Very Private Duty

by Rochelle Alers

  “Get a room!” someone shouted. The dining hall erupted in laughter.

  “Save some for the wedding night,” came another deep voice.

  Jeremy ended the kiss and gave Tricia a sensual smile. “I hope someone took a picture of you when you walked in because the look on your face was priceless.”

  Tricia rolled her eyes at him. “I have to assume you were in on this.”

  He nodded. “Guilty as charged. Come sit down and eat before you open your gifts.” He led her over to the table where Gus sat with Sheldon.

  She kissed her grandfather’s cheek, then Sheldon’s before he pulled out a chair for her. “How long have you guys been planning this?”

  “Actually it was Kelly’s idea,” Sheldon said. “When she overheard me and Ryan talk about making arrangements for the moving company to pack up your house she said they should catalogue the entire contents including color schemes. She made up a list of things she thought you’d like and set up a wedding registry.”

  Tricia stared at Jeremy. “To say I was clueless is an understatement, because I’ve never known anyone at Blackstone Farms to keep a secret for more than twenty-four hours.”

  “I beg to differ with you,” Sheldon countered. “I had no idea you and my son were keeping company as kids.”

  Jeremy stared at his father. “We didn’t begin, as you say, ‘keeping company’ until we were eighteen.”

  Tricia glanced across the table, meeting her grandfather’s solemn gaze. There was no doubt he was thinking about his own daughter, who had dropped out of school and became a mother before she was eighteen.

  Tricia’s gnawing need to know about the man who had fathered her and the whereabouts of her mother had eased after Gus’s heart attack. The fear of losing her grandfather forced her to reexamine herself and those she loved. If Patricia Parker wanted to see her, then she would’ve made the attempt. After all Patricia had had thirty-two years to reconnect with Tricia.

  A waiter approached the table, pen and pad in hand. “Is everyone ready to order?”

  Tricia reached for the printout of the dinner choices and perused it as Sheldon, Gus and Jeremy gave the young man their selections. The dining hall’s furnishings were reminiscent of upscale New York City restaurants: dark paneled walls with stained-glass insets, plush carpeting, linen-covered tables and Tiffany-style table lamps. Breakfast and lunches were buffet, but dinners were always served. The exceptions were pre-and postrace celebrations. Weather permitting, these functions were held outdoors.

  Tricia glanced up at the waiter. “I’ll have the Caesar salad with grilled chicken.”

  She redirected her attention to Jeremy and reached for his hand under the table. He looked nothing like the heavily sedated man she’d been reunited with after more than a decade. He’d gained weight and there was a sprinkling of gray in his close-cropped black hair.

  Jeremy shifted his chair closer to Tricia’s, silently admiring her delicate profile. “Do you know how hard it has been not to sneak upstairs and climb into bed with you?”

  She lowered her gaze, enchanting him with the demure gesture. “I thought you liked having Grandpa as a roommate.” Her voice was as hushed as Jeremy’s.

  “Believe it or not he’s a real cool dude.”

  Tricia smiled. She’d heard people call Gus a lot of things, but never a “cool dude.”

  Conversations faded as waiters and waitresses began bringing out dishes from the kitchen for the more than thirty people filling up the dining hall. Gus and Sheldon exchanged a knowing look before Gus pushed back his chair and stood up. A hush fell over the room.

  Tricia stared up at the man who was both father and grandfather. He’d managed to put on a little of the weight he’d lost when hospitalized and although still gaunt he appeared elegantly serene.

  He cleared his voice and smiled at Tricia. “I’d just like to say a few words before we begin our meal. I have so much to be grateful for—for Tricia being at the right place at the right time when I suffered a heart attack, for her putting up with her cantankerous grandfather and for Jeremy who helped make me aware of the power of forgiveness.”

  Gus closed his eyes and when he opened them they glistened with unshed moisture. Sheldon rose to his feet and gave the older man a rough embrace as applause filled the space.

  Ryan and his family walked into the dining hall and sat at a nearby table. He snapped Vivienne’s carrier into the high chair, pushing it under the table. Leaning over, he tapped Jeremy’s shoulder. “What did we miss?” he whispered.

  “Gus becoming maudlin.”

  “No!” There was an incredulous look on Ryan’s handsome face.

  “Believe it, brother.”

  Tricia hid a smile when she heard the exchange between Jeremy and his brother. She didn’t know whether it was Gus’s brush with death or her agreeing to marry Jeremy and live at the farm that had changed him, but whatever the catalyst, she hoped the change was permanent.

  Tricia felt slightly tipsy from the champagne that had been served with delicate pastries and petit fours prepared for the occasion by the pastry chef. She rose unsteadily to her feet as a few of the farm residents began chanting her name.

  Jeremy touched her hand. “Would you like to use my cane, sweetheart?”

  She ignored his remark and made her way to the table laden with gifts. She sat on a chair decorated with streamers of white satin.

  There was a pregnant hush when she picked up the first package. Decorative paper, ribbon and bows were discarded as she opened boxes containing gourmet cookware, silver and crystal picture frames, exquisite Egyptian cotton linen, plush bath towels, scented candles, hand-painted flowerpots, bathroom accessories, an espresso-cappuccino machine, personalized stationery imprinted with both her and Jeremy’s names and an antique soup tureen from Kelly.

  When she’d admired the fragile china piece, circa 1850, she’d never thought Kelly would give it to her as a wedding gift. Smiling at Kelly, Tricia mouthed “Thank you very much.”

  Tricia sat on the floor of the porch between Jeremy’s outstretched legs, her elbows resting on his knees. They’d returned from the dining hall, put Gus to bed and then retreated to the porch. The mercury was in the low seventies, the night sky ablaze with summer constellations.

  Jeremy leaned forward on the rocker and toyed with the curls on the nape of her neck. “Are you nervous?”

  “A little.” Tricia’s breath was a hushed whisper. “I take that back. I’m frightened, Jeremy.”

  His fingers stilled. “Why?”

  “I keep thinking something is going to happen that will prevent us from getting married.”

  Leaning down, Jeremy pressed a kiss to her fragrant curls. “Nothing’s going to happen, sweetheart. Saturday, at exactly four o’clock you and I are going to stand in front of Judge Campbell and take our vows with our family and friends as witnesses.

  “We’re going to hang around long enough to share a toast, eat cake, then we are going to disappear for the next three days.”

  Tilting her chin, Tricia stared up at Jeremy. The soft light from porch lamps flattered his deeply tanned face. His white linen shirt was unbuttoned to his waist, and each time she glanced at his furred chest she found it hard to swallow.

  “I feel guilty leaving Grandpa.”

  “He’s going to be all right staying with Pop. He has already made arrangements with a registry to have a nurse come out and check on him.”

  Tricia nodded. She and Jeremy planned to spend three days at Sheldon’s cabin near the West Virginia border. Reaching up, she grasped his hands and squeezed them gently.

  “I love you, Jeremy.”

  There was a pulse beat of silence before he said, “I love you, too.”

  Her eyes filled with tears, but they didn’t fall. It was the first since they were reunited that he admitted to loving her.

  Tricia felt as if she was on a runaway roller coaster that had no intention of stopping as she drove to Richmond for the final fi
tting of her dress. She had chosen a sleeveless, full length, silk-lined, off-white lace sheath dress covered with seed pearls from the scooped neckline to the scalloped hem. A single strand of opera-length pearls, matching earrings, a garland headpiece made with miniature white roses and a pair of wispy lace shoes with sturdy embroidered heels rounded out the former turn-of-the century romantic ensemble. The seamstress made the adjustments and informed Tricia that the dress would be delivered to Blackstone Farms before noon on Saturday. She left the bridal shop for her scheduled appointment at a day spa.

  Dusk had descended on the farm when she returned, feeling as good as she looked. Her skin glowed from a European facial, her hands and feet soft and dewy from a hydrating manicure and pedicure and her body supple and relaxed from a full body massage. She’d had her hair cut and styled so it framed her face in feathery curls.

  Her pulse quickened when she spied the pale-blue streamers fluttering from the poles of the large white tent set up in a grassy meadow. The blue matched the yards of organza-swathed chairs lined up in precise rows under the tent. A portable stage for a band and dancing was also in place for the reception that would follow the ceremony.

  Tricia maneuvered her car into the driveway behind Jeremy’s SUV. A day after the orthopedist removed the cast, he began driving again.

  She got out of her car and mounted the porch steps. Pausing on the top step, she stared at her fiancé sprawled on the chaise. Moving closer, she leaned down and kissed him.

  A slow smile tilted the corners of Jeremy’s mouth upward as he straightened and patted the cushioned seat. “Come sit down.”

  Tricia sat between his legs and pressed her back to his chest. “Where’s Grandpa?”

  Jeremy kissed her ear. “He went to bed early. He said he wanted to be rested for tomorrow.”

  Gus had openly expressed his relief once Tricia revealed she did not want a formal wedding. He had worn a tuxedo for his own wedding, swearing he would never look like a penguin again. The wedding party included Ryan as best man, Kelly as matron of honor and their son, Sean, as ring bearer.

  Curving an arm around Tricia’s waist, Jeremy shifted her effortlessly until she straddled his lap. “You look fantastic.” There was no mistaking the awe in his voice.

  She smiled demurely. “Thank you. I’ve decided I’m going to treat myself to a full body massage at least once a month.” The hands cupping her hips feathered up her ribs to cradle her breasts and she drew in a sharp breath. Her head fell limply to his solid shoulder. “What are you doing, Jeremy?” she asked in a trembling whisper.

  He laughed deep in his throat. “Offering you a sample of my special massage. You have a choice between the basic, all the way up to the deluxe package.” His thumbs caressed her breasts in a sweeping back and forth motion, bringing the nipples into prominence.

  Gasping, she breathed heavily against his ear. “What are you charging for the basic package?”

  Jeremy’s fingers stilled. “The rest of your life.”

  Easing back in his embrace, Tricia studied his features in the encroaching darkness. “How about the deluxe package?”

  “The rest of your life.”

  Tricia ran a finger down the length of his nose. “You should be reported for price fix—”

  Her statement died on her lips when his mouth covered hers in an explosive kiss that sucked the breath from her lungs. She melted into Jeremy’s strength, loving him with all of her senses.

  They’d promised each other that they wouldn’t make love until they were married, but each time he touched her, kissed her, silent screams of unexploded passion roiled with nowhere to escape. Nothing had changed. All Jeremy had to do was fix his smoldering smoky gaze on her, touch her, kiss her and she dissolved into a trembling, heated mass of wanting.

  Her lips parted to his probing tongue as she drew it into her mouth. In that instant everything about Jeremy seeped into her and made them one—indivisible. It had been that way the first time they’d become lovers. It hadn’t been planned, nothing said, but both had known it was time their friendship had to change. There had been too much awareness of the other, too much sexual tension between them.

  Tricia moaned softly when she felt Jeremy’s sex hardening under her bottom. She tore her mouth away from his, her smile as intimate as the kiss they’d shared.

  “What are you trying to do, seduce me?”

  He nodded and offered her a grin that was irresistibly devastating. “I don’t plan to go all the way. Just a little kiss here.” He pressed his mouth to the area under her ear. “And one here.” His voice had lowered seductively as he moved to the fluttering pulse in her throat. “And a little feel here.” He gathered the flowing fabric of her dress and slipped his hand under the silken material of her bikini panties.

  A shudder shook Tricia. “I think we’d better stop and continue this tomorrow. Same time, different place.”

  Jeremy released her hip and reached around his back. “I bought you a little something as a wedding gift.” She stared at a small square package wrapped in silver paper and tied with velvet ribbon. “Take it, Tricia.”

  She took it, slipped off the ribbon and peeled away the paper. As soon as she saw the black velvet box she knew it contained a piece of jewelry. She opened the box and went still. Jeremy had given her an exquisite filigree bar pin with a sprinkling of diamonds surrounding a brilliant blue topaz.

  Her eyes filled with moisture and she blinked it back before the tears fell. “It’s beautiful.”

  Cupping her chin, he raised her face. “You’re beautiful. I gave you my mother’s and grandmother’s jewelry, but I wanted you to have something from me that no other woman wore before.”

  Curving her arms around his neck, she breathed a kiss under his ear. “Thank you. I have something for you. Do you want it now or tomorrow?”

  “Give it to me tomorrow.”

  Tricia dropped her arms and slipped off his lap. “I’m going upstairs to turn in early. No one wants to see a bride with bags under her eyes.”

  Reaching for his cane, Jeremy propelled himself off the chaise. “I’m going in, too.”

  She held the door open for him and they walked through the entryway and into the living room. Corrugated boxes labeled Living Room were stacked in a corner near the curving staircase.

  “They were delivered while you were out,” Jeremy explained.

  Tricia nodded. Her future father-in-law had arranged for her furniture to be stored in a warehouse in Richmond until she decided what she wanted to use or give away.

  “I’m not going to open one box until after we get back.”

  “You don’t have to put everything away in one day.”

  “I’d like to have them done before the school year begins.”

  “Tricia, baby, you have the rest of your life to decorate the house however you wish.”

  She knew he was right, but there were changes she wanted to make in the overtly masculine home. “You’re right.” She kissed his cheek. “Good night.”

  Jeremy’s lids came down, shielding his gaze. “Good night.” He watched Tricia walk up the staircase, knowing he would not see her again until she was to become his wife. He planned to rise early and go to his father’s house. He, Sheldon, Ryan and Sean would leave together, while Kelly would accompany Tricia and Gus.

  He’d asked Tricia to hold on to his heart a long time ago, and in less than twenty-four hours he would claim the only woman he had ever loved as his partner for life.

  Eleven

  It was a picture-perfect day for an outdoor wedding in Virginia’s horse country. Tricia rose early, showered and pulled on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. Gus was up when she went downstairs, and she decided to prepare breakfast for them instead of ordering it from the dining hall.

  Gus sat across the table from Tricia in the large kitchen, his gaze fixed on her face. “You’ve been asking me about your mother for a long time.”

  Tricia felt her heart lurch. “If what you inte
nd to tell me is going to make me upset, then I don’t want to know. Not on my wedding day, Grandpa.”

  He reached across the table and his large veined hand covered one of hers. “You don’t want to know?”

  She shook her head. “Not anymore. I don’t need to know where my mother is or who my father was, because the only daddy I know is sitting in front of me. And if my mother wanted to find me all she had to do was come back to Blackstone Farms.” She chewed her lower lip for several seconds. “I don’t hate my mother, but in all honesty I can’t say that I love her because I don’t know her. And if she couldn’t take care of me, then she did the next best thing giving me to you and Grandma. If I ever meet her one day, then that’s something I will tell her.”

  Gus smiled and character lines deepened around his dark eyes. “You’ve made me proud, grandbaby girl.”

  “Thank you.” Tricia returned his smile. “I love you, Grandpa.” Gus withdrew his hand, dropped his head and stared down at his plate. It was a full minute before his head came up. Pride and tenderness shimmered in his gaze.

  They lingered at the table, reminiscing until the doorbell rang. Tricia glanced up at the clock over the stove. It wasn’t quite eight o’clock. She got up and made her way to the door.

  A young man stood on the other side, holding up a plastic-covered garment on a hanger. It was her dress. She thanked him and returned to the kitchen.

  “Do you want to see my dress?” she asked Gus.

  He shook his head. “I don’t want to see you in all your finery until I’m ready to give you to your young man. I know,” he said quickly when he saw Tricia’s expression, “his name is Jeremy. He’s nice, Tricia. And he’s good for you.”

  She flashed a wide grin. “I hope so, because he’s going to become my husband in less than eight hours.”

  Kelly buttoned the tiny covered buttons on the back of Tricia’s dress, then placed the garland of miniature roses on her head. It was the perfect complement to the vintage-style dress. “Make certain you have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.”