Sweat poured off him as he worked to finish the painting in a few hours. Leon glanced at the clock. It was close to four o’clock.
He slid the roller upward, then down, leaving a trail of dove-gray paint on the wall.
Leon heard the front door open and close.
“Hey, you,” Misty greeted as she walked cautiously around a ladder. “Wow... The kitchen is really coming together.”
“We’ve been working hard at it.”
She discreetly admired his physique as he pulled off the jumpsuit to reveal his T-shirt and jeans. “I’m sure your aunt truly appreciates all you’ve done. I know that I’m looking forward to getting back to work.”
Misty walked out of the kitchen and sat down in one of the booths.
Leon washed his hands before joining her. “How is Talei?”
“She’s doing great. Every now and then she mentions John, but she’s adjusted well.”
“That’s good to hear,” he responded.
“I don’t think I’ve asked, but how are you dealing with John’s death?”
“I miss my friend,” he admitted.
“Despite everything John and I went through, I miss him, too.”
Leon studied Misty. He could see the truth of her words in her eyes. “Hopefully, he’s at peace now.”
“I certainly hope so,” she said. “That’s all I ever wanted for both of us. Just not together.”
“Do you have any plans for tomorrow evening?” Leon asked. “There’s a new Disney movie playing. I thought we could take Talei.”
Misty broke into a smile. “She would love that.”
“So, what do you say?”
“I say let’s do it,” she responded. “It’s a date.”
* * *
LEON PICKED UP Misty and Talei a few minutes before 6:00 p.m. the next day. They had pizza for dinner, then walked across the street to the theater.
He carried a sleeping Talei to the car when they emerged two hours later. “She’d held on as long as she could.”
Misty chuckled. “My baby put up a good fight. She stayed awake for most of the movie, though.”
Leon was able to put Talei in her car seat without disturbing her sleep. “She’s such a beautiful little girl. She’s funny, too.”
“She’s learning the art of manipulation,” Misty said.
He laughed as he opened the door to the passenger side for her. “I’m sure. I think that’s one of the first lessons all children learn. How to manipulate their parents.”
“You’re probably right. I’m going to have to ask my mom if I did that. I know I tried in my teens.”
On the drive to her place, Misty said, “We had a wonderful time, Leon.”
He glanced at her. “So did I.”
“You did a great job painting. You think I can convince you to paint my bathroom?”
“When would you like me to start?”
Misty gave him a sidelong glance. “Are you being serious right now?”
“Yeah. I enjoy painting. I’d do it for you.”
Leon parked in front of her building. “Do you want me to carry her inside for you?”
“If you don’t mind,” Misty responded. “Thank you.”
He carried Talei into the condo and laid her on the sofa. “We’ll have to do this again sometime.”
Smiling, Misty said, “I’d like that.”
At home, Leon showered and prepared for bed. He was scheduled to work the next morning.
Although he’d enjoyed seeing the movie with Misty and Talei, he was left feeling conflicted. His emotions were all over the place where she was concerned. Leon didn’t want to tamper with their friendship—it meant too much to him. But he was extremely attracted to Misty; he couldn’t deny it.
Just let go and enjoy the journey.
Leon had heard this on more than one occasion. Time for him to really act on it. He was tired of living with loneliness. If he wanted to have a fragment of happiness back in his life, then he had to reclaim it.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
WHAT IF A relationship with Misty doesn’t work out? How will this affect Talei?
It was a question that haunted Leon. The little girl lost her father—he didn’t want her to lose someone else in her life. It was the main reason why he was constantly debating whether to pursue a relationship with Misty. His feelings for her were growing, but deep down he feared becoming too attached to Talei. Leon also didn’t want to cost Misty or her daughter any heartache; he also wanted to spare himself more pain and loss.
He left the firehouse, grateful that he was off work for the next two days. Instead of going home, he drove to the cemetery.
Leon stopped by his parents’ graves and then headed over to Vera’s. Before taking a seat on the bench, he placed the dozen roses he’d bought at Vera’s headstone.
“Hey, Vee. You know I had to come out here to wish you a happy birthday in heaven. I brought you your favorite roses—the pink ones. I can’t tell you how much I miss you. Vee, you deserve to be here, enjoying life and raising our daughter... I will never understand why you had to leave me,” Leon said. “I know you don’t want me mourning you forever. I’m doing my best to move on. I even met someone. The thing is that she was married to John. Her name is Misty. You’d like her, Vee.”
Leon pulled a weed from the grass and tossed it. “John’s gone now, too. I can’t remember if I told you when I was here the last time. I’ve lost too many people and I’m tired of it.” He shook his head. “I know all about the circle of life and that this is a journey that we all have to take, but Vee... Dying’s not the hard part. It’s surviving the death of the people you love—it’s not easy.
“Spending time with Misty and her daughter has helped me through some pretty tough days. I’ve developed feelings for Misty and I’m crazy about her daughter. But I do worry what might happen if it doesn’t work out. I know what you’d say. You’d tell me to just take it one day at a time.”
His eyes traveled to the flowers. “Here I am talking about my issues when it’s your special day. I came here to tell you that I’m so happy to have been your husband, even for the short time we were married. There’s not a day that I don’t think about you, Vee. You were the love of my life.”
Leon rose to his full height. “That will never change.”
He could see himself spending the rest of his life with Misty. While Vera was his first love, he now realized that there was room in his heart to love another. He just had to have the courage to walk the journey.
* * *
THE FIRST SATURDAY in August brought with it lots of sunny weather for the second annual children’s festival. Misty and Brittany did one final walk through the area secured for the event.
“All the vendors are set up and ready. The authors are in the VIP area near the stage,” Misty said as she went through her checklist.
“This is gonna be huge,” Brittany said. “People are already lining up to get into the festival.”
“Talei was very excited this morning. She wants to see the pink dinosaur from that TV show and the petting zoo. My mother is bringing her. They should be here shortly.”
“Look who’s here all nice and early,” Brittany said, gesturing toward the fire truck.
“Leon Rothchild.”
“He told me that he’d be working the festival today, but only until noon.”
“I’m really glad we were able to get the fire department to come out here today.”
Misty eyed Leon as he arranged stuffed Dalmatians and teddy bears on a table behind the booth. She had known there was something special about him from the very beginning. Quickly, she banished the thought. They were friends. Nothing more.
“There’s that look again,” Brittany said. “You like him more than you’d care to admit.”
�
�Can we talk about something else?” Misty asked.
Her friend chuckled. “Sure. Why don’t we go check out the petting zoo?”
Misty held up the map of the festival. “Sounds good to me.”
She glanced over her shoulder. Leon was so preoccupied with his tasks that he hadn’t even seen her. Misty wasn’t concerned because she’d stop by the booth at some point during the festival to say hello.
“Looks like everything is in order,” Brittany said. “We’re ready to get this event started.”
* * *
LEON ARRIVED AN hour early to set up the booth for the children’s festival. They hadn’t allowed anyone entry yet, so the area was quiet, yet very colorful. There were balloons and cartoon characters everywhere.
He poured a large bag of assorted candies in a bowl, an easy way to summon the children.
Leon looked around at the different vendors. He caught a glimpse of Misty with Brittany, but they looked deep in conversation. He’d heard that they were part of the committee who coordinated the event.
Charles arrived. “Everything looks great. The truck is on its way.”
“They’re starting to let people in,” Leon observed aloud. A wave of apprehension flowed through him at the sight of two small children running toward their booth.
“Can I have a fire hat?” the little boy asked.
Wearing a smile, Leon responded, “You sure can. Do you want to be a fireman when you grow up?”
“Yeah.”
“What would you like, young lady?” Charles inquired.
In a sudden bout of shyness, the little girl covered her face with her hands.
A woman walked up, gently scolding them. “I told you two not to run off.”
Charles held up a stuffed Dalmatian. “Would you like one of these?”
She nodded.
“Here you go...”
The fire engine arrived and parked beside the booth.
Within thirty minutes, there was a host of children lined up to tour the truck. Leon liked that they were busy. It helped to pass the time.
If Vera and his daughter had lived, the three of them would have attended this festival as a family. Every time Leon saw a father with his wife and daughter, he felt a stabbing pain in his chest. He would never understand why his parents died when he was only ten or why he had to lose his uncle five years after that, but he’d refused to lose hope. Leon always believed his life would get better. For the most past, it did, especially when he met Vera.
His life with her was perfect.
When Vera told him that she was pregnant, Leon doubted life could get any better, but then tragedy struck, and his life came to a crashing halt. Where hope once resided, there was none.
It was hard to picture life without his beloved Vera. During that first year, there were days when Leon felt each crushing breath would be his last. Somehow, he managed to make it to the second anniversary of her death. He’d spent most of it angry and bitter. It wasn’t until the third year that Leon found acceptance.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
LEON ROTHCHILD.
Courageous, handsome and of high moral character. Misty watched him navigate coolly through the growing sea of children wanting a tour of the fire truck to the booth. When his dazzling gaze latched onto hers, the bustle and noise of the kids running ahead of their parents all faded into the background.
“How’s it going?” Misty inquired as she glanced around the booth. “Looks like it’s been busy over here.”
“It’s the fire engine,” Leon said. “They love getting inside and climbing to the top. We practically have to beg them to take one of the stuffed dogs. We’re already out of the toy engines and fire hats.”
Misty chuckled.
“You’ve been one busy lady,” Leon said. “Every time I looked up; I saw you running from one place to another. You did a nice job with this festival.”
“This is my first year on the board. I’ve really enjoyed working on this event.”
“We’ve got a great turnout. Congrats to you and the staff.”
Misty was touched by the compliment. “Brittany would love to hear that.”
“I’ll make sure to tell her,” he responded.
“Did you go by the bakery booth?” Misty asked. “Your aunt is there with an assortment of cupcakes and slices of cake. She has that lemon one you love so much.”
“I’d better run over there right now,” Leon responded. “I’m done here for the day.”
“I’m actually on my way there. Want to join me?”
He smiled. “Sure.”
Leon and Misty made their way through the crowd to get to the food area.
“Her booth is over there.”
His eyes scanned the table. “Aunt Eleanor, I came to get some lemon cake, but looks like it’s all gone.”
She smiled. “Now, you know I saved you a couple of slices.”
“Thanks, Auntie.”
A volunteer walked over to Eleanor saying, “De chillun full’ up wid baa’becue.”
Misty glanced up at Leon, who said, “You’ll hear the Gullah language spoken from time to time from some of the older people.”
“Sounds like she was saying that the children were full of barbecue.”
“Close enough,” Leon replied. “She said the children filled their stomachs with barbecue.”
“You speak the language?”
He gave a slight nod. “Some.”
“I don’t know much about it,” Misty said. “Just that Gullah refers to the people and culture along the coastal landscape of South Carolina, Georgia and the Sea Islands.”
“Only a handful of old-timers still speak Gullah. They spoke it really heavy when my parents were growing up,” Leon said. “Now, it’s fading. We attended school on the mainland and the teachers would make us speak proper English.”
“I find that fascinating. My mom has always wanted me to learn the Tsalagi language. She had the same experience when she was in school. That’s why she believes it’s important to keep our Cherokee language and traditions alive.”
“I agree,” Leon said. “The love for our history is something we have in common.”
“It’s important that we know where we come from,” Misty responded. “That’s the one regret I have about my father. I don’t really know his side of my family.”
“You can always change that.”
“You’re right.”
“Where’s Talei?” Leon inquired. “I saw her for a few minutes when she came to see the engine.”
“I’m pretty sure we’ll find her and my mother at the petting zoo,” Misty said. “We weren’t sure we’d be able to get the animals this year, but we were lucky. They had a cancellation.”
Just as Misty said, Talei and Oma were at the petting zoo, which included twenty rare and exotic animals from around the world.
Talei pointed at the potbellied pig named Jake. “Mommy, look...pig.”
“Yes, I see him.”
“Eon, I like pig,” she said happily.
He grinned. “He’s as big as you are, little one.”
“I like him.”
“His name is Jake,” Misty said.
“Jay...” Talei repeated as she waved. “Hey, Jay.”
The pig was ushered over so that she could pet him. Talei touched him, then burst into giggles.
After she spent some time with Jake, Oma convinced her to visit with Rascal, the fox in the next stall.
“She seems to love animals,” Leon said.
“She does,” Misty responded. “Especially rabbits.”
Misty watched Talei reach tiny fingers in to touch the baby rabbits. For the moment, the little girl was laughing and happy.
“You’re doing so well with that rabbit.”
“Her so cu
te,” Talei said.
Smiling, Oma patted her back. “Be careful with her.”
They went to the stall where the camels were kept.
“Mommy, I wanna ride horse.”
“That’s a camel, baby girl. That’s Bubba. He’s not a horse.”
“I wanna ride cammer,” Talei stated. “Eon, I wanna ride.”
Leon read the sign. “It says here that Bubba drinks Diet Coke.”
“Really?”
He nodded.
Misty chuckled. “Okay, then. I have to say that’s new to me. A camel drinking Diet Coke.”
They stood in the line for rides, and when it was Talei’s turn, Leon helped lift her onto the back of the camel.
Misty and her mother both took pictures of the little girl riding with Leon and the owner on either side of her.
Oma took Talei home around four o’clock, leaving Misty to finish her day working the festival.
“I’m here if you need any help with the cleanup,” Leon said.
“That’s really sweet of you, but I wouldn’t ask this of you.”
“You didn’t ask,” Leon responded. “I offered.”
“Then you’ll have to let me buy you dinner.”
He smiled. “That’s an offer I can’t pass up.”
Two hours later, they sat in a seafood restaurant enjoying their meal.
“You’re very good with children,” Misty said.
“It’s hard sometimes being around them,” he confessed. “It’s a reminder of what I’m missing. I’ve always wanted my own family.”
“I’m sorry.”
Leon shrugged, then finished off a glass of ice water. “Life goes on. At least that’s what I’ve been told.”
“It does,” Misty said. “You just have to take it one day at a time.”
Leon gazed at her. “That’s exactly what Vera would’ve said.”
Misty wiped her mouth on the edge of her napkin. “They say great minds think alike.”
Leon ordered dessert. “I hope you’re going to help me with this walnut blondie brownie.”
“You really have a sweet tooth.” Misty took a sip of her tea. “I called to check on John’s parents the other day. Clara’s still a bit emotional and Elroy was just rude as always.”
Harlequin Heartwarming June 2021 Box Set Page 60