Heart to Heart

by Meline Nadeau

  Just a couple more days and she’d go back to New York and leave this place behind for good.

  She pulled up as far into the property as she could without crushing any of Andrea’s flowerbeds. Others followed suit, their vehicles gradually surrounding the courtyard.

  A wolf-like animal bounded from the tree line. Zeus. Leigh looked around to ascertain no one else had noticed him. With all the commotion, she’d decided to leave her dog at Oak Hill, and he had been running around in the woods all morning. She grabbed a handful of doggy biscuits and jumped out of her car. Now was not the time to make Andrea hysterical. Thank God her stepmother had decided to ride with Bruce, the family lawyer.

  After taking Zeus for a walk around the property, she instructed him to nap in the car. It was parked in a shaded area and she’d left all the windows open. As long as no squirrel or other furry little creatures tried to invade his space, her protector would happily lie there and wait.

  Leigh walked around the old Georgian to the back service entrance. The kitchen would be bustling with activity, and she could slip in without attracting too much attention to herself. If one more person looked at her with pity in their eyes, she’d lose her mind.

  Being back at Oak Hill felt strange, especially after all those years. She hadn’t minded coming to the manor when it was nothing more than their summer home. But after her mother had died, Ben sold their Central Park West Penthouse and came to live in Watford — for good. That was when she’d begun hating the place.

  She stepped inside, closing the door behind her with a soft click. With one glance, she examined the state-of-the-art cook’s kitchen with custom cherry cabinetry, limestone breadboard backsplash, and granite counter tops. The room’s accents and valances were a deeper burgundy than she remembered, but for the most part, it hadn’t changed.

  A middle-aged woman consoled Andrea. Probably one of the waitresses from the catering company Andrea had worked for when she’d met Ben. Bruce and David talked in the adjoining sunny breakfast nook, their voices barely above a whisper. She turned away, in no hurry to reacquaint herself with her father’s protégé, and bumped into Sue Godfrey, one of her father’s longtime friends.

  Sue handed her a pot of hot tea and a platter of scones. “Be a dear and take this into the family room, please.” The Sun’s lifestyle reporter obviously knew her way around Ben Cameron’s kitchen, having been to the house many times over the years.

  Leigh took the items, relieved to be of some help. “Sure.” Adjoining the kitchen, a comfortable lounge centered on a handsome stone fireplace. Leigh put the pastries down on the coffee table. Then, at a loss as to what to do next, she sat on the nearest divan and stared into the empty hearth. Devoid of its fire, the grate was just like Oak Hill Manor. Empty and cold.

  Someone walked by with a tray of wine glasses and put one on the coffee table in front of her. Leigh sipped the light golden liquid and continued staring into space, murmuring her thanks. If she avoided making eye contact with anyone, she’d be left alone. Not so.

  Someone sat next to her on the edge of the fainting couch. A masculine blend of sage, cedar, and tobacco tickled her nostrils and the little hairs on her arms bristled. She knew it was David even before he spoke.

  “It must seem strange being back after so many years,” he said, his deep voice a low grumble to her right.

  A tingling tickled the pit of her stomach. Did he have to sit so close? “Yes. A lot of things change in ten years.”

  “Actually, it’s been eleven years … but who’s counting?” he snapped.

  The bitterness in his tone startled her. “Well, obviously you are.” She looked into his eyes, surprised by how much his snide comment hurt.

  A war of emotions raged within her. A lump formed in her throat, and she feared tears would come next. Annoyed, she clenched her jaw and swallowed hard. She wasn’t about to break down in front of everyone.

  “I can’t talk about this right now.” She stood and left the room.

  She walked blindly, her head swimming with painful memories. When her mother had gotten sick, she was away at school. And when she’d come home for the summer, her mother had passed away, and her father had erased every sign of her existence. Her house, clothes, photos — there was nothing left. Leigh’s whole world was gone. Every trace of it vanished. She was devastated.

  • • •

  David watched the sway of Leigh’s hips through the library’s bay window as she walked down the block drive to the wooded area of the property. Isolation emanated from her tall figure as she disappeared in the distance. So much for keeping things light. Nice going, Dave. You always say the wrong thing. He hesitated, worried he’d just make things worse if he went after her. Regardless of how long she’d been gone, the poor girl had just lost her father — her only living relative. He grabbed her glass and a nearby bottle of wine.

  After a moment, he rose and followed her out of the house. She had taken the old cobblestone path that led to Blackburn Creek before disappearing into the forest. He ambled on for a few minutes, his thoughts interrupted only by the chirping of the chickadees. Then he glimpsed her through the leaves. She sat on a bench in the lower gardens, a big German shepherd at her feet. The dog looked up, sniffing the air as though he could smell someone coming. Despite his size, the gentleness of his gaze revealed he was harmless. Reassured, David walked closer. Warm rays of sunlight peeked through the trees and danced on Leigh’s copper tresses. Had he not known he’d find her there, he might have thought her an apparition. He held his breath, afraid she’d run away if she heard him coming.

  The dog cocked its ears at the sound of his approaching steps, but showed no sign of alerting her. When he got closer to them, David cleared his throat.

  Her guardian wagged his tail and stood on all fours. “Zeus, stay.” Her voice rang out. Angry. Broken. “Leave me alone.”

  The dog, no doubt sensing his mistress’ anguish, changed his stance and growled, exposing two rows of impressive looking fangs. David held his breath and took a step forward. Then another. The dog kept snarling but made no sign of attacking. One more pace and — Zeus’s lip curled. Close enough.

  Despite the circumstances, he couldn’t help but notice how beautiful Leigh had become. Loose ringlets framed her face, smaller curls twisting across her forehead. Her glasses were nowhere in sight today, and he admired her patrician profile. A light dusting of freckles accentuated her thin, slightly upturned nose and her high cheekbones. The skinny bespectacled girl he’d met years ago was now a tall and voluptuous woman.

  She turned and glared at him. “What do you want?”

  His gaze clung to hers, searching for answers. She stared back, eyes lit up with anger, then lowered her thick, black lashes veiling her emotions.

  He held up her empty flute. “You forgot your glass.”

  She glanced up. “I left it there for a reason. It was empty.”

  “I also brought you something from the library.” He pulled out a wine bottle from under his suit jacket and smiled, sheepish.

  A light smile tugged at her lips. “Once a thief — ” She accepted the glass and extended it for a refill.

  “I deserved that.” He motioned to the end of the bench. “Mind if I join you?”

  She lowered her gaze and shook her head, silent.

  He sat slowly, as though she might run away if he made any sudden movements. A warm breeze rustled the leaves of the nearby red maples. He inhaled deeply and watched the play of the sun’s rays in the swaying grass. “These gardens are so peaceful. Bet it’s never this quiet in New York.”

  Leigh heaved an exasperated sigh. “Would you lay off it, already?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I’m just trying to make conversation.”

  She eyed him carefully. “I like New York’s constant city noise. It
s cars, people, even the police sirens.”

  “Don’t you ever get scared or lonely?”

  She smiled, a hint of melancholy coloring her gaze. “I’ve got Zeus to protect me and keep me company.”

  David willed himself to stop staring at her mouth. Her full lips looked like they’d be wonderful to the taste. He turned his gaze to the dog who came over and licked his outstretched hand. Some guard dog. “How long’s he been keeping you company?”

  “Zeus?” The dog cocked its ears when she spoke its name. She reached over and scratched it behind the ears. “I adopted him around the time I got my job at The Star.” She leaned back and plunged her gaze into David’s. “I found him in the East Village in a back alley on a rainy night. He’d been mistreated and abandoned. One look from those big brown eyes, and I knew I’d take him home with me.” A sweet smile lit up her face. “I didn’t know it then, but I needed him as much as he needed me.”

  David continued petting the dog, mesmerized by Leigh’s bewitching blue eyes. He wound his hands in the white patch of fur on the dog’s chest, and their fingers touched. An electric current raced up his arm to his chest. Leigh immediately pulled her hand away. The tingling continued long after her hand was gone. For a moment their gazes locked, and he lost himself in her eyes. A guy could drown in those pools full of life, pain, and warmth. If he didn’t pull his gaze away, Zeus wouldn’t be the only brown-eyed male following her home.

  When he looked away, he could have sworn she breathed a sigh of relief.

  She rose from the bench. “I should be getting back. I’m being a very bad hostess.”

  David glanced up and nodded. “Of course. If there’s anything I can do to help, just say the word.”

  A small smile touched her lips. “Thank you.” She turned and walked away, her graceful steps echoing down the path. Zeus bounded after her, his happy tail wagging back and forth.

  • • •

  Less than a day later David spotted Leigh crossing the street with long purposeful strides. She made a beeline for The Sun’s front door and stepped inside. She was still in Watford. He’d figured that after the funeral she’d get the hell out of Dodge. He couldn’t help it, something about her put him on edge. Her whole being seemed to be infused with a graceful elegance mixed with raw sexuality. And every time they crossed paths he turned into an awkward dork and either ended up offending her or simply saying the most inane things.

  With one look she made him feel like a teenager again — a poor kid from the wrong side of town trying desperately to make it in a world where he didn’t belong.

  Thank God the official part of the grieving process was over. In a few more days, she’d leave, and everything would go back to normal. Well, things would hardly be considered normal for a good long while, but at least he’d have a fighting chance at picking up the pieces and moving on with his life. He rubbed the stubble on his chin.

  He still reeled from their brief but heated encounter by Blackburn Creek. With one look from those bluish-green eyes, she turned him inside out in two seconds flat. Worse yet, even though they were worlds apart, he’d felt strangely drawn to her. Visions of their first meeting years before drew a bitter smile to his lips. Not long after he’d begun working in the circulation department, Ben had brought Leigh to the paper one weekend she was home from school. David had been in the newsroom dropping off stacks of the day’s run when he’d seen her. She sat at the copy desk reading a fashion magazine. Even with her skinny frame, braces, and red hair she’d seemed so worldly, so New York he’d sought refuge behind the tough guy attitude he picked up living in the housing projects of the East End.

  She’d been just as guarded then. But he was beginning to think that what he’d interpreted as arrogance was simply shyness.

  “David?” The sound of Andrea’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. She leaned into his office. “Got a minute?”

  “What are you doing here?” David said, his face softening. “You should be — ”

  “Home crying? Ben wouldn’t want me to mope around that old house all day feeling sorry for myself.” She smiled sadly and said, “I’m too young to be known as the widow Cameron.”

  Andrea stood, or rather hung by the door, a pink shawl wrapped around her shoulders. With her manicured nails and bleach blond hair, the forty-five-year-old hardly looked like the widow of the most famous man in town but rather like the aging beauties behind the make-up counter at Macy’s.

  “Too young and way too beautiful,” he said.

  “Ben always told me you were a smart one. And charming.” She smiled, turning to leave. “Oh, by the way, Bruce is coming over to the house tonight at six for dinner. I’d really like for you to join us.”

  “All right,” David cracked what he hoped passed for a smile. “I’ll meet you there in a little while.”

  Andrea’s expression brightened. She fluffed her feathered bangs, and lifted her head a little higher.

  “Go on,” David said, in a way he hoped was affectionate. “I’ve got work to do.” Truth be told, he didn’t think he could keep up the strong façade much longer.

  Andrea turned to leave his office and walked right into Leigh, who must have been waiting outside. “Leigh. Hello, dear.” David watched with fascination as Andrea’s voice went from broken whispers to defensive. “Sleep well?” According to Geoff, Leigh had chosen to stay in town rather than at the manor. The gesture had obviously hurt her stepmother’s feelings.

  If Leigh sensed Andrea’s bruised feelings, she didn’t let on. “Hello, Andrea. Yes. I did. Eventually.”

  The women gave each other a perfunctory hug and kiss on the cheek. David looked on, bemused. The room seemed to get colder. He wondered what Leigh was doing at the paper again. The mere sight of the tall redhead unnerved him. Despite still harboring some distrust for her, he had to admit anyone who took in stray animals couldn’t be all bad. And she was positively distracting. She wore an expensive-looking cream-colored skirt and jacket with a single strand of pearls. He tried, in vain, not too look at the perfect bow of her calves and at the smooth material clinging to her generous curves. She looked soft and feminine, and for a moment he wished he could hold her close and inhale the soft scent of her silky curls.

  “Dinner tonight is at 6 P.M. Shall I set a place for you?” Andrea’s voice jolted him back to reality.

  Leigh’s tone was even, conciliatory, but her eyes told another story. “Yes. I’ll be there.”

  More silence. David squirmed, wishing they’d take their baggage to another part of the building.

  “Good. Well then, I’m off.” Andrea wrapped the frilly summer shawl around her shoulders in a flurry of hair and nails and turned to leave. “I’ll see you both at the house later.”

  Leigh raised an eyebrow, then turned and locked glances with David. He should have taken the day off and gone sailing. After what seemed like an eternity, she crossed her arms and stared, as though daring him to break the silence first.

  “Have a seat,” David leaned back in his chair.

  “If you don’t mind, I’d rather stand. I won’t be staying long.”

  The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He hated it when people came into his office and chose to stand. It was the first thing they taught you in those self-help books on how to get the upper hand. No doubt, she’d read them all.

  “Please, sit down.” He made no attempt at masking the exasperation in his voice.

  Leigh scowled but conceded. Confusion and frustration flashed in her eyes.

  David stirred, suddenly too big for his own chair. “Andrea’s sorting through Ben’s personal effects,” he said, careful to sound businesslike.

  An emotion he couldn’t read flashed then disappeared from Leigh’s gaze.

  “I think she might like your help.” In fact, he was fairly certain Andrea didn’t
want Leigh anywhere near her.

  She must have known as much. A soft smile made her lips twitch. “I think I’ll pass.” She inhaled and opened her mouth, then seemed to think better of it.

  “What is it?”

  “I was really touched by your eulogy.”

  “Well, I … thank you. Your father was a great man. It was difficult to do him justice in just a few minutes.” He pressed on, eager to end their uncomfortable conversation and get her out of his office before he stuck his foot in his mouth again. “Well, I should get back to work.”

  “Of course.” She turned to leave, then did an about turn just as she neared the door. “David,” she paused and licked her lips. “One more thing. About yesterday. Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  A light smile tugged at her lips. “For braving Zeus’s fangs to keep me company.”

  Then, before he could say another word, she turned and walked out the office leaving a subtle scent of wild roses in her wake.

  • • •

  Main Street traffic was already bumper-to-bumper. No matter. Leigh was in no real hurry to get to Oak Hill Manor. The thought of an evening filled with Andrea’s quaint expressions and backhanded compliments made her want to turn the car around. But she was big enough to play nice. At least for a few more days.

  She didn’t remember the city ever being that busy. Then again, it was tourist season and she hadn’t set foot in Watford in over a decade. To her left, the Princess Repertory Cinema still stood, its marquis flashing in the twilight. Her mom and dad had taken her there on summer Sundays for its Golden Oldies Matinee. While the other kids went to church camp, they’d watched all the classics: Casablanca, Gone With the Wind, Lawrence of Arabia, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Her heart sank. Those days were long gone.

  She drove through the town her father had called home. She’d known the city was experiencing record growth and a dramatic increase in population and yet it hadn’t really hit her until now. To her right a brand-new neighborhood of Capes and Colonials seemed to have popped up out of nowhere. The homes mimicked their ancestors with their central chimneys, clapboards, and shingles. And yet there was something a little too big and too rambling about them that gave away their newness. There had been nothing more than an empty field there when she’d left some ten years ago.