Suzanna's Surrender

“Actually, Aunt Coco and the relative from hell are in the kitchen arguing over them right now.” She turned laughing eyes to her sister. “And having a delightful time. Our Great – Aunt Colleen is pretending she simply wants to make certain the event will live up to the Calhoun reputation, but the fact is, she's getting a big kick out of making guest lists and shooting down Aunt Coco's menus.”

“As long as she's entertained.”

“Wait until she gets hold of you,” Lilah warned. “She has some very creative ideas for floral arrangements.”

“Terrific.” Suzanna stopped in Lilah's doorway. Holt was definitely hard at work. Never particularly ordered, Lilah's room looked as though someone had scooped up every piece of furniture and dropped it down again like pick – up sticks. At the moment, he had his head in the fireplace, and Max was crawling on the floor.

“Having fun, boys?” Lilah said lazily.

Max looked up and grinned. She was mad, alt right, he thought. He'd learned to handle and enjoy her temper. “I found that other sandal you've been looking for. It was under the cushion of the chair.”

“There's good news.” She lifted a brow, noting that Holt was now sitting on

Lilah's hearth, looking at Suzanna. And Suzanna was looking at him. “You need a break, Max.”

“No, I'm fine.”

“You definitely need a break.” She walked in to take his hand and pull him to his feet. “You can come back and help Holt invade my privacy later.”

“I told you she wouldn't like it,” Suzanna said when Lilah dragged Max from the room.

“That's too bad.”

With her hands on her hips she surveyed the damage. “Did you find anything?”

“Not unless you count the two odd earrings and one of those lacy things we found behind the dresser.” He tilted his head. “You got any of those lacy things?”

“Not really.” She looked down at her sweaty T – shirt. “Up until a few days ago, I didn't think I'd need any.”

“You've got a real nice way of wearing denim, babe.” He rose, and since she wasn't coming any closer, moved to her. “And...” He ran his hands over her shoulders, down her back to her hips. “I get a real charge out of taking it off you.” He kissed her hard, in the deep and urgent way she'd come to expect. Then he nipped her bottom lip and grinned.

“But anytime you want to borrow one of those lacy things from Lilah...”

She laughed and gave him a quick, affectionate hug, the kind she gave so freely that never failed to warm him from the inside out. “Maybe I'll surprise you. How long have you been here?”

“I came straight from the site. Did you get the rest of those whatdoyoucallits in?”

“Russian olives, yes.” And her back was still aching. “You were a lot of help on the retaining wall.”

“You were out of your mind to think you could build that thing on your own.”

“I had a part – time laborer when I contracted.”

He shook his head and went back to searching the fireplace. “You may be tough, Suzanna, but you're not equipped to haul around lumber and swing a sledgehammer.”

“I'd have done it –”

“Yeah.” He glanced around. “I know.” He tested another brick. “It did look pretty good.”

“It looked terrific. And since you didn't swear at me more than half a dozen times when you were hefting landscape timbers, why don't I reward you?”

“Oh, yeah?” He lost his interest in the bricks. “I'll go get you a beer.”

“I'd rather have –”

“I know.” She laughed as she walked out. “But you'll have to settle for a beer. For now.”

It felt good, she thought, to be able to joke like that. Not to be embarrassed or edgy. There was no need to feet anything but content, knowing he cared for her. In time, they might have something deeper.

Full of energy and hope, she rounded the last step and turned into the hall. All at once, there was chaos.

She heard the dogs first, Fred and Sadie, barking fiendishly, then the clatter of feet on the porch and two high bellowing shouts.

“Mom!” Both Jenny and Alex yelled the single syllable as they burst into the house.

The rich and fast joy came first as she bent to scoop diem up in her arms. Laughing, she smothered them both with kisses as the dogs dashed in mad circles.

“Oh, I missed you. I missed you both so much. Let me look at you.” When she drew them back arm's length, her smile faltered. They were both on the edge of tears. “Baby?”

“We wanted to come home.” Jenny's voice trembled as she buried her face against her mother's shoulder. “We hate vacation.”

“Shh.” She stroked Jenny's hair as Alex rubbed a fist under his eyes.

“We were unmanageable and bad,” he said in a trembly voice. “And we don't care, either.”

“Just the attitude I've come to expect,” Bax said as he walked through the open front door. Jenny's arms tightened around Suzanna's neck, but Alex turned and threw out his Calhoun chin.

“We didn't like the dumb party, and we don't like you, either.”

“Alex!” Her tone sharp, she dropped a hand on his shoulder. “That's enough. Apologize.”

His lips quivered, but the stubborn gleam remained in his eyes. “We're sorry we don't like you.”