was kind, the question would become moot and he could get his life back on track. He'd have to talk to her, though, at least discuss the possibility of a baby, so she'd know that he'd be there for her if needed.
It was several hours later before Roxanne was alone and able to think about what had transpired on her kitchen countertop that morning. Unlike Jeb, she'd realized almost immediately that they'd indulged in unprotected sex and that had horrified her as much as the fact they'd had sex at all. She had
never
acted in such an irresponsible manner. And it didn't matter that Jeb was probably healthy, it mattered that she hadn't taken the time to find out. But as for a child, she wasn't worried—her period was due any day now and it was unlikely that she'd be in a state to conceive.
Sitting out on her deck that evening, the bowl and plate that had held her dinner at her feet, the thought of a child did cross her mind again, but she brushed it aside. Wrong time of the month. Sipping on a bottle of water, she stared down at the valley, a few lights coming on as darkness fell. Her gaze was drawn to the twinkling lights on the place on the mountain across from her and she smiled. Her neighbor across the way.
She lifted her bottle in a toast. “Dear neighbor,” she said softly, “I hope, I really do hope, that your day was less stressful than mine. And makes more sense to you than mine to me.”
She shook her head at her silliness and took another drink. Tindale had stayed until almost dark, both of them checking and double-checking the plans for any last-minute changes. Since she was financing the place herself, they didn't have to have any minor changes approved by a lending institution. Beyond discussing the possibility of slate terraces at the back of the house, instead of wood decking, she and Tindale were satisfied with the plan.
“Big day on Monday,” he'd said as he'd turned to get into his car.
Roxanne had let out a happy sigh. “Yes, it is. I can't wait. It's like Christmas and birthday and every daydream you ever had rolled into one.”
Sam laughed. “Hold on to that thought—once we start tearing the place apart and construction starts—and all the unexpected troubles and holdups that come with it, you may be singing a different tune.”
She shook her head. “Nope. I'll just find somewhere quiet and tell myself it'll all be worth it.”
“Good plan.” He'd slid into his car and pulling away called out the window, “Have a nice weekend. See you Monday.”
Alone finally, Roxanne had turned and walked slowly to the A-frame. She'd fixed herself a can of tomato soup and a fried egg sandwich for dinner, concentrating fiercely on the simple tasks to keep her thoughts from dwelling on Jeb Delaney and what they had done together this morning. As she walked out of the kitchen on her way to the deck, her gaze skittered across the countertop and she stopped and stared at its scratched surface, still unable to believe that she'd actually had sex on it … with Jeb Delaney. She even managed to keep thoughts of him at bay while she ate outside, but once the food was demolished. …
She took another sip of water. She couldn't believe what had happened between them. They'd been like animals. Coupling like minks, she thought with a sour smile. And unprotected. Stupid on both their parts. She bit her lip. She'd have to tell him that he had nothing to worry about catching something from her and find out if she had anything to be concerned over. She grimaced, imagining the expression on his face. Oh, man, she really didn't want to have that sort of conversation with him—with anyone, for that matter, but with him in particular. She touched the cold bottle to her forehead. What had gotten into her? Into them?
One thing was for damn sure—she hadn't come home to start a torrid affair—with anyone. She had no intention of getting herself entangled in a complicated situation with the opposite sex. She wanted to
It was several hours later before Roxanne was alone and able to think about what had transpired on her kitchen countertop that morning. Unlike Jeb, she'd realized almost immediately that they'd indulged in unprotected sex and that had horrified her as much as the fact they'd had sex at all. She had
never
acted in such an irresponsible manner. And it didn't matter that Jeb was probably healthy, it mattered that she hadn't taken the time to find out. But as for a child, she wasn't worried—her period was due any day now and it was unlikely that she'd be in a state to conceive.
Sitting out on her deck that evening, the bowl and plate that had held her dinner at her feet, the thought of a child did cross her mind again, but she brushed it aside. Wrong time of the month. Sipping on a bottle of water, she stared down at the valley, a few lights coming on as darkness fell. Her gaze was drawn to the twinkling lights on the place on the mountain across from her and she smiled. Her neighbor across the way.
She lifted her bottle in a toast. “Dear neighbor,” she said softly, “I hope, I really do hope, that your day was less stressful than mine. And makes more sense to you than mine to me.”
She shook her head at her silliness and took another drink. Tindale had stayed until almost dark, both of them checking and double-checking the plans for any last-minute changes. Since she was financing the place herself, they didn't have to have any minor changes approved by a lending institution. Beyond discussing the possibility of slate terraces at the back of the house, instead of wood decking, she and Tindale were satisfied with the plan.
“Big day on Monday,” he'd said as he'd turned to get into his car.
Roxanne had let out a happy sigh. “Yes, it is. I can't wait. It's like Christmas and birthday and every daydream you ever had rolled into one.”
Sam laughed. “Hold on to that thought—once we start tearing the place apart and construction starts—and all the unexpected troubles and holdups that come with it, you may be singing a different tune.”
She shook her head. “Nope. I'll just find somewhere quiet and tell myself it'll all be worth it.”
“Good plan.” He'd slid into his car and pulling away called out the window, “Have a nice weekend. See you Monday.”
Alone finally, Roxanne had turned and walked slowly to the A-frame. She'd fixed herself a can of tomato soup and a fried egg sandwich for dinner, concentrating fiercely on the simple tasks to keep her thoughts from dwelling on Jeb Delaney and what they had done together this morning. As she walked out of the kitchen on her way to the deck, her gaze skittered across the countertop and she stopped and stared at its scratched surface, still unable to believe that she'd actually had sex on it … with Jeb Delaney. She even managed to keep thoughts of him at bay while she ate outside, but once the food was demolished. …
She took another sip of water. She couldn't believe what had happened between them. They'd been like animals. Coupling like minks, she thought with a sour smile. And unprotected. Stupid on both their parts. She bit her lip. She'd have to tell him that he had nothing to worry about catching something from her and find out if she had anything to be concerned over. She grimaced, imagining the expression on his face. Oh, man, she really didn't want to have that sort of conversation with him—with anyone, for that matter, but with him in particular. She touched the cold bottle to her forehead. What had gotten into her? Into them?
One thing was for damn sure—she hadn't come home to start a torrid affair—with anyone. She had no intention of getting herself entangled in a complicated situation with the opposite sex. She wanted to
Similar Books
