She led the way to the den. After placing the tray on a low table in front of a comfortably worn, overstuffed couch, she handed him a tall, frosty glass.
Leiann came in from the hall. “Arlene, that looks wonderful.”
So do you. The words came unbidden to his mind. He’d never seen her dressed this casually.
“My throat feels like a west Texas desert.” When Leiann took a long drink, his eyes were drawn to her long, slender neck.
With her hair pulled up on top of her head and fastened with one of those squiggly things, she looked like a teenager.
Leiann turned to him. “I want to get right to work.”
He nodded. “Okay. What do you want me to do?”
“I could use some help packing up all my stuff and Mother’s things. I want to get them out of Arlene’s way. I told her she can live here rent free at least for the next school year.”
Although she didn’t have to explain anything to him, he was glad she kept him in the loop.
❧
After a few hours of packing, Leiann stood and stretched her shoulders. She hadn’t done this much manual labor in a long time, but it felt good to have so much of the work behind her. “Is anyone getting hungry?”
Gerome glanced at his watch. “Is it dinnertime already?”
Arlene laughed. “You’re in Texas now, so you’ll have to use the lingo. We have dinner at noon and supper at night.”
He smiled. “Got it.”
“Where do we want to go for supper?” Leiann stopped to think. “How about Abuelo’s? I’ve been missing their enchiladas.”
“Sorry, no can do.” Arlene shook her head. “I’ve got a committee meeting in an hour. I’ll just grab something on the way.”
Leiann turned to Gerome. “How about you?”
“Sure. I like Mexican food.”
Something else she didn’t know about him. Leiann wished she knew more about his likes and dislikes. Everything about him interested her. . .too much. She wasn’t sure he felt the same way about her.
After they changed clothes, Leiann drove her Kia the few short blocks to the restaurant. Several people clustered near the entrance. She knew how popular this place was, but it was Monday. She hadn’t expected a long wait.
Gerome approached the hostess stand. “Mays, a party of two.” He held up two fingers.
The petite blond smiled up at him, curly hair falling onto her shoulders. “You’re in luck, sir. All these other parties are waiting for large tables. We have a table for two beside the fountain if that’s all right.”
He nodded. While the woman led the way, Gerome’s hand rested on the small of Leiann’s back. Every woman in the room seemed to give him an appreciative glance. The man had a commanding presence.
“What do you recommend?” Gerome peered at her over the top of the large leather-bound menu.
“I haven’t eaten anything here that wasn’t good. One of my favorites is the avocado enchilada. I’m having that. You might try one of the combo platters. That way you can taste a variety of things.”
As they enjoyed their meal, they learned more about each other and their growing-up years. Gerome even answered a few questions about his job with the security company without revealing anything confidential.
Gerome insisted that the waiter give him the check. To Leiann, that made this feel like a date.
They stepped out into the warm Texas evening. Blossoms in the courtyard and flower beds outside the walls gave a heady fragrance to the still air.
“May I drive back to the house?” Gerome’s soft words caressed her.
This makes it feel even more like a date. She dug in her tiny purse and pulled out the keys, then dropped them into his outstretched palm. They stepped into the shadowy darkness on the side of the building where she’d parked.
Her heel caught in a crack of the sidewalk, and she pitched forward. Gerome’s arms slid around her, and he pulled her close to his chest. Breathless, she glanced up at the shaded planes of his sculptured cheeks. His eyes burned bright. Mesmerized, she watched his face descend toward hers.
His lips settled gently on hers, almost like the touch of a butterfly’s wings. Then they lifted and hovered, waiting for her response. When she didn’t pull away, they settled more firmly. Leiann had only been kissed a couple of times in high school. Those kisses were nothing like this. So gentle, giving, and all-consuming.
She returned the caress, pouring all her longings into it. Everything else faded away. This moment in time was a fusing of two hearts. She wanted it to go on forever.
❧
Gerome finally ended the kiss and urged her closer to his chest. He loved this woman. Lord, thank You for showing me. Their hearts beat in rhythm. He rested his chin on the top of her head, breathing in the scent that would always be Leiann. His world had made a paradigm shift. For the first time in his life, he wanted to settle down. Be a husband to this woman. Have children with her.
Leiann raised her head from his chest, but she kept her arms around his waist. “We’re standing out here in public right next to Hurst City Hall.”
He laughed. “We’re in the shadows, and I don’t think anyone is looking anyway.” Holding her felt so good, he didn’t want to release her.
“Maybe we should go home.” Her whisper mingled with the gentle breeze that rustled the leaves of the shrubbery beside the restaurant.
Home. Anywhere with this woman would be home to him. “Okay.”
While they walked the few feet to the car, he kept one arm around her. One of hers remained along his waist. In the vehicle, they talked about everything and nothing, but they didn’t discuss the kiss and what it would mean to them.
When they drove into the driveway, Gerome was glad to see that Arlene hadn’t returned from her meeting. He wanted to talk with Leiann face-to-face.
After they went into the house, Leiann stood in the middle of the den, staring up at him. “Would you like a soda or some coffee or something?”
Gerome was glad they were a few feet apart. With her too close, he couldn’t think straight. “No, thanks. Leiann, I have something to talk to you about.”
Her eyes widened slightly, and she nodded.
“I have to tell you what I’m feeling.”
She clasped her hands and waited, her sense of expectancy a tangible thing.
He ran a hand across the back of his neck. “I’ve never done this before.”
A smile crept over her lips.
“Leiann, I’ve prayed about this, and I believe God brought us together.”
Her smile widened.
“What I’m trying to say is that I love you and want to marry you. . .if you’ll have me.”
She walked toward him, then raised her arms and slid them around his neck, pulling his head down. “Yes.” She whispered the word before she wove her fingers through his curls and kissed him. That powerful kiss spoke her love to his heart.
Epilogue
The day after Thanksgiving
Leiann looked out the French doors of her apartment in the mansion. Today was her wedding day.
So much had happened since that day in Texas when Gerome proposed. They had worked together, worshipped together, spent time with her grandfather, explored most of the historical sites she wanted to see in her new home state, spent time at the Cape—even harvested the crop with Gerome’s cousins on the Sanderford cranberry farm off Cranberry Highway.
The FBI had found an old bottle of insect poison containing arsenic hidden in the closet of Prudence’s room. Gerome told Leiann he was convinced the woman was giving minute amounts of it to her grandfather to weaken him. His health had improved tremendously since Prudence had been arrested. He was like a different man now. Strong, robust, astute.
Arlene had helped her plan her wedding. She’d spent the first week in August at the estate. Grandfather had flown Arlene to Massachusetts several weekends after that.
Leiann’s heart overflowed with love for her husband-to-be, but eve
n more for her Father God. Lord, I’m so glad You took care of me when I didn’t even know You were doing it. Thank You for working things out so I could meet Gerome. . .and Grandfather.
“It’s time to go.” Arlene poked her head through the bedroom doorway.
Today, her exuberant curls were controlled in a figure-eight chignon. Only a few tendrils escaped. Maybe one of Gerome’s buddies from Ozbourne Global Security would recognize what a prize Arlene would be. Leiann had noticed a couple of them watching her covertly during the elaborate rehearsal dinner last night.
“Okay.” She picked up her train and held it over one arm so she could turn around in the creamy silk gown covered with lace and pearls.
Arlene inspected Leiann and adjusted the flower-bedecked tiara that held her waist-length veil. Then she led the way to the top of the double staircase in the two-story foyer. Tulle and orchids draped the banister on both sides.
“Is everyone here?” she whispered.
“Yes, they’re all seated.” Arlene giggled. “Who would ever have guessed the room could hold so many chairs?”
The small orchestral ensemble playing in the sitting room off the foyer moved from pre-wedding music to the wedding march. Leiann gulped a deep breath. Arlene removed the train from Leiann’s arm and arranged it behind her on the carpet and handed her the large orchid bouquet. Then Arlene started slowly descending the staircase. Finally, it was time for Leiann to move forward.
When she came into view, people turned to watch her progress. Lord, please keep me from stumbling. She took her first step down. Then she raised her eyes toward the group standing by the front door. Their pastor, Grandfather, Arlene. . .Gerome. When her gaze connected with his, her heart leaped. The smile that lit his face looked like sunshine drawing her toward its warmth.
Thank You, Lord, for making me who I am. And who I’m soon going to be: Mrs. Gerome Mays.
About the Author
Lena Nelson Dooley lives in Texas with her husband, James. They are active in several ministries of their church. She speaks at retreats and conferences. Both she and James are interested in missions and have been on several mission trips. A full-time author and editor, Lena holds a BA in Speech and Drama. She has had several novels published by Heartsong Presents and five novella collections. Visit her Web site at www.LenaNelsonDooley.com.
Dedication
Special thanks to everyone who gave me expert help. You rock! Who knew it would be so much fun to ask a doctor how to poison someone?
This book is dedicated to my good friends and writing partners, Lisa Harris and Beth Goddard. I enjoyed working on this three-book project with you. Also to my two editors, JoAnne Simmons, who contracted this series, and Kathy Ide, whose expert advice makes my books better.
This book is also dedicated to my wonderful husband of forty-three years, James Allen Dooley. You love me, cherish me, encourage me, support me, and make my life richer, fuller, and a lot more fun.
A note from the Author:
I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:
Lena Nelson Dooley
Author Relations
PO Box 721
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
Who Am I? Page 15