Autumn's Healing

by HK Carlton

Feeling bad about her obvious distress, Salem reached across the tabletop and covered her hand. “It’ll be fine,” he reassured. She surprised him again. Instead of pulling away as he thought she might, she turned her palm up and curled her fingers around the back of his hand.

  It felt good. Kinda right.

  “How about I come over tomorrow and we’ll go through the entire property again. Take tonight and think about it. We’ll crunch the numbers and decide from there. We can either fix it up quick so you can sell it, or we can make it into more of what your daughter had in mind in the first place. You never know. College is expensive. She might end up renting one of those rooms off you until she finds a job to pay for that costly education.”

  Her gaze left his and she again studied to tabletop. “That would be wonderful,” she whispered.

  “Hey, I thought parents were supposed to rejoice when their kids left home?”

  “There’s nothing joyous about it.”

  The waitress set a new glass of wine in front of Kaylah and a frosted draft for him. Right behind her was another server with a huge tray with their meals. “The dishes are very hot. Fresh out of the oven. Can I interest either of you in some shredded Parmesan or cracked pepper for the top?”

  “No, thank you,” Kaylah declined.

  “I’ll take a shot of both, thanks.” Salem reluctantly released Kaylah’s hand and sat back to make room.

  “Smells really good.” Kaylah inhaled the aroma. She’d chosen manicotti and he’d selected his usual lasagna.

  “You’ll enjoy this. This is best place in town. I used to crave this when I was stationed overseas. Get this. My brother once arranged a take-out order for my entire platoon.”

  “What? That must have been a massive and expensive undertaking.” She grinned as she ran the knife between the edge of the dish and the baked-on cheeses, allowing some steam to escape.

  “It was. He timed it just right for when one of the Hercs was being loaded with supplies to be flown in. The entire town did a fundraiser to help pay for it. But when the owner of Pasta Doble learned it was for our troops, he declined the cash and sent everything over, pre-made. A hundred trays of lasagna. It was amazing. We just had to fire them in the ovens and bake ’em. Nothing ever tasted so good. He even threw in garlic bread and fixin’s for Caesar salad. It was awesome.”

  She continued to grin.

  “A real taste of home. The town then donated the money they’d raised to the returning vet’s amputee fund. Little did I know then that I’d someday be in need of their assistance.”

  “Your family has sacrificed so much.”

  “Yeah, well, we’re still luckier than some.”

  “You’re very brave, Jerusalem.”

  “No, I’m not. I still have my up-and-down days.” He continued to suffer nightmares, maybe even a touch of undiagnosed PTSD. Uncomfortable with her scrutiny, he shoved a big forkful into his mouth, but it burned the roof. His eyes watered.

  “Do you have a support group?” she inquired.

  “They make you.”

  “Does it help?”

  He shrugged. “I guess, but it’s more like a commiseration society than it is therapy. We mostly relive our stories of recovery and share information on the newest technology and limb advancement—or new aid programs.”

  “Well, sometimes it must help to know you’re not the only one going through it.”

  “True. It does…sometimes.”

  She finally sampled her meal. “Mmm, this is delicious.”

  “Told ya.”

  He took a deep breath. “I guess this is as good a time as any to mention that everyone in my crew is a vet. Some of them are down on their luck, merely looking for work because they can’t get hired anywhere else. Some are amputees, like me.”

  He waited for her reaction. She kept watching him.

  “Oh. You’re done?” She shook her head slightly. “That’s fine.” She took a deep breath. “I’m a bit of an amputee myself. I’ll fit right in.”

  “Oh?” He exhaled on an uncomfortable laugh.

  “Mastectomy. Two and half years ago.”

  “Oh, Kaylah, I’m sorry.” He set his fork down and reached for her again. She held his hand. That explained the absent rub over her breastbone and the unexpected response to his prosthesis when he’d gone through the step.

  “Are you all right now? Do you still have…?” He hesitated.

  “For the moment, I’m cancer free.” She smiled softly. Perhaps this also was why she was uncertain about being away from her daughter for any prolonged period. She was probably afraid it would come back and their time might be cut short.

  “That’s good. I’m glad to hear it. You’re pretty brave yourself, Kaylah.”

  “Yes and no. I’ve booked and canceled reconstructive surgery twice now.”

  “I thought they did reconstruction directly after a mastectomy? I mean, I had an aunt and that’s how hers worked.”

  “I still had to undergo more radiation treatments, even after, so they wouldn’t do it then.”

  “I’m sorry. May I ask why you’ve put it off?” He tilted his head, wondering what would hold her up.

  “Well”—she paused—“because I’m not sure if I’d be doing it for me or more for other people. I can’t believe I’m talking to you about this. I should be mortified, but I’m not.”

  That admission made him feel good—useful, for once. He tightened his grip.

  “You know. I think I can live with it,” she revealed, “the way things are. I’d really rather not put my body through anything else. But, I wonder… If I’m ever ready for a relationship again, will it matter to him?”

  This time she couldn’t quite hold his gaze.

  “Well, I guess it would depend on the guy. Some men are breast guys. Some enjoy a nice ass. Others are leg men. Then there’s the freaky feet guys.”

  They both snickered.

  “What are you?” She grinned but slid her hand from his, digging back into her meal, suddenly shy.

  “I’m an entire-package kind of guy. I enjoy it all.”

  She bobbed her head.

  “But I think you’re right,” he agreed quietly. “If you choose to do it, it should be because you want it. Not for anybody else.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I didn’t do anything.”

  “Yes. You have, in more ways than one—by listening. By taking me out, not that this is a date or anything. But I don’t know many people here yet and I guess I was afraid I was becoming a bit of a recluse. It feels good to be out, you know?”

  “Yeah, I do.” He could definitely relate. The tendency to shut people out and close off while working through any hardship or illness was concerning.

  He took another sip of his beer. “Would you consider that? Going on a date…with me?” he added quickly.

  “Yes.”

  “Yes, you’ll consider it or, yes, you’ll go,” he said.

  “Both.”

  “Perfect. You busy tomorrow?” He leaned forward on his elbows.

  “Yes.”

  “Oh,” he said, disappointed.

  “We already have plans tomorrow…to go through the house.”

  Discontent gave way to eagerness. “Right, except that’s not a date. It’s work. But the annual street dance is tomorrow night. Would that be a good thing to do for our first outing?”

  “Street dance?”

  “Yeah, they cordon off the boulevard and have food vendors set up—any kind you might imagine—and music, different bands and stuff. It’s fun. But I’ll warn you, I haven’t gone to one in years. And I also haven’t even tried to dance since this happened.” He touched his leg.

  “I’m not much of a dancer, either.”

  “So, we’ll dance from our chairs and get drunk.”

  Her features tightened.

  “Or we’ll just dance,” he amended.

  She reached for her phone and checked the time.

  “You need to get h
ome?”

  “Would you mind? I’m not sure which phone Autumn will call on—my cell or the home phone.”

  He thought it a little strange. If she couldn’t reach her on one, surely she’d ring the other. “No, sure. Did you want to get dessert? We can take it with us.”

  “That sounds good. Let’s.” She stood. “I’m just going to run to the little girl’s room and I’ll be right back.”

  By the time Mikaylah returned, Salem had paid the bill. He stood by the counter. “I’m just waiting for our pie.”

  “Mmm, what kind?” Her eyes met his and, if he wasn’t mistaken, she didn’t seem as sad as she had earlier.

  “Coconut cream. Is that good? Sorry. I didn’t think to ask. It’s my favorite.”

  “Mine, too.” She grinned as the cashier came up to the counter with a Styrofoam container.

  “Come again,” the cashier sing-songed. “Hope you enjoyed your meal.”

  * * * *

  Salem set down his empty plate next to the Irish coffee Kaylah’d whipped up then patted his full stomach. “Ahh, that’s good.”

  He averted his gaze as Kaylah took another dainty bite. The fork sliding between her lovely lips was too distracting and having a definite effect on his long-suffering body. He didn’t want to cut their evening short—he was enjoying her company—but the thought of her walking him to the door and finding out if she’d be receptive to a goodnight kiss was making him antsy.

  Instead, he looked around the sitting room with an assessing eye. The crown molding needed to be replaced. Looked like there’d been a leak in the ceiling, too. A brown patch stained the stucco. Weird. He hadn’t spotted those things earlier. He thought he’d made a thorough inspection but, the more he saw of the place, the bigger the job seemed. Financially, it was good for him and his crew, but he wasn’t sure Kaylah’s heart was in it.

  “I was in this place once—when I was about ten, I think. A friend of a friend lived here and we stopped to pick him up on the way to some school thing.”

  “Was it haunted then?” she asked, her eyes narrowing with interest.

  “Uhh, haunted?” he stuttered. “Not that I know of. It has always looked a little creepy, but there weren’t any stories that I recollect—not like the old Prentice house on Catherine Street. Now, that place is seriously scary. Why?” He grinned and inched closer to her. “Ya bein’ visited?”

  “Well,” she said slowly, “not exactly. Some weird things have happened.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like”—she paused—“often I hear what sounds like footsteps.”

  “This is an old house, Kaylah. They tend to creak and settle. Even water racing through the pipes can make it sound like walking.”

  “Yes. You’re right. I’m sure that’s it.”

  The dubious expression on her face had him asking, “What else?”

  “Things move around. Though, on the other hand, perhaps it’s merely me. I’ve been so scattered since the move and being without Autumn, living out of boxes and suitcases. I don’t want to bring too much into the house until it’s fixed up. I’m sure I’m just misplacing items. I set them down and my mind is on twelve other things at a time then I simply don’t remember. However, I often find what I’m looking for in the most confounding places—like my car keys in the medicine cabinet or I go to put on my shoes and can only find one.” She shrugged.

  The keys in the cabinet she may have overlooked. It sounded strange but he’d been known to put the milk in the cupboard and the sugar in the fridge on more than one occasion, especially first thing in the morning when he was half asleep. “Do you have pets? A dog that likes to chew shoes?” Though he hadn’t detected any animals.

  She shook her head while gnawing on her lip, distracting him again.

  “How about this?” She leaned over and flicked on the radio. She looked back at him as strains of pop music filled the space.

  He raised an eyebrow.

  “My daughter’s station,” she explained.

  “Sure, sure.” He waited. “So, what’s strange about that?”

  “Wait. In about thirty seconds the light over your shoulder will start to flicker, then it will spark and blow out.”

  He grinned. “Well, that’s just some shitty wiring, honey. Probably rodents chewing on the wires, shorting things out. This place has been vacant for a while. Don’t worry. I can fix ya up.”

  “I thought that, too, but—”

  The bulb flashed, snapping and popping brightly, and sparks shot out in all directions, as she’d predicted. Then they were plunged into darkness.

  The couch jostled and Kaylah came up with her cell phone, the screen glowing.

  “Huh, well. That is kinda wild, but it’s still a wiring issue.”

  “Two things, though… Come with me.”

  “Sure. Where?”

  “The electrical panel.”

  “I don’t know if I want to navigate unfamiliar rickety basement stairs in the dark.” Sometimes he still didn’t trust his balance.

  “No, the one down the corridor here.”

  “Uhhh…how can that be? I inspected one in the cellar earlier.”

  Taking advantage of the situation and the darkness, he pressed his hand against the small of her back then groped his way around, cupping her hip—for guidance, of course.

  Surprisingly, she placed her own hand over his, as if holding it there.

  While still gripping her cell for light, she opened a narrow closet door in the hall, unveiling an ancient-looking electrical panel.

  “See? That explains it,” Salem rushed to clarify. “This is obviously the old panel and disconnected.”

  “Well, then watch and be amazed. Now, before I flip the breaker, can you still hear the radio?”

  “I can.” He shrugged. “It must be on a different circuit than the light and, most likely, hooked to the newer panel downstairs.”

  “Okay. I’ll accept that.” She flipped the breaker. “But how do you explain this?”

  The radio switched off, which didn’t really surprise Salem, but that wasn’t what made the short hairs on the back of his neck stand up. The power came back on, along with all the lights that had been on before, re-illuminating the rooms, including the bulb shooting sparks that had shattered impressively—or so he’d thought. It glowed brightly and was intact. He must have been mistaken.

  “It’s weird, yes,” he said. Concern etched her fine features. He wanted to alleviate her fears. “But it still has to be hinky or crossed wires, maybe a short. However, there’s a logical explanation and not a paranormal one. It’s not ghosties, Kay, just old knob and tube.”

  She searched his face for a long moment. He didn’t know what she was thinking but he was a bit lost in her eyes. The urge to take her in his arms and kiss her uncertainty away was overwhelming.

  Out of nowhere, he felt a poke in his right shoulder. For a moment, he thought he was close to a hook or something sticking out of the wall. He actually turned to glance behind him, but there was nothing there. He felt it again as he turned back to face her. It was as if he was being pushed toward her.

  At the same time, Kaylah gasped and pitched forward. Her cell phone flew up in the air. In his haste to catch it, the thick leather tread on the bottom of his shoe caught on the runner and jerked his prosthetic leg at a weird angle.

  They ended up in each other’s arms. Salem’s pulse was already racing from the strange events, but his interest in Kaylah was undeniable. He seized the moment and captured her lips.

  At first, she froze, and he thought she might push him away.

  A small sound erupted from the back of her throat and she pressed her mouth firmly to his. She fisted her hands into his shirt and pulled herself up against him. She’d be fully aware of his arousal, but that knowledge only seemed to excite her. She hauled him even closer, gripping his shirt so tightly her fingers bit into his abdomen. To his shock, she snaked her other hand downward, palming his hard-on. Unprepared, he
choked at the unexpected but welcome grope.

  The pressure felt good. He pushed his length into her. She rubbed with the heel of her hand. It had been a long time since he’d been with a woman. He was afraid if he allowed her to continue, he might embarrass himself over a couple of open-mouthed kisses and a few strokes of his over-eager cock.

  To take the heat off him, he skimmed his fingers up under her shirt. She stiffened and gripped his wrist. Then swiftly, she pulled away.

  “I’m sorry, Kay, I wasn’t thinking, I didn’t mean to make you uncomf— Ahh, fuck!” He raked his hand through his hair.

  “Neither one of us was thinking,” she murmured as she took a step away.

  In a nervous gesture, Salem swiped a hand over the back of his neck. He figured he’d kick himself out before she had the chance. “I’m gonna go,” he said, heading for the door. “But I’ll be back in the morning, and we’ll do a thorough walk-through. I’ll definitely take a better look at the wiring issue.”

  “Thank you.” Her voice sounded raspy and sexy as all fuck.

  He let himself out. The screen door squeaked as it closed behind him. Hazarding a quick look over his shoulder, he could barely make out Kaylah’s silhouette in the entryway.

  He’d taken one step off the porch before he heard her soft voice.

  “Salem…don’t go.”

  Salem’s entire body tensed, his cock surged. Swiftly, he did an about-face and, as best he could, he hopped back up the stairs, careful to avoid the broken one. Kaylah pushed open the screen door and welcomed him back inside.

  Chapter Four

  As soon as Salem reached her, he tucked his hand against the side of her neck and pulled her forward. But Mikaylah placed her palms on his chest and held him at bay.

  What am I doing? She hardly knew him. Yet there was no denying she wanted, more than anything, to have hot, sweaty, mind-blowing sex with this man.

  “I… I haven’t…been with anyone since…” she struggled to explain.

  “Well, that makes us a couple of post-op virgins then, doesn’t it?”

  It wasn’t quite what she’d meant. Not only had she not been with anyone since her surgery, she hadn’t slept with another man since her ex had run out when Autumn had been a baby.