Sultry Storm (Kimani Romance)

by Norfleet, Celeste O.

“My life isn’t very interesting, believe me.”

  “Okay, so I gather you weren’t close to your dad growing up. What else? What about your mother?”

  “Actually it’s the other way around. It was more like he wasn’t close to me. My grandfather is from Cuba. He grew up poor and worked hard to succeed. Once he made it, he never stopped working. My father did the same, but growing up with money made him more determined to keep what he had. Success became everything and anything, and anyone that threatened that success he crushed by any means necessary. I found myself becoming just like them, like him, following in their footsteps.”

  “I find that hard to believe.”

  “It’s true. I was in the family business until a few years ago. I couldn’t do it anymore, even at the risk of walking out on him and my family.”

  “So you’re not close with your family now?”

  “I’m close to my sisters and mother and her side of the family. I’m even close to my dad’s side of the family, but…”

  “But not your dad?” she asked. He shook his head. “Stephen, don’t be like me. Don’t let one argument keep you apart. When it’s too late, it’s too late. Talk to him, make peace. Whatever you argued about is long over, I’m sure. Think about it, okay?”

  He nodded, suddenly finding himself lost in thoughts he hadn’t considered in years. Maybe Mia was right. Maybe it was time to put everything aside and open his heart to his father again.

  “After my father died, my fiancé took care of everything. He told me he hired a property management company to care for the house. Apparently he didn’t. I called them and they said that they never even heard of me, him or the house.” She didn’t have to tell him, but she wanted to.

  “Where’s your fiancé now?”

  “Married to somebody else, a coed at the college we teach at.” She sighed heavily. “He betrayed me just like my dad said he would. He told me not to trust Neal. That’s what the argument was about. I defended Neal.” She shook her head woefully. “But my father was right all along.”

  “So the house had foreclosed and gone to auction.”

  “There’s an outstanding property tax and double mortgage. The house was paid for, but my dad took out two mortgages for some reason. It’s so strange. I have no idea why he would need so much money before he died.” She smiled. “Anyway, it’s funny, but being here with you, knowing you and knowing that you and my dad were close, makes me feel really close to him. It’s like having a part of my dad here with me, in you.”

  “Do you still love your fiancé?” Stephen asked.

  “No, in fact I don’t think it was ever love. I think it was more like being comfortable and taking the next practical step. His mother is friends with my mother, so it seemed logical. I had a hard time at first. I doubted everything about myself.”

  Stephen smiled and nodded. “Leo once told me that you were bold and brave and could handle just about anything that came your way, even your ex.”

  “I guess I forgot how to be me.”

  “No, you didn’t. Everything that’s happened between us has proved that you are still that woman.” He smiled. “I saw you,” he said cryptically. She looked at him questioningly and he explained, “At Leo’s memorial service, I saw you there. You were with two women.”

  She nodded. “My sisters, Nya and Janelle.”

  “And someone else,” he prompted.

  “Neal, Neal Bowes, my now ex-fiancé,” she said.

  “I assumed as much.”

  “Why didn’t you say something, or come up and introduce yourself? I would have liked to have met you. Dad didn’t have many friends, you know that. It would have been nice to meet one.”

  “It wasn’t the right time,” he said.

  “You’re a really good man, Stephen. So why aren’t you married?”

  “I’ve been looking for the right woman.”

  “And what’s the right woman like?”

  “She’s like you, Mia.”

  Mia’s heart skipped a beat and her stomach fluttered a thousand times over. She tried to smile, but she wasn’t sure if she did. All she knew was she felt something inside let go, as if it had been held tight for years. She hoped he wasn’t just being kind. But thankfully she was saved by the bell, or rather Stephen’s cell phone, which was also a walkie-talkie. He answered.

  It was dispatch asking him to stop by one of the shelters in the area. Apparently there was trouble and he was the closest officer since flooding blocked most of the other patrol officers closer to town. He agreed, then disconnected. “I don’t know how long this is going to take.”

  “That’s okay. I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said. He stood and began to clear the dishes. “No, don’t bother with this. I’ll take care of it.”

  “Believe me, you don’t want this trash around here in this heat,” he said. Together they gathered the trash and loaded it back into the cooler.

  Downstairs he gathered his belongings as Mia waited by the front door.

  “Esteban, tonight was wonderful. I had a good time. Thank you so much.” She tipped up on her toes and kissed him sweetly.

  He shook his head slowly and grabbed her possessively, pulling her against his body.

  “Baby, that’s no way to say goodbye to a cop.” He kissed her long and hard, devouring her whole and sending shock waves through every part of her body.

  He left and twenty minutes later Mia was still feeling the effects of his kiss. Now upstairs in the attic, she folded the sheet and blanket then sat at her father’s desk and looked around. She was thinking about her conversation with Stephen. She felt so close to him, perhaps because he was close to her father. Whatever the reason her feelings were getting stronger. She’d fallen in love with him.

  Chapter 13

  Stephen helped at the shelter and then headed to the local hospital. When he finally left, in the early hours of the morning, he drove past Leo’s house. He looked up at the darkened facade but then continued to his home. Going to Mia would only mean making love to her all night, and although that would be a blissfully pleasurable experience, he needed space tonight. He needed to control and focus his thoughts. He was no closer to resolving his feelings than before she arrived. She had to be told the truth and his time was running out.

  He’d known that the foreclosure and impending auction would prompt Mia to come down here. He’d figured it was his opportunity to once and for all get her out of his system. He’d even thought that if he had her physically, that would crush the intense longing he’d felt for her for so long. But he was wrong. Their physical intimacy only made him want her more. His feelings weren’t based on the physical with Mia. Apparently they never were.

  Given the morning off, he woke up late, showered, and then went out onto his deck overlooking the angry Gulf. The storm had crossed Florida, and then headed out to sea, and now it just seemed to hover in scattered array. He knew exactly how that felt. How do you tell the woman you love that you intentionally ruined her father, diminished his life’s work, discredited and publicly humiliated him? How do you tell her that afterward, you tricked her into coming down here? And how do you then expect her to love you back?

  “You don’t,” he said, answering his own rhetorical question.

  Not wanting to think anymore, he went back into the house to get dressed.

  His home was classic Key West conch style, large and accessible, built on a ridge overlooking Mallory Square. It was within easy walking distance of Leo’s home, but it was far grander in style, size and character. Built just a year and a half ago, it was completely modern with every conceivable convenience, including an outdoor kitchen and terrace overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, which afforded him spectacular sunsets. He went down to the garage and turned on the generator, which he’d timed to power down overnight.

  In the kitchen he grabbed a large glass of orange juice then sat out on the balcony watching the angry waves crash and churn the sea. When his cell phone rang, he expected it to be dis
patch, but it was Terrence. “Hey, what’s up?” he asked his friend.

  “How was your seafood feast last night?” Terrence asked.

  “Perfect. Thanks again for your help with that.”

  “I presume your lady was duly impressed, and that you told her everything.” When Stephen didn’t reply, Terrence said, “You didn’t tell her, did you?”

  “No, I couldn’t. We wound up talking about fathers and our growing-up years. She still feels guilty about Leo.”

  “And you still feel guilty about Leo. That should make you the perfect pair. Man, listen to me, tell the woman. This isn’t something you want her to find out on her own. Leo understood and forgave you. Why can’t you forgive yourself? Tell her.”

  “I will,” Stephen said. “So what about you and Sherrie?”

  “Let’s just say we’re seeing more than eye to eye.”

  Stephen chuckled. “Excellent news. Anything happening with Lucas lately?”

  “Nah, man, his fiancée is supposed to be coming, but with the hurricane, who knows? I guess we’ll see what happens.”

  “I hope it works out for him,” Stephen said sincerely.

  “Ditto, a’ight, gotta jet, I have to get back on the air. Anything new happening out there you want me to pass on to the listeners?”

  “Remind them to keep their pets inside. We’re picking up quite a few with tags. Plus I hear Domino is still out there doing his thing.” The dog always got out during storms, and afterward there was a mini population explosion.

  “Got it. You take care,” Terrence said.

  “You, too, man. Later.”

  Stephen hung up and considered his friend’s advice. He knew Terrence was right. He needed to talk to Mia. He grabbed his bag, tossed it in the back of his car then drove over to Leo’s place. There was no time like the present.

  Mia slept upstairs in the attic, the coolest place in the house. When she awoke shortly after dawn, she realized that last night was the first night she hadn’t spent with Stephen since she’d met him. Of course she wondered and worried about him until late, eventually falling asleep reading some of her father’s journals.

  After getting washed and dressed, she went into town and did a quick drive by of the county clerk’s office. As she expected, since it was Saturday, it was closed. She continued to the grocery store, but the shelves were basically empty. As a last resort she walked to the coffee shop. It was open and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee made her stomach growl. She sat with a blueberry muffin and coffee and read the local newspaper.

  “Mia, right?”

  Mia looked up, first seeing a rounded tummy, then a smiling face. “Yes, hi, Natalia, right?”

  “You remembered.”

  Mia saw that she had a small white bakery bag and a cup of something in her hands. “Would you like to join me?”

  “Thanks.” Natalia sat and sipped her hot tea. “I’m so glad my sister decided to get one of those giant generators for the coffee shop a few years back. I don’t know what I’d do without my tea and Danish.”

  “Your sister owns this bakery?” Mia asked.

  Natalia nodded as she opened her white bag, then pulled out a cherry Danish and dug in. After one big luscious bite she smiled. “Man, I’ve been craving these things all morning.”

  “When are you due?” Mia asked.

  “In two months, but it feels like I’m due next week. I know every pregnancy is different, but I swear it feels like I have a whole hockey team in here.” They chuckled.

  “So, you’re Stephen’s cousin,” Mia said, opening a dialogue.

  Natalia nodded. “Yeah, our moms are sisters. Didn’t he tell you?”

  “Yes, I guess I just feel better having it come from you.”

  “Been there, done that,” Natalia said. “The cheating, lying, backstabbing, jerk of a boyfriend,” she expounded. “I assume that’s why you asked.”

  “That’s exactly why I asked. I guess I have trust issues.”

  “Tell me about it. That’s why I’ve decided to go solo.”

  “Solo?”

  “Sperm bank.”

  “That sounds so…” Mia began, but stopped, not knowing how to end the comment without sounding judgmental or condescending.

  “Different? It is. But I was tired of waiting for some Prince Charming that may or may not come into my life.” She gently patted her protruding stomach and smiled. “This way I have all I need. I have a son, Brice, and I’ll soon have another son. I’ll just be both mother and father.”

  “I’m sure Stephen will be there to help, plus, didn’t you mention before that you had brothers?” Mia said. “So, you won’t be alone. You’ll have plenty of help.” She paused a moment. “To tell you the truth, I envy you.”

  “Me, why?” Natalia asked.

  “You knew what you wanted and you got it.”

  “You don’t know what you want or rather who you want, Mia?”

  Mia smiled and shook her head. She’d forgotten how intuitive Natalia was. “Stephen,” Mia said. “We’ve been hanging out lately, and I’m getting confused. It’s only been two days and already I’m feeling too close.”

  “What’s too close? Is that a bad thing? Most women I know would love to feel ‘too close.’”

  “Can I ask you something, between us?” Mia asked. Natalia nodded. “Is he for real?”

  Natalia chuckled. “Mia, believe me, Stephen is very much for real. Just hear him out and trust your heart. Everything isn’t as bad as it seems. Know that sometimes it’s even better in the end.”

  The two women sat silently for a few moments until Natalia dotted her lips with a paper napkin then stood. “I need to get back to the office. Take care, Mia. Trust your heart and you’ll be just fine.”

  Mia smiled. “Okay, and thanks for the conversation.”

  “Just stop by anytime. I’m usually here or at dispatch.”

  After Natalia left, Mia sat awhile longer sipping her coffee until she recognized the woman who’d just come in. The day before Natalia had identified her as the court clerk. The woman went up to the counter, ordered her baked goods then headed to the door. Mia stepped up quickly. “Excuse me, Helen Parker?”

  “Yes,” the woman said turning to look at Mia questioningly.

  “We met briefly yesterday with Natalia.”

  “I thought you looked familiar. Hi.”

  “Hi, Helen, my name is Mia James. My father was Leo James.”

  “Oh, right, we spoke on the phone. Good Lord, you came all the way down here after our conversation, didn’t you?” she asked. “I’m so sorry, dear, I didn’t mean for you to make a mad dash down here in the middle of a hurricane. Had I known you were going to do that I wouldn’t have called you.”

  “That’s quite all right. Helen, I wanted to talk to you about my dad’s house. When will your office reopen?”

  Helen looked at her watch. Mia looked at her intently hoping she’d open it like Natalia had said she might. “I’ll tell you what, I have a few minutes, so why don’t we hop over and see what’s going on.”

  “That would be wonderful. Thank you so much, Helen. You have no idea how much I appreciate this.”

  Mia followed Helen to the office then to her desk. It was dark and there was no electricity. “No generator?”

  “Not in the budget,” Helen said. “I can’t get on the computer, but just looking at the files it looks like you’re going to do pretty well after the mortgage balances, taxes and liens are paid. You already have a buyer for the property.”

  “Liens?”

  Helen looked back at the files and nodded. “Two.”

  Mia frowned. This was getting more and more detailed. But she’d have to think about that later. “Okay, now that’s just it. I don’t want to sell it. How do I stop the foreclosure?”

  “Mia, I’m sorry you came all the way down here. At this point the property sale is imminent. There’s no way to stop it unless you can settle the debt on the property, which is measurable.
I’m afraid there’s not much anyone can do. The bank has already called the loan and they have an interested buyer. I doubt they’ll stop the process at this point. After all, they’re in this to make money.”

  Mia felt as if she’d just been gut punched. At some point she was sure she stopped listening. She just nodded as Helen continued talking.

  “Are you okay?” Helen asked.

  “Do you know who the buyer is? Maybe I can talk to them.”

  “I’m sorry, the computers are all down, and ethically, there’s no way I can give you that information.”

  Mia nodded. She took a deep breath and then let it out slowly. It wasn’t Helen’s fault. It wasn’t the bank’s fault. She should have listened to her father, but it was too late. The house was gone. “Thanks, Helen, I appreciate this.”

  After a while she got up and walked back to her car. She got in, started the engine and removed the attachment to her phone. It had charged and was now blinking. She had seven messages, four from Nya and two from Janelle and one from her mother. She decided to return their calls when she got back to the house. She really didn’t feel like talking to anyone right now.

  On the way out of town she saw the county sheriff’s office. Without thinking, she pulled over and parked. She needed to talk to Stephen. She went inside and saw Natalia.

  “Hi,” Mia said, walking over to where Natalia stood. “Um, I was wondering, is Stephen around?”

  “No, I’m afraid not. Is it an emergency?”

  “No, just if you see him, tell him…” She paused and shook her head. “Never mind, forget it.”

  “Are you sure? I can call him if you’d like.”

  “No, that’s not necessary. See you later.”

  She hurried out and quickly drove back to the house. She pulled into the driveway and just sat for a moment. The music lulled her awhile, but even with that she grew weary. Looking up at her father’s house she knew that she was too restless to sit in a hot house and be reminded of what she’d lost. She got out, tossed her jacket on the seat then instead of going inside she walked down the street, around the corner, then down to the boardwalk and then to the pier.