by May Williams
“Colette, you in here?” He called. “Brought you some coffee and a doughnut.” A hay bale hit the ground near him and he stepped back to look up at her. “You don’t want a doughnut?”
“What are you doing here?” she demanded.
Ian glanced over his shoulder to see if someone was behind him, then shrugged. “Bringing you coffee.” He raised the cup in her direction. “What’s the matter?”
“I thought you left,” Colette said, starting to feel foolish, but sounding nonetheless petulant.
“I did leave to take some pictures down at the lakeshore. I drove over to park at Lexy’s house so I was closer to the water, then she gave me food. Does she give everyone food?”
“Yeah. Doesn’t make you special.” Colette climbed down the ladder from the loft and stripped off her gloves. She reached for the coffee, still upset.
Ian held the coffee just out of her reach. “You thought I left, like, forever.” He sounded puzzled.
“You didn’t leave a note or bring anything into the house last night,” she said, not losing the edge of anger. “It would have been an easy escape.”
“Is that what you think I want? You know something?” He put the drink and bag down on an upside down bucket. “You’re pissing me off.”
“I’m pissing you off?” She came closer and poked him in the chest. “You’re the one who left without saying a word.”
“For a couple hours to take pictures. That can’t surprise you.” He folded his fingers around hers to stop the prodding. “And just for the record I left you a text message and a voice mail. I didn’t see a notepad because it was still dark and I didn’t want to rifle through your drawers.” His eyes pierced into her. “You should listen to your inbox every once in a while. I left you a message Friday night, too. Did you get that one?”
“I never checked the messages,” she said to him, sounding haughty, but dodging his gaze guiltily. “There were assholes calling.”
“Me? Ouch.”
“No! Not you!”
“Well, your inbox is full now so you better do something.” He dropped her hand, but refused to back away, his keen eyes focused on her.
The cow’s mooing and the rustlings of leaves were the only sounds. Colette’s heart beat fast in her chest, but the tough exterior started to wilt. “Why’d you call Friday?”
“‘Cause it’d been a shitty day and I wanted to hear your voice.”
Maybe that explained the haunted expression on his face when he’d arrived last night. “What happened?” she asked, softly.
“I went to see my dad in Chicago. Figured I was already in Gary, I might as well go into the city.” He looked away toward the cherry trees. “After ten years, you think I wouldn’t get upset by him anymore. I guess age doesn’t help,” he said, his voice full of disgust and resentment.
She rested her hand on his forearm. “What’d he say?”
“The usual.” He moved suddenly, brushing her off, and strode back to his car. “Skip it. Doesn’t matter.”
“Wait!” She caught up to him, grabbing his elbow and spinning him around. “So that’s it? That’s as much as you’re going to tell me.” She kept her voice level and her eyes focused on his.
“It’s already more than you need to know,” he said, his tone flat and distant. He broke loose from her and kept walking.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” She yelled after him, frustrated with his attitude. “I think at this point you can trust me enough to tell me about your dad.”
“Trust?” He echoed her, reaching the car and turned to face her. “You want me to trust you? Why? You don’t trust me. You think I’m going to leave your life as suddenly as I came into it without a word. You don’t trust me because of some asshole two years ago. Don’t lecture me about trust.” He flung the car door open.
“So now you are leaving,” she screeched, wincing at her own words. “I guess that proves I’m right.”
“Son of a bitch, woman. I’m not leaving. Haven’t I made that clear? I’m getting my stuff and taking it into your house. Hell, I’ll probably even claim some closet space.” He slung a camera over his shoulder and picked up his suitcase. “That make you happy?”
She stomped up the back steps of the house and held the door open for him. “I emptied the third drawer in my dresser for you yesterday, and I hate it when people spill toothpaste in the sink and don’t clean it up. I’m going back to the barn.” She let the door slam shut behind him and she waited on the steps, trembling from head to foot. She drew in a shaky breath, but wasn’t sure why. She needed to get away from him, to think.
In the barn, she sought refuge from her own raging emotions. Why had she gotten so upset? Why had he? Oh, he must have felt like he was unwanted and it was all her fault. Why couldn’t she have been rational and realized he was just taking pictures? In the tack room, she sat on a bench and tucked her legs beneath her. Tipping her head against the rough, wooden wall, she closed her eyes and took in a series of slow breaths.
There was only one answer to her questions. She was in love with him but the fear of losing him was overwhelming. When she admitted it to herself, the fear diminished slightly, but raised more questions. Could she just march in the house and declare her love for him? Was it that simple? What if he ran for it then? What if she ran for it then? From what he said, he planned to stay, but doubts still lingered.
She needed time before she went back in the house. Her emotions would be obvious, especially to someone as observant as Ian. Her glance landed on the abandoned coffee and doughnut. He’d thought to bring her food to show he cared. That’s what she did too. She nourished creatures of all sizes and kinds, particularly the strays like Ian. She got attached to her animals and kept them. Ian was no different, but she couldn’t face him now. She grabbed a notepad and made a list of chores to complete. When she was done with those, she might be able to go in the house.
She was working her way through the list when a car honked in the driveway, catching her attention. When she walked out of the barn, she found Ian’s car still sat where it had been, although she half expected it to be gone. A pizza delivery car pulled up to the house. Ian came out to pay the driver. When he spied her, he pointed to the food and disappeared into the house. Her stomach growled at the thought of a meal. She’d been working for hours on only the doughnut left in the barn.
She entered the house through the mudroom to wash up. A small whiteboard she remembered buying months ago now hung on the door going into the kitchen. A dry erase marker sat in the tray. The words “I’m in the kitchen. E.” were scrawled across the white surface in bright red marker. Okay, she thought, so he wants to play house. Still, it made her smile, even if the writing was a little…irritated-looking. In the kitchen, the table was set for two with her grandmother’s china from the hutch and wine glasses. A vase of flowers picked from her garden stood over the pizza box. Ian pulled the cork from a bottle of red and eyed her across the room.
“Little fancy for Sunday afternoon,” she commented before sitting down.
“Maybe.” He poured wine into the glasses. “I’d have cooked, but I’m waiting for you to teach me how.” He opened the box for her to take a slice of pizza before taking one himself. “Are we going to talk about it or pretend it didn’t happen?”
“Damn, I didn’t even get a bite.” After a long sip of wine, she said, “I’m sorry I screamed at you, but I don’t like being shutout. It doesn’t help my trust issues any.” She tried out a half-smile, the first in hours.
“Apology accepted,” he returned her smile and added, “I took that drawer space.”
“Good,” she said, and her heart lifted a little. He was staying. “Will you tell me about your father now?”
His smile drained away, but he nodded. “My father was a first class jackass yesterday, worse than ever. I got the usual lecture about being worthless before he ordered me to leave his office and never come back.” Ian chomped down on his pizza.
> “He didn’t say that. He couldn’t have!” She said immediately. Ian must have been exaggerating; Ian was a great guy, what would he have to be upset about?
“Verbatim, I swear.”
“That’s awful.” She frowned, trying to puzzle it out. “Did you fight about something in particular?”
“He tries to manipulate people.” Ian’s head was bent over his plate, giving Colette the idea that he didn’t want to make eye contact with her right now. “I called him on it.”
“Manipulating you?”
“And others. He’s almost eighty-five. I thought he might have mellowed. Guess not.” They ate in silence for a few minutes.
“I don’t know what to say. I don’t have any experience with that sort of problem, but I’m sorry, Ian.” She reached across the table to take his hand, forcing him to look up.
“I’m an adult. I’ll get over it.” His usual bright eyes were dimmed. “I never expected some glorious father-son moment like in the movies. Just a friendly acknowledgement of our relationship on his part would have been nice.”
“What about your brother? Is it any better for him?”
“Tom stayed in college when I left to join the army, got his law degree so everything was fine for him for a lot longer. But when he didn’t go to work for my dad after that, he had the same experience I did.”
“Does he see your father?”
“Couple times a year, tops.”
“So your father isn’t even motivated by his grandchildren?” She couldn’t imagine not having multiple generation of family around regularly.
Ian gave a derisive laugh. “His secretary makes sure they get birthday and Christmas presents. Same as when Tom and I were kids.”
“That’s terrible!” Colette exclaimed. “Families are supposed to love and care for each other!”
“We’re not really that kind of family. Tom and I try, but I can’t see any way to change it now.” Ian drained the last of his wine. “Buuut, you could try to make me feel better.”
“How?”
A glint came into his eyes. “Come over here and sit on my lap.” He gave her hand a tug.
“How’s that going to make you feel better?” The answer was obvious, but she wanted to tease him and lighten his mood.
“If you’re going to be stubborn, I could come sit on your lap.”
“I smell like the barn,” she warned him, but she rose and walked around the table. He pushed his chair back, giving her room to settle into his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder.
“I’m better already.”
“Good.” She nuzzled his neck, eliciting a groan from him.
“You’re not expected anywhere today, are you? Family dinner?”
“Nope. Did you have something in mind?” Because if he didn’t, she did.
“Yeah, but first I need to tell you something.” The serious tone in his voice made her sit up and turn slightly to face him. “Don’t leap to conclusions. I see the wariness in your eyes.”
“Sorry.” She dropped her head, but he immediately lifted her chin up with his hand until their eyes met again.
“Maybe your trust issues have worked to my advantage. Other than that, there’s no way a woman like you would still be single.”
“Like me?”
He nodded, twisting a lock of her hair around his finger. “Beautiful, smart, loving, a little stubborn when you need to be. Yeah, just like you.” His fingers moved to feather over her cheeks. “Colette, I’ve never felt like this about anyone before. When I’m with you, I feel so damn good. I never thought it could be like this.”
She leaned forward to kiss his lips, her arms tightening around his neck. “I know exactly what you mean,” she whispered before she kissed him. She wouldn’t tell him she loved him, not right now, but it was close enough. “Now, tell me about this plan you have.” In answer, he stood up with her still in his arms and headed for the stairs. When they reached the staircase, she said, “I think you should put me down.”
“Why?” His foot was on the first step. “You think I’m not man enough to carry you up?”
“I have no doubts about that, but I don’t want you to trip and hurt yourself or me. Not when we have other things we want to do.” She nibbled on his ear to help make her point.
“Did I already mention you were smart?” He swung her down, but kept her body tight to his side as they climbed the stairs.
“Oh, my,” she whispered when she pushed open her bedroom door. The shades were drawn casting the room in shadows except for the scattering of lighted votive candles. “You were confident where this would end.”
“End? We’re just getting started.” He pulled her t-shirt over her head and tossed it on the floor, then shed his own. “What?” he asked, looking down at his chest when she giggled.
“I’m always amazed how men can take off a shirt in one motion. Women don’t do that. Wonder why that is?” He backed her up until her legs bumped into the bed.
“Two reasons.” He laid her gently on the bed. “Women care about their hair,” he ran his fingers through the long strands where they fanned out on the bed, “and, my favorite reason, women have these.” His hands closed around her breasts.
“I knew you were clever.” She twined her arms around his neck.
“You’re going to find out just how clever in a few minutes.”
Chapter Fifteen
Ian rode the few miles into town and parked the bike behind the Petoskey Animal Clinic. When he entered by the back door, the smell of antiseptic overpowered the other scents of animals, but nothing could muffle the noise from one of the exam rooms. A high pitched squeal split the air, causing him to cringe. The door flung open and a little boy with a puppy tucked under his arm ran down the hall to the waiting area. A round, gray-haired lady still rubbing her ears stepped into the hall with Colette.
“Thank you, Dr. Peterson. Sorry about the squealing.”
“It’s normal. Puppies, like kids, don’t like shots. Go around the corner to the receptionist. She’ll set up the next appointment.” Colette pointed the lady in the direction of the waiting room, then turned to Ian with a smile. “I’ve got one more patient before lunch.” She watched his face. “What is it? You look like the cat who swallowed the canary.”
“I’ve got something to tell you over lunch.” He stole a quick kiss.
“Whatever it is, it must be good. I’ll be fifteen minutes. I think Mom’s in the records room in the back if you want to visit her.” She pointed to a closed door at the end of the hall.
Ian knocked before entering to find Jade sitting on the floor going through stacks of folders. “Jade, I’d try to charm you away from Jack if I hadn’t already flipped over your daughter.” Ian leaned down to kiss Jade’s cheek. “I’m a little scared of Jack, too.”
“He’s not so scary when you get to know him better.” She handed him a bundle of documents. “Can you put those on the pile by the window?”
“I think Jack’s going to continue to scare me for a while.”
“It’s the quiet that gets to people, but he likes you. He even said it to me in so many words.”
“Yeah? I couldn’t tell.” Ian returned from his task. “I need some advice on another matter.”
“About Colette?”
He nodded. “I want to get her something special for the night of the fundraiser. Any suggestions?”
“What kind of special?” Jade’s gave him a little smile.
“Earrings, a necklace, or a bracelet. Do you know what color she’s wearing?”
“Lexy and I talked her into buying a little cocktail dress in silver when we were in Ann Arbor last spring. She’ll probably wear that. Silver earrings would look best with it I think.”
“With sapphires to match her eyes?” Ian suggested, the thought striking him suddenly and almost sweeping him away.
“Lovely,” Jade commented. “Maybe I shouldn’t say anything but…”
&
nbsp; “What?”
“If sometime in the future you’re thinking of getting her a ring, let me know in advance.”
“Why?” Ian raised an eyebrow at Jade but couldn’t keep the amused expression off his face.
“Jack’s mother gave me her engagement ring and wedding band before she died. She wanted Colette to have them. I promised to hang on to the rings until the time was right.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Ian just had time to say when he heard footsteps in the hall.
“Hey, my last appointment cancelled. I’m all yours.” Colette stood in the doorway to the little room with her lab coat already off and her purse in her hand.
Ian exchanged a look with Jade. “Maybe we can talk about that later.”
“About what?” Colette asked.
“I’m starving.” He took Colette’s arm and steered her to the back door. “Let’s go get lunch.”
Outside, they both blinked in the bright sunlight of late July. “Where’s your car?”
“I found a man’s bike in the barn and rode it.” He gestured to the bike leaning against the back of the clinic. “Since I had to lower the seat and the handlebars several inches before I could even get on it, I figure it must be Adrien’s.”
“Yeah, it’s his spare road bike. I won’t tell him you used it.”
“I shouldn’t have used it?”
“Adrien’s obsessive about riding, competitive, too. That’s a four thousand dollar bike.”
“Shit. Bike’s a bike to me.”
“And a camera is a camera to him.”
“I get the picture.”
“Very funny. Open the door so I can put it in the break room. We’ll be in big trouble if it gets stolen.” Colette pushed the bike into the building while Ian waited for her at the door. “Where are we going for lunch?” She asked when she stepped back outside.
“I thought we could walk downtown to your sister’s place. I haven’t eaten my fill of pasties yet this week.”