“It’s not right.” Aaron knew his father felt the same way, but until Marie was ready to remove herself from the situation, their hands were tied. In the past they’d tried to file police reports, only to have Marie lie and say she fell down or walked into something. She would never admit the truth to the police officers or doctors. She always covered up for Manuel.
And he thought he was stubborn! Marie won that award hands down.
“No, it isn’t.” His father’s voice brought Aaron’s mind back to the current situation. “But until she’s ready, we can only try to encourage her to seek shelter away from Manuel.”
“Si. I’ll be leaving with the kids shortly. They’ve eaten dinner and will need a good bath.” Aaron could hear his father chuckling. He knew his father wouldn’t be in charge of baths. “I could have them spend the night at my house tonight so they could swim in the pool.”
“Chicken,” his father teased.
“Hey, the outdoor shower is a lot easier to clean up.” Aaron ended the conversation with his father. “All right, gang, let’s pack up our mess, get some clothes from your home, and go to my house. It’s a pool party tonight.”
“Yeah!” they all screamed and scurried to pick up the debris around their picnic table. With the kids loaded in the van, he drove back to their house. Aaron clenched the wheel tighter as he pulled in the driveway behind Manuel’s truck. The day couldn’t get any worse. First he lost the contract, then he’d heard about Marie’s beating. Then he’d done the most foolish thing of all and kissed Renee. Renee, of all people. Lord, protect me from myself, he silently prayed. And protect me from what I want to do to Manuel.
❧
Renee cleaned up the office, set the alarm, and left. Would this be her last day working for Sunny Flo Designs? She couldn’t work for another man to whom she found herself attracted. Do I have some sort of weird psycho-thing going, Lord, that I can only fall in love with my bosses? Sounds pretty sick. Office romances never worked out. She’d heard it ever since entering the business world. But she’d fallen for Brent hook, line, and sinker.
Now she was attracted to Aaron; and while he didn’t look or act anything like Brent, he still fit the role of her boss. Of course, she hadn’t done anything to bring about that kiss. And she was about to smack him silly for having done such a thing. Why, oh why, had she tried to comfort him? Ultimately, it’s my fault. I should have left the man alone.
Renee continued to mentally thrash herself throughout the supermarket, down the streets of North Miami, and to her seventh-floor apartment. Once inside, she removed her business suit and relaxed in an old pair of cutoff jeans and a T-shirt. Hard to believe it’s October. The eighty-degree temperatures seemed more in keeping with early summer than fall.
She flipped open a can of diet cola and went out to her deck. She was several blocks from the ocean with a good view of Biscayne Bay, if she leaned slightly over the edge of the rail. Which she did all too often. Fortunately, it was an easy jog to the beach and the lower campus of Florida State University. The school’s property abutted the bay, and it made for a delightful place to run. Tonight she needed to run.
She placed her apartment key in her front pocket and set out at a mild pace. At the edge of the bay, she sat at the water’s edge and watched for manatee. She’d never seen the gentle mammal but heard they started migrating north around this time.
“Lord, what happened today?” She paused, waiting for an answer. When nothing came, she continued. “Father, I can’t fall in love with my boss. Once was bad enough. I can’t put myself through that again.”
I know it was Brent’s fault, and he should be the one suffering, yet he’s fine. He’s happily married. His business is intact. There isn’t anything the man lost from our broken engagement. She’d even been foolish enough to toss his engagement ring back at him. Of course, it had felt right at the time. But she’d die seeing the same ring on his wife’s finger.
That’s when she’d left. She’d left the job. She’d left the city. She’d left her past behind. And now, it just didn’t seem fair to be here in a strange new city with a growing attraction to Aaron Chapin.
She wanted to smack him for being so forward, but the sweet feel of his lips flooded her with passion and desire. Admittedly, she hadn’t felt that kind of connection with Brent—ever. Which had made it easy not to give in to his constant demands to have sex before marriage. No, Brent wasn’t the best choice for a husband; she saw that now. But it didn’t stop the hurt he’d caused her when he’d married another woman without first breaking off their engagement.
Brent Cinelli was a first-class cad with a capital C.
She gazed off toward the horizon, where the sky turned the color of orange rose. Renee pushed herself up and ran a couple hard laps on the service road before heading home. She’d have to start looking for another job. She couldn’t work for Aaron Chapin any longer.
She entered the apartment to the sound of her answering machine taking a message. “I’m sorry I missed you. I really miss you, Renee. We need you to come back.”
Her body stiffened. Brent? Why would he call me now? How’d he find me?
That wouldn’t be too difficult, she realized. All he’d have to do was contact accounting. They had her change of address.
“Please, Renee, pick up the phone. I want to talk with you.”
Her hands trembled as she reached for the phone. “I just came in, Brent. What’s up?”
“Oh, Baby, I’ve missed you,” he cooed.
Renee let out a nervous cackle. “Yeah, right. How’s your wife, Brent?”
He cleared his throat. “She’s fine. I’m just saying the company really misses you. I miss your inspiration. You’ve put a tremendous hole in our team by leaving, Renee.”
“You’ve got no one to blame but yourself, Brent. Just how long were you going to hide the fact that you’d married someone while you were still engaged to me?”
“I told you I was planning on letting you know,” Brent defended in his nasal tone.
“Of course you were.” She bit back her anger. “Get to the point, Brent. You can’t charm me any longer.” And for the first time she knew the man’s spell had no control over her. He meant nothing to her now, other than a sorry man who needed the Lord in his life.
“All right, here’s the deal. I need you back here. I’ll give you ten grand more than you were making when you left. You’ll have full artistic license and at least two assistants doing layout, secretarial, anything you need.”
“That’s a nice offer. But I have a job. Sorry.”
“I’ll send you an offer in writing so you can reconsider.”
“Brent, the answer will still be no. I’m not interested in your offer. I could never work for you. I don’t trust you.”
“Ouch! What did I do that was so wrong? Come on, Renee, answer me that. You and I both know our marriage wouldn’t have worked. It was for the best.”
“You’re right, our marriage wouldn’t have worked. But I’m a human being with real feelings and didn’t deserve to be treated in such a slimy fashion.” She stopped herself before she said something she’d have to repent of.
“Well, no matter what you think of me personally, Renee, I always respected your work, and it’s your work I want back. Not our relationship. I’ll send the offer.” He cut the line before she could tell him no.
❧
Aaron worked the kinks out of his back and poured himself another cup of coffee. Memories of Hannah had haunted him all night. Milk swirled in his coffee like the confused images spun in his mind. Two years, and you’re still not over it, he chastised himself.
He looked at the calendar hanging in the small kitchen. October 4 seemed to stand out above the other dates. “Lord, I still miss her. Has it really been two years?” He placed the quickly drained mug on the Spanish-tiled counter and headed back to the master bathroom for a shower. The pulsing water pounded him, his muscles relaxing in its heat. “Get a grip, old boy. Ad
am will be awake soon.”
Thoughts of his responsibility to raise their son rejuvenated him. His stance surer, he scrubbed his body clean. Wrapping a towel around his waist, he entered his bedroom. There on his bed lay Adam, his black curls resting in stark contrast against the white pillowcase that encircled his head. Aaron smiled at the angelic image. So much like Hannah, yet Adam had some of his own features as well. He slipped on his pants and lay down on the bed beside his son.
“Morning, Adam.”
Adam’s dark brown eyes blinked, his dimples accenting his smile. “Daddy, I was pretending to be asleep.”
“You were, huh?”
“I was going to surprise you.”
“Oh, well, I’ll pretend to be asleep, and you can surprise me now.”
Adam stood up on the bed and towered over his father. “Daddy, that won’t work,” he said, hands on his hips, confident he knew all the answers in life.
Aaron laughed. “Well in that case, I guess there’s only one thing to do.” He reached up and grabbed his son, tickling his waist. Howls of laughter filled the room. All the darkness of the previous night faded. Life was here. Adam was the blessing of Hannah’s and his life together, merged for all eternity in one little four-year-old boy.
After the tickling match to end all tickling matches ended, he told Adam to go get dressed for the day. And following a gentle tap to his backside, the boy ran down the hall to his room.
“Thank You, Lord, for Adam. Thank You that I still have a piece of Hannah alive and with me.”
Dressed, Aaron went into the kitchen and made their breakfast.
“Daddy, is today the day Mommy died?” Adam climbed onto the stool at the counter.
“Yes, Adam, it is.”
“Are you going to her grave today?”
“I was planning on it, why?”
“I want to go.”
Aaron had never taken Adam to Hannah’s grave—the boy had been only two when she died. “I guess you can come.”
“Grandma says she’s not there, but. . .”
He needs reassurance she’s gone, Aaron thought. “Sure, Son. I bring flowers, white roses, your mommy’s favorites. And then I usually say a little prayer to God.”
“What do you pray about?” Adam took a fisted hold of his fork and scooped up some eggs.
Aaron straddled the stool, placing his plate in front of him. “Well, I usually thank God for the time Mommy and I had together and for you. . .and I ask for strength.”
“Daddy, why did Mommy have to die?”
“Because bad things sometimes happen to good people, Son.”
“But Ricky still has his mommy.”
“I know, Son, and I still have mine. Your grandma is my mommy.”
“I know that, Daddy.”
Aaron chuckled. “Sorry, I forgot you’re so grown up now.”
Adam puffed up his chest.
“Grandma says Mommy was hit by a car.”
A truck actually. A knot tightened in Aaron’s stomach. He had always been honest with Adam, but he questioned his mother’s openness about Hannah’s death. “Yes, Son, Mommy was.”
“I miss Mommy.” Adam forked some more eggs.
“I do too, Son.”
“Daddy, are you going to get me a new mommy?”
New mommy! Where does he get these things? Aaron wondered. “I wasn’t planning on it. Why?”
“On Barney they were talking about how some kids have new mommies and daddies, so am I going to get a new mommy?”
Good grief, how can a purple dinosaur explain. . . He broke off his thoughts. “Son, if God sees fit to bring a new woman into my life, then maybe. But I must tell you, I’m not looking to find one.”
“Okay.” Adam finished his breakfast. After drinking down his orange juice, he leaped from his chair.
Aaron blinked. What just happened here? The kid is watching too much TV, he thought. I need to talk with Mother. Determined, he cleaned up the kitchen and got ready to leave for work. Adam met him in the hallway, his book bag packed with his toys for the day.
“All set?”
“Yup.” Adam grinned.
How could he stay mad at that adorable face for long? Aaron mused. “Okay, let’s go.”
After a brief discussion with his mother revealed that Adam’s questions were just natural, Aaron realized he’d been too sensitive. Loss and heartache had filled the previous night. He hadn’t experienced a night like that in almost a year. He supposed it didn’t help that Marie had left the hospital and returned to her own home with her children. She hadn’t appreciated the family’s gesture of love and support. She saw it as intrusion. He should have knocked some sense into Manuel while he had the chance last night. Of course, attacking a man in a drunken stupor would prove nothing. Not to mention, Aaron would have a hard time living with himself.
The memory of his little niece, Amanda, clinging to him, not wanting to return to her home, tore at his heart.
At the office he placed a call to the florist for three white roses to be delivered.
Renee was late. It wasn’t like her. Would she return? After his inappropriate actions the day before, who’d blame her for never returning? The bell jingled over the door.
“Renee,” he called out.
“Mr. Chapin, I believe we have some things to discuss.”
He raised his hands. “I know, I know, I’m sorry. I promise it won’t happen again. But if you feel you need to find another place of employment, I’ll write you the best recommendation you ever had. You’re a good employee, Ms. Austin. I don’t want to lose you. But I will understand if you need to leave.”
She nodded. Her honey hair crowned her head. The feel of her soft, silky locks came back to his mind. Aaron cleared his throat.
“I’ll give the matter some thought,” she responded. “I was made an offer last night from my former boss.”
He never understood why she had left her previous place of employment. She’d only said they had a difference of opinion.
“How is your sister?” she asked.
“She’ll be all right. Renee, you’re a woman. Tell me why a woman would stay in an abusive relationship?”
“Fear, mostly. Personally, I’d have left the man who laid one finger on me in anger.”
She bit her lower lip. Tears pooled in her eyes. Was she going to say more? Have you been abused, Ms. Renee Austin? he wondered.
Three
Renee kept to her space in the office. She didn’t need to confront yesterday, much less her past, today. As the day wore on, she became more comfortable in the environment. Aaron called her “Ms. Austin” every time he addressed her. Apparently he wasn’t about to allow the kiss to destroy their working relationship. And was it really a kiss? Or was it more a man reaching out for something he’d lost?
Amazingly, Aaron seemed under less stress today. She’d looked it up—his wife had died on the fourth of October. Today was the anniversary of Hannah’s death. Three white roses were delivered.
“Ms. Austin? Renee?” His voice jarred her. She blinked, seeing him standing in front of her desk.
“Sorry, I was thinking.”
“Apparently.” He grinned. He held an envelope in his hand. “Here’s the letter of recommendation. I hope you don’t feel you’ll need to use it, but. . .”
“I’ll stay for awhile, Aaron, before I decide. I know you were reacting to the loss of your wife.”
He scraped a chair across the floor and sat down with a desk between them. “Renee, I’m not—”
The phone rang. She answered it. “Sunny Flo Designs, Renee speaking. May I help you?”
“Hi, is my daddy there?”
“Sure. Just a minute, Adam.”
Aaron pushed himself from the chair he’d been sitting in and went to his desk. “Hey, Buddy.”
She loved how Aaron treated his son. He was a good father.
“Sure, I guess. Let me speak with Grandma.” Aaron sat down. “Madre.” His words cam
e smoothly in Spanish. Aaron showed his Latin heritage, Renee mused, with his richly tanned skin, dark hair, and brown eyes. But his name was so contrary. He’d explained it once. His father was English, his mother Cuban. And he’d been given his grandfather’s first name. The mixture of the cultures within Aaron intrigued her. Intrigued her far too much. She’d been shocked when he’d kissed her. But admittedly, another part of her had wanted that kiss, which was why she knew she’d have to find a new job. On the other hand, they were both adults; they could prevent moments like that from happening. Not to mention, he wasn’t really attracted to her. She’d just been handy in a moment of weakness.
Today he seemed like a different man, back to the normal Aaron Chapin. Perhaps she could work through her own foolish attraction and continue working for him. She loved the work. She loved the quality that Aaron strived for. And she loved the integrity he insisted went into each of their products. Not like Brentwood Designs, which cut more corners and churned out more work than anyone she’d ever seen. She’d spend hours of overtime fixing and repairing shabby work. No wonder Brent wanted her back. He’s probably losing accounts without my extra work on the company’s behalf.
“Si, Madre. I understand. Tell Adam I’ll take him.” He placed the handset back in its cradle and rose slowly from his desk.
“A problem?” she inquired.
“No, not really. Adam’s growing up. He wants to see his mother’s grave.”
“Oh.” Renee leaned back, crossing her arms, and hugged her shoulders.
“Renee?” he inquired.
“Sorry. I lost my parents when I was eight. The memory of watching their coffins going into the ground just flashed in my mind.”
“Adam was barely two when Hannah died. I didn’t take him to the funeral. I didn’t have the patience for a two-year-old toddler, and I didn’t want him having the memory you have.”
“You’re a good father, Aaron.” She glanced down at the papers on her desk. “Did you find any more purple lines in the presentation?”
“No.” He chuckled.
“Good. I went on-line with the old dinosaur computer, and the tennis ball coming at the customer takes a bit to load, but it doesn’t run too slowly. I think it’s manageable.”
Cords Of Love Page 2