Chapter 38 – Daisy
E ven when you act like a complete fool in love...
“Why would you do such a foolish thing?” I’d asked last night, holding him through another bout of coughing.
“You did it. I want to be as strong and brave as you.”
I did what I had to. I never thought of my survival as strength or bravery. Even rats on sinking ships want to live. He disagreed. “You’re not allowed to do something so crazy ever again, Grant Barclay.”
“I think I like a little crazy in my life. I married you, didn’t I?”
Yes, he did.
“Daisy, I don’t want to be sick. I need to tell you…”
“Hush,” I’d told him when the coughing had started again. “ You can tell me later when you’re not coughing between every breath.”
“But…”
“In sickness and in health, Mr. Barclay. When you’re feeling better, you can tell me anything,” I’d promised him.
I hadn’t wanted to leave him today. The thought of going tore me in two but they all promised they’d look after him and what he needs most is rest. I committed to doing this and I’m excited about it. I’ll tell him all about it later as I feed him more bites of Jenna’s chicken noodle soup.
But, I’d left the portrait in our bedroom for him to find along with my note. I hope he likes it.
“There are a ton of people here,” my sister comments as we head to the roped off area where the participating artists are assembling.
“Yeah, more than I would’ve expected.”
I’m telling myself it’s a great thing. Art in public places, bringing conversation, awareness and patronage, that’s all worthwhile.
But, a roster of participating artists went out weeks ago for people who follow the art scene in San Francisco and now I’m wondering if filling out my application as Daisy Barclay was such a wise idea.
“Hey… don’t worry about what any strangers think, okay? You paint your little heart out today. I’m here to be your cheerleader.”
“Thanks, Jewel,” I gulp, pulling her into a hug.
“Do you think Grant might show?” she asks. “Mimi’s betting he will.”
“He’d better not. He’s too sick to be out of bed.”
Last night scared me to death. He kept trying to talk as if everything was fine but he’s lucky not to have pneumonia. I cannot believe he was sleeping in a tent for weeks that way. Complete lunacy. If this is how he felt when I’d go missing in the city, I’m going to apologize for that. No one likes being left to helplessly worry over a loved one.
And, I believe with all my heart that he loves me. The paintings from the gallery he chose convinced the last of my doubt to shut up for good.
“Daisy, hey!” I hear a voice call and turn around to see Tabitha.
Rushing over to greet her, I’m happy but surprised. “How did you even-”
“Grant called Dean a short while ago. We all live in the city anyway so…”
Sure enough, Dean is there but not just Dean. All the partners, their ladies, Callie, her fiancé and her son have all come to the public mural painting event. “We’ve come to watch our favorite artist at work.”
“You guys… I’m very touched.” Marrying Grant was always going to make me rich but I never guessed how wealthy it would make me in other ways.
“Knew it,” Anthony says as I’m still stammering. “You owe me, Sass.”
“I only took your bet because no one else would and you promised, win or lose, to donate to today’s cause, Ass,” his little sister says, tartly.
“What are you two bickering about?” Grace asks.
But, I don’t need an answer from the Sorvino siblings.
I see .
Grant is here.
My feet are on autopilot carrying me toward him. He looks better than yesterday. Who am I kidding, he looks gorgeous even if he’s still pale. “What are you… You should be at home in bed.”
“Nonsense. There’s no place I’d rather be.”
“Grant, you are sick and I was worried and…”
“I’m sorry you were worried but, I promise, I’m feeling better and Luis drove me here.”
“Why?”
Before he can answer, an event manager is talking over the loudspeaker asking the observers to please move back behind the rope if they haven’t already and directing the artists to pick up their tools. “We’ve got a city block worth of blank slate ready to be covered and we can’t wait to see what you’ll make of it.”
He twirls a long, thin paintbrush between his fingers and gives me a panty-melting grin. “Are you ready to begin?”
My brow furrows in confusion. “You’re not going to paint, are you?”
“Probably not well but I’ll give it a go.”
“But, you have to register and…”
“Well, it seems with the right donation amount, they’ll let any novice in on this.”
“Grant!” He starts chuckling and I find myself laughing in response. “You’re not remotely dressed for painting. You’ll ruin your suit.”
“It appears my wardrobe is lacking in painter’s garb but I’ll happily ruin another suit for you.”
There he goes melting my heart as well as my panties. “Are you sure? There’s press everywhere.”
“Good for them. I wanted to participate and I promise I won’t get in your way, Daisy. My contribution will be tiny by comparison but it’ll be something from the heart… like the beautiful portrait you made for me, the most beautiful gift I’ve ever received.”
Blushing, I mumble, “I’m glad you liked it. I wasn’t sure if I could get the-”
“I love it,” he says, turning me toward him and tenderly adjusting the bandana I have wrapped around my hair. “I love the portrait but do you know what I love far more, wife?”
All the breath seems knocked out of me as I whisper, “What?”
“You. I love you, Daisy. I’ll never be as good as you with a paintbrush but I will endeavor to make you happy each and every day for the rest of my life if you’ll allow me that chance.”
Joy rushes through me as I happily tell him, “I’ll gladly allow you that because I love you, too.”
“You love me?” God, his smile nearly knocks me down when I nod. I love making my husband smile. “I am sorry for how things went at New Year’s.”
“I’ve forgiven you for-”
“No, let me finish. I want to do this husband thing right. I may need some help with that. Correct me when I screw up. Don’t smile and say it’s fine when I’ve done something to displease you. Because, more than anything, I want a real marriage with you based on mutual respect, communication and, above all, love.”
“I want that, too. Grant… kiss me.”
“I would love to but I do have this pesky cold and-”
I shut him up by grabbing him by the necktie and pulling his mouth down to mine. It only takes a single heartbeat for him to stop resisting. He wraps me up in those strong arms I adore and kisses me with everything he’s got.
A starting bell chimes and we reluctantly break apart, both breathless and flushed when we hear someone’s wolf whistle. “That would be Kiara,” Grant says, drily.
“I don’t care. Let her whistle. The bell was a nice touch. Almost like wedding bells.”
Affection blazes in his eyes. “Yes, wedding bells. I like the sound of those.”
With that, we turn to painting as the other participants are doing. I have my contribution to the mural in mind and I find my focus.
“A maze?” he comments when I’ve been deeply absorbed in my work for some time.
“Yes.”
“It’s very good. What’s the horse doing-”
“That’s Pegasus. He’s going to fly over the wall of the maze. And, the little boy riding him has a sparkly magic wand.”
His lips twist downward into a small, knowing frown. “Theodosia told you about my mother’s stories, didn’t she?”
Cackling, I nod. “They’ve known you all your life and she loves to chat over tea.”
“Christ.”
“What have you been working on?” I ask, peering past him.
“Just something heartfelt…”
It’s definitely that. A large red heart filled with the words – Grant loves Daisy.
I lean against him, feeling so much happiness I swear I might explode. “That’s a very public declaration. I thought a Barclay’s heart was never open for the casual inspection of others.”
He shrugs. “In this particular instance, I don’t mind making an exception.”
I kiss the corner of his mouth and dot the end of his nose with a dab of paint. I don’t mind either.