers and sisters. She’s already announced that she wants to teach them all how to ride a horse.”
“Miss E. has been talking about great-grandchildren. But not until you’re ready.” Hunter had never given any thought to children until Maya and knew he wanted at least two more, a little boy that looked like him and another little girl who looked like Lydia.
“Thank you. I’m not ready yet, but I will be. Until that time comes, I want to do something I couldn’t do in high school or college.”
“And that is?”
“Date. I want to go on dates, have candlelit dinners and go to concerts, and maybe a few more rodeos.”
“I can do that.” Reno had so much to offer. He’d already thought about expanding his business and Reno had a lot to offer.
“We’re going to have so much fun, you and I.” Lydia touched his cheek, her fingers warm and inviting.
He grinned. “I know. For the rest of our lives.” He kissed her. Her lips were soft, her skin fragrant with the delicate scent of her perfume. He could wait a little bit longer for her. She was worth the wait.
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781460331606
LOVE TAKES ALL
Copyright © 2014 by Miriam A. Pace and Jacqueline S. Hamilton
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