“You know mothers.”
“Yes. I had a great one, too.”
“It shows.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Have you noticed Amy’s fallen asleep?”
“She’s had a big day.”
“And a big scare from a big hus.”
Natalie’s quiet laughter stayed with him. Before long they arrived at the motel and he drove to the parking space in front of his room. Kit wanted to stay in the moment and not get out. The need to take her into his arms was so strong he turned to reach for her, but there was a knock on the window.
He jerked around in surprise, thinking it must be one of the guys.
Janie?
In the next breath he opened the door and got out of the car.
“Sorry, Kit. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Kit couldn’t concentrate because Natalie had gotten out of the car and had opened the back door to retrieve Amy.
“I promised Scott I’d come to watch Brandon’s performance and take pictures. Your brother said you were
staying at the Bucking Horse. Scott wanted me to thank you for pinch-hitting for him. It’s because of you that Brandon wound up with a 3.0.”
He looked back at Janie, barely registering her comments. “Tell Scott I’m sorry about his accident. We’re all hoping he gets better soon so he can end the season in Las Vegas with Brandon.” He closed the door and locked the car with the remote.
“I will. It’s...it’s wonderful to see you again, Kit.”
“It’s good to see you, too. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go in.” He started to leave. She followed him.
“Brandon didn’t tell me you’re seeing someone. I was so surprised when I saw her sitting by your mom.”
A lifetime ago he might have been glad that she minded, but not anymore. If anything, he was irritated that she hadn’t called him on the phone to tell him all this. Or better yet, hadn’t made contact at all. If he were Scott, he wouldn’t be happy to know his wife was here alone talking to her old boyfriend. Her unexpected appearance had shattered the moment for Kit.
“Be safe driving home,” was all he said before he headed for Natalie’s door.
* * *
ONCE INSIDE THE motel room, Natalie had put a sleeping Amy in the crib then darted over to the window to look through the curtain. The attractive dark-blonde woman talking to Kit obviously knew him well. Natalie felt a stab of jealousy she couldn’t help.
For the woman to come up to the car to get his attention spoke of long-time familiarity. Kit’s jaw had hardened when he’d recognized her. Until she’d knocked on the window, Natalie had felt Kit might have been going to kiss her. But in an instant the mood had been broken.
She jumped when she heard the soft knock on the door. Natalie smoothed the hair off her hot cheeks and opened it. “Hi.”
“Is Amy still asleep?”
“Yes.”
“We need to talk.” He spoke in a quiet tone and walked in, locking the door behind him. “I shouldn’t have let you come into the room alone before I could check it.”
“I wasn’t thinking.”
“For once I wasn’t concentrating. It was a slip that could have ended in disaster. Sit down while I call the front desk and ask them to bring in a cot. I’ll be sleeping by you tonight. I’ll tell them to put it outside the door so it won’t wake Amy.”