"You look wonderful," Grayson said cheerfully. "I can't wait to get you home so we can fatten you up a bit."
"I don't think I need fattening up. I can't believe the size of me. I was barely able to zip up the skirt. It must be the inactivity," Andrea said. "I'll see you at the car," she said happily. "My carriage awaits." Kurt and the nurse helped her into the wheelchair.
"We'll be down in a minute, okay." He gently patted her knee.
After Andrea had left the room, Dr. Reynolds turned to Grayson and Kurt. "This charade has gone on long enough," he said. "Kurt, you have put us in a difficult situation and the only way out is the truth. You can’t hide her pregnancy too much longer. She’s four months pregnant and she needs to know before her appointment with the obstetrician next week. If you don't tell her, Kurt, I will."
"I'll tell her when she's comfortable in her new surroundings," Grayson said. "I think it will be better for me to discuss it with her, and not Kurt. I have a few ideas about what
I plan to say, but nothing solid."
"How about telling her the truth," Dr. Reynolds stated.
"I don't think she's ready for that," Kurt said, unyielding.
"I think you’re the one who’s not ready. Andrea is much stronger then you give her credit for. The longer you let this go on, Kurt, the more difficult it will be for you to tell her. She may never forgive you. Are you willing to take that chance?"
"Yes, I am."
"So be it. If you need me for anything, you know where to find me."
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
The drive to the Inn was spectacular. The highway, cleared of snow, had left the sides of the road with snow banks at least two feet high. They drove alongside of the Rio Grande and through a narrow canyon. The smooth icy snow piles looked liked the Luge at the winter Olympics. They stopped for a late lunch at Embudo Station and were seated at a table with a view of the river.
Andrea thumbed through a tour booklet as they waited for their lunch to be served. "Look at this," she said, pointing to a picture of a group of people whitewater rafting. "When my cast comes off, I want to do this."
Grayson and Kurt looked at each other and smiled. "Right," they said in unison and laughed.
"Well, I do."
After lunch, it was more than an hour before they pulled up to the restored nineteenth century hacienda. Kurt and Andrea were in awe of its quiet beauty. As he carried her onto the veranda and into the warm adobe charm of yesteryear, she shuddered as she felt the familiarity of his arms. She closed her eyes and smiled, letting the lascivious feeling take over. She felt alive.
Grayson settled her into a suite with a Kiva fireplace. The room was decorated with country antiques, handmade quilts, and local art. "Oh, Grayson, the southwestern elegance and charm is enchanting."
"I'm happy you like it, Dear. I know you'll be comfortable."
"Comfortable is not the word," Andrea said.
Kurt set her in a chair by the window. It faced the Taos mesa with its extraordinary views. "Do you think I'll be able to paint in here?
"I can't see why not," Grayson said enthusiastically as she pulled an easel and stool from a hidden closet.
"I feel like I'm in another world. The warmth, serenity, and seclusion of this adobe makes me want to stay forever."
"Yes, dear, I know. That's how Uncle Charles and I felt when we visited here many years ago."
Kurt looked at Andrea. "Do you want me to unpack for you? You have a couple of suitcases in the trunk of the car. I retrieved them from the police station when I retrieved your box of paints."
"That'll be great. I need to know if I have to go shopping for more clothes."
He turned to Grayson. "Leave it to a woman. That's all she thinks about. Clothes."
"Well, if I continue to go without exercise, none of my clothes will fit."
Grayson edged her way towards the door. “I'll leave you to unpack. I need to check on the kitchen staff," she said. She glanced at her watch. "We have ten of the fifteen rooms filled right now, and this weekend we'll have a full house."
"Grayson, if it's too much trouble for me to be here, I can get accommodations elsewhere."
"How dare you even suggest such a thing," Grayson said, indignation lacing her voice. "You'll never be a problem to me. I told you that once before."
Andrea smiled. "I can't begin to thank you, Grayson."
"There's no need to. Now, get on with instructions on what you want hung in the closet or what you want placed in the dresser." She stood a moment with her hand on the doorknob. "Oh, I forgot to mention dinner is usually served at seven, but if you prefer it later just inform Chef Pablo, okay?"
Andrea watched Kurt unpack her luggage. "By the look of the amount of clothes I had packed, I must have planned to be away for awhile," she said, troubled.
"You're like any other woman I know. You all pack as if you'll be gone forever and you'll never have contact with a department store or boutique," he said and laughed.
She watched as Kurt carefully hung her dresses and ski outfits. They didn't speak, but every once in a while, he looked up and saw her watching him.
“Why are you watching me? Are you trying to distract me from what I’m doing?”.
Tension grew in the back of her neck. She closed her eyes and rubbed her neck, trying to release it.
He wanted to go over and rub her neck for her, but he knew he shouldn't. "Are you okay?"
"Yes. I'm fine. But I'm curious. Have you had many private duty cases?"
"No," he smirked, "this is my first time."
He took his time and neatly folding her panties and bras as if they would break. He placed them in the dresser, closed the drawer, and stood there a moment. He looked into the dresser mirror and saw Andrea had been watching his every move.
"You do that with such ease," she said, her voice as silky, and golden, and warm as the sun shining through the windows.
Quickly he ran his finger through his hair. "I do?"
Andrea stared at him a moment and then settled back into the comfort of the overstuffed chair. She realized how exhausted she was and closed her eyes as the warmth of the fire challenged her desire to stay awake. Finally, not able to fight sleep any longer, she drifted off with the image of Kurt, running his fingers through that beautiful head of hair.
Kurt placed her legs on the ottoman and covered her with a quilt. He should have carried her over to the bed, but he didn't want to wake her. He leaned down and brushed her lips with his. "I love you, Andrea." He closed the door and left her to her dreams.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
When Kurt entered the dining room, the waiters were busy arranging fresh flowers in polished porcelain pots. Amazing aromas escaped from the kitchen. He followed the essence until he found Grayson. She stood beside Chef Pablo as he added a touch of fennel seed to a sauce pan. Kurt watched as this remarkable lady dipped a spoon into the pan.
"Yum, delicious. The taste is a taste from my childhood. It will be wonderful with the veal chops you have planned for this evening's entry.
"You run some operation here," Kurt said, walking over and putting his arm around her. "I never dreamed your B & B was of five star quality. Everything is perfection, even down to the polished Mexican silver goblets."
Grayson smiled, pleased by Kurt's approval. "I'm sorry Emily wasn't able to stay to enjoy the weekend. But she promised me and Andrea, that she and Michael would be back during Easter break. Grayson hesitated before she spoke. "Kurt, this evening I'm going to tell Andrea about the baby."
"What are you going to say?" Kurt asked.
"I'll just say her husband had left her and she was coming to spend some time with me.”
Kurt shook his head not knowing what to say and lifted his hand. "Do what you think is best."
"Did Emily tell you anything about the conversation she and Andrea had about Jason?"
"She and Andrea talked about Jason? Why?" His face tightened at the mention of Jason's name.
&
nbsp; "Because she had a recollection about a party and Andrea asked Emily about it, that's why."
"Emily told me about the party, but she never mentioned Jason."
"Your sister probably didn't want to upset you any more than you are, that's why. I took it upon myself to call Jason to let him know about the accident."
"You did what? I'm her husband. You should have asked me first, Grayson. I can't believe this," he said, in a hostile voice.
"Calm down. I didn't tell Jason the circumstances surrounding the accident. I just told him we might need him to jolt Andrea back to the present."
"And . . .?"
"Jason wanted to fly out right away, but I told him that wouldn't be necessary. I conveyed to him that we'd call if things don’t change."
"Like hell we will. I'm not going to let him weasel his way back into Andrea's life, not now, not ever. If she doesn't remember me, why in God's name do you think she'd remember him?"
Grayson shrugged. "I can't believe you. You said you'd do anything to help your wife and baby. Now, because of Jason and your jealousy toward him, you've changed your mind. Are you that insecure?" She took a deep breath. “Grow up!”
"Right now, yes. What if she doesn't believe me when I tell her the reasons why I didn't want children? What if she can't love me anymore?"
"The only way you're going to find the answers to these questions is by telling her the truth. Sometimes you're such an idiot," she said jokingly. "She loves you now, can't you see that?"
He shook his head and looked at her in total surprise. "I hope you're right."
"Go," she said, as she shoved Kurt out of the kitchen. "Go to your room and take a hot shower. I'll send Eric over with a drink. Johnny Walker Red?"
"Yes," he smiled. He slowly walked through the dining room to his guest quarters, admiring the salmon colored stucco walls and intimately lit rooms. The conversation he’d just had with Grayson uncovered a part of him that confused him.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
The phone was ringing when he stepped from the shower. He quickly wrapped a bath towel around his waist and dashed for it. "Hello," he said, as he reached for his glass of scotch.
"Kurt, are you planning to come back to my room?"
"Is something wrong, Andrea?"
"No. I just wanted to know what you were doing."
"Well, I just stepped out of the shower. Oh damn."
"What's the matter?" she asked concerned.
"My bath towel just fell around my ankles and I'm dripping all over the floor."
"Oh," she giggled. "Where did you put my crutches? I'll come over and help you wipe up the mess."
"No you won't. Stay put. I'll be there shortly." He could hear her laughing hysterically as he placed the phone in its cradle. It's wonderful to hear her laugh again, he thought. He dried himself off and threw on a sweater and pulled on a pair of jeans, then went to Andrea’s room. Kurt knocked softly.
“Come in,” Andrea said. She was sitting on the sofa in a deep blue cashmere skirt and sweater.
You’re ready for dinner?”
She nodded. “Now that I’m feeling so much better, I thought I’d put some makeup on and get ready for dinner. I wanted to do this by myself.”
“You did a great job,” he said. “But dinner isn’t for another two hours.”
She glanced at the clock over the fireplace. “I don’t know if I can wait that long. I’m starving.”
Kurt walked across the room. “How are you doing?” He lifted her broken leg and placed it across the sofa. “Feel better?”
“Yes, it does. Another week and the cast comes off.” She reached out and touched his arm. Andrea viewed Kurt with a studying eye, as if scrutinizing his expressions would reveal more than the words he was saying.
Kurt pulled away when he felt her touch. I can’t be in the same room with he without wanting her, he thought. “I need to leave.”
Andrea’s eyes widened. “Did I offend you with my touch?” She paused. “And here I thought you were being nice to me.”
“What did I do?”
“Do you really believe that sarcasm is the right tone to take?”
Kurt ran his fingers through his hair. “What in God’s name did I do?”
Andrea believed that he truly didn’t know that he pulled away from her when she touched his arm. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m feeling sorry for myself.”
Kurt pulled up a chair and sat next to her. He took her hand. “Andrea, you have every right to feel the way you do.” He grinned from ear to ear. “But I have to leave so I can dress for dinner. I don’t have any underwear on and . . . .”
“And you’re beginning to itch,” she laughed.
Kurt put up his hands in defense. “I’m leaving. I’ll be back in an hour.”
“Forty five minutes,” she said.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Kurt helped Andrea maneuver the crutches across the dining room. Grayson sat on the left side of the dining room, overlooking the mesa. Kurt waved as she looked up. As soon as Kurt seated Andrea and leaned them against the wall, a bottle of champagne arrived.
“I thought we should celebrate Andrea’s first dinner in the dining room,” Grayson said. “Juan, you may pour the wine.”
After filling the glasses half way, the waiter placed menus on the charger plates. Grayson smiled. “Juan, I don’t need one of these.”
“You must know everything on the menu, down to the last ingredients in every dish,” Kurt said.
“I do most of the time. But the menu changes everyday.” Grayson answered.
“I really don’t need this. I know what one of the options is this evening,” Kurt said, placing the menu back on the plate.
Andrea looked at him “You know what you want?”
He nodded. “Earlier, I watched Grayson and Chef Pablo prepared a sauce for veal. It smelled delicious. That’s what I’m having for dinner.”
Andrea studied the choices. ‘Grayson, how did you know what I . . . ?
Grayson smiled. “I knew you loved Artichoke Soup.”
“But everything else? Avocado-Belgian Endive Salad with vinaigrette, Pompano Au Gras with Sel Sauce Noilly. I can’t believe it.”
Grayson and Kurt made eye contact and smiled. “What are you two up to?” Andrea asked.
Grayson ignored Andrea’s question and proceeded to select her dinner. “I’m going to have the same soup and salad, but instead of the Pompano, I am going to have the Panache of Salmon.”
Andrea hands began to shake. “I don’t believe . . . .”
“What is it?” Grayson asked.
“I remember having this same dinner with a man. Only he ordered what you plan to have.”
Grayson reached over and held her hand. “This is a great breakthrough.”
“I can’t stop shaking.” Andrea held her hands out.
“Have a sip of water,” Kurt said.
“No, I think the champagne will be better.” Andrea picked up the flute and drank what was left in her glass. “Kurt, please pour me a little more.”
“Do you really think you should drink,” Grayson said.
“I agree with Grayson. You’re still on meds.”
Andrea nodded. “Well then, can we order? I am ravenous.”
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Everything was wonderful,” Andrea said. But tomorrow night I’m going to have the veal dish that Kurt ordered. After one taste of his dinner, I wanted more.”
Grayson smiled with pleasure and pride.
“Please excuse me. I have a few calls to make. I’ll leave you girls alone.” Kurt touched Andrea’s hand. "Call me when you get tired. I'll bring you back to your room."
She smiled up at him. "I will," she said softly. She and Grayson watched Kurt leave the dining room.
“Why don't we go over and sit on the sofa. You can put your leg up for awhile." Grayson helped Andrea hop over to the sofa and moved ottoman over to her. "Comfortable?"
"Yes, very."
&nb
sp; "May I sit next to you?” Grayson sat beside Andrea and took her hand. “There's something I must talk to you about. This is going to be extremely difficult, but . . . .”
"What? What is it?"
"There's no way to make this easy," she said, her face serious, committed. "You have made the comment you have put on some weight. You know, it's not due to inactivity."
"Then what?" she smiled.
"Andrea, you're pregnant!"
The smile jellied into an expression of shock. Her whole body tightened, and then she took a breath. "Did you say I'm pregnant?"
Grayson nodded. Her heart thumped against her rib cage as she watched waves of grayness pass over Andrea’s face. She cradled Andrea in the comfort of her arms and rocked her.
Andrea sat up and a look of intense, clear light poured from her eyes. "I don't know how to explain this, Grayson, but I'm overjoyed."
Grayson sat back, stunned. She never expected to receive that reaction.
Andrea looked down at her stomach and laughed hysterically. “I'm pregnant," she said, through tears. All of a sudden the reality of it all took hold. "Why am I here alone? Am I married? How far along am I? Did I come to live with you, Grayson?"
Grayson held her hand as a signal to stop. "Let me try to explain as much as I can." She walked over to a side table and poured Andrea a glass of water. "Take a sip and relax, Dear. You and I have never discussed our friendship, Andrea. You're like a daughter to me. Your parents and my husband and I were best friends for many years before their death."
"How did they die?"
"They were coming home from a party and a wet snow had just fallen, covering the ice that lay beneath it. A car hit them head on. Everything possible was done to save them."
"Were you and Uncle Charles with me at the hospital?"
"Yes, we were. Do you remember that?"
Andrea shook her head. "I thought it was a dream, but it was true," she said, dazed.
"Yes, he and I waited with you for most of that night. It snowed the whole night. It took Uncle Charles almost an hour to shovel out before we could take you home. Do you recall any of that, Dear?"
Of Body And Soul Page 16