“What are they saying?”
“Things I don’t want to talk about. Look, Nick, I come out to this bare-chested, broad-shouldered, gladiator hunk action. We’ve had this whirlwind romance, and part of me is wondering just what I’ve gotten myself into. I don’t think I can physically or emotionally handle taking us to the next level right now.”
She waved an arm in exasperation. “And where are you sleeping tonight? You can’t sleep on top of the covers in here again.”
He frowned at her, a look that would match Aunt C’s most lethal glare any day. “Where else do you think I would be?”
“Nick,” she whispered. “I’m scared. Of you. You’re a lot of man.”
He closed the distance between them and put strong hands on her shoulders. He ran his hands up and down her arms, trying to reassure her.
“Don’t be,” he whispered back, his gaze intense. Those midnight blue eyes turned almost black.
Callie shivered. “But I am. I know you want to protect me, but who’s going to protect me from you?”
“I don’t get it.”
She shook her head. “I’ve always taken care of myself, from the time I was really young. The few relationships I’ve had with men have always been on my terms. I called the shots. I kept my emotional distance. And if they tried to close that distance, I cut them loose. I’m not any good at letting someone else look out for me.”
“Oh, babe.” Nick pulled her into his arms. She could feel his heart racing. “Don’t you know I feel the same way?”
She remained silent, her throat thick with unshed tears.
Nick kissed her hair. “I haven’t been too great in the relationship department either. I told you I was too shy and then too famous. I never really let anyone get close till my marriage. And even then I was just skating along the surface. I never really knew how broken it was until the day it ended.”
Tenderly, he kissed her brow. “This is really a first for me, too. Getting to really know someone. Share things. Thoughts. Feelings. Small talk.”
He tilted her chin up. “We’ll go as slowly as we need to. I know it’s tough with what’s hanging over you, but I don’t ever want you to be afraid of me. Okay?”
She nodded. “Okay.”
He brushed a quick kiss across her lips and released her. He looked around the room. “It’s either sleep on the bed, the chair, or the floor in front of the locked door. I’ll do whichever you want, but I’m here. For good.”
“You’d sleep on the floor for me?” Callie grinned mischievously at him.
“Yeah. If I had to.”
“Or all scrunched up in the chair?”
He bit back a smile. “Yeah. If I need to.”
She grew serious. “I don’t know how much I’m ready to give yet, Nick. But my own personal bodyguard in bed might be nice.”
She walked to the near side of the bed and began to turn down the comforter. He went to the other side and matched her moves. She slipped under the sheet while he walked over and switched off the overhead light before he climbed into bed.
“Oh, wait. Do you want me to leave the light on in the bathroom?”
“No. I’ll be fine. You know, having my bodyguard nearby is like having the Teddy Bear I slept with when I was a kid.”
He leaned over and turned off the light on the nightstand. She rolled over onto her side. Nick scooted up behind her and threw an arm around her, drawing her close. Callie finally dropped off to sleep, knowing Nick would be there all through the night.
Chapter 27
Nick examined Callie nestled against him, her face burrowed against his heart. He gently stroked her hair, not wanting to disturb her sleep. She’d lain awake a long time in his arms last night. He knew she missed Wolf and was still worried about the threat against both of them. They’d spoken little, but he knew it had been after two before she’d fallen asleep.
He eased from the bed and brought the covers back over her. Miz C liked her air conditioning strong, and the vent blew directly across the bed. His throat was dry because of it, and he wanted a drink of water. He moved quietly across the hardwood floor and slipped into the bathroom. He closed the door before flicking on the light.
Just then, a song began chirping loudly from Callie’s cell phone sitting on the counter. He quickly answered it, hoping the ringing hadn’t awakened her.
“Hello?” he said softly.
Silence greeted him, followed by a throaty female laugh.
“Well, I know I don’t have a wrong number because I’ve got Callie on speed dial. I’m just surprised that she’s not the one answering. Or maybe I’m not after that cryptic message she left me yesterday.”
“Uh . . . Callie’s sleeping right now. Can I have her call you back?”
Again, the amused laugh. “Just tell me one thing. Are you a homegrown boy?”
Nick didn’t know what to say to that—or whom he would be saying it to. “I guess you might say that,” he said warily.
A sudden tapping on the door startled him. He yanked open the door to see Callie standing there. With his cell phone in her hand.
“It’s your mom,” she said dryly. “I gather that’s for me?”
“Shit.” He rolled his eyes and then spoke into the phone. “Here’s Callie.” He passed her phone over and took his cell from her.
“Hey, Mom.”
“The bright and sunny routine doesn’t cut it. You’re usually grumpy before your first cup of coffee. And I have a feeling if we were in the same room, I wouldn’t be smelling any coffee on your breath.”
Nick crossed to the chair and sat down. He noticed Callie had closed the bathroom door behind her. He ran a hand through his hair.
“Okay. It’s like this. I’m sorry I didn’t call to see how Branson was. There’s just a lot happening. A lot, Mom. I really need to see you today to talk about it.” He took a deep breath. “And there’s someone I want you to meet.”
His mother chuckled. Nick relaxed a little bit.
“Eric told Olivia and me some of what’s going on. However, it did surprise me that I’d leave town and return after only a week to find my baby involved with someone who would be answering his phone at seven in the morning.”
He felt the heat rise up his neck. He felt like a sixteen-year-old caught necking in the driveway after he thought his mom had gone to bed.
“It’s not like that. Well, it sort of is. I mean, we haven’t even slept together yet. Well, we actually did the last two nights, but that’s only because this psycho is after Callie, and there’s no way I would ever leave her alone. I even make her lock the door when she goes to the bathroom.”
Nick took a deep breath. “Mom. I know I sound crazy and confused, but I love her. She doesn’t take shit off me, and she’s smart and funny and sweet and talented. You’re going to love her.”
Without any hesitation, he heard, “So do you two want to come over for breakfast?”
He laughed. “Mom, you are the greatest. And your French toast would be terrific. Callie needs a little fattening up. How about an hour?”
“I’ll see you both then. Bye, sweetie.”
He ended the call and shook his head. A moment later, Callie came out doing the same thing.
“My best friend Beth is dying to meet you. She said you sounded sexy as hell. And she actually knows who you are. Her husband is Mr. Sports Central. She’s picked up quite a bit since they’ve been married. She can spout ERA’s and MVP’s like there’s no tomorrow.”
He laughed. “We’re having breakfast with my mom in an hour. Think you can handle that?”
Callie frowned. “Can we make it an hour and a half? I need to do some stretching with Gretchen before I hit the shower. We did a lot of moving around NOLA yesterday. I’m pretty stiff and don’t
want to skimp on my exercises.”
He went and nuzzled her neck. “I know, no morning breath kisses. But I just had to have me some sugar.”
She laughed. “You sound like a dirty old uncle.” She nipped him on the neck, too. “Now, go shower. I’ll get Gretchen to help me run through a few things.”
Nick watched her open the bedroom door and cross the hall. She knocked and then stepped into Gretchen’s room, closing the door behind her. He called his mom back and told her they’d be a little later than planned.
And turned crimson when she laughed.
Callie fiddled with the slender gold chain around her neck as Nick drove into town.
What if his mom didn’t like her? She’d sure sounded surprised to hear a woman answer his phone. Her face flamed again with embarrassment, thinking that Aunt C would have been mortified if put in the same position.
Nick reached across and pulled her hand toward him, grazing his lips across her knuckles. “Relax. Mom’s very cool. Sweet but up front. She will love you. I know it.”
She swallowed. Her throat was desert dry. She started to lick her lips, but she didn’t want to mess up her lip gloss. She wanted to make a good impression on Nick’s mom after such a dismal start.
He turned onto a cul-de-sac and into a driveway. She noted the patrol car following them parked directly across the street. She couldn’t think about that now. The stalker. The cops shadowing her. She had enough to be nervous about with meeting her future mother-in-law.
Callie examined the charming ranch house. An oasis of colorful flowers flooded the front beds and surrounded two oak trees on both sides of the yard. White wicker chairs graced the wraparound porch.
Nick came around and opened her door. “You look great. You are great.” He leaned down to kiss her.
“Don’t,” she warned. “The last thing I need is a messy mouth when I meet your mom.”
He grinned and his lips grazed her cheek instead. “Then promise me I can mess with you later.” He took her hand, interlaced his fingers with hers, and walked her up to the front porch. The door opened immediately.
The petite woman standing there appeared nothing like Nick. She was blond with hazel eyes and an outdoor tan. But her eyes sparkled, full of energy and mischief. That part she definitely passed along to her son.
“Hey, Mom.” Nick leaned down and pecked her cheek. He pulled her up a step. “This is Callie Chennault.”
Callie smiled, drawing on Jessica’s confidence in any social situation. “Hello, Mrs. La Chappelle. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Please. Call me Maggie.” She took Callie’s hands in hers. “Go on in, Nick. Olivia’s waiting in the kitchen. She’s cooked enough to feed an army.”
He raised an eyebrow. “And you’ll be . . .?”
“Doing the girl talk thing over OJ or hot tea. Callie’s choice. Now scoot.”
Nick shrugged. “Don’t be mad if nothing’s left.” He walked into the house and closed the door behind him.
Maggie indicated they sit. Callie eased into a chair, her butterfly production in full swing.
“What would you like to drink?”
“Tea would be nice. Thank you.” She watched as Mrs. La Chappelle poured hot water from a carafe into an elegant china cup. Callie opened a packet of Earl Grey and dipped the teabag into the cup. The motion soothed her somewhat.
“I would tell you I’m a fan, but I’ve never watched soaps,” Nick’s mother said matter-of-factly as she poured herself a glass of juice. “But my sister Olivia is mad for Sumner Falls and thinks you’re the best thing since sliced bread. And she said you were Pam’s best friend during your teen years. You definitely have her stamp of approval.”
Maggie paused and sized her up. Callie found herself swallowing nervously, dunking her teabag like a maniac. She was afraid to speak. Afraid she’d say the wrong thing. She didn’t realize how much she wanted this woman’s approval till now.
“Nick is my only child.” Maggie’s voice softened as she began to speak. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for him. We’ve always been close. His daddy traveled quite a bit, and we found we enjoyed each other’s company.”
His mother took a sip of her orange juice, then continued. “Nick has had a lot of professional success, but he’s experienced very little of that personally, beyond his novels picking up and selling well. He thinks he’s a rock and that he doesn’t need anyone.” Her level gaze caused Callie to pause dunking her teabag, in mid-air.
“But he’s been lonely. So lonely. And now I come home after barely a week away, and he has a spring in his step and the humor back in his voice. His smile is reaching his eyes for the first time in a long time. I can see how happy he is.”
Maggie leaned over and took her hand. “If you’ve done all that for him in less than a week, then you have my blessing to hang around as long as you want.” She frowned. “Just don’t hurt him, Callie. If you aren’t serious about having a relationship with him, tell him and move on. Let him go now before it hurts too much.”
She squeezed Maggie’s hand. “I’m not perfect, but I will tell you this. I never knew I could admire a man as much as I do Nick. In a few short days, he’s become my world. If anything, I’d be the one to fall apart if he left. I plan to be rocking next to him in the old folks’ home seventy years from now, ma’am. Looking for love was the last thing on my mind when I arrived in Aurora. It hit me clear out of the blue, like a shock of lightning. I know in my heart that Nick is the best thing that will ever happen to me. I’d be a fool to let him go.”
Maggie’s eyes filled with tears. She let out a long sigh and stood, her arms opening wide. “Then welcome to the family.”
Chapter 28
Two days passed since the note appeared on Nick’s windshield. Except for meeting Nick’s mom, Callie hadn’t left Noble Oaks. She was beginning to go stir crazy. She closed the Eleanor Roosevelt biography in her lap. She’d been on the same page for twenty minutes now, but she couldn’t concentrate on the words.
She glanced at Nick, sprawled on the floor, his back resting against the living room sofa. A frown creased his brow. His mouth was set in stone. Obviously, writing wasn’t going very well.
“Dammit,” he proclaimed, sliding the laptop onto the floor. He stood, stretching his arms and then dropping them to his sides. “Absolutely nothing is coming to me. I have hit the proverbial brick wall.”
He sat down on the arm of the chair she sat in. His fingers began to massage her neck absently.
“Do you think I can help?” she asked. “I’ve actually brainstormed with our writers several times when they were doing long-range plotting for the show.” She smiled as a few memories of those late night bull sessions emerged. “It was actually pretty fun.”
“Fun?” He gave her a wry smile. “To me, writing is like having teeth extracted with no anesthesia. Or it’s the most exhilarating roller coaster ride in the world. No in-between. Famine or feast.”
She turned and faced him. “No, seriously. Maybe I could help. You said you’re beginning a new book. What happens first to get things rolling along?”
He shrugged. “I have no idea. I always start with my characters first. I have to see them in my mind’s eye. I have to know their names. Then I start fiddling with their back-story. Why they’re like they are. Then I create character profiles. What they like and dislike. How they would react in certain situations.”
Nick stood and began to pace as he spoke. “Half the background stuff I do never sees the page, but it helps me know who they are and how they became that way.”
“And then?”
He stopped pacing. “Once I have them nailed down, then I go for the story. I have a file of interesting crimes I clip from newspapers. I also scan several newspapers online and cut and paste story ideas into Word docs.
Anything to jumpstart me.”
“Why don’t we look at some of those first?”
He looked horrified. “Before I have my characters? I haven’t even settled on their names yet.”
She smiled at him. “Indulge me. Pull up something for us to go over.”
“I have never done it this way before,” he grumbled. “This just doesn’t seem right.”
He sat on the sofa and reached for his laptop, his fingers skimming over the keys as he called up the information she’d asked for. She took a seat next to him.
He sighed. “You know, I’m sorry if I sound anal. I’ve actually read quite a few books on the writing process. Gone to conferences. And there are lots of writers who come up with their storyline first. It’s just never been the way I operate. I guess you’re pulling me from my comfort zone.”
Callie squeezed his bicep. “It’s okay, big boy. We artists all have our little idiosyncrasies.”
Nick clicked on a file. “Here are some I’ve squirreled away that seem pretty workable.”
Callie began to read, using the scroll key to zip through the stories he had saved.
“Hmmm. This is interesting. A bar owner who killed off his obnoxious patrons one by one. And I like this one, the second-string high school quarterback who knocked off his competition so he could land the starting job.”
She sat a moment. “Let me think.” She closed her eyes, trying to enter Nick’s dark world of crime and death. She wondered if this were a wise move on her part as she sensed her body tensing. No, she wouldn’t let her real life problems consume her. She would simply process things as he did. Distance herself from the material. Think of it as a script. And then she had the germ of an idea.
Leave Yesterday Behind Page 19