Love's Battle (True Blue Trilogy) (14 page)

“My fault,” Danton demanded in a hushed whisper, opening the door for me. “I don’t have crabs!”

“Whoa, back up there sonny. That’s getting ahead of yourself. I’m just here for the food.” I joked, knowing all along what he was talking about.

“Wise guy ‘eh?”

“I thought it was funny.” I snorted as we stepped into the Old Bay scented room.

In my personally written book of love, there were only two sure fire ways to reassure a call back following a perspective date, not that I dated a whole lot. Because really, who had a need to go through that particular hell when one had a pipe line to the powers that be and only needed to exercise a little patience until “The One“ came along. But still, witty banter and well placed sexual innuendos, when used correctly in combination with intelligence and confidence, resulted in a nine to one first date ratio call back. Pretty good odds if I do say so myself.

Dropping Danton’s hand I slid into the opposite side of the brown paper topped booth.

“Two bushels of steamed crabs and a pitcher of beer okay with you?”

“Perfect.” I nodded to the waitress who was standing by to take our order. “So, is this business or pleasure?” I asked when we were alone.

“Pleasure. I don’t know if it can ever be business, with what happened and all.”

“That’s fair enough. I don’t need you for your business Danton, though it would’ve been an added perk.” Besides, as long as our meeting was for pleasure, that meant there was always a chance that our future would work out like it was supposed to.

“So, tell me what you do. Beside crashing weddings and playing the harp like a goddess that is.”

Be still my beating heart, he a called me a goddess. “My paying occupation?” I clarified with a grin.

“Yes, what is your paying occupation?”

“Senior consultant and President of the Art and Antiquities Museum in Baltimore. But then you already knew that.”

“Just making small talk. That’s a pretty lofty position for someone as young as you are. What are you? Twenty?”

I guess he didn’t read the file or he’d have known he was off by a few years. “Twenty five and I’m very good at what I do.” Firsthand knowledge of things most historians guessed at was a definite plus. “So what about you? What’s your paying occupation?” I asked, playing along.

“Chief Operating Officer for DeAngelo International.”

“Nice.”

“Yeah well, my father owns the place.”

“But you’re qualified for the job, or else you wouldn’t have it, right?”

“Right. Family is important to my father, but not at the expense of stupidity. What do your sisters do?”

“Hope has her matchmaking business, True Blue, and she occasionally appraises any jewelry that Faith brings home. Along with her business degree, she’s got her Masters in gemology. Plus there are the endorsements Allie brings in. Faith is a freelance curatorial consultant and genealogist.” I paused as the waitress returned, setting a steaming pan of seafood between us. “She’s linked a great many well rooted family trees. She’s also an artisan. When she’s not tied to the family Bible, you can find her tied to her loom or crochet hook. She sells her pieces at a nifty little shop up town. Next question. What kind of wheels do you drive?”

“I’ve recently begun to consider upgrading to an Alpha Romeo, but until then I’m stuck with my measly old Maserati Gran Turismo S.”

“I do enjoy a good Italian sports car.” I waited until Danton had taken a healthy

swallow of his beer before adding, “There’s nothing like a good ride. Those pistons moving together, racing up and down. Technology at its best.” I stared over Danton’s shoulder trying to keep a straight face as I ran my finger around the rim of my glass. When I had myself composed to the point where I could look at Danton without bursting

into laughter I turned my attention back to his magnificent face. His dark eyes had dilated with sexual interest, his face tinged with blush. “So, what your favorite invention?”

“Uh, my uh, favorite invention? Hmm, well pistons are the only thing that pops into my mind. I can’t say that I’ve really given it that much thought. You?”

I couldn’t help myself, confident there was a devil inside me somewhere poking me with his pitchfork. “There are so many. Telephone, running water, electricity, but I’m thinking central heat and air. The air to cool you down when you’re feeling all hot and bothered, the heat to make your feel and nice and toasty when it’s cold outside.”

“That’s a, that’s a good one.” Danton stuttered, pulling himself together admirably. “Siblings other than Hope and Faith?”

“Nope. You?” I asked, reaching for another spice covered crustacean, setting it in front of me.

“Only child.”

“I’m sorry.”

“After meeting Hope, I’m not.”

“She can be devious, like most brothers and sisters can. But she will pay.” I reassured him.

“How does it work?” Danton asked, leaning in close, his voice a curious whisper, “Can you read each other’s minds and stuff? Feel each other’s pain like they say twins can?”

“Sort of. We share the same face, the same genetic code. But life’s experiences shape who we are, molding us into separate people. Our brains work differently, but there’s that base element that can’t be altered, no matter what life throws our way.” I elaborated. “It allows us to be able to read each other’s emotions on a very intimate level. Three parts of one whole. Feeling each other’s pain is not entirely out of the question.”

“What about your eyes? Are they an inherited family trait?”

“A quirk in the genes?” I laughed, not the least self-conscious. “Maybe, but I’m pretty sure the faeries gave them to us.”

“Faeries?” Danton asked deadpan.

“Sure, that’s as good an answer as any, isn’t it?”

“I guess so.”

“So, we know you’re not too keen on folklore, do you have any hobbies? Interests?”

“Work takes up a lot of my time. I’ve recently taken up rock climbing as a good way to exercise. But like most men I like football when it’s cold, baseball when it’s not. I try and work in a round of golf at least once a month.”

I cracked a claw, put the spicy meat in my mouth and chewed. “Really? Me too.”

“Where do you play?”

“The Oaks, all three of us have a membership there.”

“You weren’t there last Sunday, were you?” Danton asked, suspicious.

“I might have been.”

“Best score?”

“Seventy-three, but I’m aiming to make it below par at seventy. Eventually.”

“We’ll have to play a round sometime.” He offered.

Not being one to boast of his better score earned Danton a boatload of points in the plus column, or it would be if I was keeping score.

“Favorite book?”

“Anything by Grishom and King, you?”

“Which ever book I happened to be reading at the time is my favorite.”

“And that would be?” Danton prodded.

“I just finished a biography on Jane Austen and I’m about halfway through Oscar Wilde’s, Picture of Dorian Gray. The classics never go out of style.”

“Talk about variety, from biographies to fantasy.”

“You don’t believe in magic?” I asked, afraid to hear the answer.

“I’ve never seen a reason to.” Danton told me truthfully.

It was hard to hear him say that aloud; sad on so many levels. There was magic all around us, all we had to do was look for it. “Favorite movie?” I asked, changing the subject.

“All the Rocky and Die Hards.”

“Typical.” I snorted, polishing off another crab. “Like books, I’m all over the board. My favorite musical is Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.” How could it not be? “I love Abbot and Castello, Who’s On First is priceless. Drama, well I don’t care for it, too down in the dumps for my taste, although I do appreciate a good action flick and I agree with you. Bruce Willis and Sylvester Stallone are great.”

Before Danton could get another word in, I changed the subject. “So, listen, I’ve got a pair of tickets for the Orioles game next Saturday, right behind home plate, if you’re interested?” I offered throwing down the gauntlet. Would there be a date number two?

Danton mulled this over before answering my question with one of his own. “You sure?”

“Of course Danton, I like you. Question is, do you like me?” I took another bite of crab in the accompanying silence, enjoying Danton’s impression of a deer in the headlights look. “Come on Danton, it wasn’t a hard question, the answer’s pretty simple.”

“We just met!”

I rolled my eyes. “Please, you’re over thinking this. Let me make it easier for you. Do you, find me attractive?”

“Very.”

The look in his eyes didn’t lie. If he didn’t knock it off soon, I’d be all steamy like our lunch.

“Have you enjoyed my company so far?”

“Today, or before?”

“Today.”

“Yes.”

“Would you like more of it?”

“Yes.”

“Okay,” I shrugged, “You like me. That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

Danton didn’t answer, instead he finished his beer, rubbing a circle over his chest easing phantom pains. My heart went out to him. I recognized a commit-a-phobe when I saw one. In Danton’s case, he was worried about turning out like his parents who had seemingly wasted years of their lives on something that wasn‘t as permanent as what it was supposed to have been. The need to soothe him was too hard to ignore.

“Sadly the choices any parent makes in their pursuit of happiness often leaves wounds on their children, no matter what age they may be. You won’t be like your parents Danton, I won’t let you. More importantly, you won’t let yourself. The same determination and drive that you have to succeed and make things work at your job is the same that you’ll give to your wife and family. It’s like a business deal,” I explained, “Each side gives a little so that the best outcome in the end will be achieved. Easy. All you have to do is find the right partner, one that won’t quit on you and won’t allow you to quit on her.” Ending the conversation with an encouraging smile, I continued to back Danton into a corner. “How about you pick me up at twelve? It’ll be my turn to drive your ride.”

Chapter 28

Common Ground

Danton

With amazing insight, a few simple questions, and well directed answers, Love had me figured out. Jumping right to the heart of the matter, her relationship advice was as practical as that of any shrink. Still, that didn’t mean I was ready to take the big leap. But it would make the smaller steps I had in mind more comfortable. I’d dated women before, but none like Love.

I’d only been with her a handful of hours but there was something special about her that I couldn’t put my finger on. There are those women you enjoy being with for short periods of time, the kind you count in minutes, no strings attached. Then there’s Love, the kind that sticks around, tying you to her with strings that are nearly impossible to untie.

“Twelve sounds good.” I agreed.

Now that the shock was over I was beginning to like the idea. A hot summer day full of baseball with a sexy woman by my side who had a sense of humor and liked to eat. What could be better than that?

“That song you were singing, what language was it in?”

“Gaelic.”

“Speak any others?”

“Enough to be understood, you?”

“A little Spanish, a lot Italian.”

“Of course. Lei ama viaggiare?”

Consider me impressed, her question was asked flawlessly, no trace of an accent. My dad would love her. Oh, was that train of thought to soon for a self-proclaimed bachelor? I couldn’t help it. Since I’d come into contact with Love, everything was changing and I seemed helpless to stop it. “Ah, I do like to travel.” I answered, “When I can.”

“Favorite place you’ve been?”

“Italy. My grandparents had a farm there. I was able to visit a couple of times before they died. Paris is a close second. Yours?”

“Scotland, we have family there of sorts.”

“What kind of music do you like?”

“Everything but rap,” She confessed, “I can’t stand it. I don’t know how anyone can understand a thing that’s being said.”

“Me too. Jazz is my favorite.” Dumping the last of the shells into the discard pile I reached for another.

“Okay, here’s a good one. If you could have any super power, what would it be, and would you use it for good or evil?”

It was a good question. “Flying.” I answered without hesitation. “It’d be better than driving a sports car and less costly, and though I‘d like to use my new found powers for evil, because everyone loves a good villain, I‘d be good.”

“I’d like the power to see the future, premonitions. I really hate surprises. Must be the control freak in me.” Love confessed,

Control freak, it was a sentiment I understood that well enough. “Biggest pet peeve?” I asked and then began to wish I hadn’t. For a second I was afraid Love wasn’t going to answer. Her hands full of crabs and pliers stilled, her face going blank as she thought about her answer. When she spoke she seemed to be a thousand miles away.

“Liars, hands down.” She answered empathetically, her hand increasing the pressure on the pliers until the shell of the claw splintered apart adding depth to her answer. “Their untrue words have the power to turn lives upside down. They can even cause death.”

“That’s deep Love.”

I didn’t like the traces of pain that clouded her eyes, but as if I hadn’t seen it, Love blinked. Shrugging she popped the freshly acquired meat into her mouth. I couldn’t help but wonder who had put that pain there and against my better self, I found that I felt the animalistic urge to wipe them off the face of the Earth. Unsettling really as I’ve never before felt such deep emotion for a person other than my parent.

“I’m a deep kind of girl. What’s your biggest pet peeve?” Love questioned.

“Indecisiveness. People who can’t make up their minds drive me crazy.”

“Do you deal with that a lot in your work?”

“Enough,” I smiled, “But most of the time my clients know exactly what they want when they walk in.”

“Favorite food?”

“Steak. For breakfast with scrambled eggs or with a salad and baked potato for dinner, always with A1. I could eat it all the time. You?”