Crossroads of the Heart

by Savannah Maris

  Rebecca turns and smiles at Tamryn. “Oh, yes, and they’re liable to take something too. My suggestion is to get as many of your personal effects out of the house because there’s no guarantee that I’d be the one to show it, we just don’t want anything to happen. As responsible as agents are, they can’t always keep their eyes on every person in the viewing party.”

  Tamryn sits next to me. “Oh, we hadn’t thought of that.”

  “The other thing is that I don’t want to put a sign in your front lawn. I think it’s best if we handle this via the on-line listing for agents. With the prices in this neighborhood, there won’t be very many people looking in that price range, and I want to keep this as private as possible during this time. People are always looking for dirt on stars when they’re going through a divorce.”

  “What?” Tamryn and I say at the same time. “We’re not getting a divorce.”

  Rebecca’s face turns bright red. “I’m sorry. I just saw the reports last week and thought that was why you were selling.”

  Tamryn holds up her hand to show her wedding rings are firmly in place. “Let me assure you, Ms. Starling, we are happily married.”

  “I am so sorry. Please forgive my assumption.”

  I pointedly stare at Ms. Starling. “If you’re going to work with us, you’re going to need to ignore entertainment shows or gossip magazines. Your comment to any client that asks why we’re selling is that we’re moving, and you don’t know where to. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Mr. Carmichael. I’m assuming you aren’t staying in Atlanta.”

  I take on my attorney tone. “Since you aren’t helping us locate a new home, that’s a safe assumption.”

  “When do you want the house to go on the market?”

  “While we’re on vacation.” Tamryn entwines her fingers with mine.

  “Ms. Starling, I need you to sign this before we go any further.” I hand her the confidentiality agreement lying next to me. “Anything you discuss with us, must remain between us. You are not to discuss anything personal about us to anyone, not even your significant other, co-workers, or boss.”

  “I wouldn’t do that.”

  I cock a brow. “These are the terms to working with us, Ms. Starling. If you can’t abide by our rules, we’ll be more than happy to contact someone else.”

  “That won’t be necessary.” Rebecca signs quickly. “I’ve pulled the comps in your area.” She hands the comps over along with the signed confidentiality agreement. “Were you thinking about listing somewhere in that range?”

  Once all the documents are signed, we bid Rebecca farewell. I go buy moving boxes while Tamryn takes down all of our personal things.

  35

  Noah

  The week has flown by.

  Tamryn has packed up the house and made all the arrangements for our trip, as well as the moving company. A smile creeps across my face as I sip my coffee remembering the night we boxed up our wedding photos.

  “Can you believe that was just five years ago? Look how long your hair was.”

  I chuckle. “I’m glad you chose to wear the crown of flowers instead of a veil. I loved our garden wedding.”

  “Me too. I swear it was the last time I felt like a free spirit. Ever since then, we’ve been someone’s pawn.”

  “Baby, we chose this life, but I’m glad we’re choosing a different one now.”

  Even though she moves quickly, I watch her in slow motion as she sets the book down and launches herself at me. “I’m so ready for the new one.”

  “Me too, baby. Was the evidence in the trash this morning real? You aren’t pregnant?”

  She shakes her head. “No, so leaving next week will be perfect timing.”

  I’ve met with John and his daughter, Joan, who is the other partner at the firm. All the documents have been signed, and my dream is coming true. I’ve talked with Carol, and she’s on board with all the changes. I’m ready for this vacation.

  It’s finally Saturday morning, and we leave tonight. I roll over and nudge Tamryn’s legs open. I know her period ended, and we’ll feel like shit when we land due to jet lag, so I plan to make the most of this morning. I kiss her neck and whisper in her ear. “Wake up, baby. Let’s start the day off right.”

  She moans so I work my kisses to the other side of her neck as she tilts her head back and gives me access.

  “Can I pee first?”

  “No.” Her body is warm and pliant as I slide inside her. “I forgot how ready you are first thing in the morning. Now that we’ll be seeing each other in the mornings, we’ll be making use of that fact.”

  I slowly move in and out of her core as she tilts her pelvis and locks her legs around my back. I’m deep in this position and make a mental note of every position that puts me as deep as I could go. She’s close because her walls squeeze me. When she starts to unravel, my thrusts are so deep she cries out and squeezes my cock hard enough to make me lose control. My cum shoots out and I’m wrecked, collapsing on top of her. Her legs relax to the sides of my hips as I move so she can breathe.

  “Oh, fuck, Tams. That felt fantastic.” After a few minutes my cock naturally leaves her. “Lie here. I’ll get your coffee and bring it to you.”

  I walk back in, and she’s reclining against the pillows of the bed. “Aren’t you supposed to lie flat for a better chance of getting pregnant?”

  Her face turns red. “Truthfully, I’m supposed to work with gravity.”

  “How do you do that?”

  “Rest with my ass in the air for a few minutes afterward, but it’ll happen when it’s supposed to.” She smiles at me as she reaches for her coffee.

  “You’re right. No pressure.”

  We enjoy our coffee before heading to the shower to get ready for the day and do last minute packing.

  We’re sitting in our first-class seats. Tamryn’s normal pre-flight jitters start, and I rub my thumb over the nerves between her thumb and index finger. “How did you make it through your flight to Columbia by yourself?”

  “I think the flight attendant thought she had a basket case on her hands. I wrapped my arms around myself and rocked while my knee bounced like crazy.” Her humor sobers to regret. “It helped that I was mad at you.”

  “Yeah, I imagine your adrenaline was pretty high that night.”

  “You have no idea.” She blinks her eyes several times. “I watched you that night. Did I tell you that?”

  “What? No, when?”

  “When I left the pawn shop. I actually stood outside the window at the pub y’all always go to.” She raises a shoulder. “I saw your arm around a woman and hers around your shoulders. That was the final nail in your coffin, so to speak.”

  “Are you kidding me? Tams, that was Gail. She’s been our waitress for years, and she’s like an older sister.” I don’t have much luck keeping my voice down to a whisper.

  She bows her head as a flush of embarrassment creeps across her face. I take my finger and raise her face to mine. “Baby, you have no clue how much I love you, do you? And I had no idea all the little things I do to put doubt in your head. I’m so sorry.” I stroke my thumb across her cheek before I plant a gentle kiss on her lips.

  36

  Tamryn

  It’s eight AM by the time Noah and I check into the InterContinental Hotel in Paris. Our suite is on the top floor with a beautiful view of the city as well as within walking distance of wonderful restaurants and the historic district.

  “Let’s get a few hours of sleep then go walk around before dinner.”

  I cover my mouth when I yawn. “This is the worst part about this trip. The jet lag kills me every time.”

  Noah puts his arm around me and pulls me close in the elevator. “You know, I think this is the first time we’ve ever been in this city at the same time.”

  I lay my head on his shoulder. “Even though I haven’t really done much sightseeing, that’s really sad.”

  “How long is it going to take b
efore you’re tired of being with me day in and day out?”

  “I’m sure we’ll have some time apart. I do not intend to be there while you get the horse’s sperm.” I giggle as the elevator door opens in front of our suite.

  Noah opens our room door. “So, you want to be there when we inject it into the mare?”

  “Ewww, no.”

  Noah laughs. “Go start the shower. I’ll wait on the bellhop.” He closes the curtains and opens each of us a bottle of water while I walk straight for the bathroom. With the water running, I strip and set the water to a nice warm temperature. Just as I’m stepping into the shower Noah walks in unfastening his jeans.

  “Don’t hog all the hot water, I’m coming in.”

  “You better hurry up then.”

  He steps in behind me. “You normally don’t like me to be in a hurry.” He gently bites my shoulder then kisses the pain away.

  I turn to face him. “No, I really enjoy you taking your time, but I’m about to fall asleep.” I wrap my arms around his neck.

  “That’s why we made love yesterday before we left. I knew this morning was going to suck.”

  We quickly wash then make our way to the king-sized bed for a nap. Noah sets the alarm to wake us at noon. He wraps an arm around me and pulls my back to his front as we fall asleep.

  Noah

  What seemed to be only a few minutes must have been a few hours as the alarm on my phone is blaring. I turn it off before I kiss Tamryn’s neck. “Baby, we need to go out for a while to try to adjust to the time.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  I swat her behind and flip the covers down. “Come on, Tams. Where do you want to go?”

  She slowly sits up. “Sacre-Coeur. The street vendors there are fun. Plus, it’s the tallest point in Paris.”

  We dress and walk a block from our hotel to the closest Metro station and descend the steps to the underground rail system. It always amazes me how young children as well as the elderly feel comfortable traveling alone. Thirty minutes, two metros, seven stops and several blocks of walking later, we’re at our destination. We walk hand in hand looking at in the shop windows and at the artists drawings of the famous church. The chalk drawings on the pavement are beautiful and vibrant. As we walk past the artist drawing caricatures, the man calls out.

  “Pardon?” His English is spoken in a heavy French accent. We turn to face him. “Madame Tamryn?”

  A smile spreads across Tamryn’s face. “Louis?”

  The older man nods. “Oui, oui. You still beautiful, Madame.”

  Tamryn kisses both of the man’s cheeks. “Louis, I’d like you to meet my husband, Noah Carmichael.” She turns to me. “Remember the caricature a few of the models and I had made for Harold? Gosh, that was on one of my first trips to Paris. Anyway, Louis was the artist.”

  A friendly smile stretches my lips. “Pleased to meet you. I do remember that piece. You’re a lucky man to have had that much beauty sitting in front of you.”

  The man shakes his head and points at Tamryn. “You are the lucky one.”

  “That I am, Louis.”

  “Would it be too much to ask if I could draw you again, Madame?”

  “Please, call me Tamryn.” She looks at me. “Do we have enough time?”

  “Absolutely.”

  The man asks Tamryn to sit down, and once he has her in the position he wants, he snaps a Polaroid of her. “Go, walk. It will be ready when you return.”

  “Thank you.”

  Tamryn hugs Louis before she takes my hand. When she’s close, I release her hand and drape mine over her shoulders. “What are we going to do with a caricature?”

  “I was thinking of signing it and giving it to him. He can sell it or keep it for himself as advertisement. I don’t know.” She shrugs. “You mean you don’t want it hanging in our home?”

  “Baby, you can hang whatever you want.” I kiss the side of her head. “Speaking of our home, we need to decide if we’re going to build between the two farms.”

  “I think that’d be a lovely thing to do.”

  “Are we going to just stay with Ma and Dad until we build? They have plenty of room.”

  “I like that idea. That way you’re right there with your dad to work through the transition. I don’t think my dad is as ready as yours.”

  “Dad said by the end of this year, and your dad said next year. I’m grateful they’re staggering their retirements.” I laugh.

  We share an ice cream cone as we continue walking around the open-air market. Tamryn licks the cone and catches my eyes as mischief dances in them. She knows what she’s doing and asks, “Ready to see what Louis has done?”

  “Yes, because I may need to find a use for that tongue of yours before we go to dinner.” I wiggle my brows.

  She places her hand over her heart. “Whatever do you mean?”

  I pinch her ass. “Come on.”

  When we walk back toward Louis, he’s signing the bottom corner of the picture. “Oh, Louis, it’s beautiful.”

  Louis hasn’t drawn a caricature at all, but a beautiful charcoal drawing of Tamryn. “Do you like?”

  “Oui, yes, yes.”

  I pull out several Euros. “How much?”

  “No. A gift…for you.” He hands it to Tamryn.

  She’s shaking her head. “I can’t, Louis. It’s too much.”

  The older man’s head bows. “Madame, it is my honor.” He molds her hands around the picture.

  I shake the man’s hand. “We’ll have it framed to hang in our home. It’s truly beautiful.”

  “Merci. Thank you.”

  We walk away before the man realizes I’ve slipped a few Euros into his vest pocket.

  37

  Noah

  The next several days are spent making love in the mornings, touring Paris in the afternoons, and ends with us tangled up in each other again. The perfect vacation.

  We’ve gone to The Louvre, The Marmottan Monet Museum (which is my favorite), The Eiffel Tower, and Notre Dame. This is our last day, and we’ve saved the Palace of Versailles for last. The hall of mirrors is just breathtaking and the gardens are absolutely beautiful. As we stand at the rear of the lower terrace looking at the back of the palace, my phone rings. My brows raise when I see whose name is on the screen.

  “Harold?”

  “Noah, I tried Tamryn’s phone, but the call went to voicemail.”

  “She may not have turned it on today.” I catch Tamryn’s attention and mouth, “Phone.” She quickly finds it in her bag and turns it on. “She’s turning it on now. Do you need to speak with her?”

  “I think you would be the better person. Have you seen any tabloids?”

  “No. We’ve intentionally stayed away from them. Why?”

  “Some man named Colt Montgomery has come out and said he was with Tamryn when she went missing. He claims they spent the night together.”

  “What?” I catch myself before my voice gets too loud as people turn toward us. I clear my throat and walk away with Tamryn following close behind me. In a stage whisper I continue, “Are you fucking kidding me?”

  “I wish I were. Is there any truth to his statements?”

  I run his hand down my face. “Yeah.”

  “This is not good, Noah. When are y’all coming back?”

  “Our flight is scheduled for nine in the morning.” I cut my eyes to Tamryn. “I’ll tell her. When we see what time we’re due in, I’ll message you. I want security waiting for us when we land. And Harold, more than one.”

  “Agreed. I think you need to hold a press conference. Address this now. Say something about her being lonely and you forgiving her for this indiscretion.”

  “What the hell are you talking about? Nothing happened between them. They were under the same roof, but in separate rooms. Geez, Harold, you should know her better than that!”

  Tamryn stands in front of me and places her hand on my heaving chest. “Shh...” She tilts her head toward a small group of peop
le.

  “I’ll message you later with the arrival time. Don’t screw this up.” I disconnect the call and take Tamryn’s hand. “We need to talk. Let’s go see the fountains.”

  We don’t get three steps in that direction when a young girl asks, “Are you Tamryn?”

  Tamryn’s eyes widen as the question catches her off guard because Louis has been the only person to recognize her all week, or at least the only person to say anything to her. She smiles. “Hello.”

  “Did you do what that man said?”

  Tamryn’s face drops and she looks at me with confusion and dread in her eyes. I give her an imperceptible shake of my head. “No, I didn’t.” I lead her away quickly before anyone asks anything else. “What was she talking about?”

  I look around to see how close the next person is. “Colt has sold his story to a tabloid. He said you were with him when you went missing and that y’all spent the night together.”

  Her hand reflexively covers her mouth, and she freezes. Her other hand slips from mine and wraps around her waist. “Oh, God. Noah, you can’t be serious.”

  “That’s what Harold called to tell us. He was worried that we’d seen it while we were here.”

  “No, I can’t believe he’d stoop so low as to do this. He knew being found by the paparazzi worried me. He even told me there was one at Crossroads the night I got drunk.” She looks at me with tears welling in her eyes. “What are we going to do? I was with him, but not in that way. We did spend the night in the same house, but not in the same room. No one is going to believe me.”

  I cup her face and lace my fingers at the nape of her neck. “I believe you, and the rest of the world can go to hell.”

  “I’ve always had a good reputation in the industry, now it’s ruined.”

  “Harold wants us to hold a press conference, Tams.”

  “It’ll be his word against mine,” she says as she lifts her arms out to the side in defeat.