Maybe in the next few days away from the office he could explore the other side of Chantilly Morrison. The thought of spending days with her in a non-professional setting, even if they did some work along the way, excited him. His career had taught him to find the unfindable, and he fully intended to discover the key to unlock Chanti’s secrets.
He turned off the highway at the Hattiesville exit. The snow obscured the sides of the road, and he dropped the truck into four-wheel drive. He couldn’t imagine Chanti driving this during the winter, and realized it was a good thing she had an apartment in the city. It made him nuts to think about her being out in this weather.
“Sweetheart?” He gently shook her, rubbing her arm. He hated to wake her but had no idea how to get to her house. He moved his arm to put both hands on the wheel as the truck slid slightly when he negotiated a turn.
Chanti cried out as she awoke with a jerk, reaching out to grab the dash. AJ immediately pulled over to the side of the road and slammed the truck into park.
“Sh, it’s alright.” He wrapped both arms around her to keep her from swinging at him. “I’ve got you. I won’t let anything hurt you ever again.” He didn’t know if his words or the tone of his voice penetrated, but she turned her face into his chest as she started to cry.
He kissed the top of her head; rubbed her back and cooed words that had no meaning but he didn’t know what else to do. A woman’s tears tore him apart; especially this woman.
Finally she calmed, and with a hiccup, she sat up, sniffling. He dug his hanky out of his pocket and handed it to her.
“I’m sorry. I’m a mess,” she whispered between sniffles.
“True, but a more beautiful mess I’ve never seen.”
She shot him a scowl.
“Hey, I’m just trying to be agreeable.” He kissed the tip of her red nose. “You’ve been through hell, and it’ll take awhile to set things right. This, by the way, will happen quicker if you point me in the direction to your house.”
“Where are…oh, it’s snowing.” Her face cleared and she smiled. As much as AJ hated the snow, if it made her smile, he guessed he could put up with it.
As enthusiastic as a small child, she gave him directions and they soon turned off the main road and drove along a tree-lined lane.
“You have a lot more trees than we do out on the ranch.”
“This is the most enchanted place, no matter what the season. You’ll see,” she said. It was as if she held her breath as he made the last turn. “There!” She pointed in excitement.
And she was right. The house, or more correctly a mansion, stood majestically beneath a canopy of trees, which though bare now, AJ knew would shade it well in the summer. He could tell from the Christmas lights in the trees and the other decorations that the house was tended with a lot of love. It was the kind of thing that was evident in the time people took to decorate for a holiday.
“Welcome to Red Rock Quay,” Chanti said.
“Quay? Where’s the river?” AJ pulled up as close as he could to the front door to make it easier to get Chanti into the house. The steps and walk hadn’t been shoveled, but then it was still snowing hard so there was little reason to do so.
“The land has been in the Morrison family for generations, and when my great-great-however-many-times-great-grandfather settled here, the river flowed past practically at the back door, so they had a loading dock and everything.” She pointed. “Over the years, every time the river flooded, it would settle just a little differently than before. Gradually, the entire course of the river changed so that it’s now miles to the south at the edge of the property.”
“How much property?”
She hesitated then shrugged. “Three hundred acres.”
“You definitely misrepresented yourself,” AJ said, pulling on his stocking cap and gloves.
“Are you fortune hunting?” she asked just as he opened the door.
He gave her his most seductive smile before leaning over to kiss the tip of her nose. “Could be. If the fortune is connected to a beautiful blonde with a heart of gold and a bum knee.”
She returned his smile, then groaned as she tried to reach over for the door handle.
“Stay put,” he commanded.
“Get me the crutches,” she replied.
He could see a man and woman hovering at the front door, and he didn’t want to get in an argument with Chanti because he knew she felt bad. She had banged her knee and her head pretty hard. But she was going to listen to him, whether she liked it or not.
“I see George and, what is her name, Wilma? They’re standing at the door waiting for you. Now, unless you want me to give them all the gory details of your accident, and the fact that it apparently wasn’t an accident at all, you will do as I say for now.”
He watched her face register shock, and then her eyes narrowed in anger. “That’s blackmail.”
He smirked. “You are very smart – for a girl.” He knew his comment would get her and it did. She burst out laughing then groaned as she touched a hand to her bandaged forehead.
AJ was out of the truck in an instant, slipping and sliding as he hurried around to the other side. From the looks of this storm, nobody would be going anywhere for awhile.
Chanti had managed to get her braced leg out the door, and he scooped her up in his arms. She squealed and grabbed him around the neck.
“Don’t be squirming or we’ll both end up in a snowdrift.” He held her tightly against his chest as he carefully made his way up the walk and steps. The door flew open.
“Oh, my poor sweet pea,” the older woman cried.
“I’m sorry about the walk,” George said. “I didn’t know when you were coming and it just keeps snowing. I’ll get after it right away.”
AJ set Chanti down inside the door so they could remove their wraps. “Don’t even think about going outside, George.” He looked at the older man. “You are George, aren’t you?” He had only talked to the man on the phone once.
“Yes, sir. You must be Mr. Anderson.” George stuck out his hand.
“Worry about introducing yourselves later,” Wilma said. “We need to get our baby to bed.”
“Wilma,” Chanti said, her voice telling AJ she didn’t appreciate Wilma calling her baby.
He leaned close. “Sh, she’s just concerned about you.” Then before she could protest further, he picked her up again. “Lead the way, Wilma.”
Wilma looked between him and Chanti, her eyes wide with surprise. Then with a smile, she turned and headed up the stairs. AJ followed.
“Is this some macho man thing?” Chanti asked. “I’m perfectly capable of getting to my room.” He gave her a look. “Okay, so not perfectly, but I could have managed.”
“You’ve got a lump on your forehead, a brace on your leg, and you’re on drugs. Just admit you could use a little help and let us take care of you.” He had known she was a very independent woman, but he hadn’t realized how stubborn she could be.
“Here we are.” Wilma held the door open.
AJ didn’t know what he had expected, but Chanti's room was as soft and feminine as she was. Cool green walls, dark patterned draperies, and a huge bed he would like to curl up in, with her. When he set her down near the bed, she wobbled and staggered and he held her shoulders until she could get her balance.
“I think I will rest a little,” she said, finally giving in to the fatigue AJ knew she had to be feeling.
“I’ll bring up some soup,” Wilma said.
“Maybe later,” Chanti replied. “I think I just want to sleep.”
Again the woman looked from Chanti to AJ and he saw the question in her eyes. She wanted to know his intentions.
He said only, “I’ll take care of her.”
Wilma nodded once and left the room, although AJ had to smile when she left the door ajar.
“Let’s get you to bed,” he said.
“Go away. I can do it.” Chanti pushed at his hands when he would have help
ed. She was frowning as she struggled with the tie on her pants, and he wondered if she was going to strip in front of him. But when she raised her head and looked at him, he realized her eyes were glazed with pain. Why hadn’t she said anything? He mentally replaced being stubborn with being mulish.
“I need to go in there,” she nodded toward an adjoining door and AJ assumed it was the bathroom. When he would have picked her up, she put a hand to his chest. “I have to learn to walk on those blasted crutches.”
And while he didn’t want to let her, he understood her reasons so he handed them to her and watched, ready to jump in and help, as she shuffled off to the bathroom.
A few minutes later he heard a crash and a curse, and rushed over, jerking the door open without thinking. She was sitting on the edge of the bathtub, a snug tank top on and one leg in a pair of sweats. Damn, her legs were long and sleek. AJ could see the edges of a pair of pink bikini underwear and immediately closed his eyes, begging for control.
“I can’t even dress myself,” she cried, the tears coursing down her cheeks.
AJ berated himself for having thoughts of sex when Chanti needed something else entirely. He wasn’t a complete moron, incapable of a tender side, so he didn’t say a word as he knelt in front of her and carefully slid the sweatpants up over her stretched out leg.
“I’m so embarrassed.” She cried harder.
“Sweetheart, just let me take care of you.” He repeated the litany as he carefully helped her to her feet and tugged the overlarge sweats up over her slim hips and pink satin panties. He groaned.
The sound made Chanti cry more. “Oh, God, my head hurts, but I can’t seem to stop.”
“Sh, you’re just stressed.” He kicked the crutches out of the way and once again lifted her, managing to maneuver out of the small room and back into her bedroom without banging her sore leg.
As soon as he had her in bed, he got a glass of water and dug into his pocket for the pain pills the doctor had given him when they left the hospital.
“Here, take this.” He handed the pill and water to her.
She shook her head. “I don’t want to get hooked on drugs.”
AJ smiled but insisted, knowing she was in pain.
“I’ll put you in a drug rehab center if you start getting mouthy,” he replied, knowing she wasn’t thinking straight. The off-the-wall comments were just the way her brain was working at the moment, trying to circumvent the pain.
“Promise?” She pleaded with eyes still full of tears.
AJ would have promised her the moon, personally delivered, if that was what she wanted. He was angry because he couldn’t take the pain away and frustrated because he didn’t know who would try to hurt her. But he would find out.
He watched as Chanti struggled to get comfortable and when she wouldn’t settle down, he gave a sigh, tugged off his boots, and climbed into bed with her. She was lying on her left side and he pulled her against his chest, spoon fashion. She immediately stilled, but he was happy to note she wasn’t tense.
Several minutes later, when he thought she was asleep, she whispered, “Wilma will have a cow if she sees you here.”
“I’ll take care of Wilma,” he replied. From the looks they had exchanged, he had a feeling Chanti’s self appointed guardian already knew exactly how he felt.
“George will beat you up.”
He chuckled, knowing the pain medicine was working and that it was making her talk nonsense.
“I’ll handle it, baby, but I’m glad you’re worried about me.” He kissed the top of her head and tugged her closer. She reached down and twined her fingers with his at her waist. AJ had an incredibly contented feeling, until her next words.
“Of course I worry about you,” the words were slow and slightly slurred. “I love you.”
AJ’s heart pounded. Was that Chanti talking, or the pain pills?
Chapter 11
Chanti woke and stretched the next morning, feeling incredibly well rested. Her head didn’t hurt at all anymore and her leg was more uncomfortable in the brace than actually in pain.
Determined to take care of herself, she slipped out of bed, hobbled to the bathroom on the crutches, and managed to make herself presentable. She pulled on a long peasant skirt and sweater, the skirt definitely easily to get into than sweats.
As she combed her hair, she tried to recall the events of last night when they had gotten home. She only remembered being in pain, Wilma’s concern, and AJ taking care of her. Her face flushed as she wondered if she had done or said anything embarrassing.
She was standing at the top of the stairs, wondering how to negotiate them on crutches when AJ appeared at the bottom.
“Well good morning, sweet pea.” He flashed a smile.
Chanti groaned. “A girl has no secrets.”
He took the stairs two at a time until he was standing directly in front of her. “I think it’s sort of cute.”
“Guys don’t do cute.” She gave him a mock scowl. He looked fabulous this morning in a bulky sweater and faded jeans.
“We can if we’re talking about a woman.” He looked her up and down. “How do you feel?”
“Like I’ll survive.”
“Good. Drop the crutches and I’ll carry you.”
“AJ, I have to do this for myself,” she replied even though she wasn’t at all sure how to make that happen.
“Have you always been this stubborn?”
“What do you think?” She put the crutches in one hand, grabbed the stair rail and hopped down the step on her good leg. AJ backed down the stairs one at a time, staying directly in front of her in case she fell. Half way down she had to pause and rest.
“According to Wilma, you were one very opinionated little girl who’s grown into an over-achieving determined woman.”
“How long have you been up that you have my whole life history by now?” She took another hop, wobbled, and AJ grabbed her at the waist. His hands were warm and strong and her leg felt weak for an entirely different reason.
“I just visited with her at breakfast, which you missed by the way.”
“I suppose she made you an omelet?”
“Eggs Benedict.” He grinned. “I think she likes me. Too bad she’s married to George. I’d steal her in a heartbeat just for her cooking.”
Chanti laughed at his silly comments, feeling more like herself. She hopped down the last two stairs. “I think I’m going to have to sleep on the couch. Coming down those stairs wasn’t anything like it will be going back up.”
“Sweet pea, all you have to do is ask and I’ll carry you all over this house.” AJ made the suggestive remarks in his low sexy drawl.
“Would you quit it with the nicknames? You're as bad as Charlie.” Even though she groused at him, his comment made her all warm and tingly inside. She wouldn’t mind him carrying her, if it were for a reason other than a bum leg.
She situated the crutches and headed for the kitchen, suddenly starved. She didn’t recall eating much of anything in the hospital. As she walked past the front windows she glanced outside to find a landscape of white. AJ’s red truck was mounded high with snow, too, the sides the only part visible.
“Wow, we got dumped on, didn’t we?”
“The weather reports indicate the roads are blocked. There are some areas in the city without power, but George says that never happens here. Looks like we’re stuck for awhile.”
“What day is it, anyway? I’ve completely lost track of time.” She waited as AJ pushed open the swinging door to the kitchen, then followed him through.
“Friday.” He held a chair out for her to sit down, then helped her position her bum leg on another one.
“Damn, between the accident and now the snow, how am I going to get the party finished?”
Wilma tsked as she came and set a mug of coffee and toast in front of Chanti. “I keep telling her she works too hard, not that I wanted an accident to be what slowed her down.”
AJ nodded, compl
etely ignoring her as he talked to her housekeeper. “I know what you mean. She has no excuse now because she has no car, the snow has the roads blocked, and I’m here.”
Chanti raised a brow. “You’re not the boss of me. In fact, it’s the other way around.”
He shook his head. “Not any more. Annie and Jake can handle things at the office and they’ll bring you up to date when they arrive on Monday because I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
The way he growled the last part of the sentence reminded Chanti of what the police officer said before they started giving her drugs. “AJ, why would anyone want to cut the brake lines of my car?”
He sat down opposite her and accepted another cup of coffee from Wilma. “I talked to the police this morning and their report is finished. Definitely a tampering job, but they have nothing to tie it to anyone. You have any enemies?”
She had to laugh. “I’m in the cosmetics business, not nuclear weapons or technology. While I’ll admit it can sometimes be competitive, it’s usually cat fights among the models.”
“Well, I’ve got some feelers out, so we’ll find something out before long. In the meantime, the doctor said you were to rest and relax.”
And that’s what Chanti did. AJ started the gas fireplace and she settled on the couch, a warm afghan over her legs and pillows propped behind her head and under her leg.
“George and I are going to get the plow hooked up to the front of the lawn tractor and see if we can make headway now that the snow’s stopped,” he told her.
“AJ, don’t let George do too much. I keep asking them to get help, but they’re stubborn.”
He bent down to kiss her on the forehead. “Wonder where they get that from.”
* * *
By Saturday morning, Chanti managed to get dressed without help and she hobbled around the house without the crutches. Her knee was still tender and she left the brace on, but she wasn’t in any pain. Wilma helped wash her hair and replaced the bandage on her forehead with a smaller one. The roads had been cleared, the weather channel said power had been restored to the greater Chicago area, and things appeared to be back to normal.
If Wishes Were Magic Page 10
