Of Body And Soul

by L. J. Valentine

  "I know. You looked terrible when I got back."

  He smiled his wonderful smile. "I'm glad you met Grayson. When I meet her, she's going to get the biggest bear hug she has ever received."

  "Cheating on me already," she joked. She took his arm as they walked back to the hotel.

  At her door, she fumbled for her key and, in the process, dropped it. "Oh damn."

  He stood directly behind her, close enough that she felt his manhood press against her. His lips touched her neck, her ears, and her throat, in feather-like motions. He turned her around and brushed her lips, then smiled against her mouth and moved his body in a suggestive caress. He kissed her in the moist hollow of her throat and with a groan, pulled away.

  She looked at him, bewildered. He picked up her key and inserted it into the lock, then opened the door and turned on the lights. "I think I'd better leave now, or it may be impossible for me to leave you later," he murmured thickly and nuzzled her neck once again. "I'll call you in the morning so we can breakfast together before we leave for home." There was assurance in his voice and promise in his last kiss of the night.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  At eight thirty, he arrived at her suite to take her to breakfast. “Are you ready?” She smiled a lovely, wide, warm smile.

  "Do you always look radiant in the morning?" he asked.

  "Not always, but this morning is special. Come on in. I've ordered room service." He glanced around the suite and noticed a mahogany serving cart with a silver coffeepot and silver chafing dishes, sitting next to a table set with white linen and silver. A magnificent white Phalaenopsis, gracefully arched like a Prima Ballerina, dominated the center of the table with its host of flowering sprays.

  “Andrea!"

  "Anything to please you, my Lord." She planted a quick kiss on his lips, bowed and walked backwards toward the table. “You know, two can play the game as well as one.”

  "How interesting. You and my sister must have been busy ladies last night. I tried to reach her for two hours and her phone was busy. Now I know why. I fell asleep before I could try again.”

  “Yes, we did talk for some time. You knew I had to find out some things for myself," she grinned.

  He sat at the table and held the glass of juice to his nostrils. It smelled sweet and fruity. He uncovered one chafing dish after another.

  "You didn't miss a thing. Fresh fruit, poached eggs and dry wheat toast." He poured their coffee and inhaled. "Even the coffee the way I like it. Robust and black." He devoured his breakfast, enjoying every mouthful.

  Andrea looked at him wondering if their future would be as wonderful as this week had been.

  “What?” He paused. “Why are you staring at me?”

  "I love you," she said in a whisper.

  "Andrea, do you know how long I’ve waited to hear you say those words?" He leaned across the table and caressed her hand with his kisses. "I want you with me for the rest of my life. I promise I'll never hurt you.’

  "Darling, I'll hold you to that promise," she assured him.

  The sound of the phone brought their leisurely breakfast to a sudden end.

  "Yes? Oh, good morning, Grayson. We're leaving in about two hours. Can I call you right back? Kurt’s leaving now. Yes, I know. Give me five minutes to see him out. Okay. Yes . . . I'll call you right back.”

  “Who was that?”

  "Grayson. I told her she'd get to meet you before we left, but now, we don't have the time.

  “I’ll run over to see her while you check us out. I'll meet you in the lobby in thirty minutes."

  “Tell her I'm sorry it didn't work out. Okay?"

  “Oh, you'll get to meet in her New York. I plan to have her visit for a weekend.”

  Andrea stood by the door and watched him walk down the corridor. He walked tall and straight. As he turned, he had the look of a man who was secure and confident. He smiled and mouthed, "See you later. I love you."

  She smiled, happy and content, as she walked to the telephone to call Grayson.

  "Hi. Sorry I had to cut you off. Kurt had to leave to make a few phone calls and get us checked out. I just wanted to show him to the door. Can I come over now?"

  “Yes," Grayson sighed. "I had hoped to see your young man before we all left."

  "I'm sorry about that, but you will just have to settle for me," she laughed. "See you in a few minutes."

  Grayson opened the door and embraced Andrea. "Come in. Would you like some coffee?"

  "No, thanks. I've had enough for one morning. So, what are your plans from here?"

  “Well, when I leave here, I'm going to Taos, as I told you before. It's about sixty miles north of Santa Fe. Uncle Charles and I spent a lot of time there.

  “We loved to ski, and groups of us would come up, rent a house, and stay a week or two. Uncle Charles always liked to entertain, so we finally purchased a large hacienda with out-buildings and plenty of land. It’s bordered by cottonwoods, Indian meadows, and the Taos mesa.

  "I've decided to turn it into an Inn. Renovations on the main house would be first priority. That would be my home. The other buildings are charming and I'd want to retain the warm adobe lure and architecture of yesteryear. The rooms would have to be made into suites. All the larger rooms have Kiva fireplaces, and with the combination of the extraordinary views and peaceful surroundings, it would truly make a magnificent inn.

  "I could use the smallest out-building for my studio and store my kiln and all my greenware there. And the other two buildings are so close together I'll have them converted into a restaurant.”

  "You never mentioned you did ceramics."

  "Well, it's only a hobby, but I did sell some of my pieces. I even had an article published in Popular Ceramics."

  "I'm impressed. You are quite the lady. Don't you think becoming a proprietress would be too much for you to handle?"

  Grayson smiled modestly. "No, I don't think so. I have a wonderful Mexican family who manages for me. They have five children and they've helped enormously. I've done my homework and I know I can pass the test," she laughed.

  "I have no doubts about that. I just want you take care of yourself. Now that I found you, I don't want anything to happen to you."

  "Nothing’s going to happen to me, don't worry. You're going to love it there. The museums are wonderful and the Sante Fe Opera House is close by. You may even want to open a gallery."

  "One never knows what life will deal out to us. I can only hope my life will be filled with as much joy as it's been this past week. You know, Grayson, you made me realize when two people are in love, they should be together."

  Without waiting for a reply, Andrea put her arms around Grayson. "I have good news. Kurt wants to get married and I'm going to say yes. We'll have a quiet wedding, no muss or fuss.

  He only has his sister, Emily, and I have no one."

  "You have someone. You have me." She patted Andrea's knee with motherly affection.

  "Do you think you'll be back to New York in a few weeks?"

  "Yes, I will. I have to meet with my attorney for the closing of another parcel of property. I'll hire a general contractor to oversee the refurbishing of the property in Taos, and once I discuss my ideas with the contractor, I can leave for a few days."

  “I'll send you the plane ticket."

  Grayson laughed uncontrollably. "I don't need a ticket my dear. Charles left me well off. I'll never get to spend all the money he left."

  “Then come and spend a few weeks before the wedding. You can help me plan some of the arrangements." Andrea said.

  "I'd love that. I'll be there, unless something unforeseen happens to me,” Grayson said.

  “I’ve got to run. I’ll give you a call so we can plan your trip and by then, we’ll have a wedding date.”

  Grayson embraced Andrea. "You won't be sorry, dear."

  “I know,” she said.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  When Kurt and Andrea boarded the plane, this time they sat toge
ther.

  "It's extraordinary, isn't it?" He laughed as he massaged the palm of her hand.

  "Extraordinary isn't the word. I never dreamed I could be so happy."

  “When we're married, every day will be like this."

  "Promise me?"

  "Yes, I promise you," he replied. Now, tell me why this sudden change of heart?"

  “Well," she hedged. "You remember last night, when I went to the powder room, claiming I had had too much champagne. I used that as an excuse to get away from you."

  "Get away from me?" he frowned. "Why? What did I do or say to offend you?"

  "It wasn't about you. It was me. I couldn't control my feelings for you and it frightened me."

  "But I noticed a big change in you, when you returned to the table."

  "I met . . . ." Just then the steward arrived with their lunch trays. They looked around the plane and realized everyone was busy pulling their trays down and placing their seats erect.

  "See what we do to each other!" he teased. "We don't know anyone else exists."

  They lifted their glasses of Diet Coke and toasted each other.

  "Getting back to my story, I met Grayson, and she helped me with my decision."

  "I don't understand. What decision?"

  "Well, to make a long story short, she made me realize, that if we're in love, why waste time! A year can be a lifetime. Even six months is too long when you're separated from the one you love."

  "I fully agree with this wonderful lady. When do I meet her?"

  "If possible, the weekend after next. And then, she'll fly back as soon as we give her an exact wedding date."

  "Why bother waiting? Why don't we get married the weekend after next? Is that too soon?" He looked at her with such intensity; she found it hard to speak.

  “I’d like that but. . . . .”

  “But what? You’re not backing out are you?” he asked.

  “No of course not. It’s just . . . we don’t even know where we’re going to live. And don’t you have to get a job?"

  "With my background, I'll get a job in no time flat. And I have a beautiful home in a small village about twenty miles southeast of Albany."

  “It’s in Kinderhook, New York, isn’t it?”

  "Yes. How did you know that?"

  "You told me the first time we met. At the time, I couldn’t believe it. As a child, I dreamed of living there. My favorite street faces the park and the gazebo. I dreamed I’d sit on my porch and listen to the music and a handsome boy would walk past my house and ask to sit and talk with me."

  "You are such a romantic." He put his arm around her and kissed her soundly.

  "When we get to my house, I'll show you the paintings I have of the village. Two of my paintings have received recognition. One is of Chatham Street, with the mansions and the oak trees. The oak trees hammock over the street to the other side, as if they held hands in order to join the village together.

  "The other painting is of the park and gazebo. I've painted the village in the dead of winter and also in the summer with the geraniums, daffodils, and roses in full bloom. I captured the red maples, white birch, and oak trees spreading their branches like they were eager to embrace anyone who walked down the streets of their village. You can almost hear the village speak to you.

  "As I painted, I sometimes felt as if the ghosts of Benedict Arnold and President Martin Van Buren peered over my shoulder. I felt they needed to make sure I captured their village in its splendor. I knew then that someday I’d live in their village.

  “You may want to redecorate. I have a lot of antiques.”

  "I have a few pieces from my parents and I’d want them to be a part of our home. If you don’t mine.”

  He nodded. “Through my travels I’ve collected an assortment of treasures. The house favors eclectic, in neutral tones. The ceilings are twelve feet high and have dentel crown molding. And the floors are the original maple floors. Wide plank.

  "It had servants' quarters in the back, which I converted into a guesthouse. You'll be able to use it as your studio."

  “Oh Kurt, it sounds wonderful. What about a room for a nursery?”

  His startled look made her uneasy. You do want children, don't you?"

  He avoided her eyes. "Hum... I'm sorry. You caught me off guard. I thought we'd wait a year or two before we even considered having children. I'd like some time with you before we start a family," he reassured her. "I have to admit, I'm selfish, Andrea. I was never good at sharing. Emily can vouch for that."

  "Emily had mentioned you and your Dad didn't get along and you left home right after high school." She looked at him hesitantly. "If you can unselfishly share your life with me, I know you can share me with our children." She grinned at him, "Could we possibly have three?"

  He laughed long and hard. "You drive a hard bargain, my love.”

  She looked at him, unsure of how he truly felt about having children. She realized her biological clock was ticking along swiftly, and she must make him realize this. She knew he'd be happy when she became pregnant. Yes, he would, she thought confidently. These thoughts were quickly shoved to the back of her mind, when the pilot announced they would be landing in thirty minutes.

  “I bet my sister is pacing in front of the airport waiting for us to land.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Emily waited for them outside the luggage claim. After talking with Andrea the other night, she felt as if she deceived her friend by not telling her of Kurt's feelings on having a family. It's not my place, she reassured herself. It's Kurt's responsibility to talk this over with Andrea before they get too serious, not mine.

  Emily recalled the phone conversation she and Andrea had the other night. She could almost hear Andrea's excited voice over the phone.

  "Emily, thank you, thank you. How did you make all these arrangements for Kurt?"

  "What are you thanking me for," she smiled to herself.

  "How did you know? What made you realize Kurt and I could . . . would fall in love?"

  "I knew Kurt had been in love with you for a long time and I knew, once you realized what a jerk Jason was, you'd throw him out."

  "You’re the one who set up the plane reservation, the hotel, the whole week?"

  "Yes, but please don't be upset with me."

  "Upset. Why in the world would you think that? I'm just so grateful in more ways than one. The main reason I called was to get some info on your brother. His favorite colors, flowers, and foods, etc."

  During their conversation, Emily suggested to Andrea her feelings could be a result of loneliness. She lectured her on taking her time, and not repeating the problems that she had with Jason, even though there was no doubt Andrea loved Kurt.

  Emily checked her watch. They should be landing in about fifteen minutes. She let herself drift back to the last time she and Kurt saw their father. It had taken Emily months to get over the shock of finding a gun next to her brother's brutally beaten body.

  In the first few months after that night and their father’s disappearance, Emily remembered waking up shaking; her nightgown drenched in perspiration and her head pounding.

  Happily, those nights faded into brighter days when she realized he’d never return. Kurt had saved her from her father's abuse and funneled the direction of the abuse toward himself. Because of the severe beatings, she knew Kurt was unable to face his demons. She knew his way of thinking. If he didn’t face the demons, they simply didn’t exist. Now, he'd be forced to face them, and she wondered if he could.

  Countless times she tried to talk with her brother about that last night, but he wouldn't listen. She tried to explain to him how she had faced her terrors and that's when her black nights faded.

  Since she'd become a close friend with Andrea, she tried to discuss her childhood with Andrea. However, their childhood had been totally different. It was impossible for Andrea to understand what she and Kurt had gone through. How could she comprehend their despair, fear, grief, and sham
e? She only hoped, with Andrea, Kurt could confront his feelings and soothe his mind.

  Emily had alleviated the last of her fears after meeting Michael at a teachers’ conference. They had begun seeing each other regularly, but in the last few months, they’d become inseparable. Was she in love with Michael, or did she just love him? She didn't know. They were happy and they wanted to be together. That's all they could ask for. Michael knew everything there was to know about her, and she about him. They both wanted a family. She wasn't afraid to have children like Kurt. She had shared her demons with Michael, and she realized he had some demons of his own.

  Of course, they had misgivings about having a family, but at the same time they were thrilled at the prospect. Together they'd make great parents. With all that was happening, she hadn't told Kurt, nor had she told Andrea, that she and Michael planned to be married in July during summer recess. Eight months away, she smiled to herself. And if all goes as planned, she'd have her first child in April or May. She sighed in contentment as she thought of Michael and of their future together.

  The announcement of the flight’s arrival brought her back from her reverie. She positioned herself right by the doorway to luggage claim so she could see them immediately. In an instant she saw them, smiling, happy, loving each other.

  When she saw the glow that radiated around them, Emily knew they were in love. Love was there all the while, she thought as she looked at her friend.

  "You two look terrific. The mountain air did wonders for you," she said, as she opened her arms to the people she loved.

  "Let's get out of the path of the other passengers," Kurt said, taking Andrea's hand and holding on to his sister's elbow.

  "So. Tell me what happened?" Emily asked, unable to hold her excitement in any longer.

  "Your brother is extremely persuasive. As you know, I'd planned to have a quiet weekend after I talked with Jason, but, it was anything but that," she laughed. "Emily . . . ."

  "Hey, wait a minute," Kurt said jokingly. "All you needed to say was 'no'."