“Me and Cooper?”
With a roll of her eyes, Ridley said, “Don’t play at being surprised. You two have it worked out. You’re the perfect couple, for crying out loud.”
It took Phoenix a second to find her voice after that crazy claim. “Cooper is still in love with his deceased wife. Yes, we have a great relationship, but it’s all very uncertain.”
“Oh, my God,” Ridley complained, much aggrieved. “That is such bullshit and you know it. He’s crazy about you. You’re crazy about him.”
Beyond crazy, actually. She loved him. “But his wife—”
“Is gone,” Ridley stressed. “And you’re here.”
Was it enough though, just to be present?
Ridley peered at her. “Everyone grieves, Phoenix. Change is hard. But Cooper isn’t the type to live in the past. You know that, right? Or are you really that far in denial?”
Denial? No, she wasn’t. Not anymore. Yet... Phoenix shook her head and got them back on track. “We’re talking about you.” They could sort out her complicated relationship with Cooper on another day.
“Me—and junior.” Ridley put a hand to her flat belly. She exhaled and smiled. “I don’t know jack about being a mother.”
Strangling on a laugh, Phoenix asked, “Are you kidding me? You’ve been mothering me forever.”
“You,” she said, “don’t need to be fed or have your diapers changed—”
Phoenix snorted.
“—and God knows you don’t depend on me.”
“Do, too.” Unwilling to let Ridley hark back, Phoenix grabbed her hands. “You are the most witty—”
“You mean sarcastic.”
“—smart and caring—”
“Sharp and intrusive?”
“—and generous person I know.” With a look, Phoenix dared her to insult herself again.
In reply, Ridley pretended to lock her lips.
Satisfied, Phoenix continued. “You’re a wonderful person and that baby is going to be very, very lucky to have you.”
“And Baxter? Will he be lucky to have me?”
“He’ll be the luckiest of all because he’ll have both you and a baby.”
“There’s a hitch, though.” In a very uncharacteristic show of timidity, Ridley looked down and whispered, “I’m in love with him.”
As far as revelations went, that one failed. She’d known for a while that her sister was hooked. “That’s wonderful, Ridley.” Wonderful that she’d finally admitted it!
“Is it? What if he doesn’t feel the same?” She groaned loudly. “God, Phoenix, I’ve beat him over the head with the dogged assertion that ours is just a sexual thing. And he’s agreed with it! What if he wants the baby—” she blinked fast as if fighting tears “—but he doesn’t want me?”
It was an unusual thing, seeing her headstrong, snarky sister so vulnerable. “I’m betting he does. After all, he’s not a fool. But if not, we’ll deal with it together.”
Ridley slanted her a look. “Promise you won’t run away a second time? Because hon, I need you.”
That was a big admission for Ridley, and it damn near made her cry. “Never again,” she vowed. “You have my word.” Phoenix cupped her face in her hands. “Tell him, Ridley. Today. Right now even. Go interrupt the old dudes and drag Baxter away someplace private and tell him.”
Looking unconvinced, Ridley said, “You forgot to add chickenshit to my accolades.”
“Brave,” Phoenix corrected. “You’re brave enough to do this.”
In agreement and resolve, Ridley stiffened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “You’re going to be such a terrific auntie.”
At that, they both started giggling again.
16
Coop had discreetly watched the conversation between Phoenix and her sister, and he knew that whatever they’d discussed, it had pleased Phoenix. Even when she’d been talking seriously to Ridley, or hugging her in sympathy, she’d looked ecstatic. He was curious, but figured she’d tell him when she was ready.
That didn’t stop him from asking, “Were you and Ridley having your own private party?”
Another very sweet smile curved her lips, and a rosy glow colored her cheeks. “Something like that.” She peeked up at him as they walked to the house. “I can’t tell you anything yet, but soon, I promise.”
He didn’t mind waiting. As long as Phoenix was with him, as long as she was this happy, he had what he needed. For now.
Eventually, he’d want more, but he hoped to ease her into it.
They paused in front of the house while Sugar took care of business near a bush.
“Look at that sky.” Shielding her eyes, her nose scrunching, Phoenix gazed toward the setting sun.
After Ridley had left, they’d played together with Sugar in the water for another half an hour. The dog had taken right to swimming, but still they’d kept her in the shallows. Now as the sun dropped in the sky, it splashed watercolors of purple, pink, crimson and yellow across the horizon.
“Pretty,” he agreed, looking more at her than the scenery. In so many ways, she seemed an intrinsic part of the resort. A very special, most important part.
“It’s breathtaking,” she whispered.
If she liked it enough, maybe she’d be content to stay forever.
When Sugar finished, Coop opened the door for her to go in. She made a beeline for her dishes, gobbled up some food, then trotted down the hall to sleep. Apparently, swimming in the sunshine exhausted everyone, even high-energy dogs. Since her fur was still damp, he was extra glad that she didn’t want to sleep on the bed.
Giving up her admiration of the sunset, Phoenix started to follow the dog inside.
Though she must have missed it earlier, the second she stepped over the threshold, she noticed that Anna’s photo wasn’t on the desk.
Halting, she stared fixedly at the spot where it had always been. Her towel slipped in her hands, dropping loosely around her hips, her hair in dark, wet hanks over her bare shoulders.
Her gaze cautiously sought his. “You put that one away, too?”
Having thought about it a lot, he’d expected the question and saw no reason to pretend he didn’t understand. Phoenix wasn’t like other women. She was so far out of the realm of other women that she constantly took him by surprise. He knew he could be up-front with her, and he was.
Smiling, he rested his hand over his chest. “It’s here.”
“In your heart?”
“Yes.” He’d never forget Anna, but he could move forward now without anger, without anguish. Thanks to Phoenix, he could love again. “I don’t need or want a daily reminder of her.” Hoping she’d understand, he moved his hand to her cheek. “Not anymore.”
She stared up at him, her eyes big and glassy, her lips trembling. “I don’t want to come between—”
“You’re not.” She couldn’t be between him and a memory, not when she came first, before anything or anyone else. He wanted to say more, so much more, but he feared rushing her. In many ways, she was still shy of commitment. Part of that, he knew, was out of deference to him and the love he’d had for Anna.
It was up to him to show her that now, with her in his life, everything was different. That started with the removal of reminders of his past.
She leaned against him, her face tipped back so she could see him. “You’re sure, Cooper?”
“Very sure.”
Her acceptance was tremulous and heartbreakingly beautiful. “All right.”
His blood fired, and he hugged her closer, lifting her off her feet while taking her mouth in a hot, deep kiss. To his libido, it seemed like she’d just agreed to a lot.
She kept one arm locked around his neck and with the other, she held on to the plastic bag holding their phones and his wallet.
Sliding a forearm under her bottom, he carried her down the hall, then let her slide down his body until she stood before him. The plastic bag got tossed aside—he didn’t really care where it landed.
He dropped his towel, stripped away hers, then also removed her bathing suit top and bottoms. God, he would never tire of her body, of the soft, abundant curves. He adored those as much as the eager way she approached their lovemaking.