“You must be very beautiful. I want you to be happy here.” She trembled.
“Are you guys coming? You have to see this,” Charlotte called.
Nick put his arm through Misty’s again. “Lead on.”
Nathan led them through the three remaining rooms of the apartment. The bathroom, with a Jacuzzi tub, walk-in shower, and lots of counter and cupboard space, had a linen cupboard stocked with all kinds of towels, sheets, and extra blankets. On the counter stood large bottles of patchouli-scented hand soap and body lotion.
“Did you get these?” she asked Nick, her face reddening as she imagined those long fingers of his rubbing lotion onto her back.
Laura laughed. “No, Nick didn’t get that for you. Micah and I did. We wanted to make sure he could find you in a crowd.”
“Get what?” Nick asked.
Misty ran some water and squirted the liquid soap into her hands and then rinsed them. As the familiar aroma permeated the room, Nick laughed.
“Great idea, Laura. I wished I’d thought of it. Can you buy that stuff by the case?”
Everyone laughed.
“You can reach the master bedroom through here,” Nathan said, opening the door between the counter and clothes hamper.
The room was beautiful and took her breath away. A sliding door instead of windows allowed light into the room and opened onto the small veranda Nathan had mentioned. Dark green vertical blinds were pulled across to let them see outside. The view was magnificent. The queen size bed was covered with an ivory duvet and a collection of green toss cushions. The room had been painted light green, and the blonde oak furniture made her feel as if she’d walked into a soothing forest glade.
“I don’t know what to say, Nick. It’s as if you knew we’d be the ones moving in when you decorated this place. I have to pinch myself to prove I’m not dreaming.” She had trouble keeping her emotions in check, and her voice was heavy with them. “It’s so beautiful, so perfect. I may never want to leave here.” She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek as she had last night, lingering briefly to caress his smooth, freshly shaved face. “Thank you.” Suddenly the air seemed too thick to breathe.
“I need to use the facilities,” she said, escaping before she disgraced herself. She opened the tap and splashed cold water on her face. She had to keep it together just a little while longer. She came out of the bathroom just as the rest of them were exiting the room that would be Charlotte’s.
Charlotte smiled at her, sympathy and understanding in her eyes. “You have to have a good look at your guest room later. There’s a small tower room in there that’s perfect to set up as a sewing area.”
“I will, but I think I’d better get started on supper.”
Micah spoke. “Well, you are the cook in this chicken outfit, and I’m starving.”
Laura laughed and punched her husband’s arm good-naturedly. “You and your stomach!”
Misty joined in their laughter and together with Nick, Laura, Micah, and Nathan went downstairs using the staircase. Charlotte and the girls stayed upstairs to play until dinner was ready.
When they returned to the kitchen, Misty assured Laura she’d prefer to get dinner ready alone, so Nathan offered to show them around the grounds. Misty began to prepare the salad, and when she started to clean the onions, her eyes watered. Unable to control her emotions any longer, she sat at the table and allowed the tears to come.
Chapter Ten
Instead of going directly outside with the others, Nick went to his room to get a sweater. He thought Misty was happy with her new home and reminded himself to give Nathan a bonus for his hard work. He wished he could have seen her face. His fingers, extremely sensitive now that they were his eyes, had detected a couple of minute scars along her jawbone. Maybe she’d had an accident as a child.
He blinked his eyes, realizing that the blackness didn’t seem as inky as it had. He wondered for the first time if the doctors could be right and his sight would return in time. It had been almost two years. He found it so frustrating that no one could explain the blindness to his satisfaction, but what if the doctors were right? What if it was conversion disorder, and his vision would return? He closed his eyes and opened them again, certain now that the darkness that surrounded him was lighter. For the first time since the accident, he dared to be hopeful.
He would love to be able to see Debbie playing in the yard or running through the house and sliding on the polished wooden floors the way she had earlier until Misty had reprimanded her. Listening to the pitter-patter of her and Christy’s footsteps had filled some of the emptiness in him. He had not realized until today how truly lonely he had been and how much he still wanted children.
His life as a concert pianist and CIA courier had been a whirlwind of performances, travel, intrigue, and recording sessions. After his marriage, he’d added attending Rebecca’s fashion shows and premieres to his to-do list. He’d have loved to have tossed some of that life away and spent time with a loving wife, watching the children they’d created grow, run, and play. He’d bought this house to do just that, thinking that motherhood would soften Becca, and they could find some of the magic they’d lost.
Misty! What he wouldn’t give to see her holding her daughter, the love she felt for her openly displayed on her face. He’d like to see her sing when the emotion he heard in her voice was exposed for all to see. The image of his wife that he’d carried in his mind for so long had been replaced by another: Misty as Micah had described her and the way her face had felt beneath his fingers. He’d felt her tremble at his touch. He’d wanted to kiss her and would have had the others not interrupted them.
A muffled sound ended his musings. A sob. There it was again. The house was equipped with an intercom system that allowed you to hear what was going on upstairs. Nathan had shown Misty how it worked and had turned it on in the kitchen so she could hear the girls and Charlotte and call them to dinner when it was ready. It had to be on at both ends to function. Nick had no intention of eavesdropping on her.
Nick had considered removing the system from the apartment, but Nathan had persuaded him to keep it, so it had been upgraded and tied into the sound system. That discussion had taken place before the accident, when Nick had intended to spend time here with Rebecca and their child. Nathan had upgraded the system as they’d discussed when he’d supervised the renovations, and Nick was glad he had.
He could hear the girls talking upstairs and the audio from some children’s program on the television. He dismissed them. He heard the new grandfather clock ticking in the hall and the hum of the furnace that had come on since the day had cooled, but he didn’t hear any sounds of activity from the kitchen — no pots and pans, no dishes, no footsteps on the ceramic floor — and thought that odd. Standing still, he listened intently but couldn’t hear anything. Perhaps the sound had come from the television. He supposed Misty could have decided to change before starting the meal. He left his room intent on joining the others outside.
Just as he reached the front porch, he heard the sob again. Someone was crying and trying to muffle the sound. It was definitely coming from the kitchen, and that meant it was coming from Misty. He hastily retraced his steps, avoiding all the furniture that now occupied the once-empty space, and walked toward the scent of her that had become as much a part of him as anything else in the blackness of his life. He knew the moment she realized he was there by the catch in her voice when she must have looked up and saw him.
He came around the table unerringly, stood beside her chair, and held out his hand. She took it, and he helped her stand.
“Come with me,” he said softly, and, without saying a word, she allowed him to lead her out of the kitchen, through the great room to the tower room with its multi-paned French doors, in which stood the baby grand piano he played when he was upset. He closed the doors, and silence filled the room. He reached
for her hand again, knowing exactly where it would be, as attuned to her as he would be if he were sighted.
“Go ahead and cry, Misty,” he said. “The girls won’t hear you in here; I had it sound-proofed when I remodeled, and the intercom is off. After the accident, my left side didn’t always work as well as it should have, and I didn’t want anyone to hear me playing.”
He pulled her into his arms, and it was as if he’d unlatched the floodgates. The tears fell in earnest. He held her tightly to him, rubbing her back, murmuring soothing sounds and words into her hair. Time seemed to stand still for them as he coaxed her to let go of all the feelings she’d bottled up. He could only imagine the heartache she’d suffered — she’d lost her husband, her parents, and now her home — but he needed her to know she was no longer alone; he was here, and he wasn’t going anywhere. His lips feathered kisses on her hair, and he knew that he’d do anything in his power to make her happy.
As she wept in his arms, he remembered that moment upstairs when his heart had leapt for joy. The moment she’d said she might never want to leave had been the instant he’d realized that was exactly what he wanted; he wanted her to stay — not for a few days, a few weeks, a few months — he wanted her to stay forever. He hadn’t imagined that flash of light when they’d touched. She’d cracked the darkness that had been his life, and he wouldn’t go back to the lonely existence that had been his before he’d met her. He’d heard of love at first sight; for him, it had been love at first sound. The moment he’d heard her voice, he’d been lost. She was the one he’d been searching for all his life.
As he held her in his arms, letting her release her anguish, he knew he wanted to offer her more than a few fleeting moments of relief. He wanted to take away her pain, her fear, and whatever else was making her miserable and make her realize he could look after her and her problems even if he couldn’t see. The one thing he’d learned in his blindness was that people often failed to see what was important when it was right in front of them. He didn’t understand how she could have become so necessary to him in so short a period of time, but he did know he couldn’t let her go.
He brushed his lips across her hair and held her close. He noted her tears had subsided, so maybe now would be the time to ask what had caused her distress.
“Feeling better?” He felt her nod against his chest. “Your hair smells like berries, but I like the patchouli better,” he said and chuckled.
“It’s supposed to be an aphrodisiac,” she answered shyly. “Berries just make you hungry.”
He chortled. “Honey, there’s hungry and there’s hungry. You make me both.”
He held her close, afraid she might get upset, but she just rested her head against his chest, making that sup-supping sound people make after they cry.
“Can you tell me what made you so sad?”
“I’m not sad, not now,” she said, and for a moment, he was afraid she’d cry again. “I was just overcome by everything you’ve done. No one has ever done anything like this for me before. I’d be willing to bet a week’s salary that Debbie’s bedroom isn’t the only newly furnished room upstairs. Everything is brand new, and you even thought of a washer and dryer. If I didn’t know it was impossible to furnish an entire house in twelve hours, I’d swear you had. Nick, I’ve been alone for so long, and other than Amos, no one has been that kind to Debbie and me since she was born. I was just thinking how lucky I am to have met you. You’re a very good man, Nick Anthony.”
She reached up and kissed him softly. Her lips were warm against his, and when she pulled away, he couldn’t stop himself from reclaiming her lips. He poured all the longing he felt into a hungry kiss that had to let her know how much he wanted her. His tongue licked her lips, seeking admission, and when she granted it, he explored every inch of her mouth and left them both shaken. He reluctantly ended the kiss before he got too carried away and rested his forehead against hers. He wished he could see her eyes. She was breathing heavy, but he’d give anything to know she wanted him as badly as he wanted her.
“Right now, I feel like a very lucky man with you and Debbie in my life. I have a chance to do something good for a change instead of just sitting here feeling sorry for myself. I’m sure Trent would have been a good husband and father if he’d had the chance.”
Nick sensed the stiffness come over her and felt her pulse speed up. What had he said that had her on the verge of panic? Every time he mentioned Trent, she froze as she’d just done. He’d discover her secret soon enough; right now, he needed to back off, and he needed to get her to relax again.
“Much as I’d like to keep holding you like this, I think our guests are going to want to be fed.” He loosened his arms, but she didn’t move away immediately. That pleased him. “Do you want company in the kitchen? I can’t do much, but I can talk while you work, tear lettuce for a salad; you know, things that don’t involve fire or the use of sharp utensils.”
He felt her tension ease. “I’d love your company while I make dinner. I’m sure there are a few safe tasks I can get you to do.” Neither of them mentioned the kiss. She moved out of his arms, and he missed the feel of her body against his. “Thank you for providing a shoulder. I don’t usually let go like this, but today has been an emotional roller coaster.” He heard the embarrassment in her voice.
“You never have to pretend with me, Misty. I’m attracted to you, and I want you to be happy. If soaking my shoulder does the trick — and I don’t mind holding you in my arms one bit — then by all means, cry away. Lead on, maestro; I’m ready to assist in whatever way I can.” And he meant that on so many more levels than she could possibly understand now.
• • •
Misty stopped in the bathroom to freshen up, and Nick went into the kitchen area and sat at the breakfast bar. A cell phone on the bar vibrated. He debated whether he should answer it, but since it could be Laura’s, and it could be an emergency, he thought it best if he did. The minute he touched the device, he knew it wasn’t Laura’s smartphone. It had to belong to Charlotte or Misty. He debated letting it vibrate, but then thought it might be important and flipped the phone open, hoping that it was one that picked up when the cover was opened.
“Hello?” There was no answer, but he knew the line was open. “Hello?” he said again, more forcefully. Whoever was on the other end of the line ended the call.
He heard Misty enter the kitchen, her scent wafting to him before she spoke.
“Did I leave that there? I’m always putting that stupid phone down somewhere and forgetting about it,” she said matter-of-factly. “I remember now. I must have dropped it in with the groceries after I called Charlotte. I thought I’d left it in the car.”
“It just vibrated. I answered, but I must have confused whoever was on the other end, because they hung up without a word. Maybe you can see who it was in your call log and call them back.”
Misty took the phone from his hand, her fingers momentarily brushing his, the sensation a pleasant one. He waited. “Oh,” she said, confusion evident to him in her voice. “Only Amos and Charlotte have my number. It says, ‘number unavailable.’ I’ve gotten a few of those messages this week. It’s a pay as you go phone, so I don’t have too many bells and whistles. I don’t use the phone much; I never have. Amos knows the number at school, and he lives just down the street so if he wants something, he walks over. I guess he’ll have to call now, huh?
“I think they’re calls for whoever had my number before I got it. The phone won’t let me redial them. Maybe I should get a plan and have the provider reject anonymous calls. Amos has your number and so does Amber. Charlotte’s the only other person who calls me. I might as well just turn this off.” He could tell from her voice she was worried. She seemed to shake it off because in the next moment she said, “Come on, you can stir the chocolate for the lava cakes.”
“Yes, ma’am, but when did y
ou have time to bake?”
“Do you want all my secrets?” Her voice was light.
As a matter of fact, I do, he thought.
“Only those pertaining to chocolate cake.”
“Come over here. Don’t worry. I won’t let you burn yourself. Just stir this slowly; when it starts to bubble — and I know you’ll hear it when it does — it’ll be done. I’ll get the salmon ready. It’s going to be a real treat working in this kitchen.”
“You do realize I’ve never made chocolate sauce before.”
“Well, I’ve never cried all over my employer before. This is a day of firsts for both of us.”
“I liked holding you in my arms, and I especially liked kissing you. Maybe we can try it without the tears.”
“Maybe we can.” She responded, and he could hear the uncertainty in her voice. She came up behind him.
“Move over so I can put this in the oven.”
Nick smiled at her and saluted with his free hand. “Yes, ma’am.”
She laughed.
• • •
Misty finished putting the coffee and cups on the tray. Dinner had been a huge success, and every bit of the food she’d prepared had been eaten. She’d asked Nick to explain the best way for her to set his place at the table. Since she’d been seated across from him, she’d watched him throughout the meal, fascinated by the way he did things so smoothly.
Watching him as intently as she was, she remembered the feel of his arms around her and his hand massaging her back. He had beautiful hands. She’d noticed the large, gold and onyx ring he wore on his right hand. She knew she’d seen that ring or one very much like it before. Her interest in the ring had been so intense she’d lost the thread of the conversation a couple of times. Laura had had to repeat a question she’d asked, and Misty had chided herself for not paying attention. She’d finally decided that she must have noticed the ring when she’d watched him play at rehearsal.
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