Maid for Love (A Romantic Comedy)

by Caroline Mickelson

  “What doesn’t make sense,” Kathryn piped up, “is why you broke up in the first place.”

  Zoe nodded. “I was so crazy in love with your uncle that I panicked. I felt caught up in something that was like a tornado and I felt off balance. Scared.”

  “Scared of what?”

  How to explain this to a young teenage girl? “I’m not even completely sure. It was too much too fast. I know this isn’t making any sense.”

  “It makes sense to me.”

  All eyes turned to Michael, including hers. “It does?”

  He reached across the table for her hand and held it tight. “When I met you it was like I was being shown a small slice of heaven.” He grinned. “I wasn’t able to think of anyone or anything other than Zoe. It was amazing, it was exhilarating, but it was also overwhelming and downright scary. So I understand the feelings, and maybe even the fear of what would happen if it didn’t last, but I didn’t want it to end.”

  Josh frowned. “Did you ever contact Zoe during the year to talk it out?”

  “No, but I thought about calling her every day. Zoe was my first thought every morning and my last thought every night.” Michael squeezed her hand. “But I wanted to honor her wishes. If she didn’t want to be together then I had to respect that.”

  Zoe was so choked up that she had to compose herself before she could speak. “I’m sorry, Michael. Please believe that I never meant to hurt you.”

  “Okay, this is getting weird.” Josh pushed back from the table. “I’m going to get another coke.”

  “Me too,” Kathryn got to her feet. “We’ll go outside and check out the dock and some of the boats before the food gets here. That’ll give you two a moment to get this lovey-dovey stuff out of your system.”

  Zoe laughed. “So we’re good? You don’t have any more questions?”

  Kathryn pushed in her chair. “It makes no sense to me but if you’re happy and Uncle M is happy, then we’re good.”

  As soon as the teens were out of sight, Michael moved into the chair next to hers. He ran his hand lightly up and down her arm. “Are we good, Zoe?”

  She nodded, unable to find the right words.

  He leaned in close enough that only she could hear him. “I want you, Zoe.” He brushed a soft kiss across her lips, one so tender and yet so passionate, that she shivered. His eyes locked onto hers. “Tonight. And always.”

  Zoe leaned in and kissed him back. “Tonight,” she whispered, her heart already aching with loss. Tonight she could promise. But always? No. That she couldn’t give him.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  When the sun rose the next morning, Michael was awake and ready for it. He’d snuck out of the quiet beach house and took a run on the shore, in part because that was how he started most mornings. But in even greater part it was because his heart was filled with so much love that he felt about to burst. After about three miles, he stopped and closed his eyes. The steady sound of the waves rolling in matched the rhythm of his heart-beat. For the first time in a year he felt as if everything was right with the world.

  He opened his eyes to greet not only a new day but the rest of his life. Having Zoe turn up on his doorstep back in Connecticut had forced him to admit how much he’d missed her. Whether it had been an accident or fate, he didn't know. Either way it hadn’t been voluntary on Zoe’s part. But when she’d shown up in Nantucket that had been entirely her choice. It meant she loved him. It meant she wanted him. It meant that they belonged together and their forever was starting now.

  As he began his run back to the house, he didn’t even try to keep the grin off of his face.

  When he returned to the house, he found it quiet. After a quick shower, he started the coffee and checked in on his still sleeping niece and nephew. They’d made themselves scarce last night after they’d all returned from dinner. Thoughtful kids. He owed them.

  Once the coffee was done, he knocked softly on Zoe’s door. Upon hearing her sleepy voice call for him to come in, he pushed open the door. “Good morning, Sleeping Beauty.” He crossed to her bed and set the tray he’d prepared on it before he kissed her good morning.

  “Breakfast in bed?” Zoe smiled up at him. “You’re too good to me.”

  Michael handed her a steaming cup of coffee. “You deserve nothing less.” He watched as she wrapped her hands around the mug and took a small sip. He loved the way she closed her eyes in anticipation of that first taste. He loved everything about her. Just watching her was a sensual experience. It fueled his desire to be with her.

  “Amazing coffee.” She smiled her thanks. “I feel like I’ve stepped into a fairy tale. Last night I was sitting on the beach with the most handsome, charming man alive and now I get to spend the day with him. My idea of heaven.”

  Michael handed her a plate with a fresh croissant on it. “You have today and as many days as you want.” He was going to offer her forever but an expression he couldn’t identify flitted across her face. Too soon. “Any idea what you’d like to do today?”

  “I just want to be with you.”

  Those seven words made Michael fall in love with her all over again.

  Zoe took a bite of the croissant. “Delicious. Any idea what the kids would like to do today?” She reached over to feed him a bite of it.

  “The kids are both pretty avid amateur photographers so if you’re game I thought we’d head out in search of a few lighthouses.”

  Zoe cocked her head thoughtfully. “Let me think, great company, gorgeous scenery, lovely weather. It sounds like the perfect way to spend a day.” She took another sip of coffee. “Have the kids always been interested in photography?”

  “It’s something they share with their dad. He got them started young so they could take day trips while my sister was painting. I realize that I’m pretty biased here, but as far as families go, they really have their act together. I’d love to be as involved a dad with my kids as my brother-in-law is with Josh and Kathryn.”

  Another uncomfortable look passed over Zoe’s face. This one he knew he wasn’t imagining. He reached out and touched her hand. “Hey, what is it?”

  She shrugged. “It’s nothing.”

  “Nothing you want to talk about you mean?” He kept his voice gentle, nurturing even, because he hated the look he saw in her eye, like she was waiting for something to go wrong. “Why does my talking about having a family make you look like you’ve just seen a ghost?”

  He watched as she started to protest but whatever she was about to say she chose not to. Instead, she shook her head. “It’s not what you think. It’s just…overwhelming. I can’t think that far ahead without getting scared.” She looked up at him, her eyes hopeful that he’d understand. “Please just believe that I love you, Michael.”

  “I love you too.” He leaned in and kissed her softly. “There’s no pressure, Zoe. Whatever worries you, we can handle together.”

  Judging by her expression, that wasn’t the right thing to say either. Michael decided that the safest thing to do until Zoe felt more comfortable was to wait for her to confide in him. Until then, he would just love her. Thankfully, that came as naturally to him as breathing. “How about I let you finish your breakfast and get ready while I get the kids up?”

  Her smile was reward enough for his vow of patience. Love and time together was exactly what Zoe needed to rebuild her confidence in their future. Fortunately they had a lifetime to look forward to.

  ***

  Everything about the day was perfect. Or should have been. Which made Zoe miserable at the same time she was happy, which then made her feel crazy.

  A cool breeze partnered with bright sunshine to make the day ideal for being outside. They started their day by visiting a whaling museum, which had been Michael’s idea. The kids went along with it, despite their initial reluctance, once Michael pointed out how much it would please their mother to know they’d done something semi-educational while on vacation. He was smooth, Zoe realized, as she watched him work
on his niece and nephew. And persuasive. She’d have to watch her step with him.

  After the museum, they headed up to Sankaty lighthouse. Built in 1850, it stood atop the grassy bluff in majestic defiance of both time and an often harsh climate. Zoe leaned in to Michael’s embrace as they rested against a railing while Josh and Kathryn walked up closer to it to take pictures.

  “Isn’t it gorgeous?” she asked.

  Michael leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “It’s hard for me to concentrate on much beyond you at the moment.”

  An equally flirtatious rejoinder sprang to Zoe’s mind but, before she could speak, her cell phone rang. She groaned when she saw that the caller was her mother.

  “Problem?” Michael asked.

  She shook her head. “It's my mother, who is persistent beyond reason. If I don’t answer, she’ll just keep calling.”

  “Go ahead.” He nodded in the direction of the lighthouse. “I’ll go check on the kids.”

  After he was out of sight, Zoe hit the talk button. “Mother?”

  “Will miracles never cease? You finally picked up.”

  Zoe immediately recognized her mother's tone of voice, it was one of righteous indignation mixed with urgency. Not a good combination under any circumstances, certainly not on a day like today. “It’s not a good time.”

  “Yes, I'd gathered that from the way you let my initial call go to voice mail.”

  Zoe sighed. “Some people would consider that a hint.”

  “We both know I’m not 'some people'.”

  Truer words had never been spoken. “I can’t talk now.” Zoe glanced around the grassy bluff. “I’m out of the office.”

  Her attempt to avoid a flat out lie amused her mother, judging by her laughter. “Yes, dear, I’d say Nantucket definitely qualifies as out of the office.”

  Equal parts admiration and annoyance shot through Zoe. “Okay, so you know where I am. Then you also know that I’m determined to spend this one last day with Michael. So that means you also should be able to understand that I want to take advantage of every moment we have together.”

  “Oh, Zoe.” Her mother wasn’t laughing any longer. Just the opposite. Her voice reflected a wistful regret. “You’ve got everything so wrong.”

  “I’m doing what I have to do,” Zoe protested. From the corner of her eye she saw Kathryn waving to her. She waved back. “If you’re so sure I’m going to have my heart broken then let me do it and we can spend endless hours talking about it later.”

  Her mother didn’t miss a beat. “If I didn’t love you so much, Zoe, then I’d probably just stand back and let you dive head first into abject misery, seeing as you so badly seem to want to. But I’m not going to do that.”

  “Mother, please, not now.”

  “It's critically important that you let me tell you about a conversation that I had with your Aunt Matilda.”

  “No,” Zoe protested. “I mean it. Not now. I’m not hanging up on you but I’m going to lovingly and respectfully disconnect this call. I promise to call when I get back home.” She held the cell phone out and ignored the sound of her mother’s urgent but garbled words. “Goodbye.”

  She pushed the end button and then powered down the phone. She slid it into her pocket with equal parts guilt and relief as she headed up to the lighthouse to join Michael.

  ***

  "I think it's romantic."

  "I think it's crazy. But cool."

  Michael reached out and pulled his niece and nephew in for a quick hug. "It's probably all three," he said. "But it feels so right. I love Zoe and I want to spend the rest of my life with her."

  He watched as they exchanged a quick but undecipherable glance. "What is it?"

  Josh kicked the ground with his toe and avoided looking at him. Not a good sign. He turned to his niece. "Kathryn?"

  "Well, it's like this, Uncle M, we like Zoe. We really do."

  "But?" Michael prompted her.

  "Can you trust her? I mean, really trust her?" Kathryn's expression was earnest, not judgmental. "I see that you love her, and that she loves you, which is good. But this whole pretending not to know you thing was a bit odd."

  He nodded. "Yes, it was. I'm not going to argue that point but keep in mind that I know Zoe. We have a history. And she's a really good person. Honest and caring. She just got scared by the way our feelings for each other got so deep so quickly."

  "I get that," Josh said. "I think you guys will make a great couple."

  Michael looked between them. "So you approve?"

  To his immense relief, they both nodded. "Great, then how about helping me plan a romantic proposal?"

  "Whoa, you're moving fast." Josh grinned. "Why don't you ask for mom's help when she gets back? She's great at that mushy stuff."

  "Wait six weeks to propose?" Michael shook his head emphatically. "No way. I'm proposing this weekend. If I can pull it off."

  "What about the ring?" Kathryn asked. "You've got to have one."

  "I do, but it's back at the house in Connecticut. I had no idea that Zoe was going to show up here this weekend or else I'd have brought it."

  Josh's expression made Michael smile. "Go ahead, say it."

  His nephew laughed aloud. "You've got it so bad. Sorry, but it's funny."

  Michael's grin was good natured. "Yeah, I'll remind you of that when you're head over heels in love one day."

  Kathryn clapped her hands together. "Let's focus, guys. Zoe's probably going to join us soon." She turned to Michael. "Here's what you can do. After we're done here, take us into town and let's do some window shopping. I can scope out a few places that have some decent jewelry. Then we have lunch and while we're having dessert you excuse yourself and go buy a ring for Zoe." Caught up in the romance of the moment, her eyes sparkled. "It's a place holder ring until you give her a proper engagement ring but it will do. Can you handle that?"

  "Are you for real?" Michael couldn't resist the urge to tease her. "Of course I can. That's a brilliant plan." He turned to his nephew. "Josh, your part in this is to keep Zoe distracted if Kathryn and I duck into a shop. Can you handle that?"

  "Can do."

  Michael hugged them both again. "The plan is perfect. You guys seriously rock."

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Zoe stared into the closet and surveyed her paltry wardrobe. There wasn't much to choose from, but then she hadn't known that Michael was going to plan a surprise evening out for them. Actually, when she'd thrown caution to the wind and made the spontaneous decision to drive to Nantucket, the last thing on her mind had been clothes. She reached for her red sun dress and pulled it out. She held it up for inspection. Wrinkle free, that was a good start. Modest neckline with spaghetti straps, appropriate for an evening spent with Michael's niece and nephew. Flattering color, which never hurt. The red it would be.

  She was half way dressed when her cell phone rang. No doubt it was her mother. Again. She sighed. Throughout the day she'd kept her cell phone off but when she powered it on to check in with her office, Zoe saw that she'd missed sixteen calls from her mother's cell phone. The woman was nothing if not persistent. But a quick glance at the clock told her that there was no time for a protracted conversation right now. Not with Michael, Josh, and Kathryn waiting for her.

  Fifteen minutes later she found Michael waiting for her in the living room. Several flickering candles provided just enough light for her to see that Michael had a bottle of chilled wine and two glasses on the table. She stood in the doorway and smiled. "You look handsome."

  Michael's grin was appreciative. "Thank you. And I've got to say that you've never looked more amazing. Come here."

  But Zoe stayed where she was. "I'm not sure about that, Mr. Archer. There's a little glint in your eye that has me worried for my safety."

  He laughed. "That little something you see is a mix of raw desire and pure adoration. But you're safe for the moment so come have a glass of wine." He poured a glass of Chardonnay and held it out for he
r.

  His fingers brushed hers as he handed her the glass, sending a rush of longing through her. "Thank you." She took a small sip. "Oh, this is lovely."

  "I'm glad you like it."

  Zoe glanced around the candle lit room. "I do. Both the wine and the ambiance, it's a nice surprise." She took another appreciative sip. When her eyes returned to his face, they widened. He looked like the cat that swallowed the canary. "What is it?"

  He shook his head wordlessly.

  "What?"

  Michael closed the space between them with one quick step. He took her wine glass and set it on the table next to his. "Let me kiss you and then I'll tell you about the surprise."

  Zoe reached up and linked her hands around his neck. "You drive a hard bargain."

  She could have stayed lost in Michael's embrace forever, it felt that good to be in his arms. But the doorbell rang and interrupted her bliss. Reluctantly she pulled back out of his arms.

  "That would be your surprise," Michael said. He headed toward the front door but halfway there he turned around and came back for another kiss. "Hold on."

  "Wait," Zoe called after him but he didn't answer. Instead, she heard the front door open and the sound of whispered voices. Perhaps it was the kids back from where ever they'd gone. Either way, time would tell. She reached down for her glass and took a sip of wine. And then promptly choked on it when she saw the 'surprise' that Michael ushered into the room.

  "Ta da!" A vision in sapphire blue silk and an obscene amount of pearls threw open her arms as if it were opening night on Broadway. "Surprised, darling?"

  Zoe gasped for air, grateful she hadn't just spewed wine all over the carpet.

  Michael rushed over to her side and slid his arm around her shoulders. "Zoe, sweetheart, are you okay?"

  She nodded at the same time she took a few gulps of air to steady her breathing. All the while she kept her eyes fixed on her mother. This was so not happening. Except that it was. "Mother?"