by S S Bazinet
“Maybe you could say you were called away suddenly and forgot your phone.”
Rolphe relaxed a little. “You’re very good at coming up with a lie, Arel.”
“Do you have a better idea?”
“I’m not as brave as you. I can’t tell Myra about my past, or that I was astral traveling.”
“You’ll figure it out. In the meantime, are you coming back to my house?”
“What am I going to say to Elise?”
“Elise is easy. I told her you’ve been out of town on business.”
“Rolphe is right,” Carey said. “You are good at lying.”
Arel glared back. “I don’t want to upset people, especially Elise. She’s had enough of the truth lately.”
Rolphe stood up. “You’re a very lucky man, Arel.”
“What do you mean?”
Rolphe grabbed his jacket off a chair. “You told Elise you were a vampire, right?”
“Yes, but I explained it was really a virus.”
“Still, you told her you thought you were a creature of the night. Not many women would respond as sweetly as Elise. You’re a very lucky man, indeed.”
* * * * *
Elise was happy to see Rolphe again and extended a warm greeting when he came walking through the front door. He smiled back. “Thank you for your hospitality, Elise.”
Elise noted he seemed even more reserved than he’d been when she’d first met him. “Is everything okay, Rolphe? Did things go well with the business you had to attend to?” She blushed as soon as she asked the question. “I’m sorry. I’m being nosey.”
“No, of course you’re not,” Rolphe said as he reached down and picked up Freddie. The pup had been jumping around excitedly. “How’s this little fellow doing?”
“Freddie is always happy when he’s getting attention,” Arel said as he squeezed by Rolphe and paused in the foyer to kiss Elise. After she kissed him back, he held up the mail. “Just a couple of bills. One is for a first edition I bought. Excuse me while I call them and tell them it was damaged.” Before he got very far, he looked back at Elise. “Where’s Annabel?”
“Carol invited her to go shopping.”
“Good, she needs to get out of the house,” Arel said as he started down the hall. He paused again and looked back at Rolphe. “Rolphe, I’ll be finished in a few minutes. In the meantime, make yourself at home.”
Elise smiled at Rolphe. The tall man had been there for her when she needed a friend. “Actually Rolphe, while Arel is making that call, why don’t you come into the kitchen. And if you want anything, please tell me. Otherwise, we can catch up a little.”
Rolphe ran a hand over his face. “I’m not very presentable.”
Elise shrugged. “I don’t mind, but if you’re uncomfortable—”
Rolphe looked down at Freddie and carefully stroked his fuzzy head. “No, I’m fine.”
Elise turned and headed for the kitchen. “Then let’s chat for a bit.” What she didn’t say was what she wanted to chat about. Arel had told her that Rolphe’s ex-girlfriend was coming to Chicago. Nosy or not, she was secretly very interested in learning more about a woman named Myra. It was probably the romance writer in her, the part that loved hearing about relationships. And besides, Rolphe had recently helped her out, perhaps she could offer him advice and return the favor.
* * * * *
Rolphe sat down at the kitchen table and watched as Elise poured herself a mug of coffee. “Do you mind if I ask you something?”
Elise brought her mug over and sat down across from him. “Of course not, but before you do, I don’t think I ever thanked you for helping me that day that Arel said—”
Rolphe could tell she didn’t know how to discuss Arel’s confession. “If I could help—”
“You did. I wanted you to know that.”
“I have a situation too. My friend, Myra, is coming to see me. She’s arriving tomorrow.”
Elise blushed again. “I know. Arel told me, and if you need anything or if she needs anything, let us know.”
“I let Myra down.”
“Oh, is that so?” Elise hesitated. “Do you still care about your relationship?”
“I love Myra, but I get so caught up in my painting I forget everything. I know she deserves someone better.”
Elise sipped her coffee thoughtfully. “I wonder if William feels the same way about Annabel.”
Rolphe smiled. “Poor William, he’s so confused. He’s a very good person, but the last couple of years have been difficult.”
“In what way?”
Rolphe didn’t know how he should answer the question. He decided to avoid it with a shrug. “How is Annabel doing?”
“Poor thing is crushed.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Me too, but I know how strong she is. Maybe this will be the ticket she needs to remind herself of that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Rolphe, you’re looking at a woman who was totally dependent on men. It’s a terrible place to be, but after being thrown over repeatedly, I was forced to get out there on my own. And I made it just fine. I wasn’t the nicest or happiest person, but I could take care of myself. Now, I’m married to Arel, but I don’t need him.”
Arel came walking into the kitchen and stopped abruptly. “Did I miss something?”
Elise looked up and smiled. “No, silly, I was simply telling Rolphe I’m not the dependent type anymore.”
“I’m not sure I understand,” Arel said.
Elise laughed. “I love you, but I don’t want to ever think I need you the way Annabel thinks she needs William. It’s horrible. Now, she feels like she’s at William’s mercy.”
Arel frowned. “The irony is that I think he feels the same way.”
“Really?”
“Annabel used to be very different. William fell in love with a confidant, totally independent person.”
Elise frowned. “Are you talking about that angel business again?”
Rolphe stood up. “I can’t comment on angels, but I’m happy that you feel capable, Elise, with or without Arel.”
Arel gave Rolphe an annoyed look. “Do you have to bring me into this?”
Elise came over and kissed Arel’s cheek. “Rolphe’s just making a point.”
Arel took Elise’s hand and pulled her a little closer. “I’d like to think you needed me a little. After all, I’m very good when it comes to taking out the trash regularly.”
Rolphe sighed. “I wonder if Myra ever felt like she needed me.”
“Love is a tricky thing,” Elise replied, “but I think you and Myra will figure it out.”
* * * * *
Annabel stood next to Carol at a small food vendor’s counter at the mall. They were waiting for their pastry and drink orders. “Thank you for inviting me to go shopping, Carol. But I don’t think I’ll be very good company.”
When their food items were ready, Carol grabbed some napkins. “Let’s sit down, and we can talk over a cup of tea.”
Annabel followed Carol over to a table away from the main thorough fare. She’d just taken her seat when she sniffled. “Oh no, here I go again. I keep crying, and I don’t know why it happens so suddenly.”
Carol smiled. “I’ve been there.”
“Really? Troubles with Kevin?”
“Well, yes, there were those times too, but this was later, after I had the miscarriage. Anything could send me into tears.”
“Did you find a way to help yourself?”
Carol dusted off the table with a napkin. “Actually, William helped.”
“My William?” Annabel asked. As soon as she said William’s name, she wanted to cry again. “I guess I can’t think in those terms anymore. He’s not my William.”
Carol paused and averted her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“No, please, tell me how he helped you.”
“William was direct and very candid, but maybe that was good. After I came home from
the hospital, everyone was so nice. Kevin, Arel, Peggy, and even Tim were very understanding, and they sympathized with my misery, but nothing made me feel better. I kept sinking deeper into depression.”
“What did William say to you?”
“It was more about how he reacted to the things I’d been telling myself. A voice in my head kept reminding me that no matter how hard I tried, I lost my baby anyway. I didn’t have what it took to save my child.”
Annabel reached out to Carol. “I’m so glad William could be there for you.”
“Yes, so am I. He wouldn’t listen to me when I told him how I felt. Instead, he pointed out my strengths when I didn’t think I had any.”
“William has tried to do that with me too, but I guess my fears have outweighed his advice.”
“It’s harder when it’s your mate. Kevin has a difficult time helping me, but he gets results when it comes to coaching other people. He never gave an inch when he was getting Arel into shape. No matter how much Arel complained, Kevin insisted on Arel ‘staying in the game.’”
“Staying in the game?”
“Yes, it means you don’t give up on yourself no matter what happens.”
“Does Kevin treat you the way he treated Arel?”
Carol giggled. “I don’t think he’d dare try to strong-arm me. Besides, my tears scare him, so I think he’s always afraid of saying the wrong thing.”
Annabel smiled. “It’s nice to think I’m not the only one who cries like this.”
“Annabel, I don’t know what’s going on with you and William, but maybe he’s a little like Kevin right now. Kevin got so down on himself when I didn’t respond to his advice. At one point, I didn’t think we were going to make it.”
“Why?”
“Men have an image of themselves, and they don’t want to fail their women. It’s a terrible blow if they think they have.”
“William does seem to have a need to think of himself as strong and confident.”
“You need to know that you’re strong too, Annabel.”
“I don’t understand why I have so much trouble believing that.”
“It’s a common issue with women, even for those women who are tough in the world of business. When it comes to home and the heart, even those women can feel challenged when trying, emotional times come their way.”
“So I’m kind of like everyone else?”
Carol laughed. “Did you know that studies show women are more resilient than men?”
“Why is that?”
“I guess part of it is biology, but I think it also has to do with exactly what you’re going through now. You’ve suffered a shock, but it hasn’t stopped you from reaching out for help from a friend. Women do that more than men. And each time we’re stressed and learn to cope, the tougher we are.”
“That makes me feel a little better.”
Carol took a bite of her pastry. “These eclairs aren’t as delicious as the ones we get at that little French bakery, but they’re good.”
Annabel put down her tea cup and smiled. “I didn’t think I was hungry when we ordered, but they do look tasty. I bet Carey would love it if we brought one back for him.”
Carol laughed again. “Just one? If I know Carey, we better get several.
Fifty
AFTER MYRA GOT through customs, she walked through the airport wondering if she’d done the right thing. Had she been too impulsive when she booked a flight to Chicago? She felt even more confused when Rolphe finally contacted her. Just before she left Paris, she got an email with an apology and an explanation. Rolphe insisted he wasn’t in any danger.
She took a tissue out of her pocket and blew her nose. She was headachy, exhausted, and she needed to eat. But when she remembered the cruel face she’d seen in a vision, she forgot her physical woes and her questions about coming to Chicago. The demonic image had burned itself into her mind, and she couldn’t stop herself from thinking about it. If nothing else, she needed to ask Rolphe if he knew why she’d seen and heard from the evil being.
When she walked into the visitor waiting area and saw Rolphe, she felt a little better. He waved to her, looking his usual handsome, six-foot-five, gentle-giant self. She walked up to him and smiled. “Thank you for coming to pick me up, Rolphe.”
Rolphe reached for her hand. “Myra, what’s going on? You don’t look well.”
“It’s just a cold.”
Rolphe grabbed her suitcase. “Let’s get you to your hotel.”
Myra was about to agree when the vision of the face appeared again. It happened so suddenly a cry of distress escaped her lips. It was loud enough to make a number of other people stop and look at her.
Rolphe took hold of Myra’s arm to steady her. “What happened?”
Before Myra could answer, a trim woman in a suit hurried over. “Are you alright?” the woman asked as she tried to step between Myra and Rolphe.
Myra gave her a weak smile. “Thank you, but I’m fine. I almost slipped, that’s all.”
The woman turned and gave Rolphe a suspicious glance. “If you say so,” she said in an overly, sharp tone.
After the woman went on her way, Myra shivered. Her physical symptoms and the horrible, demonic vision were ganging up on her.
Rolphe questioned her again. “Please tell me what happened.”
Myra felt her headache getting worse. “I don’t know.”
Rolphe stood back, studied her for long moments and snorted out two words. “I do.”
As Rolphe’s features hardened into a mask of anger, Myra stepped back too. “What aren’t you telling me, Rolphe?”
The question seemed to disarm him. His eyes became more uncertain than angry. “I’m sorry, Myra, but it’s nothing you’ll want to hear.”
Myra put a hand to her throat. It was getting very sore again. “Fine, we can talk later. I think my cold has taken a turn for the worst.”
Rolphe took her arm and started for the exit. “Myra, why did you have to come here when you’re sick?”
“I was concerned about you.”
“It was a foolish thing to do,” Rolphe insisted.
Myra jerked her arm from Rolphe’s grasp and stopped abruptly. Her head was pounding. She didn’t need him chastising her for trying to be his friend. “You’re right. Why should I worry about you? You obviously weren’t concerned about me before our breakup. It could be days before you bothered to call.”
“I got so busy—”
“No, that’s not it. I’ll tell you the truth, Rolphe. You were perfectly happy to forget about me.”
“Myra, please. Let’s not argue here. I don’t need another woman coming up to me and acting like I’m abducting you.”
Myra yanked the handle of her suitcase out of Rolphe’s hand. “Don’t worry about it. With your attitude, I won’t be coming with you. I’m booking a ticket back to Paris.”
Rolphe’s brows narrowed as the color drained from his face. “Please don’t do anything foolish. If you’re not well, at least let me take you to your hotel. You can fly back in a day or two.”
Myra started towards an information desk. “The only thing that’s foolish is that I loved you. For that, I’ll be kicking myself for a long time.”
* * * * *
Arel was at his desk when he heard his phone ringing in another room. He realized he’d taken it out of his pocket. When he located the phone and answered the call, Rolphe was on the other end. The man sounded very panicky.
“Arel, you have to help me!”
Arel was instantly alarmed. “Rolphe, calm down and talk to me. Is this about Col?”
Rolphe ignored Arel’s question. “Arel, you have to come to the airport! And bring Elise.”
“I’m not going anywhere unless you explain yourself.”
“It’s Myra! She’s so upset!”
“Why is she upset?”
“I’ll explain it all when you get here. But you have to hurry. She’s booking a flight back to Paris.”
Arel pocketed his phone and went in search of Elise. She was standing at a counter in the kitchen. Freddie was sitting at her feet as Elise filled his bowl with food. She looked up with a smile. “Freddie is learning his manners.”
Arel smiled back. “Yes, I’m impressed. But I need to talk to you about something.”
Elise put Freddie’s bowl on a new doggy food mat that was decorated with lots of little paw prints. “What’s going on?”
“It’s Rolphe. He has a problem with Myra. He said she’s going back to Paris.”
“That’s strange. Why would she be going back so soon? She just arrived.”
“You don’t know Rolphe like I do, Elise. He has a knack for trouble. Anyway, he wants us to meet him at the airport.”
“Both of us?”
“I’m sorry to get you involved, but he specifically asked for you to come too.”
Elise rinsed her hands. “He must be starting to think of me as a friend.”
“Please, Elise, don’t get too chummy.”
“Why is that? Are you upset about him saying I’m capable with or without you?”
Arel walked over and held out a towel to Elise. “No, I’m very happy you’re so self-reliant. I don’t know what I’d do if you were like Annabel.”
Elise took the towel and frowned back. “Does neediness scare you? If I suddenly became the insecure type, would you divorce me like William is divorcing Annabel?”
“Of course I wouldn’t.”
“Are you positive? Did you try to talk some sense into William?”
“I don’t want to interfere.”
“But Annabel is wonderful.”
“Elise, please, we have to meet Rolphe at the airport. He sounded like he was ready to have a stroke.”
“I can only hope I don’t ever have a stroke. You’d probably put me in a nursing home immediately.”
Arel huffed out a laugh. “That’s a ridiculous statement.”
“Tell that to Annabel,” Elise said as she finished drying her hands and threw the dish towel on the counter. She grabbed her purse and started for the closet.
Arel followed her to the foyer. “Annabel shouldn’t have fallen for William unless she was ready to be as tough as he is.”