Love With A Stranger

by Taylor, Janelle

  Jason sipped the margarita, licked the salt from his lips, smiled, and said, “Absolutely delicious, the best one I’ve ever had. Thanks. I’ll have to remember that little trick about chilling the mix and being stingy with ice. Otherwise, by the time I get close to the bottom, it’s as weak as water.”

  Cass nodded. “Would you like to sit in the den and talk until it’s time for you to leave?”

  “Sounds great, my feet and legs can use a break; my old back, too.”

  “You make forty-two sound as if it’s ancient,” she jested. “I hope it’s not, because I’m not far behind you and I have a lot of living to do now that I’m fully recovered from my illness.”

  “So do I,” Jason concurred, “but sometimes I feel much older than I am after a long hard day at the office, especially if I have an emergency piled atop it that keeps me up half the night.”

  “That’s the price of being a physician, a deeply caring one.”

  They seated themselves in close proximity on short sofas positioned at an L angle and with a square table near the armrests where they placed their glasses on coasters. They leaned their bodies toward each other to talk with greater ease. Multi-wattage bulbs in several lamps were on low to provide sufficient light in the slowly darkening room. Soft music came from a radio in the entertainment unit, set to an easy-listening station. High tide waves were audible, though the double doors to the patio were closed. The subtle fragrance of peach blossoms clung to the air from where Cass had sprayed the room with freshener minutes before Jason’s arrival.

  As he entered the den earlier, Jason had noticed Tom’s portrait was gone from over the fireplace, as were assorted framed pictures of him or of him and Cass which he’d seen there on previous visits. He saw the sculpture he had given to her sitting on the mantel, the bronze fingers touched ever so slightly and romantically as he longed for theirs to do.

  “I don’t think I could work as hard as I do if I didn’t love my profession and care about my patients,” Jason said. “I plan to slow down a little after I reach fifty, then retire at sixty. I’ve seen too many colleagues continue practicing into their late sixties or even longer. By the time they retire, they have plenty of money to spend, but often lack the health or time to enjoy it before they die. I want to leave myself plenty of years and strength to spend time with my family, and doing things I like.”

  “That’s a smart idea.” But it doesn’t sound as if you’d want to start over with a new baby to rear. “You love golf, don’t you?”

  “Yep, but I wish I were a better player. Some of the guys I play with make shots the pros would envy.” He sipped his drink before adding, “I also enjoy tennis, but it’s harder than golf on my body as I get older. My bones just don’t like to take that kind of hard pounding anymore. But chess, now that’s more my speed after a hard day.”

  “You play chess?” she asked in some surprise.

  “Yep, my dad taught me. I’ve played with him hundreds of times, with Stacey, too. I can hold my own with my son, but Dad, he’s a champ. He could have me in check or checkmate before I got warmed up good.”

  “Warmed up good…” Cass felt her body heating up by the minute as she gazed into his mirthful blue eyes and handsome face, and she knew her rising temperature wasn’t caused by the alcohol. “I play, too,” Cass revealed, “and my father was the one who taught me, too.”

  “Are you also a champ?”

  “I’m not as good as my father was, but I’m not bad, either.”

  Jason liked the way her cheeks had rosed, her brown eyes had softened. Her attention was just as glued to him as his was to her, and her voice exposed powerful emotions. He hoped he wasn’t misreading those physical signs and that she was just as attracted to him as he was to her. “In that case, I challenge you to a game sometime soon. The loser will…Let’s see… What should the loser have to do for the winner? Um-m-m…”

  Cass tried not to choke on the sip she had just taken. I must be careful, or I just might answer him honestly, whether or not I do it with words! I mustn’t, Cass warned herself, blush, or squirm, or give a nervous laugh! She swallowed and lowered her glass with one hand, the fingers of the other one toying with the arms of its cactus stem. Control yourself and look unruffled. “Cook dinner? Say a six-course meal in the Cloister style? And, of course, wash the dishes and clean up the kitchen afterward.”

  Jason had seen her gaze widen and her flush deepen, just as he was aware of his own arousal. Mercy, you’re one tempting and enchanting female! “Something tells me you’re better at chess than you admit, woman. That sparkle in your brown eyes says you’re confident of winning. Don’t tell me I’ve just been hustled by a chess pro.”

  “Why, Doctor Burkman, how could you possibly think I would do such a naughty thing to my physician and friend?” Cass realized she might sound too suggestive. She pretended not to notice her slip in proper behavior. “In fact, I’m probably very rusty because I haven’t played in years, not since my father died.”

  A startled Cass almost sloshed her drink into her lap as a buzzer rent the sultry silence between them. She watched Jason set aside his glass and press a button on his wristwatch to turn off the beeping signal.

  He took in a deep breath and exhaled. “I hate to say it, Cass, but I have to leave or I’ll be late for dinner. I surely have enjoyed myself.”

  “So have I, Jason.” Too much.

  Jason stood, straightened his coat and tie, and looked at her. “I hope you’ll be going to church with me tomorrow morning.”

  Cass hadn’t expected the invitation and wasn’t sure if she should accept. As she headed to the kitchen, she asked, “Will Linda be there?”

  “I doubt it; she’s working on a case on Jekyll Island this week, one of my older patients. Do you prefer not to go with me or to go alone?”

  They kept walk-ing as she said, “No, I’ll ride with you, if that’s okay.”

  Jason was happy at her decision. “It is. I’ll pick you up about ten-forty.”

  “That’s fine; I’ll be ready.”

  At the back door, Jason stopped to admit, “I wish I could stay because I’m certain I’d have a nicer evening here with you than at a stuffy dinner party talking shop. Get a good night’s rest, Cass, and I’ll see you in the morning.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Good night.”

  “Goodnight, Jason, and thanks for stopping by; it was fun.”

  She closed and locked the door behind him, then walked to the kitchen window to observe his departure. She returned his wave and smile when he glanced in that direction and saw her.

  After he drove away, she muttered to herself, “What on earth are you doing, Cassandra? Where, in heaven’s name, do you think this relationship is going?”

  She headed to the den to get her margarita. “I don’t have the slightest idea, but I’ll probably obtain some clues or answers tomorrow.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  At First Baptist Church services on Sunday morning, Jason introduced Cass to many people who gave her cordial welcomes and invited her to join in on other church and local activities. As he’d guessed, Linda was not there; and Cass’s reaction to the nurse’s absence was a mixture of delight and disappointment. She would have enjoyed seeing her friend again, but she liked having Jason to herself, if that were possible in a crowd; yet, she worried over what the congregation and pastor might think of her for being out with a man so soon after her husband’s death, though no one looked at her oddly and all seemed sincere with their genial words and expressions. She made certain she behaved as a perfect lady and recent widow. She had even worn her wedding rings for appearance sake, though she hated to do so since Tom had defiled their sacred marriage vows and she detested being dishonest in a holy sanctuary. She only could hope that God understood and forgave her selfish motive.

  * * *

  After having lunch at Mullet Bay, Cass and Jason stopped by her house so she could change into casual clothes. He insisted she not stay home alone on such a beaut
iful day, and persuaded her to go to his house to walk on the beach, play chess, relax, and have dinner that evening. When she went upstairs, Jason remained in the den and glanced at a golf magazine she had purchased this week.

  Cass removed her jewelry and locked it in her closet safe and didn’t replace the discarded pieces with others, except for inserting gold studs in her earlobes. She put on a front-fastening bra that matched her satin-and-lace hip-hugger panties, then chose a simple but flattering ensemble by Emanuel Ungaro. She pulled a short-sleeved white tee top with a crew neck over her head, then repaired her mussed hair and freshened her makeup and perfume. She secured a reversible wrap skirt around her hips, ecru on the outside and ecru with navy stripes on the inside, slipped on navy slides, then grabbed the matching V-neck summer sweater with navy and ecru stripes in case the weather cooled down later. She tossed a few items into a fabric shoulder bag and joined Jason downstairs.

  He rose as she entered the room, and smiled as he looked at her. “Perfect choice, and you look as lovely as you did earlier. You have good taste in clothes.”

  Cass was glad she had chosen this outfit since it was one Tom had not selected. She now felt as if he had been adorning her as nothing more than a showpiece to conceal his dark secrets and protect his reputation and image. Perhaps it was sinful of her, especially after just leaving church, but she hated him for what he had done to her. She smiled at Jason and said, “Thank you, kind sir, and so do you Shall we go?” she hinted, wondering if she should be going to his house in her susceptible condition.

  They traveled a lengthy distance down the long Sea Island Drive from her house and turned right onto a short side street to where his was located at a dead end at the beach. She noticed a circular driveway to the front door, with palms and other trees and plants in a garden section between it and the curbing. An abundance of trees and bushes on both sides of the lot concealed his house from the nearest neighbor’s views. It was a two-story dwelling in a combination of Plantation and New Orleans styles with six tall columns, a first-floor porch running the entire length of the house, and another one doing the same on the second story with a white railing there for safety. He told her it had oyster shells mixed with the stucco to give it a light gray color, which matched the roof and was accentuated by white trim, including the large widow’s walk atop it.

  Jason parked his orient-blue BMW in a three-car garage, then guided her to the front door. “Welcome to my home, Cass,” he said as they entered the enormous setting.

  Jason began the tour in a foyer with a merbau floor, a cherry console with a hand-carved mirror suspended over it, and a floral arrangement and a few other objects atop it. Hardwood stairs led to the second floor; an arch to their left into a formal living room; an arch to their right into a formal dining room. Both were furnished in the Neoclassic style and had plush carpeting. A doorway before them led to a den; and a last door to a half bath; both of which were decorated beautifully.

  “Since we’re at the steps, let me show you the upstairs first.”

  There, Cass was led into the master suite first; where nothing had been left out of place, as if he had known he was bringing her to visit. His bedroom was large and masculine with a jungle decor in browns, blacks, beiges, and greens; it even had a silk acacia tree with mauve blossoms in one corner and African artifacts on the walls and furniture tops. The suite contained an enormous walk-in closet and luxurious bathroom with separate areas for bathing, dressing, and personal functions.

  The first guest room had a private bath, while the other two—one with twin beds for his grandsons—shared a bath that opened into the hall and into the third guest room. The first room had French doors that opened onto a full-length second-story rear porch, as did Jason’s bedroom and the hallway. It was furnished with a Louis XV-style handpainted headboard to the king-size bed, a matching lingerie chest, a boudoir chair in pink, and other furnishings and a variety of silk greenery.

  “It’s absolutely magnificent, Jason.”

  “Thanks. Traci claims it as hers when she comes to visit. She likes to leave the doors open so she can hear the waves day and night. Stacey uses the front bedroom when he’s home.”

  “I imagine you miss them terribly.”

  “Yep, but I’ve gotten used to having an empty nest. At least they’re close enough for frequent visits, and we talk on the phone a lot. Let’s head downstairs,” he suggested, aware of how close they were to a choice of several beds. He yearned to carry her to one of them and make slow and passionate love to her.

  As they descended the stairs, Jason warned himself not to risk offending her and scaring her away. He wished time would move quickly and put many months between her tragic loss and when he could take a romantic move toward her. Until sufficient time passed, he had to be careful and patient, considerate and compassionate. While he waited, he would help her to get to know him better and subtly draw her closer and closer.

  “This is one of my favorite rooms; I spend a lot of time in here,” he told her as they entered the oblong den. “That built-in entertainment unit has a surround sound system; We’ll listen to it later; it surely brings things on that big screen to life.”

  She had noticed the upstairs floors were carpeted in the bedrooms, and the baths were done in large Florida tiles. The stairs, hallway, and foyer featured hard woods, some areas decorated with scatter or area rugs. The kitchen and den had Tennessee crab orchard flagstone in various sizes and shapes in a muted green color. There was an eye-catching fireplace with light brick in its interior and with a raised half-moon hearth and stonework that matched the floors and traveled to the ceiling and several feet to each side. Two seven-feet-tall silk Capensia trees in brass containers had been placed in corners, their rich green leaf tops contrasting with burgundy undersides. There was a wet bar on one side with glass-paned cabinets and black Corian tile on the counter. The Chesterfield sofa and loveseat were in deeply tufted and overstuffed forest green leather and featured individually driven brass nailheads in a linear design on the front of their rolled arms and base. In another location was a leather bergere chair with a matching ottoman, a table and a lamp. The sitting area had a hand-knotted rug with a striking design in greens, beiges, burgundy, and slate blue that looked splendid atop the flagstone and beneath the furniture.

  At the far end were located his home office and a playroom for the grandchildren. His office had a three-section bookcase that held mostly medical books and journals and a variety of knickknacks. Attached to one end of the unit was an executive desk in a simple but classic style, all in solid Honduran mahogany. In front of it was a comfortable-looking chair in black leather with brass studs around all edges and with wheels for easy movement for turning to work on a computer system inserted into the center bookcase. A large metal clock with roman numerals hung on one wall; a Masters Golf Tournament scene on another. Beside the desk stood a brass pharmacy lamp with an aged finish and beige shade. The customary accessories—pad, pencil/pen holder, calendar, stapler, telephone—were positioned neatly atop his work surface. A hand-stitched needlepoint rug in a Neoclassic design partially covered a shiny hardwood floor.

  During her tour, Cass noted there were framed pictures of his twins and grandsons, a few photographs of the twins with their deceased mother, but none of the lovely fair-haired Joan with Jason.

  The playroom next door was filled with boyish toys, games, stuffed animals and assorted action figures, and books all placed on four-feet-high wooden shelves on all walls for easy reach by little tykes. A low table with four toddler-size chairs, patterned like color crayons as were the curtains, set in the center of the room. She smiled as he told her its hardwood floor and lack of a rug were for easier cleaning when children had accidents. She concluded from his expression and tone that he dearly loved his family and that warmed her very soul. It caused her to yearn for a real home and family, for a baby, for his baby…

  She quelled those urges as he guided her to the spacious and airy kitchen
with an island in its center. A breakfast area was positioned nearby with a large span of windows that offered an ocean view. She couldn’t help but imagine them having morning coffee or an evening meal there.

  “I spend most of my time in my bedroom, the den, office, and hot tub out back after a long and hard day at work or a muscle-tiring day on the golf course,” he explained. “Occasionally I cook, but it’s not much fun doing it alone and for one person, and I’m no chef by any means. But don’t worry about dinner; I do grill a mean steak and one can hardly ruin a salad, rolls, and baked potato,” he added with a grin.

  Cass laughed. “I’m not worried. Doc; I’m sure you can do anything you put your mind to. You got me well, didn’t you?” And you enchanted me beyond reason without even trying!

  “Yep, but I had excellent help from Linda and cooperation from you.” But if I’m capable of doing “anything,” I hope it’s winning you, woman.

  Cass adored the magnificent setting, felt relaxed there. She could envision herself sleeping upstairs, lounging in the den, watching him work in his office, observing their child in the playroom, and—Stop it, Cass! “I must say, your home is wonderful, beautiful but comfortable.”

  “I can’t take credit for building it; the previous owner deserves that. But I had a fine decorator who met with me several times to check out my style of living and personality before she began her task. I really like what she did with the house.”

  “So do I.”

  “Of course, it’s too big for one person, but I like living here and having room for the kids and my grandsons to visit; and size gives it good resale value for later when I retire, if I decide to go smaller. Samuel Tarver of Tarver Realty Company found it for me and sold my other residence. If you decide to sell later, give Sam a call; he does a fine job for his clients.”