The Sky of Endless Blue

by Ava Miles

  “Join the club,” she said, not rising from her position.

  He pulled out one of the chairs in front of the desk and joined her. “I didn’t expect her to…mess with you.”

  “It’s not surprising, I suppose,” Caroline said, closing her laptop. “Kendra bragged about selling a painting to you, which wasn’t very professional of her.”

  “And yet so common in the art world when it comes to big art fish like me,” J.T. said. “I’ve always found it annoying. I’m sorry. What can I do to make it better? Have you had lunch yet? I know it’s late…”

  “Cynthia told me why she’s intent on messing with you,” Caroline said, kicking back in her chair with an aloofness he wasn’t used to from her.

  He remembered how easily they’d laughed together over their dinners in Rome. Right now, those seemed ages ago. “Did she now?”

  “I’ve had a while to think about it.”

  Those words seemed ominous. “And what did you decide?”

  “You broke her heart,” she said quietly. “Somehow I hadn’t expected that. Not after what you’d told me yesterday.”

  He knew it was true, to some extent, but he also knew Cynthia had a remarkable ability to manipulate people and garner sympathy.

  “She asked me if I’d ever been in love, and I honestly couldn’t tell her I had. She said she’d pinned all her hopes and dreams on you, more or less.”

  That was classic Cynthia. “Not all, perhaps, but some, of course. One has to pin some of them to consider marriage. It wasn’t a commitment I took lightly. I loved her too, you know.”

  Caroline looked him in the eye, her gaze intent. “Then what happened?” she asked.

  He’d hoped what he’d shared with her yesterday would be enough, but if she needed to know more about the breakup to understand, he’d give it to her.

  “She was beautiful and elegant, of course. That struck me right away. We had a lot in common, and, well, I thought she was a good person. Trev says I got snowed in by all the philanthropy she does.”

  “So what helped you see her differently?” she asked, crossing her arms.

  His brow wrinkled at her sign of discomfort. Heck, he couldn’t blame her. He wasn’t comfortable either.

  “When I suggested she join me for a goodwill tour to some terrific charities in the Middle East and Africa that I was visiting as a representative of Merriam Oil & Gas, she balked. It was beneath her, she said, and suddenly I realized she only wanted to…raise money like a socialite might. Not get her hands ‘dirty,’ so to speak. She didn’t care to meet the real people she was helping.”

  For the first time, he’d recognized the look of calculation in her eyes. Cynthia had apologized and tried to fix it with sex, but he’d started to realize his wife wasn’t the woman he’d thought he had married.

  “Then it was a bunch of little things that didn’t feel so little to me. I caught her dressing down the coat check person after I went outside to give the valet our ticket. I was appalled. The woman had only misplaced her fur. It certainly wasn’t a reason for Cynthia to question her intelligence and make her feel like shit.

  “It went downhill quickly after that. I caught her being rude to one of our custodians at the office, and I mean ugly rude. I didn’t want to be with someone like that.”

  “I’m glad you find that type of behavior upsetting,” she said. “Not everyone would.”

  Sad but true. “We Merriams might have money, but we’ve never believed we’re above anyone. We always try to treat people with respect and kindness. I honestly don’t understand why anyone would do otherwise.”

  “So you left.”

  “There was more to it,” he said cautiously, not sure how much detail to give. “I thought she’d settle down with me in Rome, but she was constantly trying to talk me into taking time off. She didn’t think I should work so hard. I was rich. Why did I need to toil and sweat every day? There was this party she wanted us to go to in Milan, but I had a big meeting the next day. She tried to persuade me to send an ‘underling’ in my place, saying that was what important people did. You get the picture. When I told her I loved what I did, she was baffled.”

  “You weren’t who she thought you were either,” Caroline said, pushing aside her laptop.

  The weight of his past seemed to extend the divide between them. He wanted to curse Cynthia yet again.

  “No, I wasn’t, and when I told her that we weren’t right for each other, she went kinda crazy. She said no one left her—and a whole bunch of other stuff not fit for anyone’s ears. I…didn’t let it sway me. I thought it would be a simple divorce. We hadn’t been married long. We both had our own money.”

  “But that wasn’t how it went,” she finished for him. “You were smart to get out when you did. More time wouldn’t have helped, I don’t think.”

  He wanted to reach out and touch her. To stroke her cheek. But he didn’t dare, not until he finished. “No, it would only have made it worse. She said she wanted kids, but I quickly realized she didn’t mean it the same way I did. She planned to hire a nanny to raise the kids and then ship them off to boarding school like her parents had done with her.”

  “I’m trying to summon some compassion for her, but I just can’t,” Caroline said. “Everyone has something in their past they need to overcome, but it doesn’t justify hurting other people.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” J.T. said. “It worries me that she came to see you. Part of me wants to tell you never to contact me again.”

  “That’s dumb,” she said and then slapped her hand over her mouth. “Oops. Did I say that out loud? The Hale gene sometime kicks in when I’m feeling vulnerable.”

  J.T.’s mouth twitched. “You don’t look anything like Uncle Arthur, thank God, but you sounded like him right then. He chewed my butt pretty good this morning, but he followed up with a good dose of his proverbial wisdom.”

  “Sounds like Uncle Arthur,” she said. “I’m glad he talked to you.”

  “Me too. He was right. I don’t want Cynthia to ruin what I have with you, but I’m not going to lie, the thought of her visiting you, harassing you, made me break out in a cold sweat. It’s not right. What did she do, by the way? I was so shocked, I…didn’t ask many questions or say anything to reassure you. I’m sorry about that.”

  She looked down, as if contemplating how much to share. Oh, they were on a conversational tightrope now, dammit.

  “We talked about the paintings in the gallery for a while, and then she asked which painting I would purchase. If I could afford it, of course.” She gave him a fake smile.

  He cursed.

  “Perhaps I shouldn’t have told her, but I’ve dealt with people like her before, and I hate to lie. I figured why not tell her.”

  J.T. was already shaking his head. “Let me guess. She bought it.”

  “How did you know?”

  Shrugging, he said, “I’ve seen her pull that kind of power play before with people she doesn’t like.”

  “I don’t much like power plays,” Caroline said.

  “Neither do I,” J.T. said. “I want to protect you, but I’m scared I can’t. If she knows you were in Rome with me, she’ll likely surmise you’re helping me with the museum. I told you she moves fast. Did she say anything about that?”

  She shook her head slowly. “No, not explicitly.”

  But you could feel the silent elephant in the room.

  “That makes you a potential target,” he said softly. “I’m…really upset about this, and I’m really sorry.”

  “A target?” she asked, gripping the edge of the desk. “What do you think she’ll do?”

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “I wish I knew. You seem to be in her sights, and the fact that she’s staying in Dare Valley is honestly terrifying. I might have to buy a crucifix and garlic on the way back.”

  “I’ll go with you,” she said, trying to joke. “Vampire Busters is right around the corner.”

  “Caroline�
�”

  Something in his tone caught her attention. “Yeah?”

  “I don’t think she knows how I feel about you yet, but she will if we keep seeing each other.”

  “Then we should…shack up together in Dare Valley this weekend for sure!” she blurted out.

  Her words shocked him silent, but then he started to laugh. Her ability to laugh at herself and life—even some of the paintings she loved—always lifted his spirits. It was one of the things he loved best about her.

  “My filter clearly is gone,” she said. “It’s like nervous Tourette’s or something.”

  “Cynthia has a way of pushing everyone to their breaking point. But honestly, this is an important decision. I can’t predict what she’s going to do. If you want out, I’m totally cool with it.” He almost managed to say the words in an easy tone. Almost.

  She studied him. “But you aren’t. I can see the fire in your eyes. I appreciate you for saying this and giving me the choice. But honestly, there is no choice. I won’t let her intimidate me. I want to work with you on the museum. It’s a great career move for me.” She held his gaze, then added, “And I want to be with you. None of that has changed.”

  “Are you absolutely certain?”

  She nodded decisively. “Yes.”

  He blew out a harsh sigh. “I’ll ask you again if things get rocky, but I’m…”

  She laid her hand on the desk, as if reaching out to him. Giving in to his need to touch her, he took it and clasped it firmly.

  “Relieved,” he finished after a long pause. “Also, please feel free to say I’m being ‘dumb’ anytime. Maybe it’s because I grew up in a tough-talking family, but oddly I respond pretty well to that kind of talk.” Uncle Arthur had his number too, thank God.

  She tried to fight the smile, but it won out, he was relieved to see. “Noted. I’ll tell you when you’re being dumb anytime. You don’t have to ask me twice.”

  “Have any plans tonight?” he asked, quirking his brow at her. “I thought I might stay over in Denver tonight. I’m officially divorced, remember?”

  They’d walked this infernal tightrope for too long. Not together but not not together. They needed to know if they worked as a couple before Cynthia tried to tear them apart. The way Caroline was standing by him—professionally and personally—meant the world to him. Loyalty mattered, and anyone who said otherwise hadn’t been betrayed by someone they loved.

  “I was hoping you’d remember that.” Her thumb stroked the back of his hand. “It just so happens my dance card is free tonight.”

  “Seems my luck is improving.”

  He got to his feet and circled the desk, not wanting any separation between them. Taking her into his arms, he spun her around in a circle, bringing her close enough for him to hear her rapid breathing, feel the heat of her body. Something between them had shifted. Cynthia had no doubt intended to scare Caroline off with her gambit, but instead she’d brought them closer together.

  They were finally going to dance like they both wanted to.

  Chapter 7

  The day toddled on for Caroline and her constant surveillance of the clock didn’t help. It was as if the day’s hourglass had gotten clogged, slowing down Father Time.

  J.T. told her to text him when she was finished, and she was out the door at six on the nose, her cell phone in hand. She was punching in her message to him when she heard his unmistakable laugh. Swinging around, she spied him across the street, leaning against his Ferrari.

  He held an entire bunch of colorful balloons. “I thought you might finish on time today,” he said, checking both directions before walking toward her. “You should have seen me trying to fit these in my Ferrari.”

  She realized she should meet him halfway, but her feet couldn’t seem to do it. Since he’d left the gallery earlier, all she’d thought about—heck, fantasized about—was him. Some of her worry about Cynthia hadn’t gone away, so she’d overridden her fears with thoughts about his hands running all over her naked body. She’d gotten so overheated, she’d had to prop the front door open for a while. If any passersby had thought it odd, well, too bad. Spending weeks around J.T., on the brink of a relationship but not quite there, had driven her crazy with wanting.

  He’d finally stepped forward! She could feel it. About damn time, she wanted to say.

  “How about an early dinner?” he asked when he reached her. “I have a restaurant rented out for your complete enjoyment. Oh, and I have a clown on standby if they don’t freak you out.”

  She’d had time to think about how she wanted things to go. And dinner didn’t figure into her plans just yet. She didn’t want to give him time to change his mind again.

  “Not that I don’t enjoy the gesture—and clowns don’t freak me out FYI—but how about you follow me home?”

  The heat in his green eyes made her want to sigh right there on the street.

  “Dinner would be a safer place to start,” he said in a quiet voice.

  “And you said let’s wait a week to see what your ex would do.” She planted her feet. “Well, now we know. Forget about the week.”

  His mouth parted as if he were surprised at her directness.

  “Do you still have reservations about me and how I feel?” she asked. “Or how you feel?”

  He reached out to caress her upper arm, the touch sending a shiver through her. “Never you, and I know how I feel about you.”

  “Then let’s get a move on. J.T., I want you to follow me home.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said, sweeping his hand out grandly. “After you.”

  “And hurry,” she added.

  He let go of the balloons in his hand immediately, his gaze blazing with desire. “Your wish is my command.”

  Music to her ears. She strode off to where she’d parked and checked to make sure he was behind her. Behind her? Suddenly, she had an image of him standing behind her, his hardness pressed against her, kissing the back of her neck as she…

  Goodness, she was going to implode on the way home if she didn’t get herself under control. She drove slowly even though he knew where she lived. She went through all the reasons she shouldn’t sleep with him, but the only one that came to mind was that she hadn’t shaved her legs last night. Did she have stubble? Moira and Natalie always said men didn’t care, and right now, she was inclined to believe them. Heck, she wasn’t thinking clearly. Maybe she needed an outside perspective.

  She called Moira first, and her sister picked up on the first ring.

  “Hey! I was just thinking about you. Are you calmer after what happened yesterday?”

  “My hormones are out of control at the moment,” she replied. “I’m thinking about having sex with J.T. tonight. Any concerns? I can’t seem to come up with a negative except I didn’t shave my legs last night.”

  “I told you men don’t care,” she said immediately. “I could have hair like a mountain man and Chase would still do me. Right, hon?”

  Caroline heard Chase bark out a laugh in the background.

  “Thanks for that image,” Caroline said. “Seriously, Mo, am I going too fast?”

  “Has J.T. finally picked up the pace?”

  “Yes, he’s on the uptick. And wait until you hear this. His ex-wife paid me an unpleasant visit at the gallery today.” Of course, she’d told her siblings everything about his ex after the family party.

  “She did what?” her sister yelled. Then she could hear the sound of Mo’s muffled voice at the other end of the line, and she knew her sister was filling in Chase.

  “Yes, seems she knows I was in Rome with J.T. Anyway, I’ll tell you more about it later. Right now you need to help me. J.T. drove up to Denver after his ex visited—long story—and we talked. He tried to give me an out after meeting his ex, but I didn’t bite.”

  “Of course you didn’t. We don’t let crazy people dictate our actions. If J.T. is up for it, you should go for it. You’ve wanted him since Rome, Caroline. And we both know how rare t
hat is. I was the same way with Chase and look how that’s worked out.”

  After Rome, Caroline had secretly wondered if J.T. might be “The One.” Heck, when he’d flown to Colorado to see her a short time later, under the guise of attending a corporate party for Evan’s new ventures, she’d walked on air for days. But he’d held back, and now she understood why—he hadn’t wanted them to get serious before she understood the situation with Cynthia, and he hadn’t wanted to explain it before they got a chance to know each other.

  The invisible wall that had stood between them was finally gone.

  “Thanks, Mo,” she said. “I’m almost home. If you don’t hear from me—”

  “I’ll hope it’s because you’re too exhausted to pick up your phone. Have fun, babe.”

  Leave it to Moira to be practical. Her sister had always been good at breaking things down. She thought about calling Natalie just to cover bases, but she was making the left to her street and there wasn’t time. Plus, shouldn’t she be confident enough to make such a choice on her own? She snorted aloud at the thought. She didn’t call her sisters in moments like this because she needed reassurance—or at least that wasn’t the main reason. Mostly she called them because they were her sisters and she loved them.

  She parked her car in the space closest to the sidewalk that would take her to her apartment. J.T. pulled in next to her. Caroline checked to make sure the lipstick she’d applied before closing the gallery was in place. Then she laughed at the impulse. It wasn’t going to last long if she had anything to say about it.

  J.T. was waiting by her car door, and when she opened it, he helped her out and closed it like the gentleman he was. “Too bad about the balloons.”

  “Collateral damage. Did you call one of your sisters?” he asked, the streetlights casting shadows on his face.

  “How did you guess?” she asked, stepping back a moment.

  “I have siblings too,” he said. “We do the same thing.”

  She tilted her head to better see his face. “So did you call anyone?”

  “Nah,” he said. “I already knew what Trev would say.”