Zander said, “I spent some time at the military hospital in Germany. I assume that’s where they shipped you?”
Rafe startled, shooting Zander a glare, but Eleanor appeared to take it all in stride. She leaned around him and nodded toward Zander.
“Yes but, honestly, I don’t remember it. The drugs I was on had me out of it for most of my stay, including the medivac back home and, even for a while, here.”
“IED?” Zander asked. “That’s what I went for. I’ve got some scrap metal pieces in my leg and arm that cause me pain sometimes.”
This time, Rafe relaxed, realizing his friend was normalizing what she had been through, without trivializing it. Zander was offering her a way to share without feeling alone.
Smiling compassionately, “Yes. I was in a convoy. No matter my injuries, I was lucky, when most did not live.” She glanced around the table, it hitting her that this was the first time since she had been home that she had been with a group of former military men who had their own tales to tell. And, for maybe the first time too, she realized she really had been the lucky one. Not just a burn victim, but a survivor.
The others nodded sympathetically, but she took a deep breath and plunged ahead. “I’m sure you know, I decided to just stay at home. My family…” She hesitated, uncertain what to say.
Rafe leaned over, whispering, “They know about your family, sweetheart. I told them, to make it easier on you.”
Shooting him a grateful nod, she continued, “Withdrawing from the public eye became easier than facing the stares. I know that seems terribly cowardly to you.”
The group immediately jumped in with protestations and she heard Rafe’s the loudest. “You are not a coward, babe.”
She held up her hand, saying, “That’s kind of you all to say, but it did seem the safest thing to do at the time.” Looking at Cael, she said, “I have taken on some nursing students as their online tutor. They send some assignments to me and I help them with some of the finer points they are struggling with.” She lifted her shoulders, blushing. “It’s not much, but for a long time, it felt like all I could handle.”
Jayden shifted in his seat, drawing her attention. “You know, Eleanor, you’re one of us. A veteran. We were all lucky…none of us were so severely injured. At least, not on the outside. Hell, I can’t imagine what it was like for you.”
“At first, I was so drugged that I don’t really remember what anything was like. I was in the hospital in Germany for a long time, until I could be safely transported back to the United States. By then, I had been told of my family’s deaths, but it all seemed like a bad dream. I didn’t really process it until I was finally out of rehab and came back to Bellamy House.”
“Like Rafe said, you are not a coward,” Asher said, shaking his head in admiration.
Swallowing deeply, she glanced up at Rafe, gaining strength from him as he smiled at her. Looking at the others, she said, “Well, I’m trying. I’m learning that life goes on and hiding away is no longer who I want to be. Being here with you all? It helps. A lot, actually.”
“You’ve made some decisions?” Miss Ethel asked, her gaze warm on her.
“I’m in the process of having a center built. Well, just at the beginning of the process.” She fiddled with her napkin until Rafe placed his large hand over hers, stilling her fingers. She shot him a tentative smile, before continuing, “My grandfather’s estate includes a large parcel of land that is about two miles from my home. I envision building a place for burned veterans who have no home to come to after their hospitalizations and rehabilitations are complete. Kind of a half-way house, as they figure out what to do next.”
“Damn, girl,” Jaxon exclaimed, his eyes wide, “when you decide to do something different, you really go for it, don’t you?”
Blushing, she nodded. “I guess it does seem rather ambitious, but…well, I don’t know if this will make any sense, but I’ve learned that living and moving through pain seems rather pointless unless we can help relieve someone else’s burden.”
“I couldn’t have said it better, my dear,” Miss Ethel said, reaching over to grasp her hand, giving it a squeeze.
A smile slipped over her face, returning the squeeze before leaning into Rafe’s embrace.
“Have you decided to give up making a living off your ugly mug?” Jaxon asked, his smirk aimed at Rafe.
Throwing him a cocky grin, Rafe leaned back, rubbing his chin. “I think it’s time I retired this face and did something a little more worthwhile.”
The group laughed, then he sobered. “There’s a favor I’d like to ask you all.” Gaining their serious attention, he said, “I’m going to be flying to California in a couple of days to clean out the efficiency apartment I had. Don’t have much there, but I did leave a few things. I’ll only be gone about three days, but I’d like you all to keep an eye on Eleanor for me.”
“I don’t need babysitting,” she protested, but was soon drowned out by the others immediately assuring their services. Smiling, she said, “Well, I shouldn’t need anything, but it’ll be nice to know I can call on you.”
“I hate that I have a meeting with Mr. Hayden and my lawyer when you have to fly out,” Eleanor pouted a couple of days later.
Standing at her front door, Rafe held her tight. Kissing her lips, he said, “I’d rather know you were tucked in safely here in your home than driving back from the airport. And, I’ll be home before you know it. My plan is to stay there for three nights, get my possessions packed, go by the bank, talk to my landlord, and say goodbye to a couple of friends.”
“Are you sure Marty won’t try to talk you into staying?” she asked, accepting that a sliver of insecurity was showing.
“Doesn’t matter what he tries to peddle, I’m not buying,” he promised. “Anyway, I’ll be back in time to mow the grass again.”
Throwing her head back in laughter, she said, “Yes, yes, that’s all I need you for…keep my grass perfect. Well, that and your body.”
Rafe loved the joy on her face when she laughed and bent to kiss her once more. “Okay, I’m outta here. The sooner I go, the sooner I’ll get back to your body, babe. Now, remember, you’ve got all the guys’ cell numbers saved into your phone, so call if you need them.”
“Rafe,” she reminded, “I lived here in seclusion for a long time. I’m sure I can handle anything that comes up.”
With one more kiss, he jogged down to his truck and, waving, pulled out of the driveway. Eleanor stood on the front stoop, looking at her expansive lawn and gardens, her gaze drifting to the woods where the small cottage could be seen. The sky was blue and the sun was rising over the trees. The scent of roses clung to the air and, as she moved inside, she decided the terrace would be a perfect place to get some work completed.
Waking up in his old efficiency apartment the next morning, Rafe stretched, the California sun shining in the window. He had packed his few belongings, glad that most of his modeling money had been saved so that now he could focus on building his own business. Looking around, the place appeared so bland compared to the stone cottage at the edge of the woods. Jumping out of bed, all he could think about was how much he missed Eleanor even though they skyped long into the night.
The day, filled with errands, moved faster than he originally planned and he hoped he might be able to fly back to Virginia a day earlier. Smiling at the possible surprise for her, he headed into the bar at the end of the day to have a goodbye drink with a few of the models he had become friends with.
The interior, modern and sleek, was nothing like Grimm’s and he found it lacking compared to Zander’s place. It was not full at this time and he easily saw the group waving toward him. He nodded and walked their way, shaking hands with everyone.
“So, you’re really giving it all up?” John asked. He and Robert were the only two models Rafe had befriended, both having also served in the military, their experiences giving them a maturity not shared by the younger ones.
“Absolutely,” he answered. “I’m going to start my own business, get to be back with my family, and I’ve found someone I want to spend forever with.”
“Seriously?” Robert asked, his smile wide. “Damn man, good for you. So, who decided to take a chance on your sorry ass?” he joked.
Laughing, he said, “She was a former nurse with the Army Reserve.” Seeing their wide eyes, he continued, “She was injured but is getting ready to build a veterans’ burn center. A place where they can go after they finish the VA rehabilitation if they don’t have a home to go to.”
Whistling, John said, “Amazing. I’m really glad for you, man.”
For the next hour, they enjoyed their drinks and catching up on each other’s lives. Looking at his watch, he said, “I think I’ll say goodbye—”
“Well, hello stranger,” a familiar, but unwanted, voice sounded from behind. Turning his head, he observed Cherelle walking up.
“Fuck,” he cursed, knowing Marty must have told her that he was in town.
She leaned over, from behind his chair, her breasts pressing against his shoulder, almost falling out of the low-cut dress she wore. Kissing his cheek, she murmured, “Missed you, babe.”
Standing quickly, forcing her backward, he was unconcerned when she rocked back on her heels, almost toppling over before righting herself. Ignoring her, he looked at his friends, reaching his hand out, “As I said, it’s time for me to finish everything so I can get back to Virginia.”
Robert and John, taking his cue, stood and shook his hand, well wishes coming from both of them. Turning, he pinned Cherelle with a glare, saying, “And that goodbye goes for you too.”
“But Rafe,” she whined, grabbing his arm, once more pressing herself tightly to his side. A tall woman, with her sky-high heels giving her added height, she easily planted a kiss on his cheek, cupping his head with her hand.
“Cherelle, if you think I won’t cause a public scene, you don’t know me at all. We were never anything more than convenient. And that’s been over for a long time. You’ve obviously been talking to Marty to know I was in town, but then you also gotta know my modeling days are over. I can’t help your career anymore.” Disengaging her hands from him, he turned and walked out the door, leaving her standing in his wake.
Narrowing her eyes as a smirk crossed her face, Cherelle walked over to another woman sitting at the bar. Climbing onto the stool next to her, she asked, “You get it?”
“Oh, honey, from this angle, it looks perfect. Just like two lovers having a chat.”
Throwing her head back in laughter, she took her phone and, within a moment, sent the video forward.
Her companion slid her a sideways glance, lifting her drink to her lips. “You know this isn’t gonna get him to come back to you, right? I mean, the whole model pairing that Marty was setting up with you two isn’t going to happen.”
Popping the olive from her martini into her perfectly made-up mouth, chewing it thoughtfully, Cherelle nodded. “Yes,” she grinned, “but revenge can be so sweet.”
31
“I think we’ve got a good business plan,” Eleanor said to Mr. Thomas and Mr. Hayden, as they stood to leave.
“I have to confess,” Mr. Hayden said, “I had my eye on this place as an exclusive hotel at one time, thinking that it was abandoned. But, Mr. Thomas assured me a lovely, young woman lived here and he was right.”
Smiling, she shook his hand and they walked through the foyer. “I could never leave my home, but I’m very excited to work with you on the building of the center.”
Stepping outside, he looked over her lawn and said, “Whoever your groundskeeper is, he’s got the gift. I need someone I can trust with some of my other properties.”
“I happen to know that he’ll soon be starting his own business. Can I have him give you a call when he’s up and running?”
“Absolutely,” he enthused, pumping her hand up and down before walking to his truck with a wave goodbye.
Mr. Thomas offered her a hug, smiling down at her. “My dear, your parents would be so proud of you.”
“Thank you…that means a lot to me.”
“I get the feeling that there is more going on than just the burn center. I just hope that you’ll introduce me to your young man sometime.”
Blushing, she agreed readily. “As soon as he’s back in town, I’ll have you over. And I hope it is the first of many gatherings here in Bellamy House again.”
With a final goodbye, she waved him away, her heart light.
Rafe showed up at Marty’s office, late that day, stepping up to his assistant, who looked as harried as usual. “Hey Donna, is Marty in? He’s been blowing up my phone wanting to meet even though I’ve told him over and over my modeling career is finish.”
“He didn’t come in today, Rafe, which makes no sense because I know he’s been dying to get hold of you and convince you to not quit modeling,” she replied, her lips pinched together. “He took off from here and left me with a pile of meetings to cancel or reschedule, a shit-ton of models to placate, and didn’t leave me his fucking itinerary.”
Lifting his eyebrow, he asked, “Is that usual?”
“Which part?” she groused, lifting her hands to pull her hair back from her face before securing it in a knot on top of her head with a pencil. “Leaving the complaining models for me to deal with? Only when they’re on the lower end of the spectrum and not a big name. Rescheduling meetings? Only when he has a more important meeting to take, which happens all the fucking time. But not giving me the itinerary? Nope, that’s a new jerk move for him. I’d think he was off having a tryst with a sweetheart…if he had a heart.”
Barking out a laugh, he said, “Honest to God, Donna, he doesn’t pay you enough.”
“Well, don’t worry about what he pays me. Marty’s losing clients every day after that dumbass stunt he pulled with you.” Grinning, she said, “And I’m going with another agency. This is my last couple of days, just trying to put things right.”
“Donna, you are one of only three people I’ll actually miss from here. And Marty isn’t one of them.”
Now it was her turn to laugh, standing to offer him her hand. “Good luck with wherever life takes you.”
“I’m staying in Virginia, starting a new business. And found the love of my life.” With a dip of his chin, he walked out, sliding his sunglasses on his eyes. Smiling to himself, he realized that without having to meet with Marty, he was free to leave a day early. Pulling out his phone, he called the airlines.
By ten p.m. that night, he was sitting on a plane. Thrilled he had been able to get on an earlier flight from California to Virginia, he did not mind the premium he had to pay for changing his ticket or the last-minute fees. Before he had to power down his phone, he shot off a text.
Got finished early. On plane now. Will be in your arms before lunch tomorrow. Miss you!
Leaning his head back against the seat, he closed his eyes, his mind filled with the beautiful woman waiting for him at home.
Eleanor walked into the kitchen the next morning, a cup of steaming coffee in her hand. The sun was peeking through the window at the front of the house that she’d moved through the rooms and opened the draperies. Her late-night text from Rafe had her smiling and she could not wait to see him and tell him of the latest plans for her project, and the fact that Mr. Hayden might hire him to do more landscaping when he got his business started.
Moving to the desk in the study, she opened the folder that they had been working on and perused the documents. The center would be comprised of a small apartment building, housing both efficiencies and one-bedroom units. A large therapy room, gym, and indoor pool would be on the first floor, along with offices and a large kitchen.
The windows would face the river below or the extensive lawn and gardens on the back. Only two miles from Bellamy House, it would be close enough for her to spend a lot of time there and yet far enough away to not feel like it was in her backyard.
> Her mind rolled to the business Rafe wanted to start. He wanted to plan landscapes and she knew several of her parents’ old friends would love to hire him. Ones that had not given up on her and continued to call, even when she tried to hide away.
Glancing down at her right hand, the scars still just as red and puckered as they rose up her arm, she realized they no longer held her captive. She smiled and had just looked back down at the papers when the doorbell rang.
Walking through the foyer, she opened the door, seeing a middle-aged man in a suit standing on the stoop. “Hello,” she greeted. “May I help you?”
The red-eye flight had been long, but Rafe was pleased he had been able to sleep. Climbing into his car, he began the drive back home. Home. He liked the sound of that word. Not since he had left Miss Ethel’s home at the age of eighteen had he felt like anywhere was home. And all because of Eleanor.
The drive, like his time working on the grounds of Bellamy House, gave him time to think. He realized he never saw her scars when he looked at her. Or when he made love to her. Love. Home and love. A huge grin split his face as he drove along, each mile bringing him closer to the place he never wanted to leave.
His phone indicated an incoming call and he hit the answer button as well as making sure it was on speaker. “Hello?”
“Rafe? This is Donna. I wanted to let you know that if you were back in Virginia today, you can have your meeting with Marty.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I guess Marty must have been planning on meeting you and never told me. I got a look at his itinerary that he finally sent to me late last night. He had a meeting with a few models and agents in New York but then diverted his tickets to Virginia’s Richmond airport before he planned on coming back here. I assume it’s to meet up with you.”
“Marty knew I was going to be in California,” he explained. “I can’t imagine what he’d be doing here in Virginia.” An uneasy feeling slithered through him and, glancing at the time, he knew he could be home in another half hour.
Rafe: Heroes at Heart Page 21