*****
Noah was slowly running his hands up her waist and Tara sunk lower and lower into the water as she moaned softly, when suddenly she stopped and stared at something in the distance.
Noah turned and stared too, but he saw nothing. “What’s going on?” He asked her, and she shook her head as she said, “I don’t know- I just got this weird feeling like someone was watching.”
Noah turned around again and looked at the window to his bedroom, but the curtains were still drawn and there was nobody in sight.
“Where is Paul’s room?” Tara asked nervously but Noah shook his head and said, “It overlooks the greenhouse, don’t worry. Look it’s nothing, come on,” he playfully ran his fingers along her inner thigh but she moved away and shook her head. “No, Noah, something’s wrong.”
Noah got out of the pool and walked around the deck, looking for anything that seemed out of place and then returned as he whispered, “Nobody’s there. And besides, we’re just swimming, right?” Tara nodded but she still felt uneasy and said, “Look, I think we should go back inside, and um, go to our own separate rooms. I don’t know Noah, something just feels really weird and I’ve gotta go with my gut, you know?”
Noah looked extremely disappointed but he nodded and said “Okay, let’s go inside then.” Tara went in first, tiptoeing straight up the stairs and into her room, locking the door behind her. It was chilly in there and she felt goose-bumps all over her skin. She shut her window and then quickly showered and wore something warm before climbing under the covers. A little while later, she heard Noah walk into her room.
The next day, Noah and Denise didn’t come down for breakfast and Tara had some work to do during lunch, but she looked forward to seeing him later at night. They had been meeting every night for two weeks and Tara excitedly dressed for dinner, knowing that afterwards, she would excuse herself and he would come meet her in her bedroom.
She wore her sexiest underwear underneath the maroon jumpsuit she wore for dinner and spent an extra ten minutes on her makeup, since she wanted to make up for the night before where her paranoia had gotten the best of her. She made her way down the stairs at nine o’clock that evening and her heart skipped a beat when she saw Noah already seated at the dining table. She smiled at him but he looked away; Tara was confused for a second but she knew that the two of them often avoided each other’s eye to dispel suspicion.
She seated herself across from Noah just as Denise walked in. She looked beautiful in a strappy gold dress that fell to the floor and she was smiling happily as she greeted everyone. Paul smiled at all of them and asked for everyone to please start. They ate mostly in silence, but with little snippets of conversation threading through the meal and Dorothy was serving drinks when Noah suddenly stood up and said “I- uh- I have an announcement to make.”
Tara glanced up and wondered what the hell was going on. Noah cleared his throat and looked at Denise, who stood up, beaming and held his hand. Tara’s blood ran cold as she looked at the two of them. “Denise and I are- uh-” he hesitated and Denise suddenly squealed, “We’re getting married!”
Tara dropped her fork with a loud clatter and Noah glanced in her direction for a second before deliberately looking away. Eileen gasped and Paul blinked silently at Noah before he slowly said, “When did this happen?” Noah glanced at Denise and then said, “I- I proposed last night, and she-” he trailed off but Denise excitedly burst out, “I said yes of course.” Denise suddenly made a huge show of kissing Noah, plastering her lips against his and throwing her arms around his neck for much longer than necessary and Tara stared at them with her mouth open. There was complete silence and then Eileen forced a bright smile on her face and said, “Well- congratulations!”
Twenty minutes later, Tara paced around her room with no idea of what had just happened. Last night, he had been fondling her breasts in the swimming pool and tonight, he was engaged to Denise? Tears were streaming freely down her face as she angrily tore off her jumpsuit and underwear and changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top, wiping away her makeup furiously and repeating, “Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!” How deluded she had been to imagine that anything could happen between her and Noah- other than some fucking around in his daddy’s pool. She wiped away her tears and then fell onto the bed, crying harder than before as she replayed all the moments she had shared with him- intimate moments that she thought had meant something. She cried into her pillow until she drifted off into sleep miserable and lonely.
There was quiet yet urgent knocking on her door, waking Tara up a few hours later. She opened her eyes with some difficulty, since they were glued shut with her dried tears and sat up to look blearily at her phone. It was three in the morning and the knocking on her door continued persistently. She slowly got out of bed and opened the door just a crack, and when she saw Noah standing there wringing his hands, she shut the door again, but he knocked harder this time and whispered, “Tara, please hear me out.”
She opened the door even when she knew she shouldn’t and Noah hurried in, holding her hands. She snatched them away and he said, “Tara, please, you’ve got to listen to me. I promise you it isn’t what it seems.”
“Really, Noah? ‘Cause it seems like you’re engaged to Denise. What is it? Is she pregnant?” Tara spat the words at him angrily and he held up his hands and said, “I know it looks bad, alright? Look, you were right- someone was watching last night- it was Denise. And when I went back to my room, she confronted me about it. I tried to break up with her on the spot- I swear I did Tara- but she threatened to tell my dad and Eileen about us. She said she would tell unless I married her.”
Tara stared at him, and said, “So you proposed?” Noah ran his fingers through her hair and said, “What else was I supposed to do? I can’t have your mom and my dad find out about us- we’re going to be siblings, Tara- do you realize how fucked up that is?”
Tara nodded and said, “So why are you here then? Why explain yourself? Go and marry Denise- I wish Denise and your credit card a long and happy life together.” Noah held her wrists and said, “Come on, Tara, you know why I’m here. I don’t want Denise- I just want you.” Within seconds, he was kissing her and she kissed him back as his hands started to roam.
*****
The next morning, Tara lay in bed until the sun was high in the sky and poured in through her window, casting everything in a bright golden glow. Despite the bright cheeriness of the weather, Tara felt awful as she pulled the covers tightly around herself. She still smelled like Noah and she regretted sleeping with him the night before. She had just slept with someone else’s finance, and even though he had still been with Denise before when they would meet secretly, Tara had comforted herself with the knowledge that neither Noah nor Denise cared for one another and that Noah would leave Denise for her. Now, she knew that it wasn’t going to happen, even if Noah wanted it to. Her head hurt from all the crying she had done since Noah had left her room in the early hours of the morning, and now, she was ignoring her incessantly buzzing phone, flashing her mother’s name on the screen.
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door and before Tara could even ask who it was, her mother had thrown open the door and walked in. “Tara, what’s wrong honey? Are you sick?” Tara sat up in bed and her head hurt as she tried to steady herself. Her mother’s face swam into view as Tara groaned and Eileen shrieked, “Oh my God, Tara what is it? Do you need to go to a doctor?” Tara shook her head and weakly said, “I’m fine, Mom.”
Eileen laid a hand on Tara’s forehead and said, “Hmm, you don’t have a fever but you’re all red and your face looks swollen.” Eileen then noticed the mascara stains on the pillow and the tissues littering the bed sheet.
“Tara?” Her mother said slowly “Have you been crying, sweetie?” Even as Tara shook her head, she burst into tears again and Eileen threw her arms around her daughter as she said, “Baby what’s wrong?”
Tara didn’t respond but she stayed like that for
a while, letting her mother stroke her hair and finding some comfort in the embrace. Finally, she broke away from her mother’s hug and said, “Mom, I have to tell you something.” She sniffed and wiped her nose on her sleeve, as Eileen peered into her face and said, “You can tell me anything, what’s wrong? Are you in trouble?” Tara shook her head and said, “I’m in love, Mom.” Eileen beamed and said, “Tara, that’s wonderful,” but her face fell and she asked, “So why are you crying? Does he not love you back? Or is it a she? Is that the problem, honey? Are you gay?” Tara shook her head and said, “I’m not gay, Mom, but the guy- he does love me- I think he does- but he can’t be with me.” Eileen tucked her daughter’s hair behind her ear and said, “Why not? Is it because he’s in New York and you’re here? Darling you can go back soon.”
Tara shook her head again and said, “No- it’s not that. He can’t be with me because he’s with someone else, he’s engaged. And- and he’s in Miami, Mom.” Her mother looked confused and she said, “But darling, you hardly know anyone here in-” and suddenly, she stopped speaking and raised a hand to her mouth. “No- Tara, you can’t be serious.” Tara nodded and started crying again as she said, “I know it’s disgusting Mom, I can’t explain it, but I- I truly love him.”
Eileen backed away from her crying daughter and said, “Tara- he’s your- he’s Paul’s son.” Tara wiped her tears away shakily and said, “I know, it’s all so messed up.” Eileen moved away and sat at the edge of the bed with her back towards Tara for a few minutes while Tara sobbed quietly, certain that her mother would never speak to her again.
After a few minutes, however, Eileen stood up and faced Tara, crossing her arms over chest as she said, “What about Noah? You said he loves you too- so why marry Denise?” Tara shook her head and explained everything to her mother, leaving out the gory details of what exactly had been happening in the pool and when she was done, Eileen looked scandalized. “Tara- how long have you been- it must have been two weeks since the day Paul came home, and that’s when you two…?” Tara nodded, ready to start crying again when her mom said, “Alright. I’ll- I’ll do something, you leave it to me.” Tara stared at her mother and said, “Mom, what are you gonna do? There’s nothing you can do. If Noah and I are- if we’re together it means you and Paul can’t…” she trailed off.
Eileen sighed and sat down next to Tara again as she said, “Tara, you asked me something the first day you got here- you asked me if I was happy, and if I loved Paul. Darling, the truth is, I’m happy, but it’s only on the surface- it’s not the kind of happiness I felt when your dad and I got married. And as for Paul, he’s a sweetheart, he really is- but I don’t love him.”
Eileen took a deep shaky breath and said, “There I said it- I don’t love him. I like him, I certainly enjoy his company and I think he’s a lovely man, but I don’t love him. I don’t feel for him the way you say you feel for Noah. And baby, if I can give you the chance of being happy, of being truly happy, I would never take it away from you.”
Tara stared at her mother and said, “What are you saying?”
Eileen stood up and took off her ring, “I’m saying that I’m going to call off the wedding.”
Tara leaped up from the bed and hesitantly said, “Mom, are you sure?”
Eileen sighed and took Tara’s hands into hers, “Darling, one day you might have a daughter of your own, and then you’ll understand.”
Tara flung her arms around her mother’s neck, feeling for the first time in her life, completely and truly happy.
THE END
Another bonus story is on the next page.
Bonus Story 4 of 44
A Soldier’s Love
Description
The story is set in the aftermath of The Jacobite Rebellions, just after the bloody conclusion of the Battle of Culloden. As violence and terror seize the land, a young widow banished from the clan due to the traitorous actions of her husband. She finds the wounded son of their laird, a man she used to hear about when she was young. From the moment she decides to nurse him back to health, she is hunted by English Soldiers until an enigmatic deserter from the English Army save them.
Bringing with him stories about her husband’s bravery, and his dying words, what secrets does he have about her husband’s death? How is the laird’s son involved? And will she be able to escape the carnage of the rampaging English Army and start a new?
*****
A heavy morning mist cloaked the long wild grass of the glen. Alice followed the rough dirt path that descended into the bowels of the misty valley. A thunderous peal of musket fire echoed off the looming grey crags. Startled, she dropped her empty wooden bucket she was carrying to the ground. The whole country had been plunged into chaos since the defeat at Culloden. The sound of firing squads executing “rebels” who had escaped the battle were becoming more common place. Whispered tales about the savagery and butchery of English Army dominated the local gossip circles.
Alice couldn’t help but think this country was in its death throes. Last night the peals of musket fire were non-stop and a red, raw fire from the direction of the laird’s castle scarred the sky heralding the death of her clan. Alice felt a tinge of sadness in her heart for her people. But were they still her people? She was an exile in all but name since her husband had betrayed the Jacobite cause. She was as much a topic for disgust as the English Soldiers in the gossip circle.
“That’s her, the one who was married to the traitor,” they’d whisper just loud enough to make sure she heard. And that’d just been the start. Soon she had to pay double for any sundries, she’d been spat at, and even reprimanded by grieving widows about how her husband’s cowardice had caused their husbands death months after his betrayal. She knew they just needed someone to push their grief on to. The sad part was that had it been someone else she might be doing the same herself without really realizing what she was doing. They hated her and she had no real idea what her husband had really done. She wondered if any really did.
She readjusted the green woolen shawl, tucking her long wavy red hair beneath it, before picking up her bucket. She continued her journey down the winding path to the small brook nestled among the crop of trees. A gentle breeze rustled through the drooping trees shaking the white-petalled flowers. Alice was basking in the captive beauty of the Scottish Highlands and nearly screamed as she discovered the unconscious, bloodstain clansman slumped against the base of the tree. At first, she wasn’t even sure if he was even alive. A cut to his face had soaked his long-rugged brown beard in blood. There were scores of cuts that covered his fore arms, and a dark red bloodstain had expanded across his dirty white shirt and spilled across his tartan kilt. His one hand was curled around an expensive walnut handled pistol and the other a small well-loved dagger. She recognized him. He was the was laird’s son.
Part of her blamed him for what had happened to her husband, Graham. The simple farmer went off to play soldier for the Jacobite cause because of the nonsense he’d filled Graham’s head with. They could have an independent Scotland under a new and righteous king. What did the cattle or crops care about the king or his righteousness? They’d still graze or catch disease just the same no matter who sat on the throne. And did kings really cared about the plight of the farmer, and the crushing tithes that were forcing them off their enclosures? She’d fought and argued with Graham for weeks before he went trying to change his mind. But men were such idiotic things willing to die for unachievable ideas and romantic songs. And Graham was a special brand of idiot that always followed his heart. It was why she loved him.
A larger part of her just felt sadness. The laird’s son had always been handsome with long-brown hair, and earthy brown eyes. When she was younger her and her friends always used to fantasize and giggle over the idea of him whisking them away to his castle. And from the looks of his body, the months of marching and fighting had done wonders to define his already lean body. It was such a shame it was now a smoldering ruin. Just how many handso
me men had died for such a fruitless cause?
“Water,” the body croaked. Alice’s terrified scream echoed off the walls of the valley.
“By gods woman, are you a banshee or some kind of hag of the mist?” The body spoke a second time and Alice suspected it may not be dead after all.
Alice couldn’t help but feel like she was cursed. The most sensible thing she could do was turn and run. The last thing that Alice needed was to draw the attention of the English head-hunters who were scouring the country for traitors and rebels. He’d be the death of her, and she had enough of men drawing her into their stupid wars. And this fool had already involved her in his war more than she ever wanted to. Why was she even contemplating help the man who’d taken everything from her?
She went to the brook and filled her bucket with the intention of walking by.
I should just take my water and go back home, she thought as she bent down by the injured man. She cupped the water in her hands and lowered it to his pale pink lips. He pressed his warm lips against her hand and gulped down the water greedily. His coarse thick beard prickled tickled her as his lips moved against her hand. Her hand tingled as sucked against and she was surprised by just how it felt. How long had it been since she’d last felt the touch of another person? It must have been before her husband had the fool notion to go war almost a year ago.
“I’m no hag, you just startled me.” She filled the silence with the only thing that came to mind.
Alice made sure that he had his fill of water before she removed her shawl, and her long curly red hair spilled out. She dipped her shawl in the water, and began washing the blood from his beard to examine the cut on his face. Despite the blood there seemed something innately intimate about stroking a man’s cheek. He gazed at her from beneath the tangle of his dark brown locks. His warm hazel eyes probing her sparkling green eyes.
Inextinguishable Love: Firefighter and Interracial Romance Page 13