Then, There's Love (Revealing)

by Rena Manse

“Every hour that man has a meeting,” Val sighed. “Come, let’s have ourselves a game.”

  Val used a small stand for her cue, and provided a formidable challenge for Ashley. Janet, perched on a neighboring table, played bench referee, cheering for both sides while doing needlework. Amazed at the great time she was having, Ashley laughed and made half-hardy shots for an hour before Aaron’s imposing figure filled the doorframe.

  “You have a call on the other line. The Parsons. They just returned from Europe and heard of your accident.”

  “I must fill Diane in before she hears wayward rumors from everyone else. I’ll meet you upstairs, Ashley.” At that, Janet was at Val’s side. Ashley heard them clucking down the hallway. She was about to run after them, fearing Val might split her side.

  Aaron blocked the doorway again. “Mind if I have a word?”

  Mind? Her hands gripped tighter around the neck of the pool cue. His eyes stayed on her as he shut the sliding door. Watching his suspicious actions, Ashley lowered her hand to one of the balls on the table and rubbed her palm over it. Heavy, and she had good enough reflexes to hurl it if he tried to attack.

  “Tomorrow is Val’s eighty-first birthday, I’m sure you’re aware.” He didn’t wait for a response. “She insisted on having a party, but I refused at first. Her heart, the excitement, there’s too much going on. Now…” his attention drifted into space. He blinked. “I decided it isn’t such a bad idea. I think being back in the social stream might help her feel like herself again.”

  “Does she know?”

  “Of course not. I’m taking her shopping tomorrow with the ruse of also showing you the town, since you’re our...” he flung a hand. “...never been here before.”

  Instead of arguing his obnoxious behavior, she took a more subtle route. “Val already offered to take me sightseeing. Richard set it up.”

  “I’m aware. Richard already knew what’s going on.”

  “Oh. Okay. In that case, I would have made sure she had ample rest today. You should have told me sooner.”

  “So she is strong enough to handle a party? The episode at the hospital a few weeks ago isn’t going to happen again.”

  Was he asking or telling her? “Don’t worry. I’ll keep a close eye on her throughout the party. If she tires—”

  “That won’t be necessary.”

  It took her a moment to understand. There were more polite ways to not invite someone to a party. “Fine. Next time, advise me of Val’s involvement in activities before you make your elaborate plans. Asking. Try it sometime.”

  “Maybe I’d have an answer by now. You do realize nothing you said answered my question.”

  All the civility she’d reserved for the man dissipated in her staccato reply. “We’ll take it easy shopping tomorrow. As long as she remains relaxed, Valerie can handle the party. Make sure they don’t scream ‘surprise’.”

  His eyes narrowed at her edgy last remark. “We leave at ten. I trust that doesn’t interfere with your impromptu rendezvous.”

  “Jonathan? Eavesdropping a regular thing with you?”

  He slid the door open, dismissing her.

  “Ten o’clock,” she said. Uncurling her fingers from the pool cue, Ashley laid it delicately on the table, and headed for her escape route. “Excuse me,” she emphasized, but had to squeeze through the narrow opening he provided with his nice-smelling body.

  “One more thing, Miss McKenny.”

  Outside the door, she turned.

  “Just a reminder. This event is personal. But business is just that; business. And we don’t discuss business at home.”

  “I remember.” She walked away before her temper led her back inside to get that pool stick and smack him one.

  Upstairs she helped Valerie in the rest room, change into her bed clothes, and she rescheduled the next day’s physiotherapy. Retiring to her own room, she curled up on the sofa and found every ‘love thy enemy’ type scripture while Aaron’s nagging words played in her mind.

  Keeping an eye on her? What was she to think? He’d listened to their conversation about Jonathan. Surely he didn’t think she posed a threat to his grandmother.

  Well. If he believed her to be the queen of ditz’s, then yes, he did think she was a threat.

  She laughed. Maybe a threat because of her mother? He had to know she maintained a moral threshold and wouldn’t be feeding her mother information.

  Slipping under the bedcovers a few minutes later, her mind couldn’t rest. She dreamed of horses and barnyards, dirt and tree branches whipping into her face. In the morning she woke exhausted. She’d been riding horses all night.

  CHAPTER SIX

  “Be still my fluttering heart.” Ashley scurried along the path, flattered that an attractive man toting the seal of approval from Valerie, had asked her out. Jonathan dismounted from one of the two horses when he saw her. All six-feet-fine of him reminding her why she had a right to be excited.

  “You’re enchanting this morning, Ashley.”

  She smiled, refraining from smoothing her jeans and old, plaid shirt stolen from Peter. He wasn’t as large as Aaron, but Jonathan looked fantastic in a beige shirt, black jeans, and riding boots.

  “You do remember me saying I’ve never been on a horse before, right? I’ve visited the petting zoo, but never this close to one in all my life.” She didn’t mind his chuckling at her ramble.

  “I can see you’re going to make this a fun ride.”

  He’d made her relax in the space of twenty seconds, but that didn’t include the animal. No matter what she’d looked up on the internet last night, docile didn’t fit with the size. Why people thought getting on a creature so huge and damaging was fun, she’d never know. She resisted as he led her to a reddish-brown monster, and he tugged to get her to loosen her arm.

  “It’s all right.” Jonathan gave a slight laugh as a strange noise wheezed from her. The animal made a noise, too, and swished its tail. “I brought my favorite girl.” He placed Ashley’s hand on the horse’s nose. “But first you have to become friends.”

  “Aren’t horses known to bite?”

  “Oh, yes. Watch your fingers.”

  She rolled her eyes at their small talk.

  “She won’t hurt you, Ashley.”

  “Friends.”

  “Friends. Her name’s Tempestt.”

  “Your favorite girl?” She stroked the horse’s forehead. “I had nightmares of bucking and flying off of horses all night, and you expect me to climb on something called a Tempestt. What is the world coming to?”

  He gave her a sideways glance. “The name might suit you instead.”

  Ashley moved to the other side of the horse. He was right, this would be a fun ride.

  They spent a few minutes with the bay, which stood motionless during her pats and caresses. As Ashley ran her hand along the mare’s neck Jonathan matched, then caught her fingers. “She likes you. Want to try the saddle?”

  She couldn’t remember being afraid of animals—or mammals, except for Aaron—and though anticipating the ride, remained apprehensive now that she faced the reality of it. She returned to the left side of the horse. Jonathan guided her hand along its flank, petting and patting as a way of warming up Tempestt. Then Ashley was schooled on how to swing into the saddle.

  Jonathan checked her foot in the stirrup. “How do you feel?”

  She smiled down at him. “Very tall.”

  He slapped the horse’s neck a few times in friendly pats, and looked at the one large eye; grinned again. He may have been conveying to the horse to keep calm, not to mind the nervous filly on her back, but Ashley also felt she should feel privileged. He admired animals, and she believed he really had brought her one of his favorites.

  “Thanks for this,” she said.

  He squinted up at her.

  “Just in case I slip and fall and get knocked unconscious and hemorrhage, you should know I appreciate this.”

  When he nodded, she enjoyed the humor
ous mischief of his eyes. He snapped open a small pouch on the horse’s saddle. “I brought these for you,” he said, producing a pair of gloves, and then he mounted the same dark horse from yesterday.

  Jonathan demonstrated how to use the reins, her knees, and her back. Once comfortable, he led them down the path she’d seen him travel the day before. Early in the very slow ride, it dawned on Ashley that her inner thighs and buttocks would revolt by dinnertime. But he’d been right. Tempestt was practically a trail horse, and Ashley mostly had to sit an enjoy the view.

  They rode onto Riley Hills, Jonathan explaining the four archway gates were the only openings between the two properties. Passing through one, she noticed they didn’t actually have gates attached, making her a little surprised Aaron didn’t enforce lockdown from time to time.

  He pointed out his small cottage set at the back of the estate, away from the main house. Through the cluster of trees, she made out a mansion, and rode on. Aside from her burning thighs, she enjoyed the ride, awed by the intricacies of the grounds.

  Circling back, they stopped near the edge of the forest at a man-made lake. Ashley slid from Tempestt to check out Jonathan’s two-hundred foot diameter swimming pool.

  “It looks clean. You say you swim in it?”

  “Sometimes. Why? Inviting yourself in?”

  She peered over her shoulder. He’d nestled under a tree like it was his regular lakeside pit stop. Mulling over his question, she didn’t have an answer. Most men she associated with were Christians. She understood their wild jokes. She didn’t know Jonathan’s, and from yesterday’s encounter, she gathered the lake served for skinny-dipping.

  Wait. Why even mull it over? Maybe it was the flowers, the world of excess and money these people took in stride, or perhaps she’d found a flaw in her story-book life. But she’d never go skinny-dipping.

  “Only wondering,” she said at last.

  Her brothers always teased her that she’d reach thirty and still be shy of men. Michael was seven years older; Peter, five. Their friends weren’t interested in baby sister when they came to visit. As she grew older, boys didn’t want a girl who could throw a punch or wrestle a man. Intimacy? By the time she morphed into her feminine side, the awkwardness of trying to live with a godly body, mind and soul in a degrading world reached its peak.

  Now, a handsome stranger flatters, and she ends up in the woods on a beast named after a hurricane. Ashley snapped out of her stupor. She’d have been just as excited if the offer came from a woman.

  She sensed Jonathan’s eyes following as she led her horse over to his. He jumped to his feet and remained close to sling the reins over the bush before taking her hand.

  “They won’t decide to run away will they?”

  His chuckle said no. “Want to go for a walk?” They left the horses as he guided her along one side of the lake into the trees.

  Their pace was slow, broken by picking up, snapping, and throwing away twigs; offering menial background information, and asking questions. The forest gave off an earthy smell, fresh and sweet. The cool morning air brisk against her skin, even though the day promised to be scorching.

  Speaking of hot. Jonathan’s toned arm brushed hers. Euphoria ended when another thought of Aaron flew through her mind. This time she jerked back to the real world stumbling over a tree root. Thankfully, she didn’t hit the ground. Snatching her arm, Jonathan caught her before impact.

  “Are you all right?”

  She steadied herself as he turned her to study her face. “Yeah. I’m sorry.”

  He glanced down at their feet. “That’s the oldest trick in the book, and not even anything here to trip over.” He took advantage of the situation, spreading his hands around her waist, and pushing her aside to inspect under her feet. “Mh-hm. Nothing. Hey. You made a move on me, McKenny.”

  She tried not to laugh.

  His head tilted. “Coming on a little strong, don’t you think?”

  “I don’t know what got into me. But thanks for rescuing me from a disastrous fall, Sir Riley.”

  “I can’t resist you hitting on me.”

  Ditto

  “Think you can walk the rest of the lake and behave?”

  “Did you plant any more roots in the way?”

  “Like a minefield.”

  She laughed and it felt good.

  He watched her face. “Or, we can go back the same way we came. Either will give you plenty of time to be home for Val.”

  She trapped herself in his eyes. “Um. Sure. We have an excursion planned, so...”

  Ignorance was futile. She saw his mouth descending. The door open to whatever whim took flight. A part of her grew curious for a spontaneous kiss, but she held her arms against his chest in delicate refusal. Releasing her, he stepped back.

  “Ashley, I apologize. I assumed…I hope I didn’t offend you.”

  “No, it’s—not my style.”

  “Let me know what is, I’ll have it tailor made.”

  She regarded him carefully. “Do you come in a Canadian version?”

  Shaking his head, he extended his hand, and wiggled his fingers. Without another word, she accepted, and they continued on the trail around the water. The ride back flew by with talk about themselves, their families, and her faith. When Jonathan walked her to the patio, he kissed her hand before leaving.

  “Prince Charming wears a chocolate-covered coating,” she whispered with a big grin on her face.

  Cooperation of getting the birthday girl ready came only with a play-by-play of her morning. In her own room she showered and changed into jeans, a tank top, and covered up with a short-sleeve plaid summer shirt. She took a few minutes to blow dry her hair straight and use the flatiron without burning her neck or forehead.

  Valerie knocked on her door as she stuffed her small change purse into her back pocket. “Ooh, dear, you’re a slim one,” Val remarked of her figure as Ashley slipped into her shoes. “I don’t know how you young ladies keep so trim.”

  “One day at a time. I may sneak up to Aaron’s gym to keep up.”

  “I’m sure he won’t mind. I doubt he’ll be here much. He tells me we’re going shopping today.”

  “Anything in particular you want for your birthday?”

  “At my age I have it all. But, you’ll get to see the city.”

  “I can’t wait. Is it as interesting as they say?” Ashley grabbed her camera, and accompanied Val to the elevator.

  “Whomever they are, I suppose they spoke kindly of this town.”

  On the main floor, Aaron greeted Val with a hug. “Good morning, Grandmother, and happy birthday.”

  “It would be better if I had a party.”

  “After the scare at the hospital do you want to put yourself through a tiring event?”

  “Yes.”

  Ashley stared at his incredible smile sparkling all the way to his eyes. Though dressed in a light colored suit, the white shirt with open color made him casual for the occasion.

  “I seem to recall a generous shopping spree being your first choice. And Miss McKenny can see the sites.”

  Not once did he acknowledge her otherwise. She didn’t care, even breathed relief when he walked out the door with their estate manager, Richard.

  “One moment, please.” Val moved her chair a few feet down the hall, and pressed the kitchen intercom to call Janet. Whispers exchanged between her and the housekeeper, then Janet chortled, and made her way upstairs. When she returned, more whispers.

  “The car’s ready,” Aaron announced.

  As he wheeled Val to the ramp, Ashley walked behind unevenly. The pangs in her thighs gave dire warnings of coming torture. On top of that, to deal with that pain in her side called Aaron. She stifled a moan. What a long day this is going to be.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  If there was a longer day in history, Aaron didn’t know about it. Ashley and Val—joined at the hip—drove him crazy for a better part of the morning. Oohing and ahhing streamed from the ba
ck seat as if neither one had ever laid eyes on a garden or architectural structure.

  When had Val become starved for female companionship? He didn’t like that she craved the company for someone so young, or knowing there were some things he couldn’t provide for her. Whatever service Ashley provided went far beyond caregiver. And if the women were so tight now, no telling what it would take to pry Grandmother from her clutches.

  A reprieve came early afternoon when Val settled in at her hair appointment. Ashley took to sightseeing on her own. After a couple of hours, he saw her saunter back to the designated meeting place with a pink drink, and one small, department store bag.

  Leaning against the Egyptian Blue Escalade, he had a clear view down the wide sidewalk of male heads turning in her wake. Not a designer label in sight, but any man, even in this high-end neighborhood, knew how to look beyond the package to the product. He looked, too, though with reservation. Their first meeting in the parking garage, had it been a setup?

  His imagination and line of sight disrupted with Richard coming around the back of the SUV from running errands.

  “You haven’t been away, Mr. G?” Richard looked at his watch.

  “I got some business done.” Phone calls to Kavin, emails to both of his assistants, texts to the company’s lawyers, brainstorming on the scratchpad of the device. He rotated his phone in his hand, mentally reworking his schedule for tomorrow. His eyes took him down the street again after Richard stepped inside the salon.

  Easily, his mind strayed from his vast corporate problems to the one in front him. A few vehicles away, Ashley maintained a safe perimeter on a sidewalk bench. He slid sunglasses on, and flipped back the tails of his jacket to bury his hands in his pants pockets.

  She wore dark shades, but her head angled in his direction was a dead giveaway. He checked the salon entrance before fastening his attention on her. After another abrupt turn of her head, her lips found the straw.

  He had to say, if she was supposed to be some sort of super-seductress sent to pry information out of him, she was doing an incredibly poor job. Didn’t stop him from peeling away from the side of the vehicle to stroll over. Dancing glances back and forth wouldn’t cut it for him today.