“I always knew he was a shit,” Paul whispered to Julian, who tilted his head to listen and nod. I glared at them and jerked my head toward the kids.
“As if they didn’t know,” Paul hissed and got to his feet. “Sunshine, you’re in good hands here. Get some sleep—preferably in this gorgeous man’s arms, huh?” he whispered in my ear and kissed my cheek. “I’ll call you in the morning.”
Julian and Paul swatted each other across the back like gorillas, nodded, and Paul headed for the door.
Sitting on the sofa with my children, I watched Julian’s back as he whispered something else to Paul. It was probably about Ira, but now I didn’t have to worry anymore. For tonight, at least, there was someone taking care of me. I wanted to pull Julian to me and feel the stubble of his cheek against mine again. To be with him all the time.
“Hey, Warren,” Julian said as he came back into the living room. “You were very brave today. You’re a real champ, you know that? Want to do some throws tomorrow?”
“Sure,” Warren said, all proud of himself. And then added, “Can you stay the night? Please?”
“Aw, champ, I don’t think—” Julian began, and I said, “Stay, Julian.”
I didn’t care what people thought. From now on I’d do things my way and not worry about other people. This was our life now.
“You’re sure?” Julian asked dubiously.
“We’d be happy to have you.”
“In that case, I’d be happy to stay.”
“Cool. Thanks, Fox.” And with that, Warren was asleep on the sofa within minutes. Julian grinned.
As we lay sprawled with my children between us, I listened to their breathing.
“You hanging in there?” Julian whispered, placing a finger under my chin to look into my eyes. The unexpected contact made me shiver, and I nodded.
“Thank you,” I whispered back, my eyes never leaving his face. His own were solemn and dark in the evening glow of the fire he’d built. In our house it was always me who made the fire. Ira had never stuck around long enough to enjoy its warmth and now the flames seemed to be caressing me. “Thank you—for everything you’ve done for us.”
“I want to do more,” Julian whispered back. Was this the time to talk to him about Italy? I slowly eased myself out of the tangle of my kids as Julian brought Warren upstairs and I placed Maddy in her bed, my love fiercely gushing out of every pore. I’d kill anyone who hurt them.
I sat there for a few moments as he came back from Warren’s bedroom, then I crept downstairs into the kitchen and away from Julian. My face was hot and I was trembling. Julian’s presence in the house was reassuring me, but his nearness was overwhelming. I felt drawn to him like to no one ever before. I wanted to reach out and touch him, smell the shampoo scent of his hair, touch the tautness of his skin. I wanted him to put his arms around me and tell me everything was going to be all right, because he was there.
There was no denying it. I wanted him to be my man for good. I wanted him to be part of my Tuscan dream. Was it asking too much? Once his Superman syndrome subsided, I’d be on my own again, and my wounds would never heal this time. Healing from Ira wouldn’t be easy, but healing from Julian would be impossible.
Julian took my empty mug from my fingers and set it on the counter and before I knew what was happening, he pulled me into his arms and I finally, finally felt the stubble of his face against my cheek, and my body and soul filled with so much longing I moaned. He pulled me closer and I wrapped my arms around him, my hands climbing up his back, gripping his shoulder blades. The feel of his strong, lean frame against mine was so new, so invigorating and it scared me, the way my body reacted. Like never before.
He stroked the back of my head and neck, and I could hear his breathing, feel the warmth of it against the side of my face.
“You’re so amazing, Erica…” he whispered, his voice deep, hoarse. Breathless almost.
“What are you talking about? I’m a total loser. Can’t you see the mess my life is?”
He put his hands on my shoulders and looked down at me in surprise. “No. I see a strong woman whose kids love her to pieces because she is a wonderful mother,” he said softly. “I see a kick-ass manager who makes things work. And a sexy, intelligent woman.” Then he went silent, busying himself with our coffees.
I had to hand it to Julian. He was a real gentleman. I knew he wanted to take this further, but he respected the situation I was in. Sex—sure. But was he ready for the kind of relationship I needed? A total, Tuscan commitment? I’d been racking my brains for days to think of a way to ask him how serious he was without scaring him off. Would he really be willing to leave his world here and move with us? Because that was what I wanted and a no would devastate me for good this time.
“You’re the amazing one,” I said finally. “And so was your meal. You and Paul could rival Le Tre Donne restaurant.”
“You’re my teacher. You know, we should ditch our jobs and open an Italian restaurant somewhere,” he whispered, and I felt my cheeks go hot. Now would have been the perfect time to investigate.
The coffeemaker pinged. “Milk, no sugar—right?”
“Thank you,” I whispered as he handed me a full mug, and I turned to go. He touched my elbow, and I stopped without looking at him. “Hmm?”
He hesitated, then swallowed, and I almost felt sorry for him. “I meant it, Erica. You are wonderful.”
I couldn’t believe that this magnificent man, who could have anybody, was talking like that to me. I’d seen the way women looked at him. I turned to face him, running a hand through his soft hair. “So are you, Julian. What you did today—you saved our lives. Ira could’ve seriously hurt you as well.”
“Well, he didn’t, and you won’t have to be afraid anymore. Now you’re free of the sod.”
Free. I would never be totally free until I landed on Italian soil. Unless I could confess my Italian desires to Julian.
Chapter 34:
Carpe Diem
Morning caught me unprepared. I opened my eyes to find myself on the sofa—in Julian’s arms under a throw, his lips against my temple, his body hot against mine. Would I never tire of this man?
“Morning, my queen,” he murmured and I shifted so I was straddling him. Ooh, that felt nice.
“Morning, your own highness,” I whispered with a giggle. “Or shall I say your hardness?”
“Kids are fast asleep,” he informed me, kissing my lips. Good thing I never had morning breath, and neither did he. “Come here,” he rasped as he grabbed my hips and placed me on his—
“Ah...” I moaned. “That’s—that’s good...”
“Perfect fit...” he moaned back as he removed our clothes under the throw, his mouth bending to my bare breasts, and I gripped his shoulders. And we took each other home in record time. Fast (that was a first), hard, urgent. I loved it. I loved any way we did it.
“Mommy?” came Maddy’s voice from somewhere at the back of my consciousness. I turned and threw on my jeans and T-shirt before she made it downstairs. That had been close. The kid was already scarred for life—the last thing she needed to see was her mommy buck naked lying on the sofa with her principal.
“Yes, sweetie?” I whispered.
“Warren’s wet his bed,” she whispered back.
I crept up into Warren’s room and halted on the threshold. He had already removed the sheets, his eyes lowered.
“Hey, Warren, I’m changing the bed sheets today. I’ve already got mine and Maddy’s. Can I have yours, too?”
He nodded, still not looking at me. I felt for the little fella.
Julian appeared at the bottom of the stairs, fully dressed. “Hey, champ, want to come down and shoot a few hoops?”
Warren shot to his feet gratefully. “Coming!” he called, then turned to
me, his eyes pleading. “Please don’t tell him.”
I crossed my heart and took the sheets from him.
“Thanks, Mom.”
I looked out his window and watched him and Julian play, wondering what to do. But I knew he’d be fine. Thanks to some time with a fine man.
* * *
After the game I invited Julian to stay for lunch.
“What did you say to him?” I asked when we were alone.
“That it happened to me, too.”
“Did it really, or were you just trying to make him feel better?”
“I wish. It happened when I was thirteen. I’d just discovered I’d been adopted.”
“Oh, right.”
“It’s no big deal,” Julian said. “My adoptive parents have always loved me like their own.”
“As if anyone could not love you,” I whispered and he grinned.
“Plus I have you, and you’re all that a bloke could ever want.”
Thinking that someone had abandoned him only made me realize how strong Julian was, and how much more I still needed to learn about this magnificent man.
* * *
I don’t know when I fell asleep again, but the next thing I was aware of was the last rays of the day streaming across my face and the joyous laughter of the kids. I’d never slept for so long in my life.
I rubbed my face and padded into the kitchen and peered out the window over my (still flourishing, by the way) succulents. There, in the back garden, Julian and Warren were rolling around in the sandpit, pure glee on their faces, while Maddy was perched daintily on the edge, clapping her hands in delight.
As I watched, Julian stood up, and tons of sand spilled from his pockets and pant legs.
I wiped the sleep out of my eyes and the cobwebs out of my brain, the night before coming back to me with a vengeance, with the horror of Ira’s violence, the hatred in his eyes as he begged me to take him back. It hadn’t been a bad dream, but it still didn’t make sense. Until I factored in the money aspect. He was not only hoping to bring me back round to him, but also banking on squeezing some more dough out of me.
In all probability, Ira’s business most likely really had been sinking, only he gave priority to Maxine’s needs. Whenever I’d asked him about Tech.Com, he’d sighed and said, “I’ll take care of it.” Which he hadn’t, obviously. Now I understood what had made him crack—not the fact that he missed us, but the fact that he needed money and he needed it fast. You don’t screw around with the IRS.
Yes, it was really time to go. I’d sell the house and invest the money in a smaller farmhouse I could afford, and do it up little by little. There was no way Ira’d get joint custody now, and in a sense I was doing him a favor. He’d never really wanted the burden of having children. I wrapped my sweater around me. Outside it was still cold, but it was nothing compared to the icy fingers gripping my heart.
Now I had to look out for the light at the end of the tunnel. Nothing else mattered.
* * *
That night after Julian left, I couldn’t fall asleep so I dialed Paul’s cell phone.
“Sunshine,” Paul said softly, “Things aren’t going to get better if you stay up all night.”
“I know, but everything is such a mess,” I sobbed, then sniffed. “How’d you know it was me?”
“Because you’re the only fool who would be up at this ungodly hour? Besides, I have caller ID, silly, remember?”
“Right,” I said as I dashed the back of my hand into my eye. “I forgot.”
“So what’s up?”
“I’m so, so tired of all this. I just want to go now. I’m still looking for a place in Tuscany, possibly near your place.”
“Tell you what. I’ll ring up my good friend Roberto Luzzi again and give him a kick up the ass, okay?”
I swallowed. “Okay. Not too expensive. I don’t have a big budget.”
“Just send me an email with your specifics and I’ll forward it to him. Okay?”
“Okay,” I answered.
“Have you told Julian you want to go?”
I sighed. Never more than a step behind me, my Paulie. “Not yet—but I will.”
He sighed. “The guy’s crazy for you. He’s got a right to know.”
“But what if it doesn’t last? What if he really just suffers from Superman syndrome and he gets bored with me? And with the kids?” I whispered, feeling sad and grateful and hopeful at the same time. I was so afraid to let myself go to someone and ruin it all over again. But in my heart I knew Julian would never ever turn his back on his woman. Could I be his woman? His woman for real? I needed to know.
“Honey, he’s friggin’ perfect for you! And, Christ, even if he wasn’t, have you seen that bod? Aren’t those pecs alone worth the risk?”
I smiled and swiped at a tear. Julian was worth the risk.
“Don’t waste any more time, Erica. Nab him now, before somebody else does.” He yawned. “Now go get some shuteye. You’ve got a long day ahead of you and I need my beauty sleep.”
I smiled into my phone. “Okay,” I answered. “See you tomorrow?”
“You betcha, baby,” he said and made kissing noises. “Now get off the phone and go to bed!”
I hung up. Bless his soul.
Chapter 35:
Seduction / Abduction
March melted into April, defined by T.S. Eliot as “The cruelest month.” I guess he must have known what April had in store for us. And still I hadn’t told Julian, my excuse being I wanted the relationship to grow a little more before I sprung this on him. I wanted to have some sort of history behind us before I blew us to smithereens.
“Erica, Maxine Moore on the phone for you on line two,” Jackie informed me.
Jesus, not bloody Pristine Maxine again? I hadn’t seen her since the supermarket episode. “Tell her she can go to hell.”
“She says it’s urgent.”
“Just hang up on her, Jackie.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Here, give me the phone, then,” I snapped and clicked it shut.
As soon as I disconnected, Jackie said, “Erica, your principal on line three.”
“He’s not my principal,” I muttered as I reached for the phone, but something very warm washed over me, making me feel real good. Now he was someone I’d gladly talk to anytime.
“Hey, Julian,” I chimed.
“Sweetheart—your cell phone’s off.”
Sweetheart. That felt even better. Would I ever get used to it? “Oh. I’m sorry. What’s up?”
“Ira came to the school this morning.”
“Oh, my God. Did he make a scene?”
I heard him hesitate.
“No, he wasn’t looking for me. He told one of the secretaries he was taking Maddy to her dentist’s appointment. They let her go with him.”
I sat up, my heart in my mouth. “I’m on my way.”
“You’ll find me at the police station near the school.”
* * *
“Where is she? Where is she?” I couldn’t help crying as I exploded through the front doors of the police station and into the hall where Julian was waiting for me with a policeman.
“Erica, this is Detective Petersen. He’s dealing with Maddy’s—”
“Abduction?” I whispered in a broken voice. On the way over, I’d dialed Ira’s cell phone a million times in vain. Oh, my sweet, sweet little girl!
The detective led us into a private room where he sat us down, explaining that because the abductor was a parent it would be more difficult to trace them, and was I absolutely sure that my husband understood he had to check decisions with me first?
“Yes, yes!” I practically screamed. “He was never interested in seeing them!”
“Ma’am, can you give us a picture of your ex-husband and your daughter and a description of his car?”
With shaky hands I fished in my wallet and retrieved a copy of the picture we had all taken on Christmas Eve, minutes before he abandoned them.
“Uhm, a blue Ford. Boston plates—AB17-2427,” I informed him, imagining the police swooping down on him with a helicopter and shooting him on sight. Never too soon for me. I didn’t care if one day he really did bludgeon me with his baseball bat, but my kids were sacred. When I got my hands on him…
“I’m going to kill him, Julian,” I rasped as the detective went to answer a phone call in the next room.
“That won’t be necessary, Erica. A warrant has been issued for his arrest. We’re talking abduction here. I could kill Miss Simpson. She knew she wasn’t allowed to release either of the kids to anyone but you.”
I wanted to kill Miss Simpson, too, because her stupidity was limitless. “What if he tries to get Warren as well?”
Julian frowned. “And risk going all the way up to the camp site? I doubt it, Erica. Have you blocked the airports?” he asked the returning detective.
“Yes, but it’s difficult to determine where they may be headed.
“Colorado!” I cried and they looked at me. “He might try to get to his parents’ summer lodge!”
“All right,” the detective said. “Call your in-laws and alert them.”
I did as he asked but no one was home so I left a message and sank into my chair, my mind mush and my body liquefied with fear. Maddy! Where could Ira have taken her? And what was going through his deviously twisted mind? He didn’t know anything about her—her tastes, her interests—nothing! And she’d be petrified.
It seemed impossible, but it was true. Ira was doing this just to make me suffer for God knows what sins I’d committed against him. I’d always been a patient, loving wife. How could he do this to me? To Maddy? And how the hell was I going to break it to Warren?
The Husband Diet (A Romantic Comedy) Page 25