Magic in Our Hearts

by Jeanne Mccann

  “Do you think so?” Brett perked up and glanced Taylor’s way. She was watching Marc cut Brett’s hair, her eyes locked on the two of them.

  “Oh, honey, I know so.”

  “I don’t think so, Marc.” Brett snuck another look her way. “She doesn’t trust me. Besides, look at me. I’m a broken down ex-skier.”

  “Honey, you’re a beautiful woman with a heart of gold. Court her.”

  “What do you mean court her?”

  “If you really want to win Taylor’s heart, you need to do everything in your power to prove to her that you’re committed to her and worth being with. That means you need to believe in yourself. Where is the Brett I know and love, who can do anything she puts her mind to?” Marc spoke quietly as he trimmed Brett’s front bangs.

  “Do you think I have a chance?” Brett sighed, her heart full of emotion.

  “Oh yeah, honey, a good chance. Now, what did you do when you first met Taylor? Date her.”

  “What if she doesn’t want to date me?”

  “What if she does? And, I didn’t say to tell her about it. Just do it.” The flam-boyant hairstylist flapped his hands in exasperation.

  Brett remained silent, absorbing what Marc said. Maybe she could court Taylor. She thought long and hard about it, as Marc continued snipping away.

  “Voila! Aren’t you a stunning butch?” Marc announced, whipping the apron off Brett.

  Brett looked in the mirror and was surprised to see herself. She looked much better than she had in a long time. “Thanks, Marc. As usual, you did a great job.”

  “Thanks sweetie. It’s nice to have you back.” Brett slowly climbed out of the chair, reaching for her wallet. “Introduce me to Taylor.” Brett paid Marc and left a tip on his counter then turned and slowly walked over to Taylor. “Taylor, this is Marc Pierce. Marc, this is Taylor Aronson, my physical therapist.”

  Taylor winced at the introduction. She didn’t want to be known as Brett’s therapist. “Hello, Marc, it’s nice to meet you.” Marc shook the extended hand and smiled admiringly down at the stunning woman. “So, are you making Brett work hard?”

  “I’m beating her routinely,” Taylor responded with a grin that transformed her face.

  “Good to hear,” Marc laughed, hugging Brett affectionately. “Brett, don’t be a stranger.”

  “I won’t. Thanks, Marc.”

  “You’re welcome. It’s nice to meet you Taylor.” Marc congratulated himself for convincing Brett to court her. Those two women were hooked on each other.

  And Marc was a pure romantic. He couldn’t resist a happy ending.

  Brett and Taylor moved toward the reception area, and Brett began to fret.

  She didn’t want to deal with Rachel again, but to her surprise, Rachel only waved at them and stayed behind the desk. “Nice seeing you, Brett.” Brett sighed in relief as she followed Taylor out of the hair salon. She was embarrassed that Taylor had met Rachel. It would only remind Taylor of everything she didn’t like about Brett. Taylor turned and saw the look on Brett’s face but wisely didn’t comment as they walked slowly down the sidewalk. They were meeting Brett’s mother at the restaurant in fifteen minutes. As they moved past the local stores in the center of town, people nodded their heads or called out in greeting to Brett. The sidewalks weren’t at all crowded and they could stroll along next to each other with ease. They passed a Western clothing store situated next door to a women’s dress shop. The Boulder Theatre was next to that. Boulder had a small town feel to it even though it was a good-sized city.

  “Hi Brett.”

  “Nice to see you, Brett.”

  “Good to see you in town, Brett.”

  Person after person spoke to her as she and Taylor made the two-block walk to the restaurant. Brett had been a home-town favorite for years due to her incredible skiing. They had watched her compete and break record after record on the World Cup Circuit. They had also grieved when she had been terribly injured.

  She was one of Boulder’s own celebrities, and they were very loyal. Brett stumbled once and Taylor surreptitiously reached out and supported her, leaving her hand on her arm. This helped Brett to relax and not tighten up. She was amazed that no one commented on her injuries or asked her about them. They treated her as if she was normal, and that meant everything to Brett. She had hidden herself away from the public eye for such a long time.

  “Are you okay?” Taylor whispered under her breath as they approached the Mainstream Restaurant.

  “Yes.” Brett turned and smiled at Taylor.

  Taylor’s body filled with warmth as she saw Brett’s face light up with a genuine smile. She couldn’t stop herself from loving Brett. She was trying so hard to do everything that Taylor asked of her, including eating healthy foods, without complaint. Yes, she teased Taylor, and Taylor returned the good-natured ribbing, but up to this point, Brett had not put up any serious resistance. She had followed through with her promise and was doing everything she could to get better.

  “You’ve had a fairly busy day.”

  “I’ll pay for it later,” Brett laughed as they entered the restaurant side by side.

  Roselin watched the two women as they came in together and smiled. Anyone looking at them would assume they were a couple. Taylor’s hand was resting on Brett’s arm, and they leaned close to one another while they talked. Their eyes were locked on each other and obvious emotion radiated between them. Roselin sighed, and her heart settled in her chest. She had done the right thing by bringing Taylor to Boulder. Now, time and proximity would do the rest. Roselin’s only goal in life was to see her daughter find happiness, and that happiness meant Taylor. She felt validated as she gazed at the two women who approached her table.

  “Hi, Mother. You’re looking very nice today.” Brett leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her mother’s pale cheek.

  Patting her daughter’s back, Roselin felt tears fill her eyes as she took in her daughter’s freshly styled hair and glowing skin. She was still way too slender, but at least she wasn’t spending her nights drinking herself into oblivion. “So are you. I like your haircut. Hello, Taylor.”

  “Hello, Mrs. Camden.”

  “Roselin.”

  “Roselin. How are you feeling?”

  “Fine, both of you sit down and have a look at the menu.” Taylor slid into her chair and watched as Brett placed her hand over her mother’s and held it while she took her seat. Taylor felt a lump form in her throat as she observed mother and daughter. They were so close and there was genuine respect on both sides. She hadn’t had enough time with own mother to develop such a strong bond and she was envious of the two of them and at the same time filled with sorrow. They didn’t have much time left to spend together.

  “I asked the two of you to dinner because I have a favor to ask you both.”

  “Anything, Mother,” Brett responded, smiling softly. These were the two most important women in her life. And she would do anything for either one of them.

  “Brett, you know I’m the chairman of the Children’s Charity here in Boulder, and we’re having our annual ball in three weeks. It’s the largest event of the year, and we collect more donations than at any other time from the silent auction.”

  “Yes, I’ll send in my donation.”

  “That’s not what I need you to do.” Roselin took a big deep breath before she continued. It took all of her effort to keep from succumbing to the pain that was her constant companion.

  Taylor watched her closely and didn’t miss the clouded eyes or the stiff way Roselin held herself in her chair. She’s in pain, Taylor realized. She doesn’t want Brett to know. If she hadn’t already developed a deep respect for Taylor’s mother, she did now. Roselin loved her daughter unconditionally.

  “I’m no longer able to stand on my feet for hours, and I need you to be the host of the event.” Roselin spoke quietly, keeping the emotion from her voice.

  “Me, but …” Taylor’s hand slid softly behind Brett’s back an
d stopped her from immediately rejecting the idea. Taylor knew Brett’s mother couldn’t attend the ball and deal with her excruciating pain.

  “Brett, you’re well-known and have helped me before with this event. You know what’s required and, let’s face it, you’re very charming.” Roselin smiled at her daughter, her eyes held a hint of mischief.

  “Mother,” Brett sighed as Taylor chuckled next to her, her hand unconsciously stroking Brett’s back.

  “Well, you are.” Roselin’s eyes sparkled momentarily back at her daughter.

  “Will you do it? I would consider it a personal honor to have you be my stand-in.”

  Brett glanced over at Taylor and was graced with her gentle smile. She couldn’t say no to her mother. “Yes, okay, I’ll do it.”

  “Good, you and Taylor will have to be fitted for the right evening wear, my treat.” Roselin relaxed as the waiter approached the table.

  “Me, I don’t need to …”

  “Taylor, Brett needs an escort.”

  “But, I …”

  “You’ll be perfect,” Roselin interrupted and then turned to the waiter as Taylor sat in stunned silence. “Ralph, what are the specials tonight?” Brett grinned at Taylor. Her mother was a master at polite manipulation, and Taylor had just been the recipient of it. Brett was certainly pleased by the outcome. Having Taylor attend the charity event with her was a dream come true.

  She couldn’t think of anyone else she would rather have at her side.

  Roselin almost laughed out loud as she saw Taylor’s reaction. Taylor hadn’t been aware of the artful manipulation, and Roselin had slipped it by her before she could do anything other than agree. They would make a stunning couple, Roselin would see to it.

  The meal went by pleasantly, as the three visited about the weather, their hikes, the upcoming ball, and local politics. Brett’s recovery and Roselin’s health issues were forgotten for a brief time. They were comfortable with each other, and the food was excellent. It was after seven-thirty before they exited the restaurant and separated. Roselin was going to stop by in the morning to discuss the upcoming charity event with Brett. She hugged Brett tightly and kissed her on the cheek.

  “Thanks, honey, I appreciate your doing this for me.”

  “You don’t need to thank me,” Brett whispered, clutching her mother to her.

  Taylor was surprised when Roselin turned to her and hugged her as well. “She looks wonderful.”

  Roselin’s quiet words were for Taylor’s ears only and as she hugged the frail woman back, she whispered, “Yes.”

  They watched Roselin safely to her car before turning to make the short walk to their own car. They remained silent until they were both seated in the SUV and on their way home. Brett was still uncomfortable driving, and Taylor sat behind the wheel of Brett’s high-end Lexus SUV. “She was in pain tonight,” Brett remarked as she stared straight ahead, trying to keep her emotions in check.

  Taylor glanced Brett’s way and saw her struggle. Her face was a mask of pain and heartbreak illuminated every time a car’s headlights flashed by them. Reaching across the seat, she gathered Brett’s hand in her own and held on as Brett worked to compose herself.

  “I’m sorry that you got roped into attending the charity ball. If you really don’t want to do it, I can get you out of it.” Taylor felt this as a rejection and tried to ignore the pain that welled up inside her chest. “If you don’t want me to go with you, I won’t, Brett.”

  “No, that’s not what I meant!” Brett burst out. “I want you there.” The words were out before Brett could stop them, and she held her breath waiting for Taylor’s response. “Brett, I want to go with you.”

  “Good,” Brett sighed loudly in the darkening night and relaxed back in her seat.

  Yes, thought Taylor, that’s very good, and she smiled in the dark, her heart daring to hope again.

  CHAPTER 13

  Taylor was soundly asleep in her bedroom when insistent knocking penetrated her unconscious mind and awakened her. She was in her fifth week in Boulder, and Brett was showing definite signs of improvement. Her stamina had improved and her body was beginning to show signs of muscle tone. Most importantly, Brett seemed to have found her motivation because she worked tirelessly to gain her strength back.

  Taylor glanced at the clock on the bedside table and groaned. It was four in the morning. She had just fallen asleep a little after three. Being around Brett all day long and most evenings was killing her. She went to bed every night aching and longing to touch her.

  “Yes?”

  “It’s Helen, Taylor.”

  Helen stayed in a suite on the east side of the house and most nights would disappear into her rooms to read or watch television before going to bed. She wouldn’t emerge until it was time to prepare the first meal of the day. Something was wrong, and Taylor leaped out of bed and swung open the door startling Helen.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s Brett.”

  “Brett!” Taylor took off down the stairs with Helen trailing behind her.

  “She’s crying. I heard her when I got up to get a glass of water.” Helen’s voice was full of concern. She had reserved a special place in her heart for Brett. Now that Brett was on the road to recovery, Helen was worried about any stumbling blocks that might be thrown up along the way.

  Taylor approached Brett’s room. The door was closed, and she could hear the crying and moaning from within. She didn’t hesitate but went straight through the door and looked around. Brett was crumpled up in her bed, curled into a fetal position as she cried softly in the dark. Taylor was by her side in an instant.

  “Honey, what’s wrong?”

  “Cramping, my legs are cramping up,” Brett gasped as tears ran down her face. “I took a muscle relaxer and some Percocet but they’re not working.”

  “Helen, could you get some bath towels and soak them in hot water? I’m going to massage your legs, Brett. It’s going to hurt when I first start, but it will help you to relax in a few minutes.”

  “Okay.” Brett buried her face in her pillow as Taylor pulled the sheet and blankets back. Brett was wearing a tee shirt and briefs. Her legs were pulled up tight against her thighs, the muscles of her calves straining against her skin.

  “Oh God,” Brett cried out as Taylor started to massage her right leg, working the knots out of her calf. “Jesus.”

  “I’m sorry, honey,” Taylor whispered as she worked on the knots. “Maybe we should put you in a hot tub and see if you can’t relax a little.

  “Please. I’m willing to try anything.”

  Helen entered the room and saw Taylor rush toward the bathroom, her eyes wild with worry. “Helen, we need to get her into a hot tub. Both of her calves are seriously knotted up.”

  “Here, let me start the hot water. Go help her to the bathroom.” Taylor ran back to Brett and knelt down so that her face was level with Brett’s.

  “Come on, honey. Let me help you into the bathroom.”

  “I don’t know if I can walk,” Brett gasped, as she attempted to swing her feet around and down to the floor.

  “I’ll help you.” Taylor placed her arm around Brett’s waist and lifted her off of the bed onto her feet.

  Brett groaned, and her tight calves refused to release as she hobbled to the bathroom. Helen had gotten about four inches of hot water into the bathtub and was testing it when Brett stumbled through the door, her face drawn and sweaty.

  “Thanks, Helen. I’ll take it from here,” Taylor announced.

  “Call me if you need anything else.” Helen backed out of the bathroom taking the wet towels with her.

  “Come on, honey, let’s get you into the tub.” Taylor pulled the tee shirt off over Brett’s head and then holding Brett tightly, she remained steady as Brett lifted one leg and then the other into the hot water. She gasped at the heat but immediately got some relief from the cramping as she slowly slid under the water.

  Taylor knelt next to the tub,
reached under the water and began to massage Brett’s calf muscles, first one leg and then the other. It took several minutes, but the combined heat and massage provided a good measure of relief, and Brett lay back against the slope of the bathtub with much less pain than she had been experiencing.

  Taylor leaned back watching Brett’s face. Brett’s eyes were closed and her breath came more regularly as she experienced some relief from her cramping.

  Taylor was standing up when Brett reached over and clasped her hand.

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Are you feeling better?” Brett couldn’t keep her eyes from traveling over Taylor’s body. She was wearing a blue camisole and matching panties, and she looked so sexy that Brett felt her nipples harden in response, her thighs clenching. She couldn’t fail to see the hard, protruding nipples of Taylor’s breasts. Taylor grew nervous as Brett stared at her, her eyes dark and locked on Taylor. Taylor’s tongue lightly slid across her lips as she watched Brett watch her. She knew that look, many a night she had looked up into those same eyes while they made love. She would never forget how Brett looked when she made love to her; that look was etched in her soul.

  Taylor stumbled to her feet, her eyes still unable to look away from Brett’s.

  “I’ll go straighten the sheets on your bed.” Brett watched as Taylor turned and fled the bathroom, feeling the loss. Taylor had all but run from the room. Brett knew Taylor had been physically reacting to her, and she didn’t understand why she looked so terrified when she turned and left the room. Could it be that seeing Brett’s badly mangled body had turned her away? Brett’s heart and mind grew heavy as she stared down at her scarred torso.

  She hated the way she looked. She hated the fact that she had done this to herself.

  She had destroyed her own body with one stupid decision. She had to live with the results but obviously Taylor found her body disgusting. She couldn’t prevent the tears that tracked down her cheeks.