Chapter Seven

April, Colorado …

As far as Sunday was concerned, the past two months, working on the diaries, making friends, hanging with the friendly folk of Rockford, had been some of the happiest of her life. Every day she would get up early, go share a breakfast coffee with Daisy or Cleo or sometimes both, then drive up to the Giotto place—even she called it The Castle now.

Carmen had told her that River had been called away for a few weeks and that when he returned, Berry would be with him permanently. In the second week of April, Carmen told her that they would be back the following week. “I have to get a room ready for Berry,” she told Sunday. “I don’t suppose you’d be able to help me pick out some things, would you?”

“Of course, I’d love to.” Sunday was touched. She and Carmen had grown close over the past months and the fact that she trusted Sunday with such an important job meant the world to her.

They drove into Montrose and found a place to buy paint and art for the walls of the room. Sunday asked Carmen what Berry was like, what things she liked to do, and, finding she was a bookworm, (“just like her dad”), Sunday suggested they make her a little reading den in one corner of the room. “We can add string lights and pillows and make it a little escape place for her.”

“I love that idea,” Carmen enthused and laughed. “I kind of wish I had one myself.”

“I swear, I’ll never grow out of wanting a reading nook,” Sunday chuckled. “Speaking of books, let’s find some bookshelves for her.”

They had a wonderful day shopping together, enjoying a lunchtime meal, then driving back, chattering away.

They spent the week preparing Berry’s room, setting it up, and on the day before River and Berry came home, Sunday made sure everything was in place. She worked until after midnight and decided to sleep on the couch in her office instead of driving home. She could barely open her eyes by the time she was satisfied everything was ready.

She stripped down to her underwear and pulled a comforter over her. She was so exhausted, she fell asleep immediately and was only half aware when she felt someone slide their arms under her neck and knees and pick her up. She felt the cool of the night air, then, as she was gently placed on a bed and a warm blanket was pulled up over her, she mumbled some thanks and was asleep again.

In the morning, she woke and realized she was in a room she had never seen before. The bed was huge, dressed in clean white sheets and a navy-blue comforter. A robe lay across the end of the bed, and for a moment, she wondered if she was about to see someone come out of the en-suite bathroom.

But the room was quiet. She slipped the robe on and went to splash water on her face. There was a brand-new toothbrush and toiletries on the side and she quickly showered, shoving her underwear into the pocket of the robe. After brushing her teeth, she padded down towards the kitchen. She heard Carmen’s voice, then a child laughing. Shyly, she poked her head around the door. Carmen saw her. “Hello, sleepyhead. River said you were out for the count.”

River had moved her to the bed? She’d never even laid eyes on him, yet he’d been so gentle with her, so caring. She smiled at the little girl at the breakfast counter. “Hello. You must be Berry.”

“I am, hello. You are Sunday?”

Sunday grinned. Carmen had told her Berry was precocious. “I am. It’s very nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too,” Berry said formally and got down from her chair. To Sunday’s surprise, the little girl held up her arms, wanting Sunday to pick her up. Sunday glanced at a beaming Carmen, who nodded encouragingly. Sunday bent and swung the little girl into her arms. Berry immediately planted a huge kiss on Sunday’s cheek. “Thank you for my book den. Auntie Carmen said it was all your idea. I love it.”

Sunday flushed. “Ah well, you’re very welcome, but Auntie Carmen was just as involved. We both enjoyed making it for you.”

She sat down and settled the little girl on her lap. Carmen pushed a mug of coffee over to her. Berry watched her, grinning. “Sunday is a pretty name. You have nice hair.” She curled a lock of Sunday’s brown hair around her little finger. “My mommy had nice hair too. We made it look extra-special for the casket. My mommy went to heaven.”

Tears pricked Sunday’s eyes. “I know, sweetheart. I’m so sorry.”

“I was sad, but Daddy told me that Mommy will always be on my shoulder. Like an angel.” She patted her shoulder. “So, when I am lonely, I can touch just here and Mommy will be holding my hand, even if I can’t see her.” Berry looked past Sunday’s own shoulder and smiled. “Isn’t that right, Daddy?”

“That’s right, sweetheart.”

Sunday felt a jolt of electricity as she turned and finally saw the man who had hired her all those months ago, knowing even before she saw him that that they had indeed already met.

She turned to look into the brilliant, beautiful green eyes of River Giotto—the man who had made love to her that wonderful, unbelievable night.

She worked hard to keep her cool, even shaking his hand as if they hadn’t been naked with each other. Somehow, she got through breakfast and when she went to retrieve her clothes, she somehow knew he would follow her.

As she bent down to grab her jeans, she felt his arms slide around her waist. For a second, she was tempted to shove him away, to be angry at him for not revealing who he was, but the second his lips pressed against her neck, she was lost. She turned in his arms and gazed up at him. God, he was beautiful. His eyes were tired, though, and full of sadness and she couldn’t help but smooth the lines at the corner of his eyes.

“Hi,” she whispered.

“Hello again,” he said back and then his lips were against hers. The kiss went on and on until they had to break away to breathe.

“I’m sorry. I should have told you who I was that night.”

She shook her head. “It’s okay. It was a perfect night.”

“For me, too. But I couldn’t bring myself to come see you here. I don’t know why. Perhaps it has something to do with my dad’s journals. I tried to separate you from your work, I guess.” He stroked the back of his fingers down her face. “I wanted you the moment I saw you, Sunday Kemp. You fit in here so well, I knew it must be fate. But then … Berry and her mom.”

“I’m so sorry about Lindsey. It must have been so hard for you.”

“Worse for her, and Berry. But at least she got to go on her own terms, with her family around her.” He looked exhausted and Sunday wrapped her arms around his head. He rested it on her shoulder. “When I came home last night and saw you asleep on this couch …”

“Where did you sleep?”

“Here.”

She made him look at her. “You should have stayed with me.”

He smiled softly. “I didn’t want to presume.” He drew his hand down her side, making her shiver with pleasure. He pushed the robe from her shoulders, letting it drop to the floor. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered and dropped to his knees, burying his face in her belly.

Sunday felt his tongue trace a circle around her navel and dip deep into it. His lips trailed down her belly, then his hands were parting her legs and his mouth found her sex. She gasped as his tongue lashed around her clit and moaned softly as his fingers kneaded the soft flesh of her inner thighs.

She stroked his dark curls as he pleasured her and when she was panting and coming, he stood and swept her onto the couch. He pulled a condom from the back of his jeans, making her giggle at his mischievous look. “So well prepared.”

He kissed her as he hurriedly rolled the condom down his straining cock, then Sunday wrapped her legs around him as he entered her, his thick cock burying itself deep inside her.

Their eyes locked. “God, I want you so badly,” he almost growled as they began to move together. “I haven’t stopped thinking about you since that night.”

Sunday smiled up at him. “Me either. Damn it, River Giotto … what took you so long?”

He chuckled but then neither of them spoke as the intensity built between them and they could only gasp each other’s names as they reached their climax.

Afterward, he helped her dress, stopping to kiss every few moments. River ran his hand through his hair and laughed a little self-consciously. “So,” he said, “welcome to the business.”

They both laughed. “I’m sure we’ve just broken every workplace law there is,” Sunday said. Her body was still tingling from making love to this man, but she couldn’t care less. He was so different from how she had imagined him, yet she could see the pain in his eyes.

She placed her hand on his cheek. “I know we don’t know each other yet, but I want you to know. I’m in this. I’ll help out however I’m able, especially with Berry, and I don’t mean that I expect anything from you. I just want you to know you don’t have to do this alone.”

River smiled. “You really are very sweet, my darling. I admit, I’m just taking each day as it comes.” He stroked her face. “And I’m looking forward to getting to know you, the right way. Again, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you who I was that night in the diner. I just … wanted you.”

“Don’t apologize for that,” Sunday chuckled, slipping her T-shirt over her head. She tugged her long hair out, letting it fall in messy waves around her. River was looking at her with desire in his eyes.

“God, you’re beautiful.” He drew her into his arms again and his lips found hers. God, he was intoxicating, but eventually Sunday drew away.

“I think we should take this slow, River. Berry is going to need you. I’ll be here, when you need me, or want me.”

“I’ll always want you,” he grinned, but then he sighed. “But you’re right. Berry is my priority and I would like you to continue to transcribe my father’s journals, if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. It’s fascinating.”

River half-smiled. “Getting to know my dad?”

“If it’s not inappropriate to say, I’m half in love with your father. What a warm, kind man. No wonder you want to know what he wrote.” She smiled a little shyly. “He adored you, River, but you probably know that. There was one part … may I read it to you?”

River nodded and she could see the emotion in his face. She sat down at her desk and scanned to the part of the file she wanted.

“Even if we never have another child, it doesn’t matter. River challenges us every day; his quiet genius even at such a young age is astonishing to me. I could not imagine loving another child as much as I love my son.”

She stopped and looked at River. He was looking away from her, out of the window, and she realized he was struggling. “I’m sorry, River. I thought you’d like to know …”

“Thank you.” He said it quietly but the emotion was raw. “I needed to hear it.”

He held out his hand and she took it and they walked back to the kitchen together. If Carmen wondered about their clasped hands, she didn’t show it and the four of them sat and chatted for a while until they heard Luke calling from the front door. Berry hopped off her father’s lap and went to greet her ‘uncle.’

Luke grinned at them as he came in, Berry riding on his shoulders. “Hey, folks. Everyone’s here.”

Carmen pushed a mug of hot coffee to him and he thanked her. He eyed his best friend. “So, you met Sunday, finally?”

River and Sunday exchanged an amused glance. “You could say that.”

Sunday watched as River, Berry, Carmen, and Luke chatted. This was a family, the closest she’d seen for many years. And now she was part of it? How different her life was, even in this short a time.

She felt a wave of emotion and excused herself to go use the bathroom. She splashed more water on her face and peered at herself in the mirror. Her hair was a mess but her skin glowed, her eyes bright and excited. Excited. She hadn’t felt that emotion since before Cory died. Her body felt electrified, sensual … on fire.

Sunday combed her fingers through her messy hair, trying to tidy it, then returned to the kitchen. She saw that Carmen, Luke and Berry had gone outside into the little courtyard to make snow angels. River smiled at Sunday, kissing her temple. “Are you all right?”

She nodded. “Just trying to get my bearings. A lot changed fast.”

“I know the feeling. Look, I don’t want to freak you out, and there’s a lot for us to sort through, but I’d like to try.”

“Me too.” She slid her arm around his waist and he hugged her to him.

“I’m sorry I kept my distance before. Even before Berry and her mom, there was … I was having some problems. I wasn’t dealing with them. I still don’t know if … well.” He gave her a half-smile. “I’m going to try.”

Sunday was curious, but she didn’t want to intrude. He would tell her if he wanted to. “I know something I’ve been curious about,” she said with a smile, “I would love to see some of your art. Luke, Daisy, Carmen, they’ve all been raving about it. I know I could have looked it up on the internet, but I held out.”

River’s eyes became hooded and closed off and she wondered what she’d said wrong. “Maybe another day?” His voice didn’t betray anything wrong but she nodded.

“Another day is great,” she said, squeezing his waist as if to say ‘It’s okay.’

River gazed down at her. “You get it.” Almost a whisper.

“I do. We all have that thing, River. That thing we can’t face. It’s okay. It’s only human. If you need me, I’m here.”

He turned to face her. “And you? You should know I feel the same way.”

“We need to get to know each other.”

He nodded. “We have all the time in the world.”

River had no idea that soon, his words would come back to haunt him.