One Sure Thing (Mamma Lou Matchmaker Series) (31 page)

“All the way.”

“What does that mean?”

“Ah, ah, ah, only one question. My turn. Truth or dare?”

“Dare,” she responded bravely.

Raymond smiled satisfied with her choice. “I dare you to marry me.”

“What?”

“You heard me.” He leaned up on his elbow and looked into her eyes. “I realize this isn’t the most romantic setting and I promise that once I choose the perfect ring, I’ll get down on bended knee and do it right. But for the time being, will you marry me?”

“How can you ask that? You don’t even know me.”

“Answer the dare Hope. Marry me.”

Hope sat up and swung her legs off the side of the bed. “This isn’t funny. I don’t want to play anymore.”

“I’m not laughing. It’s not a joke. I’m asking you to marry me.”

“Then my answer is no.” She paused and waited for it to come.

Raymond smiled and pulled her back by his side. “Your mouth says no, but your eyes say yes. I’ll accept your answer for the time being, but as soon as I get the ring, you’ll say yes to me.”

Hope snuggled comfortably beside him. “Your money can’t buy me and your prestige doesn’t impress me.”

“In that case, I’ll have to just try harder.”

Chapter Twenty-two

Hope got up slowly and gathered the remnants of sheets around her. She stood and looked around the room for her clothing. She hadn’t seen them in almost two days. She found her jeans and shirt hanging in the closet and the rest of her belongings neatly cleaned and folded on the dresser. She gathered everything and hurried into the bathroom to get dressed.

When she came out she saw Raymond still asleep in the bed. She grabbed her backpack, socks and sneakers then quietly hurried out.

She stood at the window looking out at the darkness of the city before her. Dawn had just reached out across the night’s sky pulling with all the hopes and dreams from the nights before. Hope watched as daybreak slowly inched from behind the buildings and trees then began to make its ascension bringing with it the promise of a new day and the memories of a past one.

“There you are.” Raymond smiled as he walked up behind her. “Woman, you have this strange effect on me.” Hope squirmed anxiously as he moved closer.

“What effect is that?” She asked unable to think clearly. Raymond moved even closer then averted his direction to stand beside her at the window.

“I would have thought you’d figured that out after two days and nights.” He said almost breathless, as his dimpled winked seductively. “I want you in my life.”

“For how long?” Hope asked without turning to him. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him just yet. A whirlpool of confusion swirled around in her mind. Attraction intermingled with confusion as lust readily gave way to desire.

“For as long as we can be together. How about forever?” he whispered gently into her ear. The warmth of his breath tickled her making her squirm away. He stepped behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders and dipped his head into the curve of her neck. He pecked tiny kissed at her earlobe then trailed down her neck and across her shoulder. A series of chills ran through her. This man had the Midas touch when it came to her body. Thoughts of their nights together sent a thrilling spark through her body.

Hope shook her head as she watched their reflection in the window. “Are you all right, tell me what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

Intuitively she melted into the curve of his body and he gathered her closer. An unconscious moan slipped from her lips and his magic continued. She closed her eyes, weak by the feel of his body behind her. His desire was evident as his arms encircled her.

“Hope?” Raymond asked.

She suddenly jerked away, and then spun around. “Aren’t you gonna asked me how I got it?” She stared into his eyes waiting for the inevitable flinch. It didn’t come.

Raymond reached out and gently touched the scar on her face. “Trust is something you don’t ask for. When you’re ready, you’ll tell me.”

“Why are you being like this?”

“Like what?”

“I have to go,” she barely rasped out.

“No you don’t. Stay here with me.”

“I can’t.” She stepped away only to be drawn back into his embrace.

“Of course you can. We have everything we need right here.”

“What do you want from me Raymond?”

“What?”

“Why me? Why did you choose me? I’m not exactly your type.”

“What’s my type?”

“Thin, beautiful, graceful, obedient, submissive, well-behaved,” she paused for a single breath then continued, “unscarred.”

“What kind of list is that?” He backed away staring at her oddly. “It sounds more like requirements for adopting a puppy. Is that the type of man you think I am?”

“Oh please, that’s what everyman wants in a woman, perfection.”

“Where is this coming from?”

“Everyman wants a woman who he can control. The cold- hearted masculine blade of control welding the ultimate power, fear. My father left us as soon as Faith was born. You see my mother wasn’t perfect because he only wanted boys. My stepfather controlled my mom until the day he killed her. Nolan controlled my past, and Hugh controls my future,” She said with tears in her eyes. “There doesn’t seem to be anything left. So, what do you want to control?”

“I don’t know what kind of men you’re used to dealing with, but they all seem to have a serious problem. That’s not me. You of all people should know that by now.”  His smile was all she needed to see that he wasn’t like the others. She knew in her heart that he wouldn’t take advantage to her and he wouldn’t deliberately hurt her. “You, Hope, are my perfect gem. You sparkle and shine beyond anything I’ve ever experienced.”

Hope looked away. “Your gem is flawed.”

Raymond tipped her chin back to his direction. “You’re one of a kind Doc and I can’t keep my eyes off of you. I can’t stop thinking about you. I admire you and I adore you. I love you.”

Hope turned. The twinkling light of a New York awakening sparked behind her. “Love is a trap and I’m not a fixer-upper. I don’t want to be healed or saved or cured or rescued. I come exactly as you see me. I control me.”

“You do need to be healed and if you’d let me I can heal you.” She turned quickly expecting to finally hear the words. Raymond reached down and touched her heart. “In here.” She looked at him. His sincerity was overwhelming. “I wish you could see yourself as I do. You are so beautiful.”

“Stop saying that!” She nearly screamed. “I’m not beautiful. Look at me. Now. Look at me exactly as I am, scar and all. Even your skills as a plastic surgeon can’t heal this.”

“Hope,” he began.

She threw her hand up to silence him. “I don’t need your pity.”

“Is that all you think this is about? Pity?”

“Tell me it’s not.”

“I didn’t think I had to. I thought you felt something for me. I thought this was going someplace.”

“I have to go.”

“Hope.”

“Thank you so much for your hospitality.”

“Hope. Don’t run from this.”

“I’m not running.”

“You’ve been running all your life. It’s time to stop.”

Hope turned around stunned by the truth in his words. “I don’t know what are you talking about?”

“Hope, I already knew what happened to your mother.”

Her mouth gasped open in stunned pain. The anguish of someone else knowing and pitting her was abhorrent. “How dare you pry into my private life?”

He moved closer. “I didn’t pry. I didn’t have to.”

“Who told you?”

“It doesn’t matter. I have to go to Crescent Island tomorrow. Come with me. I want you to meet everyone.” “They’re going to love you as much as I do.” He reached for her, she backed away.

She looked at him and shook her head. “Good-bye Raymond.”

Chapter Twenty-three

Raymond and his cousin Tony walked down the path toward the small deck that extending out into the Chesapeake Bay. They stood in silence as each contemplated the explosion of beauty laid out before them. Raymond smiled watching a butterfly dance across the water’s edge in search of a morsel of refreshment. It was the perfect scenery. It was
God’s Garden.

Aptly named, Crescent Island was considered by most to be the picturesque perfection of God’s creation. In its awesome beauty, it was unparallel. A favorite vacation destination to camera toting vacationers and weekend retreats, it was considered one of the most desired locations on the east coast. The tourist brochure boasted that the Island charmed over two million visitors each year. This was easily attested by the hundreds that flocked to the small moon shaped island each day throughout the peek seasons.

Located in the Chesapeake Bay area, just off the coast of Virginia’s mainland, it was surrounded by numerous smaller islands. But none was as lovely and charming as Crescent. Those who adored history relished the historical aspect of the island being settled by freed slaves on a quest to return to their motherland, Africa.

The brochures told of several hundred freed slaves who boarded many small vessels and sailed toward the rising sun in hopes of returning to their homeland. They never reached their homeland; instead they landed on a beautiful Crescent shaped island in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay. The island became their new home.

That was over a century ago. Now visitors journey here for a different reason. Some to follow the historical journey of the freed slaves, to see their grave markers, their church and their home sites. Others come for the sheer pleasure of resting and relaxing from the hectic pace of the big city rat race. And still others come to enjoy the excellent seafood, fishing, classic gardens and small town elegance. But more were drawn by the wonderful quaint shops, and the simple peace and quiet of nature.

Raymond’s thoughts centered on the peace and harmony of rejuvenation. He needed the comfort and solace that Crescent Island had always offered. He needed the serenity of spirit to know that all would be right in the end. Deep down he knew he and Hope would have a long full life together. He just had to be patient and have hope that she’d realized the same.

The sound of nature sang in splendid form, as did the lilting sound of Madison and her sister, Kennedy laughing and talking in the distance.

This was Kennedy’s first trip back to Crescent Island since Tony and Madison had wed. Madison was insistent on showing her every nook and cranny of the Island she had grown to love and call her second home.

They had all just returned from a morning outing visiting tourist treats and experiencing private hunts from Raymond and Tony’s youth. It was interesting to revisit the places he had taken for granted and seeing them through Kennedy’s eyes. He anxiously wanted to show his home to the one person in the world he couldn’t yet. Hope.

This was Tony and Madison’s first real opportunity to see everyone since their extended honeymoon which included a lengthy stay in Egypt for Madison’s book research and a extensive sojourn to Eastern Africa for Tony’s Antique’s stores.

As if just reading his mind Tony broke into Raymond’s thoughts, “no matter where I go in this world, there’s nothing like coming back here to Crescent Island.”