“Don’t you go sneaking off on me.”
Suspecting that she was picking up on his body language, Noah countered with, “If I’d wanted to avoid you, I would have stayed away until I was certain that your door was closed and your lights off.” But when he sat down on the foot of the bed, he did sigh wearily. He would listen for as long as she wanted to berate him, but he didn’t have to enjoy it. He did, however, feel it was his duty, since he was also hoping for a woman’s perspective.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you quite this way before. The accident—that changed you.”
“It changed both of us.”
“Of course. I think we’re both still dealing with anger issues on top of our huge sense of loss.” Audra nodded slightly. “Maybe that’s why your first reactions to Rylie seemed so strange. Everyone else thinks she’s a doll, and she just made you more bristly. And now you look...hunted.”
Maybe he wasn’t up to advice yet.
“Why don’t we give voice to what the truth seems to be?” Audra prodded when he didn’t respond. “You’re attracted to her.... Maybe it’s already become more than that?”
“But I don’t want to be.” There was no reason to try to pretend or try to keep anything from her. She knew him too well. And clearly, he wasn’t as good an actor as Rylie was an actress.
“Because animals are her life and you have no use for them?”
“I don’t really have a problem with that—as long as people remember they have four legs, not two,” Noah added drily.
“If that’s supposed to be another hint that I spoil Bubbles,” his mother countered with equal dryness, “maybe that’s partly your fault. I fear any possibility of grandchildren will come after I’m too far gone to enjoy them.”
Noah wasn’t ready to visualize her condition degenerating any more than it already had, so he took on the next-hardest hurdle. “It’s not her work. It’s just her that’s the problem.”
“No, she’s not your usual type, is she? My friends tell me she’s very pretty, energetic and charmingly unpretentious. Let me see...she has no piercings, not even in her ears? That’s almost delightfully old-fashioned in this day and age.”
Noah gave her a mild look, completely aware of what she was doing. She wanted his description of Rylie. It was too easy to do, and it would give away too much. However, to refuse would be even more obvious.
“She’s built like a dancer—petite and slim. Long legs and arms, rather than a gymnast’s sturdiness. Indoors, her hair appears the color of cinnamon. No, what’s that spice that Aubergine puts on my favorite dishes that I’ve asked about before?”
Audra smiled. “Paprika.”
Noah snapped his fingers. “That’s it. But when outside the color is...well, it defies real description.”
As she lifted her artfully tinted eyebrows, Audra asked, “And her eyes?”
That was more difficult yet. “A frustrating gray-green.”
“You might mean beguiling,” Audra mused, “if you have to try so hard that the simple question leaves you annoyed.”
“They’re green, okay? But in certain light the shade of green takes on a smoky tint.”
“How interesting, and expansive for someone you’ve only met twice.”
“It’s been five—no—six times, counting yesterday.” When his mother didn’t reply, he glanced up from his preoccupation with the increasingly naked ice cubes in his glass and saw amusement. “Go ahead and say it.”
“I was only going to correct myself. You aren’t falling for her—you’ve fallen.”
“Well...that’s not a good idea.”
“As though what’s wise or preferred has anything to do with whom our hearts and souls link themselves with.”
Noah managed not to groan. Barely. “Feel free to stop at any time.”
“What I don’t understand is why can’t you let yourself feel what you’re feeling?”
“Because she’s never going to forgive me, let alone trust me again, and even if she could, she’s all wrong for the life we live, what I expect for my future.”
That wiped every sign of pleasure from his mother’s face. “You can’t be serious! Why? Because she’s not a society princess? You tried one of those, remember? And from such a fine family that her father is in federal prison, and she’s contracted an agent to scout for a spot on a reality show, while her mother is trying for a book deal to share more of the family scandal. Such humility, such principles,” Audra scoffed. “Rylie could only dream of living up to such high expectations.”
The reminder of his close call with tainting the family name wasn’t necessary for Noah, but he did wince at the memory of his brief but colorful time with the Houston debutante. True, she’d been a fun girl, yet he’d hit the elevator down button fast after his first and only dinner with her family and “man-to-man” chat with what was meant to be his future father-in-law.
“It’s not as though we were ever engaged,” he reminded his mother.
“No, however, she didn’t take ‘goodbye’ gracefully, did she?” Audra shuddered delicately. “I would never have been able to show my face in public again if we’d needed a blood test to prove a child’s paternity.” She fussed with Bubble’s bow. “You did get yourself medically checked afterward, I hope?”
“Mother...yes.”
“Thank you.” As he rolled his eyes, she continued. “Your father and I came from decent, hardworking stock. That is what you benefited from, and that continues to provide our privileged lives now—not to take away from your success before coming back here. All I’m saying is that from what little I’ve talked with Rylie on the phone, I’ve found her to be professional and articulate. Heaven knows she would be a huge asset with the livestock.”
“It takes a little more than that to hold your own against the movers and shakers in this or any community, and you know it. Vance’s wife and the mayor’s went to SMU together—I’ve watched them turn a perfectly nice person into sushi before the poor soul knew what had happened.”
“Those two self-starving, surgery-loving mental patients are exactly what we don’t need around here, and it’s about time they were replaced with people with common sense and wholesomeness. And by the way, I hold the men just as accountable as their women. If you saw or overheard something any of them said that wasn’t right, and didn’t immediately stop it, then you’re as bad as they are.”
“Vance is my boss, Mother.”
“He’s a servant of the people, too.” But as quickly as her indignation flared, Audra grew forgiving. “At least you’ve given me something to get excited about. You’ve been acting like a monk rather than a child from your parents’ loins for too long.”
“Mother.” His parents had been a romantic couple, and he didn’t need the reminder. Even though he’d arrived late in their marriage, he’d witnessed plenty of displays of affection while growing up to know they’d shared a healthy sexual life.
“Oh, excuse me. I’m not supposed to mention s-e-x.” Audra tried to lean forward to reach for his glass. “Give me that. I want a sip.”
“Impossible. I know what time it is, and Livie is about to come give you your last meds for the night.” He rose to go knock on the nurse’s door. He knew it was the only way his mother wouldn’t try to wear down his defenses.
“Judas,” Audra whispered.
“I love you, too.” As the door opened, he met Olivia Danner’s ghostly, makeup-free face, framed by equally washed-out hair. One glance at her shrewd gray gaze and Noah knew that she’d heard every word of his conversation with his mother. Belatedly, he remembered that by this hour, Livie had the intercom on that sat on his mother’s bed stand. Its partner was on Livie’s nightstand. “Tuck her in, General,” he muttered.
As he crossed the room and began pulling the door shut behind him, his
mother called, “I better not learn that Bubbles is no longer welcome at the clinic.”
Noah leaned back into the room. As Livie—dressed in flannel pj’s and robe—drew her stethoscope from around her neck and put the plugs in her ears, he said, “You know that’s out of my hands.”
“No, it’s not. And penance is necessary.”
What could possibly be enough? Noah wondered. “Flowers?”
“At the very least. Dr. Sullivan’s wife has a shop in town. Go talk to her.”
Noah thought he’d endured enough glares from residents in Sweet Springs. He suspected there were plenty more “friends of Rylie” whom he hadn’t met yet. “Why can’t I just call?”
“Because you could use an advocate. She’s undoubtedly fond of Rylie and will be the best bet to know her tastes. Find out what you can.”
“Married to Doc, she also probably knows about what’s happened. What if she doesn’t want my business?”
Audra gave him a “spare me” look. “You are my son. You’re named after a man who managed to get two of everything on a ship for a flood that everyone insisted wasn’t going to happen.”
“I thought I was named after your father?”
“Smart-ass. Are you going to tell me that you’ve become suddenly tongue-tied and socially incompetent?”
“Merely humbled by the depth and breadth of my stupidity.”
“Use that.” Audra smiled. “It has its own charm. A woman loves to see a man squirm with regret as much as with unrequited love.”
Seeing Livie glance up from logging pulse and blood pressure figures to look over her shoulder at him, Noah felt about sixteen and replied to his mother, “You’re embellishing.”
“And you’re going to make me give Olivia upsetting numbers.” She waved Noah away. “You have all of the information you need. Now off with you.”
Chapter Five
By nine o’clock on Saturday morning, Noah was in downtown Sweet Springs. He had been here only once before since returning home, and that was for a civic function on behalf of his boss. Otherwise, he hadn’t been in this area since his high-school days. Things had changed quite a bit. There were many more and new businesses, and most of the old structures had undergone serious face-lifts, including Newman’s Floral and Gifts. The whitewashed brick with the artsy copper-and-brass sign along with the green awning was classy. He hoped that what awaited him inside was as inviting.
Chimes rang a cheery welcome as he entered, and a perky blonde restocking a shelf from her perch on a short ladder looked down to greet him.
“Hi! Happy Saturday!”
The greeting was so like something Rylie might say that he had to chuckle. The young woman did look close to her age. He wondered if she knew her, too.
“Good morning.” He glanced around. “There’s a lot to look at in here.”
“We do our best. I didn’t think I’d seen you before. I’m Kiki. Can I help you find something?”
“Actually, I was looking for Brooke. Mrs. Sullivan.”
The young woman nodded over her shoulder toward the back, where the two woman stood conferring. “She’s with Hoshi going over some orders. We have a wedding tomorrow.”
Noah nodded, having attended enough of them to have a clue as to what an undertaking that was—at least for the brides. Then his gaze fell on a crystal cross on a stand and he paused. The etching was fabulous, and the way the light played off the piece made him think of his mother and how she liked to sit in the sunroom for hours at a time watching the sun change the shadings on all of the plants inside and out. The cross would look beautiful in there between her many plants.
“Thank you,” he said, his gaze lingering, as he headed down the long main aisle.
He realized that Brooke Sullivan was a blonde, too. She was a few years older than Kiki, and petite. Maybe even an inch or two shorter than Rylie. She moved with a natural grace yet confidence, which was evident in her initial smile.
“Hello,” she said as he approached. “Did I hear my name?”
“Yes, I was hoping you could help me. I’m Noah Prescott.”
Brooke’s welcoming countenance froze. “Oh. I see.”
Noah knew if he ever needed that charm his mother spoke of, it was now. He exhaled heavily and hung his head. “So Dr. Sullivan told you.”
“I’m afraid he did.”
“Mrs. Sullivan, the last twenty-four hours have been some of the worst in memory—and I’ve been through a few, as you can imagine if you know anything about my family.”
Some of the ice melted in Brooke’s demeanor. “I admit I did ask Gage more questions after he told me about what you did to Rylie. I’m very sorry for your family tragedy.”
He nodded his thanks. “Then perhaps you’ll have the generosity to understand how badly I feel about the humiliation and pain that I caused Rylie, and you’ll agree to help me. I need to make a gesture worthy of my regret to her.”
“You want to send her flowers?”
“I was thinking that would be a good start.”
“Do you want to deliver them yourself?”
He gave her a doubtful look. “I’m a thick-headed man, not suicidal.”
That won a slight smile from her. “When would you like to have them delivered?”
“As soon as possible—although I understand that you have a big event pending.”
Although she nodded, Brooke said, “We have that under control. Besides, if it involves our Rylie, I’m not about to send you to my competition. What were you thinking of?”
“I don’t exactly know. Roses seem appropriate gesture-wise, but they don’t exactly seem like her, do they?”
“I like the way you’re thinking already. No, she wouldn’t be moved by the long-stemmed variety, and it would be a rather blunt display of affluence. On the other hand, pink baby roses in a pink round vase—” she pointed to the selection of roses in the cooler to his left and then to the vase on the second shelf of a display beside the cooler “—that shows thought, and we could add a little humor...or romance...with a bow or balloon, or teddy bear.”
It struck Noah the instant he saw the two items that Brooke understood what he was trying to do. The arrangement would be charming, even endearing, considering the size of the cute flowers—petite like the person receiving them. He also wondered if Brooke had added the word romance because of something she knew, or was she simply fishing?
“I think I like the baby roses, definitely.”
Brooke reached for an order pad. “To do this right, we should use two dozen due to the size of the vase. We’ll put baby’s breath in between to create a fuller, dreamy effect.”
Noah reached into his camel-colored sports jacket for his billfold. The jacket, worn with khaki Dockers and a white silk shirt, minus a tie, was as casual as he got when away from the privacy of home. “Whatever you think serves the situation best.” He glanced over his shoulder again. “There is one more thing. The crystal cross...it caught my eye as I entered.”
Brooke’s demeanor went all soft and tender. “Isn’t that lovely? We only got that in yesterday, and I haven’t been able to stop looking at it.”
“Then will I upset you if I take it, as well? I mean take it with me. For my mother,” he added at her confused look. He could tell her first reaction was that it was also for Rylie. “She’s confined to a wheelchair—”
“I’ve met Audra. We keep the foyer flowers fresh at Haven Land.”
Tapping his left temple, Noah sighed. “I actually know that, since I oversee all of the bookkeeper’s reports for the estate. Pardon my memory glitch.” He decided that he was going to have a few words with his mother, as well. The sneak had made the suggestion to come here as though it had simply been a hunch. That would teach him to check only the totals in the bookkeeper’s m
onthly statements. If he’d inspected actual receipts, he would have saved himself yet more embarrassment. “Well, then you know the sunroom she loves to spend time in. I thought the cross would look wonderful on one of the tables.”
“It would, and how thoughtful of you. Let me get it safely boxed and wrapped. Is this a special occasion?”
“Another apology...or thank-you.”
Brooke looked pleased. “We have some stunning autumn wrapping paper that I’ll use. It’s almost as gorgeous as the gift itself.”
“That sounds perfect. As you probably know, Mother takes art classes, so everything down to the wrapping does mean a great deal to her. She’s all about texture, color and visual sensation.”
“She’s very talented. I’ve always admired creative people. I’m afraid I tend to be too left-brained to be more than a mimic.” As she set to work, she asked, “So have you adjusted to being back in East Texas?”
“Sometimes more graciously than at other times,” Noah admitted, and then remembered what his mother knew of her situation. “You were used to the faster-paced corporate world, too, weren’t you?”
Brooke nodded, humor deepening her dimples and bringing a new sparkle to her warm, brown eyes. “But you can’t pout for too long around Gage. Now I can barely imagine living to work sixteen-plus hours a day. Besides, we have an addition to the family to focus on, as well.”
Noah glanced down as she laid a protective hand over her almost flat tummy. Only then did he realize she was wearing a rather loose poet shirt. “You and Dr. Sullivan are expecting? I didn’t realize. My warmest congratulations.”
“They are warmly accepted.”
Once Brooke had the cross packed and wrapped, and the order for the flowers written up, she ran through his credit card and handed him the receipt to sign.
“What about a card?”
Groomed for Love Page 10