In Plain Sight

by Susanne Matthews

  “I want you more than I’ve ever wanted a woman in my life, but when I make love to you, it’ll be in a bed, not on a couch like some randy teenager. Maybe when the play’s over, we can go away overnight. Charlotte can watch Debbie, and we can have some time alone to really get to know one another.”

  He kissed her gently this time. “Now, get, before I forget my gentlemanly manners and take advantage of you.”

  She knew he was right, and she wanted him just as badly as he wanted her, but there were things that had to be worked out first. She swallowed her need.

  “Promises, promises,” she teased, but jumped up quickly. “I’d like to go away with you when this is over. I’ll talk to Charlotte.” And I’ll talk to Amos, too.

  He walked her to the stairs and kissed her goodnight.

  • • •

  Another uninterrupted night of sleep left Misty rested and grateful for whatever power had brought her to Nick. Maybe things would work out at last. Nathan and Nick had left for Syracuse right after breakfast, and Misty, Charlotte, and the girls had gone into Canton to meet Amber for lunch. She’d had Debbie’s hair trimmed and her own colored, but she’d decided against getting it cut.

  As Nick had suggested, she’d picked up a few things for the house: some scented candles, picture frames for a couple of photographs Nathan had taken that she’d had enlarged, a Nico Antoni poster featuring his hands that she’d had mounted on a board and planned to put up in her room, a crystal bowl filled with colored stones, and half a dozen plants — two for her apartment and four for the main house. Since Sunday was Easter, she’d allowed Christy and Debbie to pick out some Easter decorations as well. In addition, they picked up two bird feeders and a bag of seed so Debbie and Christy could feed the chibens and a twenty-five pound bag of carrots for the rabbits. Carrots were also Debbie’s favorite vegetable.

  Twice, at the mall, she’d gotten that eerie sensation people attributed to “someone is walking over my grave,” and more than once she’d sensed someone watching her, but when she’d looked around, she hadn’t noticed anything unusual. She’d run into Myra and Kelly at the hair salon, but she hadn’t seen anyone else she knew.

  Lunch with Amber had been fun. While Misty wouldn’t have opted for a fast-food restaurant, the indoor play structure had given the three of them lots of time for adult conversation.

  They’d returned to the house just before Nathan and Nick.

  “How’d the appointment go?” Misty asked, serving him his second plate of cheese cannelloni.

  “It went very well. Everything looks good. I’ll tell you more about it later.”

  • • •

  Nick ate his cannelloni in silence, listening to Debbie’s laundry list of what they’d done that day. The two little girls seemed to be sharing some kind of secret at his expense.

  “And we bought seed for the chibens and carrots for the rabbits. Mommy kept looking ahind her — I think she was looking for you.” She giggled, and Christy joined in.

  “Why were you looking ahind you?” he asked. He loved the made-up words Debbie used. Misty had said she’d start school in September. The little girl would grow up quickly once that happened. He pictured Misty holding a newborn in her arms, and a deep longing stabbed him. He’d been an only child. He didn’t want that loneliness for Debbie. He wanted a big family and hoped Misty did, too. It occurred to him he might be getting ahead of himself planning a family with a woman he’d known little more than a week, but it felt right.

  “I was looking behind me,” she emphasized the correct word, “because I thought I’d seen someone I knew.”

  She was lying. Why would she lie about such a simple thing? He remembered the fear she’d had the night of the fire. Did she think her enemies had found her? How could he have forgotten that she and Debbie might be in danger? He reminded himself she was here because he had to keep her safe. The truth hadn’t changed because he found it emotionally hard to swallow.

  The visit to the doctor’s had been everything Nick had hoped and more. Dr. Graham had examined him thoroughly. He’d checked the changes in Nick’s vision. Each day since Misty had arrived, the grayness lightened. It was as if he was unpacking his eyes, removing one layer of tissue after another. The doctor had confirmed that everything looked good — the words he’d said to Misty.

  His session with Dr. Adams, the resident psychiatrist, had been enlightening and had lifted Nick’s spirits. The doctor had asked Nick what had changed in his life since the blackness had started to recede, and he’d instantly answered, “Misty.” He’d talked about her, had even mentioned the brief flash of light when he’d first touched her. The doctor had agreed that Misty and Debbie could be the catalyst he needed to regain the use of his eyes.

  For the first time, Nick had listened intently to the doctor’s words. Dr. Adams had explained that his blindness was his mind’s way of managing the emotional pain he’d suffered. This emotional trauma had been “converted” into a neurological symptom — in his case, psychosomatic blindness. As he learned to let go of whatever had caused the pain, his vision would return. It could come back gradually, as he was seeing with the lightening of the darkness, or it could come back suddenly, in dramatic fashion, with his brain relaying the images he saw. His eyes worked perfectly; his brain just needed to realize that.

  What Nick needed to remember was that there was every chance his vision would return to normal. Dr. Adams had been pleased with his progress and final acceptance of matters. Nick had made appointments to begin counseling sessions. Before he’d left the doctor’s office, he’d asked about night terrors, and Dr. Adams had promised to have information for him the next time he came. The doctor was interested in knowing how the music therapy would pan out. After only a few days, it was impossible to tell if it was working. Some children had night terrors regularly; others often went weeks between episodes.

  When they drove to the theater later, Nick would explain to Misty what the doctor had told him about the night terrors so she could be prepared in case Debbie had another one. He wasn’t sure how much he’d share about the fact that his vision was coming back. He’d have to think about that. He didn’t want to get her hopes up, and though it would happen, it could take months. He’d also have to start digging to find out who was following her and why. He had no doubt that she’d seen or felt something real today.

  • • •

  Easter Sunday dawned sunny, but the heavy clouds on the horizon promised rain before the day was over. The girls had been worried the Easter Bunny wouldn’t be able to find them, but when Nick had reminded them that they’d been feeding his family all week, they relaxed. This morning there was more chocolate on the table in the dining room than they could eat in a year.

  Misty had purchased a blue shirt for Nick as a gift from herself and Debbie, and when she came downstairs to put it at his place, she was astonished to find two dozen roses, half of them yellow, the other half a beautiful, rich, deep purple.

  “It’s the Easter bouquet,” he joked, coming up behind her. “Yellow and purple are Easter colors, and Nathan says you wear a lot of yellow. I hope you like them. I wanted to give you jewelry, but Nathan says you don’t wear any.”

  “That’s because I don’t have any.” She chuckled. “Not that I ever had a lot, but what little I did have went up in smoke. I bought some earrings the other day since I have to go back to work tomorrow.”

  “When we go away, I’ll pick out something special — not department store jewelry, which I’m sure you bought. You deserve beautiful things, but nothing I could buy you would be as beautiful as you are.”

  She blushed, touched by his words. Even though he’d never seen her, his fingers had traced her face. Had he felt the scars? She’d healed well from the plastic surgery, but there were a few tiny marks at the jawline. She’d forgotten about them. He hadn’t said anything, an
d she wouldn’t volunteer information until she had to.

  “I love the flowers. They’re beautiful, Nick. Thank you. I love yellow roses, but I’ve never seen such deep purple ones before.” She loved flowers and had read about their meaning. Most people associated roses with love and admiration, but depending on the color, they could mean so much more. Yellow roses denoted friendship and the promise of a new beginning, but purple ones were magical, suggesting enchantment. She pulled one from the vase and saw it was stripped of thorns. Roses without thorns meant love at first sight. Had Nick been aware of the meaning of his gift?

  She very much believed she’d fallen for Nick the first time she’d seen him. Her feelings were so different from those she’d had for Kevin, so much deeper than she had ever had for anyone other than Debbie. It was what her mother had called a “forever kind of love.” But could love that lasted be built on lies? She’d tell Amos before she said or did anything, but if she wanted a future with Nick, he’d have to know the truth.

  She removed a yellow rose and placed it with the purple one in a small crystal vase she’d found in the cupboard. She’d put those in her room. She carried the rest of them to the dining room table where she placed them atop the amber lace tablecloth she’d found in the linen cupboard. She’d set the table with the china from the cabinet, and since she and Nick had to be at the theater by six, they’d decided to have an Easter brunch. The quiche was in the oven, and everything else was ready.

  She came back into the kitchen, poured him a cup of coffee, and handed him the box. She placed the coffee on the table in its usual place.

  “Happy Easter. This is for you from Debbie and me. She’s outside feeding the chibens and rabbits.”

  “I had Nathan do some research on the color of roses,” he said as he unwrapped the package. “Each color has its own meaning.” He opened the box and felt the contents. She saw him smile when he felt the shirt and its silky fabric. It was the material he preferred. “What color is it?” he asked.

  “It isn’t the same color as the ones you have, but it’s close. It’s blue-gray, like your eyes. I saw it and knew it would look great on you. You’ve been so good to us; I wanted to do something special for you.” She put her arms around his neck. She stood on tiptoe and kissed him gently, but gentle didn’t seem to be what Nick needed now. His arms came around her, molding her to his body, and he returned the kiss with a hunger that both surprised and thrilled her. When the tip of his tongue demanded entry, she opened to him and reveled in the sensations that coursed through her body as they always did when he invaded her mouth. Before the kiss could deepen, the sound of the girls giggling brought them quickly apart, and Misty blushed to see Charlotte, Nathan, Debbie, and Christy standing in the doorway. Debbie grinned and nodded, as if she were quite satisfied. She looked at Christy, and the two of them dissolved into giggles again.

  “We’ll finish this later when we don’t have an audience,” he whispered before letting her go. “I’m not done with you yet.” He added a quick kiss to punctuate the statement.

  • • •

  The sky had clouded over late in the afternoon, but it had not spoiled the Easter egg hunt. Each of the girls had been given a basket and a list of clues, which the mommies dutifully read. Misty had laughed at some of the terrible clues, but Debbie and Christy had been totally involved. When Debbie found her first egg and the quarter it contained, she’d been thrilled — her mercenary streak was alive and well. By the time the hunt was over, each child had two dollars in change to put in the silver bunny bank that had been the last prize she’d found.

  “The girls had a wonderful time today.” Misty and Nick were halfway to town for tonight’s performance. “I’m glad Nathan thought to use coins and not more candy for the egg hunt.”

  He reached over and touched her arm. “The coins were my idea. I didn’t want to attract bugs. I wanted to make our first Easter together a day you’d both remember,” he answered quietly.

  “You certainly did. The gorgeous roses and all that chocolate … you’ve been great. It’ll make it so much harder when we have to leave.” She knew he’d hear the sadness in her voice, but she couldn’t help it. Leaving here would be as hard on her as it would be on Debbie.

  “Why?”

  “Because you’ve given us more than we could ever have expected.”

  “No,” he said quietly. “Why do you have to leave? I don’t want you to go.”

  She didn’t know what to say. “Nick, we can’t impose on you forever. I know you hired me as a cook, but we both know that’s a sham. You’re giving us a place to live in exchange for meals you’re paying for. I didn’t fall off the turnip truck last week. I’m grateful for everything but — ”

  “The last thing I want from you, Misty, is gratitude.” There was anger and frustration in his voice. “I may have given you the job to get you here, but I’ve gotten used to three meals a day and you and that wonderful child. I want you to stay because I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”

  His words echoed similar ones in her heart. More than anything, she’d love to stay with Nick and build a life together, but the secrets she carried weighed heavily on her.

  Movement on the side of the road just up ahead startled her. She screamed and slammed on the brakes. A large deer jumped out of the brush on the side of the road and stepped into the brightness of the headlights, followed by a smaller one and a fawn. The brakes shrieked and the tires slid along the wet pavement. The car pulled to the right, and she gripped the steering wheel tightly, praying they wouldn’t slide into the deep ditches that lined this part of the road.

  “What is it? What’s wrong? Talk to me, Misty! Tell me what’s happening.” The underlying fear in Nick’s voice reached her and anchored her.

  She realized she’d been holding her breath and released it, gasping for air as she did. She could hear the blood pulsing through her and tried to slow her breathing so she could speak. “I’m sorry. A deer — a family of deer — ran out in front of the car and frightened me.” She struggled to inhale and exhale at a normal speed. She was on the verge of hyperventilating. “Nathan warned me to watch for deer. It scared me, and I’ll be okay in a minute. I’m fine, really I am, but the deer are just standing there, staring at us. Are you okay?”

  Nick laughed in relief. “I’m good. Take a few deep breaths and promise you’ll never terrify me like this again. I think I just aged ten years. You have no idea how incredibly scary being blind can be when you know something is wrong. Honk the horn. They’ll move.”

  Misty placed her shaking hands on the steering wheel and pressed the horn. The weak beep echoed loudly in the night. The deer quickly skittered across the highway to the other side.

  “Wow! That was close. I think I’m okay to drive now.” She took her foot off the brake, checked the road behind her, and resumed driving. “I’d better concentrate on what I’m doing, and you have to promise not to distract me with wonderful offers,” she said and focused on her driving until they reached the theater.

  “Not while you’re driving, I promise.” Nick didn’t say anything else, and she wondered if she’d upset him. They were a few minutes late, so she had no time to talk to him before the performance, but she couldn’t get his request out of her mind. Stay? In what capacity? As his cook, his tenant, or something more? Was she building castles in the sky? She knew he was physically attracted to her; would she be happy in that kind of a relationship? She wanted “happily ever after,” but could a blind man, one whose world was gray now instead of black, slay her dragons?

  Her confusion and the fact it was Easter added a strange sense of solemnity and wonder to that night’s performance. When she sang her solo, she wasn’t Mary Magdalene singing about Jesus; she was Misty Starr pouring her heart out about the man she wanted but couldn’t understand. She didn’t know how to love the incredibly complex Nick Anthony,
and yet she wanted to with every fiber of her being. She’d never expected their relationship to come to this, and now she had a choice and had absolutely no idea how to make it. She was scared. What if he couldn’t accept the truth about her? The lyrics poured directly from her heart.

  When she finished, her face was wet with tears. She was caught in an impossible situation. She’d known him only ten days, but she loved him. She really, truly loved him. What if she had to leave? How would she survive?

  The ovation was thunderous, bringing her back to the theater. She bowed and hurried off stage.

  “Oh, my God, Misty!” cried Amber, throwing her arms around her backstage. “That was amazing. You made me cry.”

  “I made myself cry,” she said, trying to make a joke of the emotional morass she was in. “It must be because today is Easter.”

  The rest of the performance went well, and after seven curtain calls, the cast removed their costumes and headed home. Most of them had to work tomorrow, and in truth, the performance tonight had affected them all.

  Driving home, she’d spoken little, concentrating on her driving and anticipating what would happen when they got home. Home. She liked the sound of that. She slowed down when she came to the area where she’d seen the deer, but the road was clear. She pulled into the lane, used the remote opener Nathan had given her, and drove through the gates. She parked the car around back, and with Nick’s arm around her, they entered the house. Misty hung her jacket on the peg in the mudroom and did the same with Nick’s.

  “Would you like a nightcap?” she asked entering the kitchen. “Nathan left the brandy on the counter.”

  Nick came up behind her and pulled her into his arms, turning her to face him. “What I’d like is more of you,” he whispered, gently kissing her lips.

  She allowed her need to pour through her and responded to the kiss with the hunger she felt. His mouth sought admission to hers and she opened willingly, her tongue meeting his in the age-old duel where both were winners. His arms pulled her closer, sculpting her body to his, his hands roaming up her back while her hands tangled in his hair. She wanted him with a passion she’d never known, and knew by the hardness against her that his need was as great as hers.