Dreams Claimed (Warfield's Landing, #1) (15 page)

Nic pulled out one of the chairs from her new patio table set... with umbrella, no less—something she had never anticipated owning. She set her mug on the table and carefully arranged the chair so that she could rest her heels on the balcony railing.

Taking her first sip, she smiled and looked out on the river with the quaint little town of Port Deposit on the opposite bank.

When she found herself wondering how Daniel would like the view, she resolutely pushed the thought out of her mind and told herself it would get easier...

Her phone rang, a welcome distraction. It was Karyn’s ringtone.

“Hey, Karyn.”

“I’m on my way to Warfield’s Landing. I’m going to check in at the job sites first then, how about joining me for lunch at the cafe?”

“Sounds great! Call me when you’re headed over there and I’ll meet you.”

She scooted her chair closer to the railing so she could rest her sketchbook on her knees. She had a couple of hours to work before meeting Karyn at the Riverside Cafe.

Realistically, she figured that the schoolhouse reno would be finished in December or January, maybe February at the outside... at which time, she’d be able to move into her living and studio space. That meant working out of this small, cramped studio for about six months. This meant that she needed to come up with strategies to make sure that her art didn’t suffer.

Normally, she liked to build and cover her own canvases, but right now she didn’t have ready access to a wood shop. That was an easy fix. She’d hire one of the other painters at the Torpedo Factory to build them for her.

Thomas and Detective Hayward had strongly suggested that she stay in Warfield’s Landing, avoiding Alexandria and DC until her stalker was caught. So, she’d just ask Thomas to get the canvases up here to her. She grinned wickedly at the thought, making a note in her sketchbook. She’d call in an order today and most probably, the canvases would be ready next week.

Voices caught her attention and she looked down to see a couple of kids battling with water cannons along the condo boat docks, refilling as needed from the river. She recognized them as the grandchildren of her neighbors. In fact, just the day before, Nic and Madison, the little girl, had roundly trounced Jaden, the boy and a couple of his local cohorts.

Madison saw Nic and fist pumped at her. Nic waved back, happily. She loved Warfield’s Landing already.

*****

N
ic beat Karyn to the Riverside Cafe for lunch. She waved at Ruth Ann, the owner, greeted the servers—Janelle and Nita—and walked out to the patio, overlooking the river. As she settled at a table, she saw that the river looked different from this observation point. The broad passage of water was never still and always interesting. From moment to moment, it changed, as the light and wind and boat traffic affected it.

She pulled out her sketchbook and started drawing. She’d always been entranced by the human figure, but now as her familiarity with the river grew, for the first time she was able to fully appreciate the fascination some artists had with nature.

She had been ready for a move. Between her stalker and the Daniel situation, a new start was appealing.

On the plus side, she was beginning to suspect that her art would benefit from these changes.

Her thoughts were interrupted as Ruth Ann came over to the table. Ruth Ann was about Nic’s height — 5’ 4”. She looked to be in her late forties or early fifties. While a bit slow to warm up, she was always cordial and she and Stevie got along like a hose afire... of course. She was a pretty woman, clearly comfortable with who she was. A scar across one cheek had been beautifully minimized by a good plastic surgeon, and could only be seen at certain angles.

“Hi, Nic. Are you ready to order?”

“Hi, Ruth Ann. Karyn’s on her way. We’ll both take the chef’s salad. She was leaving the schoolhouse so she should be here momentarily.”

Ruth Ann made notes and slid her order pad into the pocket of her apron. She glanced back into the restaurant. It was just before the lunch crowd, and she apparently decided she had time to chat, because she pulled out a chair. “How are you settling into your condo?”

Nic laughed. “The living situation is great. I’m all moved in and unpacked. From a work situation... not so good.” She shook her head. “I have all of my stuff from a large studio shoehorned into two smaller rooms. I’m using one as a work space and the other as a storage space, but I’m having to change my focus for a while. There just isn’t the room to do the type of paintings I was doing before this.”

“Will that be a problem for you?”

Ruth Ann’s concerned look warmed Nic’s heart. Waving her sketchpad, she said, “Actually, I think it is going to be a good thing. This is such a beautiful area, I’m getting inspiration already.”

“Good.” The sound of the cafe door caught Ruth Ann’s attention. Looking back in to see a party of three, probably tourists, she rose and smiled. “I’ll bring out your lunch as soon as Karyn gets here.”

*****

“W
hew!” Karyn pulled out a chair and plopped down at the table. “This is one of those days.”

“You love it. You know you do.” Nic pointed out this fact with the familiarity of an old friend.

“Yeah... I do, but...” They laughed together.

Ruth Ann arrived at their table with lunch.

There was a pause while the two women got down to the business of eating. Nic took her first bite. “Mmmm... I love Ruth Ann’s homemade Ranch dressing.”

“Me, too.” Karyn agreed. Then she hesitated.

The pause caught Nic’s attention. She raised an eyebrow in question and Karyn made a face.

“Daniel called last night.”

At the mention of his name, Nic’s heart jumped. “Really?” Nic heard the edge to her voice and waved a hand. “Sorry! I didn’t mean to shoot the messenger. Let me start over.”

She paused, then said casually, “Really?”

Karyn laughed at her. “Yeah. He called Thomas... who was less than polite.” The two shared a wince, as they considered Thomas when he wasn’t happy.

After a moment, Karyn continued. “He told Daniel that he’d see that you knew about the call but it was up to you whether you’d contact him. It seems Daniel discovered that you’ve moved and that you aren’t answering your phone.” She searched Nic’s face, carefully. “What’re you going to do?”

“I guess I’ll call him. It’s not like we’ve had a fight or anything. He just dropped off the face of the earth after the board meeting.” Nic felt a rush at the thought. Then reminded herself, she was getting over him. Right? She considered. “Maybe he wants to buy another painting.”

Karyn gave an unladylike snort. “Yeah. Right. You just keep telling yourself that.”

“No, really.” Nic shook her head. “Once we realized that his CeeCee was Max’s widow, I don’t know what else he could have done, but end things with me.”

She looked at Karyn and said fiercely. “I wouldn’t give up you and Thomas for anyone... and I would consider anyone who asked me to do so a lost cause. Just asking would be enough for me to end things.”

Karyn looked at her shrewdly. “So, you think that he’d react the same way?”

Nic shook her head, “No, because I wouldn’t ask him to give her up.” She took a bite of salad, chewed and swallowed. “I wouldn’t want him to. I would hate to have him regret things down the road.”

––––––––

“H
ello. Daniel Sterling speaking.” Daniel didn’t recognize the number displayed on his phone. As a personal financial adviser, he sometimes got calls from clients using unfamiliar numbers.

“Daniel, it’s Nic.” She spoke softly and was maybe... a bit uncertain?

The sound of her voice sent a rush of relief running through him followed quickly by uncertainty as he tried to evaluate her tone of voice.

He loved this woman.

The two weeks since the board meeting... Not contacting her... If she was willing to give him a second chance, he’d grasp it in both hands. She wasn’t getting rid of him... ever again.

“Nic! Thanks for calling me back.” He wanted to be sure that he kept a point of contact with her so he asked, “Is this a new number?”

“Yeah. This is the best way to reach me now.”

Daniel went on alert. Something was going on. Why would Nic go to the trouble of changing her cell number? Maybe she was finally tired of those crank calls? He reminded himself to stay on task, he'd ask later. "Listen, I'd like a chance to talk with you, face to face." He waited.

The was silence on her end, then she spoke slowly, reluctantly?. “Well, my van is in the shop for a few days.”

Daniel hoped this wasn’t the automotive equivalent of the hair washing excuse. “That’s okay. Could Bentley and I come to see you?”

“Bentley.” Her voice softened. “How is he doing?”

“He’s fine and I now keep the avocados on the top of the refrigerator.” That got the laugh he’d hoped for. No fool, he. He was a pragmatist. If his dog was the way to her heart, he’d use the dog... and thankfully.

He winked at Bentley who was sacked out on the leather sofa, watching him talk. A big ear twitched in response.

Lying smoothly, he said, “Luke isn’t available to dog sit...”

“Oh! I’d love to see Bentley. And you.” she added.

“Would tomorrow work for you?” Optimistically, he’d cleared his schedule for the next few days, hoping that she’d contact him... that she was too kind to ignore him.

“Tomorrow is fine. I’m in Warfield’s Landing now, so it will be a bit of a drive for you.”

“No problem. Can you give me directions?”

“Sure. It’s the same exit as Havre de Grace and Port Deposit.”

He carefully wrote down the directions and added her new number into his Contact list.

“Bentley and I’ll leave here about nine tomorrow morning. That would get us there...” he calculated, “in about two hours. Right?”

“That sounds doable.” She agreed.

“We’ll take you to lunch, if that works for you.” He sounded casual, he thought.

“There’s a great little cafe here. Lunch would be good.”

*****

D
aniel and Bentley were up early. They took their run, ate breakfast, and then discussed what to pack for their trip to see Nic in Warfield’s Landing.

“I don’t want to count on her being willing to restart things, although that’s what I’m hoping.”

The dog nodded in grave agreement.

“I think I’ll pack an overnight bag, but say that I have it for emergencies.”

Bentley seemed to think that was opportunistic.

Daniel acquiesced. “Okay. You’re right. You’re absolutely right. I’ll buy what we need. I’ll take your bowl and water because she knows I always have that in the car. If we do get to stay overnight, I’ll make sure you get a reasonable dinner.”

At the tilt of the big head, Daniel added defensively, “And breakfast.”

N
ic was up with the sun.

Daniel and Bentley were coming. There was a knot in her stomach. Did he want to restart things? Had things been unstarted? Or had he just needed thinking time? She didn’t know.

They’d be here in — she looked at the clock and calculated... four or five hours... sooo long to wait. She punched her pillow and closed her eyes.

Minutes later, she gave up trying to go back to sleep. Grumbling, she rolled out of bed and got dressed.

She’d have breakfast.

Yeah.

That would use up some of the time.

Breakfast eaten, slowly... Nic was still restless... about to jump out of her skin.

She settled on her balcony, resting her bare feet on the railing. Some of her boating neighbors were heading out on the water for the day. She watched them, desperate for the time to pass.

A while later, her small friend Madison and big brother Jaden appeared, ready to play water cannon with two other boys. Maddie and Jaden were obviously siblings, sporting the same mahogany hair and sprinkle of freckles. When she met them, Nic had surprised Jaden by commenting on his love of Nascar, clued in by his tee shirt. Madison liked the Disney Princesses. Nic had been charmed by the little girl’s fashion sense. Disney Princess high tops. Who knew?

Now, seeing Nic, Madison begged, “Play on my team, Nic. Play on my team. We can beat Jaden like we did before.”

“I’ll be right down. Boys... prepare to lose!” Pulling on sneakers, Nic charged downstairs.

After several hard fought battles, Nic and Madison high fived their successes. Together, they shouted, “Girls ROCK!” They did a hip bump dance routine that they’d been working on over the last couple of days, while the losers—Jaden and his friends—looked on glumly.

Nic’s phone beeped and she put her hand to her wet hair. She was soaked. She turned off the alarm, and said, “I have a friend arriving in a bit. I need to dry off and change clothes.” Maddy was clearly disappointed but smiled and nodded.

Nic turned to the losers, and bowed from the waist. “Another time, gentlemen.”

*****

A
s she took a quick shower, she told herself that she needed to keep cool... see what he had to say...

Ten minutes later, she was coming down the condo’s outside steps, her hair combed and air-drying. She’d donned fresh clothes — black shorts and a lacy black tee shirt, with a dry pair of hand painted slides on her feet.

She looked across the parking lot. The Jag was parked, convertible top down, and Daniel was climbing out. Their eyes locked. He straightened and smiled faintly, then slowly opened his arms...

Her pep talk forgotten, and without reservation, she flew into them. Effortlessly, he pulled her up for a kiss.

After a head spinning lip lock, Daniel set her on the ground. As she revived, she realized that Bentley was barking excitedly.

Daniel opened the rear door and let Bentley out. On her knees, Nic and the dog greeted each other enthusiastically... many pets and kisses distributed.

Daniel hooked Bentley’s leash and there was an awkward moment, then Daniel looked at her seriously. “I’m sorry, Nic. I’m so sorry. I should have talked to you after the board meeting. I know that you have no reason to trust me, but I’m determined to prove to you that you’ll be first for me... always.”