Listen To Your Heart (17 page)

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Authors: Fern Michaels

BOOK: Listen To Your Heart
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“I'd love to go with you if you're sure I won't be in the way. Where does your mother live?”
“In the French Quarter. She lives there with her sisters. She was managing the cornmeal plant, but we're selling it. I'm hoping this is all going to work out right. If it doesn't, I don't know what I'll do. That's why I came to you the first time. I wanted to plan a Mother's Day party for my mother. I was hoping against hope that we would be able to find Nancy in time for the party. In a way it's a trade-off. At least I think that's the way my mother is going to look at it. I've done this every year for years, hoping it would work out. It never did until now.”
“What . . . what's your mother's name, Paul?”
“Marie. Why?”
“I've been working with her. She, too, wanted to plan a party for her sisters.” She told him about her visit to the French Quarter and the walled-in garden and about the sisters coming to work for a few hours in the test kitchens. “She doesn't view it the way you do, Paul. She loves you very much. She's afraid to make advances to you for fear of rejection. She said you only call when you can fit her into your busy schedule. No woman—I don't care who she is—likes to be fitted in to someone's busy schedule. You need to sit down and tell her how you feel. She'll tell you how she feels, and then you will meet somewhere in the middle. If we're going to get married and have children, I want them to know their grandmother. I don't want to dance around my husband and make lame excuses. She's your mother, and you'll never have another. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about. You aren't one of those macho guys who can't admit you're wrong, or is too big to let your mother know how you hurt, are you?”
“No, I'm not one of those. How'd you get so smart?”
“I had a great mother. My dad was okay, too. If you let me, I can help.”
“That's for tomorrow. Tonight is for us.”
“I have news for you: It's tomorrow already. My watch says it's ten minutes of one. I'm kind of sleepy.”
“Want to go to sleep?”
“Just like that, go to sleep?”
“Uh-huh. I turned down the bed when I was up there.”
Josie doubled over laughing. “Then Zip is under the covers, and Rosie is on the pillow.”
“Let's fake 'em out and head for the spare bedroom,” Paul said, drawing her to her feet.
“What about dinner?”
“What about it?” Paul said lazily.
“Uh-huh. I'll just turn off all the burners and the oven.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Yes, it does. Do you think this night would have ended like this if you were on time?”
“Probably not. You need to get rid of that dress—it's a mess.”
“Want to see me without it?” She heard him suck in his breath, or was that sound coming from her own mouth? “First door on the left!” Josie said, sprinting up the steps.
Nine
J
osie woke slowly. She was instantly aware of where she was, of the warm body next to hers and everything that had transpired earlier. She smiled, then opened her eyes. Incredible dark eyes stared into hers. His smile matched her own. His voice was warm and husky when he said, “Good morning”
“This is the first time I've seen you look worry-free,” Josie whispered softly.
“That's because tons of responsibility have shifted off my shoulders. You have a lot to do with it, Josie. Are we really going to get married?”
Josie's stomach fluttered in panic. “You did ask me. I remember saying yes. That was last night, though. I was a little hot under the collar, and you were chagrined, to say the least. If you want to renege, it's okay,” she said lightly as she crossed her fingers under the covers.
“Not on your life. When?”
When indeed. “You have something to say about it, Paul. Weddings take some time to prepare. Kitty is getting married in January. We could have a double wedding. Twins do things like that. Or we could go to a justice of the peace. I've never been married before, so I'm not sure what the rules are.” With her index finger, Josie played with the dark curls drooping over Paul's forehead.
“That feels good. How are you at shoulder rubs?”
“Terrible. Unless of course we take turns. This has to be fifty-fifty all the way. We need to be clear on this, Paul.”
“We are. What time is it? Where are the dogs?”
“It's seven-twenty and the dogs are outside the door. They've been whining for ten minutes. What time do you have to be at work?”
“Eight. I think. No one said. Do we have time . . . ?”
“'Fraid not,” Josie said, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. She walked naked into the bathroom and closed the door. She heard Paul groan. She grinned from ear to ear as she brushed her teeth. She sashayed out of the bathroom five minutes later dressed in the worn, frayed, but comfortable robe that she'd had since she was sixteen.
“I'll let the dogs out and make coffee. Would you like toast or something?”
“Coffee will be fine. I have to go home and change my clothes. What should I do about Zip?”
“The same thing you've been doing every day since I met you—leave him here with me.”
“I could move in. Or you could move in with me.”
“I don't like your house, Paul. It's cold and unfriendly. You don't have any green plants or junk. I like
stuff.
You know, fill corners with things. Mementos. I like warm and cozy.”
Paul slapped at his forehead. “You're right. That's what's wrong with the place. I threw stuff all over yesterday. I messed it up, and it still looked the same. Zip and I more or less lived in the family room off the kitchen. I guess it's a woman thing, huh?”
“More or less.” That's what she could do today. With Kitty gone and no pending jobs, she could go to the French Market, buy some junk, some plants, and fix up Paul's house. She had the van, so she could shop till she dropped and load it to the brim. A labor of love. She literally danced down the steps behind the dogs.
It's going to be a wonderful day. I can feel it in every bone of my body.
“I'm getting married!” she shouted as she twirled around the kitchen, coffee strainer in hand. “Wherever you are, Mom, can you hear me? I'm getting married! Do you believe it, Mom? Me, getting married! Damn, I feel good. The pearls broke, Mom. That was my sign, right? I hope you approve of Paul. He's the one, Mom. I knew it the minute he showed up at the cottage. When you have time, give me another sign that you approve. You have to approve, Mom. I love this guy. I really do.”
Paul backed away from the doorway. He hated to admit he had listened unashamedly to Josie's dialogue with her mother. She really did love him. No woman had ever said she loved him. Maybe his mother had told him she did when he was little, but if she did, he couldn't remember it. Maybe the old housekeeper had told him, too, but he couldn't remember that either. He felt his chest swell with happiness.
“How's the coffee coming?” he bellowed from the doorway.
“It's coming. Another minute or so. Are you going to make it on time?”
“Probably not. I'll say I thought I was to be in at eight-thirty. Hey, I'm a partner.”
“What's your first project?”
“The guy is a new client for Jack. He wants a guest cottage, a cabana, and some interior renovations on his main house. I have to go over to the property this morning and then I get to sit down and see if I'm as good as I think I am.”
“Trust me, you are. When someone wants something as bad as you've always wanted this, it has to work.”
Paul nodded. “This is a pretty cup,” Paul said, pointing to the large red strawberry. “That's what I mean. I don't have anything like this. My cups have a maroon stripe around the middle.”
“They were my mother's dishes. There are only a few pieces left. Kitty and I treasure them. Growing up, food on a pretty plate made some things easier to eat, like liver or cauliflower. At least that's what Mom said. I have to agree. Kitty and I fight over them.”
“Good coffee,” Paul said, gulping from the cup. “I hate to drink and run, but I don't have any other choice. Hey, Zip!”
Josie watched, a smile on her face as Paul tussled with the boxer for a few minutes. He raised his head to look at Josie. “Would you mind coming to my house for dinner with the dogs? I'd like to spend some time with Zip. I can barbecue outside if you like.”
“Sure, I'd like that. What time?”
“How does seven sound? If I kiss you, I'll never get out of here.”
Josie laughed. “Go on. I'll see you tonight.”
The kitchen was suddenly quiet as Zip looked at the door, at her, and then at Rosie. He nudged his pal and both dogs crawled under the table.
“It's okay, Zip. We're going over there tonight, and you can show Rosie all your things and how you live. Paul and I will walk you guys and play with you all night. I promise. We're a package deal now. We all belong together. It's wonderful! It's so wonderful I feel like crying. I'm not going to cry, though. I will cry on my wedding day. My mother said she cried on hers, and then she never cried again. Well, she said she did cry one more time when Dad had his heart attack. She said she never let him see her cry, though. I have to remember that. Okay, time to shower and then we're going to the market. It's okay, Zip—really it is. We're going to your house to do some fixing up. Come on, give me some love,” Josie said, rubbing her nose against the boxer's wet snout. “Ah, that's good. You too, girl. Kisses, kisses. Just one big happy family. The four of us. Please, God, don't let anything spoil all of this.”
It was two-thirty when Josie pulled the van into Paul's driveway. She grinned from ear to ear as she surveyed her booty. She rather thought she'd bought everything under the sun. First things first. She opened the French doors and watched the two dogs barrel through the house, yapping and yipping at the tops of their lungs. She set down bowls of water before she started carrying her purchases into the house. The kitchen first. Always the kitchen, the heart of the home. She couldn't wait to tie the red-and-white-checkered cushions onto the ugly wrought-iron chairs. The moment she tied the last bow she knew she'd made the right choice. The checkered place mats with the matching napkins transformed the ugly glass-topped table to a work of art. The centerpiece of bright red ceramic apples in a straw basket complemented the mats and cushions to perfection. “Wonderful,” she chortled.
Josie ran to the van for the pink tool kit that Kitty had given her for Christmas one year. In seconds she was standing on the kitchen counter screwing in an eye hook to hang a delicious fern, as big as a bushel basket, over the sink. “I love it, I love it, I love it!” She laughed at the dogs, who were sitting on their haunches watching her with interest. “That thing that looks like a bordello bedspread has got to go. What do you think of this?” she said, waving yards of red-and-white-striped sailcloth. “Let me tell you, this was a find! You see, you fit two rods into it and you have a canopy curtain.” She banged more nails. What was it her father always used to say? Screw and glue. Well, she didn't have any screws or glue, so nails would have to do. “Do you believe this!” she shouted to the dogs when she jumped down from the ledge. “Look, it's a whole different kitchen! No, not yet. The rugs!” She ran to the van again and carried in two braided rugs made of colored fiber. One went down in front of the sink and one in front of the stove. “I should have been a decorator,” she said, tweaking Zip's ears. She stood back to survey her handiwork. “What we have here, ladies and gentlemen, is one hell of a cozy, warm kitchen. If there's even the remote possibility that I might be living here one day, I can handle this. I should have been a decorator. Maybe I missed my calling. Okay, onward and upward. Dining room and living room are next.”
It was four o'clock when Josie called a halt to her decorating. She popped a Coke and sat down on the floor with the dogs. “Plants make all the difference. Some junk on the tables, some colored cushions, some flower arrangements, and the place looks lived in. I do like color. I think Paul likes it, too. Okay, guys, we can go home now. We're coming back later. Do you want to bring anything, Zip? Go get it, boy! No? Okay, let's head for home. Want a ride, Rosie?” she said, bending over to pick up the little dog. In a flash, Zip was between her and Rosie. He picked her up daintily and carried her out the door. Josie's vision blurred for a moment. Such devotion. “It's okay, baby. I understand.” And she did understand. She really did.
Outside, the air was fragrant with the scent of lilies of the valley. Josie closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. She looked down at the flower border to see that all the tiny, fragile flowers had turned brown. She leaned over to pick one. There wasn't even the faintest scent emanating from the flower in her hand. “Thanks, Mom.”
 
Paul had his jacket off before he hit the back door. He jerked at his tie, yanked it free, then slung it over his shoulder. He opened the door and blinked. Was he so tired he had walked into the wrong house? He craned his neck. No, this was his house. He stepped into the bright, cozy kitchen, his jaw dropping. He walked around, looking and touching everything, his eyes full of wonder.
He toured his house, his eyes getting wider and wider until he thought they would pop right out of his head. The whole place had been transformed. Everywhere he looked there were plants and bright, colored cushions. Knick-knacks were everywhere. He even had tassels and bell-pulls. Josie had done this. For him. For one incredible moment he thought he was going to burst wide open. The only room she hadn't touched was his and Zip's room. His sanctuary. No, she wouldn't touch that room. That alone told him everything he needed to know about Josie Dupré.
The doorbell pealed while he was standing in the middle of the living room. He opened the door and accepted the groceries he'd ordered. Wait till Ms. Josie Dupré found out what a good cook
he
was. He laughed all the way to the shower and was still laughing when he dressed in jeans and a T-shirt.
He opened a bottle of beer and sipped at it as he fired up the grill on the patio. He seasoned the steaks, then turned on the oven. He scrubbed the potatoes and vegetables. In less than an hour he had everything ready. All he had to do was set the table. When he opened the cabinets, he threw back his head and roared with laughter. He had new dishes decorated with luscious-looking fruit. His silverware had bright red handles, and his glasses were sky-blue. He sobered almost instantly. “Please, don't take this away from me. Please.”
 
“Now this is what I call a perfect evening,” Paul said as he dried the last dish and placed it in the cabinet. “You're staying, aren't you?” he said, wrapping her in his arms. “The dogs are asleep, and it would be a shame to wake them.”
“Try and get rid of me,” Josie said, lifting her lips to his.
“'Night, guys,” Paul said quietly. Rosie squirmed out from her safe haven next to Zip and waddled over to Josie. Josie bent down to pick her up. She walked across the room with the little dog cuddled to her chest. She crooned and whispered to her. “I just want you to be happy, baby. It's okay—it really is. You'll always be my baby. Now I have Zip, too. Keep him in line. He's afraid I'm going to take you away from him. I would never do that. He just doesn't know it yet. You belong to me, and don't you ever forget it.” The little dog licked at her face and then squirmed to get down. Josie swore later that the boxer nodded his satisfaction when Rosie stretched out alongside him. She watched, a smile on her face when she saw one big paw stretch out protectively.

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