by Dani Wade
“Yes?”
Amazing that his sleep-scruffy voice could still give her shivers.
“What happened?”
The murmur of the voice from the other end sounded feminine, but urgent. His assistant from New York?
“Was anything damaged?”
That had Christina sitting up.
“How many of the paintings did it ruin?”
As he listened to his assistant’s answer, a thrum of anxiety hummed along Christina’s nerves. What would he do? She felt selfish worrying about it, but couldn’t stop the circle of thoughts in her head. What if he left and didn’t come back?
Finally, he pushed the end button. The muscles of his naked back flexed as he leaned over to set the phone on the nightstand. Her mouth watered. She wanted nothing more than to trace those sleek plains with her fingertips. Last night she wouldn’t have hesitated. Today everything had changed.
Aiden twisted her way. “Hey,” he said, one low word reaching through her confusion. “Sorry to wake you.”
“No problem.” She pulled the comforter tight around her, wishing she wasn’t naked. The protection of her clothes would be a big comfort right now. “What’s going on?”
“Water leak at the warehouse. The alarms alerted Trisha pretty quickly, but there’s still some damage. I’m gonna have to make a trip up there.”
Her throat went dry. Even though she knew her fear was irrational, it still built within her. “Why? Hasn’t she already got a handle on things?” At least, her report had seemed kind of lengthy.
“Do you honestly think I’m the type of guy to let someone else handle my problems for me?”
No, he wasn’t. She knew better. But the thought of him leaving brought so many fears.
She didn’t answer, and he didn’t wait for one. He was already pulling pants and underwear out of the drawer. “I’ll get a shower and pack. Find out when I can get a flight. Jacob can drive me to the airport.”
“What about the mill?” she asked. Standing, she reached for a robe to wrap tight around herself.
“Jacob is catching up on things, anyway. No reason why he can’t jump right in.” His clipped tone told her all the questions irritated him, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself.
She took a step toward him. “Don’t you think you should, you know, ask Canton before you do this? What kind of provisions are there for trips? Duration, things like that.”
Aiden’s shoulders straightened, his jaw growing hard. “No.” The single word was sharp and forceful, telling her this was the wrong question to ask. “I don’t have to ask anyone for permission to do this. That business is my life and I won’t lose it over some stupid game my grandfather thought he would play. Got it?”
“Even if others get hurt?”
Aiden stalked closer, his stare boring into her. “Are you insinuating that I’m not holding up my end of this bargain?”
“Are you insinuating that what happened here is nothing but a bargain?” she demanded, waving her hand over the bed.
Again, the wrong thing to say, because all emotion disappeared from Aiden’s face. His guarded expression took her back to those first days together. “I’m going,” he said.
With those two words, all the anger drained from Christina. Her gaze dropped to the floor at her feet. She’d blown it, letting her insecurities push Aiden farther away. Not that it mattered if he viewed their relationship as, well, not really a relationship. “Fine. I get it.”
They stood in silence for long moments, but she refused to look up again, afraid that if she did, Aiden would see the devastation breaking her apart inside. He would leave, regardless. Why she’d thought she might be a reason to at least proceed with caution was ridiculous. What she wanted would never matter. It never had.
Finally, he mumbled, “I’ve got to shower,” and stalked back through the door to the bathroom.
Wilting all over, Christina hurried to the dressing room, lingering until she heard Aiden dress and leave. An hour later, she was showered and dressed and seated at Lily’s bedside, forcing herself to read aloud to her friend when she really wanted to give in to the tears threatening every second. She’d heard the house start to stir—the voices of the men as they went up and down the stairs and finally, luggage being bumped on the steps as Aiden and Nolen spoke in quiet tones.
She ignored it all. But her focus on Lily was shaky at best, especially as footsteps stopped outside the suite door. Looking up, she spied Aiden in the shadows of the hallway. Their eyes met, but she quickly looked back down to the book, unwilling to display her feelings and give him the opportunity to dismiss them.
He moved inside slowly, almost hesitant as he stepped across the threshold until he reached the foot of Lily’s bed. He didn’t wait for Christina to look up. He simply spoke in a tone much softer than before. “I’m leaving now. I’ll call and let you know when I’ll be back once I see what needs to be done.”
She nodded, using every last ounce of strength to keep her expression neutral. She’d been the one who screwed up, demanding something unreasonable out of fear. But this had simply reinforced the many years life had taught her that people, relationships, weren’t something she could keep. She might as well get used to it now as opposed to later.
“Do you understand what I’m saying, Christina?”
She forced her throat to work. “Sure.”
“Look at me.” He didn’t raise his voice, but the quiet command had her aching to obey.
With a deep breath, she met his gaze with her own. “Yes?”
“I understand what’s at stake here.”
Do you really?
“I know the town needs me. I know Lily needs me.” He paused for the span of a long breath, then continued, “I will be back. I promise.”
But what about me? She ignored her thoughts and simply nodded her head.
Still, he stared. His phone started to ring, but he ignored it. With each second that ticked by, her internal shields cracked until she knew one single push would have her squalling like a baby.
“Is there anything you want to tell me, Christina?”
Her mouth opened, drawing in the breath that would push out the words I love you. Words he most definitely would not want to hear. So she simply shook her head.
“I’ll always come back. I promise.”
“Lily said she would come back, too.” And she had, but the results had been disastrous. Would Aiden’s return be just as devastating? Once he had another taste of New York, would he realize how much he hated being here?
“What are you talking about?” Aiden asked, his tone hardening once more. “I realize I’m responsible for her accident. That I left Mother all these years instead of setting aside my pride to see her again. I don’t need you to point my responsibilities out to me, Christina.”
Christina’s head shot up. “That’s not what I meant at all.”
“Then what did you mean? Because I won’t be guilted into staying here.”
Once more, the ringing of the phone filled the room.
“Guess you should go, then,” she said, turning back to the impersonality of the book and the quiet atmosphere of the sickroom. Things she could control. Things she couldn’t screw up. She wished she could start this morning over and tuck all her ridiculous emotions inside so she couldn’t complicate things.
With a curt nod, Aiden did just that, leaving her behind. Just like everyone else in her life.
Sixteen
Christina’s bare feet ghosted over the back lawn, damp from the evening’s dew. She couldn’t stand being cooped up in the house anymore. Aiden had been gone five days. The amount of time Canton had informed Jacob he was allotted to be away. After tonight, they would be in violation of the will. Aiden hadn’t contacted her personally, so she had no idea
if he planned to be home by morning...or not.
She wished she had the option of escape, even if only for a few hours. Instead, she’d waited until Marie headed out for Wednesday night church. The sympathetic looks were more than she could handle.
She must have been out of her mind. Or totally blinded by the situation they’d found themselves in. How could she have been so desperate for love as to trust her heart to a man who’d told her outright he wouldn’t stay?
Something inside drew her to Aiden’s studio, as if by being there she could once again be close to him. She had a moment’s trepidation when she reached the porch. Aiden kept the little house locked, but the single key hung with the other keys in the mudroom. She just had to be here. The door opened easily beneath her shaky fingers.
She let herself into the darkened room, reaching out her hand to feel for a light switch. Instead, her arm brushed a lamp that she suddenly remembered was sitting on the table near the door. Tracing down, she located the switch. The soft glow that sparked to life revealed the work space Aiden prized so much.
If she were her mother, she’d put the sledgehammer she found to good use in here. She’d seen her mother pitch many a fit on her father’s things before they’d divorced. She’d even keyed up his brand-new car one time. But destruction had never been Christina’s thing. Guilt had. She’d spent more than her fair share of her life living with guilt.
Guilt from Lily’s accident. Guilt over not preventing the stroke that had taken her beyond Christina’s reach. And guilt over not being able to pull her mother from the destructive life she was determined to pursue.
Guilt was everywhere, and yet nowhere. Because it came from within Christina. Although sometimes external things fueled a person’s guilt. Just as Lily’s stroke had hers. Logically, as a nurse, Christina knew she had no control over that. But she’d been determined to make up for it ever since.
Hoping to distract herself from her never-ending thoughts, Christina stepped over to the shelves to check the progress of the marble pieces she’d seen on her last visit. Despite how close she’d thought they’d become over the past few months, Aiden had never invited her here. She’d trespassed only the one time, but hadn’t returned. It just seemed too personal, too presumptuous on her part to invade his most private retreat, his source of solace and peace. Until he wanted her here.
Maybe he hadn’t wanted her to get to know this part of him? After all, those times when he had confided in her had been times they’d connected on an intimate basis. Maybe he’d never had any intention of going any deeper than sex with her.
She wandered idly about the room, gliding her finger along his tools, resting her palms against half-finished sculptures. Until she reached the final statue in one corner. It took her a moment to make out the dark contours in the dim light. The last time she’d been here, the block of black rock streaked with gold had been carved into a slight curve along the top, and the straight edges chipped away from the sides. Now the rough stone at the bottom remained the same, but out of the rocky ground rose the silhouette of a woman. Christina. Her gaze traced the curve of her own jaw to the slight point of her chin, her abundant waves of hair and a gentle expression she couldn’t place.
Reaching out with hesitant fingers, she skimmed the contours of the face, amazed at the smoothness of the stone. The hair actually had texture; she could feel the lines and waves that gave it movement.
Why would he create this incredible work of art featuring her, of all people? Though she’d hoped he felt something for her, he’d thrown it aside the first time she hadn’t lived up to expectations. At least it felt that way. Her life had been about not making waves. But that morning, she’d gone over the top emotionally. Aiden getting angry and walking out had just confirmed her failure.
So what could he find so fascinating about her that he had to capture it in stone?
Christina started as footsteps pounded on the porch. Twisting around, she stared anxiously at the door, waiting for Aiden to walk through it and find her inside. Her stomach cramped. Had he returned? Would he be angry she’d invaded his special space?
The footsteps traveled across the boards, then stopped, giving Christina the impression that whoever it was had gone on around the side of the house.
Crossing quickly to the window, she stood to one side and cautiously leaned over to look out. She was just in time to get an impression of young men running toward the dirt track that led to mill property.
Two stood for a moment in the yard, talking, giving her a look at their faces. She recognized both: one she didn’t know personally but had seen around town. The other was Raul, one of the part-time groundskeepers at Blackstone Manor. Puzzled, she watched as they both turned away and trotted around the fence, until she lost sight of them in the woods edging the property.
A shiver worked its way down her spine as she thought of being alone inside with the men around the house. Why, she wasn’t sure. She’d known Raul for over a year now. He wasn’t the most personable employee, but he’d never been rude or lazy. Still, something about them upset her.
Should she wait until they were long gone before leaving? Or risk them seeing her by leaving now? What if they watched from the woods?
Turning toward the door, she decided to risk it. She’d moped around here long enough. Plus, she’d seen the guys disappear into the woods, so she should be able to get back to the house undetected.
When she was about five feet from the door, she noticed the smoke. She paused, her mind not quite understanding what the gray wisps leaking under the door meant.
As comprehension burst over her, so did a sheen of sweat. She stared, panic licking along her nerves. She shook her head to clear it, but her breath sped up no matter how much she tried to stay calm.
Numb shock cocooned her, but she was still able to acknowledge that those men had set the studio on fire. With her inside it. She didn’t know how far the flames reached, but she had to find a way out. Now.
She glanced back at the only window not blocked by the air conditioner. The building wasn’t that big, and by design, neither were the windows. It was a basement casement-type window, set head-high in the wall. Even if it would open all the way, she didn’t think she’d fit through.
The smoke pouring in under the door grew thicker, warning her that her decision couldn’t wait. She marched forward. This might not be the best option, but the door seemed to be the only exit left. She reached out, tapping the metal of the handle to test its temperature. Definitely warm, but not skin-searing yet.
Though her heart pounded and her eyes watered from the smoke, she forced herself to act. Grabbing the handle, she drew a deep breath and twisted the knob. Using the door as protection, she eased it open with slow caution.
Too late, she realized her mistake. The door swung in with a whoosh, knocking her backward. Pain exploded through her head. She tried to lift up. What happened? But her body refused to move. Sinking back down to the floor, she felt something trickle across her forehead.
Through the now-open doorway she could see the firelight eating away at the porch. Low on the doorway, flames inched up each side. Move. Now. But nothing happened. The vision before her wavered, causing nausea to rise. Closing her eyes, she tried to think.
She needed out. She couldn’t move. What should she do?
* * *
Aiden jerked from automatic pilot as he caught a glimpse of a weird flickering light somewhere on the west side of Blackstone Manor. Nearing the gates, he turned in, then punched the gas. The closer he got, the more a cold grimness settled over him.
Shoving open the door so he could jump out of the truck, Aiden found himself staring at a rising plume of smoke from the vicinity of his studio. With a curse, he remembered clear as day Balcher telling him to watch out. Aiden was too careful and too familiar with studio work for this to be a result of his us
e of the building, and he’d had all the electrical lines checked out. Had the rival businessman decided to strike at the Blackstones a little closer to home?
Anger tightened his chest. If the man wanted to send a message, he’d sent it to the wrong person. Aiden would make sure Balcher paid for this little stunt, and paid dearly.
Rushing out of the truck, he jogged to join Jacob and the others on the lawn. “What happened?”
Jacob pointed back at the house. “I saw the flames as I passed by a window and alerted Nolen. We’ve called the fire department, but it will take them a bit to get this far out.”
“How long?”
“At least another ten minutes,” Nolen answered. “We’re getting some hoses to hook up to the outdoor faucet in the well house down there, but I don’t know how much good it will do. I’m sorry, Master Aiden.”
“I know, Nolen.” He turned his back, looking over the small group. Marie watched from a little farther away, a shawl draped over her nightgown. Nicole stood with her arm around her grandmother. Luke and the gardener, who had an apartment over the garage, came around the corner of the house dragging hoses. The only ones missing were Lily and—
“Where’s Christina?”
The men looked at each other, then around the back lawn. Aiden’s whole body tightened.
“I guess she didn’t come out,” Jacob said. “She must still be in the house.”
Nolen was already shaking his head as Aiden spoke. “Have you ever known her to not be involved in something with this household?” He turned to sprint toward the cabin, adrenaline surging through his veins.
“I thought the cabin was locked,” Jacob yelled from beside him as they ran.
It seemed like forever before they reached the clearing now dusky with smoke. A quick glance back showed the other men were headed their way, loaded down with hoses and buckets. Just as the heat burned a little too close, Aiden heard a faint noise. He stopped short, trying to slow his breathing so he could listen. “What is that?”