Stolen Moments (And Then Came Love Book 2) (6 page)

“Mom!”

“Stop teasing her.”

Trevor bumped Arianna’s shoulder. “Who said I was teasing?”

Arianna chuckled.

“Please say you’re not going to marry this guy?” Mina rolled her eyes.

“I was thinking tomorrow, what do you think, Trevor?”

He shrugged. “I could do tomorrow, but it has to be after noon, because it’s hard to get up in the morning.”

Mina stalked toward the door.

“Did I do that right?” Trevor winked at Arianna.

“I think you did a fine job.” Arianna trailed her daughter out of the hall.

Trevor held the door for them. “Did you want to sit between us in the front seat on the way to the airport?”

“You are so not funny.” Mina sneered.

Arianna bit her lip as they headed out into the parking lot.

Trevor opened the door.

Mina scrambled inside.

Arianna climbed in the front seat.

“Did you need anything else at your hotel?” Trevor closed the door behind him.

“I put everything in the truck before I left.” Arianna looked across the console at Trevor.

“What do you think about driving back to Indiana?”

“We already have plane tickets. Nonrefundable, I may add.” Trevor raised an eyebrow. “Not that I care about the money.”

“Oh come on, wouldn’t it be fun to be spontaneous and drive back home?” Arianna grinned. Her face brightened and her eyes twinkled. “It’s only a what twelve-hour drive? It’s Saturday, we don’t have to be home until tomorrow.”

“I suppose we could.”

“Please don’t tell me you’re serious?” Mina looked at both of them. “You’re going to make me spend twelve hours in a car with the two of you?”

“The idea is appealing to me more and more.” Trevor smiled.

“So we can?” Arianna pleaded.

“All right, we’ll drive.”

Mina sulked, pressing her lips together.

“Who knew a teenager would be disappointed about a road trip.”

“A road trip with your mother and her annoying boyfriend is not what any teenager wants to do.”

“You’ll get used to me.” Trevor chuckled.

“Do I have too?” Mina turned to look out the window.

*****

Arianna leaned her head back against the seat. She glanced at the clock.

Two-twenty-two. Her eyes drifted closed.
How Trevor was managing to stay awake was beyond her.

Trevor looked over at her and smiled. “You can sleep. At some point, I’m going to need you to take over and I will be sleeping then.”

“Can we stop for something to eat? I’m starving.” Mina looked up from the tablet.

“I’ll stop at the next exit and we can stretch our legs and grab something to eat.” Trevor nodded. He glanced in the backseat. “How often does she go over your minutes on that thing?”

She laughed. “We have unlimited data. It was either that or keep paying overage charges.” She turned to Mina. “Read a book.”

Mina turned the tablet around. “I am.”

“Guess you can’t fault her for reading.” Trevor smiled. “I like reading on my tablet. A little lighter than holding a book in your hand.”

“I love the feel of a book in my hand. The smell of the pages and the sound they make when you turn them. I was always in trouble for reading past my bedtime.”

“I had the same issue.” Trevor nodded. “Too many books and not enough time to read them. I don’t know how many times Mom caught me reading in bed long after I should have been asleep.”

“I’ve caught Mina a couple times already. Although, she tends to read on the tablet and that has to strain her eyes.”

“I read real books too, Mom. And wouldn’t it be less strain on your eyes than trying to read an actual book in the dark? At least on the tablet you have a light.”

“She’s a smart-aleck.” Arianna pursed her lips.

“Like her mother?” Trevor whispered.

Arianna smacked his arm. “You’re an ass.”

Trevor shrugged. “It runs in the family. Remember the comments my brothers made the other day?”

“You have brothers?” Mina put the tablet down on her lap.

“I have nieces and nephews your age.” Trevor flipped on the turn signal and took the exit ramp. “I’m sure you’ve met Marissa’s kids. And then I have a nephew Keegan, who’s seventeen.”

“Keegan’s your nephew?” Mina frowned. “I know him.”

“How well?” Trevor raised an eyebrow.

“I know him. I didn’t say I was dating him.” Mina rolled her eyes. “I know Marissa’s kids too.”

“Shouldn’t you be asleep?”

“Didn’t you just tell him I’m always up late reading?”

“Right.”

Trevor chuckled and pulled into the gas station rest area.

“Are we getting food?” Mina opened the back door.

“Yes.” Arianna leaned her head against the seat. “Think she’ll be okay to go to the bathroom by herself?”

Trevor looked around. “At a rest stop at two thirty in the morning?”

“Maybe this wasn’t the best idea.” She got out of the car and walked with Mina toward the door.

Trevor took her hand. “I’m sure once you get home and things get back to normal it will be better.”

Arianna sighed. “I’m working the next three Saturdays. Your family is going to make you go to Sunday brunch sometime.” She folded her arms over her chest as they stood outside the bathrooms. “We’re back to lunch breaks and time with us and Mina.”

“I’m sure we’ll find time. She could stay with friends at least one time in the next couple weeks.” Trevor smiled. He leaned forward and captured her lips.

Arianna’s eyes drifted closed. She wrapped her arms around his neck.

He brought his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. “They’re playing our song.”

Arianna cocked her head to the side. She strained to hear the chords she knew so well through the tinny speakers of the rest area.

Trevor grabbed her hand and pulled her over to the sunglasses rack.

“What are you doing?”

He handed her a pair of sunglasses. “I believe the song said that you’d look great in cheap sunglasses. I wanted to see if it was right.”

Arianna blushed as she put the sunglasses on. “What’s the verdict?”

“The song’s right. You’d look great in anything.”

Arianna hugged him tight and pressed a kiss to his lips.

“Really?” Mina walked past. “We’re in public.”

Trevor pushed Arianna against the wall and deepened the kiss.

Arianna giggled and pushed him off of her, then wiped her mouth with her hand. “You are so bad.”

Trevor shrugged.

“Not the best way to get my daughter to like you.” She smiled as they walked over to the fast food counter.

“I don’t know. I’m showing her that I care about her mother whether she’s there or not. Considering she thinks she was the reason most of the other guys in your life left, it may work to my advantage.”

Arianna nodded. “In a backwardsly way that makes a lot of sense.”

“Backwardsly?”

Arianna shrugged. “I was tired one night and ended up sending Mina a text with backwardsly in it, she teased me and it kind of stuck.”

“Nice.” Trevor nodded.

“Can we order or are we just going to stand here?” Mina glanced at them.

Trevor chuckled and they headed up to the counter.

*****

Arianna stood outside the house and yawned. “I think I’m going to sleep through until tomorrow morning.”

“I’m thinking the same thing.” Trevor rested his forehead against hers. “So when do we see each other again?”

“Connie sent me with exercises to do at home before I left, so I’m done with PT, but if you’re interested we could still have lunch the days you have it.”

“I think that can be arranged. Let me text you with my schedule?”

“Sounds great. Maybe we can manage to sneak away and have some time to ourselves.”

“Do you still have Friday afternoon off?”

“I work late on Tuesday and Thursday, so I always have Friday afternoon off.”

“There’s a state park around here. It’s the one I’ll be working at when they release me. We could go for a hike after work.”

“I love it.”

Trevor kissed her. “I have therapy tomorrow, so I’ll see you for lunch then.”

“Yes.” Arianna smiled. “Have a good night.”

“You too.” Trevor waved as he headed back to his truck.

Chapter Six

April 13th

Arianna grabbed her purse and headed for the back door. Finally, an afternoon with just her and Trevor. No work. No Mina. Just her and Trevor alone for the next three and a half glorious hours.

She hurried out into the hallway and stopped.

Trevor stood across from her. He wore a white t-shirt and black sweatpants. “I need to change before we go anywhere.” He motioned to his clothes.

“You still look good.” She reached up and ran her fingers through his hair. “Looks like you got quite a workout.”

“More like I sweated to death. They had the heat up to 90.” Trevor fanned his shirt and cringed. “A shower may be in order as well.”

“They keep the heat at 72-73, just to make sure everyone’s warm enough. Anywhere with babies especially.” Arianna smiled. “I need to change as well. I doubt hiking in heels and a skirt would be that great.”

“No, although, I like the outfit.”

“Why don’t we stop at my place, you can shower, and we’ll both change clothes.”

“And then?”

“We’re going hiking?” Arianna cocked her head to the side.

“Sounded like there may be something else on your mind.” Trevor put his arm around her as they headed out of the building.

“Maybe.” Arianna grinned.

“I think I like the sound of that.”

*****

Trevor stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist.

A crash sounded from the next room.

He pulled open the door.

Arianna stood there wide eyed. “What was that?”

Trevor shrugged. “I don’t know, but I’m about to find out.”

“It sounded like it came from Mina’s room,” she whispered and pointed to the room next to the bathroom.

He slowly opened the door.

Mina stood before him. Her mouth agape. “Why are you in my house naked?” She covered her hands with her eyes. “Ew!”

Trevor’s face reddened and he turned around. “It’s your daughter.”

Arianna bit her lips and stifled a laugh.

“It’s not funny.”

“It is.” A chuckle escaped.

“Now who’s the asshole?” Trevor disappeared into the bathroom closing the door behind him.

He grabbed his bag and got dressed at warp speed and then headed out of the bathroom again.

Arianna was in the middle of a rant to Mina about skipping school.

Trevor caught movement in the corner of the room and cocked his head to see.

He stroked Arianna’s shoulder.

“What?” she shouted.

He motioned to the pregnant girl standing in the corner of Mina’s room.

Arianna’s mouth dropped open, she snapped it shut. “How far along are you?”

The girl blushed. “I’m around twenty-seven weeks.”

“Have you been to a doctor? Are you taking your prenatal vitamins? Have you had the proper tests and nutrition?”

Trevor put his hands on Arianna’s shoulders.
She was going to scare this girl half to death.

“Mom.” Mina held up her hands.

“What?” Arianna turned on her daughter, her hands planted firmly on her hips.

Trevor rubbed her shoulders. “Calm down, take it slow.”

Mina raised her voice. “She doesn’t have any place to live. Her mother kicked her out.”

Arianna’s eyes widened. “You can’t live on the street while you’re pregnant.” She rushed the girl.

The girl’s eyes grew to the size of saucers, she took a step back, and hit the wall. A look of fear filled her eyes and her lower lip quivered.

Arianna threw her arms around the girl. “Lord have mercy.” She turned to Trevor. “We need to go back to the office. I need to do a full work-up—”

“Mom stop!” Mina stomped her foot.

She turned to look at her daughter. “What?”

Mina motion toward the girl. “You’re scaring her and she’s scared enough as it is.”

Arianna glanced over at her.

She huddled in the corner, shivering, tears streaming down her face.

“Oh honey, what’s your name?” She walked over and put her arm around the girl.

The girl flinched, but followed Arianna over to sit on Mina’s bed. “Candace.”

“Let’s start from the beginning. Your parents kicked you out?” Arianna rubbed Candace’s back.

Trevor could see the wheels turning. Arianna was reminded of herself at that age. He grabbed a box of Kleenex and handed them to her. He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Remember how you felt.”

Arianna closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Thank you,” she whispered to Trevor. She held the box out for Candace. “What about the baby’s father? Is there any help from him or his family?”

Trevor stepped back and leaned against the wall.

Mina stood next to the bed, her head down, and her hands behind her back.

He motioned for her to come stand by him.

She hesitated momentarily, but then moved over, and stood arms length away from him.

At least she didn’t hate him. She was at least comfortable enough with him to take minor directions.

Candace blew her nose. “My mom threw me out when she found out I was pregnant. I know who the father is, but I can’t tell anyone. His family would flip.”

“So he’s still in the picture?”

Candace shook her head. “No. We broke up.”

Trevor puckered his brow.

“How old are you?” Arianna squeezed her hand.

“I’m fifteen.”

She sucked in a breath and looked at Trevor and Mina. “All right, you’re twenty-seven weeks, who have you been seeing for prenatal care?”

“I’ve been going to the free clinic. I don’t know if I have insurance and I can’t get a hold of my mother to figure out anything.” Candace sniffled.

Arianna nodded. “So there has been at least a little prenatal care. Have you been taking your vitamins and have you had an ultrasound?”

“I had one early in the pregnancy, but none since then.” Candace wiped her nose again.

Trevor felt sorry for both of them. Arianna, because it was bringing up her past and Candace because she was going through this at such a young age.

“What about blood tests? Does the clinic do any blood tests?” Arianna counted on her fingers.

Trevor assumed she was going through the list of questions in her head that she normally asked.

Candace shook her head.

“All right.” Arianna looked at Trevor. “Would you be willing to drive us to my office?”

Trevor straightened. Like she even had to ask. “No problem.”

Arianna stood and walked over to where Mina was standing. She rested her hands on her daughter’s shoulders. “Before this goes any further, were you sneaking her in because she had no place else to go?”

Mina nodded and dropped her gaze to the floor. “I didn’t know how you’d react. I thought it would be better if I snuck her in and I knew you and Trevor were supposed to be going out this afternoon.”

Arianna lifted her chin and looked her in the eyes. “First off. I’m an OB, if there is a pregnancy involved, I’m going to care. Second off. If the pregnant girl is homeless you should have brought her here sooner. Third.” Arianna turned to Candace.

Candace wiped her eyes with the tissue.

“I’ve been where you are. I was fifteen, pregnant, and tossed out of my house. I haven’t seen my mother since she found out I was pregnant with Mina. Just another reason that I wish my daughter would have brought you here sooner.”

“I’m sorry, Mom.” Mina looked down at her hands.

“You’re not off the hook for the skipping school thing, but I do appreciate that you tried to help someone who needed help.” Arianna kissed her daughter’s forehead. “Thank you for that.”

Trevor moved out of the way so Arianna could move past. “Let’s go.”

*****

Arianna stood by the sink later that evening.

Trevor wrapped his arms around her.

She leaned against his chest. “I was looking forward to our hike today.”

“It will happen. There’s always next Friday.” He massaged the muscles in her shoulders and neck.

She moaned. “That feels so good.” Arianna paused. “Something will come up. Something always seems to come up.”

“We’ll have a night out to ourselves sometime in the near future? How’s that sound?”

“Like a long time away?” She turned around the face him. “I still have to figure out what I’m going to do with the two of them. “She’s skipped school, even though it was for a halfway noble reason I can’t just have them coming home here every night and waiting until I get home.”

“Why don’t you send them over to my place?”

Arianna raised an eyebrow. “You’d do that? Watch my kid and a random stranger to make me feel more comfortable?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Trevor chuckled. “I like you, Ari. I want to spend time with you. I also know you have a family. One that just grew a little more and could use a hand. I’m not opposed to stepping in.”

“You’re wonderful. I don’t know how you’ve stayed single for so long.”

“I’ve been in the military for the last twelve years, remember? Makes it hard to think long term or even short term when it comes to relationships.”

“Well, I’m glad I found you right out of the military, because some other lucky lady would have snatched you up for sure.” Arianna kissed his lips.

She closed her eyes when he traced her bottom lip with his tongue. Her lips drifted apart.

Candace giggled.

“Mom.” Mina groaned.

Arianna dropped her head against his chest. “We need some alone time.”

“I promise you, I’ll find a time to make that happen.”

“Feel free to make it as soon as possible.” She hugged him close, relishing the feel of his arms around her.

“I’ll do what I can.”

*****

April 18th

Trevor tossed his keys on the table and walked over to his desk. He turned to the two teenagers moping into the room. “There’s chips and salsa in the pantry and then you need to do your homework.”

“What if I don’t have any homework?” Mina muttered as she walked over to the pantry.

“What would your teachers say if I called them?”

“That I don’t have homework.”

“Who’s your English teacher? Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Hart, Mrs. Gardner, or Mrs. Reilly?”

“Mrs. Reilly, why?”

“Freshman Honor’s English and you don’t have homework? I find that hard to believe.”

Mina spun around to face him. “How do you know I’m in Honor’s English?”

“The only Freshman class Mrs. Reilly teaches is Honor’s English. She’s my cousin and was my teacher in High School.” Trevor sat down at his desk and opened his laptop.

“We’re supposed to read, but I’ve already finished the book. The only thing I have to do tonight is finish my math homework, but I’m clueless on how to do it.” Mina placed the chips and salsa on the coffee table and plopped down on the couch.

“I can help you.” Candace smiled. “I love math.”

“Glad someone does.” Mina sighed and pulled out her book.

Trevor clicked on the icon for his game and figured he’d log a little time while the teens were doing their homework.

“What are you doing?”

Trevor looked over his shoulder.

Mina stood there.

“Gaming.” He glanced over at the table. It had been a bit since he started playing. “Homework done?”

She nodded. “What are you playing?”

“Star Wars: The Old Republic.”

“It looks fun.” Mina motioned to a chair nearby. “Do you mind if I watch?”

“Do you do much gaming?” Trevor glanced over at her.

“I’ve done a bit. Mom’s more of a gamer than I am. Although she doesn’t have the time anymore to play.” Mina dragged the chair over.

Trevor stood up and motioned for his chair.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to mess up your game?”

He shook his head and grinned. “No way you’ll mess me up. I’m playing a top level character.”

Mina sat down and looked at the game.

He pointed to the keyboard. “The W, A, S, and D keys move you around the map and when you’re fighting all you have to do is click the moves with your mouse.” Trevor pointed to the four bars at the bottom of the screen. “You’re playing a mercenary. Most of the time you won’t use more than the first five moves on the top bar.”

She leaned in. “You have heals on your second bar, it looks like.” Mina scanned the mouse over the different moves.

Trevor nodded. “Off heals, enough to keep you alive for a little while, not enough to be a healer.”

Mina glanced over at him. “Dps heavy or tank heavy?”

“I guess you are a bit of a gamer.” He chuckled.