Callandra sniffed. “And exactly what does that mean, young man?” She looked him up and down. “I know you must have stayed the night. Your clothes are rumpled, and your hair hasn’t been properly combed. I don’t think you just happened to be coming for a visit this early in the morning. So tell me, what exactly are your intentions regarding my Callie?”
He took a moment and decided to take Essie’s advice and march straight into battle. “I intend to marry her, ma’am. She only knows I’ve started to like her a little.” He shook his head. “She has no idea I’ve fallen in love with her. It’ll be as much a surprise to her as it was to me.”
He stood. “But I guaran-damn-tee you that I won’t let her out of my sight. If Callie’s resistant to the idea, I’ll simply wear her down till she surrenders. Patience is one of my strong points.”
Callandra rewarded him with a gracious smile. “I always knew the two of you would hit if off once you met. And you’ll make beautiful babies for me to spoil.”
Nick cracked a series of knuckles in reply before he found his voice. “Let’s don’t frighten her off with baby talk, Miz C. I need to work up to that.” He bent and kissed her cheek. “But I can tell you, I’ll take the best care of her. From now on. Scout’s honor—and I was an Eagle Scout.”
“So I assume you’ll be staying with us indefinitely?”
“I did sleep on top of the covers on my side of the bed last night,” he revealed. “What sleep I got. I was wound pretty tightly after the cops left.”
“Well, I can’t tell you how relieved I am that you were here. I think we’ll all feel a little more secure with a man in the house.”
She paused. “I told you before. I need to replace you with a full-time gardener. Your writing and time with Callie would leave my flowers sadly neglected if I didn’t. I will speak to Eric today about it. And as long as you’ll be staying in the main house, why don’t we offer the cottage along with the position? I’m sure you’ll want to get something larger for the two of you. Eventually.”
“When this is over. Till then, I’m stuck like glue to her.” He grinned. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.” He turned to go, then hollered back over his shoulder, “Wish me luck.”
Nick walked back down the hallway to Callie’s room and entered quietly. She was starting to stir. A frown crossed her face as if the idea of facing a new day disturbed her. He leaned down and kissed her brow.
A slight smile turned the corners of her mouth up. She stretched and then snuggled back into her pillow. He stood and watched her at rest. Her simple beauty shone against the starched white pillowcase. Her flawless skin needed no trace of make-up.
But for him, the essence of Callie was her unadorned hair in soft waves about her face. He knelt beside her and brushed a lock from her cheek before he kissed her.
Callie woke to Nick’s kiss. For a moment, she would have believed she was Sleeping Beauty being awakened from the wicked spell placed upon her. Nick’s hands were soft on her shoulders, his mouth slowly becoming more insistent.
“No,” she said, pushing him away. She covered her mouth with her hand. “I have never kissed anyone first thing in the morning. Morning breath. Dead man’s mouth. Yuck. It’s embarrassing.”
He laughed. “Don’t tell me you’ve never had a lover roll you over and kiss you awake.”
She pushed up to a sitting position. “Honestly? I’m always up early. If I did have an overnight guest in my bed, I sure as hell made it to my toothbrush before any romance commenced.”
“Well, this overnight guest spent last night above the covers and let you sleep. Surely that deserves a tiny reward for showing such restraint?”
She scooted to the other side of the bed and slipped out. “You’re out of luck, La Chappelle. I’m in the zone in the morning, and I’ve got my routine. And making out with you is not a part of it.”
He grinned wryly at her. “So much for genteel Southern manners. I’ll keep that in mind. For next time.”
She opened a drawer and pulled out yoga pants, a T-shirt, and a sports bra. “Why don’t you go downstairs? Essie will get you some coffee. You look like the type that needs a morning jumpstart of caffeine.”
He plopped down in the room’s only chair. “Nope. I’m going Biblical on you. ‘Where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge.’ Impressed? Got that from Sunday school in East Texas. Ruth hooking up for the long ride.”
“Well, Ruth honey, I’ll be right on the other side of that door, so lodge there.” She entered the bathroom and gave Nick a little wave before she closed the door.
She reached for her toothbrush but gripped the counter as a wave of nerves hit. She waited for it to pass. They came off and on since the attack. She knew despite her bantering with Nick that she was just this side of being scared out of her mind by whomever out there wrote that vile note.
That—and the fact that Nick was just a few feet on the other side of the door. Thinking about him caused her hands to shake as she squirted more toothpaste into the sink than onto her toothbrush.
The fact that he stayed with her last night touched her to the core. And he’d been the perfect gentleman, perched on his side of the bed, on top of the sheets and comforter. Callie didn’t think she would be able to sleep with what had happened, but Nick’s presence brought a sense of security that had been sorely lacking. She’d dropped off into a satisfying sleep, uninterrupted till morning. That hadn’t happened since the stalker’s attack.
She wondered if he truly meant they would be joined at the hip. She rinsed her mouth and changed into her yoga clothes. When she came out, her mat was rolled out. Nick sat next to it atop Gretchen’s mat, his legs crossed Indian-style, his hands turned palms up resting on his knees.
“Let’s get going,” he said. “I’ve only heard of Down Dog. That sounds like a good place to start.”
Callie sensed the door opening from the subtle breeze in the air. She fought to keep her face placid, her eyes relaxed, her breathing steady. Gretchen must be getting an eyeful, what with Nick next to her, both in Corpse pose, the final meditative pose of the series.
“And that’s it,” she proclaimed, slowly opening her eyes to see Gretchen’s obvious interest as she gazed down at them.
Nick sat up. “That was way cool,” he proclaimed. “Oh, hey, Gretchen. Callie’s been putting me through some yoga poses. I wish I would’ve known about this when I was pitching. I feel absolutely amazing.”
They both stood and rolled up their mats. Nick took both and set them in the corner of the room.
“Now what?”
Gretchen’s lips twitched. “Now you can leave us. Callie has a massage session. Go shave and shower and give us some girl time.”
Nick stood his ground. “Afraid I can’t do that, Gretchen.”
“Well, you cranky bastard. How on earth am I supposed to pump Callie about you with you still here in the room?” Gretchen opened the portable table and busied herself adjusting it.
Nick smiled like the Cheshire Cat. “If she’s not talking, I am.” He threw a triumphant look at Callie.
She protested. “No one is talking because there’s nothing to talk about. Period.” She rolled her neck, trying to work out a kink that had settled into it. “Just go. I’m fine. Besides, you know how private a massage is.”
He gave her a mock leer. “Yeah, I know.”
“Seriously, Nick,” Gretchen chimed in. “We’re fine. There’s a cop on duty outside. Go get ready. I promise that we won’t leave this room.”
He looked from one to the other. “Only because I need some fresh clothes. I’ll run home and clean up and meet you both down at breakfast. By then, I’ll have brought my stuff over.” His gaze went to the closet. “I hope you didn’t bring a ton of clothes, sweetheart. You’re going to have to make some room for me.
”
She gasped. She didn’t have time to register if it was from shock or excitement. “You are not moving into my room, Nick La Chappelle. No way.”
“Way. Get used to it.” He crossed to her and planted a hard kiss on her mouth that shook her down to her toes. “See you both downstairs.” He sauntered out of the room.
Gretchen’s jaw dropped in amazement. “I guess I don’t even have to ask. That kiss smacked of possession. I guess you and Nick are a couple. Like it or not.”
Chapter 23
Callie watched the passing scenery as they headed into New Orleans. They were going into town to talk with Bill O’Grady, the alarm system specialist that Eric recommended.
“I don’t see why I had to come into town with you,” she complained. “I was perfectly safe at Noble Oaks.”
“No,” Nick said. “You will be safe once this system is installed. And don’t forget, we’re peas in a pod, remember?”
“Nick,” she said firmly, “I think you are taking this Sir Galahad thing a touch too seriously. Eric has a man on the house. He said NYPD would be sending Detective Waggoner down to follow up. The alarm system will be put in today, more than likely. You don’t owe me anything.”
Nick whipped off onto the shoulder of the road and slammed the gearshift into park. He took her chin firmly in hand.
“Look at me, Callie Chennault. I’m dead serious. I’m going to be your shadow till this thing is through. Closer than your shadow if you’ll let me.”
She understood his underlying meaning. “Nick, I know you’re attracted to me.”
His dark gaze gave her pause.
“Okay. We’re attracted to each other,” she amended. “But we live very different lives. I’ll eventually leave Aurora and head back to New York. I’m not interested in some fling while I’m here.”
His hand slid to the back of her neck, bringing her closer to him. “Neither am I, Callie.”
She could feel her pulse leap in her throat. “What are you saying?”
He kissed her gently, slowly, yet the sizzle was still there. His mouth moved on hers with delicious ease. Her heart told her this man was the best thing that had ever happened to her.
Yet she pulled away.
“If the kiss doesn’t tell you what you need to know, Callie, then the words will.” He paused and she found herself mesmerized by his midnight blue eyes.
When he spoke, his sincerity shone like a beacon from a lighthouse. “As a writer, I should be better at this. Just remember that I usually do several re-writes before my dialogue sees print.” He took her hand in his, slowly running his thumb across her knuckles. Frissons of excitement rippled down her spine. Never had a man’s simple touch driven her this crazy.
“I love you.” Nick sighed. “It hit me fast as lightning strikes. It’s not just our chemistry, although there’s plenty of that. It’s you. And us. We have a lot in common, Callie. We come from small towns, and we still have small town values. We’re both successful artists, but the money doesn’t mean jack shit. It’s what we do and the challenge we seek. You’re the most interesting woman I’ve ever met, and you don’t give me an inch. Even though we’ve only known each other for a week, it’s as if I’ve known you my whole life.
“And I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
His declaration stunned her. Love? Yet she agreed with what he’d said. They were cut from the same cloth. She enjoyed spending time with him. She felt at ease around him and was also exhilarated by him. Was that enough to build a lifetime together?
“But . . . we haven’t even had sex,” she blurted out. “Oh, God, where did that come from?”
Nick smiled at her, that Redford smile again, making her insides go liquid. “I could be happy kissing you for hours every single day as it is. Making love to you will just be the bonus.”
He took both her hands in his. “Don’t I get extra credit points for admitting I love you and want to be with you from now till we’re old and gray even before we’ve had sex? I’m thinking that’s pretty darn chivalrous.”
“Oh, Nick.” She threw her arms around his neck. Her voice quivered with emotion. She kissed him this time, long and thorough.
She pulled away suddenly, crossing her arms in front of her. “But . . . you haven’t really . . . seen me, Nick. Not . . . not what he did to me. It’s not pretty. I’ll never look the way I used to.”
He placed his palm against her cheek. “Honey, a few scars won’t change how I feel about you.” He put his hand over his heart. “My heart is telling me to go for the brass ring. I want you and our careers and babies and the whole nine yards.”
“Babies?” she croaked. “We’re already talking babies?”
“Shit! I told Miz C not to bring it up, and here I am spilling those beans.”
Callie cocked her head. “You’ve already talked to Aunt C about this?”
“A Southern gentleman always makes his good intentions known to the bride’s family.” He gave her a swift kiss. “Seriously, if you want to go back and live in New York, we will. I can write anywhere. My editor and publisher would be thrilled to have me close by. My agent would do a happy dance. But I’d like to keep a place here for us always to have a home to come to in the South.”
“I just threw out I was going back to New York because I was scared at what you’d said,” she admitted. “You know what we’ve talked about. I really don’t know what I want to do yet, acting-wise.”
“Then just tell me you know you want one thing for sure. Me.”
Tears cascaded down her cheeks. “Oh, I do, Nick. I really do.” He embraced her and she whispered, “I’m afraid this has all been some dream, and I’ll wake up. That we’ll still be two people who like to antagonize the hell out of each other.”
He chuckled. “Oh, I don’t think that’ll change at all, hon. But we’ll be stuck with each other, for better or worse. I like the sound of that. A lot.”
“Me, too.”
So that pretty much covers things,” Bill O’Grady said. “We can have everything taken care of by supper time. Eric giving me a heads up sure helped. And don’t worry about your aunt learning how to work things. I’ll take extra care explaining it to her.”
Callie picked up one of the business cards that sat in a holder at the table’s center. She scribbled a few lines on the back of it and handed it to the large Irishman.
“That’s my business manager’s address. Send the final bill to him and whatever monthly fees there are. I don’t want Aunt C to pay a dime on this.”
O’Grady tore apart the copies, stapling the card she’d given him to the one he kept. He pushed the other over to her. “Will do, Miss Chennault. I do have one more thing to ask.”
He grinned sheepishly. “My wife and I, well, we’re huge fans and DVR you every day. If she finds out that you were in here and I didn’t ask for your autograph, I’d best be looking for another place to sleep. Permanently.”
She smiled graciously. “Not a problem. If you’d like, I can have an 8x10 glossy sent to you.”
“Whoa, baby,” O’Grady shouted. “I would be the hero of the month at my house. If it’s not too much trouble.”
“I’ll see that you get one. What’s your wife’s name?”
“Betty Lou.” He smiled. “She looks a little like Betty Rubble from the Flintstones. At least I always tell her so. All guys know Betty was the better-looking one.”
Nick stood and offered his hand. “Thanks for your time, Bill.” He told her, “I’ll call Miz C and tell her to expect the alarm company truck within the hour.”
“I’ve got a couple of calls to make, too,” she replied, as they both pulled out their cells.
She left a message on Beth’s voice mail. “Sorry I didn’t reach you in person.” She found the address on h
er receipt and gave it to Beth. “And by the way, you aren’t going to believe what’s happened down here. Let’s just say there’s nothing like homegrown boys.”
She smiled as she ended the call, knowing Beth would return her call the minute she listened to the message. She dialed her business manager and told him about the upcoming bills for the alarm system.
“Ready?” Nick asked.
“Sure. I’m getting a little hungry, though. Maybe we can snag a po’boy before we go back?”
“Let’s head over to the square.”
They were parked about half a dozen blocks from Jackson Square, the heart of the French Quarter. Nick took her hand in his, his fingers warm and strong. The rightness of it surprised her. She’d gone from a man-avoider to a woman in love in less than a week. All because of Nick.
They turned off Canal onto Decatur, walking leisurely in the hot morning sun till they reached the square. St. Louis Cathedral loomed large.
“I remember the first time Aunt C brought me down here.” She pointed toward the church. “We went in. Candles glowed everywhere. It smelled a little musty, but I was sure God lived there. I thought it was the most beautiful church in the entire world. I still do.”
He gave her hand a squeeze. “I like the place on the corner there. Want to try it?”
“Sure.” They crossed the street and entered the oyster bar. Its black and white tiles gleamed as much as the long oak bar. The small place was busy, with white-aproned servers cutting between chairs with their laden trays as whirring ceiling fans kept the flow of air conditioning constant.
Leave Yesterday Behind Page 16