Groomed for Love

by Helen R. Myers

  “Or with Bubbles,” Rylie added, with an impish smile.

  His answering groan was only half-affected. “My four-legged baby sister.”

  When she laughed spontaneously, he felt as if something burst open in him and bloomed. She had a lovely, musical lilt that pleased the ear and heart. If she broke into a helpless, full-fledged, tears-down-the-cheeks laugh, he supposed that would be it for him. He would have to fall head over heels in love.

  At the house, when Noah escorted Rylie up the sidewalk, he noted how MG walked serenely beside her. “She’s really an amazing animal.”

  “Oh, she quite agrees with you,” Rylie drawled. “Her reaction to everyone’s surprise at how well she behaves is, ‘What’s not to love?’”

  Noah was still chuckling as they entered the house. “We’re here!” he called as they passed through the threshold.

  “We got eyes. You don’t have to show off for your little lady,” Aubergine huffed from the kitchen, her intimidating alto voice surprising on someone not much taller than Rylie. But the plump sixty-year-old had a torso that a century-old oak would admire. Her skin was a flawless rich caramel, and her eyes were as black as the cotton tunic and pants that she wore as a uniform, along with her sensible black orthopedic shoes. Usually as stern as the tight bun pinned to her nape, she did possess a wicked and dry sense of humor, something Noah tried to excavate as often as possible.

  “Aubergine Scott is our housekeeper,” Noah explained, “but the truth is she’s the majordomo of Haven Land. Aubergine, the ‘little lady’ is Rylie Quinn, who deserves any and all credit for keeping the dust mop looking halfway decent.”

  “I know who she is. Hello, child.” The woman stopped before her and sized her up with unapologetic interest. “You better be hungry because I got a glimpse of you a few days ago, and I intend to feed you. There won’t be any pushing food around the plate, either. We don’t use forks as hockey sticks in this house.”

  Rylie put her left hand in the air and her right over her heart as though taking an oath. “Miss Aubergine, I eat like a Clydesdale. And having heard so many enviable stories about Southern cooking, all I can say is bring it on.”

  That had the woman looking at Noah with haughty approval. “Thank the Lord, you ain’t brought home a food pecker.” Before Noah could reply, Aubergine looked down upon MG. “And what do we have here?”

  MG was sitting obediently beside her mistress and Rylie said, “Say hello to Aubergine, MG.”

  The dog lifted her right paw.

  Aubergine looked long into the retriever-mix’s eyes before bending to accept her paw, and said softly, “Well, you are an old soul, aren’t you? Welcome, darlin’,” she cooed. “I’ll bet you’d like your own dish in the kitchen, wouldn’t you?”

  “You’d guess right,” Rylie assured her. “You won’t have any trouble with either of us when it comes to cleaning our plates.”

  Suddenly there was a yap and then Bubbles came scampering from the direction of the living room. At the sight of MG, she threw herself at the bigger dog’s feet and rolled onto her back in welcome.

  MG gently nuzzled the little dog for a moment before Rylie scooped up the merry bundle of white fur.

  “Hello, happy girl,” Rylie said. “Are you ready for MG to give you your exercise for the evening?”

  Aubergine considered the difference in the sizes between the two dogs. “This should be interesting. Y’all go in and say hello to Miz Audra. Noah, are you going to take care of drinks?”

  “I will, thank you. Can’t let you prove straight off what a superwoman you are and put me to shame.”

  “I reckon she’ll find out soon enough.”

  Winking at Rylie, he led her into the living room, with the dogs following. When he noted her continued awe at the size and splendor of the room, he leaned closer to her ear and whispered, “It’s just home.”

  “You say. They could play an NBA game in here.”

  As they entered the sunroom, Audra was sitting in eager anticipation. She was wearing a favorite ice-blue caftan that zipped in the front, with matching blue ballet slippers. Rylie started to extend her hand, only to have Audra draw her closer for a hug.

  “No more of that. Remember I told you that I’m a hugger, and I’m so happy to see you again. Oh, and how lovely you look.”

  “Thank you for the invitation, as well. This is my dog, MG, which is short for Mommy’s Girl. I hope you don’t mind her tagging along. Noah seemed to think it would be okay. MG, say hello to Mrs. Prescott.”

  The graceful dog sat down before the wheelchair and politely raised her paw. Naturally, Audra was delighted.

  “What a beautiful girl. I heard Aubergine say she was an old soul. I see that in her eyes, too. How did she come into your life?”

  “Pretty much the usual way for strays. She was someone’s throwaway. My prize of a lifetime.” Rylie quietly directed her dog, “Hug, MG.”

  The dog put her head on Audra’s knee.

  “Oh, what a heart stealer,” Audra told her, stroking her silky head tenderly.

  “Did Noah tell you that she’s a therapy dog?” Rylie asked. When Audra shook her head, she explained, “We visit the local assisted-living center and nursing home regularly.”

  “How marvelous for the inmates. I’ve heard of such patient and giving creatures, but never met one. What a treasure you are, MG.”

  MG gave her two soft woofs as though thanking her.

  As Audra petted her for that, Rylie said, “You’ll get exhausted doing that before she gets tired of compliments, Mrs. Prescott.”

  “Again, it’s Audra, please.”

  With a nod of thanks, Rylie looked around in wonder even though she’d been here briefly only days ago. “It’s simply breathtaking in here. I would sit here, too, especially if the weather kept me indoors.” Her gaze happened to settle on the cross. “Oh, that’s lovely.”

  “It was a recent gift from my son,” Audra said with a twinkle in her eye.

  Rylie glanced over at Noah. “So this is what I heard you also found at Brooke’s? You have good taste.”

  “And it’s improving by the minute,” he replied, his look intimate.

  “You will let Noah show you around this time, won’t you?” Audra asked.

  “That would be wonderful. As long as you don’t let me intrude on your schedule,” Rylie told her.

  “I get entirely too much rest as it is,” Audra replied. “Noah, we should have drinks now. What would you like, Rylie?”

  Rylie gave Noah a questioning look.

  “Wine? White? Red? Sweet? Dry?”

  “White and dry would be perfect, thank you.”

  “Talk away,” he told them, slipping off his navy blue, light wool sports jacket. “I can defend myself from the bar.”

  It was good to hear laughter in the house...and conversation that wasn’t about dosages, pleading for cooperation or assurances that things would get better. Rylie clearly had as good an effect on humans as she did on animals.

  After he set the jacket over the back of a chair by the chess table, he rolled up the sleeves of his white silk shirt. He wanted Rylie to feel as comfortable as possible; that’s why he’d worn dress jeans instead of a suit. As he poured the wine—red for himself and his mother—he listened as Rylie moved around the room taking in the minijungle of plants, water fountains and pieces of sculpture, some of which were his mother’s own work. He heard his mother give a name and explanation of whatever Rylie apparently pointed to that she especially liked.

  “You’ll have to tell me when I talk your ears off, but I do love to share my plants, my books, my interests. I’m totally selfish in that way,” Audra said.

  “Go right ahead,” Rylie encouraged. “Part of the fun of doing what I do is also learning what people’s passions are. I d
on’t read as much as I should these days, but I love plants. I hope to sell the RV and buy a little piece of land one of these days so MG and I can have a garden and flowers, too. We would spend most of our time outside if we could.”

  “Noah tells me that you’re from California. You still have family there?”

  Rylie briefly explained what she’d told him earlier about her parents and her adopted brother. “Unfortunately they’re on opposite sides of the country. I’m grateful for today’s technology. Otherwise I’d miss them far more than I already do. Would you like to see a sample of my brother’s work?”

  Noah was returning with their glasses as Rylie showed his mother pictures on her iPhone. “This is Dustin’s restored project in Massachusetts. It had belonged to the son of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and now it’s owned by a former soap-opera star. This one is in Vermont—he helped convert it into a successful B and B. This is the one he’s currently working on in Maine that belongs to one of the state’s top chefs.”

  “Well, we know who to call if we’re in need of assistance,” Audra said, all admiration. “He does painstaking work...and he’s quite handsome in a darkly romantic way.”

  It was true, Noah thought, catching a glance of the guy over Rylie’s shoulder. He’d been picturing a bulky lumberjack, but the guy in the photo was tall, lean and looked as if he drank cognac and read Byron instead of King or Conrad. As Rylie closed the app, Noah distributed the glasses, and then raised his in a toast. “Here’s to more opportunities to learn via eavesdropping.”

  * * *

  It was a scrumptious dinner. Aubergine wasn’t merely a fine cook, but she was also forever aware of Audra’s health, and after a fresh garden salad, her stuffed salmon with Haven Land’s own vegetables steamed over broth with wild rice was mouthwatering. The whole-grain rolls were also homemade, as was the cheesecake with the warm cherry sauce. Rylie couldn’t have eaten one more thing and was grateful when Noah offered her the tour. She was ready to walk off some calories.

  Noah suggested they start upstairs first because, he’d explained, his mother would be turning in soon. Once Rylie ordered MG to stay at the base of the stairs, they headed up. She got a better idea of how large the house was when they reached the second floor and she realized there were two full wings of bedrooms. Noah led her to the right first, taking her all the way down the hall.

  “This is Mother’s suite,” he said, beckoning her through the opened door.

  The room faced the back with a great view of the grounds. Rylie loved the romantic balcony and the bay window that also allowed for sitting indoors and enjoying the view. There was a huge bathroom that had been adapted for a handicapped person’s needs, and the king-size bed had an ethereal canopy. The main color scheme of mauve, gold and cream seemed regal yet soothing to her.

  A side door opened and a tall, toned woman entered with prim confidence. Somewhere in her fifties, her short, straight brown hair swung with each energetic step belying her age. She was dressed in a white nurse’s pantsuit and nodded at them with a tight-lipped smile. “Excuse me. Good evening.”

  “Rylie, this is mother’s other real-life angel—Nurse Olivia Danner. Livie, this is Rylie Quinn, Bubble’s groomer.”

  “Ah.” Livie’s thin lips became less pinched. “How do you do?”

  Her formality had Rylie starting to retreat from the room. “We’re in your way...”

  “Not at all. I’m just going to turn down the bed before I go down to bring up Audra. By the time she has her bath, she’ll need to get under the covers to avoid catching a chill.”

  “We missed you at dinner, Livie,” Noah said.

  That earned him a double take from the all-business nurse, and she melted a bit more, almost allowing a crooked smile. “Audra needed some time with you two, and I wanted to take advantage of this weather and have a brisk walk, before the next front blows in tonight. But thank you. Next time, perhaps.”

  After they were down the hall a few steps, Rylie asked, “What was that all about?”

  “Livie and Aubergine dine with us. I wanted her to know that there’s no reason for that to change.”

  Rylie touched his shoulder, but then kept walking.

  “What?”

  “You surprised me...in the nicest way,” she said softly, aware voices carried easy in this tunnel-long hallway. She didn’t think he could have said anything else that would have made her trust in him more.

  Noah caught up with her and entwined his fingers with hers.

  They looked at two of the four bedrooms on this wing. Each was luxurious without being fussy and included queen-size beds, ready for guests at a moment’s notice, and separate bathrooms. Aware that Noah was an only child, she wondered how much company they had.

  “Does Aubergine have help keeping up with all of this?” Rylie asked. “This is an insanely big house, even if most of the rooms are rarely occupied.”

  “She does bring in Ramon’s wife and daughters on Mondays for a cleaning of our rooms and most of downstairs, then twice a month they do the rest of the rooms.”

  He led her down the opposite hallway to the very end, where a shut door led to a room that obviously faced the front of the house. As he opened it, he murmured near her ear, “Enter if you dare.”

  The shiver that ran down her spine had nothing to do with concern; rather it was the warm hand that was at the small of her back, and the fact that he’d barely taken his eyes off her since she’d stepped out of the RV. Every touch and look was a communication that he wanted to do more, and so did she.

  “Does that line work with the others?” she asked softly as she stepped into the room.

  “You know there haven’t been any others up here.”

  “I believe you.” She saw his chest expand as he drew in a deep breath and knew it was the best thing she could have said to him. This was like a first dance. They were both tentative, but they had the same goal.

  As she felt her pulse dance like raindrops on fragile petals, she tried to focus on the decor. It was a handsome room. They both seemed to be drawn to blues, his preferences mostly indigo and peacock with brown and bronze accents. It was masculine, but quietly elegant.

  She stroked the bedspread, a design like waves in a deep sea, and breathed in his scent. It was more defined here and made her mouth water, even though she had only just eaten. Initially, there were the woodsy, deep male layers, but then came the surprises of chocolate and coffee bean.

  “I believe you,” she said again, “because if anyone inhaled this yummy scent, it would take a crowbar to get them out of here.”

  He came up behind her and slowly caressed her bare arms. “You think I’m yummy?”

  Hearing the smile in his voice, she turned to face him, and he immediately enfolded her against his body. This was the first time they’d been this close since Tuesday, and she was instantly under his spell. “Much too soon to tell you. You’ll get a swollen head.”

  “Not with you. I’m too grateful for any crumb of kindness from you.” As he spoke, he ran his lips down her neck, his warm breath as much a caress as his words. “God, I want to lay you down and make love to you here. Right now. I know it’s supposed to be too soon, but it’s what I feel, so to hell with reason.”

  “It’s the same for me, but I have too much respect for your mother to behave in a way that would offend her on her own property.”

  “We’d shut the door.”

  She had time only for a brief laugh before he kissed her, a kiss that almost made a liar out of her. She could lie down with him here and make love. Ached to. He was allowing her to see more of his hunger, and also that his control wasn’t what it had been. As he deepened the kiss in search of the tongue-tangling dance and probing exploration that made her ache to take his hands and bring them to her breasts, or her hips, she coul
dn’t stop a soft sound of yearning.

  “Me, too, darling. Me, too.”

  Rylie looked up into his eyes. “I’m glad you’re not who I thought you were.”

  “I’m glad you gave me another chance.” His gaze lowered to her mouth. “Now help me get you downstairs before I lose the battle with my good intentions.”

  “How does your mother get upstairs?” she asked, striving to regain her composure as they descended the stairs.

  “Right there.” As they reached the foyer again, he pointed to the gated door to her left. The elevator was partially hidden by a tall palm plant.

  “How clever—and a relief for her.” She leaned over to accept MG’s happy greeting. Bubbles stood by eager to get her share of attention, too.

  “I had it installed while she was still in the hospital. Let’s take the dogs outside, so they can burn off more energy. I’ll show you some of the grounds. If you thought the sunroom was something, wait until you see the vegetable and cutting gardens.”

  As stately as the front of the property appeared, the back was breathtaking. Roses, gladiolas, peonies, zinnias, sunflowers...there was an abundance of offerings in the full acre of blooming beauty. “You didn’t need to go to a florist,” Rylie said. “You could have brought me a bouquet from here. It would have been equally special.”

  “Then next time I will,” he assured her.

  He was right about the beauty of the rest of the grounds, as well. It was resplendent with fountains, a stocked pond, stables and hundreds of acres of pasture where cattle grazed leisurely. “Who manages the animals?” she asked.

  “Ramon’s brothers. Impressive caballeros. Every once in a while, we’ll have a bull here, or one of the neighbors’ animals take down a fence and the boys will load their horses, jump into their trucks and race off. Before you know it, the renegade animal is back where it belongs, and they have the fences repaired. Ramon runs a strict operation here, and I appreciate that. I’d be lost without him.”

  “Do you ride?”

  “I can—you can’t be a Prescott without being able to sit on a horse—but my father was more hands-on. I think I’m better at managing the financial side of things.”