"No, sir," she replied. Kimberly didn't know what to say to him. Telling him that she was there to divorce a man she didn't know would surely get her run right out of town. "I'm an old friend; haven't seen him in years."
The sheriff smirked. Somehow, he believed that story. "I know exactly where you're going. Follow me. When we get to the flashing light, take a left. You'll find the farm three miles on the right. Can't miss it."
"Thank you." Her fears subsided, and Kimberly was glad to have someone help her.
ALEX PEERED OUT THE window when he heard a car pull up to the house. Outside, the dog stretched his legs in preparation to meet the visitor. A lot of good he did to protect the farm, Alex thought.
His eyes refocused on the car. The sun glared on the windshield blocking the driver. Alex caught sight of a pair of shapely legs and high heels edging their way out from the seat. The first thing he noticed about her was the skirt she wore. It was a trait he liked about women and thought it was becoming a dying trend. Right away, he knew she wasn't from the area.
He watched her bend over and pet the hound. She didn't appear to be afraid though the dog never scared anyone. The girl stood tall and straightened her clothing out. Alex followed her hand as it reached up and her fingers combed her long, auburn hair. He didn't get visitors like her too often, and he hoped that he could give her a charming first impression.
The girl approached the door, and Alex quietly slipped away from the window. It took her a long time to ring the doorbell, and Alex wondered why. He thought maybe she changed her mind about knocking. Alex stood to go back to the window but, before he had the chance, the buzzer brought a smile to his face.
"Hi, are you Ryan Calvin?" She asked when he opened the door. She smiled as she reached up and rubbed her cheek. Alex wondered if the girl was nervous about something.
"Excuse me?" He heard what she said but wanted an excuse to stall in answering. Her accent told him she didn't live in the area. Alex tried to detect where a voice like hers belonged.
She put her hand to her side and straightened out. "I'm sorry," she said. "I'm looking for a man named Ryan Calvin."
"Oh, no," he answered. "I'm Alex." Alex tried to figure out who was looking for Ryan. Nobody ever came looking for him, and he wondered what all this was about. "Ryan isn't home. I'm his brother." He watched the expression on her face and sensed a great disappointment. "Is there something I can do for you?"
Alex held the door open and gestured for her to come in. She hesitated, made a half turn as if she would leave, but reluctantly stepped inside the doorway.
"I’m sorry for the intrusion. My name is Kimberly Davis, and there is something very important that I need to discuss with your brother. Do you know when he'll be home?"
Alex didn't say anything for a moment but walked into the living room. The girl followed, and he asked her to have a seat. He watched as she carefully held her skirt while sitting. Alex couldn't help noticing her toned legs but wondered why her skin was pale. Where ever she came from, she must not have spent too much time outdoors. She waited for an answer. "I'm afraid he's out of town for business and not expected home until Monday."
"Monday? That's three days from now." Kimberly began to panic, and Alex wondered what could be so urgent. "I'm his wife. Nine years ago, he and I did something stupid and eloped."
"Wife?" Alex jumped up and started pacing back and forth. "I'm sorry," he said to her. "Have we met before? I don't believe I know you."
"No, unfortunately. I don't know your brother either." Kimberly paused. She held her hand up to her forehead, frustrated. Alex gave her a minute to compose herself but then she continued. "We must have been drunk. I only just found out about this myself."
Alex looked at the girl and couldn't help but think she was beautiful. Who wouldn't run off and marry a girl who looked like her, he thought. Her big brown eyes looked at him, waiting for him to say something. Their lashes lowered in his silence, and he feared that he scared her. "Ryan got hitched?"
Suddenly, Kimberly burst out laughing. Confused at her outburst, Alex tilted his head and raised his brows. "Hearing you say ‘hitched’ makes it seem a lot funnier than it truly is," she said. "I'm really not a lunatic," she added before pulling a certificate out from a folder. "Is this his signature?"
Alex didn't know how he didn't see her carry something. He sat beside her again and looked at the paper that she was showing him. It was a match. This was Ryan's wife. "Yes," he finally answered. "That's definitely his John Hancock."
KIMBERLY WAS THRILLED that he believed her but, talking to him didn’t do any good when she really needed Ryan himself to sign her papers. "So you can see why it's so important that I need to meet with him." She pulled the divorce papers from the envelope and explained, "I've had these drawn up. The sooner he signs them, the sooner this nightmare will be over."
Alex nodded in understanding. He walked across the room and picked up the house phone. She watched him dial a number and listened as he spoke into it. "Yeah, it's me," he said. "You need to come home; it's important." Kimberly bit her lip as she waited to hear what Ryan would say. "Looks like you went off and got married years ago. She's here for a divorce." A few agonizing moments passed, and Alex continued, "No, this is legit. I recognize your signature on the certificate."
Kimberly reached into a pocket of her skirt as Alex convinced his brother to come home. Her fingers circled the plastic ring that she brought along with her. She had no idea why she had it. It was garbage but, for some reason, she was overwhelmed with emotions as she touched it.
"Bad news," he explained after hanging up the phone. "He can't get away. Monday is the soonest he can get home."
Kimberly frowned and formed a tight fist around the ring. She was glad that Alex couldn't see. Her anger wasn't directed towards him. She was the one who decided to jump on the first plane to Indiana without a plan. Her business was fine, and she had money in the bank, but Kimberly didn't want to keep flying back and forth to Indiana. Kevin had told her that documents such as this one couldn't be faxed. He also assured her his office would take care of it, but she didn't listen. Kimberly felt defeated and had no choice but to wait for Ryan to return.
"I hate to be a burden to you," she told Alex. "But I can't go back home and then come back when he's here. Can you point me towards the closest hotel?"
Alex smiled and said, "Nonsense, you are family now. I can't have my new sister-in-law stay in some hole-in-the-wall hotel. Besides, we don't have one here in Pottersville. We have a guest room though. You're welcomed to stay here with us. Ariel would love to meet you."
Right away, Kimberly stood up to leave. Staying with a strange man, miles away from civilization, sounded crazier than flying across the country to find Ryan. She wanted to object but, before she could say anything, a little girl with strawberry blond hair walked into the living room and sat on the floor.
"Speaking of," Alex added. "This is my daughter, Ariel."
Kimberly's heart fluttered at the sight of her. She leaned down and said, "Hello," but the little girl didn't respond.
"She can't," Alex informed her. "Doesn't speak or hear; been mute most of her life."
Kimberly felt her face flush when she realized that he named his daughter after a cartoon character that couldn't speak. That was cruel, she thought. "Is that her real name?"
"No," Alex laughed. He placed a hand on Kimberly's arm as he explained. "Her real name is Julia, but she loves that movie and lights up every time she sees it. We don't mean any harm but, with her reddish hair, she reminds us of Ariel; that’s what we always call her."
When he put it that way, Kimberly didn't see the harm in the nickname. Kimberly sat down beside Ariel and smiled. Ariel smiled back. Suddenly, she felt comfortable there like she'd known Alex and Ariel for a long time. She decided to be impetuous again and agreed to stay with them until Ryan returned. "Alright, if you're sure you don't mind."
"Of course," Alex beamed. "Come on into the kitchen
. I was just cooking dinner when you arrived. We always eat early when it's just the two of us."
ALEX COOKED A DELICIOUS meal and wouldn't accept her help. After she agreed to stay, he helped her get her bag which, thankfully, she brought with her in case of a long layover at the airport, as well as the computer out of the car. Alex led her to the guest room. She offered to give him money for his kindness, but Alex declined. He wanted her to feel like a guest. While he cooked dinner, she freshened up and then joined the duo out in the kitchen.
Ariel sat in a booster seat and colored while waiting for Alex to serve her. Kimberly sat beside her and picked up a crayon. "Can I help?" She wanted to talk to the child and wondered if the little one understood sign language. Ariel figured out what Kimberly wanted and placed the coloring book closer to her. Kimberly noticed the little girl's smile and couldn't help but love her.
ALEX WATCHED KIMBERLY interact with his daughter and beamed. He hoped to get to know her during her visit and could tell by the way she was with Ariel that Kimberly was his type of woman. He walked up behind them and placed a plastic plate in front of Ariel. Kimberly started picking up the coloring book and crayons as Ariel dove into her dinner. Soon after, he returned to the table with adult plates for the two of them and sat opposite of Kimberly.
"Her mother, Misty, took off after she was born," he informed Kimberly. Alex knew that she didn't ask, but he figured that he might as well lay everything on the table.
"I'm sorry," she replied.
"Me too. We didn't live together. She asked me to watch the baby when Ariel was a newborn. I assumed she was going to work, but she never returned. My mother was alive then and helped me take care of her. I was awarded full custody. Two years later, her mother returned claiming to want her family back. I let her stay for Ariel's sake; not mine. She'd always be my daughter's mother, but I didn't want her for myself. My mother passed away just months before, and I needed help with Ariel. She let us down though, and broke her little heart," he said as he stroked the back of his daughter's head. "As soon as she realized that Ariel couldn't speak or hear, she was off again. I haven't heard a word from her since."
KIMBERLY'S HEART BROKE at hearing his story. She could understand why he would allow the mother to come back. A child needed a mother and a father. Seeing Ariel smile through it all delighted Kimberly. How could anyone desert her? She didn't know why Alex was telling her what happened but was glad that he was.
After dinner, she retired to her room. It had been a long day, and she was exhausted. Kimberly picked up her phone to text her friends and waited for them to scream at her; so much for a quick, easy divorce.
Chapter 5
ALEX LAY IN BED TRYING his hardest not to think about Kimberly. There was something about her that he was immediately attracted to. It wasn’t her looks though he smiled thinking about how pleasing they were. There was an air of confidence about her; a determination. Beauty and strength in one was a dangerous combination when hearts were on the line.
She’d come a long way to get a divorce from a man she didn’t remember marrying. Why? Was she in love with another? Did she need a quick divorce? He planned to find out. Perhaps, he thought, it was his heart that would be in jeopardy.
Light footsteps, approaching his room, ended his thoughts on Kimberly. Alex sat up and turned the light on just as Ariel opened his door. It was the same routine night after night. He tucked her into bed and read her a story even though he knew she couldn’t hear him. Her disability wouldn’t stop him from being the father that she needed; the father that he wanted to be. She'd sleep for a while before waking up and come into his room to be with him.
Like any other night, she crawled up on the bed. Ariel lay right in the middle leaving him little room. Alex covered her and turned off the light. He could still see her with the moonlight coming through the window. He touched her cheek as she closed her eyes. “You need a mother, don’t you?” Ariel’s eyes opened, and she smiled. Alex wanted to believe that a miracle had happened. He wanted to believe that she heard him, but he knew her timing was just a coincidence.
As she slept next to him, moving closer with every breath she took, he thought about how different her life could be if she did have a mother. She needed someone to spend more time with her. Ariel didn’t attend school because he couldn’t afford one that could accommodate her needs. The closest school was in Indianapolis, and he couldn’t stand the thought of sending her away. He also wouldn’t consider selling the family farm to move down to the city. He listened to her soft breathing and wondered if he was being selfish.
Alex tried to get some sleep, but his thoughts once again drifted back to Kimberly. An image of the three of them, living together as a family, flashed before his eyes. Would Kimberly make a good mother to Ariel? Time would tell; time he didn’t necessarily have. She agreed to stay until Monday. Maybe he could manage to get her to stay longer. Alex grinned. There was so much to learn about Kimberly Davis.
KIMBERLY UNDRESSED and sat on the bed. It was very thoughtful for Alex to offer her the guest room, so she could wait for Ryan to return. She sat up against the headboard and covered her legs with the blankets. Her cell phone vibrated on the nightstand beside her. Kimberly picked it up and read a text from Melissa asking her if the papers were signed. She replied, “No. He’s out of town until Monday. I am staying until he returns.”
“What hotel?” Melissa texted. “I can get you a discount if it’s one of ours.” Her mother was a big shot at a hotel chain.
“I’m staying at his house with his brother and niece.”
“Are you crazy?”
“Possibly.” She answered. She didn’t know him or what he was capable of. Her instincts assured her that she was fine staying with Alex, but her friends would think otherwise. Knowing that her friend would freak out, she sent another text. “Honestly, he’s a nice guy and has the cutest little girl. I’ll be ok. Once Ryan comes back, he’ll sign the papers, and I’ll be home.”
Melissa didn’t respond, and Kimberly made the mistake of thinking her friend accepted what she was told. She should have known better. Ten minutes later her phone vibrated again. It was Janie. “What the hell are you doing?”
“I’m fine. Stop over reacting.”
“You’re staying with a stranger for 3 days?”
“I’ll text or call you every day to check in, Mom.” Kimberly chuckled to herself.
“Not funny. You better.”
Janie always worried more than the others which is why it bothered her that Melissa went blabbing. “I’m fine here. You’ll hear from me every day, and I’ll be home Monday night. I promise.”
At last, her phone was silent, and Kimberly knew she could lie down and get some rest; except she couldn’t sleep. It was too quiet there. She was used to the city life: bright lights and passing cars. She listened and heard a cricket chirping somewhere outside the window. It got louder as time went by but not nearly loud enough to help her sleep. She tossed and turned.
The image of Alex crossed her mind more than once. She pictured him standing there like he stood before her earlier that day. The memory of his strong arms and six-packed abdomen burnt into her memory. Kimberly giggled. Her memory must have been photoshopped because he wore a shirt the whole time.
She cringed at the idea of having a crush on Alex. Kimberly wasn't interested in having a relationship with anyone; especially someone so far from home. He seemed to be a gentleman, a very attractive gentleman, but he was her husband’s brother. Her husband? The thought still struck her as a surprise. Although she was there to put a legal end to her marriage, the possibility of creating a romance with Alex wouldn't be unheard of. It’s not like she knew his family, or Ryan, for that matter. Maybe Ryan only entered her life so that she could someday be introduced to Alex.
Her eyes grew tired, and Kimberly couldn't keep them opened if she tried. She smiled. Alex Calvin was the last thing she thought of.
Chapter 6
A RAY OF LIGH
T SHINED down on Kimberly’s face, waking her up from a deep sleep. Rolling over, to get the sun out of her eyes, she felt refreshed; more than she had in a long time. There must have been something about country air, she thought. She guessed it to be around 10am and felt bad that she didn’t wake up sooner. She didn’t want to seem like an ungrateful guest who avoided her host. She stood and threw clothes on then headed out towards the kitchen.
The smell of bacon filled the air; and she wondered if the whole house had overslept. Alex stood next to the stove and smiled in her direction. “Good morning. Hope I didn’t wake you.” He poured a cup of coffee and held it in towards her. “I can make tea if you don’t like this.”
Kimberly grinned and accepted the cup. “Do you mind if I sweeten this up a bit?” She invaded his space to put sugar and cream into her coffee, but he had no complaints.
Alex stood next to her scrambling eggs in a pan. "Make yourself at home," he told her, and they laughed.
Kimberly took a seat at the table and started to apologize. “I didn’t mean to be rude by sleeping in so late,” but she paused before finishing. The clock on the wall grabbed her attention. “Wait,” she went on, “It’s only 6:45?”
Alex placed a plate of food in front of her and laughed again. “Morning sunshine. It’ll do it every time!”
He left the room but had placed two additional plates on the table before he did. Kimberly sipped her coffee but waited for him to return before eating. Alex came back a few minutes later with a sleepy little girl in his arms. Kimberly said, "Good morning Ariel," determined to treat her like a normal child. Ariel smiled when she saw a pancake on her plate. “Are those your favorites?” Alex reached for Ariel’s plate, but Kimberly offered to cut the pancake up instead. Ariel smiled as she scooted her chair closer to Kimberly and watched every move she made.
Romance Me: A Collection Of Standalone & First In Series Books Page 13
