“No, I’m gonna grab some tea and get back to work.” She backed up to leave.
“Wait.” Andre picked up the envelope Jacob left her. He stood and walked over to her. “This is for you.”
She took the large envelope. “What is it?”
“My grandfather asked me to make sure you got it.”
“Oh, okay,” Jo said, seeming to relax knowing that it came from Jacob. She opened the envelope and quickly scanned through the papers. “Great, this is good, I can definitely use these,” she said mostly to herself.
“I’m sure he’ll be pleased to hear that.”
She continued looking though the papers. “Okay, these will do fine. Thanks.” She turned to leave again.
“So, are you ready?” he asked.
“Ready for what?”
“I thought we’d head out now.” She looked puzzled. “My grandfather mentioned taking you around Juneau last night at dinner, remember?”
“Oh, okay, sure.”
“Excellent. Give me twenty minutes and I’ll meet you at the front door. Oh, do you have comfortable hiking boots or something like that?” She nodded. “Good, put them on, we’re going for a walk.”
“A walk?”
He nodded. “I’ll meet you in twenty minutes.” He didn’t wait for her response.
She went to her bedroom and changed, putting on more durable clothing and her hiking boots. She looked at herself in the mirror before leaving. She looked practical and perfect. She headed to the front door, opened it and stepped outside. A chilled blast of cold air hit her instantly, but it was the beauty of the day that knocked her socks off. She was overwhelmed by what she saw.
Having arrived late last night, this was her first time seeing everything in the daylight. Vibrant green and luminous blue were everywhere, in the trees, lawn and sky. There were snow-capped mountains in the far distance. “Wow,” she whispered to herself. She’d never seen anything so magnificent. “Unbelievable.”
She had a few minutes to wait for Andre so she walked down the path a bit. She turned to get a panoramic view. As she did she looked up at the massive cabin-like structure behind her. It was magnificent—plain and simple on the outside yet comfortably elegant on the inside. She pulled out her cell phone and snapped a few photos then texted Pamela and forwarded the photos, knowing that she’d love them. She added a quick message, closed her cell and looked at her watch. It was time to meet Andre.
Chapter 8
Twenty minutes later Jo stood in the foyer still waiting. Andre was nowhere in sight. Why was it that men considered their time far more valuable than hers? Generally speaking, it was the same every time she co-wrote with CEOs, political figures, military leaders, or someone famous. They all had the same arrogance.
She waited another five minutes wondering what was going on. She was just about to go back upstairs when she heard a muffled motor and horn beeping outside. She walked to the door, opened it and looked out. Andre was straddling a huge all-terrain vehicle.
He got off and dashed up the front steps to meet her. “Hey, sorry I’m a little late. I had to get gas. Ready?”
“You are kidding, right?”
“Come on, you’ll be fine,” he said.
“Sure, I’ll be fine ’cause I’ll be dead. Do you know the accident statistics for those things?”
He chuckled. “I’m an excellent driver,” he promised.
“Good for you,” she said, not moving an inch.
“Trust me,” he said, holding his hand out to her. She looked down at the offered hand. Gloved, it didn’t seem menacing, but neither did the snake in the garden with the apple she assumed. “Come on, I promised my grandfather that I’d take good care of you. I intend to do that. Promise.”
Reluctantly she took his hand and climbed down the steps. He grabbed the spare helmet and handed it to her. She looked at it and grimaced, but still put it on. He put his helmet on, swung his leg over and got comfortable then turned to her. Her hesitation was obvious. She looked at him and shook her head. “Are you kidding me?” she yelled so that he could hear through the thick padded helmet.
He laughed and spoke softly. “No need to yell, I can hear you. There are microphones and speakers in the helmets.”
Surprised to his hear his calm voice echoing through the speaker inside her helmet, she laughed. “Sorry, I’ve never been on anything like this before. I’ve never even ridden a horse.”
“Maybe we’ll try that later,” he turned to look at her. She licked her lips nervously, seductively and his body tensed and hardened instantly. The effect she was beginning to have on him was growing, literally. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a troubling thing. “Just swing your leg over behind me and hold on. I’ll take it from there.”
Jo nodded and did as he instructed. Once on, she sat much higher than she expected. She placed her hands on his shoulders. “Where are the seat belts?” she asked.
“No seat belts, just hold on tight,” he warned as he started the engine. Seconds later the vehicle took off with a jerk and sped down the driveway. She screamed and wrapped her arms around his body and leaned in close. The intimate action sent a shiver and fire into her stomach even as her heart thundered from the beginning of what she knew would be a bumpy ride.
The start of their outing was nothing like she expected. Yes, the ride was bumpy and she felt as if she’d be tossed off any minute, but the view was incredible. After the driveway they took a dirt road that led into a thicket-like forest. They drove down the dirt road for a while then turned and headed up around a curving mountain path.
The underbrush seemed to get thicker and thicker as they drove. He talked to her the whole time, telling her stories about the indigenous people who no longer lived in the area. He spoke of their customs, religion and their language, most of which had long since vanished.
“So there’s nothing left of them?” she asked.
“Not exactly. Some moved on farther north away from the coming encroachment of miners and early settlers, others stayed and eventually died or were killed decades ago. Still, there are a few Tlingit people around.” He said something she didn’t quite understand.
“What was that?” she asked. He repeated it. It wasn’t that she didn’t quite hear what he said. It was that it was in a different language. “What language is that?” she asked.
“It’s Na-Dené, spoken by the Tlingit.” He said something else she didn’t understand.
“So what did you say?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
She didn’t respond and tried not to focus on his comment. Whatever he said had softened his tone and made her stomach shudder again. “So who does this land belong to now?” she asked.
He paused a moment before answering. “The Buchanans,” he said as simply as he could, trying not to make it sound any more grand than it already was.
“You own all this?” she asked, feeling the vehicle slow.
“It’s no big deal,” Andre said, stopping and turning the engine off. He helped her off then got off himself and removed his helmet. She took hers off too. They looked around. “It’s all trees, forest and underbrush. Not exactly a rolling metropolis or Fifth Avenue prime real estate.”
“Yeah, but it’s a mountain, right? How do you own a mountain?”
“Actually they’re several.” He held out his hand and helped her hike along a ragged path. They continued to chat about the people and the land as they began to climb, him first, her following with his assistance. They climbed near vertical hills and snaked through lush moss-covered terrain beneath a canopy of trees that shot into the sky. They climbed higher and higher until reaching a small crack in the lush greenery. Andre led the way, holding her hand to keep her from falling.
Eventually they came to a large clearing at what seemed to be the top of a hill. Out of breath, she looked around with her mouth open. She held her breath. It wasn’t a hill. It was a mountain. It was the top of a mountain.
She turned around several times in breathless, speechless wonder. “This is definitely not New Jersey,” she said.
Andre laughed. “No, Jo, I don’t suppose it is.” He watched with joy at her wonderment of the sight he so often took for granted. This was once one of his favorite childhood adventures, but now it was just something his family owned.
“How do you find something like this? This place, I mean. You don’t just go for a walk and stumble onto the top of a mountain and all this incredible beauty, right?”
“My family and I used to come up here years ago. Before the ATVs we’d run or ride our bikes or mopeds. The road is a bit rough now, but a while back this was our hangout. Actually it was also my father’s hangout and quite possibly my grandfather’s hangout as well. My brothers and sisters and I would bring sandwiches up here during the day, play football or tag or just hang out. At night when we’d come up here we’d…”
“Wait, how in the world did you find your way at night?”
“We’d only come when there was a full moon. We’d get up here and lie down and watch the stars or if we were lucky we’d catch the northern lights in the sky.”
“The aurora borealis? For real?”
“Sure.”
“Unbelievable. It must be magnificent to see, to watch. Something so naturally awesome must make you feel so small and insignificant.”
He nodded, hearing the joy in her voice and seeing the delight in her eyes. It was working. “The first time you see it, you’re amazed. You don’t speak, you just stare in wonder. There’s nothing in the world like it. The colors and movement leave you speechless. Actually there are people that are literally hooked on them. It’s like an addiction.”
“I can believe that.”
“The Cree people saw them as dancing spirits. They’re supposed to direct your path and lead you home. I don’t know, maybe they were right. Perhaps they know something we don’t.”
“I’ve always wanted to see it. I can’t even imagine the experience.”
“Come on, if we’re going to make it back to go out to dinner, we need to get off this mountaintop.”
“Dinner? But it’s only a little after nine o’clock in the morning.”
Forty-five minutes later they were back at the cabin, cleaned up, changed and heading across the channel into the city. The Juneau, Alaska, Andre introduced to Jo was far different than the one she’d read about and researched. As soon as they got into town they stopped and ate an early lunch at one of the many seafood restaurants on the wharf. Then they toured Juneau. Afterward they walked along the waterfront and talked. Jo turned and looked up at the massive mountains. “Which one is which?”
Andre turned to see what she was talking about. “Mount Juneau is over there and Mount Roberts is there on the right. Roberts is higher by a few hundred feet.” He added more, telling her about the downtown area and its history. They stopped and leaned against a rail looking out at the channel.
“This place is so incredible,” Jo said looking around.
“Sounds like you like our Alaska.”
“You know what, I think I do. It’s really amazing here. Everything seems so right, like nothing could go wrong.” She looked at him. It seemed his thoughts were miles away now. She smiled and touched his arm. “Hey, are you okay?”
He turned to her. “Yeah, I’m just surprised,” he said.
“By what?” she asked, looking around.
He turned to her. “I’m surprised that I’m having a really good time with you. It’s been a long time since I could say that. Most women I’m with tend to…”
“Yeah, I’ve read.”
“Don’t believe everything you read,” he said, “I’m not the womanizer the media makes me out to be. But here with you, right now, it’s different. I really enjoyed myself,” Andre said, surprising himself with the truth. He did have a great time with her.
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” she said.
“As it was intended,” he said nodding. “You’re okay.” He meant it. In truth, he really didn’t expect to enjoy himself as much as he had.
“Thanks, you’re okay right back.” She smiled until he took her hand and looked into her eyes. A few seconds later she slipped her hand from his and looked away.
“What just happened, that was supposed to be a good thing,” he informed her.
“I know, and it was. It’s just that…”
He held his hand up. “No, let me guess, you don’t trust.”
“It’s not about my trust issues, it’s about losing control. For some reason it’s too easy with you. Being here with you, it’s unnerving. I never do this, get close to someone so soon. As a matter of fact I usually go out of my way to avoid connecting with people.”
“But here you are.”
“Yeah, how about that.”
“Never?”
“Never. It comes naturally. Growing up I had a dozen or so placements in foster care, all disasters. My last foster mother was the queen of blind devotion. People took advantage of her and her husband walked all over her. She never stood up for herself. She surrendered and just took it. I promised myself that I’d never be like that. I’ve lived my whole life fighting against it.”
“What about relationships?”
“I work hard and steadily, it doesn’t give me a lot of extra time. Dating sits on the back burner, I assume for you too.”
“Come on,” Andre said pushing away from the rail. “Let’s walk.” The conversation was obviously getting uncomfortable for both of them. They continued walking until they came to an area heavily populated with tourists.
“Where did everyone come from?” she wondered out loud.
“Cruise ships must have disembarked,” he said.
The crowds around them chatted noisily, snapped photos, laughed and generally enjoyed the sights. Andre and Jo mingled in as they went into shops and boutiques checking out the local wares. Jo purchased a few items and had two small sculptures shipped, one to Pamela and one to Pamela’s mother, Lydia. Andre heard her give the names and addresses. When they left the shop he asked about it. “I didn’t know you knew Lydia.”
“She’s my best friend’s mother. She suggested I take this job in the first place. Apparently she and Jacob are good friends.”
“Yeah, they are, too good sometimes.”
“How do you mean?”
He relayed a story of running some serious PR tricks to prevent each of their names from winding up in the national tabloids. Jo roared with laughter imagining Andre pulling off that particular assignment. “You’re even better than I imagined.”
“Are we talking about our kiss from last night?” he asked.
“No, I’m talking about being better at manipulating situations to suit your wants. You’re good, very good.”
“Again, are we talking about last night?”
“You have a one-track mind, don’t you” she said, playfully swatting at his arm.
He ducked away then reached out and grabbed her waist, pulling her close. He kissed her and she wrapped her arms around his neck as the kiss deepened with more passion. It ended when people around them started applauding.
Totally embarrassed, Jo turned to hurry away, but Andre held her hand to keep her beside him. He tucked his arm around her waist to hold her still. “Newlyweds, am I right?” an older woman with bleached blond hair and a tightly pulled face asked and answered her own question. Andre smiled but didn’t reply. She was soon joined by a small gathering of her traveling companions. “How long has it been, you two together?” she asked.
“Not long. Yesterday, last night actually,” he said, answering her truthfully.
“Aw, isn’t that sweet? See, see, you hear what he said? I told you they were newlyweds. Just because they don’t have rings on doesn’t mean squat nowadays. It’s all in the eyes. It’s attraction, I know these things,” she bragged to her group of companions.
“Look at her, she’s so embarrassed. Mildred, why do you want
to go and embarrass the poor thing like that? Leave ’em alone. Let ’em enjoy their honeymoon in peace.”
“All right, all right, Gladys, well God bless you both and I hope you have a long, loving life together with a dozen kids who adore you. Not like me and my Monty, God rest his soul—the cheating louse.”
“Thanks, ladies, have a great day,” Andre said, as he began walking with Jo at his side. “Bye.”
“Goodbye,” Jo added sweetly as they walked away. She smiled, trying her best not to laugh out loud as she overheard more of their conversation.
“What a lovely couple. See, I told they were newlyweds, you didn’t believe me. Maybe you should listen to me next time. I know love when I see it…”
“You know from nothing. I said they were newlyweds…”
“You saw, she’s got that look…”
“I saw, he’s got that look…”
Andre and Jo walked away quickly then burst out laughing. She swatted at him again, this time clipping his arm. “Why did you do that?”
“Do what?” he asked innocently.
“Tell her that we were newlyweds.”
“I didn’t tell her we were newlyweds. She assumed it and I didn’t dissuade her assumption.”
“That’s terrible.”
“That’s PR. I won’t lie, but if an assumption is made to my advantage, so be it. She assumed we were honeymooning, I let her.”
“You enjoyed doing that. It’s like a game for you, isn’t it?” He smiled without answering her question.
“Why ghost writing?” he asked, changing the subject.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m sure you’re a very talented writer. Why not get credit and recognition for writing your own work?”
“Believe it or not, I like the anonymity.”
“But you’re always in the shadows, so to speak. No one ever knows how good you are.”
“Not always. There’s one book that I share credit with the client. Other times the client gets all the credit.”
“Who are these clients?”
“Legally I can’t tell you that, but believe me, you’d really be surprised by the famous names and New York Times single digit bestsellers I’ve written. I’ve also penned a book that was later made into a TV movie.”
When It Feels So Right Page 8