“Well, if that’s the way you feel about it, I’ll do that.” The phone clicked off.
Heather hung up the receiver and shook her head.
Alex smiled and held his arms opened toward her. She went to him and he folded her close to him. “Thanks, baby.”
“Thanks for what?”
“You let William know I’m the only man in your life.”
She held him tightly. “William said I was acting like a slut because you’re going to use me, get what you want, then drop me. He said that’s the motto of mountain men.”
Alex cupped her chin in his hand and turned her face up toward his. “He sure doesn’t know much about us faithful mountain men, but I really don’t care what he believes. It’s what you believe that counts.”
She smiled. “I believe in love. A love like you and I share.”
“So do I. As everyone keeps reminding us, we haven’t known each other long, but when you have what we have, it doesn’t take long to discover it.” He kissed her, then released her. “I guess I’d better get those steaks on before I get carried away.” He winked at her. “And it doesn’t take me long to get carried away around you.”
“You turn me on, too.” She kissed his chin and turned toward the sink. “I’ll start cutting up the salad.”
Heather set candles on the small intimate dinette table in the alcove off the kitchen. She hoped Alex would like eating in this cozier area instead of the dining room. She cut up the salad and put the potatoes in the microwave. As she paused, she glanced out the kitchen window toward the patio. Alex was checking the steaks, and she couldn’t help thinking how wonderful it was to see him there.
“Thank You, God,” she whispered. “You must’ve had a hand in bringing us together. Otherwise there’s no way it could’ve happened. Please bless us, and let our love be a blessing to You.”
Her prayer of thanksgiving would have been longer, but the telephone interrupted. She picked it up. She didn’t recognize the number, but she knew it was a local call. “Hello?”
“Hey, Heather. Tim told me not to bother you, but I said to myself, I was married to the woman for over twenty years I’ll call her if I want to.” She was too stunned to speak and he went on, “Why didn’t you let me know your dad died? You know I kind of liked the old codger.”
“It was a private service,” she stammered.
“Yeah, I know. Read that in the paper, but I still would’ve come.” Again, she didn’t say anything, and he asked, “How are you holding up?”
“I’m fine, Fred.”
“I know it was tough on you. You were always close to him. What was his problem anyway? I hope he didn’t suffer.”
“He had a stroke.”
“Do you want me to come over, Heather?”
“No.”
“It wouldn’t be any trouble. Peggy and the kids have gone to visit her mother in Richmond. I could come tonight. I’d kind of like to see how you look. Those photos I see of you promoting your books are probably touched up.”
She ignored that remark. “No, Fred, I don’t want you to come. I have a guest. He’s the only one I need with me right now.”
“Good Lord, Heather. Don’t tell me you’ve got old William Jenkins staying with you. I heard that since your books began to take off he’d latched on to you.”
“It’s not William Jenkins.” Her temper was beginning to rise. “Anyway, what business is it of yours?”
“Don’t get your dander up, ole girl. I can’t help it if I still get that protective feeling for you. After all, I looked after you for a long time.” She said nothing and he went on. “Truth be told, I probably should still be looking after you. Women need men.”
“I think I’ve proven I can take care of myself.”
“I guess you have.” Fred sighed. “Well, I wanted to tell you I’m sorry about your dad, and if I can do anything for you all you have to do is call.”
“Thank you for your condolences.” She didn’t give him a chance to answer. She hung up.
“Whatever possessed him to do that?” she said aloud, and hung up the phone.
“What did I do?”
She whirled around. Alex was standing behind her holding a platter with the sizzling steaks. “I wasn’t talking about you, Alex.” She laughed and walked over to him. “Believe it or not, that was Fred.”
“Your ex?” His eyebrow shot up.
“Yes. He read about Dad in the paper and called to give me his condolences.” She rolled her eyes. “I took it with a grain of salt because when Mom died four years ago, he didn’t bother. I don’t know why he called this time.”
“Well, at least he called,” Alex offered.
Heather shrugged. “I don’t want to concern myself with his motives. I want to have a nice dinner with you.” She smiled at him. “The plates are on the table. Put the steaks on them and I’ll get the potatoes.”
When she returned, he’d lit the candles. “Our first candle light dinner,” he said with a smile. “May it be the first of many.”
“I like that idea.” She slipped into the chair he held for her.
They said a blessing and began eating.
“Let me ask you a personal question,” Alex said.
“Go right ahead.”
“How long do you think we need to wait before we make this eating together a permanent arrangement?”
She looked at him for a few seconds then whispered, “Not too long.”
“I agree.”
When they finished the main course, Alex put the dishes in the dishwasher while she made coffee and sliced apple pie for dessert. They took it into the living room.
After eating, Alex sat his empty dessert plate down and drained his coffee. He folded his napkin and put it on the coffee table beside his plate. He looked at her half-eaten pie. “How much longer is it going to take you to finish?”
“Are we on a time schedule?”
“Yep.” He grinned at her. “There’s got to be some good TV programs coming on in a few minutes and I want to settle down and cuddle here on the couch with my lady.”
“In that case, help me.” She cut off a bite of pie with her fork and held it toward his mouth. He took it.
In seconds, they finished her pie. She drank her coffee and stood to take the plates into the kitchen. “I’ll hurry.”
When she returned, he had the TV on and his arm outstretched toward her. She folded herself against him. “This is nice,” he whispered and he pulled her closer. “I…”
The telephone interrupted. She recognized her beach number.
“It’s Tim,” she said to Alex. Into the phone she said, “Hi, son.”
“Hello, Mom. I wanted to let you know we’re here, and I also wanted to check on you.”
“I’m fine, honey. Alex and I have finished dinner and are going to watch a little television.”
“Good.” He hesitated. “I wanted to warn you that Dad might call you.”
“He called.”
“I told him not to bother you. I was afraid it would upset you.”
“He didn’t talk long.”
“I told him Grandpa wanted everything private.” Tim hesitated again. “He indicated he and Peggy are having problems. Did he say anything about it to you?”
“Only that she’d gone to Richmond.”
“I think he suspects her of having an affair.”
“Well, Tim what happens between them is no concern of mine.”
Tim laughed. “I agree, but I got the strange feeling he was picking me to see if there was a chance he might be able to make up with you.”
“Surely not! You and I both know there’s no chance of that.” She looked up at Alex. “Besides I’m sitting here on the sofa with the man of my dreams.”
Alex held her tighter and smiled.
“Good. The more I get to know him the more he becomes the stepfather of my dreams, too.”
“I’ll tell him you said that.”
“Maybe you’d better kee
p it to yourself. I don’t want to give him ideas. He seems to have enough of his own.”
Heather laughed. “He does at that. You’ll never guess what he asked me at dinner.” When Tim said nothing she went on, “He asked how long it would be before we make this eating together a permanent thing.”
“What was your answer?”
“I told him I didn’t think it would be long.”
“Mom, you know I’m behind you, but I want you to be sure this is what you want.”
“Tim, I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
“Then, you know you have my blessing.”
“Thank you, darling.”
“I’m not going to argue with Providence.” Tim took a long breath. “Well, I’d better go unload the car before Juanita has my head.” He laughed and added, “Now don’t you and the man of your dreams do anything you shouldn’t, if you know what I mean.”
Heather laughed out loud. “Tim, my love, you don’t have anything to worry about. You forget about us and have fun until we get there.”
“Okay. Love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too, honey.” She shook her head and clicked off the phone. She looked up at Alex and smiled. “Would you believe he as much as told me not to sleep with you?”
Alex scrunched up his face at her and lifted his eyebrow. “Does that mean you’re not going to?”
She reached up and touched his cheek and added, “I’m not ready for that yet.”
He captured her hand and kissed it. “I’m a patient man. I can wait.”
•♥ •
Rachelle was fuming as she hid in the shadows outside the end window in Heather’s living room. “How could that awful bitch do this to Alex? I thought she had to love him, the way she wrote about him. Now, here she is, hugged up with this older man.” She moved to the side so she wouldn’t pound on the window and yell at them.
I know he’s big and tall, like Alex, but he’s too old. Alex is only in his early thirties, like me. Of course, Heather’s too old for him, but that doesn’t give her the right to two-time him.
She eased away from the window. “I’ve got to get away from here,” she mumbled. “If I don’t, I’m going to screw up and give myself away.”
CHAPTER 25
It rained all day on Sunday. “I’m not ready to face people at church,” she explained at breakfast. They spent a leisurely morning reading the paper and chatting mostly about their childhoods and their parents.
She suggested they go to Austin’s in High Point for lunch. Alex enjoyed the food and thanked her for introducing him to it. He had a rack of ribs. Heather ate the smothered chicken.
There was a Nascar race on TV in the afternoon. When she realized he was interested in it, she insisted he watch it. She was content and happy because he didn’t complain when she went into her office and busied herself working on the manuscript which was due in a few weeks. At six o’clock, the race was over and he tapped lightly on the door. “Don’t let me interrupt,” he said with a smile.
“I don’t mind the interruption.” She smiled back at him. “I’m at a good stopping place.” She saved her work and turned off the computer. “I bet you’re getting hungry.”
“I have to admit I snuck into the kitchen and found some chips and dip.”
“Did you find the Bud I bought you?”
“I did. Thanks, honey.”
“You’re welcome.”
When she walked up to him, he leaned over and kissed her softly. “I know you haven’t eaten anything since lunch. What would you like for dinner?”
Because of their heavy lunches and his snacking, she decided
to make BLTs and home fries. For dessert, she made him a banana split. She ate a small bowl of vanilla ice cream. Again, they ate in the dinette by candlelight.
He offered to take her out or to a movie, but she said The African Queen was on TCM and she wanted to see it if he didn’t object.
When the movie was over, he walked her to the door of her room. He took her in his arms and kissed her good night, there was a question in his eyes.
She shook her head.
“I understand. You’re not ready yet.” When she nodded, he kissed her again and said. “That’s as passionate as I’d better get or I’ll not be able to climb those stairs and leave you.”
“I’ll see you in the morning.” She laughed and punched him gently in the stomach.
•♥ •
The next morning, they were eating bacon and eggs when the phone rang.
“Hello,” Heather answered.
“Good morning, Heather. It’s Fred.”
“Yes?”
“I thought you might need some help settling your father’s affairs. I’ll take the day off and go to the attorney or the rest home with you.”
“No, Fred. I don’t need you to go anywhere with me.”
“Heather, I know sometimes women have a hard time with finances. I might be able to give you some sound advice. Maybe save you some money.”
“I’ve been handling my own money for twelve years. There’s no reason to think I can’t handle my father’s small estate.”
“There might be some way I could help you get something from the government.”
Heather closed her eyes and swallowed to keep from yelling at him. She then felt Alex’s reassuring hand on her arm. She opened her eyes and blew him a kiss. “Fred,” she said with confidence. “I don’t need or want your help. My man is here, and he’s giving me all the help and support I need. I would appreciate it if you didn’t bother me again.”
“What do you mean, your man?”
“Just what I said.”
“Heather, don’t tell me you’re one of those lonely older women who are suckers for any man who comes along. Why, if things don’t work out for Peggy and me, I might be available again. At least you’d know you’d be getting a decent guy if you and I got back together.”
Heather laughed out loud. “There’s no way in the world that will happen.”
“Oh, come on, now. You know you were devastated when I left. I know you loved me and the spark still has to be there.”
“Don’t flatter yourself, Fred. I’m in love with a wonderful man. A man who has more integrity in his little finger than you have in your whole body.”
“You don’t mean that. You were always such a kind and giving person. Give me the benefit of the doubt. Let’s see what we can work out.”
Heather shook her head. “I’m hanging up now, Fred. Please don’t bother me anymore.”
Alex nodded toward the phone and Heather handed it to him.
Fred was saying, “But, Heather. You know deep down I’ve always loved you. Peggy made me stray.”
“Well, Fred,” Alex said into the phone. “Looks like you’re going to be out in the cold if you blow it with Peggy. Heather’s love belongs to me now, and I don’t intend to share it with you or anyone else.”
“She was married to me for over twenty years. I think I know her better than you ever will.”
“The sad thing is, you never knew her at all, Fred. If you had, you’d have never left her.” Alex chuckled. “It’s my good fortune you did let her go because I have her now.”
“But I want her back.”
“You’re years too late. Heather and I are going to have a happy life together for as long as we live. There is one thing you might be able to do, though. It may not be too late to make amends with your son. He’s a wonderful guy and you should thank God for him every day. I’m looking forward to being his stepfather.”
“Who are you to give me advice about my son?”
“I have a son, and thank the good Lord we have a close relationship. I recommend it to any father.” Alex took a breath. “Now that you have the picture of how it is with Heather and me, I think you should hang up the phone and concentrate on getting Peggy and your children back. And please don’t bother Heather again.” He turned the phone off and handed it to Heather.
She moved cl
oser to him and put her arms around his neck.
“You’re one cool guy.”
“Thanks.” He kissed her. “I meant every word.”
The phone rang. “I think I’ll let the answering machine get it.”
“Good,” he whispered and hugged her tighter.
The answering machine came on. “Heather, hi. It’s Luke. I hoped to catch you and Dad.”
Heather pulled away from Alex and handed him the phone. “Hello, Son,” he said.
“Hi, Dad. I thought I’d missed you. Hope I didn’t interrupt anything.”
“Well, you did. I was kissing my lady.”
“Oops. Sorry about that. Shall I call later?”
“Nope. I finished a conversation with her ex-husband and she was kissing me and telling me how cool I am. On second thought…”
“How did that conversation with the ex go?” Luke interrupted him.
“Fine. I let him know there was no room in our lives for him.”
“Good for you. Well, I didn’t really want anything. Only wanted to check on both of you and to let you know this place is great and it sounds like you are, too.”
“I’m glad it’s nice and we’re fine. Using this time together to get to know each other better. And I have to admit that the more I’m with her, the more I love her.”
“Things are getting serious fast, aren’t they Dad?”
“They sure are. I’d marry her today if she’d say the word.”
“What does she say about that?”
Alex was quiet a minute then said, “Maybe I should talk to her about it.”
“It’d be wise. Women like to be asked, you know.”
“I’ll do it today. Maybe when we finish breakfast.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt your breakfast.”
“It’s okay. The eggs got cold. She’s warming them now.”
“Tell Heather the boys have become tight and can’t wait for Grammy and Poppa to get here.”
“I’ll tell her, son. Love to all of you.”
Stalking her Dreams (A Coverton Mills Romance Book 1) Page 12