Chapter Seven

“I thought we were going to walk together,” he said a minute later.

Audra stopped and looked up in surprise.

“Mitch. I didn’t expect to see you.”

Exaggerating, she peered around him. “Where’s your phone and laptop?”

“All right, I got caught up in the conversation. But you could have waited.”

She shrugged. “I did. For twenty minutes. Then I gave up.” She looked around. “Is there someplace to sit? I’m tired.”

“I’m not surprised—trying to walk around the lake. It’s huge. You should know better—especially in your condition.”

“I managed this far.”

“Yes and you look wiped out. You need to take better care of yourself.”

He took her arm and led her back to the chairs he’d just vacated. “You’re doing too much.”

“I can take care of myself,” she said, pulling her arm away and sinking onto the chair. “I’ve managed for the last six months on my own. And the baby and I’ll do great once it arrives.”

He studied her. She looked exhausted. Her eyes were already closed and she leaned back in the chair as if she wasn’t planning to move again for a decade.

He didn’t like her comment, didn’t like being reminded she could manage her life fine without him.

“Did you eat lunch?”

“No. Not yet. I packed stuff in the backpack,” she said, making no effort to open it.

“Sorry I wasn’t ready to go when you were,” he said stiffly.

She could have waited a bit longer. Or reminded him she was waiting.

He sat beside her, admitting reluctantly that if she’d waited, she’d have wasted her entire morning.

If he’d meant what he’d said last night, why hadn’t he rearranged things this morning?

“Oh!” Audra’s eyes flew open and her hands went to her stomach.

“What’s wrong?” He leaned closer, concern striking. “Is it the baby? Too much exertion?”

“No. It’s just the baby’s practicing to be a place-kicker, I think,” she said. “I guess since he was quiet while I was walking, he now feels it’s his turn.”

“It’s a boy?”

“I don’t know. I just call the baby he. Could be a girl.”

“Do you want a son?” he asked.

The entire concept of pregnancy and childbirth was foreign to him. Imagine having a baby inside, a baby that one day would grow up to be a man or woman. A part of him and of Audra.

“I mostly want a healthy baby.”

He could see the ripple beneath her cotton top as the baby kicked again. Amazing. He’d never been this close to a pregnant woman. What must it be like?

She tilted her head, staring at him. “Do you want to feel him move?”

His eyes met hers. For a long moment he gazed into the warmth of those brown eyes. Nodding, he reached out and placed his palm where hers had been. She covered his hand with hers and moved it slightly to the left.

Nothing happened.

Mitch was about to remove his hand when he felt a definite kick. Stunned he couldn’t move.

“That was quite a punch. Does it hurt?”

She smiled and shook her head. “Not really. Sometime it surprises me. There, feel it again?”

He nodded, struck by the warmth that seeped through him. He’d never experienced anything like it. For a moment Mitch felt as if he was poised on the brink of something wonderful, monumentally special. The sounds of the children’s laughter and shrieks faded, the warmth from the sun seemed to fill every inch of his body. Audra’s expression was ethereal, perfect for a mother.

When the baby settled down, she removed her hand from the back of his. Despite the warmth of the sun, Mitch felt slightly chilled.

“I’ve been wanting to share that with someone since I first felt him move,” she said, closing her eyes again. “I want to eat here,” she said. “I’m too tired to move a step until I get some sustenance. Then I want to get a ride back and sleep until supper!”

He’d finished working for the day, but it looked as if he and Audra hadn’t managed to connect. She’d done her outside activity and now wanted a nap. He’d finally carved out some free time and had no one to share it with.

As if she’d read his mind, she opened her eyes and looked at him.

“Something wrong?”

“No. I wouldn’t mind eating myself, I missed breakfast.”

She sat up and unzipped the backpack, withdrawing a wrapped sandwich and handing it to him—a thick roast beef one made with mustard and slightly wilted lettuce.

“Finished work for the day?” she asked as she pulled a second sandwich from her pack.

“I have to pick up a fax before we leave the lodge. And check to see if a packet arrived by courier.”

“Then that’ll keep you busy this afternoon,” she commented, turning to watch the kids frolicking in the water. “Unless you plan to take a nap, too. You are supposed to be recovering from the accident and getting rest.”

Suddenly the thought of the two of them climbing the stairs together jumped into his mind. Images of Audra in his arms, in a bed, danced before him. He could see settling her against his shoulder, placing his palm against her belly, feeling their baby move again before drifting to sleep.

He wanted to trace that silky skin with his fingertips. Thread his fingers through that soft hair and breathe in her unique fragrance. He’d love to just hold her.

And then do more than just holding.

What would she do if he kissed her again? Slap his face? Ask for another? His anger with her had abated. The longing might never fade.

He grew uncomfortable and shifted slightly on the chair. Concentrate on eating and not sleeping, he admonished himself.

Audra finished her sandwich and leaned back, feeling relaxed and replete. If she didn’t get home soon, she’d fall asleep where she sat. It was all the fresh air and sunshine, she thought drowsily. And just maybe the walk had been too challenging for her.

She was reluctant to move. For the moment, at least, she had company. Mitch had been quiet while eating, but she felt no impatience or restlessness.

Which meant what? That he was content to sit for a while before heading back to work? Or was he truly making an effort to explore other avenues while on his enforced vacation?

“The Carmichaels might invite us to a fish fry tomorrow night,” she said, remembering Mrs. Carmichael’s invitation. “You don’t have to go, but right now the idea sounds appealing. I’ve visited several times with them over the past few days.”

“They’re the older couple in the cottage to the right?”

“Yes.”

“She’s the one who told me I might be able to intercept you here.”

“Mmm.”

“Come on, Audra, let’s get you home.”

He reached out and took hold of her hand, tugging gently. “You’re about to fall asleep.”

She rose, all thought of sleep fleeing as she registered his touch. His hand held hers as if he wasn’t going to let go anytime soon. She remembered his holding her last night, and the way her body seemed to rev up anytime it came near him. The same thing was happening again!

When he picked up her backpack with his injured arm, she reached out to take it.

“Don’t do that. You need to let it heal.”

“The pack doesn’t weigh that much.”

“Still.” She slung it over her shoulder and headed toward the lodge.

“Hello, enjoying the afternoon?”

It was Molly Harper, the abandoned wife from the first afternoon. Audra smiled and nodded, blushing slightly at the very pointed glance at their linked hands.

“Good for you. Bill’s at it again. But he promised to quit by four today. You and your husband enjoy yourselves.”

With a happy wave, Molly headed for the beach, book tucked in hand, towel slung over her shoulder.

Audra looked at Mitch, expecting some reaction. She was surprised to see the amusement in his eyes.

“I should have set her straight the other day,” she said wryly.

He raised their hands. “She’d just think something was going on.”

“Hardly likely, given my condition.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Just look at me,” she said, pausing and turning to face him.

“I do look at you. I’d look a lot longer but didn’t think good manners would permit.”

She blinked. Had that been a compliment? No, she’d imagined it. Mitch didn’t give compliments.

Two minutes later he was conversing with the front desk clerk, picking up a folder and a large envelope. More work. At least she wouldn’t worry she’d miss any stunning change while she napped.

When Audra awoke, it was late afternoon. She felt pleasantly relaxed, still a bit tired. The walk had been more than she should have undertaken. Thank goodness she’d been able to ride home from the main lodge.

She listened intently. No voices. Did that mean Mitch wasn’t on his phone?

A few minutes later she confirmed it. He was again fast asleep on the sofa, papers scattered everywhere. Spotting the phone, she picked it up and turned it off. He needed rest, not more problems.

Did he think the legal structure of the entire city of Boston would come to a screeching halt if he weren’t working full-out? Weren’t there a dozen or more assistant district attorneys? The others could cover his workload until he returned.

She placed the phone on the table and wandered onto the porch. Mr. Carmichael was almost at the cabin.

“Howdy, young lady. The missus sent me over to tell you and your husband dinner is on us tomorrow night. You come about seven.”

“So you caught a lot of fish.”

He beamed and nodded. “They practically jumped into the boat. With what I’m sure to catch tomorrow, we’ll have more than enough for all of us and those honeymooners if we can tear them away from each other long enough to eat.”

He touched two fingers to his forehead in a casual salute and headed on to the Stevens’s cabin.

Audra watched him realizing she wanted to go to dinner and hadn’t a clue if Mitch would accompany her or not.

She couldn’t help remembering another dinner she’d asked him to attend. The annual event sponsored by her company. The one in which she was given that bonus and accolades for exceptional work on the Crenshaw project.

His absence had been the final straw. She’d packed up and moved out the next morning.