Nerds on Fire

by Grady, D. R.

  Chapter 28

  When her alarm clock pealed the next morning, it blasted through a delicious dream that involved her wearing a gorgeous white gown, and Mark ensconced in a matching formal black suit. There were flowers, beautiful singing, and laughter and then her alarm shattered the mood. She rubbed her eyes as the vestiges of the amazing dream escaped.

  With a sigh, she wrestled her way out of bed and padded into her bathroom. The dream had been wonderful, magical, everything a woman could ever wish for. Was it a wedding? Or just a wonderful ball where she got to be the belle? Since this had never happened before, Trixi relished the lighthearted bubbliness still coursing through her before she picked up her hairbrush and prepared for battle.

  After she dressed and her hair appeared mostly presentable, she made her way downstairs. The enticing scent of coffee greeted her as she descended. Waiting for her at the bottom, blue-green eyes drinking her in stood her new boyfriend.

  She returned his interest, astonished she could call this man hers. Deciding to take this opportunity in both hands and hold tight, Trixi smiled at him before she stepped right into his arms. He caught her close and spun her in a circle before setting her on her feet.

  His lips descended and she rose on tiptoe to meet them. This man was beyond delicious. She could kiss him for the rest of her life.

  Her thought broke them apart as she stared up at him in wonderment and then fear. Where had that come from?

  The rest of her life a little voice disdained in the back of her mind. They had only just started dating. Let’s give this a little more time, the snarky voice advised. A perfectly acceptable warning, since otherwise she’d start planning that celebration she woke up to.

  “How are you this morning?” he asked. They turned toward the kitchen.

  “I’m wonderful.” She was more than wonderful even, but there was no sense in scaring him off.

  His lips quirked. “I am too. Imagine that.” Mark bent to kiss her again.

  She was probably shining brighter than a surgical lamp, but still, it was a fabulous day. They arrived in the kitchen at the same time the coffee stopped brewing. “Perfect timing.” His eyes gleamed.

  “I imagine you’re known for it,” she teased.

  He didn’t appear to mind. Instead, his eyes made a leisurely inspection of her face and she was charmed by the admiration in their depths. She probably could grow accustomed to this novelty.

  “Good morning.” Gran swept into the kitchen.

  “Good morning.” She chirped, while Mark answered with more dignity.

  Gran’s discerning eyes swept over her, and Trixi was certain her grandparent saw all, but didn’t comment. Was she thankful for or upset by Gran’s restraint? Since Trixi couldn’t decide, she wandered to the range where she tugged breakfast out of the simmering oven.

  The cereal, spices, and fruit cast a fragrant air into the kitchen when she lifted the lid. A quick stir and it was ready. Gran poured the coffee, Mark set the table, and just a few little things needed to be added to the table. They were soon seated and enjoying the meal.

  It was while they cleaned up afterward that Gran finally pounced. Mark left to grab his briefcase when Gran sent her a knowing look.

  “I see he finally made his move,” she announced as though they were discussing the brisk weather outside.

  Pausing in the act of adding another bowl to the dishwasher, Trixi’s mind blanked. “What?”

  Gran’s smile was all knowing. “Sweetheart, it’s as apparent as your cute little nose that he’s interested in you.”

  “Why didn’t I know?” Trixi possessed enough presence of mind to stuff the bowl in with the others.

  What her grandmother said made no sense.

  “I could tell from the moment I met him that young man was interested in you.” Gran nodded her regal head in satisfaction. “Has discernment, your man.”

  “Discernment.” She stared at the spatula in her hand with no idea what to do with it.

  Gran plucked the utensil from her unresisting grasp and popped it into the silverware rack. “Oh yes, most definitely.”

  “Most definitely what?” Mark reentered the kitchen, work bag in hand. He patted his pockets before nodding in satisfaction.

  Trixi was amazed by him all over again. His lips curled up, and then they fastened on hers. Her arms crept around his neck and Gran laughed. “Like I said, discernment. Now you two take yourselves off to work or you’ll be late.”

  Gran’s affectionate order split them so Trixi scurried into the mudroom for her bag. Then she had to rush back into the kitchen to grab their lunches. “I almost forgot these.”

  “Right.” Gran beamed at her before she smiled a completely different smile. “I’m happy for you, love.”

  “I am too.” Trixi hurried after Mark who had opened the garage door and started the car.

  She placed their bags in the back and then clambered in beside him.

  “Do we have everything?”

  “I have no idea.” Their gazes met and caught.

  “You’re the most distracting female on earth,” he muttered.

  His simple statement sent a heady zing through her veins. “Right back at you.” She reached for his hand. His curled around hers in a proprietary grasp she adored.

  How had she gotten so lucky?

  “So how is the new romance going?” Johnny asked when they met up at the coffee pot between their units.

  Trixi nearly sent her coffee down the wrong tube.

  “I hear your dad is pretty crazy about Nina McCormick.”

  Oh, them. Thank goodness he was asking about her dad and Nina. Her relationship with Mark was so new, she was afraid to mention it. Like if she talked about her love life, it would disappear in a poof of unrealized dreams and hopes.

  “Yes, he’s dating her. They both seem happy.”

  Johnny sipped the fragrant brew from the travel mug she bought him to celebrate his new job here. “She’s a nice lady.”

  “Yes, we think she’s perfect for him.” She grinned. “Apparently he agrees because he seems taken with her.”

  “Is their relationship going too fast?” He scrawled his name across the bottom of several forms.

  His question made her pause. “I don’t know. They’re both mature adults. They both have kids and jobs and houses—you know, responsibilities.”

  “Yes. I would think both of them know not to go too crazy.”

  “I think he is crazy about her.”

  “Does she know he’s rich?” Johnny leaned against the counter, looking for all the world like the prosperous heart specialist he was.

  “If he’s taken her home, then she should have a pretty good idea.”

  He laughed. “Yes, his new home is pretty spectacular.”

  “You and Aunt Miriam would do just as well in Wintermyer.”

  “Your father told us the same. We know we always have a home with him or you. But we really like our new house. It’s exactly what we wanted.”

  “I’m glad.”

  He straightened from the counter. “Now, I hear you have a new roommate.”

  “I have two new roommates.” She caught his eye. “Not including Gran.”

  “Two? I only heard about one. The male surgeon.”

  “He’s a neurosurgeon, yes. But there’s a surgical nurse here who plans to rent the carriage house apartment.”

  “Good. It will bring in a nice income for you.”

  “Yes, Gran insists on paying rent, Mark insists on doing so, and of course Lauren expects to pay as well.”

  “You’re a landlady.” He chuckled when she tried to swat him.

  There was no denying her new position though. A woman who provided homes for other people. It was nice to provide for others, and be rewarded for it.

  “Yes, and I think I’ll like it.”

  “So tell me about this neurosurgeon. I hear he’s the wunderkind of surgery.”

  Trixi rolled her eyes at her facetious un
cle and tossed her disposable coffee cup. “He’s a neurosurgeon and he lives with me and Gran.” She made certain to not tell him anything new.

  Johnny managed to wrap an arm around her neck, but fortunately, his nurse popped her head around the doorway to inform him he had a patient waiting. “Hah,” Trixi teased. It was time for her to return to work as well.

  “Don’t think this conversation is finished yet, niece-o-mine.”

  She set about thinking up creative ways to thwart his best efforts.

  “Where are we going?” Nina was laughing, which was good because he had plans for her.

  “We’re having supper at my house tonight.”

  “I see.” Her easy acceptance of this made his heart trip a beat.

  “I hope you don’t mind not going out?”

  “Of course I don’t mind,” Nina scoffed. “You have one of the best cooks in town. Her food is better than most big city chefs.”

  “My exact thought. I like her cooking better than some of the restaurants we visit.” He shrugged as he drove them to his house.

  They had dropped her car off at her place, and he convinced her to pack a bag to spend the weekend with him. There was plenty of room, and plenty of staff to act as chaperons. Besides, the guest suite he decided to offer her was downstairs and his rooms were upstairs. Her visit would therefore remain platonic.

  “Do you have plans for this weekend?”

  Nothing other than to convince you that you belong in my home and need to marry me. He didn’t voice his thought out loud, but wished he could.

  Instead, he sent her a laughing look. “Nothing other than enjoying ourselves.” It was too soon to ask her to marry him.

  Still, it wouldn’t hurt her to see how very well she fit into his home. How well she hopefully fit into his home. His help already liked and respected her, far more than they had Chrissy. Nina was also kind and gracious, the perfect mistress for Wintermyer Hall.

  The perfect woman for him.

  “Johnny called me on his way home from work,” Gran announced that evening at supper. “He asked about your dad’s romance, but then he also asked about yours.”

  When both Mark and Gran looked pointedly at her, Trixi offered them her most charming smile.

  “She’s not going to tell us.” Mark shook his head.

  “No.” Gran tapped her lips. “I wonder why not.”

  “You know, that’s a good question.” They eyed her with quizzical expressions, but Trixi was so happy to be in a relationship with Mark not much could burst the bubbles spreading happiness through her veins.

  Gran turned to Mark. “Johnny wanted to know all about you.”

  “I have plenty of rellys who would be thrilled to answer that question for him.”

  “I told him you’re a hard working young man who has set his eyes on Trixi.”

  Trixi choked. Mark obligingly tapped her back. “And?” he prompted Gran, although his attention remained on her wheezing attempts to force the liquid out of her lungs.

  “He mentioned something about a background check.”

  “Did you remind him that her father has probably already done one?”

  Trixi sputtered. Mark tapped her back again.

  “Of course Rylan did. I never even thought of him doing it, but I should have.” Gran nodded and then resumed eating. “I’ll call Johnny after supper and tell him to call Rylan.”

  “Then he won’t have to go to the bother.” Mark shrugged.

  Gran frowned then and played a little ditty on the table with her fork. “Yes. Although Rylan might not answer his phone, since he’s involved in his own romance at the moment.”

  A coughing fit finally dislodged the liquid so after a few wheezes and another bout of coughing, Trixi could finally speak. “Why?”

  Again, her table companions stared at her as though she started speaking Swahili. She returned their dumbfounded gazes.

  “Why?” she repeated when neither of them answered her.

  “To protect you.” Gran shared a confused look with Mark.

  He leaned forward on his forearm and elaborated. “I’m someone they don’t know. They should look into whether I’m a good candidate to date you.”

  Then he leaned back, after delivering his news, like it was perfectly normal for her male relatives to look into her male friends. Of course, she’d never had a male friend like Mark before.

  Gran and Mark’s easy acceptance of Johnny and her dad digging into Mark’s life, doing a background check on him, was so surprising all coherent thoughts fled. How was pairing a background check with dating considered normal?

  “Sweetheart, they’re protecting you. It’s a good thing.” Gran assured her in confident tones.

  “I wouldn’t want it any other way.” Mark slid his hand over hers.

  “This isn’t the Victorian era,” she remonstrated.

  “No, but you have plenty of assets, and the men in our family understand this.” Gran patted their hands before she asked Mark to pass her the pepper.

  He squeezed Trixi’s hand before handing the shaker to Gran. Then he started eating again as though this wasn’t the most bizarre conversation they had ever conducted.

  Gran scooped up some vegetables and asked about their day.

  Trixi wondered when her life had become a romantic comedy.

  “Are you certain this is a good idea?” Nina bit her lip as the house came into view.

  It was breathtaking, especially because of twilight giving way to darkness. Rising majestically from the gardens and impressive landscaping, Rylan was again thankful to call this place home.

  “Yes, I’m certain.” Because he felt she needed the reassurance, he reached out and took her hand. Her chilly hand curled into his in a perfect fit. “You’re cold.”

  She nodded. “It’s cold outside.”

  “We’ll warm you up,” he promised as he drove around the forecourt to the garages. He parked in his bay and then helped her exit the car, snagging her bag as he went. Excitement percolated beneath the surface as he ushered her inside. “Welcome, Nina.” There was promise embedded in his voice. He wondered if she heard it.

  “Thank you.” She sent him a wry look. “I have been here before.” Her smile was so saucy he couldn’t resist leaning forward to taste those tempting lips.

  Bernadette cleared her throat. “Rylan, when will you be wanting supper served?”

  “Give us twenty minutes, please. Nina plans to spend the night. I thought she might be comfortable in the silver guest suite.”

  “An excellent choice.” There were questions in the housekeeper’s eyes he hoped she didn’t ask. As a tried and true friend, she thankfully kept her thoughts to herself.

  “The suite is ready?”

  She scowled. “Of course.”

  “Didn’t mean to cause offense, Bernie.”

  “I’m aware of that, Mr. Rylan.” She turned her attention to the silent Nina. “Welcome, ma’am.”

  “Thank you.” Nina’s smile was gentle, her tone and manner gracious and friendly.

  Rylan took her elbow and led her into the hall where they passed through several halls and doorways until they wound their way to a quiet end of the house. “This is the Silver Suite. It’s one of my favorites.”

  He pushed open the door and was prepared for Nina’s gasp. Called silver because of the silvery blue silk comforter and drapes, the room was exquisite. The furniture was all a creamy white and understated so the elegance of the room came from the silvery blue appointments. The medium gray carpet and accents added warmth, but for the most part the room was awash in light colors.

  “Rylan this is gorgeous.”

  “It’s befitting a queen.” He hoped his queen. “A preference for silver and blue is a Wintermyer trait. Supposedly because the man who built this place loved his wife’s silvery-blue eyes.”

  “Trixi’s eyes are silver and blue.”

  “Yes, they’re from the Wintermyer side of the family.”

  N
ina touched a delicate bloom in the fresh flower arrangement on the small table positioned between two reading chairs. “I can’t possibly sleep in here.”

  In lieu of answering, he escorted her across the room and opened the door to the spacious closet and then on to the door beside it. A luxurious bath was revealed in the same silvery blue, creamy white, and warm gray colors. Nina explored the room’s amenities with happiness.

  “Are you certain it’s okay for me to sleep here all weekend?”

  He smiled. “I’m certain.” After clearing his throat of the sudden knot there, he added, “We have all weekend to explore the house.”

  “Really? We can look at every room?”

  “Yes, I’d appreciate it. You can give me a feminine perspective on some decisions I need to make and keep putting off.”

  “I see.” Her smile was mysterious and feminine and he quite liked it.

  Rylan left her bag in the closet. They wandered into the morning room.

  “Why is it called the morning room if you use it for all your meals?”

  “Because it gets the morning sun, I suppose. It’s always been called that.” He shrugged. “This room is for informal dining. The larger dining room is reserved for when we have guests.” He frowned. “That’s one room where I’d value your opinion.”

  “Okay.” She appeared to drinking everything in as he seated her. In moments, Bernadette arrived with the first course.

  They gave thanks and then dug in. He was surprisingly hungry. Nina appeared to be as well because she ate with the same gusto. “I missed lunch,” she admitted after polishing off the salad.

  “Why? Missing meals isn’t good.”

  She shrugged. “We got busy and by the time I had a moment to think, it was too late to eat. I did have a snack. Now what is it you’re thinking about the dining room?”

  “It’s too formal and feels cold.” They launched into a discussion of dining rooms and then other public areas and it carried them through the meal.

  Too bad he didn’t have the courage to bring up the most pressing topic on his mind.