Killer Cupid (The Redemption Series: Book 1) (5 page)

It was so light and pleasant on the balcony, it lifted my spirits. Cindy could never resist all Glori’s gossip, and I listened intently, though I didn’t always understand. Glori lived in another world, the world of Hollywood glitz and glamour, and I so wanted some connection to that world.

At least I thought I did. But Grammy was starting to get in the way. She seemed so happy. I needed to find Cat the Prayer Warrior.

Glori was animated, telling her latest gossip about a guy Cindy was dating. Never one to let the truth get in the way of a good story, she elaborated to her heart’s content. We laughed, as Glori motioned wildly with her words.

I think Cindy saw him first, and she put her hand up to stop her. Too late. Glori slammed her arm into David’s stomach. As any great actress would, she turned her head slowly for effect. “Hello.”

“Hello, Glori.” She looked amazed that he remembered her name. The wry smile never left his face as he nodded to Cindy, and sat down beside me. I was speechless as he took my hand.

My friends excused themselves and went into my room to eavesdrop.

His voice was gentle and soothing, and I couldn’t find mine. I think he sensed that I needed time to get my wits about me. His words were simple and direct, the topics mundane.

I began to relax, as he spoke about this lovely California weather. I stared at his hands holding mine, because I was so shy, because I couldn’t believe this man was lavishing his undivided attention on me. Like I was the most desirable woman in the world.

“Dr. Gallagher tells me you attend university.”

I managed to stutter. “Yes
…
And…I – I study art history…in college.” Not only was I sweating from embarrassment, I began to shake.

“Well, that must be fascinating.” He began massaging my hands.

“Ohh… yes…” The massage began to help, and I let out a sigh. It caught in my throat, but I pushed on. “I’ll do a painting for you – maybe tomorrow. Maybe.”

***

He visited with me for fifty minutes. Cindy had it timed. I never could repeat all we discussed to satisfy Glori. It was a very pleasant blur. I finally composed myself, and actually participated in the conversation – mostly I made him tell me everything about Hamburg, Germany. I even managed to smile at him. The feel of my hand in his thrilled me.

I knew my friends were listening in, so I never mentioned the painting he liked, or Cat the Prayer Warrior, and he didn’t either. But I sensed I could trust him with my heart. And that was pretty frail.

“I’m afraid I must be going, Debbie.” He kissed my cheek, and my heart resumed racing. The winter sun was growing dim. He wheeled me back into the room, and lifted me onto the bed. “May I visit with you again tomorrow?”

“Oh… yes…” But what would I do until then?

He kissed my hands, nodded to my friends, and he was gone.

Chapter Three

David

He sat in his car for a few silent moments to compose himself – again. Cat the Prayer Warrior. He wiped his eyes and saw his cousin Cat, blonde curls falling about her face. Her haunting, deep blue eyes stared into his. She was just five years old, and he was seven. He shuddered, and he was back on his boat. Was he losing his mind?

He needed to speak to Debbie, but he couldn’t. Not now. He reached under the seat to retrieve the painting. It was real. He must be losing his mind. It was Cat. Cat had to be behind this somehow. He rubbed his eyes, and stashed the watercolor carefully back under the seat.

He pulled his Mercedes into rush hour traffic as the phone roused him from his reverie. “Yes?”

It was Clemente. “Hey! We’re outta here tomorrow night.”

“Okay.” Not what he wanted to hear. “Not much time to tie up loose ends.”

“You can handle it. Pearson wants us both on this ya know.”

“Yeah. Talk to you later.” This was unfortunate timing. He had hoped to see more of Debbie.

He considered the task at hand and necessary preparations, as he drove through stop and go traffic. Celestial pale blue eyes appeared in front of him. What would Debbie paint for him? Realizing this lapse of concentration could well be fatal, he was perturbed. How did this strange, frail creature cast such a spell over him? A helpless young woman who refused to eat now controlled his thoughts. How could this happen?

A helpless young woman who’d painted his life as a child. The same forest, the same place, where he often camped with his father, brother, and closest friends. And Debbie had painted the winter scene – the familiar snowy trees, icy rock and bubbling stream. The peaks in the distance just as he remembered them. The old-fashioned snow shoes planted in the snow, not far from their campfire. How could this happen?

“I always like to jump into my paintings. Like Mary Poppins. I like to pretend that I’m there. It’s always more fun having adventures in those worlds, than staying in this one.”

David had always been able to shut down his emotions. He was able to withdraw so completely into himself, that he became an observer of his own actions, not a participant. By the time he reached the driveway of his Beverly Hills residence, he thought Debbie and her remarkable painting were safely and completely buried in the recesses of his mind and heart.

He stumbled out of the car like a drunkard, blue eyes fixed on him, he was certain. Prayer Warriors? Or insanity? He shuddered and rubbed his eyes.

He decided life might be worth living.

He’d go back to the boat tonight.

He strode through the house to the pool. There they were, relaxing in the last rays of the sun. “Hmmm David, I’ve been waiting for you,” she purred. Rising from the lounge, her robe slipped from her shoulders.

He watched her deliberately parade toward him. Sylvie had an amazing body, and she used it expertly.

Darla eyed them both with cool interest. She followed them upstairs.

***

It was after midnight when he arrived at the marina, boarded his boat, and headed to the small galley. He put his backpack on the table, and took out the painting and a frame. Carefully he mounted it on the wall, and placed the document behind it. Pearson would be bullshit he couldn’t get it to him sooner. Nothing he could do about it now. Pearson should have known to expect the unexpected from him.

You can’t just order the execution of a U.S. senator and go on holiday.

He took the velvet box from the backpack, headed out, and sat on the deck. He looked up at the night sky and saw Debbie’s sweet face. Healing smile. Heavenly blue eyes. Silken blonde hair that lit up her face like a halo.

God is real
. He knew it now. He knew it in his core. Cat had told him long ago. But Debbie switched on the light.

He removed the ring from the box and held it in his fingers. He noticed it sparkled a bit in the moonlight. A full moon. He supposed he was crazy.

Debbie

My parents found me as bright and sunny as the new day. Dr. Gallagher did not offer an explanation for my sudden improvement. Neither did Cindy or Glori. But we all heaved a sigh of relief when they left the hospital that morning.

Glori rolled her pretty eyes. “So when do you think our knight in shining armor will show up today? And can we stand the wait?”

They didn’t have long to wonder. Just as I finally managed breakfast, he came through the open door. “Good morning.” He glanced in the direction of Cindy and Glori and nodded. Then he focused his attention on me.

I felt my throat close up, as I tried to respond. Again, he ignored my difficulties, sat on the edge of the bed and took my hand.

“I… I’m so glad to see you… today… David.”

He smiled, and then kissed my forehead. “May I have some time alone with Debbie?” He turned to Cindy with his request. Now she was blushing with confusion. Before she could muster an answer, Glori grabbed her arm, and hauled her from the room.

“What are you doing?” Cindy hissed as they lurched into the hallway.

“What? Why not let them be alone for a while? What can it hurt?” Their voices disappeared down the hallway.

He turned back to me. “Debbie, Dr. Gallagher told me you need to begin eating more in order to get well. Do you think you can do that?”

“Ohhh… yes… David.” I nodded like a child caught in mischief. I was so flummoxed, I didn’t know how to respond, but I knew this was stupid.

“Really?”

“Ohhh… yes… David.” I continued nodding despite myself, and he burst out laughing.

“You are positively adorable. You know that, don’t you?”

“Oh.” My insides started to unravel a bit.

“I need you to do something for me.”

“What?” I looked up at his face.

“I need you to want to live, Sweetheart. You’ve got to start eating something. Will you do that for me?”

He called me “sweetheart.”

“Oh yes, David.” This seemed reasonable. Without even thinking, I threw my arms around him, and he kissed my cheek again.

He sat me back on the pillow so he could talk to me. “Sweetheart, I need you to promise me something.”

He called me “sweetheart.” That’s about all that registered with me.

“Yes.” I attempted to focus on his face.

“I need you to promise me you’re going to eat all the food they give you, do everything Dr. Gallagher says to do, and do everything you can to get well. Will you promise me that?”

“Yes.”

“And I would really like it, if you could do a special painting for me. Would you do that?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.” He paused to let me absorb his requests.

I remembered it’d be a good idea to speak now. “What would you like me to paint for you, David?”

“Whatever you would like to do, Sweetheart.”

“Wellll … I can show you some of my best paintings, my other paintings… in my room…” Or maybe they weren’t in my room anymore.

“I would like that.” He had a curious smile on his face, and for some reason, I now felt comfortable staring.

“Oh.” My mind was still too tired to focus on this art project for long. I reached to him for another hug, and I put my head on his strong chest, listening to the steady beating of his heart. I loved the scent of him. I loved everything about him.

“Debbie.”

I tried to pick my head up, but I was too comfortable.

“I need to go on a business trip.”

“Business trip?” I popped up and wavered in his arms.

He steadied me. “Yes.”

“Where are you… going? How long… how long will you be gone?” A lump rose in my throat.

“I’m not sure how long I will be gone. But I need you to take good care of yourself while I’m away. Promise me you will.”

I could only stare up at him.

“Sweetheart, I think you should be able to gain some weight while I’m away. What do you think, hmm? I think six pounds would be good to start. Can you do that for me? Six pounds. Okay?”

“Yes.” I wondered how I’d do that. I may as well jump over the moon.

“Then when I get back, we’ll have a nice evening out together.”

“A date?”

“Yes, a date.”

“Ohh…” I almost let myself get carried away in the fantasy. But the thought that he would leave brought me back. “When are you… going away?”

“Today, Sweetheart. But I promise I’ll see you again. We’ll be together again soon.”

Tears started to drip down my face. My mind fogged with the anguish.

“Please don’t cry, Debbie. Everything’s going to be all right.”

He was placing a ring on my finger. I blinked to clear my eyes, and on my left hand was the most beautiful diamond ring I’d ever seen. My jaw dropped.

“I want you to know, you will see me again. We’ll be together, I promise you.”

I looked up at him, incredulous, and focused on his soft brown eyes.

Then I understood
—
in the depths of my heart
—
where Grammy was smiling.
I matter. I matter to him.
It was right there in his eyes. And I knew where on earth I belonged.

He kissed my open mouth, and I went back for more.

“In the meanwhile, I hope you wear this ring and think of me.”

I couldn’t speak. His kiss melted me from my lips to my toes.

Glori

Debbie seemed fine when we got back to the room. She was sound asleep, tucked ever so neatly under the covers. “Told you she’d be okay.”

“Well, who knows if or when he’ll show up again,” Cindy said.

“Who knows?” I took a seat. Just as we were getting comfortable, Marion Aldridge walked in.

“Hello, dear,” Marion addressed Cindy, and then deigned to notice me with a grating “Hello.”

We exchanged “we’ve got to get out of here” looks behind her back.