“Here now. Allow me to help you.”
The woman jumped at the sound of his voice, a small screech of surprise had his ears ringing.
“Who are you? Where did you come from?”
“I apologize, Miss, I did not mean to frighten you.” Viktor stood back so as not to scare her. “I was walking and noticed you struggling with,” Viktor took a better look at what she had been dragging out of the house, “the plastic bin and only thought to help you.”
“I don’t need any help.” She took several more steps away from him.
The woman was familiar to him. How could she not be? Her picture had been in the news steadily for the last several months. Nicoleta Baxton. She was the wife of former Senator Craig Baxton.
Viktor took a step back this time. As the former head advisor to Aleksandr Petrovich and the Petrovich ECO, he should know this woman. The truth was, Aleksandr hadn’t shared all of his business with Viktor. He had kept Viktor out of his dealings with the Senator. A fact the government was having trouble believing.
“Forgive me, Miss. I truly only wished to help. I will go.”
Nicoleta chewed on her bottom lip for a moment in thought. Dr. Dayan had been working with her to trust more. Not every man was like Craig. Not every man wanted to hurt her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude.”
She was going to have to deal with men when she started her new job in a few weeks. She should at least attempt to be cordial with this one now. It might be a good test for her. There wouldn’t always be someone else around at the gallery. She would have to deal one on one with men for her job.
Viktor stopped and turned to face her again. “Would you like some help moving the bin? I don’t mind.”
Was she ready for this? She shook as if chilled and had a deep desire to chafe her arms to heat up again. She looked at the bin she had been tugging on, it really was heavy and help would be nice. Her eyes traveled from the bin to the man standing before her.
At one point in time, she would have considered him handsome. He was around sixty, dark hair with a little gray at the temples and at the front where his bangs were swept to the side, or they would be if the breeze wasn’t blowing. He had a light colored complexion, which contrasted with his dark hair and deep, rich almond shaped dark brown eyes. He was a tall man, easily six feet if not a few inches over.
Yes, at one time she would have considered him handsome. Not today, though. Today, he was a stranger who had come up on her while she was unaware.
“Thank you, but I think I can handle it. My daughter and fiancé will be here shortly to help.”
Viktor felt a quick pang of disappointment for a moment before he thought about what she said. She had a fiancé? From news reports the ink had barely dried on her divorce decree. Then he remembered hearing Tia and Kylie talking about Duncan marrying Amara Davis. Viktor thought they had mentioned something about a spring wedding for the couple.
“If you are sure you will have help. You don’t want to hurt your back by tugging on something too heavy.”
Nicoleta started to say something but her phone rang at that moment. “Excuse me.” It was a good excuse for him to go on his way, but the man just stood there. Nicoleta pulled her cell phone from her pocket, “Hello.”
Viktor took a moment to look around, not wanting to eavesdrop on her conversation. He studied the shrubs and bushes arranged throughout the yard. Even in their late fall dormancy, he could see the garden would be a beauty when in bloom. Tia had done a wonderful job in designing the layout.
At Nicoleta’s disappointed voice, Viktor turned back to face her. She was ending her conversation. “No trouble, I hope.”
“No, not really. My daughter is going to be a little later than we’d agreed.” Nicoleta looked at the bin again. It was filled with gardening tools and decorative items for the yard. She hadn’t seen any of it in more than fifteen years.
Part of her wanted to throw it all out, but she knew she couldn’t. There was a set of rocks Amara had painted when she was five, some cute squirrel and bunny statues she had bought when her late husband, Leo, had been home on leave right before he died in action in Bosnia. There were other items she didn’t want to part with in there too. Things Craig had tried to make her throw away, but instead she boxed them up and put in her friend Sabene’s storage unit back in California.
“Listen, I only want to help. Let’s move the bin and then I’ll be on my way. Deal?”
Nicoleta knew she was being ridiculous. She was so tired of being frightened all the time. He was only offering to help. Stop being so cautious. You have neighbors. What is he going to do, tie you up and lock you in the garden shed?
That last thought gave her pause. He could do just that and no one would know for hours. No. This is my new start, my new life. I can accept friendly help.
Before she could talk herself out of accepting his help, she straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “Thank you. Help would be much appreciated.”
Viktor knew how much that had cost her. For some odd reason, he was proud of her. Proud for her. “Okay then, where are we taking it?”
“To the shed.” Nicoleta bent down to lift one end as the man lifted the other.
“My name is Viktor Mitchel, by the way.”
His heart stopped for a second when she smiled warmly at him. Dear God and his saints, the woman was beautiful when she smiled. Not that she wasn’t attractive when she wasn’t, but her smile seemed to transform her into something ethereal, unobtainable.
“My name is Nicoleta Davis, Mr. Mitchel. I just bought the cottage from your daughter. Tia Mitchel?”
“I thought this was her old place.” Viktor talked as he walked carrying his end. The bin was heavy. He had to wonder how long she’d been struggling with it before he noticed her. “I’m new to town.”
Nicoleta smiled again. “So am I. I think I’m going to like Sapphire Springs.”
“I know what you mean.”
Viktor followed through on his promise to Nicoleta. He helped her move the bin, placing it where she wanted before bidding her a nice day and leaving. Although leaving had been the last thing he wanted to do. For the first time in twenty-two years, since his wife’s death, he wanted to spend time with a woman to get to know her. Oh, he had dated once or twice several years after Elena’s passing, but his heart hadn’t been into it. He kept his liaisons with women in two categories after those few failed attempts of trying to connect with someone. They were either for a plus one at a function or moaning for him in bed. He had not had any more use for a woman than those two activities. Of course, one was more pleasurable than the other. At least when he slept with a woman, he didn’t have to talk with them.
With Nicoleta he wanted conversation. He wanted to know her. How could he when she was so obviously wary of being around him? As he made his way back across the brook, he decided he would have to devise a way to ease her fears. Viktor Domitrovich, now Viktor Mitchel, was not a man to walk away from a challenge. He was a free man, now. He could give her the time she needed to become comfortable with him.
A breeze blew down from the Pass, giving him a slight chill. He looked up at the gathering clouds. It would probably snow tonight.
A childish thrill went through him. He smiled broadly as he continued back up the gradual incline heading to his cabin at the top of the Pass. This was going to be a very merry Holiday Season. He was mending his relationship with his daughter, he was making friends with some of the respected men of the community, and now he had met a fine, intelligent and attractive woman he wouldn’t mind spending time with.
“Yes, a Merry Holiday Season indeed.”
Chapter 2
“That should be the last of it,” Duncan stated as he placed the box he was carrying on top of another box in the detached garage at Nicoleta’s new home.
Nicoleta Davis watched as Duncan, his brothers, and their friends unloaded the moving truck of her belongings. When she first came to Sapphire Springs w
ith her daughter, Amara, she hadn’t been all that certain she would stay. After being here for six months she was glad she had. It seemed as if everyone in town had stopped by to give a helping hand or welcome her. She’d even made a new acquaintance today with Viktor Mitchel, Tia’s father.
After he helped her move the bin into the shed, she could tell he wanted to stay but he had wished her a nice day and left. Just as he had promised he would. She still marveled over that. She couldn’t recall the last time a man had told her something and then kept his word.
She banished the thought immediately. Leo had been an honorable man like that. His word had been his bond. She needed to stop comparing men she met to Craig Baxton, and start measuring them against Leo Davis. Leo was a much better way to measure the worth of a person.
“So how’s the new life shaping up, mama?” Amara asked as she sidled up next to her mother, slinging her arm over her shoulders.
Nicoleta smiled, nodding her head.
She could do that now; nod and smile. Seven months ago, smiling was as foreign to her as sunbathing on the Moon. A prisoner of her ex-husband for ten years hadn’t given her much to smile about. Now she seemed to smile all the time. It was a welcome change to the dreary room she’d been imprisoned in and the abuse she had sustained at the hands of Craig in his dungeon at the Tulake Compound.
The mansion hadn’t actually been rundown or dreary. It was an opulent place with fine masonry and beautiful architecture not to mention the millions of dollars worth of antiques and art that filled every room. The Compound, as Craig called the place, was where he kept all of his ill-gotten gains; which included people as well as material items. Although, Craig did believe people were objects; toys, for him to play with or discard at his whim.
Nicoleta shook off thoughts of Craig Baxton. He was in prison, well a prison of sorts, and could no longer torment her. She had a new home and was making new friends as well as connecting with old ones. Her daughter was close by and happily beginning a new life of her own with a wonderful man who adored her and new friends to occupy her time.
Nicoleta felt the goddess had truly blessed them this time.
“We’re going into town to buy food, Nicoleta. Is there anything you need us to pick up?” Katy Blackthorn asked as she stepped closer.
Katy was the wife of the powerful cattle rancher Dominick Blackthorn. Nicoleta wasn’t impressed with power and wealth, but she did have a healthy respect for those who had it. She had more respect for those who had it and did not use it as a weapon against those less fortunate, as was the case with Dominick and Katy.
They acted liked regular people, as if Dominick was just a ranch hand at the Flying D, instead of the owner. They didn’t flaunt their wealth, and as much as Nicoleta could tell, they used it and their power to help the people of Sapphire Springs: which was more than proven when they helped her escape Craig and Amara win her freedom.
Both, mother and daughter had a lot of healing yet to do, but with their new friends, it was becoming a little easier every day to move away from their hellish pasts. Of course, it didn’t hurt that Amara’s guardian angel, Oxana Locke had moved to Sapphire Springs last month from Sisters, Oregon so she could remain close to both Amara and Nicoleta.
She and Amara often laughed at how the little western town of Sapphire Springs was becoming home to a list of colorful people. Such as the notorious ex-Italian Mafia boss, Frank DeMarco. Who was living up on Eagle Pass with his wife, Angelina. There were also rumors of a Russian mob boss living in the area too, although Nicoleta couldn’t recall hearing the name of the individual.
Angelina had been introduced to Nicoleta a few times since she’d moved here. The woman was open and friendly, down to earth, and loved her granddaughter, Tiana Mitchel, deeply. It hit her then how if Tia was the granddaughter of the DeMarco’s then that must make Viktor their son-in-law.
It really was a bedlam little hamlet here. Familial connections and close friendships made it impossible not to know at least two or three people related to any one individual. She knew it would take some effort to keep those connections straight.
Tia was not only the previous owner of the cottage Nicoleta was buying, but she was also soon to be her boss. Cole, Tia’s husband, was also the best friend of Duncan’s eldest brother, Devin. And, if that wasn’t enough connections, it had recently been let known Tia and Kylie Blackthorn, Devin’s wife, were distant cousins. The connections boggled the mind.
On top of the ex-criminal/fugitive contingency, which she and Amara were definitely considered a member of, there was also a growing contingent of Romani and Pagan believers in the area. Nicoleta, Amara, and Oxana were all of Romani decent. Soon her friend Sabene and her daughter, Lena would be moving to town as well. Daniella Weston, Amara’s closest friend, was Wiccan and owned a small herb and candle shop in town called the Hedgewitch Garden & Candle Shoppe. Amara was working there three days a week now on top of providing soups, teas, and her jewelry on consignment.
Nicoleta spent at least one full day at the Hedgewitch and gave lessons on the Romani culture. She was also enjoying teaching the townsfolk what Romani culture was truly about. Most American’s called the Romani people gypsies, although she never referred to herself as such. Gypsy was a degrading label amongst her people and never used to describe them. Romani were steeped in tradition and old beliefs; crafting, tinkering and old recipes handed down from generation to generation gave her people a deep sense of pride.
Nicoleta was having the time of her life reconnecting to her heritage as well as sharing that heritage with Amara. Something she had dreamed about doing during her separation from her daughter all those years.
Although Oxana had sold her home in Sisters, Oregon, Duncan McKinnon, Amara’s fiancé, had opted to keep his cabin there and rented it out to his friend, Scott Banks, the new US Marshal of the area. Duncan had caught a lot of grief from his extended family for not selling the place outright. Nicoleta thought she knew why he kept it.
His cabin had been Amara’s safe haven while she was on the run from the authorities. Nicoleta believed, Duncan wanted to always keep the place for Amara’s sake. He knew Amara had felt safe there and did not want to take that away from her.
Katy cleared her throat, which brought Nicoleta out of her musings. She chuckled. “Sorry, Katy, my mind seems to wander off at the most inconvenient times. What was your question?”
“I’m heading into town with Kylie and Oxana and was wondering if you needed anything. We are going to have to feed the masses soon.”
Nicoleta chuckled. They would need to fee everyone, and soon. They’d all descended on her little cottage around ten that morning to help unload the moving truck they’d left when they arrived late last night. The McKinnons and Blackthorns, along with their friends, had made short work of the full load in the large truck. For the last several hours Nicoleta had been directing them where she wanted her furniture, what boxes went where, and how to assemble her new queen sized bed frame.
When she went back to Santa Rosa for her and Amara’s belongings, she’d only taken what she felt comfortable calling her own. She didn’t want any reminders of Craig Baxton, their marriage, or the ten years he had kept her captive and the abuse and torture she had survived at his hands. She also didn’t want any reminders for Amara of that time either. Craig had abused and tortured her too.
She felt Amara’s arm tighten on her shoulders. Taking a deep breath of clean mountain air, she released it and the stress that thoughts of her ex-husband always created.
“I don’t think I need anything at the moment.”
“We’ll make a list of things once you get settled.” Oxana said as she patted her on the back.
“Yes, a list will definitely be in order.”
Amara laughed at her mother. She gave her another little squeeze before dropping her arm to her side.
“Enough out of you, love. I like my lists.” Nicoleta tried her best to give her only child a withering glare. In the en
d, they both dissolved into laughter. Nicoleta was known for her lists, even now, having only been with these people for a short time, they all knew how she listed everything.
Katy laughed with them. “Well, you know I’m always up for a shopping trip. Just say the word and we’ll make a day of it.”
“Mom, are we going to eat today?” Ian Blackthorn asked his mother as he made his way across the yard to where the group of women stood. Almost every woman Nicoleta knew was here, all except for Kylie Blackthorn and Tia Lawson. With both of the girls expecting, they had opted to sit and watch rather than stand around gabbing like the rest of them had been doing. From what Nicoleta could tell, both babies would make an appearance sometime during the holidays. She was almost excited over the prospect of a Christmas baby, even though neither of the younger women was really connected to her.
“Yes, Ian. I’m off to get food now. Did you want something special?”
Ian shook his head. “Nope, just food and lots of it.”
“That’s a given, son. Y’all pack away enough food for a small country all by yourself.”
Ian wrapped his arm around his mother; she was right at a foot shorter than him. “We’re growing boys.” The women laughed. At, twenty-nine, Ian was as grown as he was ever going to get.
“Okay, let’s go, ladies.”
Ian dropped his arm from his mother’s waist to help his sister-in-law, Kylie, up from her chair. At seven months pregnant, she was really showing. “You sure you aren’t going to drop this kid any day?”
Kylie smacked Ian in the gut. “Hush, you. I’m not that big.” Although she knew that was a lie. She was as big as a house. There was a reason for it, but she and Devin were the only ones who knew. Kylie was scared to tell anyone she was carrying twins. What if something went wrong? The entire family would be devastated. Not that she and Devin wouldn’t be as well, but she had Jamie, her son to think of. It was best they keep their secret a little while longer.
Flawed Perfection: A Collection of Winter Wishes Page 28