AS MY WIFE

by Groovy Lee

  “It could be swollen.” He disregarded her prognosis and bent down to her feet. “Which one is it?”

  She held out her right foot for him to inspect. He slipped her red sneaker from her foot then began examining her ankle. The touch of his hands rubbing and touching at different places on her foot sent a shiver through her. She couldn’t help but smile down at his dark head as he took such care to scrutinize her ankle.

  “It looks okay.” He rubbed her foot once more, gave it a pat for good measure then slipped her sneaker back on and tied up the laces.

  “I’m just glad I didn’t break it. I guess I had a lot on my mind and wasn’t watching where I was going.”

  He stood. “Really. I wonder what?”

  (His sincere concern sure took flight rather quickly) She opened her mouth to make a retort, but decided it better to just not get into another argument with him.

  “Come on, let’s go.” He turned and walked ahead of her.

  She followed him to the top of the hill. He took her hand and helped her maneuver over it, then proceeded a couple of paces ahead of her through the woods and along the path. Her eyes traveled along his back as she wished there was something she could do or say to mend things between them; To at least put things back on a more civil employer, employee level, but knew the remedy to it all was time and distance.

  She glanced down at the only friends she had at the moment, her hero Patches and her protector Starbucks. She rubbed them both and mouthed, “Forgive me.”

  They barked in return and raced off through the trees.

  ***************************************

  Once again, Gracie made the long trip into Montreal with Indigo to say good-bye to another friend. She sat in the back of the Navigator thinking about the wonderful summer she had spent with him and his family on this beautiful island and the new friendships that had been forged. Not for one moment, did she expect to bond with the Farrells so deeply. She was just supposed to play a role, collect her money, and disappear. Now they would always occupy a very special place in her heart.

  Sadness and disappointment had her eyes swelling with tears. She smiled to herself as Ella and Indigo argued back and forth about her taking her medicine on time and her daily naps. Ella accused him of being overprotective and to please stop worrying; And he assured her that Patches and Starbucks would be on the correct flight home. As she studied the back of his head, a sharp twinge bolted through her at the thought of spending the next two weeks alone with him. If she had any sense, she’d leave, too.

  “Indigo, would you be a dear and go get me a couple of post cards from the gift shop? I promised your aunt Vanna I’d get her some.” After he walked away through the groups of fellow flyers, she smiled at a silent Gracie. “You’ve made this a very special summer for me. And, I look forward to spending many more together.”

  Gracie threw her arms around her and hugged her tight. “Thanks. You’re like my second mother.”

  “Dear child,” Ella held her at arm’s length, her eyes moist. “You are my daughter, declared so by law. And, nothing will ever change that. Now don’t do that, or I’ll start, too.”

  Gracie wiped away her tears as they laughed.

  “I can’t wait until Indigo brings his new wife home. And remember, all he needs to know is how you really feel about him. The rest will take care of itself.” Indigo returned and she gave her a secret wink. “Remember what I said,” were her last words before she boarded the plane.

  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to go straight home. I’m not really hungry, unless you prefer to eat in the city,” he said as he guided them away from the airport.

  “No, I don’t mind.” Gracie closed her eyes and exhaled. Two weeks. Two entire weeks alone with him and the tension that’s bound to rule the air between them. All of the barriers are gone. It’s just her and him. “Would you mind stopping at the store?” she asked once they exited the ferry. “I need to pick up a few items.” She maintained her cool, determined not to allow that inaudible reply to get to her.

  A few minutes later, they pulled into the mom-and-pop store’s parking lot. She just sat there deep in thought, unaware they had reached their destination.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “Huh?” she suddenly looked out at her surroundings.

  “What’s wrong? Do you need some money?” He reached into his back pocket for his wallet.

  She stared down at his hands as he unfolded his wallet and flipped through the bills inside. The realization of what she would have to endure by the man she loved more than anything, crumbled her brave resolve. Stubborn tears trickled down her cheeks. She pushed her door open and jumped out, hating herself for giving in to her emotions. She leaned her weary body against the back of the vehicle for support and let the strain of it all take over. The driver’s side door opened and slammed and she heard his footsteps coming around to her.

  “What’s wrong? Gracie, please,” he reached out to comfort her.

  “I can’t do this,” she wiped fiercely at her face. “I can’t make it through the next two weeks, alone. Here. With you. It’s just all too much.”

  “Gracie.”

  “No,” she pushed his hands away from her, bypassed him, and headed for the street, the house, and her bags.

  “Gracie, wait,” he ran after her and held onto one arm.

  “Let go of me,” she wrenched it away.

  “Come back to the car so I can take you home.”

  “It’s not my home. Eden’s Cove is not my home. You’re not my real husband.” She stared desperately into the eyes before her, her hands held out in an effort to find some reason to it all. “How did this happen? It was so good and right when it was ‘yes sir, Mr. Farrell. The meeting’s at three, Mr. Farrell. I’ll pick your tickets up this evening, Mr. Farrell.” She walked a few steps away and did a complete turn-around to him. “If anyone had dared to tell me how much things would change between us, I wouldn’t have believed it for one moment. But, here we are. Our professional relationship’s destroyed. Things will never be the same, and I’m so mad at you for that. Well, you know what?” she stormed back to him. “So, be it. You can keep your money, I don’t want it. What I want is to go back to the house, pack, and get out of here.”

  The eyes that looked back at her were filled with such pain, but she couldn’t let that deter her. The sooner she left, the better. No doubt, he’ll pick up the phone and dial Felicia the moment she’s gone. Finally, he stepped aside and waved toward the car.

  It seemed like an eternity had past until they finally pulled into the driveway. The car hadn’t come to a complete stop before she jumped out and headed straight for the front door. Once inside the house she marched right for her room. She rumbled through the closet for her suitcases, pulled them out and flung them on the bed. When they bounced off to the other side, she threw her head back and cried even harder.

  Heather told her she was crazy for agreeing to something so complex; that there would be serious consequences. She should have listened. If she had, she wouldn’t be here right now feeling as if her whole world had just been blown to pieces—a world without Indigo. How can she go on knowing she’ll never see him again, or living with the fact that he may despise her now? Her thoughts were broken by his presence somewhere nearby. She turned to see him standing just inside the doorway.

  “Who’s going to help me with my book, now?” his laugh was more of a harsh sigh. A short pause prevailed, then, “Gracie, don’t leave me.”

  “Why? Why not, Indigo? I can mail you the last chapter of your book. So, what other reason on God’s green earth is sane enough for me to want to stay here—with you?”

  “I love you.”

  She hiccupped on that last sob. (Had she imagined those words?) She reigned her anger back to give him her full attention.

  “That’s right, I said I love you. I know that’s hard to believe from the way I’ve been acting lately, but it’s true. Here, let me get a wash
cloth for your face.”

  As he passed her to go into her bathroom, she stood there in shock as she heard the water running, then a moment later he was back. She took the cloth from him and wiped it across her face.

  “I don’t expect you to feel the same about me. I just wanted you to understand my terrible behavior these last few weeks. I know it’s Mickey you’d rather be with, and it’s killing me. When I saw you get out of his car the other day, it felt like a part of me died. I’m your husband in name only. I have no right to be jealous, but I am.”

  “I ran into him by accident. I told you that.”

  “Then you were telling me the truth?”

  “Yes. Of course, I was.”

  “It still doesn’t make any difference, does it? I mean, you’re going back to him as soon as you get your annulment.”

  “No—I’m not.”

  His brows creased, his head inclined toward her. “No?”

  “Mickey and I will never get back together. We’re friends, nothing more.”

  His brows creased even more. “Friends. I—I didn’t suspect.” He grew silent for a thoughtful moment. “But, I still made things unbearable for you, and I’m sorry. You could have left with your friends, the book is practically done. It was selfish of me, but I insisted you stay just to keep you here with me. You’ll have your papers and the money as promised.”

  Her need to cry, the stress of having to carry her own secret, had now been replaced by sheer happiness. She turned away to hide the smile edging across her face. (He loves her!) “If you don’t mind, I’d rather you keep it all. I don’t want it.”

  “You don’t want—I don’t understand. You’ve earned it. Why wouldn’t you want it?”

  “Because, I want to stay here with you.”

  “You want to stay…”

  She turned back around, her face lit with excitement as he stood looking every bit of startled.

  “Gracie?” he urged her to continue. “What are you saying?”

  “I love you, Indigo,” she murmured softly.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t believe I heard that right.”

  In a more determined tone, she repeated, “I love you, Indigo.”

  He exhaled a joyful sigh of relief then quickly stepped forward and took her hands in his. “Gracie.” He stood treasuring the face of the woman who’d just made his world complete. “Do you realize I’ve loved you from the moment you walked into my office and applied for the job as my assistant? Even if you couldn’t type a single word, or speak English for that matter, I would have hired you. From that day on, you invaded my every thought, my every dream.”

  “But, you were engaged to Felicia.”

  “I know. And, I fought so hard to keep you from coming between us. I tried to forbid any thoughts of you from entering my mind, and work on a future with her, but I couldn’t. You forced me to admit that I didn’t really love her; That I was only drawn to her high-fashioned glitter. I was so angry with you for controlling me; no woman has ever had that kind of power over me. But my stiff defiance at you would last a millisecond the moment you’d look at me, or just smile. I eventually told her I couldn’t marry her for reasons of my own.”

  “You were so reserved around me. I never would have guessed that’s why.”

  “I hid my feelings; I had to. I didn’t know if you could feel the same way for me since you were already engaged. When Reid told me you had broken things off with Mickey, I was so happy I thought my heart was going to explode. But even though an opportunity opened, I still had to keep my distance. I didn’t want to frighten you away by moving too fast. When the deadline of my father’s will got closer, I saw the perfect chance to try and make you mine. It was a big risk, but I knew if I didn’t do something, I’d regret it for the rest of my life. I appealed to you on behalf of my money-guzzling business and needy employees. I knew your big heart couldn’t turn me down.”

  “You mean you didn’t have to marry me for your inheritance?”

  He couldn’t help laughing out at that. “The inheritance. Yes, my father did leave that condition in his will, but it wasn’t the reason I married you. I have more than enough money of my own. If I really wanted my inheritance, I would have married Felicia a long time ago.”

  “Indigo, why didn’t you tell me this in the beginning? All this time, I thought you realized what a big mistake you made with this arrangement; And Felicia came here so the two of you could plan a future together once the two months were up.”

  “I tried. But, you kept pushing me away. Every time I came near you, you’d step two feet back. You kept that dining room table between us for reasons I thought I’d never understand. I couldn’t take the rejection anymore so I kept a harsh, uncooperative distance. Felicia came back with intentions of getting us back together. And although I admit to jumping at any opportunity to make you jealous, if I could, I finally told her that I love you, and there could never be anything between us.”

  “So, that’s why she left.” She reached up and stroked his warm cheek. “I’ve loved you for so long, Indigo. You’re the reason I could walk away from my engagement to Mickey so easily.”

  “Gracie, if I had known that—Do you know how much control I had to use not to break down and expose my feelings for you? You responded to my kisses, and that gave me hope. But then you’d push me away by calling me Mr. Farrell, or sir. I would have given all that I have if it meant you would accept me as Indigo your husband. But, you wouldn’t.”

  “I admit I did that just to provoke you.”

  “It knocked the air out of me when you did, and I shamefully reacted. But those encounters just left me empty and addicted to wanting you more.” His voice lowered to a more seductive tone when he added, “Those late night walks on that breezy beach weren’t for my health, you know.”

  A sensual tingle ignited through her. (He was thinking of her. Not Felicia)

  His hand came up and smoothed at her hair, his eyes latched onto hers, deep with passion. “I love you, Gracie Allen Jenkins—unconditionally and with all my heart. I promise to do the best I can to make you happy and give you no reason to regret marrying me.” His mouth clung to hers where for long moments, time stood still. When he released her, his eyes caressed every inch of her face before he leaned in close and whispered, “I want to make love to you.”

  “And, I want you to,” she whispered back.

  His hands grasped the corners of her shirt and lifted it over her head. A deep moan escaped him at the sight of her softness. “You’re beautiful.”

  The need to connect with her both mentally and physically dictated his actions. He took her hand, led her away to the bed, and guided her down onto it. Once the kisses began, their touches became more demanding, quickening, until there was nothing between them but the heat of their bodies. His mouth continued to explore the sweetness of her lips then he pulled away. His strong body held tight to hers as they gazed into one another’s eyes for mesmerizing moments to soak in the faces of a love they could at last claim freely. She ran her fingers through his hair, down his neck to caress along his shoulder. His hand made long strokes down her thigh and back up to her waist. The softness of her curves incited him almost uncontrollably and he buried his mouth into her neck to taste more of her sweetness. Their caresses threatened to burst their control as they continued to touch, explore, and drown in one another’s gaze. When she could no longer just ride the pleasure, she moaned his name, unleashing his hunger to an exhilarating fervor. Fiery kisses and eager bodies moving harmoniously, created within them an explosive need to satisfy and be satisfied until they soared upward toward the supreme height of pleasure.

  “Thank you,” his satiny voice murmured, then he kissed her deeply before snuggling her to him and falling into a deep sleep.

  Since day one, she’d always wondered what it would be like to be loved by him. But none of her fantasies had ever come close to the sheer rapture known as Indigo. She nuzzled against her sleeping husband—that word broug
ht an uncontrollable smile to her face (Indigo—her husband). And that smile could not be contained as the touch of his warm body against hers lulled her into contented slumber.

  EPILOGUE

  Gracie strolled through the front door and did a thorough look-around as she continued through the house for the patio door. She slid it open and stepped outside into the warmth and beauty of Eden’s Cove. It’s been three years since she was last here; Since she and Indigo declared their love for one another. Busy schedules and pressing business matters kept everyone from spending time together last year. But the entire family was determined not to let anything interrupt that again. She left a very bustling Sugar and Spice in Heather and Bitsy’s abled hands while she vacationed with her family, her grandmother included—who by the way, sings her grandson-in-law’s praises to her entire Tuesday night card buddies constantly.

  She looked to the end of the yard at the dog house sitting lonely, waiting for its occupant. Patches will be here tomorrow without Starbucks, who passed a year ago. Just then, the door slid open causing her to turn around. Shara came out onto the deck holding a small bundle wrapped in a soft, blue blanket—her third baby that she swore would be her last. After she and John moved to California to be near the expanding family, she became Sugar and Spice’s in-house accountant. John retired from tracking to be a hands-on dad; He now owns a consulting firm.

  “Ella wants to know if you’re in the mood for grilling.”

  Gracie patted Trenton John Evers sleeping peacefully in his mother’s arms and smiled. “Of course. Do we have everything?”

  “John and Indigo made sure of that.”

  “Then I guess it’s up to us to make the side dishes. Ow,” she winced.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “The baby just moved.” She held the side of her round stomach.

  Shara laughed and rubbed it. “I told you it would be your turn one day.”

  Just then, Indigo came out to join them. “Shara, Nikki and Matt are driving everyone crazy. You need to go tame them.”