“She doesn’t,” answered Bruce after a long silence. He shifted his weight and pulled away from Ross. “Don’t worry. She won’t know.” He turned away and walked back toward the ambulance.
“Thank you,” Ross muttered at the retreating figure.
Nicky walked to Ross and pulled him into a bear hug. He looked to the sky. The rain was letting up and the stars floated behind translucent clouds. “And I know I don’t say this much but thank you. For everything.”
• • •
Daniel Day made soothing noises as he rocked his son. Reaching over to the porch railing, he grabbed a bottle and plunked it in the crying baby’s mouth. The sobs ground to a halt.
“That was fast.” Sophie pushed open the screen door and joined him on the sunny front porch of the hotel. She lowered herself into one of the rockers.
“Yeah. He was hungry. So am I,” Daniel winked at his wife. God, she was gorgeous.
“Ew,” she replied. “How can you think about that at a time like this?”
“At a time like what? Wheeler’s been dead for almost a week. The show is spectacular and it opens tonight. Asher is back and he seems like he’s going to be okay … ” he trailed off.
“Maybe.” Sophie gave him an appraising look.
“Maybe he’s going to be okay … or maybe we can go downstairs?” Daniel asked, waggling his eyebrows.
“Maybe to both, but it will have to be later.” Taking their son from his arms, she stood up and walked back to the doorway. “I need to feed him. And you still need to go down to the costume shop to be fitted for your opening night outfit.”
“Aw, hell … I don’t want to put all those itchy clothes on,” Daniel whined.
“Hmm. You never know what a handsome man dressed like an old west gunslinger will discover in his bed later tonight. Could be that some women find that look completely irresistible,” Sophie uttered from the lobby before letting the screen door bang shut.
Daniel’s eyes widened. “I’m going,” he muttered to himself and picked up his crutches. He hobbled down the street and opened the door to the hardware store.
“Nancy?”
“I’m back here, Daniel. But hang on a sec; I need to finish with Carly.”
Daniel plopped down on a window seat. “Fine, but I need to you make me look like the most dangerous gunslinger in Wild West history, okay?”
“Already taken care of,” Nancy called. “You want to see Carly?”
“Sure.” Daniel pushed aside a rack of clothing and headed for the back of the store. On a makeshift platform covered with shag carpeting, Carly stood, glaring into the mirror. Her right arm was in a cast, but she looked beautiful.
“Hey,” she greeted him in a dull tone. “This thing itches.” She scratched around the edge of the cast.
“You are preaching to the choir, sister.” He shifted a crutch so he could pat her good arm. “At least yours is just a hairline fracture.”
She sighed. “Yeah and I was hoping I wouldn’t have to have a cast … but I guess it’s for the best.”
“I didn’t want a cast either, but the doctor told me it was for the best, too.”
Bursting into laughter, Carly surveyed him. “Daniel, your thigh bone was practically poking through the skin. Of course she told you that. I’m surprised you’re even out of traction.”
“The Day men heal up in no time,” he replied and then winced. Oops.
She laughed again, but it was bitter this time. “Yeah, that’s what I hear. So fast that they can go from one wife to another lover in a matter of weeks.”
“Carly … Asher didn’t mean for — ”
“How do I look?” she interrupted him. Smoothing her cream-colored silk bustle gown, she stared into the mirror again, her chin held high.
“Beautiful, of course,” he said.
• • •
Carly stared into the mirror. And so it was true. The corset pushed everything into the right places and the graceful sweep of the skirt made her compact figure almost statuesque. Sleeveless, the bodice hugged her curves and a long, gleaming satin glove encased her left arm. Her hair was piled on top of her head and a feather ornament curled by her right ear. She smoothed it and shot a glance at Daniel. “I guess so.”
“Of course. You’re a lovely woman, Carly.”
“You look just like a bride,” added Nancy. She clapped her pudgy hands together and beamed at Carly.
“A … what?” Carly said. Her heart plunged. Oh, great. That was all she needed … to go to the opening of the show dressed in a wedding gown. How more pathetic could she get?
Daniel groaned. “Nancy, that was not cool.”
“What?” she retorted, “She does so. What’s wrong with that?” Realization dawned and her red face became rosier. “Oh crap, I’m sorry, Carly.” She plucked at Carly’s skirt. Here, take that off. I’ll throw it in a dye bath. How do you feel about blue?”
“Blue? Perfect.” Carly replied. “Just get me out of this corset, okay?”
Daniel made a hasty retreat as Nancy reached for the back of the dress, releasing the tiny buttons on the back. “I’ll come back,” he muttered.
“I’m sorry,” Nancy said again, her eyes shimmering with tears.
“Oh, Nancy, it’s fine.”
Nancy shook her head. “No, it’s not. That was careless of me and I should just learn to keep my big mouth shut sometimes.”
Carly turned to her. “I have the same problem. You know what someone once said to me?”
“What?” Nancy sniffed.
“That I care way too much about what other people think of me.”
Nancy shook her head and wiped away tears. She reached for the gown and lifted it over Carly’s head. “Ha. Yeah. That describes me to a ‘T’.”
Scratching at her cast, Carly gave her a rueful smile. “I just can’t seem to take my own advice.”
“Well, you should.” Nancy surveyed her. “You know … this color is great for you. Just wear it as it is. And hell … why don’t you just go all the way and add a veil? I have one that would look beautiful on you.”
Carly’s mouth dropped open. “Are you crazy? A wedding gown on purpose?”
Nancy shook her head. “No. I am not crazy. I am a good designer … that’s what I am. And I am taking your advice. So should you.”
Carly stood still for a minute, staring into Nancy’s eyes. “Me dressed as a bride would make Asher really uncomfortable wouldn’t it?”
Nancy sputtered. “Oh. That’s not what I was thinking. No … I just meant … well … I just thought you’d look pretty. I don’t have anything against Asher.”
“I do.” Carly’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not leaving Ruby Spring with a happy ending, Nancy. But by God, I’ll leave with a flourish.” She held out her hand. “Now let me see the veil, please.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Letting out a deep breath, Asher stood at the edge of the trees, staring down at Ruby Spring. He’d hid in the cabin for five days and he hated himself for it. Although the mess with Miranda was over, he had let Carly down. He wasn’t able to protect her when she needed it most. And now he was too much of a coward to face her. Cursing, he kicked at some loose rocks with his booted foot. From what his brother said, Carly had refused to talk to … or about him.
He didn’t blame her, really. Everything that had happened was his fault. If he hadn’t flown to France, she wouldn’t have a broken arm … or a broken heart. Oh, who was he kidding? The broken heart would have happened anyway. His gaze fell on the buildings below him, hoping for glimpse of the woman he loved. The streets were dusty and bare. Everyone was at the hotel, having a late lunch in preparation for opening night.
Sighing, Asher began to pick his way down the rocky trail. He had to face the love of his lif
e sooner or later. And the day of opening night, the day before she intended to leave his life, was cutting it close. Walking slowly into town, he stopped at the theater for another glance at the paint on the ceiling. Just one more look to remind him of the happiness he’d known with Carly before he faced her. Music floated out of the open backstage door. He stepped inside, squinting as his eyes adjusted to the semi-darkness.
“Hello?” he called.
• • •
Carly, high up on a ladder next to the proscenium, gasped and dropped her paintbrush. Dammit. She hadn’t expected to see Asher until tonight … and even then not face to face … and especially not alone. All she wanted to do was smile and nod, congratulate Ross, and then leave Ruby Spring with her dignity intact. What she most of all did not want to do was deal with her real feelings for Asher. She bit her lip as Asher walked onto the stage.
“Carly,” he whispered. His face was a mask of pain and regret.
From her perch on the ladder, she turned her head and stared into his familiar eyes. A shot of electricity raced through her body. Trembling and gripping the ladder, she turned away to stare out into the house of the theater.
Why? Why did it have to be like this for her always? Here she was in her oldest, ugliest shorts with unshaven legs. Her hair was messy, her eyes were red and her fingers were stained with gold paint. It wasn’t fair.
“Carly,” he said again. His deep voice caused the tears swimming in her eyes to slide down her face. Oh yeah. She was sick of crying, too. It was getting very old.
She heard him walk closer to the ladder, and then felt the shift as he stepped on the first rung. “Come down from there, Carly.”
“No,” she whispered, not trusting her own voice.
“You can’t stay up there. It’s not safe. You have a broken arm and besides, the show is starting in two hours. You’re finished painting.” He stepped up another rung. She started as his warm hand encircled her calf. He began to rub it with gentle fingers.
Suddenly, she lost it. “Stop,” she sobbed, wiggling her leg to get it free. “Don’t touch me there.”
His hand left her. “Oh, God. I’m sorry … is your leg hurt?”
“N … o … ooo,” she managed through her tears.
“What’s wrong then?” He replaced his hand, this time massaging around to the front of her leg. He squeezed her knee.
“What’s wrong with you?” she countered, “Can’t you feel that my legs are like a hairy mammoth’s?”
“No. They’re not.” He replied, stepping up another rung. He let his hand trail up her thigh and rested it on her waist. He leaned forward, resting his head on her back as his other hand came around to hold the ladder steady. “They are perfect. Just like you.”
Carly melted into his touch. God help her; she couldn’t help herself. “Perfect. Perfectly stupid, you mean,” she ground out. “Stupid me. Falling in love with a married man. That’s a new one for my collection of failed romances, I must add.”
He slid his arm closer around her middle and kissed her lower back. “I’m not married anymore, Carly.” Raising her T-shirt, he laid his head on her smooth skin. “God you feel good.”
She was silent for a moment and then pushed back against him. “Asher, I don’t like this. Climb back down, please. I hate being put at a disadvantage like this.”
Good. Her voice sounded as cold as her heart felt.
He did as she requested and stood on the stage floor, his large hands stuffed into jeans pockets.
“You’re an asshole,” she said to the wall. “What makes you think you can touch me … and … and attempt seduction and expect that everything is all better? I can’t trust you, Asher. You broke my heart and you know it. I’m too vulnerable for this, and you know that, too. You’re not a good person. You’re not … a good man.”
There was a dead silence for an entire minute. Finally Carly cleared her throat.
“Well?”
“Sorry,” he muttered, “I just … Carly. I am so sorry. I love you. I just want to be near you. I love you. Carly, please.” His voice broke and she turned her head to look down.
He was crying. Alarmed, she climbed down the ladder and stood before him, motionless. His eyes were as full of pain as hers were. But what could she say? He had broken her heart into a million pieces. She should still be angry as hell. But it wasn’t possible. He was in pain … and she loved him. She loved him with all of her broken, bruised heart. Her face softened.
“Asher,” she whispered, placing her left hand on his arm.
With a cry, he reached for her, gathering her in his strong arms. She closed her eyes with a sigh, clinging to him for all she was worth. Sobs wracked his strong shoulders, and still she held tight, caressing the back of his neck, his hair, the planes of his face.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” he mumbled into her shoulder.
“Asher,” she repeated, pulling away and leading him to the settee stage right. She sat down on the edge, drawing him with her.
“What?” he sniffled in embarrassment.
“You don’t cry like that very often, do you?” she murmured, a smirk forming around the corners of her mouth.
He raised his head from where it was buried in her shoulder and surveyed her through tear-stained lashes. God, his eyes were beautiful.
“No. I’ll bet you don’t either,” he replied, beginning to smile.
“Almost never,” she whispered, caressing his cheek. She kissed where her fingers had been and then allowed her lips to trail to the corner of his mouth. She kissed that, too.
“I should cry more often,” he murmured against her lips.
“How about this?” she asked, their breath mingling, “Let’s try our best to make sure we don’t make each other cry ever again. There’s been far too much crying around here.”
His answer was the best kiss she had ever experienced. Ever. When they came up for air she pushed his hair back and winked.
“By the way, just so you know, crying men are sissies,” she teased.
His mouth fell open and then he narrowed his eyes.
“Sissy, huh?” his voice rumbled as he reached for her and pulled her close. In one fluid motion, he held her under her breasts and lifted her up onto his lap, her knees folded on either side of his legs. He leaned back on the settee and pulling her forward, he adjusted his hips so that she was sitting squarely on his crotch.
“Good God,” she gasped into his neck. “I take it back. No sissies. Nope. None here.”
“Thought not,” he replied as his hands began to roam over her back … and lower.
She shifted in his lap and they both moaned. “Asher, um … this is probably not a good idea. We are kind of in a public place.”
“Oh, really?” he murmured, his large hands sliding her T-shirt up and over her head.
She caught it just in time and pulled it back over her face. Her breath came in gasps. He was hard as a rock between her thighs and all she wanted to do was rip the jeans from his body. Shaking her head to clear it, she jabbed a finger in his chest. “Yes. Public. Not good. Potential embarrassment. Very high.”
He gave a low chuckle and stretched, which only served to push his erection farther into Carly’s crotch. “Oh, God,” they moaned together, and then burst into laughter.
“The cabin?” he asked her, an eyebrow quirked.
“Yes … and right now,” she agreed, scrambling off his lap.
Adjusting the front of his jeans, Asher eyed her chest with appreciation. “Your bra’s crooked,” he commented.
“Not my fault,” she shot back, holding out her hand. He accepted it and she hauled him to his feet. “Now we just have to get out of here with nobody seeing us.”
Asher walked to the open backstage door and peered out. “I don’t see anyone
… oh, shit.”
“What?”
“My brother. He’s standing on the hotel porch making a — ”
Almost as if on cue, Asher’s pocket rang. “ … phone call,” he said with a groan.
“Don’t answer it,” Carly demanded, running her hand down his back. He shivered.
“I have to. You ought to know by now that one unanswered call with my family results in a giant search party.”
Sighing, Carly dropped her hand and grabbed the phone out of Asher’s. “Hi Danny,” she answered.
“Carly? What the hell are you doing answering Asher’s … oh. Oh. Well, good. Good. Uh … I interrupted something important, didn’t I?”
“Mmmm.”
“Okay. Sorry. You two are going to make it to the opening tonight, right?”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“Okay. Good. Well I’ll let you go, then. So everything’s good then?”
“Mmmmmmmmmm,” Carly said through her giggles.
Daniel cleared his throat. “Um, what?”
“Danny, I have to go now … your brother is … Oh my God, Asher, can’t you wait for ten minutes before you … ohhh.”
“Ew. Bye.”
• • •
Daniel shook his head in disgust before flipping it shut. After shuddering, he grinned to himself. All things … and not just most things … were going to work out in the end. Happy, he pried open the screen door with a crutch and called out to his wife.
“Soph?”
“What, hon?”
“Good news!”
• • •
Carly panted as she reached the top of the trail. Holding her side, she glared up at Asher. “Jeez. This isn’t very romantic. Couldn’t you at least act like you plan to ravish me ten minutes from now?”
“Ravish? Oh, sweetheart … ravish doesn’t begin to cover it.” He reached back for her hand and pulled her to his side.
In silence, they both looked out over the valley. The setting sun glimmered on the water, turning it a translucent shade of red.
“Ruby Spring,” Carly breathed, “It’s beautiful. No wonder you love the cabin so much.”
Heart to Heart Page 118