For the first few days, Mrs. Santora and Millie would be kept completely separate. Once Mrs. Santora was more comfortable in her surroundings, they would be allowed to see each other from a safe distance. Carol hoped that within a month or so, they would be the start of the new Happily Inc herd.
“I have the best leaf-eater treats,” Carole told her. “The zebras are a little wild, but you know how they get. We have gazelles and a water buffalo. I want you to be happy here. Do you think that’s possible?”
Mrs. Santora looked at her. She blinked, her long lashes sweeping up and down.
Carol smiled. “I’m going to take that as a yes.”
Mrs. Santora walked into her enclosure. There were several branches hanging from a sturdy pole. The giraffe moved toward them, sniffed once, then took a single leaf and chewed.
“That’s my girl,” Carol whispered. “Welcome home.”
* * *
MATHIAS TOOK HIS morning coffee out onto his patio. The mornings had gotten colder as October stretched into early November, but the afternoons were still warm. He watched wisps of fog snake along the ground and thought about going in for his sketch pad, only he knew there wasn’t any point. He was done creating anything beyond his dishes and bowls. Whatever muse Carol and Millie had inspired had long since moved away. He’d tried making a few things, only to fail miserably. His skills were still there, but not the heart of the piece.
Today was the day—the big giraffe reveal. Everyone in town knew and later there would be a celebration in the office of the preserve. By virtue of his location and dumb luck, he had a front seat to the pre-game show.
A little after seven, Carol’s electric golf cart came into view. Thick branches covered with leaves were stacked on the open back. As he watched, she and her father hoisted the branches up onto three tall poles grouped together. They secured the chains, then returned to the golf cart and backed away. When they were about fifty yards from the poles, they stopped and waited. Mathias watched along with them.
It only took a few minutes for Millie to appear. She walked toward the poles, two giraffes just behind her. They all reached the poles and began to eat.
Millie’s herd, Mathias thought. Carol had made it happen. Two of the giraffes were already here and settled in. Two more would be arriving within the week. Once they were ready to make friends, there would be five giraffes in total.
He’d heard from Nick that the two newcomers had adapted more quickly than anyone had dared to hope. The local news had run several stories on Millie’s growing family and the story had been picked up nationally. More donations were flowing in to fund expanding the preserve. Apparently there was talk of starting a breeding program for a few endangered grazing animals. He’d also heard that a couple of botanists were going to see what they could grow outside of Happily Inc as a way to help save endangered plants.
Carol must be proud, he thought. She’d accomplished so much with only a little help. He was glad for his part in what was happening. He wondered if she thought of him much at all or if she’d put him behind her. As for himself, he was living on the ragged edge.
He’d known being without her would be tough, but he’d figured he would start to bounce back in a few weeks. No such luck. He couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat. It was as if Carol was his entire world and without her, there was no reason to get up in the morning. He was going through the motions because he didn’t want to hear any crap from his brothers, but he was starting to think they weren’t fooled.
He told himself he needed to get back on the horse, so to speak. That he should find some pretty bridesmaid and make sure they both had a good time. Only he didn’t want to. His bed might be cold and empty, but the only way to fill it was with Carol.
He missed her. He missed her laugh, her smile, her touch, her warmth. He missed talking to her and laughing with her. He missed knowing he could look forward to going to The Boardroom with her. Sometime when he hadn’t been paying attention, she’d become everything, and without her, there was nothing.
Which left him at a crossroads. What did he do? Assuming he was going to get over her was one possibility, but based on what had happened so far, he had his doubts. That left sucking it up and taking a chance. Something he’d never been willing to do before. But maybe he no longer had a choice—not when Carol was on the line.
He watched her and her father drive back to the main barn, then turned his attention to Millie and her herd. They were so beautiful in the morning light. Both awkward and elegant, completely out of place on the edge of the California desert, yet completely at home.
His cell phone chirped. He pulled it out of his pocket and stared at the single word text.
Well?
Atsuko had been pushing him for weeks. She wanted to have a one-man show for him. Worse than that, a one-man show with a single piece. The statue he’d done of Carol and Millie.
While he appreciated her support, he didn’t understand the point. He was never going to make anything like that again. As for selling it, he had his doubts. Did he want it to go to someone else? Although keeping it was pointless and based on what had happened, or not happened between them, there was no way Carol would want it.
Sure, he texted back, then turned his back on the giraffes and walked into the house.
* * *
CAROL’S STOMACH WAS not happy. The churning, cramping pressure made it hard to relax. Not that she’d thought she would be able to be anything but nervous, but her tummy’s emotional meltdown wasn’t helping.
Mathias’s show was that night. She’d been invited, along with everyone else she knew. When she’d sent her regrets—because there was no way she could face him in such close quarters in front of all her friends, plus what if he brought a date—Atsuko had asked her to stop by the gallery before the event. Because there was something Carol had to see.
Which all sounded mysterious, and not in a happy I have your favorite flavor of ice cream kind of way. But Atsuko had been amazing with the fund-raiser and had made Carol’s dreams of a herd possible, so saying no wasn’t exactly an option. Telling Atsuko she’d already seen enough of Mathias’s work, thank you very much, wasn’t polite, or true. Honestly, she would love to spend the rest of her life looking at his creations. Which was why three hours before the event, she parked in front of the gallery and told herself she was strong and powerful and going inside would be no big deal.
She’d already circled the block, checking for Mathias’s Mercedes. It wasn’t there. As the star of the show, he would wait to show up until the evening started. It was just going to be her and Atsuko. There was no reason to worry. Not that her stomach was listening.
She got out of her Jeep and went into the gallery. The main room was empty and relatively dark. She looked around, trying to get her bearings.
Once again the display cases had been rearranged. Most of them were gone. The few that remained were filled with examples of his everyday work. Dishes and vases and bowls. There was a collection of his more whimsical pieces and samples of his new Millie-inspired dishes.
Atsuko appeared from the shadows and smiled. “Carol. You made it. I’m so glad. Just give me a second to put the lights on.”
She walked to the wall and played with the switches. For a second the gallery went completely dark, then three overhead lights came on in the center of the room, illuminating a low pedestal and the piece sitting on it.
Carol stared, unable to move or breathe. Tears filled her eyes and her throat tightened. What had he done?
The glass statue was in two parts. There was a beautiful Millie about three times the size of the one Mathias had given her. The features were all there, the markings, the essence of movement. Millie bent her long neck, as if to touch the woman standing in front of her. A woman who looked so familiar.
Somehow Carol found herself standing right next
to the piece, even though she couldn’t remember walking toward it. She stared at the face, at the clothing and recognized herself. She was reaching up to Millie as Millie leaned down. They were connected—two different species bound by trust and affection.
How had he done this? And when? The logical side of her was in awe of his brilliance. The technique, the talent. The man was incredible and the world a better place for what he created. But the rest of her saw something else. Something more.
At first she didn’t want to believe. No, she told herself. That wasn’t true. At first she was afraid to believe. Afraid to trust what both her heart and her eyes beheld. Because the true genius of what he’d done wasn’t in the beauty, or the movement or the connection, it was in the love. His love for both his subjects radiated from the very core. It grew until the viewer had no choice but to feel it, too.
She let the warmth wash over her, chasing away fears and doubts. She’d always worried about not being special enough. She’d lived an emotional half-life because of that fear. She’d nearly lost Mathias because she hadn’t been brave enough to tell him the truth and expect the very best of him.
Emotions grew and clashed and swelled before settling into a certainty that eased her stomach and soothed her heart.
“Thank you,” she told Atsuko. “I have to go.”
She drove to Mathias’s house and ran to the front door. She tried to think of what she was going to say, but she couldn’t focus enough. Not with the truth right there. Did he know what he said with his art? Had it been a message or happenstance?
He opened the door and stared at her in surprise. “Carol?”
He had on suit pants and a white shirt. Because he was getting ready to go to his showing. Because he was a famous artist and she was just—
No. No! She wouldn’t assume, wouldn’t be less than. He loved her and she loved him and that was what mattered.
She pushed past him and walked into the living room, then turned to face him. The room was silent. Fear was there, but she ignored it as she stared into his familiar face.
He looked tired, as if he hadn’t been sleeping. She hoped he’d missed her as much as she missed him. They belonged together and if he wasn’t ready to admit that, she was going to have to convince him.
“I get it,” she told him. “Now that I’ve spent time with your parents, I have a small understanding of what you went through as a kid. It was crazy and frightening and you were never sure what was going to happen next. All you could depend on were your brothers. You had talent, and while you wanted to be successful, you weren’t sure that was okay. Then your dad made it clear it wasn’t. You were torn between who you were and who it was safe to be. But no matter what, you had Ronan. You were a team. Then one day he was gone, too.”
Mathias stood on the edge of the living room, not moving, but not looking all that comfortable, either. He didn’t speak, didn’t respond in any way. She had no idea what he was thinking. Obviously he wasn’t going to declare himself and save her the embarrassment of possibly being wrong. Only that was a good thing. He had his demons, but she had hers, as well. She had to believe she was special enough to have what she wanted and this was her moment of reckoning.
“I get why you’ve been reluctant to trust anyone else. You don’t want to be hurt or emotionally abandoned or deceived. What is it you always say? Betrayed. You’ve been holding yourself apart, thinking that would keep you safe. Only you know what? It doesn’t work. Cutting yourself off only shrinks your world until there’s nothing left. Some people can hide who they are, but you’re not one of them.”
She took a step toward him, sucked in a breath and said out loud, “You love me.”
A muscle in his jaw twitched, but otherwise, he didn’t move.
“You love me,” she repeated. “I’m sorry I didn’t see it before. It’s everywhere. You were the one to get Ronan to donate a piece, you always look out for me. You’re caring and kind. You took in Sophie and yes, I know that doesn’t have anything to do with loving me, but it speaks to who you are. And it’s not just that you took care of her, it’s that you missed her when she was gone.”
She took another step toward him. “I saw the sculpture, Mathias. What you created. It’s there. Your love. I can see it and feel it. I should have known before. That’s on me. I was too caught up in not being special, so I couldn’t see what was right in front of me. I’ve been a fool. Worse, I let you go. You were testing me before. Not on purpose, I don’t think, but because you had to be sure and I let you down.”
She smiled at him. “I always thought love was about being worthy, but it’s not. It’s about being willing to be loved and to love in return. I love you, Mathias. I have for a long time. We belong together and if you need me to keep proving that, I will.”
She stopped talking and waited for him to say something. Fear flickered, but she pushed it away. She had total faith in both herself and him. That was how this was going to work. There was no room for doubt—not anymore.
The seconds ticked on. Finally the tension left his body and one eyebrow rose.
“You sound pretty sure of yourself.”
“I am.”
“What if you’re wrong?”
“I’m not. I love you, Mathias. If you need some time to—”
She never got to finish her sentence because he pulled her close and claimed her with a kiss that told her everything she wanted to know. He wrapped his arms around her and held on as if he would never let go.
“I’ve missed you,” he breathed. “I’m sorry I didn’t get it before. You’re right. I do love you.”
She smiled. “That’s a relief.”
He chuckled. “When did you go see the piece?”
“Atsuko had me stop by just now. The second I saw it I realized what you were saying.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “I’ve been an idiot. I couldn’t see what was right in front of me.”
“I’m the one who was too scared to admit anything.”
He kissed her again. “Carol, it’s not you, it’s me. I’ve been in love with you from the first second I saw you.”
She blinked. “You have?”
“Yup. It was the third day I was in this house. You and Millie walked out into the morning light and I was a goner.”
She felt a little shiver of delight. “You never said anything.”
“I was terrified.”
“You slept with other women.”
“Not since the night when we...”
“When we had sex and you passed out and didn’t remember?” she asked sweetly.
He groaned. “We need a better name for that night, but yes. Since then.”
“Good. Because tragically, that was the best sex of my life. Until, you know, the times when you were awake.”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t go fishing for compliments. You know you’re a god in bed.”
“You like that about me.”
“I like many things about you.”
His humor faded. “I love you, Carol.”
“I love you, too.” She kissed him. “So this probably means we’re dating.”
“It does.”
She sighed. “I have a boyfriend.”
He laughed and hugged her before gently easing her toward the stairs.
“What are you doing?” she asked, even as she ran up the steps beside him.
“I think you already know.”
“You have your event.”
“There’s time.” At the landing, he touched her cheek. “You’ll come with me, won’t you?”
“Of course.” She would go anywhere with him, do anything.
“That’s my girl,” he said before pulling her into the bedroom and slowly closing the door.
* * *
<
br /> ACROSS TOWN ATSUKO hummed happily to herself as she attached the red “Not for sale” tag to the base of the pedestal. At the other end of the valley, Millie and her herd stood together in the late-afternoon light. All was well in her world. Her lonely giraffe heart had been healed by the gift of new family and the promise of more to come.
EPILOGUE
THE DINING ROOM at Battenberg Park could easily seat fifty...or maybe a hundred. Mathias had never thought much about British history or peerage, but it seemed being a duke wasn’t a bad thing. Sure, there were a lot of rules and he would bet taking care of the old house was an ongoing challenge, but he had to admit the sense of continuity would be kind of interesting. The downside was living in England in the winter.
While the temperatures in late February were technically above freezing, there was a dampness that seemed to creep into every corner of every room. Roaring fires did little to chase it away. On the bright side, it meant Carol cuddling closer at night and there was no way he was going to complain about that.
They’d flown over to England to be with Violet and Ulrich in the week leading up to their wedding. Friends and family would arrive on Thursday before the ceremony and reception on Saturday. The former would take place in a beautiful old church on the grounds of the estate while the latter would be in the large ballroom. Because hey, every duke needed a ballroom. But tonight it was just the four of them sitting at one end of the huge table. They were having a tasting dinner, finalizing the menu for the reception. Small portions of different courses were being passed around and commented on. He and Ulrich were mostly in it for the meal, while Carol and Violet made the actual decisions.
He watched the two sisters compare notes on a savory meat pie.
“It’s a ridiculous thing to serve at a wedding,” Violet admitted. “But I know it’s one of Ulrich’s favorites.”
“I can have it any day of the week,” her fiancé said mildly. “Darling, whatever makes you happy.”
“You make me happy,” Violet told him.
Second Chance Girl--A Modern Fairy Tale Romance Page 28
