by Julie
Although the mayor had called for the name of the letter writer to be revealed, and although the room buzzed with chatter, no hands went up. No one came forward. No one shouted out, "I wrote it." But this group was only a smattering of Red Rock's population. Maybe when the word got out, the letter writer would come forward.
The room was warm now, and Laura felt her stomach turning queasy. She'd gobbled down a slice of pizza at her mother's when she'd stopped there to change. That had obviously been a bad idea. Tony had ordered peppers and onions on it and now...
As Laura took some deep breaths and swallowed hard, the mayor rapped on the podium for silence. "I can't say I really expected anyone to come forward. But I was hoping. So now I want to give everyone a bit of advice. Forget the letter. If you think someone you know wrote it, ask him or her. If your significant other says no, take his or her word as truth."
After another long look around the room, he said, "I'm going to turn this meeting over to the town council now. They will give you the pros and cons of hiring additional teachers for the district."
Laura felt exceedingly worse as the minutes ticked by. After two of the city council members had spoken, Gareth strode into the room and suddenly appeared in the chair beside her.
"How's it going?" he asked.
"They're almost finished, and I'm..." She waved her hand back and forth in front of her face. "I'm getting hot."
"Why don't we go for ice cream. You can get your favorite, Rocky Road."
At the mention of the ice cream, the thought of the chocolate syrup and nuts and marshmallows, Laura knew she had to get to the bathroom.
"I'll be right back," she told Gareth as she stood quickly and practically ran from the cafeteria to the ladies' room in the hall.
Unfortunately, she heard Gareth coming after her, and she wondered if she could explain this bout of nausea any better than she had the last.
Chapter 6
Gareth knocked on the self-locking ladies'-room door until Laura opened it. She looked relatively fine, though her cheeks were a little flushed. "I don't like this, Laura. I think you should go to the doctor's."
"I got hot," she said quietly. "I must have a bug or something. I have a doctor's appointment next week for a checkup."
Gareth slipped his hands into her hair and turned her face up to his. "I want you to come home with me tonight."
"I don't know...."
"Yes, I think you do. I want you to come home and let me hold you. That's all. Just hold you. You're probably not sleeping well at your mother's house. Give me the chance to take care of you." Her eyes grew very bright.
"You're under a lot of stress. It's not just us, though that's a big part of it. You're thinking about the Spring Fling, too. It's the most important event in this town every year, and a lot of pressure goes with being a part of it. Just look at tonight as a time-out."
He knew he was pressing her hard, but he did want to take care of her, as much as he wanted her to come home.
Determined to convince her, he decided to up the ante. "You won't have to make inconsequential conversation with your mother. Your sister probably won't drop in. And to top off all of that, you won't have to run back and forth to the kitchen. It'll be right there."
The beginnings of a smile played around her lips. "You're making a good case."
"A convincing case?"
He could tell the moment she gave in. Her shoulders relaxed, she let her body rest against his, and then she smiled up at him. "All right. I'll come home with you tonight."
Hugging her close, he decided they were going to take one night at a time.
When they walked into their house together ten minutes later, there was an awkwardness between them that Gareth hadn't expected. Laura had called her mother from the car, explaining she wouldn't be home. The minimal conversation told Gareth that Laura didn't want to answer any of her mother's questions. She didn't have answers yet, and neither did he.
They'd come in through the garage, and now Laura looked as if she didn't know what to do next. "I know it's early for you," she said softly, "but I'm really tired. I'm going to take a shower and turn in."
"It's not too early for me. Would you like something to drink?"
She went toward the refrigerator. "I can get it."
But he placed his hands on her shoulders and stroked his thumb down her cheek. "I'll get it. What would you like?"
"Sprite with ice."
"Sprite with ice it is."
The cell phone on his belt suddenly beeped. When Laura glanced down at it, he said, "My voice mail will take it."
"Gareth, if you need to answer that - "
"I don't." He turned her toward the bedroom. "Go take your shower."
When Laura had left the kitchen, Gareth took the phone from his belt and placed it on the counter. Nothing was going to interfere tonight. Absolutely nothing. He had to get used to the idea of putting business aside so they'd have uninterrupted time together.
A few minutes later he carried the sodas into the bedroom. Hearing the shower running, he quickly undressed and went into the bathroom. When he opened the shower door, Laura looked surprised, then hesitant.
He knew what was going through her mind, but he didn't get into the shower with her to have sex. "I know you're tired. I just came to help."
After he shut the door, he took her bottle of shampoo from the ledge on the side of the shower. "Did you wash your hair yet?"
"No, I was just enjoying the water."
"Now you can do both." Putting a small dab into his hands, he stood behind her and worked the shampoo into her hair, massaging her temples and her scalp at the same time.
'That feels wonderful," she breathed.
"Good. I think you need to have more wonderful feelings when you're around me."
When she would have turned to face him, he said, "Uh-uh. Just enjoy the water."
After using the shampoo, he stroked conditioner into her hair. Then, dabbing a fruit-scented body wash onto a net ball, he washed her all over. The whole time, he thought about how erotic the experience was and wondered why he'd never done it before. As he smoothed the net ball around her breasts, she breathed in quicker and faster. But tonight, he wanted to give her comfort more than he wanted to arouse her.
As he finished, her gaze ran over his body. His arousal was evident.
"Now I should wash you,” she said. He knew she would, no matter how tired she was.
"Nope. Not tonight. I'll get my shower while you dry your hair. Your soda is on the nightstand if you want it."
Her eyes were so big, so full of questions, so full of appreciation. She ran her fingers over his jaw that was now stubbled. "Thank you."
He kissed her nose. "Go get ready for bed."
By the time he stepped out of the shower, Laura had already finished in the bathroom. Toweling off, he strode into the bedroom and found her already curled on her side in the big bed.
After he switched off the lights, he crawled in with her, wrapped an arm around her and snuggled her into his chest.
Over her shoulder she said, "If you want to watch TV, I don't mind."
Brushing his cheek against her hair, he said, "I don't need TV. It's been a long time since I held you and just went to sleep."
"Gareth, I know you probably want - "
He knew she could feel his arousal against her. Whenever he'd wanted to make love, she had never denied him. But tonight was about much more than sex.
"I just want to hold you." He kissed her cheek. "Go to sleep."
When she was silent, he realized that's exactly what she'd done. He tightened his arm around her, breathed in her scent and closed his eyes, ignoring the knot in the pit of his stomach that warned him she might not be home permanently.
Whenever Laura thought about how tenderly Gareth had taken care of her on Thursday night, her heart melted. She had never felt so safe, protected and cherished. She stayed with him
again on Friday night. Last night, he hadn't just held her, he'd made love to her.
Yet something was different - different from the years she'd spent with him... different from their weekend together. He seemed to be holding back. He'd been quiet at breakfast this morning, too, and she wished he'd talk to her. When she'd asked him if something was wrong, he'd taken a long while to respond and he hadn't exactly given her an answer. He'd just said work had piled up while he was away and he was going into his office for a few hours so that he'd have tomorrow completely free.
Working most of the day on food for the wedding reception tonight, she thought about what she'd wear to the Spring Fling the next evening. Even though she'd be overseeing the dessert table at the event, she wanted to look especially pretty. Hopefully, she'd have a chance to dance with Gareth. Hopefully, they could have some fun along with everyone else.
When Gareth came home around 3:00 p.m., she was loading up her van.
"Need some help?" he asked.
"Sure. Everything on the bottom two shelves of the refrigerator comes out here."
Instead of going into the kitchen to help her load, however, when she turned around he was right there. Tipping her chin up, he pressed an altogether sensual kiss onto her lips. "Never too busy to kiss," he said lightly afterward.
But the look in his eyes wasn't light, and she still had the feeling that something was bothering him.
With his arm around her shoulders, he walked her into the kitchen. She was about to turn into the pantry, when the cell phone in her pocket rang. Pulling it out, she answered automatically, "Delicacies by Laura."
"Laura, it's Corrine."
Her employee's voice sounded thin. "Hi. I'm almost packed up. If you -"
"That's why I'm calling. I'm sick, Laura. I'm sorry. I can hardly lift my head off the pillow. Every time I do, I'm dizzy."
"A flu bug?" Laura asked, concerned for her employee, but with her mind already clicking along, thinking about who she could get to help.
"I guess. I really am sorry. I'm hoping I'll be okay by tomorrow night. I don't want to miss the Spring Fling."
"If you still don't feel well tomorrow, I have plenty of help for that."
"What are you going to do tonight?"
"I don't know. It's a small reception. Maybe I can just handle it myself."
As Laura's mind went over everything she'd have to do, she finished the conversation with Corrine, then turned off the phone.
"Corrine's sick?" Gareth asked, obviously gathering what had happened from her conversation.
"Yes. She's dizzy and can't get out of bed. I'd better get moving. With Corrine not helping, I'll have a lot more to do myself."
"Do you want me to come along?"
Searching his face, she tried to figure out what he was really feeling. Accepting his help, when he hadn't been supportive of this venture to begin with, didn't seem like a good idea. "I'll manage."
"You said that too quickly. Don't you think it's about time I see what you do firsthand?"
"You'll see that tomorrow night."
"Maybe. But I'd like to help tonight."
She thought about it. She'd handle all the food herself. But if Gareth could help her unload, and position some of the trays, as well as let her know when something was getting low...
"You're sure you want to do this?"
"I'm sure. Just let me get rid of this suit coat and change shirts. Then we'll motor." He kissed her again, and she felt as if they were partners for the first time in a long time.
To her surprise, Gareth was a monumental help to her. He seemed to read what she needed when she needed it. An ice sculpture had been delivered to the social hall attached to a San Antonio church. After covering tables with pristine, white tablecloths, Laura set up the hot buffet and soon had Swedish meatballs simmering in the warmer, sweet-and-sour chicken and rice waiting in another. She unveiled an assortment of cheeses, vegetables and fruit and made sure the wedding cake was positioned exactly right. More than once, she caught Gareth watching her, admiringly sometimes, with questions in his eyes others. Had he figured out she was pregnant? Was he thinking about that?
Tonight she would tell him. It was time.
They were ready when guests started filing in. Laura felt the familiar excitement she always experienced as an event began. Trying to be six places at once, with Gareth's help, she made sure all the guests had their fill. The bride and groom looked so happy, and as they fed each other their wedding cake, Laura remembered her and Gareth doing the same thing. Her gaze met his, and strong emotions seemed to pass between them. She felt connected to him now in a way she never had before.
The little flower girl was adorable in her coral organza dress. She had blond, curly hair and a cherubic smile. Her job had apparently been to spread rose petals for the bride to walk on. Now she still carried her basket around the room, offering them to anyone who wanted some. She looked about three years old, and Laura could easily imagine a child of hers and Gareth's doing the same thing.
As Laura adjusted the flowers on the main table, stirred the chicken and replaced the cover, she saw Gareth near the wedding cake. He was supposed to let her know if she needed to slice more pieces. When her gaze veered in his direction, she spotted the little flower girl running toward the table at breakneck speed. Then suddenly she seemed to trip over her own feet and landed on the floor, rose petals spilling from her basket. Immediately, she began to cry.
Gareth stooped down beside her, murmured something to her, then began scooping her petals back into her basket. Her cries subsided, and when he teasingly let a few petals fall on top of her hair, she giggled and looked up at him.
It was a picture Laura wouldn't soon forget. She and Gareth had never discussed children specifically, just always imagined they'd have some someday. After not getting pregnant for five years, Laura had begun to think she should see a specialist if they truly wanted children. Now they were going to have one. Watching Gareth with the flower girl, she knew he would be wonderful with children of his own.
The wedding reception began to wind down around 8:00 p.m. The bride and groom had long ago left and only stragglers from their guest list remained. Gareth helped Laura pack up the food.
She was washing a few serving trays in the social hall's kitchen when Gareth rushed in, looking pale, his expression serious.
"What's wrong?" she asked, knowing something was.
"A nurse from the hospital called me. Uncle Isaac was in an accident on the motorcycle. I've got to get over there."
As she thought of Uncle Isaac hurt, she felt a bit dizzy. "I'm going with you. Anything I've left behind, I'll pick up later." Going to her husband she gave him a hug. "It'll be all right. I know it will."
But Gareth's tight hold on her told her more than words that he didn't know if that was true.
San Juan Hospital on the outskirts of San Antonio was a sprawling four-story medical facility. After Laura and Gareth stopped at the information desk off the main lobby, they were directed to the second floor, general patients' wing. Laura could see in the deepening lines of Gareth's face and the tautness of his features that his uncle meant the world to him. He was the only family Gareth had left, and if anything happened to Isaac...
When they found his room, Gareth pushed open the door and preceded her inside.
There were two beds in the room and Isaac Manning occupied one of them. The other was empty. His arm was in a cast and he had a bandage across his forehead. His left cheek was black-and-blue, and there was another long gauze patch on his right arm.
Summoning up a weak smile for them, he announced, "I had a bit of a fall."
The relief on Gareth's face was obvious, since his uncle could talk to him and his sense of humor apparently hadn't been too rattled.
Crossing the room, Gareth stood at his uncle's bedside. "Are you in one piece?"
As Laura bent to kiss Isaac's cheek, he grumbled, "He's never gonna l
et me on that bike again, is he?"
"I don't know," she joked back. "Seems to me that might depend on if you wear body armor or not."
Isaac's chuckle wasn't as robust as usual. "It was a turn," he said to Gareth. "I took it too fast and too sharp. Next time I'll know better."
Gareth rolled his eyes. "You won't be able to afford insurance on the bike after this. Tell me everything the doctor said."
It was obvious Gareth was still worried, but Isaac continued to treat the whole matter lightly. "As you can see, I have a broken arm, and a few scrapes and bruises."
"Then why are you still in the hospital? Why haven't they sent you home?"
With a frown, Isaac brushed a few wrinkles from his sheet.
"Uncle Isaac?" Gareth prompted.
"Something about a bump on the head. They're gonna watch me 'til morning," he finally admitted.
"A concussion?"
"The doc might have used that word."
Gareth blew out a frustrated breath. "I can see I'm not going to get anything out of you. What's your doctor's name?"
"Don't go bothering him."
"What is your doctor's name?"
"Dr. Garcia. But I'm sure he's long gone."
"I'm going to find out." Clasping Laura's shoulder, Gareth advised her, "Don't let him out of your sight. Don't let him get out of bed until after I've talked to his doctor."
"I'm sure he'll behave while I'm here." She covered Gareth's hand with hers and squeezed, assuring him that she'd keep watch over his uncle.
A few moments later, Gareth was out of the room and down the busy hall.
"The next thing's going to be he won't let me go home when I'm discharged."
"You might be right about that. It wouldn't hurt for you to come stay with us for a few days."
"Us?" Isaac asked with a sly grin. "Does that mean you and Gareth are under the same roof again?"