CHAPTER THIRTEEN

 

RANDI CHECKED the egg casserole for the third time then turned the oven off.  The fruit salad was in the fridge and rolls keeping warm in the microwave.  It was almost eleven and she was jittery.  Nervous.  What was she thinking?  Seducing Trevor Graystone?  What if he wasn’t interested?  She smiled.  What if he was?

She’d been impulsive and bought a dress while in Richmond yesterday.  An Aqua blue ruffled and embroidered senorita dress with pale blue eyelet accents.  It could be worn on or off the shoulder and she’d tried it both ways.  On the shoulder was safe and motherly but off the shoulder was daring and inviting.  It was eleven in the morning, she fumed to herself as she covered her shoulders.  Who in their right mind planned a seduction at eleven in the morning? What would Trevor think?

She’d waited till after the boys went to bed to paint her nails and stared down at the soft pink toes that peeked out of the metallic beige espadrilles.  She’d pinned her hair back on one side to show off the silver carita earrings.  For the first time in a long time, she felt feminine and sexy.  But what would Trevor think? 

He was used to seeing her as the mother of two boys always dressed in jeans.  Then she remembered their dinner date at the resort and how he had been so complimentary about the outfit Brina, Ginny and Marcie had sent her.  What would he say today?  Would he get the message?  Or would he take one look and run the other way?

She jumped when the doorbell rang.  Gave herself one last look in the mirror and shifted the top off her shoulders.  Took a deep breath then opened the door.

Her heart skipped when she saw he too had taken time to dress for the occasion.  He apparently hadn’t been by the job yet.  His jeans were clean, the white polo shirt freshly pressed and his work boots replaced by loafers.  He looked delectable.

Trevor smiled and handed her a small bouquet of flowers.

“They’re beautiful,” she exclaimed nervously, turned and dashed to the kitchen to find a vase.

Trevor closed the door and followed her, appreciating the bare shoulders and long legs as they walked away from him.  His nose went up, savored the scent of her perfume, then the aroma of breakfast.  She’s nervous, he thought as he watched her open doors to the cabinets, frantically searching for a vase.  Her hands shook slightly when she arranged the flowers, then filled it with water.

“These are so nice,” she exclaimed.  “It’s been a long time since someone gave me flowers.  Did you have a good talk with the developers yesterday?  What did you finally decide?”

He gave her time to put the flowers on the table then pulled her into his arms before she could do anything else.  He hugged her, waited for her to look at him.  “Good morning,” he whispered and grazed her lips.

His easy smile and soft voice calmed her.  Randi wrapped her hands across his shoulders, leaned into him and allowed herself to enjoy his lips when he deepened the kiss.

“Hmm,” he murmured, nuzzled her neck and bare shoulder.  “I hope the food is as delicious as you smell and look.”

“Trevor Graystone,” Randi leaned back and smiled at him, “are you flirting with me?”

“Damn right.  Food smells delicious and the hostess looks ravishing.”

“Why don’t we start with the mimosas?” She nudged away, headed for the fridge.  “So,” she filled the flutes, “did you work things out with the developer?” She asked again.  “What did you decide?”

“I offered a counter proposal and am waiting to hear back from them.”  He didn’t want to tell her part of the proposal involved her.  Not until he knew they would consider it.

“How about you?  Your client happy with your suggestions?”

Randi spooned some of the casserole onto his plate.  “Yes, she did.  It always helps when they can visualize your suggestions.  Don’t know whether I told you but I have a computer program that allows me to plug in measurements, doorways, windows, fireplaces, you name it.  Then I can play with the design, rearrange walls, change flooring and give them options to consider.”  She joined him at the table.  “She liked what I put together and said she would take it to her contractor for a quote.”

“So, you don’t work with a specific contractor?”

“No, for a number of reasons.  Other than you, I don’t know that many contractors.  I prefer the design side of the business and don’t want them to feel pressured to accept an estimate I might get.  That way I’m free and clear and they get what they want.”

Trevor grinned.  “Now that you know a reliable, professional and fantastic contractor, have your thoughts changed?”

Randi lifted her glass and saluted him.  “Depends on the quality work said contractor does with his current project.”

“Touché.  But you know you’re going to be pleased.”

“I have to say I like what you’ve done so far and am even more impressed with the way you’ve handled all the problems we’ve had.”

“Yeah, well, somebody’s still interfering.”  Trevor frowned.  “Got a call from my foreman today.  Said they were missing a few of our tools.  Planning to meet with him this afternoon.”

“Don’t you lock the place?”

“Yeah.  But somebody still got inside.  Time to get to the bottom of all this sabotage.”

“Trevor, do you normally have these many problems with a project?”

“There are always setbacks.  Weather.  Theft.  Changes in design.  That’s why I have a lot of patience and good insurance.  But I have to admit the firehouse has had more than its fair share of problems.”

“I’ll just be glad when it’s finished.”

“Trying to get rid of me that quickly?”

“No,” Randi stammered, “No.  Of course not.”  She stood to carry their plates to the sink. Turned, leaned against the sink and shrugged a shoulder.  “Just a figure of speech.  I’ve always appreciated how supportive you’ve been to Brina.  And now that I’ve finally met you, it has been fun having you around, watching you transform that place.”

Trevor stood in front of her, liked the fact that those espadrilles put her eye level with him.  Made it easier to pull her into his arms, lightly brush her lips.  He smiled, “Randi, you know I’m just kidding.  Besides, do you think after meeting you and your two boys I’m going to just leave when this job is done?”

“Well,” she shrugged, “you never know.”

His hands moved down her back, hugged her closer to his hard body.  Her heart flipflopped when he stared directly into her eyes.  Suddenly she was dizzy and light-headed. Longed for the excitement she knew awaited her.

Trevor’s eyes twinkled.  “When I find a woman, who can seduce me with food,” his lips skimmed hers, “her perfume,” his nose brushed her neck and shoulder, “her delectable body,” he pointedly peeked down at her cleavage, “and sassy tongue, I’d be crazy not to hang around.”  He never gave her a chance to respond, simply covered her mouth with his and proceeded to ravish her.

Randi hung on.  He tasted of the mimosa.  Her head was spinning from her own bubbly.  She felt his hard chest against her breasts and a warmness between her legs.  It had been a long, long time since she had felt like this.

Trevor came up for air.  “This is all I’ve thought about for the last two days.  Do you know how good it is to be able to kiss you and not have to worry about Scott or Sandy coming in.”  He cocked his head.  “What about your girl friends?  Do they make a habit of stopping by during the day?”

Randi smiled.  “Sometimes, but I told them I was on a job today.”

Trevor laughed.  “So, I have you all to myself?”

“At least until I have to pick the boys up from school.”

“Then I suggest we make the most of it.  Let’s quit wasting time.”  He locked lips again.

Randi was nervous, giddy and aggressive, all at once.  She met his kisses head on, enticed him to take more.

Trevor leaned down and swept her off her feet.  “You’re intoxicating.” He said against her lips.  “Where’s the bedroom?”

Randi smiled.  “It’s the only door on the hall that’s open.”

He carried her down the hall, stopped inside the bedroom.  “Are you sure about this?”

Randi looked deeply into his eyes then smiled.  “Never more certain.  It’s been so long since a man has made me feel this way.”

He set her on her feet and watched as she nudged the elastic shoulders aside and stepped out of the dress.  He caught his breath and was reminded of the time he saw her in her bikini that was no larger than the skimpy bra and panties she wore now.

She stepped out of her shoes then reached for the hem of his shirt, pulled it over his head.  She leaned up to kiss him when she reached the hook of his jeans and lowered his zipper.  He gasped when she reached inside and caressed him.

“I was wrong,” he said.  “You’re more than seductive, you’re bewitching.”  He quickly stepped out of the jeans and reached for her.  Unhooked her bra and ripped the panties aside.  Randi gasped then jerked when his hand and fingers caressed that warmness between her legs. 

Her head fell against his shoulder as they collapsed onto the bed.  She wrapped her legs around him, moved against his arousal and moaned when his kisses moved from her mouth to her shoulder to her breast.

Trevor reached for her hands, shifted them above her head and stared down at her.

“We need to go slow.”  He slipped inside her, thrust slowly and deeply. 

Randi inhaled deeply, arched back in pleasure, then stared up at him and smiled.  She cupped his face, stared deeply into brown eyes that almost seemed to worship her.  Watched him as he continued to move inside her then hung on when the momentum grew and they could no longer control themselves.

She felt his pounding heart and heavy breathing when he rested atop her.  She tightened her legs around him and giddily kissed his shoulder, made her way up his neck.  When he raised his head to look down at her, she cupped his face and smiled up at him.

“I take that back.  You are a bewitching, provocative, insatiable siren,” he laughed as he felt himself come alive again.

 

Randi handed him another mimosa and snuggled beside him on the bed.

“You had that all planned, didn’t you?”

“Are you saying you didn’t have any inkling this might happen?  Didn’t have plans of your own?”

Trevor laughed.  “I’ll admit I had my hopes up but you definitely moved things along.”

She looked at the clock.  “Only took an hour.”  She stretched against him.  “And we still have another hour or so if you’re interested.  Unless you need to be somewhere.”

He finished the mimosa and set the flute on the nightstand.  “I’ll take morning or afternoon delight with you anytime I can get it.”  Randi yelped when he grabbed her foot and pulled her under him.

 

Twenty minutes after Trevor left, Randi’s cell phone rang.  She didn’t recognize the number yet it looked familiar too.  Considering all that had been going on in her life recently, she gave in and answered.

“Randi, this is Harriet Young.  Is this a bad time?”

“No, I have a few minutes before I go to pick up the boys at school.  How can I help you?”

“I had my visit with Tim and Miriam the other day and I wanted to run a couple things by you. First, I asked him about that private investigator at your house.”

“Oh?”  Randi asked.

“Yes.  He tried to act surprised.”

“I bet he never thought you’d call him out on it.”

“No.  I let him think that the PI had identified him and he immediately apologized.  Said he’d neglected to pull him off the job.”

“I bet.  Did Miriam know about it?”

“No, which surprised me.  She seemed to be genuinely shocked.”

“If her marriage is like mine was, Tim is very controlling and non-communicative.”

“Hmm,” Harriet said.  “He said he would give the PI a call.  Now, the other thing.  Do you remember we talked briefly about a get-together so that the boys can get to know their father and Miriam better?”

“Yes.  You were going to mention it to him.”

“Well, I did.  Miriam jumped at the idea and although Tim didn’t have much to say, he agreed it would probably be best.”

Randi’s heart sank. She had hoped that Tim wouldn’t want to do it.  “He agreed?  I’m surprised.”

“Well, as I said, Miriam was very excited and after some discussion, he finally agreed.”

“Oh.  Did they have any particular time in mind?”

“I know this is short notice but considering that we need to get the boys comfortable with their father, I suggested that it be soon.  They said they would be available to come this weekend if it was okay with you.”

I bet he hoped I’d balk at the idea, Randi thought.  “Yes, it is a little short notice but I think I can work it out.  Can I get back to you?”

“Of course.  And I’ll relay the message to Tim and Miriam.”

As soon as she disconnected, Randi texted Trevor.  “Can you come to dinner?”

 

Trevor decided to give his sister another call.  Now that he’d heard from Greenwillow, he needed to get a few things straight before taking his idea to Randi.  Chuck, his brother-in-law, was also a contractor and he and Susan had two homes.  One in Maryland and another in Georgia.

“Trevor, I was just thinking about you,” Susan exclaimed.

“I bet.  Been trying to get you all day.  Out spending all of Chuck’s money?”

She chuckled.  “Somebody has to do it.  I was also thinking about your birthday.  It’s almost here and you don’t have much longer on your bet.”

“What bet?”

“You know.  The one about being married by the time you’re thirty-eight.”

“I’m working on it.”  Trevor spoke without thinking.

“Oh? Anyone I know?”

“As a matter of fact, you do.  Don’t you know Miranda Cavanaugh?”

“Randi,” she squealed.  “Oh Trevor, that’s fantastic.  When?”

“Hold on.  I said I was working on it.  We’ve only just met.  Plus, there are a few problems.”

“Problems?  What kind of problems?”

“Her ex-husband, for one.”

“What has he done now?”

“You know Tim Cavanaugh?”

“Unfortunately,” Susan groaned.

“Know anything about their divorce?”

“No, not really.  Just glad she divorced him when she did.  It was so unfortunate that she had to have the babies by herself but she’s better off for it.  Come to think of it I saw him recently, where was it?  Oh, last month, at the Turner’s open house.  He was plastered as usual. And now that you mention it, I happened to overhear him spouting off something about how cheaply he’d managed to get out of his divorce, married money and now he was working on the child support payments.”

“What do you mean?” Trevor interrupted.

“Well, he bragged about how he planned to get joint-custody of the boys, then he’d get Randi out of their lives altogether and wouldn’t have to worry about child support.”

“Interesting.  He’s never paid Randi any child support.  Supposed to be paying into an education trust for the boys which I understand he hasn’t contributed to in over a year.”

“That’s it,” Susan said.  “He said something about her agreeing to a Trust Fund when the boys are eighteen.  Said it’s supposed to pay for their college education but by the time they needed it, he’d think of a way out of it.  He’s remarried, you know.  Miriam Ledbetter.  Her father owns a computer software company.  Nice girl, don’t know how she puts up with Tim.”

“I met her the other week at Snowridge.”

“You’ve met them?”

“He and Miriam showed up at the resort while Randi was there with her father and the boys. But hearing you, I wonder if it wasn’t intentional.  He’s petitioning for joint-custody and Randi is beside herself.”

“Trevor, he doesn’t deserve those boys.  He doesn’t deserve Miriam.  You should have heard what he said about her.  Said she was cold, couldn’t have any children.  Admitted that’s why he’s pursuing joint custody.”

“You must have been the proverbial fly on the wall to hear as much as you did.”

Susan laughed.  “I was standing with my back to him but he didn’t make it too hard.  Like I said, he was pretty much wasted.”

“Have you heard anything about abuse?  How well do you know Miriam?”

“Vaguely.  She’s only been on the scene for the past couple years.  She seems nice though.  That’s why I was surprised when I read they had married.”

“Could you do me a favor?  Could you try to get to know her a little better.  If he abused Randi, he might be abusing her as well.”

“Trevor,” Susan exclaimed.  “Are you saying that Tim abused Randi?”

“You didn’t hear this but that’s why she divorced him.  Final straw was when he pushed her down the steps.  She was pregnant and almost lost her boys.”

Susan gasped, then there was silence.  “I will certainly keep my eyes and ears open.  Trevor, Tim Cavanaugh is a cruel man.  Always had a mean streak.  You need to look out for Randi.  She and Miriam deserve better.”

“That’s my plan.  Hey, I also called to see if you’re going to be home next week.  I may have to come to Atlanta.”

“Bummer. Chuck and I leave this Saturday for two weeks in Bordeaux. But you can use the house if you’d like.”

“You sure?  It would only be for a few days.  I need to talk to Randi first.”

Susan was silent.

“Hello?” Trevor asked.

Susan laughed.  “Much as I’d like to win our bet, you couldn’t have picked a nicer girl.  I’m so happy for you.”

“Hey, we’re not married. Yet.”

 

Randi was on her way out the door to pick up the boys from school when the flowers arrived.  Twelve beautiful apricot colored roses.

“Oh, my goodness,” she exclaimed to Mandy.

“Mom just got the order and as soon as I walked in the door from school, she asked me to deliver them.  I’m supposed to give her details of your reaction.”

Randi laughed.  “Oh really.  Well you can tell her I am ecstatic and they are very beautiful.  It’s been a long, long time since someone sent me roses.”

“She said to make note of who sent them.  Something about the cute contractor guy?”

Randi looked at the note that read, Beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady.  “Yes, I guess this is Trevor’s way of thanking me for sending some business his way.”

“Wish I had a guy like that,” Mandy said as she turned to leave.

Randi searched for another vase and texted Trevor again.  “Thank you for the roses.  They are beautiful.”

“Like the card said,” he texted back, “beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady.”

Realizing she was almost late, Randi dashed out the door to the school.  She wanted to visit a few minutes with Ginny and hopefully discuss a get-together at Spicer Meadows.  She was so glad that Ginny had moved up with the boys’ class.  The school system was trying a new curriculum, assigning the same teacher to the same class for two years.  They hoped that this would enhance the children’s experience in school.  Next year Scott and Sandy would have a different teacher but this year, Ginny would hopefully be able to monitor the boys and prevent this impending upheaval from affecting their last days in the school year.

Considering that Ginny was now pregnant she wondered if Ginny would return to teaching after the baby was born.  She’d been a storyteller part-time when she and Cliff squabbled about Spicer Meadows.  Then she had given it up when she and Cliff got married.  Maybe Ginny would just do the storytelling part-time.

“How are you feeling?” Randi asked when Ginny returned from taking the class to their buses.

“I’m always tired,” she collapsed in her chair, “but I’ll take that over morning sickness.”

Randi smiled.  “Yeah, I remember my first three months. I couldn’t do anything before eleven in the morning.  Saltine crackers were the only thing I could keep down in the mornings.”

She glanced at Scott and Sandy who sat at the craft table coloring pictures.  “I know it’s early in my battle with Tim, but do the boys seem okay in class?  I told them Tim is their father but I’m not sure how they’re digesting all of this.”

Ginny smiled.  “If you and Tim can handle this peacefully, they will be fine.  It’s the ones whose parents are always arguing that I worry about.  I have a little girl in my class, Molly, whose parents divorced last Spring.  It was difficult at first because the mother was so bitter but in the past year, they’ve managed to work things out.  I did my best to be there for Molly.”

“Has Harriet Young been to see you?”

“Yes, she came by this morning.  We chatted while the class was out for recess.”

“How did it go?”

“Great.  Randi, I don’t think you need to worry about anything.  I’ve talked with Ms. Young about other cases. In fact, she was the GAL for Molly.  Ms. Young is very thorough and fair.  She has a big heart and lots of common sense.  I’ve seen her handle cases much more volatile than yours.  She was very patient and understanding with Molly and I truly believe she’s the reason the family has managed to work through their differences.”

“She called me earlier.  Said she had a good visit with Tim and Miriam.  Said Tim and Miriam were agreeable to coming to Edmondsville for a get-together so the boys can get to know them better.  Now, I have to try and plan something by this weekend.”

“We haven’t been able to get together in a while.  Why don’t we have a pool party at Spicer Meadows?  I’ve been meaning to invite Trevor and we can include Tim and Miriam as well.  Maybe the more we have there, the easier it will be.”

Randi felt tears well in her eyes.  “Would you do that?  For me?  I told Harriet I’d try to put something together but,”

Ginny stood, gave Randi a hug.  “I will be happy to do this.  In fact, Cliff told me this morning that Pete is flying here Friday evening so I’d have to do something for him anyway.”  Ginny laughed.  “Cliff always looks for an excuse to cook on the grill.”

“I certainly appreciate it.  I’ll give Cliff a call and between the two of us, we’ll take care of things.”

Ginny laughed.  “You won’t get any argument from me.”

 

Randi decided to make dinner easy and fixed spaghetti.  Couldn’t believe that a simple meal would be so confusing.  It’s not confusing, she scolded herself, you have too much on your mind.

What happened to her simple, peaceful lifestyle?  When there was just her, the boys, her father and her friends?  Now, she had not only met a kind, wonderful man, but as of this morning, she was involved with him too.  Memories of Trevor’s lovemaking thrilled throughout her body.  She hadn’t felt this alive in a long, long time.

And just when she’d found a man who interested her, her ex-husband and his wife decide to stir the pot.  She didn’t need Tim breathing down her neck, threatening to take the boys from her. Why after five years, does he suddenly decide he wants to see them?  What was he up to?

Scott and Sandy were coming up on to the end of the school year for goodness sake.  Things are chaotic enough.   She doesn’t need to worry about upsetting the boys more.

Add to that, she now had a GAL, Harriet Young.  Who would have thought that she would have some guardian ad litem mediating her relationship with Tim.  As if Tim will listen to anything she says.

Now she was on pins and needles all the time, wondering when the next blow will come.  She was being forced to plan and include her friends in get-togethers just so her boys could get to know their father.  She was thankful that Ginny was willing to work with her, but what would they do Saturday?  Sit around talking to one another, swim?  She needed to talk to Cliff.

What would Trevor think of all this?  Harriet said it might be good to involve him if he was going to be a part of their lives.  Would he even be interested?

She heard the tap at the back door and saw Trevor smiling at her.  When he came inside, she walked into his arms and hung on for dear life.

“You okay?  You looked pretty deep in thought when I knocked.”

“Yeah, I am now.”  She smiled up at him, amazed at how just walking into his arms, hugging him had brought her instant peace.  She lay her cheek on his chest.  “Thanks for coming.”

“Glad you called.” He tightened his hold.  “I heard from the developers this afternoon.  They liked my idea and I wanted to talk to you about it.  I want you to go to Atlanta with me.”