Jeb had watched as Brett left his office, her face a mask of pain and heartbreak.
He couldn’t understand why Taylor wouldn’t agree even to see Brett. It had taken him over a year to get Taylor to admit that she was still in love with Brett and another year for her to tell him why she didn’t trust her. Taylor had lost her family at such a young age that she had a huge need to feel secure in her life.
Trust was also essential to Taylor’s security, and Brett had, in Taylor’s mind, fractured the trust. This had made Taylor harden her heart. She wouldn’t survive another loss. It would kill her. Jeb had understood Taylor’s deep-seated insecurities. What he didn’t understand is why she wouldn’t at least give Brett a chance to explain what happened. Now things were very different, and Jeb was thrilled for both women. It wasn’t easy to find the right life partner, and he knew Taylor and Brett were perfect for each other.
“Hey, partner.” Jeb reached out and hugged the tiny woman tightly. He didn’t miss the tears that tracked down Taylor’s face.
“I’ve missed you,” Taylor whispered, as she held Jeb tightly.
“I’ve missed you. Is Brett with you?”
“She’s out in the SUV waiting. Parking is a bitch around the airport. Besides, she wanted to give us some time to reconnect.”
“Let me see that rock glistening on your finger.” Taylor lifted her hand up so Jeb could see her ring.
“Wow, Brett must really like you or something,” Jeb teased, as he held Taylor’s hand in his.
“She loves me.” Taylor’s smile was blazing.
“I take it you love her back.”
“Totally.”
“Taylor, you never stopped loving her.” Jeb placed his hand on Taylor’s shoulder.
“I was wrong, Jeb. Brett never slept with another woman. I believe her completely. When she commits herself to something or someone, it’s a total commitment.” Taylor had no more doubts about Brett. She knew deep in her heart that Brett was completely true to her.
“I’m very glad that you’ve found each other again.” Taylor’s smirk didn’t go unnoticed by Jeb. “What?”
“I think you and Mrs. Camden conspired to do a little matchmaking.” Jeb’s eyes twinkled back at Taylor, but he didn’t respond as he wrapped an arm around her, his briefcase and overnight bag in his other hand. “Come on, let’s get out of here. I’m hungry. I hope you have plans to feed me.”
“Absolutely, we’re taking you home. Helen has been slaving all afternoon to fix you a home-cooked meal. I thought it would be more relaxing to eat at Brett’s home.”
“Sounds perfect.”
Taylor hugged Jeb again and started for the exit to the airport. As usual, the Boulder airport hosted a bustling crowd of visitors to the skiing and recreational center. They pushed and threaded their way through the crush until they made it to the pick up area. Brett saw them as they came through the door, and she stepped out of her car and moved around to meet them.
“Hey Jeb, welcome to Boulder.”
“Brett, you look terrific. Give me a hug, girl.” And she did. Her arms had gained muscle as well as her legs and the rest of her body. She stood straight, wearing a pair of faded jeans and a bright red polo shirt. Her grin was huge and her eyes glowed with happiness. She looked healthy and well loved.
Brett felt the tears fill her eyes as Jeb hugged her tightly and Taylor looked on with a big smile on her face. Brett had always liked Jeb. “I’m glad you’re here. Taylor has missed you terribly.”
Jeb was surprised at the change in Brett. She looked almost as healthy as she had four years earlier. If he didn’t know better, he wouldn’t have known she was injured, except for her slowed gait. “Yeah, but she has you. I’d say that was just about perfect.”
Brett’s smile was blinding. “That just about sums it up. Here, let me take your suitcase.”
Jeb and Taylor climbed into the car and, after stowing Jeb’s suitcase in the back, Brett slid into the driver’s seat and began the short drive back to her home.
Jeb and Taylor chatted about work and Rex until Brett pulled into the driveway.
“Welcome to our home,” Brett announced, as she grabbed his suitcase and went up the stairs onto the wide front porch and the entrance to the large house.
Jeb followed Taylor into the entry of the natural wood home built at the foot of the mountains. He was impressed with the contemporary open living room and country kitchen. It wasn’t anything like Taylor’s modern condominium. The place had the look of a professionally decorated home but with the added personal touches that made it warm and inviting. The oversized chairs and soft brown leather sofa were inviting. The walls were natural stained cedar planks, on which were hung large photographs of the mountains and the surrounding hills.
Brett had recently put up a picture of herself skiing in a downhill race before her injury. Taylor was proud of Brett’s being able to think about herself as an ex-skier. It was a major step in Brett’s mental and physical recuperation. The open space included a large kitchen with granite counters and knotty pine cabi-nets. Copper pots and pans hung from an iron rack above the center island. A large open wooden stairwell led to the upper floor.
“Brett, I’ll take Jeb up to his room. Why don’t you check on your mother and see if she’s up to having dinner with us?”
Twenty minutes later Jeb and Taylor were sitting on the back deck admiring the sweeping view of the snow-covered mountains and sipping on a superb Mer-lot. Brett hadn’t returned from her mother’s room.
“This is a beautiful place. It feels very warm and welcoming.” Jeb commented as he took in the incredible view around him.
“Yes, it is. It feels like home. Boulder is a very comfortable place. It’s nothing like Los Angeles. It’s modern and everything but it just has a small town, out-doorsy feel to it that makes you feel welcome.”
“You like living here?”
“I do, but I could live anywhere with Brett.”
“I’m glad.”
“So business is really as good as you said on the telephone?” Taylor couldn’t keep the guilt out of her voice.
“Better, and stop worrying. Even though you’re sorely missed, we’re slogging along.” Jeb rubbed Taylor’s back affectionately.
“So, you said you had an idea about how to expand?”
“Yeah, what would you say to opening in another location instead of expanding in Los Angeles?”
“Where?”
“What would you think about here in Boulder?”
“You’re kidding!” Taylor was amazed at the suggestion.
“No, I’ve already done some background checking and a preliminary market survey. This place could use a high-end rehab and spa facility. You could oversee the construction, be here for the opening, and then manage the new facility. That way you could stay here, and we can expand at the same time. What do you think?” Jeb had done more than research it. He had a well-documented plan in his briefcase. It was good, very good.
“Are you sure this makes good business sense?”
“Absolutely, and we have the cash. We need to invest it somewhere, and this place makes perfect sense. I’ve crunched some numbers, and I think we could get it to turn a profit by the end of the first year.”
“Sooner, if you use me to endorse your new spa.” Brett spoke softly from behind them. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“You didn’t.” Jeb smiled and motioned for Brett to join them.
“Brett, you don’t need to do something like that.” Taylor reached out and clasped Brett’s hand as she sat down.
“It probably won’t carry much weight, but if I can help I will.”
“So you think it’s a good idea?”
“I think it’s a very good idea.” Brett hugged Taylor. “It keeps you here in Boulder.”
“So, Taylor, it’s up to you.” Jeb grinned at his partner. He was quite sure he knew what her answer would be.
“I say let’s go for it!” Taylor laugh
ed and reached her other hand out to Jeb.
“And let’s have a toast to the success of the new venture!”
“We can talk about the details later. Brett, tell me about the coaching opportunity. It sounds interesting.” Their easy conversation and frequent laughter drifted back to the house. All too soon, it seemed, Helen called them to dinner.
CHAPTER 18
“Helen, dinner was marvelous. Do you think I could convince you to move to Los Angeles and cook for me and Rex?”
“I like it here just fine, thank you,” replied Helen good-naturedly. She was busy clearing their empty dinner plates from the table.
Brett and Taylor both smiled, and Helen’s happy face reflected her apprecia-tion for the compliment. Taylor couldn’t help but tease her long-time friend. “I think Rex might object to the competition.”
“He loves a good meal. Now, how about telling me some of your plans for your ceremony?”
“It’s going to be here a week from Saturday. The ceremony will be in the afternoon out in the backyard, if the weather allows. I’ve reserved you a room at the Radisson downtown for two nights, so you’re expected here on Friday. Brett is in charge of the ceremony.” Taylor’s smile was tender as she looked at her girlfriend.
Brett squeezed her fingers and smiled back. “The ceremony is at four, and we have a local Lutheran minister blessing the vows. Jeb, we’d be honored if you and Rex would be our witnesses.”
“We’d love to. What else can we do?”
“Not a thing, we have it all covered.” Taylor sighed. Everything was coming together so beautifully.
“We’d like to do something for you two. Are you going on a honeymoon?”
“Not right now. We’re going to stay here in town until Brett has to go to New York. Then we’re going to take a couple of days off while we’re there.” Neither Brett nor Taylor wanted to leave Brett’s mother while she was so ill.
“Brett, expand a little bit about this coaching job. They want you to coach the U.S. Ski team?”
“It’s not a for-sure thing yet, but if I can get myself healthier and stronger, the U.S. Ski Association has asked me if I would consider coaching the 2006 U.S. Olympic Ski Team. The Olympic committee has to review their petition for me to coach. If they approve, then an offer can be made.”
“Brett says you’re working yourself like a demon.”
“She’s a tough boss,” Brett laughed.
“I am awfully glad you’re doing so well, Brett.” Brett picked up Taylor’s hand and kissed it tenderly before responding. “I had good reason to get my act together.”
“I’m going to go check on Roselin. I’ll be right back.” Taylor bent and kissed Brett and then stood up and slipped out of the room.
Brett turned and grinned at Jeb. “She wants me to talk to you about being an alcoholic.”
“I figured that,” Jeb chuckled. “How’re you doing?”
“Right now I seem to be doing okay. I don’t miss it most of the time, and then out of the blue I feel like having a drink.”
“What do you do when you feel like that?”
“I usually go work out.”
“Brett, you might want to look into attending AA meetings for a while. They provide a support mechanism to fall back on.”
“I’ve thought about that. Do you still go to meetings?”
“Occasionally, usually when I’m stressed or dealing with something important. And Brett, you can call me anytime, anywhere. I’ll always be there.” He knew what it was like when an alcoholic first gave up her crutch. Everything would be fine until something happened that created a large amount of stress.
That’s when most alcoholics fell off the wagon. He wanted Brett to know that he could be called upon to help.
“Thanks, I appreciate that very much.”
Jeb reached out and placed his hand on Brett’s. “Taylor adores you, and I saw something very special in you years ago. You’re going to be fine.”
“Thanks, I know I’m very, very lucky.”
“Brett, you had to work like hell to get where you are, luck had nothing to do with it. I do need to explain something to you about Taylor. She may not have given you a lot of detail about her life. She knows just how hard it is to recover from life-altering injuries. When she lost her parents and was hospitalized, alone and afraid, it was the kindness of a physical therapist and her husband that helped Taylor survive. All Taylor ever wanted in her life was a family—a lover who would always be there. She needs that most of all.”
“She still doesn’t trust me completely,” Brett whispered softly, her eyes full of hurt.
“She’s trying to overcome years of being afraid of being left alone. Be patient with her.”
“Jeb, I need you to know that I never ever cheated on Taylor when we were dating.”
“Honey, I know you didn’t, but Taylor couldn’t see beyond the rumors and your reputation. You’ll have to deal with all of that some day.”
“She is my life.”
“Brett, you are hers, and she’s still got deep seated fears of losing someone she loves. Losing her parents at such a young age had a profound effect on her. That has nothing to do with you. It’s Taylor’s way of protecting herself.” Brett remained silent absorbing his words. Jeb sat back and waited for Brett to react.
“She told me when we first got together that she wanted to have a couple of children.”
“She still does.”
“I’ve always wanted to be with someone who wanted to raise children.”
“Have you told her?”
“Yes, but I’m not sure she thought I was completely serious.”
“Maybe you should talk more to her about it.”
“I think I will.”
Taylor’s light laughter could be heard from the second floor, and Jeb and Brett smiled at the sound. “She’s happy here with you.” Brett’s eyes filled with tears as she watched Taylor walk down the stairs, a big smile on her face. “Helen made your mother a bowl of popcorn, and she’s watching a video in her room.”
“She’s feeling okay?” Brett asked, as Taylor sat down next to her and slid her hand into Brett’s.
“She’s having a good night. Why don’t you go up and talk to her for a minute?”
“I think I will, and then I’m going to wander off to bed and leave you and Jeb to talk.” Brett leaned into Taylor and brushed her mouth with a kiss, then lifted her fingers to her mouth and kissed the diamond on her hand. She stood up and slowly made her way to the stairs, her gait steady and without her usual limp.
Taylor’s eyes stayed glued to her figure until she disappeared up the stairs.
Jeb’s eyes studied Taylor’s amazing face. It pleased him no end to see the happiness in her gaze.
Taylor turned back to Jeb and blushed when she realized he had been watching her. “What?”
“You’re toast, girl. And so is Brett.”
Taylor’s laugh was musical as she turned to face Jeb fully. “When do you want me to start looking for a place here in Boulder? Do you have any idea about size and location? How much money do we have for a remodel?”
“As a matter of fact, I have a full file in my briefcase to leave with you now that you’ve agreed to go ahead. I’ve gone over it with our accountant, and he thinks it’s a sound plan, so why don’t you go through everything and then we’ll talk about next steps? I haven’t put any thought into the actual interior work. You did such a great job on our current space I thought you might want to have a free hand with this place.”
Taylor’s watched Jeb carefully as she responded. “Are you sure this is what you want to do, expand in Boulder? Or are you just doing this because of me and Brett?”
“I’m doing this because it’s a sound business decision, and you and I were already talking about expansion. Boulder is a great place for something like this.”
“I don’t want Brett to feel like she has to do anything to help us.” Jeb placed his hand on Taylor’s as he spok
e with compassion to his best friend. “Taylor, she wants to help because it’s yours. Let her do what she can to help you. She wants to be your partner in all things. That includes making sure she’s supportive of your business life. You need to let her do that. It’s part of trusting her.”
“She needs to expend all her energy on recovery and dealing with her mother’s illness.”
“She will, honey. She also needs to be a part of your life, business and otherwise.” Jeb hugged Taylor tightly. “I’m going to get the file for you and then get to bed. We can talk some more tomorrow before my flight out, and right now I need my beauty sleep.”
Taylor snorted with laughter. Jeb was gorgeous no matter what he did. “Do you remember where your room is?”
“Yes, Mom.” Jeb flashed a grin, as he rose from the couch and went to where his briefcase sat by the dining room table. He pulled a thick file out and handed it over to Taylor.
“Whoa, you have done a lot of work.”
“I was bored and needed a challenge.” Jeb turned and started for the stairs.
“Besides, it’s a fantastic idea, even if I thought of it.” Taylor snorted with humor as she responded. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, sweetie.”
Taylor stood up and carried the file with her into Brett’s bedroom. She placed the packet on the desk and then grabbed her nightshirt and headed for the bathroom to get ready for bed. She hummed softly to herself as she washed her face and brushed her teeth, her thoughts focused on what she needed to accomplish the following day. She had no awareness of Brett standing in the doorway watching her with a slight smile on her face.
“Oh, Brett, you startled me, honey.”
“You’re enjoying Jeb’s visit?”
“Very much.” Taylor leaned against the sink, watching her lover.
“Are you really going to open another spa here?”
“Yes, if you think it’s a good idea.”
“I want you to do what makes you happy.”
“I am. I’m marrying you.”
“Taylor, I want to know if you still want to have children?” Taylor’s smile froze on her face, as her heart thumped loudly in her chest. “I’d like to, but if you don’t think it’s a good idea, we don’t have to.” Brett moved slowly into the bathroom, her eyes locked onto Taylor’s face. She stopped just inches away from Taylor. The heat from Taylor’s body made her want to groan as passion flared in her own body. She raised her right hand and placed it gently against Taylor’s face. “I’d like to have two that look just like you.” Taylor couldn’t stop the tears as Brett covered her mouth with a kiss, telling her with her mouth just how much she treasured her. It took them both under.
Magic in Our Hearts Page 14
