All He Needs

by Shirley Hailstock

  Vowing to remain calm, she asked, “What do you want?”

  He stepped closer to her and leaned in. Renee felt the heat of his skin.

  “I get the photo back after the launch.”

  Relief spread through her. Renee’s mind had gone in an entirely different direction.

  “Is that all?” she asked.

  “All for now.”

  * * *

  Carter smiled at the mocked-up layout on his desk. “Blair, these are fantastic. Did you hire someone I don’t know to design these?”

  Blair was shaking her head. Her smile was huge. Carter supposed he’d been harsh with her when he’d rejected the campaign she’d brought to him previously. She had to be relieved that he now liked what she’d presented.

  “It was hard to take, but you know when we have to come up with something fantastic, we stand up to the challenge.”

  “And that you did,” Carter said. “You should have been doing these all along. I think they can compete with anything out there. Not only compete, but surpass.”

  “Thanks,” Blair said. “I have more on the drawing board if you’d like to see them now.”

  “These six are fine. You have my approval,” Carter said. “Go with them. We’ll have to check out some of the designer collections and get the results of the photo shoots. But I have to say, I am impressed.”

  Blair gathered the layouts. “We’ve been working hard in the department.”

  “Well, please thank everyone for the work. Usually these designs take months. You’ve done them in just a few weeks.”

  “And I’m exhausted,” she said. “It was a gargantuan effort. Thankfully, we don’t have to continue at that level. We’ve got six months of layouts ready to go under our belts. Now we can breathe a while.”

  Carter nodded. He felt so much better. For some reason he knew Hampshire Bridal would compete with whatever Renee was doing. When her first issue launched later this year, he wanted to have something that was comparable, if not better. Blair had come through, but then she knew this business backward and forward. After all, she’d hired Renee and tutored her. Then Renee’s talent had taken flight, and the magazine sales had begun surpassing all projections. It hadn’t been the same since she’d left, since he’d forced her to resign.

  He was happy that she was using her talent again. It was impossible for him to want her to fail.

  It was impossible for him not to want her.

  * * *

  “You seem to have found your energy barometer,” Wanda said when Renee arrived at the office the next day.

  She smiled but offered no answer. She knew it was the plan she had in motion that had caused the change in her.

  “Sit down,” Renee said. “I want to explain an idea I have. I hope with your design wizardry you can make it a reality.”

  By the time Renee stepped into the elevator that night, she was walking on air. If the two of them pulled her idea together, the industry would be set on its ear and she’d sell a ton of magazines.

  Checking the hallways for any sign of Carter, she began walking toward the exit. Sighing as the fresh air hit her, she felt as if she’d escaped him one more day. Yet she felt a twinge of loss. She didn’t want to run into Carter, but when she didn’t she felt as something was missing.

  Renee turned left out of the building. She lived toward the right, but that’s how Carter would head. Ten steps later, she noticed a commotion at the curb. Two men were talking in a panic in front of an open car.

  One of them was Carter.

  What was happening? Without thinking Renee rushed to him.

  “Carter, what’s wrong?”

  “I have to go.” He pulled the car door open. “My dad had a heart attack.”

  His voice was slightly emotional. Renee put her hand on his arm.

  “They don’t think he’s going to make it.”

  Renee sucked in a breath. “He’s on the island, right?” The Hampshires had moved to the Hamptons when Carter’s father retired.

  Carter nodded.

  “You’re not driving?” she questioned.

  “No other way to get there. The next train doesn’t leave for two hours.”

  Renee bit her bottom lip. Then, making a snap decision, she took his keys and slid into the driver’s seat.

  “I’m driving,” she said. “Get in.”

  Carter waited a long second, staring into her eyes. Emotions she was unaware of crowded into her.

  “He’ll be all right,” she said, her voice only a whisper of sound.

  Carter shut the door and moved to the passenger seat. Renee pulled into the traffic flow as soon as he’d clicked the seat belt.

  Carter was quiet for the ride through the city. Once they got through the Midtown Tunnel, his shoulders relaxed a little.

  “The doctor called,” he said without her asking. “He said the heart attack was serious and that I should come.”

  Renee let him talk. Putting her hand on his leg was all the comfort she could give. Carter covered her hand with his, and Renee bit her bottom lip.

  They drove straight to the Hampton Regional Medical Center. Carter was out of the car the moment she cut the engine. He didn’t wait for her as he headed for the entrance, but Renee was only a step behind him. They found his mother in the hall on the third floor, and Carter went into her arms.

  “How is he?” Carter asked.

  “He’s sleeping.” She glanced at a door. Carter followed her glance.

  “I’m going in.” He took his mother’s arms from around him and stepped back. He kissed her on the temple and went through the door.

  Renee went to Mrs. Hampshire. The woman looked up at her in confusion, then recognition. “Renee?” she said.

  Renee nodded.

  “You work for Carter?”

  “I used to,” she corrected.

  Renee draped her arm around the woman. She seemed small and lost. Renee led her to a small room with seats where they sat down. Renee had met Emily Hampshire several times and liked her. She always dressed like a fashion model and wore only her own designs. Today, though, she just looked like a distraught wife unsure of his husband’s condition.

  “Carter’s been in there a long time,” she said.

  “It’s only been a few minutes. He’ll be out soon.”

  She patted Renee’s hand. The action was nervous and self-conscious.

  “Can I do anything for you?” Renee asked. Emily Hampshire looked like she needed sleep. “I have a car. I can take you home to rest for an hour or so.”

  “No!” She drew away. “I can’t leave.”

  Renee pulled her back and let her lean against her. “We’ll wait.”

  Carter came in a few minutes later, and Emily popped up like a champagne cork. Her steps took her back to Carter.

  “The doctor came in while I was there,” he explained. “He’s in serious condition. There’s no guarantee. The next twenty-four hours will tell.”

  “Twenty-four hours, then what?”

  Carter sighed. Renee knew the answer and knew he didn’t want to say the words out loud.

  “He’ll be fine,” Renee said, coming up behind her. “The best thing you can do is go home and rest.”

  “No,” Emily said again.

  “You want him to see you at your best. You can rest, eat and come back.”

  Renee glanced at Carter. He nodded. “I’ll stay here,” he told his mother. “I’ll call if there’s any change.”

  Reluctantly, she nodded. Carter walked them to the door. He hugged his mother, then squeezed Renee’s hand.

  She looked up at Carter, and they locked eyes.

  Carter needed her.

  Chapter 7

  The Hampshi
re home was a sprawling three-story mansion accented with fish-scale shingles. At the end of the house was a double-story attached gazebo. The back faced the sea, and Renee smelled the water. It was beautiful and breathtaking. During the party, she hadn’t been able to see the water, but she knew what the view looked like from other parties she’d attended.

  A maid opened the door as soon as Renee stopped the car. Together they took Mrs. Hampshire inside.

  “She needs to rest and eat,” Renee said.

  The maid directed her to the master bedroom and left them to get her a tray.

  The inside of the house was just as beautiful as the outside—open, bright and happy looking. Renee had been there before, but never above the ground floor. Together she and Mrs. Hampshire went up a staircase that any five-star hotel would be proud to display. Carter’s mother didn’t argue about resting, and she was nearly asleep when the maid came in.

  After eating half a sandwich and drinking some tea, she refused everything else and fell asleep. Renee took the tray and quietly stole out of the room. As she descended the stairs, she heard a car door slam. Checking the window, she saw a yellow cab and the top of a man’s head. A moment later, the front door opened and in walked a man resembling Carter. He was an inch or two shorter, but they had the same dark eyes and smooth skin. Dropping an overnight bag by the door, he looked up at Renee.

  “Who are you?” he asked.

  “I’m Renee Hart. You must be one of Carter’s brothers.” She knew he had three brothers and a sister.

  “Sean,” he said. “Where’s my mother?”

  Coming to stand in front of him, she said, “She’s sleeping. I got her to eat a little. Carter’s at the hospital.”

  “How is he?”

  She knew he referred to his father and not Carter.

  “The doctor said it’s too early to tell. They’re hoping to know more by this time tomorrow.”

  “I’ll run up and see my mom, then get my car and go there.”

  “Try not to wake her. She’s really tired,” Renee said.

  “Are you a nurse?” he asked.

  “No, I’m just a friend.” Although right now the lines of what she was seemed to be blurring.

  Renee was in the living room looking through the windows at the darkness when Sean came back down.

  “I’m on my way out,” he said.

  She turned. “I’ll stay with her until she wakes. Carter promised to call if there was any change.”

  He started toward the back of the house.

  “Sean?”

  He stopped.

  “Take this.” Renee handed him a small insulated pouch. “It’s got juice in it for Carter. He’s not a big coffee drinker.” She didn’t add that coffee made him restless. He was probably restless enough.

  “You must know him well.”

  “We used to work together,” she offered. “When everyone was drinking coffee, he’d have a bottle of juice.”

  Sean took the bag from her. “You’re Renee, right?”

  She nodded, wondering if he’d forgotten her name or if he was remembering it.

  “Thanks,” he said. But it was his smile, so like Carter’s that made her feel that he knew more than he was letting on.

  * * *

  Carter didn’t call. Mrs. Hampshire was still asleep when Renee looked in on her two hours later. Renee didn’t know her well enough to know if she should wake her or let her rest. She opted to let the woman rest. Neither of her sons had returned to the house, and they would have come or called if there was any news.

  At sunrise, a group of people came through the door. Their noise woke Renee, who’d fallen asleep on the sofa. She pushed her hair out of her face.

  “How is he?” she asked, pushing her bare feet to the floor.

  Carter came to her. “He’s out of danger.”

  Renee stood up and Carter pulled her into his arms. She closed her eyes and held on, relieved about his father, but also loving the feel of being held by him. Loving it too much. She needed to push him back, but found it was too hard.

  “Do you think we could get introduced to this woman in your arms?”

  The voice came from the only other female in the room. Carter stepped back and turned, his arm remaining possessively around her waist. He introduced her to his other brothers, Sloan and Shane, and his sister Julia. Renee smiled and shook hands with them all.

  “It’s good news about your father,” she said.

  “What news?”

  All eyes went to the staircase. Mrs. Hampshire was halfway down. Her children moved to her, and only Carter stayed behind.

  Renee turned to him. “I have to go back now.”

  “Don’t go.”

  She so wanted to fall into the darkness of his eyes, but she knew better. “I have things to do. Your father is out of danger. You have your mom and your family for support. I need to go back to work.”

  Carter sighed, but didn’t try to stop her. “I’ll drive you to the train station.”

  Renee nodded and said goodbye to the group. His mother came over and thanked her with a hug.

  At the station, Carter got out of the car and waited on the platform with her. It was crowded with the morning’s rush hour commuters.

  “You don’t need to wait. You’ve been up all night, and you need to get some rest.”

  “The train will be here soon. And I wanted to thank you for all you did.”

  “No need.” She looked down at the platform.

  “You dropped everything you planned for the evening, drove me out here, listened to me in the car, cared for my mother and remembered that I needed juice.”

  Renee laughed at the last.

  Carter smiled.

  “Only a friend would do that,” he said. “We can’t be strangers any longer.”

  The wind blew against her, but the heat invading her body was no match for it. Looking over her shoulder, she saw the train’s engine light in the distance.

  “That’s my train,” she said unnecessarily, but feeling like she needed to say something to keep her emotions in check.

  “I’ll see you when I get back,” he said.

  Renee nodded. Carter pulled her into his arms and kissed her. His mouth was hard on hers and Renee’s was just as hard on his. Strong arms circled her body, pulling her close, until the train whistled.

  “I have to go,” she said, her voice hoarse and her emotions raw. Pulling away, she moved onto the train, turning back to look at Carter. The crowd forced her further away from where he stood. She wanted him, needed him. When he’d come through the door at his house, he’d come straight to her and taken her into his arms as if it was the most natural thing to do. As if it was what he should do.

  For the merest moment, Renee felt as if she belonged there. As if she was part of that family and they were part of hers.

  * * *

  The next day, Renee woke refreshed and ready to go back to her work plans, which were becoming more concrete by the day.

  As long as she lived, she would consider hiring Wanda one of her smartest moves ever. The woman was incredible. The two of them had worked tirelessly for weeks coming up with the computerized program that was the first part of the plan Renee had in mind. Neither had told anyone what they were doing. They were almost ready for the launch party, and Renee planned to invite Diana and Teddy up for the unveiling. They were using one of Teddy’s creations, which Renee would model while Wanda would handle the graphics.

  The final result came at midnight two weeks after Carter returned to the office. Renee hadn’t seen him. But the tension of potentially running into him had a greater force than it had in the past. Renee knew it had to do with the kiss on the platform. With all his kisses.

  “It was an absolutely
stupendous idea,” Wanda said as they looked at the spinning gown.

  Her comment pulled Renee’s attention back to the present.

  “I wish I’d thought of it.”

  Renee discovered Wanda liked to speak in superlatives. Everything was over the top.

  Renee’s idea was to use a new technology that would create a hologram of a wedding gown. They had needed a hologram expert, and so Wanda had called in Pete Cooper, who she knew did this kind of work. He was fabulous. Renee had hired him as a consultant, but eventually changed his position to full time employee.

  They were about to finalize the last test to make sure the system worked.

  “You were so right to patent this,” Pete told her as he fiddled with the device on his arm.

  “Just wait until the competition finds out what we have. We won’t be able to keep these magazines on the newsstands,” Wanda said, her fingers flashing over the computer keys like lightning striking.

  “I hope Ms. Teddy is ready for the onslaught of brides,” Pete said.

  “I’ve already given her a heads-up. They’re planning to be ready.”

  Renee was holding ground-breaking technology. It would bring business in, and not just for the magazine. Teddy had a store in Princeton, but there was no New York facility, not to mention all the places across the United States where the magazine would be available. She needed to call Teddy and set up a meeting. This was a new business and they needed to plan for the operation.

  “How close are we to being ready?” Renee asked.

  “Just inches,” Pete said.

  “Call me when we’re ready for the test.”

  “I’d say you should go refresh your makeup. We’re that close.” Wanda took a moment to glance at her and smile.

  Moments later Renee stood in the middle of the floor. Wanda stood on one side of the room, Peter on the other.

  “Ready,” he asked.

  “As ready as ever,” she said. Lifting her arm, she pressed the button on the strap Wanda had hooked on her. A mockup of the magazine was propped against the desk, with one of Teddy’s gown designs facing her. She pressed the button.

  “Ahhh,” Wanda said, clapping her hands like a three-year-old on Christmas morning.