by Sara Orwig
“You’re the cause, more than pictures and numbers. The mayor couldn’t have had anyone do a better job.” Aaron wound his fingers in her hair.
“It’s a long time from now, but do you think you’ll be present when our baby is born?”
“I want to be and I hope you want me to be there,” he said.
“Yes, I do,” she answered, hurting, wishing she had his love. “I want you to be there very much.”
He hugged her again. “Then that’s decided. I’ll be there.” They became silent and she wondered if he would still feel the same way when their baby came into the world.
“You’re beautiful, Stella,” Aaron said hoarsely. He drew her closer against him. “I don’t want to let you go,” he whispered as his arms tightened around her.
Her face was pressed against his chest and she hugged him in return. “I don’t want you to let me go ever,” she whispered, certain it was so soft, he couldn’t hear her. “Tonight we have each other,” she said. “Tomorrow we go home and back to the problems.”
* * *
When they flew back to Royal on Saturday afternoon, she had eight more big checks to deposit in the Royal storm recovery fund. As they sat in the plane, she was aware of Aaron studying her. “What?” she asked. “You’re staring.”
“I’m thinking about all the changes in you. Now you’ll be the talk of Royal with your makeover, plus the money you’re bringing in to help everyone.”
She laughed. “I’ll be the talk of Royal maybe for five minutes. But the checks will last for quite a while. Aaron, I’m so thrilled over the money. People have been really generous. Thank for your introductions.”
“Thanks, Stella, for talking to all of them. You’re doing a fantastic job. As for the talk of the town—it’ll be longer than five minutes. I suspect some guys are going to ask you out. I think I should make my presence known.”
She was tempted to fling What do you care? at him. How much did he care? He acted as if he wanted to be with her. He had done so much for her—in the long run, the results had been for Royal, so she didn’t know how much of his motivation came from feelings for her or if it was for the town. Even the jewelry had been for her because she was having his baby—not necessarily because he loved her for herself.
She didn’t know any more about what he felt now than she had after their first night together.
The sex was fabulous, but did it mean deeper feelings were taking root with Aaron or was it still simply lust and a good time?.
Aaron would talk to Cole Saturday or Sunday and then she would know if the TCC had made any more decisions about the Christmas festival. It could be so much fun for everyone if they opened it up for all to attend.
She hoped to get into her town house soon and have her own little Christmas tree. Each day she was in Royal, she noticed more trees going up in various places in town. Some Christmases they had had a decorated tree on the lawn of the town hall. She wanted to ask about putting up a Christmas tree on the town-hall lawn this year because she hated for the storm to destroy any customs they had.
“You have appointments for us starting Monday with a lunch in Austin and dinner that night. The next day we go to Houston and Wednesday, we have a noon meeting in Dallas. We won’t be back to Royal until after lunch Wednesday. No more until after Christmas, Aaron. I need to be in Royal so I can focus on the Christmas gift drive.”
“You’ll be back Wednesday afternoon. Then you can start catching up.”
After landing she ate with Aaron at the Cozy Inn, sitting and talking until after ten. At the door to her suite, she glanced at him as she inserted the card in the slot. “Want to come in?”
“I thought you’d never ask,” he said. He held the door for her and she entered.
She turned to face him. “Want something to drink?”
He walked up to her and pulled her close. “No, thank you. I want you in my arms.”
She kissed him, wrapping her arms around his narrow waist, holding him, wondering if they were forging any kind of lasting bond at all.
* * *
After appearing in Austin for a TV interview on Monday, they flew to Houston on Tuesday. During the flight, Stella turned to Aaron. He was dressed to meet people as soon as they landed. He had shed his navy suit jacket and loosened his matching tie. He sat across from her with his long legs stretched out in the roomy private jet.
She was comfortable in her new navy suit and matching silk blouse. She, too, had shed her suit jacket.
“Still no morning sickness?” he asked.
“Not at all,” she said. “Aaron, I’ve had three job offers this week.”
His eyebrows arched. “Oh? Who wants to hire you?”
“The Barlow Group in Houston. They want me for vice president of public relations. It’s a prestigious Texas foundation that raises money for good causes.”
“I know who you’re talking about. I have a friend on their board. Who else has made an offer?” he asked, frowning slightly as he waited.
“A Dallas charity—Thompkins Charities, Ltd. They also want me for director of public relations.”
“Another prestigious group that does a lot of good. That’s old oil money. I have several friends there.”
“The third one is No Hungry Children in Dallas who want me for a coordinator-of-services position. The only one I’m considering is the Barlow Group in Houston. I’m seriously thinking about taking that job. It pays more than I make now. It would be in Houston, which would be nice. I can help a lot of people—that would be my dream career.”
“Congratulations on the offers. Frankly, you’re needed in Royal, though.”
“Royal is beginning to mend. They can get along without me.”
“People have talked to me and I think the whole town wants you to step in and become acting mayor.”
“I definitely don’t think it’s the whole town. The town council would be the ones to select someone and they haven’t said a word to me. I can’t imagine the town really wanting me for that role.”
“Wednesday we’re going back to Royal. Are you moving out of the Cozy Inn Friday?”
“Yes. My town house is all fixed up, so I’m going home. Friday or Saturday I’m getting a Christmas tree and decorating it.”
“I have appointments Thursday in Royal and Friday I have to go to Dallas. I hate to leave now, but this is a deal I’ve worked on since before the storm hit. A wealthy family from back east wants to move to Dallas and build a new home. He was a college buddy, so there is a personal interest. I made a bid for R&N on building it. Now they’ve finally decided to go with R&N Builders. It’s a five-million-dollar house, so I have to see them and be there to sign the contract. Cole could, but that would take him away from Royal and this is really something I’ve dealt with and I know the family.”
“Aaron, go to Dallas,” she said, smiling. “That’s simple enough.”
“That’s what I have to do. I just wanted you to know why. I still can move you in early Friday morning before I go to Dallas. Also, I’ll help you get a tree on Saturday if you’d like.”
“I’d like your help on the tree,” she said, smiling at him. “I don’t have a lot to move, so I can move home all by myself. Will you stay in Royal through Christmas and New Year’s?”
“Yes. Probably about January 3, I’ll go back to Dallas for a little while. I’ll still be back and forth.”
That thought hurt. She would miss him, but she had known that day was inevitable.
Sadness gripped her and she tightened her fist in her lap. “Next week is the TCC Christmas festival. It should be so much fun, Aaron. We’re getting lots of presents and I haven’t been there this week, but I’ve had texts from Lark, from Paige and from Megan Maguire.”
“You’re right—it will be fun. You’ll be shocked by the number of presents that are coming into the TCC. That doesn’t count the ones dropped off at businesses, fire stations, all over town.”
“We have envelopes with checks fo
r individuals and families that are on our list. I’m so grateful we’ve been able to do this.”
“The Christmas drive is a great idea,” he said.
She smiled. “Right now I’m excited over the Christmas festival,” she said, thinking it would be another chance for her to spend time with Aaron. When January came and he returned to Dallas, it was going to be hard on her without him. She knew that, but she pushed aside her fears. Friday she would move out of the Cozy Inn. She would never again see it without thinking of Aaron.
Their pilot announced they were approaching the Houston area.
“This is exciting, Aaron. I hope we can raise a lot of money and get more help for Royal,” she said, slipping into her suit jacket.
* * *
By Wednesday afternoon they had finished the interviews, the dinners, the talks to groups, and were flying back to Royal. Aaron knew some money had been sent directly to Royal, some checks had been given to Stella and some to him. He sat with a pen and pad in hand figuring out a rough total. She remained quiet.
When he raised his head, he smiled. “You’ve done a wonderful job, Stella. As far as the money, the checks that have been promised and the ones we’re taking back with us total approximately a quarter of a million dollars. That’s tremendous. I don’t think the mayor himself could have done any better.”
“I’m just astounded by the help we’ve received. Some of it was from out-of-state people seeing interviews that got picked up and broadcast nationally. I can’t believe I’ve had three more offers to go on television news and local interest shows after the first of the year.”
“You look good on camera.”
She laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. That isn’t why I’m asked.”
“I think that’s a big part of it.”
“I’m sure that it’s much more because Royal has some touching stories.”
“They do, but it helps to have a pretty lady tell them.”
Shaking her head at him, she changed the topic. “I’m hungry and ready to get my feet on the ground in Royal and have dinner.”
“That’s easy. Where would you like to eat? I’ll take you wherever you’d like to go?”
“After being gone this week, I’m happy to eat at the inn.”
“That suits me.”
“Good,” she answered, certain their lives would change and wondering if Aaron would leave hers.
“We’ll be on the ground now in about thirty minutes,” he said, and she looked out the window, glad to get back to Royal and home.
“It’ll be my last two nights in the Cozy Inn,” she said, thinking how soon Aaron would be leaving the hotel, too.
“Stella, would you like for me to go with you to a doctor’s appointment?”
“I’ve got to find a doctor in Royal. I went to Houston to my sister’s doctor, but I want a doctor here.”
“Definitely. I’d like to go with you and meet the doctor.”
“I think that would be nice. I’ll ask about a pediatrician here, too. I don’t want to drive to Dallas each time I need to see the doctor.”
“No, you shouldn’t. I’ll make arrangements for our plane to take you to Dallas when you need to go, but I think you should have a doctor here.”
“Thanks, Aaron. I’m glad you’re interested.”
“Stella, you’d be surprised if you knew how deep my interest runs. You and this baby are important to me,” he said in a serious tone and with a somber look in his brown eyes. Her heart skipped. How much did he really mean that? He had included her with the baby. She figured that he had an interest in his child, but she had no idea of the depth of his feelings for her.
How important was she to him?
* * *
Stella went by the hospital Thursday. A doctor was with Mayor Vance, so she couldn’t see him. She talked briefly with his wife and found out he was still improving, so Stella said she would come back in a few days. She called on others and talked to Lark briefly about the Christmas drive.
Lark smiled at her. “Stella, I really didn’t recognize you at first. Your hair is so different and it changes your whole appearance. I saw you on a Dallas TV show. You were great and you took our case to a big audience. It’s wonderful for people here to find out about these agencies and how to access them.”
“Some of those agencies were new to me. I didn’t know all that help was available.”
“The shows should do a lot for us. You got in a plug for the Christmas drive also, which was nice. Speaking of the drive, I think there will be some big presents for people this Christmas.”
“I hope so. Some of the stores are donating new TV sets for each family on our list. That’ll be a fun present. Other stores are sending enough iPads for each family to have one. It makes me feel good to be able to help. I hope Skye and the baby are getting along.”
“We just take everything one day at a time for both of them. There’s still no word on Jacob Holt. If you hear anything, please call.”
“I will, I promise. I’m home to stay now until Christmas Eve day when I’ll go to my sister’s.”
“You just look beautiful. I love your hair.”
“Thanks. You’re nice.”
“I have a feeling your quiet nights at home that you talk about are over,” Lark said, smiling at her.
Stella laughed. “I’ll keep in touch on the Christmas drive.”
As she left the hospital, outside on the sidewalk, she heard someone call her name. She turned to see Cole headed her way.
“Hey, you look great.”
“Thanks, Cole.” To her surprise, he smiled at her. Since the storm she had rarely seen Cole smile.
“You’re doing a bang-up job for the town. Aaron has let me know. Excellent job.”
“Thanks. I’m glad to and I’m thrilled by people’s generosity and finding specific agencies that can meet people’s needs.”
“I just wanted to thank you. See you around.”
“That’s nice, Cole.”
He headed toward the hospital entrance and she wondered whom he was going to see. There were still too many in the hospital because of the storm over two months later.
“Stella, wait up.”
She turned to see Lance Higgens, a rancher from the next county and someone she had known most of her life. She smiled at him, feeling kindly because the afternoon of the tornado he had come to Royal to help and that night he had made a $1,000 donation to the relief effort.
“I saw you on television yesterday.”
“Good. I guess a lot of people caught that show around here.”
“I didn’t recognize you until they introduced you. You look great and you did a great job getting attention for Royal. I’d guess you’ll get some donations.”
“We did, Lance,” she said. “We received one right away.”
“Good. Listen, there’s a barn dance at our town center next Saturday night. Would you like to go with me?”
Startled, she smiled at him. “I’m sorry, I’m going to a dinner that night, but thanks for asking me, Lance. That’s very nice.”
“Sure. Maybe some other time,” he said. “Better go. Good to see you, Stella.”
“Good to see you, too,” she said, wanting to laugh. He had never looked at her twice before, never asked her to anything even though they had gone through high school together.
Her next stop was the drugstore where she ran into Paige. “Stella!” Paige called, and caught up with her.
“You never come to town. What are you doing here again?” Stella asked, smiling at her friend.
“I didn’t plan well for anything this week. I saw you on television yesterday. Word went around that you’d be on—probably thanks to Aaron. You look fantastic and you did a great job. I love your makeover except I hardly know you.”
“Thanks. It’s the same me.”
“Actually, I didn’t even recognize you at first glimpse.”
“Frankly, I barely recognize myself. The makeover has been fun and brou
ght a bit of attention.”
Paige’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll bet you’re getting asked out by guys who never have asked you before.”
Stella could feel her cheeks grow hot. “A little,” she admitted. “I suppose looks are important to guys.”
“Stella, most girls come to that conclusion before they’re five years old,” Paige remarked, and they both laughed. “We need a brief meeting soon for our Christmas drive to figure out how to coordinate the last-minute details. It’s almost here.”
“If you have a few minutes,” Stella said, “we can go across the street to the café and talk about the drive now.”
“Sure. Now’s as good a time as any,” Paige said. “We’re running out of time. Christmas is one week away and the TCC festival is next Tuesday.”
They walked to Stella’s car, where she picked up her notebook. Then they crossed the street to a new café that had opened since the storm. As soon as they were seated, Stella opened the binder with notes and lists.
“Presents and donations are pouring in and I can add to them with checks I brought back from my talks this week.”
“That’s fantastic. I’ll be there that night and I’ll check with the others so we can help pass out envelopes with checks and help people get their presents. I’m sure some of the TCC guys will pitch in.”
“I really appreciate all you’re doing. I think we’ve contacted everyone we should and there’s been enough publicity that no one will be overlooked. We’ll have money or gifts for all the people who’ve lost so much and lost a loved one— I’m sorry, Paige, to bring that up with you,” Stella said.
“It’s the reality of life. So many of us live with loss. Lark’s sister in a coma, Cole’s lost his brother, Henry Markham lost a brother—you know the list. Holidays are tough for people with any big loss—that doesn’t have to be because of the tornado—people like Aaron. I suppose that’s why he’s so sympathetic toward Cole.”
“Aaron?”
Paige’s gray eyes widened. “Aaron’s wife and child.”
Stella stared at Paige. “Aaron lost a wife and child?” she repeated, not thinking about how shocked she sounded.
