Mic watched as his new man left the wool barn. He hated having to train someone so near to the sheering season, but with Walt’s passing he had little choice. They were already short handed after four people walked off the job two weeks ago, leading him to wonder just exactly how they were going to get through this season. Of course they would, he’d done it before with fewer hands than he had now. But he had just thought he was past this part of ranching. Being one of the largest ranches in this area of Australia brought with it good and bad. He could afford to pay his men better than the other ranches, but he still had to make a profit so sometimes his men found they worked harder than on the smaller ranches around. He removed his tattered brown Stetson, the one he always wore during the sheering season going on twenty years now and wiped his brow. He closed the stall’s gate and walked towards the back of the woolen barn to put some of the things away. He instilled in his men his organizational ethic, and he wasn’t about to stray from that today regardless of how tired he was.
Suddenly a small movement barely caught his eye and the next thing he knew someone fell out of the loft landing right on top of him. She knocked him over even though in retrospect she weighed next to nothing. Her blonde hair was matted and dirty and the rest of her looked pretty mangled as well but her essential basic features were breath-takingly beautiful. Her eyes were a soft expressive baby blue framed by high cheekbones and her lips were full and sensuous. "Thank-you for breaking my fall," she said in a distinctly non-Australian accent.
He stared at her incredulously, “you’re thanking me for breaking your fall?” His accent was thick, though his voice was soothing almost sensual when he spoke. He narrowed his eyes, his well-tanned face accentuating his ice blue eyes and blonde hair. “Just what were you doing up there?”
"Sleeping," the blonde replied, "staying out of the rain."
“You’re going to have to do better than that if you don’t want me to call the authorities, young lady.” He eyed her curiously, she obviously wasn’t from here he realized by the way she spoke. “We don’t take kindly to trespassers around here.” Despite the fact she was a trespasser on his land, he removed his hat out of courtesy and left it at his side.
"Oh please don't call the authorities," the woman panicked suddenly, "I know I'm trespassing but I wandered onto your land by accident. I was just trying to hide and get away, from my uncle. He was...he's a very powerful and ruthless man."
“And what makes you think I’m not powerful and ruthless? Though being powerful isn’t all that bad. And you must have wandered quite some distance if you wandered into my barn.”
"I've been out there, wherever the heck I am wandering around for four days!" she said frantically her voice breaking as she fought back tears simply from being overwrought. She looked weak and pale. "Now if you'll just keep quiet about this I'll be on my way..." she took a couple of steps and dropped from exhaustion, nerves and having not eaten in four days.
“Bloody great,” he muttered under his breath. He placed his hat on his head and picked her up. He walked out to his pick up truck and set her in the bed of the truck. He went back into the barn and locked up, spotting a blanket on his way out he grabbed it and placed it around her. He opened the passenger’s door and lifted up the seat, returning to her he picked her up again and placed her in the back seat of the truck. He drove back to the main house with care. He looked back at her, as still as she was a few minutes ago and got out of the pickup truck before taking her out from the passenger’s side. He carried her up the porch steps and into the house, laying her on the couch in the sitting room. He left her and went to find Birdie, his cook and told her that the girl would probably be hungry and to make sure there was enough to feed the both of them. He poured himself a gin and tonic and sat in his chair, reading the paper.
After quite sometime her eyes finally fluttered open and a raspy sound escaped her parched throat. She looked around at her surroundings with a lack of comprehension on her face. She sat up and caught sight of him causing another gasp.
He pulled the paper aside and gazed at her, his blue eyes focusing intently on her. “Am I that frightening?” He folded the paper neatly and set it on a table next to him. “I wouldn’t try to do anything too abruptly, you’re obviously quite weak from thirst and hunger. Dinner should be ready shortly. The least I can do is feed you while you tell me whom it is you’re running away from and why? If my property is going to be somehow involved with something I need to know what it is, and what to tell someone who comes inquiring about you.” His eyes scanned her petite form briefly, “and I’m sure someone’s going to miss you.”
"Tell them I'm not here and you haven't seen or heard of me," the blonde replied. Her hair was matted but because of some free strands he could tell that her hair fell about three inches past her shoulders. "I'm running away from my uncle Joseph Nammarth. I'm sure you've heard of him. He has company holdings practically everywhere. Anyhow he wants me to get engaged to some horny fifty-year-old man just so he can close a multi million-dollar business deal. He threatened to kill me if I didn't. I'm not going back there."
He chuckled lightly, “I can imagine your lack of desire not to return. But I must admit running away to a ranch where the men out number the women thirty to one probably wasn’t very wise, the women that are here are either my servants or the wives of my employees. Luckily you fell upon me and not one of my, how did you put it, horny twenty year old workers.” He stood and offered her his hand, sensing her hesitation he spoke in his most soothing tone. “You passed out not more than two hours ago after I assume not eating or drinking for a number of days. I mean you no harm, just offering my assistance to get you to the dinner table.”
"For your information I wouldn't mind a horny 20 year old and my own will," the blonde replied. "It's just being forced to deal with someone against my choosing that upsets me." She let him help her to the table and went through two glasses of water before the meal was even served.
He watched, speaking only after she started in on her third glass of water. He placed his hand over hers, preventing her from raising the glass to her mouth. “If you drink to fast you’re liable to make yourself sick. Eat some stew, that’s good for settling your stomach.”
Donna regarded him a moment and then took his advice to heart. She was thankful when the stew arrived and she was careful to eat it slowly. All in total she put away three bowls.
Once her eating had slowed down, he decided it was time to ask her some questions. Something didn’t sit right with him and before getting further involved he wanted some answers. “You’re not from Australia, judging by your accent. What are you American? Did your uncle bring you here for this business deal? And what about your parents? Why didn’t they stop it?”
"Yes I was from America," Donna replied, "My mother died giving birth to me and my father gave me all a girl could ever ask for in the world and more and I loved him dearly but he died in a small plane crash in Mexico last year and my uncle only had eyes on what I was worth and how to get rid of me since the day he got a hold of me and my father's share of the fortune."
“I wasn’t aware Mr. Nammarth had any family, but I imagine he manages to keep that to himself. I’m sorry to hear of your father’s passing. Well, I’m not sure what exactly I’m supposed to do with you. If you were a stray cat or a dog I found on my property I’d care for you, but you’re a person not an animal. My instincts tell me I should return you to your uncle and be done with this whole ordeal. But,” he offered her a wide smile; “I’d certainly hate to be the cause for a pretty girl like you ending up married to someone over twice your age.”
Donna gave a sigh of relief. She looked at him then, "you're not going to turn me out then?"
“Not tonight at any rate. I’ll show you upstairs to a room you should find suitable. You’ll have your own bathroom and there should be some clothes in the closet and dressers that should fit you, or at least come close.” He cleared his throat as Birdie cleared their places, “whenever you’re ready. I believe I heard mention of apple pie if you’d like some.”
"I'd love some," Donna replied giving him the first soft smile that he was privy to.
Birdie was obviously listening because no more than five minutes had gone by of it being mentioned and two pieces of apple pie fresh from the oven with cinnamon ice cream was presented before them. “Are you going to tell me your name? I assume your last name is Nammarth?” He offered her a slight smile, sensing her hesitation. “My name is Mitchell Hall, folks usually call me Mic. Either will do.”
"My name is Donatella Jolie Nammarth," Donna replied, "most people call me Donna."
“Let me show you to your room.” Normally he would have pulled her chair out for her, but he saw no reason to. He led her down the hall past a number of rooms and up a flight of stairs and along the hallway to a room offering a view of the outback. He flicked on the light switch, an antique lamp with a pink floral design sitting on the nightstand next to the bed came on. The bedspread was white with a deep pink floral print; the window valances were the same print. He walked through the room and to the right flicking another light switch, “you’re bathroom is here.” The towels matched the deep pink of the bedspread, and there were antique floral prints along the walls of the room. He gestured to the closet; “you should find something to fit you in there. I believe my wife had some nightgowns or something in there.”
"Your wife?!" Donna gasped, "you're married?! Where is she? I'm sorry I haven't met her yet. Don't you think she'll object?"
He gave her a half smile. “No, I don’t think she’ll mind. She has no use for them anymore,” he placed his hands in his pants pockets and shrugged. “She died,” he paused and then continued. “Anyway, should you need anything else let me know. But I believe there should be bath oils and all sorts of things you could desire below the sink. I’ll check on you in a little while.”
Donna stood there stunned long after he had left her. Finally she went into the bathroom knowing she needed a bath. The tub was nice and deep and Donna filled it up adding lavender to her bath. She brushed her hair out and then washed it. She was thankful to be clean. She looked through the closet and found a beautiful sage green sleeveless satin dress she chose to wear. Then having nothing else to do she laid down on the bed and decided to take a nap.
Mic knocked on the door a couple of hours later and entered when he heard her sleepy voice tell him to come in. “I’m sorry to bother you, but I just wanted to make sure you were all right,” he breathed in slightly the sight of her in Jaci’s dress. At that moment soft footsteps were heard running in the hallway followed by little hands going around his leg. He looked from her, slightly embarrassed and then down at the culprit, a boy of about two. He cleared his throat and picked up the boy. “You, little man, are supposed to be in your room.” He ruffled the boy’s blonde hair as he set him down and turned his attention back to Donna. “We were about to go down for some hot chocolate. Would you like to join us?”
Donna regarded the little boy for a couple of moments with a smile, which faded when she found him watching her. “Yes, I think some hot chocolate would be nice. Thank-you for asking." She rose from bed and straightened herself quickly. "And what might your name be handsome?" She asked the little boy as she gracefully squatted down to be on his level.
He grabbed onto Mic’s leg and buried his head shyly against the back of his leg. “He’s a little shy, sorry. His name is Casey.” He squatted to pick up the child once more. “If you’re ready you can come down with us.” He paused slightly, clearly a bit uncomfortable with the situation.
"Sure," Donna replied, as uncertain as him. She descended the stairs after Mic and she knew for certain that the boy in his arms was his son. The little boy was adorable and Donna was drawn to him immediately.
He set Casey in a high chair that hadn’t been there when he and Donna had dinner, gesturing to Donna to sit. He sat next to Casey, across from her. “Are you feeling better now that you’ve eaten and bathed?” Oddly he was growing used to seeing her in Jaci’s dress, it was a little strange but it wasn’t disturbing. He stood, realizing he’d forgotten to tell Birdie they were ready for their nightly treat and returned to the table.
"Much better thank-you," Donna replied. She looked down at the dress realizing he was looking at it. She flushed softly. "I'm sorry...I'm sure this must bother you. I can put my things back on as soon as they're clean and I stitch them up a little...."
“Don’t be silly, it’s just odd to see how well it fits you is all.” He paused as Birdie brought out the hot chocolate and a plate of warm bread. “Have you thought about what it is you’re going to do, Donna? I mean if you don’t want to marry this man you spoke of, it seems going back to your uncle is out of the question. But do you have anywhere else to go?”
"No," Donna answered softly, "I just know the farther I get from him the better. I don't even want my money. I just never want to see him again. Do you know where I should go?" She asked hopefully.
“No,” he chuckled lightly as Casey downed his sippy cup. “I can’t wait until he’s older and realizes that it isn’t really hot chocolate he’s been getting all this time, only chocolate milk. But it’s a tradition of sorts.” He smiled slightly at the boy then turned his attentions back to her. “As far as where you should go. I really have no idea. You’re welcome to stay here for a while if you need to to figure out where to go.” He cleared his throat, “if the room isn’t suitable to you there are others that can be made up for you. But none of the others have a private bath.”
"No...I...I like that one if you don't mind," Donna replied softly, "It's beautiful. Your wife must have been a very loving and graceful person to have such a tranquil room."
He smiled, his attention drawn to Casey as he banged his now empty cup on his tray. He stood and got him out of the chair, shutting the doors to the room before setting him on the floor allowing him to walk around. “All the rooms have the sliding doors if they don’t have regular doors. I quickly learned in a house this size he has to be confined.” He chuckled as Birdie came in and removed the high chair and the sippy cup. Sensing Casey was content he returned his attentions to Donna. “It was meant to be tranquil, that was her favorite room in the house. She decorated it for when we had female company, and when she took ill that’s where she chose to be.” He cleared his throat, “and I don’t mind your staying there at all. It’s good to know her efforts weren’t wasted because other than her no female has stayed in this house for me to know if the room was adequately decorated.” He shrugged slightly with a half smile.
"I....I'm sorry to hear about your wife," Donna attempted kindness. Her eyes followed Casey wherever he went and she smiled at his curious antics. "He's so precious," she cooed without thinking.
“Yes, he is. Outwardly he’s me, but inwardly he’s her I can already tell. He’s stubborn and opinionated already.” He chuckled lightly as he stood and opened the door leading to the hallway. “Let’s get you to bed, buddy.” He extended his hand to Casey who took it then tugged on Mic’s pants pointing at the ceiling. Mic rolled his eyes, “you’re getting too big for me to carry you all the time. You can make those stairs, I’ve seen you.” He picked him up and turned to Donna. “If you follow me I’ll show you were the family room is. There’s a TV, stereo, computer, pool table, and anything else you can want in there.” He waited for her and led her down the long hallway and opened the door across from the stairway. “I’ll be down in a minute.” He left her at the doorway and made his way upstairs.
Donna found some light rock and turned on the CD player. Then she set up the pool table and sunk three in one shot. She gathered all the balls back up and set the table again. Then she wandered around and examined the furnishings. She was back at the pool table before he returned. "This is a beautiful home you have."
He poured himself a drink, watching her. “Thank you.” He pointed to the ceiling above the section of the floor that was wooden, “complete even with a disco ball.” He chuckled lightly as he flicked it on, “the kids love it. No one does much dancing.” He walked towards her and took the pool cue from her hand, laying it on the table. “Though I think I could be tempted if you’d indulge me and my two left feet, it’s a slow enough song I think I can hold my own.”
Donna shrugged and slid easily enough into his arms. She loved to dance and the smile on her face expressed it. She laughed whenever they would make a wrong step and stumble a little.
The song ended, but Mic was hesitant to release her. He stood holding her; she melded into his arms so easily. He pulled back gently, his feet taking a couple steps back. “Thank you,” he released her from his grasp his eyes watching her, the scent of the soaps and shampoos fresh on his mind. “You smell nice. You found all that in the bathroom?”
Donna nodded, "yes it was wonderful. It's lavender. I adore it." Her eyes were locked with his. Finally she flushed softly and looked elsewhere. "I think your two left feet have improved."
“I’m just out of practice, it’s been about three years I guess since I’ve danced, maybe longer. We have parties at the house and the kids use the dance floor more than I’ve ever used it.” He was rambling now, and he knew it. He closed his mouth, and then his silence seemed too abrupt. He was unsure of himself, standing on unfamiliar ground yet there was something oddly familiar about it. He held his breath for a moment, trying to gain control of his thoughts. His fist clenched and he returned to the bar. “Can I get you something to drink?” he asked softly. “I have soda if you want that.”
"Yes please," Donna smiled, "something clear if you have it. Otherwise I wouldn't mind some wine. I hear there are excellent vintages out this way."
“We’ll have wine with dinner tomorrow, I have none in here to offer you.” He poured her a Sprite and handed it to her. “So tell me what it is you do? I mean did you work? Were you a student?” He sat in a stool in front of the bar and continued, “I can’t help you figure out where to go if I don’t know that sort of thing.”
"I was actually just out of college in business administration field," Donna sighed, "I had always hoped to work from home. Of course my Uncle didn't want me to work at all."
“I can see that, if he wanted you married off you’d be of little use to him if you were self-sufficient.” He shrugged, “there’s not a whole lot out here. You’re welcome to use the computer in my office, that one has Internet access. This one in here doesn’t, because the kids use it.” He smiled, an idea coming to him. “You could work for me for a while. Jaci was my assistant, and I’ve never hired another. It would probably take you a few months to get everything in order, and I’d give you an impeccable reference when you’re through.”
"Sure..." Donna smiled, "I don't want to just free load here and I'm sure it would give me enough time to lay low. Thank-you."
“I have to warn you, it’s going to be quite a formidable task. Other than the checkbook to pay bills, nothing has been touched in that office in close to three years. So, you may run away screaming when you see it, but if you’d be willing to do it and show me where you put things so when you’re gone I can handle things on my own I’d appreciate it.” He finished his drink and stood, “I’m going to head to bed I think, Donna. Feel free to stay up if you want. There’s also a small sitting room next to the room you have, with a TV and a very comfortable sofa. Or if you’d prefer I could have one brought into your room.”
"No thank-you, that's fine," Donna smiled politely. She followed Mic back up to her room. She went next door and watched a little TV and then she lay in her room on her bed and thought of Mic and of little Casey and how odd all of this was until she fell asleep.
Mic woke the following morning before sunrise to oversee the beginnings of the sheering season. When he entered the woolen barn he couldn’t help but glance up at the loft that Donna had tumbled from and shake his head slightly, wondering if she had fallen from above for a reason. He hadn’t looked at another woman since Jaci died, the thought of women unappealing to him. But, now suddenly, he wondered if that was a foolish way to think. He shook his head again, shoving his hands in his worn jeans pockets realizing that she was just a temporary fixture in his home. He’d do well not to let Casey or himself get attached. He returned to the house about the time Casey woke up and after bathing and getting him into something he could run around in for the day he brought him down for breakfast. He was pleased yet surprised to see that Donna was already awake. “An early riser, eh? Or did this little varmint wake you?”
"Well I would have gotten him up when I heard him if I could have found him," Donna smiled, "he's so adorable, but I was up before I heard him."
“That’s all right, he’s on a pretty regular schedule by now and Maggie knows to tend to him if I’m not here.” As they ate breakfast, Casey getting more of his oatmeal on his highchair tray than he succeeded in getting in his mouth but it was obvious that Mic was willing to roll with the punches and let the boy make a mess within reason. When attempts were made to toss things on the floor he drew the line and the boy seemed to know exactly when he had pushed it too far. Birdie was heard talking to someone in the kitchen and suddenly a girl of about 12 came into the room. She smiled, her eyes narrowing slightly at Donna. She sat next to Casey and looked curiously at Mic. “I guess I’ve surprised you by coming home early,” she stated a hint of bitterness in her voice. Mic cleared his throat slightly as he sipped his coffee. “Not at all. This is Donna; she’s going to be helping out here for a while. Donna, this is my daughter, Lenae.”
Donna hid her surprise well. "Lenae, it's nice to meet you. I take it you've been away at school. Are you enjoying it?"
Lenae looked from her father to Donna, and though her mannerisms were polite it was clear by her eyes that the politeness was only skin deep. She smoothed back her raven tresses, a direct contrast to her father’s and Casey’s coloring - seeing them together one would never have suspected they were father and daughter. “No, I spent the week at my friend’s house.” She stood, placing her hands on the table. “Pardon me, Mrs.,” she trailed off, “I’m sorry Father didn’t give me your last name but I’m going to go up to my room I’m suddenly not very hungry.” She paused only to place a kiss on Casey’s cheek and left the room. Mic kept his eyes on his coffee cup, “I’m sorry. I guess I should have warned you. She’s a teenaged girl, and quite good at it.”
"It's okay. I'm sure I come as quite a shock just being here and then being in your wife's clothes..." Donna sighed. "Maybe I should stay in my room for meals...it may not be good to push things."
He held up his hand and shook his head. “Nonsense. You have nothing of your own and I’m afraid we only get into town once a week at best, and I’m afraid you wouldn’t find too much to your liking there. I’ll take care of Lenae, I think she had a different impression of who you are and why you are here.” He glanced at her hoping she caught his meaning, “I’ve often wondered if it’s not more difficult on her losing her mother than it was for me to lose my wife. I got Casey out of the deal, but I think now is the time Lenae needed Jaci most. I don’t know anything about makeup and hairdryers.”
Donna's eyes said what her lips would not. 'I do' her blue orbs said. She merely nodded in response to his speech.
Mic seemed to read the look in her eyes clearly, but he too said nothing. “Let me get him to Maggie and then I’ll show you where my office is.” He removed Casey from his high chair, setting him on the floor gently before taking a napkin and wiping off the child’s mouth and hands. “Let’s go find Miss Maggie, shall we, champ.” The boy ran off ahead of Mic in the direction he knew Maggie would be and Mic soon returned to the dining room. “If I ever speak to you like I do to him, please forgive me. But Lenae chooses not to speak to me very often, at least conversationally. So, sometimes I tend to talk to everyone, as if they were two.” He led her down the hall and to his office, flicking on the light switch revealing a spacious office expensively but tastefully and functionally designed. A conference table seating 12 was at one end of the office, his desk and an area presumably where she was to work at the other end. The condition of his office was even more severe than he had warned; it appeared that it hadn’t been used in months. He watched her closely with his back leaning against the door his arms crossed over his chest, the look of shock evident on her face.
"Umm...it's...it's going to be quite a challenge," Donna said. Then she thrust back her shoulders. "I can do it."
He chuckled. “Determination, that’s what I like to hear. I don’t expect you to slave away at this or anything, as far as I’m concerned you’re probably better off here than off on your own somewhere for a while until your uncle stops searching for you. Birdie and Maggie will say nothing and I’ll make sure Lenae knows not to tell anyone there’s a stranger at our house. It’s sheering season right now, so the ranch is busy and there are a lot of people coming and going so I’d recommend keeping to the house for the first couple of weeks. But take your time with the office. Just leave the checkbook where it is so I know where to find it and the rest you can do with as you please.” He pointed to a four-drawer filing cabinet. “That cabinet is empty so feel free to use it to stash stuff, and please take breaks. It’s not as if I’m paying you, you’re doing this in exchange for room and board so enjoy having some time off.”
Donna nodded, "Thank-you." She waited for him to go on about his way and went straight to work. She did work all day until just before dinner and her progress was definitely adequate if not more so. She then washed and dressed for dinner before finding the dining room. After dinner, she retired to her room only to fall asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. She woke the next morning and dressed for the day, going downstairs for breakfast.
Lenae, Mic and Casey were already there; Mic stood and smiled slightly waiting for her to sit down. It was clear by Lenae’s body language that while she was not entirely pleased with Donna’s presence her father had convinced her that she was there only as a guest. “My father says you’re from America, I guess I should have known by your accent.” There was a question somewhere in her voice, but it went unasked as Lenae began to eat her dinner.
"Yes, I lived there all my life," Donna answered, "I think your country is fascinating though. It's very different from America in some ways and in some ways not. Maybe sometime you can tell me about Australia and I can tell you about America." Donna offered while they waited for dinner.
Lenae contemplated Donna quietly, not yet deciding whether or not she wanted to be nice to her. She finished her breakfast and after putting a hat on told her father she was going for a walk. Mic knew where she was going, but he bit his tongue. None of his men would touch her, not if they wanted to walk again. He watched her leave and finished his coffee. “I was thinking last night. Would your uncle recognize you dressed in my wife’s clothes?” He gave pause a moment letting his thoughts form clearly in his head. “I mean, if the three of us were to go into town to try and determine if anyone was looking for you. I don’t normally go into town, you see. And Casey has never been, so I would assume - that is to say - I would imagine people wouldn’t be looking for you to be part of a family.”
Donna nodded. "No I sincerely doubt that he'd notice me like this. Especially not if I did something with my hair or something. No one would think to look for me if I was with you and Casey. My uncle will be looking for a young blonde alone. If he's looking at all."
“Well, let me have Birdie put together a list of sorts and we can go shopping, it would be nice to get away from here for a while. I’ve been busy getting ready for the sheering season the past week, just buried one of my men last month, so a day away from here might be just what I need. How soon can you be ready?” He looked at her, his eyes really taking her in for the first time that day. He had come so close to kissing her the other night, and for some reason he knew that his eyes betrayed him.
"Oh it won't take me long," Donna replied, "maybe a half hour." She flushed softly and then hurried upstairs. She returned in a white sleeveless crepe dress with large roses printed on it. The dress fell mid-thigh and she wore white sandals to compliment it. Her hair was up in a beautiful French twist and her make-up was beautifully done. She looked a slight bit older done up as she was. "I'm ready," she said when she reached the bottom of the stairs.
Mic had changed himself, he wore a pair of black trousers and a dark maroon polo shirt and Casey wore a pair of denim overalls and a T-shirt with a pair of sneakers. “I think Birdie thought I’d grown a second head when I told her I was going to go shopping, but otherwise I think we’re all set too.” He led her to his car a silver, four-door sedan and held her door open for her before placing Casey in his car seat. Closing both doors before going to his side where he got in realizing he had left his keys with Casey. The keys were found and they started on their way. They arrived in the nearby town about 30 minutes later; Mic parked and helped them both out. “I imagine we should do the shopping last, some of the things on the list she gave me will spoil if they sit out here for any length of time. I guess I can stop at the post office first and then there’s a coffee shop that I imagine we could catch up on any gossip there.”
Donna nodded, she watched him get Casey out and she smiled at the little boy. He was absolutely precious. She waited for Mic to lead the way while she took in all the sights.
Once they’d gotten into the post office, he handed Casey over to Donna with only a moment’s hesitation. His hesitation instantly gone when Casey grabbed onto her neck and he saw that his son was comfortable in the woman’s arms. After the post office he stopped at the bank and then went to the coffee shop he had mentioned, knowing Casey would get antsy being someplace where there was food he ordered him some more oatmeal and ordered himself a Coke. “You never told me, or if you did I’ve forgotten. Did you meet the horny 50-year-old man your uncle was marrying you off to? I mean, maybe you would have liked him.”
Donna instantly shuddered with disgust. "He was a terrible man with shaky clammy hands and he pawed at me the whole time I was there. I couldn't stand him! He kept talking about how I wouldn't have to do anything all day except satisfy his needs. I am NOT a playboy bunny!"
He chuckled lightly, “well, I could see where he might get confused. Though admittedly, you’re far more attractive than any of the women I’ve ever seen in one of those magazines.” He offered her a smile and took hold of her hand politely. “If you can look without being obvious, there’s an older man to the left of Casey’s high chair. He’s been looking at us.” He handed her a Wet One, “I think his face could use being wiped off.”
Donna took the wipe and gently wiped Casey's face clean while the toddler protested good-naturedly. "That's one of my uncle's men," Donna replied in a trembling whispered when she turned back to Mic.
He smiled at the two of them, “just sit back down.” When she had, he took her hand in his familiarly. “You’ll need to keep your left hand out of view,” he said softly as he took a sip of his Coke. As the man scanned the room once more, Mic released his hold on her hand and brushed her cheek lightly with his thumb. “An eyelash,” he winked, the gesture was tender and suggested an intimacy that he hoped the man would pick up on and turn his attentions elsewhere.
It worked like a charm and after speaking with a few other people the man left and walked across the street to a nearby shop. "Do you think he recognized me?" she trembled.
He felt her trembling, but wasn’t sure if it was out of fear or due to his touch. “No, I don’t. As you said, he’s looking for a 22 year old, blonde girl who’s alone. Not a woman with a local man with a 2-year-old child, and in that dress and your makeup as it is you do not look 22. You look every bit a woman.”
Donna smiled, "Thank-you. Thank-you for taking care of me."
He smiled, “no reason to thank me. If I were in your shoes I don’t think I’d be too pleased at the prospects your uncle had planned out for you either.” He paid their bill and took Casey from the high chair and walked with her to the grocery store. He glanced at her clearly embarrassed, “I do hope you know something about grocery shopping, I wouldn’t know the difference between bread and milk to save my life.”
Donna smiled, "You don't grocery shop...this is an interesting place." She took Casey onto her hip and cooed at him while she picked up the things on the list like an expert.
He watched her and shook his head slightly; it bothered him in a way to see Casey take so easily to the young woman. A feeling of guilt came over Mitchell, wondering if he hadn’t been depriving his son of something important. Birdie and Maggie were servants, hired help, and while they loved the boy chances were if they were relieved of their duties they’d never return. At the same time, Mitchell wondered, what were the chances this woman would return either once she was settled back in America. “No, I’m afraid I leave shopping up to the people in the household who use the things they buy. They cook and clean, so it seems fair they should be able to select what items they prefer. Now, ask me about different types of feed and hay and I can talk to you until the sun goes down and then some about that.” “Is he too heavy for you?”
"No...I love him," Donna smiled, "he's precious and I don't mind looking after him at all."
“I’m surprised he’s taken to you so easily, you’re the first woman he’s ever seen aside from Birdie and Maggie, a few of the ranch hands wives, but they normally stay away from him for some reason.” He ruffled his son’s hair gently, his fingers gently brushing against her bare arm as he removed his hand and while normally he would have apologized for such contact, he found somehow he didn’t want to. He focused his attentions on the different varieties of ketchup on the shelf. “It’s a good thing I don’t do this, too many choices.”
"It's not hard. Birdie gave the brands she wanted too," Donna smiled, "huh little one?" she cooed to Casey. The shopping was very soon accomplished. "I think maybe no one wants to intrude on your wife's space."
He placed the groceries in the trunk while she got Casey settled in his car seat. When they arrived home Casey was more than ready for a nap, Mic took him upstairs and got him settled taking the opportunity to change into a pair of jeans. He found her in his office, “you’ve really taken to your task I see. I can actually see my desk, I had forgotten what it looked like.” He laughed lightly, his eyes narrowed slightly as he watched her. “Are you all right?”
"Yeah, I'm fine," Donna replied. "I just got so nervous. He could have taken me!"
“I wouldn’t have let him take you, Donna.” He chuckled lightly, “I know of no one else who would dare set foot in this office to clean it.” He saw her look at him and removed his hand from his front pocket and held it up, “I’m kidding, Donna. Really. You’re welcome to stay here as long as you need to, it’s about time we had some feminine influences here at Amulet. Maybe you’ll bring us some luck, too. I’m hoping for the fifth consecutive sheering season to have no deaths or injuries, to the men or the sheep.” He chuckled lightly, returning his hand to his pocket and his shoulder to lean against the door jam watching her.
"Can I watch them sheer?" Donna suddenly asked enthusiastically. "I've never seen it before. Maybe I can get some hands on experience."
“Well, we’d best wait a week or so for that. I’m just thinking in case your uncle or his henchmen come looking for you, you’re better off staying near the house where there’s only the household staff who has to lie about there being anyone new on Amulet. But, yes I see no reason why you can’t watch and maybe even participate a bit.” He watched with a raised brow as Birdie came in with a glass of iced tea for Donna. “I’ll let you get to work, I’ll see you for dinner I hope.”
"Of course, I wouldn't miss a meal here," Donna smiled, "You have an excellent cook." Donna watched him go and then got back to work. Organizing was easy Jaci had left everything in perfectly logical order. Donna found herself admiring his business sense.
Lenae came in a little while later, assuming it was her dad in the room. Her eyes opened widely when she saw it was Donna. “Oh,” she paused, startled though it was difficult for her to hide the amusement in her eyes. “I was looking for Dad. Is he inside do you know?”
"No I'm afraid I don't know. Anything I can do to help?" Donna asked, "or maybe you would like to help me?"
“Help you? I don’t know what I could help you with.” She looked down, biting her lip. “But I think I’d like that. Are you sure Dad won’t mind?”
"I'm sure he won't," Donna smiled, happy that the girl was giving her a chance. "Okay you see these files with the numbers, just match the number up here in the right corner with the file number please."
Lenae set to her task and worked for a while quietly. “So what’s America like? My mother was American,” she said softly. “But she never told me much about it.”
"Well the part that I'm from, Georgia is very beautiful," Donna began, "I used to live in Savannah which is one of the United States oldest cities. The houses are very pretty there. America has lots of different climates. The north even gets snow. We're not very spread out like Australia and you won't find a lot of sheep but you can find cows."
“Mom was from South Dakota I think, wherever Mount Rushmore is.” She shrugged lightly, “how did you end up here? Australia I mean? And here at Amulet?”
"Well...that's really a strange story," Donna smiled, "You see my father was killed in an accident and I was put off on my uncle. He didn't want me and he was always gone so eventually when I got old enough he brought me down here to marry a man so he could get money. I didn't like the man and knew it wasn't right so I ran away and I was hiding here." She looked gently at the girl, "please don't tell anyone about that."
Lenae shook her head, “of course not. Dad told me I wasn’t to tell anyone you were here, or that someone new was here. But I had no idea. I can’t imagine what I’d do without my dad, he’s pretty cool compared to most dads I know.” She shrugged slightly, “though I wish he’d quit being so protective.”
"He's only protective of you because he loves you so much," Donna said softly, "and probably because you remind him of your mom..."
“You know, that’s what’s so weird about it. I don’t look like either of them. I’ve often wondered if I wasn’t left on their doorstep or something,” she laughed lightly but it was obvious she wasn’t truly kidding. “Anyway, I take it you’re not married then? No kids? What happened to your mom?”
"My mom died giving birth to me," Donna said, her expression falling, "I never knew her." She was silent a long moment and then attempted to recover the good mood. "No, I'm not married and I don't have any children, but I think you and Casey are great. You're very smart for your age."
“That’s what happened to my mom,” she sighed. “Well, sort of. She was seven months pregnant when she died, since she was already hospitalized they were able to take Casey out in time I guess. I don’t really understand all of it. Sometimes I get so mad at her for getting pregnant.”
"Maybe it wasn't Casey who caused it," Donna replied softly, "maybe your mom was already sick and the pregnancy had nothing to do with it. You don't know that her being pregnant killed her. But still, even if it did, she didn't know that was going to happen. I'm sure she just wanted another wonderful child like you."
“How old were you when your dad died?” Lenae looked at Donna, “I mean you’re so young. I’ve never thought about my dad dying. He just seems too strong sometimes to let anything happen to him.” She looked out the room’s window as Mic and Casey came into the room. He chuckled lightly, “I just came to make sure you weren’t overly bored, but I see you have company.” He kissed the top of Lenae’s head, “dinner will be ready in a while ladies. I’m going out to the barn for a while to check on everything, but I’ll be back and then we’ll eat.” He picked Casey up and left the room. “You’re not going to stay, are you?” Lenae asked quietly.
"I'd like to for a while if that's okay with you," Donna replied. "I like it here. This is a nice house and besides I want to learn how to sheer sheep in a few days. Right now though we've got this to work on. You're doing really well. I can't believe you've almost got all of those filed."
“Thanks,” she finished putting the stack away she had in her lap. “I’m going to go upstairs for a while, but thanks for letting me help you. And thanks for talking to me like I’m a person; I think sometimes Dad still sees me as being Casey’s age. It gets annoying sometimes.”
Donna laughed softly, "Yeah I can imagine. He just needs a little tuning up. Thank-you for the help." Donna watched Lenae go upstairs and then went back to work. She finally finished cleaning it all up just before dinner. Now it was all organized and all she needed to do was make sense of it all and update it. She washed her hands and face and hurried to the dining room hoping she wouldn't be late.
Lenae was just putting Casey in his high chair when Donna came in; both children offered her a smile, Casey’s a little wider than Lenae’s. Mic came in a short while after Birdie had already served the dinner. “Sorry I’m late,” he glanced at Donna. “We’re pretty informal around here, but dinner is always at the same time every night. But, since you’re not one of my children if you ever don’t care to eat with us just let Birdie know.” Casey was talkative at the table, though most of it was difficult to decipher.
"You adorable little boy you," Donna enthused. She was very attentive to Casey and she tried to be to Lenae as well. "You daughter was such a giant help this afternoon. I would still be at it if it wasn't for her," Donna told Mic.
“I’m glad you found her something to do, school starts again in a week and I’m afraid I have little to keep her busy.” After dinner, Mic let Lenae deal with Casey for a little while and led Donna outside. “Would you like to see some of my ranch? You were passed out the other day when I brought you back to the house.”
"I'd love to," Donna smiled, "you're right I haven't seen much of it."
He walked with her to a Jeep and took her for a tour of his property. He stopped in front of a barn, “do you ride? Horses I mean? We’ve got about an hour of daylight left if you’re interested.”
"My father owned a ranch that I spent a good deal of time at. I can ride them anyway you please," Donna smiled. True to her word she mounted the horse he offered her effortlessly and easily opened the gate from the corral out into the pasture.
He followed her out and they rode together for over an hour, leading her back when clouds rolled in to avoid the rain. He helped her down from the horse she rode, his hand remaining in hers once she stood on the ground. He raised his free hand to her face, brushing her cheek lightly with the back of his hand. “Thank you for the company,” he said softly.
"You-you're welcome," Donna replied a flush creeping up her neck and onto her face. She moved from him and lowered her head as she headed back towards the house.
He cursed himself quietly, “Donna wait!” He walked towards her, “I’m sorry. You don’t need to walk back.” His voice was soft and sincere.
She turned back, still flushed bright red. "I'm sorry I just...I wasn't expecting..."
“And you shouldn’t have expected it, I’m sorry. You come here speaking of a man who paws you, and what do I do?” He ran his fingers through his hair slowly, his eyes avoiding her. “I hope you won’t rethink staying here, I assure you I don’t pose a threat to you.”
Donna opened her mouth. She wanted to tell him she had liked it, but then what would he think of her. She closed her mouth again and smiled at him. "I'm not going anywhere."
“Well, I’m glad because I have to admit you’re a welcome intrusion in our lives, to all of us it seems.” He pointed off to the horizon as they got into the Jeep. “We’re going to have a good storm tonight, probably about an hour or so away yet. We’ll probably lose power for a while so if you have anything you need to do I’d take care of it when we get back.”
Donna nodded, "maybe we should all find some lanterns and play a board game with Lenae in the living room."
He laughed lightly. “We’re well prepared for these types of things, storms roll in without advance warning sometimes. The power going out is a common occurrence. I think Lenae is going back to her friend’s house for the next couple of nights, but I think you could find me interested in playing some cards if she’s not available.”
Donna smiled, "Okay then...but I play a mean hand of cards. They don't like me in several of the casinos in Vegas in the US and practically every one on the Riviera. Of course my favorite game is Gin Rummy."
He laughed lightly, “I can just imagine.” They returned to the house and Mitchell walked in behind her, no sooner had they walked in then Casey ran in from his playroom into his dad’s arms. Mitchell picked him up and listened as he told him about the new toy Maggie had brought for him. He walked holding Casey into the hallway, and met with Birdie who told him Lenae had gone over to Shari’s for the night. “I guess it’s just us. She’ll probably end up staying there until school starts. I’m somewhat surprised she didn’t have Shari come here to meet you.”
"I don't know if she knows what to think of me," Donna replied honestly. "Maybe we should find something to do with Casey. You know it's important to spend time with your children. They'll remember it all their lives."
“Yes, I’m well aware of that. You just happened to come at a busy time around here. Being that most of Lenae’s friends live miles from here she doesn’t see them during the school week normally. And Casey normally comes out with me to do my overseeing, but with sheering season underway I keep him out of harm’s way. He’s too curious for his own good. I’ll read to him for a while, then we’ll have our hot chocolate and it will time for his bath and bed. Then we can play cards.” He cocked his head slightly, “isn’t there anyone you need to call to tell them you’re all right? Friends or anything?”
Donna shook her head, "No one. There's no one."
“All right, I just didn’t want you to feel like a prisoner here or that I was preventing you from calling someone.” He headed for the stairs, “we’ll be down in a minute, he’s not much for taking baths lately so it’s a pretty quick process.” He returned about 45 minutes later with Casey dressed in footie pajamas holding onto the book he wanted Mic to read to him. He found Donna in the living room on a love seat watching the rain as it started to fall, “care to join us for hot chocolate or does the weather have your attention?”
"I love to watch a good thunderstorm," Donna said, "can we watch it here."
He smiled at her enthusiasm for something most took for granted. “Of course,” he set Casey and the book down and went to tell Birdie to bring their drinks into the living room. He started a fire in the fireplace and lay down on his stomach on the floor with Casey to read.
"This is wonderful," Donna smiled. She looked down fondly at Casey with Mic.
Mic looked up at her with a slight smile when Birdie came in with their drinks. “Yes, it is kind of nice, isn’t it?” He sat up and held Casey in his lap, taking a sip of his hot chocolate as it thundered and lightening outside. “He loves storms. Lenae was scared to pieces of them. She crawled into bed with Jaci and I until she was about seven whenever it stormed.”
"I hope she's alright," Donna smiled softly, "I've always loved storms. Well as long as they're not terribly bad of course. I just love to watch the lightening and the rain calms me."
“I’m sure she’s fine, and she’d probably hate me for telling you that about her. She likes everyone to think she’s so brave all the time. Rain is calming, I agree. It washes away all the dust and grime and things start fresh.” After Casey had finished his chocolate milk, Mic excused himself and took Casey up to bed. He returned a little while later, “I wish I was that small. He was asleep on my shoulder before we got to the stairs.”
Donna smiled softly, "Babies and little children are so precious that way. They're so beautiful in sleep. I used to go to the hospital sometimes just to look in the nursery windows at them all. Their faces calm and fists curled up in sleep." Donna smiled and she was obviously elsewhere.
He walked to the French doors, his back towards her. “I remember the first time I saw Lenae. I didn’t want to look at her at first, but the minute I did any doubts I had flew out the window.” He clenched his fist tightly as he looked out the window, his mind obviously elsewhere as well.
"Why did you not want to look at her? You didn't want children when Jaci got pregnant?" Donna asked curious.
He looked at her almost as if he’d forgotten she was there, and then her question sunk in. “No, no. Lenae’s not my daughter. Jaci was sixteen when she got pregnant by one of the men that worked here at Amulet, she was one of the hands’ daughters and she thought the guy loved her. Well, he did for one night and then when he found out she thought she was pregnant he left.” He turned his back to her again and ran his hands through his hair. “I married her, I guess out of a sense of duty or honor. Whatever you want to call it, but she wanted the baby and for some reason she chose to come to me with this problem. Maybe she knew what I’d do, I don’t know. Anyway, I vowed that I would raise her as mine; it’s my name on her birth certificate. We were married within three weeks of her becoming pregnant, and Lenae was two weeks late so though people had their suspicions, only her doctor knows truly how far along she was.” He sighed heavily, “no one else knows what I’ve told you.”
"Oh I wouldn't say a word!" Donna quickly assured, "poor Jaci that must've been horrible for her and only 16..." Donna's mind began in a frenzy to work dates. Jaci was less than 30 when she had died. Donna began to wonder if Mic had loved her all along, or if he had grown to love her. She wondered if he resented Lenae. There were so many things to think about then. To escape them she quickly rose and hurried to the front door, taking the blanket she had around her with her and she fled out onto the front porch, curling up in the hammock on the side.
He left her alone for a while and when he finally did go to fetch her he found she had fallen asleep in the hammock. He chuckled lightly and watched as she slept, she looked so peaceful. His thoughts crept to Jaci’s last few months and how she slept, or didn’t sleep would be more accurate. Caught in his thoughts, he brushed the hair back from Donna’s face lightly before taking her into his arms. “You’re going to catch your death if you stay out here, the temperature can drop to almost freezing in no time during one of our storms.” She felt so light in his arms, easy to carry. Other than Casey, it had been so long since he’d held another human being he’d almost forgotten what it had felt like to hold a woman against him like this. He discounted the day he’d found her; he hadn’t been thinking clearly enough to think about it. He stood watching her face so peaceful as he held her, startled when she opened her eyes.
Unconsciously she curled closer against him. "We could get more blankets...it's so nice to listen to the rain out here. You could keep me warm." She added in her half-awake daze, smiling softly up at him with her sensual lips and her half-lidded eyes.
“I’ve got a better idea,” he whispered. He led her indoors and up the stairs to his room. After setting her on his bed gently he opened the French doors that led to a balcony overlooking the vast nothingness that was his backyard. His bed was mere feet from the doors, he had placed it here for exactly this reason - to be able to lie in bed and enjoy the weather. He sat on the edge of his bed and brushed back her hair, “you can enjoy the storm from here without catching your death.” His breathing was uneven, his voice caught as he spoke what he was thinking. “Would you still like me to keep you warm?”
"Mmm...." Donna smiled, "I wouldn't mind..."
He stood and walked to the other side of the bed, kneeling and then shifting so he was lying beside her on the bed. He brushed back her hair gently, “I don’t think you really need me.” His hand dropped to the blanket she had around her. “You’ve got this and your clothes. But I’m happy to oblige a lady in need.” He moved the blanket aside gently and traced her lower neck with his fingertip lightly.
Donna curled up against him. "I like thunderstorms..." she said softly and she turned to look out the window, perfectly comfortable.
He rolled onto his side, propping his head in his hand while his elbow rested on the pillow below him. He watched as the rain came down, the sound of the raindrops hitting the wooden floor of the balcony outside his room soothing him. “What’s your story, Miss Nammarth? Why does your uncle need to find you a beau? Are you too shy to find your own or is there another reason entirely?”
"He wanted to be rid of me without it costing him a fortune and my marriage would have given him access to a business merger he very much wanted." Donna replied.
“Yes,” he replied softly. “You’ve mentioned that. What I meant was. You’re a smart girl; you’ve gone to college. You’re a pretty girl; you’ve certainly managed to gather my attention, which is quite honestly more than I can say for anyone else in my 32 years of existence. So, my question, Miss Nammarth, is why wasn’t there a man back home asking for your hand? And for that matter just where in America are you from? I don’t know that you told me.”
"Georgia, Savannah Georgia," Donna replied, "and I was always with my father traveling so I never formed anything lasting and then my uncle was always sending me everywhere and again nothing lasting. It's not that I don't enjoy a handsome man's company..." Donna shrugged.
He nodded slightly, “I thought I detected a southern drawl.” He chuckled lightly. “So does that mean you are interested in something lasting? If you were to find the right handsome man that is.”
"Of course...I want a loving husband and a family same as any other young woman. I'm not the kind that likes a casual fling. I mean I guess they're alright but I never let them get too far."
He turned over onto his back, placing his hands behind his head as he stared at the ceiling. “When Jaci died I figured finally I had my chance to live my life the way I wanted to, but with Lenae and Casey that’s not possible. Not to mention living out here isn’t exactly the hot bed of social activities. Anyway now that Casey’s approaching three here in a few months, I’ve grown content with it just being the three of us. Lenae is going to go to boarding school next year,” he turned his head to look at her. “Only because I want her to have the best possible education I can give her and out here is not it. I’ve done fine so far, but I want her to go to college and get a degree of some sort. And then it’ll be me and Casey,” he shrugged slightly not wanting to admit exactly how lonely the prospect of that was to him.
"Sounds like you're going to miss her," Donna voiced her opinion. "You know I think it's nice out here. I can't see where you're missing anything."
“Oh, it’s nice enough. I’m certainly not complaining. But it’s not exactly prime territory for me to find someone I care about and court them. To be honest I guess Jaci did me a favor; I never had time for women and certainly not marriage or children. But she made it all not so bad, she was a good wife and took good care of our home. Obviously by the state of my office you can see who it was that really ran things. I’m sure if you hadn’t tumbled out from the loft in my barn I would have gone through and tackled it sooner or later, but I was in no hurry.”
"Obviously," Donna laughed. "So would you have married her if she hadn't been pregnant? Do you ever think you'll marry again?"
“No, I wouldn’t have married her. I was fond of her don’t get me wrong. She was smart and pretty and a good person, but I really had no intentions on staying here. But her father didn’t have the money to send her away anywhere and she wanted to keep the baby, Lenae.” He sighed heavily, “I’m not sorry. And I love Lenae just as much as Casey even if she does look like her father.” He turned his attentions back to the storm outside, “I suppose I’d marry again for the right reasons though. Admittedly I could have done worse, we were friends and I think that’s why we managed to stay happy as long as we did. She gave up her life to give me my son, I don’t know that many people would have done that husband or no husband.”
"What....what happened?" Donna asked turning doe eyes to Mic. She looked rather upset.
He looked down at her, “she had cervical cancer. Advanced stages, she got pregnant and stopped her treatments knowing that she may not survive. I tried to talk her out of it, we had Lenae after all, but she seemed to think for some reason that it was important to me to have a child of my own. I don’t know what exactly she was thinking, so now instead I was a 30 year old man with a 10 year old daughter and a newborn son who had never gotten to touch his mother. I’m not sure I won anything.”
Donna burst into tears. "Oh that's so terrible!" She buried herself against his chest instinctively to cry. Then she got embarrassed and tried to move from the bed, still sobbing.
He pulled her back against him instinctively, and smoothed her hair down. “It’s all right, really. I miss her don’t get me wrong. But I think I had time to adjust to life without her. That may sound harsh, and I don’t mean it that way. But when someone has a terminal illness I think you emotionally prepare for it before it physically happens.” He ran his hands through her hair gently. “I probably just made myself out to be a heartless bastard, and I’m sorry. I’m not really. But life hasn’t exactly turned out how I planned.”
"Well neither has mine," Donna answered sniffling. She drew her tears to a close. "Look at me a guest in your house taking over your bed and crying against your shirt, all this AFTER I fell out of your loft!"
He smoothed his hand along her arm with a slight laugh. “I have to admit this isn’t exactly how I envisioned your joining me in my bed, but it will do. And I’m not sorry at all you fell out of my loft, Donna. Really. You’re a welcome intrusion.” He tilted her head up to face him, drying her tears with his thumb and noticing he missed one he lowered his lips and kissed her cheek, gently kissing the tear away.
Donna flushed red all over and then for some reason she didn't know she leaned in and kissed him passionately. "Oh I'm sorry!" she exclaimed.
He took hold of her arm and prevented her from pulling back, “why are you apologizing?” He looked at her closely, his mouth inches from hers. “I liked it. I’d like to do it again. There’s something about a rainstorm and a pretty girl sitting on my bed that brings out the romantic in me.”
"But the children and your wife and...." Donna said breathily but she found herself kissing him again anyhow.
He touched her cheek lightly. “Jaci’s not here, Donna. Lenae is at her friend’s house and Casey is asleep. She never slept in this bed if that’s on your mind.”
"You want me to sleep with you?" she asked breathily as the storm raged on outside. "I...I can't do that without some sort of commitment. I'm not asking for marriage I just..." she flushed the worst he'd ever seen. "I've never...never..."
“Honey, I was just enjoying kissing you. You’re the one who seemed to think my former wife and my children should prevent me from kissing you. We happen to be here, laying on my bed and you like storms. It doesn’t seem to be letting up and my bed offers a perfect view.” His thumb brushed her cheek again lightly. “You can kiss me without a commitment, can’t you?”
Donna leaned in and began the kiss nervously but it ended up being as wonderfully and shyly passionate as she was. She followed that kiss with another and another.
He smiled slightly, obviously surprised by her assertiveness. “Was that so difficult?” He kissed her again, rubbing her back lightly.
"Um...no," Donna answered truthfully but nervously. "You make it hard to resist."
He raised a brow slightly, “do I? Well, in that case, perhaps I should do it again.” He offered her a smile as he traced her jaw line with the pad of his thumb. He pushed her back lightly on the bed and kissed her deeply, his tongue tracing her lips. He groaned appreciatively at the warmth of her lips. It had been so long, too long he reminded himself as a clap of thunder was heard nearby.
Donna wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him there as they continued to kiss. Her breathing had changed and he could feel her chest heaving beneath him. Her face was beautifully colored, not with shyness or embarrassment but with sensuality.
Mitchell pulled away briefly noting the change in her breathing, wanting to be sure she was all right. Noticing the flushness of her face he smiled slightly, his desire clearly registered in his eyes. He brushed her hair back from her neck and kissed the side of her neck lightly, his teeth nipping lightly until he reached her ear. “You smell wonderful,” he whispered heavily in her ear before returning his attentions to her ear with his mouth. Slow, sensual kisses and caresses from his tongue which oddly aroused him more. He groaned at the effect she was having on him, that he was having on himself.
She was trembling against him, "Oh Mic," she gasped softly, "don't stop...don't stop this is wonderful."
“Mm,” was his soft response as he traced her neck lightly with kisses moving his hand to work the button at the top of her dress allowing him to kiss lower on her neck and collarbones. He placed his hand against her face, his thumb rubbing her lips before his fingers traced down her neck lightly stopping when he cupped her breast in the palm of his hand. He lifted his mouth from her neck to look at his hand resting on her covered breast his thumb gently caressing her nipple. He looked from his hand to her face hesitantly.
Donna took a deep breath and trembled. "I'm okay..." she finally decided to whisper softly.
He nodded slightly and brought his mouth again to hers, kissing her softly. He moved his hand from her breast to the top of her dress, unbuttoning more buttons so that he was able to reach under her dress with his hand. He sought her breast again, his warm hand slid under the cup of her bra to touch her bare breast. His hand was still and unmoving as his kisses grew in intensity.
Donna felt sensations rushing through her that she had never felt before. She liked the feelings but they frightened her. Be brave little one, her father had always told her. She held out, returning his kisses and caressing his chest and his nipples as well.
He finished unbuttoning her dress, pushing it open so he could look at her body. He broke his kiss when he felt her bare stomach against his hand. He inhaled sharply, then trailed kisses down from her lips along her neck and upper chest to her breasts. He reached around her back and unfastened her bra watching her chest heave up and down. He took a nipple between his thumb and index finger rubbing it gently then lowered his mouth to claim her now erect nipple. He looked up at her, “tell me to stop, honey, and I will but I’m going to reach a point here pretty soon that it’s going to be awfully difficult to do.”
"I don't...I don't know that I want you to," Donna gasped out, surprised by her own words. She took her turn with her mouth on his nipples and then his ears before recapturing his mouth.
He kissed her passionately as he got himself out of his shirt, taking her hand and placing it against his chest. His hands explored her breasts, stomach and hips before resting on her thigh. He placed himself gently between her thighs, a hand caressing her thigh possessively as he broke the kiss. “I don’t want me to either, sweetheart.” His arousal was evident even through his jeans as he pressed himself against her.
Donna's hands explored his chest while her mouth played with his Adam’s apple. She moaned and writhed against him, begging for more of his attentions.
He lifted her towards him to remove her dress and bra and after a brief kiss to her mouth lowered his lips to her breasts, circling both nipples with his tongue leaving them taut and wet from his attentions before trailing kisses along her stomach. He slid her panties down along her thighs before returning his hands to her womanhood a finger sliding in gently as his thumb grazed the spot above. He brought his mouth to her breasts as he continued his gentle thrusts with his finger. “Are you all right, honey?” he asked before taking a nipple in between his teeth, teasing it mercilessly. “Lord knows you feel more than all right.”
Donna was making small mewing, gasping noises. She was trembling against him. "This feels so good but I'm scared," she gasped out.
Encouraged by the noises she made he increased the intensity of his thumb, the finger within her still for the moment. “Scared of what, honey? Me?” His breath was warm on her breast as he spoke. “It’s not like I do this every day, if that’s what you’re thinking. Far from it, there’s been no one since Jaci.”
"Scared of what I'm allowing to happen to me," Donna replied, "I've never....and here I am..."
He smiled slightly, bringing his mouth to hers. “Yes, and here you are.” He kissed her again before standing from the bed slowly, removing his jeans quickly. He was obviously comfortable standing before her this way as he reached over her and opened his nightstand drawer. He returned to the bed, resuming his spot on top of her his manhood pressing against her. “It’ll be good, Donna. I’ll be gentle.” He kissed her, nibbling on her upper lip as his hand grazed her waist and thigh lightly.
Donna trembled and looked up at him. Her eyes locked with his. She wrapped her arms about his neck again and kissed him passionately.
He broke the kiss and knelt before her as he placed a condom on then returned to her. “Look at me, Donna. I need to hear you say yes, as nice as your kissing me is I don’t want to force you into this.” How he had the willpower at this point he had no idea, but he had to know that she knew what she was about to do, they were about to do. He placed a finger inside her again, a mistake he realized because all that did was make him think about how she would feel around him when he made love to her.
Donna was quiet and still for a long time. "Yes," she finally squeaked out in a voice she hardly recognized.
With that yes, his mouth reclaimed hers as he guided himself inside her. He inhaled sharply, pausing briefly to let her body adjust to him being inside of her. He lowered his mouth to capture her breast resuming his thrust inside of her. He moved his mouth to her neck, kissing lightly. “Good God,” he whispered softly. “You’re so tight, like a glove around me.” He moved gently, his thrusts slow and short as he kissed her.
Donna moaned and gasped and writhed begging for more. She began to meet him thrust for thrust as she enjoyed his attentions.
His thrusts grew bolder as she responded to him, his kisses increasing in intensity as one hand went around her waist to hold her close to him, the other attentive to her breast. His breathing grew ragged and short as his desire built, he wouldn’t be able to hold back much longer. Finally, his lips parted as he kissed her and a groan escaped his mouth as he spent himself. He continued thrusting within her wanting nothing more than to please her. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered softly, his mouth near her ear.
The husky sound of his voice made her body climax and she clung to him tightly, fear obvious as her eyes opened wide. She was panting wildly and two tears escaped down her cheeks, "sorry for what?" she panted back.
He kissed her lightly as he stood and walked into his bathroom returning a minute later to lie beside her on his side, his hands tracing lightly over her naked body. “About it being so fast. I’ve never been with anyone who’s never before. I had no idea it would feel so unbelievably good. It’s a good thing I had a condom on or I probably wouldn’t have lasted as long as I did.” He leaned down and kissed her. “Are you all right, Donna?”
"I...I think so," Donna replied, "I certainly can't say I regret it now that it's done...I know this sounds stupid to you I'm sure but...I'm officially a woman now."
“Sweetheart, you were a woman before now. Believe me, you wouldn’t be laying here with me now if that hadn’t been the case.” He chuckled lightly then looked outside to where it still stormed. “You will stay here, won’t you? I mean tonight, I’d feel awful foolish if you got up and went to your room after that.”
She looked at him a moment with surprise thinking of the staff and the children but then she remember Lenae was gone and Casey could not reach them. They would not be disturbed. "Umm...I need some pajamas?" she suggested not knowing anything about romance and adult relationships.
He chuckled lightly with his eyebrow raised. “Do you now?” He stood from the bed and went to his dresser, pulling out a plain white T-shirt and tossed it to her on the bed. “That’ll have to do, ma’am. I’m afraid I have nothing with frills or lace on it. But I’d quite honestly prefer you sleep as you are, if I have any say in the matter.” He returned to the bed and stretched out on his stomach, his feet hanging off the edge of the bed, his face buried in his pillow.
Donna shrugged and discarded the shirt and then she pulled up the covers and snuggled in. "Mmm...I could get used this bed."
He turned his head on the pillow to look at her with an amused smile on his face. “Well, I’d be a fool to tell you that you weren’t welcome in this bed whenever you care to grace it with your presence. So, please get used to it. I certainly won’t complain.” He gestured to the king size bed, “and there’s certainly enough room for the both of us.”
She smiled at him and then it occurred to her to ask something. "Why Mic? Why me? Why now? What did all this mean? Please at least tell me it wasn't just sex. I think I'd have to cry if I realized I lost my virginity to just sex."
He sighed heavily and sat up in the bed. “No, it wasn’t just sex. If by “just sex” you mean something I could have equally shared in with a woman I had absolutely no knowledge of. But I can’t really tell you what it was, more than I kissed you and you responded and it went from there. I certainly wasn’t planning on this happening if that’s what you’re asking. I didn’t see you topple out of my loft and quickly ascertain that I could have you in my bed within a week’s time if that’s what you’re asking me.” He ran his fingers through his hair, “It wasn’t just sex, Donna, but it wasn’t more than that either. I don’t know if I’m making myself clear, and I’m probably pissing you off in the process.”
"You might want to quit while I'm still thinking positively about the whole thing," Donna sighed, "I guess it's enough that you want me to stay." She snuggled close and then turned so she could watch the rain as she fell to sleep. "I thought it was wonderful," was the last thing she said sleepily before she drifted off entirely.
He held her close to him through the night, thankful that Casey wasn’t an early riser. He kissed her cheek lightly when he woke up, “the rain’s stopped.” His head returned to the pillow, his arm at her waist keeping her close by.
"It's too early to get up..." Donna moaned softly, "I feel like just cuddling in bed and laying for a while...feel how wonderful the air is...." She turned around and with a smile she kissed him.
He chuckled lightly and returned the kiss. He stood from the bed and tossed her the T-shirt he had offered her the night before as he slid on a pair of boxers. “Why don’t we go see the effects of that storm out on my balcony?”
"Mm....okay," she said languidly as she stretched and then slipping on the shirt she followed him out onto the balcony, "oh it's beautiful!" she gasped, enjoying the view. "Oh my goodness a roo!" she exclaimed with overzealous excitement as she pointed down below them.
He laughed lightly, enjoying the sparkle in her eyes as he wrapped his arms around her from behind. “I’m sorry, Donna. Not about what happened, but what I said afterward. I don’t know what you wanted me to say, but I can’t lie to you either.” He kissed the back of her neck lightly. “I like you, I can’t deny that. You’re interesting, but I also don’t want you thinking I’m a horny 30-something year old man who can’t stop from pawing you either.”
"I just wanted to know that you did it because I was special, because something about me made me somewhat unique," Donna said with her back to him. "That you don't just plan on doing it once and expecting me to move on and forget it happened or treat it like a mistake."
“Honey, if you moved on and forgot it happened then I would have done something terribly wrong last night.” He chuckled lightly, “but I certainly don’t consider it a mistake and I’d welcome the opportunity to show you that I have a little more stamina and restraint than I demonstrated to you last night.” He lowered his hands to her buttocks, rubbing it lightly. “You were just too much for this old man.”
Donna burst into the giggles, "You? old? Ha! You'd easily pass for 27 and my father always said I need a man older than me to be able to understand me and one that could properly take care of me given my nature." She laughed lightly, "that aside I do not think you're old and I don't think I want to go back to the way things were before last night."
“Well, I’m glad because I don’t know that I could stand it. Now that we’ve shared such closeness, I may act like that man that couldn’t keep his hands off. I’m sure you may not understand exactly how long three plus years is, but I’d sure like to demonstrate.” His hands moved from her buttocks to her hips then between her thighs, “or are you sore?”
"Unfortunately I'm really pretty sore..." Donna sighed.
He picked her up abruptly and brought her back indoors, placing her on the bed. He pushed the T-shirt up to her waist and watched as he gently placed a finger within her. “Too sore, eh? Let me see if I can help.” He brought his mouth to meet his hand, his tongue and teeth latching on to her nub teasing it gently. He looked up at her briefly before returning his attentions to pleasing her.
Donna began to moan and writhe almost immediately and he was soon rewarded with her heat. "Oh wow, oh wow that feels good!" she gasped out. He could already feel her beginning to tense.
He increased the attention from his tongue, a second finger joined the first as he gently thrust them within her. He broke away slightly as he felt her respond. “It’s all right, honey. Make love to my fingers,” he whispered softly as he watched her body respond, a soft groan leaving his lips as he felt himself grow hard. He brought his other hand up to her breasts and caressed them lightly. He stopped moving his fingers within her, a wicked grin crossing his lips. “Are you sure you’re too sore?”
"Oh please Mic," she cried out, "make love to me!" she practically demanded.
“Donna, I don’t want to hurt you. Just let yourself go, close your eyes and pretend my fingers are other parts of me if that helps.” He started his fingers thrusting gently within her again, returned his mouth to her womanhood while his free hand cupped her breast in the palm of his hand.
Donna felt herself tense so much she began to shake and then he was coated with her orgasm. It wasn't very long before he could feel her tensing again. "Please oh please don't stop."
He didn’t stop, but kept going the only thing changing was the pressure he applied to her nipples as her body orgasmed. When he was confident she was done, he trailed up her stomach and breasts with his tongue and mouth to her neck and ears. “You’re delicious, honey.” His arousal was evident as his erection rested against her thigh. He took her hand and placed it around him, “touch me, Donna.”
Hesitantly at first she touched him the feeling strange and new to her. Then as she got more confident she began to stroke him better, more sensually. "Like this?" she asked nervously wanting to please him as much as he had pleased her.
He moaned in response enjoying her eagerness to please him. After a while he placed his hand on hers. “We’d better stop now,” he kissed her lightly, biting her upper lip gently. “Either that or I’m going to make a mess on your leg right here in about two minutes.” He inhaled sharply as she touched him in an overly sensitive spot.
She obediently withdrew her hand and scooted back over onto her pillow lying languidly out on the bed she smiled, satisfied. "I feel better now."
He groaned lightly in response, “better enough to …” His voice trailed off as he gestured to his still aroused state. “Either that, or continue with what you were doing. You have to shower anyway, right? I can't go down to breakfast like this.” He shrugged helplessly.
"I'd rather have you make love to me but I don't mind the other," Donna shrugged.
He smiled slightly before kissing her, “I kinda hoped you’d say that.” He reached over her and put on the condom he took out, “I haven’t needed one of these in quite some time and now I use two in less than 24 hours. I guess I should buy some more maybe.” He smiled and pulled himself on top of her, “let me know if I hurt you. I’m admittedly not used to having to be quite so concerned about that.” He held onto her hips as he thrust into her gently but boldly. He kept his upper body off hers this time, wanting to watch her. He brushed back her hair and brought his hand to her face wondering how he could continue doing this without giving her his heart. He closed his eyes, willing himself not to think about it. “You feel so perfect around me, honey.”
"It's amazing having you inside me," she called back. Again she met his thrusts with her own counter thrusts, wanting to make the sensations greater and greater. She felt herself truly tensing this time and after holding out as long as she could which wasn't very long she exploded, her inner muscles caressing him.
Her tensing brought him over the edge himself he called her name softly before bringing his head to her chest. He kissed her lightly then after a few minutes lifted himself off of her and returned to her after he walked to the bathroom. He lay down next to her on the bed and traced her upper lip with his index finger. “What am I going to do with you? This has nothing but trouble written all over it, you realize that don’t you?” He narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked up at her.
"What do you mean?" she asked sitting up in sudden alarm.
“Mm, you’re young, college educated. I’m not so young, not college educated, and am perfectly content living here alone with my kids. You want a commitment of some sort, and I’m not so sure I can offer you that. I can offer you a commitment for here and now, and admit the desire to know more about you. But nothing more than that. I don’t want to hurt you, but I like this too and don’t want to give it up.”
Donna looked at him quietly a moment and then walked serenely out onto the balcony. She dropped her head. "I want to be with you," she said soft enough that he could just barely make out and understand what she had said.
“But is that enough for you, Donna? I guess that’s what I need to know, and if it is I’d like to make a suggestion.” He watched her not going out to the balcony to join her. “Thank God for servants,” he mumbled as he noticed the time.
"I...I don't know....I mean it is right now but I can't say....I can't even say in a year's time that it will be enough," Donna said turning around. "I guess you can't see it from my point of view or no maybe you can. Anyhow, I just feel like, I've never been in love never been married before and I'd like to sometime, maybe not now but I don't want to give up the idea forever."
He stood slowly and walked towards her, “I’m not asking for a year from now, honey. I’m just making sure for now that this is all right. If in a month you decide you’ve had enough and you want to leave, I’ll understand.” He leaned over the railing, “I’m still going to make that suggestion though. I’ll pay for it.” He looked at her, “let me take you to the doctor for birth control. I’ve only been with Jaci, she’d only been with one man before me, and you’ve never been with anyone but me so I think we’re safe medically. And I feel like it cheapens it when I have to get up out of bed afterwards. I’d rather be able to stay inside you, linger, kiss, feel myself get hard within you again.”
Donna had heard plenty about birth control and knew the sensibility of his request. She nodded, "Okay...we can do that."
He breathed out a sigh of relief, “now are you hungry? Casey’s probably been up for an hour at least, and I really do have things to tend to outside of my bedroom as much as I’d enjoy spending the day here.” He brushed her cheek lightly with the back of his fingers and kissed her, “come to the barns with me, I’ll introduce you as my girl friend.” He met her gaze, “is that enough commitment for you for now, Donna?”
Donna smiled and kissed him. "Sounds good to me," she flushed softly. She left him and went to shower. She met him again at the breakfast table not surprised to find Casey there as well. She had on a peach dress that flattered her coloring and her hair was up in a beautiful French twist in the back. "I hope no one here works for my uncle or I'll have gotten you into more trouble than I'm worth I'm sure." She dove into her breakfast, attacking it with her appetite but still being very much the wealthy, classy lady she had been raised to be.
“How would they know if we don’t tell them your last name,” he caressed the top of her hand lightly. “It will be all right, Donna. Really. I’m not quite as well off as your uncle, but I can hold my own and I’m respected well enough that I think I could get him to leave you alone if he dared come on my property.” He chuckled lightly, “besides now you can tell that 50 year old man that you’ve been with a man and I bet he loses interest right away.”
Donna smiled and flushed softly immediately turning her interest to her breakfast which she amazingly enough finished. She was done before him and so she scooped Casey out of his highchair. "Hello there young man. What do you want to do today?" she cooed at him walking around the room with him in her arms.
“He’s luckier than I am,” Mic said as he finished his breakfast. “Even had I wanted to I couldn’t be held like that by you.” He winked and grabbed jackets for all of them, helping Casey into his while Donna held him. He took Donna’s hand then. “Let’s go look at the sheep shall we little man?”
Donna was glowing with his sentiments and adoring Casey's affection as he curled against her, willingly accepting her. "Sheep!" he exclaimed when he saw one. Donna laughed delighted. "Very good," she commented, "you're adorable." She kissed the toddler on the cheek.
Casey wiggled free to get down and go exploring, obviously a familiar sight as the men said hello first to their boss than to Casey. More than one of them glanced back at Mic and the lady’s hand he was holding, though he said very little other than about the status of the sheering. He pulled his foreman aside, a young man in his early twenties. He released Donna’s hand for a moment and walked with Billy to the opening of the barn. They returned a few minutes later and Mic reclaimed Donna’s hand, “pardon my manners. Donna this is Billy, my foreman.” Billy tipped his hat politely with a smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, miss. Mitchell tells me you’re from the States, I hope you’re enjoying our piece of heaven.”
"Loving it. It's beautiful country, you don't get scenes like this in America, not even close," Donna enthused with a smile. "I even saw a kangaroo out here this morning!"
He smiled and took a final glance at Donna before returning his attention to Mic, “I guess I need to rethink the whole Internet thing. I’ve always wondered what you had against Australian women, Boss, but I should have known if the former misses was any indication.” He tipped his hat again at Donna and returned to work. Mic turned his attentions to Donna with a shrug, “I had to tell him we met somehow, sorry. It seemed more believable than my stumbling across you in town the other day.”
"Or my falling out of your loft?" Donna laughed lightly, "we met over the internet hmm? so what does that make me, an electronically ordered girlfriend?" She laughed lightly. "What did he mean about your having a thing against Australian women and the former misses?"
“No, I certainly didn’t order you,” he laughed. “Well, Jaci was American. And I’ve never had any interest in dating anyone since Jaci died. So I guess he thinks it has something to do with Australian girls.” He watched Casey out of the corner of his eye, though it was obvious when he smiled it was meant for her.
"Oh," Donna said, again surprised. She took a couple of steps from him then and looked all about her at the landscape. It was absolutely beautiful. The home was large with balcony and porch all the way around it. There was a tower on one corner that reached all the way up to the third floor. There were several barns and stables out across from that and beyond them kilometers and kilometers of fence as far as she could see. The landscape was beautiful too and she couldn't help the gasp of wonder that escaped her.
He turned his attention fully to her when he heard her gasp, “what’s wrong?” He looked at the direction she was looking and seeing nothing was more than curious.
"Nothing it's just so beautiful out here," Donna replied. "It's so gorgeous it almost takes your breath away. I think I could take pictures forever out here and never get a duplicate." She walked over towards where Casey was, "now what?" she asked turning back to him a moment later.
“Well, I’ll show you around Amulet if you’d like to see it. You mentioned a relative having a ranch, I’m sure it’s not too different from that. But I always enjoy showing off my land, and Casey loves to see the animals.”
"Okay then," Donna smiled, "let's go see the animals Casey. Let's see what makes your father such a well-known and respected dingo," she laughed.
He picked up Casey and took Donna by the hand and led her out of the sheering barn. The first stop was the dairy barn, “we’re pretty self sufficient here on Amulet. We make our own milk, slaughter our own steers and hogs, Jaci used to have a nice vegetable garden but that’s been defunct for quite some time now. No one else seems to know how to tend it right, I keep hoping Lenae will take an interest in it.” He shrugged and stopped as they walked past one of the stalls where a worker was putting the equipment on the cow to begin milking her. “There are some men who work here that are so young they don’t even remember when we had to milk cows with our own hands,” he laughed lightly as Casey pointed at the cow.
"I have milked a cow by hand before but I prefer not to," Donna laughed lightly. "And what sound do cows make Casey?" she asked the toddler.
Casey laughed in response to the two of them and buried his head shyly against his dad’s shoulder as he moo’d. They walked through the dairy farm to the back where the steers and bulls were kept. “I’ve got two bulls, the rest are steers. One of the bulls remains a bull because he’s just so damned ornery no one will go near him to try and castrate him. Not that I can complain, he’s made me some damn nice calves over the years.” They left the barn and went into another where the calves were, “the mothers are left here until they can start milking again. Right now I don’t think we have any that have given birth that recently. Though we’ve got four calves due within the next month I believe.” He kept walking and they entered a barn with horses, the same one they had been in the other day. He set Casey down as they came upon a mare that was pure white aside from a few small splotches of brown, he reached up and touched her nose affectionately. “This here is Ismene she’s a great animal. She was Jaci’s and is now Lenae, though Lenae doesn’t ride her often anymore.” He turned to Donna, “she’s a wonderful rider. I’ve tried to encourage her but she just doesn’t seem to hold any interest in the things Jaci did. I’m not sure why.”
"Probably because they remind her too much of her mother," Donna said gently, "she's at that age where she really needs a mother to talk to. You know...the changes of life and everything...boys."
“Yes, I’m well aware of that, which is why I think she enjoys spending so much time at her friend Shari’s house.” He shrugged slightly, “I guess I’m afraid she’ll stop doing all these things to prevent from thinking about her and then she’ll forget. Does that make sense? The garden I can understand, but riding I don’t. She’s good, and she’s small enough build wise I’ve often thought she could be a jockey. She can control any horse like the best men around here. That’s what I’m afraid of, that not only will she lose her mother’s memory but her gift as well.” He picked up Casey again, letting him pet the horse. “You want to hear the most ironic thing about this?” He laughed lightly, “her father came back after Jaci died. I’m not sure why he did exactly, but he did. He didn’t even ask about the child they made. And I certainly didn’t rush out to offer him any information about Lenae; she’s mine as far as I’m concerned. I didn’t make her, but I raised her. I hope she and Casey will take over and run Amulet one day. I just couldn’t believe a man could be so uncaring about something, even 10 years later. It made me realize all the more that I’d done the right thing.”
Donna nodded, "She and I had a real good talk yesterday while she was helping me. I worry about her too, even though it's not my place."
“Well, you’re a woman and closer to her age than I am, so I imagine she’d talk to you about things she won’t to me.” He shrugged and kissed her spontaneously, his mouth lingering on hers briefly before he pulled away. He smoothed down Casey’s hair, his eyes remaining on her. “What else would you like to see, sweetheart?”
"Well maybe Casey and I had better go do something and let you get your work finished so we'll have time tonight," she looked at him seductively. It was easy to see the change in her even in the last 24 hours.
He leaned towards her as he gave her Casey. “Keep looking at me like that and I’ll be tempted to forget all about my work.” He kissed Casey and kissed her on the cheek politely. “I’ll be in for lunch in a few hours, and then I’ll have to spend some time this afternoon doing paperwork. Maybe if I’m lucky enough it’ll be timed to coincide with Casey’s nap,” he winked as Casey shook his head no to the idea of a nap. “No, it’s not naptime now, slugger.”
Donna laughed lightly, "No...no nap right now Casey," she assured him. “Right now I think we're going to go and build with your blocks." She kissed Mic and then took Casey up to his room and closing the door to make sure he couldn't go anywhere she sat down with him to play.
A while later, Birdie entered the room with lunch for both of them. “Mr. Hall suggested I bring this up for the two of you, he said he wouldn’t be in to eat until dinner.” She smiled slightly at Casey as she set the tray down and left the room. “I’ll be back in a while to get the dishes,” she closed the door behind her.”
Donna got Casey ready to eat and then carefully watched him while she ate her sandwich. Once they had both finished she sat him in the chair to read to him. Luckily for her he fell asleep halfway through the story and she tucked him in. Then she went to her room but she couldn't get comfy so she went to his room and curled up on the comforter and went to sleep.
Mitchell came in from outdoors tired and filthy from head to toe. One of the bulls had managed to get out of his stall and it had been hell trying to get him back in, one of his men had almost been gorged in the back by the bull’s horns. Mic had seen that happen before and was glad he didn’t have to watch it happen again. A more bloody and painful way to die he didn’t know existed. He was peeling off his shirt, by now it was stuck to his body before he fully entered his room. He tossed it in the hamper and was startled to see a sleeping figure on his bed, and with seeing her came desire and arousal. “Damn,” he whispered softly. “Perhaps I should be taking a cold shower.” He went into the bathroom and showered returning to his bed with just a towel around his waist. He stood over her, watching as she slept something he really hadn’t had the chance to do the night before. “You’re beautiful,” he said, his voice catching in his throat.
Donna opened her eyes halfway and then suddenly sat up. "Oh I napped too long," she thought aloud, "I hadn't planned on occupying your bedroom all afternoon but I just couldn't get to sleep in mine. Obviously yours must have worked well." She was flushed softly from his compliment.
“Obviously, and had I known I had a beautiful woman waiting for me in my bed I would have gathered the strength of ten men to recapture the damned bull that got loose this afternoon.” He sat on the edge of the bed, “I hope I didn’t wear you out last night, honey.”
"If you did I've slept enough to recover now," Donna smiled.
He smiled, “well that’s good. Are you ready for dinner? Birdie is cooking her famous pork roast and I admit my appetite for food is winning out over my other appetites right now.” He ran his fingers through his hair, “besides I think Lenae will be home shortly and I’m not sure how good it will be for her to find you in here.” He looked at her, hoping she understood what he meant.
Donna nodded and scooted off the bed. "I'd imagine not very." She kissed Mic and then pulled the door to as she left. She quickly changed into a green dinner dress and brushed her hair before making her way downstairs.
Mic knocked on Lenae’s door; Maggie had brought Casey downstairs after Donna went down so it was just the two of them. She was lying on her bed reading a magazine. “Do you have a minute?” He sat on the edge of her bed, not wanting to intimidate her by standing over her.
Lenae quickly flung the magazine closed, her legs bobbing back and forth in the air over her back as she lay on her stomach. "Yeah Dad what is it?" she asked pushing the magazine, her hand still marking her place, halfway under the pillow.
“Well, I wanted to talk to you about Donna - and your mother.” He paused slightly, “I mean, I just want to make sure that you’re all right with her being here and all. I find myself liking her, and would like her to stay for a while.”
"She's okay I guess," Lenae consented, "She's not telling me what to do." she added after a moment.
He laughed lightly, “of course not, though she seems to like you. I just want to make sure you are all right with my being interested in someone. I haven’t dated anyone since your mom died, and I don’t want you to think I’ve forgotten about her or am trying to forget about her.”
"She's not coming back," Lenae shrugged, "Donna's okay for you to like I guess."
“Well, if you change your mind and decide you do have a problem with it, I hope you’ll come talk to me about it rather than take it out on Donna. She doesn’t want to hurt you anymore than I do.” He kissed the top of her head, “are you going to come eat with us? I miss you when you spend all of your time at Shari’s.”
Lenae rolled her eyes and with a sigh she got off the bed and followed her father from the room, leaving the magazine open on her bed to the page she'd been reading. "Are you going to marry her?" Lenae chose the top of the stairs to pose her next question.
Mitchell stopped descending the stairs and turned to face her. “Well, I don’t rightly know that. That’s the purpose of getting to know someone better. But you’d be the first to know, before her even, should I decide to marry anyone. I would never marry someone you didn’t approve of, Lenae, at least as long as you’re living here.”
Lenae smiled, "Okay. Thanks." She hurried past him down the rest of the stairs and into the dining room. "Hello Lenae," Donna smiled, "how was your day?"
She smiled slightly at Donna, “it was fine. We sat in the Jacuzzi and sauna for a while.” She sat next to Casey and looked from Donna to her dad, then helped Casey with his dinner. Mitchell relayed to Lenae the details of the bull getting loose, which surprisingly seemed to capture her attention for the time being. After dinner, Lenae took Casey from his high chair saying they were going to go outside to his sandbox for a while. Mic poured himself a drink, turning to her as he prepared it, “do you want anything?”
"Merlot please," Donna smiled.
Mitchell poured her a glass of the requested wine, and set it before her. “Would you like to go into the living room or stay in here?” He stood behind her chair, his hands resting lightly on her shoulders.
"Let's go to the living room. The dining room is not comfortable enough to linger in," Donna smiled and she went with him into the living room and curled up on the love seat. "I was worried about you hearing that bull story. It sounded fierce."
He shrugged slightly, “well, if you’ve been on ranches before you know. There’s always the chance of getting hurt, whether it’s a bull or a horse or a heifer. But it’s nice to know you worry about me. We also had a horse delivered today that I’m supposed to take a look at, I’m hoping Lenae will come with me. Apparently it was abused by its previous owner and has some problems. Lenae has a way with horses, she can get into their soul sometimes.” He sipped his drink, shifting slightly on the chair he sat in near the love seat. “I told her about you and me, well within reason of course. But she seemed okay with it.”
"Oh," Donna said startled at first, "that's good I'm glad. I'm sure she'll enjoy the horse too."
“Well, I can’t lie to her and I’d rather her not stumble across us one day when I’m kissing you and be surprised.” He smiled slightly, placing his left foot on his right knee. “The last thing I need is her being mad at me or you, I don’t know what I would have done had she disapproved. Thankfully she didn’t, and Casey’s really too young for it to be necessary to explain anything to him.” He watched her casually, she looked so comfortable sitting there curled up on his love seat and the thought was a little disturbing.
Donna turned the wine around in her glass and then took another sip. With her other hand she was caressing her neck and the top of her breasts absently. "So what's on the agenda for tomorrow?"
It took him a minute to pull his eyes away from her hand and realize she’d asked him a question. “Tomorrow? Well, it’s Monday. I imagine we both have work to do. All those accounts receivables and payables you’ve been filing away need to be entered onto the computer, too.” He offered her a slight smile with a shrug. “I told you you might run away screaming.”
Donna smiled, "No...I'm up for it. I was just wondering when I was going to need to fit the doctor into my schedule."
“Oh yes, that. I had sort of forgotten, forgive me. I’ll give you the doctor’s number and you can call and schedule an appointment. You can drive yourself if you want, I’ll just tell him to put it on my account. Or I’ll go with you, but I realize that’s usually something private for women. It’ll be a month after your, uh, next cycle before we can stop using what we’re using now I believe.” He rubbed his head slightly, “I haven’t had to think about this for a while but I believe that’s how it worked.”
"Do you mind going with me?" Donna asked gently, "I'd really like your company and I want both of us to be clear on all this."
“Uh, sure, I’ll go with you.” He set his glass down and cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with what he was about to say. “I just need to say this, so I hope you won’t get upset with me. I trust you to do what you’re supposed to so that you don’t get pregnant. I have my two kids and while I’m certainly not averse to having anymore I’d like to be married and all this time around before the girl’s pregnant. I’ve done the getting married out of obligation thing once and while I grew fond of Jaci over the years I don’t know that I’d want to do that again.” He looked at her, his voice soft as he continued. “I’m not accusing you of anything, I’m just letting you know how I feel. I’m placing my trust in your hands and admittedly that’s not an easy thing to do since yesterday you mentioned you didn’t want a sexual relationship without some sort of commitment.”
"I'm not that low Mic!" Donna immediately went to her defense coming up off the couch.
“Sit down, Donna, I’m not suggesting you are. I’m trying to be honest with you. If you’d rather I not then we’ll go on from this point that way, but I’d like to think if you’re willing to share my bed with me and take the risk of getting pregnant by me that we should be honest with one another. And there is a risk, nothing is fool proof - Casey is walking proof of that.”
"You mean she was on...when Casey was conceived?" Donna asked settling back on the couch. "I'm sorry I just...that just...I bristled a little too easy. I'm sorry."
“No, she wasn’t, but we were careful making sure we skipped the days she was most likely to get pregnant even though I was protected. She wasn’t supposed to get pregnant, had she survived she would have gotten a hysterectomy but things happened and that wasn’t one of them. The doctor wanted her on the chemotherapy and radiation for a while before they did that, hoping she’d be in remission and she’d be fine. I still don’t know what happened exactly, obviously one broke somewhere along the line. But that’s why I asked if you’d do this, it’s certainly better protection at any rate.” He offered her a smile, “and we’re not limited to my bedroom either which holds its appeal to me.”
"You're a little devil," Donna laughed lightly. "In fact I'm surprised you haven't seduced me yet!" she laughed teasingly. She noticed he wasn't going to join her on the love seat so she stretched her feet out rubbing the bottoms before she settled again.
“Not for lack of thought, honey. But I’m afraid Birdie and Maggie, and Lenae and Casey, aren’t used to my requiring privacy. We’re a pretty casual household and other than the bathrooms and my bedroom doors generally don’t require a knock to gain entrance. I imagine they’d catch on real quick if the door was locked, but I’d rather take you up to my bed where I can enjoy you for the rest of the night. Here we’d have to dress again when we had finished and go upstairs and that simply is not acceptable to me - yet.” He winked with a slight smirk.
"Okay then," Donna smiled. "What shall we do to pass the time then. I'm afraid if we get quiet I'm going to have to pick out one of those novels over there.”
“So you’re telling me I have to either take you upstairs to bed or you’re going to read,” he chuckled lightly. “And you’re calling me a devil? Feel free to read if that’s what you want to do, Lenae and Casey should be coming in pretty soon.” He pointed out the window where it was growing dark outdoors. “Please don’t feel like you have to sit here and talk to me to keep me occupied. Read, write, go work out in the gym or whatever you want to do.”
Donna laughed, "now of course I'd rather be here with you! Just what do you want to talk about though? I don't know what to say..." She finished the wine.
“Who says we have to talk about anything? I’m perfectly content to sit here with you and watch you read, or whatever.” He laughed lightly, “I can tell now that you’ve never been married. That’s part of seeing someone every day, sweetheart. Sometimes there’s just nothing to say.”
Donna sighed, tossed her feet off the couch and went up to her room to change. She then went to the exercise room and began a vigorous routine of weight and resistance exercises on the machine.
He stood in the doorway to the exercise room and watched quietly, wishing momentarily he could be the stair machine she was climbing up and down on. Dismissing that thought from his mind he cleared his throat to announce his entrance. “I was thinking. Do you dance?”
"I love to dance," Donna said working the stair stepper over. "Are you asking me if I'd love to dance...if so the answer is yes."
“Well, I was thinking if you’re not busy, ma’am, that I might interest you in a night of dancing and maybe a beer or two. There’s a bar actually almost right at the end of the road that leads to Amulet, and I figure if I have to be tortured to being with you with your clothes on I may as well give myself an excuse to touch you and hold you against me. Are you game?”
"Okay then," Donna smiled. She went upstairs to dress and reappeared in a little black leather miniskirt and a metallic silver sparkly halter top.
He walked towards her with a slight smile on his face, he drew his hand up and gently grazed her nipples, watching them react. “No bra? Are you trying to torment me or see to it that I want you more than I can remember wanting anything?” He kissed her as his thumb continued its pressure on one of her nipples.
"I'd say the latter," Donna smiled, "torturing you doesn't turn me on...making you want me more than you can remember wanting anything turns me on." She kissed him.
He broke the kiss hesitantly. “Well, you are going to be torturing me having to watch you in that outfit all night and keep my hands respectably placed,” he paused. “Let’s go before I completely forget that I wanted to take you out,” he gave her nipple one last brush with his thumb.
Donna sauntered seductively out in front of him and then once off the porch halted to wait for him to show her to the vehicle.
He placed his hand in hers and led her to his car, opening the door for her. “A little chilly for the Jeep tonight, I think.” He walked over to his side after closing her door and got in. They arrived at the bar about fifteen minutes later; a fairly nice place considering it was in the middle of nowhere. He halted her when she started to open her door and went around to her side, opening it for her. “Lady, let a gentleman be a gentleman. Lord knows when I get you home I won’t want to act like one at all, I should at least put on a good show in front of my neighbors.” He dropped her hand into hers. “Ready? You know it’s been about 13 years since I’ve been on a date. I have a feeling we’re going to be watched.”
Donna smiled, "Well it's been about 23 years since I've truly been on a date so I don't expect any less."
He stopped and took hold of her elbow. “Wait a minute, you’ve never been on a date? Is that what you just dropped on me?” His eyes looked at her with genuine shock and surprise.
"Never," Donna smiled and shrugged nonchalantly, "I got to go with my father to his parties and I've been to some extravagant ones in my day. I've been to group dinners at some exclusive hotels, but never have I been alone with a man whom I had affections for."
“And you let me,” he paused. “I mean I realize you were there too, but as if I don’t feel like I’ve played the part of heel enough. Good lord, I had no idea. The way you talked, I assumed you’d had boy friends before.”
"Oh don't tell me you're going to be all turned off now," Donna sighed, "why do you think I didn't tell you. I didn't want you to hold me at arm's length like a little girl."
He brushed her cheek lightly with the back of his fingers. “Sugar, nothing you could tell me would turn me off. It’s just that had I known well I probably would have courted you a little bit before seducing you, at least taken you out to dinner. I just don’t like the idea that I somehow took advantage of you, took something from you that should have been special.”
"It was special," Donna countered, "we're just doing it all at once. I'm adventuresome." She walked with him into the bar then and immediately had all of the male attention.
He let her find them a table while he stopped at the bar and got them drinks. He found her and sat in an empty chair next to her after setting the glass of wine in front of her. “It’s not high quality but I don’t know what else you drink, so I figured I’d start with this until you tell me what you’d prefer.” He took a sip of his beer. “Now I know how that bull feels, no wonder he wants to get loose now and then,” he winked at her.
Donna smiled and nudged him. "I'll take a martini next time please, dry, extra olives."
He nodded, “all right.” He leaned in and whispered softly, “you look beautiful by the way. I know I said that in a round about way earlier, but I thought I’d say it outright.” He brushed her ear lightly with his lips, “I’m not much of a dancer, but I’m willing to give it a shot if you are.”
"I love to dance." Donna smiled and drew him out onto the floor. They danced easily and she laughed lightly, enjoying and not caring if she made a fool of herself or not.
When a slow song was finally played, Mitchell took her in his arms and placed his hands possessively along the small of her back, holding her as close against him as he could. He kissed her, his lips searching hers hungrily for a response. This was not something he normally did and he had to admit to a certain rush of excitement that it brought him, Jaci was lucky if he held her hand in front of anyone else. But as with everything else about Donna, reason seemed to fly out the window for him and here he stood kissing her like he was a fifteen-year-old boy at a high school dance. “Kiss me like you mean it, Donna. Let them ogle and stare.”
Donna wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, slipping her tongue in his mouth and kissing him passionately.
He pulled away slightly, “wow. That was much more than I expected, but I liked it. A lot.” He rested his head against hers, “you’re encouraging me to do all sorts of new things.”
Donna smiled, "New and different can be good you know." she leaned up and kissed him again, much softer this time as the song ended. They had most of the attention in the room.
“So I’ve heard,” he finally released his arms from around her and let her back to the table. “With the way you dance I’m surprised you didn’t have your phone ringing off the hook.”
"Do you think I was let to wander on my own for a minute?" Donna asked incredulously. "I had a male escort everywhere I went. If a man even looked at me that wasn't of good standing he got the vamoose."
He raised an eyebrow flirtatiously. “Does that mean I’m your male escort now? A male escort with privileges, I like the sound of that.” He chuckled lightly and ordered her a martini as he ordered himself another beer. He placed his hand on her thigh as he moved his chair nearer to hers.
"No...you're the man I'm involved with, my lover if nothing else and I'm finished with male escorts," Donna said and she took a drink of her martini when it was brought to her.
A few more dances and drinks and too much conversing with his neighbors later, Mitchell was ready to leave. He walked with her to the car, helping her in. He reached over to fasten her seatbelt for her, kissing her when he had finished. “Thank you for an enjoyable evening.”
Donna smiled, "Anytime luv." she said in a practiced Australian accent.
He chuckled lightly, tapped her nose with the tip of his finger. “I like your real accent better, sweetheart. It makes my toes curl if you want to know the truth,” he said as he slid into the driver’s seat and drove away.
"Oh but it's your accent that turns me on," Donna replied, "mine is just plain old American, boring and plain." She fell asleep in the car on the way back.
Mic pulled the car in front of the house instead of the garage and went over to her side of the car picking her up easily and carrying her indoors. Lenae was asleep it seemed so he didn’t hesitate to bring her into his room with him. Pulling down the covers he set her gently on the bed and pulled the comforter around her. He undressed and slid under the covers next to her, kissing her lightly as he placed his arm around her waist. “Good night, Donna,” he said softly.
Donna woke in the middle of the night and rolling over in his embrace she kissed him passionately. "Make love to me Mic," she whispered softly.
He woke somewhat startled, but her soft words made him realize he wasn’t dreaming. He met her kiss his hand lightly tracing over her body. “Gladly, honey, but we need to get you out of these clothes first. I didn’t want you to think I’d taken advantage of you, so I left you as is.” He gave her a shy smile, as he traced over her arm lightly with his fingertips.
"You take advantage of me?" Donna raised a brow. "I never would have thought of these things. I guess it's good that I have you around." She kissed him. Slowly she sat up and got out of bed and then slid the garments off with no embarrassment that he might be watching.
He sat up and moved to the edge of the bed, his arms went around her waist and he brought her to him. He ran his hand up and down her thigh and across her stomach lightly chuckling at the goose bumps that appeared at his touch. Slowly his hand moved between her legs, he watched her face in the dimly lit room as he entered her with first one finger than slowly adding a second. “Is this what you had in mind, sweetheart?”
"Oh yeah," Donna moaned softly. She scooted back on the bed to join him more comfortably. "You're undoubtedly good at this."
“Only because you’re letting me,” he said softly as his fingers resumed their task once she was comfortable on the bed. He watched as her body flushed slightly, lowering his mouth to her breast. His tongue toyed and teased with her nipples before he traced a path lightly along her stomach and between her legs. He watched briefly as his fingers moved in and out of her slowly then lowered his mouth to her, using his tongue to increase her arousal.
Donna writhed and moaned happily. She arched her back and finally after a while she experienced her first orgasm. "Oh Mic."
He moved on top of her, his mouth closing over hers passionately. He reached over not breaking the kiss and reached for a condom. He pulled back slightly and looked at her, placing the wrapper in her hand. “Would you like to put it on? Touch me a little bit?”
Donna bit her lip. "I don't mind touching you but I don't know that I could get it on," she said nervously and looked at her long well manicured nails. "If you're not nervous I will..."
He brought their joined hands to his mouth, kissing her fingertips lightly. “Next time,” he kissed her lightly as he rolled onto his side to put it on. He shifted onto his back and brought her on top of him, holding onto her hips he guided him into her slowly having to stop briefly to let her adjust to him. He gasped when he was fully inside of her, his eyes opening to meet hers. “Are you all right?”
"Yeah," Donna gasped, "shouldn't I be? You're quite a package but I apparently manage pretty well." She kissed him lovingly.
“That you do, honey. I just wanted to make sure.” He kissed her, his hands lightly caressing her back and down to her buttocks. His fingers spread slightly to touch her fully to move her on him. “This position is for you, you set the tempo, sweetheart.”
Donna moved and carefully began to set their pace. She was enjoying the tempo and scrunched her face up when she finally had to let her release take over. "Oh God this feels good!"
He waited until her release was complete then moved them both so he was on top of her; his lips reclaimed hers as he entered her once more with a quick thrust. His lips moved to her neck and earlobes. “Do you trust me not to hurt you, Donna?” His question was accompanied by another quick, deep thrust.
"Yes," Donna gasped, "I trust you. I know you won't hurt me."
His mouth closed over hers as he took hold of one of her hands with his raising them above her head on the pillow. His thrusts were more intense than before, but it was obvious he was doing what he could not to hurt her. He locked his foot with hers as his time came and he was brought over the edge. He squeezed her hand lightly, his other hand he used to brush across a nipple with the back of his hand. “I’d say you manage very well,” he smiled slightly biting her upper lip gently.
"Oh my gosh, that was amazing," Donna gasped, "you're amazing."
He ran his fingers through her hair gently. “Out of the mouths of babes.” He chuckled lightly as he rose slightly from the bed to go to the bathroom. Returning to the bed, he lay next to her. “Maybe it’s not me that’s so amazing. Maybe it’s just the way that you respond to me. I don’t think I do anything that special, just feed off what you do. And, honey, you’ve got a body that was made to do this.” He placed his hands at her hips, “those hips aren’t just good at dancing on a dance floor.”
"I'm surprised it didn't take very long for me to stop hurting," Donna commented softly. "The bad thing is I like it so much I find myself looking forward to it. I'm sure that's a bad thing but I can't help it."
“Why is it a bad thing? You enjoy it, I enjoy it, we’re quite compatible together as far as I can tell.” He kissed her, moving to her neck where he bit her lightly. He pulled away, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “I imagine you’ve never had a love bite either then, have you?”
Donna put a hand to her throat. "No...I always had to try hard not to stare at girls with marks on their necks!" she laughed lightly.
He lowered his mouth to her breast, biting and sucking lightly increasing the pressure as he continued obviously getting into what he was doing. After a few minutes he broke away, his finger tracing gently over the mark he left behind. “A little less conspicuous than your neck. Not that we have anyone to hide from, but I figured I’d put your first one somewhere no one else can see in case you hate it.”
Donna smiled slyly at him, "Can't say I hate it yet..." She kissed him.
He chuckled lightly as he returned her kiss. “Well, I have to admit I’m a little odd for a man my age, I like them. I wouldn’t like to see Lenae walking around the house with them, which I suppose is hypocritical. But I like seeing my mark on you, it’s a little thrilling in its own way.” He raised an eyebrow slightly.
Donna blushed beautifully, "If you like making me yours by marking me then I guess I don't mind at all." She smiled and kissed him. "I feel a lot for you Mic."
He took a few strands of her hair in between his fingers, wrapping it around them gently. “Sweetheart, I should hope so.” He chuckled lightly, “I feel for you to, Donna. Honest. I don’t share my bed with just anyone. I wasn’t lying when I said there hadn’t been anyone but Jaci.”
Donna smiled and laughed lightly, "That's not really the way I meant it. I wanted to say that I love you without spooking you. I mean I don't out and out love you but you're making it hard not to go that way."
“You couldn’t spook me, I kind of like that thought because that means you aren’t apt to want to leave when you’re done with my office. And, honestly, I’d like you to stay. As nice as sharing my bed is with you, that’s not at all what I was looking for at this moment in time. It’s nice to have someone to spend time with.”
Donna kissed him softly, "I'm here and I'm not going until you ask me to. This place is beautiful and Casey and Lenae have me wrapped around their little fingers and the ranch is fascinating and then there's you..." she kissed him again, "you who is taming my heart."
“Good, I’m glad to hear it.” He kissed her and rolled over onto his side. “Sleep, sweetheart. I have an early day tomorrow, and long. With the bull escapade I got nothing done that needed being done, and at the rate we’re going I’m going to have my mind on you all day which will make matters worse.”
The next couple of months passed pretty uneventfully. Lenae started back at school and was busy with her school work, though she seemed to ask Donna for help here and there. When Casey wasn’t following his father around Amulet, he was with Donna at the house in the office. Mitchell almost thought of letting Maggie go, but not wanting to assume Donna was going to be around for any length of time he held off doing that. Mitchell had to stop returning to the house for lunch, Donna proved to be too much of a distraction to him. And as much as he enjoyed making love with her, he found seeing her made him not want to work. But as the days went by, Mitchell realized that he was falling in love with Donna, something he had never experienced before. He lay in bed with her one night, making love with her not on his mind. He held her as they watched the news, he kissed her gently. “You know, I’m so glad you fell into my life.”
Donna kissed him. "So am I. I never imagined that getting lost I'd find myself." She snuggled up with him and went to sleep.
It was the next day as Mic was in the corral with the sheep near the barn when the dust was stirred up and the sheep startled by a helicopter. It landed right in the drive before his house and several men got out. Donna yelped and hurried in the house meanwhile Lenae escaped out the back and ran to her father in a panic. "Bad men have come and frightened Donna Dad!" Lenae called out her face distorted with panic.
Mic and a few of his men walked slowly to the helicopter and the men who came out of it. “May I help you sir,” Mic removed his hat but other than that he made no gesture to be polite.
"Yeah you can give me back my niece you monster!" a man in a tux barked, "Donnatella Jolie you get out here!" he called loudly.
“Well, sir, I’m afraid that’s going to be a little difficult to do seeming as how she’s not only employed here at Amulet, but she’s my wife.” He stopped the man with his hand, “I don’t believe she wants to go anywhere with you so you can just turn around and leave.”
"Excuse me?" The tuxedoed man fumbled for words, "your...your wife. Donnatella!!!" he yelled louder. Finally Donna appeared on the porch. "Tell me you didn't consummate anything with this man." Donna was pale and looked to Mic. Then she stood tall and spoke, "Sorry Uncle Marcus I'm afraid we did and thoroughly enjoyed it." By now she had crossed to him and he got a good glimpse of her neck. "Good God! You're defacing her in public!" He looked to Donna, "I wanted to provide for you the way your father would've wanted but I can see you've become the tramp your mother was before he married her. You know you'll be disinherited." "You can't touch my money this way and that's what burns you up you bastard!" Donna growled at him and then she slapped him on the face. "I hope you and your husband are very happy you tramp!"
Mic slid his arm around Donna’s waist as Lenae came out to stand by them curiously. “My daughter, Lenae. The reason actually I married your niece. I fell in love with her almost immediately upon seeing her and could never carry on an affair in front of my children. I understand your surprise and if you ever wish to come back on more friendly terms, Amulet is open to you. But at this moment, I have some hungry children and I’ve had a long day. If you’ll excuse us.”
With a huff befitting Marcus' rich arrogance he trooped back to his helicopter with his men and left without another word. Donna took Lenae up onto the porch quickly to shield her from the dust that the chopper blades would stir up. When Mic reached them her eyes met his. Deep and questioning she wouldn't say anything in front of Lenae though she was dying to. She didn't have to though Lenae took the first opportunity to burst out, "You married Donna?!"
“No, sweetheart, I didn’t marry Donna. But that should keep him from coming back here for a while and taking Donna away against her will, and just in case he happens to check marriage licenses take about 60 days to get processed so he’ll be tied for a while before he can confirm whether or not it’s true. Between now and then, hopefully he’ll give up.” He shoved his hands in his jeans pockets and glanced from Donna back to Lenae, “I told a lie, Lenae. But I think you’ve grown as fond of having Donna here as I have and if I hadn’t told that lie her uncle would have taken her. And I doubt very highly we’d get the chance to see her again.”
Lenae held tightly to Donna then and nodded numbly. "Come on, I think we were just getting the ingredients out for sugar cookies," Donna put on a brave smile trying to get Lenae's mind off the incident. Lenae went with the woman she was quickly growing fond of into the kitchen and while Donna left her to get some more ingredients out she stepped back out to Mic. Wordlessly she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him long and lovingly. Then she laid her head against his chest.
“You’re not upset with me?” He brushed her hair from her shoulders as his arms went around her neck kissing the top of her head.
"How could I be upset? You saved me...you cared enough to save me." Donna returned with a smile before she kissed him again.
“Well, I had hoped you’d see it that way, but I wasn’t sure. I was thinking though, maybe you’d want to think about leaving for a while.” He looked at her, “I’m guessing he’s going to check and make sure we’re really married. And while I have friends who can stall him, they can’t stall him forever from finding out. I don’t want you to go, Donna, that’s not what I’m suggesting. But if he finds out I’ve mislead him, he may not come back alone next time. At least you’re over 18, so he can’t arrest me for sleeping with you. But I’m sure he can think of something.”
Donna shook her head, "not unless he wants enough ill press to ruin him for a great many years. Ill press could cost him way more business than I'm worth. I'd wager he’d be too busy trying feebly to disinherit me to worry about verifying our marriage."
“Can he do that? I mean, Donna, if I’ve just ruined your ability to gain your inheritance I’ll feel real badly. That wasn’t my intention; I just wanted him to leave you alone. I’ll hire an attorney myself to fight it for you if I have to.”
"He can't disinherit me," Donna shook her head, "my attorney and his attorney both have already told him that it's a legal and binding document awarding me my inheritance. It's my father's decision and it can't be undone, no matter how badly my uncle would prefer to dissolve the money back into his company.” "I can't touch the money until I'm 25, that's the way my father set it up. Now all I have to do is wait and of course hope that Uncle Marcus doesn't feel the need to return."
“Well, good.” He kissed her softly. “And just so you know, I could care less personally about your money. I just don’t want to be the cause of your losing something that’s rightfully yours whether it be money, property, or whatever.” His hand skimmed down her neck, his thumb caressing the mark on her neck. “He didn’t like this one bit, did he? I hope I didn’t embarrass you on top of it all.”
"In front of him? I once tossed champagne in his face in a hotel in Paris. I regretted embarrassing him that time only because he made me regret it later that night. This time...I enjoyed myself immensely," Donna smiled. She reached up and lay her hand on his where it rested on the mark. "I like belonging to you, being yours and if it boils him then let him go red. No wonder my grandfather liked my father better than him."
“He hurt you?” His eyes suddenly turned serious. “You never mentioned that before, Donna. I would never have invited him to come back, even if it was a joke, had I known that.” He held her to him; his arms holding her close then dropped his hand in hers to lead her indoors to dinner.
Donna tricked Casey into eating his vegetables and Lenae laughed, amazed at Donna's talents. She and Donna spoke of school and the earlier incident with Marcus was not mentioned. After dinner Donna and Lenae got into the kitchen and made up the sugar cookies while they sang and danced to the radio and laughed at one another.
Mitchell had gone to his office after dinner to pay some bills and do some work, a while later he went upstairs to shower. He turned on the television and lay on the bed, falling asleep as he waited for Donna to come upstairs. She and Lenae seemed to be having a good time and he wanted to leave them be to enjoy themselves without him around.
"Hey Lenae," Donna finally said as they were putting away the last of the cookies save a warm plate on a tray that they were going to take up to Mic. "I'm sorry about earlier...about what your Dad said about us being married. I'm sorry if that hurt you or bothered you..."
Lenae shrugged slightly, “it’s all right. I was just bummed because Dad had said he’d tell me first, I thought he’d lied to me.” She bit into a cookie, “and I was just surprised because dad is always so honest about things. But I understand why he did it. That would make you my step-mom, wouldn’t it?”
"If we got married...yes," Donna replied, "that would legally make me your step-mom but Lenae I'd be open to whatever kind of relationship you want to have with me, even if we're only friends."
“No, that’d be kind of cool I think. I always thought it was kind of neat how young my mom was, she was by far the youngest parent out of all my friends’ parents.” She poured herself a glass of milk. “Maybe you can talk to Dad about something for me? He thinks I’m too young, but I got asked to go to a dance. Do you think you could find out if he’d go ballistic on me or not if I were to ask him for permission to go?”
Donna smiled, "Yeah...I'm sure I can manage that. Now just exactly why do you want to go to this dance and what are you going to do there? I have to ask."
“Well, it’s not really a dance. It’s a party, a boy girl party and there will be dancing there if we want to. But who knows if anyone will or not.” She giggled and then said, “there’s a boy from school who wants me to go. I wouldn’t be going with him or anything, I’d be going with Shari. But he would be there.” She looked frightened for a moment. “You don’t think I’m too young, do you? To be interested in a boy I mean?”
"You're what, twelve? I'd say that's old enough to be interested in a boy as long as you don't get too serious," Donna smiled and hugged her. "First we'll take him these cookies and then I'll try to work some magic on him for you." She kissed Lenae's forehead.
“Thank you,” Lenae smiled genuinely. She followed Donna upstairs with the cookies and when she saw her father was sleeping she blushed slightly. “I’ll leave you two alone, just let me know tomorrow if you need anything. I’ll get Casey his bath. Dad must really be tired if he fell asleep like that.” She turned and went into Casey’s room.
"Lenae no," Donna gasped out, "wait for me sweetie. I'll let you do it but I want to watch." Donna set the cookies down and left Mic to sleep. She went with Lenae to Casey's nursery.
Lenae dismissed Maggie and took Casey into his bathroom. “My bedroom is through there. I usually keep the doors open so I can hear him at night. This was supposed to be Maggie’s room, but after Mom died I wanted the room. I kinda wanted to take care of him, I thought Mom would want me to.” She filled up the tub and put Casey in with an assortment of toys. After a quick wash of his hair and body, she sat on the floor in front of the tub. “Now I just let him play for a while. He loves his bath.” The words didn’t need to be said as Casey kicked and squealed with delight.
Donna smiled, "you're very good at this. Do you give him a bath every night?"
“Not every night, but I like it. I’ll sit in here sometimes and talk on the phone or do my homework while he’s bathing. Dad likes to do it, but sometimes it gets late and so then I do it.” After about fifteen minutes, Lenae stood and let the water out of the tub. She placed a towel around Casey after she toweled off his hair and walked with him into his room. Putting a fresh pair of pajamas on him she laid him in his crib and turned out the light. “Dad says he lucked out with both of us, we both had no problems falling asleep.”
Donna smiled, "Okay...now off to bed with you so I can talk to your father," she kissed Lenae on the forehead. "I have a dance to secure for someone very special to me."
She laughed and blushed softly. “Good night, Donna. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. She turned and made her way through the bathroom to her adjoining room after getting ready for bed. When Donna entered the bedroom, Mitchell still lay sleeping on the bed.
Donna leaned over and kissed him. "Sweetie wake up, Lenae wanted me to bring you some of the cookies we made." Donna brought the tray with her over to the nightstand and then curled up on the bed.
Mic stirred slightly, instinctively reaching for Donna when she joined him on the bed. “It’s a little early for you to be coming to bed, isn’t it, sweetheart?” He kissed her ear softly, “not that I’m complaining mind you.”
"I thought we could talk up here just as well as anywhere else," Donna said getting a glass of milk and a cookie from the plate for herself. "You realize Lenae is getting to that stage where she's not a little girl anymore don't you? What would you think about her going to a party?"
He groaned lightly. “A party? She’s smart isn’t she? Bring it up to you to bring up to me.” He chuckled lightly, “I’m well aware of the fact she’s not a little girl anymore. I don’t suppose I see a problem with it, I’d need to talk to the parents though of where the party was going to be.”
Donna laughed lightly, "Oh lord, every kid's worst nightmare, the dreaded 'talk to the parents' line." Donna smiled softly, "I'm sure she'll ask you in the morning," she leaned down and kissed him. "I'm glad she asked me to ask you..."
“She’s not dumb, Donna. If you ask me and I flip out you can forewarn her and it’s you that gets me mad instead of her.” He chuckled lightly. “As far as a kid’s worst nightmare, just wait until a boy starts calling on her for dates. I imagine with everything that happened to her mother I’d be more than a little protective over her. How about handing me one of those cookies, or are you going to torment me with the smell?”
Donna handed Mic a cookie and then brooded over his words, that wasn't how she had wanted to see her conversation with Lenae at all. She wanted to think that she was befriending the girl, not that she was being used. With a sigh she let it go and finishing her cookie and her glass of milk she gave him the plate with the other two cookies and then walked around changing for bed. Then she went out onto the balcony.
Mic ate the offered cookie and watched her silently as she got ready for bed and walked out to the balcony. He wondered what her reasons might be for being so quiet, but recognized the fact she was thinking so left her be. He changed for bed himself, having fallen asleep on the bed with his bath towel on earlier. He opened his book to its marked page and read, though his attention wasn’t fully in what he was reading.
Donna left her brood on the balcony and came to bed, curling quietly up on her side. "It's important that she likes me," she finally said softly.
He brought his book down to his lap. “Why do you think she doesn’t like you? She certainly talks to you more than she does me, so that’s got to mean something. If you weren’t here she’d probably never have brought it up to me about this party. You spent the entire evening making cookies with her, surely you’re familiar enough with teenaged girls to know if she didn’t like you she wouldn’t spend time with you like that.”
"Yes but...maybe she's just putting on some act to....oh never mind, I'm being ridiculous," Donna waved her hand and laughed it off, "you're right. Things are going fine, besides it's not like I'm a permanent fixture here. I wouldn't blame her too much for not wanting to get attached." Donna turned out her lamp and rolled over on her side for sleep.
“Well, unless you have plans on going elsewhere anytime soon, I don’t know how much more permanent a fixture we can have here, Donna. I would hope you would understand my desire not to rush into marriage, I did that once and as fond as I was of Jaci I refuse to do that again. Marriages of convenience or out of necessity can work, but I’d like something a bit more substantial as a base the next time I take that road. But that doesn’t mean I want you to leave anytime soon, or at all for that matter.”
"Of course not," Donna replied good-naturedly. "Oh crap," she cursed and wallowed back out of bed going to the bathroom to take the all-important pill she'd forgotten and to brush her teeth. Again she settled in bed and after flopping into several positions considered the grim fact that she might be too preoccupied to sleep.
Mic felt her tossing and turning and was about to ask her what was troubling her when she positioned herself on her stomach. He leaned up next to her and rubbed her back gently. “Something on your mind, Donna?” His hands were strong and capable, seeming to know where to apply more pressure and lighten up as he rubbed along her back.
"There won't be much on my mind if you keep doing that," she moaned softly, contentedly. "I don't know where you learned all this, and I really don't care, but you are good."
He chuckled lightly and continued, altering between her back, neck, shoulders, arms, working his way to her feet, calves and then up to her thighs. He reached up to her hips, sliding her panties down and worked his fingers inside of her until he knew she was able to accept him. Removing his boxers quickly, he moved on top of her and guided himself into her as he moved one had under her to hold her hips. His thrusts started out slow and gentle, letting her get used to him being inside of her. He brushed back her hair with his free hand and kissed the side of her neck and her ear with a barely audible groan as he pushed completely in her.
Donna echoed his groan with one of her own, "You really...know...how to relax...me don't you?" she panted out when she could. There was something doubly erotic about being in this position and she managed to communicate as much to him.
He chuckled lightly in response, not knowing if he would be able to speak or not at the moment. His breathing grew heavy as his thrusts grew more intense. He reached down with his hand, “move your hips just a little bit, sweetheart.” When she did, he used his fingers to stimulate her directly. When he was sure she had reached an orgasm, he moved his hand and reached for both of her hands bringing them over her hand intertwined with his. He moved his mouth to her shoulder, nipping lightly as his peak washed over him. He lay still on top of her, squeezing one of her hands lightly. “That wasn’t my intent really, but it felt good nonetheless,” he whispered softly as he kissed her cheek. “You didn’t mind it?” He released one of her hands and placed his hand on her butt underneath him rubbing lightly.
"How could I mind that?!" Donna gasped, "that was incredible. I loved it. It was so....so sensual."
He rolled over so he could lie beside her, his hand rubbing her back and shoulders lightly. “I’d have to agree with you, it was incredible.” He kissed her lightly, pulling her into his arms. “I just want to make sure you like these things. Just because I like something doesn’t mean you will, and vice versa.” He kissed her forehead. “And I don’t want you to feel like you have to submit to something I like.”
Donna kissed him on the mouth. "Don't worry...I don't." She then turned and spooned against him. "I'd like to take Lenae shopping for the party.”
He grunted lightly. “All right. You two can take the car on the weekend. Do we know when this party is and where?” He sighed slightly. “I don’t know that I’ve mentioned it or not, but Lenae doesn’t know I’m not her father. Jaci had planned on telling her when she got older, and now I have no idea how to tell her. I don’t want her to think her mother lied to her all along. Anyway, my point in this is, it scares me that she’s getting old enough to be interested in boys. She has a lot of her mother in her, she’s got a big heart and trusts too easily.” He stopped, not sure exactly where he was going with this conversation.
"Do you want me to talk to her about it?" Donna asked feeling odd. "I had planned on warning her about boys anyhow. My father gave me a very good speech when I was younger, not enough to frighten me, just the facts and the consequences. I was a smart girl I made the right choice and so will Lenae I'm sure."
“No, I’ll talk to her about it. But warning her about boys would be good coming from you, you’re more her age and you’re a girl. And she sees you as an equal not a parent. I don’t want her frightened, but I just want her to know that boys do lie if they think it will get them what they want. I can’t wait for her to go away to school,” he chuckled lightly. “I’m kidding of course. But at least then I won’t have to worry about this. It’ll be bad enough when she wants to get married.”
"Maybe she won't get married," Donna shrugged, "maybe they'll just move in together." She was quiet and soon he knew she had fallen asleep. The next morning when he woke up she wasn't there. He soon found out why when he found her, and both the children, in the kitchen making breakfast. "We gave the kitchen lady the morning off," Lenae pronounced with a smile as she brought Mic a plate of blueberry muffins and a glass of milk. She looked back to Donna and Donna smiled encouragingly at her. "Dad...there's this dance, well party, and I really want to go....can I please?" she asked even venturing for the sad-puppy expression that children do so well.
He eyed Donna and then returned his attentions to Lenae. “Yes, Donna already mentioned it to me. I’ll just need to talk to your friend’s parents, Lenae.” He raised his hand as he set his muffin down. “I’m not going to embarrass you, Lenae. I just want to make sure that I have their phone number in case something should happen, that they know who I am in case something should happen and that they know how to get a hold of me also in case something should happen. That’s my condition.”
Lenae sighed her acquiescence. Then she smiled and hugged Mic, "thanks Dad!" "Oh and I'm going to take you shopping for something to wear," Donna added in bringing the rest of the food to the table.
“Nothing too short,” Mic blurted out as his hand caressed Donna’s thighs. “I’m a grown man and I’m driven to distraction easily by what you wear, I’ll not have a bunch of hormonal young men ogling my daughter.” He winked and took a sip of milk. “All right, ladies, thank you for breakfast.” He kissed Lenae, “have a good day at school, sweetheart.” He kissed Casey and ruffled his hair and kissed Donna, lingering briefly on her lips. “Blueberries taste better on you,” he winked. “Bring him out after Lenae’s off to school, will you? The men think you’ve kidnapped him they never see him anymore since you’ve been here.”
Donna smiled, "Okay, we'll come out. Love you." She said once she knew Lenae was upstairs. Then she took Casey upstairs to get him ready. She made sure Lenae got off all right and then she dressed Casey and brought him outside. The ranch hands all smiled at them as they passed by. She found Mic and kissed him. Casey clapped and Donna laughed. "Glad you liked it sweetie," she sat him down but held onto his hand.
“He takes after his daddy, likes to get kisses from the girls.” He chuckled lightly as he removed his gloves. “We got a load of feed in today and the forklift seems to be broken, so guess who gets to bring all the bags in so that everyone else doesn’t get behind for the day.” He shrugged slightly and said loud enough for Ron who stood nearby to hear, “I thought owning my own ranch was supposed to make things easier for me work wise.” “Sure boss, you just leave those bags of feed out there all day and feed the birds,” Ron said with a slight smile as he nodded in Donna’s direction. “Ma’am,” he said as he walked away. “So did I handle the party situation all right?”
Donna smiled, "perfectly. She was so happy Mic she sang the entire time she got ready for school." "There isn't any other way to move those bags?" Donna asked, "I don't want you to hurt your back..."
He laughed lightly. “I’ll be fine, sweetheart. May need you to repay me for my efforts last night in the backrub department by the end of the day, but I used to do it this way before we got the forklift when I was a kid.” He smiled, “besides it’s good for me, keeps me in shape.” He wiped his brow. “Honest, I’ll be fine.” He stooped down so he was level with Casey. “Hey, squirt, how would you like to take Donna over to where the chickens are and show her how you feed them.” He stood up and kissed her, “care to join me for lunch? You bring the food I’ll provide my charming good looks and company.”
Donna smiled, "Okay...I hope you eat Mexican." She kissed him and then disappeared with Casey. It was much later when next he saw her, her and all of the house staff. They were bringing out huge platters. "Come on, lunch for everyone!" Donna cupped her hands to her mouth and called loudly. She had obviously taken the best platters over to a separate table just for them but she and the other women had made enough to feed everyone.
He kissed her quickly as he picked up Casey, setting him in his lap. “This looks great,” he said as Casey babbled the names for some of the foods. “I’d say you know the perfect way to gain their favor, they’re never going to allow me to let you leave if you keep feeding them.” He winked, “sit down, sweetheart. Eat,” he gestured to Birdie and Maggie. “Sit you two, eat.”
Everyone sat down with pink lemonade, enchiladas, taco salads, burritos and an assortment of other things. Donna ate a lot of everything. "I love Mexican," she sighed happily when she had eaten one of everything and declared herself finished.
“It’s great,” Mic said and the approval of his workers reassured her he wasn’t lying. “Thank you, babe. Really. It was just what we all needed. Something my mother would do to keep the employees’ spirits high, and keep them faithful to my father and Amulet.” He set Casey down when the boy had finished his burrito and he was soon off running, playing with one of the German shepherds they had, Elsker.
"Well I wanted to help and I know I couldn't lift even one of those bags so..." She shrugged and smiled, and then she leaned in and kissed him. "Love you Mic," she whispered softly. "You don't overdo now...I don't want you hurting so much you can't enjoy tonight."
He watched her fondly, his eyes meeting hers. He shook his head slightly with a wicked grin. “Lady, with an implication like that you can be sure that I’ll be careful.” He put his hands on Casey’s shoulders as he eyed Donna, “will you be in the office this afternoon?”
"Yes," Donna answered hesitantly, "unless you need me for something else."
“Not at all, at least nothing that I should be allowing myself to think about during the day.” He winked and put his hat back on before picking Casey up and kissing him and handing him to Donna. “I’ll see you in a little while, I’m off to do that manual labor.” He winked and walked back to the barn. A few hours later he came into the house for some iced tea and found Donna in the office. He closed the door behind him. “Where’s Casey?” he asked as he set his glass down.
"He's down for a nap," Donna smiled, "he fell right asleep in my lap,” she cooed with a smile.
He chuckled lightly, “that’s what I was hoping you’d say.” He walked towards her and took her into his arms, kissing her passionately. His tongue licked her lips slowly, erotically parting her lips gently with his tongue darting it in and out of her mouth. He reached down and stroked her breast and nipples through her dress, his thumb making circles teasingly around her nipples.
Donna kissed him passionately several times and then she began to unbutton his shirt. "In for a nooner?" she teased lightly.
He placed his hand over hers, stopping her then lowered his hands to unfasten his jeans. He picked her up, “put your legs around me sweetheart and I’ll show you what was on my mind.” He chuckled lightly as he pushed her so her back was against the wall. “This is going to be fast, darling. I’ll make it up to you tonight.”
Donna hopped up and wrapped herself around his waist and then felt him guide her onto him. She moaned with the sensation. "You've addicted me, that's what you've done," she gasped out pleasurably. She began to move up and down with his aide and she could feel her body beginning to respond. She was certainly enjoying the sensations.
He guided her along him fast and hard until he finished, biting his lip to keep from calling out. He held her by her hips, still inside her. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, we’ll go slow tonight.” He let her slide down him, his arms around her as her feet touched the floor. “We both need showers it seems, but I still have work to do.” He shook his head, “we need to set a rule I think to prevent me from succumbing to this type of distraction during the day. I find myself thinking about nothing but this sometimes.”
"What's wrong with a little work break?" Donna smiled, "come on, a quick shower and then back to work." She took him upstairs and enjoyed a cool refreshing shower with him for the first time. She wasn't reserved about it at all.
He toweled them both off, dressing and hugging her tightly against him. “Thank you, sweetheart. I don’t know of too many women out there who would let me come in and paw them after working up a sweat like I had been today. But I thought of you and what you might or might not be wearing underneath that dress of yours and my body reacted and I needed relief.” He sighed, “the plight of man.” He winked. “You’re delicious.”
Donna laughed lightly, "Thank-you. You're incredible. This was a wonderful work break."
“I’ll see you for dinner, and then maybe I can talk you into a swim in the Jacuzzi in the bathroom off the exercise room. I have never used it with anyone before. Interested?”
"Sounds good," Donna smiled and kissed him. "Be careful." When Mic returned later Donna was laying on their bed curled up in a ball under a blanket.
He showered again quickly and changed into a pair of shorts and a shirt, joining her on the bed. He spooned up behind her, his arm going around her waist. “Are you all right, honey?”
"About the time you shoot me and put me out of my misery," Donna groaned. "I'm sorry," she apologized and then winced.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” He grew concerned, “I didn’t hurt you today, did I? I admit I got carried away.”
"No...it's all nature's fault," Donna whimpered. "I couldn't even get down for a hot water bottle and now I don't want to move..."
“Oh,” he said. “Well, how about a hot bath? Will that help? I’ll draw it for you if you’d like. That started pretty suddenly, didn’t it? You sure you’re all right?”
"I'm fine...it comes in like a lion every time," Donna sighed, "would you mind drawing me a bath...I'm really sorry."
“No need to apologize, sweetheart.” He kissed her head lightly and went to the bathroom drawing her a bath. He returned to the bed a while later. “All set for you, milady. Need anything from me? A glass of wine maybe?”
"A glass of wine would be lovely, some company I wouldn't mind," Donna smiled, "I’m one of those people not overly fond of suffering by myself. Also, do you think maybe we could have dinner up here?"
“I’ll take care of it, you just relax for a bit and I’ll be right back.” He closed the door behind him, true to his word he returned a short while later with a glass of wine. “I looked in the medicine cabinet, but I don’t have anything to help with cramps.” He set the glass on top of a washcloth on the edge of the tub. “I mean I assume that’s part of your problem. You didn’t really go into details. I can ask Birdie or Maggie if they have anything. I guess this is stuff I need to brush up on, I imagine I’ll be facing this sometime soon with Lenae.”
"Oh I hope the poor little dear never has it this bad," Donna fretted. "I'll be okay if I can just relax a little. Admittedly being curled into a little ball on the bed wasn't good for me but I sometimes get to be a baby when it comes to pain. This bath is feeling wonderful though." She smiled at him brightly, the sparkle having returned to her eyes.
“It’s part of life and can’t be helped, but I’m glad the bath is helping. You frightened me when I saw you curled up like that. I thought something had happened to you. Birdie will bring dinner up in about an hour, I figured that will give you time to relax and feel somewhat better.” He thought a moment, an idea coming to him. “I’ll be right back.” He offered her a smile and left the room returning a few minutes later with some things wrapped in a washcloth in his hand. He knelt by the foot of the tub and raised her left foot out of the tub gently treating the foot to a massage and a pedicure. “Feel all right?” He looked up from her foot to her face with a slight smile.
Donna had her arms relaxed behind her head, eyes closed and a look of total content on her features. "Feels wonderful darling...have I told you lately how much I love you...and that you're too good to me."
He chuckled lightly. “Well, you can thank Jaci if you ever see her, she’s the one who taught me all of this. Her feet swelled up like balloons with Lenae. She didn’t have the problem so bad with Casey, but that was probably because she was bedridden with him. Anyway, I used to spend hours doing these things; I was a quick learner because I hate seeing anyone suffer. I guess you can say she got me in touch with my feminine side, because there’s lots of things I did for her I can guarantee most men wouldn’t be caught dead doing.” He smiled with a slight shrug. “Why don’t you take the day off tomorrow and go into town, treat yourself to a day to yourself.”
"A day to myself hmm?" Donna raised a brow, "I'm not sure I'd know what to do with myself. Okay, I will...but the results may be startling. I could chop all of my hair off, die it...red, and buy bellbottom metallic silver pants and halter tops!" she laughed lightly and then winced slightly as the action pained her.
He chuckled lightly, “that’s what you get for talking such nonsense.” He finished with both feet and bent to kiss her lightly, “I’m going to go have dinner with the kids then I’ll bring your dinner up. Just stay here and relax.” He left the bathroom quietly and went downstairs to dinner with Lenae and Casey.
"Where's Donna?" Lenae asked when he arrived and Casey looked around for her at the mention of her name.
“She’s not feeling well right now, so she’s taking a bath and I’m going to bring her dinner to her when we’re done. She’ll be fine,” he said when he saw the worried look in Lenae’s eyes. “It’s something most girls go through, Lenae. I’ll talk to you about it later, the dinner table isn’t really appropriate and I imagine your mother and Shari have already enlightened you about some of it.”
The dinner table was quiet that night and afterwards Lenae took Casey up to the nursery to play with him. Donna had finished her bath and her dinner and was surprisingly in the office at work.
He smiled slightly as he placed his hands in his pockets. “Feeling better I take it? I think Lenae is worried about you, I didn’t know how to explain it and at the dinner table in front of Casey didn’t seem appropriate.” He sat in the chair on the opposite side of his desk where he normally sat. “Why exactly are you down here?”
"Well I thought since I didn't do anything this afternoon and I wasn't going to do anything tomorrow that I should at least do something tonight." Donna shrugged, "after all what else is there to do? Have some suggestions?"
“You were working this afternoon when I came in here and distracted you. As far as suggestions, I could think of a few but keeping my mind out of the gutter, how about a movie and popcorn with the kids?”
"That sounds wonderful," Donna smiled, "we could do the Lion King or Tarzan."
“Casey’s got you trained well,” he said with a smile. “We can watch whichever he chooses and when he goes to sleep maybe the three of us can watch something else. I think Lenae needs to see you’re really all right,” his eyes grew sad and intense as he looked at his hands. “I’ll go get them then, let you finish up whatever you’re doing in here. Meet you in the family room in about 15 minutes.” He offered her a smile, though it was apparent it was forced, before he turned and left the room. He had Birdie make up some popcorn first and then got the kids, the three of them were in the family room within about 10 minutes. Casey sat on his dad’s lap as Lenae picked out The Lion King for him to watch. Mitchell held Casey’s head to his chest, smoothing down his hair gently as he kissed the top of his head.
Donna let Lenae curl against her, "Hey girlie-girl I heard you were missing me earlier." she kissed Lenae on her forehead and then whispered in her ear, "we can talk about it if you want. I like sharing with you."
Lenae looked at Donna with a slight smile. “Thanks, me too. And thanks for getting Dad to agree to the party.” She stood and said softly, “I’m going to go call my grandma. She was supposed to call today and hasn’t yet. I’ll be back.” Mic watched her leave, nodding slightly in acknowledgment of her statement. Casey by now was fighting falling asleep against his dad’s chest, so far Simba was winning out over the sleepies.
"Is she okay?" Donna asked, confused.
He shrugged slightly, speaking softly so as not to disturb Casey. “I don’t know why she wouldn’t be, she was just going to call my mother in-law,” he paused. “Jaci’s mother. Sorry. Maybe she’s feeling a little out of sorts, but I’m sure she’s fine. Cecile was supposed to call today, she calls every two weeks, and apparently she didn’t. Lenae puts a lot of weight on those calls. They live somewhere in Wyoming I think it’s Wyoming, and sometimes Cecile just gets busy and forgets. It’s still early in the morning for them there.”
"Oh okay," Donna smiled, relieved. Soon she was tuned in and singing Hakuna Matata with the characters and making Casey laugh. She stood up and scooped him up dancing with him and laughing lightly.
Mic shook his head slightly as his eyes met Donna’s; it was obvious he was not amused. “You know he was almost asleep. I realize that might not mean much to you, but now I have to start all over again to get him back to where he was.” Lenae choose that moment to come into the room and looked from her dad to Donna, clearing her throat softly. “Dad, Gram wants to talk to you.” He looked at Lenae, and his mood grew worse. “She wants to talk to me?” He took Casey from Donna, noticing the look of confusion on the boy’s face. “I’ll put him to bed after I’m done talking to Gram. You two put in whatever movie you wanted to watch.” He left the room wondering what in the hell Cecile would want from him.
Donna sighed feeling worse than she usually. She let Lenae pick the movie and she pretty much tuned out. She realized now that she had gotten carried away having fun but she was enjoying bonding with the children and she wanted them to be happy and to like her.
Mitchell returned over an hour later, a beer in his hand his mood obviously hadn’t improved. When the movie finished he kissed Lenae and told her to get ready for bed. Once she had left the room and he heard her walk up the stairs he looked at Donna and stood, “Walk outside with me for a little bit?” It was more a statement than a question, but he waited for her response.
"Okay," Donna said softly and she timidly went with him outside. She didn't like his mood at all. It was a very frightening reminder of what her uncle was like.
They walked to Casey’s playground and he sat on one of the swings. “I think we need to cool things off a bit,” he ran his fingers through his hair. “Cecile apparently wasn’t pleased to hear that someone was living here. Lenae apparently mentioned your taking a bath in my room today or something and Cecile seems to think it’s inappropriate we carry on when Lenae is so impressionable.” He let out a deep breath, obviously not sure how to proceed with this.
"Well what do you want Mic?" Donna asked, "You know I love these children to death and I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to them concerning you." She sunk down onto the bottom the slide.
“I don’t rightly know, Donna. Cecile has said she’d hire a lawyer and take the kids from me, and I refuse to let that happen.” He stood from the swing and looked up at the sky. “They’re my responsibility and I haven’t worked this hard for this long to lose her - them. You know it’s odd, you’d think that I’d resent Lenae somehow or that I’d prefer Casey over her, but in all honesty I probably favor her. Not that I don’t love Casey just as much, but it’s different. I don’t know what to do. You really don’t have anywhere else to go, but I don’t know that I can have you here with me and be platonic.”
Donna was quiet for a long while and then she rose. "I want to be here for Lenae, at least through this party. I don't want her to feel like she's losing me. If Cecile has such a problem she should come out an meet me." Donna glared at no one in particular. "If we're playing by her rules than fine. We're being platonic." She walked back towards the house, rubbing her upper arms with her hands and simply wanting to curl up in a bed and cry.
Mic followed her and took hold of her arm turning her to look at him. “She won’t want to meet you, Donna. It’s not you personally. She thinks I’m responsible for Jaci dying, Donna. She’s told me that on more than one occasion; accusing me of being macho and needing an heir or some crap like that. She also knows, or suspects, that Jaci was pregnant when we married. So she just in general thinks I’m a no good scandalous cad.” He laughed lightly, “and I suppose I am, because I certainly do feel like I’ve preyed upon you. And I have to wonder if her mother has come to the conclusion that Casey was my wish because Jaci somehow alluded to it. Maybe she said something to her mom so that her mom wouldn’t think she had foolishly taken on the risk of having a baby. I have no idea. She was so sick towards the end, I don’t know that she knew what she said half the time.”
"You're not a scandalous cad Mic," Donna raised her voice, "I made love to you because I felt deeply for you, no other reason. I did it because I wanted to you didn't coerce me into it. So is this it? Are we just over?" she asked the last softly, her cheeks glistening with her tears in the moonlight.
“I didn’t say that, Donna, but I can’t lose my kids either. I have no idea what to do, but I can’t tell Lenae to lie either. I’m willing to listen if you have any suggestions.” He offered her a slight smile, “I love having you here, but sweetheart seeing you every day and having to keep my hands to myself will be impossible.”
"No it won't," Donna jerked back from him, "I love you. I won't let you lose your children. I'll make it very easy for you." She stormed off, leaving him in her wake until she slammed the door of the guest room. When she was sure he was gone she buried her head in her pillow and cried. The next day she was cold as ice to him when she couldn't avoid him, except around the children where she was her usual self. On Saturday she took Lenae into Sydney and after convincing her to get some silver gray stretch slacks with a light blue baby doll tee shirt that just skimmed her waistline and a sheer silver long sleeve to tie over it. Then she took her to lunch. "You're going to be the coolest girl at the party. I'll do your hair if you want," Donna offered between bites of pasta.
“That’d be great!” Lenae exclaimed and brightened. “Thanks for taking me shopping. Dad’s cool and all, but he hasn’t a clue on what to buy for me in the way of clothes.” Lenae toyed with her ravioli, “I’m going to spend the night at Shari’s I guess. You could just drop me off there if you want and meet her. You’d like her, but she has been too afraid to come meet you.”
"Why?" Donna asked gently. She laid her hand on Lenae's.
Lenae shrugged, “I’m not sure exactly. She knew my mom that might have something to do with it. Her parents and my parents were good friends, that’s how Shari and I became such good friends - we were always thrown together because we were the same age. You’ll find a lot of that I think,” Lenae finished eating and took a drink of her water.
"Lenae, does it bother you that I'm at Amulet?" Donna asked, "now be honest sweetie. I love you a lot and I always will no matter what. I just don't want to make you uncomfortable."
Lenae shook her head, “no, not at all.” She set her glass down. “I don’t think some people realize how sick my mom was. Even had it not been for Casey her chances were ify at best. And she was so good at what she did, you know? You saw the state of Dad’s office when you first got here. I honestly think he just didn’t touch stuff because he didn’t want to deal with her presence. She did everything at the house, and even the men would come to her with their problems. Dad never knew that stuff.” She looked down sadly.
"I'm not replacing your mom Lenae. I'm not trying and couldn't if I wanted to. She will always be your mom, she will always be in your heart and in others heart and she will always love you. I can't compete with any of that. I'm not trying to. I'm something different. Your mom can't be with you here on earth anymore, she's the angel that looks out for you and she's in your heart. I just want to love you and take care of you, you and Casey both. If you want me to that is. I know it must be hard for everyone else. I'm trying to make it as easy as possible but I don't seem to be doing a good job." she finished the rest of her meal and the women decided to just walk and talk.
Lenae grew quiet, “I hate when people talk about her dying like that, that she’s up there looking down on me. I mean it’s nice that you want to take care of us, but sometimes it does seem like you’re trying to take her place. I don’t know how to explain it, Grandma got real mad when I told her you were here. And I understand that Dad’s not dead, and that me and Casey aren’t enough. But I just never thought he’d actually meet anyone. I figured he would always be here at Amulet, alone.”
"I'm sorry Lenae," Donna said softly, "Come on...I'll get you to Shari's. You'll want to talk about the party and show her your clothes I'm sure." She headed towards the car.
They arrived at Shari’s, Lenae sitting quietly in the car until they got to Shari’s. She got out and took her bags from the car, waiting for Donna before going to the door. Shari came running out, followed by her mother who stood at the screen door. She waved to Lenae with a smile then descended the steps when she realized it wasn’t Mitchell dropping her off. “I’m sorry, honey,” she said. “I thought you were Mic. Would you like to come in for a spell or do you need to get back to Amulet?”
"If I'm not imposing I could really use a glass of water," Donna smiled softly wanting to break the ice. "You’re daughter's lovely. Lenae talks about her all the time," she smiled, "it's Shari this and Shari that..."
“Just wait until the summer when they’re inseparable. Come on in, I can do better than water for you. You must be Donna, forgive me if I’m being presumptuous but Lenae has mentioned you. I’m Hedda,” she smiled wryly. “As in Hedda Gabler. My father thought it was amusing.”
Donna smiled, "Yes I'm Donna, it's a pleasure to meet you." She stepped in with Hedda. "So have you been hearing as much about this party as Mic has?" Donna said nervously. She didn't want to over-step her bounds and she knew she usually had terrible first impressions.
“Probably more, because Shari has the opportunity to hit us both with it until she drives us crazy enough to finally say yes. But when we heard that Lenae had gotten permission we knew it would be all right.” She led Donna into the kitchen, gesturing for her to sit down. “We don’t have our ranch anymore. Just the house and some land to garden, we just couldn’t make due and someone came buy wanting to buy our land to plant macadamia trees. We would have been a fool to turn it down. But it makes for a rather quiet existence compared to what Lenae’s used to at Amulet.” She poured them both some lemonade. “I made some brownies, would you like one before the girls devour them?”
"Um sure thank-you," Donna said nervously and then she laughed lightly, "I'm sorry as you can probably tell I feel very out of place, well I know I'm out of place. I'm sure you and Jaci were friends and..." Donna decided to shut-up before she made a total idiot of herself, her face was already flushed.
“There’s nothing to feel out of place about, at least as far as I can tell. Jaci was a great girl, but she’s not here anymore. Life goes on, you know?” She shrugged as she set some brownies on a plate on the table, leaving the rest on the counter. “Lenae says you’re from America. Do you like it here? Have you been here long?”
"I love it, I've been here three months now," Donna smiled, "it's beautiful and for the most part everyone here is so much friendlier. I really like it here." "I'm glad you think life goes on, some people don't hold that view and I'm sorry I shouldn't be airing my laundry on you. So how about you come up with something to talk about."
“I’m afraid I don’t have much to say, I’m sorry. Ralph and I talk of traveling, but so far we haven’t done it. My excitement is a trip to Sydney and back.” She sighed, pushing back a graying curl from her forehead. “I don’t even have the day to day activities of the ranch to look after anymore.” She patted Donna’s hand lightly, “it’s easy for me to say life goes on, dear, because it’s not my life that suffered the loss. I’m sure if my Ralph had passed on, it would be just as difficult for others to accept my taking an interest in someone.” She smiled slightly, “Jaci had been sweet on Mitchell since she was our girls’ age. I wasn’t surprised when they got married; surprised it happened so fast but wasn’t surprised it happened. She was a good wife, a good rancher’s wife, but that doesn’t mean she’s the only one out there.”
Donna smiled gratefully and finished the last of her lemonade, "If you need me for anything or wanting me to take the girls for a night or something just call me. I'd best be getting back now. I have a lot of work to do tonight. It was a pleasure meeting you though."
“And you, and please feel free to come by for lunch or something anytime. I’d welcome the company,” she walked Donna outdoors and waved as she drove off. Hedda returned to the house and brought the girls a plate of brownies to eat as they watched television.
Donna drove back to Amulet and went to the office. She was relieved to find Mic absent from the room and she began to work extra hard on the files. She had Birdie bring her dinner to the office so she could continue work. She was close to having things finished and in order and she predicted she be done within the week.
“So is this the way you demonstrate your affections for people you claim to love? Avoiding them? Or am I the lucky one?” He stood in the doorway, carrying her dinner. “I told Birdie I’d bring this in.” He set the tray down on a table next to the desk where she worked and returned to the doorway where he stood.
"You're managing to keep your hands off me aren't you?" Donna said not looking up and then she did. "These kids are the most important. I'm almost finished with my work here and if this isn't working for you then I can be gone by next weekend. I do love you Mic but I love you enough to not be selfish."
“You don’t get it, do you? It’s not just sex, Donna that I meant by saying that. I have never in my life had a woman share my bed who was there because of me. My own wife married me because it was really the only option she had. Do you have any idea what that’s like to share a bed with a woman who wouldn’t have been there if she hadn’t been stupid and gotten knocked up by some sweet talking ranch hand. I’ve never been able to experience what I have with you - all of it, getting to know you both physically and mentally. I had known Jaci for six years when we married, I knew her before she was able to get pregnant. But I didn’t know her. This is all new to me, and I enjoy it, and as much as I love my kids I’m a grown man that has needs. And they’re not just about sex.”
Donna looked at him trembling with emotion and in a strained voice asked, "Mic, what do you want? God knows I'm dying to be with you, don't think for a minute this has been easy but I'm trying to make everyone happy here and I've realized I can't do it. I want you and that's not going to change."
“Well, I don’t want you to go. That much I know. I’ll talk to Lenae, and while I don’t want her to lie to her grandmother, I’ll figure out with her if there’s someway we can work out your being here without her grandmother thinking I’ve taken up with every woman within 20 miles from here. I imagine that during the day we need to act like adults and keep our hands to ourselves, and I think your bathing should be done in your bath. As far as where you sleep, that’s up to you. I’d like it to be with me, and I think Lenae might not have a problem with your sleeping with me.” He shrugged, “I get the impression that she thinks you’re moving in, taking over, and it perhaps happened too soon. Does that make sense? Casey I’m not worried about, he obviously never knew Jaci and he’s young enough where nothing really effects him.”
Donna nodded, "I was just trying to help and make nice. I didn't want Lenae to feel like I was only after you and I was trying to push her out of the picture. I know what that feels like," She sighed. "Look you call the shots...I'll take the lead from you." She saved the work she was doing and turned everything off, rising from her seat.
“Eat your dinner first, please.” He offered her a smile, “in fact, bring it upstairs with us to my room. I’ll bring Casey in there and put on a movie for him and we can lay on my bed the three of us until he falls asleep.” He placed his finger under her chin, “you on the other hand, I don’t want you thinking about getting any sleep tonight.” He winked, “I have a week to make up for.”
Donna gave him a half smile and then brought her dinner with her upstairs. She savored her food quietly, the first meal she'd actually finished in a week and she smiled when she realized Casey was sound asleep. "Are you sure we should do this?" she asked when he returned. "I'm not sure I can stand another week of cold showers and wet pillows and grumpy moods."
“Baby, had you just talked to me I can guarantee you you wouldn’t have been grumpy.” He reached under her skirt as he looked up at her questioningly. “You’re done? I mean I have no problem with sex or anything during. But, I’d like to use my mouth a bit, you seem to like that and I’m afraid I draw the line at that.”
Donna laughed lightly, "long since...I'm painful and fast, three days, four tops." she looked at him. "You're turning me on just looking at me like that."
“Well, let’s see if I can’t give you something pleasurable and slow tonight.” He kissed her with a slight laugh as his hand pushed the hem of her dress up further. He reached around her panties, his fingers sliding into her slowly. He groaned slightly as she gripped him, “you’re going to make me forget about the slow part if you keep doing that.” He chuckled lightly then asked her to sit up so he could remove her dress, bringing his mouth between her legs when she had removed it. He slid her underwear off and his fingers slid within her again easily as his mouth closed around her. With his free hand placed her hand on her breast.
Donna looked at him, then she had to close her eyes, moan and smile at his attentions. "That...that right there feels very nice."
He continued his attentions until he was sure she’d been satisfied. He moved on top of her gently, his mouth claiming her breast as he entered her. “You feel so good, Donna.” He slid in and out of her slowly, wanting to last. He moved one of her legs gently, sliding his hand under her knee as he pushed it against her body. “Oh,” he said softly as he bit his lip. His tempo increased until he felt himself release within her, “God you feel good like that.” He remained within her, kissing her knee.
"I aim to please," Donna smiled. "I have to admit it felt wonderful to me too." She kissed him. "I love you so much. I've missed talking to you, I've missed laying in your arms..." she sighed. "Oh if we could just get away from this all and just be us."
“Sweetheart, even if we could, there’s still the kids to contend with.” He released her leg, rubbing her thigh and hip gently as he rolled to her side. “You can talk to me all you want, I don’t think it’s the talking that’s getting us in trouble.” He winked at her, biting her shoulder gently. “My bed was quite lonely without you here.”
"Well I hardly slept so I didn't get off any better," Donna sighed, "and I know we're allowed to talk...there's one for you, my first real relationship and I'm still being regulated." She laughed an almost cruel little laugh and rose up out of the bed. The full moon ensconced her alabaster skin as she walked towards the windows. She was perfect standing there with her bare back to him; her lines and her curves, her ethereal beauty as she stood there, motionless in the moonlight.
“Sweetheart, we’ll get there. It’ll be a slow process, but we’ll get there. If I didn’t think that I wouldn’t have you here, I hope you believe that. I wouldn’t let you get involved with my children if I thought you were just a temporary fixture in our lives.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I have an idea, but I need to think it through first. All right, will you just trust me for a while that I’m not going to let anyone wheel you out of my life.”
Donna nodded gently and then turned back after a long while and returned to bed. She was so tired that she gave in to sleep almost immediately. The next morning she was reluctant to get up. "I need a nap already. Wait, today's my day off," Donna smiled. She borrowed Mic's keys and went in to Sydney. Using her VISA she bought what appealed to her, including a car. In the afternoon long before the children would be home she stopped in at Hedda's. She stood on the porch with several boxes in hand and rang the bell hoping she was home.
Hedda was in the kitchen and walked to the door wiping her hands on the dishtowel. She smiled at the sight of Donna. “Come in, Donna. What is all this?” She held the door open allowing Donna to pass through.
"Well I couldn't resist when I was in town today," Donna smiled, "first of all I found a bakery and this sinful cake and I thought maybe I could find someone to share it with and we could see if it was really as good as it looks. Secondly, I just had to pick up a few presents while I was there. I found these absolutely adorable pajama sets on sale and so I bought the girls matching sets. I thought you might want to give Shari hers. Then I went even a little more overboard and found these great khaki pants that I though would look great for school." she handed Hedda the boxes of clothes while she opened up the cake. "Sometime I ought to take you with me. I could have used a second opinion today."
“Oh Donna, that’s very nice of you, but I can’t allow you to buy Shari things. That’s not right, you don’t even know her. Or us for that matter.” She looked clearly uncomfortable, “I have to get back to dinner preparations. You’re welcome to stay for a while if you’d like, but I need to get dinner in the oven or it will be late.”
"No, no...I won't interrupt your dinner preparations," Donna got up realizing she'd made a mistake. "I'll see you sometime Hedda." She left the cake box there untouched and took the other boxes with her. When she arrived at Amulet she laid the things she'd bought for everyone in their rooms and took Birdie the things she'd requested for the kitchen. Then Donna went straight to work. On several occasions she walked over to the bar and would stare at it for a long time, finally managing to pry herself away. When she ran out of work to do she merely stood there, staring at the bar, finally pouring herself a drink and staring at it. That's how Mic found her.
“Waiting for it to talk to you?” He chuckled lightly. “How was your day? I looked for you earlier but Birdie says you went to town.”
"It was fine until I left Sydney," Donna answered, "actually I was waiting for it to give me permission to get smashed. I wish to god I remembered what people used to see in me. I don't know how to play by the rules anymore apparently and anytime I try to be nice to someone I keep getting it thrown back in my face." Donna finally grabbed the shot and downed it, poured another one and downed it before setting the shot glass back down on the bar and meandering over to the couch to flop down on it feeling very unbeautiful at the moment.
“Sweetheart, that’s not going to help you figure anything out. In fact, it’ll only make things worse. Why don’t you tell me what happened? And when you’re done I’ll tell you my surprise for you.” He offered her a slight smile and sat on the end of the couch, laying her head in his lap. He ran his fingers through her hair, “what’s wrong?”
"There was a time," Donna began softly, "a time when all I did was visit casinos and resorts and hang around the mansion and beach and walk around on my uncle's arm in an extravagant evening gown and dance and look beautiful. Everyone adored me then, I think I was good at it. That's what I was raised to do and now, now I don't know how to do what I'm supposed to. I mean I want so much to fit in here with you and...Okay I know what I did wrong. I bought Shari and Lenae matching pajamas. I thought it would be neat. Already I've managed to offend Hedda. Mic I'm never going to get all this right. I'm not sure I can fit in here."
“I’m sure you didn’t offend her, Donna. It’s just that you’re a newcomer here, and well people around here respond more to kind deeds than monetary things. If it weren’t for Shari I think Ralph and Hedda would have retired somewhere else after they sold their property. We don’t live flashy lives, and money just isn’t an overly impressive thing. Hedda would rather know that you’d bring over a casserole when she was feeling under the weather than have you spend your money. We’re proud people, and some of us don’t like charity. I don’t know if that makes sense, sweetheart. But Hedda walks a fine line as it is.”
Donna sighed, "I know...it's just hard to be on the outside and to want in...if I didn't care then it wouldn't matter so much, but it does. Anyhow, I bought some things for Lenae and Casey I hope you don't mind. I found a little computer thing that I thought would be good for Casey to play with and Lenae's going to wear out the pants I get her for the party if I didn't get her some more so I bought some in kind of the same style in some other colors for her to have. Not to mention they had jeans on sale and I thought I'd pick her up a pair while I got some for myself, jumping fences like she does I know she wears them out.”
“Honey, quit trying so hard and it will happen, fitting in. I’m sure if you went over and enjoyed lemonade with her while she tended to the house she’d be as happy as a pig in mud. That’s what she likes, company. Sometimes Jaci would go over there in the morning and I wouldn’t see her until dinnertime. I understand what you are saying about your uncle and the life you lead, and I’m sorry that’s not the life I can give you. If you really don’t think you can fit in here, I am not going to make you stay. If you’d rather have that life, then by all means don’t let me stop you. As long as there’s a ranch for me to work, though, casinos and resorts and walks on the beach just aren’t in my future.” He sighed softly, “do you have any of those evening gowns here? I know you’ve gone shopping for new clothes.”
"I have a few," Donna replied. "Actually I called my homes from Sydney and I'm having most of my things shipped to my house in France, the one that belongs only to me, that my father left me, but I thought I'd have my clothes sent down here. I can always send them elsewhere if I need to." She looked at him then and laughed lightly, "all well-bred women are never without at least three evening gowns for emergency occasions." she laughed.
“Mm, well, good because you’ll need one for this evening. I’ll meet you down here in an hour. Does that give you enough time? Maggie’s taking care of Casey for the night and Hedda’s keeping Lenae over night, so we’re free and clear for the rest of the evening.”
Donna looked shocked, "Wow...now are we talking simple cocktail wear or actual evening gown attire?"
“Evening gown attire, honey.” He stood slowly, “is that all right?”
"Of course," Donna smiled. She raced upstairs then. She washed her hair and immediately put it in rollers before washing the rest of herself and then applying a cucumber and aloe crème, scented with lavender that made her skin glow healthy. Then she pondered over exactly which dress to wear.
As Mitchell stood waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs an hour and twenty minutes later, she appeared. Her hair was all curly and French twisted in the back and pinned to her head in the front. The gown was silver with a beaded overlayer on the entire thing in silver beads also. The gown was sleeveless and halter style, completely out in the back to the small of her back. It had a thigh high slit up the left hand side to facilitate walking more easily and to show off her shapely legs. She had on silver strappy heals that were both elegant and conservative. She wore a diamond bracelet at her wrist and matching solitaires in her ears. The neckline of the gown did not facilitate a necklace. She had two tiny cubic zirconia hairpins in her hair that shimmered in the light. She flushed softly when she reached the bottom of the stairs.
Mitchell stood before her in a black tuxedo, gray waistcoat and a black bowtie and caught his breath sharply when she came down the stairs. “You’re beautiful, sweetheart. Truly you were worth the wait. Thank you. Are you ready then, sweetheart?” He offered her his arm with a genuine smile, his eyes still taking her in.
Donna flushed and smiled, "Definitely ready," she replied happily, her eyes giving him the once over for at least the fourth time. "You should wear tuxedos more often. You look incredibly handsome."
He walked with her to the car, opening her door for her before getting in himself. “I don’t get to wear them very often, but I must admit I don’t mind it so much when I do get the chance.” They arrived in Sydney, where he parked the car and they walked to the Opera House. “The Philharmonic is performing some pieces by American composers. I thought you might enjoy it.”
Donna's face lit even further and she leaned in and kissed him as much as was acceptable in this type of public setting. "Oh Mic thank-you. I absolutely love the symphony." They went in and took their seats and indeed they attracted quite a lot of attention. Several people stopped her to comment on how beautiful she looked. When the music began he could witness her face like that of a child's at their first circus. It was very obvious that she was extremely moved by the music. Her mannerisms were without flaw and here in this setting she fit perfectly.
After the performance, he led her to the lobby where he introduced her to some of his friends where they talked for over an hour. It was obvious that he was just as comfortable in this environment as he easily spoke with the gentlemen in the group about business, theater and other things that indicated he was fairly well educated. He grew impatient, however, as he always did when he was around too many people in too close a space and he leaned towards her and said softly. “I’m famished, sweetheart. What do you say to dinner?” His hand rested at the small of her back, his thumb gently rubbing her exposed skin.
Donna smiled, "that sounds wonderful. When one is dressed to be out you might as well do it all up right." she kissed him and just then a flashbulb went off in their eyes. "Oh God Mic I'm sorry," she gasped throwing a hand to her mouth.
He chuckled lightly and took her hand, placing it on his arm. “It’s quite all right, Donna. Let’s go eat.” He said good night to the group of people they had been talking with and led her out to his car. “What exactly were you apologizing for back there?” he asked when they were out of the parking lot and finally driving.
"Because that was a paper photographer wasn't it? I mean if a picture of us gets out, especially like that...and Cecile and...the children." Donna fretted.
He sighed, “Cecile can go to hell if she’s going to tell me that I can’t have a life. My being seen with you at the Opera is nothing to be ashamed of, there’s nothing wrong with it. I am a grown man, you’re an adult and there’s nothing wrong with our spending an evening out together.” He pulled the car into a parking space and walked with her to the restaurant, a classy steak house. He held open the door for her, kissing her lightly on the cheek. “Please don’t worry about it. You’ve done nothing wrong. Just breathe and enjoy, all right.”
Donna smiled softly. There was a dance floor at the steak house and the mambo came on. "Do you Mambo?" Donna asked seductively.
He chuckled lightly, “no, darling, I’m sorry. If it’s not something slow where I can hold you in my arms I develop two left feet. Dancing has never been a pastime I’ve enjoyed I’m afraid.”
A man spotted her looking at the dance floor and approached the table. "Madam would you care to mambo, with your husband's permission of course."
Mitchell chuckled lightly, “by all means, don’t let me stop you.”
Donna looked at him hesitantly a moment and then took to the dance floor. When she was on the floor it was like magic. Before long they had the entire floor cleared. When it was finished she walked back over to Mic and kissed him. "It wasn't as much fun as I thought it was going to be without you."
“I’m still trying to figure out where exactly your husband is,” he winked. “You looked great, and far be it from me to stand in your way of dancing.”
"I think they've decided that title belongs to you," Donna laughed happily, "I didn't bother to correct them." She sat back down. She ordered steak and champagne and made delightful conversation even feeding him a stuffed mushroom.
After dinner, he sipped his champagne slowly watching the people around them. “I talked to Hedda today. She and I talked about something I’d like to run past you.”
Donna raised an eyebrow, "I'm all ears." she smiled.
“This is just an idea so please don’t get upset or anything. We were thinking that the problems Cecile has with you might be alleviated if you lived with Hedda and Ralph.” He paused slightly, “they have plenty of room, and you’d still come to Amulet every day. And if one or two nights a week you stayed with me then so be it. It would give us an opportunity to do more things like this and have them seem like actual dates.” He paused waiting for her reaction before he continued.
Donna was quiet for a long while. "Okay...That sounds like it might be a good idea. I'm sure it would be a good thing for you and the kids and...since I just bought a car transportation won't be a problem."
“You what?” He looked at her curiously, forgetting for the moment what else he wanted to tell her.
"I bought a corvette convertible," Donna replied, "I thought I should have a car so I wouldn't always be wearing yours out. Now it will be convenient."
“And is there a reason that you chose to spend $40,000 on a car?” He raised his hand, “never mind. It’s certainly not my place to question you on what you choose to do with your money. Though that’s an awful lot of money to spend on something for convenience.” He sighed heavily, “you know I’m beginning to wonder if maybe you’re right about fitting in here. I’m also beginning to wonder if maybe your uncle might have had some merit in his concerns for you.”
"Would it help if I told you it's a used Lexus," Donna sighed, "look if I'd wanted to spend that kind of money on a car I could have gotten a limo. Truth be told I liked the stereo," she laughed lightly, "it had a CD player. Now...before I sidetracked you it looked like you had something else to say."
“Then what the hell were you going on about the Corvette for?” He looked at her, obviously unwilling to drop the subject. “Listen, I understand you’re young and at 22 you probably have a much different perspective on things, but you worry me when you say stuff like that. I’m no miser by any means, but I don’t know maybe your family has done you a disservice by sheltering you as they have.”
"I'm sure they have," Donna sighed, "Look I'm trying...I'm sure this is all easy to you...it's not to me. If you think I should take the car back and get something less I will, you have better advice on this."
“You do what you want, Donna, I certainly am in no position to stop you. But I guess having watched some of my savings get sucked up by Jaci’s illness because this wasn’t covered by insurance or that wasn’t covered by insurance or because her parents wanted to come here to be with her but couldn’t afford plane tickets, you just realize that money is nice and it’s great to have nice things. But there comes a time when you might need what you’ve spent and you can’t get it back.” He sighed, “we’re just different you and me, Donna. And I know that it’s just money, but you’d be surprised what money can ruin when everything else is good in a relationship. You’re young and you’ve yet to get out from your uncle’s protective wing. Maybe I’m being foolish thinking you’d be happy living on my ranch where Corvette’s and diamond bracelets just aren’t the norm.”
"Haven't I been happy there without those things?" Donna asked. "I'm just as happy in a pair of blue jeans and a halter top. I don't think I fit in very well dressed like that because I tend to act a little childish but..." she sighed. "Now I propose that you're going to rebuttal that buying a car was foolish, you could be right. The bracelet was given to me by my father and so I see nothing wrong with wearing it for special occasions. I figured this was one of them."
“I don’t know if you are happy, that’s the problem. You buy my children clothes that I would never buy them, and it makes me wonder what exactly you’re trying to do. Perhaps it’s just a difference of opinion, but I don’t believe kids should have whatever they want in life. I live rather modestly, I admit it, but it’s also because I want my children to realize that it’s important to work hard. That things aren’t just going to be handed to them because they smile pretty. Lord knows I don’t want Lenae to have to think she needs a man to survive. I want her to grow up and be strong on her own, but I want it to be because she’s a strong person not because she thinks my money bought her things.”
"Okay then, I won’t buy them anything else, fair enough," Donna said gracefully finishing off the last of her champagne. "I simply thought it was a nice gesture. I guess I didn't think hard enough."
“No, it’s not simply ‘okay then’ Donna.” He twirled his champagne flute on the table. “I just don’t know, we’re different, you seem to want more flash from life. And I’m not the person to give that to you. I honestly don’t know if I could make you happy when it comes down to it. There’s more to a relationship and marriage then good sex, and I fear that you’d resent me later.”
"Is that what you think of me?" Donna said looking hurt. "You don't know me as well as you think you do. Give me a month and I'll prove you wrong."
“You shouldn’t have to prove anything to me, Donna. Love is not about proving anything to the other person. I don’t want you to go, Lord knows I didn’t want this evening to turn out this way. This was supposed to be a date, you and me out amongst people that aren’t ranch hands, my children or my cook.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I just don’t know, Donna. I have grown very fond of you, but it’s just times like this I realize that we’re quite literally worlds apart.”
Donna sighed, "but I love you. I don't want to marry one of those creeps that I used to go to the casinos with and lay on the beach with that only cared about two things, bank accounts and beauty, mainly theirs. I love you and to me that's the most important thing. You've made me very happy, cheerios and sloppy joes make me happy."
“But I can’t give you the life you’re accustomed to, Donna. And you shouldn’t have to change who you are to be with me, that’s not happiness that’s bending to what I want. I’ve been in that situation already and it’s no fun, nobody wins.” He stopped when the waiter approached them to refill their glasses. “I think I’m going to go away for a while. There’s a horse for sale that I’ve been contemplating going to look at, and I’m thinking now might be a good time for me to do it. Lenae can stay at Shari’s so she won’t miss school. Perhaps we can think about what we’re doing, what we want, and whether or not we can offer it to one another.”
Donna nodded, "What do you want me to do while you're gone?" she asked curiously.
“Do whatever you want to do, you’re not mine to control, Donna. If you wish to leave, I’d quite honestly understand that. I care for you. My kids care for you. And the men at Amulet who have gotten to know you like you. You’re a good person, I just sometimes think you’re trying too hard to make yourself a part of my life and I don’t know what to do.”
Donna was silent for a long afterwards, rising when she'd noticed he'd finished. She was quiet all the way to the car.
He helped her into the car and sat quietly before he started it. “Listen, I don’t want you to go. That’s not what this is about. This is about we were both thrown into a situation that neither of us were planning on being in, I certainly wasn’t planning on finding someone tumbling from my hay loft that afternoon and I doubt very likely you were planning on your uncle trying to marry you off to an old man. I guess what I was thinking with your living with Hedda is that we could start over, like a couple who dates, get to know one another. Go out like tonight more often. I don’t do it often enough, and I know that.” He started the car and started to drive. “But what I was going to tell you about living at Hedda is that it’s not a very pleasant situation there. I don’t know anything for certain, Jaci would never tell me, but I suspect Hedda is abused. So I guess I was thinking that if you were there you might be able to help her. Not work wise, but by being a friend. Jaci was really all she had that was close like that, and I suspect she’s hoping you’ll take her place in her life as well as mine.”
Donna gave him a soft smile. She didn't sleep with him that night. The next morning she kissed him a long loving good-bye and watched as he and Casey left. She packed up her things after phoning Hedda and shortly arrived at Hedda's house. "I don't suppose it would be too much to ask for a room on the second floor so I could listen to the rain on the roof. I love a good thunderstorm," Donna smiled.
Hedda showed her to the room next to Shari’s. “If they keep you awake at night, just let me know and I’ll move you to another room. But I think you’ll find this room far more comfortable than the others. I’m so glad you’ve come to stay with us. I think it’s a good idea that Mitchell came up with. Children are so prone to get the wrong idea about things.”
Donna smiled softly, "Perhaps you'll let me have a turn at cooking dinner one night a week, or at least helping you. I'd like to learn some of the dishes down here and show you some of the ones I know from America that maybe you haven't learned yet."
“For lunch that would be very nice. Ralph is very,” she paused slightly searching for the right word, “particular about his dinners, I don’t know that he could take a change. But I’d love to try some for lunch, and I’m sure Shari and Lenae would, too. As far as helping me, just keeping your room as you found it will be appreciated,” she offered a slight smile before looking down. “But treat it like your home, please.”
Donna smiled at her, "Thank-you Hedda, you're a good friend already."
Donna went straight to work the next day and soon fell into a routine. She quickly convinced the men that she was going to help and to get used to it. She fed the pigs and chickens every morning and cleaned out a new spot for a garden. Then she rode along with the men and helped them mend the fences by bringing water and food and anything else she could do. She helped bail hay and to move the wool. She and Lenae and Shari even played in it one afternoon, after all it wouldn't hurt it. She and Hedda became close while they sat around in the kitchen either cooking or talking over tea and coffee. Donna had broken all of her manicured nails off but it didn't seem to matter to her a bit. Amulet's office was organized. She even helped brand the cattle to the amazement of all who witnessed it and Lenae got to help her bring two baby sheep into the world. All this went on in the six weeks that Mic and Casey were absent.
Mic returned with not one but two horses, he was in the stables getting the horses settled in their stalls when Billy walked up to him and gave him a run down of the events over the past six weeks. He was pleased with how smooth everything seemed to have gone, and surprised when Billy mentioned how much Lenae and Shari had been at Amulet. He hoped they hadn’t been too much trouble for Hedda and she had to send them over, or worse yet that something had happened to Hedda. He made his way to the house; most of his men were already at lunch he said hi to the few that were out. He noticed the garden right away; a smile came to his face. It was nice to see a garden again. He walked through the house quietly, Casey struggling to get down but Mic wasn’t ready to release him yet. He found Donna in the kitchen rolling out bread with Birdie and he chuckled lightly at the sight the two of them made. “The flour is very becoming both of you.” He set Casey down who immediately ran to Donna and Birdie hugging them both.
"Oh did you miss us then Casey?" Donna asked looking down at him. She couldn't resist picking him up as he reached his hands up to her even though she was covered in flour. "I missed you too. I'm sure you had a good time though." she hugged him and set him down only to find he again wrapped himself around her legs. Donna continued to try to wipe the flour off. "Baking bread," she said unnecessarily with a light laugh. "I was just suggesting to Birdie that we should make some pizzas we have plenty of cheese."
“That sounds great,” he glanced at Birdie who took Casey and left the room. “I missed you, too, but I don’t suppose you could pick me up without hurting yourself.” He chuckled lightly. He brushed his hand across her face lightly, “do you always make a mess when you do domestic things? Or did I just pick the right day to come home?”
"I'm pretty messy," Donna smiled and laughed quickly, "after all what's the fun in it if you don't get a little messy." She smiled, "maybe you'd prefer I stayed out of your kitchen...?"
He laughed, “hardly. I have something for you, if you can tear yourself away and come outside with me. Don’t worry about cleaning up, unless you want to. We’re just going out on the property.”
Donna smiled, "Okay then." She followed him out without worrying about her appearance. Her blonde hair, platinum by being in the sun was pulled up into a ponytail. She had on a pair of jean shorts and a pink t-shirt style shirt.
He led her to the stables where he had just come from, stopping in front of a stall, he opened the gate and led the horse out. “Her name is Buttercup, kind of appropriate I guess given her color.” The horse was light brown, almost yellowish in color. “Casey and I thought she’d be perfect for you, and she might foal me a couple of good stallions, too.”
"Oh she's beautiful," Donna exclaimed looking the horse over with obvious delight. She began to pet the horse's nose and the rubbed her neck and back. "Buttercup, that suits you and I think you and I will get along wonderfully." The horse began sniffing Donna over. "I don't have anything on me except flour," Donna laughed. Then she hurried to Mic and threw her arms about him, kissing him lovingingly, regardless of the flour.
He kissed her just as convincingly, his hands sliding around her waist to the small of her back so he could pull her against him. He pulled away; clearing his throat softly for lack of anything else to do with his hands he placed them under the horse’s nose. “I should have her broken for you within a week, they had already been working with her which is why I bought her. Between Lenae and I she’ll be as gentle as a pussy cat and as fast as a jaguar if you need her to be.”
Donna smiled, "thank-you. I appreciate it. She's a beautiful horse Mic. Did you enjoy your trip?" she asked as she stepped casually away from him, confused and feeling distance was a safe thing.
He smiled genuinely, “yes. Though not nearly as much fun as Casey did, he was spoiled rotten and he loved every minute of it. Things went all right here, I assume? I see you’ve a garden going. Are you enjoying it? Getting your hands dirty?”
"Oh it's wonderful," Donna smiled, "Birdie and I had a little trouble getting the broccoli going." She laughed lightly. "I've even convinced Lenae and Shari to help out sometimes. They seemed to have a wonderful time moving the wool and bailing the hay. I don't have any nails left but you know I don't care." Donna examined her relatively short fingernails.
He took her hand in his, bringing it in front of his face to look at it. A slight frown came to his lips as he glanced at her as he placed her index finger to his lips. He took her finger fully in his mouth then released it, kissing the tip lightly. “You cut yourself.” He dropped his hand slightly, still holding hers his eyes unreadable as they watched her.
"Oops," Donna smiled softly, "well thank-you for kissing it to make it better. Although in this case I think it served more to distract me." She finally decided to be brave and broach the subject, "what's with the um..." she gestured to his goatee.
He rubbed the back of her hand gently against the beard portion of the goatee. “It seemed the manly thing to do,” he chuckled lightly. “You don’t like it?” He offered her a slight smile, still unwilling to relinquish his claim on her hand bringing his lips lightly to the back of her hand.
"I don't know," Donna said looking thoughtful, "It looks nice on you...I've just never kissed a man with one before."
“You just did a few minutes ago, Donna.” He glanced at her hand then back to her face, “I missed you. I’m glad I brought Casey with I would have gone mad from lonesomeness, but a toddler isn’t quite the same.”
Donna smiled softly, "Yes I guess I did and I didn't really notice so I suppose it's not a bad thing at all. I missed you too Mic, Amulet certainly isn't the same without you and Lenae missed you I know. I missed getting to push you over into the wool like Lenae, Shari and I got into one afternoon. I missed sleeping in your arms...I just missed you. Of course now I sound like some lovesick teenage sap!" she laughed.
“Only if I sound the same way, sweetheart.” He brushed her cheek lightly with his hand. “You had a good time while I was gone though? Bailing hay and tending to wool?” His blue eyes looked at her curiously, his voice had taken on the sultry tone it did sometimes when he was trying to talk softly.
"Had a great time, learned a few things, did some hard work and since you weren't around I took the liberty of enjoying the therapeutic benefits of that Jacuzzi tub of yours up there," Donna replied and he could tell he had her full attention by the soft flush to her cheeks, barely detectable to anyone else and the way that her breathing had changed.
“That’s good, I’m glad it got some use,” he said softly, picking up on her breathing. He walked towards her as he put Buttercup back in her stall, pushing Donna back against the post so he could close the gate. His forearm inadvertently brushed against her breast as he pulled back, causing him to inhale sharply. Suddenly, as if drawn to her he kissed her, his lips persistent and passionate in their quest for her response. His thumb stroked her cheek lightly and then he pulled back suddenly, his thumb stroking her lips lightly. “Sorry, I didn’t mean for that to happen.” Though he pulled away, his breathing and eyes clearly reflected the fact he didn’t want to.
"Well it was the nicest unintentional thing that's happened to me all day," Donna smiled and she closed the short distance and kissed him again. "Yes I definitely missed you."
He groaned lightly, returning her kiss, his body pressing against hers as his hands supported his weight by resting on the post behind him. “Sugar, you make me put all thoughts of controlling myself out of my mind. I’m trying to be a gentleman here.”
Donna looked up at him and in a seductive, soft voice simply asked, "Why?"
“Because you deserve it, Donna. You deserve to be courted, spoiled, pampered, treated like a lady. But damn, sugar, when you kiss me like that and look at me like that it’s hard for me to remember that.” His eyes reflected his conflicting emotions as well as they glanced from her lips to her body and to her eyes.
Donna laughed lightly, "Okay, just a glimpse of the end result." She laughed lightly and left her hand in his. "Come on, if we're going to have pizza we've got to get inside and quick. I think the men might protest eating at midnight and I'm sure Birdie's already followed my wishes and sent a message to them all." Donna began leading him towards the garden.
He watched her briefly as she made the pizzas, begging off assistance out of sheer ignorance for the process. Finally, exhausted from driving the entire night before he hugged her gently not caring whether or not he got dirty. “I think I’m going to go to bed, sweetheart. You and the girls and the men enjoy the pizza, but I’m quite honestly tuckered out.”
Donna smiled softly, "sleep well Mic. I love you," she said softly after him. She was surprised he managed to sleep through the small party they wound up having outside. Everyone had a wonderful time and praised the pizzas. Donna was late driving back to Hedda's and snuck in quietly. She was up at her usual time the next morning and did the office work before breakfast, grabbed two slices of toast and some coffee to go from Birdie and then saddled up to ride out with the men and check the sheep. When she came in from that she was feeling lazy and she crawled up into the loose hay in the barn and fell asleep.
It was well after dinner the following night when Mitchell finally woke up. He looked at the clock and couldn’t believe he’d only been asleep for a couple of hours until he went downstairs to talk with Lenae and found that it was Tuesday not Monday. Dear Lord, he’d slept for almost 24 hours. He stepped outside to clear his head and noticed Donna’s car was still out in front. Returning indoors Birdie said she hadn’t seen Donna since before lunch, which caused Mitchell to grow worried. He didn’t think she’d have taken Buttercup out, he knew he wasn’t tired enough to not tell her the horse wasn’t broken. He checked the garden thinking maybe she was doing something out there to no avail. He went to the bunkhouse and disturbed the men’s evening activities to find her. It was obvious they had grown rather fond of her themselves, for not one of them balked about helping him find her. He went to get his horse and had the horse saddled and readied when he noticed what appeared to be a figure in the dimness of the light in the barn. His heart lurched; he couldn’t deal with this again. He backed the obviously confused horse back into his stall and walked dreadingly to the figure in the hay. It was her and he felt the bile rise in his throat until he saw her chest heave. “She’s breathing,” he said aloud. He bent down and brushed her hair away. “Sweetheart, can you hear me? Donna, honey?”
Donna moved slightly rustling the hay and murmured softly before she opened her eyes and looked up at him. "Mic," she smiled but it died on her lips and she raised her head up, "Mic what's wrong? What’s happened?"
“Baby, don’t you ever scare me like that again. Do you hear me?” He tried so hard to be stern, but his harshness died before it even got out of his mouth. She was all right, she was here and in one piece. He hugged her to him, not wanting to relinquish her. “What were you doing out here?”
"I just came out for a little nap," she looked at her surroundings, "but it appears that I was a little sleepier than I thought." She enjoyed him holding her but she felt a little ill at ease with his tension and the way he was reacting. She relaxed her head then and laid beautifully back in the hay. "I'm sorry I slept so long, did I miss something important?"
“Only my panic at the thought that something had happened to you. It was by chance I decided to come get the horse as a faster means to travel the perimeter of Amulet but still being able to see everything over the Jeep. I was so worried, frightened. I don’t know that I’ve ever been more frightened in my life.” He laid on top of her, forgetting that he had all of his men out looking for her, his lips claiming hers. “So frightened,” he murmured his relief at finding her whole and healthy apparent.
"I'm alright," she murmured back when they had to part for air. Her fingers tangled in his hair and she kissed him lovingly, passionately. She kissed him again and again, on his cheeks, his forehead, his neck, his jaw but especially his mouth.
He groaned slightly, kissing her neck and jaw then taking her breast in his mouth through her shirt. He pulled on her nipple through the shirt with his teeth, then to her neck where he focused his attentions seeking to brand her with his mark. And that was exactly what he wanted to do, mark her. Satisfied he had succeeded in his task, he moved his lips up the side of her neck a bit starting over again with the process of marking her. God he was getting turned on, he needed to stop before he did something stupid. He shifted his legs so his arousal was evident against her as he thrust towards her through their clothes.
"Oh Mic please," Donna cried out softly, "make love to me please. I have to have you. I want you, need you so badly,” she gasped out to him between kisses and moans of pleasure. He was making her whole body ache with want for him.
“Me, too, sweetheart, you have no idea,” he groaned lightly as he lifted her shirt above her head and started unfastening her shorts. He looked up at her, “you’re still protected?” Maybe she had stopped in his absence. Oh God, he thought, he’d figure out someway to relieve them both if that was the case.
"I should be...I'm still taking them," Donna said, "why would I stop unless we talked about it."
He did not answer instead he brought his mouth between her legs after he’d removed her shorts, his fingers replacing his tongue as he shifted on top of her. He removed his trousers and shirt, “I need to be inside you now, but I want you to do it. Can you do that? Guide me into you?”
"I'll try," Donna said gently. He could tell she was a little nervous but nevertheless she expertly guided him into her and moaned pleasurefully as her body adjusted to admit all of him.
There was a sense of urgency to his lovemaking, though he took his time making sure that she was satisfied more than once before gratifying himself. He lie on top of her afterward, still within her as he ran his fingers through her hair. “God you worried me, Donna. I’d never forgive myself if something had happened to you.”
Donna kissed him, "I love you Mic." She was quiet for a moment, "nothing happened to me. I'm okay...I'm so sorry I worried you so much. I expected to be up and home hours ago. You looked so pained when I opened my eyes from sleep. Did...did something happen here? Is that why you were so afraid for me?" Then she felt the need to lighten things a moment and added cheerily, "or do you just love me that much." she winked and kissed him.
He kissed her back and then realization came over him where they were and he groaned slightly. “Sweetheart, I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go tell everyone I found you.” He laughed, “thank God no one stumbled in here looking for you of their own accord.” He kissed her and pulled away slightly. “Don’t do this to me again, you hear? Come in here and nap all you want but tell someone please.”
Donna nodded and shivered slightly as he removed his body heat from her even though it was a pleasant day. She watched him go. Quickly she straightened herself and then walked from the barn towards her car. She stepped into the kitchen quickly to tell Birdie bye and that she'd see her in the morning. Then Donna got in her car and drove back to Hedda's. She was all too happy to see her bed.
Mitchell returned to the house and tended to Casey and saw Lenae for the first time since they’d come back, he didn’t notice at first that Donna had left. He stood out on his porch with a drink watching as another storm looked to be sweeping in. He hadn’t meant to have sex with her, but he had been so happy about finding her safe that he let his body takeover. Damn but he was having a hard time figuring out what to do. He had hoped the time apart and in different houses would go towards helping him to make decisions, but so far it hadn’t. He had never been this physically attracted to Jaci that much he knew. He could have gone days without thinking about sex with Jaci, but with Donna it was more like hours. She claimed to love him, but he had no idea what he felt about love and that’s where he was stuck. His marriage with Jaci worked because they had an arrangement, love was never a factor - at least on his part. Love to him was a complication, especially here - there were already times that his libido won out over getting work done. Bother, he thought as he finished his drink. Why in the hell did she just leave without even saying good-bye? He returned indoors and attempted to sleep in his bed, unsuccessfully. So he went into Casey’s room and took him out of his crib bringing him into his bed with him. It wasn’t the same as Donna, but there was no greater feeling than having his son sleep on his chest. The next thing he knew someone was taking Casey from him. He woke with a start, “what the hell?”
Donna jumped back cradling Casey against her. "Sorry-sorry....you looked so peaceful there asleep and I figured you needed it so I was just going to take Casey downstairs for breakfast and let you sleep." Casey had both arms comfortably wrapped around Donna's neck, his head on her shoulder as he slowly woke from sleep. He was totally comfortable and trusting of her.
He looked at them, his mind clearing slowly. “How about a picnic at lunch? The three of us at his playground?” He rubbed his eyes, “you left last night without saying good bye.” He looked at her obviously curious to hear why she left.
"A picnic sounds wonderful," Donna smiled, "I have some phone calls I need to make for records this morning but then I have the afternoon free so lunch sounds wonderful. Doesn't a picnic sound good to you?" she asked Casey rubbing his back gently. "I didn't know when you were going to get back and it was already getting kind of late. I really wanted to make Hedda's before she worried about me too. I should have stayed until you got back but things were a little...awkward...to say the least."
He raised a brow slightly looking at her. “Now I’m making you feel awkward. That wasn’t my intention, Donna. And I must apologize if that’s what I’m doing. I was just surprised to find you gone is all. Lenae said you two spent a lot of time together while I was gone. I’m glad. She seems to like spending time with you.” He sat up, drawing the sheet around his waist as his feet fell to the floor.
Donna smirked, "Going to be modest now? Well if I'm not getting a show out of it I should probably get Casey downstairs so you can go on about your business." she laughed lightly. "It was only last night that felt awkward, in the barn after we made love, and before...the way you looked at me," Donna shook it off and shrugged, "forget it...I have. After all...we have a picnic to look forward to." Donna leaned down and kissed him on the cheek and then on the lips.
He showered and dressed for the day, and went out to work with Buttercup for a few hours before lunch. He was going to have Lenae work with her in the afternoons. He went into the house through the mudroom when he knew it was close to Casey’s lunchtime. He picked him up when Casey ran up to him and swung him over his head, he spotted Donna in the kitchen with Birdie. “Ready or am I early?” He walked into the room and sat on a stool by the center island.
"What do you think Birdie," Donna teased, "has he worked up enough appetite for all this?" "I do believe so," Birdie replied and Donna placed the last containers into the picnic basket getting the large pitcher of lemonade to carry herself. They made it out to Casey's playground area and he immediately wanted to play on the slide. Donna laid out the picnic goodies on the blanket she had brought. "Wonderful day for a picnic," she commented with a smile as she looked around at the beautiful day.
“It is.” He watched for a while as Casey played, thankful in a way that Casey looked so much like him. “You know I was wondering if you might want to see a movie this evening?” He chuckled lightly, “at least you don’t have to worry about the boss getting mad if you’re late for work in the morning.”
Donna smiled and laughed, "I'd love to. So are we going to watch a chick flick or an action flick?"
“Whatever you want, sweetheart. I would like to make up for the last time we went out. Things weren’t supposed to happen that way at all. So you tell me, when you go back inside see what’s playing and I’ll be back in around 4:00 for us to go. We’ll have a late dinner too, so you might want to let Hedda know you’ll be late.”
"That sounds great," Donna smiled, "and Mic...don't feel bad about last time. It was half my fault too." Donna finished her lunch and then lay back on the blanket. "I don't feel like doing a thing..."
“Then don’t. Take the rest of the afternoon off. Bring a book out here and watch Casey, or sit in the Jacuzzi for a while and relax. Or bring Casey and go collect some eggs from the chickens.”
Casey looked up when Mic mentioned the last part. "You'd like to see the chickens huh?" "Okay we'll see the chickens," Donna smiled. "Looks like I'll be gathering eggs this afternoon if you need to find me." She smiled up at Mic.
Later that evening she left for a while decided what movie to see and was waiting for Mic when he got inside in a black skirt and a soft pink shirt. "I hope I'm not too dressed but I hate the idea of going on a date and not looking good for you."
Mic, dressed in a pair of tan trousers and an olive green Polo shirt, smiled as he walked towards her. “Hardly. You look great, as if I expected any less anyway.” He kissed her, his arms settling at her hips. “Did you get all the eggs collected or did Casey wear out first?”
"No we actually got them all," Donna held up her band-aided finger, "and the chicken got me."
He chuckled lightly. “I’m sorry.” He walked with her outside and opened the car door for her. They arrived at the theater where he let her out of the car, placing his hand at her lower back as he walked with her. “So are we seeing a chick movie? You never told me.”
"Nope, action...It gives me good reason to feign being scared and cuddle up," Donna smiled at him. They got their tickets and Donna got a soda and they took their seats. True to her word Donna wound up half buried against him occasionally jumping during a truly suspenseful moment.
Mic found her behavior amusing, but he enjoyed it. When they were done, he led her to a marina along the South Pacific Ocean. He helped her out of the car and led her to a yacht. “Did I mention we were going to be dining on my boat this evening?” He led her along the walkway, one of the crew nodded in their direction as Mitchell bid him hello.
"You, you have a yacht!" Donna gasped with delight. "Oh Mic it's incredible! So beautiful!"
He chuckled, “well, I honestly don’t use it very often. My sister lives on it, but she’s off somewhere I guess.” He led her to the dining area below. “I brought a jacket for you in case you get cool. Otherwise, dinner should be ready shortly. Wine? Champagne? Brandy?”
"Some champagne please," Donna blushed. She took everything in. "This is the most romantic thing anyone's ever done for me."
He opened the champagne, pouring them both a glass, setting it in an ice bucket to keep it chilled. “Oh, sweetheart, I want the chance to do more than this. If I can find out how long Teresa is going to be away, I can take you and the kids out on the ocean for a few days. But getting in touch with her is next to impossible.” He sighed slightly as the woman serving their meal came in and lit the candles at the table, turning down the lights as she left the room. “Did you have fun with Casey today?”
"We had a wonderful time. He's so adorable and good-natured. I'm afraid he's stolen my heart. I love him so much." Donna smiled softly, "he's such a joy and it was so much fun to watch him with the chickens, to watch him explore."
“Oh yeah, he’s good at that. His birthday comes up here in two months. I’m not sure what to do for him; he doesn’t really have any friends. No one around us has any kids his age.” Their dinner was served consisting of filet mignon wrapped in bacon, lobster tails, fresh steamed broccoli, rice pilaf, and sweet potatoes with butter and cinnamon & sugar. A pair of butter warmers was set before their plates and a basket full of fresh rolls with butter was set to the side. “Everything all right, sweetheart?”
"I'm just in mild shock is all," Donna smiled, "and just seeing the food being brought out was enough to make me practically starving!" She smiled and felt self-conscious a moment, "did you know this is my favorite meal?"
He chuckled lightly. “How on earth would I know that? No, I just took a stab at it. I’m glad you approve.” He watched as she ate, making sure everything was fine. When they had finished eating, “there’s some chocolate mousse too if you want it. Or we can save it for later. Hedda knows not to expect you back for a while, I talked to her. We have all night if you want it.” He smiled genuinely, his eyes flashing a glimmer of happiness.
"Mmm....I wouldn't mind staying all night," Donna smiled, "not in your arms I wouldn't mind." She cleaned her plate. "How about we save the mousse for later." Her eyes were sparkling and she was beaming with happiness.
He draped the jacket over her shoulders and led her outside on the deck of the boat. He stood behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist while he nuzzled her hair. “I love you, Donna. I’ve never said that to anyone before but my kids.”
Donna turned in his embrace and smiled. She reached up and gently caressed his cheek. "Thank-you. I love you very much. That's amazing to hear you say that." She leaned up and gently kissed his lips before turning back in his embrace the way they had been.
He moved from behind her and took hold of her hand as the crewman passed them by. He led her up to the bedroom which had four dozen pink roses scattered throughout the room, and was filled with lit candles. An oddly shaped package sat on the bed. “Someone must think you’re pretty special,” he winked slightly. “Curious?”
Donna gasped with delight merely taking in the room. "Oh Mic!" she gasped out. "Of course I'm curious." She moved to open the package.
He watched as she unwrapped the package to reveal a stuffed teddy bear holding a bottle of Chanel No. 5 perfume in between its paws. “I think you might want to pick it up,” he said softly, he stood leaning against a dresser watching her reaction. He watched as she picked up the teddy bear to reveal a 2-carat round diamond solitaire underneath the bear in the bottom of the basket.
Donna froze mid-action when she saw the ring. It was truly beautiful in form, glistening and set atop its platinum band, but that it was a diamond... She forgot to breath for a very long moment and when it finally did return it was in short gasps. Finally she moved to pick the ring up again marveling at its beauty and finally her eyes met his. Still she could not say anything, nothing coherent was coming to her.
He watched her, almost able to see the thoughts going through her mind by way of her eyes. He moved so he sat on the edge of the bed and took the ring from her. “Well, what do you know? No wonder he was such an expensive bear.” He chuckled lightly, “should we see if it fits you since it’s here?”
Donna extended her left hand to him. The delicate hand with its soft creamy alabaster skin was trembling. "Mic," she finally managed. Then she gave a soft half laugh half smile to ease her nerves. Shocked and amazed were understatements of description.
“You say my name so nice, I’d like to hear you say it for the rest of our lives. Do you think that could be arranged?”
Donna began to cry happy tears, "Yes," she gasped softly, "yes it can." She threw her arms around him and kissed him before she lay her head against his chest.
He shifted slightly on the bed to move from her grasp. “Well, then I need to do this right.” He took her hand in his and knelt before her on the floor. Donna Nammarth, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
"Yes," Donna barely managed to gasp out, her voice tight from the emotions of the moment and her cheeks streaked with happy tears. "I'm the happiest, luckiest woman on this whole planet."
“Well, if that’s true it’s only because you’ve succeeded in making me incredibly happy myself. I meant what I said earlier, I do love you Donna. And I’ll do my damnedest to see that you’re happy.”
"I am happy Mic, just love me...always love me as you do now," Donna smiled. She picked up the bear then and cuddled him and examined the bottle, "genuine perfume, wow."
“My mom wears that fragrance, and I’ve always liked it. It’s feminine and you can catch a glimpse of it without it being overpowering. I didn’t see any perfumes in your dressing room the couple times I’ve been in there, so I had to guess and went with what was familiar to me.” He brushed her cheeks lightly with her thumbs and kissed them to dry up the remaining tears. “Well, my dear bride to be, when shall this blessed event take place? And where?”
"Oh Mic I don't know," Donna thought aloud. "I mean I've always wanted a big church wedding but that doesn't necessarily mean I should do that, a garden wedding would be nice..." She thought for a long moment, "well according to the wedding magazines you should always give yourself five months...that means November at the earliest...maybe somewhere around the tenth, a Friday or Saturday near that."
“Take as much time as you need, and we can have as big a wedding as you want and wherever you want it. You’ve made mention of not having anyone, but by all means invite whomever you want. And I won’t hear of you opening your wallet once for any reason.”
Donna smiled and kissed him again. Then she dropped back onto the bed laughing as she bounced and she looked around at all of the roses. "Perfect," she sighed contentedly. "How about a church wedding and a garden reception and I can have my bridal pictures taken in both. The best of both worlds. There are a few friends from finishing school I'd like to invite. I...I still don't believe it..." she looked at the ring on her finger again in admiration.
He chuckled as he glanced around the room. “Well, I can’t say that I believe it myself. I’ve never done all this before, so I had doubts as to whether or not I was going about it the right way. You were surprised then? I bought the ring while I was away, I just didn’t really know until this morning that I was going to propose tonight. After thinking I might have lost you yesterday, I realized that I don’t want to live without you.” He leaned back on the bed, his hands resting behind his head on the pillow. “Did I mention that my sister is out of the country?” He raised an eyebrow flirtatiously. “So we can stay here all night if you want undisturbed.”
Donna smiled, "all night on this boat and no one to see us for a good distance right?" Donna asked one brow raised mischievously.
“Indeed, Miss Nammarth, once the few crew people are done cleaning up from dinner we’ll be all alone. No children, no servants, nobody but us. Does that appeal to you? Or maybe I should take you back to Hedda’s.” He chuckled lightly, “maybe you’d prefer her company for the rest of the night.”
Donna looked at him like he was crazy and then burst into laughter. As soon as she knew the last crewmember was gone she got up off the bed and took off her skirt dropping it to the floor. She walked halfway down the hall dropping her top. She dropped her bra on the stairs and her underwear on deck and then he heard a splash followed by laughter as she dove into the warm clear beautiful Australian coastal water.
He left the room, collecting her clothes as he walked towards the railing. “I’ll jump in there as long as you don’t hold against me anything the water’s temperature may do to my, mm, bodily parts,” he removed his shirt and began to remove his socks and shoes with a slight laugh.
"Not a chance," Donna laughed, "Okay, okay...I promise not to say anything, come on."
He removed his trousers and underwear and jumped in after her, “you’re crazy. You know that? Beautiful, but crazy.” He caught her by the waist and kissed her. “I’m not sure how to take this, we’re alone with no interruptions for an entire evening and you want to go swimming. Some men might be insulted.”
"Now, now...you don't know that," Donna smiled and kissed him back. "Maybe I wanted to make love wet on the deck or something." She raised a brow.
He tapped her nose, “perhaps, I guess I’ll just have to wait and see. And maybe take matters into my own hands if you punish me too severely. Casey loves swimming, after he was born and he was old enough I took the summer off and the three of us spent three months on here. It was great. Since then I always try to get him in the water a lot, he took to it like a fish. I swear I expected to see him have gills instead of lungs after a while.”
Donna smiled, "Well then maybe we should do that again, maybe we can't do three months but we could do one..." She kissed him again. “After all, if we get married, don't you think the children will have a little adjusting to do? That could make things easier for them, though I don't presume to know anything about that."
“I think you’ll do just fine, and you’re going to be their step-mother you know. So you may as well get used to presuming, because I’m not going to live with you for the rest of my life coming to me about a decision dealing with them. We’ll do something special after the wedding, but first you and I will go away just the two of us for a while.” He swam to the end of the boat and lowered the ladder, “stay in if you want, I’ll enjoy the view from the deck.” He chuckled lightly as he dried himself off with his shirt and put his boxers back on, remaining bare-chested.
Donna swam for a little longer and then she emerged water dripping from her and she stood there wet in the moonlight before him.
He sat on one of the chairs on the deck. “Come here, sweetheart,” he held out his hand to her and brought her to him so he stood before him. “I don’t have a towel for you. Any suggestions on how we might get you dried off?” He glanced up at her with a slight smile before he placed a kiss on her stomach, using his tongue to lap up the beads of water near her belly button.
"I like that approach," Donna shuddered with delight, "I like it very much."
“I think I’d have to agree with you,” he said softly as his hands rested at her hips pulling her closer to him. His mouth moved up slightly to her breasts where he again used his tongue. “Turn around, love.”
Donna raised a brow in curiosity but then did as he asked.
“I’ve never gotten the chance to really look at you, we’ve always been in bed laying down.” He ran his hands lightly along her hips and buttocks as he kissed the small of her back lightly, moving to her waist and hips. “A tattoo?” he said, though that’s obvious what she had on her left hip. “How long have you had it?” he asked as he kissed it lightly.
"Nine years," Donna answered softly, "my make-up came off in the water...ordinarily I keep it covered..."
“Why,” he asked, looking up at her as he ran his tongue lightly across the small of her back and up to the middle of her back. “Are you ashamed of it?” He moved one of his hands to her legs, moving his fingers gently along her inner thighs and her womanhood.
Donna moaned and shuddered, "This is not the way to get a coherent conversation out of me." She was quiet a minute just enjoying what he was doing. "No...I just...didn't know if anyone else would like it. I got it for my own personal enjoyment but I never let my uncle see it. The make-up just became a habit."
“Well, stop please. I like it.” He bit her shoulder blade lightly as he stood and kissed her neck. “I love you, Donna Nammarth.” He kissed her ear and her neck, as he pulled her so her back was flush against his chest. His hand dropped down and lightly traced over her shoulders, her collarbones, her breasts and her stomach finally stopping at her upper thigh. “Are you cold?”
"No actually I'm feeling pretty warm right now," Donna answered, "your touch makes me hot all over..."
He turned her to face him, sitting down again and placed a finger within her slowly before he stood again to kiss her. “I’d have to agree with you, very hot.” He placed his hand on her breast gently, caressing her nipple to attention. “Any suggestions on how I might make you hotter?”
"Scoop me up into those strong muscular arms of yours and carry me into that bedroom full of roses and then make love to me as I imagine only you can do." Donna said running a nail seductively up his chest before she kissed him.
He did as she bid, setting her gently on the bed. He was more attentive to her than he’d ever been, obviously focusing on pleasing her before even thinking of himself. When it did come time for him to enter her, he entered her gently and slowly his lips claiming hers in a passionate kiss. “I love you, sweetheart,” he said softly. His hand took hold of her breast tenderly then lowered his mouth to suckle it, his time coming as he bit her gently. He pulled the blanket over them, remaining inside of her. “Hot enough yet?”
"Oh yeah," Donna said lovingly, "Pleasantly warm and I want nothing more than to stay this way for a while. Tonight has been like a Cinderella fantasy. You've made me happier than I ever thought I could be. Mic you bring so much to my life, you and Lenae and Casey and Amulet. I'm so very happy. I hope you never doubt that."
“No, love, I don’t. And I’m quite happy myself thanks to you. I honestly never thought I’d find this. Not many women would be willing to give up their life, any life, to be with me, my two children, on a ranch in the middle of nowhere. I think I was so bitter about everything that had happened that I was trying to push you away.”
"You almost succeeded," Donna admitted softly. "I was scared that you would decide you truly didn't want me. I felt like I was treading carefully there for a while but then I decided one night that I was going to give it my all and whatever happened, happened and then this...suddenly all this happened." She raised her lips to his. "Have you talked this over with Lenae?" she asked gently.
He sighed softly, ceasing his nibbling on her neck. “No, I will have to talk to her. Do you mind holding off showing off the ring until I have? I don’t believe she’ll have any problems with it, but I should still talk to her first. I just wasn’t really planning on this happening tonight. It just did. I had the ring with me, and I figured if it felt right I’d ask.”
Donna smiled, "I can certainly do that....just don't take too much time. I want to shout to the whole world that the most wonderful, handsomest," she broke to kiss him, "sexiest man in the world loves me enough to want to marry me."
“Oh sweetheart, you’re too kind, but I’d have to say the same for you.” He moved his hips gently, “I’ve always been a once a night type guy but I can’t get enough of you. I long to kiss you when I’m away from you, and when I see one of my men flirting with you it drives me up a wall. They’ll still flirt even when we’re married, but at least I’ll know then I have some sort of claim to you.” He chuckled lightly.
"You always had a claim to me as far as I was concerned," Donna smiled and then couldn't help but tease, "besides you had me marked all the time...not that I don't think it's totally sensual mind you...but no doing it anywhere near the wedding...no telling what kind of gown I'll wear..."
He chuckled as he moved his mouth to the lower part of her breast, “I think here would be okay, don’t you? If you’re wearing a dress that shows them here, we’re getting married privately.” He winked with a sly smile.
Donna blushed, "Okay...you have a point...permission granted." She kissed him. "I could sleep just like this."
“Honey, I have the dishonorable intention of bringing you home tomorrow morning tired but incredibly satisfied. Unless you’d rather sleep, but I’m guessing we’re not going to have a night alone until our honeymoon and I’d like to take advantage of it.”
"Mmm..." Donna smiled, "Okay...that sounds like a better idea...maybe just some little catnaps."
“You can nap, I’m going to stay awake and lust after your body and get to know every inch of you. So that I know what makes you purr while you’re catnapping.” He chuckled lightly.
Donna smiled at him and with another kiss she took her first catnap. Her face wore a small smile even in her sleep. An hour later a single touch of his brought her back to wakefulness. She reached up a finger and traced along his jaw and down his neck before laying a hand on his chest as her lips met his hungrily.
He laughed lightly when he broke away, “you’re evil woman. Kissing me like that. You’d think I’ve been lax in my duties.” He kissed her lightly, “you’re quite breathtaking when you sleep you know that? Especially after lovemaking, a nice glow on your skin.”
Donna flushed delicately. "Thank-you Mic. I love you and right now you are being lax in your duties...I want you to make love to me again."
He was obviously more than happy to oblige her request. Afterward, he held her close to him. “You know, there’s something we should maybe talk about.” He paused slightly and looked at her. “Children. Do you want them?”
"Well...yes...but I mean...we have Casey and Lenae and if you're not ready or don't want...then we can wait." Donna struggled. "Just because we're getting married doesn't necessarily mean I have to get off the pill."
“No, I know. I’m asking what you want. For all I know you may not have wanted any of your own, though seeing you with Casey I didn’t think that was the case. I was just curious; I didn’t mean we should have one in a year or anything. But I certainly wouldn’t complain either.”
"Yes I want children. I've always wanted children," Donna answered gently, "I love them, the precious little angels, even if they do have their moments."
He chuckled, “yes they do have their moments. How many did you have in mind? You’re so young yet, you’re 22 yes?”
"Mmm...just so, I don't have another birthday coming for ten months," Donna replied. "I don't know. I've always been ambitious and money no object I always though a family of five wouldn't be bad, maybe six."
“Five or six including us?” He chuckled, “excluding us I’d say you plan on keeping quite busy then with three or four more. And you’re right, I see no reason why we couldn’t have that many. You certainly don’t have to work, and even the work you do is at our house so it’s not like you couldn’t come and go from the office as you need to.”
Donna smiled, "Yes...in fact I really wanted to see what I could maybe do, with your permission of course, to expand Amulet's market and production. I want our wool to be in demand. I've talked to several large companies that would be willing to take a good portion of our wool. If we agreed to all of the offers that they gave us we'd need to increase our holdings by 600 sheep. Not that the sheep aren't doing a good job of that already!" Donna laughed lightly, "but let's not worry about that now. I didn't mean to bring it up I was only trying to say that when I'm big as three houses I'll at least still be somewhat useful."
“Whatever ideas you have, I’m willing to listen. I’d like to promote Lenae’s way with horses, you’ve heard of horse whisperers I swear she’s got the knack for it. I don’t know if it’s something she’d want to do as a career or if she was interested I don’t know that she’d want to stay at Amulet, but it could be a way for her to earn some money for college. Not that I can’t pay for her college, but teach her some responsibility and also when she goes to college let her feel like she’s somehow contributed.”
Donna nodded, "That sounds wonderful. So are you going to try and get people to bring them for her to break them or train them or rehabilitate them or what?"
“All of the above. Really you should watch her with Buttercup, she’s amazing. I can break them quicker than she can, and I wanted you to be able to ride her quickly. But with the stallion I bought, that’ll be her deal.” He kissed her. “But I’m open to ideas. I admit since Jaci’s illness and having to contend with Casey I haven’t thought of improvements to Amulet. I’ve been profitable and that’s all that has mattered, but I’d like to see it one of the best around.” He stroked her arm lightly.
"Well if we take the deals we'll be well on the way. I'd like to see us go into wine, maybe hire a professional to oversee production. This region is known for its ability to make wine and champagne. There's no telling what we could do with Amulet if we try." Donna replied, "In the meantime we can let Lenae get started with the stallion and maybe put out the word to see if some of our neighbors need her services.
“The neighbors already know. She’s been working with me on breaking horses since she was about six; she’s been breaking them on her own since she was ten. I’d like to expand that beyond locally. I know people might be hesitant to bring their animals to her because she’s a child, so we might have to use my name too. Wine sounds good, too. You’ve got good ideas, Donna.” He kissed her, “though I should have known.”
"Yes, marrying you was one of them," Donna smiled. She leaned in and kissed him.
“I’d have to agree, sweetheart.” He rubbed her stomach lightly with his fingertips. “Care to enjoy some champagne in the captain’s chair in the moonlight with me? It’s an awfully comfortable chair.”
Donna smiled and rose from the bed still wearing nothing. "Is this proper attire or should I don a blanket?" She smiled at him.
“We can bring a blanket along in case you get cold, but I think you’re more than proper just the way you are.” He stood and led her to the kitchen where he got them a bottle of champagne and two flutes then up to the upper deck. He poured them each a glass and sat in the chair with a slight smile, “I’ve always loved this vantage point. It’s quite spectacular during storm and at sunrise.”
"Mmm I can imagine. I wouldn't want to see it in a storm though I don't think. While I love to listen to the rain from inside. I freeze up when I get caught out in one." Donna confided.
“That’s what I’m here for - to keep you safe, sweetheart.” He stood and walked up behind her, taking her into his arms.
They spent the rest of the evening in much the same way, Mic had never felt so easy around someone before now and it showed. They showered in the morning and they ate a breakfast in the dining area of eggs benedict over English muffins, hash browns and blintzes. They returned to Amulet shortly after lunch. He walked with her to the living room, “I’ll talk to Lenae this evening. All right? You can hold off until then.”
Donna smiled and turned her diamond into the inside. "I can do that. Love you." She then went into the office and began making some phone calls.
He found Lenae after school with Kodiak, he watched her from the fence for a while with a great deal of pride at the way she handled the animal. After about 20 minutes of quietly watching he cleared his throat lightly and walked towards them, she didn’t seem surprised to see him. “How’s he coming along?”
"Pretty good. He's still a little feisty but we're beginning to understand each other," Lenae answered. Then perceptive as she was she added, "but that's not why you're here."
“Well, I’ve always liked watching you with the horses, you know that. In fact, I just mentioned to Donna last night I’d like to work on getting you more business.” He removed his hat. “But you’re right. I want to talk to you about Donna. I want to marry her.”
Lenae looked at him a long moment. "So she'll be mine and Casey's stepmom...I like Donna. I like her a lot and I think if we're going to have a mother she's the one I'd pick."
“Yes, she will be, but she certainly doesn’t want to take your mom’s place. She just wants you to like her, because she likes you both. But I need your help, too. You and me are the only ties Casey has to your mom, so we can’t stop talking about her or try and forget about her. It’s important that Casey know about his mom. She certainly went through a lot to get him here.”
"I won't forget Mom I promise Dad," Lenae vowed, "I won't let Casey forget either..." She hugged Mic, "Congrats Dad."
He hugged her, holding on to her a touch longer than he knew he should have. But she hugged him so rarely these days. He kissed the top of her head before letting her go. “Thank you, Lenae. And I suppose the same should be said to you. You gain something too, you know. So tell me about Kodiak. Is he well tempered?”
"He's a beauty," Lenae enthused, "He's got a wonderful stride. I think once he's broken and trained he will have a wonderful temperament."
“I thought you’d like him. I bought him with you in mind, actually. I figured he’d give you a bit of a challenge, something you haven’t had much of lately. How’s Shari? I haven’t seen her since I got back. Is she doing all right?”
"She's having boy problems," Lenae rolled her eyes, "she's apparently going out with Jake Jenkins and now he's mad at her for something..." She sighed. "I think it's stupid myself."
He laughed lightly. “What that she’s having boy problems or what he’s mad at her about? Isn’t the Jenkins boy a little old for Shari? What is he 15?”
"Yeah, but it's not so bad to like an older boy. Older men are the thing..." Lenae said sarcastically. "I think it's stupid to be all sick over a boy. I'm so tired of hearing her talk about him and how he kisses her and touches her." Lenae made a raspberry. "It's pathetic."
He laughed, “well I have to agree with you. So what is he mad at her about,” he tried real hard not to voice his opinion that she and Shari were both too young to be kissing or touching anyone. But he knew this conversation was important, so he held his opinions to himself on the subject of kissing for the moment. If he could get her to trust him, to talk to him, to know he wasn’t going to fly off the handle at her maybe she’d open up to him a bit.
"He's mad at her for not wanting to take off her clothes," Lenae said cautiously, "but you didn't hear it from me. He leaves marks on her neck!" Lenae shivered, "I mean you leave marks on Donna but that's different I understand that. Shari's gotten so popular at school though since all the other girls saw it."
“Yes, I can imagine she did. And no, it’s not really different. I guess it is because Donna and I are adults.” He shrugged slightly. “You tell Shari if she needs to get a male’s perspective on things she can talk to me, I know Ralph isn’t someone she can talk to. And you keep telling her she’s doing the right thing. Okay? No boy has the right to tell a girl to take her clothes off, no matter who they are.”
"I know," Lenae smiled, "Thanks Dad." She was quiet a minute, "Dad...how do you know if a boy likes you?"
“Oh, I don’t know. At your age I imagine they pay attention to you - whether it’s teasing you or holding your books on your way to school. Boys your age are a little difficult; they’re not quite as mature as girls are. Is there someone you think likes you?”
Lenae blushed, "Rob Seaborn." Lenae practically giggled the ranch hand's son's name.
He sighed slightly. “Lenae, I think you and I need to talk. Why don’t you put Kodiak away and get him cooled down and meet me in my office. All right?”
Lenae frowned, "Okay.." She put the horse away and soon came into his office. "Geez I'm sorry I told you," she pouted as she flung herself down into a chair.
“No, no. Please don’t be. I was just hoping that it would be your mother having this conversation with you rather than me. But obviously she’s not here to do it.” He stood and looked out the window, he had told Birdie and Donna they weren’t to be disturbed so he knew no one would bother them. “I certainly don’t have a problem with you liking a boy, and I’m sure Pete’s son is a good kid. I honestly don’t know him well enough to know.” He turned his attentions back to Lenae. “Has it ever struck you as odd how different you are from your mom, Casey and myself?”
Lenae frowned, "No...well I mean sort of but...are you trying to tell me I was adopted, that you're not my real parents?"
“No!” he said a bit too adamantly. “No, you’re not adopted. Your mother is your mother and I’m your father, at least that’s what everyone thinks.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “You were never adopted. Your mother was taken in by one of the ranch hands, he promised her love and marriage and lots of babies. At barely 16 she believed him. I married her knowing she was pregnant with you, but I’ve never thought of you as anything but mine. You brought your mother and me together and I wouldn’t have Casey if it weren’t for that. And I get very angry when I think of your mother having to suffer as she did alone. I’m glad I was able to be here for her and for you.”
Lenae stared at him for a long time, her face deep set with contemplation. "Then you're not my biological father...who is?"
“You’ve met him once actually. He came here after your mother died - Palmer Tag was his name. He’d be a year younger than me now. I believe he was 19, he left when your mom told him she was pregnant. I think he expected your grandfather to press charges against him or something. Your grandpa, my father, took very good care of the people who worked here at Amulet, and their kids too. We always intended on telling you, but Jaci kept putting it off and putting it off. And then she got sick and I just never wanted to tell you. I was afraid you’d think I was telling you because I wanted you to go after your mother died. And nothing could be further from the truth. I’d like very much for you to take over Amulet one day, blood isn’t who makes someone your father.”
Lenae was quiet as she sat in the chair and then she spontaneously burst into tears and fled the room.
Mic stood and watched as she fled the room. He knew he hadn’t said any of that right, but he didn’t want to see her taken in by someone’s promises like Jaci had been. He doubted there were too many men around Amulet who would have done what Mic did. He at least never mentioned that that was the reason he and Jaci married, he would never tell her that. He poured himself a drink and drank it down quickly, pouring another before he went to find Donna. “Well, she’s pleased about the engagement, but it appears I’ve managed to mess up the good news.” He relayed the events to her, “I just don’t want to see her hurt. And I don’t want Shari’s interest in boys making Lenae thinks she has to compete or something.”
"I understand completely. I just feel sorry for Lenae, I know that must hurt and confuse her," Donna said gently, "I mean I imagine if my father had told me that I would start to question everything. I think it might make her resent me a little bit too. That's okay though, I'll help if I can...if not..." Donna shrugged. She played with her engagement ring, turning it around on her finger.
“I would hope she’d come to realize how much I obviously love her, but I guess I just need to let her come talk to me on her own about it. And I’m not going to let you get yourself caught in this mess. It’s my mess, I told Jaci years ago that we should have told her the truth. But Jaci was afraid she’d let it slip somehow, tell someone that I wasn’t really her father and people would pity me - thinking that she’d cheated on me or something.” He sighed, “I don’t know what to do. She’s mine, she may not have my DNA but she’s just as much mine as Casey is at least in my mind.” He poured himself a drink. “I’m sorry, I guess I chose the wrong day to tell her about this. But I refuse to take the chance that she’s going to repeat her mother’s mistake.”
"Lenae's a smart girl," Donna said softly as she gently rubbed his back, "she'll make wise choices. She came and talked with you about Shari in the first place...just be there for her. It's not easy to be a teenage girl. Hell it's not very easy to be a woman sometimes, especially in the matters of love."
Lenae's bedroom door could be heard opening and closing before she raced down the stairs and out the front door. She ran as quickly as she could toward Rob's.
Mitchell watched her out the window. “Will you go after her, Donna? I have the feeling I’m the last person she needs to see. Take her to Hedda’s with you for the night if you want, but get her the hell away from that boy until she’s cooled off.”
Donna sighed and rose from the bed, leaving the room quietly. A minute later she was hurrying after Lenae. "Lenae! Lenae I need to speak with you a minute please!" she called out.
Lenae turned around suddenly causing Donna to almost collide with her. “What? If he sent you after me tell him to forget it.” She blew her bangs out of her face; it was obvious she had been crying.
"Lenae no," Donna said softly, "I wanted to see how you were doing. I know what he said must have hurt and confused you. Would you like to talk about it with me? or maybe you'd like me to take you to Shari's? You don't have to tell her a thing, you could just go there to get away from it all..." Donna tried.
“Get away from what? The man who’s lied to me for the last 12 years or the fact that my entire life is based on lies.” She sighed slightly. “I don’t want to go to Shari’s, I just want to be left alone.”
"Well I can't...I can't leave you down here by yourself. If you want to do it you're going to have to do it at the house," Donna had moved around in front of Lenae and blocked her path.
She sat down on the ground, her knees brought to her chest. “Why are you doing this to me? I thought you were my friend, or was that only until he asked you to marry him.” She started to cry again, though she tried to bite the tears back unsuccessfully. “What would you think, Donna? I mean, what am I supposed to do?”
"I'm doing this because your father asked me and I think he's right," Donna sighed, "I am your friend Lenae, my marrying your father won't change that I hope." Donna sat down with her. "I would have been just as upset and confused as you but he loves you like his daughter. You're his in every way that matters as far as he's concerned. He felt he had to tell you to keep you from getting in over your head in the romance department."
“Because Rob works here? If Rob were someone I knew from school would he feel the same way?” She sniffled, “I think he’s worrying about nothing, Donna. I’m not interested in boys like that, I just think he’s cute. I look at the things Shari does, let’s her boyfriend talk her into to doing and I could never. I mean, believe it or not, when Mom taught me about sex before she died and even though I was just a bit older than nine she made sure I understood that it was supposed to be with someone I really cared for. But if Dad is going to freak out every time one of his employees’ kids ask me out how am I ever going to meet anyone? I can’t be as lucky as Mom or you and get him.”
Donna smiled and put her arms around Lenae, "You're right, he needs to trust you a little more but he doesn't because he loves you so much and he's just so worried about you." Donna was quiet a minute. "You know the answer might be to invite Rob up to the house, do your visiting up there and then he can see for himself that everything's alright. I think for tonight though the best bet would be to come back to the house and you and I can curl up and watch a movie or talk or something and let this all blow over a little..." Donna looked almost as pleading as Lenae did.
She bit her lip and nodded slightly. “All right. And thank you for coming after me, the last person I wanted to see right now was Dad.” She stood and bowed her head, thinking. “So that means you’re really not going to be my step-mom?”
“Well I'm going to be your step-mom but I'd like to be your friend too," Donna suggested.
She said nothing further and when they got inside she went up to Casey’s room, closing the door behind her. Mic glanced at Donna from the doorway of his office, “thank you.” He was clearly troubled by the evening’s events as he returned to the room and poured himself another drink. He stood looking out the window.
Donna sighed and went into the guestroom she used to occupy. She curled up on the bed to try and make herself feel better but she fell asleep instead.
Mic found her later, stood over the bed for a short while and brought the covers around her. He checked on Casey, who seemed content sleeping with Lenae. Whether she was feigning sleep or not he did not know. He went to his room and took a hot shower then went to bed. He was awakened during the night by Casey’s screams. He shot out of bed and ran into the hallway almost colliding with Donna and Lenae, but he didn’t see Casey. “Oh my God,” he exclaimed as he spotted him on the floor at the bottom of the stairs. “Tell Bobby to get the helicopter ready to go, I want it ready in ten minutes.” He ran downstairs and took Casey in his arms; it was obvious he had broken his leg. “Donna, bring me some clothes please. I’ll dress on the way to the hospital.”
Donna went into his room and grabbed some clothes while Lenae told Bobby to get the helicopter ready. "Mic I want to go with you!" Donna pleaded. "Dad I want to go please," Lenae begged.
He looked from Casey to the two of them. “All right, but you two need to hurry.” He called out to Maggie to call his pediatrician as he went out the door. He had Bobby wait for the two women and they were soon in the air, Mitchell clinging to Casey for dear life, trying to stop the boy from looking at or moving his leg. They arrived at the hospital within 20 minutes, “hopefully they’ll just need to set it and won’t have to transfer him to a hospital in Sydney. But from the looks of it, I’m expecting him to be here for a few days.” He looked at Lenae and started to say something, but fought the urge. Now was not the time to get upset with her. “Why don’t you go get us some coffee or something, Donna? Lenae I need your help filling out this paperwork.” Mitchell looked at Donna hoping she would not be offended and would understand what he was doing as he led Lenae to the waiting room with him.
Donna smiled gently and nodded. She wandered off in search of coffee, which she soon found and she made a cup for herself and drank it slowly. Then she worked slowly at making it just the way he liked it and Lenae a cup the way she liked hers. She carried the cups slowly and carefully back towards the lounge.
Lenae was in the waiting room, “they’re already in a room. I was waiting for you. I don’t want to go in there.” She took her coffee from Donna. “Dad thinks this is my fault, doesn’t he? And he’s probably right. I should have locked my door last night, but I was so tired and upset I didn’t think about it.”
"Once Casey is alright I imagine he'll calm down. You obviously know what you did wrong," Donna said gently, "but even so, even if you're upset that doesn't mean you can take a time out from thoughtfulness and responsibility. You have to remember to lock the doors. Casey could have been hurt worse Lenae and I know you know that but that's part of what your Dad is thinking and being so scared and concerned for Casey is going to make him a little upset."
“I know. I just forgot.” She sighed. “I hope he doesn’t have to stay here. I don’t like hospitals. I hope I never have to see a hospital room again.” She stood, “I can take you in there if you want to go.”
Donna felt torn. She didn't know if Mic wanted her at his side or would rather she kept out of the way, finally she rose and asked Lenae to take her. She wasn't surprised that Lenae wouldn't even pass through the door but returned to the nearby lounge. Donna entered quietly. "If you want me to go back out and wait I will..." she offered gently, trying to be supportive.
“Well, I’m sure Dad wants his coffee and he’ll want to know you’re here.” She sighed, “I’m fine. There’s a TV and some magazines. Really, I’ll be all right for a little while.”
Donna smiled and left Lenae. Then she entered the room where Mic was with Casey. "I'll go back out and wait with Lenae if you'd rather be alone..." she said gently trying to be supportive.
“Well, I don’t know that I want to be alone, but I don’t want her to be alone either.” He sighed slightly, “they’ve given him some pain killers, but they say he’ll need surgery on the leg. He’ll have a cast for about two months. How the hell do you stop a three year old from going wherever he wants to?” He sighed heavily - obviously the question was rhetorical. “Thank you for the coffee and for coming along. Maybe you and Lenae should go ahead and have Bobby take you home. You’re welcome to stay, but Lenae doesn’t like hospitals and there’s nothing much you guys can do for him. You could drive back later, have dinner with me and bring Casey some clothes, his toothbrush and stuff.”
Donna nodded, though she wanted desperately to stay with him she knew this was the right thing to do. Bobby shortly took them home and she sat with Lenae until she went to sleep and then gave Birdie orders to keep her pretty much under house arrest and for someone on the staff to be with her at all times. She packed up some things for Casey and then she took a short nap before driving back to the hospital. She asked a nurse to take her to Mic and soon was handing him Casey's things. "How is he?" Donna asked, obviously upset herself over the matter.
“He’s all right, has woken up a couple times promising not to sleepwalk anymore. At least he doesn’t have to be transferred to Sydney.” He was obviously tired. “The nurse said he should be out for a few more hours, do you want to get something to eat? If you can stand to eat with someone who looks the mess I’m sure I must look at the moment.”
Donna smiled softly, "That's fine and then I want you to get some rest and I'll stay with him. We can spell each other off, we can get a cot right in here and then he'll never be alone but you won't be any good to him if you're exhausted."
“No, I’ll stay with him. I’ll sleep, but I’ll stay here. I would like you to stay at the house with Lenae, please. She’s upset with me and I’m quite upset with her at the moment, so I think it would be best if you’re there tonight.” He stood slowly, brushing his fingertips lightly over Casey’s little hand. He embraced her and kissed her lightly. “Thank you for everything, Donna. Let’s go get us something to eat. The nurse has my cell phone number if we’re needed so we don’t have to eat hospital fool, so you pick something.”
"I don't care, whatever you want's fine," Donna said passively as she walked with him towards his car.
He ran his fingers through his hair. “I could eat a piece of cardboard at this point, Donna. I just want to spend some time away from the hospital and with you. How about a good burger and a beer?”
"How about some Mexican and a beer and you have yourself a deal," Donna replied. They arrived and Donna quickly ordered and then she began in on her soda. She left the table silent in case there was something he felt the need to share with her.
He nursed his beer, it was obvious he wasn’t paying much attention to where they were even though he looked around. “How is Lenae doing?”
"She feels tremendously guilty of course as well as being worried about Casey. She knows you're very angry with her and she's afraid of what you'll do I think." Donna recounted her perceptions.
“I’m more than very angry with her, I’m furious. He could have died; her being upset with me doesn’t give her reason to be irresponsible. I kept her with me to fill out the paperwork; I wanted her to know I didn’t blame her. I don’t blame her, but that doesn’t mean that she didn’t know better.”
"She knows that," Donna said in between sips of soda, "She feels really bad. I can understand where you're coming from though. God when I saw him lying there I thought I was going to be sick."
“I’d just assume kill myself than to think that Jaci went off her treatments and risked dying to have him only to have him die so soon.” He sighed slightly, “but at least he’s fine. And he’s young enough where he should be able to relearn to walk pretty easily. But you’re right, I’ve seen horses and other animals with broken legs and it’s never affected me as it did seeing him lying there.” He paused as their food was brought to them. “You’re not upset with me that I’ve asked you to be home with Lenae are you? I just get the impression she doesn’t want me around right now, and I really want to be there for Casey when he wakes up. Not that he doesn’t like you, but it’s different. I know when I was a little boy and I was sick or whatever I wanted my dad. Somehow seeing my dad made me know I was all right, I could read it in his eyes.”
Donna sighed, "I'm a little upset but I can understand why you've asked it of me. However, I don't think I'm Lenae's favorite person right now either. She automatically expects me to take your side and do your bidding instead of being her friend just because we're getting married now. I never knew it was so hard to be in the middle."
“Well, that’s partly why I’m asking you to be there. I don’t want her to think you’re taking my side. I’m not asking you to be in the middle of anything. I know I asked you to go after her last night, I knew she’d listen to you because she wasn’t upset with you.” He took her hand in his. “I love you, Donna. Nothing in the past two days has changed that. I certainly hope that’s not entered your mind.”
Donna quickly turned her head and returned to her drink. "Not seriously," she finally answered after a long while. "I'll go back and stay with Lenae maybe she'll let me comfort her. I know she's hurting terribly."
“Donna, listen to me a minute.” He paused slightly. “I meant what I said the other night, I’ve never other than my children and my parents told anyone I loved them. I never told Jaci I loved her, because I don’t know that I truly did. Not the way I feel about you at any rate. Not a day went by for a very long time that I didn’t feel trapped and incredibly stupid. I even thought for quite some time that she and Palmer planned this together knowing I would marry her. I know that sounds crazy.” He squeezed her hand. “I would never tell you I loved you without meaning behind those words, and I need your help right now. I think you’re of much better use to Lenae than you are to Casey right now. Casey’s in pain, he’s not upset at me.”
Donna smiled, "I know Mic. Thank-you, I know she needs me. Don't worry love. It'll all be fine." They finished lunch and Donna arrived home. She walked upstairs to Lenae's room. "Hey, I don't feel like sleeping either. You want to watch a movie or just curl up under some blankets and talk?"
“Yeah, that sounds good. I’ll make some popcorn if you pick out the movie. Nothing sad though, all right? I don’t think I want to cry anymore today.” She stood and offered Donna a slight smile and walked downstairs, meeting her a few minutes later in the family room with two bowls of popcorn. “Is Casey okay? I heard the doctor say he might have to have surgery.”
"He's going to have to I think but he'll be okay sweetie," Donna replied. "It was a terrible scary accident that could have been prevented but we're not going to dwell on it now." Donna turned on 'Robin Hood: Men in Tights' and soon both women were laughing.
Mic spent the evening at the hospital, he phoned Donna a few times to check in with her and to give her any new news on Casey. He would be having surgery the day after tomorrow now that they knew he had no infection or other repercussions from the break. He told her it would be nice if the both of them could be at the hospital so that when Casey woke after the surgery he’d see them. Lenae asked about Casey but made no initiative to speak to Mic herself. After Robin Hood, she put in Airplane - one of her mom and dad’s favorites and a movie she always found silly. “Have you ever been in the hospital?”
"I've never been in the hospital myself, since I was born," Donna replied, "but I've visited people there sometimes. You?"
“No, just to visit Mom. I honestly don’t think Dad’s ever been sick a day in his life. Casey being born was pretty neat; I got to see him when he was just a few minutes old. His head wasn’t coneheaded or anything, I guess since he wasn’t delivered.” She shrugged slightly.
"Yes, that's probably the reason," Donna smiled softly. "Don't worry sweetie, they're taking good care of Casey and your Dad is there with him to make sure everything's alright."
Mic came home late in the night, Bobby had picked him up so that he could shower and change clothes. He showered quickly and found Donna in the room she stayed in when she first came to Amulet. He pulled the covers from around her gently as he moved on top of her, kissing her softly. “Good evening,” he said softly when he felt her move beneath him. “Did I surprise you or were you expecting someone else?” He chuckled lightly.
Donna smiled, "You definitely surprised me. A good surprise though."
“Good, I’m glad you think that.” He kissed her passionately, his lips claiming hers. “I need you, sweetheart. I need something soft, loving and enjoyable this day. I realize it’s the middle of the night and a bit unconventional.” He reached down placing his fingers within her as he spoke. He pulled away slightly, kissing her neck and shoulders.
"Mmm....you leave me no options for resistance," Donna moaned softly and she began to kiss him and caress his chest. She soon had all of his clothing removed. Her lips came down on his nipple and her tongue teased it taut.
He moaned appreciatively in response, positioning himself so she could continue with her attention to his nipple easier. “That feels wonderful, sweetheart,” his fingers clutched the back of her head lightly, running through her hair.
"Mic..." she moaned and continued her kisses, meanwhile her hands moved down to caress him. "I love you. I love you very much."
He moved her legs slightly with his knee, entering her slowly. His mouth sought a breast, his hand going to the other caressing her nipple gently. He moved to kiss her, meeting her mouth intensely as his hands took hold of her hands lifting them over her head as he kissed her. He broke the kiss pausing to look at her before kissing her neck and ear. “I like looking at you when your arms are like this. You’re so beautiful, perfect. Absolutely perfect.”
Donna blushed. "Thank-you." She began to laugh lightly nervously. His next kiss erased her nerves and she concentrated on the passion of the moment. "Do I really get to marry you or am I just dreaming."
“Indeed you do, I think it was November you showed interest in doing just that,” he chuckled lightly. “And I rather enjoy the prospect of doing this with the intent of making a little girl or boy that looks just like you soon after November. The making of him or her part not the having of him or her,” he clarified with a light chuckle. His thrusts grew more intense, and then slowed again.
"You really want a baby?" Donna smiled and then she kissed him even more intensely. "November had better hurry up and get here."
He traced over the backs of her arms lightly with his fingertips, moving one hand to a breast as he felt his time come. He kissed her lightly, his thumb tracing over her lips. “Yes, I believe I heard you mention wanting more than one. A family of four or five I believe I heard you say. We’ll need to get busy if that’s true,” he winked.
Donna smiled and kissed him. "Mmm...this is nice. We should have these get togethers more often. Not that I'm pushing or anything but it will be nice when I can sleep in your bed again."
“I know, love. And I’m sorry. But it’s for the best, though Lenae’s not dumb. She’ll know I come in here.” He chuckled lightly. “So how many do you want, since we’re talking about it? Trying to realize how many steps closer to the grave you’re going to bring me.” He kissed her lightly. “Not that I’m complaining mind you.”
Donna smiled, "I know I want at least four. I'd really like five. If we put a year between them that has me pregnant for the next eight or ten years, well pregnant or nursing anyhow." She kissed him passionately.
“Mm, goodness, you do plan on keeping busy don’t you?” He chuckled lightly, “though you’ll find me a very willing contributor to your condition. I need to get back to the hospital, love. I don’t want him to wake up and be frightened. Will you and Lenae come have breakfast with me?”
Donna smiled, "Of course Mic and never forget I love you. I love you very much. You take care of Casey for me." Donna kissed him lovingly and then fell asleep. The next morning she got up and got Lenae up to dress. Then she drove them both to the hospital. When she met up with Mic she greeted him with a kiss.
“Good morning, ladies. You just missed Casey, but that means we have time to go somewhere outside the hospital and eat. Then we can bring him back some ice cream or something.” He kissed Lenae on the forehead, “he wants you to sign his cast first he said.”
Lenae dropped her head and Donna put a comforting arm around her shoulders. "I'm at a loss Lenae, pick something good for breakfast."
Mic took them to breakfast, returning to the hospital afterward. In the parking lot, he hugged Lenae gently knowing she wasn’t much for displays of affection at her age. “Honey, we can wait until Casey gets home for you to sign his cast if you’d rather. I know you don’t like hospitals much. But I think he’d like to see you. But it’s up to you.”
Lenae was quiet for a long moment, "I'll go...for Casey." Donna smiled, "You know he's going to be happy to see you. I'm sure he misses his sister." "His half-sister," Lenae corrected bitterly.
“That’s enough, Lenae.” He looked at her, the anger clear in his eyes. “He could have died because of your carelessness, Lenae. It wouldn’t have mattered whether you were his half sister, his stepsister or no sister at all. I will not have your mother’s transgressions thrown back in my face; I certainly didn’t have to do what I’ve done. I could have let you have a man as your father who doesn’t care whether you live or breath. A man who saw you at your mother’s funeral who didn’t even show an interest in knowing who you were. Just go home with Donna, I’ll deal with you later.” He turned and walked into the hospital.
Lenae watched him a moment, tears welling in her eyes and then as the first sob escaped she turned and fled for the car. Donna sighed and took the keys from her purse following after. She drove Lenae back and then she felt the need to be productive so she worked vigorously in the garden. Afterwards she took a quick shower and found Lenae in the family room. "You really hurt him this morning and you hurt me too even though I don't have any right to feel that way."
“And I’m supposed to just accept what he’s told me, that the past 12 years of my life have been a life, and pretend that everything’s fine?” Her eyes were reddened; it was obvious she had been crying most of the day. “What am I supposed to do? Everything I know is a lie, my own parents lied to me.”
"They lied to you because they love you and in their hearts they feel like you're their daughter. Mic doesn't feel any differently for you than if you were his own flesh and blood. You and Casey are the same to him. He loves you so much what you're doing to him, acting like this is tearing him apart. Let it go Lenae, your mother is unfortunately not here anymore and your biological father sure as hell doesn't care about you. There's one man on this earth waiting and wanting to love you like you deserve to be loved, let him do it!" Donna gasped out tears coming to her own cheeks, her emotions raw from the last few days events.
“And would you be able to let it go, Donna?” She was clearly conflicted. “I haven’t even told Shari about this, I’m not sure I should. I don’t know that I want anyone knowing. Just one more thing to make me different than everyone else.”
"Don't tell her then, it's not important to them. It's not their business and it shouldn't be too important to you. Honestly if I were in your place I'd try my hardest to put it aside and be Mic's daughter just as you always have. He loves you Lenae, he loves you in the rare sort of way that you should treasure and fight to hold onto. Don't push him away..."
“It’s just so hard, Donna. But I’ll try. I mean I realize he must love me; it must have been hard for him to watch me be born knowing I was someone else’s. But it makes me wonder if he’s embarrassed or ashamed I’m not really his.” She sighed, “that probably doesn’t make sense.” She trailed off not sure what she was trying to say.
"He's not, he loves you just like his own daughter Lenae. He's not embarrassed or ashamed. He’s proud and he loves you," Donna said.
Lenae shrugged, “yeah, I guess. Are you going to go back tomorrow? Maybe I can come with you?”
Donna smiled, "Of course you can. Yes, I'm going back tomorrow. I want to see little Casey, let him know that I love him and haven't forgotten him." she paused a minute, "I love you too you know. I want us to be as close as you're comfortable with. Mostly though I just want you to know you can come talk to me about anything, anytime."
“I know that. So are you and Dad really getting married?” She glanced at the ring. “He mentioned it, but that was the night he told me all this so I wasn’t sure.”
Donna showed her the ring and smiled, "Yes we're really getting married. You'll be a junior bridesmaid won't you?"
“I’d love to. You know Shari and I talked about it a while ago, and she thought I should be bothered if Dad wanted to marry you. But I don’t see it that way, Mom wouldn’t want him to be alone for the rest of his life. Especially out here, and especially as much as he loves us.” She shrugged slightly. “I think it’s a way of saying my mom did something right - the fact he wants to marry again. She must have made it somewhat good for him if he wants to do it again.”
Donna smiled, "You're a very smart young woman Lenae. How would you like to run with me into town real quick and we can get some bridal magazines and you can help me get some ideas for what kind of a dress and such that I want. I could use a second opinion."
“Oh yeah, that’d be neat. When are you thinking of getting married? And where? Here? Or will you want to go home?”
"Oh no, I want to be married here in Australia somewhere, if not here on the ranch then perhaps at one of the fancy hotels in Sydney. Then again I was thinking perhaps in a chapel with a garden reception. We're thinking in November but we're not exactly sure the date, sometime during the weekend that's around like the 10th or so." Donna answered as she walked with Lenae out to the car and then began to drive into the nearest town.
After stopping at the store for magazines for Donna, Lenae wanted to stop and buy some things for Casey. “Aunt Teresa,” Lenae exclaimed as they left the store. Lenae ran up to the woman who looked like Mitchell even her height and hugged her excitedly. She forgot for a minute that Donna was there and blushed when she turned around. “I’m sorry. Donna this is my aunt, Teresa.” She wasn’t sure how to introduce Donna so she said nothing.
"Pleasure to meet you," Donna extended her hand and smiled, "I'm Donna, Mic's....Mic's assistant," she suddenly changed.
“A pleasure as well, Donna.” Teresa smiled and listened as Lenae told her about Casey. Teresa looked back in the direction she had come as if expecting to see someone there and turned her attentions back to Lenae and Donna. “I was going to come out and visit this evening, but if it’s not convenient I can wait. Are you staying at Amulet then?”
"Um, yes," Donna answered hesitantly and her ring caught in the sunlight as she moved it, glistening brightly.
Teresa caught sight of the ring, but said nothing. “Well, if it’s not inconvenient I’d like to come by. I have some things for Lenae and Casey I’d like to drop off, and then maybe I could go to the hospital with you. I haven’t seen Casey since before he was walking, I can’t believe he fell walking down the stairs!”
Donna smiled, "Of course, we'd love to have you wouldn't we Lenae?" Donna answered easily.
“Great,” she said. “I’ll see you later then. You don’t need to wait up for me; Birdie can let me in if it gets too late before I finish up here. But I’ll for sure see you for breakfast in the morning.” She hugged Lenae again and left with a wave. Lenae turned to Donna, “she’s a flake I can’t believe she and Dad are brother and sister.”
Donna gasped. She sighed, Mic wasn't going to be very happy with her for lying, well she hadn't actually lied, she was his assistant, she simply hadn't told the whole truth. She was quiet with Lenae as they picked out the magazines and on the way home to Amulet.
When they got home Birdie announced that Teresa was in the living room and that Mitchell was on the telephone for Donna. “I told him Miss Hall was here as well, but he wished to speak with you first.” When Donna picked up the extension Mic couldn’t help but smile. “Birdie tells me you’ve been gone most of the day. I see what happens when I’m away from the house for a while.” He laughed lightly.
"Well Lenae offered to help give me a second opinion on my wedding gown elements and I knew I couldn't pass up her expertise so," Donna smiled, "How's Casey doing?"
“Expert advice? A twelve year old on wedding gowns?” He laughed heartily. “Casey’s fine, he just fell asleep. They gave him some Jell-o, and that’s it for food until after the operation tomorrow.” He paused, “Birdie tells me Teresa is there.”
Donna swallowed audibly, "Yes, she is. We ran into her earlier in town. I...I didn't tell her we were engaged...I simply told her I was your secretary. I didn't know if you wanted that honor for yourself or not." she burst forth like water from a broken dam.
He chuckled lightly. “That’s fine, Donna, I’m not upset with you.” He paused, a noticeable silence on the phone. “You thought I was going to be upset with you? Don’t be silly, that’s perfectly understandable that you would think I would want to tell her myself. Under normal circumstances that would be true. Does she look well? I haven’t seen her in close to three years.”
"She looks fine to me," Donna replied with an exhalation of relief. Do you want me to go to the hospital and stay with Casey for a while so you can come home and speak with her?"
“No, I’m sure she’ll get around to speaking with me about the reason for her visit. She’s been in Sydney for almost two months from my understanding and hasn’t bothered to contact me until now. I’ll see you in the morning, though, right? I don’t know that I can sit here waiting without you.” He chuckled lightly, “believe it or not I really do need you.”
Donna laughed good-naturedly. "That's good to hear Mic. I'll be there, right by your side, whenever you need me....always."
“I’m glad, Donna. And do me a favor please. Don’t let my sister out of your sight. Birdie should know this as well, but I don’t trust her as far as I can throw her. And make sure she doesn’t go into our room please. And please tell Birdie she’ll get a bonus if she remains downstairs for the night.”
"Okay, will do," Donna smiled looking out the doorway and watching Mic's sister picking up and touching everything in the living room. "I see what you mean. I'd better get going...it looks like that's going to be a full-time job. I love you a lot."
Teresa heard Donna come into the room. “He hasn’t changed a thing since his wife died. I’m surprised, though I don’t know why I should be. So what is it exactly you do for Mitch? You must do it well if he grants you run of the house on the evenings he’s not here.”
"I handle all the accounts for Amulet. I'm also formulating ideas for expansion," Donna replied hesitantly. "Would you like something to drink or perhaps something to eat?"
“Something to drink would be nice, thank you.” She ran one of her well manicured fingernails over a picture frame that held a picture of Casey and Lenae. “Ideas for expansion you said?” Her eyes glazed over. “So he’s finally taking his head out of the sand. I thought he would never get around to do that. Or does he have you to thank for that?”
"Maybe you'd like to see the gardens or..." Donna offered hoping she could figure out what to do with this woman that made her so uneasy. "perhaps you'd like a nap or a swim?"
“No, I’m fine. I’ve seen the gardens, I’m sure they haven’t changed. So Casey has surgery tomorrow. Poor thing, he must be frightened.” She walked to the window, pushing her bangs from her face with her fingers. “You know, things haven’t changed since I left here 14 years ago. He hasn’t changed a thing since taking over Amulet from our father.”
"Well perhaps he likes tradition," Donna suggested, "after all, if something works really well then why change it?"
“Things have to evolve or they die, just as the dinosaurs did. Even I know that.” She turned to Donna and offered her a slight smile. “I just hoped that things would be different somehow. I never liked this place, it was too confining. Not enough things to do or people to do them with. I don’t suppose I’ll get a chance to talk with Mitch tomorrow.”
"I don't know," Donna replied with a shrug. She sat down with one of the bridal magazines and began to circle suggestions.
“You’re getting married,” she observed cautiously. “I noticed your ring earlier. It’s lovely. The magazines would indicate soon. Won’t that interfere with your job?”
"Not since it's Mic I'm marrying," Donna smiled.
She laughed lightly. “I should have known. You’re a little young to be getting married, don’t you think? Or didn’t he learn the first time around how not to get a girl pregnant? You’d think with the gap between Lenae and Casey he’d know.”
"Excuse-me ma'am but I rather resent what you're insinuating and I'd advise you not to make such a mistake again," Donna said suddenly becoming very upset with the woman.
“Resent it all you want, I’m certainly entitled to think what I wish. My brother was never very smart when it came to affairs of the heart.” She set her glass down and stood, suddenly growing tired. This hadn’t gone at all how she had planned. Mitchy was getting married, that ruined everything. “I think I’ll go to bed now. Dare I ask which room I’ve been granted permission to use from my dear brother? I’m sure he left specific instructions on the subject.”
"Right this way," Donna said, leading Teresa to one of the downstairs guest rooms. "The bathroom is attached to your room. If you need anything just ring and Birdie will attend you." Donna offered as pleasant of a smile as she could muster. Once she had Teresa tucked away in her room she found Birdie. "Mic says there's a substantial bonus in it for you if you'll stay on duty all night tonight and keep an eye on that woman. For heaven's sakes please don't let her meddle in anything." Donna thanked Birdie for her cooperation and then walked over to the office, locking the double door entrance. She went upstairs checked on Lenae and bid her goodnight. Then she locked the room she normally slept in and went into Mic's room to sleep there and guard it as he had asked.
Donna woke in the morning to Birdie knocking on the door to Mic’s bedroom. “I’m sorry to wake you, ma’am. Miss Hall has left already this morning without even breakfast. She asked me to give you this note to give to the mister.” Birdie paused slightly, “I remained up as you asked, she did not leave her room until this morning to have me get her a cup of coffee.” Birdie turned to leave then added. “I’ve made some cookies for young Casey, I’ll set them out for you to bring with you this morning.”
Donna smiled, "Thank-you so very much Birdie. I should have stayed up with you but I was exhausted...too much worry and stress I suppose." Donna quickly showered and dressed, waking Lenae to get her to do the same and then armed with the cookies and the note they made way to the hospital.
Mic was alone in Casey’s room when they arrived. He kissed Lenae, knowing how difficult it was for her to come into the room. His brow furrowed slightly when Donna handed him the note. He read it, walking to the window afterward raking his fingers through his hair. Collecting himself, he turned to face them both. “Are we ready to get some breakfast? I haven’t eaten yet. Have you both?”
Donna and Lenae both shook their heads. "I could really go for some croissants this morning," Donna suggested as they walked towards the car. She was trying to be there for Mic as much as she could and she wondered desperately what was in that letter.
Mic directed her to a restaurant that he knew of serving something that appeal to all of their tastes. He offered Donna a smile, hoping to ease her mind. When they had finished eating and returned to the hospital, they let Lenae wait in the waiting room until Casey came out of surgery while he and Donna went to Casey’s room to wait for him. “My sister likes you it would seem.”
Donna raised a brow looking at him like he was crazy and then burst into laughter. "I can scarcely believe that! I thought the house had frozen clean through having to deal with her last night!"
He laughed. “You don’t know my sister very well, she’s used to being able to push anyone and everyone around. I don’t think you’ll have to worry about her coming around, though. I’ve cut off her money supply, that’s why she was here - to try and talk me into giving her an allowance again. She must have had a falling out with her latest fling, that’s usually when she comes to me for money.”
"Ah," Donna said, "I'm glad that she's gone. Forgive me but I am and I think Birdie is too." Donna laughed lightly.
“Yes, Birdie and Teresa have never gotten along. Ever since Birdie caught Teresa sneaking out of the house one night when we were about 15 and told our father about it.” He chuckled lightly. “I’m sorry you had to deal with her, she has a tendency to drop in at the most inopportune times. She was here last I think about two months after Casey was born and Jaci died and couldn’t fathom why things didn’t stand still for her because she had been cast aside by someone.” He sighed heavily and took Donna into his arms. “Thank you for being here today.”
Donna held tightly to him. "I love you Mic. I want to be here for you always. Besides you were here for me when I needed you."
He laughed lightly. “So are you going to invite your uncle to the wedding? That would be interesting to see his reaction.” He kissed her softly. “I was thinking something. Would you indulge me for a minute before saying no?”
"Okay...I'm indulging with some patience," Donna said raising an eyebrow and looking at him.
“Well,” he sighed slightly. “I was thinking that maybe you and I could get married now privately with the kids and whoever you want in attendance. And then in a few months we could have a big reception. It’s entirely up to you, but it was just a thought. We could put more focus on the fun part,” he laughed lightly. “I guess what I’m saying is that I’m finding I don’t want to wait until November to begin my life with you as my wife. I want you with me, and maybe starting working on those four or five kids before Lenae gets too old to babysit.” He winked.
Donna was quiet in thought for a few minutes. "Yes, " she finally agreed, "that's a good idea."
“Are you sure? And I’m certainly not suggesting we just go to a Justice of the Peace or anything. We can have a wedding by a priest, flowers, and I’ll even wear my tuxedo if you want me to. I was just thinking we could have a big reception afterwards, invite everyone and spend money on making the reception a huge success than on all the church stuff. It’s your wedding, love. Whatever you want is fine with me. I just realized looking at Casey at the foot of the stairs that you never know what can happen, and I’d hate to lose you not being your husband.”
Donna smiled, "That's perfect Mic, perfect. So do we get married on Amulet? I asked Lenae to be my junior bridesmaid..."
“Sweetheart, I’ll leave the details up to you. As for the reception, I was thinking we could have it where our yacht is docked. Maybe make a cruise out of it for select guests. The club is very nice there, but we can go look at it one day if you want to. But whatever you want, is my pleasure. You just tell me when and where and what to wear and I’ll be there, the picture of the nervous groom.”
Donna smiled and kissed him. "Okay...two weeks on Saturday 10 am. I think Lenae and I will go to Sydney dress shopping after this." She raised her glass, "here's to getting married soon."
“Indeed,” he waited until she had taken a sip of her drink then kissed her. “I guess I don’t get to see your dress beforehand so I should just not ask what you have in mind. Are you sure you don’t mind, Donna? If I’m keeping you from that dream wedding, please tell me. It was just an idea, but I don’t want you giving up something on my account.”
"No, I think it will be wonderful and marvelous just like this and like you said we never know if we have another day." She smiled and then kissed him, "besides we need to get started on that baby."
“Mm, I hate to tell you this but I get the best part of the deal on that aspect of things.” He chuckled, “but four or five you want, four or five I will gladly try and provide you.”
They returned to the hospital a nurse found them and told them that Casey was out of surgery and in the recovery room and should be waking soon. “Why don’t you keep Lenae company and I’ll go see him first, make sure he looks all right. I don’t want her to get anymore frightened of hospitals than she already is.” He kissed her lightly, his hands rubbing the small of her back gently. “Did I ever thank you for the other night by the way? It’s not often lately I’ve been able to count on the affections of a beautiful, loving woman when I’m stressed.”
Donna smiled, "Such are the benefits of being engaged and married I'm sure." She winked at him and then she leaned and kissed him chastely. “I'll go wait with Lenae. We don't want her too frightened." She went and rejoined Lenae in the lounge. "Casey is out of surgery, your Dad wanted to see him first before we went in. Have you seen anything interesting while I've been gone?"
“No, not really. Just boring morning television stuff.” She put the remote control down and looked at Donna. “So he’s okay? I know Dad was just mad, but I didn’t sleep well last night I kept trying to figure how I didn’t hear him padding across the floor.”
"I'm sure you were really tired after all of the upset you'd been through," Donna tried to comfort Lenae. "The doctor says he came out of surgery as well as could be expected."
Lenae’s body obviously showed her relief. She showed Donna a picture in one of the bridal magazines she had brought with her of a bridesmaid dress she thought looked nice when Mic came into the waiting area. “Are you ladies ready? There’s a young lad asking for you, apparently his dad isn’t good enough.” He chuckled lightly, “three years old and already preferring the company of ladies to his old man.”
Donna and Lenae laughed and hurried along with Mic to see Casey. Donna squeezed Lenae's hand in assurance just before they entered Casey's room.
Casey was still groggy, but he smiled at them when they came into the room. “The doctor says he should be able to come home in a couple more days. And then I guess we’re going to have to put safety gates at the stairs from now on.” He winked at Casey and walked to the other side of the bed, letting Lenae take a spot on the other side of the bed. He looked to Donna, extending his hand to her.
Donna held Casey's hand and smiled, "Hello little one. We're here...I hope you're going to feel better soon. Your sister and I have been thinking about you all the time. Hospitals aren't so bad hmm?" Donna talked to him as she rubbed his hand having no idea what to say.
Casey shook his head slightly and soon drifted off to sleep. Mitchell suggested leaving him alone until the nurses came back to bring him his lunch. “In fact, I might go home for the afternoon. I haven’t seen the house other than for about an hour the other night when I came home to shower, shave and get some clean clothes. We know he’s fine, and we can come back later on. I have the feeling he’d rather rest than to feel like he has to be on for us for a while.”
Donna nodded, "we'd love to have you." She kissed him. "I'm sorry it happened but it is going to be okay..."
“I know, honey. Thank you.” He kissed her then led them out to the parking lot. He met them back at Amulet, driving his own car so that he could go back soon if needed. When they got inside he found Lenae in her bedroom. He knocked lightly, though the door was open. “Hey, kiddo, you holding up okay? I know how hard that must have been for you to be in his room.”
"I hate hospitals, they always make me think of mother," Lenae said softly, "I'm okay though. Casey didn't look too bad." Her eyes began to fill with tears. "I'm sorry!" she exclaimed and buried herself against him crying again.
“Honey, there’s nothing to say you’re sorry for. It was an accident, they happen. But I also think it’s important that you see that hospitals aren’t just about people going there to die. Ordinarily, your mother having Casey would have been a wonderful thing. I remember when you were born like it was yesterday. You had a ton of black hair that was soft as a kitten’s fur. And you hollered for close to thirty minutes.” He laughed lightly as he smoothed her hair down. “The whole maternity ward knew you had come into the world. I hope one day you get to experience it yourself, though I imagine it wasn’t as pleasant for your mother as it was for me.”
Lenae smiled, "I hope so too." She was quiet for a long moment, "Are you and Donna going to have a baby?"
“Well, we’re going to try. Babies don’t always cooperate with what their parents do and don’t want. Sometimes parents try real hard for years and end up with none and sometimes parents don’t try at all and they end up with a family of six. Is that all right? The way Donna’s talking you might have four or five brothers or sisters.”
Lenae's eyes got wide, "four or five?!" she gasped. "Wow...I think that's cool actually. I'm not going to have to share a room am I?"
“No, I wouldn’t do that to you.” He laughed lightly. “I think we have enough bedrooms to get through one or two more before you go away to college. That’s not too far off you know, five years or so. And somehow I don’t think we’re going to have one a year.” He lifted her face to look at him, “and Lenae I meant what I said before. As far as I’m concerned Amulet is yours if you want it. You’re the oldest, whether you’re a girl or a boy doesn’t matter to me. You certainly don’t have to tell me now, but I want you to know that I meant that.”
Lenae hugged him tightly. "Thanks Dad, I love you." She paused a moment, "You know, I'm glad you're marrying Donna."
“Yeah, me too. She’ll be good to me, but more importantly she’s good to you and Casey. I could never marry someone who wasn’t good to you kids. No matter how much I wanted to be with them. You know if you want to spend the night at Shari’s you can. I know it’s a school night, but I’m sure Hedda won’t mind. I’m not telling you to leave, but I just want you happy.”
"No, I think I'm going to stay here," Lenae smiled, "but don't worry about me if you and Donna wanna...you know, be romantic."
He laughed lightly. “No, sweetheart, that’s not at all what I was implying. I just don’t want you to think your life has to be disrupted because Casey’s in the hospital. If you change your mind, just let me know.” He kissed the top of her head and hugged her. “I’m going to shower and lay down for a while, I haven’t slept much in the past two days. You’re welcome to come watch TV with me for a while like you used to do if you want when I’m done with my shower. The door will be unlocked.” He left the room, finding Donna in his room. “How are you?”
"Beat?" Donna suggested softly before yawning, "and I've slept the past couple of days. I don't know how you're still standing..." She yawned. "Would you like me to go find the other room or somewhere else to crash?" she offered.
“Not a chance in hell,” he said. “I plan on showering and not letting you out of my sight until I have to next. If that meets with your approval of course.”
Donna smiled softly in between a yawn. "I think I can handle that my love. Awake and coherent I can't always promise but I'll stay with you." She kissed him. "I love you."
He kissed her and then kissed her nose. “I love you, too, sweetheart. And I don’t need you to be awake and coherent, just so long as I can hold you. I don’t think I have the energy to do much more than that anyway. Go lay down I’ll be out in a minute.” He showered and joined her on the bed. “Good night, Donna.” He gathered her close to him, kissing her lightly.
"Goodnight Mic," Donna whispered softly, curling up against him and letting sleep take him. It was a moment later that he noticed Lenae standing shyly at the door.
He looked up. “Come on, kiddo. I told you that you could.” He gestured to the bed. “There’s plenty of room by me or by Donna. Turn the TV on if you want, but I can’t guarantee you I’m going to stay awake.”
Lenae smiled and piled up next to her dad. She switched on some cartoons since that was all that she could find on worth watching and she laid back to cuddle with her dad some. She looked over at Donna and smiled, "she didn't last long."
He laughed lightly. “No, I think she’s had a lot on her mind lately as we all have. But I don’t know that since she’s been here she’s been truly able to rest.” His eyes focused on the cartoon for a while then back to Lenae. “You know I think we’re going to get married in a couple of weeks instead of a couple of months. I’m going to talk to your grandparents and see if they’ll come stay with you and Casey, or would you rather stay with Shari?”
"Oh please can I stay with Shari," Lenae instantly begged. "Grandpa's so quiet and he hates noise and grandma's always fussing over us so and she thinks I don't know the first thing about taking care of Casey. I'd rather stay with Shari."
He laughed lightly. “That’s fine. I’ll talk to Hedda and see if she’ll take Casey too if Maggie comes with him. I’d hate to fly your grandparents out here just for Casey. And to be honest, I don’t know that I like the idea of your mom’s parents being here while I’m on my honeymoon with someone that’s not your mom. I’d like them to meet Donna under different circumstances I think.” He offered her a smile; “it’s been a long time since you’ve sat in here with me. I’m glad you came in, honey.”
Lenae smiled and cuddled against Mic and that's how they all fell asleep. The next morning when Mic woke he found a note that said that Lenae and Donna had gone wedding shopping.
Mic spent the morning at Amulet before going to the hospital. He returned home late that night, and repeating the process for the next week until he was able to bring Casey home from the hospital. He worked it out with Hedda for both kids to stay with them while he and Donna were gone. Giving him a bath was a new experience not being able to get the cast wet. He brought him downstairs for dinner, and it was obvious Casey was pleased to be at home eating. When Donna came in to join them Casey’s smile brightened and he held out his spoonful of mashed potatoes out for her.
"Good to see you too Casey, no thanks, I have a plate, you eat those," Donna smiled brightly. Seeing Casey brightened her day. "Well it's official we have everything all set. Now all we do is wait til Saturday, just six little days."
“Aside from the ring bearer being unable to walk down the aisle I’d say everything should go smoothly.” After dinner, he let Maggie put Casey to bed realizing she would have to get used to tending to him with a cast. He walked with Donna to the sheep barn, his hand holding hers tightly. “So, six days until you’re no longer Donna Nammarth. Or are you keeping your name? I guess women do that pretty often these days from what I’ve been told.”
"Now why should I do that?" Donna asked giving him a softly loving smile, "I might if my name were associated with a business or if I was famous under my maiden name but I'm neither and it shall be an honor to take your name."
“Well, I’m glad that you think so. I wasn’t sure, and I certainly wouldn’t mind if you had wanted to.” He stepped into one of the stalls, checking on one of the three newborn lambs that Amulet had been graced with in the past week. “Two more ewes and a ram we have on our hands now,” he said more to himself than to Donna. He looked up at her, “you realize our going away from here will be the first time in about 15 years I’ve been away from here for more than a day or two.” He laughed, “I might go stir crazy on you.”
Donna smiled and stepped into the stall pulling one of the ewes to her and petting it. "That might make two of us. I love this place Mic. I love the baby lambs and all the life and people. I think together though we can make it." She blew a kiss at him.
“I know, sweetheart.” He winked, “speaking of babies. Lenae asked me if we were going to have any.” He laughed lightly, “I think she was a little surprised when I told her we might have more than one. I’m not sure how she truly feels, but I think it was more of a shock to her about Casey than you and I having some together. I think at nine, she assumed she was going to be it.”
Donna smiled, "So she doesn't mind having more? I really don't want to upset her world too much."
“No, she didn’t seem to get upset. And we can’t let a twelve year old rule our lives, Donna.” He placed his hand on the lamb Donna was petting. “If we were talking about moving or something then perhaps, but at 32 I have no desire to wait overly long to work on that family. As it is, I’ll be almost 60 before the first one is done with school.”
Donna smiled, "I wasn't going to let her keep me from having a baby if that's what you wanted too, was for us to have a child." Donna let the lamb down and got out of the stall rejoining her hand with his. "I love you so much Mic. I just wish you knew how happy you make me every single day." She kissed him.
“Well, I only try to return to you what you give to me, Donna. I can honestly say I’ve never felt so good in a long time if ever. You’ve made me stop and appreciate things I never cared about until now. All these things you tell me about to bring business to Amulet, years ago I had some of the same or similar ideas. But, unfortunately, I’m afraid I let Jaci interfere with them and for a long time I just stopped trying. I felt trapped and it was difficult to get myself out of that. And I don’t think I realized it until I realized I didn’t want to live without you.”
"And that night I wore my diamonds I thought it was all over," Donna sighed. "I'm so glad it wasn't. I love you and in six days I'm going to shout that for all the world." She was quiet for a moment. "Want to roll in the hay?"
He laughed lightly. “If you’re sure the sheep won’t tell your wish is my command. I’m afraid I’ve been rather lax in my duties in that department since Casey’s been in the hospital.” He took her in his arms, kissing her lips lightly. “Forgive me?”
"Oh definitely," Donna smiled, "I didn't expect you to with Casey in the hospital luv. Although now that he's home...I don't think the sheep will say anything..." she said slyly.
“I don’t think so either,” he chuckled lightly as his lips dropped to her neck. He broke away briefly to remove her top. “Maybe we can teach them something they don’t already know. You think?” He kissed her neck and collarbones lightly, one hand moving from the small of her back cupping a breast with the palm of his hand. “You’re so soft,” he whispered softly.
"Well, we need more sheep," Donna smiled. She moaned with what he was doing. Then she began to loosen his shirt her mouth moving to his nipples as soon as she got them exposed.
He groaned softly when her lips met his skin, he opened his eyes after a moment and looked down to watch what she was doing. “Are you speaking in metaphors, love?” His voice was soft and husky as he spoke, he swallowed hard before continuing, “the needing more sheep part I mean.”
"I suppose so," Donna breathed back huskily in between kisses as she worked her way down to his waist. "but we also do need more sheep if we're going to expand. Why what were you thinking?" She asked as she gently undid the zipper and button on his pants.
“Not sheep,” he whispered softly as he placed his hands gently on her shoulders. “Keep doing that and I won’t be able to think at all. Sheep or otherwise.”
Donna worked her way down his chest and then as her hands began to caress his manhood she kissed all the way back up to his mouth. "Still thinking?" she teased huskily.
He captured her mouth with his own, his hands tracing down her back lightly before reaching around to unfasten her pants. “Not about sheep,” he laughed lightly as he knelt before her and took a breast in his mouth. “Though I must admit to feeling like an animal when it comes to my feelings for you.”
Donna kissed him even more intensely and doubled her efforts. "Oh Mic," she moaned with his attentions, "god I've missed this!"
“So have I sweetheart,” he began to work her pants around her hips. “I’m sorry I’ve neglected you. Don’t let me do it again. Are you sure you wouldn’t rather go inside?” His lips found her neck and her shoulders.
"No, we'll catch that later," she panted. His attentions were soon rousing her so much that she stopped caressing him and fell onto her back in the hay, arching her back towards him and begging for more.
He lowered himself on top of her. He kissed the tattoo on her hip then moved to the softness between her legs. “Christ, Donna,” he said as he brought his mouth to meet hers. “Tell me you need me as much as I need you, that this isn’t just me acting like a teenager with raging hormones.”
"No, I need you, I need you Mic," Donna gasped emphatically. "Please Mic, make love to me."
He wrapped his arms around her waist as he entered her. He kissed her passionately, breaking away slightly as he rubbed his cheek against hers. “If it were possible to possess you so I could have you with me always I would.” His lips made their way to his neck and ear.
"Oh Mic I love you. I never thought I would hear anyone say that to me," she kissed him. "I love you so much." She matched him movement for movement.
He groaned softly in her ear as he felt his time come. He pulled away slightly to use his hand to help bring her release. Unable to take his eyes away from watching her react to him he felt entranced until he kissed her, breaking the moment. He smiled as he brushed his cheek against hers, “I need a shave I think.” He kissed her again. “The same is true for me, you know. I never thought I’d feel this way, to want someone so completely. It’s amazing what you do to me.”
Donna kissed him passionately and then whispered in his ear, "and before long we'll be doing that to make a baby."
“Yes,” he smiled before kissing her. “You don’t mind if we wait a little while do you? A few months maybe. I don’t want any question that I married you for any reason but the fact that I’m hopelessly taken with you.”
Donna smiled, "Sounds wonderful to me. I mean if we waited three months and then I got off it I still couldn't the next month so it would be like waiting five months, just for an example." She said, calming down.
He chuckled lightly, “you never know it might take years not months. But I don’t think you’ll find me an unwilling participant in trying to make it happen sooner than that.” He kissed her and rolled onto his back, bringing her on top of him. “You are amazing, Donna. Amazing. Beautiful. Smart. And it seems in a matter of a few days, mine. Amazing my luck in finding all of that in one woman.”
"And to think she fell out of your wool barn," Donna laughed lightly. "Mic, you do realize I come with quite a fortune. I want to use some of it to improve Amulet. It's my dream to, my future."
“Yes, that’s one thing we need to take care of before Saturday.” He ran his fingers through her hair gently. “I’ve made an appointment with an attorney for Thursday. I want to make sure that you’re protected, that you have no question in your mind that I’m marrying you for you and not for that fortune or any other reason. And that should something God forbid happen to me and you have to sell Amulet for whatever reason you get out of it whatever you put into it. And that whatever is left be divided between the kids.”
Donna nodded solemnly, "and at the same time I'm not going to keep all this to myself. Whatever I want to contribute I will. I had a dream the other night that I bought some land a ways away and started a hotel."
“Yes, yes. That’s not what I meant, and I hope it didn’t sound that way, sweetheart. We are a team, and I want you to do whatever you wish to do. But I have my own funds, so it’s not as if you have to financially help me here at Amulet. I just want to make sure for anyone who might question my motives - your uncle for instance.”
"Yes, my dear old uncle, who doesn't want you to have my fortune...but then again he doesn't want me to have it either." Donna sighed and she laid her head on his chest blanketing them in her long blonde hair.
“Well, I want you to use it, Donna. I’m fine here on Amulet. If you have an idea to build a hotel, a resort, or a casino you do it. Not that I don’t want your ideas, I do. That’s not what I’m saying,” he smoothed down her hair. “I guess what I’m saying is that I want you to have a life of your own. If you want to have a business, then do it.”
Donna gave him a soft smile and then she went to sleep on his chest.
Mitchell let her sleep for a while, forcing himself not to give in to the temptation as well. The last thing they needed was to be found here like this. He held her tightly against him and soon sleep overtook him.
Donna awoke three hours later. "Mic, Mic," she whispered softly. "We need to go in..."
He chuckled lightly, “I think I already am in, sweetheart. But somehow I don’t think that’s what you were referring to. It seems you have the same effect on me in my sleep that you do when I’m awake.” He increased his hold on her briefly, before releasing her offering her the chance to move from on top of him.
Donna moaned and reluctantly left the protective comfort and love of being one with him. She rearranged her attire and then with a soft smile knit her hand in his for the walk back to the house. "We could have a repeat in your bed," she whispered.
He stopped pulling her to him, smoothing down her hair as he kissed her lightly. “You look beautiful like this, the moon makes your hair seem shiny. Almost urethral, angelic. A slight flush on your face still there from earlier, your hair slightly unkempt but sexy.” He laughed lightly. “It’s too bad I know better.”
Donna gasped and smacked him playfully in the arm. "Mic!" She laughed lightly and then leaned up and kissed him. "Are you trying to make me mad at you so you don't get anymore tonight?"
“Not the sexy part, sweetheart, the angelic part. That’s the part I know better about. Angels don’t let their fiance’s make love to them on a pile of hay in a barn full of sheep,” he winked. “And I’d like to see you stop me from getting more.”
Donna laughed and kissed him before she raced in the house and quietly upstairs in his bedroom, throwing off her clothes and getting into a warm shower.
A few minutes later he pulled back the shower curtain and joined her. “It’s been ages since I’ve washed a beautiful woman’s back. Do you mind?” He lifted her hair as he stood behind her and kissed the back of her neck lightly. “I love you, Donna. With all my heart. I hope I never give you reason to doubt that.”
"I don't think you ever shall and I hope I never give you reason to doubt that I love you with all my heart and that I'm truly incredibly happy here." Donna kissed him as she backed under the water and got her hair wet. "Wash me all over. I'm yours."
“My pleasure, my lady.” He did as she asked, washing her thoroughly though it was obvious there were certain parts that he enjoyed washing more than others. When she stood once more under the showerhead, he bent to kiss her breasts. Then lifted his mouth to kiss hers pausing as he spoke. “I had to make sure I did a thorough job,” he winked and kissed her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pushing her back gently against the wall as his lips and tongue were persistent in gaining her attentions.
"Not in the shower," Donna laughed lightly, "go on, get cleaned up and let's get to bed. You probably think you have to get up tomorrow morning, though I might sleep in."
He met her eyes, “stay. I’m entitled to kiss you aren’t I? I assure you I was enjoying necking with you as the water pelted our skin.” He kissed her again. “Are you complaining about my kisses?”
Donna smiled and moaned out, "No, I'm not complaining about your kisses." She began to kiss him back as the water washed over them.
He chuckled, “you’ll have to pardon me, Donna. There are plenty of things that I’m afraid I was deprived of my first go around of courtship and marriage. Some of them were simple things like kissing just to kiss, even though you stand naked before me and I enjoy the feel of your body against mine I like your kisses.”
Donna smiled, "now that I can handle." She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him even more ardently. "How did you get to be so romantic Mic Hall?"
“I am not sure, I don’t think I knew I was until I met you. I had no reason to be before now.” He turned the water off. “Now about that not in the shower part. I believe you said something about joining you in bed?”
Donna smiled and laughed devilishly. Once they had dried off she took his hand and followed him into their bedroom. She got onto the bed bringing him with her and then she kissed him passionately. "I love you Mic. I love you for all eternity."
Despite their earlier nap in the barn, he found himself exhausted after making love to her. For some reason hearing her speak of her love for him was more of a turn on than had she whispered suggestive words in his ear. He brought her to him, her head resting on his chest as he ran his hand lightly over her back. He enjoyed just the touch of her, he hoped he would someday be able to make her understand how truly lucky he felt to find her. He had assumed he’d marry again one day, but it would be like his marriage to Jaci had been - fulfilling but lacking in things that made him want to wake up in the morning wanting to see her face first. “Good night, sweetheart.” He chuckled lightly, “no I’m not going to break out in song. I’ll spare you my singing voice.”
Donna smiled softly, "Good, I forgot my earplugs..." she teased. She soon fell asleep. Starting Monday the house was a flutter with happenings. Donna began to spend a good deal of her time on the phone and a remarkable amount of trucks and packages arrived. Lenae had tried on her dress at least seven times since it had arrived on Wednesday. Now it was Saturday morning and with the wedding not until 6:30 that evening Donna was going to pamper herself all day. She was currently lounging in the large tub under a mass of bubbles and listening to symphony music.
Mic on the other hand was making himself scarce. He had arranged with Hedda to get ready there wanting to stay out of Donna and Lenae’s way. Casey had by now gotten used to his crutches and Hedda had kindly fixed a pair of tuxedo pants so that they would fit over his casted leg. His foreman, Billy, was acting as his bestman. He really had no good friends to speak of; Billy was the closest thing he had to a friend at all in actuality. Hedda was at Amulet with the women, and her husband Ralph was at the house with the men. The service wasn’t starting until 6:30 so Mic saw no need to rush into getting ready. He would wait to shave until late in the afternoon, and other than that he really had nothing to do. He went out onto the patio with Billy and Ralph the three of them enjoying a beer as Casey drank some apple juice.
Donna got out of the tub and then found Lenae. "Hey there, are you all ready for today?" she asked. "How about painting our nails and toenails now?"
“Oh yes, that’d be fun.” Lenae giggled slightly, obviously thriving on the attention Donna was showering on her. “Can I help you with anything? Are you nervous? You’re so calm.”
"I'm just pretending to be calm," Donna laughed lightly. "I'm counting on you to help me with everything today, after all that's your job..." Donna got out the champagne colored nail polish and began with their toenails.
“Here, let me do it for you,” Lenae said. “Mom never painted her toenails.” She glanced up as Hedda came into the room with some mimosas for the three of them. “This is cool you getting married, I even get to drink champagne.” She returned to the task of painting Donna’s toenails.
"Your father said yes huh?" Donna smiled as she watched Lenae paint her toenails. "You're good at this sweetie. Thanks."
Lenae beamed at the praise. “Thank you. I love to paint people’s nails. I do it for Shari all the time.” She finished with Donna’s toenails and took a sip of the drink. “Can I do your fingernails too?” She glanced at her hopeful.
"Sure, go ahead," Donna smile, "you're doing a great job." she extended her hands to the girl who would soon become her stepdaughter.
Lenae painted her fingernails while Hedda fixed her hair. “You’re going to make a beautiful bride, Donna. I’m so pleased to know that we’ll have you for a permanent neighbor now.” Lenae smiled at them both as Hedda continued, “and Lenae mentioned you might be increasing the population of Amulet by a few heads.”
Donna blushed. "I hope to Hedda, I hope to. Mic and I plan on trying."
She laughed heartily. “Well, while you’re trying put in your bid for girls. Women around these parts are rare; we need to get some more somehow to keep these men on their toes. And Mitchell needs a handful of girls just like the two of you. He’ll kill me for saying it, but I’m so excited for you that you have the chance to have more than just Lenae and Casey.”
"Yes well, we're going to make Lenae baby-sit," Donna teased with a bright smile. "You do beautiful work Hedda," Donna commented a while later as she looked at her finished hair in the mirror. "You should be a hairdresser."
“I just have had lots of practice with Shari.” She put some faux pearls in her hair to complete the design. “I think you look perfect, Donna. I still can’t believe this is all happening so quickly. In fact, before you came to Amulet I had been talking to Mitchell about settling himself down again.” She whispered to Donna, “I don’t think it’s good for kids to be raised by just one parent.”
Donna smiled softly, "Well I love them to death and I want to do right by them so I hope that I can." The women finished their nails and hair and then Donna looked at the time. "Well it's about time for you to get dressed Lenae. Bride last you know and I'm counting on you to help me get in all that stuff. I've never seen so many ribbons and buttons and ruffled slips!" They laughed.
While the women were doing their hair and getting dressed, Mitchell was at Hedda’s showering and doing his part in getting ready. Pictures were taken of father and son followed by making sure Billy had the license and Donna’s ring. Mic had found out that Teresa was not in need of the yacht for a while, so he had made arrangements to use it for at least a few days of their honeymoon. Hedda and Ralph had been only too pleased to look after both children for a couple of weeks, and while Mitchell wasn’t crazy about Ralph or the way he treated Hedda he knew that his own children would be fine. He fixed his cufflink and then let the others know he was ready to go.
Lenae had gotten dressed; realizing for the first time as she put it on that this fitting was the real thing as far as wearing the dress went. After Hedda finished fixing her hair, they went to check on Donna and see if she was ready to get dressed.
Donna was curled up in a blanket on the bed. "I think I have wedding jitters," she laughed nervously. "What if I mess up? What if I say something wrong? I want this to be perfect."
Lenae giggled lightly. “I think the only way it wouldn’t be perfect is if you didn’t show up.” Hedda added, “everyone goes through this. I’m sure Mitchell is feeling the same thing at this very moment.” She sat on the edge of the bed, placing her hand on Donna’s back lightly. Though her daughter was Lenae’s age, Shari was a last chance effort at motherhood and at 53 Hedda was far older than Mitchell and sometimes felt more like a mother to him than a neighbor and friend. “I can’t even tell you what I went through on my wedding day. Ralph was so handsome back then, about to go off to the Army. I thought I’d end up pregnant and a widow. That was an awful thing to chew and swallow at the time. But obviously everything worked out.”
Donna smiled, "and I know everything will work out here. Oh it's just cold feet, come on let's get me dressed and to that aisle so I can walk up it."
The two helped Donna into her gown; Lenae fastened the buttons while Hedda fastened her veil. Birdie came in to tell them the photographer had arrived to take pictures before the ceremony and that the flowers had indeed arrived and were waiting downstairs in the formal living room. Tears welled in Hedda’s eyes. “You make a beautiful bride. I’m so pleased you let me be a part of this.”
"I wouldn't have had it any other way. You got me through so much misery Hedda. Thank-you for being such a good friend." Donna embraced her friend and then she smiled dabbing at a couple of early tears and then she descended the stairs in her gown.
Her gown had small spaghetti straps and a delicately embroidered bodice of roses. The skirt was as fluffy as any skirt could be with beautiful delicate lace at the bottom and a pattern of pearls here and there. It had a beautiful long train and a floor-length veil.
Lenae hugged her, the excitement finally coming to a head seeing Donna in her dress. “Oh you’re beautiful. How can you possibly be nervous? Dad’s not going to be able to speak his vows he’s going to be so taken with the sight of you - I just know it.” She adjusted the train around her and got her bouquet from the box the flowers were in so that the photographer could start on photos.
Donna was beaming as beautifully as any bride ever had. She took gorgeous photos and she insisted on taking some with Lenae as well. "How much more time do we have?" Donna asked Hedda softly after a while.
Hedda laughed lightly. “You’re the bride, I imagine we have as much time as you care to spare. But we have about an hour until the service starts. We can leave whenever you like, believe me Donna nothing’s going to start without you. Though you may give Mic a heart attack if you wait until the last minute to show up.”
"By all means I think we should get going in just a minute, but first," Donna smiled at Lenae and took her hands. "I want to tell you Lenae how proud of you I am. Most children would have shut someone new out immediately. Instead you actually stepped in and became my friend. You're very important to me Lenae and that's never going to change, no matter what. Thank-you for helping me these last couple of weeks with all this stuff. I imagine I've turned into the grinch a couple of times on you at least. Most of all though, thank-you for helping to make this day so special for me. I hope I can help do the same for you when you get married."
Lenae blushed. “Well, I hope so too. But that’s a long way off. Let’s worry about getting you and Dad married first.” She kissed Donna’s cheek not wanting to ruin her makeup and said, “are we ready? Dad’s letting us take the Jag to the church! But I imagine I don’t get to ride home in it.”
Donna smiled and took Lenae's hand to walk down the hall before everyone had to gather up her dress to get it down the stairs, outside and into the car. "Now I know what it feels like to be a princess," Donna said with a smile as she smoothed over the skirt, which took up a good portion of the back. "To the church ladies! We have a wedding to attend!"
Mic stood with Billy, Casey and Ralph at the front of the church talking with the minister when he saw Birdie and Maggie enter the church. With their arrival he knew that the other women and Donna couldn’t be too far behind. He paced to the back of the church, realizing he couldn’t go back there he turned around and returned to the altar where Billy and Ralph were both looking at him slightly amused. He heard Lenae and restrained himself with a great amount of will power from turning around to look.
Donna took her place and the music began in due time. She walked up the aisle after Lenae and Hedda and finally met up with Mic smiling brightly.
The service was somewhat brief since there were only a handful of people in attendance. It was obvious as Mitchell recited his vows and placed Donna’s wedding ring on her finger that he was elated, as nervous as he was he couldn’t stop smiling or get over how beautiful she looked and that it was for him. He kissed her as instructed. “I love you,” he whispered softly. “You look stunning, though that doesn’t even do you justice.”
Donna smiled through the tears that she'd been crying the whole service, tears of joy. "I guess this makes it official and it's time to go celebrate with our friends and family, go cut some cake, cut a rug, cut up!" Donna teased playfully before putting her arm in his for the walk up the aisle.
“Cake! Damn, I knew there was something I forgot,” he chuckled lightly as she looked at him shocked. “I’m kidding, sweetheart.” He stopped on the steps of the church and kissed her, a lingering kiss but still not inappropriate considering where they were. “I love you Donna Nammarth-Hall. Cutting and sharing cake with you is the first of endless things I will relish doing with you.”
"Not around the children," she whispered gutturally in his ear in play. They piled into the cars and made for the yacht club. The place was surprisingly crowded, only those with invitations were being allowed in but the surrounding area was full of people trying to get a glimpse. Donna gasped as the car arrived. She saw a car with an unmistakable hood ornament, and a limo at that. "He's here!" she gasped, blanching slightly.
He followed her gaze, “who’s here?” He watched as the man he had only seen once before folded out of the back of the limo. “Oh,” he said softly. “Did you invite him?”
"Most definitely not," Donna answered in a soft solemn voice, almost fearfully. Taking a deep breath and mustering courage she exited the car with a smile. Everyone who caught a glimpse of the new couple began to clap and cheer. For the moment amongst all of the jubilation Nicholas Nammarth was forgotten.
They walked into the club. Mic was obviously somewhat lost since he had little to do with the preparations. “So we mingle with our guests for a while?” He brushed her cheek lightly with the pad of his thumb. “Umm, wasn’t I supposed to help you bustle your train?”
Donna smiled and looked behind her. "Yes I'd guess so. I'm new at all of this wedding stuff." She leaned up and kissed him lovingly.
“Well, technically, I think your maid of honor is supposed to do it. But I shall insist. You are my wife after all now, and need to know I’ll help you even with bustling your trains.” He led her to her private powder room, large enough to accommodate her dress and train. “Hmmph,” he said lightly. “I don’t rate my own bathroom. I guess I’ll have to make sure I stay on your good side.”
Donna smiled, "I thought that was your philosophy anyhow." She kissed him with a bright smile. "I love you my husband. I can't believe we're married...I feel like I'm floating around in a dream. I hope I don't wake up."
“As long as we’re by one another’s side, Donna, I shall make sure you never wake up. But I assure you that you are not dreaming.” He finished with the bustle, “infernal thing. I was about to give up and let Lenae do it after all.” He looked at and laughed lightly. “It’s a good thing I know where your body ends and the dress begins, or I’d begin to wonder what you really looked like under that dress.”
"I've always wanted a gigantically fluffy skirt. I'm loving this so much I don't really want to take it off," Donna smiled.
He chuckled. “Well, I hate to tell you this, but you’re not going to be taking it off - I am. And I don’t know that there’s anything you can say or do that would convince me to let you keep it on for the entire night. No matter how beautiful you look.” He kissed her lightly, “you put the movie stars to shame, darling.”
Donna flushed deeply and kissed him, "just one of the many reasons I love you so. You're such a charmer. Now, do you think maybe we should go out and spend some time with our friends at our reception?"
He groaned lightly, “yes I suppose so. I don’t want to though.” He opened the door letting her pass through chuckling lightly as the skirt got caught briefly on the door and led her to the banquet room. He went to the bar and got them both something to drink from the bar, spotting his sister across the room. He made his way back to Donna, handing her a drink. “My sister is here, and if I saw correctly appears to be with your uncle.” He rolled his eyes. “Maybe we can pretend we haven’t seen them and they’ll go away?”
"I wish," Donna replied sipping her champagne.
"Thank-you for agreeing to come with me," Nicholas smiled, "it's not every day I have the honor of having the world's most beautiful woman on my arm. I'm sorry for dragging you to this little soiree, but the model over there in the white gown playing bride is my very headstrong and disobedient niece."
Teresa was working on her third martini at the moment and offered Nicholas a smile, surprisingly not seeming to be effected in the least by the drinks she’d downed so far. “It’s my pleasure. And you should talk,” she turned to face him smoothing down his tie her fingernail grazing his chin and neck. “You are pretty handsome yourself you know.” Teresa wasn’t about to tell Nicholas that the groom was her brother, she’d deal with that when the time came.
Nicholas smiled, "Could I have the second dance? I believe I hear the music starting for the bride and groom's dance now but I want to have the first dance with you and definitely the last..." He drew her hand to his mouth and kissed it. "Blue is quite the color on you...it brings out the spirit in your eyes..."
“Oh, Nikki, the things you say,” she batted her lashes coquettishly. “But keep saying them, please. I never grow tired of hearing you talk.” She pouted slightly, “I thought we were going to do something fun tonight, not coming to a stuffy wedding.” She placed her hand against his cheek, stroking it lightly with the back of his hand. “It doesn’t sound like you like your niece anyway.”
"I wanted to have a little talk with her, which I plan to take care of now," Nicholas said. He strode over to the newly married couple. "Mitchell I suppose I should congratulate you on the purchase of your little concubine here...may she give you as much trouble as she gave me. I'm sorry you didn't see her true nature before now." Nicholas grabbed Donna's chin roughly, "and you, my pretty...you are no longer a Nammarath I'll not have you dragging our good family name through the mud. I of course can do nothing about your father's will that he wrote when he was under the spell of that wretched whore of a mother of yours but...I can guarantee you'll see no money from me my pet." Donna was glaring at him even though his grip was hurting her.
Mitchell took hold of Nicholas’ arm, “I don’t know what rights you think you might have had before she was my wife. But she is now my wife and I would ask you kindly to take your hands off the lady.” He glared at his sister, who had just walked up to the three of them. Teresa pressed up against Nicholas, not wanting him to forget she was there and irritated that he was paying the girl attention. “Nicholas, let’s leave the newlyweds alone. I know she’s your niece, but surely they deserve to have a party.” She offered Donna a slight smile and extended her hand. “Teresa Pierce. It’s a pleasure to meet Nicholas’ niece. I’ve heard so much about you. Congratulations.”
Donna's face clouded with puzzlement. She knew this Teresa and Mic's sister were the same woman but if so then why was she not mentioning this. Nicholas removed his hand from Donna and offered a cordial smile. "Congratulations to you both." Then he turned his attentions back to Teresa. "Now, what did you have in mind darling?" he asked as he led her off a ways. "What was that?!" Donna asked quickly, thoroughly confused.
Mic laughed, though it was obvious he was confused as well. “I have no idea. Maybe she just likes your uncle and doesn’t want him to dump her because she knows me.” He looked at her thoughtfully. “Did he hurt you? I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting that or I would have been watching more closely. I figured he’d cause trouble but not physically.”
"I'm alright, he just startled me is all. He's never laid a hand on me quite like that before." Donna replied, "I can't believe...your sister and my uncle! I'm not sure quite who to feel sorry for..."
He laughed. “I’d lay odds on your uncle. I know your uncle’s type, he just likes to have someone push around. Teresa on the other hand is trouble down to the core.” He dropped his hand into hers. “Though I am curious how they met up. Kind of an odd coincidence, wouldn’t you say? I just hope Teresa doesn’t expect to have access to the boat tonight. I plan on being offshore seducing my wife as soon as socially possible.”
Donna smiled and then kissed him.
"So what would you like to do now my pet?" Nicholas caressed her with his words. "You know fate smiled on me the day I saw you on the Riviera."
“Oh, Nikki, I’m the lucky one.” She frowned slightly, “is this why you wanted to come here? To crash your niece’s party. I thought you were going to show me something.” She smiled slightly as she ran her hand along the satin dress he had given her for the night’s festivities. “I like your surprises.” She finished her martini and grabbed a glass of champagne when a waiter passed by with a tray of them.
"And just what is it I was going to show you?" He smiled at her, teasing her gently.
She tapped his arm lightly. “I don’t know, but I was having fun back in your room in that large tub of yours.” She took a sip of the champagne looking around the room; she spotted Donna and Mitchell and glanced away. But she couldn’t help but notice how happy they looked. She offered him her glass. “Would you like some? It’s pink, my favorite.” She smiled and planted a kiss on his cheek.
Nicholas smiled. "Actually I do have something for you." He motioned his assistant over to him and then he presented her with a black velvet rectangular case. Inside of the case was a giant blue heart shaped diamond necklace surrounded by diamonds suspended on pearls.
“Oh Nicholas, it’s beautiful. For me?” She ran her fingers along the pearls wondering if she’d ever seen so large a diamond before in her life. She looked at him apprehensively, wondering if this was a joke of some sort. Her mind quickly unfogged from the effects of the martinis she had had that evening.
"I bought it in Paris and its beauty reminded me of you. I want the world to see you as the elegant royal beauty that you are. A beauty that I am lucky enough to have on my arm. May I put it on you?" Nicholas asked sincerely, holding the glittering necklace before her.
She turned around and moved her hair from her neck. “Please,” she said softly. She brought her fingers to her neck when she felt it against her skin. “It’s lovely, Nicholas. Thank you. I don’t know what I did to deserve it or you, but whatever it is I hope I figure it out so I can keep doing it.” She slid her arm through his. “Now what? Are we staying here? We may as well dance if we are.”
Nicholas smiled, "Very well then, we'll dance." She slid into his arms and he guided her gracefully around the floor.
"Woah!" Donna gasped in Mic's ear. "I think there's really something between your sister and my uncle. Look at the bauble on her neck."
Mic glanced and returned his attentions to Donna. “Yes, well, if I knew what she was up to I’d warn him about her. But I don’t, so I can’t. She actually seems to be acting composed this evening, so unless she acts the drunken fool she normally acts like when I see her I’ll leave her be.” He thought a moment. “Do you want that lifestyle, Donna? Does that appeal to you? I mean baubles, cars, and so forth.”
Donna smiled softly, "Mic, if I had wanted baubles and cars I would have married one of the self-absorbed swaggering peacocks that tried to strike a deal with my uncle for my hand! The only treasure I want is love."
He smiled and kissed her. “I’m just asking,” he said softly. “My sister likes that sort of thing, craves it actually. And it seems your uncle likes to dish it out, so more power to them.” He chuckled lightly, “maybe they can make one another miserable and leave us the hell alone.”
Donna smiled and laughed lightly before she kissed her new husband. "One could only hope my love." She danced with him for three more songs before whispering. "Don't you believe that we have been here long enough?"
“Donna,” he said with a slight smirk. “I’m shocked. Are you suggesting we leave our guests so soon?” He pretended to be deep in thought. “I’d have to agree with you, though. We’ve said hello to everyone. They probably wouldn’t even notice we’ve left.” He offered her his arm, “ready sweetheart?”
Donna smiled and laughed lightly. She gathered up the back of her dress and they tried to sneak out, but it was to no avail. They were spotted and pelted with rice. Then the limo took them as close to the docked yacht as possible. Donna looked ethereal as she boarded it in her glistening white wedding dress.
There was a bare minimum crew aboard and all of the crew knew well enough to stay out of the couple’s way. Mic led her to the deck and took her into his arms. “Thank you, Mrs. Hall, for making me quite honestly the luckiest man alive. And the happiest.” He kissed her lightly as the wind picked up a bit, the sound of the waves lapping against the boat the wind’s accompaniment.
Story ©Susan Matthews/APCKRFAN/PhantomRoses.com & Lisa Bland