Earth Goddess

by Crystal Inman

  He answered her unasked question. “She reminds me of you.”

  “Me?” May frowned. There were no physical similarities at all. Sierra a blue-eyed blond.

  “When I’m approached by a client, I look at the whole picture. Do the actors truly want to act? Is this a passing phase? Are they being manipulated into this lifestyle by others?” William tapped his fingers on his leg. “There are many variables.” He paused. “But every once in awhile, I find a performing gift in a small package. That’s Sierra.” William touched her cheek softly. “That was you.”

  May stopped at the stop sign by Elysian Fields and tried to put her emotions in perspective. If half of what William told her had been correct, then maybe she needed to listen to his words about the story. The thought still twisted her up but it was a persistent idea.

  “We’re going there.” May pointed out the windshield and watched William’s reaction.

  He grimaced. “What in the world is that supposed to be?”

  “It’s going to be a nursery.”

  William looked appalled. “Children will be going there?” he demanded.

  May threw back her head and laughed at his tone. “Oh my God!” She shook her head back and forth but couldn’t get the words out for a minute. Finally she took a deep breath and parked the car. “A flower nursery.”

  “Oh.” Then a second time. “Oh.”

  “Come on.” May stepped out of the car and locked her door. Then she shuffled around to the back. “I still have a major limp from my injury. So don’t think about looking at me with pity or any of that crap.”

  “Well, I did have this fantasy about your walker once.” William grinned and winked.

  May looked at him in shock and then burst out laughing. “Oh, you’re bad, William Campbell.”

  He shrugged. “Simply a new and inventive use of that piece of equipment.”

  May blushed. “I don’t want to know.”

  “Let me know if you change your mind.” William winked.

  They walked up the path slowly and to the front door. May turned the key in the lock and pushed the door open. She stepped inside, and William followed her.

  May tucked her keys away and immediately opened up the tiny jar of medicine to put on both her wrists. William watched but didn’t say a word until the stopper had been put back in. “A little ritual?”

  “My clients have a doctor I agreed to see. He assures me the medicine in there helps.” May smiled. “I think it’s worth a try.”

  “Fair enough.” William looked around. “What are you supposed to be doing?”

  “Instructions are up the stairs.”

  He frowned. “I’ll go get them and bring them down.”

  “Sweet but unnecessary.” May’s brown eyes were firm. “I’m heading up those big, bad stairs and collecting the information myself.” She put her foot on the first step. “You coming?”

  “You bet.”

  It took about five minutes for May to finally reach the top. William stuck with her step-by-step and talked about inconsequential matters concerning the latest movie of the week and other news in the business. She listened with half an ear until she reached the landing.

  May turned to him with a smile. “You’re a bit of a chatterbox, aren’t you?”

  William chuckled. “I have my moments.”

  She shook her head and started down the hallway to the office. Her leg ached dully, but not the sharp, stinging pain that precipitated the fetal position.

  They reached the door, and May reached out to trace the four women on the front. It never failed to fascinate her.

  William watched and then spoke. “Some sort of newfangled latch?”

  She glanced back at him in surprise. “I enjoy tracing the carvings.”

  He frowned and moved forward. Those lovely blue eyes squinted. “I don’t see anything.”

  “There are four women here.” May touched each in turn. “You don’t see them?”

  “No. Maybe the light’s not right.”

  She shrugged and started to open the door when a flash of lightning blinded the both of them. A clap of thunder piggybacked it.

  May shrieked, and William yelled in shock.

  She pressed her hand to her heart and glanced back at William. He appeared white as a sheet.

  “Chance of rain?” he croaked.

  May shrugged and opened the door with trembling hands. The room as silent as it had been before. She glanced out the large window at the back of the room and frowned in puzzlement. Not a single drop of moisture on it.

  William followed her gaze. “Sonic boom?”

  “An audio heart attack.” May massaged the place above her heart. “There have been a lot of freak storms in the area. Maybe it’s a rain cloud passing over.”

  “I hope it keeps moving.” William sank onto the couch. “That scared the hell out of me.”

  May walked over slowly and sat beside him. She took his hand in hers. “Me, too.”

  William looked at their hands and then up at her. His eyes darkened, and he leaned toward her.

  The door flew open and hit the wall.

  They both jumped at the impact and stared at the door.

  May blew out a breath and smiled. “Clep.”

  The golden healer stood in the doorway and nodded. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

  She maneuvered herself up from couch and walked over. “Of course not. What are you doing here?”

  “I thought I left something here at my last visit. Then I saw your car in the parking lot and decided to come say hello.” He leaned down to hug May, and she kissed his cheek.

  “I hadn’t forgotten our last conversation.”

  “Nor I.” Clep pulled out a chair and sat down leisurely. “I believe I will stay awhile and keep you company.” He looked at William. “You don’t mind, do you?”

  “Not a bit.”

  “Good.” Clep pulled a piece of paper from the top of the folders. “I think this is yours, May.”

  She took the paper and studied the instructions. The sisters needed a large quantity of powdered sugar and cocoa. May frowned and continued reading. They also required honey and chocolate. Do the sisters have some sort of wicked massive sweet tooth?

  At the bottom of the page, there were dates and times when other supplies would arrive and need to be signed for.

  May put the paper down and shook her head. “They can be a bit eccentric, can’t they?”

  Clep chuckled and nodded. “That’s one word for it.”

  “But they have a sound plan.” May motioned around. “This nursery will be amazing.”

  “It will be.” Clep smiled, and his blue eyes danced. “And you need to realize that the sisters know exactly what they’re doing.”

  “Of course we do.”

  All heads turned to study the beautiful brunette in the doorway. Eden wore her hair in a simple braid over her shoulder with a pair of faded blue jeans and an orange T-shirt. She smiled at May and walked into the room.

  “I’m sorry, dear. I didn’t think any of us would be available today. You made the trip all this way for nothing.”

  “Amazing how your schedule freed up.” Clep looked at Eden.

  She glared at him but turned with a smile to William. “And who is this young man?”

  “This is William Campbell.”

  William stepped forward and smiled. “Pleasure to meet you.”

  “And you.” Eden patted her braid. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your plans. I can stay for the delivery, if you would like to go enjoy lunch.”

  Clep cleared his throat. “It might be a good idea if the delivery people got used to seeing May. She will be the one doing most of the signing.” He paused. “When you can’t free yourself up.”

  May smiled. “I don’t mind. William and I can eat lunch afterward.”

  “See?” Clep smiled in satisfaction and crossed his arms behind his head.

  Eden started to say something else when May interrup
ted her. “I wanted to thank you so much for arranging for Clep to see me.” She walked over and smiled down at him. “He’s absolutely wonderful with an endearing bedside manner.”

  Clep smirked and winked at Eden.

  “Not only that, but he provided me with medicine I can use while I’m here.”

  “He did?” Eden faltered.

  “Sure. Downstairs.”

  Eden turned to Clep as white as a sheet. “You gave her medicine?”

  “Of course I did!” He sat up and glowered. “It’s my job.”

  “Oh dear,” she whispered.

  Clep’s voice deadly low as he uttered, “Eden. Tell me you didn’t.”

  She bit her lip.

  William looked from one to the other and then to May. “I think they’re fighting.”

  May couldn’t help but agree. Eden looked ill, and Clep looked mad as hell. She held up her hands. “William and I will wait downstairs for the delivery. And I’ll order everything on the list you left.” May hooked her arm through William’s and practically dragged him to the door. “Have a nice day!”

  She shut the door behind him and shuffled quickly to the stairs.

  * * * *

  “You gave her the plant, didn’t you?”

  Eden lifted her chin. “Yes. I did. I didn’t know you would give her medicine.”

  “You do realize that between the two medicines she has, her body is overstimulated and unsure how to heal? It will swing from one extreme to the other until it balances.”

  “Damn it!” Eden slammed her hand down on the table. “I tried to help.” Her brown eyes blazed. “Unlike you who decided to pop in at an inopportune moment and ruin May’s chance at romance.”

  Clep shrugged. “She doesn’t like him. Well parts of her do,” he amended. “But not her heart.”

  “What do you know of her heart?” Eden demanded.

  “It’s guarded.” Clep growled low in his throat. “And sleeping with the slick agent isn’t going to bring May happiness.”

  They glared at each other.

  “You seem to have made it your life’s work to interfere with me and my duties.” Eden paced in front of the couch. She stopped to scowl at Clep. “You can assist in healing May, but you may not interfere again.”

  Clep scraped the chair back and stood. He walked to Eden and towered over her. “There are many types of healing, Eden.” He touched the braid softly. “I think you are a little too close this time. May already fosters another in her thoughts, but you refuse to see it because she refuses to see it.” Clep picked up her hand and placed it over his heart. “When this part of someone talks to you, you are afraid to listen, as is she. Sometimes the help is not in the taking charge of the problem but in simply listening to all the facets of it and being available if needed.”

  Eden snatched her hand back. “Thanks for those deep thoughts, Asclepius.” Her voice dripped sarcasm. “Maybe you should change your specialty to therapy so you could pick apart someone’s mind instead of their body.”

  “I still love you,” he said quietly. His blue eyes stared straight into her soul. “My heart cries out for yours, but you refuse to listen. How can you expect your mortal to recognize love when you deny it as a goddess?”

  Clep bowed his head. He disappeared as a bolt of lightning ripped the air and thunder growled atop it.

  Eden sank onto the couch and buried her face in her hands. She tried to breathe through the pain in her chest. Asclepius didn’t know what he was talking about. Her hands shook, and she balled them in her lap.

  May her only interest. They were joined in a way Eden still didn’t fully understand. No way had she missed something. Her only mission had been to find happiness for May. Eden jerked and frowned. No. It isn’t.

  “Damn it.” Eden stood and sighed. “My job is not to find it for her. My job is to help her find it.” Damn Asclepius for being right. His words echoed in her head and heart. She reached out and brushed feather soft against May’s thoughts.

  There was an undeniable attraction there between May and William. But May’s thoughts mostly centered around her neighbor. Eden tapped her finger against her cheek. May’s only stumbling block…May herself.

  “It’s hard to open up, isn’t it, my dear?” Eden murmured. The scars were deep and painful both inside and out. “I have gifted you peace, and that will make a difference. But I need for you to search deeply for the one who touches your soul and finally frees your love.” Eden rubbed the spot above her heart. “And I will do the same.”

  Chapter 8

  May and William waited in the foyer for the delivery. Neither went back upstairs or even remotely discussed what could be taking place up there.

  Ten minutes later, the delivery men showed up, and May signed for the windows. She directed the men around back and then put her list in her purse.

  William smiled and went to take her elbow when a boom shook the house.

  They both jerked, and May frowned. “Maybe there’s an airport around here.”

  William glanced around. “I don’t know, but I am in dire need of a nice glass of red to take the edge off. My nerves are shot to hell.”

  May laughed and nodded. “I agree.” She locked the doors behind them, and they walked slowly to her car. She glanced once at the sky and noted the high fluffy clouds with not a gray one in sight. The feeling it would rain persisted.

  They climbed into the car, and May backed up and pulled into the street. “Where would you like to have lunch?”

  William smiled. “Ah. The city boy gets to show his pull, after all.” His blue eyes twinkled, and he winked. “I have a reservation at Brennan’s.”

  May turned and stared. “What?”

  William grinned. “Eyes on the road, May.”

  She glanced back and noticed she was still well within her lines. Her brown eyes remained on the road. “Where did you say you had reservations?”

  “You heard me.” William chuckled. “Brennan’s.”

  Brennan’s being an upscale restaurant for the town’s elite and financially decadent. Any place that had a four-hundred-dollar ice cream with gold leaf didn’t deserve her business. Fresh seafood arrived daily with inflated prices to match. The food delicious but overpriced. The Brennan’s experience more of a see and be seen.

  May was not impressed. “Why Brennan’s?”

  William shrugged. “I had my secretary book the reservation when I decided to come visit you. She said it was the best.” He patted her hand. “And that’s where I wanted to take you.”

  May shot a glance at her passenger. “You and I are hardly dressed for the extravagance that is Brennan’s.”

  “There won’t be a problem.” William smiled and shrugged. “I also referred an extremely influential client to them. She called and vouched for me.”

  May frowned. Nice that everything had been taken care of. Except for the fact that more than likely the people who sent her invitations to everything under the sun would be sipping their white wine spritzers and pushing pieces of lettuce around on their plates.

  William noticed her frown. “I wanted to take you somewhere nice, May. I don’t care what we’re wearing. Neither will the restaurant. We have a private table. And as for the rest of the patrons,” William paused and arched his eyebrow, “do you really give a damn what they think?”

  “I haven’t so far,” she muttered and turned onto the road to the restaurant.

  The parking lot was packed with a variety of luxury vehicles in every color someone could think of. The sun glinted off polished chrome and sparkling windows. May pulled in and looked at her windshield where a multitude of bugs lost their lives. Guess she should have taken her car to get washed earlier.

  The valets hovered close to the curb and waited for the next customer. May pulled up and smoothed down her green blouse. She stepped from the car slowly and moved around the front. A smiling young man came toward her.

  “Miss Fairchild!” His eager young face lit up.

&n
bsp; May returned his smile and nodded. “Yes. Do I know you?”

  “Jeffrey, ma’am.” The young man slicked back his blond hair. “I used to deliver your groceries. You were one of my favorite customers.”

  Ah. She remembered him now. The young man turned and yelled behind him.

  “Hey, George!” A tall redhead turned.

  “Take Miss Fairchild’s car, please. I’m going to escort her inside.”

  May watched her keys exchange hands, and then Jeffrey tucked her arm in the crook of his. She glanced at William and gave a small shrug.

  Jeffrey walked with her up the half a dozen steps or so to the door. He smiled and bowed low. “You have a wonderful day, ma’am.”

  “Thank you.” May watched him trot down the steps and back to his co-workers. She looked at William. “That was interesting.”

  “He likes you.” William took her hand and tucked it in the crook of his arm. “Impetuous pup. I’m a bit jealous he managed to steal my thunder.”

  May chuckled and let William take her inside. The restaurant still exactly how she remembered it during her one and only visit. Opulent and overbearing. Large white columns ran from floor to ceiling while gilded mirrors separated the three dining sections and hung from two of the walls. The tables were a deep cherry with hand-carved chairs and plush crimson cushions. Waxy magnolias bloomed in small gold square boxes on each table.

  And as she suspected, packed.

  They walked forward, and the maitre d’ looked at them politely. “May I help you?”

  “Reservation for two for William Campbell.”

  The man’s brown eyes warmed slightly. “Ah, yes. We’ve been expecting you, sir.” He snapped his fingers once, and a server hurried over in a crisp black and white uniform.

  “Mr. Campbell and guest are in the private lounge upstairs. Please escort them.”

  The young man with short black hair bowed slightly. “Follow me, please.”

  William winked at May and hooked her hand back through his arm. She inwardly sighed but pasted a smile on her face. It was not like she could speed walk through the restaurant though she would have loved to. The most she could manage, a sedate stroll.