by Ava Miles
“It’s life, child,” he said. “We all die. You want my opinion? Call J.T. back. Go to Rome. See the art collection Emmits began before I was born. And have a good time. J.T. is a nice boy. You might hit it off.”
She frowned. “Are you matchmaking, Uncle Arthur?”
“Never,” he spat out as if the very thought was repulsive. “Have I ever tried to set any of my kin up? No. Do you know why? Because your heart knows its mate. Maybe not at first. But it knows. Never doubt that. But you know art, and so does J.T. This art museum is important, Caroline, and it will bring even more attention on Dare Valley. I have faith the attention will be favorable.”
She looked down at the pad in front of her. “I’m not sure about my vacation time—”
“Great balls of fire, Caroline, what is there to consider? You take your vacation and ride first class to Rome. So, you’ll be tired when you get back. Who cares? You’re not even thirty yet. What the hell are you worried about? Losing beauty sleep?”
“I’m turning thirty this year,” she said, and to her, it was a big event.
“Well, take it from an old man with less time left than you, live! Not just a little. But a whole heck of a lot. Soak the world in. Time goes by so fast, Caroline. You blink, and you’re my age, picking out cemetery plots.”
Her face creased into a frown. How morbid he’d been lately. “Are you sure you’re okay, Uncle Arthur?”
“I’m fine, but I’m hanging up. This call is wasting precious seconds of the time I have left. You decide what you want to do and do it.”
Sure enough, he clicked off. “Live a little” was a phrase she was good with. But “a lot” seemed scarier.
She looked at the thirty-one paintings they had in the gallery. They had a reasonable collection, but it wasn’t even close to the size of J.T.’s. What would it be like to see a collection of that size and scope? To help guide him in such a colossal undertaking?
Okay, she was going to see them. She would keep it professional. No drooling over his Italian sense of fashion or the charming dimple in his cheek. Correction. She’d never even noticed his dimple. Caroline Hale, the art expert, didn’t notice things like dimples on business associates.
And that’s what J.T. Merriam was.
She took his card out of the top drawer in her desk. The international number looked complicated, which almost made her chicken out. But she looked up how to call someone in Rome. She dialed in the 011+39+06 and the rest of his number, and it rang. Whew!
Tapping her foot, she listened to the unusual ring tone.
“Hi Caroline!” he said after she identified herself. He sounded pleased to hear from her. “I’ve been waiting patiently for you to call. My brother, Trev, says hi, by the way. He tried to wrestle the phone away from me. I think he wanted to apologize for the childhood mud incident too.”
Did he have to be so charming and personable? “Tell him a bottle of wine is an acceptable way of apologizing for getting a girl covered in mud.”
“I wasn’t the one—”
“Shut it, Trev,” J.T. said. “Sorry, he was trying to listen. We were watching a soccer game on the couch. I’m heading out onto the balcony to get away from him.”
The sound of honking cars and people cheering carried over the line. “What’s going on?”
“Roma just won,” he said, giving a few whoops himself. “In a tie breaker.”
“Soccer,” she said, picking up her pen and fiddling with the end. “So I—”
“Decided to come, right? If not, I’m going to have to fly back over there right now so I can make another effort to convince you in person.”
“That sounds a little extreme,” she said. Her heart was racing in her chest, but she wasn’t sure if it was because of his offer, which did make her nervous, or him. “But it makes me wonder, why me? I mean, you could hire anyone to look over the collection. I’m small potatoes when it comes to the international art scene.”
He laughed. “Well, let me tell you. I have had the big potatoes look at the art. Shut up, Trev, I swear to God, she came up with the potato metaphor. Go back inside. Sorry. My brother lives to torture me. Back to your question. I know on good authority that our collection is excellent. What I want is to make it special to Dare Valley.”
His impassioned tone told her he meant every word.
“My great-great grandfather loved that town. And so did the rest of the family. I did too, until we stopped going there. When I talked to Uncle Arthur again, the…shit…how should I say this? The nostalgia of the place came flooding back to me. The Merriams and the Hales put Dare Valley on the map. I thought…working with you might bring that full circle.”
Every art lover was a romantic in some essential way, and she understood what he meant. “It’s why I love art really,” she told him. “It makes me nostalgic for other times. Whenever I look at a portrait, I wish I could meet the subject. It’s like artists capture a moment so other people can long for it for eternity.”
“Exactly! That’s how I feel.”
She could feel the chill bumps rising up on her skin. “I need to speak with my boss about time off, but you can count me in.”
“Good,” he said. “I’m glad. I was afraid I was going to have to unleash Trevor on you.”
Huh? “I don’t know what that means.”
“People who know us both say that he’s the more suave and dynamic one,” J.T. said. “They’re mostly correct. Look, I have to go. Said charming twin is opening my Armand de Brignac Brut Rose Champagne. Trev, that’s a ten thousand-dollar bottle of champagne! I know Roma won, but seriously… Sorry, he’s a nutcase. Wants to take a bottle out into the streets with the other crazies tonight and burn cars and shit. Save me.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “A ten thousand-dollar bottle, huh? I can’t imagine.”
“I’ll make sure we have one when you come,” J.T. said. “Talk to your boss and let me know what makes the most sense for your schedule.”
“Don’t you need to check your schedule?” she asked.
“No, I resigned from my position a couple of days ago,” he said. “It was time for a new adventure. I’m focusing all my energy on this museum.”
Well…that certainly meant he was serious. “Oh…should I say congratulations?”
“Sure. That’s how I’m looking at it. Otherwise, I’ll stay depressed.”
She couldn’t imagine him depressed. “Have fun with your brother. I’ll call you when I know more.”
“Great,” he said. “Good night, Caroline.”
Something in the way he said that made her wish she could go into the streets with him and his brother and drink champagne to celebrate something as silly to her as a soccer game.
Chapter 22
The minute Moira walked out of the office, a little later than usual given her jaunt to see Natalie, she called Caroline from her car.
“Hey! I got your text about having news. Speak.”
Her sister laughed. “I told J.T. I’m coming to Rome to see his collection. I’m stroked.”
“And you’re clearly celebrating,” Moira said, heading to her house. “I think you mean ‘stoked.’ What are you drinking?”
“Second glass of champagne. I bought a bottle. How often does a girl agree to up and go to Rome to see over three hundred paintings with a gorgeous, charming man?”
Gorgeous, huh? J.T. was hot, undeniably, but her sister sounded interested in his hotness. Usually Caroline went for soulful, artistic types. Maybe J.T. had that going for him too. Moira didn’t know much about him after all these years. “When do you leave?”
“I need to talk to Kendra tomorrow. Of course, I can’t tell her what I’m up to. She’ll want a piece of the action. You know how she is.”
Kendra Wolst had three ex-husbands—all famous artists. All divorces had purportedly happened for the same reason. She’d been more interested in their art than in their persons. “Smart.”
“J.T. is going to send a private pl
ane for me,” Caroline said, giggling. “It’s like a dream.”
“Hold tight, Cinderella,” Moira said. “Your coach turns back into a pumpkin at—”
“Oh, don’t be a party pooper,” she said. “Party pooper, party pooper—”
“I am so not listening to you sing that song. I gotta run. Talk to you later. Love you.”
“Love you. Wish you were still in Denver. I…kinda miss having you here.”
She gripped the steering wheel as her sister’s loneliness crept over her, filling her with longing. How many times had they met up during the week when they’d both lived in Denver?
“I miss you too, but I’ll see you soon. We’ll celebrate then.” Likely with Natalie and Blake’s news about the baby. She couldn’t wait until everyone else knew.
“All right. You headed to see Chase?”
“Yes.” She wanted to change first. Pick up one of Brian’s roasted chicken meals to go.
“Have fun. Love you.”
“Ditto.”
She hung up, wishing she were closer to her sister so they could grab a quick drink, but a small voice in the back of her head told her she still would have gone to Chase. Now that Natalie had helped her set aside all of the details and focus on what she wanted, she felt drawn to him.
She wanted Chase. It was time to tell him as much.
When Moira arrived at Chase’s place after stopping off to pick up their takeout, she was a stewpot of nerves. She’d changed her shirt three times before finally settling on a red cable-knit sweater and jeans.
It was a frigid night, and she only knocked once before entering the house. Barney greeted her.
“Hi,” she said, reaching down to pick up the kitten after closing the door. “You’re still here.”
“The experts agree he’s good for me, so I let him stay,” Chase said from his usual position on the couch in front of a blazing fire. “Who am I to disagree?”
She walked over to him after depositing the takeout bag on the dining room table. He didn’t look like he was freaking out over last night’s revelations, but he looked downright somber in a loose navy T-shirt and tan cargo pants. Still, he was so heartbreakingly handsome… He made an effort at a smile.
“I can’t tell if your agreement about Barney staying comes from defeat or acceptance,” she said. “What happened? Because it’s hard to ignore that someone moved some furniture around in here. I doubt it was Barney.” The kitten meowed and rubbed his head in her palm.
“I was feng shui-ed today,” he replied with a roll of his eyes. “Your brother also joined the rest of my so-called healing professionals in urging me to deal with the fire and my dad’s suicide.”
God, that had to have been tough. Sitting on the couch next to him, she put her hand on his good knee. “You’ve had a day then. Maybe we can make it a little brighter now that I’m here.”
“You brighten up everywhere you go,” he said, taking her hand. “I noticed it before we…agreed to be together.”
How lovely. Leaning in to kiss him, she kept her eyes on his. He shifted until their mouths met. The kiss was slow and gentle, yet super hot. Moira found herself getting sweaty under her winter coat. She’d been too eager to get to him to pause and take it off.
When they ended the kiss, she smiled at him. “I’m going to hang my coat up. Do you need anything?”
His mouth turned up in a half smile. “Besides more kissing?”
That comment punched her in the gut. “Happy to address that in a sec, but yes, anything else? I picked up a roasted chicken dinner at Brasserie Dare. We should eat tonight for a change.”
“Sounds good,” he said, taking Barney from her and scratching the kitten behind the ears. “I don’t need anything else at the moment.”
After stashing her coat, she poured a glass of wine for herself and cuddled against his good side in front of the fire. Moment of truth time. “Chase?” she said softly, her heart beating out of her chest.
He shifted to put his arm around her and then kissed the top of her head. “What?”
The gesture gave her more courage to speak her mind. “I wanted you to know how much it meant to me that you shared your story last night. I…it was brave and…it really touched me that you trust me like that. I…want you to trust me.”
Shifting so he could see her face, he gazed at her with those gray eyes of his. “I do trust you. More than I understand sometimes.”
She traced his jaw. “I’ve fallen for you…more than I can understand. I want…to be with you.”
“I thought we’d already covered this,” he said, smiling.
He’d given her an opportunity to chicken out, to pretend she hadn’t meant it that way. But she could hear Natalie’s voice urging her, Tell him. “It’s stronger now. Last night changed things for me. For us, I think. Is that weird?”
“Weird?” he asked, kissing her lightly on the lips. “No. Everything seems so different. I’m not in my normal life or normal place—hell, even my clothes are weird—and yet, I have you here…and this damn kitten. Let’s not talk about the healing contingent right now. I’m uncomfortable much of the day, but never with you. Even though I have moments where I’m…”
She waited for him to finish his thought.
“I’m not used to any of this, Moira,” he finally said. “The last woman I trusted was my mother, and she let me down. I’ve…put a hell of a lot of faith in you.”
“I’m not going to mess that up,” she said, feeling a tug in her heart. “But there’s something I want to tell you.”
He tilted his head to the side. “I’m listening.”
Heat suffused her cheeks. “Okay, here goes. I like you. A lot.”
His brow lifted.
She took a deep breath. “More than I’ve liked anyone so far. I…don’t want to put a time limit on us. This. I…know you’re going to leave soon. Once you get well.” Oh, she sounded so awkward. “I don’t want that to stop us from pursuing this—if we still want to. Does that make sense? I…oh shit. I might be falling in love with you. Is that weird enough for you?”
He seemed to take an equally deep breath. “I…that’s…unexpected.”
She started shaking her head immediately. “Okay, I know it’s a lot to take in. We’ve only been ‘together’ for a few days, but I couldn’t concentrate at work this morning after leaving you. I spilled coffee all over my desk. Heck, I ended up visiting my sister for some advice. I never do that.”
“Moira—”
“No, hear me out.” She had to be truthful. Not just for him, but for herself. “My sister, Natalie, had a horrible time when we lost Kim. She didn’t want to deal with her grief. She shut everyone out, including her husband. But she’s dealt with it, and they’re back together. They’re happier than ever. I…God, what am I trying to say here? What I feel for you is scary, but it’s also really wonderful.”
He touched her cheek, and her eyes flickered back to his. He was watching her closely. “I couldn’t agree more.”
“It’s just…I want to be with you. I thought that…well, since you told me something you’ve never shared with another woman…you might not want to put a timeframe on us either.”
“I honestly don’t know how we’ll make things work long distance,” Chase said. “It’s not like Dare Valley is a quick flight to D.C.—even with my private plane. And then there’s my travel schedule. But I don’t want to put a time limit on us, Moira. I…I’d like to have these damn casts off so I can take you out for dinner at some point.”
His good hand curled around hers, and she took it. It felt like a handshake of some kind, sealing his intentions.
“I wish I could show you how much I want you,” Chase said, “but you deserve a lover with all his abilities.”
Heat stole through her. “I’ve told you I’m all for being creative.”
“That you have,” Chase said, kissing her lightly on the lips. “But I want better for you. For us. Setting aside the timeframe helps with that.
”
It did indeed. “I want—”
A knock sounded on the door. She jerked her head toward it as it swung open. Evan had a shopping bag in his hand.
“Hey! You two having dinner? Cool!”
Moira tried to jerk her hand back from Chase’s, but he wouldn’t release it. She looked at him and then back at Evan.
“Yes,” she said, her throat suddenly dry. “Would you care to join us?”
“I think Evan can head on home to Margie,” Chase said. “Once he drops off whatever he brought.”
Evan’s brow rose. “Margie is totally on board with me hanging out with you tonight. I feel bad I haven’t been around as much the last couple of days. Quid-Atch is more than a full-time job. I don’t know how you do it, Chase.”
He took a couple of steps closer to the couch where Moira was pressed intimately to Chase. She tried to scoot away, but Chase wouldn’t release her.
“Moira and I are having dinner,” Chase told Evan. “Maybe you can swing by for lunch tomorrow?”
She wanted to die on the spot. “No, I can go. You two have dinner, and I’ll—”
“You’re staying,” Chase said, squeezing her hand. “Evan can take a hint.”
His shoulders started to shake with laughter. “I can, yes. I think this is really great. Moira is—”
“Leaving,” she said, standing up.
Except Chase had a firm grip on her hand. Damn him. “Chase.”
“No, you’re staying. And since you’re so uncomfortable, let me lay it all out. Evan is an adult. He knows you don’t technically work for me or for Quid-Atch, so there’s no problem. He also understands we’re both too professional to let this affect our work.”
Yet, here she was blushing to her roots in front of her boss. “Maybe I should let you two discuss this.”
Evan waved his hand. “No, Chase is right. There are no two people I trust more to have good sense in a situation like this. Just…don’t tell Gary. Since he thinks of you like an older sister, he might be a little weirded out by this, Moira.”