Late Bloomer

by Barbara Lohr

  “How do women ever do this?” Looking super cute in his concentration, he kept working.

  “We teach each other.” When she shook her head, she felt the weight of her hair. Brody raked his fingers gently through the mess.

  Did he realize how erotic this was? She felt incredibly turned on.

  When he pulled back, his smile flattened. “What?”

  “Nothing. Thanks.” Drawing a line wasn’t easy. She was going home Sunday and where did that leave them? She’d planned on spending Saturday, her final day here, with Mama V. Her attention fell onto his drafting table. “What’s all this?”

  ~.~

  “My latest project.” Brody followed her to the mess of blueprints. Smoothing back the rolled edges, she pored over them. Concentration sharpened her features. Dang, if he didn’t hold his breath. Felt like he’d handed in his final exam, wondering if he’d make the grade.

  “All these are your work?” She studied the sizeable sheets one by one.

  “Takes a lot of blueprints for a house like the one I showed you.”

  Her tall, slim body bent like a paperclip over his plans, so beautiful with her butt in the air and hair cascading over one shoulder.

  But she caught him gawking. Her eyes widened and he dropped his gaze.

  Get it together. Stepping closer, he focused on the sketch. Trying to think of her as a client, he pointed. “Master bedroom.” Now, why did he start there? He’d never begin there with any potential client. Fingers trailing over the paper, he moved on. “Two-story foyer. Family room to the right, kitchen to the left.” Her eyes followed while he explained. She asked thoughtful questions, wanting to know why. Did everyone prefer to have the family room visible from the kitchen? So he explained the open concept. Pointed out the front and back stairs that he loved, the extra-large bathrooms and the oversized doors.

  Talking her through the project, he felt his heartbeat return to normal. Well, almost. Each of her questions made him feel more proud.

  “This is beautiful, Brody. So well thought out.”

  Women could tell him he had great eyes, a hot body––he’d heard it all. But Carolyn’s questions? They hit him where he lived. Huge turn-on. But she wanted to go slow. Was she wiser than he was? In a couple days she’d be gone and he’d be a vacation memory. The timing wasn’t right. His heart teeter-tottered between regret and hope. Then her eyes wandered back to his bookshelves.

  “Brody, you amaze me.” Stepping over to the shelves he’d had custom-made, she ran her fingers over the spines. “No way. The Great Gatsby?”

  “And here you thought I wasn’t listening.”

  Yeah, she recognized them all. Not only had he ordered some of the classics she’d tried to teach him, but he had a ton of spy novels. “I eat these up like popcorn.”

  “So you go for psychological suspense?”

  “Yep.” God, he couldn’t think when she fingered the covers like that. “Want to go outside?”

  “Sure.” She shoved his latest Baldacci book back onto the shelf. He led her to the enormous deck. “Are you okay coming out?”

  She hung back. Brody tried to see it through her eyes. The deck dropped into nothing. At least, it looked that way. Sure, he’d put in metal cable railings, but he purposely didn’t obstruct the view. Now he wanted an adobe wall, for her sake.

  “Would you feel better sitting down?”

  “Maybe.” She looked so uncertain standing there. Behind a podium, she’d been master of room 207. Today? A shivery little girl. Reaching for one hand, he led her to a chaise. Settling onto the cushion, she glanced up with uncertain eyes.

  “You’re fine. I’m going to start a fire.”

  Hands gripping the arms of the chair, she watched him work with the logs. The fire caught, then she sniffed. “Pinyon?”

  “You got it.”

  “Umm. Smells great.” Clasping her hands over her tummy, she settled back.

  Stretching out in the chaise next to her, he motioned with an open hand. “You’re too far away.”

  Pushing up, she took his hand. He pulled her into the V between his legs and they snuggled. His body hadn’t gotten the memo about keeping a safe distance. Brody hoped to hell he could keep his natural response in check.

  To his delight, her slender frame relaxed against him. He kissed the top of her head. “You’re safe with me, Teach.”

  “Yeah, right.” When she twisted to kiss him, all bets were off.

  Every kiss took him deeper. She knew him better than any woman ever had. He’d revealed so much to her, practically stripped naked, explaining his past. And he knew her. That story about the little girl at the amusement park? Turned him inside out. He wanted to be the man that made everything better for her. His body went into overdrive.

  Carolyn pushed back. “What?”

  “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.” Restraining himself had hit the painful point.

  Disappointment dimmed her face. “Really?”

  “Teach, I’m not talking about this.” A finger circled between them. “I mean you sitting here. Do you have dinner plans?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  Was she going out with Alan? He wasn’t about to ask. “I see.”

  The muscles worked in her throat when she swallowed. “My grandmother. I did come to visit her.”

  “Of course. Sure.” He was horning in on her one-week visit. That felt great. And he’d hit her with a lot of stuff today. Maybe her acceptance was all in his head.

  “Brody, that’s it, really.” She tugged on his shirt.

  “You’re sure what I said today hasn’t turned you off?”

  “No, I’m glad you shared that piece of yourself.”

  “Surprised?”

  “Very. But not in a bad way.”

  Brody wasn’t convinced. But he didn’t want to give her up. A few kisses later, the sun was throwing long shadows over the deck. The logs in the pit had turned to embers.

  “Guess I should go,” she said.

  When he pushed her up, she glanced back at the mountains. “Gee, I haven’t felt anxious for at least ten minutes.”

  “Maybe I’m good medicine.” He chuckled. “When are you going back?”

  “Sunday.”

  His own disappointment reflected on her face. “School starts Monday.”

  “School.” That one word put her back behind that podium. But he knew that he’d always remember her here. Just as she was now. The setting sun burnishing her face, the mountains that made her crazy soaring behind her.

  “I wish I could stay.”

  He forced a laugh. “Right. Who knows where this could go?”

  “Right. Who knows?” Suddenly, things felt awkward. Running her hands down her arms, she shivered.

  “Well, better get you home then.”

  They walked back inside. He helped her on with her jacket. This all felt so final, and she looked preoccupied. Brody was all talked out.

  When they reached the casita, he parked. Neither one of them made a move to get out.

  Her phone rang and she dug it from her bag. “Hey, Sharon, what’s up? Everything all right?” Must be one of her friends. Carolyn looked so serious, and Brody got a little concerned until she smiled. “No way? Really? The pipes burst in the second floor boys’ bathroom?” Her eyes swung to his.

  Brody fought the chuckle rumbling in his gut. Oldest trick in the book.

  “Oh, my gosh. Glenn must be furious.”

  Good thing she ended the call because he was laughing so hard, the caller could probably hear him.

  Throwing him an almost triumphant smile, Carolyn said, “Do you believe it? The school’s been flooded. Glenn’s called off school next week while they fix the damage.”

  “Bad break, right?” But he felt crazy excited, and Carolyn had a feverish flush.

  “Yeah.” Slowly her eyes filled with suspicion. “That’s happened before.”

  “Right. And my class did it,” he admitted. “All the guys spread out an
d flushed toilets when the bell rang for study hall. It was epic. Mr. Rousey put us all on probation.” His mother had been furious.

  She chewed the corner of her mouth, like she was biting back a smile.

  “That’s gonna be one big insurance claim,” he said.

  “Guess so.” Looking oh, so soft and sexy, Carolyn slid down in her seat. Started playing with her hair. “What’ll I do with all that time?”

  “Oh, I guess we’ll think of something.”

  “I promised Mama V I’d spend tomorrow with her.”

  Carolyn’s call from school had handed him a gift. Brody was feeling generous. “What about the rest of the week?”

  “Whatever will we do?” She batted her eye lashes.

  “You’ve got a good imagination. Consider this your homework assignment until Sunday.” He reached for her.

  Chapter 13

  Time was on Carolyn’s side. Saying goodnight to Brody had lost its sad edge since that call from school. “Mama V, are you home?” she called out, pushing the door closed behind her. “Sorry I’m so late.”

  Silence greeted her. Magazines overlapped in a neat row on the coffee table. Sofa pillows were fluffed and the afghan was neatly folded. Fading sunlight filtered through the skylights. The place felt empty, a ticking clock the only sound. Still, Mama V’s car was out front.

  When she saw a note on the kitchen table, she snatched it up. Thought you might need a night off Mama V duty. Give me a call if you need anything. I’ll be with Howard. She’d left his phone number.

  She’d been blown off by her grandmother. Dropping her purse in a chair, Carolyn chuckled. So Howard came first? Still, Mama V was a grown woman. She could do what she wanted.

  When her church bells clanged, she scrambled for her phone. “Mama V?”

  Silence. “Carolyn, it’s me.”

  She slumped into a chair. “Mom. What’s up?”

  “Why do you think this might be your grandmother? Isn’t she there with you?”

  Her eyes skidded to the crumpled ball of paper on the table. “She might be at the gallery.”

  “But she isn’t answering her phone.”

  “You called her?”

  “Of course. That’s how I know she’s not answering her phone.”

  “Have you found out anything about Howard?”

  “I did indeed.” Each word was tightly compressed.

  “And?” Were there any skeletons in his closet? For her grandmother’s sake, Carolyn hoped not.

  “Everything seems fine.” She heard the long exhale of breath. “In fact, Howard seems to be well off. No concerns pop out. But what is he like, Carolyn? Give me your honest opinion.”

  Stuffy. Rigid. But she’d keep her opinions to herself. “He seems like a nice man.”

  “Carolyn Knight?” A warning note surfaced in her mother’s voice. “If you have any doubts about him, please speak up.”

  She didn’t want this responsibility. “Mama V has good judgment.”

  “Things change as we age.”

  We? Was Mom talking about herself too? Carolyn softened.

  “She’s fine, Mom,” she said quietly. “I haven’t seen her this happy in a long time.”

  “Really? Well, that’s good.” Relief flooded through her mother’s words. Poor Mom. She probably did worry about Mama V. At least in the past, they had brunch together or Sunday dinner. Now they couldn’t even do that. “Just keep an eye on her, all right, honey?” her mom continued, sounding increasingly worried. “She is older and she had that fall. I’m not there to check on her.”

  “Do you think you’ll be coming out soon?”

  “Nothing’s on the calendar just yet.” Papers rustled in the background. “I’m in charge of an auction next month. Your father and I have our duties.” And she launched into a list.

  “What about Myra? Can’t you delegate some of that to her?” Sometimes her mom even had her assistant screen her calls.

  “Yes, you’re probably right. In any case I don’t think I can come until at least July.”

  “All right then. Trust me.” For years she’d wanted her mother to view her as an adult. Now she had no choice.

  “She’s in your hands now. Your grandfather would want us to watch out for her.”

  “And we will. But she’s an adult.”

  “Who’s not her self right now.”

  Carolyn’s laugh came out as a snort. “Mom, I think she’s back to being very much herself.”

  “If you say so, darling. I’m trusting you.”

  It was about time.

  After the call ended, Carolyn wandered through the house. Some of the paintings were new. Mama V was experimenting with bold strokes and bright colors. Although her grandmother had been an art major, after marrying Grandpa, being a wife and mother kept her busy. But now he was gone and Mama V had turned to her art for comfort.

  The phone rang again. “I told you I’d take care of it.” Silence made her glance at the screen. Good grief. “Brody? Sorry, I thought you were someone else.”

  “Whoa. I wouldn’t want to be that person. Who were you expecting?”

  Her face burned. “My mother. Am I terrible or what?”

  “Must have been some kind of conversation.”

  “We had a lot to discuss. Sometimes our conversations turn into arguments.”

  “My mother and I have our tense moments too.”

  “Oh, sorry. I forgot.”

  “She lives in Florida with her new husband and we’re both busy. So we talk on the phone.” How she envied his flat acceptance.

  “Florida. I can’t picture you there.” He was a man who needed wide spaces, wild countryside. Santa Fe was right for him.

  “Neither can I. Look, you might have plans with your grandmother this weekend. I’m just guessing here...how about Taos on Sunday?”

  “Do you ever work?” The question was half teasing.

  “Not when old friends are in town.”

  “Hah. So I’m moving up. No longer the former teacher?”

  “Oh, you’re moving up all right. I’m glad we’ll have more time.” His voice had grown bedroom soft.

  She swallowed hard and whispered, “Me too.”

  He cleared his throat. “My thanks to the boys at Gull Harbor. I think I left those restroom blowup instructions somewhere in the locker room.”

  Probably the truth. “I’d love to see Taos with you.”

  “Great.” He gave her a time. Sunday felt like a long way off. But it was all good. She wanted to think about all this. Her schedule had shifted. She had a refrigerator magnet that said “I dwell in possibility” taken from Emily Dickinson, her favorite poet. That’s what this next week would be.

  Looked like she’d be eating dinner alone, but Carolyn was glad. Never one for snap decisions, she wanted time to study every angle. Lunch felt like a long time ago so she got out the bread rounds, peanut butter and orange marmalade. Sitting at the table with her comfort food, Carolyn let her mind wander. Brody had changed things. She felt a little like that fairy tale where the prince awakens the girl with a kiss.

  Her phone rang again. This time she looked at the caller name popping up on her phone. “Diana?”

  “Yep. I’m doing a wardrobe check. Everything working out all right?”

  Taking tiny, sticky nibbles, Carolyn talked while she ate. “Don’t know what I would have done without you. My elasticized pants and turtlenecks would not have cut it.”

  “I never knew how to break it to you. Pitch them. And how is he?”

  Denying would be useless. “Great.”

  “Ah, so that’s how it is.” Her friend gave a sly chuckle.

  “Diana, I don’t know how it is.”

  “Okay. Details about this man, please.”

  But all she had was questions. “How can something feel so wrong and so right, all at the same time?”

  Her friend’s laugh rippled across the distance. “Oh, girlfriend, I know just what you mean. I never thought
Will was wrong for me, but I was positive I wasn’t right for him.”

  “Guess you settled that. How are the wedding plans coming?”

  “Fine. When you come home, I want you to help me look for a dress. But enough about me. Why does Brody feel wrong for you when you have that dreamy note in your voice every time you say his name?”

  “I was his teacher, for Pete’s sake!”

  “We’ve already been over that. Not a good excuse.”

  “Yes, well, he’s not the goofy teenager I flunked back then. Now he has book shelves with some classics.” She realized how difficult high school must have been for Brody. That brought a whole new perspective.

  “So you’ve been in his house?” Diana didn’t miss a trick.

  “Just a quick visit. He lives in Santa Fe, Diana, and I live in Michigan. I’m not sure this is smart.”

  “You’re getting ahead of yourself. See where your heart leads you.”

  Did Carolyn even knew how to do that?

  “How convenient for you that the high school is shut down for another week,” Diana said. “The whole town’s buzzing about it.”

  “I suppose the kids are thrilled.”

  “More time to hang out at the Swirly Top, even though it’s a wee bit chilly here. The parents are the ones grumbling while they grocery shop at Clancy’s.”

  Thinking about the upcoming week with Brody, Carolyn gave a sinuous stretch. “You’re right. Now I have more time.”

  “Use it wisely.” An impish note crept into Diana’s voice.

  “I don’t know if I’ve ever felt like this.”

  “Then yes, you do need more time with him. I can’t wait to hear all about it.”

  Getting up, Carolyn began stowing away the peanut butter and marmalade. “You’re either a bad influence or a life saver.”

  “Can’t I be both? Jump off that pier, girl! Splash around a little.”

  “I don’t know how much splashing I’ll do.” But the comment got Carolyn thinking about Ten Thousand Waves.

  “Don’t worry about the future. And I know that’s hard for you. “

  “It’s not easy. I do like my schedule.” But Carolyn wanted a future. Somehow, what she had now didn’t seem like enough. Ten years from now did she want to be wheeling her cart through Clancy’s, buying frozen dinners for one?