Heart Melter

by Sophia Knightly

  “Stupid?” Natasha said, distressed that he didn’t know any songs. “Nah. Don’t say that again or I’ll tickle you. Like this,” she said, running he fingers up and down his sides until he squealed and wriggled away.

  “Okay, okay,” he said, giggling. “What song are you going to sing for me?”

  “I have the perfect one,” Natasha said, smiling at him tenderly. “Camelot.”

  Ian leaned against the doorway and watched them together, fascinated by how effortlessly Natasha related to Arthur, and he to her. It was as if he’d known her forever. She got in bed and lay beside him and began to sing.

  Gooseflesh formed on Ian’s forearms when he heard the first notes of Natasha’s clear soprano as she sang the moving lyrics. He stood rooted to the spot, hypnotized by the magic of her singing. Her face glowed and her blue eyes shimmered. The sheer emotion and radiance in her voice gripped Ian, bringing him back to the night he’d gone to see her on Broadway. The critics were calling it her breakout role and he was curious to see what the buzz was about. He also wanted to see firsthand why she would reject everything he’d offered her to live like a gypsy, going from show to show and city to city while performing and touring.

  It had been three years since they had broken up, but he still hadn't been able to get her out of his mind…and heart. He had sat in the audience, center orchestra, his heart hammering when she stepped on stage. When she finished singing the first song, he’d felt sucker punched. She had owned that song, nailing it with so much heart, the audience clapped riotously. When she hit the final soaring note, he felt petty for expecting her to consider another lifestyle. He'd never realized how exceptionally talented she was. He’d been too caught up in his feelings for her, in wanting her all to himself. Witnessing her transform into the character she passionately portrayed had held him and the audience in thrall.

  That night he left at intermission, more determined than ever to forget her.

  It was difficult to watch Natasha and Arthur together now. She was warm and affectionate, her maternal instincts coaxing the lad out of his shyness with ease. In the short time she’d spent with Arthur, he’d evolved from being a forlorn bairn to a happy one.

  Ian didn’t remember Tasha ever mentioning wanting to have children, but she was a natural. She would make a wonderful mother someday. She had once told him she was afraid she wouldn’t be a good mother because she’d never had a good role model. He couldn’t blame her for feeling that way with a mum like Anitra.

  But it didn’t really matter. Natasha had never said she was interested in a conventional life. Her career came first, before anything else. She was a dazzling triple threat of song, dance and acting. It was a natural gift, just as his healing hands were a gift he couldn't imagine not using.

  What a muddle they’d landed in, he thought, turning away with profound regret.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The following morning, Natasha got out of bed with a start when she saw it was already 8:00 a.m. She had tossed and turned most of the night, getting up several times to check on Arthur, who had slept soundly with his teddy bear tucked in beside him. Every time she’d tiptoed past Ian’s bed, she’d been tempted to dive into his arms. But that wasn’t going to happen, especially after the way their last night had ended.

  She showered and dressed quickly in skinny jeans, a faux fur collared chocolate brown sweater and the boots Ian had given her. When she went to check in on Arthur, she didn’t find him in the room and figured he must be with Ian.

  On the way downstairs, she reflected on Ian's somber mood after they had put Arthur to bed. She had wanted to spend time with him in the study, but he wasn't in a talkative mood. Something had made him clam up after they left Arthur's room. With nothing more to do, she’d said good-night and retired to the lonesome hidden chamber.

  Natasha yearned for the banter and the intimate closeness they’d shared the past two days. Ian had been warm and sexy, and they'd had fun together in Edinburgh. But their argument had left her feeling despondent. The worst part was that she’d been rendered speechless when he’d asked, Are you ready to tell me anything has changed in seven years? Reflecting on it, she couldn’t blame him for shutting down after she wasn’t able to answer a simple question. But it hadn’t been simple. Had anything changed in seven years? Hell yes. She had grown, matured, become more independent. And she’d been able to distance herself from Anitra’s constant meddling. But her love of singing hadn’t changed. It was ingrained in her.

  With a sigh, she headed to the kitchen and found Maggie, Ian and Arthur seated at a table with Dugie standing nearby.

  "Good morning, everyone. I can’t believe I slept in so late." Natasha walked to the table and kissed the top of Arthur's head.

  “Morning, luv,” Maggie said. “Hungry?”

  “A bit,” Natasha said, smiling at her.

  One glance at Ian’s handsome, recently shaved face made Natasha want to plant a kiss on the cleft of his firm chin and burrow her face in his warm, masculine neck. He looked up at that moment, his silver-green eyes giving her a once over. Natasha's heartbeat sped up and she smiled at him.

  "Good morning, Miss," Dugie called out cheerfully. She placed plate of fried eggs, ham and a broiled tomato before Arthur. "Eat up, laddie," she said, fussing affectionately.

  Arthur's cheeks puffed up as he grinned at her impishly.

  "Will ye be having a cooked breakfast, Miss?" Dugie asked.

  "No, thank you," Natasha replied. "It looks delicious, but I'll just have corn flakes and milk."

  Dugie clucked her teeth. "You're not dieting are you, lass?" She wiped her plump hands on a clean linen dish towel and filled a bowl with corn flakes. "You must eat hearty in the morning to be healthy."

  "You’re right, but I haven't been exercising or dancing.” She gave a short laugh. “I have to fit into my costumes when I return to New York."

  “They must be awfully small costumes,” Dugie said, shaking her head. She poured milk into the corn flakes and placed the bowl in front of Natasha.

  Natasha kept silent. One of those “small” costumes was a short satin teddy she wore in her key dance number. Ian watched her beneath hooded lids. He hadn't said a word since she had entered and now his brooding gaze unnerved her. She swallowed hard and said, "How did you sleep last night?"

  "Well enough," he replied. "You?"

  "The same," she said, not wanting to say that she hadn’t slept well at all.

  “Where’s Evita?” Natasha asked Maggie.

  “Ranald took her for a walk.”

  “That’s nice. Has she behaved?”

  “Perfectly. We’ve enjoyed having her, luv,” Maggie said.

  “Oh good.” While Dugie fussed over her newest charge, Natasha ate her cereal. She enjoyed hearing Arthur and Ian talk about fishing in nearby lochs.

  "Dr. Ian is going to show me the great hall this morning after we finish breakfast!" Arthur said, hopping up and down in his seat with excitement.

  "I want to see it too," Natasha said, smiling at Arthur's puppy-like eagerness.

  "Haven't you ever seen it?" Arthur asked, tilting his head at her.

  "Yes, a long time ago," she said.

  His face glowing with excitement, Arthur said, "Can we go now?"

  "We can," Ian replied, rising from the table.

  “Are you coming too, Auntie Maggie?” Arthur asked Maggie.

  “No, lovey. I’m going to check on Evita and Ranald.” She turned to Ian. “Please bring wee Arthur to the stable when you’re finished.”

  Ian nodded. “Will do.” After she left, he led Arthur and Natasha into the great hall, which was unchanged from the last time she’d been there. Majestic and grand, the large rectangular-shaped room had a wood-beamed, high ceiling and colorful banners hanging from the side stone walls. An open stone fireplace, large enough to roast a whole side of beef, stood impressively on the far wall.

  "This is the only room that was left exactly as it was when it was b
uilt hundreds of years ago. Clan Farquharson would gather here every night for entertainment and food," Ian said.

  "Which one is the MacGregor banner?" Arthur asked.

  "Isn't it the one with the fallen tree on a white background?" Natasha said.

  "Aye. There's a sword driven through the tree trunk." Ian pointed to another banner. "That one belongs to my mother's family, Clan Farquharson. Mum inherited this castle from her father, Ian. It was her wish that I live here with my future family," he said, glancing at Natasha.

  She watched Ian, awestruck by how noble he looked in the great hall. Her heart clenched as full realization hit—there were hundreds of years of history here he couldn't turn his back on. His roots were firmly planted where his mother's wish had been for him to remain. Ian felt honor bound to fulfill his legacy at Glenhaven. He had a magnificent plan to build a charitable clinic in Scotland, one that would change many lives for the better. The enormity of his life’s goals was staggering and brilliant.

  "Can I see the swords?" Arthur asked.

  "Of course." Ian led him to the west wing of the room where there was an impressive collection of large, engraved swords. "This claymore is very old. During the Middle Ages, it belonged to my ancestor, Angus Farquharson." Ian touched the hilt of a large two-handed sword. "He fought a mighty battle with it to rescue my great-grandmother, Katrine, when an enemy tried to kidnap her from Glenhaven Castle."

  Arthur's eyes widened as he stared at him gape-mouthed. "Was it a bloody battle?" he asked.

  "Aye. During the Middle Ages the battles were brutal. Angus Farquharson was a fierce warrior and he would have done anything to save his lady love."

  Natasha smiled at Arthur's worshipful expression. "What do you think of all that, Arthur?"

  "It’s awesome!" He ran up to a large tapestry that covered an entire wall and pointed at it. "Why are those people running to the hills?"

  "It's the story of Clan MacGregor. We've been known through time as the Children of the Mist."

  Arthur scrunched up his face and stared at Ian. "Why?"

  "Because even though my father's clan was considered of royal descent from King Alpin, they lost most of their lands and were outlawed twice. They were hunted like animals.”

  “Like animals?” Arthur repeated, puzzled.

  “Aye, and they couldn't admit to the MacGregor name without fearing for their lives."

  "Do you fear for your life?" Arthur asked in a hushed tone.

  Ian chuckled. "No. In 1775, King George III and an Act of Parliament restored our name."

  "That’s brilliant. Your clan is famous!" Arthur skipped back to the swords.

  Ian turned to Natasha. “I’m going to take him to Maggie and Ranald. Do you want to come?”

  “No, I better not. I need to call and check on Marty.”

  Ian nodded. “I’ll be back shortly. Stay here until I return."

  "I will. Don’t worry."

  Arthur hopped up and down. “Are we going to see the puppy? What’s its name?”

  “Her name is Evita and she loves to play,” Natasha said, thinking Arthur was a puppy too.

  “Can we go now?” Arthur asked eagerly. “Can we, Dr. Ian?”

  “Aye, I’ll take you there,” Ian said.

  “Wait. I want a hug from Arthur first.” Natasha crouched beside Arthur and enveloped him in a tight hug. “Have fun and be a good boy,” she said, kissing his cheek.

  Arthur nodded and kissed her cheek, a wet, little boy’s kiss that she cherished.

  When they left, Natasha went to the hidden chamber and tried to call Marty at the hospital, but the operator said he wasn’t taking calls. Frustrated she couldn’t speak to him, she set about organizing her things. She pulled her large suitcase out of the armoire and took things out for her trip to Skye. But she couldn’t concentrate; she felt too restless. She was about to call Saundra and tell her lawyer the latest when her phone rang in her hand, startling her.

  “Hello?” she said, wondering at the foreign number.

  “Tashie! I’m so glad I caught you,” Teddy crowed happily. “I thought you might be in rehearsal or something.”

  “Hey, Teddy! Do you have a new number?”

  “No, I’m calling from my flat in Paris.”

  “Oh. I saw your fabulous picture in Hello magazine. How are you? I miss you.”

  “Aw, I miss you too. What would we do without our Heart Sisters?”

  “I know, right?” Natasha, Ronnie and Teddy, her Heart Sister, were different from each other in personality, but loyal to the bone. Ronnie was assertive and plainspoken, whereas Teddy was happy go lucky and well-intentioned, but often landing in one jam or another.

  “I can’t wait all the way to Christmas to see you. Why don’t you come to Paris next month? I’m throwing a Thanksgiving bash for my expat friends. A friend of mine just opened an American bistro here and I want give it a boost.”

  Natasha smiled and looked heavenward. Teddy collected friends like a pied piper. None were as close as her Heart Sisters, but she had many acquaintances. Natasha could just imagine her flitting around, planning a huge party to help her friend’s restaurant. She was generous to a fault, and unfortunately, many took advantage of her generosity.

  “I wish I could come to Paris, Teddy, but my life has gotten very complicated.”

  “Then I’ll come to New York. How about next week? I’d love to see Legs LaRue on her opening night.” Teddy’s warm, husky voice enveloped Natasha in a cocoon of friendship.

  “I’d love that, but I’m not in New York,” Natasha said.

  “You’re not? Where are you?”

  Natasha drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly as she collected her thoughts. She didn’t want to lie to Teddy, but she couldn’t get into details either. “I’m in Scotland. With Ian. At Glenhaven.”

  “Shut up,” Teddy said in a shocked voice. “Ian MacGregor? Your ex-fiancé?”

  “Yes,” Natasha said, not quite believing it herself. Her life was in turmoil, between the danger she was in and her love for Ian.

  “Wow. What have I missed?”

  “A lot. Listen, Teddy, I have to swear you to secrecy. Nobody can know I’m here,” Natasha said emphatically.

  “Okay, I won’t tell anyone. Cross my heart and hope to die,” she said quickly. “Now tell me what’s going on.”

  “I’m hiding out with Ian until it’s safe to go back to the States.”

  “What? You’re hiding out until it’s safe? What kind of trouble are you in?”

  Natasha groaned. “Don’t kill me, but I can’t tell you anymore.”

  “Wait a minute. You can’t stop there! Tell me about Ian. Are you two back together?”

  “Well…kind of, but with no future plans—or commitments,” Natasha said with a pang.

  “Oh, gosh, I remember how long it took you to get over him,” Teddy said gently.

  “I don’t think I ever got over him, and now after just a few days with him, I’m so in love, I don’t know what to do,” Natasha admitted mournfully.

  “What about Ian? How does he feel about it?”

  Natasha sighed. “I don’t know. He’s trying to be detached, but it’s not working. He’s my self-appointed protector and like a stick of dynamite when we’re together. It’s pretty hot.”

  “Ooh, sounds amazing,” Teddy said with a throaty chuckle. “So what’s the problem?”

  “The same issues as before. He’s close to moving to Scotland permanently and I landed a dream role in ‘The Bee’s Knees’. The more I think about it, the more unlikely it seems we’ll—”

  “Stop over analyzing everything, Tash!” Teddy said, cutting her off in mid-sentence. “All your life you’ve done nothing but plan, plan, plan. Don’t you think it’s time to stop planning your career and start living your life?” Teddy was an expert at living in the moment, and it stemmed from suddenly losing her mother at a very young age. After her mother died, she was sent to a Swiss boarding school and stayed in Europe t
hrough college and afterwards.

  “It’s easier said than done, Teddy. I don’t want to get hurt again. Neither does Ian.”

  “Oh, come on! I don’t mean to be dramatic, but what if one of you died tomorrow?”

  Natasha gulped at her ominous worlds. If Teddy only knew! “Hopefully, that won’t happen anytime soon,” she said with a shaky laugh.

  “Well, what if it did?” Teddy persisted. “Wouldn’t you regret not enjoying every moment you have now? If I had that kind of love, I’d never let go,” she said fervently. “You and Ian were meant to be together. I’m sure you can work something out.”

  “I’m glad one of us is sure,” Natasha said wryly.

  “Who are you talking to?” Ian said, entering the room.

  Natasha jumped at the sound of his deep voice. “Teddy, I have to go now. Sorry,” she said into the receiver.

  Teddy groaned loudly. “I can’t believe you’re hanging up in the middle of this conversation, Tash! Please take care of yourself and call me when you can,” she said in an urgent tone.

  “I will. I promise. Bye.”

  She hung up and looked at Ian. “I was talking to my friend, Teddy,” she said, mortified when her voice came out in a splutter. How much of her conversation had he heard?

  “You weren’t making plans to meet her in Paris, were you?” he asked, scrutinizing her face.“No, I already agreed to go with you to Skye.” She eyed him curiously. “Did you hear any of my conversation with her?”

  “No. I’m not in the habit of eavesdropping,” he said dryly.

  The concentrated look in Ian’s silver-green eyes gave her pause. His body was tightly coiled from the rigid set of his shoulders to his muscular legs. “How is your agent?” he asked.

  “I don’t know. I wasn’t able to get through.” Natasha flushed. She’d been so caught up talking about her love life, she hadn’t gotten around to calling Saundra either. “I was about to call my lawyer when Teddy called. I’ll call her now,” she said.

  Ian paced the room while Natasha talked to Saundra, getting more agitated by the moment as she listened to the latest from her. When she finished, her stomach was in a jumble as she put the phone on the nightstand and sank down on the edge of the bed.