Her Real-Life Hero

by Vicki Ballante

  I shouldn’t have let her push me away. Should have fought.

  Or maybe withdrawing had been a good idea. She needed to know what her life would be like without him.

  Too bad, though. I need the magnifying glass. He grinned. She won’t get rid of me so easily this time.

  ***

  Less than an hour later, Theo knocked on Joanie’s door, half expecting her to ignore him. Instead, Maggie answered, much to his relief.

  “Hi, Maggie.” He gave her a sheepish grin. “I feel bad. I’ve hardly spoken to you since I met you. Kind of rude, hey?”

  “Theo. Come in.” Maggie smiled. “I agree. I should at least know my sister’s husband.” She shook his hand. Her hair was darker than Joanie’s, her face longer, more angular, and the planes of her body more muscular. She held herself with a confidence Joanie conveyed yet he suspected seldom felt.

  “You’re a teacher, right?”

  Her eyebrows rose. “How did you know?”

  “Joanie speaks about you and Sally a lot.”

  She smiled, her face appearing much younger, the maturity difference clear between the two sisters.

  “Joanie’s resting. Can I take a message?”

  He tried not to show his disappointment. “I left something important behind. Do you mind?” He pointed to the dining room.

  “Help yourself.” She followed him, curiosity evident in her gaze.

  “My magnifying glass. I found a paper in the chest of drawers with writing I can’t read. I’m very curious about Mr. Schroeder.” He pulled open the drawer to search amongst the silverware. The magnifying glass lay where he’d left it. He glanced at Maggie. “Did Joanie tell you about him?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “He’s the matchmaker ghost who’s in the furniture we bought from the antique shop.”

  “Ghost?” Maggie’s eyes lit up. “Joanie didn’t mention a ghost. She spoke of magic.”

  “Well, we’re not sure. The man who designed and made the bureau and chest of drawers we bought was a matchmaker in the nineteenth century. He had an amazing ability to bring couples together. The previous owners of the furniture believe Mr. Schroeder still lives and works through his furniture.”

  She gasped. “How interesting. Are you sure Joanie knows this?”

  Theo froze. He’d never told Joanie of his visit to Kirsty and Darren. “She knows about the magic. I should have told her about Mr. Schroeder. At the time, I didn’t think it important.” He shrugged, dropping his gaze. “Besides, she’s made her intentions clear. What difference would it make?”

  “Did you bring the paper with?” Maggie asked.

  He nodded. “I’d hoped Joanie would be interested in it, and we could study it together.”

  She moved toward the door to the hallway. “Let me wake her.”

  “Wait, no!” He reached to stop her.

  “I’m awake.” Joanie stepped into the room from the hallway. Her face was drawn, pale, and stern, yet her sweet curves, even evident under a loose blouse, stirred the familiar longings. “You shouldn’t be discussing my furniture without me.”

  What about them? Did she only care about the furniture?

  “I’d like to know about Mr. Schroeder.” She gunned him with her gaze. “I have a right to know, too.”

  Theo nodded, biting back a bitter remark. She deserved to know despite her coldness toward him.

  “I found this paper in a small wooden box at the end of one of my drawers.” He unzipped the plastic bag he’d put it in then unfolded the delicate paper with care, placing it on the dining room table. Angling his magnifying glass over the scrap, he read the writing first. Joanie and Maggie bent close.

  The words were smudged, but, after careful scrutiny, he deciphered each letter. Aloud, he read the words one by one.

  To Dearest Jane,

  For you, from the depths of my heart,

  Because I have always loved you,

  And always will,

  Martinus

  “It’s from the man himself.” Theo straightened and stretched his back. “A love letter.”

  “It’s beautiful,” Maggie murmured.

  “It’s what I needed.” He refolded the paper along its delicate creases. “The magic is real. I know now, no matter what happens, my deepest dreams will come true.”

  “You believe the magic so much?” Joanie asked, her voice small, her eyes large, wet—or was it the lighting?

  “I do.”

  Attraction sizzled between them. How sexy she looked in a soft white blouse with ruffles by the neckline and a pair of faded skinny jeans hugging her perfect shape. He could just make out her white bra through the gauzy material, and his body responded immediately.

  “Don’t take the paper away.” She reached for it, longing in her gaze. “Don’t go. Tell me about Mr. Schroeder.”

  He stared at her, war waging. Part of him wanted to go home and study the paper, research Martinus Schroeder, ponder the words, find out what happened between Jane and him. It would be better away from her gaze, which he couldn’t quite decipher. Yet, need and longing rolled off Joanie in waves. She may have hurt him, pushed him away, but he still loved her.

  “Okay.”

  “Thanks.” She touched his arm, the gentle gesture seeping into his soul, stirring crazy hope. “I’d love to know his full story. Mr. Schroeder, I mean. He’s fascinating.” A genuine smile lit her face. He held her sea-blue gaze for an instant then turned away.

  “You’re welcome to hear, too, Maggie.” He gestured for her to join them at the dining room table.

  Once they’d sat down, he relayed all he’d learned from Darren and Kirsty.

  Joanie’s face appeared the most animated it had been since she’d slipped into the room. “I’d love to research Mr. Schroeder. Find out about his life. It would be fascinating to find out who Jane was, too. It’s so romantic when matchmakers find their love in life. I wonder if he ever got to be with her.”

  Theo stared at Joanie, stunned at her romantic mindset. Yeah sure, she wrote romance and seemed to get fired up about romantic movies, but in her own life, she resisted it. Except he couldn’t forget how sentimental she’d been about the flowers he’d bought her. He couldn’t help grinning.

  “What?” she asked, taking the defensive stance again.

  “Nothing. Um…I wonder the exact same things.”

  “So, why don’t you two research him together? Find something to do on a Saturday afternoon besides mope around like a total dolt.” Maggie glanced at her sister when she emphasized the word dolt.

  Glaring at her, Joanie mouthed something Theo couldn’t make out. Could she be missing him? Pining for him? Hope resurrected.

  “Good idea. Joanie, what you think? We could even write an article together on it for the local newspaper.”

  “What? I write and you edit?” Joanie rolled her eyes.

  “Perfect teamwork.”

  She gave an exaggerated sigh but didn’t disagree.

  Progress. He grinned. I’m making progress.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Theo sat at the dining room table with Joanie’s laptop in front of him, and she didn’t mind. Somehow today, she couldn’t care less if he read her most private writings because having him near to her again took away the constant ache.

  The last three days had been depressing. Maggie had stayed on, not saying why, and Joanie had a feeling she was concerned about her. Not one for depression, she’d been rather disturbed by her state of mind. Maybe her aunt’s death had eventually hit her bad.

  Theo’s idea for investigating Mr. Schroeder gave the distraction she needed. She didn’t keep on second-guessing her behavior toward him. She hadn’t meant to cut him off in such an abrupt manner. The words she’d blurted had shocked her as much as they had Theo. His response had cut deep, like a part of her heart had been ripped out.

  The truth was her affections had grown for Theo during his stay. The sizzling sex and intimate hours sleeping together h
ad made her more sensitive to his whereabouts and feelings toward her. He couldn’t care for her much, which was understandable—they’d known each other just a few days. If he really cared, he would have contested the divorce. Would I have wanted that? No, it would have prolonged the agony. Better to say good-bye fast. In that regard, his actions had been wise. So, why had he returned? Only for the magnifying glass?

  She couldn’t recant her decision to research with him, though. She wanted to know about Mr. Schroeder’s ghost.

  “Look here.” He pointed to something on the screen. “It’s his death certificate and inheritance information.”

  “Where did you find that?” She glanced at him. “You have an amazing ability to source information.”

  “I’m determined. See.” The bass sound of his masculine voice sent thrills through her body. Every part of him, the very way he moved, screamed for her to touch him. That would take her ten steps back. Weaning herself from him had been painful but necessary. “He wasn’t married when he died. He left his money to a charitable organization. Maybe Jane and Martinus never got together.”

  “You don’t know that. She could have died before him.”

  “He died at forty-five.”

  “So, that was the nineteenth century. She still could have died earlier.”

  “It’s not the Middle Ages.” His jade gaze pierced her, heat steeping his eyes. For a second, she lost herself in them and almost forgot about their argument.

  “Okay, so, now we need to research the average age of death during his time. Argh, what am I saying? It makes no difference what age he died. We somehow need to find out if he ever married.”

  He stared at the screen. “It’s miraculous I’ve found any information about him so soon.”

  “I think we should go to the library and research more.”

  “Why don’t I go to the library while you continue on the Internet search?” Theo rose.

  I don’t want to do it on my own. Much less fun. “No. Whatever we do, we do together. I can’t have you find out things before me, can I?”

  He grinned and remained standing. “Then we’ll cook together.”

  “Oh.” Joanie flushed. He was so appealing sometimes. But she still wanted her space, five years to herself. Would she be able to give her heart to him in five years’ time? How could she when she had no guarantee of forever?

  She opened her cabinets to see what to cook then froze at the sound of footsteps behind her.

  “What are we making?” His breath tickled the hairs on her nape. She imagined his tongue on the spot, and her abdomen tightened. How did he make even the simplest tasks arousing?

  “Um….” Her voice cracked. “I don’t know. I can’t think with you so close.”

  “Like this?” He brushed his lips along her neck, pushing her hair away with his nose.

  She shivered. “Theo.” The reprimand came out like a stupid squeak. “You’re supposed to hate me.”

  “I can’t hate such a beautiful woman.” He wrapped his arms around her aching pelvis and her pussy pulsed.

  “My sister’s still around.” She told herself, too, so she wouldn’t succumb to his magnetism.

  He ignored her, burying his face into her hair. Turning, she found his mouth, mingling their lips in a feverish kiss. So much for Theo getting out of my life. As soon as he returned, she couldn’t keep her hands off of him.

  To her surprise, he pulled away, leaving her whole being aching and tingling for more and her panties moist. She almost made a grab for him but stopped, held in place by the withdrawal in his gaze.

  He didn’t trust her. She didn’t blame him.

  “I have some chicken drumsticks in the fridge.” She spoke with surprising control. “We could make fried chicken. I have brussels sprouts and onions.”

  “With a bit of rice?”

  “I have that, too.” Good. Things are normal again. They were teammates, working on a project together. Not wise to get their emotions involved.

  She would discover the mystery of Mr. Schroeder then Theo would be gone. Maybe this time she wouldn’t be as depressed, knowing he didn’t hate her.

  Once they’d cooked supper and eaten while discussing how they’d conduct their research, they set to work with what they could find on the Internet. The library would open on Monday but may not have anything useful.

  By ten thirty, Joanie had yawned until her eyes watered. She hadn’t slept well the last few nights without Theo at home. After sharing a bed with him one night, she already felt like a widower without him tucked next to her.

  He scanned the search engine pages, a dozy expression on his face, and her heart squeezed. I have fallen in love with him. Pain sliced through her, making her gasp. I love him, and it doesn’t help one bit if he doesn’t feel the same way. She wasn’t about to risk everything and her freedom to take a chance at a relationship that had no guarantee of lasting.

  Closing her eyes, she blocked out the thoughts and the brightness of the computer screen. She smelled him—the sexy, male, Theo scent that had clung to her nighty. He shifted next to her then pressed his lips to hers. Her insides twirled and a sigh escaped, coming out as a soft moan.

  “Joanie.” He spoke to her cheek. “I missed you.”

  Warmth spread through her. Maybe he still liked her after all. “We don’t seem to be getting far with the research,” she mumbled and gave a big yawn. “I’m so tired.”

  “You didn’t sleep well the last few nights?”

  She shook her head then silenced him with another kiss, not ready to tell him how much she’d missed him.

  His hands slipped beneath her blouse, moving straight to her breasts, teasing the nipples beneath her bra. Gasping, she tried to pull away, but he held her firmly in his embrace and brought her nerve endings to life with his tender touch. Her tongue plunged deep into his mouth to dance with his. Sliding one of his hands to the crotch of her jeans, he ground his palm into her. She squirmed beneath his touch and reached for the bulge in his pants.

  He pulled away, pressing her on the shoulders to steady her. “I’d better head on home, then. Your sister must be feeling left out, too.”

  “Maggie said she was tired.” She nibbled on her lower lip. He couldn’t leave when she was all heated, ready to ride.

  He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and rose, stretching his arms in the air like a lazy cat. She drank in his masculine line and the soft, comfortable expression in his face. Her heart pinched. Yep. I’m in love. Hopelessly.

  She grinned at the realization, despite his need to run. “Bye, Theo.”

  “I can come round tomorrow to finish the research.”

  “Of course.”

  His mouth twitched upward in a tentative smile. “See you.”

  He let himself out, and she sank into the chair, her head in her hands. Her pussy still throbbed from the toe-curling kiss. How could she survive without him tonight? Fantasize about him? Yanking herself away from the thoughts, she turned to the screen and saved the Internet page to a bookmark.

  As she cleared the last few dishes away and brushed her teeth for bed, she hummed a tune from a movie.

  Maggie came into the bathroom, resembling a zombie, her eyes scrunched half-shut and her hair standing in all directions. “What are you so happy about?”

  Joanie laughed. Her sister’s mood extremes were like night and day. “I’m not happy.”

  “Course you are.” Maggie’s eyes widened. “Oh, I forgot. You’ve been with Theo the last three or four hours. That’s why you’re your normal self.”

  “My normal self? Don’t think I’ll ever be that again.” She harrumphed, spitting out some toothpaste all over her sister’s nightshirt.

  “Hey. Cool it there. I don’t need a shower tonight. Already had a long one.” Her sister took over the basin and drank water straight from the tap while Joanie danced around, her mouth burning. She’d forgotten how challenging it was to share a bathroom with siblings. Oh right. I have my own bathr
oom. She ran to it to spit. She’d used the general bathroom the last few days to feel close to Theo. Not necessary anymore. He’ll be around more often.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Do you have a lunch break?” Theo asked Joanie on her cell phone while she sat at her desk at work.

  “I usually work through lunch. Why?”

  “I’ve made the most titillating discovery.”

  She straightened in her chair. “Mr. Schroeder?”

  “The man himself.”

  She loved the way he said that. “I’m coming in twenty minutes. Where are your offices? I can’t believe I never asked.”

  He rattled off an address in Westville, a suburb inland from Durban. She worked in Durban North.

  “Seems like I won’t have much time with you. You work far from me.”

  “I’ll meet you halfway.”

  She agreed, disappointed she wouldn’t see his office. She’d wanted to see if the picture in her head matched the real thing. They’d chatted nonstop the last few days during her work hours, yet ironically, she’d achieved more at her job than in the last few months. Maybe having something to look forward to in the evenings had energized her during the day.

  Within an hour, they chatted over menus at a quaint coffee shop in the Musgrave area of Durban. So far, they’d only discovered that Mr. Schroeder never married or had children. A tragic truth. They were itching to know what had happened between Jane and him and why their romance never became anything serious.

  “Do you know this shop is run by top chefs who offer courses at a well-known cookery school?” Theo whispered to her.

  Joanie laughed. “You make it sound like the most important secret in the world. You know why I’m really here?”