LITMIR.BIZ

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laid an enormous guilt trip on her. That was after Laurel told her she wouldn’t be returning to Philadelphia until May for a visit.”

      “Well, what do you know? You did it!” Brent grinned. “You want me to phone and tell her you’re the best baby-sitter we ever had? Julie and I get a honeymoon weekend whenever we want. And—” he made an expansive gesture “—because of you, Julie’s been able to take a part-time job so we can build our dream home that much sooner. I’d say we’ve been taking advantage of you.”

      Without hesitation Laurel crossed the room and hugged both of them. “I love you guys. You’ll never know how much.”

      “We love you, too,” he said. “In fact, I’d like to show our appreciation for all the help you’ve given us. Since I have to drive up to Breckenridge to pick up the kids, why don’t we all go?”

      “I’d love it!” Laurel blurted. After the difficult session with her mother-in-law, she needed something to wipe that depressing conversation from her mind.

      Julie frowned. “I don’t know. Three hours up and back in the car might be a little much for you at this stage.”

      “Not if we spend the night to break it up,” Brent reasoned.

      “That’s a terrific idea! Now we don’t even have to fix dinner.” Julie smiled and nudged her sister.

      “The boys are going to be as excited as I am,” Laurel responded, smiling too. What a nice way to end their week at ski camp.”

      “Good. I’ll call the Rustler Lodge and make reservations for a suite.”

      “It’s Saturday, my love. With Snowfest on, I’ll bet there won’t be any rooms available.”

      “Oh, yes, there will, my love. Harry Wilke’s daughter runs the desk.”

      “You’re kidding! Isn’t he your regional supervisor?”

      “That’s right. Getting that last account put me on his good side. He told me she’d do us a favor anytime.”

      Brent grabbed the phone directory from the drawer and reached for the cordless Julie had brought back to the kitchen.

      “Come on, Laurel. Let’s get packed. We’ll have to throw in some extra clothes for Mike and Joey.”

      “I’ll do it,” she offered as they hurried through the house to the stairs. Since her arrival, one of her self-appointed jobs besides chief cook on the days Julie went to work was to do the wash and fold clothes. She knew exactly where to find everything the boys would want.

      It didn’t take long for the three of them to get ready.

      When Laurel walked through the back door to the garage with Julie, Brent was putting their skis on the rack. He glanced up, then whistled.

      “Hey, people are going to be jealous when they see me with two beautiful raven-haired women.”

      Laurel burst into laughter. “Thanks for making this ten-ton-Tessie feel so good. I was just telling your wife how terrific she looks in the red sweater you bought her for Christmas.”

      “I appreciate it,” Julie said, “but my husband’s right. In that black sweater coat, you look wonderful.”

      “Thanks, Julie.”

      Laurel was still smiling as he packed their overnight bags and snow gear in the trunk. Soon he’d reversed the car out of the garage and they were off.

      Laurel hadn’t left the house all day. It felt liberating—exciting—to be going on a brief vacation. She was looking forward to the drive and to seeing the boys. At eight and ten years of age, they were still delightful. Laurel adored her nephews.

      Two hours later, she had to ask Brent to pull in to the nearest gas station at Copper Mountain. “Sorry, guys. I was hoping we wouldn’t have to make a rest room stop, but I’m afraid we do.”

      “No problem.”

      After a few minutes, they were on the road again. Within another half hour they’d reached the Rustler Lodge in Breckenridge. Brent drove up to the waiting area in front of the entrance, then turned to his wife.

      “Tell you what. I’ll grab a couple of bags and take Laurel inside so she can stretch. Then I’ll come back and we’ll find the boys over at the lift. We’ve timed this just right. It ought to be closing in about ten minutes.”

      “Sounds perfect.”

      “Let’s go register.” Brent got out of the car and collected some of the luggage, then walked her into the lodge.

      Before long, one of the people at the desk had checked them in. Brent handed Laurel a key card and kept the other for himself. They strolled down the hall to the elevator.

      They had to hurry to reach the next one going up; there was just enough room for the two of them to slip inside before the door closed. At the dinner hour, it was filled with people wearing everything from ski outfits to formal evening dress.

      “It’s all settled, Brent. The kids will sleep with me tonight. The girl in reception said there was a sofa with a hide-a-bed in my room.”

      “You’re sure you don’t mind?” Brent sounded so thrilled at the thought of being alone with his wife, she couldn’t wait to tell her sister.

      “How can you even ask me that?” She kissed his chin rather than his cheek because it was as far as she could reach with her baby protruding. He gave her an affectionate hug before the door opened to the third floor.

      “This is where we get off. After you.”

      CHAPTER TWO

      DURING THE SHORT RIDE to the third floor, Nate’s eyes had been drawn to the chin-length, wavy black hair on the woman dressed in the black sweater. She was standing at the front of the crowded elevator.

      He had to cock his head to the side, the better to examine its glistening quality brought out by the ceiling light. In Europe he’d only seen hair with that high a gloss on a few Italian and Spanish women.

      When she turned to kiss her companion, Nate caught sight of her attractive profile, the contrast of sooty black lashes against ivory skin. In that moment he had the strongest impression he’d seen her before.

      As the man put his arm around her and ushered her into the hall, Nate saw that she was pregnant. Then she was gone.

      The elevator continued on to the dining room atop the Rustler Lodge. The door opened and everyone exited. Everyone except Nate…

      He was supposed to be joining the private wedding party of twenty for dinner. A live band was playing, and all the elements were in place to make it a festive occasion.

      After driving the newlyweds from the little white chapel a few streets over, he’d parked the car while Rick accompanied their father and the second Mrs. Hawkins into the lodge.

      Though he and his brother had tried their hardest to be accepting of their father’s marriage, they were simply going through the motions.

      But for the moment all thoughts of the day’s events left his mind because he suddenly remembered where he’d seen that lovely face before.

      Though he’d only met Spade’s wife once, back when she was at Nellis years ago, a man didn’t forget a beautiful woman like that.

      Her hair had been long then. With her pictures plastered on the wall of their barracks—along with other family photos—every guy in their first squadron was envious of Spade’s luck. Only two of the fourteen were married at the time.

      Nate closed his eyes.

      Spade…the hotshot of the group who’d been noticed by the brass right away and was transferred too soon to suit Nate. Spade…whose career had escalated too fast, who’d died in the prime of life…

      The expectant

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