An intense wave of nausea hit her out of the blue. With a cry of disbelief, she leaped from the bed and hot-footed it for the bathroom. By the time she reached the toilet bowl her nausea had receded but left her shaking from head to foot. She stared at her reflection. “What’s wrong with you?” Amanda rested her trembling hands on the granite countertop and thought back to what she had for dinner. Was something in the meal James brought home last night bad? Causing her stomach to have problems?
She shook her head. James never mentioned any symptoms last night when they went to bed and made love as they did every night when he was home. Nor did his note this morning indicate he’d suffered from stomach troubles.
Amanda pulled on a stretched pair of faded jeans and a loose cotton top. If she were battling a bout of minor food poisoning then, at least, she would be comfortable while throwing up. The thought made her chuckle…why…she didn’t know, but it did seem kinda funny. Picking up her brush, she ran it through her short blonde hair and padded barefoot downstairs.
On the kitchen counter, she found her favorite coffee cup sitting beside the coffee pot. Once again her husband went out of his way to please her. She poured herself a cup of coffee and plopped down on one of the kitchen table. She glanced at the clock. It read 7:00.
She’d taken only one sip of coffee when her stomach roiled again but stopped just as quickly. The idea of making a dry piece of toast sounded reasonable. A few minutes later, the aroma of baked bread filled the kitchen. As the two slices popped up from the toaster, her cell phone rang.
Amanda pulled the phone from her jean pocket, punched it on, and reached for one of the pieces of toast.
“Hot…hot…” Amanda bounced the toast on her fingers and put her phone between her ear and shoulder. “Hello?”
“What’s hot?”
Instantly Dawn DeLuca’s face, along with dyed-too-dark hair and large sparkling brown eyes, appeared in Amanda’s mind. Her forever best friend from Turtle Creek “Well, hi, there! Long time no hear?”
“Like, no. We talked the other day. How’s life treating ya? How’s the new house?”
“Fantastic, Dawn. How’s everything back home?”
“Fine. But first, before I forget, I ran into your mom at the grocery store this morning. Said you need to call her.”
Amanda frowned. She knew the reason why her mother began drinking so many years ago, but she never understood all the men her mother brought home for a night. Nor was she likely ever going to forgive what she’d put her daughter through. “Yeah. Sure. Someday I will. When I have time.”
Her friend sighed on the other end of the phone. “She’s changed a lot, Amanda. You really should call her.”
As her best friend, Dawn knew all about Amanda’s mother. She knew the number of times Adele had quit drinking. Always promising to never drink again. Then failing. Going back to the booze.”
“I will. I promise. But not right away. I like my life the way it is now. No drama.”
To Amanda’s relief Dawn cheerfully changed the subject. “How’s the handsome new husband of yours? Although I guess he’s not so new anymore.”
Amanda laughed. “You’re right. Not so new. We’ve been married six months.”
“Wow. Time flies. So, girl, tell me everything you’ve been doing.”
“Nothing to say. James works too hard. Usually ten hours a day. Plus a few weekends here and there. Sometimes he even has to travel out of town, like before.”
“Yikes. Not good for the love life. Made any friends?”
“No. James doesn’t have time for friends.”
Well, that can’t be good. Hey! I have some news. My brother, Rick, remember him?”
“Vaguely.” Amanda tried to place him but failed. “What about him?”
“He’s coming to Phoenix for a while.”
“Really? Why?” Even though Amanda couldn’t remember him, it would be nice to see someone from Turtle Creek.
“I’m not sure why he’s coming. It has something to do with his work, I think. That’s all I know. I told him about your new place and urged him to give you a call. After all, we did make a pest of ourselves following him around so much when we were in Junior High.”
Now Amanda pictured a face. How could she have ever forgotten him? At the age of 13, she adored his rich, thick, dark hair, even features, and broad shoulders. He was one of the town’s top football stars. Everyone liked him. All the high school girls wanted to date him. But, most of all, he was always kind to her and his little sister. Always putting up, good-naturedly, with their antics to get him to notice them.
“It would be good to see him again. I hope he does call.”
She expected Dawn to make some snappy response, but her friend remained silent. “What is it? What’s wrong? What do you want to say, but are reluctant to do so?’
“I had another of my nightmares last night. The one with the strange boy standing in a cemetery staring at me. I heard him whisper something about my being next.”
A chill raced along Amanda’s neck. She knew about the dreams Dawn had all through their last year of high school and through college. But she’d not known about the words Dawn heard last night. “Next what?”
Dawn’s voice deepened. “I also heard the words…‘Someday’. I think I was being told someone has to go first, and I’ll be next. I can’t explain it, Amanda, but I sense you’re the person who has to go first.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Three days later, Amanda still repeated Dawn’s words. “You’re the person who has to go first. What does that mean? First what?” She slid a whole chicken into the oven and set the timer. Her menu of meals was slowly expanding from macaroni and cheese. Today she challenged herself to go all out. But to increase her odds of success, she read the recipe twice to make sure she got it right. Next came the chopped onions, diced carrots, celery, and parsley leaves to add to the pan. A crispy green salad was already chilling in the refrigerator, so all that was left to do was cook the rice.
“The first to get married…okay…I can accept that. It works for me. Dawn could be next. It could explain about her dream, saying she was to be next. Possibly it was Dawn’s subconscious mentally sending a message. Time to get married.” She rinsed her hands under the sink faucet and blotted them on a kitchen towel. The silver fruit bowl she’d filled earlier with a mixture of fresh fruit beckoned her. She picked a few grapes from the bowl and popped them into her mouth.
Early this morning, Amanda drove to the nearest grocery store and spent an hour or more leisurely going up and down each isle. It helped to relieve the nausea she’d experienced when she first woke. But, today for some reason, she couldn’t get Dawn’s message out of her head. It stayed with her all day.
Looking around her new, modern kitchen Amanda smiled. Yep, she was getting used to a life of staying home and waiting for her man.
Granted James tended to be a neat-freak and preferred Amanda to be the same. Since it was only the two of them, keeping the house spotless was no trouble at all.
Sure beat working the cosmetic counter at Turtle Creek’s local drug store, five days a week, and going home to her alcoholic mother. She snagged a few more grapes and chuckled. However, come to think of it, if she hadn’t been working there, she might not have met James. He was passing through town on his way to Portland and stopped in at the drug store to pick up a few things, one of which was an expensive bottle of perfume. It was for his mother he had said. An instant spark of attraction captured her, and before she realized it, she’d accepted his offer to take her to lunch. From that point on, every time James came through Turtle Creek, he’d take her out for lunch or dinner. Before long, James confessed his affection and asked her to marry him.
James had recently been hired for a job he wanted, but it would take some time before he’d be able to relocate to Arizona. He didn’t want to go without her. Their marriage was a whirlwind affair, and before Amanda could catch her breath, she found herself nestled in her wonde
rful new home with an attentive, loving husband.
Amanda started for the refrigerator then stopped abruptly. Outside, just beyond the kitchen’s wide window overlooking the backyard, something moved near the side of the house.
Recalling the incident on the bedroom’s balcony several weeks ago, Amanda hesitantly walked closer to the window. Nothing was there. She shook her head, chiding herself at her silly imagination. Probably, a bird flying by, or just her eyes playing tricks.
She remembered the lovely desert rose bush growing on the side of the house. It had a multitude of yellow, blooming flowers. A quick glance at the kitchen clock on the wall told her she had an hour before James got home. Plenty enough time to snip a vase full of fresh flowers, set the table with her new china, and grab a quick shower.
The instant she stepped out onto the patio, the sweet smell of the desert, just before a rain storm, greeted her. Clouds were bunched together toward the northeast. There would be a shower for sure before nightfall.
She grabbed her new work gloves and clippers from the potting table James had built for her. Several large earthen pots overflowing with herbs sat next to her table. They had traveled from Oregon, and she was determined to see they survived in their new home.
Her choices of yellow blooms to cut were considerable. She would have no trouble filling her vase. She smiled, and reveled in the way her life had become. From the open patio doors came the scent of her roasting chicken. Sweet aroma of roses and the coming rain blended with it. Everything was perfect.
“Excuse me.”
Amanda jumped and spun around. A man stared at her.
She stared back. Deeply tanned skin, framed by long black hair and eyes so dark they appeared black, registered first. Then came her second shock. Everything about him seemed dark. Even his shirt and pants were dark. It was as if the devil himself had materialized into her back yard. Her first instinct was to run, but her legs wouldn’t move, paralyzed. Where had he come from? Her hand slipped into the pocket of her sweater and found her cell phone. She could hit 911 in a heartbeat.
“I’m sorry.” He’d noticed she’d gone for her phone. He took a step backward. “I didn’t see you there.” His voice was deep and masculine. It fitted him, and also seemed a bit familiar.
Knowing that, Amanda relaxed a bit. But words still stuck in her throat. Needing to do something, she took a step backward and stumbled over the wicker basket she’d brought to put her cut flowers.
A strong hand grabbed her arm and steadied her. “I’m really, really sorry, I honestly didn’t mean to scare you.”
Amanda’s composure returned. Somewhere, in the back of her mind, she remembered her childhood ‘stranger-danger’ training. Act tough, not intimidated. “Who are you?” She wasn’t sure she sounded tough enough, but her voice certainly sounded firm.
“I’m, er...Rick DeLuca, Dawn’s brother. He reached up and ran his hand through his hair. “Dawn said she was going to call and tell you I was coming.”
The familiar thread of feeling she should know him released all of her distrust and misgivings. “I remember you. You’re her big brother. Yes, she told me. But I certainly didn’t figure you show up like this.”
He kinda grinned. “Sorry about that as well. Got to thinking I might look around this area. Dawn said you had a house up here and mentioned you told her the view of Black Mountain was spectacular.”
“I see.” Actually, she didn’t. “I thought you were here on a job?”
“I am…I mean I was. Just finished up. Since I was done early, I thought I’d use the free time to do some canvas painting around here. You’ve got a great view.”
“Painting?” Nothing could have surprised her more. The high school jock she remembered wouldn’t have even admitted liking something so…so…” She couldn’t finish her thought for another one popped into her mind. “Where are your paints and easel?”
“Still in my car. Back up the road. I started from there and ended up here. Checking the angles of the slopes.” He looked around. “Like I said the view here is great, especially from your backyard.”
She said nothing. Just stared at him.
“I did ring your doorbell first. But you didn’t answer. Figured you were gone, so I came around to get a better look.”
His appraisal left the mountains’ ridgeline and centered on her. “You sure aren’t the skinny little kid I remember.” His mouth lifted into a smile. A very sexy smile.
Amanda blinked. Before she could stop herself, she blurted, “Would you like to come for dinner? My husband is usually home by 6:00. We’ll eat around 7:00.”
“Sounds fantastic. To be honest, I was getting tired of eating restaurant food.” He inhaled a long slow breath of air. “Whatever you have cooking in your kitchen sure smells good. I’m going to accept your invitation.”
“Fine. We will expect you at 7:00.”
CHAPTER FIVE
“What did you do today, Amanda?” James set his sunglasses on the kitchen counter. Next to them, he dropped his car keys.
Amanda shrugged, watching him tug loose his tie. “Drove into town. Did some grocery shopping. Browsed through some stores before going to the grocery store.”
His hands stilled on removing his tie. “Really? What kind of some stores?”
She noticed he’d put an emphasis on the word some. “Antiques mostly. A bakery. A little bookstore.”
“The bakery, huh? Did you buy anything?”
“Pastry. For dessert. Cherry turnovers.”
“Sounds delicious. Did you buy anything else, like at the bookstore?”
Why was he being so inquisitive tonight? “Nothing.”
“Nothing…from the bookstore? That’s not like you.”
“What’s wrong, James? Why are you acting this way? You typically don’t care what I do during the day.”
“Just interested. That’s all. Nothing more.” He walked over to her and kissed her on the nose. “I missed you today.”
Though his words were sweet, she sensed more prompted his interest. They may not have been married long, but she’d come to recognize his moods. She was about to ask him how his day went, but he abruptly turned and went to the small bar off the side of the kitchen. Beneath the counter was an elaborate wine cooler. When he reached in for two crystal stemmed glasses, she swallowed back some rising trepidation. Her husband made it clear he liked his privacy when at home. How would he react to her news? “James, I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve invited Dawn’s older brother to have dinner with us tonight. He’s in town and—“
One of the glasses he’d taken dropped to the tiled floor and shattered into a million pieces. Amanda jumped back but not soon enough to avoid a rather large shard of glass from embedding itself into her left big toe. “Oh…ow…my toe. It hurts, and it’s bleeding.”
“Oh, my God, Amanda.” He rushed to her and helped her limp toward one of the kitchen chairs. “I’m so sorry. It was an accident. The glass slipped from my hand, and I couldn’t catch it in time. Here, let me see to your toe.” He knelt before her and carefully slipped off her sandal. Straightening, he grabbed a handful of paper napkins piled on the table. He gave her a nervous smile. “It’s going to hurt when I pull it out, sweetheart. Are you ready?”
“Uh-huh.” She gripped the sides of the chair and held her breath. With one quick jerk, James pulled the shard from her toe. Less than a second later her toe was wrapped tightly in a napkin. “Did I hurt you?”
She released her pent up breath and said shakily, “Actually, no. I hardly felt a thing.” Amanda reached over and ran her fingers through his light brown hair. “Maybe you should have chosen a career as a doctor. You certainly have a tender touch.” She must have been wrong about him being moody, for he certainly didn’t act it now.
“I’ll go get the First Aid kit. Where is it?”
She laughed. “Upstairs. Left-hand side, bottom drawer.”
“Right. Got it. Be right back.”
“Damn flat.”
Rick glared at the Ford Focus he’d rented since coming to Phoenix. He looked at his watch. Damn, going to be late. Not exactly a good way to start an introduction to someone he wasn’t sure was entirely legit. There was nothing he could put his finger on, but the feeling nagged him anyway. James was a mystery. He hadn’t been able to find much about him online. Even after discreetly asking questions around town, not much had turned up. Pretending to be interested in a property, he’d talked to the local Realtor and later stopped at the restaurant near James’ office. About the only thing, he did find out was the man liked to pay cash for everything. Other than that interesting tidbit, the responses he’d got were positive. Still, he couldn’t shake the negative feeling he was getting.
Worse of all, he hadn’t expected to feel something for Amanda this afternoon. She rattled him. Not the same when she tagged along with Dawn and looked at him with worshiping kitty-like eyes. Back then she was just his kid sister’s best friend, and his mother looked upon on Amanda as another daughter.
Granted, he kinda enjoyed having someone adore him the way she did, but, still, she was younger than him. He had to watch his reputation at being too cool for petty things, like having a Junior High kid with an obvious crush on him cramp his style.
Rick reached into the car and pulled out the bottle of wine he’d purchased as a thank you to Amanda’s invitation. He hoped it would help break the ice with meeting the husband.
A tic at the back of his neck vibrated. The usual warning he got when his sixth sense told him to go carefully. So be it. A warning was a warning, something he’d heeded more than once in his life.
His cell phone rang. He punched the answer key. “Yeah?”
“Mr. DeLuca, this is the rental company. We received your message and will send someone out with a new vehicle for you to drive.”
“That’s fine. What about this one? With the flat?”
“Don’t worry. We’ll send one of our repair trucks to deal with it. Where are you now? Will you be staying with the rental?”
BodyGuard (Butterscotch Martini Shots Book 2) Page 39