Revelation of Hearts (Stacey and Shane Mcleod, #3)

by Rikki Dyson

  Shane kissed his son and then Stacey and asked, “What smells so good?”

  “I made you an omelet and toast,” Stacey said as she took the food from the oven where she was keeping it warm. Shane poured himself a beaker of coffee and sat down at the table. He waited for Stacey to say something about yesterday, but she didn’t. Nicky started squirming to get down so Shane took him from the highchair and sat him in his lap. Stacey stood by the kitchen sink with a cup of coffee in her hand watching Shane and wondering what his reaction would be when she told him she wanted to take the children and go ho.., go to the ranch for a couple of weeks or so.

  Shane finished his breakfast, handed Nicky to Stacey and kissed them both good-bye. At the hospital, Shane had a thirty-minute break. He called Hugh and made a lunch date. They were sitting in the cafeteria talking when Shane said, “I think I’ve made a great blunder with Stacey by not confiding in her about Natalie. I tried to explain last night but I lost my temper and made matters worse.”

  “What did she say this morning?” Hugh asked.

  “Not one bloody word about it. She was friendly, but aloof at the same time. I thought after the Miranda fiasco our lives would be smooth sailing.”

  “Sorry mate, I wish I could help. I’ll have a little chat with Annie, maybe she can shine a little light on this.”

  At the penthouse, George was pondering whether to mention to Miles about Mrs. McLeod stopping by or not. She had not asked about him personally, but still he would want to know. It was quite late when Miles returned from his trip to Greece. Miles never slept late in the day no matter what time he returned home. George had his coffee ready and took it to Miles’ bedroom. The drapes were drawn and the room was dark. George sat the tray on the bedside table in easy reach and started to leave. Miles reached over and turned on the lamp and said, “Good goda’ mighty, George, stop tip-toein’ around like a fancy butler. Sit down and have coffee with me.” Miles sat up in bed, propped pillows behind him and motioned for George to pour the coffee. “What’s been going on in my absence?” When George hum-hawed around a bit Miles said, “What the devil’s wrong with you man, this is not like you to be so hesitant.”

  “Yes, sir, I beg your pardon.”

  Miles set his coffee cup down rather hard and asked, “Yes sir and this beg my pardon crap, what the hell is going with you George?”

  “I’m sorry to be so hesitant Miles, but she is such a sweet young woman and she didn’t ask about you personally. She just seemed a little lost yesterday and she misses her home.”

  Miles smiled at George and asked with a bit of sarcasm, “Does this sweet young thing have a name George?”

  “Yes, of course, she does. I’m talking about Mrs. McLeod.”

  “Stacey, Stacey McLeod was here yesterday?” Miles threw the covers back as he bounded out of bed. “What time was she here? Why didn’t you tell me right away? What did she want? Did she ask about me? Get me out something to wear George, while I shower.”

  “Miles, take it easy. You don’t want to go running over there half cocked.”

  While Miles was showering, he had time to think it over. When he came out and was getting dressed he said, “You’re right George, this situation calls for a cool head. Tell me everything she said.”

  “Actually, she didn’t say much other than she came to see the view. I showed her the view from the dining room as well as the living room. She talked about loving this country and its history. We had tea and she mentioned that she misses her brother who died a few months ago and her home in America. She looked at her watch, thanked me for the tea and said she had to hurry and pick up her children. I’m sorry Miles, but she didn’t mention you. I had the feeling that something had upset her and she was trying to deal with it.”

  It was early afternoon and Stacey had just put the children down for their nap when the doorbell rang. She looked through the spy hole and there stood Miles Strayhorn. With a cordial smile on her face she opened the door and greeted him warmly, “Hello Miles, I was just thinking about you. If I was a superstitious person, I would think I had conjured you up. Do come in, please.”

  Miles could not keep his pulse from racing. This beautiful young woman had effected him that way from the first time they met in a shared taxi. “Good afternoon, Stacey. Is Shane home by any chance?”

  “No, I’m sorry, he isn’t. He and Hugh are at the club playing golf. I was just about to have a cup of coffee, would you care to join me.” Stacey smiled at Miles as she led the way to the kitchen. “I hope you don’t mind having coffee in the kitchen. I have the kids monitor in here so I will hear them if they need me.”

  Miles smiled but his thoughts were, I wish you had a monitor so you would know how much I need and want you. Instead, he said, “Not at all, Stacey. I prefer the kitchen, it’s more homey and relaxed.”

  As Stacey put two cups on the table and poured the coffee. Miles looked around and remarked, “To have three little ones around you certainly keep your home immaculate.”

  Stacey laughed and said, “I’m sorry to say I can’t take credit for that. Mrs. Wyatt comes five mornings a week and keeps us navigable.”

  “Speaking of navigating,” Miles said. “George told me that you stopped by the flat yesterday. I’m sorry that I missed you. Did you enjoy the view?”

  “Yes, I did and I enjoyed talking with Mr. George.”

  Miles threw his head back chortling, “George considers himself a gentleman’s gentleman. I don’t think Mr. enters the equation.” Miles saw the involuntary frown that crossed Stacey’s countenance and quickly said, “To answer your unasked question, no I do not feel that way personally, but George prides himself on his aptitudes. Although, we are a democratic country we British have a different mindset.”

  “Oh, I’m so glad you told me. I would never want to embarrass him in any way.”

  “I don’t think you could, he thinks very highly of you. He enjoyed having tea with you yesterday.” Miles hesitated before saying more, “George said you seemed a little forlorn, that you missed your home in Texas.”

  “Yes, I do. I’m hoping to go home for a visit soon. It will be good for the kids too. I’m going to talk to Shane about the possibility tonight. Speaking of home, would you like a piece of banana cake to go with your coffee?”

  Stacey got up and cut them both a slice of cake. Miles savored his cake and asked, “From which bakery did you purchase this culinary delight. It’s delicious. I must enlighten George of the location.”

  Stacey was laughing with pride, “Mr. Chen will be pleased to hear your praise, but he doesn’t live here in Britain. Although, he may open a restaurant here someday. He has restaurants in Austin, Houston, Sydney and Hong Kong. They’re called the Blue Dragon.”

  “I understand your father is a rancher and a doctor, so how is it you know so much about this restaurateur, Mr. Chen.”

  Stacey was delighted to tell him about Mr. Chen and to watch the expressions on his face as she related the story of his youth and how he was an intricate part of her life and family. When Stacey finished her narration, Miles was more enthralled with her than ever.

  “Am I to assume you made the cake?”

  “Yes, I did,” Stacey said proudly. “Would you like to take a piece to Mr. George? Oh, jeese, I’m sorry. Can we keep Mr. George between us? I don’t even know his sir name.”

  “Yes, absolutely we can, but he wouldn’t fancy being addressed by his sir name either,” Miles said. “You said you were thinking about me, was it important.”

  “No, not really, I was remembering the tour of your palace in the sky yesterday. The view is quite spectacular.”

  “My palace in the sky. I like that,” Miles said with a smile. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m sorry not to have been there to enjoy it with you. You must come again soon.”

  “Yes, thank you Miles, I would like that, but first I must consult with my husband about an early trip to Texas. Talking with M...with George yesterday helped me to make up
my mind about going home for a few weeks. The bluebonnets are blooming and the wild flowers are ubiquitous at this time of year. The kids will love it. They will be able to run and play and smell the good earth.”

  Stacey heard the girls talking as she put two slices of cake into a container, “I’m sorry to cut this short Miles but the girls are awake.” She smiled and thanked Miles for coming by, then hurried upstairs before the twins woke Nicky.

  Shane arrived home around four o’clock. Nicky was in his playpen and the twins were playing at the kitchen table. Stacey was preparing supper so they could eat early and she would have a chance to talk to Shane about going ho.., to Texas early.

  After supper and the kids were bathed and in bed, Stacey brought Shane a cup of tea and sat down with him. “Shane, I want to take the kids and go to Texas next month. I know you have a two week holiday coming up in July, but I thought it would be nice to spend more than just two weeks on the ranch.”

  Stacey could tell by the expression on Shane’s face that he wasn’t receptive to the idea, then he asked, “Is this a fait accompli; or are we discussing it first?”

  “I’m trying to discuss it with you now. If you have objections tell me what they are and why.”

  “To begin with, there is no way you can handle three little ones on a seven to eight hour flight, or have you already asked your aunt and Richard.”

  “That’s unfair, Shane. I just told you I was discussing it with you now. I was thinking, if we travel at night the kids would sleep most of the way. You will come out in July and help me back with them.”

  “Be honest with me Stacey, is this your way of punishing me for the life I led before we met? If so, I forbid you to leave until I’m free to travel with you. These are my children too and I want them kept safe.”

  “Forbid? You, said forbid? I don’t think I like that word. I’m your wife Shane, not your child, and I resent you inferring I would ever jeopardize our children’s welfare.”

  “I’m quite aware of that Stacey. Forbid was a bad choice of words. What I’m trying to get across to you is, I’m concerned with you traveling all that way with three very young children.”

  Stacey sat watching her husband, wondering what had brought on this argumentative side of him. He had almost always been a placid, unassuming, sweet man. Shane’s accusations and him forbidding her anything, didn’t sit well with her; she remembered how in Scotland he had tried to forbid her to travel to Hawick. Shane watched Stacey as she walked to the French doors and looked out into the darkness. When she turned back, he saw hurt and anger in her eyes. “I think you may have mistaken me for someone else, Shane,” Stacey informed him. “To use the word ‘forbid,’ with me is tantamount to spitting in the wind and I do take umbrage. I will advise you of what I decide to do.” Stacey said as she picked up the cups and took them to the kitchen.

  Shane followed her to the kitchen and said, “Sweetheart, I don’t want you angry with me and I’m not undervaluing your ability, but you know it would be stressful with one child, much less with three. I love you Stacey, please don’t be angry with me.” Shane opened his arms and as always; Stacey walked into the comfort of them.

  After making love, Shane held Stacey in his arms thinking. He knew Stacey was right about the ranch and the children would benefit from the freedom the ranch offered. Shane knew he had to talk to someone and sort out his irrational fears that someday the ranch would lure Stacey back. He decided to talk with his dad since they would be flying up to Edinburgh over the weekend.

  The twins loved flying and Nicky sat kicking his feet in his car seat. Shane took turns letting the girls look out the window of the plane. Stacey had been a little withdrawn since the night of their argument. When they arrived in Edinburgh, Andrew and Elizabeth were there to meet them. The twins ran to greet their grandparents in the terminal. After hugs and kisses, they spent the night at Shane’s parents and the next day drove to Grandmother McLeod’s.

  After lunch, Shane and Andrew went to play golf. During the game, they talked around the problem. In the clubhouse, Shane opened up to his dad. “I hate to admit it Dad, but I have been irascible of late. I tried reparation, but I’m not so sure I have been forgiven. I have kept parts of my former life from Stacey, but as secrets often do, they came to the light of day.”

  “I find it hard to believe that Stacey wouldn’t forgive you for almost anything except being unfaithful. You haven’t been have you son?”

  Shane was appalled that his father would question such a thing, “Absolutely not, Dad. I love Stacey. It is as I said, Stacey inadvertently learned about things that I had chosen not to tell her. Out of my own guilt, I was unfair to her. I sense her pulling away from me and I don’t know how to stop it. Now she wants to take the children and go to the ranch for a few weeks. To tell the truth, I wasn’t too receptive to the trip at this time and logic told me there was no way she could handle three little ones for hours on an airplane. To make matters worse, I forbade her to go.”

  The last thing Shane expected was for his father to chortle a hardy laugh and then said, “So you forbid Stacey to go. I’m sure that went over like a lead balloon. Have you talked to Lora and Richard about them helping her with the little ones?”

  “No, I haven’t, but I did accuse Stacey of plotting with them before I was informed.”

  “I would wager, Stacey had plenty too say about that,” Andrew said with a smile on his face.

  “Right you are, she told me in no uncertain terms, that forbidding her anything was tantamount to spitting in the wind.” Once again, Shane heard amused laughter from his father.

  Back at Grandmother McLeod’s, Stacey was playing with the children in the back garden. Elizabeth brought out lemonade for everyone. The girls had theirs in their sippy cups and Nicky had juice in his.

  Grandmother McLeod, had been watching Stacey with the children. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but she sensed something was bothering Stacey. In a while, the children showed signs of needing their nap. As Stacey and Elizabeth started to take them inside, Grandmother McLeod said, “Stacey, stay and keep me company. Let Elizabeth be a doting grandmother for a while.” Stacey smiled and came to sit beside her. “Are you going to tell me what is bothering you or must I drag it out of you, child.”

  Stacey hugged Grandmother McLeod and said, “Shane and I are in disagreement over my wanting to take the kids to the ranch a few weeks early. He feels I might not be able to handle three little ones on such a long flight. He is adamant, so much so, he forbade me to take them until he was free to go too.”

  “So, when are you and the children leaving?” Grandmother McLeod asked, with a knowing smile.

  “I’m not sure, Shane is right about it being a long trip for the kids. I reasoned, if we traveled at night they would sleep most of the way. I haven’t formed my plan yet, but the kids and I are going with or without Shane’s approval.”

  Grandmother McLeod watched Stacey closely. “What else is bothering you darling?”

  Stacey stood up and crossed her arms. “It’s a silly thing, I met Doctor Portman a few days ago. I was upset that Shane had not told me the truth about their friendship. Hugh told Annie, but Shane thought I was too young, too naïve or too something to know.”

  “Stacey, darling, Shane is only trying to protect your sensibilities. You were young when you married, but keep in mind, Shane was a man full grown with experience.”

  On the flight to London, Stacey thought about what Grandmother McLeod had told her. Maybe she was being unfair to Shane. She would try to be more understanding, however, she still intended to go to the ranch as soon as possible. Whatever she was yearning for was there.

  She loved Shane, there was no doubt about that. Maybe it was the freedom to ride in the wide-open spaces with the Texas wind blowing in your face or the smell of home. The London parks were nice but she felt a great need to get out of the city.

  Shane and Doctor Fein had just finished a surgery and were taking a coffee brea
k. Shane told Doctor Fein he might need a day or two off to escort Stacey and the children to Texas.

  “When will you need this time off?” Doctor Fein asked.

  “Not until after the seventh of the month. The twins are having a party for their second birthday.”

  Doctor Fein smiled at Shane and asked, “Are Molly and I invited to this momentous occasion?”

  Shane chortled and said, “Of course, you are, if you fancy spending an afternoon with a pack of sticky, ice cream laden toddlers.”

  Doctor Fein gave Shane a dubious smile and said, “Molly will love every minute of it, she misses her grandchildren enormously. As a matter of fact, talk to Stacey about having the party at Oxford house. The garden is full of swings, slides and a carousel. Leftovers from Deborah’s children.”

  After supper; and the children were all tucked in bed, Shane broached Stacey about having the birthday party at Oxford house. He also told her that he had mentioned he might need a couple of days off to help her travel to Texas with the children. Stacey watched the expressions on Shane’s face as he related his conversation with Doctor Fein.

  As hard as Shane was trying to accept the inevitable, Stacey knew he had misgivings about the trip. She didn’t like being at odds with Shane, but she had very strong feelings about taking the children and getting away from the city for a while. Last summer had been a nightmare with the subway bombings and Jennifer’s death. Hoping to make Shane feel better, she agreed to have the twin’s birthday party at Oxford house.

  When Stacey told her aunt about the change in plans she saw a flicker of displeasure cross her aunt’s face and asked, “Aunt Lora, is there some reason you would rather we not have the party at Oxford house. It’s not chiseled in stone, we can always go back to the park.”

  “No, darling, Oxford house will be fine. It’s very nice of Doctor and Mrs. Fein to offer to have the party there.” Stacey frowned knowing something was troubling her aunt. Lora noticed Stacey’s discomfort and said, “The reason I hesitated is that Richard and Molly were close friends after Molly’s husband died in a plane crash. Actually, they were more than just friends.”