Sweetest Obsessions - Anthology

by Anthony, Jane

  “Is she sick?”

  He brought over the Pack‘'N Play so she might eat with both hands. He pushed it next to her as he said, “Cancer.”

  “That’s horrible, Rocco.” She didn’t move at first but he backed up so he didn’t frighten her as she clutched her child.

  Then she gently laid the baby down and he took the seat opposite her.

  Until this morning he hadn’t realized how much fun cooking could be. Was it good?

  Rocco watched her as she picked up her fork and placed the food in her mouth.

  She chewed and her lips were beautiful. She’d kiss like a dream, he thought, but didn’t blink. He glanced at his untouched food and asked, “So, how are the eggs?”

  She nodded like everything was perfect. “Good.”

  He took a few bites and realized he’d never tasted anything so wonderful that he’d made. Before prison he used to enjoy learning from the TV chefs and some youtube channels to learn fancier meals than flipping a burger. It was good he remembered.

  The last few years never should have been so confining. He’d argued for a new trial and his innocence but no one had cared.

  She finished her eggs and put her fork down, wiping her lips which had his every attention. Mica with her brown eyes, light brown hair and curves every woman must dream to have as perfection was riveting in her simple jeans and black t-shirt and her confidence was the first thing anyone might see without an ounce of makeup. Once she put her napkin down, she folded her hands in front of her and glanced at him up and down. “So you need a job?”

  His loose-fitting clothes that h’'d hand washed must have given him away. He didn’t argue but agreed. “I do.”

  She sat backward and stared like she was the queen of England while she was assessing him and asked, “How handy are you?”

  Wait. Was this an interview? He sat straighter and hoped so when he nodded and said, “I can fix what needs fixing. I spent years with electrical and used all my tools everyday for years.”

  She let her hands fall to her side, checked her son, and nodded at him as she said, “Tell you what. Strangely enough I slept better last night with you here.”

  He hadn’t left the room she’d given him. H’'d kept quiet and didn’t dare leave the room until the sun shone out his window. The sunrise had been yellow and orange, breaking the dark sky in bursts of color. “I didn’t do anything.”

  She tilted her head and pushed her plate back. He took her dish and placed it under his so he could clean up once the conversation ended. “No, you didn’t. If you help me ensure this hotel is in tip-top shape by summer I can pay you very well.”

  So this was a job. His mind raced and his skin buzzed. If he gave her too much information, she’d call the police. But he folded his hands on the table and said, “That’s generous.”

  She pursed her lips. “It’s not really. I could use a second person around.”

  If he stayed here, was he hidden away enough? Or was this dangerous? His blood drained from his face as he said, “You don’t know anything about me, ma’am.”

  She leaned closer. “I told you my name is Mica, so you don’t call me ma’am.”

  Rocco had no right to call her by name as she was a good and kind woman. He’d do her the best favor if he just left so he shook his head, “You’re a lady and deserve to be treated with respect.”

  Her eyebrows lifted. “And calling me ma’am is respectful?”

  A quick nod of his head made sense so he finished cleaning the table to show he wasn’t worth her time as he said, “You are absolutely my superior and I’m happy to help out around here.”

  She reached over the dishes and squeezed his thumb. He glanced up at her and she said, “Rocco, look my ex’s family might come for Jacob.”

  Wait. Her son was in danger? She was clearly a great mother, but he met her gaze and asked, “Why are you alone?”

  She sucked in her bottom lip and then let it go. She swallowed and said, “I… I can defend myself but it would be nice if… if I had someone like you here to ensure I had the chance to or just called the emergency number I’ll give you.”

  Bad people don’t listen to a simple no. He’d had breakfast, lunch and dinner with men who would and could hurt her with no qualm.

  The hotel chalet was quiet due to the remodel and out of the way, so perhaps he could stay for a while to protect her and Jacob. He stacked the dishes and stood as he said, “You want me to watch your back.”

  She looked at her son, who was sleeping, and followed him to the sink as she said, “Hopefully this is just me being paranoid, but I can pay well.”

  He washed the dishes without saying a word. The silence clung in the air except for the birds that chirped outside. The white snow outside the window right now would melt soon. Once every dish and fork was in the drying rack, he let out a deep breath and said, “Don’t pay me. Just send the money to my mother and I’d rather her not know it’s from me.”

  She folded her hands on the counter next to him, her foot propped against her opposite calf like sh’'d been a dancer. “Give me her address.”

  Mica oozed grace and beauty in every cell of her body. He’d do his best to help her while he was here. He kept his head down and said, “Okay. Thank you, ma’am.”

  She stood taller but her lips pursed and said, “I’d like to hear you call me Mica though.”

  Soon he’d leave, but her memory was going to last for years. He turned and noticed the birds in a pinetree outside the window despite the snow on the tips.

  Life was beautiful here. It fit the woman beside him. He met her gaze. “Mica’s an unusual name, ma’am.”

  She let out a hmm, but then she let her toes go back to the floor as she bounced and said, “It’s short for Michaela. My mother had a thing for angels. My brothers are Gabriel and Raphael.”

  A good woman from a good family. He gave her a half-smile. “I had a brother, but he’s not worth talking about and are definitely not an angel, at least not the heavenly kind.”

  She pressed her hand to his bicep and said, “That had to be hard.”

  Goosebumps grew on his arm and down his body from her simple touch. He moved to end the contact so he could breathe easier. “I’m not exactly the kind of man your type associate with, ma’am, but I’ll do my best to ensure no one gets in here.”

  She tapped the side of her cheek and glanced at him up and down as she said, “Don’t be too hard on yourself. I have over a decade of HR and management skills. I’ve been hiring and firing employees for years now and I can tell you’re a good one, and honest to the core.”

  The parole board didn’t have that opinion of him last month.

  But her faith was something he’d try to meet. He brushed against her shoulder while he stared at the bird and said, “I’ll live up to that, ma’am.”

  She bumped his side once more on purpose and he glanced at her as she said, “And I’ll look forward to when you’re comfortable enough to call me Mica.”

  She was the kind of woman a man never forgot. Her kiss would probably taste better than chocolate and he’d wanted chocolate for years.

  Today he breathed free air. Today was already sweet because Mica was here. He glanced down at her. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure.” She shrugged and beamed almost brighter than the sunrise earlier.

  Whoever this ex of hers was sounded worse than the criminals he’d met in prison. He stilled and waited for her to slap him as a response but asked his question anyhow, “If you’re good at reading people, why did you date a bad guy like you describe?”

  A long sigh escaped her lips and she closed her eyes for one second. It was like she took the brightness of the day with her until she opened them again. “I was young and foolish.”

  “You’re not that old now,” he said without thinking.

  She turned toward him and closed the small space between them. “I have a brain and I’m using that rather than listen to parental advice. I used to
believe in fairy tales and impossible dreams coming true. Now I know I can’t project my wishes on anyone and I use my common sense.”

  “Can I ask a personal question?”

  She held her breathe and then gave a curt nod. “Go ahead.”

  “What was the medicine you needed for?”

  “I was… injured but I’m healing.”

  “You seemed in pain like it was your gall bladder.”

  “It’s not that.”

  “Well if you need your pills fast, just scream. I’ll come fast.”

  “Thanks.” If someone as confident as Mica was worried over her son, then whoever this man had been, h’'d been bad news. She was right to say he deserved what happened to him. If his family was anything like either of his own brothers then he’d do whatever he could to help Mica. “Trusting in yourself is an admirable quality.” The baby woke up and cried. He backed away from Mica. “I see your son wants you. Why not take him outside and enjoy the morning?”

  She headed toward the baby and picked up her son. “Isn’t it too cold?”

  The windows didn’t even have frost on them. He intended to go out and see the tree and the birds closer. “The snow is melting already…the storm is over. Bundle up?”

  She smiled at him as she walked to the refrigerator and grabbed one of the bottles. “Good idea, but ’'ll have to think about it. Thank you, Rocco.”

  “Thank you, ma’am. You have no idea how you’ve saved me,” he said as she left.

  He’d make a few bottles and place them in the fridge and then go outside. Mica deserved far more than he might ever offer, but he’d at least help in a small way, as a token of appreciation.

  4

  Mica left her baby in the bassinet in her suite, in her office portion of it anyhow, and searched the internet with her laptop.

  At least WIFI was fast now that she had the service fixed a few days ago. It had been torture using her phone data which was slow.

  So she was connected to the world, even if she was avoiding people.

  Well, most people.

  Rocco downstairs cooked great. He cleaned. He showed such wonder of nature. He pitched in. He listened without arguing or making suggestion. And he didn’t make her self conscious at all.

  Maybe it was because he hadn’t ogled her like she was the answer to his money prayers.

  And he hadn’t checked out her body like she was some hot thing.

  Well, giving birth had ruined that girlish figure anyhow.

  Maybe she’d never lose the last ten pounds, though through his eyes, she felt appreciated for who she is, not what she should be or might have been.

  Yet he hadn’t had anything with him when he came here.

  Mica added another pair of work pants to the shopping cart.

  Perfect.

  And as soon as she hit“"purchas”" her phone rang.

  Probably her secretary, Julie, who wanted to check in with her. Probably better to tell her about her houseguest before she saw the purchase history. She knew Mica was avoiding all men.

  Ever.

  Well, she didn’t know about Rocco. Not yet. She’d help him if he helped her as that seemed fair. Mica shook a rattle at Jacob, who smiled wide, and launched into her spiel to sound like herself as she said, “I need ten extra-large t-shirts and 36 x 36 jeans like both of her brother’s sizes that she’d spent years sending clothes to, and pants to match, a jacket, size twelve boots, socks, and underwear.”

  Rocco might not be her brother’s size but it was a start. And she’d order different sizes if those didn’t quite fit based on what she saw.

  Julie didn’t argue. She simply said, “Two hours.”

  “Perfect.” Mica’s assistant had been hired to be out of sight and very competent. She knew that Julie would do the job asked with no questions. Her son was strong and healthy. She was getting better and her job was to keep him safe and happy, forever.

  Then she checked her hair in the wall mirror and decided to take it out of a bun. She let her hair go into a ponytail and honestly it made her seem younger.

  Being attractive wasn’t a bad thing.

  Right?

  Her pulse quickened at the idea of being near Rocco.

  Which was strange. She hadn’t been attracted to any man in a while now. She’d stopped believing it was possible after giving birth.

  But clearly that was wrong.

  She gave her son a huge goofy smile and then told Julie, “Add a race car in there, big. I think my baby wants to hold something.”

  Her secretary simply said, “On it. Anything else?

  “No. Thank you,” Mica said, and then ended the call.

  She picked up her son from the bassinet and kissed his squishable cheeks that were now filling out. “Jacob, sometimes it’s best to help people who help you. Remember in the future that a good CEO gives people reason to work hard and focus on what you want them to do.”

  As she stood she saw the wall mirror again and her reflection. Black jeans, black t-shirt. She’d looked like she was practicing ballet with her usual bun. She settled Jacob on her hip. For one second she wondered if Rocco might… never mind. She didn’t need to wonder if he liked her as neither one of them were thirteen. And romance wasn’t on her radar anymore.

  Besides her all black outfit was more meant for ease, and simple style.

  She seemed too New York. So she tore off the blouse and pants, grabbing a pair of jeans and a red shirt.

  This would make her seem less leftover New Yorker who only wore black and hopefully more approachable though still powerful. As she finished, her phone rang.

  Her oldest brother. Raphael had already tried to get her home, and failed. She picked up the phone and winked at Jacob as she said, “Gabriel. I hadn’t thought you’d call me.”

  Her four years her senior brother who always gave her more space said, “You survived a storm.”

  The weather. There was no way he could know about Rocco, because this chalet was under the family radar. Neither of her brothers cared about the family business, so his call had to be about their parents quest to get her back to New York, fast. She added some blush to her cheekbones. “It wasn’t anything really. We’re fine.”

  Gabriel then said, “I don’t like you out there, on your own.”

  A few years ago despite how she ran a company, knew how to shoot, she’d been unable to help her older brother and his troubles. He’d married a horrible woman who had made him unhappy. The love of a good woman returned him to life and brought him back to the family.

  She put her makeup back on the counter in the bedroom area of her suites she’d lived in. Too much would be too obvious that she was trying. “I’m too much like you and Raphael. You both needed time to heal, alone, right?”

  His gruff cough was a signal that he would’'t argue too much. “Aren’t you worried Ali’s family will come for Jacob?”

  She stood taller like she’d been challenged and said, “Yes, but I know how to shoot straight.”

  Gabriel quickly said, “That may not be enough. You can come to my house if you need to be safe.”

  And see him happy and in love when she was miserable? She sighed and said, “Gabriel, thank you for the offer. You and Raphael need to stop fretting though. I’m always fine. I’ll be fine now.”

  A huge boom made her jump. Her baby stared out her window as outside a green pine tree toppled near the mountain bottom that just missed her chairlift for skiing. She picked up her son as her brother asked, “What was that noise?”

  She glanced out and saw the downed tree heavy with ice and met Rocco’s gaze from her bedroom window.

  He’d been near it when it fell? Her heart raced with worry.

  He could have been killed. “A tree fell from the storm on the mountain near the chalet. Look, I’ll call you back.”

  She dressed Jacob in fleece pants and socks, then his snow jacket, wrapping him in a thick blanket to be extra warm.

  Then she threw a coat on hers
elf and raced down the stairs. A few seconds later, she was in the back of her chalet that was set up for future cocktail hours and ran toward Rocco.

  He didn’t have a warm jacket but new work gloves from her supply shed, but he lowered his head like he’d avoid getting too close to her. She had goosebumps, probably from the cold, not from being near him as they had nothing in common as she asked, “What happened? Are you okay?”

  He pointed toward the other tree in the back and took off huge gloves as he said, “I saved the bird’s nest, ma’am.”

  He stood near a tree on the verge of toppling because… he wanted to save a nest? Birds rebuild. Her lips pursed. “The bi… are you okay?”

  He took a deep breath and said, “I’m fine, ma’am.”

  Jacob’s huge smile caught Rocco’s attention, and Rocco grinned back. Large white flakes fell on them. The storm wasn’t hard, but the snow made the courtyard white. She glanced down and saw how her son beamed at this man.

  If she was honest, she beamed too. She moved Jaco’'s face toward her shoulder, out of the snow. “It seems my son likes you.”

  Rocco’s face went white and his lip thinned as he said, “I thought the storm was done earlier, but he shouldn’t be out here without a heavy jacket.”

  Yes. Fair. She hadn’t intended to take her baby out, but she needed to see Rocco. She widened her stance and said, “We’ll only stay a minute. Where did you put the nest then?”

  He motioned behind him toward her chairlift and the fallen tree and said, “In that tree closer to your side of the mountain. I hope the birds find their eggs and that I didn’t ruin anything.”

  This wasn’t something she’d have ever noticed. Ever. Only people in movies noticed the small things. Or trees and how birds behaved. He could have been killed climbing that huge fallen tree she’d have to hire a crew to clean. They were from two different worlds, clearly, as she walked toward the tree behind him and gazed up, not seeing anything as she asked, “Eggs?”