Chapter 4
He found her sitting on the porch steps, a glass of wine in her hand. He had been examining himself and wondering if what he felt the first time he saw her was a fluke. But it was established. It was no flash in the pan or something his mind had conjured up. It was real.
The half-moon shining from the velvety blue sky with its scattering of stars made her hair appear more brilliant. And also highlighted the tears on her lashes. He felt his heart shuddering at the look on her lovely face. She looked so lost and haunted.
Hearing the footsteps approaching, she looked over, a flicker of annoyance replacing the haunted look.
"Thought I'd drop by." Ignoring her glower, he came closer. Lifting her feet, he dropped down next to her and placed them across his lap. "What are we doing?"
"I was enjoying a quiet evening until you came. Don't you have anything better to do than hitting on a stranger?" She tried to drag her feet from his hold without success.
"No." He grinned at her and before she realized what he was doing, he snagged the wine and took a sip before handing it back to her. "I see you're still enjoying the bottle I brought."
"What do you want?" She asked rudely, hating the fact that he had sneaked up on her and caught her at her most vulnerable.
The news from Amelia last night had galvanized her to look up the information on the internet, even though she had sworn to herself to leave it alone.
The story was ugly, debasing and humiliating.
It had shaken her to the core and brought her to tears. She wanted to run to the far ends of the earth and bury her head in the sand. But that was not an option.
"I was just out for a stroll and decided to come and check on you." He stared at her in that intense way of his. She had to force herself not to squirm.
"I don't need you checking on me."
"I thought we would go for a drive. You've been here what? A week? I just bet you've not seen the beauty of our little town."
"I've been places."
"Like?"
She gave him an irritated look and had to admit that he had managed to stop her thinking despairing thoughts. The man was a pain in the ass, but an excellent diversion.
"The market and the café."
He scoffed at that. "You need to do better than that. Grab a jacket."
"I'm not going--"
"All right, we'll just stay inside and have dinner by the fire."
His brows lifted as she glared at him.
"All right fine! Let go of me."
"Sorry." He had the nerve to grin at her as if they were in complete accord. And was the most infuriatingly annoying man she had ever met.
"Not that I don't trust you not to go in and lock the door behind you." He added conversationally as he strolled beside her. "I'm sure you're the soul of honesty. Just making sure, that's all."
Because she had been thinking of doing exactly that, she had the grace to look ashamed.
"I would never dream of doing anything like that."
"Excellent. I'll wait right here."
"Aren't you going to accompany me to the bedroom to make sure I come back out?" She asked sweetly. "I could just decide to lock myself in and wait you out."
"I'm prepared to spend the night." He countered smoothly and made himself comfortable on the worn leather sofa. "You've got a fire going and I'm sure there's food in the kitchen." Stretching his long legs out, he demonstrated by leaning back on the cushions and linking his hands behind his head.
Giving him a disgusted look, she turned and stomped from the room.
His levity disappeared to be replaced by a bleak look. Something had made her cry. Something or someone was making her unhappy, and he could do nothing about it. Easing forward, he linked his hands between his thighs, a frown on his face.
He had given himself two days to stay away from her and give her time. And had decided that two days was more than enough. He wanted to see her again. He just had not expected to see her with tears on her cheeks and that haunted look on her face.
It frustrated him that he had to pretend not to notice.
If he had mentioned it, she would no doubt send him packing.
So, he had decided to leave it alone, for now.
When he heard her coming back, he rose and pasted a smile on his lips.
Nodding his approval at her choice of outfit, he discreetly admired the way she looked in the coral sweater and black leather jacket.
"Do I pass muster?" Her voice had a tinge of sarcasm, but he pretended not to hear it. Stopping in front of her, he studied her thoroughly, green eyes dancing at her discomfort. "You'll do."
"Why, thank you." This time the sarcasm could not be disguised. With a jaunty smile, he led the way out and waited for her to close the door.
"I don't see a vehicle." She pointed out.
"It's just up the street."
She angled her head to look at him. "You parked away from the cottage so you could sneak up on me." She accused.
"I prefer to think of it as stretching my legs." They rounded the curve and came upon a flashy red Corvette low on the ground.
She found herself admiring the vehicle but would have bitten off her tongue to let him know that.
Brushing past her, he opened the door with a flourish and made sure she was seated before going around to the driver's side.
When he gunned the engine and made the turn, she stretched out in the comfortable bucket seat and closed her eyes briefly.
He was annoying as hell, but suggesting they went for a ride had lifted her spirit.
"Where are we going?"
He had decided against putting on music.
"It's a surprise."
"If the surprise includes popping over to your place, I'm going to be very mad."
He sent her a wounded look that had the smile coming. He really was a very attractive man, she thought vaguely.
"I have something else in mind this time."
Turning her head, she stared out the window at the passing scenery. "Why do you have a Corvette? Isn't it a bit wasted on these country roads?"
"Your bias is showing. I am into vehicles, fast ones.
" He decided to show off a little by punching the gas and sending the little car zipping around a sharp curve.
A gasp escaped her and without thinking she grabbed his thigh and dug her fingers in.
Shock and the spurt of desire almost had him sending the vehicle into a ditch.
She felt his muscles tensing beneath her fingers and removed her hand instantly.
"Are you mad? You could have killed us."
It took him a minute to level his breathing and gather his composure. "I know what I'm doing."
The hoarseness of his voice had her turning to stare at him. Sparing her a brief glance, he turned his gaze on the road as they continued in silence.
After a few minutes, he showed her a park with lights blazing and a few people on several rides.
"We had it renovated just last year."
"It's lovely."
He pointed out a golf club a few miles away. "One of ours too. My dad and uncle are golf fanatics."
"Not you?"
He flashed her a grin. "I'm more of a tennis person. That's our house."
She turned to look at the dazzling white structure on top of an incline as he slowed down.
"That's a lot of land."
"It is. We do a bit of farming on the grounds as well." He came to a stop so she could see it better. Lights lined the long and winding driveway that led to the house. From where they were, she could see trees with their leaves bent in the breeze and flowers blooming.
"It's lovely, looks like an ice castle."
He picked up speed and turned into a narrow dirt road. They had gone several miles of wooded area, before he stopped at a towering iron gate.
"Floral Park." Bringing the car to a stop, he unstrapped her seatbelt before doing his.
"It's locked."
"Not really." Coming around, he opened her door and took her hand.
"It was renamed after my mother when she died." Letting go of her hand, he finessed the lock, and it sprang open. Taking her hand again, he led the way through a narrow pathway, with palm trees on either side. Right in front of them were some of the most beautiful flowers she had ever seen.
It was as if they had stepped into the very center of a rainbow.
It was so achingly beautiful, it simply took her breath away.
Delphinium, oleanders, roses of every variety, dahlias, daffodils, daisies, baby's breath and even orchids waved their petals in the breeze. Some of them she had never seen before.
He watched the look of amazement on her lovely face and realized he had been right in taking her here.
"My mother started it. She wanted a park where people would come and just gaze at the beauty of nature."
There was a fountain at the center of the blaze of colors, spilling water over the petals.
"Who maintains it?" She asked in a hushed tone as she continued to stare.
"We have gardeners who are assigned to take care of the place." Tugging on her hand, he led her away from the wonder, leading her further into what looked like a forest. All around them, there were varying degrees of colors and sound of birds singing.
"She must have been quite a gardener."
"She was very good with her hands," He led her to a bench that faced a pond with water lilies floating on the clear surface.
"It's so peaceful." She murmured. And realized it was true. The place itself was quiet, just the sounds of nature disturbing the quiet solitude.
"And perfect for weddings," he pointed to a graceful arch to their left. "And graduations. We charge a small fee just for the upkeep and to maintain the beauty. No foods are allowed, and you have to clean up after yourselves."
"I have never seen anything quite like this."