His Tempest (13 page)

“Don't worry about it. It's you he wants to see, not your clothes.”

She reached for Colin's hand. “Thank you for helping me through this.” She knew she'd lost him when he stiffened and pulled his hand from hers.

“George is improving already. This is for him.”

George was indeed waiting for them. “I'll show you to your room and then you can join me in here,” he said, leading the way.

They climbed the stairs to the second floor, and he led her to a huge bedroom suite decorated in blue and rose.

“I had Leila fix a little hot toddy for us. Always good on a cold snowy night.”

She thanked him.

“Join us soon,” he said.

Noelle quickly changed clothes and freshened up. When she went back down to the sitting room George and Colin were waiting for her. Colin, she noticed hadn't bothered to change. Obviously this wasn't a very special occasion for him.

“I brought down some of the family albums. Mostly the ones with pictures of Mackenzie. There are pictures of his mother, too. I'll have to take you by his practice as soon as the snow clears some.”

“I'd like that.” He was clearly eager to share his son with her.

“Colin and I will show you around the farm,” he said.

“I've seen quite a bit of it already. It's impressive.”

“It's part of your heritage. You need to know about thoroughbred horses.”

“Mr. Avery, I'm not here to get involved with your farm. I just wanted to meet you. I wanted to learn more about my donor father.”

He smiled brightly. “And I want to know everything about you.”

The dinner of chili and cornbread was delicious. Leila was still puzzled about the special occasion until George informed her that Mackenzie was Noelle's father. He totally ignored the donor part.

“I knew there was something special about her,” she said. “I always knew it.”

“Why?” George asked.

“Because he was so taken with the child. I remember how he'd have her over here during the summers every chance he got. He was so patient with her. And you're like him, Noelle. I think I'm just going to cry. So when are you moving in?”

“I'm not,” Noelle said.

“But this is a big house. No sense in you being over there alone.”

“I like my grandparents' house.”

“It's nice but…George?”

“We'll discuss it later,” he said.

The last thing she needed was for Colin's words to seem true. If she moved in, he'd think she was like William, that she was after what she could get. And she couldn't bear that.

Colin had to get out of there or bust. After dinner, he excused himself from drinks in the sitting room and drove to the barns. His trainer was watching the closed-circuit TV so he could observe a pregnant mare without disturbing her.

“Looks like she's going to drop tonight,” he said.

Colin regarded the monitor. “Has her water broken yet?”

“Not yet.”

The mare was in the birthing barn, which had a special large stall that was round instead of rectangular. The floor was covered with a deep bed of straw.

The mare was restless. This was to be one of Diamond Spirit's foals, and they had great plans for its future.

“I better give George a call,” the trainer said. “He wanted to bring someone down to see the birthing.”

Colin stifled a curse. He'd wanted to get away from Noelle.

Colin couldn't have made it more evident that he wanted nothing to do with her, Noelle thought, pain slicing through her. She and George sat in the den talking. The curtains were open and with the light outside they watched the snow drift slowly to the ground.

George questioned her about her high-school and college years. What her favorite classes had been. What extracurricular activities she'd participated in. Her boyfriends. George wanted to know everything. If she mentioned something Mackenzie also did, he pointed it out to her.

Finally the phone rang and George answered it. The conversation was short.

“A foal is going to be born tonight. Why don't we change clothes and go to the barn,” George said. “I had Leila put out an old coat and some jeans for you. Have you ever seen a foaling?”

“No.”

“Then you're in for an experience.”

Noelle quickly changed and George drove them to the barn. She saw Colin's truck parked outside, and her stomach muscles clenched. When they went inside he and another man were watching the monitor.

“How's it going, Burt?” George asked.

“She's coming along.”

“Have you met Noelle?”

“Haven't had the pleasure, sir.” The man stood and came to shake her hand. “Pleased to meet you, ma'am.” Then he turned to George. “The vet's on the way,” he said. “He'll probably spend the night. Getting slippery out there.”

George nodded.

From the monitor Noelle noticed the mare kept staring at her belly and becoming more restless.

Burt left the room to check on her. When he came back, he said, “Her water broke. Shouldn't be long now.”

Colin and Burt left the observation area and went into the stall. Minutes later, the vet came in.

“How's it going?” he asked. “Sure could use some coffee. Busy night.”

After George introduced Noelle, she offered to get the coffee. “What would you like in it?”

“Just plain.”

“Let me show you where the pot is,” George said, leading the way to another room with a table and small appliances. Hot coffee was already made, so Noelle filled a clean cup, taking it to the vet.

With long gloves on his arms that extended all the way up to his shoulders, he was examining the mare. When he finished he peeled the gloves off and came for his coffee. But after he'd taken only a couple of sips, a whitish sack appeared from the mare.

“There she goes,” Burt said.

Soon after, a couple of feet appeared, then the head. The sac broke and the mare continued to move around.

“She keeps getting up and lying down to ensure the foal is kept in the right position,” George said.

Then the mare seemed to rest.

Colin seemed so totally absorbed. He was clearly enjoying the arrival of a new thoroughbred.

And then the foal was delivered. The air was brimming with excitement.

“Welcome to the world, little guy,” the vet said.

Colin's gaze met hers. His eyes were warm and hopeful. For a second they were a couple again and her first instinct was to grab and hug him, but then his smile subsided and he turned his attention to the foal who managed to stand on pencil-thin, wobbly legs.

“The legs are so long in comparison with his body,” Noelle said to George, who came up beside her.

“He'll be that way for a while.” Noelle had never seen George's smile so wide.

The next morning, Colin rose early and, even before Leila prepared coffee, he went outside. He was happy George had Noelle, but he didn't need the constant reminder of what a big fool he'd made of himself.

The storm had finally cleared out, leaving behind six inches of snow, untouched except for a small animal's pawprints leading into the distant woods. With the mountains looming in the background and snow covering trees, bushes and buildings, the farm looked like a fantasy wonderland. What a great day to walk through the snow or have a snowball fight, he thought.

Retrieving the shovel, he cleared the steps and sidewalk before he maneuvered the truck through the snow to the office. Fair weather or foul, the animals had to be cared for. Soon, one of the stable hands would get out the snowplow and clear the driveways and path to the stables.

In the office, he turned up the temperature gauge and made coffee. Then he went into the stable and looked over the horses.

An hour later, he was at his desk when he heard a truck drive up. George was at the wheel, but Noelle got out carrying a small basket in her hand. Her face was flushed by the time she made it into the building.

“Leila sent breakfast,” she said, setting the basket on his desk. At that moment, his stomach reminded him of how hungry he was.

“It's a huge breakfast,” she said. “She packed enough for two people. I think I gained a couple of pounds off what I ate.”

“I doubt that,” Colin said.

Usually he would give her one of those looks, but not this time. He merely thanked her for the basket and started to take the contents out.

For the first time, Noelle felt awkward in his presence. She cleared her throat. “Colin?”

George walked in, stomping his boots on the mat. “Wicked cold out there. You're about early. Think I'll show Noelle the barns and spend a little time in the office,” he said.

“After the tour, I'll go back home,” Noelle said to Colin. “Can you take me, or shall I get someone else?”

“The snow's too deep to drive the roads,” George piped in. “Too dangerous. Crazy drivers out there.”

And because he seemed so worried, Noelle decided not to push it. She'd brought enough clothing to last a couple of days anyway. She gave Colin an assessing glance before she left with George.

“You know, my grandfather started this farm, buying up small parcels at a time until it grew,” George told her as they walked to the barns. “Colin's grandfather bought a portion of the estate when things were lean. We attended college together. His grandfather started a business in D.C. that did very well, and when he retired, he turned it over to his children. Colin's father runs the business now. He never approved of his father's purchase or took any interest in the farm. Thought it was a waste of money.”

“It's beautiful. This place is larger than I thought.”

“Colin loves it. He's the only grandchild who does. His father sometimes entertains business associates in the summerhouse. It's on another portion of the property that's not as secure as the stables.”

By the time they made it through the barns, Colin had come outside. He stood for a moment and gazed at the horizon while he pulled on his gloves, then he headed to the barn with lean grace and purpose. He belonged here, she thought.

Desire, sharp and painful, swept through her. She should have done things differently. She should have told him who she was from the very beginning, but she couldn't turn back the clock. She'd made a mistake, and he'd decided not to forgive her. There wasn't a thing she could do about it.

C
olin didn't see Noelle again until dinnertime. When he'd come in from work he'd heard her and George talking in the den. Ignoring them, he'd gone to his room and called Simone. Maybe she wasn't his girlfriend, but she was someone he'd dated off and on. He wasn't going to stare at the ceiling and dream half the night about Noelle. Enough was enough. Women were women after all, easily replaceable.

He'd showered and donned fresh clothes before he came downstairs. The smell of hot apple cider drew him toward the den.

“Would you like something stronger in yours?” George asked as he poured him a cup.

“Please,” Colin said, knowing very well that George would spike it with rum. Then he got his first glimpse of Noelle. She looked beautiful in a lavender angora sweater and tight-fitting jeans. Heat ripped through his body.

He was glad he'd made the date. Simone wasn't complicated. She was a career woman and didn't want a man cramping her style. He wasn't ready for love ever after, either.

“I was thinking that after dinner, you and Noelle—” George started.

“I've got plans,” Colin cut in.

“But the roads—”

“My four-wheel drive can handle it,” he said. That excuse about the roads might keep the green Noelle stranded there, but not him. He knew they'd already been plowed and salted.

He hated the disappointed look on George's face. The older man would see a match with Noelle as one made in heaven. Their unity would combine the property.

But Colin didn't trust Noelle any longer. For George's sake, he contained his anger.

Colin forced himself through an uncomfortable dinner. He could feel Noelle's eyes on him. She looked as if she didn't understand what she'd done, why he was cooling it between them. George watched him, too, and when he did, Colin tried to show how pleased he was the two of them were together.

He was glad when dinner was finally over and he could leave Noelle with George showing her pictures and telling her stories of Mackenzie.

At the last minute Colin added a touch of cologne. He really didn't like the stuff but Simone did. He had to get Noelle out of his head and Simone was just the woman to do it. She was one gorgeous woman with curves in all the right places. Her face was beautiful, if a little hardened by life. But women had to be strong these days. Hell, Noelle wasn't a cream puff by any stretch of the imagination.

At Simone's place Casey answered the door and called upstairs.

“Simone, your date's here.” Then she glanced at Colin. “I can't believe you're cutting out on Noelle that way. George isn't going to like it.”

“If my personal life is a problem for you, you can find a job elsewhere.”

She pinched her lips. “You didn't hire me. George did. You're as mean as people are saying. I wish you'd make up with Noelle so you can become more human again. But since my opinion isn't appreciated…”

“It isn't.”

“I'll just leave you alone then.” She gathered freshly laundered clothes off the sofa and escaped upstairs.

Women,
Colin thought.
Always trying to give advice.
Everyone was giving him advice about Noelle. Everyone loved her.

The other roommate came downstairs. “Can I get you something to drink?” she asked. “Simone had a late interview. She's still getting dressed.”

“I'm fine.” Colin sat on the couch and glanced around the small place Simone shared with the two other women. Hip-hop music was blasting from another room, and the sharp smell of Chinese food was prevalent. The room wasn't quite as neat as Noelle's place, but he didn't date Simone for her housekeeping skills.

He smiled. She had skills in another department.

Simone came downstairs wearing tight jeans with a deep-V-neck blue sweater. She was hot and sexy as heck. Yeah. This is definitely what he needed to rid his dreams of Noelle. He'd sleep like a baby tonight.

“So where are we going?” Simone asked.

“I take it you've had dinner?”

“Yes. I'm watching my weight.”

“What about a coffee house or a lounge?”

“What about your place?”

“Too crowded.”

“Not the summerhouse. We can make a fire in the fireplace. Or we can go to your office. You have a nice couch there.”

The image of him snuggled up with Noelle in the blanket in front of the fireplace came to mind, but he could make new memories to erase the old ones. “Wouldn't take long to get warm,” he said. He also had a nice bottle of Scotch they could polish off.

Simone grabbed her coat and purse and they were driving to the summerhouse.

“I like a woman who knows what she wants.”

The date was a disaster.

It was supposed to have been a great evening. Drinks in front of the fire with a beautiful woman. Lovemaking so spectacular his memories of Noelle would fade to a blur.

It didn't work out that way. He'd made a fire in the summerhouse fireplace, all right, and even closed the doors to keep the heat in. It was soon as cozy and warm as they'd imagined. Colin grabbed a couple of blankets. He'd even poured the drinks and snuggled with Simone on the couch.

Only thing, he'd kept wishing he had Noelle in his arms. And every time he tried to kiss Simone, Noelle's face flashed across his vision. Noelle's soft lips forced him to pull back from Simone. Frustrated, he finally gave up, peeved with himself. He pulled back.

“What is it?” Simone asked, puzzled, reaching for him.

Colin swiped a hand across his face. “I'm sorry, Simone. Earlier, I thought this was a good idea.”

“So, you had a fight with your girlfriend and thought a night with me would give you relief? Or maybe you took your fantasy far enough to think you'll get over her completely.”

“She's not my girlfriend.”

“You want her to be. Look, I don't have to be a genius to know that.” She glared at him with disgust. “You know the main reason I don't take guys seriously is because you all can be so obtuse. You date women you don't give a damn about just because you're too dense to patch up whatever the heck is wrong with the one you want. Don't use me as a substitute again. I love good sex, but I don't like wasting my time. I'm too busy.”

“Simone—”

“Go to a priest if you need to confess.” She got her coat. “Take me home and patch it up with Noelle.”

Simone hugged the door all the way back to her house. Silence screamed into the night. She had every right to be angry with him.

“Sorry about the evening,” he said.

She grabbed the handle to her door. “Don't bother getting out. I can see myself in. You owe me a damn good interview.”

Colin waited until she got in the house before he backed out of the drive. Then he laughed as he pulled off. Leave it to Simone not to let a good business opportunity go to waste.

On his way home, he passed Noelle's place. His gut tightened. This was worse than anything he could have imagined. He rarely gave women a second thought when the relationship was over. He took refuge in his work, but this time it was different.

Noelle had turned his world upside down and he hated it.

Noelle stayed two extra days. George took her home, helping her carry in two bar stools she'd bought on a shopping trip with him. He helped her unpack them in the kitchen and took the empty boxes with him when he left, after he shoveled the driveway and the steps.

He'd taken his duties as a grandfather seriously.

Before she made it upstairs, a real estate agent called. He had a client who wanted to make an offer on her property.

She'd already made it clear that her land wasn't for sale, but that didn't keep the vultures from circling. Her camp was prime acreage for development.

Quickly getting him off the phone, she turned her heat up a couple of degrees. Two minutes later, a car drove into the yard. Even though Noelle had given up on Colin changing his mind about them, hope still rose when she answered the door—not to Colin, but to Carp. She gave him a hopeful smile she just wasn't feeling.

“Some snow we had, wasn't it? The schools in Baltimore were closed. Gave me a chance to spend more time with my children.”

“Well, judging by your smile, I don't need to ask how your weekend went, do I?”

“Couldn't be better.”

“Don't just stand there. Come in and tell me all about it,” she said.

“I'll take a few minutes,” he said, glancing at his watch. Lately, he seemed to take pride in getting to work on time and doing a good job.

Noelle lead him to the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee while he shed his coat and sat on one of the new bar stools.

“I got to spend hours each day with them. The last night they stayed with me at the hotel. My son had a basketball game Friday night. He's quite the player,” he said. “He's always loved sports. I was a little worried that he'd let sports take precedence over his schoolwork. You know how boys are. They all think they're going to be the next Michael Jordan. But he's got his head on straight,” he said with a father's proud air. “My daughter's a cheerleader. She's a real beauty and smart.” Carp shook his head. “You know you don't think kids are listening when you talk, but when I asked my son about his future he said, ‘Dad, I remember what you said. I might get a scholarship, but I'm not counting on basketball as a career. I want to be an accountant. I know it's not the hip thing so I don't talk about it.'”

“You must be so proud.”

“I am. My daughter wants to be a pediatrician.” Carp leaned back with his chest out. “I've got to put something by to help them. If I have to work day and night, I'm going to see that they make it to college. My house is paid for. My brothers helped me build it. It's not much, but it's a roof over my head.”

“It's more than just a roof over your head,” Noelle assured him. “It's a cozy home most people would be proud to own.”

“Nice of you to say,” he said and shook his head. “Was a time a kid could be proud of going on to school and making something of himself. When did it get to the point our kids have to be ashamed of wanting to better themselves?”

“Indirectly they hear it all the time. There's the peer pressure. And I have nothing against preachers and the church. I'm not on the bashing bandwagon. Our religion centers us. As a matter of fact, I have to find a church here. But how many times have we heard we might have a degree and we might make money, but it won't get us to heaven?”

“A lot more than we hear beating your wife, selling dope to kids and not working to support your family is wrong, that's for sure.”

“It sends mixed messages to our children.”

“A man is supposed to work and take care of his family,” Carp murmured, some of the euphoria leaving him. “If you're looking for a church, I'll be happy to give you the name of mine and introduce you to the minister. It's the same church George attends, although he hasn't been much since his son died.”

“Maybe I'll get him to go with me.”

“Good idea. I need to get over there and see how he's doing,” Carp said, gathering his coat. “Well, have to get to work. Stop by later on if you have the time.”

At least someone's life was going in the right direction, Noelle thought, pleased for Carp as she saw him out. He looked like a different man from the downtrodden one of the month before.

Weeks passed and though Noelle hoped the warm feelings that had passed between Colin and her after the foal's birth would at least get him to see reason, the camaraderie had been short-lived. Colin had gone back to his old keep-his-distance self.

It was February and breeding season had begun on the farm. She saw Colin several times a week and as much as she caught him sneaking glances at her, he treated her like a friend's daughter, not as his previous lover. At least George was improving daily. Unfortunately her feelings for Colin hadn't abated at all.

Noelle was working in her office one morning; she'd just received the brochures that she'd ordered for the campground. Already she'd placed ads in magazines in the D.C. metro area as well as Maryland and Philly. Brent had sponsored ten students from Memphis. He'd convinced some of his contemporaries to sponsor slots, as well. So far, places for fifty children had been filled on his recommendation alone. The company that was donating the computers had purchased space for five students.

She'd also mailed out help-wanted notices to college campuses to fill the counselor slots for the summer. The computer and investment teachers had already been hired.

Carp had completed the work on the girls' dorm and was now working on the boys'. He expected to be completely finished by the middle of May. The grounds crew would begin work in early March.

Noelle went to the kitchen to make coffee and heard a car approach. Probably Carp, she thought and was glad she'd made extra coffee. But she answered the door to George—and a dog.