“Ava, take life as it comes. I’m not looking for a one-night fling. I promise you that. Frankly, I think you’re lecturing yourself. This is something you want. We both want. I still say it’s time you come back into the world and live a full life the way you were meant to. You’re too much a desirable, beautiful woman to shut yourself away and live a solitary, empty life.”
“I don’t see a summer fling as any solution.”
He kissed her cheek, her temple and then her mouth, holding her close. She only had on her blouse and a narrow strip of lace panties. The kiss deepened, changed and became passionate. She was sliding right back to where she had been only minutes ago. She wriggled away from him.
“I’m going, Will. You’re too damned appealing, but I do have a shred of willpower.”
He smiled faintly at her as he if knew it was only a matter of time until he seduced her. She stepped into her slacks, buttoned them and walked toward the door.
“Ava,” he said in a commanding tone that stopped her and she looked back at him. “It’s early. Let’s sit and talk. This has been a very special day and it’s too early to end it now. I want to savor the moments.”
She took a deep breath and nodded, caving the minute he asked.
“I agree that it has been a special day. One I think she’ll always remember. I hope Muffy works out to be a great pet.”
“I’m going to try to see to that. The guy who is coming to train Muffy works on our family ranch. He’s excellent with animals. He’s trained dogs for us, and horses.” While Will talked, he walked over to pick up his shirt and pull it on. Muscles in his smooth back rippled, and she inhaled deeply.
She sat in the closest chair, wanting to avoid the sofa where he could pull her into his arms easily.
In spite of her declaration, she was on fire with wanting him. She had fallen in love with him and she ached to walk back into his arms, kiss him and make love.
She had sense enough to know that was the way to disaster. To get tied up with Will invited catastrophe for her heart, calamity for her school plans. Any woman he saw on a regular basis would be on his terms. And those terms would not include marriage. Eventually, he would be through and walk out of her life, another heartbreak. Ava never wanted that to happen.
She tingled and hoped she could keep from showing how much she wanted him.
He faced her. “Would you like something to drink?”
“Actually, iced tea sounds delicious.” She stood to follow him into the kitchen. “Can I help?”
“No. Just sit and talk to me. I feel like shouting for joy. Caroline laughed and talked tonight. It’s been a year, Ava. I knew you would be so good for her.”
“I can’t take credit.”
“You should. It’s wonderful. I don’t think she’ll go back to the way she was. At least, I don’t think she will as long as she doesn’t suffer some other kind of loss.”
Ava watched him fix drinks and then they moved to the living area adjoining the kitchen. She took a chair again and he sat facing her.
“I don’t hear the puppy, which surprises me.”
“These walls are thick, and Rosalyn has the puppy with her. Later, I’ll get it and put it in my room where I can keep up with it tonight.”
“Another surprise,” she stated, smiling at him. “I would never have guessed you would give up your peaceful sleep to babysit a new puppy.”
“One, the trainer isn’t here yet. Buck will care for her tomorrow night. Two, I don’t want Caroline to hear her crying and worry about her.”
Ava smiled.
“I feel so good, as if a huge stone has been lifted off my shoulders. Let’s go out and celebrate Saturday night. Early evening. I’ll get you back when you want.”
“All three of us?”
“No. I don’t want to take Caroline out yet. This is too tenuous a thread for me to risk having her retreat back into her shell. She’ll be more relaxed at home. Will you go with me Saturday?”
“You are a persistent devil,” she teased. With a crooked smile he winked at her.
They sat and talked until two, when she said she had to get to bed. Will walked her to her room and kissed her good-night with one long kiss.
“Are you still going to get Muffy?”
“Yes. Rosalyn reads until all hours. She’ll still be awake. I don’t hear any howls or crying. Rosalyn is probably holding Muffy. I think she likes Muffy as much as Caroline does.”
“It’s been a good day, Will.”
“Thanks to you,” he said, brushing her lips lightly with his before he left to get the dog.
The next morning after breakfast, Ava, Will and Caroline went out on the lawn to see the trainer playing with Muffy, who was on a leash.
“Both of them seem to be having a fun time,” Ava said.
“They are. This afternoon, Caroline, you’ll have Muffy with you part of the time and again tonight. This is just for a short time while he gets her trained.”
The trainer picked up the dog and came over.
“Ava, this is Buck Yarby. Buck, this is Ava Barton and here is Caroline.”
“Glad to meet you both. Caroline, you have a good little dog here. She’s going to be a lot of fun for you. I’ll show you what she can do after I get her trained.”
They talked a few minutes while Caroline petted Muffy, and then they headed back inside to start their day—already off to a very good start.
Will arrived home early from work. He entered the room with the same commanding presence as always, plus this time he carried the puppy. He scooped up Caroline with one arm.
“Hello, hello,” he said. “Want to play with your dog?”
“Yes, please,” Caroline answered, smiling at him.
“Ah, that’s a wonderful smile, sweetie. You have fun with Muffy.” He set Caroline down and carefully handed her the puppy. “Hold her gently and be very careful to not drop her because that would hurt her.”
“I won’t,” Caroline said, holding the dog and sitting on the floor to put Muffy in her lap.
Will looked at Ava. “This is good.”
“It’s been an unusually fine day. Caroline read to me,” Ava said, wondering whether her pulse raced over Will’s appearance or over being able to tell him the exciting news.
“Wonderful! Caroline, that’s fantastic,” he said. “Look at Muffy, she likes to have you scratch her ears.” Caroline smiled again.
Will tossed off his navy suit jacket and kicked off his shoes, sitting on the floor with Caroline while Ava began to gather books and games to be put away. She listened to Will talk to Caroline a little, and then he sat in silence while they played with Muffy. Caroline laughed when Muffy caught her shoe and tugged on it.
Will picked up the puppy to get Caroline’s shoe away from the dog. He grabbed a dog toy, squeaked it and gave it a toss. Caroline laughed when Muffy dashed after it.
Thrilled by the change in Caroline, Ava sat in a rocker and watched, remaining quiet.
“Muffy, here Muffy,” Caroline called. The pup ignored her, and Will stretched out his arm to catch the dog and hand it to Caroline.
They played with the puppy for a long time, and Ava was not alone with Will until that night after he came back from tucking Caroline