Chapter 3
The long walk into town and back wore them out, but no one seemed quite ready to crawl into bed. As the guys settled onto the bench on the porch, Victoria found a soft quilt to wrap around herself. She slipped in between George and Elias, laying her head against the first's shoulder.
"Warm?" George whispered as he slid his arm between her lower back and the bench and pulling her tight against him.
"Mmm… Yes, very." She relaxed into his embrace and than tipped her head up to him, a spark of contented bliss in her smile.
Elias fought a yawn as he stretched his legs out in front of him. He failed to cover the marks of an exhausted teenager, earning a raised eyebrow from his mother.
"I'm going." He mumbled to the silent prompt from her. Standing he squeezed her hand and leaned down to let her kiss him on the cheek. "Love you, Mom."
"I love you too, Elias, get some rest." She smiled at him as he headed inside and she laid back against George.
After a couple of minutes George sighed. "I should be getting home, get some sleep. I have to be at my best to face Morley tomorrow." He pulled his arm out and stood, suddenly aware that she was standing with him. "Victoria?"
She was sound asleep already.
He pulled his old ball cap off and tossed it on the side of the bench where Elias had been sitting. Than he pushed the quilt off of her shoulders. "Can't leave you here." He mumbled to himself as he scooped her up into his arms. He smiled as he felt the ease and comfort with which she melted against him. He'd never dared to pick her up when they dated as teenagers. She was always so stubborn, independent, never feminine at all, but Victoria was all grown up and more beautiful than he ever remember. This felt right. He carried her to her room and set her down on the bed, easing her against the soft pillows and pulling her boots off. He dragged the blankets over her and kissed her on her cheek. "Goodnight, darling." He turned to go, but paused as he heard her stir.
"Please stay, George."
"I think I can do that." He responded cautiously, uncertain of what she wanted.
She slid herself to the other side of the bed, near the wall and shrugged off the sweatshirt she had on, leaving a comfortable looking tee beneath.
He unlaced his boots and kicked them near to the foot of the bed where he'd tossed hers. "I'm absolutely filthy you know?"
"So am I." She smiled. "It doesn't matter, I need to wash the sheets anyway. I just…" She trailed off as a serious tone replaced the silly, up-too-late one they had.
He relaxed onto the bed, rolling onto his side and propping his head up with his hand. "You just..?" He encouraged softly, wanting genuinely to know.
"I like this…" She gestured between them with a single finger. "This not being alone thing. I mean, past few dates you've left after dinner and I felt lonely, almost cried." She took a breath to sort her thoughts and buy time while he watched her. She pushed her own head up off the pillow, mirroring his stance. "You make me feel safe. I haven't had that in a long time, and especially lately, I've never been vulnerable with anyone and it's ok to be now."
He rubbed a finger along the bare arm resting on the bed between them. "If it's all the same to you, I'd rather never leave." The sudden silence worried him and he tried to flash her a teasing smile. "I'm sorry, Victoria, I'm prob'ly going too fast."
"It's not that." She forced a smile, trying to reassure him. "I've always thought about Elias first. Always. Especially after Bill left us, but now… he likes you, he trusts you. I don't have to worry because he wants us as much as I do."
"No kidding. Probably longer than you realize. He's been pushing me to ask you out since he could talk."
She smiled at that and shook her head in disbelief. "Not so sure you're being honest, entirely."
He pressed his finger against her lips. "Don't over think any of this, just go with it."
"Ya know, you're shirt has more than just dirt on it, there's blood stains too."
He looked down at his shirt. "Must have wiped some cuts off on it, damn white."
She laughed at his growling and semi-groggy attitude expressed at his shirt. She tugged at it and it freed from his pant waist where it'd been tucked in. "Take it off, you'll be more comfortable anyway."
He did as she asked and dropped it onto his boots. "Better?"
"I should be asking you." She giggled and she placed her hand against his strong, tanned chest, feeling the muscles beneath her fingertips. His heart was beating faster now. "Ssh… don't worry, I don't bite." She teased gently. She kissed him, his rough lips forcing hers apart slightly. She let her tongue touch his, briefly before she pulled back.
He took her arm pulling her back to him slowly. "I don't bite either." He wasn't playful anymore, his tone had become soft and soothing.
She relaxed against him as she again kissed him, this time exploring it more, not pulling away.
"Mom? Mom it's late. Are you up?" Elias' voice was alive with a new eagerness, but a little worried from the other side of the door.
Victoria, who was lying on her stomach, face in the pillow, managed to drag her arm out from under George who was sprawled half over her, half underneath. She squinted to see the tiny hands on her watch and groaned. 11:22. She rarely slept past five, although she had to admit it'd been a very, very long night. "Yeah, I'm… up. Did you feed-"
"It's done, Mom… I'm making sandwiches."
"Oh." She started to untangle herself from the sheets that were all but binding about her legs. "I'll be out in a minute." She moved his leg off of her and chuckled as she saw the drool pooling against the pillow he was on. "Good morning." She whispered as she climbed over him and out of the bed, searching near desperately for some clothes. She heard him begin moving and she became aware of the stupid grin on her face. She felt like she was seventeen again, breaking all the rules with the sexy stargazing, sailor wanna-be. She shook him gently. "It's almost 11:30." She pressed her lips against his cheek, giggling as the growth tickled her lips.
"Morning?"
She knelt down beside the bed and nodded. "Not for too much longer."
"Damn." He growled as he eased up and swung his legs over the edge, one on either side of her. "I should…. Re-clothe."
She smiled softly.
"Than I'll head to the bank."
"Thank you. This means more than anything to me."
He pulled her up so she was kneeling as high as she could with out being off the floor. He kissed her softly, tangling his fingers in her short hair. "Don't even think about any of it. After this afternoon, the farm will belong solely to Victoria Elizabeth Riddler."
She placed her hands on his bare knees and leaned into him, resting her head against his chest. "I love you so much, George."
He pushed her back a moment to look into her eyes before cupping his hands around her cheeks and chin. "I know it." He laughed out loud and struggled to stand without pushing her over.
She moved to get up and laughed hysterically as he stumbled around trying to find where his clothes had wound up.
