by Janet Dailey
'The hardest thing I've had to adjust to is being inside most of the time,' she said instead.
'And have you? Adjusted?' Indolently his gaze left the coffee cup in his hand to sweep over her face, but Dani knew that apparent laziness hid a sharp perception.
She made a pretense of draining the coffee in her cup. 'Of course,' she declared airily.
'That's good,' Barrett said, still thoughtfully studying her. 'I wouldn't like to think you were unhappy in your new life.'
'Why would you think that I would be?' Dani countered.
'A few minutes ago you were ready to turn me down when you thought I was going to take you to some museums and art galleries. You could have been getting tired of all that culture Marshall is pouring down your throat.'
'Just because you've been accustomed to beautiful clothes and fancy parties and art objects and classical music all your life there's no reason for you to make fun of me because I want to learn about them!'
'I'm not making fun of you, Dani,' he replied patiently in the face of her defiant outburst. 'In fact, I admire you for what you're doing. The point I was trying to make was that smaller doses of culture might be more beneficial. When too much time and emphasis is placed on the paintings of a master, a person can lose sight of the fact that there's as much beauty in the crayon drawing of a child.'
His profound statement left Dani momentarily speechless. She stared unblinkingly as he, in effect, dismounted from his chair and walked past her to refill his cup from the pot. There was a fleeting sense of irritation at the way he was making himself at home before Dani sprang to her feet to face him.
'I don't believe you!' Her arms were rigidly extended at her side, her hands clenched into tight fists. 'You aren't the kind of man to know about things like that!'
The sideways look he gave her was half cold, half puzzled. 'Why not?'
'Oh, you always say all the right things, but it's only an act with you!' she declared. 'It's sickening the way people always hurry around to admire you. It always made me boiling mad the way Lew would proudly answer any patronizing question you asked!'
The kitchen was small and little distance separated them. In the flickering of an eyelash, Barrett reached out with a long arm and took hold of her wrist. She was jerked forward within inches of his ruthlessly cold face and the taut line of his mouth.
'I never patronized your father!' he snapped, an iridescent sheen of satanic flames glittering in his eyes.
'If I ever asked for his opinion it was because I valued his answer and judgment and I asked for only that reason. Despite any other idiotic notions you have, your father is an excellent horseman and a fine trainer. I admire him as other men more experienced do.'
'That still didn't stop you from trying to buy the finest horse he ever owned!' Dani shot back, refusing to believe that Barrett was sincere.
'There were other offers for The Rogue besides mine, weren't there?' As her mouth clamped shut, he gave her a shake, guaranteed to rattle anyone's teeth. 'Weren't there?' he demanded again.
'Yes!' A sarcastic and reluctant admission from Dani.
'But it still sticks in your craw that I offered to buy him—no one else. Only me! And it never occurred to you that you might be treating me unjustly.' The initial explosion of fire was gone, leaving a cold anger in its place. 'I should take you over my knee and paddle you the way your father should have done a long time ago.'
The threat wasn't carried out as Barrett released her wrist in disgust while the humiliating truth of his words sunk in. She hadn't treated him fairly. She might have even misjudged him, but it didn't explain why she always felt she had to be on her guard whenever he was around.
She stared at his averted head, proudly arrogant, and the slightly embittered lines around his mouth. Her honesty demanded her to make some concession to the truth, but she refused to let it be at the cost of her pride.
'You…you might be right,' she said hesitantly. 'I may ha…have done you an injustice.'
Barrett turned back, a cynical smile crooking the corners of his mouth, then slowly it changed into a rueful smile. 'I lost my temper, didn't I?' he sighed, the impish light returning to the green depths. 'I'll accept your apology if you accept mine.'
'It's accepted,' Dani agreed, feeling somehow the blame had been equalled.
'Have I ruined our day?' he asked quietly.
'I don't know.' A little frown wrinkled her forehead as she took his question seriously. 'It sort of cleared the air, didn't it?'
'It may have,' Barrett conceded. He held out his hand to her. 'Friends again?'
Dani smiled, 'Bitter friends,' and placed her hand in his.
'Come on, I'll buy you breakfast before we take a ride on the Belle of Louisville,' he offered.
After they had eaten breakfast at a small but very hospitable restaurant, Barrett and Dani strolled about the river front taking in the futuristic architecture in the seven-acre park called Riverfront Belvedere. Sometimes they talked. Sometimes they walked in silence, gazing at the flowers and shrubs or the fountains and reflecting pools that abounded. The latter, Barrett informed her, were used for ice skating in the winter.
The park was guarded by a statue of George Rogers Clark, the founder of Louisville. But the star of the park was the Ohio River, broad and somnolent, flowing ever onward.
Then came the trip on the Belle of Louisville,a triple-decked sternwheeler. After touring the first two decks, including the sweeping ballroom, Barrett took Dani to the open-air deck on top where a calliope was all steamed up and its brass whistles were blowing a lively tune. As the Belle maneuvered away from its wharf into the river channel, the couple moved to a vantage point at the railings.
'Has she always been here?' Dani asked, watching other tourists and sightseers waving to the boat from the shore.
'No, she started out as a ferryboat and packet on the Mississippi River out of Memphis, Tennessee, but her home is here in Kentucky now,' Barrett replied. 'Kentucky could be technically considered one of the thirteen colonies, since most of the State was once a part of Virginia.'
'I thought this afternoon wasn't supposed to improve my mind,' she teased with an impish grin.
'I decided you should have some trivial information at your fingertips in case the conversation ever gets boring at one of the parties,' he chuckled in return.
As they watched the slowly changing scenery before them, there was no strident demand for conversation as Dani had experienced at the party the night before when she had been with Marshall. The silence was as comfortable and reassuring as the hand that rested lightly on her shoulder. However, the thought of the party and Marshall did arouse the need to have her curiosity of the night before satisfied.
Switching her gaze from the water being churned up by the paddlewheel to the strong features of the man beside her, Dani asked, 'Why didn't you tell me about Easy Doesit winning the race yesterday?'
'How could I have done it without dredging up more painful memories for you?' His level gaze held hers, stating a fact without offering any sympathy.
'That's true,' she admitted, the slight pucker of a frown above the bridge of her nose as she looked towards the distant banks. 'I'm not…I mean, I don't mind your horse winning.'
'I'm glad to hear that,' was his reply, then he tactfully steered the conversation away from horses to point out a particular landmark that was coming up.
As far as Dani was concerned the trip ended all too soon. She was enjoying the breeze that ruffled her hair, the sun beating down on her face, and she was enjoying the company of the man beside her. Her footsteps dragged a bit en route from the dock to the parking lot where Barrett had left his sports car.
'Are you hungry?' he asked as he slid behind the wheel of the car beside her.
'Yes.' A hopeful light shone in her eyes that maybe he wouldn't take her immediately back to that empty apartment.
'Good. We'll go get us something to eat,' Barrett nodded briskly as he put the car in gear and
reversed into the traffic.
Ruefully Dani glanced down at her simple slacks and top. 'I'm not dressed for it, I'm afraid.' A wistful sigh slipped from her lips.
'You look fine to me, and the place I have in mind won't have any objections to the way you're dressed. Marshall can take you to the posh restaurants in town.' There was a mocking glint in the glance he gave her. 'I'd like you to sample some of our local fare.'
The moment Dani stepped inside the restaurant, the cheery atmosphere seemed to say welcome. Its whole decor was homespun and bright with an abundance of yellow and greens. There was little resemblance to the elegant establishments that she frequented with Marshall, places where she was always terrified she was going to use the wrong silverware.
'This is nice,' she murmured as she sat in the chair Barrett held for her.
'Don't sound so surprised,' he laughed softly, taking a chair on the opposite side of the table. 'Didn't you think there were any other decent restaurants other than the ones Marshall chose?'
'Of course, it's just—'
'I know, you like it.' The teasing smile took her off the defensive and drew an answering smile. 'The specialities of the house are burgoo and hot brown.'
'What are those?' Her eyes widened with laugher at the strange-sounding names.
'Hot brown is a sandwich of turkey, bacon and cheese topped with a white sauce. It's very delicious and a local favourite,' Barrett explained. 'Burgoo is probably a dish of the first settlers in Kentucky. It's a peppery hot chowder of beef, ham, chicken, and vegetables.'
'I like anything hot,' she admitted. 'I'll have the burgoo.'
'Wise choice. I think I'll have the same.' He gave the waitress their order when she arrived, then turned to Dani. 'Well? Did you enjoy the trip?'
'Oh, yes,' she responded eagerly. 'And the walk along the riverfront, too.'
The bubbling but subdued happiness subsided as she saw Barrett glance at his watch. Was he regretting asking her to eat with him? Maybe there was somewhere else he had to be?
'Six hours without an argument. That must be a record.' She drew an almost visible sigh of relief at the teasing expression on his face. 'Why do you suppose that is?' he asked.
'Maybe because you've stopped treating me like a child,' she returned lightly.
'I don't see you as a child any more.'
The husky, enigmatic tone of his voice reached out to touch her, as did the caressing look in his eyes. That old tingling sensation raced down the back of her neck, only this time it wasn't born of antagonism, but something else that Dani couldn't put her finger on. It somehow made her disturbingly conscious of him as a man, a compellingly handsome and masculine individual and not a tenuous link with the world she missed.
Fortunately their food arrived just then and she was able to shake away the uncomfortable wanderings of her thoughts to concentrate on the peppery stew. During the meal, there was little need for conversation, and afterwards, comfortably full, there was even less.
A short time later Barrett stopped the car in front of her apartment. Dani turned to thank him for the day, believing he intended to let her out as Marshall always did, only to find he was already out of the car and walking around to her side. Some of her surprise must have registered in her eyes as she stepped out of the car under his guiding hand.
'I'll see you safely to your door,' was his explanation.
In the hallway in front of her door, Dani removed her key from the slender clutch purse she carried. Barrett slipped it from her hand and inserted it in the lock before she realized what was happening. She stood hesitantly in front of the now opened door, wondering if she should invite him in.
'I…I had a wonderful time today,' she offered uncertainly.
'So did I.' An indefinable gentleness was in his voice as if he were attempting to soothe a high-strung colt.
'Would you like to come in for coffee?' she suggested, trying to steady the sudden increase in her heartbeat.
'I'm afraid I can't.' Barrett handed back her keys.
'Of course.' Her clipped reply was sharp as she realized how silly it was to think that Barrett might want to spend more time with her. 'Thanks again for taking me out.'
She took a hurried step into the doorway, only to have his hands close over the upper part of her arm.
'Not so fast,' he chuckled lightly, drawing her a step backward at an angle that brought her closer to him. A finger tipped her chin upwards. 'I prefer a more demonstrative thanks.'
This time when his mouth touched hers, it lingered, tenderly probing the softness of her trembling lips. The warm, persuasive kiss was oddly satisfying and totally unlike the furtive and unpracticed ones Dani had received from others in the past. His lips were hard and sensual, no fleeting lightning bolt this time, only golden fires in the kiss that had no foundation in gratitude. When he slowly drew away, the firmness of his possession remained imprinted on her mouth. Dani resisted the impulse to put a finger to her lips as she gazed at him with rounded eyes.
'I'll be seeing you,' Barrett winked, and gently pushed her into the apartment and closed the door.
That indefinite promise made the evening alone seem not so long, although Dani would have vigorously denied that her thoughts ever turned to Barrett King except to dwell on some of the pleasanter aspects of the day.
Monday morning brought the return of her hectic schedule, throwing her into the tedious business of a model. She didn't mention her afternoon with Barrett to Marshall because she didn't think it was important. It certainly wasn't because she thought Marshall would object.
Monday stretched into Tuesday and Tuesday into Wednesday. The time that wasn't spent with the photographer, Marshall claimed with his unending demands to see this or read that or attend this party or that concert.
When he dropped her off at her apartment Thursday evening loaded with more books and records as well as a detailed description and review of the latest creations from Paris, Dani had to stifle the desire to dump them back on his lap. She felt too exhausted to care about her ignorance. She was so busy juggling the bundle in her arms trying to extract the key from her purse that she didn't notice the man leaning against the wall of the corridor opposite her door.
'It's about time you got home,' a low voice commented.
Dani turned so abruptly that two of the books slid from the stack on to the carpeted floor. Barrett stepped forward as she bent to retrieve them.
'I didn't mean to startle you,' he apologized.
'Well, you did,' Dani said crossly. 'You shouldn't pop out at people from the dark.'
'I thought this hallway was fairly well lit,' Barrett commented blandly, a bemused smile flitting across his strong mouth.
His accurate observation earned him an angry glare. 'What do you want?' As she straightened to her feet, the articles once again stacked in her arms and the door key in her hand. Dani noticed the large package, flat and square, in one of his hands and a paper sack in the other. A tantalizing aroma drifted by her nose.
'I thought you might not feel like going out to eat tonight, so I brought the meal to you,' he said, his straight face giving way to a witching smile. 'I hope you like pizza, because this is too big for me to eat by myself.'
Whether it was the appeal of his smile or the hunger-evoking scent coming from the box, Dani's initial irritation began to recede.
'I like pizza,' she admitted, inserting the key in the lock and turning it. 'But how do you know that I'm not going out to dinner?'
'I checked my sister's calendar. I didn't see anything on it that would warrant Marshall's interest, so I took the chance that you would be free,' Barrett replied as he followed her in, a somewhat sardonic gleam in the green eyes. 'From the looks of you, you needed the night off.'
Setting the books and records on the coffee table in the living room, Dani sighed a little dispiritedly. 'I don't have the strength or energy to debate the point,' she explained, turning around to follow Barrett, who was already depositing his packages on th
e kitchen table. 'Let me do that,' she said as he began unloading the groceries from the sack.
Instead of stepping aside, Barrett took her by the shoulders, turned her around and pointed her in the opposite direction. 'You can go take a shower and relax. I'll put the pizza in the oven to keep it warm and toss together a salad.'
'You?' Dani said in disbelief, looking over her shoulder, his hands preventing her from turning around. Barrett simply didn't seem the domesticated type.
'Who did you expect? My chef and valet have the night off, so that only leaves me,' he mocked, giving her a little push to send her on her way. 'And hurry up, because I'm hungry!'
The spray of the shower was relaxing, rinsing away the tension that had knotted her muscles. If it hadn't been for Barrett's admonition to hurry, Dani could have remained a long time under the stinging spray. But she turned off the water and briskly rubbed herself dry, then slipped into the long terry robe. As Dani stepped into the small hallway en route to her bedroom, Barrett's voice called out to her.
'It's about time! I was beginning to think you'd been washed down the drain.' Then he added, 'The food is on the table.'
'I'll be there in a minute,' she promised gaily. 'I have to get dressed yet.'
He stepped into the archway of the hall, the overhead light touching off red fires in his dark auburn hair. 'You look substantially clothed to me. Come on, let's eat!'
Dani glanced down at the white wrap-around robe. It certainly covered everything there was to cover from her ankles to her neck with only a very discreet vee to expose the hollow of her throat. With a shrug to herself that said, 'Why not?' she changed her direction and walked down the hallway to the kitchen.
Two bowls of lettuce salad were on the table, the chunked green leaves mixed with cherry tomatoes, carrot shavings, green peppers, onions and topped with an anchovy. Dani slid quickly into the chair Barrett held for her, finding that she too felt ravenous. The salad was soon disposed of and Barrett placed the pizza that had been kept warm in the oven on to the table.