His Heart's Desire

by Julianna Douglas

  When he'd invited his brother to lunch, Ethan hadn't been looking for this kind of advice, but Nathan's words really hit home. That one question haunted Ethan long after he and Nathan parted company. Although he wasn't so morbid as to think that either he or Becca would be passing on anytime soon, he was realistic enough to realize that Jenna was certainly proof that it could happen.

  And what had he been waiting for anyway? Nathan had hit the nail on the head when he declared that Ethan was scared.

  An hour later, Ethan sat in his home office contemplating the fear of losing Becca altogether versus the relief of finally having his feelings out in the open and the possibility of her reciprocating them. That thought sent a shiver of a thrill through him. The more he considered the positive aspects of telling Becca he loved her, the more his anxiety began to dissipate. He now knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was time for him to put his fears aside and tell Becca the truth.

  A smile lit up his face as a plan began to form in his mind. He knew exactly how he was going to do it. It was a gesture so grand, it would leave Becca with absolutely no doubt about his love.

  * * * * *

  Becca trudged up the sidewalk to her apartment with a heavy heart, her arms filled with grocery bags and the day's mail. After working the dinner shift, her feet ached badly. All she wanted to do was take a nice, long hot bath to soothe her sore muscles and curl up in bed for an hour or two with a romance novel before getting a good night's sleep.

  At her door, she rummaged in her purse for the key. After what seemed like an eternity, she finally located it and fumbled several times while trying to fit it in the lock, nearly dropping her load in the process.

  Once inside, she was greeted by a soft meow.

  “Hello to you too, Miss Kitty. And how was your evening?” Becca crooned to the animal. “I bet you spent it curled up sleeping, huh?” she muttered wryly. “Boy, that sounds great right about now.”

  She sighed heavily as she kicked off her shoes, then tossed her keys and mail on the desk before flipping on the light switch. When she turned around, her mouth dropped open with a gasp and her hand flew to her throat.

  Her entire apartment looked like it had been turned into a gift shop. The grocery bags slid to the floor, temporarily forgotten as she slowly ventured closer, taking it all in. Every flat surface was filled with gift baskets. There was a wine and cheese basket, a fruit basket, and a pretty pink spa basket. She also found a huge box of Godiva chocolates. A gorgeous arrangement of at least three dozen red roses in a cut-crystal vase graced the center of her dining room table. It was flanked by an adorable brown teddy bear holding a balloon that said, “I'm sorry.”

  One hand now covered her mouth as she stared at everything in amazement.

  “Pretty impressive, huh?” At the sound of Edna's voice from the doorway, Becca jumped. “Sorry, dear. I didn't mean to startle you.”

  She spun around. “Who on earth...?”

  “Who do you think?” the older woman asked with a look of indignation, as though it were a silly question.

  “Ethan?” Becca replied weakly, still barely able to form a coherent thought.

  “Of course.” Edna chuckled softly as she closed the door behind her. Taking Becca's arm, she steered her toward the couch. “You look like you need to sit down.”

  “Yeah.” Exhausted and shocked, Becca slumped onto the sofa. Miss Kitty leaped up next to her and began kneading her paws against Becca's leg. Finally, the cat settled down with a contented purr while Becca absently stroked her fur. “How did all this get in here?”

  Edna smiled. “Well...since you weren't home, the deliveryman asked me if I'd accept a floral delivery for you.” She laughed. “I thought he meant a vase of flowers, but when I saw how many gifts he had, I let him in with the spare key you gave me.”

  “How do you know it was Ethan?”

  “Who else would go to all this trouble and expense?”

  “I guess you're right,” Becca replied lamely.

  “But in case there's any doubt in your mind...” Edna reached into the basket on the end table closest to her and withdrew a card. “...read for yourself.”

  Becca took the card and carefully opened it. She read the message aloud. “I'm sorry for missing our lunch date. Please forgive me. Ethan.”

  “See, I told you that boy's madly in love with you.”

  Becca's shoulders slumped. “This doesn't prove anything except that Ethan has a big heart and feels bad about missing our date. It doesn't change the fact that I saw him kissing Lindsay today.”

  “Nonsense. I still think that woman engineered the whole thing to upset you.”

  “I don't know, Edna. I think because you had a happy marriage, you believe everything will work out for everyone else. I used to be a hopeless romantic like you, but I don't think I am anymore.” Becca laid her head back against the cushions and stared up at the ceiling. “Sometimes it just isn't meant to be,” she finished resignedly.

  Before the older woman had a chance to reply, they were both startled by the chiming of her doorbell. “Who in the world could that be at this hour?”

  She dragged herself from the sofa and headed for the door just as a loud impatient knock sounded.

  “I'm coming,” she called as amicably as she could in her still-depressed state.

  When she reached the door, Becca peered through the peephole. She was surprised to find a young man wearing what appeared to be a deliveryman's uniform. Hadn't she already received enough gifts for one day?

  Leaving the safety chain in place, she cautiously opened the door as far as it would allow. “May I help you?” she inquired.

  The man, who had been scanning his clipboard while waiting, seemed startled to finally see someone in the now-open doorway. “I'm from the Executive Courier Service, ma'am,” he said, “and I have a special delivery for...” He glanced down at the manila envelope in his hand. “Rebecca Anderson.” He looked back up with a slight smile and a question in his eyes.

  “I'm Rebecca Anderson,” she replied warily.

  The man extended the clipboard to her and pointed to a blank line on the delivery log. “Sign here, please, ma'am.”

  Becca took the clipboard and slipped it through the narrow opening in her door to sign it. After handing it back to the deliveryman, he passed the envelope to her. “Have a nice evening, ma'am.”

  “Thank you. You too.” She closed the door. It was strange enough to receive a delivery this late in the evening, but it coming via an exclusive private courier service made it all the more odd.

  Becca inspected the package in her hands. Only her name and address graced the front of it. There was no return address or any other identifying marks to indicate who might have sent it. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed a letter opener from the desk and slit the top. She pulled out a blue folder embossed with the logo of Paradise Travel. OK. This was getting stranger by the minute.

  “What is it, dear?” Edna asked.

  “I don't know.” Becca carried the folder back to the couch and sat down, drawing her feet up under her. Miss Kitty climbed back into the lap from which she had temporarily been dislodged as Becca perused the contents of the folder. “It looks like arrangements for first-class air travel to Las Vegas, limo service to and from the airport, and four nights' accommodation in an exclusive penthouse suite in a hotel just off the strip.”

  Wait a minute. Had she read that correctly? Becca shook her head in bemusement, and rubbed her tired eyes thinking that they might be playing tricks on her.

  “How exciting,” Edna enthused. “Who's it from?”

  Becca reread the itinerary, but it added no new clues as to what this was all about. “I have no idea.”

  Edna was so excited she looked like she was about to burst. “I bet it's another gift from Ethan.”

  As if on cue, the phone on the end table at Becca's elbow rang. She picked it up and glanced at the caller ID. The name and number she saw instantly put a smile on h
er face. “It's Ethan,” Becca told her friend.

  Edna rose. “I'll go put away your groceries and give you some privacy.”

  Becca nodded before pressing the talk button and placing the phone to her ear. “Hello.”

  “Hey, gorgeous.”

  The endearment from the sexy male voice on the other end of the line secretly thrilled her. The last time she could remember him calling her that was when she had woken up in his arms a year ago. The memory brought a flush of heat to her cheeks.

  “So did you get the gifts I sent you?”

  “Yes,” she said, drawing out the word. “Isn't all this a bit much?”

  “No,” he responded emphatically. “As far as I'm concerned, it's barely enough to make up for missing our lunch date. Lindsay showed up late to sign the contracts, and I got so caught up in getting this deal finished, I totally forgot. I'm so sorry.”

  A stab of jealousy shot through her at the mention of the other woman's name, but his apology sounded so sincere and contrite, she couldn't hold a grudge. “I forgive you, Ethan.”

  “I don't deserve it, but thank you. You're an amazing woman, Becca.”

  “I don't know about that.” His compliment made her smile shyly even though he couldn't see her. “By the way, did you send a big manila envelope via a special courier service?”

  “Of course it was me. Who did you think sent it?”

  “Um, well, actually I was quite confused by it. I couldn't find a return address, and I was beginning to think that maybe it was one of those sales pitches for a time share.”

  “Oh no,” Ethan groaned in frustration. “I forgot to put the card in the folder to explain everything. Sorry about that. I guess it's a good thing I called you when I did, or you might have thrown it out.”

  “I suppose so,” she agreed, “but what's this all about? You know how I feel about you spoiling me, and if this another 'I'm sorry' gift, it's way too much.”

  “No, it's not an apology gift. I know how hard things have been for you this past year, and since we're coming up on the anniversary of your mom's passing, I wanted to do something special for you.”

  “Oh, Ethan!” Becca felt tears prick her eyes. “I don't know. You've already been incredibly generous, and you know I don't like taking your money.”

  “You're not taking my money, Becca,” Ethan retorted with an edge in his voice. “I can easily afford a dozen trips anywhere in the world. It's just to Vegas, not the moon, and my uncle owns the hotel. My family leases the penthouse from him, so it's not like I have to pay extra for it. Think of it as a gift–an early birthday present.”

  “An incredibly extravagant gift!”

  Ethan's exasperation hissed through the phone line as he expelled a long breath. “I know my spending money on you makes you uncomfortable, but I thought we were getting past that. I'm only trying to help you create some happy new memories to associate with this time of the year. At least think about it before turning me down cold... Please.” He drawled out the last word.

  Becca smiled and rolled her eyes at his pleading persistence. “All right, Ethan. I'll think about it. And for the record, you've been a great friend to me. You don't have to give me expensive things or pay my bills to keep me around. I like just spending time with you.”

  “That's one of the things I love about you, Becca. You like me for who I am, not what I can give you. I never have to worry that you're only hanging out with me for my money, because you won't even take it when I offer. Would it kill you to accept this time, so I don't have to be sneaky about it?”

  “OK, I said I'd think about it, and I promise I'll give serious consideration to accepting your offer this time.”

  “I can live with that,” Ethan consented. “Talk to you tomorrow?”

  “Sure. Goodnight, Ethan.”

  “Goodnight.”

  Becca leaned back against the soft cushions of the sofa and shook her head at the phone as she turned it off. She felt on the verge of tears merely thinking about the kindheartedness of her best friend. It warmed her to the very core to think that Ethan had remembered all that had happened at this time last year and wanted to help her through what was sure to be a rough patch.

  He hadn't said that he was going with her to Las Vegas. A part of her longed to go on this trip with him, but that desire was hampered by her nagging suspicions about Lindsay. The image of the two of them in their passionate clinch tore at her heart even more painfully than the thought of living with her unrequited love for Ethan.

  Becca was deeply lost in thought when Edna's voice called from the kitchen startled her. “So was I right about the trip being from Ethan?”

  Becca rose from the sofa and headed for the kitchen, where she found Edna bustling around. The counter was filled with mixing bowls and all the ingredients for some delectable treat. “What on earth are you doing?”

  “Oh, I'm sorry, dear. It's just that all this excitement has me worked up, and when I get anxious I like to bake. I thought I'd whip up a batch of chocolate-chip cookies. Would you like to help?”

  Becca thought longingly about the hot bubble bath and the romance novel that had been calling to her when she'd walked in the door, exhausted. But now she was surprised to find that she'd gotten a second wind. Not to mention she could hardly ever say no to Edna. “Sure, why not?” she answered. “After all, you are in my kitchen.”

  “Oh no. I wasn't even thinking. You must be tired. Should I put all this away and go home?”

  “No, it's fine, Edna. I was tired when I got home, but now I'm wide awake. Tell me what to do.”

  “Oh, good!” Edna clapped her hands. “I love having company when I'm baking. With you to share the cookies, I won't have to worry so much about my waistline.” The old lady giggled girlishly as she pulled out two cookie pans and turned on the oven.

  Hands on her hips, Becca feigned a look of mock indignation. “Uh...what about my waistline?”

  Edna tsked in Becca's direction and waved her hand in a dismissive motion. “You have a beautiful figure, dear. I don't think I've ever seen an ounce of extra weight on you.” Edna cracked eggs and melted butter while Becca measured and sifted the flour. “I think Ethan really appreciates your shapeliness...among other things, of course. And speaking of Ethan, you didn't answer my question about the trip.”

  “Yes, Ethan was the culprit. I haven't told him whether I'll go yet.”

  “Well, why not?” Edna asked with a look of utter shock.

  “You know I hate taking money from Ethan. Or expensive gifts for that matter,” Becca added as an afterthought.

  “Rebecca, dear, I know that horrible man taking advantage of your mother really hurt you, but I think it's time for you to move beyond this phobia of men who are richer than Croesus, and just let Ethan pamper you for once.”

  Becca considered Edna's words. Maybe the older woman was right. Because of that bastard, Trent, she'd been painting all wealthy men with the same brush. A part of her was still scared to accept such extravagances, but another part of her was thrilled that Ethan would do something like this for her.

  “Besides,” Edna said, interrupting Becca's reverie with a conspiratorial smile. “This might be the perfect opportunity for a little seduction.”

  “Edna,” Becca drawled almost to the point of a whine as her cheeks heated. “Ethan didn't even say he was coming with me.”

  “Why wouldn't he?”

  “I can think of one very big reason why. Lindsay.” Becca opened the bag of chocolate chips and popped a few in her mouth. She wished that all her doubts could melt away as fast as the bittersweet candies melted on her tongue. “You didn't see them together today, Edna,” she added morosely.

  “And you saw them for all of what...five seconds...before you bolted out of there. You already know how I feel about that woman, and I still think she did it on purpose.” Edna whipped the cookie batter vigorously, as though she was imagining Lindsay's face in the bowl. “I simply cannot imagine someone like Ethan l
iking someone like her.”

  “I know Ethan's wonderful and all as a friend, but when it comes to relationships, men can still be shallow, no matter how nice they are. Look at the few guys I dated. And Jay. And all the guys my mom dated. When it came right down to it, they all wanted only one thing. If any one of them had a bombshell like Lindsay sniffing around, they'd be all over her in two seconds flat.”

  Edna shook her head as she dropped spoonfuls of batter onto the baking pan. “Even if Lindsay did use her good looks to charm Ethan into kissing her, that doesn't mean he loves her, or that he's sleeping with her, for that matter. I bet if you set you mind to being seductive, you'd have that boy wrapped around your finger in two seconds flat.”

  “Edna,” Becca said, sighing in exasperation. “We've been over this before. I don't have anything on Lindsay. She's absolutely drop-dead gorgeous, and if he's really into her, there's nothing I could possibly do to turn his head.”

  “That's where you are dead wrong!” Edna stated emphatically. She slid the first batch of cookies into the oven and came over to take Becca's hand. “You are a lovely young lady, and you need to have more faith in yourself. If Ethan has half a brain in his head–and, trust me, he does–then there is no way he could love that airheaded hussy more than he loves you. I have a lot more experience with men than you do, and you know what I think?”

  “What?”

  “I think Ethan has a little more in mind than just being the nice friend who's giving you a get-away-from-your-troubles trip, and you need to swallow your pride, tell your low self-esteem to take a hike, and get on the phone right now and accept his offer.” Edna nodded with an air of finality.