by JoAnn Durgin
“Well, that’s quite a dilemma, isn’t it? And kind of a low blow if I thought you really meant it. I hope you figure it out. It’s a good thing I don’t insult easily, or I’d believe you just slandered me. What you don’t know is that I get to ride in the grown-up versions of my prototypes once they’re completed. And that, my friend, makes it all worthwhile.”
“Yes, I suppose it would. I stand corrected. Aren’t most things the culmination of our childhood dreams?”
“If children don’t have dreams in the first place, how can they make them come true?”
“Are you sure you don’t work for Disney? A dream is a wish your heart makes, right?”
“Now you’re speaking my language, Tinker Bell. For if we have not dreams, we have nothing.”
“That’s very poetic,” Vara said. “Who said that? Originally, I mean?”
“I did. I’m not aware if anyone else ever said it. How’d I do?”
“Still sounds like Walt Disney to me.”
What were they even talking about?
“Not to knock Walt, but that was my stab at trying to be poetic like Shakespeare.” He winked. “I mean, who talks like that in the modern age?”
“A person quoting someone else. Usually on the stage.” Vara’s grin escaped. “Admit it, you’re really 72 and remarkably well-preserved. Didn’t Walt want to be cryogenically frozen?”
“You’re a little nutty yourself.” He pointed to her. “Want to know one of the best things about you, Vara Papalopadus?”
Reaching for him, Vara stilled his wagging finger. “I have no idea. Maybe that I have a last name that’s easy for you to mock?”
“You’re a very witty woman when you want to be. And you seem to want to be witty when you’re around me.”
“I’m here in Cherish to work with my patient,” she huffed. “I’m not here for your amusement or entertainment.”
“How about in the same visit when you’re at the house? Spend all the time you need with Charlotte and then spend a little time with me.” He grinned. “Wasn’t there a song with a line like that? I think it went something like—”
“Don’t sing.” She moved one finger over his lips. “You drink your coffee black and strong. Who does that?”
Blowing out a sigh, Thornton shook his head and ran one hand through his hair. “Ah, man. Now you’ve got a whole new round of ammunition, and we’re back at this again?”
When she smirked, he sighed. “I’ll play along, Vara, but you know as well as I do it’s only prolonging the inevitable. You overcompensate by drinking a caffeine-loaded drink with chocolate chips in it—not to mention a mountain of whipped cream—to satisfy the sweet tooth of practically the entire world!” He crossed his arms. “What else you got?”
“You’re like pushing forty,” she stammered. “Aren’t you?” Maybe that was unfair, but she wasn’t sure she could be held responsible for whatever came out of her mouth. What a crazy discussion.
“I’m 34, thanks. You sure know how to make a guy feel good. I know it’s politically incorrect, but how old are you since you think I’m such a cradle robber?”
“I’m 30.”
“Four years between us, Vara. That’s not even half a decade. Once you hit 30, does it even matter?”
“What I think is that this isn’t the time or place for this discussion.”
“Then that’s one thing we can agree on. Otherwise, you’re just making flimsy excuses.” Thornton’s boot-covered foot tapped the floor. “I suggest you stop with this train of thought now, or I will kiss you to keep you quiet. As it is, I’m showing remarkable restraint.”
Vara lifted her chin. “Thornton, you want total honesty? Well, here it is. I like sparring with you, I like flirting with you, and I like being with you. I look forward to seeing you when I come to Cherish. But you’re not the kind of guy I could spend time with and, at the end of the day, want to be referred to as only your friend.”
He moved one hand over his heart. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“I believe I am. Trust me, no one’s more surprised than me. And please don’t think for one second that I’m happy about it. In spite of the teasing, and the silly barbs, there’s something uniquely special about you. Not that I can even pinpoint what it is, but I’ve never met a man like you.” She doubted she ever would again.
“I hope you mean that in a good way?”
“Yes,” she said, fully meeting his gaze. “I mean it in the best way, but I thought you knew I’m not interested in a relationship. I can’t, Thornton. Not after…”
“Not after you’ve been hurt in the past. Apparently, it was a horrible experience and wounded you deeply. Even without knowing any details, I get that.”
She stared at him for a long moment. “Do I have the look of the walking wounded? Is there something branded across my forehead?”
“Vara, please listen to me.” Moving both hands to her upper arms, Thornton rested them there. “Pray about it.”
“Pray?” That wasn’t what she’d expected to hear, but why should she be surprised? From their first meeting, Thornton made it clear he believed in God’s providence for His children.
“I think it’s possible for us to spend time together and be just friends,” he said. “If that’s all you’re willing to offer, I can live with that. I’ll be a grouch and do some pining away. Rose and Charlotte won’t find me a pleasant housemate.”
“Please don’t blame your disagreeability on me. I can’t have that burden on my head.”
“Let’s face it, it’d be pretty awkward with you coming to Cherish and me living at the house when I’m not on assignment. Sure, I could manage to stay out-of-sight. It’s a big house, and playing hide and seek there was one of my favorite games as a kid. I can play the grown-up version if you want. But I, for one, don’t want to unexpectedly meet up with you in the hallway and murmur a quick, ‘Hi, Vara.’ Then you’d duck your beautiful head, avoid my eyes, and mumble something I can’t hear under your breath as you hurry past me.”
“It wouldn’t be like that, and you know it,” she protested. “First of all, the house doesn’t have hallways, they’re corridors. And why do you insist on calling me beautiful? That doesn’t help matters.”
“Because you are beautiful in spite of your sometimes ridiculous statements like the corridor one just now. So, you might as well get used to my compliments. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ll ever meet the rest of my life. I’ve traveled the world, so I know what I’m talking about. I don’t have to look any farther than the woman standing within inches of me right now to know that will never change.”
Vara moved one hand over her heart, the air momentarily gone from her lungs. “Thank you for that,” she finally murmured. “What did you mean when you said you’d make me forget?” He didn’t answer and seemed slightly confused. “When you were talking about kissing me…” She waved her hand in the air as though that could somehow jog his memory.
“It’s clear you’re scared because some guy in the past tried to sell you a bill of goods that made you feel less than.” Thornton had lowered his voice and compassion radiated from him.
“Less than…?”
“Less than who you are,” he said. “A daughter of the King. Beautiful on the outside and gorgeous in your soul. I can tell you how much I want to care for you until I’m blue in the face, Vara, but what really matters is that Jesus loves you most of all. You need to accept and understand that.”
“I do, but—”
“Understand that.” Thornton lifted her chin with gentle fingers. “More than anything, I don’t want to lose you in my life.”
“I don’t want that, either, but—”
“You’re making this more difficult than it has to be.” When he leaned forward, almost nose to nose with her, Vara stood her ground. The man smelled musky and all kinds of masculine. He had such terrific skin. All healthy, tan, and smooth. Ridiculous thoughts, but with him so close, it was hard n
ot to notice. But she wasn’t looking to trade skincare tips with Thornton Fielding. Oh, no. In her heart, she wanted much, much more. Might as well admit it, even if only to herself.
“Don’t waste precious minutes worrying about being good enough—or not being good enough—for anyone else, Vara. Be you. Because who you are is beautiful in every way.”
Backing away from him, she shook her head. “When you look at me like that, and when you say things like that…I can’t do this anymore.”
His eyes widened. “Can’t do…what, exactly?”
“I don’t want to fight with you. You might be happy to know I’m all out of excuses.” She couldn’t help it. Relief blew through her like a spring wind after the bitter winter.
Thornton’s slow smile soared straight into her heart. “You almost had me going with the Peter Pan comment.”
“It was all big talk, you know.”
“I know.”
Vara rested her hand on his arm. She didn’t trust herself to plant her hands on the man’s chest. “Nice lumberjack flannel, Paul Bunyan. Is your big blue ox waiting outside for you?”
“No, but I’m expected to escort a couple of ladies to lunch soon. I’m sure they can wait a few more minutes.” Thornton inched forward, the tips of his boots overlapping her shoes.
“Be careful there, Little Man Thornton. I’m not wearing boots today.”
He glanced down at her feet. “Oh, sorry.” He stepped backwards but was still close enough to rest his forehead on hers. “So, what comes next? I really like you, Miss Paladoop…alis, and I think you might like me back. A little bit, anyway.”
“I do, Thornton. I don’t want to, but I do. So much,” she whispered. The man was much too tempting with those eyes, his smile, his ability to make her laugh, his intelligence…his everything. He discombobulated, confused, and befuddled her in the best and worst ways.
“That’s a start,” he said. “I appreciate your honesty.” Taking her hands in his, Thornton’s eyes searched hers. “If you can give me one irrefutable, undeniable, unquestionable, incontrovertible, incontestable reason why we shouldn’t spend time getting to know one another better, then I’ll back off and leave you alone.”
“You travel the world and are rarely home in Minnesota. That’s the biggest obstacle. Huge, really.”
“Friends are friends, no matter where they are in the world.” Thornton dipped his head to capture her eye contact, but she made him work for it. “There are a hundred different ways to stay in contact no matter where we are in the world.”
She breathed in and out. “Pray,” she stammered. “That’s what I’ll do.” No matter what she said, he’d come up with a reason to counteract it. Because that’s how Thornton Fielding worked. Not that she was complaining.
“And allow me to take you to dinner next Saturday night.”
She jerked her gaze to his. “I wasn’t planning on coming to Cherish next Saturday.”
“I’m not asking you to come here. I’ll meet you at the restaurant of your choice in Minneapolis. Name it, and I’ll be there.”
If she had any remaining brain cells left, she’d flat-out refuse. “To be clear, this is a date?” A shiver of the best kind ran through her. Never a tingle. Tingles were for adolescents in puppy love. No, this was an all-out, full-blown, filled with hope and anticipation, adult woman’s shiver.
“As long as that definition doesn’t somehow offend you or cause you to say no.”
“So we can exchange more reasons why we annoy one another?”
Throwing his head back, Thornton laughed. “And now we’re back. This is what we do best. So far, anyway.”
She gasped. “You can be a bad man, Mr. Fielding. We’ve probably already started tongues wagging.”
“Oh, I think we’re long past that,” he said. “Who cares? I’m an oddity to them, anyway.”
“No, you’re not. They think of you as their resident Indiana Jones. You’re their hero.”
Thornton looked into her eyes, pinning her down. “Where would you like to meet or shall I pick you up?”
“There’s a restaurant called Benito’s not far from where I live. Are you familiar with it?” She gave him the cross streets. She’d also lost her mind, it would seem.
“I know Benito’s. They have great Italian food. Will six o’clock work?”
“Better make it seven,” she said. “I have a hospital event with the kids in the early afternoon. I’m not sure how long it’ll go.”
Thornton nodded. “Don’t even think about canceling on me.”
“What if there’s a snowstorm?”
“I’ve lived in Minnesota my entire life. I have a reliable vehicle. Something like a little snow’s not going to keep me away from you, Vara. Not even a Great Blizzard.” He dropped a light kiss on her cheek. “I’ll see you at seven on Saturday. If the storm’s bad, I’ll come pick you up.”
“How will you know where I live? Or my phone number?”
“Have a little faith. I have very good resources.”
“Will I see you before Saturday?” Why, oh why, did she have to ask that? “The grandfather clock in the living room can get obnoxiously loud if you’re not there to drown out its loud bong…bong…bong.”
His lips curled in a delicious manner. “I’ll see what I can do. Now, I’d say this has been an unusual but productive and stimulating discussion. Not to mention all this sparring has worked up my appetite. How about you?” Thornton crooked an elbow. “Would you like to join us for lunch?”
Vara looped her arm through his. “I’d like that very much.”
“You really didn’t think I was pushing 40, did you?” Grabbing her bag of books and opening the door, Thornton ushered her out of the room.
Vara tightened her hold on his arm and disregarded the looks aimed in their direction. When a girl accompanies Indiana Jones, people will speculate. She might as well get used to it now. “I’ll confess that one tonight.”
“Just don’t call me Little Man Thornton ever again in my lifetime, and all will be forgiven. That’s not the most flattering nickname for a number of reasons.”
Vara laughed quietly. “Deal.”
She’d need to go through her closet and figure out what to wear next Saturday night. Not that she especially wanted to impress Thornton. Still, a girl should try and look as feminine as possible when outlining all the things that irritated her about a man.
Yeah, she was all talk. She also couldn’t stop her smile.
Chapter Nineteen
Sunday Afternoon
After a short knock, Rose cracked open his bedroom door. “Thornton, a word?”
“Come on in, Rose. I’m still trying to digest that meal. I ate too much.” He rolled onto his side and, elbow on the mattress, propped his head on his fist. He didn’t have to worry about being proper with her. This woman had seen him in his sleep pants and messy hair. Caught him in his skivvies on the way to the shower. She’d done his laundry, cleaned up after him when he’d been sick as a child and after an unfortunate night of drunken carousing when he was 17. She’d known him to be saint and sinner and everything in-between.
“It was indeed a wonderful meal,” she said. “It was nice to go into the city. Thank you for treating us today at such a nice restaurant.”
“I enjoyed it, too, and it was my honor. You work hard and deserved a break. Take the rest of the day off if you want. I’ll help with Nana.”
“We’ll see,” she said. Thornton understood that was “Rose speak” for thanks for the offer, but no. Speaking of saints, she’d undoubtedly wear a lot of sparkling crowns in heaven.
“I’m sorry to disturb your nap time.”
He chuckled. “I haven’t had a formal nap time since I was a child.”
“There’s nothing wrong with a grown man taking a nap, especially on a Sunday afternoon. New sleep pants?”
He grunted. “Point taken. Next topic, please.”
“It was wonderful to take Charlotte to church this m
orning.” Rose turned the chair beside his small desk and took a seat facing him.
“Yes, it was.” Pushing up in the bed, Thornton crossed his arms behind his head. “You have that look. You know you can’t fool me. Something’s on your mind. Did Charlotte complain that we dragged her to church against her will?”
“Not at all. I think the fuss the D’Angelo sisters and Myrna made about her coming pleased Charlotte.”
“Good. Let’s hope she might have taken something to heart from the pastor’s message. The new guy’s good, by the way.”
“Yes, we’re very pleased with Pastor Matthew. He had big shoes to fill, but he’s stepped into them quite nicely.”
“You can’t go wrong,” he said. “Without exception, every Matthew I’ve ever known has been a good man in spite of the Matthew in the Bible being a tax collector named Levi before Jesus called him to be a disciple. Doesn’t the name Matthew mean ‘gift of God’?”
“That name as well as almost every other name known to mankind,” Rose said with a smile. “As usual, I’m allowing you to distract me. You have a way of doing that.”
“That seems to be a common observation these days.”
“Which brings me to my point.” Rose skewered him with one of the looks she’d been giving him since he was a boy. “Since Charlotte isn’t able to articulate as well as she’d like, she asked me to speak with you about Miss Vara.”
Thornton’s senses jumped to full alert. “What about Vara?” His humor quickly drained.
“Do you think it’s wise to continue her services?”
A quick rise of temper threatened to flow from his tongue. Instead, Thornton cleared his throat. “Wise? Is this coming from Charlotte? Or both of you?”
Breathe, Thorn. Calm down.
Rose smoothed the skirt of her dress, her forehead creased in thought. “Miss Vara is a breath of fresh air. Things have been stale for a long time before Charlotte’s stroke. You know that as well as I do, Thornton. Miss Vara is exactly what we’ve all needed, perhaps without realizing it. She’s full of life, and her warm spirit radiates love. I dare say none of us have smiled as much since she’s been coming to the house.” She waited until he met her eyes again. “We also miss her when she’s not here.”
