by Groovy Lee
“If you’re sure.” She shuffled her bunny-slippered feet across the floor for the half-eaten bag of Vinegar and Salt potato chips. “I’d better check on Nikki, and make sure Mom took her medication. See you when Her Highness arrives.”
As Gracie resumed the task of cutting up the vegetables, she heard the patio door open then close. A nervous surge swelled through her as she felt Indigo lean against the kitchen entryway watching her.
“Did Shara give out on you?”
“No. I told her to go and rest,” she replied in a cool tone, her veggie cutting more aggressive now. “She’s been helping me all day.”
His brows lifted from the way she was chopping that carrot. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“No,” she was a little too quick to say.
He crooked his head to one side. “Is there something wrong?”
Yes, your fiancée is coming over here so she can throw herself at you to remind you what you’re missing, and I’m just not in the mood for it. “No,” she said instead, “Nothing’s wrong.” She looked up and smiled to verify the fact.
“Gracie,” he was not convinced as he crossed his arms against his chest. “Something is bothering you. What is it?”
She closed her eyes to calm her fraying nerves. “Nothing, really. I’m just trying to finish preparing everything before our illustrious guest arrives.” That last sentence slipped out, but she wasn’t about to apologize for it.
“So, that’s it. You’re up in arms because Felicia’s coming over.”
She gathered up the vegetables and put them in a bowl then set it aside. “I just want your evening together to go well. You haven’t seen her in what—a month? You must be biting at the chops waiting for her arrival.”
“You didn’t have to do this if you didn’t want to. You invited her, I didn’t,” he replied, followed by a tired exhale.
His tone pierced through her civil composure causing her to push away from the sink and face him. “Number one, I didn’t invite her. I’m sure you know Felicia enough to know that she doesn’t wait for an invitation. But, it doesn’t matter because she’s coming.” With that, she turned away and began arranging the dirty dishes in the dishwasher.
“Well, if you want to be childish about it.”
Gracie had never gotten angry at her boss—not once. This was the very first argument between them. It felt so personal and weird, but necessary. She turned and eyed him. “Did you just call me childish?”
“You murdered that entire bowl of vegetables,” he nodded his head toward it. “Heaven knows what you’re going to do to that poor shrimp over there. You’re practically throwing a tantrum. What would you call it?”
“I call it doing my job. So, if you’ll just leave so I can continue to do what I’m paid to—Mr. Farrell.” She stressed those last two words just to rattle him a little.
The muscles in his jawline tightened; His eyelids narrowed. She felt the beats of her heart thump severely against her chest.
“Mr. Farrell, is it?” He stood up straight and walked toward her. “Don’t call me that.”
She swallowed from the air of authority in his voice. “And why not? Isn’t that who you are, Mr. Farrell?”
“No,” he stressed, edging closer. “I’m your husband. Or do you need reminding?”
“Do you?” Her fleeing courage was becoming manifest in her voice.
“You’ve got spirit,” a roguish smile ebbed across his face. “Is it enough to dare me, to see how far this will go? You know, the benefits we talked about.” He lifted a hand and slid one finger along her arm. “Maybe then you won’t forget that I’m your husband—not sir, not Mr. Farrell.”
Her skin grew warm, her knees weak, as he continued to caress her arm and lean in to her. The brown eyes that searched deeply into hers paralyzed her soul, but she would stand firm. She stepped around him to put an end to his taunting, but he took her arm and swung her back around against his hard body. That smile was still there, showing her just how far he was willing to take this.
“Say it. Call me Indigo or your husband.” His eyelids half-lowered as if that request was more of a warning.
She managed to pull her arm away and step back to put a decent enough gap between them. His taunting had aroused her strong desire for him, weakening her anger, which infuriated her even more. “If you don’t mind, I would like for you to go and leave me to finish—sir.”
That last, rebellious word caused him to exhale sharply as he took determined steps toward her.
“Indigo.” Ella’s call through the screened patio door halted him from going any further.
Gracie’s heart beat like mad as he stood regarding her in that moment, imprisoning her to that spot. It wasn’t anger that held her there; he was filled with a burning need to make his point very, very clear, but was impeded from doing so. When he finally inhaled and answered Ella, she took that opportunity to retreat for the safety of her room. Once inside, she leaned against her door, her eyes closed tight. If Ella hadn’t interrupted them, she could only guess what would have happened; And there would have been nothing she could have done to stop it. It was clear on his face, in his body language, he was just about to cross that line of in-name-only. And a bit of silent caution reminded her that if she uttered sir or Mr. Farrell one more time, he would be more than willing to pick up where they left off.
After a long shower to ease the tension from her bones, she searched in her closet for some dressier pants and a top. When she found the right combination, she threw them across the bed and stood back for an in-depth study of whether that’s what she really wanted to wear, and if they needed ironing. There was a light tap on the door.
“Come in,” she called, thinking it was Shara coming to ask about dinner.
She heard the door open as she continued to debate silently over her wardrobe selection. It was only when the stillness in the air continued, and the hairs on the back of her neck began prickling, that she finally turned around. Her eyes widened and she almost gasped at the sight of him standing there studying every curve of her body in her lace black underwear and matching bra. Her insides trembled at the sheer look of pleasure in his eyes when they finally lifted to hers, which allowed her to summon up enough courage to grab her robe from off the bed and hold it against her as a shield.
“Yes?” her shaky voice managed.
“Shara wants to know if the rice is ready to go on.”
“T—thank you, I’ll be out in a minute.”
He nodded and closed the door behind him. She uncoiled her fingers from the tight grip on her robe and got dressed.
From the time Felicia arrived, she stuck to Indigo like a clinging vine. The bright, sparkling dress she wore showed off her petite curves perfectly with nothing but thin straps weaving across her back; Its high-low hem accentuated her shapely smooth legs up to her thighs for all the world to admire, especially him. Shara rolled her eyes up, Ella shook her head, and Gracie just resigned herself to be the perfect hostess by making sure she had the customary glass of wine in her hand and whatever else she needed. Felicia was almost gracious to her in return—almost.
All through dinner Felicia talked non-stop of her latest investments, her latest gala, her latest move. She stopped long enough to ask Ella about her health and her fundraising activities while she picked at the food on her plate. She sat next to Indigo, of course, and vied for his attention with seductive smiles and coy touches, much to Gracie’s annoyance. Every now and then, Gracie and Shara would look across the table at one another and raise their eyebrows followed by Shara’s signature eye-roll. Felicia was on her trip to Europe now which caused Shara to pretend suicide causing Gracie to almost laugh out.
“You should have come with me, Indigo,” Felicia swooned. “The whole place has been remodeled with an entirely new look We would have had so much fun That reminds me—Shara, I saw the cutest baby strollers there Wouldn’t you just love a stroller from Italy Everyone would be so jealous Remember
when we talked of having a family one day, Indigo I was a bit hesitant at first, I admit,” her laughter was coy. “I mean, I didn’t think with my busy…”
Nikki, having grown tired of just staring at a lonely piece of shrimp on her plate, picked it up and flung it across the table where it landed with a plop in Felicia’s lap, freezing those ongoing sentences. Her face screwed up with horror as she stared down at the crustacean soaked in teriyaki sauce on her expensive Georgette material. The three women held their breaths as Felicia’s two fingers lifted it and tossed it onto her napkin in disgust. Shara lifted Nikki from her highchair and held her in her lap, her protective arms wrapped around her. Indigo went into action by dipping his napkin in his goblet of water and wiping at the oily stain.
“It’s not coming out,” Felicia snatched the cloth from him and began wiping like mad. “Do you know how much this dress cost? It’s ruined.”
“Felicia,” Ella dipped a napkin in her goblet and tried to help, too. “I’m so sorry. I’m sure Nikki didn’t mean for it to land on you. You know how children are.”
She thrust her arms out in anger and huffed. “Now I’m reminded, thank-you so much. I mean, children, right? If they’re not ruining one thing, they’re breaking another. You never get a moment’s rest. And why anyone would want to suffer with the little brats is beyond…” She paused, suddenly realizing that Ella had stopped wiping at her dress, and everyone else was deeply focused on her and what she had to say. “I—I didn’t mean that. I’ll just go to the bathroom and put some more water on this. Where’s the bathroom please, Mrs. Farrell?”
“Down that hall and pick any bedroom you come to.”
After she rushed away, Ella looked over at Gracie and Shara and the expression of ‘seriously?’ on her face caused them to burst out laughing. The disapproving look from Indigo moved them to tone it down a few levels.
“Come on, baby,” Ella took Nikki from Shara’s lap. “Let Duchess take you in the kitchen and clean you off.”
“Well, I don’t think dessert will be necessary. What do you think, Indigo? You think Felicia’s in the mood for chocolate-cream pie loaded with whip cream?”
“Really—Shara?” he clenched his brows causing her to laugh out again.
Gracie, hiding a secret smile, stood and began clearing the table. By the time Felicia returned, she had calmed down considerably and was her flirty self again as she resumed her seat next to Indigo. Shara sat the chocolate pie on the table as Gracie sat dessert plates in front of everyone. Felicia declined her piece as Ella served everyone their slices. She asked for another glass of wine, instead.
By the time evening wore around, Gracie was tired of being the patient hostess and pretending interest in one-sided conversation as they all sat around in the front room; How she longed to be in her room, or outside on the beach right now. She murmured a silent prayer of thanks when Felicia finally called it a night. Instead of calling the only car that served as a taxi on the island, she asked Indigo to take her back to her room, and of course he obliged.
After mulling over how the evening did in fact turn out to be rather enjoyable, Ella and Shara retired to bed at Gracie’s insistence, leaving her to finish cleaning. After stacking the dishes in the dishwasher and activating it, she went to wipe the dining table. An image of Indigo and Felicia alone in her hotel room began to unfold in her head as she swirled the dish rag across the table. No doubt, Indigo has realized how much he misses Felicia and now they’re planning their future around his inheritance—among other things. She straightened and shook their business from her overactive mind. But not before another thought sprouted up; The reason Indigo didn’t ask her to marry him for the sake of his inheritance. With her views on children, there was no way he would have gotten an heir out of her. Her laughter at that died quickly when she realized that all he had to do was touch her and she would give him an heir in a second.
She threw the dish rag in the kitchen sink, switched out the lights and went to bed. But as usual, sleep would not come easy; Thoughts of him and Felicia together were tearing her apart. Tears formed in her eyes, but she blinked them away and turned over to snuggle deeper into her pillows. She refused to cry for a man who was only using her for two months, and then discard her for someone he really desired.
Her sheer will enabled her to accept what needed to be done and work with Indigo over the next few days on his book, and side by side as they went through the ritual of cleaning away the breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes. Afterwards, he would whisper an intimate good-night and disappear outside. Although they were able to talk and interact without the tension of Felicia, it was even harder when his family was around, and he’d use those moments for them to witness his pretend love for her with a smile, a touch, sometimes a very passionate hug. It seemed to be working. Ella made the comment of how much he had changed since marrying her; Shara thought their intimate moments were so cute. But a demure smile was Gracie’s only answer in return.
Another week had begun. Gracie and Shara were in the back of the kitchen standing ankle deep in the laundry room ready to wash their third load. Ella’s voice echoed in to them as she called to Indigo from the front room.
“I answered your cell phone. Hope you don’t mind. It’s Felicia.”
“I wondered how long it would be before we heard from the ice queen again,” Shara grumbled.
Indigo came through the patio doors with Nikki in his arms on the way to the front room.
“Please, not another invitation to dinner,” Shara threw a garment in the white pile. “You know, you can tell her she’s making a nuisance of herself and to stay away from your husband.”
Gracie straightened from pulling some clothes out of the dryer and smiled at her friend’s well-intentioned advice. “There’s no need to.”
“I can’t get over how calm you are. If another woman was going after my husband, I’d be up in her face.” She threw another white garment in the pile.
“Calm down, Conan. You don’t want to have that baby on the floor, do you? I’ll handle it, o.k.? Will you trust me on that?”
“You’re going to handle it as in do something about it?” she insisted as she waved a dark shirt around for emphasis. “Something like kick her sorry butt all the way back to California? And, you’re going to let me watch, right?”
“Yes. If it comes to that. Now, help me finish loading.”
Indigo’s phone rang for a second time as they emerged from the room into the kitchen to fill the dogs’ bowls with scraps. A moment later, he walked in.
“I have to go into the city,” he said. “Something’s come up.”
“What?” Shara asked, resting against the counter.
“Business.”
“What business?”
“As in none of yours.”
She wrinkled her nose and stuck her tongue out.
“Do we have everything necessary to grill outside this evening?” he asked Gracie.
“Sure,” she looked up from her task of filling the bowls.
“Good. Why don’t we grill some steaks tonight. I’m in a celebrating mood.”
“For what?” Shara asked.
He rubbed her round stomach with great affection. “Just ‘cause I feel like it.” He walked over to Gracie who braced herself for some sort of affectionate gesture for his sister’s sake. “Think you can stand to be without me for a couple of hours?”
“I’ll try.”
He kissed her forehead. “Good. I’ll see you later.”
Shara swung her towel at him as he rubbed her stomach once more before leaving out.
It was getting close to dinner time. Shara came out onto the deck with the platter of steaks while Gracie raked the fire in the grill; Nikki patted with delight as Patches and Starbucks entertained her by running around the yard; Ella was relaxed in her favorite lounge chair browsing through the latest issue of People; The sun hovered over the ocean in the distance, dragging some of the daylight away with it.
&nbs
p; “Hand me the steaks,” Gracie called out.
Shara held the platter out to her and Gracie pierced them with a long fork and laid them over the hot fire where they began an immediate sizzle.
“Ow,” Shara winced.
“What happened? Did I burn you?” Gracie looked her over carefully.
“No,” Shara assured her. “The baby’s moving. If he doesn’t hurry up and come, I’m going to burst. I don’t know how I’m going to make it the next three months.”
“Is it very uncomfortable?”
“It’s not uncomfortable,” she rubbed the side of her stomach. “It’s just that when you carry a baby around inside you for almost an entire year, well, you’re well aware of the need to be careful every single day. On the one hand, I miss my flat stomach, the freedom to do what I want without having to think whether it’ll hurt the baby or not. I wonder if I’ll ever see my feet again. And then on the other hand, it feels good knowing you’re carrying life in there. A miracle. One that you and your husband made together.”
Gracie felt somewhat envious of Shara. She and John were building a life together out of love. Isn’t that what it’s all about? The thought that she would never know that life with Indigo pierced right through her heart.
“Here,” Shara took her hand and placed it on her stomach. “Feel it?” The baby moved under Gracie’s hand and she wowed in awe. “Just wait,” she warned her. “It won’t be long before it’s your turn.”
Gracie hid her hurt behind a smile.
“I guess he misses his daddy as much as I do.”
“He? You already know what it is?”
“No, John and I want to be surprised. I almost asked the doctor to tell me, but changed my mind. I think it ruins the fun of expecting a baby when you already know what it is; Call me old-fashion. Frankly, whatever it is will be fine with me. But you know men and their need to sire a male heir.” One corner of her mouth turned up at that.
(Heir) The word didn’t frighten Gracie as much as it did when Heather first brought the subject up. Now it’s only frightening at how comfortable she is with the idea. “I hope you get your boy.”