by Candy Caine
“How fascinating.” Raven, chin resting on her hand, had been riveted to his every word. “I think I see where this is going.”
Lucas smiled. “What I did yesterday was nothing compared to the risk my mother took. Keep in mind; she was only eighteen when she came to the United States to play with the Moscow Philharmonic, which was accompanied by KGB personnel to avoid potential defections.”
“Listening to you, I’m reminded of the scary time during the Cold War when the Russians were the boogeymen.”
“The KGB were boogeymen and just as brutal as the Gestapo. Stalin murdered millions of his own people. And those deemed undesirable by the State, who were lucky to survive the slaughter, did so in the Gulags, which were Soviet forced labor camps. To thrive in the Soviet Union, one had to toe the party line. My mother hated living in Russia. She’d heard stories about America, where you could choose your destiny. That’s where she wanted to live. So, when she toured with the Moscow Philharmonic to New York, she decided not to return to Russia and would die trying, if it came to that.”
“Did your mom have family back in Russia?” Raven asked. “Wouldn’t the authorities have threatened any attempt to defect with repercussion to their loved ones at home?”
“Yes, and yes, again. She had her parents and two brothers. They realized this was a tremendous opportunity for her and were supportive, despite the consequences for the rest of them.”
The waiter brought their main course, but Raven hardly noticed. She was so captivated by Lucas’s story.
“Her piano was situated next to one of the doors leading offstage into the wings. The door was kept open so that a KGB agent could make certain nobody walked offstage unattended. All through the performance, my mother casually glanced at the door. When she noticed it unattended, she knew that could very well be her only chance for freedom. So she slipped offstage, watchful for the guard.
“She noticed him in a dark corner, kissing one of the Russian matrons who had accompanied the women in the group. Heading for the exit, she noticed another KGB agent farther down the corridor straight ahead. There was no way to pass him, and any moment her absence would be discovered. She noticed the sign for the restrooms and hoped that maybe she could escape through a window. That’s when she saw the guard look her way. Unsure whether or not he spotted her, she rushed into the first room.
“She nearly ran into a man standing at a urinal. She apologized as best she could in the little English she knew as he finished his business and washed his hands. The man had been embarrassed and not looked at the woman until then. He realized by her uniform that she was part of the orchestra and tried to explain that the ladies room was next door. Somehow she managed to convey to him that she wanted to defect and needed to hide from the KGB agents. Whether it was the excitement or her beauty, the man decided to help her.”
“Let me guess, that man was your dad, right?” Raven said smiling.
“Yup. I come from a long line of romantics.”
Raven laughed. “Then what happened?”
“Of course the KGB agents searched all over. When they rushed into the bathroom several minutes later, they found only another man at the urinal. My dad had pulled my soon-to-be mom into one of the stalls. She crouched behind him on the toilet seat as he dropped his pants to rest on his shoes. Men came in and out of the bathroom, but my mother was safe.
“They remained hidden in the bathroom until the end of the concert. Then my father simply put his coat over her shoulders, casually walked her out of the bathroom into the stream of people leaving from Carnegie Hall, and hailed a taxi.
“Because my dad was a clinical psychologist who often assisted the FBI, he was able to help my mother get asylum from Russia.”
“That’s quite a story. What happened to your mom’s family?”
“Fortunately, the Russian government didn’t punish them. All they had to do was publicly denounce their daughter. Eventually, they were able to come to the United States, as well.
“Now it’s your turn. Tell me about Raven Gould, the mysterious ice cream woman.”
“What makes you think I’m mysterious?”
“Stop stalling.” Lucas refilled their glasses.
“There’s really nothing much to tell. I work in an ice cream parlor that sells thirty-two different flavors.”
“Good advertisement. Now tell me something I don’t know, such as what you did prior.”
“I was a lawyer, following in my father’s footsteps, like you.” Raven said, biting her lip.
“Why did you give it up?” Lucas asked quietly.
“I was tired of the treadmill kind of life and needed a change—something less stressful.”
“But why choose an ice cream parlor?” Lucas finished the last of his paella.
Raven smiled. “Continually getting stuck on northern Boulevard at a long red light in front of the place helped my decision.”
Recalling getting caught at the long light himself, Lucas laughed. “Simple answer.”
“Too bad my aunt won’t accept it.”
“I can understand why. The two jobs are like night and day, both professionally and financially.”
“I realize that, but for now, it’s the best thing for me.”
“Would you ever go back to practicing law?” Lucas asked, his eyes searching hers.
“I wouldn’t count it out.”
“Maybe you should tell your aunt what you just told me. It sounds like she’s worried about your future and this might relieve her.”
“When my parents were killed, she raised me. I know she loves me and wants the best for me, but sometimes that can be smothering. She needs to have a little faith in me. I’m an adult and capable of making my own decisions.”
The waiter returned. “Would you like to see our dessert menu?”
Raven began to protest, but Lucas placed a hand on hers. “You’ve got to try some of the pastries. No matter how full you think you are, there’s always room for dessert and coffee.”
The waiter nodded his agreement. He left taking several of the dirty dishes from the table.
Raven smiled at Lucas. “I honestly can’t remember when I last had such a good time.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. I had a good time too, and perhaps we can do it again. Only this time, let’s make it a field trip to Manhattan for dinner and a show.”
Still smiling, Raven replied, “I’d like that very much.” Then the waiter rolled out the dessert cart and Raven gasped. “Good Lord! You’ve got to be kidding!”
* * *
Raven actually hadn’t wanted the evening to end. She was brutally honest when she told Lucas she hadn’t had such a good time in a long while. However, that wasn’t the only reason. He was sweet, a great deal of fun, and awfully nice to look at. She knew he was a good listener because of his profession, but when she spoke, she felt his eyes listening, as well. And he didn’t judge her like her aunt, either.
Of course, she wanted to see him again. It was nice to be out with a man who didn’t make her feel like an object. That in itself was refreshing. When they parted by her car, he bent to give her a kiss on the cheek, but she wanted to taste him and purposely turned her head. His lips were just as she’d expected, warm and sweet. She noticed a twinkle in his eyes as he kissed her good night. She’d gotten into the car, started the engine, and drove home thinking about Lucas.
Dottie caught Raven as she walked into the house. She would have to be blind to miss the big smile on her niece’s face. Obviously, the date went well. The only thing Raven mentioned about the date was that she enjoyed it and the company was fun. Hopefully, she would learn more from Dr. Lusk the following day. Things were definitely playing out well.
Chapter Eight
Lucas wanted to see Raven again. It had been a long time since he truly cared to be with a particular woman. However, Raven had sent him mixed signals. At times she appeared to be interested in him, and yet at other times she seemed to fall back behin
d an invisible shield—obviously some kind of defense to keep him from getting too close.
This fear of allowing him to breach her defenses was a normal reaction when one has been hurt badly in a relationship. Hell, hadn’t he done the same thing? How many one-night stands had he preferred to have, rather than allow anyone to get close to him? Heather had done a hatchet job on his emotions. Perhaps some guy had done the same to Raven’s. She had to learn to trust again before she’d let him into her life. Actually, it would be a learning experience for them both. He realized she’d purposely turned her head as he leaned in to kiss her cheek. That was a very good sign. And more importantly, he was glad she did. He’d thought of kissing her the entire time.
This time, he looked forward to speaking to Dottie Williams.
Dottie answered immediately. “Hello, Dr. Lusk. Tell me everything!”
“And a good morning to you, too, Dottie. There is absolutely nothing wrong with your niece. She is a lovely woman who is capable of making her own decisions. Before you interrupt, this ice cream job is not her life’s ambition. It’s only a way station. She felt the need to recharge her batteries. The stress of being an attorney became too much. That’s the entire story.”
“Did she tell you how long she was going to do this?”
“I don’t think she knows herself. But I do have some advice for you. Don’t bring it up. Most of all don’t harp on it. Doing so will only serve to strain your relationship with her.”
“Thank you so very much for doing this, Dr. Lusk. This is such a relief. Please send me the bill in the mail.”
“You’re very welcome, Dottie. However, this one’s on me. Take care and perhaps I’ll see you soon.”
Dottie hung up the phone and thought about what Dr. Lusk just said. The implications made her smile. Without a doubt, she was a matchmaker, after all.
* * *
On Friday, Marge watched as Raven created two hot fudge sundaes for a man and his daughter. After Raven collected payment and the patrons sat down to dig into their ice cream concoction, Marge called to her. “You’ve become quite fast and efficient.”
“Thanks for the pat on the back, but it’s more fun than anything else.”
“I’ve noticed something else, lately, as well.”
Raven stopped cleaning the counter and looked at Marge curiously. “What’s that?”
Marge shrugged. “Though you’re a pretty upbeat person to begin with, lately you seem exceptionally happy. So much so, I’d guess there’s a new man in your life.”
“Really. You deduced that because I’m happy?”
“Absolutely. And I’d even go so far as to wager a bet.”
“Not necessary. Though, to be honest, I did have an enjoyable dinner with Mr. Vanilla and will be seeing him tomorrow night—”
“Mr. Vanilla! I should’ve known. When he was here, I could almost feel the vibes shooting back and forth between the two of you like lightning bolts.”
“So you’re a psychic now, too.”
“No. It was just so obvious.”
Several customers came in and the conversation ended there. As Raven made an ice cream soda and banana split for a cute elderly couple, she thought about what Marge had said. She took it as a reality check. It made her wonder if her caring for Lucas actually showed as easily as Marge had mentioned.
An alarm went off in Raven’s head. Why? Because a psychologist, of all people, would definitely pick up on it. A good litigator didn’t give away her entire strategy to the opposing side. She was letting down her guard way too quickly, and thinking about that stolen kiss, she had to rein in her impulses. He was still a psychologist, for goodness sake. How could she forget that? Trusting him reminded her of Aesop’s fable of the scorpion and the frog. Despite the frog’s distrust of the scorpion, he agrees to ferry the arachnid across the water. Once safe on the other side, the scorpion stings the frog anyway. The moral here is that one is unable to escape one’s nature. Even though Lucas hadn’t appeared to be like the stereotypic psychologist, caution was still her best ally. For all she knew, he was no different from Gordon White. It was best not to rush into anything.
* * *
The young, blonde woman, sporting a small bandage over her left eye, walked into Dr. Lusk’s office at 9: 20 on Thursday morning. She walked up to the receptionist and identified herself as Susan Smith.
Renee Jasper, Dr. Lusk’s receptionist, smiled. “I’m glad you’re a little early, Susan. You’ll have time to fill out the necessary forms now.”
Susan took the clipboard and the pen to a chair and sat down. Renee buzzed Lucas to let him know that his new patient had arrived and was filling out the necessary paperwork.
As he waited for the new patient to finish, Lucas thought about the reasons she’d given for making the appointment. Susan hadn’t been sleeping well lately and was feeling depressed most of the time. She found herself thinking about death and thought it best to talk to someone. Hopefully, he’d be able to help her before she harmed herself.
Renee buzzed Lucas to let him know the paperwork was done. Lucas got up, closed the button on his suit jacket, and went to greet his new patient. As Lucas looked at Susan Smith’s lean, angular face, he sensed he’d seen her before. Yet he couldn’t place where or when. Somehow, he got a nagging feeling it might be important. He also noticed the bandage, which could be covering an infection, cut, or something else entirely. Interesting.
“Miss Smith,” he said kindly. “Please sit down. Tell me why you’ve come to see me.”
Chapter Nine
Late the following Saturday afternoon, Raven allowed Lucas to pick her up at her house. She did so only because it made things easier for the both of them, since they were going into Manhattan for dinner and a Broadway show.
She wore a lovely black cocktail dress and matching heels. This time she had no problem selecting something to wear, which made her smile. Lucas was prompt and she opened the door to find him dressed in a navy blue suit, which made his eyes pop with brilliance. When she introduced him to her aunt, it appeared he had an effect on her, as well. To think that her aunt might have the hots for a guy nearly half her age nearly made Raven giggle. They hurried out to his car, giving her aunt little time to ask any questions.
Over dinner, which they had at a restaurant a block from the theater, they discussed where they wanted to be in five years. Raven realized it was just a variation of twenty questions, yet it didn’t scare her. Lucas was far from the judgmental type, and despite the fact he was a damn psychologist, she felt at ease talking to him. Of course, she was careful not to let her guard down totally.
Swallowing the last morsel of a perfectly cooked filet mignon, she’d told him the truth. “Hopefully, I’d like to be litigating, but either on my own or as a partner in another firm other than the one I’d been with.”
Lucas had asked why she wouldn’t return to her old law firm, and she finally told someone the main reasons why. It felt like a breath of fresh air to do so. She’d mentioned the client who called her his “get out of jail card” and revealed how one of the partners made advances toward her.
“And you told no one of this at the firm?” Lucas asked.
“No. It would have been fruitless to do so.”
“Really? I would have thought things had improved for women regarding sexual harassment in the workplace.”
Raven then told him what had happened to Grace Paterno who had taken out a harassment grievance against Greg Behr.
“I now understand why you didn’t. Theoretically, he’s going to continue to harass women until the partners, who must know about this by now, stop him. However, in your case, I believe you did the right thing. The client compromised your integrity and the partner landed you between a rock and a hard place. As long as the partner remained with the firm, I personally wouldn’t return, either.”
Raven raised an eyebrow. “I really must ask. Will I be getting a bill in the mail?”
Lucas chuckled. “Nope.
That was Lucas, your date, speaking, not Lucas, the psychologist.”
“Speaking of psychologists, you blew away the stereotype that was firmly entrenched in my mind. In fact, I’ll bet you’re a good one.”
“I am.” Lucas patted his shoulder. “And I don’t even have a couch in my office.”
“You are unconventional.”
“I try to be what each of my patients needs me to be,” Lucas said.
“So, where do you see yourself in five years?” Raven asked.
“If you’d asked me several months ago, I’d have no answer. However, tonight my future is less nebulous. I can see myself married with at least one child.”
“What changed?” Raven asked as she put her fork down and looked directly into his eyes.
“Life, and the magical curveballs it throws at you,” Lucas replied, smiling, wondering if she could pick up on the fact he was referring to her entrance into his life.
“Well, that certainly narrows it down,” she teased, but the smile she gave him hinted she had.
“All I can say is that I haven’t been as happy as I am now for quite a long time,” Lucas said. Being more obvious, he placed his hand on hers.
Not removing her eyes from his, nor removing her hand, Raven replied. “Funny, but Marge, the owner of the Flavor of the Week, told me I seemed happier than usual, as well.”
“One would guess you needed the sabbatical from practicing law more than you had suspected. Or perhaps there’s something else factoring into your happiness,” Lucas boldly suggested.
“Perhaps.”
They gazed into one another’s eyes until the waiter appeared to clear away the dirty dishes, interrupting the moment. “Coffee and dessert?”
Lucas glanced at his watch. He didn’t want to have to rush to the theater, so he shook his head. “No, thank you. Just the check, please.”