Borrowed Heart

by Andrew Grey

  “Will we really leave him behind?” Lily asked when Robin climbed on the bus as Johan closed the luggage hatches.

  “Of course not. I never leave anyone behind.” Robin turned to the group. “But sometimes people decide they don’t want to catch the bus and want to make their own way to the next stop. There’s nothing I can do about that.”

  Johan climbed on board, and the brakes released as Mason rounded the corner ahead, racing up the street, a pack bobbing on his back. Johan sighed and opened the door.

  Robin stepped out. “Get your stuff.”

  Mason nodded as he passed the bus, explosive anger in his expression that Robin pretended not to see.

  Robin waited a few minutes, then went up to Mason’s room. “You have two minutes,” he said from outside the door and turned to leave.

  “You could have waited,” Mason argued as he yanked open his door.

  “Why should everyone have to wait because of you?” Robin got right in his face. “You’re a selfish prick, you know that? And you need to learn that you will get nothing special from me. You were told the time, and it was in the itinerary that you were given. Now get moving.” He held out his hand, and Mason stared at it. “Your key.”

  Mason handed it to him, and Robin went down the stairs and handed it to the man at the desk. “Thank you for everything.”

  Johan was waiting outside the bus for Mason to stow his bag. Robin got on and ignored Mason as he also climbed on. Johan closed everything up again, and they were finally off.

  “THE FIRST time I made this drive,” Robin said to the group as they rode, “I dreamed of what it would be like to live on one of these farms.” He turned to look out the window. A steady landscape of tree-covered hills, valleys, and farmland had passed outside their window for the last hour. Some of the tourists napped, while others watched outside. “Then we passed into the valleys just like this one, and I wanted to live there, be part of a community that has been there for nearly a thousand years or more.”

  “You never could have,” Mason sneered from his seat a few rows away.

  Robin ignored him. Let him sulk. Besides, Robin didn’t have to say anything. The dirty looks from Lily and Margaret assured him Mason wasn’t going to get anywhere with the group.

  “It was only a dream, of course, but it would be interesting.” Robin sat back down and watched out the window himself, letting the bus grow quiet until they were ten minutes out of town. “Johan will be able to let us out near our hotel. Gather your bags quickly, and we’ll take them right over. They will store them for us. Johan can only park there for ten minutes, so we need to be fast. Then he’ll take the bus outside of town to the lot. Don’t leave anything on the bus at all. Not this time.” Robin waited for questions and then watched as they passed into Germany’s best-preserved walled town. It was a tourist mecca because it was so amazing.

  Most of the busloads of tourists hadn’t arrived yet, which was why Robin had wanted to get moving as early as they had. Johan crept the bus through town, making careful turns, until they arrived at Hotel Maria Louise. It was in a beautiful medieval building with slightly crooked walls and a tile roof that looked original but probably wasn’t, just made to look old. Painted green with red geranium flower boxes on all the windows, it was charming and quintessentially German.

  Robin got off the bus and went inside. He checked in with the manager, who gave them a small room where they could put their luggage. Johan was nice enough to coordinate the unloading and placement of the luggage while Robin took care of the rest of the details. Then he returned to the group, which bristled with anticipation.

  “I have maps for each of you.” Robin handed them out. “Have fun. But I have a few things to say before I let you go. There are lots of things here designed to part you from your money. The medieval museums, and sometimes pickpockets. Just be careful. Lunch is on your own, and there are wonderful restaurants and great shops. Also, if I can give you a suggestion, there’s a walkway in the wall and you can climb one of the towers. It’s an amazing view.”

  “There’s a Christmas store,” Lily said with an excited grin.

  “Yes. Käthe Wohlfahrt’s is the original German Christmas store, and they started here. Enjoy yourselves and be back here by five o’clock at the latest. We can check in at three, and I’ll be here with your room keys then. Enjoy yourselves, and have fun.”

  They hurried off to be part of the excitement, and Robin sighed, trying to decide what he was going to do with his day.

  On his early tours, Robin had guided his groups through the town, pointing out the highlights—including the town hall, Glockenspiel, and what the various seals and crests meant on the buildings—but his groups had chomped at the bit to see the sights and shop on their own, so that was what he did now, and he left the tour to the night watchmen, who were more entertaining than he was.

  Johan had already pulled the bus away, so Robin sighed again. It was too early to call his mom, and there was nothing he needed from Albert. Plus, Robin had already confirmed the rest of his tour stops. He loved Rothenburg and decided to wander around after resting for a while. He’d been more tired on this tour than he had on previous ones, so he figured a few minutes’ break was in order.

  “I was hoping you’d wait for me,” Johan said as he strode inside and sat next to Robin about ten minutes later. “The bus is parked and locked in the lot. I tipped the attendant, and Karl will take good care of it. What do you have to do?”

  “Nothing,” Robin answered. “Call my mother later so she doesn’t worry.”

  “Then come on.” Johan took his hand and stood.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Käthe’s. You can find something for your mother and have it shipped to her. She will think you are the best son ever.” Johan smiled and led him down to the main road and into a Christmas wonderland. Ornaments, nutcrackers, smokers, and other decorations, flickering lights, and Christmas music—everything meant to transport you to another world. It even had the slight scent of baking cookies and cinnamon.

  “I haven’t been in here in a long time.” Not since his first visit before the start of the season.

  “They have some wonderful things.” Johan walked with him through display after display, past wooden and crystal ornaments. “What sort of thing would your mother like?”

  “Mom cooks, but her passion is baking.” Robin stopped in front of a display of incense smokers, including a lady baker. Most of the designs were quite traditional, so seeing that particular design was unusual. Robin liked it, so he took the tag to the register. When they brought him the item, he paid for it and arranged to have it sent. That wasn’t something he usually did, but Käthe’s was reputable and would make sure it was shipped properly.

  They left the store and wandered through the town. “Do you want to find lunch, get something to eat outdoors?” Johan offered.

  “What I want is something fresh and light.” Robin could go for a nice salad plate. “Please, nothing fried or heavy.” He patted his belly as though to make it an excuse. “I need to try to keep my diet light. A lot of fat and cholesterol is bad for me. The healthier I eat, the better off I am.” He hoped Johan would understand.

  “It is no problem.” Johan led the way to a hotel and spoke to the host on duty. They were taken to a table outdoors under an expansive tree. “I like it here. Tourists come here a lot, but the food is very good.” Johan leaned forward. “Trust me?” he asked, and when the waiter approached, Johan ordered a large salad with their house dressing, some bread, cheese, and a meat plate, as well as an apple Schorle for Robin and a glass of white wine for himself.

  “That’s perfect, thank you,” Robin said. He sipped from his glass when the server brought it for him.

  Johan nodded and smiled. When Johan turned to watch people in the square, Robin took the chance to watch Johan. His scruff-covered jaw and cheek glistened in the sun, as did his jet-black hair. Robin thought he was the most perfectly stunning and
handsome man he’d ever laid eyes on. Johan turned back to him, his eyes sparkling in the ray of sunshine that dappled through the trees.

  “Robin,” Billy said as he rushed up, weaving through the other tables until he reached them. Kyle approached more slowly. “My money is gone. I was in the Christmas store….” He pointed across the way. “I was going to pay for something for my sister, and I didn’t have it.”

  Robin slid over so he could pull up a chair. “Are you sure you had it with you when we left this morning?”

  Billy nodded. “I need to get some more. I hid some in my luggage at the hotel.”

  “Okay.” Robin stayed calm and hoped the feeling would help Billy. Kyle got a chair and sat next to Billy, holding his hand. “Is anything else missing? Credit cards, ID?” God, he hoped his passport hadn’t come up missing. That would be a pain to replace.

  “No.” Billy pulled them out of his front pocket.

  “All right. How much is missing?”

  “A hundred euros.” Billy sounded heartbroken, giving Robin the idea that he was budgeting pretty closely on this trip.

  “You can go back to the hotel and ask the clerk to let you in the room to get to your luggage, or you can find an ATM machine. They will dispense euros, and your bank will do the currency conversion. It’s up to you.” Robin truly wished this sort of thing didn’t happen. “I’m sorry about all this.”

  Billy nodded and stood. “Thanks, Robin.” He and Kyle walked off together.

  Robin shook his head. “Shit,” he said softly under his breath as the server brought his lunch. “I hate when this happens.” He suddenly wasn’t very hungry and hoped there was something he could do to help.

  “Eat. You cannot help anyone if you do not eat.” Johan pushed the salad over, and Robin took a few bites. His hunger kicked in, and he ate more quickly. Johan passed him some bread, meat, and cheese, and Robin ate some of that as well.

  “After we eat, I want to make sure he’s gotten what he needs.” Robin had made sure he had everyone’s cell numbers in his phone so there was no repeat of what happened in Freiburg.

  He sent a message, and Billy answered it right away. Kyle had apparently found an ATM and had helped him out. That warmed his heart a little. He liked that the two of them seemed to be getting closer.

  A familiar voice drifted on the breeze, cutting through the myriad of others. “Get away!” Oliver and Javier stood apart, glaring at each other.

  “That is a match made in Hölle,” Johan commented. “They fight all the time.”

  Robin wished he could argue.

  Javier stalked off down the sun-bleached cobbled street, and Oliver followed, his shoulders slumped. Robin wondered just how much longer they would be together at all.

  “Do you think he’s a rent boy?” Johan asked, following Javier with his gaze. “He sure acts like that.” He turned his gaze back. “Maybe Oliver hired him to come on this trip with him because he didn’t want to be alone.”

  Robin shrugged. “Oliver is attractive. Sure, he’s a little older, but he has the gray-around-the-temples thing going on, and he’s nice enough. If that’s true, I’m sure he had a reason for it.” Robin couldn’t see why anyone would do something like that. But there was something about those two that he couldn’t quite figure out. “Maybe it’s a power thing. Oliver has it because he has the money, but Javier is too strong-willed to let anyone have power over him. So he gets impatient and rebellious. It sort of makes sense to me. What I don’t understand is why they both allow it.”

  Johan sipped his wine. “That’s because you are a nice guy who… well….” He set down his glass. “I think you have a different perspective on life than anyone else. You understand your own mortality and that we don’t have forever.” Johan looked around. “Everyone, all of them, go around as though they own everything and have all the time in the world. You know different. That’s why you’re here. At least that’s what I heard you say.” He reached across and took Robin’s hand in his, sliding his thumb softly around the back in little circles. “Maybe you understand that too well.”

  Robin didn’t know what to say. Maybe Johan was right and he’d let that get in the way. “Is that possible?”

  Johan nodded. “If you let it get in the way of you being happy, I think it is.” He continued holding his hand for a few seconds, and Robin closed his eyes, letting the connection flow between them. He hadn’t felt this in tune, this close, to Mason until months into their relationship. And as he looked back on it, the spark had disappeared a long time before things ended.

  A chair at their table moved, and Robin jumped. Mason had plopped himself down before Robin realized it.

  “I see how things are,” he sneered, and Robin tried to pull his hand back, but Johan held it.

  “What you see is none of your business. You are Robin’s ex, and from what I’ve seen, doing what you can to make him miserable. Knock it off.” The growl from Johan was sexy as hell.

  “What do you want?” Robin asked as Johan released his hand and Robin returned to his lunch.

  “I saw you sitting here and thought, since you’re our tour leader, that you might have some ideas on how to spend the day?” Mason cocked his eyebrows.

  “You have the day on your own. Look around. Go walk the wall and climb the tower.” Robin didn’t look up from his food, hoping Mason would take the hint. He didn’t. “There are museums and shops—just wander.” It was becoming clear that Mason wanted someone to do things with, and Robin guessed the rest of the group had ditched him.

  “You’re the tour guide….” Mason tilted his head expectantly. “I thought you could show me around.”

  Robin glanced at Johan, who seemed resigned, and Robin stifled a groan. “Fine. Once we’re done with lunch, I’ll take you on a tour of the wall. We can walk it, and you can go to the top of the tower.” Robin had no intention of climbing those steps. “How is that?” He was not going to be spending the rest of the day with his ex-boyfriend.

  “Great,” Mason said with a smile, then turned to Johan. “Don’t you need to check on the bus or something?”

  “Mason!” Robin snapped. “You will not be rude to anyone, and if you want me to show you the wall, then Johan is welcome to join us.” He hoped Johan got the idea that he wasn’t keen on being alone with him. Mason settled in his chair, and Robin sighed. “Let us finish our lunch and then we’ll go.” He glared, and Mason finally got the hint. He stood and dejectedly left. Robin looked at Johan. “I’m sorry. This is not how I wanted to spend the day.”

  “Mason is an ass, and you’re way too nice.” Johan smiled warmly. “But I won’t fault you for that. I will be your watchdog, though, and I’m not going to let him wear you out.” He tore a bite of his bread and tossed it into his mouth.

  Robin finished his salad and had a little more bread and cheese. He drank his drink, and Johan paid the bill before Robin could stop him. Mason joined them as they left the restaurant, and Robin led the way to the wall.

  “This is the medieval wall of the town. Parts of it were damaged in the war and repaired. You’ll see commemorative stones for people and groups that helped sponsor the repairs. It has, of course, been renovated so tourists can walk it. It’s definitely pretty impressive.” Robin was careful where he stepped. The stone walkway could be a little uneven. “The towers and gates are original, though they’ve been repaired.” He paused to look out the windows and noticed that Mason wasn’t paying attention. “You wanted me to show you around.”

  Mason flashed him that pouty look he used when he wasn’t getting his own way. “I wanted to be able to talk to you alone,” Mason confessed.

  Robin scowled. “Did it ever occur to you that I don’t want to talk to you? I was the one to come home and find you in bed with someone else right before our trip to see my family. Then you had the gall to dump me.” Robin clenched his fists. He had tried so hard to make it seem like things were normal that Christmas. “I thought I was going to crawl into a hole and die
after that. But I dusted myself off and found this job over here while I nursed my broken heart, thinking I didn’t deserve anyone else.” He shrugged and held out his hand, which Johan took. “Now that I might have found someone else, you have decided that you’re going to interfere.”

  “Why don’t you go on your way and see to your own fun?” Johan suggested, motioning toward the nearest stairs.

  Robin had already started walking in that direction when Mason called out.

  “Do you really think I won’t call your tour company and complain? I wonder what they’d say about the two of you going at it like rabbits.”

  Robin paused and turned around. “First thing, I have already informed the tour operator about you and your little stunt of booking my tour. They are none too happy with you at the moment. And as for the two of us being together… of the three other guides and drivers in the field right now, one pair is married. So I don’t think the tour operator—or anyone else—is going to care who I sleep with.” Robin chuckled. “Besides, I think he’s been playing matchmaker all along.” Robin rolled his eyes and took the first step down the stairs. “Have fun today, Mason. I’ll see you back at the hotel.” Robin descended the stairs and waited for Johan, who followed him down a few minutes later. “What did you say to Mason?” Robin asked as they headed back toward the center of town.

  Johan shook his head. “Nothing too important. Just that he needed to mind his own business. I have lots of friends, and some of them know how to make things—and people—disappear.” He grinned. “Now, let’s go. We have some fun waiting for us while we can be alone. And I know a place with the best sweets. Think a cookie base, nougat, and hazelnuts, all covered in dark chocolate.”