Orchard Valley Brides

  Monday evening, Sherry was sitting on the porch swing again, contemplating the events of the weekend. She’d sent a long e-mail to her parents, telling them all about Cody and their rocky relationship.

  When she saw his Cadillac turn the corner and pull to a stop in front of the clinic, she wasn’t sure what to think. Heather leaped out of the passenger side and dashed up the walkway.

  “Dad needs you!”

  The girl’s voice was high and excited, but her smile indicated that there was no real emergency.

  “It’s nothing,” Cody said, walking toward her. He held a box of chocolates in one hand and a bouquet of wildflowers—bluebonnets and daisies—in the other.

  “The flowers are for you,” Heather explained. “Dad picked them himself.”

  “If you don’t mind, I prefer to do my own talking,” Cody growled. “Here,” he said, thrusting the flowers and candy at Sherry. Then he jerked up the sleeve of his shirt and started scratching his forearm.

  “Both his arms are a real mess,” Heather whispered.

  “Heather!”

  “He’s in one of his moods, too.”

  Sherry was too flabbergasted to respond right away. “Well, thank you for the flowers. And the candy.”

  “That’s romantic, isn’t it?” his daughter prompted. “Dad asked me what I thought was romantic, and I said flowers and chocolate-covered cherries. They’re my favorite, and I bet you like them, too.”

  “I do.” She returned her gaze to Cody.

  “What did you get into? Why are you so itchy?”

  “This is why he needs you,” Heather said in a loud whisper. A cutting look from Cody silenced her.

  “Like she said, I picked the flowers myself. The bluebonnets are the state flower, and I figured you might like the daisies. There are plenty of ’em around here.”

  “It looks like you might’ve tangled with something else,” she said, reaching for his arm and moving him toward the light so she could get a better view. “Oh, Cody,” she whispered when she saw the redness and the swelling.

  “Poison ivy,” he told her.

  “Let me get you some calamine for that.”

  “He was hoping you would,” Heather said. “He’s real miserable. But we can’t stay long, because I have to get over to Katie Butterfield’s house and pick up my math book by eight o’clock.”

  Sherry led Cody into the clinic and got a bottle of calamine lotion, swabbing the worst of the swelling with that. She gave him an antihistamine for the itch, as well.

  Heather sat in the corner of the room, the chocolates in her lap. “Janey says you should give Dad an A for effort. I think so, too.” This last bit was added between bites of candy.

  “Heather, I didn’t buy those for you,” Cody said irritably.

  “I know, but Sherry doesn’t mind sharing them, do you?”

  “Help yourself.”

  “She already has,” Cody muttered.

  Sherry put the lotion away while Cody rolled down his sleeves and snapped them closed at the wrists. “Heather, don’t you have something to occupy yourself with outside?”

  “No.”

  “Yes, you do,” he said pointedly.

  “I do? Oh, I get it, you want to be alone with Sherry. Gee, Dad, why didn’t you just say so?”

  “I want to be alone with Sherry.”

  “Great.” Heather checked her watch. “Is fifteen minutes enough, or do you need longer? Don’t forget I have to be at Katie’s by eight.”

  Cody sighed expressively, and Sherry could tell his patience was in tatters. “Fifteen minutes will be fine. I’ll meet you on the porch.”

  “I can take the chocolates?”

  “Heather!”

  “All right, all right.” She threw him an injured look on her way outside. “I know when I’m not wanted.”

  “Not soon enough, you don’t,” her father said.

  Now that they were alone, Cody didn’t seem to know what he wanted to say. He paced the room restlessly, without speaking.

  “Cody?”

  “I’m thinking.”

  “This sounds serious,” Sherry said, amused.

  “It is serious. Sit down.” He pulled out a chair, escorted her to it and sat her down, then stood facing her.

  “I’m sorry about the poison ivy,” Sherry ventured.

  He shrugged. “My own fault. I should’ve noticed it, but my head was in the clouds thinking about you.”

  “I know it’s painful. The poison ivy, I mean.”

  “It won’t be as bad as the razzing I’m going to get when folks learn about this—on top of my behavior Saturday night.”

  “Oh, Cody,” she whispered, feeling genuinely contrite, aware that her insistence that he be “romantic” and demonstrate his feelings had led directly to his actions. He was trying hard to give her what she wanted, yet he didn’t seem to understand what that really was. Yes, she wanted the sweet endearing things a man did for a woman he was courting, but more than that, she needed him to trust her, to open up to her.

  “Listen, the other day I said I was withdrawing my proposal of marriage, but we both know I wasn’t serious.”

  Sherry hadn’t known that at all, but was pleased he was willing to say so.

  “I’m not sure what to do anymore, and every time I try to give you what you say you need, it turns into another disaster.”

  He crouched before her and took both her hands in his. She saw how callused they were, the knuckles chafed, yet to her they were the most beautiful male hands she’d ever seen.

  “You wanted romance, and I swear to you, Sherry, I’ve given it my best shot. If it’s romantic to nearly get arrested for a woman, then I should receive some kind of award.”

  She nodded, trying not to smile.

  “I don’t blame you for the poison ivy—that was my own fault. I wanted to impress you with the bluebonnets. I could’ve bought you a bouquet of carnations and that fancy grass from the market. Les Gilles sells them for half price after seven, but I figured you’d think those wildflowers were more romantic.”

  “I do. They’re beautiful. Thank you.”

  “I’ve done every romantic thing I can think of for you. I don’t know what else you want. I’ve sung to you, I’ve brought you candy—I know Heather’s the one eating it, but I’ll buy you another box.”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  “I am worried, but not about the chocolates.” He stared at the floor for a moment. “I know you’re concerned that Heather was the one who prompted my proposal, her wanting a brother or sister and all. In a way I suppose she did—at first. I’m asking you to marry me again, only this time it’s for me.”

  “Five minutes.” Heather’s voice trilled from the other side of the clinic door.

  Cody closed his eyes, stood and marched over to the door. “Heather, I asked for some time alone with Sherry, remember?”

  “I’m just telling you that you’ve used up ten minutes, and you only have five more. I can’t be late, Dad, or Katie will be gone—and so will my book.”

  “I remember.”

  “Dad, you’ve wasted another whole minute lecturing me.”

  Cody shook his head helplessly and returned to Sherry’s side. “Now, where was I?”

  “We were discussing your proposal.”

  “Right.” He wiped his face. “I guess what I have to tell you is that I don’t know how to be romantic. All I know is how to be me. I’m wondering if that’ll ever be good enough for you.”

  “Stop.” She raised both hands. “Go back to what you were saying before Heather interrupted you.”

  He looked confused.

  “You said you were asking me to marry you, not for Heather’s sake, but for yours.”

  “So?”

  “So,” she said, straightening in her chair, “are you trying to tell me you love me?”

  He rubbed his hand along the back of his neck. “I’m not going to lie to you, Sherry. I don’t know if I love you, but
I do know there hasn’t been a woman in the last decade who makes me feel the things you do. I’ve swallowed my pride for you, nearly been arrested for you. I’m suffering a bout of poison ivy because all I think about is you.”

  His words sounded like the lyrics of a love song. Sherry was delighted. But before she could speak, they were interrupted.

  “Dad!”

  “All right, all right,” Cody said impatiently. “I’m coming.”

  Sherry got to her feet, not wanting him to leave. “I’ll be over at the ranch one afternoon this week,” she volunteered hastily. “That’ll give us both time to think about what we want.”

  Cody smiled and briefly touched her face. “I’ll do what I can to keep Heather out of our hair.”

  “I heard that!”

  Cody chuckled and, leaning forward, kissed Sherry gently on the lips. “Your kisses are sweeter than any chocolate-covered cherries.”

  “Hey, Dad, that was good,” Heather announced on her way through the door. “I didn’t help him with that, either,” she told Sherry.

  Nine

  “I hate to impose on you,” Ellie said for the third time.

  “You’re not imposing,” Sherry insisted also for the third time. “Christina Lynn and I will get along fine, and Philip won’t even know you’re gone.” As if to confirm her words, Christina Lynn crawled into Sherry’s lap and planted a wet kiss on her cheek. “Now go,” Sherry said. She stood up, with the toddler tucked against her hip, and escorted Ellie to the door. “Your husband wants to celebrate your anniversary.”

  “I can’t believe he arranged all this without me knowing!”

  Luke appeared then, dressed in a dark suit, his hair still damp beneath his hat. His arm went around Ellie’s waist. “We haven’t been out to dinner in months.”

  “I know, but…”

  “Go and enjoy yourself,” Sherry insisted. The more time she spent with Luke and Ellie, the more she grew to like them, individually and as a couple. Luke wasn’t as easy to know as his wife, but Sherry was touched by the strength of his love for Ellie and his family. Luke had called her on Tuesday morning to ask if she’d mind staying with the children Wednesday night while he took Ellie out for a surprise dinner to celebrate their third wedding anniversary. Sherry had been honored that he’d want her to look after his kids. He then told her there wasn’t anyone he’d trust more.

  Later, when she arrived at the ranch and Ellie was putting the finishing touches on her makeup, Luke had proudly shown Sherry the gold necklace he’d purchased for his wife. Sherry suspected her friend would be moved to tears when she saw it and told him so. Luke had beamed with pleasure.

  “If Philip wakes up,” Ellie said, “there’s a bottle in the fridge.”

  “Ellie,” Luke said pointedly, edging her toward the door. “We have a dinner reservation for six.”

  “But—”

  “Go on, Ellie,” Sherry urged. “Everything will be fine.”

  “I know. It’s just that I’ve never left Philip before, and it seems a bit soon to be cutting the apron strings.”

  Sherry laughed and bounced Christina Lynn on her hip. “We’re going to have a nice quiet evening all by ourselves.”

  “You’re sure—”

  “Go,” Sherry said again. She stood on the porch with Christina Lynn as Luke and Ellie drove off. The little girl waved madly.

  For the first half hour, Christina Lynn was content to show Sherry her toys. She dragged them into the living room and proudly demonstrated how each one worked. Sherry oohed and ahhed at all the appropriate moments. When the toddler had finished, Sherry helped her return the toys to the chest that Luke had made for his daughter.

  Having grown tired of her game, Christina Lynn lay down on the floor and started to fuss. “Mama!” she demanded as if suddenly realizing that her mother wasn’t there.

  “Mommy and Daddy have gone out to eat,” Sherry explained patiently. Thinking Christina Lynn might be hungry, she heated her dinner and set the little girl in her high chair. But apparently Christina Lynn wasn’t hungry, because the meal landed on the floor in record time.

  “Mama!” Christina yelled, banging her little fists on the high-chair tray.

  “Mommy’s out with Daddy, sweetheart.”

  Christina Lynn’s lower lip started to wobble.

  “Don’t cry, honey,” Sherry pleaded but to no avail. Within seconds Christina Lynn was screaming.

  Sherry lifted her from the high chair and carried her into the living room. She sat in the rocker trying to soothe her, but Christina Lynn only wept louder.

  Inevitably her crying woke Philip. With Christina Lynn clinging to her leg, Sherry took the whimpering infant from his bassinet and changed his diaper. Holding him against her shoulder, she gently patted his back, hoping to urge him back to sleep.

  That, however, proved difficult, especially with Christina Lynn still at full throttle. The little girl was wrapped around Sherry’s leg and both she and Philip were wailing loudly enough to bring the house down. Sherry was in despair, trying to soothe both children to no avail.

  That was how Cody found her.

  She didn’t hear him come in, so she was surprised to discover him standing in the hallway outside the children’s bedroom, grinning hugely.

  “Hi,” he said. “Luke told me you were sitting with the kids tonight. Looks like you could use a little help.”

  “Christina Lynn,” Sherry said gratefully. “Look—Uncle Cody’s here.”

  Cody moved into the room and dislodged the toddler from Sherry’s leg, lifting her into his arms. Christina Lynn hid her face in his shoulder and continued her tearful performance.

  “What’s wrong with Philip?” Cody asked over the din.

  “I think he might be hungry. If you’ll keep Christina Lynn occupied, I’ll go heat his bottle.”

  They met in the living room, Sherry carrying the baby and the bottle. Cody was down on the floor, attempting to interest the toddler in a five-piece wood puzzle, but the little girl wanted none of it.

  Philip apparently felt the same way about the bottle. “He’s used to his mother nursing him,” Sherry said. “Besides, I don’t think he’s all that hungry, after all. If he was, he’d accept the bottle quickly enough.”

  She returned it to the kitchen and sat down in the chair with Philip, rocking him until his cries abated. Christina Lynn’s wails turned to soft sobs as she buried her face in the sofa cushions.

  “You’ve got your hands full.”

  Sherry gave a weary sigh. “Imagine Ellie handling them both, day in and day out. The woman’s a marvel.”

  “So are you.”

  “Hardly.” Sherry didn’t mean to discount his compliment, but she was exhausted, and Luke and Ellie hadn’t been gone more than a couple of hours. “I don’t know how Ellie does it.”

  “Or Luke,” Cody added. He slumped onto the end of the sofa and lifted an unresisting Christina Lynn into his arms. She cuddled against him, and at last silence reigned.

  “Come sit by me,” Cody said, stretching his arm along the back of the couch.

  Sherry was almost afraid to move for fear Philip would wake up, but her concern was groundless. The infant didn’t so much as sigh as she tiptoed over to the couch. As soon as she was comfortable, Cody dropped his arm to her shoulder and pulled her closer. It was wonderful to be sitting with him this way, so warm and intimate.

  “Ah, peace,” he whispered. “Do I dare kiss you?”

  Sherry smiled. “You like to live dangerously, don’t you?” She raised her head and Cody’s mouth brushed hers. Softly at first, then he deepened the kiss, until she was so involved in what was happening between them she nearly forgot Philip was in her arms.

  She broke off the kiss and exhaled on a ragged sigh. “You’re one powerful kisser.”

  “It isn’t me, Sherry. It’s us.”

  “Whoever or whatever, it’s dangerous.” She nestled her head against his shoulder. “I don’t think we should do that
again.”

  “Oh, I plan to do it again soon.”

  “Cody,” she said, lifting her head so their eyes could meet, “I’m not here to, uh, make out with you.”

  “Shh.” He pressed his finger to her lips.

  She pressed her head against his shoulder again. His arm was around her. She enjoyed the feeling of being linked to him, of being close, both physically and emotionally. It was what she’d sought from the beginning, this bonding, this intimacy.

  When she felt his breathing quicken, she straightened and read the hunger in his eyes, knowing it was a reflection of her own. Cody lowered his mouth to hers, claiming her with a kiss that left her weak.

  She was trembling inside and out. Neither of them spoke as they kissed again and again, each kiss more potent than the last. After many minutes, Sherry pulled back, almost gasping with pleasure and excitement.

  “I can’t believe we’re doing this,” she whispered. Each held a sleeping child. They were in their friends’ home and could be interrupted at any time.

  “I can’t believe it, either,” Cody agreed. “Damn, but you’re beautiful.”

  They didn’t speak for a few minutes, just sat and savored the silence and each other.

  “Sherry, listen—” Cody began.

  He was interrupted by the shrill ringing of the telephone. Philip’s piercing cry joined that of the phone. Christina Lynn woke, too, and after taking one look at Cody and Sherry, burst into tears and cried out for her mom.

  Cody got up to answer the phone. He was back on the couch in no time. He cast Sherry a frustrated look. “That was my daughter. She heard I was over here helping you babysit Christina Lynn and Philip, and she’s mad that I left her at home.”

  “I think,” Sherry said, patting Philip’s back, “she got her revenge.”

  Cody grinned. “It was selfish of me not to bring her, but I wanted to be alone with you.”

  “We aren’t exactly alone,” she said. She looked down at Luke and Ellie’s children, who had miraculously calmed again and seemed to be drifting off.

  “True, but I was counting on them both being asleep. Luke thought they’d be and—”