Chapter 10
Hayley
The next morning, I'd calmed down, and I wondered if I had misjudged Dean. Did he overreact because he cared for me and didn't want Paul to hurt me?
The bell rang. 'A delivery, Ma'am,' came over the intercom. 'Flowers, shall I bring them up?'
'No, thank you, I'll come down.' I still didn't trust anyone to bring deliveries to my door. I realized I have a long way to go if I’m to recover from Jake's abuse and trust a man completely.
Maybe I'd overreacted to Dean's overprotecting me.
I ran down the steps and took an enormous bunch of wildflowers from the delivery driver.
They reminded me of the mountains before the snow arrives.
Dean had sent a card with the flowers.
Dear Hayley, I'm so sorry for my behavior last night. Please accept these flowers as an apology. If you can forgive me, I'd like to explain over dinner tomorrow night. I'll cook us an Italian meal in my condo, and you can meet my cat, who rules the roost.
Please give me another chance,
Dean.
I like a man who will apologize for his mistakes. Jake wouldn't, but he isn't a real man, just an excuse for a man. Dean cares for that mangy cat. Perhaps, he has a heart after all. And he can cook. He knows tasty food is a way to my heart.
I pondered his offer and decided I had nothing to lose and much to gain. I called him. ‘I'd love to come for dinner. Your place tomorrow at eight pm?'
'I'll pick you up.'
'No thanks, I'll take a cab.' I never let a man drive me home after a date. I still feel safer taking a cab or driving myself.
The next night his condo impressed me. This was not the apartment of a senior manager. It overlooked the beach and was the penthouse suite. Dean had been disguising his wealth, but why?
He let me in and took my coat like a gentleman.
'Wine?'
'White, please, if that goes with the food.'
'Perfect. Mussels to start and pasta arrabbiata with red wine for the main.'
He knew my favorite dishes; he must have asked the girls with whom I’d lunched.
The kitchen was like something out of Good Homes.
'Please sit, I tend to eat in the kitchen when I cook for friends.'
I sat in the comfy, cushioned barstool and drank wine. I picked at olives, asparagus, and anchovies on toast.
He opened a bottle of champagne.
'A toast,' he suggested. 'To our survival on the mountains and to new beginnings. Your probationary period is over, and our project is successful. Richard resigned today, and I'm the new finance director.
'That is wonderful news. Congratulations.'
'And I've heard there is a position for you if you are interested. Carol is moving up, and you can replace her.'
'If I'm ready.' I still lacked confidence in my work.
'You are ready. The CEO was impressed with the work you did for the project, and over the last two months, management has seen a change in you. You gave up privileges when others needed them more and helped inexperienced staff adjust to the company. The business needs people like you.'
'If I’m offered the job, I'll accept it.' I couldn't believe my luck had changed.
Dean cooked the mussels like a professional chef, and we ate them with crusty bread washed down with glasses of champagne and wine.
'You cook like a professional.'
I took a short cooking course at a good school. My ma also liked cooking and showed me some recipes.'
'Does she still cook?'
'No, sadly, she died when I was sixteen, just before I joined the military.'
'Oh, she must have been so young?'
'Yes, she was a child bride.' Dean frowned, and I swear for a moment I saw tears in his eyes, but he turned and went to a fridge and rifled in it until he found the tomatoes and crème fraiche required to finish the dish. His tears had vanished, and he put on a brave face and smiled.
'She was a great mother but na?ve. My pa hit the bottle and abused her. He promised he would stop, but he didn't. He killed her in a drunken rage because he was jealous of a man watching her in a bar. He died in jail from cirrhosis.'
'Oh God, that is awful. Is that why you joined the army?' I thought my life had been hard, but he'd also suffered.
'Mainly. I didn't have the money to attend university, and I didn't want to pursue a trade. I liked the army. It gave me three square meals a day and a purpose for living. I also made a few good friends.
Dean fitted the dirty dishes into the dishwasher and turned round to face me.
'Hayley.' He hesitated and then explained his anxiety.
'My pa killed my ma. I couldn't stop him because I was quite slender and feeble.
My pa was massive, broad-shouldered, and burly.
He beat me up after my ma passed out; she suffered a brain hemorrhage.
I gave evidence in court and determined I would grow tall and strong and never be vulnerable again.
'The army allowed me to grow strong physically and mentally, but I can't stand men who bully or abuse women. That is why I was so angry when Paul grabbed you. It took me back to when Pa hit Ma. I don't want to dominate you, just to protect you.'
I felt sick thinking of that poor boy blaming himself for not saving his mother. I understood his reaction to Paul's behavior. The wine and champagne had reduced my inhibitions. I don't drink much and was a little tipsy. Without thinking, I held his hand and stroked it.
'Your mother would be proud of the way you protected me from Paul's attentions. I should have thanked you that night instead of berating you.'
Dean took my chin in his hand and kissed my cheek.
'You're forgiven.'
'And you.' He released me and then ladled spaghetti, sauce, and grated parmesan over the two plates.
I ate with Vigor. Running and the pool had developed my appetite.
A rich Tiramisu finished the meal. Dean led me to a balcony and we sat watching the sun go down. 'I realized I cared for you when Paul grabbed you.'
I could see where this was going. No wonder he mistrusted women and avoided contact with female employees.
During my army vacations, I worked on building sites.
I never blew my money away on drink or drugs; I learnt from Pa's experiences.
I bought, renovated, and rented a property.
I married six months after I took my first accounting job, a young girl who worked for the same firm.
She grew to like the lifestyle I provided and gave up work but I was a workaholic determined to prove myself, and my wife became lonely and bored.
She found other men but stayed with me while I was making good money.
In addition to the accounting income, I developed a property portfolio.
Cynthia also hated kids, and I found out she’d an abortion without telling me. When I confronted her about that, she threw her adulterous escapades in my face. It was the last straw. She left me for someone who'd made his fortune and devoted himself to her.
She took me for every dime she could get, but I started again, and by working all hours, I made my money over again.
I thought all women were the same and avoided relationships.
Those days on the mountain proved me wrong.
You were prepared to distract Jake and get yourself killed to protect me.
You were different from Cynthia. You are a generous, kind woman, the kind of woman I need in my life.
'I love you, Hayley. I do dominate, but I won't suffocate you like Jake.
I'd like to date you and see where it leads from there.
We both like our independence and privacy.
I never thought I would want kids after my dad abused my mum and my ex-wife committed adultery.
I want you to have a career, but also, I want a family, that is, if you want kids. '
My mouth dropped with shock. I'd thought he despised me. On the mountain, he showed respect for me and seemed to like and care for me. Since then, he’d been as cold as ever.
I realized he was just being professional.
He was now opening up to me and trusting me, something I never expected.
I had to trust him and not let Jake spoil my chances with men in the future.
'I enjoyed your company in the hut and missed your humor at work. I care for you. It will take time for me to trust another man, but I'd like to date you and see what happens.
He took me in his arms and held me, first kissing me gently and then passionately when I responded.
It was heaven being caressed by a strong, caring man.
For the first time in years, I could relax with a man and think of my future without fear.
We would date and then see what fate has in store for us.
The end