WindSwept Narrows: #4 Alice Branch

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  “Alice…” Nick’s head dropped, his eyes closed. “Why is it so difficult for you to wait for me to get home?”

  “I know how to move furniture, Nick. My mother taught me to walk furniture so one person could manage things,” she said carefully. “I am an adult, you know.”

  “Hmm…and that’s why you’re cowering beneath the desk…” He knew that had her immediately, watching her shoulders go back and that irrepressible stubborn streak showing itself as she came out and stood up with a wince.

  “I do not cower, sir,” she informed him, backing up only slightly when he stepped forward, caging her against him and the desk.

  “Hmm…I see some interesting possibilities here,” he murmured huskily, his palm wrapped around her leg and lifting it to his waist. His mouth covered hers in a long, slow kiss. “Hi, honey…I’m home…” He felt her body relax, but only for a moment.

  “Nick!” Alice quickly untangled herself and straightened her shirt, ignoring his laughter. “Help me put this…over there…please…”

  “Get that end and guide us, Alice,” He said with a shake of his head. Gazing around and imagining their new family room.

  “Dinner is about fifteen minutes…can you show me the things you have in the garage?” Alice asked, stepping up to him with a welcome home kiss. “Hi…” His palms naturally came up and pulled her close, their kiss stretching out, soft and warm.

  “Let me change…the key to the garage is in the…” he turned and looked at the desk, one eyebrow up. “Top desk drawer…”

  “No problem,” she ran down the stairs and lifted the drawer with a bright smile. “Got it!” Alice lifted Matthew’s palm. “Let’s go peek around in the garage.”

  “Okey-dokey…”

  Alice was in the process of tugging a large book shelf around some other furniture when she felt a pair of very tight hands at her waist. A startled yelp left her lips and she released the bookcase, cleared her throat and stepped out of the way.

  “I shall get some cleaner and a towel…those two shelves will be perfect in the family room.”

  “Do I get a shelf for my books?” Matthew asked, sitting on the porch and watching the adults.

  “Of course you do!” Alice told him. “I know exactly what we need for your books. We’ll stop at the hobby store on the way home tomorrow,” she promised continuing into the kitchen and returning in a few minutes. “What’s up there?” She pointed to the windows above the garage.

  “A very large two bedroom apartment. Above a three car garage…nice and roomy. I just finished cleaning the junk out of it a couple weeks back,” Nick said in between moving the tall shelf. “Show me where you want this thing, Alice, ‘cause once it’s in place, it ain’t moving again,” he vowed breathlessly.

  An hour after dinner, Nick stood in the middle of the unfinished room with a very satisfied nod. It was going to be a warm, comfortable place to be. Matthew was already designing his corner; two bookshelves had been moved, two desks were in place and a large stand for a TV made it almost finished.

  He stood leaning on the strong railing atop the kitchen, watching Alice lay on the floor giggling and reading with Matthew.

  Each morning and every afternoon, he still listened to the voice in the back of his mind telling him he was in the middle of a dream. Or wandering down a long, long path in Wonderland.

  Chapter Ten

  Alice had Matthew working on his breakfast when Nick came out of the back, tie hanging free just as her phone chimed. She looked at the readout, the expression on her face making Nick freeze in his tracks.

  “Hello, Mum…oh it’s a beautiful fall morning here…” Alice listened, her eyes widening and then glaring. But her voice was as sweet as ever. “He did? Photos of us at the park…and the market…yes, yes, it’s a most incredible market…yes, he is an amazing man…sweet and kind…and…yes…no…mum, I promise not to kill him,” silver grey eyes rolled toward the ceiling, struggling between watching Nick’s facial expressions and the words from her mother. “I told him not to…yes, I know…he was concerned that you were upset…I most certainly will…no, of course he wasn’t a secret, mum! I…I was simply waiting for the proper moment to tell you…oh…over holiday break? He did…that was so sweet of him…” Her voice went up a few notches. “I…of course…I can’t wait, either…love to dad…bye…”

  Nick wondered how long he should count before approaching when her eyes were closed and knuckles turning white around the slim phone.

  “I would offer an explanation…”

  “All finished, Matthew?” Alice opened her eyes, let the phone fall into the pocket of her jacket and quickly cleaned up the counter and the little boy’s face. “We should be going.”

  “Alice…” Nick called when she went straight to the front door. She turned and looked at him, his finger tapping lightly on his lips. “You…made the rule,” he walked up to her, his hands on her face for the long, soft kiss. “Have a great day, Alice. You too, kid.” Nick kissed Matthew on the cheek and winked at him, something that always had the little boy trying to return, only both eyes wouldn’t co-operate and he ended up giggling.

  Alice leaned her head against Matthew’s, her lips moving quietly.

  Little fingers lifted as he laid his head on her shoulder. “Bye, Daddy…I love you.”

  Nick felt his heart stop, his smile crooked and his fingers up with an easy wave. “I love you, too.”

  Nick finished fixing his tie on the way to the car, his phone out and searching while he buckled the seatbelt.

  “I’m nefarious, under-handed and incorrigible…which should always be used to your advantage,” He thought as he pulled into the parking garage across from his office, making a stop in the floral shop a couple doors down. He looked through the shop, his hands gesturing. A nod offered when he was shown a vase and he paid, leaving the shop whistling even as rain drops began to fall.

  Alice pulled the small hand written card from the flowers.

  “To my own sweet Alice who brought me to Wonderland…Nick.”

  Patty approached Alice’s desk with her mouth open.

  “Girlfriend! You either had a really good time,” she circled the huge bouquet in the large crystal vase. “Or someone is doin’ some serious butt kissing…”

  Alice sighed, her head shaking slowly. “Nick…and I think it’s a little of both.”

  “You gotta forgive him after this…what’d he do?” She sat at her desk, opening the mail.

  “He’s not sorry for what he did…and…” Alice let out a low growl. “I told you about his mother…Nick says I could be a saint and it wouldn’t be good enough for his mother. He…emailed my parents…apologizing…and sent them pictures of our Sunday at the park and the market…”

  “Awww…girl, he’s a keeper…”

  “Yes, it was most sweet of him…problem is, I hadn’t quite gotten around to telling my parents about him…and now he’s invited them for holidays…” Alice leaned back in her chair, pulling her phone out. “I’m not angry with him…I suppose I should thank him…”

  “Your flowers arrived and they’re beautiful. Thank you.”

  “Wow!” Matthew stared at the huge bouquet buckled into the front seat of the car. “We got a garden.”

  “We got a garden,” Alice agreed with a laugh. “Your daddy is…a wonderful man,” She sighed and buckled him into the car seat. “Let’s go home…”

  She released Matthew at the front door, pushing it wide and sending him to the bathroom while she unloaded the flowers and their bags from the day. The oven was warming, potatoes baking and pork chops coated and ready to cook when the bell sounded on the door.

  Matthew looked up from the page he was coloring, dark eyes following Alice to the door. “Gran’pa!” He was up and across the room, a little cautious until he realized his grandfather was alone.

  “Darren…” Alice didn’t want to but she had to look behind him.

  “It’s just me, Alice,” he said to t
he unasked question, relief in her eyes at his statement.

  “I…please…come in…Nick isn’t home yet…but you’re always welcome here,” she told him, drying her hands on the seat of her jeans. “Something to drink? We have juice and iced tea…”

  “Some tea would be really good,” he scooped Matthew up with a big bear hug. “You’re getting big…”

  “Alice makes really good food,” he said with a grin.

  “It smells nice in here, Alice,” Darren set the little boy down, ruffling his hair as he wandered off to play. “I think my son and grandson have needed you for a long time,” he said with a smile, sitting on one of the high stools and taking a drink of the tea she slid to him.

  “I think it might be mutual, Darren. Nick is…an amazing guy…”

  “Nice flowers…what’d he do?” Darren laughed at the flushed cheeks. “I’m a guy, Alice…I know an apology when I see one.”

  “Then you know your son is too convinced he’s right to apologize,” Alice said with a laugh. “Will you stay for dinner? We have extra…I love cooking…and this is such a wonderful kitchen. Baked potatoes, pork chops and salad…I’m sure Nick would love to spend some time with you…oh, and I made squash with brown sugar and fresh cranberries…”

  “You’re very persuasive, Alice and it does smell good. I haven’t had a meal like that in ages,” he studied the glass in his hands. “I’ve filed for divorce, Alice.”

  “Oh…I…I’m sorry,” she said quietly, uncertain how to proceed.

  “It should have happened a long time ago,” he shook his head slowly, the elegant grey streaks at his temples raked back with one hand. “I don’t think we’ve been a couple for over a dozen years now. The funny thing is…I think she’s relieved it’s finally done.”

  “Nick mentioned the other day that he never understood why…I know he loves his mother…”

  “She’s a damn difficult woman to love, Alice. Watching you and Nick together on Saturday…that’s how it should be…till you die…if there isn’t laughter and…and love and fun,” he drained the glass. “I’ve tried to get her to see someone. Talk to people…she’s buried herself in her students and economics and reality. I’m a little tired of reality, to tell you the truth.”

  “It’s always sad when…something you had such hope for is over,” Alice said with a sigh. “I’ll set another place…we have a spare room, Darren.”

  “I’ve been living in the guest room for over ten years, Alice,” he said with a dry laugh.

  “Darren…” Alice looked at him seriously. “Why don’t you take the apartment above the garage? I was looking around up there yesterday…it needs a solid cleaning, but it’s really nice. Very modern. I think they renovated it before Nick bought the house.”

  “Alice, that’s very kind of you…”

  “I’m serious. I know Nick would love to spend more time with you, and I know it would be wonderful for Matthew. There’s room in the garage for your car, we always park in the carport to be closer to the house,” Alice rushed on enthusiastically. “And it would be fun to have you dine with us. I always cook too much…”

  Nick drove slowly along the dead end street to the house, a groan breaking from his lips. “Just one day this week…just one day of bland…” He shook his head at the sight of the familiar car. “This definitely can’t be good…” The car door slammed behind him, fingers up and pulling the knot from his tie.

  He dropped his keys on the table by the door, automatically accepting the little boy in his arms. “Hey, kid…how was the new play care place? Dad…” He glanced around curiously. “Nice to see you…”

  Alice walked up to him, her palms on his face, her kiss offered warmly. “Hi…go for a walk with your dad…seriously…he needs to talk to you,” she took Matthew and went into the back of the house.

  “I know I raised a damn smart guy…don’t ever let her get away,” Darren told his son quietly.

  “I’m doing my damnedest, trust me,” Nick tossed his suit jacket to the chair, slowly rolling his sleeves up. “Walk? It’s a great afternoon…”

  “Yeah…it is nice out…confusing the hell out of the plants,” he remarked casually as they stepped onto the deck.

  “What’s wrong, dad?” Nick shoved his hands in his slacks, watching his father pick up a rock and toss it now and then.

  “I’ve filed for divorce, Nick. I already talked to Delia…she wasn’t surprised,” he said with a sigh. “It should have happened a long time ago. I’m just so damned tired of…of reality…and tiptoeing around my life.”

  “I’m not surprised, either…Delia and me always wondered why you stayed. We figured it was us…” Nick said sadly. “She’s not an easy mom to love…”

  “I’ve tried talking to her…tried getting her to see someone…it’s too short a life to be so unhappy about everything,” he shook his head.

  “Did you know she sent an email to Alice’s parents?” He saw the look on his father’s face. “Guess you didn’t…”

  “The flowers?” Darren guessed, one brow up.

  Nick offered a slight shrug. “She told me not to, but…I felt somehow responsible…”

  Darren laughed aloud. “You tell her not to, and she does….she tells you not to, and you do…”

  Nick’s laughter joined his. “Yeah…pretty much that’s how it goes…”

  “Alice offered me the apartment above your garage, Nick,” Darren watched his son’s face, surprise when their eyes met.

  “I…it’s empty…” Nick’s mind raced, his head shaking slowly. “And it’s not a bad idea at all. Why not?”

  “Nick…you and Alice are starting a new…”

  “Dad…I have a three year old,” Nick said dryly. “You might even take him off now and then…”

  “Some alone time for you and Alice?”

  “I’m not even having a sex talk with you at this age in my life…it’s bad enough thinking about having it with Matt…”

  “He’s only three!” Darren Hunter said with a laugh.

  “Evidently one of his daycare friends like to shed her clothes…” Nick relayed. “And Matt just can’t figure out how she pees…”

  The deep, genuine amusement in his laugh was something Nick hadn’t heard from his father in ages. “You know…I’ve often wondered that myself.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Alice looked out the patio door to hear them both laughing as they wandered back to the deck. She finished putting things onto the table.

  “Run tell your dad and gran’pa that dinner is ready,” Alice opened the patio screen and sent Matthew free.

  Several hours later, Alice was tucking Matthew down while Nick went to the front to see his father off. It had been a fun evening, listening to stories from Darren about what Nick was like as a boy. She loved the tint of red that struck his cheeks, a smile on her lips as she prepared for bed, sliding beneath the quilt and staring into the cool rain falling outside. She listened while Nick checked the locks and peeked in on Matthew. The little boy had so much fun playing with gran’pa that he wore himself out, falling asleep on the floor with his toys.

  Nick slid beneath the quilt, his palm on her waist and tugging her to her back. He moved closer, leaning up on his elbow at her side.

  “Hi…”

  “Hi…I think your dad had a good time tonight,” she said quietly, noticing that the door was actually closed. She looked toward the baby monitor they had set up incase Matthew needed them in the night.

  “I think…I can’t remember the last time I saw him so relaxed and laughing,” Nick told her with a long sigh, his mouth brushing hers. “Thank you.”

  “Is he going to accept the apartment?”

  “I think so…the idea of spending time with Matt…and your cooking,” Nick winked at her. “Yeah…we’re going to move some stuff on Saturday.”

  Alice shivered when his palm left its place at her waist, sliding possessively beneath her top and around her breast. He let his finger draw s
low, lazy circles around her nipple until it was standing up, hard and demanding. They fell together like slow falling leaves, meeting and drifting on the winds with mounting passion and need.

  ****

  “So explain to me once more why we’re ferrying you to the costume ball?”

  “’cause Alice wants to drive me nuts,” Nick declared flatly, accepting the laughter from Gabe.

  “We’re girls…it’s our job,” Isabel assured him with a grin.

  “Costumes…and you are?” Nick looked at the bright red dress on Isabel.

  “The infamous red dahlia…and consort,” she said with a smile. “The nineteen twenties had interesting clothing. And yours?”

  “Went with simple Victorian England thing…the pants are a bit on the snug side…you have a clue what Alice is tonight? She told me to follow the clues,” Nick said with a growl.

  “Victorian England fits Alice tonight,” Isabel said with a knowing nod. “She gave you clues. What were they?”

  “Robin’s egg blue…and white…I’m sure she threw the other clue in just to make me nuts,” Nick remarked, pulling a small box from his pocket. “Not sure what this is…” He opened the box and took out a small bottle labeled ‘Drink me’. He groaned aloud. “Christ…how could I be so stupid…now I know she threw the other damn clue in to make my mind not function.”

  Isabel laughed gaily. “What was the misdirection?”

  “Blue garter and white silk stockings,” he glared at the bark of laughter from Gabe.

  “Girls…I’m telling you…evil little creatures…” Gabe lifted Isabel’s palm in his. “And we fall for it over and over again.”

  “Evil and smart…we don’t stand a chance,” Nick declared. “Thanks for the lift…now I know what I’m searching for…”

  Alice wandered through the massive collection of rooms, admiring the costumes while glancing at her watch. She was keeping an eye on Jane and Damian, looking for Nick and fluffing the full skirt she was wearing that fell just past her knees. The blue bow tied around her head helped toward the innocent Alice she was projecting, all the way down to the simple flat shoes. Her hands smoothed over the white pinafore, taking a little cake out of the pocket and nibbling thoughtfully.