WindSwept Narrows: #16 Anna Carson & Catherine Jenkins

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  Words that didn’t make sense to a four year old, but words nonetheless. In those days, she just liked the pride of being able to write things. Aaron used to laugh, watching her struggle to hold the pencil, making the letters just right on the paper.

  Anna pulled into the lot, nodding at the bustling and brisk business this first weekend in April. She made sure she had people working for her who enjoyed not only plants, but the people trying to create something in their personal space, no matter the size. She snagged one of the young men unloading a pallet of bagged potting soil and took him to the empty bay they would use. She took the marker and board down, printing out Carter’s name and the date. She handed him the paper and he went off to begin filling her Christmas list.

  Carter entered the cool green filled space several minutes later, his glasses lightening as he glanced around, listening to the soft music and the chatter that ranged from discussion to laughter to lecture. People with carts and some with arms filled with a variety of select plants. Long racks were filled with seed packets for flowers, herbs and vegetables, each surrounded by people trying to make selections. Colorful flower containers were stacked attractively and seemed to come in a variety of mediums, from clay to porcelain to resin.

  “Good afternoon,” a young woman said with a bright smile. She wore a light vest with the logo of the nursery above her heart and a light tee shirt beneath. “Is there something I can help you with?”

  “Good afternoon,” he returned, his attention drawn from the collection of books that covered everything from composting to roses. “Can you page Anna Carson for me?”

  “Is there a problem? I can locate the manager for you.”

  “No problem at all,” Carter smiled warmly, his hands shoving the light jacket back before sinking into his pockets. “If you’d let her know Carter Shipley is on site. I’ll just wander and explore.”

  “I…I can do that, of course,” Crystal lifted the cell she had and tapped the button for Anna, watching the tall, good looking man continue his stroll through the nursery. “Anna…there’s a guy looking for you. Carter Shipley?”

  “Thanks, Crystal. I’ll find him…”

  “New client?”

  Anna laughed at the casual interest. She didn’t blame her. She knew the information would race through her friends and employees.

  “Yes…and no…am I too old for a boyfriend?” Anna asked with a little laugh, shifting the large plant to her hip and carrying it to the holding area.

  “Oh, no…no, he’s gorgeous, Anna!” Crystal whispered in girl excitement.

  “Yeah…yeah, his has really nice, sparkly eyes…” She agreed with a long sigh after signing off, her headset silent. She checked off the plants she had carried to the room and went in search of Carter.

  Carter wandered to the outside portion of the nursery, spread over what he guessed was several acres, some for retail and some off limits. He wandered and listened. He caught sight of Anna across the expanse, her hands out and gesturing as she explained something to a couple next to a five foot tree with red bark.

  Her smile was infectious, the sunlight playing over the chestnut colors in her hair as she nodded and tapped the headset latched over one ear. It wasn’t a minute before a young man was there with a cart, helping the couple with the tree. He leaned against a larger tree, watching as she pulled a pair of dainty looking leather gloves into place before dragging a cart he hadn’t seen further into the outside area, her head swiveling, chewing on the inside of her cheek as she searched for something.

  He followed slowly, moving forward when she stopped near a cluster of medium sized containers with deep red grasses and began loading some on the cart. She pulled a small computer pad from one of her pockets, glanced at the screen and seemed to be counting as he came up beside her.

  “Hi…” Anna wasn’t sure when her heart began to pound when he was near, but she added three more of the containers before peeling the gloves off and tucking them into the pocket of her khakis. “Did you take a tour around the place?”

  “It’s huge, Anna,” he laughed and stepped forward. “So how much will it undermine the boss if she’s found kissing in the garden?”

  “Oh…I don’t know…my employees are pretty stable…” She felt the moisture evaporate seconds before his mouth came over hers, soft, coercing and decidedly beyond nice, her brain informed her. Voices around her slowly filtered inside the web they’d created around them and she realized her fingers were caught on his belt loops, clinging to keep from melting into the ground.

  “Hmm…the world hasn’t crashed around us…”

  But both heads were up when the flat sound of chimes filled the area.

  “It’s not mine,” Anna said, drawing in a deep breath.

  “It’s mine…a reminder,” he frowned, his gaze sweeping down to the phone he pulled from his pocket. “Damn…”

  “Important?”

  “Talk about scrambled brains,” he murmured, tucking the phone away and taking the handle to the wagon she was pulling toward the inside. “Guide me, Anna. Important…a benefit tonight I totally forgot about. Did we already establish we were having dinner tonight?” He liked the soft, tinkling laughter she offered.

  “What are we benefiting?”

  “I’m surprised you’re not involved in this, actually. It’s for the local libraries. With all the cuts because of the budgets, the libraries are taking a big hit,” he stopped when she held up a hand. “Will you be my date?”

  “Robert, line these up along the left wall, thanks,” Anna slipped her arm through Carter’s and walked with him away from people. “I’d love to…what time?”

  “I’ll pick you up at six,” he glanced at his watch and winced. “And I have a couple things to take care of,” he kissed her quickly, hard and potent. “Six.”

  “I’ll be ready,” she promised, absently touching her lips as she watched him stride toward the main entrance. She took out her phone when it chimed, frowning at the readout. “Carter?”

  “Shoot me your home address, Anna and don’t laugh at a man whose brain isn’t functioning well today, please,” he said when her little giggle came through the line. “And it’s black tie. I’ll see you in a couple hours.”

  Anna wandered to her office, working through paperwork, invoices and purchase orders while mentally checking her closet and giving herself girl time to prepare for the evening. Several hours later, turning critically before the mirror, she declared herself ready and carried the small red bag with her when the door chimes sounded.

  Amazing was the only word that popped into her mind when she took in the man clad in darkest black with a snowy shirt and bow tie. And that was one of many words Carter Shipley had in his mind as he took in the floor length, figure hugging deep red gown. It was draped in delicate pleats over one shoulder, caught itself beneath her breasts with a slim silver band dotted with things that sparkled. It fell in form hugging envy to her knees where it flared out to the floor, a pair of open toed matching heels peeking out as she walked.

  “Wow…” Carter finally found his voice, his gaze trapped on the thick, darkly smudge eyes watching him. She had her hair pulled into a taut little bundle of curls at the back of her head, a flowered silver comb above each ear.

  “I hope that’s a good wow…” Anna quickly checked for her phone and keys, snapping her bag closed and stepping forward, went to the toes of her heels and gently kissed him. “We should go?”

  “Yeah…yeah, we should go…” He agreed gruffly, his hand gently at her back as they stepped into the night, the wrap she had laying over one arm taken and draped around her shoulders after she locked up the house and set the alarms. “You’re beautiful, Anna.”

  “Thank you,” she said softly, following him after he seated her in the low sports car. “You’re looking very handsome tonight, too, Carter.” She told him when he slid in and started the car.

  He turned to look at her when he stopped at the corner. “Do you have any idea h
ow much I’d rather just take you home with me right now?”

  “Hmm…well…I’m pretty certain I went through all this for you, not the benefit,” she told him with a teasing smile. “But obligations…”

  “Yeah, yeah…” he sighed dramatically, drew in a slow breath hinged with some exotic scent she was wearing and headed the car towards the resort where the benefit was being held. “Tell me about your journal.”

  Taken aback, Anna peered at him in the semi-darkness.

  “My journal? Good grief…I should ask why, but…”

  “Because I find it fascinating that you began a journal when you were four years old,” he said honestly, his palm sliding between the two hands she had resting on her thigh. He liked the way she immediately closed her hands around his, possessive and warm.

  Anna laughed. “I was delirious at being able to write. Like I was creating a book of my own,” she recalled. “The first few pages aren’t very pretty. Sometimes I made up words to fit someplace because I didn’t know all the words in the world and needed something to fill the space of a word I couldn’t describe. I could draw well before I could write, so there are tons of pictures of people, flowers….neighborhood dogs…some of Aaron and me…he made me sit in front of the mirror so I could add me to my own journal.”

  “Would you let me see it?”

  “Of course…it’s not a secret diary. But I have to warn you…seriously…my hand writing was awful at first. After…after we were relocated and I saw lists and things on the fridge that Missy wrote, I went to the library and found some kid books on penmanship. I made Aaron do the exercises, too…he hated it…but it greatly improved our writing skills. It still took a few months before I had words for some things. Describing them was hard when in my head I knew what I wanted to say but couldn’t find the words,” she smiled at the memory. “Aaron used to laugh because I’d check out dictionaries and just read.”

  “But it’s part of you and it fascinates me,” he pulled before the resort and stepped from the inside of the car, the valet accepting the keys after handing Anna from the vehicle.

  Anna waited while he tucked the claim into his pocket, his arm settling at the rise of her hip, walking slowly into the resort and watching for signs. He glanced down at the gentle way she nibbled her lip, the deep red of her lipstick demanding he kiss her. He fought the urge as they entered the elevator to the second story ballroom.

  “Carter…” Anna took a deep breath. “Have you spoken to the Austin’s? Since…well…”

  “Since you so regally stood in my dining room demanding to know what I wanted?” He replayed the scene with a low chuckle, grinning at the wrinkled nose she offered him. “I have. And I’ve talked to Aaron…he wants to talk to them.”

  Anna sighed heavily. “He wants to try and explain me.”

  “Do you need explaining, Anna?” He paused at the large archway, his hand going to the inside pocket of his evening jacket and handed the invitation to the man at the door. “Carter Shipley and Anna Carson.” He waited while their names were recorded, moving them easily into the gathering crowd.

  “I know I was wrong,” she admitted slowly, taking the glass of white wine he offered her from one of the passing trays. She sighed and took a sip. “There was so much mixed up in my head when the…the house blew up. The feelings inside me…it wasn’t a gas leak. It wasn’t an accident. I know it wasn’t. We saw the men who came into the house drive away just before the…before it happened. I almost fell to my knees on the concrete…Aaron was the only thing holding me up. Missy and…and Danny…were murdered and no one….we couldn’t tell anyone without them knowing we were there…alive, I mean. All the news reports said two adults and two teenagers were found among the burned remains…but we weren’t there. Why did someone lie about that? And who would it have been? We argued…I didn’t want anyone to know until I could figure things out. Aaron went along….mostly because I’m annoying, I think. Then we got caught up in school and…at first, it was the excuse of not wanting people running us, watching us…minding us…”

  “Being minded isn’t so bad…not when it’s done out of love…concern.”

  “I know…I think that’s what I was thinking about this afternoon,” she admitted slowly, her body next to his as they walked. She listened to him greet people, introduce her and smile. He had a wonderfully sexy smile, she thought, listening to him talk about a business he was involved in with a man who’d come forward.

  “I’ll be in touch, Jason. My mind isn’t on business tonight,” Carter told him politely, leading Anna toward a quiet corner filled with cushioned benches and lush green plants.

  “Aaron does these things,” Anna said quietly, sitting next to him and watching people. “I checked his calendar. And the spread sheet he has for donations. He’s like you…very social…he’s tried for years to get me involved. Says it’s not good for me to be locked away all the time.”

  “I think he’s right.”

  “I guess it’s what I became comfortable with,” she said thoughtfully. “I know he wants to meet with the Austin’s. Part of me…I know it would make him happy…and I know it would please you, but I’m not sure why. I don’t think it’s because it was your job to get us together. It’s more than that now…”

  “You have spooky powers, Miss Carson,” Carter drained his wine glass and stood up. “I’ll bring us some food, Anna. More wine?”

  “Please….”

  Chapter Ten

  She stood up and drifted to the window, staring out into the waters swirling so very far below them. Spooky powers, she repeated the words and sighed. Her hand almost went for her hip seconds before she remembered she didn’t have pockets to shove them into. She draped the slender shimmering strap over her neck and hooked her palms behind her, turning in time to see Carter come toward her.

  He didn’t have a good name for the hunger in him when he saw her. And he doubted she had any idea how she presented herself, hands linked behind her, which thrust her shoulders up and straight, the firm, small breasts prominent, especially in that red dress that didn’t hide a single curve or line of her body from the imagination. He brought one palm up, fingers curled to tip her chin just a bit for the kiss he both offered and took.

  “I found us a nice, quiet table,” he told her, his palm settling possessively on her hip and guiding her through the large rooms decked out with donated art for the auction.

  “I remember signing something for this,” Anna said with a little frown. “Aaron gave it to me…it was weeks ago…”

  “I saw it on a pedestal, Anna, you donated landscaping services, complete with all anyone would need.”

  “Oh…okay…”

  “He also donated a three hour block of financial consultation,” Carter lifted a small canapé and held it before the little pouty frown. She absently took a bite. “I like the name of your nursery.”

  Anna smiled at him, her mind pulled back from where it had wandered.

  “Alice’s Garden,” she said happily. “It was the most wonderful place to imagine when I was little. My favorite book. It just felt right when I started planning it ten years ago.”

  She didn’t pay attention to the photographers, enjoying the food and conversation with Carter. He left her alone when she spotted Rose and waved, seeing the bright glittery diamond on her slender fingers.

  “You’ve been bought,” she teased, lifting her friend’s palm and nodding at the tear shaped yellow diamond.

  “Ryan…” Rose slipped into the chair with a happy smile. “You’re not usually at these, where’s Aaron?”

  “Vegas with some friends getting married. No….not usually me here…but…I was invited…” Anna let her gaze sweep over the people. “Carter…there…glasses and kind of blond hair.”

  “He’s talking to Ryan…my goodness those two present a very tasty pair, don’t they?”

  “Yeah…no kidding…” Anna watched them turn, still talking and move toward the table. Serious photos bein
g taken, she thought briefly, a woman she recognized from one of the local television stations coming abreast the table at the same time the men returned. Ryan’s palm was out to take Rose’s hand.

  The woman looked from one man to the other, Carter had moved to stand behind Anna, his palms gently massaging her shoulders.

  “Two of the city’s most eligible and wealthy bachelors,” she said to the woman wielding the camera to get everyone into view. “Relocated to the area because of the reclamation.”

  “Who keeps score on people?” Anna asked without thinking. “Seriously…why is it news that someone is or is not available as bait in the mating pool?”

  Rose worked to stifle her giggle. Ryan did nothing to hide his grin, neither did Carter. Anna realized she’d spoke out loud and felt the heat striking her cheeks. And all of it caught on camera.

  “Couldn’t have said it better myself, sweetheart,” Carter chuckled warmly.

  “This is why Aaron goes to public things. His mouth has a control button,” she murmured testily.

  “It’s simply a society news item, Miss Carson,” the woman said politely, smiling hopefully. “Do you realize how many women are envious because you two have accomplished, quite handsome men that others create fantasies about.”

  Anna looked at the men being talked about as if they were invisible.

  “You two could at least look embarrassed at the slathering,” Anna rolled her eyes and sighed. “I suppose she’s right, though,” she winked at Rose. “We have the two best cupcakes on the plate…” Laughter broke around her, her patience gentled by his hands on her shoulders as the questions were asked and politely answered before the woman took her camera off in another tangent.

  “How about a dance, Anna?” Carter led her off with a shake of his head.

  “Have you known Ryan long?”

  “A few years. Business and the occasional things like this,” Carter eased her against him in the dimly lit room reserved for dancing and soft music. “I understand you and Rose have a lot in common. The eligible bachelor thing aside,” he teased, his breath soft and warm against her ear.