CHAPTER SIX
TREVOR WHISTLED softly as he meandered down the path towards unit thirty-eight. He hadn’t felt this good on a Sunday morning in a long time. Slept like a baby, got up with the birds and was ready for some more time with Randi. He’d include the boys during the day but planned on more alone time with their mother tonight. He was sure Sebastian would help him.
He frowned as he recalled her comment about her ex-husband not supporting them and decided he needed to have a conversation with Sebastian about that.
Now that he’d met Brina’s elusive partner, he just might be spending more time in Edmondsville. He recalled Randi’s comment about not having time for a man in her life and smiled. We’ll see about that, he thought. They might have just met officially but Randi had grabbed his attention and he was most definitely interested. He intended to do all he could to pursue a relationship with her. He could be persistent but would be patient and understanding too. Maybe Sebastian could shed some light on why she didn’t think she could have it all. Love, marriage, kids and a business of her own.
He started up the steps towards the door of the unit then heard Scott and Sandy playing in the shade under the deck. He looked over the railing and saw that they were setting up their action figures.
“Who’s winning?” He studied the soldiers lined up along a mound of dirt. All the soldiers faced a few Cobra enemies and Darth Vader’s storm troopers.
“Rey is going to lead a team against Darth Vader and needs to get over there to Sgt. Slaughter,” Sandy said.
“And Captain America will fly down from here.” Scott added. “Hulk will be moving in too.”
“Wanna play?” They asked together.
Trevor sat, crossed his legs. “That depends. Do I get to choose my side?” When both boys nodded their head, he continued, “I’ll take Sgt. Slaughter. He’s more my style.”
“But he can’t stop Darth Vader.” Sandy said.
“Wanna bet?” Trevor lined his men along a fresh mound of dirt. “What’s this?”
The boys looked at one another before Scott finally spoke. “We found a bird.”
“A bird?”
“Yeah. A dead bird.” Sandy added.
“Well, gee, I’m sorry to hear that.” Trevor said.
“But we buried it there.”
“You did? You buried the bird here?”
“Yeah.” Scott nodded “We said a prayer.”
“And sang Silent Night,” Sandy said.
“Why Silent Night?” Trevor asked, puzzled that they would choose a Christmas Carol for a bird’s funeral.
“Cause it said sleep in heavenly peace.”
Trevor pressed his lips together to prevent the chuckle. “Well that was really thoughtful of you guys. Did you tell your mother?”
“Tell me what?” Randi asked as she smiled down on them from above.
“We buried a bird!”
Trevor watched her eyes grow big as saucers. “We need to get you inside to wash your hands.” She exclaimed. “Right now.”
“Aw Mom. We was just getting started with our battle.”
“And Trevor’s going to play too.”
“Yeah, Mom.” Trevor mimicked the boys. “I’m sure another ten minutes won’t harm them. Besides, I need to prove Sgt. Slaughter is man enough to fight Darth Vader.” He picked up the action figure and knocked down several of the First Order Stormtroopers. “You boys better hustle.”
Scott and Sandy immediately positioned themselves and did battle with Trevor while Randi cheered from above. Ten minutes later Darth Vader’s forces lay in a mound in the center of the battlefield.
“Okay guys. Let’s pick up your soldiers while I go back inside and look for the car keys. I know I set them on the table this morning.”
“Did you go to the Soccer Clinic this morning?” Trevor asked as he helped gather the figures.
“Yeah!” They exclaimed excitedly. “And Mom said we could go back this afternoon.”
“Glad you enjoyed it.” Trevor tossed some soldiers into the box and noticed something shining at the bottom of the box. He lifted it out and looked at the boys. “Do you suppose these might be the keys your mother is looking for?”
The twins looked at one another then nodded their heads.
“Any reason why you are hiding the keys from her?”
“We… we figured if we hid the keys then…then she wouldn’t be able to find them and we could play longer.”
Trevor looked from one twin to the other. “Suppose she really needed her keys? What if something happened to one of you and she had to leave in a hurry?”
The boys looked at one another and lowered their heads. He wondered if this might be the first time they had tried to pull a fast one on their mother. Trevor stood and put the keys in his pocket. “We better get inside before she comes out and finds them.”
“The boys told me they went to the Soccer Clinic this morning. Does this mean you’re going to let them play?”
“Yes, in fact they have another practice this afternoon. I had planned to take them to the park for a picnic lunch before the practice but since I can’t find the keys we might not have the time.”
“The park! Aw, Mom, can’t we go? Pleeese?”
“I can’t find the keys, remember.”
Trevor raised his eyebrows and looked down at the boys as if to say, “I told you so.” Then he winked. “Why don’t we help you look some more. Who knows, maybe you missed, them. Right boys?”
He strolled over towards the table that held the ceramic figurine Max had almost overturned last night. While Randi stood with her back to him, he quietly dropped the missing keys onto the table. Both boys stared at him wide-eyed.
Noting their expressions, Randi turned and saw Trevor walk towards the fireplace. When she began to turn back around, she noticed the keys peeking out behind the figurine.
“Now how did they get over there?” She wondered out loud and glanced suspiciously at Trevor as she bent to retrieve them.
“Must have fallen in the excitement of Max’s visit last night. You reckon?”
“But I used them this morning”
“Yeah, Mom,” Sandy interrupted his mother. “That’s what happened. Now can we go to the park?”
“I don’t know…” she was suspicious now.
“I tell you what.” Trevor interrupted. “I don’t have any plans for this afternoon, so what do you say if I go along. To help, that is. I’ve been meaning to check out the water park we built last fall. We can go there after their practice.”
“I’m not sure we have time, now.” Randi looked at her watch.
“Time for what?” Sebastian asked from the bottom of the steps.
Randi fed everyone a quick lunch before they headed for another round of soccer practice, then the water park. The boys were too short for many of the rides but still enjoyed working their way up the Snowridge Alps and then sliding down to the bottom.
The Pine Hollow innertube ride was the most challenging for Randi. She and Trevor each had a child between them but she kept sliding against him. At one point, Trevor had one arm around a twin and the other around Randi holding the other twin as they bumped each other down the path.
She finally relaxed at the Wave Pool as she, her father and Trevor watched the boys play and ride the surf. It was late afternoon when they carried two exhausted boys into the unit.
Randi was surprised to find a big box leaning against the door. “What’s this?”
She looked at Trevor but he shrugged, shook his head.
“Well, open it up and see,” Sebastian said.
She opened the box and found a card on top of the tissue. “Happy birthday. Thought we’d get Cinderella something special for her evening out. ~ the girls.”
Randi nudged the tissue paper aside and lifted out a halter scarf hem midi dress, three-quarter sleeve open wrap, heeled sandals, earrings, even a small p
Trevor smiled. “Have to say it’s good timing.”
“I called Brina last night but certainly didn’t expect her to do this. That’ll teach me not to share problems with her.”
“What kind of problems?”
“I told her I didn’t have anything to wear for dinner tonight.”
“You mean our date?”
Randi cringed when her father chuckled.
“What’s a date?” the boys asked, instantly awake.
“I’ll explain it to you later,” Sebastian said as he led the twins upstairs. “Let’s get our PJ’s on and I’ll watch Captain America with you.”
Trevor watched Randi brush a hand across the material. “Looks like ‘the girls’ have high expectations for this evening. Guess I’ll have to dress for the part, not disappoint them.” He leaned down, whispered in her ear. “That dress looks kinds sexy.”
Randi nudged him out the door, then turned to fix the boys and her father an early dinner. Once they’d eaten and were nestled on either side of their grandfather, with Captain America, she sprinted upstairs to get ready.
She dialed Brina on her cell phone as she headed up the stairs.
“You shouldn’t have,” she scolded Brina.
“We wanted you to look hot tonight. Do you like it?”
“I love it. And I certainly appreciate it. How did you do it so quickly?”
“Called in a favor from a colleague that lives near there. Sandra’s also a personal shopper and once we checked online and put the outfit together, I asked her to pick everything up and deliver it to your doorstep.”
“I love it.”
“Did Trevor see it?”
“Of course. We’d just gotten back from the Water Park and he was here when I opened it.”
“Good thing I didn’t order the sexy underwear.” Brina laughed. “Have a good time.”
Randi smiled when Trevor knocked at her door an hour later. The sapphire blue shirt complemented his scruffy auburn whiskers, the coal black slacks boasted his long legs and the tight butt she always appreciated.
She stopped in her tracks when she saw the shiny black convertible parked next to her Escalade.
“Thought we could enjoy the fresh air,” he whispered near her ear as he opened the door for her.
She stroked the soft grey leather seat. “It’s very beautiful.”
Trevor smiled. “I kinda like it. Don’t drive it as much as I’d like though.”
Owning the resort obviously had its advantages, Randi thought. Special parking space, special seating. She was impressed that although he was the owner, his staff didn’t single him out. Simply escorted them past the other diners to his special nook in the far corner of the room. She couldn’t help but admire him. Not only for his self-confidence but for the respect everyone seemed to feel towards him.
She appreciated the romantic ambiance with the soft lighting, linen tablecloths, hushed conversation and splendid view of the mountainside. Easy music sounded throughout the room.
“Special treatment,” Randi smiled. “I like your idea of having fine dining in addition to a sports bar.”
“When I’m with a beautiful lady, I want to enjoy the moment. Not have to talk over the crowds. The dining room has become so popular we’ve started recommending reservations.”
She glanced out the window. The mountainside reminded her of Christmas as the lights from the villas and street twinkled across the way. She was surprised to see the moon sparkled on the water of a pool.
“Trevor,” she exclaimed, “I had no idea there was an outdoor pool.”
“Don’t really advertise it much. It’s more for staff use although we’ve sometimes allowed private parties.”
Randi reached for her sauvignon blanc and offered a toast. “Job well done. I’m impressed more each day.”
Trevor watched her gaze around the room and waited till her eyes rested on him. He smiled at her. “Now that I have you to myself,” he whispered huskily, reached across the table for her hand, “we might as well enjoy the evening to the fullest. Come dance with me.” He led her to a small corner in their secluded nook.
He took her in his arms and moved to the slow beat of Neil Diamond’s September Morn. Her perfume surrounded him as he gathered her close and they danced cheek to cheek. “Who would have thought two nights ago that I’d have you in my arms tonight?” He whispered in her ear.
Randi leaned back to look up at him, her arms around his neck, surprise in her eyes. “You sound as if you have big plans.” Much as she enjoyed being in his company, she hoped he wasn’t planning an evening of seduction. She wasn’t sure she was ready to take that giant step.
They continued to stare at one another in silence, sized each other up. He saw a woman who wanted to be loved but never had the time. She saw a man capable of giving so much love, no questions asked. Neither was certain how to appeal to the other, how to handle the other. So, they simply smiled, decided to take whatever the evening had to offer.
“I hope you don’t mind that I took the liberty of ordering our meal,” he spoke when they returned to the table and saw the salads had already been set.
“Of course not. This evening is turning out to be a novel adventure.” She took another sip of wine then turned to observe the other people in the room. Many were couples huddled together in private conversations. A large group was apparently celebrating a special event in the small room off one side.
Suddenly her gaze fell on a couple seated midway across the room. She didn’t recognize the woman but something about the man’s profile looked familiar. Her stomach knotted when she realized it was the way he held his head, drank his wine. Talked to his companion. When he turned and stared directly at her she froze, caught her breath.
“Randi?” Trevor touched her hand. “Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Randi quickly turned to Trevor. “You could say that,” she whispered. “My ex-husband. He’s here. Across the room.”
Trevor looked across the way and immediately nabbed the guy. Salt and pepper hair, slight build, dressed in a suit, stern expression. They stared at one another. Trevor didn’t normally let things bother him but he didn’t want Randi upset either. “Do you want to leave? I can have everything boxed and we can take it to my house.”
“No. No.” She tried to smile. “He doesn’t scare me. I’m just shocked, that’s all. I haven’t seen him in over six years. And Snowridge is the last place I expected to run into him.”
Randi breathed a sigh of relief when the couple stood to leave, then fretted briefly when Tim walked towards their table. She squared her shoulders back, refused to let him intimidate her, simply looked at him when he stopped by their table.
“Randi,” he glared down at her, expressionless. “It’s been a long time.”
“Yes,” she answered. Trevor squeezed her hand then stood. He knew he towered over the man by almost a foot and smiled when the ex-husband hesitated then looked back at Randi.
“I’d like to introduce you to my wife, Miriam. Miriam,” Tim never looked at his wife, kept his eyes on Randi, “this is Randi, my first wife.”
Miriam extended her hand, offered a nervous smile. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. Tim has told me about you and the boys.”
Randi tried to smile. “It’s nice to meet you. This is Trevor Graystone. Trevor, my ex-husband, Tim Cavanaugh.”
Both men nodded to one another before Trevor rested a hand on Randi’s shoulder. “I hope you’re enjoying your stay at Snowridge,” Trevor said.
Miriam smiled. She was a small woman and Randi was sure Tim used his slight height to dominate her. He certainly couldn’t do that with other men. “Oh yes. It’s so quiet here. Just what we needed.”
“Trevor owns Snowridge,” Randi announced proudly.
Miriam’s smile broadened. “Well, you should be proud. All I’ve heard is compliments. We just got here this afternoon but plan to check out all of the amenities.” She looked at Randi. “Are you and the boys staying here as well?”
“Just for a long weekend,” Randi said.
Tim placed his arm around Miriam’s shoulder, nudged her along. “Randi, good to see you. Mr. Graystone,” he nodded to Trevor, “maybe we’ll run into each other these next few days." They walked away.
“Not if I have anything to do with it,” Randi mumbled.
Trevor sat, watched her hand shake as she reached for her wine. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’re white as a sheet.”
“Nothing a little wine can’t take care of.” Randi tried to smile. “Give me a couple minutes. He just surprised me, that’s all.” So much for their romantic evening, she thought. She was determined not to let Tim spoil things.
“So, you haven’t seen him since the boys were born?”
Randi nodded.
“And he hasn’t paid you any child support?”
Randi looked at him, then nodded again.
Trevor was baffled. “How does he get away with it?”
“Hey, it beats the alternative. It’s worth not having him in our lives. You have no idea what my life was like back then.”
“But Randi,” Trevor reached for her hand again, “there are laws. A father is obligated to support his children.”
“Trevor, I know that. Believe me, I know that. Now,” she took another sip of her wine, “if you don’t mind, I’d like to just forget all about Tim Cavanaugh and see if we can recapture some of the mood my ex-husband chased away.” She looked at him and sighed. “I appreciate that you want to take me out and I’d like to just enjoy the evening.”
Trevor stared at her. Randi Cavanaugh and her two boys had suddenly made his life more interesting. He’d already decided he wanted to spend more time with them. Even offer a shoulder for her to lean on if necessary. If it meant shutting up now, so be it, but he and Sebastian would be having a conversation real soon.
For now, he planned to enjoy a quiet evening with a beautiful woman. Much as he desired this woman and planned for a more intimate relationship, he also realized he was going to have to give her more time. Court her.
After their meal was served, Randi stared into Trevor’s eyes and smiled.
“Trevor, I want you to know that I thoroughly enjoyed today. I don’t think I’ve seen my boys so excited to be with another man as they are with you. And this evening, it’s been a long time since I’ve dressed up for dinner and been treated like royalty. You have apparently put a lot of thought into all this and I don’t want a chance meeting with my ex-husband to spoil things.”
After dinner, they took advantage of the warm evening and enjoyed a slow drive around the resort. He showed her his chalet home but they didn’t go inside. They drove along the golf course, stopped to walk around a green.
It suddenly occurred to her that Trevor’s quietness relaxed her. Unlike Tim who wanted to be in control, Randi realized Trevor’s calmness was like a breath of fresh air. He soothed her.
She reached for his hand as they strolled along the fairway. The moon was bright just like last night, but tonight she felt a sense of peace. They walked in silence, paused ever so often to watch the deer that wandered out of the woods to graze. Once, Trevor tugged her hand, stopped her as a skunk scurried ahead of them, intent on finding food.
“Good thing Max isn’t with us, huh?” He whispered. “I’d much rather smell you.”
Randi snickered, covered her mouth. “Where is Max anyway? I haven’t seen him all day.”
“At home. In the kennel. I didn’t want a repeat of last night.”
Trevor parked outside the unit, walked her to the door where he gave her a tender look. “Tomorrow?”
When she nodded, beamed up at him, he leaned forward to softly brush her lips.
“Tomorrow it is,” he whispered, then turned to leave.
He couldn’t help but smile. One step at a time, he thought to himself.