Eternally Yours
Page 24
He’d said what she wanted to hear--that she came first in his mind and Karen came last. She began to think she’d made a mistake in not hearing him out before this. A little embarrassed, she asked, “So what did the chairman of the zoning board say?”
“He agreed that your project isn’t a commercial undertaking, and he regretted their misunderstanding. When you send in your revised application, they’ll issue your permit as quickly as possible, assuming you don’t plan to do anything in violation of town codes.”
A soothing warmth flooded her body. He really was a good guy, after all.
She gave him a small smile and shook her head. “Mark, I don’t know what to say. I know you wouldn’t have gone to so much trouble if all you cared about was preserving that outside wall, which is what I was afraid of. Thank you for talking to the officials and for coming up with a new plan for me. I can’t believe it. You seem to have thought of everything.”
“Then you do like the idea about annexing the secret room?” he asked. “I mean, you don’t think it would transfer the creepy atmosphere to this room, do you?”
She considered the possibility, but it seemed to her that anything creepy about the house stemmed from the secret it had held. With the space opened up again, she had a feeling her home would be more cheerful than it had been in over a century.
“No, I’m convinced all the creepiness will be gone.”
“Then I’ll move onto the most important point of discussion.” He took a step toward her then stopped again. Meeting her gaze squarely, he asked, “Lara, how can I apologize for mentioning your plans to that bitch, Karen? I should have told you what had happened right away. I wish I could go back and do it over again. Since I can’t, I want to make it up to you the best that I can. I’d really love to work on renovating your studio with you, if you’ll let me.”
She gave him a crooked smile, trying not to break into tears and make a fool of herself. “I should apologize to you for not listening to you before this.”
“You reaction was understandable.”
Hardly able to believe how everything between them had turned around so quickly, she looked away from him, glancing around the room. A nervous laugh slipped out of her. “So, you don’t mind stripping paint? We’ll have to do something about all of the dark varnish in here.”
He rushed forward and took both of her hands, warming them in his. Grateful, she met his gaze.
His eyes looked big and intent as he stared down at her. “I’ll gladly strip paint. I only hope it will help make up for what an idiot I’ve been.”
Her smile widened into a grin. “It would certainly be a good start.”
“What else can I do?” he asked, his expression solemn. “Just tell me. Really.”
She knew what she wanted from him more than anything else at the moment but, after their brief separation, she felt oddly shy asking for it. Looking up at him through her lashes, she asked, “How about giving me a kiss?”
“My pleasure.”
He leaned down and met her mouth.
His kiss was tender, an expression of caring rather than of hunger. Closing her eyes, she reveled in the relief that flooded through her. She hadn’t realized she’d been holding her body so tense until this second, when all of her muscles relaxed.
He deepened the kiss until she grew almost dizzy with joy. Eventually they pulled back and looked at each other. She felt warm and content, and the soft look in his eyes told her he felt the same.
“I’d like to try to make up for my bad behavior, too,” she said. “Maybe I could start by illustrating that book for you.”
He gave her a brilliant smile--then all at once something behind her seemed to grab his attention. His brow furrowed as he stared over her shoulder.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, turning around to see what was there. He seemed to be looking toward her drawing table, but she didn’t notice anything unusual about it.
“Just one question and then I won’t bring the topic up again,” he said, meeting her gaze. “It’s about the poem of Geoff’s that I sent with my letter. Did you get the same feeling about it I did--that it was written for you and me?”
“I have no doubt it was.” The reminder drained away some of her happiness. “I have to say I think it’s really scary that he’s had some sort of hand in bringing us together. How much influence do you think he’s had? I mean, do you think what we feel for each other is real? Are you sure we’re not under some sort of ghostly spell?”
“What I feel for you is as real as it gets.” He reached up and grazed her cheek with the backs of his fingers. “I feel connected to you in a way that I’ve never felt with anyone before.”
His words comforted her, but one last tingle of doubt remained. “But are you sure you have good reason to feel that way?”
“Perfectly sure. You and I have been through some weird experiences together, some of them very intense. But, more important, during the time we’ve known each other you’ve fascinated me with your talent and your insight, and you’ve also encouraged me in my own pursuits. That’s why I want to be with you. I really think the roughest roads are behind us now and that we’re only going to get closer.”
She sighed and nodded. “Thanks. I needed to hear that, even though I’ve already had this debate in my head, and I came to the same conclusion as you. You won me over with your genuine interest in my art and your ability to whisk me away with your writing--not to mention your good looks. It had nothing to do with anything ghostly.”
He laughed. Sliding one arm around her, he walked her toward the couch. “I think you realize that I’ve had a hard time accepting the idea of being haunted. If there are such things as ghosts, I’d rather keep my distance from them. But one thing I can tell you, whether or not they exist, no eerie draft can blow away the feelings I have for you.”
As he leaned down to kiss her again, a gust of chilly air blew past them, making them both look up. Geoffrey’s poem flew off the drawing table and landed on the floor, near the entrance to the secret room.
Lara waited for more to happen, but the chill faded quickly, and the house stood silent--empty except for her and Mark. Hot tears gathered in her eyes. Somehow, she knew that Geoffrey and Mariah had finally found peace with each other.
Mark lifted her chin and gently turned her face toward him. He gave her a shaky smile. “I don’t think we’ll be hearing from Geoff again.”
To her amazement, the thought made her sad. Through her tight throat she croaked out, “In a way, it seems a shame to lose him.”
“I don’t know about that. I think it’s better than the alternative.” He glanced down at her quivering lips, then gazed back into her eyes. “Please don’t be unhappy, Lara. After all, he’s left us an important legacy.”
“Yes.” She looked off toward the bookcase. “We’ll always have his poetry.”
He laughed. “I meant our love.”
Her gaze shot back to meet his. He’d used that word again and, for an instant, it took her off-guard. Then she smiled and nodded. “Yes, that, too.”
She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I love you,” she said, trying out the words. They felt right, and she wasn’t surprised.
“I love you, too.”
He bent down and kissed her again.
Copyright 2002 by Jennifer Zorger
Originally published by Berkley/Jove Love Letters (0515132381)
Electronically published in 2006 by Belgrave House
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No portion of this book may be reprinted in whole or in part, by printing, faxing, E-mail, copying electronically or by any other means without permission of the publisher. For more information, contact Belgrave House, 190 Belgrave Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94117-4228
http://www.BelgraveHouse.com
Electronic sales: ebooks@belgravehouse.com
This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to
any person living or dead is coincidental.