It was the best smell she’d ever encountered.
She inhaled deeply, wanting to savor every bit.
“Sam, Garrett, Donovan? Is that you?”
The feminine voice came closer, and in another moment a small woman rounded the corner as if on wheels. She collided with Garrett, bounced off and then promptly pounced on the much larger man.
“Garrett!”
She pulled him into her arms, and Sophie watched in fascination as Garrett transformed in front of her eyes. He went from surly, scowling ape to a gentle mama’s boy. It was mind-boggling.
He scooped her up in his arms, though she seemed to be doing most of the hugging.
“We’re fine, Ma. Quit squeezing me so hard or I won’t be able to breathe.”
She kissed both cheeks, patted one and then turned her attention to Donovan, who was watching with an amused smile.
“Gee, Mom, you’d think you never saw us.”
She scowled at him, and Sophie could see where Garrett got it. Their mom could be quite ferocious when provoked.
She hugged Donovan fiercely, patting and squeezing in random patterns.
“I’ve been so worried. Sean showed up mumbling about safety and trouble and then wouldn’t let your father or me out of the house. I was tempted to turn him over my knee.”
Sam pushed forward shaking his head. “Sean did exactly what he was supposed to do, Ma. Don’t be giving him any trouble.”
Mrs. Kelly turned to Sam and her face softened. At the same time she caught sight of Sophie standing to Sam’s side and her expression froze.
She looked at Donovan and then quickly back at Sam and then focused on Sophie again.
“What in the world?”
She started toward Sophie, and it was all Sophie could do not to turn around and run.
Mrs. Kelly’s hands came up to brace Sophie’s arms, but Sam was there to push one away from her injury.
“Careful, Ma. She’s been hurt.”
Sam’s voice was soft and husky, almost tender. Sophie’s knees began to shake because she couldn’t take this. It was too much. She was scared out of her mind, and the last thing she wanted was rejection.
“Oh my word,” Mrs. Kelly breathed out.
And before Sophie could expend any more time being terrified, the woman enfolded her in her embrace as carefully as she would a child. And just as suddenly she pulled away and aimed a ferocious glare up at Sam.
“Sam Kelly, what is the meaning of this? This poor girl looks like she’s been in the lake.”
She reached up and touched Sophie’s bedraggled hair and frowned. Then she glanced downward.
“She doesn’t even have shoes!”
Sam held up his hands, but his mom ignored him.
Her gaze fastened on Sophie’s belly, and Sophie went completely still. She stood there in dread, chin up, her knees so locked it was a wonder she hadn’t passed out yet.
“She’s pregnant! Oh dear Lord. Sam what were you thinking?”
Sam’s eyebrows went up, and he backed away as if unsure of what his mom was referencing.
“Mom, listen to me, okay? There are some things you need to know.”
“Make it quick,” she snapped.
Sam went back to Sophie’s side and pulled her against him in a gesture that could hardly go unnoticed by his mother. And indeed, Mrs. Kelly’s eyebrow went up, and she looked between Sam and Sophie with obvious curiosity.
“Sophie and I met five months ago while I was on a mission in Mexico. We were . . . involved. She’s in trouble now and needs our help. The entire family could be in trouble, which is why we sent Sean over to stay with you and Dad. My teams will be here in a few hours—”
Whatever else he might have said was lost in his mother’s gasp.
“Sam Kelly, is this my grandchild you’re allowing to stand in my kitchen with its mother shivering cold and barefooted?”
Sam sighed. “Yes, ma’am.”
“For God’s sake, and to think I thought Joe was the son lacking in common sense.”
She turned to Sophie, ignoring Sam. “Sophie, I’m Marlene Kelly and please do call me Marlene. I’ll introduce you to Frank, but first my idiot son needs to take you upstairs for a hot bath and a fresh change of clothes.”
Sophie smiled, or she tried, but her lips were quivering, and she tried to control the knocking of her knees. The idea of a hot bath was so wonderful that she nearly buckled on the spot. And would have, but Marlene wrapped an arm around her waist and held her up.
“Go on, Sam, before the poor thing falls over. Garrett and Donovan can tell me all about it while you’re up taking care of your responsibilities.”
She pinned Sam with a stare that probably made all her sons quake in their boots.
Sam threaded his hand through Sophie’s and pulled her away from his mother. She wanted that bath. Really wanted it, but she couldn’t imagine how she’d manage.
“Maybe I should take a shower instead. I’m not sure I’d be able to get out of the tub once I got in.”
Her face tightened, and she looked around to make sure no one had overheard her.
Sam smiled, easing the lines around his eyes.
“Don’t you worry about that. I’ll help you in and out.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh.”
He cocked one eyebrow at her. “I’ve seen you naked, Sophie.”
She valiantly tried to control the rush of heat creeping up her neck.
He smiled again and then moved to the side of her and lifted her into his arms.
“I can walk.”
“I know. But you’ll put less stress on those wounds if I carry you.”
With that, he headed for the stairs, striding past his family as if they weren’t even there. She refused to make eye contact with any of them. She had no desire for their judgment.
When they reached the bathroom, he flipped on the light and set her carefully on the counter so that her legs dangled over the edge. Then he reached over to turn on the water in the big garden tub.
Soon steam rose and she was salivating. She hurt with how badly she wanted that tub full of hot water. She twitched with impatience, watching as the level slowly rose.
“I’ll help you get undressed then I’ll get you in the tub. I’ll leave you for as long as you want to soak, and when you want to get out just call for me, okay?”
She nodded, too tongue-tied to get words past her lips. He was right. He’d seen her naked. He’d seen her wanton. He’d seen her as indelicately as a man could ever see a woman. There wasn’t an inch of her body he hadn’t explored, and vice versa. So why was she acting so maidenly now? She was pregnant with his child, for God’s sake.
But then there hadn’t been exposed lies between them. No exposed secrets. They’d just been two lovers so wrapped up in each other that the outside world hadn’t been able to intrude.
“Soph?” he called softly.
She blinked and refocused on him. His fingers were in the waistband of the too large pair of sweats. He was making sure she was okay with it, and for some reason that softened her heart.
“Let’s get this over with. I want to get into that tub so bad, I’d crawl in fully clothed.”
He chuckled and slid the pants down until they gathered around her ankles. With a gentle tug they were gone, and he dropped them on the floor.
“I’m going to put you down and then we’ll get you out of your shirt.”
She gave a groan of protest when her feet hit the floor. She didn’t have it in her to stand. Fatigue edged out the pain by a ratio of at least ten to one. Pain had nothing on her desire to sleep. For a year. Pregnancy was exhausting enough. Add in running cross-country, taking multiple dips in the lake and avoiding assholes with knives and guns?