CHAPTER FIVE
“WHAT ARE you doing here?”
Trevor was seated on the sofa between the boys and had just reached for a chunk of cheese when he heard her voice. It occurred to him that he would never tire of seeing her. She might be wearing worn jeans and a faded sweater but he decided she’d probably look just as good in a potato sack.
In the short time he had known her, he had probably witnessed every emotion possible. Frustration with her vehicle and then being locked out of the unit. Nervousness about accepting his help. Shyness and then anger when he knew he might have been a little arrogant. And now confusion at his appearance for dinner. That left passion, desire and ecstasy. All of which were worth pursuing.
He enjoyed her anger the most and waited for the explosion as she put two and two together. Her shoulders had stiffened and her hands were fisted at her waist. Eyes glared at him and he was sure he could feel the pricks of daggers she sent his way.
No one had spoken since she entered the room. The boys stared, their mouths open in surprise. She obviously had never raised her voice like that to a stranger. Sebastian appeared to be beside himself. He was sure her father had expected confusion but certainly not the anger that was coming.
Since she was staring directly at him, Trevor decided to give her an answer. “Your father invited me. Didn’t he tell you?”
“Oh, he told me all right.” She crossed her arms in front of her. “He said he had invited the owner and developer of Snowridge. Not,”
Randi paused and felt her stomach knot in tension. It suddenly occurred to her that this man had never really identified himself. She had just assumed since he had so conveniently appeared to offer her a ride last night, then fixed the Jacuzzi this morning that he was the handyman. And now to realize that he was the actual owner? She turned to stare at her father.
“Mom,” Scott asked, “why are you fussing at Mr. Trevor? He’s the bestest.”
“Yeah,” Sandy chimed in. “He’s almost as good as Sgt. Slaughter!”
“Honey, I thought you knew Trevor was the owner of Snowridge.”
“How would I know that? I’ve never met the man. Wait a minute,” she stopped and backed away. “Did you say Trevor?” She pointed to Trevor. “You. Stand up and turn around.”
Trevor was surprised but obliged her.
“Walk over to the fireplace,” Randi commanded then groaned when she recognized his strut.
“Honey, you okay?” Her father asked.
“I’m, I’m fine,” Randi turned to the kitchen. What else could happen this weekend? She called over her shoulder, “Boys, go wash up while I put dinner on the table.”
“Does that mean all of us?” Trevor asked from the door.
She turned, squinted her eyes at him. “Cute,” she muttered.
He stuffed his hands in his pockets, leaned against the door jam and smiled. “I have to ask though. Why have me stand and walk to the fireplace?”
“Because that’s all I’ve ever seen of you,” she exclaimed. “Your butt. Walking away whenever I came to the Firehouse.” She wasn’t about to tell him how much she admired his butt. “And if you knew who I was, why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I only found out this afternoon. Considering our past two meetings, I was curious about how you would react.”
“Well, I hope you had a good laugh. I’m sure you’ve been chuckling all afternoon. Now put this roast on the table.”
She handed him the plate and reached for the potatoes. Tried to ignore his smirk but paused to appreciate his strut as he walked to the table.
“So,” she filled the boys’ plates minutes later, “besides taking our hard-earned money to renovate the fire house, what do you really think about the project?”
“I think it has a lot of potential.” Trevor poured the cabernet he had brought into their wine glasses. “I like the fact that you’re renovating and not tearing down. Not that a couple of the buildings don’t need to be demolished but for the most part, the project will be an asset for the town.”
“Wish everyone felt that way,” Randi mumbled, thinking about the three public hearings they had had to endure. At the first one, the Town Council discussed the project; the second, several on Council tried to vote against it; but the third time was the charm when just about everyone in Edmondsville came out and supported them. They were still trying to find out why Myra White and her father Councilman Tom Marshall were so against it.
“Yeah. It’s not unusual but you girls seem to have had more than your fair share of opposition.” He hadn’t attended the public hearings but had provided Brina with ammunition to use. She had also given him a blow-by-blow account after the hearings. He recalled the fire that had happened weeks after the public hearing. “Did they ever determine who started that fire? I asked the guy at the service station behind the firehouse to keep an eye on the place but never heard anything.”
“They think it was a homeless guy,” Sebastian said as he reached for more potatoes. “Homeless Hal hung around the town for a while and then he disappeared shortly after the fire.”
Trevor looked at Randi. “You girls need to be careful whenever you are there. At least until the construction is finished.”
Randi knew he meant well but bristled anyway. Tim had always said she was careless and pointed it out every chance he could. She had learned to tune out his hurtful barbs. “We try to meet as a group whenever we visit the site.”
“Still, I’ve caught Brina there by herself a couple times,” Trevor countered.
Randi set her fork down and stared across at him. “Not since her car was tampered with, you haven’t.” She dared him to say anything else about the project.
“Scared the crap out of me that day.” Sebastian said. “When you called about keeping the boys, I thought you had been in the accident. Not Brina. And then hearing about that boy dying the next day. Did they ever find out who hit him?”
“No.” Randi stiffened and frowned at her father. She didn’t want to remind the boys about their first conversation about death. It had been difficult having to explain why Mark Smith wouldn’t be doing any more chores around the house. “Who’s ready for dessert?”
“Me,” the boys said together as Randi reached for their clean plates.
She carried the dishes into the kitchen and stared at the wall behind the sink. Mark’s death had been a difficult time for her, Brina, Ginny and Marcie. With the public hearings, the fire, Brina’s accident and then Mark’s death, they wondered if The Row was jinxed. Or if someone was deliberately trying to sabotage the project.
“You okay?” Trevor set the left-over meat and potatoes on the counter beside her.
Randi jumped. She hadn’t heard him follow her into the kitchen.
Trevor stood directly behind her, his head leaning closer to her ear. His nostrils filled not with the flavors of the meal but with her perfume. She smelled good. He was tempted to wrap his arms around her and hold her close but he knew he shouldn’t.
Randi cleared her throat. “Yes. Yes,” she repeated as she started the water. “Mark Smith’s death was a difficult time for all of us. We began to wonder if someone might be sabotaging the project.”
Trevor whispered in her ear. “It never hurts to be careful.”
Randi gave a half-chuckle and tried to ignore the tingle that shot down her spine. “Oh, we’ve definitely become more careful.” She turned to get the dessert out of the refrigerator and realized too late how closely he stood behind her. She was trapped between him and the counter and he didn’t seem to be interested in moving anywhere soon. She stared up into his chocolate brown eyes which had shifted to her lips.
“Anyone ever tell you you have very attractive lips?” He inched closer.
“Mom,” Sandy hollered from the dining room. “Where’s our pudding?”
Randi jumped at the sound of her son’s voice and tried to push him away but Trevor remained steadfast, smiled down at her. “You know, we might have just met but I feel like I’ve known you for months.” He stared at her lips one last time then turned and headed back to the dining room. He paused at the door and gave her a saucy smile and wink. “Hold your horses,” he replied to the boys.
Randi leaned back against the counter, breathed a sigh of relief. No man had rattled her like that in a long time. She grabbed the pudding and bowls and made a beeline for the table. The sooner they finished dinner, the sooner he would be on his way.
After dinner, Trevor started a fire in the fireplace then settled on the floor for some battle planning with her sons. Randi sat back and watched Scott and Sandy bombard him with questions while they set up the scene. He seemed to enjoy answering them.
It suddenly occurred to her that her boys probably needed more male companionship. Not that her father and Cliff and Rafe ignored them but Trevor was new. Somebody different. They asked about learning to play golf like Grandpop but Trevor had to tell them that the Club didn’t have clubs small enough.
“How about soccer?” He looked at Randi for her opinion. “Some of the staff are trying to include it in the activities offered. I think they’re having a clinic tomorrow.”
The boys cast excited brown eyes at their mother. “Can we, Mom?”
Randi smiled. “I guess we can try it out. I was going to check with the Recreation Department when we get home but we can certainly give it a try here too. I’m not sure I understand all the rules, though. Not like I do baseball.”
Suddenly there was a loud thud outside the front door. The boys immediately jumped up. “What’s that? A bear?” They asked at the same time.
Trevor chuckled. “If I’m not mistaken, I believe Max has trailed me here.”
“Who’s Max?’ Scott asked.
“My St. Bernard.”
“A dog!” Both boys made a beeline for the front door.
Randi quickly tried to intercept them. “Wait a minute, you two. St. Bernard’s are very big and you don’t want to surprise him. Wait for us“
But Scott and Sandy were already out the door. Just as she moved to follow them, a tremendous dog raced through with the boys in hot pursuit. The adults jumped to action. Randi grabbed for the lamp near the door, Sebastian gathered the scattering dishes as Max raced under the table and Trevor snatched the ceramic figurine in the corner when the dog continued down the hall.
“Max,” he hollered, then whistled. The dog quickly returned to the den and sat in front of his master. In a matter of minutes, Max had made a running tour of the entire unit. Scattered the area rugs, overturned the bookcase filled with paperback books, and left the boys’ toys strewn from one corner of their bedroom to the other. Trevor immediately grabbed for the dog’s collar while Randi and Sebastian each held a twin like a bag of potatoes. All were breathless from the wild chase.
“You two are going straight to bed if you don’t watch it.” Their mother scolded them.
“Aw Mom. It wasn’t our fault! Besides, we was having fun.”
“It will be more fun tomorrow when you can romp outside.” Trevor commented as he returned from putting Max on a leash outside the door. “There will definitely be more room.”
“Can we, Mom?”
“Can we play with Max tomorrow?”
“Let’s see how fast you can get your teeth brushed and ready for bed. You two have had a busy day today.”
The boys raced up the stairs while the adults collapsed in the den.
“Do you normally allow your dog to just roam the resort whenever he wants?” Randi reprimanded him in her motherly tone.
“No. But occasionally, he gets out of his pen. Never gets very far but has a way of finding me wherever I am.”
“Reminds me why I’ve refused to let them have a dog.”
Trevor chuckled. “Aw Mom, every boy should have a dog.”
“That’s debatable,” Randi said as she rose to check on her sons.
She and the boys had a bedtime routine that included stories, secrets and prayers. Usually this was the only time she could relax with them and she tried to make it her quality time with them.
Tonight, Scott and Sandy asked if they could share a secret with Trevor. She was surprised that they had taken to him so quickly. With her lack of a social life that didn’t allow for many men in her life, she’d expected them to have been shy and reserved, but instead, they had taken right to him.
The boys waited until Randi was in the hall before they hunkered down to whisper their secret to Trevor.
Trevor laughed to himself as he made his way down the steps. Those two might be innocents but they had plans for their mother.
“What deep dark secret did they tell you?” Randi met him at the bottom of the steps.
“No real secrets. Just some man-talk.”
Having loaded the dishwasher and cleaned the kitchen, Randi turned to look for her father and immediately noticed some changes in the den. The lights were dimmed and music played softly. Her father was up to his old tricks and she turned to see if Trevor noticed.
Sebastian called to them from the deck where he enjoyed a cigar and port. “I envy you your solitude,” he commented to Trevor as they joined him. “Considering the size of the resort and the number of people who stay here, it’s quiet. If I had a place like this, I doubt that I’d ever leave it.”
Trevor leaned against the railing, the same railing she had been reaching for that morning, Randi thought.
“Well, it’s been a good investment and I stay here as much as I can. I’m originally from outside of Richmond though. Still have the home that’s been in the family for over a hundred years. Caretakers oversee it and I visit from time to time but this is really my home now. I’ve made friends here and there’s still a lot of work to be done. Also gives me plenty of room for exercise since I jog and swim to keep in shape.”
And have a cute butt, Randi thought as she sat across the deck from him. No wonder he had felt so solid when he caught her this morning.
She suddenly realized that her father must have said something to her because both men were looking at her.
“I was saying,” Sebastian repeated, “it is such a clear brisk night. Why don’t you and Trevor take a stroll? I’ll stay here with the boys.”
Randi opened her mouth to refuse when Trevor interrupted. “Actually, I usually take a late stroll with Max. You’re welcome to join me.”
Randi squirmed in her seat, uncomfortable with the thought of being alone with him. Not that she hadn’t been alone with him before but now that she knew who he was, it seemed different.
“Go ahead, Randi.” Her father encouraged her. “Do you good to get out.”
Randi was sure her father was doing some matchmaking and didn’t want to encourage him with too many objections or excuses.
It had been a long time since she had been alone with a man. A man who seemed larger than life. Too good to be true. What would they talk about? How would Trevor act? Especially after two near-kiss episodes. Or did she want to see how far he would go?
Trevor watched Randi from across the deck. He was pretty sure he knew what was going through her head and if he didn’t somehow maneuver her along, he might never give them a chance. Even though she was experienced, there was an aura of innocence about her which intrigued him. He was pretty sure she questioned his intentions and, in a way, he could rightfully understand.
“I tell you what,” he spoke out loud. “We’ll take the short trail to the Club and back.”
Did he just quirk his eyebrow and challenge me, Randi thought? The nerve of the man.
“I agree with you Dad. A walk will probably do us both some good. Why not?” Before she could chicken out, she headed inside. “Let me get my jacket.”
Trevor unleashed the dog. “This is Max’s favorite time of day.”
“My father was right,” Randi said as she followed him down the shortcut to the Club. “A stroll under the full moon is already relaxing.” She took a deep breath and caught the scent of the pine trees and brisk cool air. Pine needles softened their steps and the full moon lit their path as they walked side by side. “It’s certainly a clear night. Almost as light as daytime. And it’s so quiet.”
“Yeah, that’s why I like it here. No smog, no street lights, no noises. Just plenty of fresh air and lots of peace and quiet.” He reached for her hand. “I really had to think long and hard about whether I wanted to develop this area.” He squeezed her hand and looked down at her. “Allow people to intrude on my paradise.”
Randi smiled up at him. “I’m glad you did. Although there’s still a lot more that needs to be done,” she teased.
“Like what?”
“Well, a small convenience store for starters. I wouldn’t have been stranded on the road last night.”
“But then we wouldn’t have met.”
Randi laughed. “Between my father and my sons, I’m sure our paths would’ve eventually crossed.”
“I guess you’re right,” Trevor recalled Sebastian seeking him out to pitch his plans and the boys’ mishap in the golf cart. Fate apparently had a mission and he was more than a little curious about what the future held. “Like I said earlier, we may have just met but I feel like I’ve known you longer.”
Randi laughed. “Yeah. We heard a lot about each other even though I kept missing you whenever you met with Brina.”
A raccoon dashed across the path ahead of them with Max in hot pursuit. Trevor grinned when Randi jumped, then moved closer to his side. He rested an arm across her shoulders. “I thought you were only scared of mice.”
“That and any dark movements I can’t distinguish at night.” She smiled up at him. His lips were mere inches from hers and she couldn’t help but wonder if he was talking about the raccoon or himself.
“It’s okay.” He turned them towards the Club. “We don’t normally have any wild animals roaming around here. They’re further up the mountain.” He paused. “And I just plan to take a walk, that’s all.”
Randi stopped and looked up at him. “Do you normally read people’s minds?”
“No. Your eyes tell it all.”
“Well, just to let you know, despite my father’s intentions, I don’t have time for men in my life. Being a single parent, all my energy is focused on the boys. If I don’t work to support them, who will?”
Trevor frowned down at her. “Don’t you get child support?”
Randi stepped ahead. How do you tell someone that not having the father in her boys’ lives was the best child support? Tim had never wanted the boys and she certainly didn’t want to expose them to his abusive ways. When he finally agreed to the divorce, she and her father had examined the divorce papers and demanded some changes. In exchange for child support and visitation rights, he would establish a trust fund for the boys’ college education.
The first few years she had lived with her father while he adjusted to life without her mother. Then she started the business and this past year had been a good one due to the newspaper article. She was determined to give her boys a normal home life and the trust fund would take care of their college education.
“Randi?” Trevor interrupted her thoughts. “You do get child support, don’t you?”
“Now, no. But when the boys are older, yes.”
Trevor frowned, stared down at her in disbelief. “What does that mean?”
Randi sighed, turned to walk away. “You know, I really don’t want to talk about my ex-husband. He hasn’t been in my boys’ life since before they were born.”
Trevor stopped her once more, looked down at her. “Let me get this straight. You’re saying that your ex-husband has never, ever, been in Scott and Sandy’s lives? And paid no child support? What kind of father is that?”
“A father that didn’t want the children in the first place.” She pulled away and continued down the path. “Trevor, you don’t know my ex-husband.”
“Maybe it’s a good thing I don’t,” Trevor growled. It angered him that any man would refuse to support his children.
“Look,” Randi stopped in her tracks and faced him, “you don’t have to worry. I’m doing fine. Now. And when it comes time for the boys to go to college, the money will be there.”
“And how do you know that?”
“I just know. Okay?” She stared up at him. Suddenly, her cellphone chimed but she ignored it. “Look, we’re better off without him in our lives” her cellphone chimed a second time. In exasperation, she reached for it, then breathed a sigh of relief when she recognized Brina’s number. “Hey,” she answered.
“Hey, hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
“No, just out on a moonlight stroll.”
“By yourself?”
Randi laughed. “No. You actually know him,” she put the phone on speaker.
“Hey Brina.” Trevor spoke, “you never told me about your partner.”
“Trevor? Is that you?” Brina laughed. “What are you doing there?”
“Snowridge is Trevor’s resort,” Randi answered. “He owns it. I’ve been giving him an earful of changes he needs to make.”
“Well just make sure the firehouse is done before you tackle some other projects.”
“Everything going okay?” Trevor asked. “Some of the crew are supposed to be working on those changes we decided with your offices.”
“Oh, yeah. Can’t help wondering where the next obstacle will come though. I sure will be glad when we get this project done.”
“Shouldn’t be more than a month, six weeks at the most.” Trevor answered.
While talking, Randi had turned and steered them back towards the unit. She had never been so glad to see a front door.
“Well, you two have a good time.” Brina laughed. “Glad you finally hooked up."
“See you in a couple days,” Randi said before ending the call. She continued towards the unit but Trevor stopped her.
“Randi,” his hands on her upper arms turned her towards him. “Look, I’m sorry about the temper earlier. I guess you have your reasons for keeping your ex out of your life. I just know that if Chuck did that to my sister I’d beat the crap out of him. So…” he leaned down to look directly at her, “I’m sorry. No hard feelings?”
Randi felt her eyes water as she stared up at him. Her heart warmed when he’d said he was sorry. Other than her father, there had been no other man in her life to be concerned for her.
“Thank you. I really hate talking about my ex-husband. The boys and I have created a life without him and we’re better off that way. I appreciate your concern and am sorry I never had a brother to talk to.”
She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek.
Trevor held her in place, stared at her lips then into her eyes. “We need to get something straight. I certainly care about you and your boys but not in a brotherly way.” He paused to be sure his words sank in. “I want to see you tomorrow. You, me, the boys, even your father if he wants to come along. We’ll spend the day together and then you and I will have dinner tomorrow night.”
Randi’s hand rested against his chest. His heart beat steady while hers raced. It had been a long time since a man had shown any interest in her.
“Ah… that will be nice but I should warn you, I don’t have time to start a relationship with you or any man.”
“That so?” His eyes twinkled, his mouth curved into a smile. “Seriously, I’m sorta on vacation myself and I’d like to show you and the boys around. As for a relationship,” he leaned down his mouth inches from hers, “count on it. A hot and heavy one.”
Is anyone still up? Randi texted her friends praying that one of the girls would call.
“Oh my God! The man is incredible!” She cried when Brina rang her moments later.
Brina laughed. “Is his butt as cute in the flesh as you say it is in jeans?”
“I wouldn’t know, we went for a stroll after dinner. Brina, he said he wants to show us a good time while we are here. We’ve only just met officially and he has all but promised that we will be lovers. Brina, I’ve never felt like this,” she gushed.
“Wow. That’ll put a different spin on our project. We need him to get the job finished. Not spend all his time in your bed.”
Randi laughed. “You forget that I have two boys. And I haven’t been with a man in a very long time. Somehow I doubt that we will progress that quickly.”
“He moved pretty fast tonight,” Brina joked.