by Sara Orwig
When he parked at the back of the house and came around the car to open the door for her, she stepped out. Stella stood quietly staring at him and he paused.
“What?” he asked. “Something’s worrying you.”
“I don’t even know you.”
He studied her a moment and then stepped forward, his arm going around her waist as he pulled her against him and kissed her. For a startled moment she was still and then she wrapped her arms around him to return the kiss.
“I’d say you know me,” he said to her when he released her.
As she stepped back, she waved her hand at the house. “This is not what I envisioned.”
“You’ll get accustomed to it. C’mon, let me show you your room,” he said, retrieving their bags from the back.
“We’ll take a tour later,” he said, walking through a kitchen that was big enough to hold her entire suite at the Cozy Inn. It had dark oak walls and some of the state-of-the-art appliances had a dark wood finish.
She walked beside him down a wide hallway, turning as hallways branched off in opposite directions. He stepped into the first open doorway. “How’s this?” he asked, placing her bag on a suitcase stand.
She looked around a spacious, beautiful room with Queen Anne furniture, dark and light blue decor and thick area rugs.
“I’ll get my mail and you can meet me in the kitchen. As soon as you’re ready, we’ll go to town. It’ll give you more time to shop and I need to get to the office.” He stepped closer, placing his hands on her shoulders and lowering his voice. “There are other things I’d rather do this morning, but with your appointments we better stick to business.”
“I agree. You check your mail and I’ll meet you.”
He nodded and left.
Twenty minutes later, he stood waiting in the kitchen when she returned. “The limo’s here. C’mon and I’ll introduce you to Sid.”
When they stepped outside, a brown-haired man who looked to be in his twenties waited by a white limo. He smiled as they walked up.
“Hi, Sid,” Aaron said. “Stella, meet Sid Fryer. Sid, this is Ms. Daniels.”
“Glad to meet you, Sid,” she said.
“She’s going to Cecelia’s shop later and you can hang around or give her a number and she’ll call you. She’ll be there two hours minimum,” Aaron instructed.
Stella was surprised. She couldn’t imagine spending that much time picking out dresses.
Sid held the limo door for her and she climbed inside, turning to the window as Aaron stepped away and waved.
Sid climbed behind the wheel and they left. When she glanced back, Aaron was already in his car.
“Sid—?”
He glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “Yes, ma’am?”
“Just call me Stella. Everyone does in my hometown of Royal. I just can’t be that formal—we’ll be together off and on all day.”
She could see him grin in the rearview mirror. “Yes, ma’am. Whatever you say.”
When Sid turned out of the gated area where Aaron lived, Stella looked behind them and saw Aaron turning the opposite way.
She met her mother in a coffee shop near the high school where her mother was principal. As Stella approached the booth where her mother sat looking at papers on the table, she realized where she got her plain way of dressing and living. Her mother’s hair was in a roll, fastened on the back of her head. She wore a brown blouse and skirt, practical low-heel shoes and no makeup. Stella hadn’t told her mother about the pregnancy yet and intended to today, but as she looked at her mother bent over her papers, she decided to wait a bit longer, until she had made more definite plans for raising the child. Her mother would probably want to step in and take charge, although she was deeply wrapped up in her job and, in the past few years, had interacted very little with either Stella or her sister.
Stella greeted her mother, gave her a slight hug and a light kiss on the cheek and slid into the booth across from her. “How are you?” Stella asked.
“So busy with the end of the semester coming. I can only stay an hour because I have a stack of papers on my desk I have to deal with and three appointments with parents this afternoon. How are things in Royal?”
“Slowly improving.”
“I’ve seen you in television clips. It looks as if you’re busy. When will the mayor take over again so you won’t have to do his job for him?”
“Mom, he was hurt badly and was on the critical list for a long time. The deputy mayor was killed.”
“I’m glad I moved out of Royal. You should give it thought.”
“I’ll do that,” she said, reminded again of why she was so much closer to her sister than her mother.
They talked over salads and then her mother gathered up papers and said she had to get back to her office. Stella kissed her goodbye and waited a few minutes before calling Sid for the limo—something she did not want to have to explain to her mother.
Sid drove her to the television station. Everyone she dealt with welcomed her and was so friendly that she was at ease immediately. A smiling receptionist let the host know Stella had arrived and in minutes a smiling blonde appeared and extended her hand.
“Welcome. I’m Natalia Higgens and we’re delighted to have you on the show.”
“Thank you,” Stella said, shaking the woman’s hand and relaxing. “I hope this does some good for my hometown.”
“We’re happy to have you and sorry about Royal. The tornado was dreadful. I think our viewers will be interested and I think you’ll get some support. We’ll show a short video one of our reporters made after the storm. I’ll have some questions for you. People are responsive when someone has been hurt and you have a town filled with people who have been hurt.”
“I really appreciate this opportunity to try to get help for Royal.”
“We’re glad to air your story. If you’ll come with me.”
Fifteen minutes later, Natalia Higgens made her brief introduction, looking at the camera. “The F4 tornado struck at 4:14 p.m. on October 6th, a Monday.” The camera cut to the video the studio had taken after the storm. As soon as the video ended, Natalia turned to ask Stella about Royal.
From the beginning of the interview, Natalia’s friendliness put Stella at ease. She answered questions about the storm and the people in Royal, listing places that were badly damaged, giving facts and figures of families hit, the people who died in the storm and the enormous cost of the cleanup.
“If people would like to help, do you have an address?” Natalia asked.
“Yes,” Stella replied, giving the address of the bank in Royal where the account had been set up for donations. “Also, the Texas Cattleman’s Club of Royal will have a Christmas festival and we hope to be able to provide toys for all the children of families who were so badly hurt by the storm. Some families lost everything—their homes, their livestock, their livelihoods—and we want to help them have a happy holiday,” Stella said, smiling into the camera before turning to Natalia.
Before Stella knew it, her fifteen-minute segment was finished.
When the show ended, Natalia turned to Stella. “Thank you. You gave a wonderful presentation today that should get a big response.”
“I enjoyed having a chance to do the show and to tell about our Christmas festival. I’m very excited about that and the joy it will bring.”
“Maybe we can have someone from the Royal and the Dallas TCC be on our show soon to mention it again.”
“That would be wonderful,” Stella said.
Natalia got a text, which she scanned quickly. “We’re getting donations. Your bank will be able to total them up and let you know. Congratulations on getting more help for Royal.”
Stella smiled broadly, happy that the interview went well, hoping they did get a big response.
After thanking them, telling them goodbye and making arrangements to get a video of the interview, she was ready to go back to Dallas.
As she left the station,
people who worked there stopped to greet her and wish her success in helping her town.
Exhilarated, she saw Sid holding the door of the limo as she emerged from the building.
“I watched your interview in the bar down the block and two guys there said they would send some money to Royal. Way to go,” he said, and she laughed, giving Sid a high five, which after one startled moment, he returned.
Sid drove to an upscale shopping area in that city. He parked in front of a redbrick shop with an ornate dark wood front door flanked by two huge white pots of red hibiscus and green sweet potato vines that trailed over the sides of the pots. To one side of the door a large window revealed an interior of subdued lighting and white and red furniture. The only identifying sign was on the window near the door. Small gold letters spelled out the name, Chez Cecilia.
Sid hopped out to open her door. “Here’s my number. Just give me a call a few minutes before you want to be picked up and I’ll be right here.”
“Thanks, Sid,” she said, wondering what Aaron had gotten her into. She went inside the shop—which had soft music playing in the background, thick area rugs, contemporary oil paintings on the walls and ornately framed floor-to-ceiling mirrors—and asked for Cecelia.
A tall, slender brunette appeared, smiling and extending her hand. “You must be Stella. I’m happy to meet you. Let me take your coat,” she said, taking Stella’s jacket and hanging it up. “Aaron has told me about you.”
“That surprises me,” Stella said, curious how Aaron knew Cecelia and the dress shop but not wanting to pry. She’d rather Aaron would tell her the things he wanted her to know.
“Surprised me, too. Aaron keeps his world to himself. From what he told me, I think I know what we should show you. Let’s get you comfortable. I have a few things picked out. He said you have a dinner date tonight with some people who want to hear about Royal and the storm and how they can help.”
“You’re right.”
“Now make yourself comfortable. Can I get you a soft drink? Coffee or tea? Ice water?”
“Ice water please,” she said, thinking this whole excursion was ridiculous, a feeling that changed to dismay when Cecilia began to bring clothes out to show her.
“Just tell me what appeals to you and we’ll set it aside for you to try on if you’d like.”
Within minutes Stella felt in a daze. Nothing Cecilia brought out looked like anything Stella had ever worn. Necklines were lower; hemlines were higher. Skirts were tighter and material was softer. “Cecelia, I can’t imagine myself in these,” she said, looking at a green dress of clinging material that had a low-cut cowl neckline and a tight, straight skirt with a slit on one side. “These are so unlike me.”
“You may be surprised how nice they’ll look on you. These are comfortable dresses, too.”
Her dazed feeling increased when she tried on the dresses she selected, yet when she looked in the mirror, she couldn’t keep from liking them.
When she tried to stop shopping, Cecilia shook her head. “You need to select an elegant dress for evening. You need two suits. You should have a business dress. Aaron made this very clear and he’ll come down and pick something out himself if you don’t. You will not want him to do that. Aaron is not into shopping for dresses. Our clothing is tasteful and lovely, but he doesn’t select what’s appropriate for business unless I help him. Fortunately, he’ll listen.”
Even as Stella laughed, she was surprised and wondered how Cecelia knew this about Aaron. It hinted at more mysteries in his life before she knew him.
Stella tried on a red silk wool sleeveless dress with a low V-neck that she would have to grow accustomed to because she hadn’t worn a dress like this one ever. “Cecilia, this isn’t me.”
“That’s the point, Stella. Aaron wants you to have dresses that will help you present a certain image. From what Aaron has said, you’re trying to get help for your town. Believe me, that dress will help you get people’s attention. It’s beautiful on you.”
Stella laughed and shook her head. “Thank you. I feel as if I’m only half-dressed.”
“Not at all. You look wonderful.”
Stella shook her head and studied her image, which she barely recognized.
“Try it,” Cecilia urged. “You don’t want Aaron shopping for you.”
“No, I don’t.” She sighed. “I’ll take this one.”
The next two were far too revealing and she refused. “I would never feel comfortable even though these are beautiful dresses.”
The next was a black dress that had a high neck in front, but was backless as well as sleeveless.
She had to agree with Cecilia that she looked pretty in the dress, but she wondered whether she would ever really wear it.
“You should have this. It’s lovely on you,” Cecilia said. “I know Aaron would definitely like this one.”
She felt like telling Cecilia that she was not buying the dresses to please Aaron, but she wondered if she would be fooling herself in saying that. She finally nodded and agreed to take it, because she had to agree that she looked nice in it.
Not until the business suits was she comfortable in the clothes she tried on. The tailored dark blue and black suits were plain and her type of clothing. Until she tried on blouses to go with them. Once again, it was low necklines, soft, clinging material—so different from her usual button-down collars and cotton shirts.
Finally she was finished and had all her purchases bagged and boxed. She was shocked to look at her watch and see that it was almost four.
Sid came in to pick her purchases up and load them into the limo as Stella thanked Cecelia and the two other women who worked in the shop. Finally she climbed into the limo to return to Aaron’s to get ready for dinner with the oil and gas executives who were potential donors.
When she arrived, Aaron was waiting on the drive. After she stepped out of the limo, Aaron and Sid carried her purchases into the house.
When Sid left them, Aaron closed the back door and turned to take her into his arms. “We’re supposed to meet the people we’re having dinner with in less than two hours. These are the oil and gas executives I told you about.”
“Thanks, for setting this up, Aaron.”
“I’m glad to, and Cole has made some appointments with potential donors, as well. How was your mother?”
“Busy with her own life.”
“Have you told her about your pregnancy?”
“No. She was very unhappy to learn she was going to be a grandmother when my sister had her first baby. I think Mom thought it aged her to suddenly become a grandmother. She’s not close to her grandchildren and doesn’t really like children in general. My mother is in her own world. To her, my news will not be good news.”
“Thank heavens you don’t take after her. She’s missing out on one of the best parts of life,” he said, surprising her that a single guy would express it that way.
“It’ll take over half an hour to drive to the restaurant,” he continued after a pause. “We better start getting ready. I need to shower and shave.”
“In other words, I need to start getting ready now,” she said, “because I want to shower.”
“We can shower together.”
“If we don’t leave the house tonight,” she said.
He smiled. “We can’t afford to stand these people up so we’ll get ready and shower separately. Maybe tomorrow we can be together. Cecelia said she thinks I’ll like what you bought.”
“I don’t know myself when I look in the mirror. In those dresses the reflection doesn’t look like me, but hopefully, we’ll achieve the effect you expect. If not, you wasted a lot of money.”
“I think it’ll be worth every penny.”
“So you better run along and let me get ready.”
He nodded, his eyes focused intently on her as he looked at her mouth. She stepped away. “Bye, Aaron. See you shortly.”
“Come here,” he said, taking her hand and leading her out to th
e central hall. “See that first open door on the left? When you’re ready, meet me there. I’ll wait for you in the library.”
“The library. Fine,” she said.
“See you soon,” he said, brushing a light kiss on her lips and leaving her. She went back to shower and dress in the tailored black suit she had bought earlier with an old blouse that had a high collar—an outfit that she could relax in and be comfortable.
When she was ready, she went to the library to meet Aaron, who was already there waiting. Dressed in a brown suit and dark brown tie, he looked as handsome as he always did. His gaze raked over her and he smiled.
“You look pretty,” he said, crossing the room to her. “We have to go, but I know what I’d prefer doing.”
“I definitely feel the same, but you’re right about having to go.”
“Before we do, there’s something I want you to have,” he said, turning to walk to a chair and pick up a gift that she hadn’t noticed before. Wrapped in silver paper, it had a blue silk ribbon tied around it and a big silk bow on top. “This is for you.”
Surprised, she looked up at him. “It’s not my birthday,” she said quietly, startled he was giving her a present.
“You’re carrying my baby. That’s very special and I want to give you something that you’ll always have to celebrate the occasion.”
“Aaron, that is so sweet,” she said, hugging and kissing him. She wondered about the depth of his feelings for her. He had to care to give her such gifts and do so much for her. As quickly as that thought came and went, another occurred to her—that the makeover and clothes benefited Royal. Was she just a means to an end with him? She looked at the present in her hands. This one was purely for her because of the baby—a sweet gesture, but it still didn’t mean he had special feelings for her beyond her motherhood.
Finally she raised her head. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Look at your present,” he said. “You don’t even know what I’m giving you.”
Smiling, she untied the bow and carefully peeled away the paper. She raised the lid to find a black velvet box. She removed it from the gift box, opened it and gasped. “Aaron!” she exclaimed as she looked at a necklace made of gold in the shape of small delicate oak leaves, each with a small diamond for a stem. There was a golden leaf and diamond bracelet to match. “These are beautiful.” She looked up at him. “These are so gorgeous. Thank you.” She stepped forward to kiss him. He held her in one strong arm and kissed her. In seconds the other arm circled her waist and he leaned over her, still kissing her.
