Chapter Twenty-Eight
The trip to New York City was uneventful for Dani. To her, it was just another buying trip in another large city. Before she knew it, Friday arrived and all the orders had been placed and sent off to Chance's via computer. Traycee was on the airplane heading home and by early afternoon Dani was riding the train through Long Island toward Southampton.
Miguel had offered to pick her up at her hotel but she insisted on taking the train instead, afraid of the two hour car ride alone with him. She had her suitcase on the floor beside her and her coat bag, holding the red wool coat, lying over the back of the seat next to her. She'd brought the coat on a whim, but hadn't yet worn it and didn't know if she would. The March climate in New York was warmer than that of Minneapolis, but heavy coats were still necessary some days.
As the train entered the Southampton station Dani's heart pounded harder in anticipation. What would she say when she saw him again? Was there anything left to say?
Picking up her suitcase and coat bag, she stepped out the double doors of the train and let her eyes scan the station. In only moments they found a set of gray eyes looking back at her.
"Hello, Dani," he said as he walked up to her with long strides and placed a light kiss on her cheek. "I'm so glad you came."
Dani was relieved that her hands were full of luggage because his casual welcome, especially the gentle kiss, unnerved her. How could the slight brush of his beard against her cheek cause so much turmoil inside her? All she could muster was a simple, "Hello, Miguel."
"Here, let me take those for you," he offered, relieving her of both suitcase and coat bag. "I have the car just outside. Follow me."
Dani did just that, moving as if in a trance. He led her outside the station to a black, four-door sedan, first unlocking her door then rounding to the back to place her things in the trunk. No limousine, no driver. For some reason, this surprised her.
She studied him a moment as he loaded her luggage. He was dressed simply in blue jeans, sneakers and a moss-green sweater. He didn't look at all like the rich coat mogul he had become; he looked like the Miguel she remembered from long ago.
Looking up at her, poised to slam the trunk in place, he questioned her puzzled look. "Something wrong?"
"I guess I expected a limousine," she said before thinking, then turned slightly pink from her own words.
The trunk slammed as Michael chuckled. "That's only for business," he said. Unlocking his own door, he looked over the roof at her. "Are you disappointed?"
Dani shook her head. "No. Not at all." Then they both slipped into the car and he took off.
Once they were out of the station traffic, Michael slipped a glance in her direction. "You look good," he told her.
"Thanks."
"Did you have a successful buying trip?"
Dani fingered the armrest beside her. "Yes, it went well. Traycee, she's our new coat buyer, she found some great buys at your showing."
"Oh, that's good," he replied as he watched his rear-view mirror before turning into the left lane. "I hear the show was a great hit this year. We had a larger amount of orders than usual."
She looked up at him, surprised. "Weren't you there on Thursday?"
"No," he said, shaking his head in affirmation. "I always stay here on Thursdays. That's my meeting night. Besides," he added, "that's what all my employees are there for. And I trust my management's judgment."
"Oh," was all Dani could manage. Still looking up, she studied him closely. His hair and beard had gained some gray strands since the last time she'd seen him and his face looked a bit thinner than before. But he still looked handsome and the sparkle was still in his eyes when he glanced over and caught her staring at him. She snapped her attention back to the road ahead.
"Guess what I found the other day?" he asked, but didn't wait for her to answer. Reaching down between the seats he picked up a cassette tape and popped it into the player. "Hotel California" by The Eagles began strumming through the car speakers.
"I didn't even know I still had this," he told her, smiling like a child at his discovery. "When I found it, I immediately thought of you."
The song embraced Dani like a comfortable sweater, bringing back the warmth and love of their California days. Only the good memories swept through her mind, the beaches, the sunsets and little Vanessa. If he'd had a motive for playing this song, his plan worked.
Brimming with past emotions, she reached out a hand and placed it lightly on his arm. "I'm really sorry about Vanessa," she told him, knowing it had to be said before anything else could be.
"I know," he whispered back, then looked over at her with an attempt at a smile. His eyes were soft and moist, the pain still evident in them, and the light strokes of time that appeared around them only added to their charm. Looking into them that brief moment gave Dani the sudden urge to draw him into her arms and kiss his pain away. Instead, she dropped her hand from his arm and her eyes back to the road in front of her.
When they reached the house he parked right outside the front door then once again made the trip to the trunk to retrieve Dani's luggage. She followed him through one of the large doors into the grand entryway and once again marveled at the home's beauty. The white marble below her feet gleamed to perfection, while thick Abusson rugs with patterns in black, white and green lay strategically placed, adding warmth. The oak stair railing shimmered up its curved arm to the top of the grand staircase. To her left, the afternoon sun spilled in through the white French doors that dominated the ocean side of the living room. An oversized fireplace of marble and oak trim stood invitingly in front of the overstuffed brown leather sofa, even without the glow of a fire within.
"I'll take you up to your room," Michael offered, bringing her attention back to him. "Then you can change into some play clothes and get comfortable."
Dani looked down at her navy, wool pantsuit, silk blouse and heels. "Play clothes?" she questioned, one eyebrow raised.
"Sorry," he chuckled. "I guess I've been with Michelle too long. I just meant something more comfortable than work clothes."
"Ah," she nodded her head and followed him up the curved staircase.
They took a left at the top of the staircase and passed several doors before he stopped in front of the last one at the end and set the suitcase down to open the door.
"I hope you like this room; it's the cheeriest one in the house."
And it was. She stepped into the largest bedroom she'd ever seen in her life, done up in white wicker furniture, yellow walls and white lace curtains over the tall expanse of windows and French doors facing the ocean. The bed was dressed in a very old, yet lovely star quilt in yellow and calico print with several toss pillows strewn over the pillows. Lace doilies, yellow calico print pillows and tablecloths adorned every chair and table in the room, each a different print, yet each blending beautifully to bring the room to life. Dani loved it immediately.
"There's a small bathroom through that door," Michael offered, pointing to the right. "And the French doors open out to a balcony outside."
She looked toward the doors, then back at Miguel. "It's beautiful. I love it."
He smiled his little boy smile. "I thought you would. It seemed like the perfect room for you."
Staring at her a moment he noticed how the soft yellow walls brought out the highlights in her hair and made her blue eyes brighter. For an instant, he wanted to touch her hair, just run his fingers gently through it. But instead, he backed his way to the door, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "I'll wait for you downstairs. Michelle should be up from her nap. I thought we could go for a walk on the beach."
Dani nodded her assent, smiling at his sudden shyness and the way he was backing away from her nervously. It struck her as funny how this man who usually seemed so in control, with his sharp wit and flair for teasing, could suddenly behave so differently.
Once he left, Dani dressed quickly in a cream cashmere sweater and jeans, slipped on a pair of brow
n loafers and headed to the bathroom to pull her hair back. The bathroom was small, but lovely, done it lemon yellow with a white pedestal sink, brass fixtures and a large gilt-framed mirror over it. The shower stall was also white, brass and gold, with a yellow striped shower curtain. Expertly, she pulled her hair back in a French braid, banded the end, then headed out of the room and back the way she had come just minutes before.
Michael and Michelle both looked up from their seated position on one of the rugs as Dani descended the staircase. There was a Pomeranian puppy prancing between them, almost dancing with the excitement of the attention it was receiving. The puppy's glossy red coat paralleled that of the spiraled tendrils that touched the shoulders of the little girl sitting beside Michael. They both smiled up at her, making her heart pitch for a single moment as she felt transported in time to the same man with another little girl at his side.
Michael stood up, slinging a giggling Michelle up into his arms as the puppy bounced happily at his feet.
"Wow, you're fast," he exclaimed to Dani. Then shifting his attention back to Michelle he said, "Honey, this is the lady I was telling you about. You met her last summer. Her name is Dani."
The little girl smiled as Dani stepped up to her. Touching her arm gently, Dani said, "My, you've grown a lot since the last time I saw you. And your hair's much longer, too." She gently touched one silky tendril, unable to resist it.
"I'm three now," Michelle announced proudly, her emerald eyes sparkling with the same mischief as Michael's did. Her 'three' came out 'tree', which brought a warm chuckle from Dani.
"Well, that explains why you're so big," she told her.
"See my puppy?" Michelle asked Dani. "Her name is Fruff."
"I think Fluff," Michael corrected Michelle teasingly as he set her back on the floor, "is trying to trip Grandpa."
Dani kneeled on the floor beside Michelle and ran her fingers through the puppy's thick fur. "Fluff is beautiful. She has red hair just like you."
Michelle giggled. "That's what Grampa says, too."
"Well, Grandpa is right," Dani replied, looking up into Miguel's sparkling gray eyes. The warmth and tenderness he felt for the little girl beside her displayed openly in them, and when he looked at Dani, that same loving look stayed, making her heart melt.
"Okay you two, how about a walk on the beach?" Michael suggested. "It's cool out, but the sun feels good. And I think that little puppy could use a good run."
Michelle nodded yes vigorously, and Michael offered a hand to Dani and pulled her up from her place on the floor. As their hands touched, their eyes did also, and a spark was felt between them.
"I'll have to go up and get my coat," Dani said hastily, retrieving her hand from his and busying it to smooth out her jeans.
"Don't bother. We have plenty in the hall closet." He walked the few paces to the door in the entryway and opened it to reveal several coats hanging neatly on padded hangers. He handed Michelle a small, puffy blue one with pink trim and she quickly slid herself into it and began trying to zip it herself.
Turning back to the closet he studied it a moment, his hand brushing first upon a green jacket, then a purple one, before moving on to another blue one and pulling it out. "Do you mind wearing one of mine?" he asked Dani, handing her the coat. "It might be a bit big."
Dani guessed that the others in the closet had belonged to Vanessa and Miguel didn't have the heart to see them on anyone else. She nodded slightly. "It will be fine," she assured him. He looked relieved and picked out a black jacket for himself and slipped it on.
"Hey squirt, let me help you with that." Michael bent down on one knee and helped a frustrated Michelle zip her coat, then tapped one finger on her little freckled nose before saying, "All ready, let's go!"
The late afternoon sun felt warm on their backs as the three of them made their way slowly down the strip of beach. Michelle ran ahead with the puppy, which continually tangled herself around the little girl's feet. From time to time, Michelle would trip in the sand, catch herself and giggle and continue on as the puppy did her little dance.
Michael and Dani kept a slow, steady pace behind her, enjoying her laughter and the puppy's antics. Despite the chill in the breeze, Dani felt snug in Miguel's jacket. Occasionally a faint scent of his cologne would tease her senses as it drifted up to her from the jacket she was wearing. She inhaled it fondly, wanting to remember every scent, every scene and every step of this moment. At times, it seemed much like the past, the days before the pain and the hate. She just let herself imagine it was so, not wanting to spoil the moment with reality.
After a time, Michael called to Michelle to turn back toward the house and he and Dani stopped to let the little girl catch up to them and run ahead before the two continued their trek in her tiny footsteps. Both were silent, neither knowing what to say. And yet, there was a comfortable air to their silence, as only people who have been together for years can share.
When they reached the house, Michael allowed Michelle a few more moments on the sand while he and Dani took a seat on the steps of the veranda. They sat watching the ocean waves ease their way up on the shore, the tide steadily coming in closer as evening approached.
Wordlessly, Michael turned from the view in front of him to look at the woman beside him. Dani's cheeks were pink from the cool air and a few strands of golden hair had escaped from her braid to blow gently around her face. It took great effort not to reach out and gently brush one of those silky strands back with his fingers.
"I'm glad you came," he said quietly, breaking the silence at last. "Thank you, Dani. I know it took a lot for you to come here."
Dani turned to face Miguel. "I was afraid of coming at first," she admitted. "But now I'm glad I did."
"Afraid?" Michael creased his brow. "Why?"
She glanced over at Michelle, running carelessly in the sand with Fluff, then back at Miguel. "Because it gets harder and harder every time we say goodbye."
Michael was about to reply when Michelle came bounding up beside him, breathless and flushed from her play. She whispered something into his ear that made his face break out into a full smile.
"Michelle is wondering if you would like to go to a movie tonight," he said to Dani as Michelle waited eagerly for her answer.
Dani's brows rose. "A movie?" she asked playfully. "And what movie does Michelle want to see?"
"The latest Disney cartoon of course," he replied for Michelle. "She's only seen it three times, but she was worried you might have missed it. Have you seen it yet?"
Dani laughed. "A Disney cartoon? I haven't been to a kid's movie since…" she stopped, remembering that the last time had been to see The Jungle Book cartoon with him and Vanessa. "Well, let's just say it's been a long time."
"Ah ha! Michelle, you were right. I guess it's our duty to take her to see it now." Michelle nodded her little head eagerly, her eyes bright at the prospect of seeing the movie again. Michael turned from her and asked Dani quietly, "Do you mind?"
"Mind?" she pretended to be insulted. "Any movie Michelle recommends must be good! Besides," she added for him only. "I think it will be a lot of fun."
Michael brought his hands together in one loud clap. "Then it's settled. To the movies we go. But first," he said, looking straight at Michelle. "We have to get the sand out of our shoes and have a bite to eat."
And together they did just that, just as any family might do, making Dani feel a little bit closer to Miguel and Michelle, and a little bit closer to the heartache she knew she would feel when she'd have to say goodbye.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The three ate a quick meal of soup and sandwiches in the cozy family dining room at the rear of the house by the kitchen. The cheerful little room was really meant as a breakfast nook, with its white lace curtains covering windows that overlooked the beach and ocean beyond, charming white table and chairs with blue and white striped cushions. There was also a formal dining room off this room, Michael explained, but they prefer
red the little one instead. "Sometimes the house seems too big," was how he put it.
After eating they were off with Michael at the wheel of his car to the little, old fashioned theater in Southampton. So used to the mega-theaters of Minneapolis, Dani was charmed by this old-time theater with its enormous lobby, snack bar and balcony seating. The seats were large and padded in red velveteen, matching the carpet and walls, and the screen was larger than any she'd seen in years.
They chose seats in the very middle and Michelle plopped herself between Michael and Dani insisting on holding the extra-large bucket of popcorn in her lap so everyone could reach it. Dani chuckled at Michelle's little feet, unable to reach the floor, swinging back and forth and her big eyes barely able to see over the large bucket on her lap. Over Michelle's head she caught Miguel's eyes and they both shared a secret smile at the sight of her.
Dani enjoyed every minute of the movie, it was heartwarming and upbeat and the music was fabulous. Of course, she contributed part of what she was feeling to the company she was with. At intervals, Michelle would tug Dani's arm and whisper to her what was going to happen next, and she also sang along quietly to every song. Dani was amazed at the little girl's memory. A couple of times she and Miguel both reached into the popcorn bucket at the same time, bumping hands, then exchange looks over Michelle's head. It felt so right sitting here together that Dani wished the movie would never end.
The popcorn disappeared and the movie ended, its theme song playing as the credits rolled on screen. The house lights brightened as Michael, Michelle and Dani stood, stretched and put their coats on to leave.
"That was a great movie, Michelle," Dani told her as she helped zip the little girl's jacket. "Thanks so much for taking me."
"Maybe we could see it again!" Michelle told her, making Dani laugh out loud.
"Maybe so," Dani replied.
Memories Page 17