"Bud wants me to have dinner with him tonight."

"Sure, whatever you want. That's fine."

Savannah urged Peaches forward and Wilson followed along. Bees and leaves. Savannah ran the words through her mind again and again. Bees and leaves.

"Dinner for two again tonight? I wouldn't even know we have a guest in the house. I never see her," Michael joked while seasoning a couple of rib eye steaks to put on the grill.

"Yeah, she runs off with Bud every evening."

He stopped and looked at Savannah. "Now who would have thought?" he said. "Bud and Brianna. Brianna and Bud. Never in a million years."

"Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why do you find it hard to think of Bud and Brianna as a couple-not that they are a couple," Savannah said, tilting her head to one side.

"Well, for starters, when's the last time you saw Bud with a girl type? I've never even seen him flirt and believe me, there have been opportunities for flirting when we've been together someplace."

Savannah turned sharply toward Michael, the knife she was using to chop vegetables for the salad still in her hand. "What opportunities for flirting?"

"For him to flirt, not me. I'm spoken for, remember?" He held up his left hand and pointed to his wedding ring.

Savannah thought about it for a minute. "Maybe he's just shy. Or so interested in his work that he doesn't want to be distracted."

"Well, I'd say he's distracted this week," Michael pointed out. He stopped sprinkling garlic salt on the meat and turned toward Savannah. "Do you know what he said to me today?"

"What?" Savannah was all ears.

"He asked if Lisa could take over for him this weekend because he'd like to make plans to go out of town. Now when is the last time Bud has gone anywhere or asked for anyone to cover his rounds?"

"Hmmmm, do you suppose he and Brianna are planning to go somewhere? She didn't mention it to me."

"I think that's what he had in mind. But he didn't come right out and say it." Michael picked up the pan with the meat in it and headed for the kitchen door. "I'm going to put these on the grill."

"Want a beer, hon? I'm finished with the salad. I'll bring you one if you want and we can sit on the swing and watch the sunset."

"Sure!" he said enthusiastically.

"Come on, Lexie. Wanna go out?" Savannah said. "No, not you, Rags. You just sit up on the window perch Dad built for you and watch from there tonight, okay?" She motioned toward the perch and Rags climbed up the series of levels to the top, where he could sit comfortably and observe the goings-ons in the yard. "Good boy," she said.

"Uh-oh, Lexie, come back here," she called as she saw the dog take off out the door like a bullet.

"It's okay, it's just Dottie," Michael said. "Lexie will be back in a minute." The couple watched as the dog drew ever closer to a little black-and-white speckled rabbit. When Lexie was a few feet away, she came to a screeching halt. She took a few steps toward the rabbit, who simply kept eating the green gra.s.s and weeds on the far side of the expansive lawn. Lexie sniffed the rabbit and nudged him with her nose. When there was absolutely no response, the dog turned on her heels and trotted back to the porch to join Savannah and Michael.

"Is that rabbit deaf and blind?" Savannah asked. "He doesn't even flinch when Lexie comes barreling down on him."

"I think he just has the dog's number. He knows she won't hurt him. You know, they've been playing this same scenario out for months now."

"That's one strange bunny. It's a wonder he's still around with all of the real predators we have out here."

"Isn't that the truth?" he laughed.

When Michael sat down on the porch swing next to Savannah, she turned toward him and said, "Michael, Bud and Brianna visited a witch or gypsy or something last night and talked to her about our...uh...curse."

"Yeah? What did she say?"

"Something about bees and leaves."

"What?"

"That's all she would say. Said it is for us to figure out from there." She shook her head. "I just don't get it. What does it mean? Maybe I can get some answers on the Internet. What do you think?"

"I think you're taking this much too seriously."

"You do? And to what do you attribute the fact that we aren't pregnant yet?" she snapped.

"I don't have any answers; you know that. And I'm as disappointed as you are that it hasn't happened yet."

"I don't think so, Michael."

He looked stunned. "Why would you say that?"

"I'm disappointed for you, I think, more than I am for me. So I am doubly disappointed." She started to cry. "I feel like I'm letting you down. I so want to give you a child." She sobbed into her hands.

"Come here, sweetheart." He put his arm around her and pulled her to him. She leaned her head against his chest and continued sobbing.

"Just so you know-yes, I want our baby-lots of our babies. But this isn't what my life is all about. My life is about you-about us. I could not be happier. My life is perfect. A child would be most welcome. It would just enhance the perfection we already have together."

He pushed her away from him slightly so he could look into her face. "Honey, I am not disappointed in you. Sure, I want us to get pregnant and I had hoped it would be soon. But this is not what I'm living for. And I don't want you to make this your central purpose or...or, honey, we might begin to lose us in your obsession."

"You think I'm obsessed just because I want so much to give you a baby? Is that what you think-I'm being obsessive? I guess you just don't understand, Michael." She stood up and walked over to the kitchen door. "You know, I'm just not very hungry. I'm going to bed."

Now what did I say wrong? Michael wondered. I've really blown it. I've never seen Savannah act this way. All I wanted to do was to take some pressure off her so she could relax and enjoy what we have and I seem to have done just the opposite. I feel so awful. I've never had Savannah pull away from me like this. If only...

Chapter Twelve.

"I'm really glad you agreed to come with me this weekend, Brianna. When my dad started talking about me taking a trip to the wine country to look at a horse, I wasn't too interested. And then when you came along, I thought it might be a fun trip to share with you." Bud looked over at her and said, "You do make things fun. I don't think I've laughed as much all year as I have with you just this week."

"Yeah, we are a couple of laughaholics," she quipped.

"Laughaholics? Now that's a new one on me."

"That's 'cause I made it up." Brianna got serious. "Bud, have you thought any more about that curse and the bees and leaves thing?"

"Yeah, I can't figure it out. I've never been much into that stuff. I guess I kinda took it for granted, growing up with it. But it wasn't something I wanted to get involved in, except for the folklore remedies." He glanced over at Brianna and nodded. "Now that interests me."

"That's because you're involved in medicine and the science field, don't you think?"

"Yeah, probably. Does that interest you?"

"Oh yes. I'm fascinated with anything scientific or mystical, actually. I could sit and listen to your grandmother all weekend."

"Hey, I should have brought her along."

"That would have been fun, only..."

"Only what?" he asked.

"Oh, I was just thinking that...what if we wanted to make out or something?"

"Make out? Where did that come from? I mean..."

"Bud, I do believe you're blushing."

"Well, I do believe you are a bold woman."

"Yeah, I guess I am." Should I tell him what I've been thinking? I've thought about kissing him since the first day I met him and saw those kissable lips of his. And, even though we've been together every night since I got here, he hasn't tried to kiss me. All I could get out of him was a nice strong hug the night we went out to dinner. What's up with this guy? Is he a gentleman, shy or...surely, he's not gay.

"Don't you want to kiss me? I thought maybe that's why you brought me on this trip-for the opportunity to kiss me. Hey, we are going to share a room tonight, aren't we?"

"Um, yeah, we actually have a suite, so it's two rooms. I stayed at this place with my folks once. They know the couple who own it and they get a good rate. Does it sound okay to you?" he asked looking over at her briefly.

"Sounds nice. Sure."

"The view is great-it overlooks rolling hills with grapevines. It's actually a winery and they've added this bed and breakfast with all suites. Pretty cla.s.sy. Oh, and there's a Jacuzzi in each suite."

"Sounds really nice, Bud. Can't wait to see it." He's shy. I think he's just a late bloomer and he's shy around girls...er women. That's what I think.

Bud was deep in his own thoughts, Gosh she's pretty. Her skin is flawless. She has the s.e.xiest figure. I wonder if she has seen me looking at her; staring at her. I'm not usually one to be so instantly taken by a woman. But this one is way different. She's exciting and beautiful. I love being with her. I wonder if she's serious about wanting to kiss me. 'Cause I sure want to kiss her. It's practically all I've thought about since I met her. But the timing just didn't seem right. I've been so awkward in the past when it came to kissing a girl and I don't want to blow it this time-not with this woman. She may just be the one.

Brianna was enjoying the small talk as the couple traveled north. With each subject, she learned something new about Bud and had the opportunity to share something about herself. She was surprised to discover how similar their childhood dreams and interests had been, considering what very different people they were now. Or were they? He was certainly every bit as dedicated and devoted to his profession as she was to hers.

After driving and talking for about four hours, he announced, "We're here."

"Where?" she looked all around.

"This is the vineyard. The winery and inn are just up the road a ways. Pretty, isn't it?"

"It's beautiful. Lovely country. So different than Los Angeles...or Indiana."

"I'll bet. I've never been to either place."

Brianna looked at him in disbelief. "Really? I mean I can understand Indiana. Who goes to Indiana, unless you're enrolled in a university there? But you've never been to Los Angeles?"

"Nope," he said as he pulled his Ford Explorer into a driveway. Soon, a large Tudor inn came into view. They parked in front of it.

"This is gorgeous," Brianna said as she twirled around the room, trying to take it all in. "The decor, the view-look, we can sit out there on the balcony and watch the sunset. Where's the Jacuzzi?" she asked, excitedly.

Bud stood leaning against the door to the suite, his arms folded in front of him, watching Brianna with a big smile on his face. "Probably in the bathroom," he called after her, although she had already disappeared through the doorway.

"Wow, that's luxury," she said as she walked back into the room with her arms wrapped around herself, a dreamy look on her face. "I can't wait to get in there and feel all of those jets all over my body," she said.

"Want to take get in the Jacuzzi before we watch the sunset? I'll go get us a bottle of wine in the gift shop."

"No, I don't want to miss the sunset," she said. She looked over at Bud. "I feel like a kid in a candy store-so much to see and do and experience. She then walked over to him, put her arms around his neck and hugged him. "Thank you for bringing me here. I'm having such a good time and this..." she said, motioning with one arm, while keeping the other one wrapped around his neck... "this is an amazing perk." She felt Bud slip his arms around her waist. He pulled her around so she was facing him.

"I'm glad you came." He stared into her eyes for a moment and then slowly moved toward her until his lips touched hers ever so lightly.

"Mmmmm," she said.

He pulled back. "Excuse me?"

Nothing," she said just before kissing him back-quickly at first. And then she gave him a lingering kiss that left them both a little weak in the knees.

"I'll go..." Bud started, his voice a bit froggy. He cleared his throat. "I'll go get that wine now and a couple of gla.s.ses." He started to turn and then looked back at her and said, "Don't go anywhere."

"Are you kidding? I'll be right here waiting for you. You can be sure of that." She winked.

Earlier that same morning at the Ivey household: "Adam's here," Michael called out.

Savannah finished drying the last of the breakfast dishes. She checked to make sure the coffee was still hot and then she walked toward the living room. She watched as her husband gathered up his little boy in his arms in a giant hug. He then greeted Marci, Eric, and little Rose. Savannah smiled. She was so glad she had come to her senses (or that her hormones had pa.s.sed their crises) and that she and Michael had made up last night after her crazy outburst. Poor guy, what must he have thought? Yes, it had to have been a hormonal thing and stress, perhaps. Whatever it was, I will not let it happen again. I never want to see that kind of hurt in Michael's eyes again.

"Hi Marci, Eric. Come on in. I have fresh coffee and m.u.f.fins."

"Oh, m.u.f.fnins," Adam said. "Savannah makes good m.u.f.fnins." He looked back at his parents. "Come see my room," he said, excitement in his voice. "Where's Rags? He probably wants to see Mom and my other dad, too."

"His other dad," Marci repeated, shaking her head. "He has two dads and that's just the way he wants to keep it," she said.

"I think it's great, don't you?" Savannah smiled. "How many little boys have two such devoted dads that he loves equally?" she said as the two women followed Adam and his two dads up the stairs. Lexie walked next to Marci, trying to get a better look at the child she held in her arms. Rose leaned over reaching her little hand toward the dog.

"I just hope it doesn't hurt Michael's feelings that he still calls Eric, Dad," she confided.

"Not at all. I can tell you that he is happy that Adam has Eric in his life."

"Mom, come see my room," Adam called from the top of the staircase.