Chapter Six
Will's explanation to Aurora about the family he and Nancy planned unleashed harsh memories. The pain of Nancy's miscarriages, the blow of learning she had cancer, her terrible illness, and her death once again invaded his thoughts. He bore the loss with anguish, even though able now to view it as somehow outside himself.
What would his life have been if those babies had been born instead of miscarried, if Nancy hadn't died? Damn, damn, damn! Why did she have to die? Such a good, gentle woman. All she ever wanted was to be a good wife and mother. She thought only of others, even when near death.
He imagined himself and Nancy with the house full of the children they had planned, and then directed his anger at himself. Speculation on what might have been proved pointless. He must deal with today--the reality of life as it was now, not as it might have been. He must go forward.
Would there ever come a time when he could remember the past without so much pain? He doubted it. He doubted it very much.
At least he had Kelly, little Kelly Marie. What a treasure, what a joy. And now he had met Aurora--how could he convince her he wasn't like that guy who used and ditched her? Could he lose this feeling of unfaithfulness to Nancy in showing interest in Aurora? Maybe he moved too fast, but he knew no other way to react. That's the way he operated his life--open and direct.
Aurora sure acted skittish, though. Each time he thought he reached her, she retreated back into her shell. Here he lay, stuck with this damn cast, no way to woo a woman. Some impression he made tottering along--hardly the dashing hero! Damned if he didn’t plan to give it his best shot.
Will conceded Kelly and Lori Beth and Lily were right. He needed someone else in his life, and he believed Aurora could be that someone. He wondered if she were attracted to him. At times he thought he saw sparks of interest in her eyes. During those times he thought she might feel some attraction to him as a person and not just as a man. Did she like kids? His missed night's sleep caught up with him and his eyes fluttered closed.
Will awoke with a start and realized it was almost time for dinner. He sat up and frowned. Something seemed wrong, and it took a few seconds to realize it was the total quiet. The rain had stopped and the generator must have run out of fuel and stopped also. Cursing to himself, Will wondered why Lily hadn't called him.
The sight through the glass as he passed through the family room caused him to stop and stare. A rope tied to the support posts of the covered patio hung heavy with clothing. More lay on all the porch furniture. In the process of gathering the clothes to move them into the kitchen, Lily stopped when she saw him.
"The air is so humid that even with the wind most of these aren't dry, but now it's time to start supper. You'll have to let Aurora use one of your shirts as a jacket. I'm moving these to the kitchen and laundry room."
"I have to see what's wrong with the generator. It's probably just out of gas." Will turned toward the garage door.
In a matter of minutes he refueled and restarted the gasoline-powered generator. With only enough fuel left for about ten to twelve more hours, he hoped the electricity would be restored soon.
When he first broke his leg, Will's Aunt Rose gave him a couple of large plastic-lined canvas shopping bags with handles to slip over his hands for use with his crutches. He used them now to carry some of the dinner supplies to the patio. Lily helped also and they had dinner almost ready when Aurora came onto the patio.
She had added slacks and replaced her nightwear with a soft knit shirt. Her feet snuggled once again in her canvas shoes. She had brushed her hair until it glowed--except for the area of the lump on her head, which had tangles and made a strange contrast to her otherwise neat appearance.
"I didn't mean to fall asleep, but I must have slept for a long time. Am I too late to help?" Aurora’s eyes were puffy from sleep and the imprint of a wrinkle in her pillow case made a soft crease in her cheek.
Will beamed at her. She was perfect. He knew he grinned like a sappy schoolboy with a crush but had ceased to care. "Your timing is perfect, especially if you're hungry. I’m just about to add the steaks to the grill. The potatoes and corn on the cob are baking. Lily has everything else ready."
Lily disappeared into the house and reappeared carrying a lantern like the one in the bedroom. She placed it on the table and laid a box of matches beside it but didn't light the lantern. She peered around thoughtfully.
"I think here everything is bueno. If you can't think of anything else for me to do, I'll go home. I'll be back before church mañana to help you, Aurora, unless you need me before then."
"Thank you for washing my clothes, Lily. That's a big relief to me. I don't know if I'll ever find my car with the rest of my things in it. They'll probably be ruined even if I do. These few things may be all I saved."
"Ha, you're not going to like what happened to that linen suit, I can tell you. I think it's ruined, but maybe the dry cleaner can fix it. Also, there's a silk blouse that might not be all right--I think it must be the one that goes with the suit. Other things will be stiff from air drying, but will be fine." She patted a shirt laid over a chair back. "I put this flannel shirt of Will's here for you. Even in May a rainy evening can be cool."
"Thanks, I appreciate your help, especially since it's your day off," Aurora said.
"Well, good night, then. Will, you remember what I said," Lily gave him a telling glare and left them.
The sky blazed with brilliant pinks, oranges, and reds. Great masses of purple clouds streaked across the sun as it neared the horizon and dusk gathered around them. Colors reflected on the western-facing bluffs before them, as if the sunset merged into the land below it. Other bluffs shaded dark blue and purple as they hid from the sun.
The cool, moist breeze slid against her skin. She inhaled deeply and took delight in the freshness of the air as she watched nature’s spectacular display unfold. So great was her delight in the beautiful sunset that, for once, she forgot to concentrate on what she ate.
When she finished her meal, she leaned back in her chair, savoring the beauty of the evening. "This is the most beautiful sunset I've ever seen." Aurora relaxed in her chair. The fading light softened the contours of the land, blending colors like a master artist.
"You can't get a sunset like this in the city. I planned it just for you, fair maiden." Gratified that she shared his appreciation of the beauty of his domain, Will took great pleasure in Aurora's company on such a beautiful evening.
She inclined her head in a mock curtsy. "Well, thank you, kind sir. How very thoughtful of you. You're right. The sunsets here are much nicer than in the city. I'll bet the stars are, too." Aurora stood and stacked his plate on hers. "Now, for the serious stuff, like what's for dessert?
"There's ice cream surprise," Will said innocently.
She tilted her head and frowned. "What's ice cream surprise?"
"Ahh, I'm surprised you fell for that old line. The surprise is that there's only ice cream. My culinary talents don't run much to desserts and Lily was busy." He ducked the napkin she threw at him.
"I should have seen that coming. Since you fixed dinner, let me bring out the ice cream." Aurora hoped to save Will an unnecessary trip on crutches, even just to the adjacent kitchen.
She added the cutlery to their plates to take with her as she went into the kitchen. Aurora found the freezer packed with food. No wonder he keeps an emergency generator, she thought. Otherwise, all this food would have spoiled. I wonder how long and how often the power fails here?
Barely enough light remained to allow her to scoop ice cream into dishes and return to the patio. Will lighted the table lantern as she reappeared. Traces of the spectacular sunset faded and night gently enveloped them.
They ate the ice cream in comfortable silence until Aurora issued a great sigh. "Now I'm full. That was a wonderful meal."
Genuinely amazed, he asked. "Aurora, how do you stay so thin? You eat like a field hand."
"That's something I
get from my grandmother Aurora. I have this really high metabolism, you see, and I never gain any weight. My family teases me about it but I hope my luck continues, because I'm almost always hungry!"
Will stood and grappled for his crutches, "Let's sit on the swing again until you need to go inside."
Aurora stacked some of the remaining dishes before Will placed his hand on her arm, "Come on, that can wait. There aren't many nights like this to enjoy. Remember--you were going to take time to stop and smell the roses?"
She smiled and moved toward the swing at the other end of the patio. "You're right. It's a beautiful night, one of the most beautiful I can remember. Oh, Will, is that a firefly?"
He followed her to the swing. "Yes, the storm must truly be over. The crickets and fireflies are out. Fireflies are all around the trees by the creek every spring and summer and some make their way near the house."
Shyness enveloped her, as if she were a teenager on a date with a new beau. He sat beside her and put his arm along the back of the swing behind her again as he had earlier in the day. He wasn’t really hugging her, but close enough for her to be aware that it was there. As if she were likely to forget his presence.
She sighed again, replete with the food and the pleasure of the beautiful evening. "It's been years since I've seen a firefly. I thought maybe they'd disappeared because of all the pesticides and pollution."
"They have in some areas, but we have them here all spring and summer. I used to catch them in a jar until I got old enough to realize that killed them."
He gestured to indicate the trees by the creek. "On some nights in summer the trees are so full of fireflies that it looks as if there are twinkling lights in the trees. Kelly calls them fairy lights."
"This is a wonderful place for your daughter to grow up, isn't it?" Aurora fought the impulse to snuggle up to the fascinating man beside her, gave up, and rested her head on his shoulder. She had fallen under some magic spell with no control of her own will.
Will dropped a kiss on her hair and took her hand in his as he answered, "Yes. Of course, we do have some crime, as you certainly found out. All in all, though, I think it's a more wholesome life than we'd have in any city."
He gently folded her to him. "Even with inconveniences like losing lights and telephones during storms, I think we're way ahead on the quality of life as a whole compared to a large urban area. We have access to cultural events and shopping in nearby cities without having to live with the congestion every day."
"Mm, This is so peaceful. Houston seems light years away."
There was caution in his voice as he warned, "It is light years away, Aurora. This is a very different life and not everyone can adjust to it." He flashed her a mischievous grin and added, "I think it's much nicer than Durango. I don't remember any fireflies in Durango."
Startled, she asked, "When were you there last?"
He chuckled. "I went skiing near there over Thanksgiving with some friends from church. We didn't see even one firefly."
Aurora glared at him, "Will Harrison, you should be ashamed. That's hardly a fair comparison."
A particularly hardy specimen of firefly came near. Aurora held her breath as she watched it dart about. When at last it fluttered out of sight, she sighed. "I think I could stay here and look at the fireflies and listen to the night sounds forever, but believe it or not, I'm getting sleepy."
Will glanced at the luminous dial of his watch. "Right, I'll put the supper stuff in the kitchen. Lily said she would be very angry if she doesn't find them dirty in the morning."
"Okay, but it seems unfair. I'll at least carry them in and put them in water to soak."
"You carry the lantern, Aurora. I'm afraid I'll drop it or spill the oil even with these carryall bags Aunt Rose gave me."
"She's the one who gave you the pajamas?"
Will smiled, "Yes, she lives in Post. She's my mother's older sister. She never married and treats me as if I were her son.
"Obviously, she's spoiled you," she said with a mischievous grin. "Doesn't your sister mind?"
He paused for a moment as if the idea were new to him. "No, she doesn't seem to mind in the least. We're a pretty uncomplicated family."
Aurora thought of her family and grew wistful. "That's nice, Will." Although her parents and two brothers were very special people, she wasn't blind to the faults of her large extended family. She tried to remain separate from the bickering and infighting among her aunts, uncles and cousins on her mother's side. One group seemed always mad at one or another of the other groups. Fortunately, Aurora's parents remained adept at maintaining neutrality among all the pettiness.
Will asked, "Is this Grandmother Aurora alive?"
"Oh, yes, and very active. She's eight-five and drives her car to church, bridge games, and garden club."
"And she's in Port Arthur near your parents?"
"Yes, she's a real sweetheart. I think I'm her favorite, too. She tries to be impartial, but I'm the only one of her descendants named for her, you see." She paused, her head tilted to one side. "But then, you said one Aurora was enough."
"One is perfect for me," Will said so quietly Aurora wasn't certain she heard him correctly.
The remains of dinner were soon cleared from the patio and the leftover food securely put away. Aurora dried her hands on the kitchen towel. "I think I'll get ready for bed now."
"Good idea. I'll check the generator one more time. It'll run out of gas before morning if I leave it running and we won't have water for breakfast. I'll stop it for now, then restart it if I wake during the night."
Aurora hurried to get out of her slacks and back into her nightshirt. She knew she should insist on moving to one of the guest bedrooms, but hadn't found the will or the words to broach the subject to Will. He seemed so nice, if only she could trust her feelings toward him. If only she could trust his feelings toward her.
Even though she now viewed the breakup with Russell from a new perspective, the pain associated with that broken engagement remained too fresh in her memory to allow her confidence in her judgement of men. In addition, the feelings Will harbored for his late wife were too obvious for Aurora to have any confidence in her power to attract him permanently. She definitely did not want to be anyone's experimental fling or merely a substitute for another woman.
Quickly, she finished her bedtime preparations and slid into bed, her mind filled with misgivings. Thoughts of sharing a bed with Will increased these misgivings. After all, she theorized to herself, this is a big bed, and we are rational adults. Well, she tried to be rational.
Will came in and undressed. This time, she looked the other way until the mattress sagged against his body’s weight.
With great solemnity, she turned toward Will. The light of the lantern revealed him propped on his elbow gazing at her from those beautiful stone gray eyes.
He held out his hand to her, and she twined her hand in his. "I'm trying to remember you're injured and a guest in my home, but you're so beautiful, Aurora." He lowered his head and kissed her softly. "How have I survived without you?"
She answered as he continued to gaze at her. "Will, I must be crazy. You aren't in my plans at all. I seem to lose all sense of reason when I'm near you. I've tried to remember my rule of no personal involvement, but I keep forgetting when you're near."
"What if I hadn't found you again? I don't want to lose you now. I don't think I could bear it." His mouth claimed hers and Will kissed her softly. When he raised his head to end the kiss, his eyes glowed dark with passion.
Aurora touched his cheek gently. "Will, you know I can't stay here."
"Yeah, but it’s not what I want to hear. I've already called my Aunt Rose. She wants you to stay with her, and I think the two of you will really like each other. I intend to do the honorable thing and get you out of my clutches before I lose total control of my libido." He captured her hand and held it to his mouth, kissing the palm.
Fighting to concentrate as he kissed ea
ch finger, she confessed, "You may have noticed that I seem to be having a little trouble with my libido, too."
It was impossible to think clearly with him touching her. She gently pulled her hand away from him. "Will, do you think I can find a job of some sort in Post? If I don't stay busy, I'll never be able to keep myself from trying to seduce you, cowboy."
"Mm, now that's a mighty pleasing thought, ma'am. However, Aunt Rose is checking with her friends to see if there's a temporary job nearby. I asked Lori Beth and Tommy Joe to check with their friends tomorrow also. Aunt Rose will probably have more luck. She has an incredible good-old-gal network."
Why did she even try? She could not keep her hands off him. Having him in contact with her reassured her in a way that surprised her. Her--the one who vowed no man would ever be necessary to her security. She took his large hand in hers. "Do you think I'll be able to go there tomorrow?"
"If the roads are open, which I believe they will be. First, though, I'll take you to see Nick in Snyder. Unless the x-rays show some reason to keep you in the hospital there, we'll come back here for your things before we go to Aunt Rose's in Post."
A frown creased the brow he grew fonder of each moment. "I wouldn't want any gossip started about me being here that would embarrass you or Kelly. Believe me, I know how easily gossip spreads and how much it can hurt."
Will brushed a strand of hair from her face. "I'll talk to Kelly. This is a small community and gossip travels even faster than in Houston. Someone is bound to figure out we've been alone together all weekend and make something of it in spite of your injuries and the fact that Lily came over. I hope it won't upset you, but you may as well prepare yourself."
"I seem to have created a lot of problems for you and your family. I'm sorry, Will. I never meant to complicate your life."
"I can take a lot of this kind of complication." He lay back on the pillow and sighed. "Go to sleep now, before I lose control and start making love to you."
No more nightmares plagued her like those of the night before, but she slept fitfully the first few hours before dropping into a sound sleep. When she awoke the next day, the sun shone through the window. She turned her head and saw Will slept soundly.
Be My Guest Page 9
