"That's horrible." Kimberly frowned after hearing the story. "What happened?"
Alex stood up and paced. Retelling the story was like telling someone about a nightmare. "Almost two weeks went by before we found her. Misty took her to a crack house near Muncie. Ariel was starving and scared to death as you can imagine." The memory pained Alex as tears built up in his eyes.
"I'm so sorry," she said as she stood behind him and placed her hand on his arm.
"She hasn't said a word since then," Alex told Kimberly.
"Ariel?"
"Yeah. Misty got off easy. The judge sent her to rehab and sentenced to community service or some crap like that. But my little girl... she suffered the most. The doctors can't prove that she's deaf. She's failed every hearing test they gave her though. They told me that she emotionally broke down after the way her mother tortured her."
Kimberly felt tears building up in her eyes but didn't want Alex to see. "I shouldn't have asked."
Alex turned and smiled. He wanted her to know, more than ever, after what Misty pulled. Kimberly would protect Ariel and he knew it. "There's something else," he said.
"What?" Kimberly couldn't imagine what could be worse than what he told her.
"Ever since that horrible nightmare, she is afraid to be called Julia."
Kimberly's jaw dropped, but she quickly closed her mouth. "The first time Misty showed up here, she called her Julia. No wonder Ariel looked so scared." Alex looked off into the distance not wanting to show his weakness to her. "Well," Kimberly said to lighten the mood, "She looks more like an Ariel anyway."
Alex laughed and started up the porch steps. "Come on. Let's order a pizza for real this time."
Chapter 15
ALEX SAT WITH KIMBERLY on the front porch after they put Ariel to bed. Since the girl had been born, it was always just Alex who tucked her in. That night, she pulled Kimberly’s hand when it was time. Alex didn’t mind. He adored the way his daughter admired their visitor. His heart melted when he witnessed Kimberly kissing Ariel goodnight on the forehead.
“I want to thank you again for what you did today,” he told her.
Kimberly didn’t respond right away but stared out at the front yard. “I didn’t do much; other than understand your message,” she answered. "I'll admit it alarmed me a little. I've never seen a woman so fiercely determined to get her way. I'm glad it worked out alright."
“That’s enough.” Alex said referring to her not doing much. “If you didn’t, then things could have gone bad.” He failed to mention the threats that Misty had given. He looked down at her hand. They were sitting close to each other and he wanted to reach over and take it in his. What would she think? He wondered if there could ever be anything between them, or was it just his imagination? “I owe you one,” he spoke after a few moments of silence.
“You’re doing enough for me. Letting me stay here is enough.”
“How about a night on the town?” He wanted to ask her out but figured a friendly gesture would make her feel more comfortable. “Dinner, a few drinks; just you and me.” Alex told her that he’d hire a babysitter for the next night.
Kimberly held her hands over her rosy cheeks. The moonlight shined just enough to allow Alex to see her blush. “What makes you think I drink?” Kimberly joked.
“You’re married to my brother,” Alex laughed. Kimberly lightly punched him in the arm then agreed to go. “It’ll be great,” he said. “Tomorrow, I’ll make all the arrangements then I’ll see you at 7:00.”
THE NEXT DAY, KIMBERLY did all she could do to contain her excitement. Just the thought of going out with Alex made her giddy. She reminded herself that it wasn’t a date. He was her brother-in-law. They were just friends. Still, she couldn’t wait.
She looked at the clothes that she purchased since her arrival but knew that Alex had seen them all. Kimberly wanted to look nice for him. Ariel sat on the bed as Kimberly decided what to wear. “How about a ride,” she asked the girl. She did question if it was a good idea to be alone, with Ariel, in town. Then she looked at her boring jeans and decided to take the chance. She left a note for Alex to see when he returned home for lunch then they were off.
Everything was going fine, Kimberly thought. The car made it into town with no problems, and she found a parking spot close to the store. Ariel sat in the shopping cart and watched while Kimberly looked through the clothes racks. “How about this?” she asked as she held an outfit out in front of her. Ariel shook her head. Kimberly was amazed at both the little girl’s taste in clothes and at the fact that Ariel understood what she said.
Over an hour later, she had picked out a denim skirt, a floral top with butterfly sleeves, and a pair of stylish cowgirl boots. Kimberly never dressed that way before but, once she tried the outfit on, she loved it. Ariel seemed to approve. After picking up every possible detail she could think of, Kimberly checked out.
The day had been going fine, and she was happy that they were almost done. As the cashier handed her the receipt, Kimberly heard the unmistakable female voice behind her.
“Julia!” Misty called out from the other end of the registers.
As soon as Kimberly heard Misty, she raced towards the exit. Misty ran to catch up and was right on her tail. Remembering how strong the woman was when she arrived at the house, Kimberly didn’t want to get caught. She grabbed Ariel and her bags all in one swoop and put the little girl in the car.
“Stop right now! That’s my daughter!” Misty screamed and caused a scene. The people standing outside of the store had turned their heads and watched what was going on.
Kimberly rushed into the front of the car and locked the doors behind her. It was hot inside, with the windows rolled up, but she wasn’t taking any chances. She reached back and helped Ariel fasten the seatbelt in the car seat. It was a good thing that the little girl knew what was going on and knew how to work the contraption. As Kimberly turned back around to start the car, Misty banged on the window.
“Open this door and let me see my baby girl. Julia!” She continued banging on the window.
Kimberly was nervous as she fumbled with putting the key in the ignition. She refused to face Misty who was trying to open the locked door. The car refused to turn over which made Kimberly sweat even more. She kept telling herself that it hadn’t been driven in years. There were bound to be kinks. Ariel cried in the back seat as Kimberly prayed that the engine would turn over. "It's going to be okay," she assured the little girl.
“Let me tell you all about Ryan,” Misty kept banging and screaming.
The car started on the second try. Feeling relieved, she backed up without looking. Kimberly thanked God that nobody was behind her. She could hear Misty protesting. The woman was screaming that she had a right to see her daughter and that she wanted to tell Kimberly all about Ryan. Kimberly ignored her and drove away.
After a few minutes, Ariel stopped crying. Kimberly sighed a breath of relief and continued straight back to the house. Rolling the windows down for air, she wondered what Misty could possibly tell her about Ryan. Alex had never given the impression that there was anything wrong with him. Was he a bad person? Did he have a lot of enemies? Maybe he wasn't away on business. Could he be in prison somewhere? That was crazy, she told herself as she felt tears streaming down her face. A million things went through her mind but figured it wasn’t worth bringing up to Alex. No matter what kind of person Ryan was, it was her intent to divorce him as soon as he arrived.
Chapter 16
THERE WAS STANDING room only at Shooters when they arrived. The bar packed them in on Saturday nights. Just about everyone from town made their appearance; some went for the food, others for a good time. Voices were loud to be heard over the blaring music. On one side of the room, a handful of men played pool while their significant others sat and gossiped. The air was stiff and the temperature was hot. Kimberly was glad she wore a skirt.
She worried about Ariel and the threat of Misty. "Don't worry," Alex
told her. "I trust the babysitter completely." He left instructions that all windows and doors were to be kept locked and that under no circumstances should she open the door for anyone. He offered her anything she wanted to eat in the house so that she wouldn't order out and need to open the door. The babysitter understood, and Alex assured Kimberly that she would obey. "She won't take one step inside this bar either," he explained. "Misty wore out her welcome with everyone she knows." Alex smiled. Kimberly took his word for it and looked forward to a change of pace.
"YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL," Alex said to Kimberly. "All you need is a cowboy hat and you'd blend right in." He grinned as he leaned in closer to her ear. "But personally, I like that you stand out in the crowd."
"Thank you," she blushed then turned her head so that he didn't notice.
Kimberly looked around as Alex led her through the room. Groups sat at tables, all the bar stools were occupied, and people stood with drinks in their hands. "Looks like we'll be standing for a while."
Alex tugged on her arm and said, "Nope, look- a table just opened up." As Alex pulled a chair out for her, he whispered, “Do me a favor? Please don’t mention your marriage to anyone.”
“Why would I?”
“I don’t know,” he shook his head. “It’s just that people around here wouldn’t understand.”
Kimberly got it loud and clear. She assumed he was embarrassed by his brother’s behavior. A smile crossed her face as she wondered if he was a little jealous. She admitted to herself that she would be the envious one if she found out he had a girlfriend. “So,” she tilted her head in the direction of the bar. “Are you going to buy me a beer?”
Alex smiled and excused himself. "Be right back," he said but paused before leaving her side. He spun around and headed towards the bar.
When he was gone, Kimberly couldn’t help but think of Ryan. Part of her was fuming with his delay returning, but another part of her was happy to get to know Alex. He had been going out of his way to make her feel at home. The awkwardness they felt at first had faded and the two began to open-up to each other.
He returned a few minutes later with two beers and friends. “I found these guys across the room.” Alex put the bottles on the table as the couple sat in the seats opposite of her. “You remember Gavin, and this is our good friend, Elizabeth.”
Kimberly reached her hand over the table as they all said hello. Alex sat next to her and she immediately noticed how close he was. "Where are you from?" Elizabeth asked her as Gavin listened with interest.
"Oh, I'm from the Bronx."
Elizabeth's eyes widened. "Sweet," she replied. "How far away from Time Square is that?"
"About an hour? Maybe less; it depends on what type of transportation you use."
Gavin tuned in to the conversation. "Looks like I'm going to have to pay you a visit one of these days. I've always wanted to see New York. If you don't mind, of course."
Kimberly beamed. Alex's friends were making her feel like they've known her forever. "Of course."
Not long after their second beer, the table became crowded with more of Alex’s friends. They all welcomed Kimberly but didn’t drown her in questions. Instead, they all included her in their conversations. The more friends that decided to join them, the closer Alex’s chair moved towards her. At one point, he put his arm on the back of her chair and quietly said, “Tell me if I’m getting too close.”
He smelled amazing, she thought. Kimberly flashed him a smile and said, “I’m good.” She reached over and patted his hand hoping that she wasn't over the line.
Later that evening, a DJ started playing, and most of his friends left for the dance floor. Kimberly kept her eye on the dancers. The floor wasn’t as crowded as the clubs back home, but she was glad the music and the dancing were the same. She didn’t realize that her toes were tapping until Elizabeth said, “I love this song. Come on, Kim.” She was the only one, besides her friends and family back home, who called her by her nickname. “Let’s dance.”
Kimberly found herself having more fun than she imagined she would. Every time a song ended, another one she liked started. She found herself in a group of dancers; some she met at the table, and others who made quick introductions as they danced.
Occasionally, she would look over to Alex and see him watching her. She could see the smile in his eyes when the bottle hid his mouth. At one point, she wiggled her finger as to tell him to get out on the floor. Alex shook his head and pointed to the bar. He mouthed, “You want one?” Kimberly nodded in thirst.
When the song ended, Kimberly decided to take a break before a better song came on. She took her seat at the table. While she waited for Alex to return, she reached into her purse and took out her phone. She had a text from Ryan. Alex told her that he'd given her number to Ryan in case he needed to get in touch but, up until that moment, they hadn't communicated. Kimberly's mouth gaped when she saw the text.
“I am sorry for all this. Hope you’re not dying of boredom.”
Kimberly knew prisoners weren't allowed cell phones therefore her thoughts earlier in the day were invalid. She began to giggle.
"Ryan, do you remember me?"
"No, I guess we both must have been slammed."
"When can I expect you back? I need you to sign the divorce papers."
"I’m sorry about the delay. Again, I hope you're not dying of boredom."
She began to feel guilty for having a crush on her husband’s brother. If she had met Alex in a different situation, she would have hit on him long ago. That alone surprised Kimberly. Alex was the only man capable of coaxing her out of her shell. Ryan was the only reason she didn’t make a move. “Actually, your brother and I are at Shooters tonight. He’s nice. I like him.” She looked over at Alex and hoped what she said didn’t come out wrong. He was still waiting for the bartender. His back turned towards her, and he was talking to his friends.
“Good. He could use a woman.”
She felt giddy like a school girl. "Are you telling your wife to flirt with your brother?"
A couple minutes went by without a reply. Kimberly glanced across the room and watched Alex laugh with his friends. She wondered what took the bartender so long but, since she'd been texting, she didn't care.
"You and I both know that we're not married in the way most people are. We drank too much and made a mistake. You're not my property. Judging from the way Alex speaks of you, I'd say he's catching the feels."
Kimberly read the text over and over. She understood what Ryan said and wondered why she ever felt guilty. He was right. They didn't know each other and both have lived the single life since the night they said 'I do.'
"Guess you're right about that." She replied with a smiley face.
She noticed Alex heading back. Kimberly threw the phone in her purse and decided to continue to have a good time.
Kimberly downed her beer after Alex returned with it. He laughed and asked her if she wanted another. “No, Alex.” She stood in front of him and reached for his hand. “What I want to do is dance, and I need a partner for this one.”
He didn’t object as she led him to the dance floor. The DJ finally played a slow song. She put her arms over his shoulders, and his hands rested on her hips. Elvis bellowed out a love song as Alex spun her around. “I’m glad you’re having a good time.”
“I definitely am,” Kimberly beamed.
“Good.” Alex pulled her against him and held her close. She felt like they were the only ones in the room. Kimberly could feel his heartbeat and knew that hers was pounding hard against him. It never beat so hard before. His breath was warm on her neck as they embraced on the dance floor.
Kimberly closed her eyes as her feet kept time with his. The music faded as she imagined that they were the only couple out on the dance floor. The sensation of his arms wrapped around her brought back memories she thought she forgot. She danced that way on her 21st birthday. "Oh, my God," she whispered in his ear. "I remember this; dancing this way."
"You remember?" Alex breathed.
Kimberly felt his pulse quicken in his neck as she held onto him. "You dance just like your brother," she informed him.
Alex almost stumbled and fell. Kimberly held onto him tightly and assumed he had too much to drink. "I told you: we're a lot alike."
When Kimberly acknowledged there was music playing, it stopped. Alex took her hand in his and walked with her back to the table. Kimberly went to take a drink but forgot she finished it earlier.
“Would you like another?”
She placed the bottle back on the table and answered, “I’m fine. Actually, I’m getting tired.”
“That’s because its two o'clock in the morning.” Alex suggested that they go back to the house. She took one last look at the dance floor. As much as she wanted to go back out there, she knew her body was done. Alex read her mind. “The DJ will stop playing soon anyway.”
Kimberly agreed and found herself waving goodbye to a lot of people on the way out.
ALEX LIKED THE FEEL of Kimberly being close to him. When they drove home, he patted the seat next to him and she slid over without hesitation. The ride home wasn't nearly long enough. Alex didn’t want the night to end yet didn’t want to rush things either. He could see that Kimberly was having mixed feelings. He recalled her expression when she said he danced like Ryan. Alex wanted to come clean, to tell her the things he should have from the start, but the words wouldn't form from his mouth.
When they arrived at the house, Alex helped her out of the truck. His hand slid across the small of her back and, for a split second, she faced him. ‘Kiss her, you fool!’ his inner self screamed. He had a bad habit of second guessing things and usually lost opportunities when he did. Luck was with him though. Kimberly stumbled, and he caught her with his lips.
Romance Me: A Collection Of Standalone & First In Series Books Page 17