by Dorie Graham
Not trusting her voice, Erin nodded and Maggie let her go to take the rest of the stairs on her own, her head held high. When they reached the top, she turned to Erin, smiling, though her drooping eyes appeared unfocused. “See? I merely have to concentrate on not being so clumsy. You certainly don’t have to see stairs to climb them.”
“No, I suppose not.”
“I’ve started classes you know,” Maggie said as they pushed through the front door.
“What kind of classes?”
All the familiar smells of Aunt Sophie’s house wrapped around Erin, an assortment of herbs and spices and sunshine that made this the one place all the girls ran to when they needed comfort or just a friendly ear. No wonder Maggie had chosen to stay here. The rustling of pots sounded from the kitchen and Sophie emerged, her hair tied up in a bandanna.
“You brought us a special treat,” she said as she kissed Erin’s cheek. “Don’t mind me, I’m in a cleaning mood.”
“She’s going to see what she thinks about the lighting,” Maggie said.
Sophie blew out a long breath. “It’s always about that damn lighting. If she’s going to paint blindfolded, I don’t see what the big deal is. What does it matter? It’s a bunch of nonsense, is what I say. Don’t you think so, Erin?”
“Tell me about your classes, Maggie. Are they some kind of art classes?” Erin asked, hoping to change the subject.
Of course, the notion of Maggie continuing her painting was absurd. She had to accept that her painting career was coming to an end. A shiver of sadness raked through Erin and she blinked back unwanted moisture from her eyes.
“Thank you, darling, for not agreeing with my sister—or for at least not saying so.” Maggie moved into the sunroom. “I know I said we’d make it quick, but just sit with me for a minute. Sophie, you’ll get us some tea, won’t you? I haven’t had my special blend yet today. I forgot it this morning.”
“I’ll get your tea. Meanwhile, maybe your sensible daughter will talk some sense into you,” Sophie said, then moved off into the kitchen.
After she’d gone, Maggie sank to the soft cushions of a lounger and motioned Erin to the love seat near it. “She’s fretting, you know. You can always tell because she gets in these cleaning moods and she scours everything. It’s driving me crazy, but she’s my sister. I love her. And she’s been a dear to let me stay while I sort things out.”
“So how are you? Really?”
Maggie didn’t answer for a minute, just stared into space. “I have my good days and my bad days.” She shrugged. “But what am I going to do? It is what it is. These classes are helpful. My doctor recommended them.” She chuckled softly. “I wish they were art classes. They’re classes for the visually impaired. They’re teaching me how to cope with everyday things like stairs and fixing breakfast and setting up my environment.”
“Maggie—Mom, how can I help?”
“You can not worry about me or feel sorry for me. Lord knows I’ve done enough of that myself and I am sick to death of it.”
She swung her feet over the edge of the lounger. “Let’s go look at the studio, then send you on your way. Who am I to hold you hostage with poor-me stories when you have a hottie waiting for you.”
“It’s okay. I haven’t seen much of you lately.”
“Come.” Maggie rose, motioning to Erin as she headed to a room adjoining the sunroom.
One side of the studio faced the backyard. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked Aunt Sophie’s herb garden. Birds flitted from the branches of trees at the center of the garden. “The natural lighting is good, like in the sunroom.”
Erin flipped a switch on the wall. Soft light shone over a half-painted canvas and an assortment of brushes and paint stored in neat bins on a nearby worktable. “This is nice backlighting Thomas put in, but maybe we can try some halogens. I’ll see if I can get Thomas to help me with them over the weekend.”
“He’ll be by tomorrow. Do you want me to ask him?” The hope in Maggie’s eyes was more than Erin could resist.
“Have him call me when he gets ready to head this way and I’ll see if I can meet him.”
Maggie squeezed her hands. “Thank you, dear. Now are you or are you not going to tell me about this new crush of yours? I have never had such a dry spell, self-imposed or not. I am dying for a little romance. Just tell me how you met.”
Her mother looked so young and full of life in that moment, Erin couldn’t help but squeeze her hands in return and smile. “He walked right into my shop the other day.”
“And did your heart do a little dance at the sight of him?”
“I guess it did.”
“Oh, look at you glow. I can see that well enough.” Maggie dropped her hands. “You run on to him. Tell him I’m sorry to have kept him waiting.”
“He’s supposed to be working.”
“Right, well that’s going to stop the minute you walk through his door, hon. Go, enjoy.”
“Here’s the tea.” Aunt Sophie set a tray on the table. “And you’re leaving, aren’t you?”
“She has a hot young thing waiting for her.” Maggie winked at Erin.
“Then what are you doing farting around with us old gals? Off with you.” Aunt Sophie waved her toward the door.
“You are not old by anyone’s standards. I’ve seen you both turn a few young hotties’ heads in your own right.”
“Sophie’s got herself a hottie.”
“Really?” Erin asked her aunt. “That’s great, Aunt Sophie.”
“He’s one of Mason’s uncles.”
“The man is head over heels.” Maggie shook her head. “Imagine, every one of you matched up but me.”
Sophie said, “Don’t let her fool you. Her cell phone never stops ringing. Your mother breaks a heart a day and she mopes when the rest of us get lucky.”
“Get lucky?” Maggie’s eyes rounded. “There’s no luck in the matter. And don’t you act like you haven’t been in and out of your own share of relationships.” She turned to Erin. “Don’t let your aunt fool you into thinking she’s all innocent. She’s just a little more low-key than I am.”
Erin hugged them both. “I’d love to stay, but Jack really is expecting me. I hope to get some work done today. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Bring this Jack by.” Aunt Sophie nudged Maggie. “Help brighten up the place.”
“I don’t think I’m ready for that,” Erin said as shivers of foreboding ran up her spine.
“It’s okay, sweetheart.” Maggie moved to her worktable and picked up a paintbrush. “We’d love to see you both if it works out. If not, don’t worry about it.”
“I’ll stop by again soon.”
“Okay, now scoot before the traffic gets bad.” Aunt Sophie walked her to the door, but Maggie had already turned to the canvas near the window.
Erin slipped into her car. Sadness welled up inside her. How could Maggie lose her sight? It was so unfair. As the sorrow gripped her, thoughts of Jack drifted through her mind. No matter what else might be happening between the two of them, she needed him. She pushed her way through the early Friday traffic, anxious to reach him.
“JACK, YOU LOOK LIKE HELL. Is it your heart?” Amanda clapped her hand over his forehead. “Are you running a fever?”
He pushed her hand aside. “How did you get in?”
“The door was unlocked. I rang the bell.”
“I guess I was dozing.” He licked his dry lips. The pounding in his head seemed to have subsided and the nausea had passed.
“Do I need to call someone? Your doctor?”
“Don’t freak on me. I’m okay. It’s just a little bug or something. I had it the other day, but it cleared up. Thought it was a twenty-four-hour thing. I’m fine. I’m feeling better.”
“You’re sure it isn’t the other?”
“I’m sure. I spoke with my doctor’s office earlier. Could you please get me some water and maybe some ibuprofen?”
“Sure.” She left, retu
rning a few moments later, shaking her head. “This is not a good thing, Jack. You scared the crap out of me. When I saw you lying there, all pale—”
“Stop. I’m okay. This is—” he took a sip of water “—temporary, whatever it is. Maybe I ate something that didn’t agree with me.”
“Should we call your doctor again, just to be sure?”
“They asked me a bunch of questions, then said to take it easy and call back if I’m still feeling bad in a few days, which I won’t be. I’m much better already.”
“Good.” She sank to the edge of the bed. “How come you haven’t returned my calls? You know that just makes me worry. I hate being the only one who knows what’s going on with you. You need to talk to your mother about this. She should know. Heaven forbid something should happen and there I am left to explain to one and all what a martyr you were.”
Irritation grated through him. “I’m not a martyr and you know why I won’t tell her.”
“I know, but she would want to know.”
“It’ll only make her worry. She’s been worrying enough already with the way I keep putting her off.”
“You’ve started the weaning process,” Amanda said. “You should have started years ago. It’s harder because you’ve made yourself so indispensable.”
“No one’s indispensable. She’s learning to stand on her own. I’m learning not to feel bad about that. At least she has Aunt Rose and Bobby.”
“Right, they’re so much help, because they also count on you to do everything. Bobby isn’t the handyman you are and he doesn’t spend the time with your mom that you do. But you’re right. They’ll learn to manage on their own. And you should not feel guilty. You’ve got all you can handle right now.”
“Still, she’s had enough grief. I hate to put anything else on her.” He pushed himself into a sitting position, suddenly feeling better. “See? I’m fine.” He yawned. “In fact, I feel pretty good.”
“You’re not as pale.” She frowned. “You have got to start returning my calls. Don’t make me worry like that again.”
“Nothing is going to happen to me.”
“That’s not what your doctor says.”
“He’s obligated to point out risks. I understand what I’m up against and I’m taking care of it. I’m going to be fine.” Thoughts of Erin drifted through his mind and the sense of peace and comfort that always accompanied her blanketed him. The energy that seemed to follow each bout of sickness coursed through him.
“You never told me how your hunt for a sexual healer went.”
His stomach tightened. “She’s much more than that.”
“You met her?” Amanda’s eyes rounded. “You punk. Now I’m really pissed you didn’t call. Been busy, have you? Spill it.”
“It’s not like that. Erin’s incredible. I really like her.”
“You two get it on?”
“Mandy, that’s none of your business.”
“Oh, so you did. How was it?”
“I’m not discussing that with you. Look, she’s going to be here any minute. Maybe you should leave.”
“Hell, no. I want to meet her. One of the McClellan women. They’re becoming legendary, you know.” She socked him lightly in the arm. “I’m so proud.” She frowned. “If you’ve been getting it on with her, why have you been sick? You sure this is the right woman?”
“Yes, but it doesn’t matter who she is and I don’t care about the sexual healing. Maybe you were wrong about her. She isn’t into that.”
“Doesn’t matter whether she’s into it or not. It’s in her genes. She’s got the power.”
“I’m not denying she’s got something. I don’t know what it is, but it seems like magic to me.” He rubbed his hand over his stubbled chin. “I didn’t get squat done today. I’m going to have to log some time over the weekend. I should get cleaned up before she gets here.” He gave her a pointed look.
“I’ll stick around to let her in while you’re busy then.”
“She has a key.”
“Isn’t that a little fast?”
“I hired her to redesign the interior of this place. I’m not always going to be here when she needs to work, so I gave her a key.”
“You hired her as an interior designer?”
“That’s what I said.”
“Isn’t that going a little overboard?”
“Why? It’s about time I did something with the place. I’m tired of staring at blank walls.”
“But wouldn’t it have been a lot cheaper to just date her?”
He gritted his teeth. “I didn’t know what to do. You said to turn on my charm and let nature run its course, but it didn’t work like that. I had to do something to strike up a relationship with her, so I hired her.”
“I can’t believe you’re finally fixing up this place. You’ve lived here how long? I have to meet this woman.”
“You don’t need to meet her.”
The doorbell sounded and he groaned as Amanda hopped from the bed to answer it. He hurried after her. “I’ll get it.”
But she was already pulling the door open. “Hi, you must be Erin.” She extended her hand. “I’m Amanda. I’m a friend of Jack’s.”
“And she was just leaving.” Jack pulled Erin up beside him and glared at Amanda.
“He’s a little cranky. He wasn’t feeling too well earlier, poor baby.” Amanda patted his cheek.
“You’ve been ill?” Erin looked concerned. “Oh, Jack, I’m so sorry.”
“I’m fine.” He squeezed her shoulder. “How about you? I didn’t give you a little intestinal bug or anything, did I?”
“No, I’ve been all right.” She pressed her hand to his forehead. “Are you sure you’re okay? You feel a little warm.”
“I think he may have been doing some puking before I got here.”
“I was sleeping before she got here.”
“But did you get sick?” Erin asked, her face drawn in worry.
“Not so bad this time.”
“This time?”
“No big deal. I think I ate something that didn’t agree with me the other night.”
“When?”
“The other night, when you first came over.”
“Oh.” She stared at him, distraught.
Why was she so upset that he’d been ill? She looked stricken. Did it have something to do with her gift? Maybe she expected him to be vital and healthy after their sexual encounters, as Amanda had.
Guilt tightened his stomach. What if his condition prevented him from responding to her gift the way a healthier man would?
Her gaze drifted to Amanda. “It’s nice to meet you, Amanda. I’m sorry Jack’s been sick.”
“Me, too, but he looks much better than he did when I first got here,” Amanda said.
Erin squeezed his hand. Deep grooves marred her forehead. “Oh, dear.”
Jack cleared his throat. “Amanda, don’t you have that thing?”
“Oh, yeah, that…thing. It was nice meeting you, Erin. I see Jack’s in good hands and you’ll nurse him back to health.”
Erin dropped his hand and stepped away from him. “Maybe I should leave.”
“No.” He scooped her back to his side. “You’re staying. Amanda is leaving.”
“That’s right.” Amanda stepped through the open door. “You two have fun. Jack, call me later.”
They bid her goodbye, then shut the door. Erin turned to him. “Jack, I’m terribly sorry you’ve been ill.”
He cupped her face, his gaze falling to her lips. God, she was beautiful. That she was this concerned over him filled him with warmth. “Baby, it’s okay. I’m fine. In fact, I feel really energized.”
Desire swirled around him. His body couldn’t seem to get this close to her and not spontaneously combust. He brushed his lips across hers, aching for her kiss, but she pulled back.
“Jack—”
“Shh.”
He kissed her.
She pressed her palm to his ch
est and pulled back. “No, Jack, we shouldn’t.”
His stomach clenched at the seriousness in her eyes. Had she forgotten how right it was between them? “Yes, we should.”
He pulled her back and ran his lips over hers. Her hand pressed against him, but her lips softened beneath his. He had to remind her how good they were together. He teased his tongue along the crease of her lips, then slipped inside as she sighed. She resisted for the briefest moment, but then her body melted against him and she kissed him back, her arms slipping around his neck and her tongue dueling with his, stirring up the heat, sending his hormones soaring.
Before she could protest, he lifted her and carried her into the bedroom. At that moment, with her soft and pliant in his arms, her mouth hungry on his, he felt as though he could conquer the world. It was hard to believe he’d ever felt anything but vibrant and energetic. Every cell in his body came alive as she stroked her hand down his chest.
Whatever her magic, it was working. The last thing he meant to do was upset her over a passing malady that paled in significance beside the passion she aroused in him. He opened her blouse and blew on her rosy nipple before dipping his head to take her into his mouth. As he suckled her, he wondered about her upset over his illness. Her reaction—wanting to leave—seemed unwarranted, out of proportion.
He closed his eyes and his thoughts drifted as she moaned and moved beneath him, her fingers threading through his hair. He’d never get enough of her. If he meant to keep her around as long as possible, there would be no more talk of illness.
One thing was clear—whatever happened, he could never tell her about his bad heart.
10
THE BUZZING OF HIS CELL PHONE roused Jack from a deep sleep. He opened one eye as the thing jumped across the dresser, then fell to the floor, where it buzzed some more. He scooped Erin closer and breathed in her musky scent. She’d been wild and uninhibited last night. Every man’s dream.
And she was his.
His stomach rumbled and he frowned, but the nausea stayed in check. Funny, he’d been sick again in the middle of the night. Thankfully Erin had slept through this round and he’d managed to recover fairly quickly. Whatever this bug was, it seemed to come and go. Maybe he should schedule an appointment with his doctor for next week, just to be on the safe side.