Mac wasn’t sure if he was supposed to say anything or not but decided to keep quiet because clearly Gina needed to get some things off of her chest.
“You have wonderful parents and brothers who you’re close to. And now,” she added with a half-hearted laugh, “you have two sisters and a niece! I mean, I really hope that you appreciate them, Mac, because I can tell you, it is no fun being alone.”
Reaching out, Mac placed a calming hand on her shoulder. “I do appreciate them; maybe not all the time, but I know that I’m lucky. I’m sorry that your folks made things so hard for you. Honestly, I don’t know what I’d do without my brothers even though there have been times that I wanted to strangle them.”
“At least there was someone there to strangle,” she mumbled.
“I’m sorry that you were alone, Gina, but know that while you’re here, you’re not.” Her smile told Mac that she believed him and was grateful.
“Thank you,” she said softly. Gina was about to say more but felt that maybe what she really needed was to get some sleep. Her emotions were all over the place and being this close to Mac had her on sensory overload. She didn’t want to argue with him and he certainly didn’t seem too interested in making a move on her so she decided to cut her losses for now and call it a night.
“This was wonderful,” she said as she stood; water cascading down her body and she smiled as she noticed Mac’s jaw drop. “But I am exhausted and I think I’m going to head in, put on my jammies and watch a movie.” Turning, she leaned down and gently kissed Mac on the cheek. He closed his eyes and she lingered for just an extra moment before standing and climbing out. “I really appreciate the pizza and the company, Mac. I’m sure I’ll see you again soon.”
He could only stay seated and watch her glistening body walk slowly back toward the French doors she’d come through earlier. There was a towel draped on a chair next to the doorway and she wrapped it around her hips as she walked though the arch. Turning one last time, she waved to Mac and then closed the doors. His head dropped back against the stones and he let out a low growl and counted backward from one hundred.
And it still wasn’t enough to wipe the image of Gina Micelli’s curvy and wet body from his mind.
Chapter Four
Gina arrived at the hospital the next afternoon after two as the nurses had instructed. Her father was asleep when she walked into his room and she made herself comfortable and was content to just look at him for a little while.
“When you were a little girl,” he said sleepily, “I used to sit and watch you sleep, too. It’s nice to see that we’ve come full circle.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been poked and prodded by too many people,” he said lightly, his voice gaining a little strength. “They’re going to be doing that sort of thing more and more often so I guess I better get used to it.”
“Is it really necessary?” she asked quietly.
Arthur adjusted his bed and sat more upright so that he could look at his daughter. She was so beautiful and had grown into such an amazing woman and looking at her now he realized how much time they had lost and were never going to get to recover. “If you mean is it going to help me get better, then no,” he said seriously. “It’s more for the doctors to track the cancer and make sure that it’s not getting any worse or spreading.”
Gina nodded and willed herself to not cry. “I hate that they are making you more uncomfortable when they need to be doing everything they can to help you.”
He smiled sadly. “In their world, they are helping me. By making sure that I’m not getting worse, they are helping me.”
“It still doesn’t seem right.”
Knowing that even under the best of circumstances that their time together was ultimately going to be short, Arthur didn’t want to spend it talking about his illness. “So tell me what you did last night after you left here . Anything exciting? Have you looked up any of your old friends?”
Gina smiled. “Last night , Mac came by and we shared a pizza by the pool.” She stopped before she blushed. “I think that his folks asked him to look in on me.”
Arthur chuckled. “I wouldn’t doubt it. I’m glad they didn’t cancel their trip on my account. I know that you didn’t want to stay at my place because you’ve never been there but if you change your mind, just say the word.”
“I appreciate that, Dad, but the Montgomerys’ guest house is just fine.”
He nodded in understanding. “Actually, I have a favor to ask.”
“Anything,” she said, leaning forward and taking his hand. “What can I do?”
“Well, there are just some things from home that I’d like; a couple of different pairs of pajamas, some of my books…I’ve got a list made. Would you mind stopping by there and bringing them with you when you come back tomorrow?” He looked both hopeful and wary at the same time.
“Of course I don’t mind,” Gina said sincerely. “Is there anything else that you need? I don’t mind going shopping if you’re missing something.”
“That won’t be necessary,” he said and leaned over to his bedside table and opened the drawer. He pulled out a yellow legal pad and ripped off the top page and handed it to his daughter. “I put directions to the house on there, too, even though I am sure that you have a navigation system in whatever car you’re driving.”
Gina told him about William lending her his beloved convertible and they laughed. “I know Monica gave him hell for buying that car,” Arthur said. “He was feeling so proud of himself for buying such a ‘hip’ car but he really did look a little ridiculous.”
“Well, his loss is my gain while I’m here,” Gina said with a sassy smile. “My car back home will never be the same to me.”
“So get rid of it,” he suggested. “Go out and get yourself whatever car you want!”
She waved him off. “Please; you know that mom is a safety fanatic. If I came home with a sports car she’d have a coronary.”
“Gina,” he said solemnly, “isn’t it time that you stopped letting your mother dictate your life to you? You are an intelligent, gown woman. You are entitled to have happiness in your life and if that damn car makes you happy, then you should have one.”
Reaching out she patted her father’s other hand. “It’s just a car, Dad. It’s not a big deal.”
Arthur was so tired of discussions like this. It wasn’t often that Gina shared something that she liked or wanted because his ex-wife always found a way to discourage her from getting it. Well, if he was only going to have a few short months left on this earth, he was going to voice his opinion.
“You are a good daughter, Gina; no parent could ask for a better child. But it is time for you to start living your own life. I sat back and held my tongue for far too long and while I thought I was doing the right thing and making your life easier, it seems like all I did was allow your mother to take away your right to think for yourself.” Gina went to interrupt him but he held up a hand to stop her. “I blame myself for not fighting more for you, Gina, and I regret my cowardice more than anything. All I ever wanted in this world was for you to be happy.”
“I am happy, Dad,” she began.
“Are you? Because I’ll tell you what I see when I look at you; I see a beautiful, intelligent woman who is unsure of herself. You look to others for approval rather than taking action and doing what feels right for you. I know that you hate your job; hell, I know you hate being an accountant! Your mother pushed you to do that, too, but you don’t have to stay with it. You can be anything that you want, Gina!” His eyes were pleading with her for understanding and if he had the strength, he’d reach out and shake her. “What is it that you want to be? Honestly.”
A wave of panic rose in her. No one had ever asked her that before and saying it out loud to anyone terrified her.
“Tell me, sweetheart. What would make you happy?” Tears flooded Arthur’s eyes as he begged his daughter to communicate with him the way he should have communicate
d with her years ago.
“I...,” she began hesitantly, “I want to paint.”
Arthur smiled. He felt ten years younger at his daughter’s honest admission. “You were always a talented artist, Gina. Why don’t you paint?”
“I don’t have the time,” she said sadly. “My job is pretty demanding and when I’m not working I have other commitments and there just aren’t enough hours in the day.”
He reached out for Gina’s hand and she grabbed onto him and held on tight. “Promise me something.”
“Anything.”
“While you are here, promise me that you’ll paint.”
She smiled at him with such love that her heart actually hurt. “I’m here to spend time with you, Dad, not paint.”
“There is nothing that would help me feel better than knowing that you were doing something that gave you joy. Besides, there is only so much we can sit here and talk about. As much as I want to spend every moment I can with you, there are going to be times when I’m just not up for company and so I want you to use that time doing what makes you happy. Promise?”
“I promise.”
****
Four hours later , Gina left the hospital. Her father had eaten an early, light dinner and she had placed a gentle kiss on his forehead as he dozed off. With paper in hand, she made the drive to his home to gather the items that he had requested.
It felt weird to know that she was driving to the home that belonged to her father and yet it was a place she had never seen. Once she had moved to California, Arthur had always come to visit her; her mother had never allowed her to come back to North Carolina. Gina had always hated that; there had been friends that she would have liked to have seen and visited with over the years but she had been forced to do it simply by phone or emails. Arthur had sold their family home once his wife and daughter had left and Gina had no idea what kind of place he had moved to.
The house surprised Gina. It was a large Tudor set back on several acres of property. There were huge trees lining the long driveway and it was immaculately landscaped. She parked and climbed out of the car and her immediate impression was that this was a home that would be perfect for a family.
She used the keypad to enter the house and stepped into an enormous foyer. Immediately she kicked off her shoes because she didn’t want to mark up the beautiful hardwood floors. For the next several minutes she toured the main floor in wonder. There were windows all along the back of the house that showed a custom deck that looked out over a large expanse of green grass and then ultimately a lake. The kitchen was modern with all top of the line appliances.
Her father’s room was right off of the family room and she took out the piece of paper he had given her and found most of the items on the list with relative ease. His room was filled with dark furniture and it was a very masculine setting but she noticed that it really seemed to suit him. There were pictures of her scattered around the room from various stages of her life and it saddened her that this was how their relationship was; mostly a collection of photographs.
The last of the items he had said she’d find up on the second floor. Gina wondered why her father would choose such a large home when it was just him. Clearly he had to have a cleaning staff come in to maintain it all; it just seemed a waste to have all of this room and no one to share it with.
At the foot of the stairs she stopped to compose herself; looking around, Gina knew that she would have loved living in this house. Even now she knew that she could easily pack up from the Montgomerys’ guest home and stay here, but it didn’t seem right. It was too late. All too soon this home would not belong to her father because he would be gone and it would be too hard to make any memories here without remembering all that she had lost.
With a fortifying breath, she headed up the curved staircase. There was a sitting area at the top of the stairs and as she walked down the hallway she counted five bedrooms. He’d told her that there was a box in the bedroom at the end of that hall that had some things that he wanted her to have. Gina had been curious as to what he could possibly have for her but had no idea what it could be.
Opening the door to the bedroom, she gasped. A look around the room had her placing a hand over her rapidly beating heart. It was the room of her dreams; it was the room that her father had set up for her but she had never been allowed to use. She cautiously stepped further inside as tears rolled down her face.
****
Arthur couldn’t fall asleep after Gina left. There were so many things that he wanted to say to her; so much he wanted to apologize for and make up to her. Unfortunately, time was not on his side. He turned his head and caught a glimpse of something shiny. Gina had forgotten her cell phone. Reaching over he picked it up and smiled. She may try to come off as conservative but her bejeweled phone case showed a different side and it made him smile. There was hope for his daughter yet.
Without thinking, he reached for his own phone and dialed a familiar number. “Hey, it’s Arthur,” he said cheerily. “I need a favor…”
****
There were times when you had to do things that you didn’t want to do and you did it with a smile; then there were times that you could bitch and grumble and be miserable. This was somewhere in between, Mac decided.
When Arthur had called to tell him that Gina had left her phone at the hospital and asked if Mac could bring it to her, there was no way that he could say no. With everything that the man was going through, how could Mac possibly complain about doing this small favor? So he’d left the office, driven the short distance to the hospital and sat and visited with the man who’d always been like a beloved uncle to him.
Now Mac sat in his car in the driveway of Arthur’s home and contemplated his options. He could easily just place the phone in Gina’s car and let her think it had slipped out of her purse, or he could knock on the door and have to see her face to face.
The images from the previous evening had kept him awake well into the night. Gina in a bikini, Gina laughing, Gina in the hot tub and in his lap…just thinking about it even now was enough to make him hard. With a growl of frustration , Mac knew what he wanted to do but he also knew what he needed to do.
“Dammit,” he grumbled as he rose from the car and slammed the door. “If I make it through this, I should be given an award for restraint.” He knocked on the front door but no one answered. He tested the knob and found it unlocked so he let himself in. “Gina?” he called out. Silence. Calling her name several more times without a response, Mac felt a small wave of panic rising in him. Where was she? Why wasn’t she answering? Had something happened to her?
He quickly walked through the entire lower level and then took the stairs two at a time calling her name. “Gina!” At the top of the stairs he stopped and listened and finally heard a sound. He walked toward the end of the hall and stopped in the doorway. There, in the corner of the room and on the floor, sat Gina. Tears were streaming down her face and he rushed to her side. “Are you hurt?” he asked frantically, scanning her for any signs of injury.
Her sad green eyes met his. “He remembered everything,” she said softly. “Every hobby I ever had, every interest I ever mentioned, he had in this room just waiting for me to come home.” This brought on another wave of crying and Mac sat down beside her and pulled her into his arms. Gina burrowed into him and clung to him as if her life depended on it.
Mac searched his brain for what he could possibly say when Gina was so clearly distraught. So rather than talking about her father, he took another approach. “Tell me about your hobbies,” he said softly.
Gina raised her head and looked at him as if she’d just realized he was truly there. “What are you doing here?” She started to wipe away her tears but Mac carefully pulled her hands away and did the job for her.
“You left your phone at the hospital,” he said, mesmerized by the deep green of her eyes that were slowly starting to become addictive to him. “Your father called and asked me to bring it to
you because he was concerned about you being alone without a way to call for help if you needed to.”
“I didn’t even realize.” Gina couldn’t look away; everything in Mac’s gaze called to her. He was looking at her as if he was memorizing her every feature. His gaze heated and she was certain that he was going to kiss her.
Mac cleared his throat. “Did you have a lot of hobbies growing up?” he asked, breaking the spell.
Gina looked away and nodded. “I was always trying something new; most of the things I did made my mother crazy. She wanted a little porcelain doll for a daughter; someone to dress up in frilly dresses who always looked neat and pristine. Instead she got me.” She gave a small laugh. “She wanted me to play the piano and I took up guitar. I was really into painting and so she wanted me to paint formal portraits and landscapes and instead I was doing all kinds of abstract stuff. She wanted my hair straight and sleek and it’s a mass of untamed curls.” She stopped after that last comment and shrugged. “That wasn’t about hobbies but the sentiment is the same. I was never the daughter that she wanted.”
“Then she’s a fool,” Mac said firmly. “There is nothing wrong with you, Gina. Nothing.” He placed a finger under her chin and forced her to look at him. “Those were her issues, not yours. Don’t ever be sorry for being who you are.”
“You sound just like my father.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment because he’s a very smart man.”
Gina smiled. Reluctantly she removed herself from his loose embrace and stood. “He gave me a list of things that he wanted me to bring to him at the hospital and at the end of it was a box of stuff he wanted me to have. I came up here and it wasn’t simply a box, it was a room.” She walked around, still in awe of all that was there. “He set up this room for me,” she said as she continued to walk and touch.
“There are paint supplies in the closet to use with this easel that he set up by the window. He must have bought every size of canvas available so that I’d have a big enough selection. There’s a guitar over there,” she pointed and nodded her head in the direction of the far corner of the room. “I went through a cowboy phase and there on top of that wardrobe is a selection of cowboy hats.” Gina pulled one down and put it on and posed for Mac and then giggled. “It was silly and just a phase, but he remembered.” She placed the hat on the bed.
Stay With Me (The Montgomery Brothers) Page 5