Of Body And Soul

by L. J. Valentine

  Two hours into the flight, Andrea realized she'd been drumming her pencil against the pad. She put her things away and stopped the flight attendant as he passed her seat. "Could I please have a glass of Chardonnay?" she whispered, so as not to wake Grayson.

  "What a great idea," Grayson chimed in. "We should celebrate. I haven't been on vacation since Uncle Charles passed away. This is a major step for me. And the fact that if my friend didn't decide to go to Vail, we’d never have met. Are you going to Vail on a ski vacation?"

  "No," Andrea glanced at her watch as it edged toward freedom from Jason.

  "I didn't think so."

  Andrea eyed Grayson's amber cashmere suit and sweater. Her face, devoid of makeup, except for the hint of color on her cheeks, her hair soft, white and wispy, styled away from her face, gave her a much younger look than her years. Her sense of style was impeccable. Andrea realized the reason she hadn’t recognized Grayson. The woman had gained weight and had snow-white hair. The last time she had seen Grayson, she was a size eight and had red hair.

  Andrea should have felt stylish in her coffee brown suede dress with matching coat, and carefully selected Prada accessories. But, for some reason, she felt older than Grayson, even though she was thirty years her junior.

  "You're here on business then?" Grayson asked, her wise eyes bright and bemused. "You’re meeting someone to close a very important deal. Right?"

  For a moment Andrea was dumbstruck. Well, she thought, that's a good analogy of a five‑year relationship that went down the tubes. The wine arrived before she could answer.

  Grayson raised her glass. "Well, here's to my vacation and your business deal," she grinned. "Andrea, are you married?"

  The quick question needed a thoughtful answer. "No, but . . . hum, I've been with someone for five years."

  "Five years!"

  "Are you shocked, Grayson?"

  "No, but that seems like a long time to spend with someone you're not married to."

  "It was, and time is like the wind, Grayson. It blows down the corridors of your life and slams all the doors shut as it passes," Andrea sighed.

  Grayson leaned over, her expression pathetically eager. "Tell me what it's like. In my day, it was unheard of for a couple to live together."

  "What’s it like to live with a man?" Andrea looked at her. "That's a big question," she hedged and wished their conversation had headed in another direction. Should I tell her the truth? That living with Jason was a stress test—to see how long two people could exist in the same space without going mad?

  "What's your boyfriend's name?"

  "Jason . . . Jason Miles. And he’s not my boyfriend any longer.” Andrea said curtly. “He's an architectural engineer working in L.A.”

  Andrea looked directly at Grayson and softened. "I'm sorry I was rude just then. The business I'm concluding is my relationship with the man.”

  Grayson's mouth formed an expressive circle. "Oooh, I'm sorry for prying," she said compassionately and rummaged through her pile of books, looking for something to read.

  Andrea patted Grayson's hand. "Don't worry, I’ve made the right decision this time," she said confidently and finished her glass of wine. Warm and comfortable, she closed her eyes.

  She returned to that incredible night when she first met Jason at Arthur's. From then on, her life was a whirlwind: traveling, entertaining, dining at the Oak Room, Tavern on the Green, Twenty‑one. Fresh flowers were delivered to her every day. Jason’s gifts fluctuated from one extreme to another. One day he'd send a single red rose in a Baccarat bud vase and the next her favorite, violets in a wicker basket. More often than not, Jason's secretary would call to inform her that a limo would arrive at their house in a few hours to whisk her off to the airport. Jason had made a name for himself as one of the leading architects in the United States.

  He flew all over the world to meet with clients and he expected her to go with him. The life she had planned had been on hold since her parents' death and her relationship with Jason gave her a welcomed reprieve. There was never a dull moment. She fell in love with Jason’s lifestyle . . . the unpredictability and excitement. All too soon, she realized her life centered on playing hostess to his clients . . . catering to his needs. In the process, she’d given up her painting and a large part of herself. She didn’t like the person she had become.

  Her eyes flew open when she heard the pilot announce their descent. The Fasten Your Seat Belt sign went on and before long, they landed in Denver.

  Andrea gently removed the book from Grayson’s hand and whispered her name. Grayson sat up immediately and gave Andrea a wide smile. "I must have fallen asleep. It had to be the wine."

  "Look at that snow!" Andrea's eyes opened wide and the golden flecks sparkled.

  Grayson followed Andrea's glance. "It should be great for the skiers," she said as she straightened her jacket and fluffed her hair.

  When Andrea stepped into the aisle, she was surprised when she recognized the same man whom she’d seen going into Emily’s house this morning. He wore the same blue wool blazer and gray flannel slacks. His white turtleneck intensified his deep tan and piercing blue eyes.

  When he glanced in her direction, he nodded and smiled. Their eyes locked and she felt a rush of heat that turned her face crimson.

  Instantly, the memory of the Christmas party burst through her subconscious. It's Kurt, Emily's brother! I haven't seen him in four or five years. It’s no wonder I didn’t recognize him. He’s as dark as chestnut and he has a full, thick beard. He’s even more handsome than I remember. I wonder what he's doing back in the States and why Emily didn't tell me he came home. What a coincidence. Only Emily knew I was meeting Jason this weekend. Hmm.

  Grayson stood and watched the confused expression on Andrea's face. "Are you okay, Dear?"

  "Yes, I'm fine. I just saw someone else that I hadn't seen in a number of years."

  "Well, it must be your lucky day," Grayson said with a smile and hugged Andrea to her.

  "Grayson, I have your friend's phone number and I'll call you. Maybe we can have dinner one night before I go back to New York."

  "Wonderful!"

  “Grayson, do you need help with your luggage?"

  "No, Dear. There’s a chauffeur waiting for me. He'll help me with everything. Go, go," she insisted. "You don't want to be late."

  Andrea looked at Grayson, barely able to say goodbye. She tucked Grayson's Taos, New Mexico address and phone number into her purse and embraced her affectionately.

  "I'll call to let you know how everything turns out. If you decide to stay longer, I’ll be here the rest of the week," Andrea said and gave Grayson a quick peck on the cheek.

  Kurt watched from a few rows back as Andrea talked with someone standing between the seats. He saw her kiss the woman and then work her way toward the exit. He tried to follow her, but there were groups of people clogging the passageway, chatting and taking their sweet time. He felt his temper rise. "Could you please hurry it up?" Exasperated, he pushed through the crowd. "I'm sorry, but my girl is waiting for me and I'm already late."

  "Let the man through, let the man through," someone shouted. The group parted like a mini Red Sea and the young men on board patted Kurt's back as he rushed down the aisle.

  "Thanks guys," Kurt said. Once off the plane, he shouldered his way through the crowded airport trying to catch up to Andrea.

  A vision of winter white greeted Andrea as she waited for the limo to take her to Vail. She inhaled deeply and took a few minutes to watch the young and the not-so-young struggle with their luggage and ski equipment. Their booted feet crunched the icy snow, which gave an undeniable reason why they had come to this winter wonderland. Empty limos stood their ground and waited for their chauffeurs to return with passengers. The freezing cold bit back at the hordes of people and caused noses to run and eyes to water. Puffs of vapor escaped as the frolicsome crowd shouted and pulsated with excitement. They boarded the Colorado Mountain Express as so
on as it appeared.

  Andrea scanned the confusing scene. Where’s that limo Jason promised? Just then she noticed an empty car and stepped off the curb to see if her name sat on the dashboard. Unexpectedly, her foot slipped and before she knew what had happened, someone grabbed her from behind and held her up before she hit the ground. Embarrassed, she turned and looked into beautiful, calming blue eyes.

  "Excuse me," she mumbled, and tried to discipline her voice.

  "You're excused only if we can share that limo," he said with total conviction.

  "We may be going in different directions," she said in a controlled voice, careful not to show her feelings.

  "I don't think so. There's only one direction to Vail Village."

  He grabbed her bags and headed toward the limo.

  She held her ground. "You’re Kurt, Emily's brother, aren't you?"

  He turned. "I wondered when you'd recognize me."

  She pushed her hair back and moved her head slightly to establish perspective and scrutinize his face. "You look different,” she remarked. “It's been, what, four years?"

  "No, five," he said, holding her luggage and staring directly into her eyes.

  "I never would have expected to see you here. Emily told me you may be coming home, but she didn't say when. When did you get back?"

  He combed his blonde hair back with his fingers. "Would you believe late last night?” He studied the enormous banks of snow. “I haven't seen this much snow in years. It's more beautiful than I remembered, and so are you," he whispered.

  "What did you say?"

  "Oh, I just commented on the beautiful snow."

  She watched him. His moves were forceful, yet precise.

  He took her by the arm and directed her into the limo. The gesture contained an intimacy she hadn't expected, along with a quickening from deep down within.

  "I'm staying at the Sebastian Vail Resort," she said, and took a deep breath.

  Kurt slouched comfortably against the soft comfort of the limo. He watched as Andrea stared out at the snow-filled mountains. She crossed and uncrossed her legs at least four times and glanced at her watch just as many times. His practiced masculine eye took in every detail of her in the fifteen minutes they'd been driving. "Is something bothering you, Andrea? You keep staring at your watch. Do you have an appointment with someone?" he asked casually.

  She breathed an exasperated sigh and wrinkled her nose. "Well, I do have to meet someone for dinner in about two hours."

  "Business or pleasure?"

  "Business," she responded, threatened by the strangeness of the whole situation.

  "Me too," he said and checked his watch. "Don't worry; you'll be there in plenty of time." Uneasiness coupled with irritation dripped from his voice as he told the driver to speed it up.

  "Now, is something bothering you?” She asked.

  "What did I say?" he asked, raising his hands in frustration.

  "It's not what you said. It's how you said it." Andrea waved her hand. “Whatever!” Again she stared out the window. The two hours drive to the Village seemed forever.

  When they reached the Sebastian Vail Resort, he jumped out of the limo. “I'll run in and make sure they have your reservation." He smiled. “With these crowds, one never knows.”

  "That won't be necessary, I . . . ." He was out of the limo and rushed toward the hotel before she could finish her sentence. Within a few minutes, he was back.

  "There's been a mix‑up. The hotel doesn't have a reservation in your name."

  "That's impossible." She gave him a questioning look and wondered if the rest of the weekend would be the same . . . Kurt interfering with her plans.

  "I'm staying at the Sonnenalp. It's right there," he said, as he gestured toward it on the opposite side of the street. "See! You can walk to it from here. Maybe they'll have a vacancy available."

  She studied his face, then sighed and slumped back into the seat. “Whatever.”

  Kurt instructed the driver to go to the Sonnenalp. Once there, he helped Andrea out of the limo and waited for the driver to get her luggage from the trunk.

  "Where’s your luggage?" She asked.

  "I didn't bring any.

  She was shocked. "It must be an extremely important business meeting."

  "Yes, it is," he nodded. “It could mean my future.”

  Andrea shook her head. She didn’t know what to make of the situation. At least tonight at dinner she'd have something to talk to Jason about.

  "Andrea?"

  "What?"

  "I’m going to check in. Do you need help checking in?" he asked.

  "That won't be necessary, thank you.” What the hell does he think he’s doing, she thought.

  "See you later, then?"

  "No, I don't think so. Remember? I have a dinner engagement."

  The tension between them had become supercharged. "Oh, that's right . . . a business dinner."

  She nodded. "Yes.”

  Clearly disturbed, he combed his blonde hair with his fingers. "I'm sorry to have been a bother." After he had checked in, he walked toward the elevators, turned and met her eyes.

  She paused a moment, hesitant about saying anything. "Maybe lunch tomorrow?" she shouted across the lobby.

  He smiled—satisfaction written across his handsome face. He waved as the elevator doors closed.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  After her luggage was brought to her room, she phoned Jason at the Four Seasons.

  "Where in the hell are you?" he shouted.

  "I'm at the Sebastian Vail. I'm looking at your hotel as we speak."

  "What are you doing there?" an edge of desperation in his voice.

  "I'll explain when I see you."

  "No, damn it. Explain now!" He shouted so loud that Andrea held the phone away from her ear.

  "Don't yell at me. Who the hell do you think you are?” Andrea controlled her voice. “You know, Jason, I don't need this."

  "Wait, don’t hang up."

  "This is your problem. You seem to forget I'm a person too. For the last five years I’ve put up with your childish behavior. I’d hoped our relationship would improve with time. Learning each other's needs would have made things easier, but that didn't happen. Did it?"

  "Andrea, wait, let me . . . .”

  "Apologize! It's a little too late for that. All you ever wanted was someone always available and ready to carry out your wishes. I loved being there for you. I really did. But I realized our relationship was one‑sided. You may not even be aware of your selfishness, however it’s always there.” She paused and fiddled with the pen on the desk. “You know, a relationship is a give‑and‑take proposition. We’ve discussed this before.”

  “I know we did, but . . . .”

  “But what! You said you’d try to change and things would be different. Yes, things did go well for awhile, and then, you went right back to your same old ways."

  “I didn't mean to come on so strong. I'm, . . . I'm just disappointed we're not at the same hotel."

  "I'm glad we're at different hotels. I planned to wait until I saw you tonight to tell you it's over between us. I should have done this a long ago.”

  "Please, Andrea, don't hang up. Meet me at LaTour at eight. Please."

  "Why? What's the point?"

  "We can't let it end over the phone. You'll meet me, won't you?"

  Andrea hesitated. "Yes,” she frowned. “One last time.”

  As she unpacked, she thought about Kurt and the ride from the airport. His touch was magical and his smile suggestive. This is how it should be, and should have been with Jason. The solid reality of it hit her.

  Andrea took a deep breath and thought of the last few hours. It felt right being with Kurt even though he was somewhat of a stranger. She reminisced about their first meeting. It was his going away party at Emily’s and they had a wonderful evening.

  She understood why Emily bragged about her younger brother. Andrea never dreamed that Kurt had such cha
risma and was so knowledgeable in the arts, not to mention his football- player physique and movie star looks.

  The introduction had been brief, but later in the evening, while Jason networked the party for new clients, Kurt approached her with two glasses of champagne. She even recalled the Barbara Streisand song, My Favorite Things, playing in the background. When Kurt leaned toward her and whispered, "You look beautiful," her heart had skipped a beat. She shook her head in disbelief. I remember that night as if it were yesterday, she thought as she finished unpacking. She couldn't get Kurt out of her mind. Why didn’t I think of him sooner? She shivered and goose bumps ran over her arms at the memory.

  The only time he’d left her side that evening was to refill their champagne glasses. The buffet looked delightful, but neither had touched the food. Instead, they moved to a love seat in front of the fireplace and talked about everything, from her artwork to his assignments in the Middle East and Europe. They shared a love of skiing, swimming, dancing and she learned that he adored fishing. They were comfortable together—like an old sweater. The only thing wrong with that evening had been their timing.

  How could I have forgotten him? With pulse-pounding certainty, she knew she had to get to know Kurt better. She’d take this opportunity to do so.

  Surprised and thrilled by her behavior, she looked into the mirror and noticed a glow that had been missing for a long time. She finished putting on the last touches of lipstick, gave her hair a quick brushing, and left the hotel.

  The snow crunched beneath her boots as she walked through the village to the restaurant. The night filled her lungs with crisp, wintry air. A full moon illuminated the mounds of snow and brightened the night to match her mood. Even though it was only mid-November, the streets and shops were dressed for Christmas. People, bundled in hats and scarves, wandered through the streets—some shopped while others admired the decorated windows. She paused a moment and took in the Currier and Ives scene that emerged before her. Andrea walked into the restaurant, hair bouncing, eyes dancing, with the confidence of a woman who knew who she was and what she wanted.