Cold Heart

by Sheila Dryden

  Next Lexi set two place settings at one end of the big table. She set out wine glasses and selected a couple of wines from the case she had received from Montgomery. She laughed at the thought that maybe one of them had been poisoned and then she wasn’t laughing. She wondered if she really should be drinking this wine.

  Finally, satisfied that she was somewhat organized she went back to work in the office until about two pm when she went upstairs to freshen up. By the time she had come back downstairs Carter had pulled into the driveway and stopped. Lexi went out.

  “Hi,” she said. “Thanks for doing this.”

  “I’m happy to,” he said. “I like that big brown mutt.”

  “Yeah, me too,” Lexi said.

  It took only a few minutes to reach the clinic and they parked and went inside. Carter greeted the reception who clearly was quite smitten with him. She let Dr. Walters know that Lexi and Carter were there and in no time he appeared with Tucker by his side. Tucker hurried to Lexi which pleased her no end. He was wagging his tail and whimpering and it just melted her heart.

  “Hi Tucker,” she crooned. “Hi boy I missed you buddy. Are you feeling better?”

  After quite a bit of cuddling she stood and asked the Vet.

  “Special instructions?”

  “Yes, get him out and moving, but keep him leashed I don’t want him doing anything too strenuous for about a week. He can have his normal diet but maybe about half the amount tonight as he has been on fluids only since he’s been here, so we don’t want to overwhelm his system. I’d like to see him in about three days just to have a listen to his chest. My concern is pneumonia. Activity should prevent that and he has had antibiotics by IV and I am sending some home with you. His feet are doing okay but I want to keep them bandaged a little longer. These boots can come off if you like when he is inside. He’s been good about keeping them on since he’s been more alert. He’s a smart dog. ”

  “Thank you for everything,” Lexi said.

  “I’m just pleased he’s okay,” Dr. Walters said. “Nancy has the pills and your invoice and I’ll say good-bye for now.”

  Lexi gave the leash to Carter and went over to the desk to settle up. As anticipated the bill was a hefty one but she didn’t care. She could manage it and she was happier than she could ever have imagined that she had this big brown dog back with her. Tucker followed them happily to the truck and Carter lifted him in rather than letting him jump. He rode between them on the way home and laid down resting his head in Lexi’s lap. She stroked his fur and he seemed totally contented.

  Once back at Wildwood they took him for a short walk to relieve himself. He seemed to understand that the barn was gone and didn’t even try to go in that direction. They went inside and got him settled on his mat in the great room. He lay down and seemed very contented. Lexi left the boots on and he didn’t seem to mind. She was pleased. She went into the kitchen to put her roast in the oven and when she came back out she sat on one of the couches next to his bed. She could put her hand down periodically and give him a pat. Carter had gone back out to the truck and appeared with a bottle of wine and some flowers.

  “Where on earth did you have those hidden?” Lexi asked.

  “Oh I have my secret hiding places,” Carter said.

  “Well that was lovely of you, quite unnecessary, but lovely,” she said. “I’ll just put these in some water and they will be perfect for the table.”

  When Lexi returned she had brought a corkscrew and she opened the wine to let it breathe.

  “I scared myself a little while ago thinking maybe the case of wine that Montgomery gave me contained a bottle that was poisoned and that was how he planned to get rid of me.”

  “I don’t think he’s that clever,” Carter said. “Besides, I don’t really think he is dangerous.”

  “Maybe not, but I think Mitch could be,” she said. “I do think that Tucker was deliberately locked in the barn and anyone that could kill a beautiful animal like this, could probably kill a person too.”

  “Not a pleasant thought,” he said.

  “Well let’s move on to more pleasant topics,” she said. “I think that wine has breathed enough.”

  Lexi poured them each a glass and sat down.

  “Tell me Carter, before you moved back here to look after your mom where were you living and what were you doing? You said it turned out to be the best thing for you. Enquiring minds want to know,” she laughed, then, “Unless of course I’m being way too nosey.”

  “Well maybe I should start at the beginning,” Carter said. “I played football in high school and was lucky enough to get a College scholarship to play with the UCLA Bruins football team. I played for three years while I was doing a combination fine arts and journalism degree. In my fourth year, I got married and then I had what they call a career ending injury; broke my leg in three places. I finished my degree and went to work for an advertising company in L.A. I was lucky. I didn’t have to do a million other jobs first. I started almost at the top. I knew someone. I was going to live happily ever after. I was making lots and lots of money and I was miserable.”

  “Oh no,” Lexi said. “That’s not good.”

  “My marriage was on the rocks and then my dad got cancer,” Carter said. “I was only thirty-three but suddenly I had options.”

  “How so?” Lexi asked.

  “Well my dad was dying and needed me on the farm, which I would soon inherit as my mom had early onset Alzheimer’s, well it’s actually a form of Lewy Body Dementia but most people have never heard of that.”

  “No, I can’t say that I have,” Lexi said.

  “Well it’s almost like a combination of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It’s a bloody awful disease and when you get it young like my mom did, it can take you quickly. I wanted to come back to the farm, needed to help them and Carolyn wouldn’t come. We split up. Truth is it wasn’t much of a marriage. I haven’t regretted coming back. I do some contracts for the company I worked for, to help with the bills sometimes but mostly I paint and rescue horses and live away from all the chaos.”

  “Wow. That is so brave, to just say no to the money and the life style and opt for something simpler, doing something you love.”

  “Well, I don’t know about brave, it kind of landed in my lap,” Carter said. “And I feel bad sometimes that it took my parents demise for me to be doing it.”

  “Well I still think it’s brave and kind and loving. You could have said sorry mom, sorry dad I can’t help you, I have this nice life and I’m not giving it up. That is, if you were a different sort of person, which clearly you are not.”

  Carter smiled at her. “Well it’s not unlike what you are trying to do.”

  “I suppose, but my efforts are somewhat less noble I think,” she said. “I started my first business with my parent’s money when they died so kind of the same thing.

  “A little bit, I suppose,” Carter said.

  “I had better check on that meat and get some things finished for dinner. Do you want to come join me in the kitchen?”

  “Sure, give me your glass and I’ll fill them,” he said.

  Tucker was snoring softly so they tiptoed past him and Lexi headed to the kitchen. Carter filled the glasses and followed her in. She got Tucker’s dinner ready first and set it aside to give to him when he awoke. She checked the temperature of the roast and determined it still needed a few minutes. She got out the salad she had made and turned on one of the other ovens to a high temperature for her Yorkshire puddings.

  “You seem so comfortable in the kitchen,” Carter said.

  “I am and don’t get me wrong I love to cook but when I opened the deli it was all the other training you get at the Culinary Institute that came into play and that is what will help me with setting up the restaurant portion of Wildwood.”

  “It sounds like a huge undertaking,” Carter said.

  “It is, but every day I learn something new,” she said. She was pouring batter into a
smoking hot muffin pan. “Like today, for example, I just found someone who can help me with my advertising campaign and maybe even an artist who can help me with art for Wildwood.”

  Carter laughed, “Well, the advertising for sure but you might have to see whether you even like my paintings first.”

  “I have a feeling they are good,” she said. “And I hope I get to see them soon and meet some of your horses. Would any of these horses be able to be ridden by children or adults who are novice riders?”

  “Definitely,” Carter said. “Did you want to go for a ride?”

  “Yes I would like to ride, but I was thinking more about having activities in close proximity to Wildwood, that would interest families. I really want this place to appeal to families. I remember when Uncle Max had a couple of horses and I loved going for rides with him, when I was here. So I want to offer things for kids and adults to do together but maybe also offer some child minding so that moms and dads can go off and do a wine tour, while the kids are entertained with horseback riding and fishing in the pond, that sort of thing. I haven’t got it all worked out yet but I am thinking about it.”

  “Well if I can help, let me know,” Carter said.

  Lexi pulled the roast out of the oven and set it on a cutting board and covered it with foil, to rest. They had left the door open and Tucker had made his way into the kitchen and was wagging his tail.

  “Well, look who’s up,” Carter said. “Nothing wrong with his nose.”

  Lexi got his bowl from the counter.

  “Want some dinner Tucker?” she said, putting the bowl down for him and giving him a pet. He dove into the food and was finished quickly.

  “Looks like he wants more,” Carter said.

  “I know. I feel bad but Dr. Walters said only a little tonight.” Tucker lay down on the floor at Carter’s feet.

  Lexi drained the carrots that had been simmering on the stove and put them on a platter along with some potatoes and parsnips that had roasted with the meat. She put the meat on the platter as well and covered them with foil. She then added some premixed flour, water and seasonings to the roast pan and began to whisk it for gravy. When it was sufficiently thickened she poured it into a gravy boat. Then she carved the meat. The timer signalled the Yorkshire puddings were done, so she pulled those out of the oven and added them to the platter as well.

  “Wow,” Carter said. “I marvel at how you coordinate all that.”

  “Well it does take some practice,” Lexi said. If you will bring the gravy and that little dish with the horseradish in it, I will carry this out and we will be ready to eat.”

  “I can hardly wait,” Carter said, picking up the items as he’d been instructed.

  Once out in the dining room, Lexi went back to the kitchen and returned with warm plates and another bottle of wine. Tucker went over and lay down on his mat.

  “Please help yourself, Carter,” Lexi said as she skillfully pulled the cork out of the second bottle of wine.

  “I have never seen Yorkshire pudding this big,” Carter said, putting some of everything on his plate.

  “The secret is to make the batter early in the day and beat it frequently. When the fat in the pan is smoking hot you pour in the cold batter, that’s when the magic happens,” she said.

  “Yum,” Carter said. “Everything is delicious Lexi. I might have to have another one of these Yorkshires.”

  “Well I’m glad you like it,” she said, feeling very pleased. She heard the timer go in the kitchen.

  “Excuse me,” she said. “It sounds like dessert is ready.”

  12

  “I haven’t been this way before,” Lexi said. “I did a little exploring with Tucker one day, but since the fire I must admit I’ve been a little nervous to walk out here on my own.”

  They had finished their dinner and almost another bottle of wine and decided that a walk with Tucker before dessert would be a good idea. They were walking along the side of the property that bordered Carter’s land.

  “Well I can’t say as I blame you Lexi,” Carter said, “especially after the door knocking incident the other night.”

  “Well at least there have been no more phone calls with no one there,”

  “What phone calls?” Carter said, turning to face her, a look of alarm on his face.

  “This morning I got a call on my cell, no answer but I could hear someone breathing. Then a while later the land line rang, which by the way I did not know was even operational and I got there just as the person hung up. It could have been a legitimate call, when I think about it now but there is no call display and I don’t even know if there is messaging. I think I might be getting a little paranoid.”

  “Do you think it could have been the ex calling on your cell?” Carter asked.

  “I guess it could have been. Not very many people have that number,” Lexi said. “The thing is no number for the caller showed up and if it was Michael that should have been displayed.”

  “Hmm, a little puzzling to say the least,” Carter said.

  They had reached the fence that separated the two properties and Lexi could see horses grazing in one of the pastures. It was really picturesque.

  “This is lovely,” Lexi said. “It’s so peaceful.”

  ‘Yes, isn’t it?” Carter said. “It makes you relax just to look at it.”

  “Sure does,” she said. “I guess we should head back now though, as it’s starting to get dark and I don’t want to push Tucker too much. He seems perfectly fine but how do you know right?”

  “True, besides I heard there is Apple Crumble for dessert and if it’s anything like the Yorkshire pudding, I can hardly wait,” Carter said.

  Lexi smiled. They strolled back and when they reached Wildwood they headed inside. Tucker went straight for his mat and lay down. Carter had a seat in one of the chairs and Lexi went to the kitchen to get the dessert. She brought it and some ice cream, out to the table.

  “Just stay where you are and I will bring it over there,” she said. “Would you like some tea or coffee?”

  “I think I will just have a little more of that wine,” Carter said.

  “Oh sure,” Lexi said. She topped up his glass and brought it over.”

  Lexi dished up dessert and then went to put the ice cream back in the freezer.

  “Lexi this is delicious. Sorry I know I should have waited but I couldn’t help myself,” Carter said.

  “Its fine, I didn’t expect you to wait,” she said. “I’m glad you like it. It’s nice to have dessert once in a while and it’s not something you usually do just for one.”

  “I buy ice cream and that’s about it,” Carter said. “My mom used to make something like this.”

  “What about your wife, did she cook?” Lexi asked.

  “Carolyn wasn’t what you would call domestic,” Carter said. “She expected to have “people” to do that sort of thing. She came from wealth, generations of wealth. It was her father that owned the advertising firm and that’s why I got the job. I actually do have some talent for the business, but it would have taken way too long to work myself up to the level Carolyn was expecting. After all she married me thinking I was going to be an NFL star, so when he offered I said yes. It was only one of many companies he owned.”

  “Well it’s the way of the world now,” said Lexi. “You need to know someone to get ahead.”

  “You are being kind,” he said. “I felt like I had sold my soul. The truth was I hated the whole living in LA with the beautiful people thing.”

  “I can understand that,” Lexi said. “So are you divorced? Were there any children? Boy I really am nosey aren’t I? Sorry.”

  “It’s okay, it kind of feels good to talk about it,” Carter said, “now that it’s done. Yes, we are divorced. No, there are no children. I wanted children but Carolyn kept putting it off. Now I’m thankful that we aren’t pulling children in two different directions.”

  “I think that must be hell for everyone involved,�
�� Lexi said, “and unfortunately it’s becoming the norm. It’s one of the reasons I want to create a place where families can come. There are just too many pressures on families these days.”

  “Do you feel that way because of what happened with your family?” Carter asked.

  “I wish I knew what the fight was about because everything changed then,” Lexi said. She stifled a yawn.

  “I should go,” Carter said.

  “Sorry, I guess I am still tired from the other night.”

  “It’s late. I really enjoyed this Lexi. Thank you,” Carter said.

  “My pleasure,” Lexi said. “I hope my questions didn’t annoy you. I have enjoyed the company. Despite what I said when we met, about being the strong independent type, I’m not really all that independent and not all that strong.”

  “I kind of guessed that,” Carter said and smiled.

  His eyes lingered on hers and Lexi felt her cheeks flushing. He was so good looking and unlike the boy she had known who had been totally aware of how good looking he was, this man seemed unaware of it. She felt an overwhelming urge to walk over to him and run her fingers through his dark hair. She tried to think of something else, anything else and to look away then thankfully he did it first as he bent down to pet Tucker.

  “Good night boy, have a good sleep and look after Lexi,” he said.

  “I’m sure he will,” Lexi said. “I’ll walk you out.”

  She walked ahead to the door, all the time aware that Carter was behind her. What was he thinking? Might he kiss her? No, he wouldn’t but she was really wishing that he would. Good grief Lexi, get a grip.

  Carter stepped through the door she had opened and onto the porch. Then he turned and their eyes met again.