Twist of Fate

by Faver, JD

  He smiled at Mel, setting off a feathery feeling in her chest. “Then you had best stay close to me at all times, to protect me from those people.”

  #

  CHAPTER TEN

  He rode the train into the City again, but he didn’t know why. The only good thing was that he would be with Mel again.

  The work was proceeding at the farm. He had harvested his sorghum and his corn and it was stored for the winter. The master suite addition was framed in and the old kitchen was completely torn out. All of the plumbing had been done except for the final fittings after the rooms were completed. He had been forced to hire a kid from the local FFA to come in twice a day and milk for him when he would be gone.

  He let out a huge sigh. It appeared that he would be gone a lot more than he had expected.

  Now he was going to spend the next three days in Mel’s company. She would shepherd him through several events he’d only half understood. One was for the St. Croix design man and one was for the beer people. And they had told him that he would be on television.

  His stomach knotted in fear whenever he thought of it. What would he say? He would look idiotic in front of millions of people again. And then Mel and Gina would tell him it was a good thing.

  He stood as the train neared his stop. He glanced around at all his fellow passengers. They read the newspapers or sent text messages or tried to sleep as the train lurched along. He had the strange impression that he was the only human among a machine full of androids hurtling through space. He blinked the image away.

  When he stepped off the train he saw Mel standing at the end of the platform, looking fresh among the crowd of stale people. She waved and broke into a big grin when she spotted him.

  He felt the tight band around his chest loosen as she rushed into his arms.

  “Hi,” she breathed as he wrapped her in his arms. “I can’t believe you agreed to all this, but I’m glad you’re here.”

  “I am glad to see you.”

  She tucked her arm in his and he felt lighter inside. Where there had been dread, he was filled with hope. At least there was time to spend with Mel, even if a thousand people were around them. She would be with him all the way.

  “I do not know what I am supposed to do.”

  She smiled up at him. “Don’t worry. Gina and I worked out your entire schedule. Let’s go to my place so you can get to bed early. We’re starting early tomorrow morning.”

  He chuckled as they walked along the platform. “You are telling me that you want to go to bed right away?”

  “Yes, Mister Smarty-Pants. I want you in bed.” She grinned mischievously. “You’re going to need your rest.”

  He snorted. “Perhaps we will not rest. Perhaps it will be you who will need to rest. I have missed you a lot.”

  At her apartment, Mel fed him rotisserie chicken from the deli with sides of red potatoes, mashed with the skins on and French sliced green beans with pimentos.

  “Do you like to cook, Mel?” he asked, wondering if he’d made a mistake in having his kitchen remodeled.

  She tilted her head and smiled. “Yes, actually I do. Sometimes, it’s much easier to pick something up on the way home than to shop and cook.”

  Helmut nodded. “In the city it is too hard to shop and cook, but in the country, it is easy.”

  “If you want me to cook for you when I come to see you, just say so.” She shrugged. “I don’t know how to cook on a wood stove, but I can learn.”

  “No, liebchen. You do not have to learn how to cook on a wood stove.”

  “And besides, you always cook for me before I can even get my eyes open in the morning.” Her voice sounded a little defensive.

  Helmut stroked her hair. “Not to worry. I am happy to cook for you. I do not want you to starve while you are in my company.”

  She snorted. “Fat chance of that. You feed me those farm hand breakfasts and then take me to Greta’s and stuff me with some more fattening food.

  He reached out a hand and tickled her ribs. “Ach, see how skinny you are. All bones. I must fatten you up a little.”

  Mel collapsed in a fit of giggles as he continued to tickle her. “Stop! I can’t breathe.”

  Helmut pulled her into his lap. “Sorry. I am being too rough with you.” He kissed her temple.

  Mel raised her lips for a kiss. “I guess it’s been a long time since anyone tickled me. I’m thinking childhood.”

  “Well that is too long.”

  She nodded, her forehead pressed against his. “I haven’t been a child in a long time.”

  Helmut let out a long breath. “Not a child, but you are young. You should enjoy every day. Take off your shoes and run through the grass. Catch fireflies in a jar. Lie on your back and watch the stars at night.”

  Sudden tears formed in her eyes. “I never did those things when I was a child. I don’t think I can start now.”

  He smiled at her wistful expression. “Why not?”

  “Because I’m not a child.”

  “You can be a child when we are together. You do not need to be the grown-up all the time.”

  Unexpectedly, Mel giggled. “I’ve always been the grown-up. I don’t know how to be a child.”

  “Do not worry, Mel. I will help you to find the little child inside you.”

  #

  The next morning, Mel had Helmut dressed and in a taxi by seven am. The drive to her studio took less than ten minutes. Shortly after they arrived, Alain St. Croix and the circus bearing his name came pouring through the door.

  Mel thought that Helmut cringed when the make-up-artist and hairdresser eyed him. She squeezed his arm for encouragement.

  He disappeared into the dressing room at the back of the studio with Muriel carrying his first garments on hangers. He cast a single glance back at her before disappearing behind the door. A glance that said—-‘you got me into this’—and perhaps—‘I wish I’d never met you’.

  Mel shook her head, banishing the thought. Surely Helmut was glad he’d met her. Taking a deep breath, she turned to Alain.

  He gestured to the departed Helmut. “And how is le grande amour?”

  She grinned. “It’s grand, actually.”

  Alain emitted a dry laugh. “Early days yet, ma chérie. Early days.”

  Mel huffed out a little grunt of displeasure. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Alain. Don’t you believe that two people can sustain a relationship over the long haul?”

  “But certainement,” he growled. “But not two so dissimilar individuals. You are as opposite as two people can be. There is no common ground to build upon. Once this physical passion has run its course, you will both move on and find someone with whom you have more in common.”

  Helmut emerged from the dressing room with Muriel straightening the navy blazer with brushed pewter buttons.

  “You don’t understand, Alain,” she said. “Helmut is so much more than a pretty face.”

  Alain grinned at her. “I know. He’s a farmer.”

  Mel chortled. “Does that look like a farmer?” She nodded to where Helmut stood on the other side of the studio.

  Alain raised his brows and blew out a breath. “I must admit, your boy toy looks the soul of elegance, but they do say clothes make the man.”

  Mel flicked an impatient glance over Alain. “Trust me, Alain. Helmut is all man, no matter what clothes he may or may not have on.”

  Alain’s smile became a little tight as he cleared his throat. “As long as he sells my line, I am patient with your infatuation, ma chérie, but mark my words; you will grow tired of the purely physical and yearn for something more cerebral. And I will be here for you.”

  Mel bit back the retort that burned like acid on her tongue. She rationalized that perhaps Alain was jealous of her liaison with Helmut. Perhaps he was envious of the blatant masculinity Helmut exuded so effortlessly, or perhaps Alain cared more for her than their previous relationship would have revealed. She released a breath she hadn’t eve
n realized she’d been holding. Most likely, Alain missed the convenient sex.

  Her gaze connected with Helmut’s across the room. Even at this distance, staring into his riveting blue eyes made her heart do a somersault in her chest.

  He grinned at her, an audacious, openly possessive grin. An “I know the effect I have on you” kind of grin.

  Damn! Could Alain actually think that a relationship as hot as the one she shared with Helmut wouldn’t last?

  #

  That night Helmut followed Mel into the television studio and they were ushered into the Green Room where an aide sat down across from them and asked a few questions.

  When Helmut hesitated, Mel glanced at him and supplied an answer. He felt tongue-tied and ill at ease.

  He and Mel watched the monologue on a monitor and then the host interviewed a beautiful young starlet wearing a short dress with a plunging neckline. She had a movie premiering the next weekend. The program went to commercial and the aide returned to escort Helmut to the stage and clip a microphone to his lapel.

  Helmut’s hands were sweating and his throat felt tight. A little shove on his shoulder and he was walking out onto the stage to thunderous applause. Panic clawed at his throat and lights blinded him.

  David Letterman stepped from behind his desk to greet him with a handshake. He feigned going to his knees with the handgrip. “Take it easy there, big fellah. I’m not as young as I once was.” The audience roared with laughter.

  “I am so sorry,” Helmut said. “I did not mean to injure you.”

  Letterman went behind his desk again, gesturing for Helmut to sit in the space vacated by the starlet who had scooted to the next seat and grinned vacuously at him.

  Letterman consulted a set of cards on the desk in front of him. “So, Helmut, how does it feel to have your pictures plastered on billboards and busses all over the world and know that you’re making women’s hearts beat faster?”

  Helmut stared at him blankly. Letterman made a face at the audience and they laughed. Helmut cleared his throat. “I was not aware that my photographs made women’s hearts beat faster.”

  Another face, another laugh. “I understand that you were a dairy farmer before you became a model? Is that right?”

  Helmut frowned. “No.”

  Letterman checked his notes and turned his gaze back on Helmut. “No?”

  “That is not correct,” Helmut said. “I am still a dairy farmer. I will always be a dairy farmer.”

  “Lucky cows,” the starlet crowed. The audience laughed again.

  Letterman cleared his throat and returned to his cards. “Helmut, do you have any hobbies?”

  “Hobbies?” Helmut stared at him, feeling foolish.

  “You know, what you like to do when you aren’t modeling or milking cows. What is the one thing you would like to spend all your spare time doing?”

  Helmut grinned. “I would be making love to my girlfriend.”

  The audience burst into applause accompanied by peals of laughter.

  The actress ran her fingers over Helmut’s shoulder. “Oh, I so hoped you were available.” Her voice was thick and breathy as she gazed at Helmut with a pout.

  Helmut shook his head. “I stopped being available the first moment I looked at her.”

  More applause. Helmut had no idea why the audience was clapping, but it was better than if they were silent or even worse, laughing at him.

  Then interview continued with the host questioning him about his life before becoming public property. Helmut answered truthfully, describing his upbringing and the life of a dairy farmer in upstate New York.

  When the next commercial came up. Letterman shook his hand and the audience cheered when he stood and waved goodbye to them.

  Mel was standing in the wings and hugged him when he’d stepped behind the curtain.

  He dropped a kiss on top of her head. “I am glad that is over and done.”

  “I’m so proud of you,” she said. “You were wonderful,”

  “I was?” Something about the way she gazed up at him caused a squeezing sensation in his chest.

  She nodded. “You’re a natural.”

  #

  Mel proudly took Helmut to a party at Gina’s penthouse after the show. He looked hesitant when she first told him, but he agreed to come anyway.

  When they stepped through Gina’s entryway, a throng of smiling people immediately surrounded them.

  Gina hugged Mel and moved to embrace Helmut. He glanced at Mel as Gina’s arms fastened around him.

  “Helmut! You were wonderful on Letterman,” she squealed. “You’re a natural. The station was swamped with calls and e-mails to have you back.”

  Helmut’s expression revealed that he wasn’t thrilled at the prospect. Gina introduced him around the assemblage and he was busied shaking hands and fielding questions.

  Mel smiled, glad that he was making the effort to fit in with her crowd.

  A short time later, they stood with Gina on her wide, moonlit patio, talking about upcoming shoots and the current clients Helmut had signed with.

  Gina pushed her glasses up on her nose. “The Old Golden beer people want to interview you and discuss some themes for commercials. They’re location shots, but you should be able to finish one in a single day of shooting.”

  Helmut frowned. “I cannot be away from the farm for more than a few days at a time.”

  Gina nodded and slipped a cell phone from her pocket. “Gotta take this.” She turned away, leaving them together by the railing.

  Mel slipped her hand through Helmut’s arm and burrowed close to him. “Don’t forget that you’re going with me to Cabo San Lucas next week for the St. Croix fashion shoot.” She leaned against his solid form. “I was hoping that we might go a couple of days early and just be alone together in Paradise.”

  Helmut gave her a look that caused her insides to melt together. “How long will we be gone?”

  She spoke close to his ear. “A week. Can you give me a week?”

  He swallowed and gazed into her eyes. “I would give you anything within my power to give.”

  A feeling of buoyancy lifted her into instant ecstasy. She grinned as she snuggled against his arm.

  Gina turned back to them, peering at each in turn over the top of her glasses. “When are you going down to Cabo?”

  Mel straightened. “I was thinking Friday evening. Alain and the crew arrive on Monday, so Helmut and I can have a long weekend all to ourselves.”

  Gina grinned. “Sounds like fun. And you can scout out locations while you’re at it.”

  Mel grinned back at her. “If you say so.”

  #

  Helmut awoke at his usual time. It was dark in Mel’s bedroom with only a glowing digital clock to light the space. He stared at it, unable to close his eyes.

  It had been after one in the morning when he and Mel returned from Gina’s party. They were the first to leave.

  Now, it was almost five and, back at his farm, he would have been rising to prepare for the day. Cows to milk, animals to feed. He hoped the high school senior FFA students he hired were up and readying themselves for their chores before school. He hoped that the many tasks would be performed well as he had instructed.

  The only sound was the steady drone of the ceiling fan stirring the air and the soft rhythmic resonance of Mel’s breath caressing his skin.

  He let out a sigh, accepting that she was the only reason for him to be here. He was naked in her bed, curled around her, storing the precious moments when they could be together, anticipating and dreading his return to the farm where everything was normal. Where everything was the same from one day to the next. Where he would be consumed with thoughts of Mel and wishing to be with her again.

  He lay awake, contemplating their future together, hoping he wasn’t a complete fool for making so many concessions to be with her.

  Sunny’s words rang in his ears. He was definitely a fish out of water in Mel’s world.

>   Mel awoke when the alarm went off several hours later. She stirred in his arms and groped for the snooze button.

  Helmut reached over her and shut off the annoying buzz. “Good morning,” he whispered against her neck.

  She uttered a muffled giggle. “Morning. Did you have a good time at Gina’s party?”

  “Yes, I had a fine time.”

  She giggled again. “Liar.”

  He heaved a sigh. “It was okay.”

  She turned over to face him, tracing his rough jaw line with her finger tips. “I know you aren’t really comfortable in these social situations, but you should feel proud of yourself.”

  He emitted a snort. “Why do you think I should feel proud? That I have not hit anyone?” He was thinking of the man who swept his face with powder.

  She pressed a kiss against his chest. “No, you should be proud that you make such a great impression on everyone. People are drawn to you.”

  A chuckle escaped his throat. “You do not think I am a fish out of water?”

  “Oh, no!” she protested. “You’re not a fish out of water. You’re making your own way here in the city. Everyone loves you.”

  He sighed heavily. “Mel, I do not care if everyone else loves me. I only want you to love me.”

  There was a silence, much too long for comfort.

  “I—I love you,” she whispered. “I do.”

  Helmut swallowed. She said it. She finally admitted that she loved him. He brushed a kiss against her forehead. “I love you too, Mel. I always have.”

  Her voice broke. “I know.”

  She sounded scared. What did she have to be scared of? If she knew he loved her, why was she afraid?

  #

  Oh, my God!

  Mel struggled to appear calm. Now what? What would he expect of her? This would change everything. As long as she pretended that their relationship was purely physical, she could also maintain the belief that it was casual; that she would recover when it ended...and it must end. There was no way the two of them could ever compromise on the things each held to be important.

  She remained, frozen in his arms as he kissed and caressed her, her body responding as her brain raced independent of where he was taking her.