Maria was not really surprised when Laura joined them early in the morning. She was fairly sure that her daughter had not slept much the night before. She smiled as Laura looked at her watch every few minutes as if willing the time to pass faster.
“Laura, come help me with the tortillas.” Her mother handed her a rolling pin and began to make the dough into small balls that Laura ruthlessly spread flat, her impatience adding weight to the rolling pin.
Finally, they heard a knock at the door and Beth’s cheery voice calling “good morning.” It was only with great effort that Laura restrained herself from running out to make sure he was there. Instead, she stayed at her task, absently rolling the tortilla flatter and wider until it was little more than a whisper of dough on the counter.
“Good morning, Laura.” She turned at the sound of his voice, and her mother and Beth saw the joy that filled her eyes.
“Hello, Taylor. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, thanks.” The awkwardness of the day before returned, and Maria stepped in.
“And did my daughter think to leave you something for breakfast? At least some coffee?”
Sheepishly, Taylor admitted he hadn’t wakened in time to eat and would probably kill for a cup of coffee. Laura reached up for a mug, filled it with coffee, and handed it to him. His hand brushed hers, and she nearly dropped the mug before it was safely in his hand.
“Sit down, Taylor. And you girls, too. Even if you’ve eaten, Beth, I know you never turn down a fresh tortilla. Laura, you haven’t eaten anything either. You’ll all need energy for today.”
She peeled the mangled tortilla from the counter and efficiently patted out three new ones and dropped them on the griddle. She scrambled eggs and served them with the fresh tortillas. Beth began to tell outrageous stories about Laura, which she denied and soon the three young people were laughing. As Sean came into the kitchen, Maria met his eyes over the head of their daughter and they both smiled. It had been a long time since they’d seen Laura so happy.
* * *
After breakfast, Sean put them to work making the farolitos, the simple paper-bag lanterns that would shed a soft glow to bring the Christ Child home. “Most people call them luminarias,” Sean explained as he worked, “but those, technically, are the small bonfires used for the same purpose. No one knows for sure when they began to use the farolitos, but the intent was the same and it didn’t matter.”
Taylor and Laura had not had any time to be alone together, but they were happy to be working in each other’s presence. Laura had pulled her long hair back into a ponytail, and Taylor was distracted by wisps of hair that had escaped to brush against her cheek. He longed to reach out and tuck them back behind her ears, but was reluctant to do so with her father around.
Neighbors were out, involved in the same task, and there was a lot of visiting back and forth. Taylor was introduced again and again, but there was no fuss made over who he was. He rather got the feeling that they weren’t impressed, anyway, and he was relieved.
After a lunch break, Sean declared it was time for a siesta, and it seemed that much of the neighborhood would be following his example. Beth had left to help at her parents’ house, and Laura and Taylor finally found themselves alone.
The two of them were sitting in the sunroom, jeans rolled up to hang their feet in the water of the pool. “Meg would love this. She’s really a landlocked mermaid, I think. She’d rather be in the water than anywhere else.”
“Maybe you could bring her with you to visit next time,” Laura answered.
“I’d like that. She would, too.” Taylor was very aware of how close Laura was. Her hair was still escaping from the ponytail and, without stopping to think, he reached out and tucked one strand behind her ear. “You look like a little girl with your bare feet and ponytail,” he said quietly, his eyes gazing into hers before he bent his head and kissed her.
Time seemed to stop for both of them. Laura was aware of feelings that Cary’s kisses had never stirred, and her hand came up to touch his cheek. Taylor’s senses reeled from the closeness of her. He wanted to gather her into his arms and make love to her, but settled for pulling her hair loose from the band that held it, burying his hands in the mass of glorious, silken color.
The sound of her father’s voice in the hallway caused them to break apart like guilty teenagers. There were no words between them, but the promise of later was in their eyes.
Chapter 21
The preparations were finally finished. Taylor showered and changed in the guest bathroom, his thoughts on Laura and the promise of her kiss. Tonight, being near to her, would be torture, but he consoled himself with the promise that it wouldn’t be Beth who took him back to the apartment.
Laura, in her parents’ shower, was thinking much the same thing. For the first time in ages, she found herself interested enough in a man to want to go to bed with him. She was fairly sure that Taylor felt the same way, and she looked forward to the end of the evening and to what she hoped would happen.
* * *
Taylor and Laura helped Sean light the farolitos that now lined the driveway and the roof of the house. As darkness fell, Taylor stopped working to just watch the dance of light that turned such ordinary ingredients to magic. The look on his face was one of total awe, and Laura felt pleased she could share this with him.
From the roof, Sean shouted down, “We’re almost done here. You two had better head on over if you want to be in on the beginning of the procession.” His shadowy figure waved as they walked away, but they didn’t see.
Taylor took Laura’s hand as they walked to the starting point. “’Posada’ means inn,” Laura explained. “The procession will follow Mary and Joseph from house to house as they seek a place to stay. There is a traditional song, sung in Spanish, that tells of their need to find shelter. At the first eight houses they will be turned away. Finally, at the ninth house, they will be given shelter, the Christ Child will appear, and the celebrations begin. Maybe if you’re very good, we’ll let you have a try at the piñata with the other children!” She laughed at him as they arrived.
The yard where the procession would begin was a scene of chaos. The teenager chosen to play Mary was suddenly shy at the importance of her role. Joseph, older and wiser, talked quietly with his friends as children ran around in an overexcited state. In the center of it all, a donkey stood placidly, waiting for whatever the humans had planned, secure that he would be fed and warm at evening’s end.
Someone gave the signal that it was time. Joseph lifted Mary up on the donkey as candles were handed out and the flame passed from one to another. As Laura’s candle burst into flame, Taylor thought her face in its glow was the loveliest sight he’d ever seen. She held her candle to his, the flame shared for a moment, before he had to turn away to pass it on to someone else.
The procession started, and the neighborhood began to follow, softly singing Christmas carols from house to house, singing the traditional plea for shelter at each house on the route. As Laura had told him, they were turned away at each house until, finally, they wound down the drive to Sean and Maria’s where Joseph knocked at the door and told his story of a pregnant wife and no room to be found. Sean opened the door wide and welcomed them in, and Taylor found his eyes filled with tears at the simple beauty of it all. Laura, watching him, knew in that moment that she had fallen in love with him.
The house filled with neighbors and friends. Long tables had been set up to accommodate the food and drink, coats were piled high on the beds, and the fiesta began. Taylor found himself separated from Laura, just as they had been at that first party when they’d met. But, he wasn’t alone this time. He had found shelter in the home of the woman he loved.
* * *
Taylor saw Beth whispering to Laura before the two women turned away down the hall. He decided to go see what they were up to and made his way slowly through th
e crowd.
Beth pulled Laura into the bedroom. “He is so gorgeous!” she said.
“Shh! Beth, he might hear you!” she said as she pushed the door almost closed.
“What? You don’t think he already knows he’s good looking?”
“Of course he knows. But we don’t have to be discussing him that way.”
Outside, in the hall, Taylor heard their voices. As he lifted his hand to knock, Beth’s next words caused him to pause.
“Well, he’s a lot better looking than Mr. Newscast.”
“Stop it, Beth. We’re just friends.”
“Friends? Are you crazy? Don’t you see the way Taylor’s been looking at you? The only time the talking head looks that way is when he’s preening in the mirror.”
“Beth, I know you don’t like him, but don’t start seeing something with Taylor that isn’t there.”
“You’re the one who’s blind, Laura Collins.”
“No, you’re the one who’s wearing rose-colored glasses.”
“Laura!”
“Beth!” Laura mimicked her friend’s exasperated tone, and the two women dissolved into laughter.
Taylor went on down the hall and closed the door of the bathroom behind him. What he’d suspected was true. She was seeing someone. He’d been foolish to think otherwise. He’d only been seeing what he wanted to see. Staring at his face in the mirror, he said, “You’re a fool, Taylor Morgan.” Then, he opened the door to return to the party where he’d have to give the most difficult performance of his life. The door to the bedroom was open; Laura and Beth were gone, back into the crowd he would have to face.
As he came back into the crowded family room, he stood by the door to the kitchen. Two women were talking just inside the door, and Taylor couldn’t help overhearing.
“I thought Laura was seeing that handsome newsman. She did bring him here for Thanksgiving, didn’t she?”
“Sí, and Maria seemed to be very pleased with him. I think they’d given up hope that Laura would settle down and give them grandchildren. With Tomás gone, she’s their only hope of that.”
“Then she thinks they’ll marry? It’s that serious?”
“From everything I’ve heard, it seems to be.”
Taylor closed his eyes as if he could shut out the sounds as well as the sights. He felt someone touch his arm, and he opened his eyes to see Laura’s face, her eyes filled with concern.
“Are you all right, Taylor?”
Summoning up all his acting skills, Taylor smiled at her, “I’m fine, Laura. All the noise is just a little overwhelming.”
“It can be. Find your coat, and we’ll go out on the patio.”
The last thing he could handle right now was being alone with her. “No, I think I’ve had enough of the cold. The tour will start again in February, and I start rehearsals again right after the first of the year, so I’d best not risk catching a cold.”
Laura heard a tone in his voice that hadn’t been there before. She wasn’t sure why, but his words sounded strained somehow. Before she could pursue it further, Beth came and pulled him away. “Taylor Morgan, I think you should sing for your supper,” she said. “We can’t have a voice like yours here and not take advantage of it.”
Laura watched as he laughed at Beth, protesting to no avail that they didn’t need him to sing. Beth was not taking “no” for an answer, and they were swallowed by the crowd. Cries of “Quiet” could be heard before someone began to play the piano. “Ave Maria”, her mother’s favorite. Beth must have told him. She listened as he began to sing softly. She couldn’t see him, but, instead, saw the look on his face before he’d kissed her this afternoon. What had changed since then? Her eyes filled with tears that were not a response to the beauty of the song.
After the applause for Taylor’s song died down, the children began to cry that it was time for the piñata. As Laura had threatened, Taylor was blindfolded and given a chance to break the papier-mâché star to release the treasures inside. He didn’t succeed, but stayed to cheer on the children until one of them connected with it and it broke open, spilling candy and toys. Soon after, people began to leave, a few at a time. Finally, just after midnight, the house had emptied of all except the Collins family, Beth, and Taylor.
“Did you enjoy Las Posadas, Taylor?” Maria asked as she began to gather up a few scattered plates and cups.
He took them from her and said, “Very much, Maria. I thank you for sharing it with me.”
“De nada,” she said. She liked this young man, and, if what she thought was really true, she would see more of him.
“Laura should take you home now. Your plane is early tomorrow?”
Laura’s heart shattered as he said, “It is. Very early, actually. Beth, would you mind dropping me at Laura’s again? It’s a long drive, and there’s no reason for Laura to do it. I can take a cab to the airport in the morning so no one has to be bothered.”
As she started to protest, he said, “No, Laura, this would be easier for everyone. I’ll get my things if you’re ready, Beth.”
Beth met Laura’s eyes and saw the devastation there. Why was Taylor doing this? What had happened in the last few hours to change him so? Beth was as confused as Laura was.
“Thank you, again. This was a wonderful experience, and I’ll always remember it.” Both Sean and Maria heard the finality in his words before he turned to Laura.
“Laura, I’ve had a great time. I hope someday I can return the favor if you come to Florida. Take care, and I’ll talk to you soon.” He hastily kissed her cheek and turned away. “Ready, Beth?” he asked before he started to the door, opening it for Beth, then closing it softly behind them.
* * *
In the car, Beth didn’t know what to say or do. Taylor solved her dilemma by saying, “Beth, I’m sorry. I seem to have developed a terrible headache. Would you mind if I just closed my eyes for a few minutes?”
The few minutes proved to be the entire trip across town. When they got to the complex, Taylor kissed Beth’s cheek, a kiss no different than the farewell one he’d given Laura earlier. “Thanks, Beth. Take care of yourself,” he said before he turned away. She watched, bewildered, as he climbed the stairs to Laura’s apartment and closed the door behind him.
* * *
Laura told her mother to go on to bed. “I’ll finish cleaning things up. You’ve done enough. Go get some rest.” Reluctantly, because there was nothing else she could do, Maria kissed her daughter, then hugged her fiercely before she did as Laura asked.
Laura gathered up the last of the plates and napkins and threw them away. The house didn’t look like it had been filled with people and laughter only a short while ago. It looked empty and cold—exactly the way she felt right now.
Turning off the lights, she sat in the darkened sunroom where she’d dreamed of Taylor’s kiss just last night, had shared that kiss this afternoon. What could have gone so wrong so quickly? She searched her mind for an answer that wasn’t there. Then she gave in to the tears that she had held back as long as she could, crying for all the dreams that she had so foolishly allowed herself to have.
* * *
Taylor stood at the glass door of Laura’s small balcony, looking out across the city… across the distance that separated them. In the morning, he’d go back to Florida, back to Annie and Meg, and try to forget how he felt about the copper-haired woman he was leaving behind.
* * *
Cary, the inadvertent cause of all of Taylor and Laura’s pain, wasn’t thinking of her at all. The waitress he’d picked up in the bar was distracting him quite nicely as she shared his bed this early Christmas Eve morning.
* * *
Taylor never went to bed. He’d stayed awake trying to find the right words to write in a note to leave for her. Finally, he finished and packed, called a cab, and left for the airpo
rt. He might as well be awake there as here, he thought, as he closed and locked the door, sliding the key under it before he walked away.
* * *
Laura came back to her apartment mid-morning. She’d finally gone to bed just before dawn. Her mother let her sleep late; then Laura had insisted she still had some errands to run. The excuse bought her what she desperately needed, a little time to be alone.
He’d left the note on the table, propped up against a small package. She opened the note and read:
Laura,
It was wonderful to see you again and share part of the holiday with you. Please tell your mother and father how much I appreciated it.
This is just a little something I brought for you to say thank you and Merry Christmas.
See you on the ’net.
Taylor
Opening the package, she found a pair of carved jade earrings. She had no way of knowing that they had belonged to his mother, no way of knowing he’d brought them for her because he was sure his mother would have loved her as much as he did.
Chapter 22
Taylor had a lot of time to think on the three-hour flight to Tampa. He would have preferred thinking about something else, but his mind kept circling on the events of the past two days.
He realized his own expectations for this visit had colored everything. He had read too much into Laura’s invitation. Friendship was all she had been offering and he’d pushed past that. Now he would have to decide if he wanted to continue the friendship. Could he put his own feelings aside? Could he handle it if she married this other man?
Even three hours of thinking didn’t resolve his dilemma. As he opened the door to the condo, he was struck again by the contrast between his living space and Laura’s. The only things remotely personal in this place he called home were a couple of Meg’s drawings on the refrigerator and the seashells on the windowsill. Because he spent Christmas with Annie and Meg, he never bothered with decorating, so there wasn’t even a tree. The packages he would be delivering were stacked at the top of the stairs, waiting to be packed up.
Timing Is Everything Page 12
