An Artist's Kiss [Dark Desires 4] (Siren Publishing Sensations)

by Suzy Shearer

  Her parents dropped in around three and after staying for a couple of hours the four parents left when Ian arrived.

  Gabriel’s father had ordered the family not to come but to instead visit at home when it was thought Gabriel would be released Friday. He knew the hospital wouldn’t appreciate forty people trying to fit into the small room. Isabella and Ian left Gabriel at eight-thirty after getting confirmation that he would be released Friday morning.

  The two sets of parents kept Gabriel and Isabella company on Thursday. Gabriel was feeling much better and moving easily. He had discussed his physiotherapy again with hospital staff and felt confident his hand would heal without a problem.

  Friday morning Ian turned up around nine to drive Isabella to the hospital so they could pick up Gabriel and bring him home. He dropped Isabella at her house then took Gabriel across to his so he could pack clothes and anything else he’d need while living at Isabella’s. They could easily drive back if he needed anything else later.

  When Ian and Gabriel arrived back at the house, Ian took the case upstairs to Isabella’s bedroom while Gabriel went out into the kitchen where Jane was making tea for everyone. Jane glanced around and saw Gabriel trying to open the cookie jar one-handed but using his injured hand to hold it steady.

  “Gabriel! What do you think you’re doing?” she shouted at him, her voice filled with anger.

  “I just want a biscuit,” he said meekly.

  “Yes, well, I seem to remember the reason the hospital gave you that rolling stick gadget was so your arm would always be elevated. Now get it back in the sling.”

  Gabriel had the grace to look guilty as Jane stared him down. Richard had come in at the tail end of the conversation and nudged Gabriel.

  “Better do as she says, she’s a tyrant.”

  He grabbed the jar and opened it, taking a handful for himself before passing it to Gabriel.

  “Thanks, Richard. I thought my mother was bad enough but now it feels like I’ll have them both hounding me.”

  Isabella tried hard not to snicker, especially when her mother eyed her as if to say “don’t you dare laugh.” About three quarters of an hour later Gabriel’s parents arrived with Angie, Raphael, and Adam. The two mothers took over the kitchen and sent everyone into the large main reception room adjoining the kitchen that Isabella had plenty of couches in. Angie hung back to speak with her mother.

  “Gee, Issie, that’s a great colour on your face. I really like the way the swelling complements the purple and blue. Brings out the green in your eyes.” Adam laughed.

  “Shut up, Adam,” Isabella retorted.

  “Well, it does. Looks like you got carried away with the whip, Gabe.”

  Isabella groaned. She knew his parents indulged in similar things but didn’t realise everyone else knew about her and Gabriel except Ian. Oh, and probably Erica because Ian would have told her. Although if she thought about it, it would make sense they all knew.

  “Don’t worry, Issie, we all know Gabe’s kinks.”

  “Shit,” she whispered under her breath.

  “Enough.” Raphael added, “Leave their sex life alone, Adam.”

  “How come you two aren’t working?” Gabriel asked Raphael and Adam.

  “It’s Friday. Today’s my flexiday,” Raphael said and pointed to Adam. “He’s the boss so he can take a day off. I was at mum’s dropping off some stuff when Angie turned up.”

  “Oh. At least it isn’t Saturday, we’d have everyone here.”

  “Don’t get too cocky. Mum’s been on the phone to everyone,” Adam warned. “She rang me after she’d spoken with everyone else. I told her I’d follow them if they called in on the way past.”

  Angie walked in and looked at Isabella.

  “Hope you don’t mind visitors, the two mothers are in there organising lunch for tomorrow. Mum’s going to ring everyone and get them over.”

  Gabriel groaned and went to stand but his father held him back.

  “Let them be, son. It’s their way of working through the scare. Neither will admit just how much it terrified them.”

  Gabriel shook his head and took Isabella’s hand.

  “Sorry, sweetheart.”

  “It’s okay. I don’t have as big a dining room as you but I can open the French doors to the drawing room and the side reception room.”

  “What about seats?” Raphael asked.

  “The dining table seats fourteen. There’s six chairs and a table in the breakfast area. We can bring dad’s dining room stuff over, too, I guess.” She looked at her dad, who nodded.

  “Good idea. Our table seats eight.”

  “I’ve got a couple of folding tables and I know Michael has one as well as about a dozen chairs. We’ll get him to bring them all over in the truck.”

  Michael junior had bought a truck a few years back. As he and Andrew owned the nursery it made sense to have it as well as their delivery van. The family found it very useful and often had him ferrying stuff around.

  “You two just relax, Adam and I will organise everything,” Raphael said.

  “Organise what?” Ian asked as he walked into the room.

  “Oh, hi, Ian. The family’s descending tomorrow so we’re organising chairs and tables.”

  “Great.” He looked over at Isabella, saying seriously, “I’ve just spoken with the cops and we have permission to clean up in the studio. Sergeant Walsh told me he wants to go over everything with you both next week. Told him you were staying here, Gabe, so he said he’ll come over.”

  Isabella felt herself blanch at Ian’s words. The last time she’d seen the studio it had been awash with blood. She felt Gabriel’s hand tighten on hers.

  “I’m not letting Isabella in there and that’s that,” he said firmly.

  Raphael and Ian both spoke at once but Ian gestured for Raphael to go ahead.

  “She won’t have to. The men will do it tomorrow, no problem.”

  Dorothy came into the room and ordered them all to head for the dining room. Gabriel walked like an old man, hunched over to stop the stitches in his abdomen from pulling. Raphael arranged Gabriel so the stand with his sling wouldn’t be in anyone’s way. The table was piled high with food.

  Isabella looked at the laden table and turned to her mother, asking, “Where did all this food come from, mum? You didn’t cook this much.”

  “No, Dottie rang Gabriel’s favourite place and they delivered it for us. By the way, they asked to give you their best wishes and hope you’re both back on your feet soon.”

  Raphael burst out laughing.

  “They don’t want to lose their best customer.”

  Everyone tucked into lunch with gusto. Isabella still had a raging headache, her arm and face throbbed and her cut lip stung whenever she ate or drank but she’d been pretending she was fine. She pushed her food around her plate until Gabriel thumped on the table alongside her. Startled, everyone looked at him as he glared angrily at Isabella.

  “For god’s sake, Issie. You’re in fucking pain. Stop trying to be brave.” A tear ran down her face as he continued, “Keep this up and I don’t care, I’ll put you over my knee in front of everyone and Raff can bloody help.”

  Ian had a mouthful of food and practically choked on it laughing. Jane quietly slipped from the room and returned with the bottle of painkillers the doctor had given Isabella when she was discharged.

  Apprehensively Isabella said, “I don’t want to take them. Just give me some paracetamol.”

  “You’ll take them now, Isabella. The doctor gave them to you for a reason. I’ve taken mine,” Gabriel said as her mother shook out two and handed them over.

  With everyone watching she felt like a spoilt child but she felt so frightened. She’d heard tales of people becoming addicted to pain medication, in fact her father’s brother had done just that. She’d avoided taking them since the doctor handed them over and instead lived with the severe pain, feeding herself paracetamol instead. Richard must have guessed w
hat was going on in her head. He got up and came to where she was sitting, crouching down between her and Gabriel.

  Quietly he said, “Taking them for a few days or a couple of weeks won’t turn you into an addict, my darling. Your uncle was already hooked on other drugs. Now be a good girl and take them. We don’t like seeing you in such pain.”

  Gabe whispered, “I told you I’ve taken mine, Issie. Please.”

  She nodded thankfully at her father’s reassurance and swallowed the two tablets. He stood, kissing her on the top of the head. Gabriel looked at her father thankfully and nodded. About fifteen minutes later she had to admit she felt much better and began eating. The remainder of the meal was filled with general conversation and she was able to relax.

  Around three Angie’s husband turned up and took her home after speaking with Isabella and Gabriel. The rest of the guests slowly left until Gabriel and Isabella were alone—her parents had gone back to the annex but told the pair they would bring over something for them for dinner.

  “I’m really sorry, Issie, my family means well but they tend to take over.”

  “I don’t mind, not at all. I’m so glad that our parents like each other, too. Makes things much easier.”

  “Well, at least tomorrow we’ll have an army of people to clean up.”

  That started Isabella crying again.

  “Sweetheart, why are you crying?”

  “It should never have happened. What if your hand doesn’t get better?” She felt so miserable.

  “Hey, don’t. The doctors are very happy with how the surgery went. None of this is your fault. Just blame that prick.”

  She sobbed into his chest for a little while then sat up.

  “I know you’re right but I can’t help feeling awful.”

  “Look on the bright side. We’re both alive and we’ll both heal.”

  The rest of the evening was spent quietly. Jane gave them both a plate of leftovers for dinner, neither were very hungry. They were both exhausted by eight-thirty and went to bed. Gabriel set the stand for his arm up on the side of the bed. Isabella was thankful they could lie together at last.

  Next morning the Milford army took charge. Tables and chairs were arranged, the studio washed and food organised. She and Gabriel were set up on the couch and given strict orders not to move.

  “You know, Gabe, I think I should tell all your family about Leigh Price. Mick and Andy know and it just seems so wrong that the rest don’t.”

  “It’s up to you, Issie. I know they would never break your confidence.”

  “I’m going to. I know mum’s worried she might say something. It just makes sense.”

  When everyone sat for lunch Isabella took Gabe’s hand under the table and squeezed it then she tapped her juice glass to get everyone’s attention.

  “Um…First, can I just say thank you.” She felt her eyes fill with tears at the friendship this family had shown her and her parents. “You’ve all welcomed my family and me with open arms and now this…thank you so much.”

  Much tapping on the table and cheering met this.

  “I have something I need to tell everyone. A few people already know but I would like the rest of you to. Please understand that it isn’t common knowledge and I don’t want it to be.”

  Puzzled faces looked at her.

  “My full name is Isabella Leigh Coburn. I sculpt under my middle name and my mother’s maiden name which is Price.” Amazed faces stared. She shrugged and in a tiny voice said, “So anyway, I’m Leigh Price.”

  Voices all broke out at once and it was impossible to understand what anyone was saying. Michael Senior banged on the table with his fist.

  “Shush!”

  He looked at Isabella. “On behalf on my noisy family I would like to say that we love you and your wonderful parents. To us you are all family. And now we are very honoured that you have confided in us. I’ve been an admirer for many years, as has Dottie. I know Gabriel coveted Ian’s pieces until he got his own.”

  He raised his glass and smirked. “To Leigh Price.”

  Everyone followed as Isabella said, “Thank you.”

  * * * *

  Over the next few weeks they both healed. Isabella’s stitches were removed, as were Gabriel’s. He’d started physiotherapy and his hand was responding well although it was early days, Isabella acting as his chauffeur. He’d been given the all clear to use it as much as possible so she would drive him over to his studio so he could put the finishing touches to the commission piece. Isabella would either leave him then come back later or else would watch the progress on her studio.

  Gabriel confessed to Ian that it was difficult holding his brushes and swore Ian to secrecy—he didn’t want Isabella worrying. When he spoke with his physiotherapist about it she reassured him that the hand and tendons would loosen, she still felt confident he would gain full use of his hand. He just hoped she was right.

  A few weeks went past. September, and finally Isabella received a call from the foundry, the cast bull was ready to be delivered. She asked them to deliver it the following week to Gabriel’s place. The renovations were finally completed and she’d already had the kiln transported across. Tomorrow the remainder of her equipment would go. Last week she’d had the statue of the running horse moved to Gabriel’s entrance. The front paddock there was perfect for it to “run free.”

  As Gabriel’s house was furnished, not many of her things would go over. Her antique collection, her bed which they decided would go in one of the spare bedrooms and a lot of her kitchen equipment which Gabriel didn’t have. Once her parents’ furniture was moved into the main house they could decide what to do with anything left that wasn’t needed. The Milford men all pitched in to move her parents’ things into the main house.

  As well as moving all her studio, Isabella wanted to get the smaller bronze statue of Ferdinand over to Gabriel’s without him knowing. He still hadn’t seen it and had no idea she’d cast the piece. After talking with Michael he agreed to pick it up with help from Andrew, Adam, and Raphael. He’d keep it at his house until the next get together at Gabriel’s, which coincided with his birthday in the beginning of October. The circular patch of grass in the courtyard would be perfect. So Michael would unload it and set it up on the day.

  It was lovely to finally be in Gabriel’s house. Although she loved hers, being here was much better. Both could work and yet be together. There was now a clean-up room between the two studios that both could use. Isabella had two rooms—both with more space than she’d had at her own studio. Her father had now taken it over with Michael senior to make their beer. They were talking about trying to make wine next so her old studio had been turned into a brewery-cum-winery. They’d even set up tables and chairs so the family could come and taste their products. Thankfully their beer-making had now been perfected and they were now regularly selling a couple of cases to their local pub.

  When Gabriel’s birthday rolled around Isabella was nervous. She just hoped he’d like the statue. Her parents had come over early so her mother could help her cook. The weather was cold. Even though it was the middle of autumn, very cold weather had settled in so she’d decided on roast lamb. Rather than cook multiple joints, Gabriel had suggested he barbecue a whole lamb while she cooked the other dishes in the oven.

  Isabella was never as thankful as that day to know Gabriel had a chef’s cooker with its two side-by-side large ovens. She was able to fit all the vegetables for roasting into three large pans. While her mother made a custard for the spiced apple crumble she’d made yesterday Isabella put the finishing touches on a three layered chocolate cake—Gabriel’s favourite. She’d almost finished making a tray of sticky date pudding and another of bread and butter pudding. Jane had made three dozen fancy cupcakes mainly for the children, although Gabriel and Adam had already discovered them and declared them fit.

  By the time the rest of the family arrived Isabella was on tenterhooks.

  “Where’s Mick and Andy?”<
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  Gabriel was about to walk outside but Adam, who knew about the bull, intercepted him and began asking about his hand. A few minutes later Michael, Andrew, and Raphael walked in as well as Michael senior, who was holding Ayesha. Michael gave Isabella the thumb’s-up. That only made her stomach turn over.

  What if he doesn’t like it?

  Andrew came over to her to kiss her cheek and whispered, “It looks amazing. You can easily see it’s Ferdinand.”

  “I hope so. I just hope he likes it.”

  “He’s going to love it.”

  The family moved into the main reception room and Gabriel was soon covered with presents from everyone. Grace and Charlie, as well as a few of the three- and four-year-old great-grandchildren, insisted on helping him unwrap them. Very soon the room was filled with paper, laughter and a mound of gifts. Once they’d finished Isabella took the opportunity to race outside and throw a large sheet over the bull. She stuck an enormous red bow on top with several pins and hoped the cold wind wouldn’t blow it away. Going back inside, she walked into the room.

  “Guess I should give you my present.”

  Gabriel leered at her. “You mean you want to do that in front of everyone?”

  Isabella blushed to her hair roots as the room dissolved in laughter while Gabriel jumped up and hugged her.

  “Guess that means no.”

  She tugged his hair. “It might be your birthday but try and behave a little bit.”

  He bent her backward and gave her a resounding kiss to the applause of everyone.

  Giving her a sweeping bow, he said, “Lay on, MacDuff.”

  Then he took her hand but everyone stood and pushed past them, wanting to be outside when he and Isabella walked out.

  “Okay, what gives?” he asked, confused by the family’s reaction.

  “Hush and come outside for a minute.”

  She took him as far as the side door, made him pull on a jacket, then told him to close his eyes.