“Perfect, in part thanks to you. You didn’t need to get such good seats. Thank you seems so inadequate”
“I’m happy I could do it. I didn’t do it for your thanks.”
“Then why?”
He paused for a moment. “There you are, raising your brother and doing a bang up job of it. He impressed the bloody hell out of me. Outside of the Predator’s auditorium sat a homeless woman and, without a second thought, he spoke to her and handed her all the cash he had in his pocket. I tried my best to ignore her. When I inquired why, he said, ‘My sister said if we knew everyone’s story, we wouldn’t be so quick to judge.’”
I couldn’t believe Noah listened to me. My eyes watered.
“So please don’t thank me. It’s I who should thank you for reminding me not to be such a prat.”
I laughed. “I think you’re all right. You could have been a real jerk about the whole my dog shagging your dog thing.”
“Why would I? It gave me a good excuse to see you again.”
“So that was your plan all along?”
“No, but just so you know, I did have a plan. Happy Christmas, love. I need to run.”
“Merry Christmas. Don’t forget to send me pictures of the paper hats you wear.” I got that in before he hung up. His laughter was the last thing I heard. As for me, I was feeling all sorts of wooziness. I was punch drunk on some Englishman.
I had never really been pursued by someone like him. Someone that saw me for more than my talent and my body. A gentleman. I couldn’t say how much I liked it.
~*~
It was the best Christmas we’d had since Momma got sick. The morning phone call was only the beginning. I had always enjoyed serving at the homeless shelter, but this year it seemed to mean more. I remembered my words that Noah had spoken to Mr. Beckett and tried my best to talk to as many people as I could that day. It was a great reminder of how blessed we were. How quickly life can change. How precious life is.
At home that evening, we ate breakfast for dinner in front of the fireplace with the pooches next to us. It was nothing like the elaborate feasts Momma used to make, but maybe this would be our new tradition. It was there we opened our gifts. We had decided to wait until evening since Noah had been up half the night playing with his new game console. There was nothing exciting under the tree, but there was something that I would always treasure. Noah was going down as the sweetest brother ever. I had no idea he had any clue what kind of things I liked, but he bought a book for me by one of my favorite authors.
When I asked him how he knew, his poor face turned red and he wouldn’t look me in the eye. “I saw one of her books in your bag. When I was at the bookstore with Felicia, I saw she had a new one out and I thought you might like it.”
I grabbed him and pulled him to me on the floor. “I love it. You are my favorite brother ever!” I kissed his head.
He pushed away from me, but at least he was grinning, or doing his best to hide it.
I took my new book with me while I soaked in the tub and read. I hadn’t done that in forever. I even used the master bath in my parents’ old room. It was the perfect ending to my Christmas and time off. I didn’t remember much of what I’d read. I couldn’t get the Englishman off my mind. He had texted me pictures earlier in the day of him in a red paper hat. It sounded like a fun Christmas dinner tradition. He certainly looked happy. I caught a glimpse of his mum. She reminded me of an older Helena Bonham Carter. He also sent me photos of their Christmas pudding. It was on fire. He said he would make it for me someday.
It was weird we were making future plans. I felt like I had lost my head a little bit, but for once, I didn’t care.
I settled into bed at ten. It felt good to go to bed at a decent hour. But then I heard, “God Save the Queen.”
I grinned wide and answered the phone. “It’s awfully early there.”
“I wanted to see how your Christmas was.”
Was this guy for real? And did he really like me? “It’s the best one we’ve had in a while. Noah even bought me a book.”
“This must be some book.”
“It’s a silly romance, but it’s the fact that Noah put the time and effort into getting it. Or maybe he was just trying to impress a girl he likes, but either way, he thought about me and it means a lot.”
“Please take this as a compliment, but you are easy to please.”
“I don’t think I’ve always been that way. Perspective, you know?”
“Then tell me, Ms. Call, how else are you easily pleased?”
I’m not sure I’d ever smiled so much. “Give me a good book of poetry, some food, and a night off and I’m good to go.”
“And who are your favorite poets?”
“The usual, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost.”
“Come now, love, you have to give me someone British to work with.”
“Yes, of course, you Brits think because you gave the world Shakespeare and Jane Austen you own the market on good literature.”
He chuckled. “We are in agreement.”
“I didn’t say I agreed with you, but I will say one of my favorite poems is from your neck of the woods.”
“Do tell.”
“Actually, it’s a poem that gave my momma courage during her battle with cancer. I’m sure you’ve heard of it, ‘Invictus’ by William Earnest Henley.”
“Ah yes . . . Out of the night that covers me, black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced or cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance my head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears looms but the horror of the shade, and yet the menace of the years finds, and shall find me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.”
I sat stunned for a moment. A single tear rolled down my cheek. This man overwhelmed me. “Oh, wow.” It came out as a breath.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You must say.”
I couldn’t tell him all he had to do was say the word and I would turn over my heart and soul to him. “It’s just, when my momma was at her weakest, I would play a clip of Morgan Freeman reciting those words. I never thought anyone could ever say them better. I was clearly mistaken.”
“I’m happy to know I can impress you.”
Could he ever. “Goodnight, Mr. Beckett.” For my own sake, I needed to end the call. I was beginning to understand how someone could be bewitched by someone else.
“Sleep tight, love.”
I wasn’t sure I would be sleeping at all after that. The Englishman was getting to me.
Chapter Fifteen
I found myself counting down the hours until he returned. Forty-eight, to be exact. His flight would get in at noon on the thirtieth. I was anxious to see if days of chemistry-igniting phone calls translated into anything tangible. I felt like I emptied a gasoline can and lit a match and any moment, it was going to drop. My defenses were down and I felt more vulnerable than I had in a long time.
I was sneaking in any time I could to talk or text him the last couple of days since I had returned to work. I was relentlessly trying to get him to admit I was right about who had the proper English accent. He refused to tell me what his linguist pal said. I took that to mean I was right. He promised to tell me when he returned. I felt like a child anticipating Santa Claus, or Father Christmas as he called him. But I wasn’t dreaming about sugarplums. My dreams were much sweeter, or was that sexier? Some of both, I thought. If he kissed half as good as the dream version, I was in for a lot of trouble. And somehow I knew we would be kissing upon his return.
He hinted about it last night when he texted me. I woke up this morning with the urge to kiss you.
I’m falling asleep doing the same thing. My words were bold, but I meant every word.
Under his spell, I found myself at the piano
more and sounding better than I had in a long while. Passion filled the notes and my soul. I was feeling so good about it, I brazenly lit another match the day before he returned.
“I have to work on New Year’s Eve, but I was wondering if you would like to come to Bangers and hear me perform?”
He didn’t respond right away.
My heart stopped and my tear ducts went into high alert. “I better go.” I had a Zumba class to teach, and an ego to patch up.
“Wait. You didn’t let me answer.”
I took a deep breath.
“I would love nothing more, but I’ve made plans with Christopher and Jaime and my little Allie.”
“That sounds like fun. I’m sure your goddaughter has missed you.”
“I’ve missed her as well. What are you doing New Year’s Day?”
“You tell me.”
“How does breakfast, lunch, and dinner sound, and we will fill in the gaps as we go?”
“Are you sure you can handle me all day?”
“I’m up for the challenge.”
“Then I accept.”
“Brilliant. I’ll see you tomorrow when I pick up Sasha.”
“I look forward to it.”
“Me as well, love.”
I was swooning and swirling and having what felt like heart palpitations. He wanted to spend a whole day with me! If only I didn’t have to work tomorrow. I would only get to briefly see him between my two jobs.
I was going to ask for visitation rights of Sasha. I loved that dog. I wasn’t sure what poor Toby was going to do when she left. They were inseparable. I noticed she was starting to show. I was still hoping for one puppy, but from the looks of it, that wasn’t the case. From what I read online, four to six was the average for Siberian huskies. Maybe she would be an underachiever.
I came home that night exhausted, but I had a plan. I wanted to make the Englishman a welcome-home/belated-Christmas gift. I had purchased the movies An American in Paris and Invictus, as well as a fine brandy. I didn’t drink the stuff unless I had to for work purposes, but I knew what was good, and it was his favorite. Along with it, I made the Victoria sponge cake. I wrapped it up prettily in cellophane, just like Momma would have done. I took one of her old baskets and filled it. I used tissue paper and ribbon to jazz it up. I was pleased with the end result, and couldn’t wait to give it to him the next day.
I fell into bed knowing he was getting on a plane and I would see him soon. It had a soothing effect on me and I slept peacefully. He texted me the next morning from New York before he boarded his final plane to Nashville.
See you soon, love.
It got the adrenaline pumping. I had nervous excitement coursing through my veins, knowing that at five that evening I would get to see him. I was trying to be grateful for work, especially since my last two hours of the day were personal training clients, but I wanted to see him as soon as he got home, probably around one.
I kept running different scenarios around in my head, like just going for it and pulling him to me for that kiss that had been playing in my head for days, or should I go the whole coy route and let him make the first move? It was a tough call. If a woman played it too coy, she might send out the wrong signals, but I also didn’t want him to think I was too forward, either; though some guys dug that. Or maybe I should wait until our date on New Year’s Day. I would just have to read the situation when it came. Could that please hurry up?
Jillian kept sending me messages to calm me down throughout the day. Like, keep calm and Zumba on. She was so cheesy sometimes, but I adored her.
That afternoon I got some good news and some bad. The bad news was both of my clients cancelled, which meant less money, but the good news was I was going to surprise Mr. Beckett, who I needed to find a different name for and quick.
I ran home to be accosted by the lovable canines. I loved on their heads while yelling a quick hi to Noah. I raced up the stairs to change into my usual for work, snug jeans, a button-up shirt and high heels. My curls were as unruly as ever, which kind of worked for me.
I rushed downstairs to get the basket and Sasha’s belongings. Poor Toby was beside himself. He knew. I had to have Noah hold him back when I walked her out to the truck. Poor guy. My heart felt for him. Sasha seemed sad to go, too, but it was weird when I pulled up in front of his house, her tail began to wag something fierce. I scratched her head. “I missed him, too.”
I hoped he didn’t mind the surprise.
I noticed a luxury SUV in his driveway, but didn’t think too much of it. Maybe he had two cars.
Sasha ran ahead of me and up the porch steps. I tried to keep calm, like Jillian had suggested, but my body was going Mach five inside. I don’t know if I had ever been so excited to see someone. With great anticipation and basket in hand, I knocked on his door. I immediately heard footsteps. With each step, my heart pounded more and more until it felt like it was going to break through my rib cage.
The door swung open and I smiled, only to be severely disappointed, or was that embarrassed? Sasha growled at the gorgeous woman dressed impeccably in a form-fitting black dress. She looked like she was ready for a night out on the town. Her flowing raven locks and red lips spoke of her beauty as she draped herself against the door.
All of the anticipation fizzled away in a nanosecond. “Um . . . I brought Sasha . . .” Could I sound any more unintelligent?
Her smile sparkled. “Oh, yes, you must be the dog-sitter. Beck mentioned you had Sasha.” She reached out to pet Sasha, but Sasha nipped at her.
I loved that dog.
She took it all in stride and laughed it off. “I guess we should really spend more time here than at my place. By the way, I’m Denise Hoyt, or my friends just call me Dr. Hoyt.” She laughed at her own wit.
I was dying inside. Mr. Beckett was seeing this woman. “Is Mr. Beckett here?” I did my best not to cry.
“Look how cute you are calling him Mr. Beckett.” She smiled like a snake. “He’s indisposed right now, but I’ll let him know you dropped by.” She had the audacity to reach out and take the basket out of my hand. She looked over the contents. “How thoughtful of you.” She took the brandy out and admired it. “This will go perfect with what I have in store for tonight.”
If I had been coherent, I would have ripped the bottle and basket out of her hand, but I was in shock. For all his kindness and smooth words, he was like every other guy. He was another Phil. I pictured him back there laughing at me, thinking about me talking to Dr. Hoity-Toity. All I could do was kneel down and pet Sasha. Her eyes were begging me not to leave her with Doctor Barbie, but I had to go. “Bye, girl.” I kissed her head then turned and headed back down the steps before I lost it.
I heard the door shut and I ran to my truck, high heels and all. I made it only to hear that stupid English accent.
“Call! Hold up, love.”
I spun around fast with tears bursting to spill over. “Don’t call me that. In fact, don’t call me unless it has to do with Sasha and the puppies. Better yet, just text or email me.” I turned back to open the truck door and the dumb thing was locked. I reached into my pockets to get my keys. Stupid tight jeans weren’t making that as easy as it should have been, and perhaps my state of being wasn’t helping.
The dang man used it to his advantage. He gently turned me around. “Please, what did I do?” The back of his hand trailed down my now wet cheek.
I turned from his unwanted affection. “Are you that dense? Why don’t you go ask your girlfriend?”
“Girlfriend?”
“You’re such an idiot. The woman in your house. The one you were indisposed with!”
“Indisposed? I was turning the water back on. I always turn it off when I leave for long periods of time.”
“I suppose water is important when you’re entertaining your girlfriend.”
“Denise isn’t my girlfriend, at least not anymore.”
“Someone should tell her that.”
He t
urned with a reddened face and glared toward his home.
“I need to go.” I yanked the keys out of my pocket.
He grabbed my hand. “Please don’t.”
I pulled away from him. “Please, just leave me alone. This was a mistake. Send me a bill for the puppies.”
He backed away with a vacant stare. “Call?”
I turned without another word and jumped in my truck. I tore out of there, shedding uncontrollable tears.
The match dropped and it all went up in flames.
Chapter Sixteen
“He’s a prat and a loser and a liar, and I hate him.” I got that out in between shudders of ugly crying. You know the kind. Red faced, no shame wailing.
Jillian held onto me in her office. “Honey, are you sure you’re reading this right?”
“You should have seen her all slinked against his door and intimating that, you know, well, you know what I’m talking about. She’s gorgeous and a doctor, just like you, but you can tell she’s awful. But he doesn’t care, because she looks good on his arm and he can parade her credentials in front of his friends and colleagues and not be embarrassed by her. I was so, so stupid for even letting myself believe he actually liked me. Why didn’t you stop me?”
Jillian held on tighter and stroked my hair like a mother. A mother I so desperately needed at the moment. “Call, you are more than enough. You need to get what Phil did to you out of your head. Look at me. Sure, I hold a doctorate degree, but that didn’t stop my husband from cheating. Repeatedly, I might add. You are beautiful, smart, and kind with a huge dose of sassy.”
I laughed some.
“Any good man can see that, and I have to believe there are still good men out there. Not all men are like the Phil’s and Danny’s of the world. And I’m not sure Beck is like them. His behavior says otherwise.”
“Then what was Dr. Hoity-Toity doing there? She sounded pretty certain of the kind of night they were going to have together.”
Jillian released me and stepped back. She handed me a large amount of tissues from her desk. “I really think you should get his side before you jump to any more conclusions.”
Beck and Call (Pianos and Promises #2) Page 8