Rocky Mountain Hero (To Love Again Book 3) (5 page)

“No, use your imagination. I’m not going to spell it all out for you. It was great.”

“How did you find being with someone so much younger?”

“Aside from exciting? Exhausting? Chet used to climb on, roll off and fall asleep all within ten minutes. I was beginning to think sex was a timed event.”

“Chet left a lot to be desired.”

“He left most of it to be desired, truth be told.” Isabel paused while the waiter returned with the main course. Lasagna for Jenny and veal picata for her. He ground pepper over her veal and parmesan over Jenny’s plate with a flourish, then flamboyantly strode off in the direction of the kitchen.

“We’ll have to be sure to tip that boy,” giggled Jenny. “I feel like I’m at the ballet.”

“He does have a certain, um, flair,” agreed Isabel. “Makes for entertaining dining.”

“The dirt makes for entertaining dining. The dirt. Come on Issy, sing for your supper.” Jenny waved a forkful of lasagna in her direction.

“You know what he asked me?” she began, not waiting for Jenny to guess. “He said he needed experience with an older woman, that he wanted me to be his Mrs. Robinson, teach him lovemaking.”

“What?” Jenny sputtered, pulling her glass away quickly.

Isabel held her eye and nodded in an exaggerated way. “That’s right - he asked
me
to teach
him
about sex.”

“But you were trying to learn something yourself, right? Wasn’t that the purpose of the whole exercise? Research, I believe you called it?”

“Field work,” she corrected her. “But he didn’t know that. He went to the club that night looking for an older woman who could show him the ropes.”

“Got a bondage kink, does he?” Jenny winked.

“Nooooo, I just meant he wants to learn.”

“He didn’t look like he needed much instruction to me.”

Isabel traced the rim of her glass with her finger, watching the circles. After a few seconds, she met her friend’s eyes. “I know, right? He didn’t seem inexperienced at all. He claimed to have problems keeping an erection, or even getting an erection, but we made love a lot and it didn’t come up-”

Jenny guffawed. “Are you sure?”

“Jenny. Okay, it did come up…but the problem didn’t. Okay?”

“How many times?”

“What? What do you mean how many times?”

“Come on. You don’t have sex for three years, you spend a weekend with a gorgeous Adonis-type boy toy, and you don’t know how many times you had sex? I’m not buying it. Spill.” Jenny leaned back in her chair, tapping her purple painted nails against the table, waiting.

Isabel stared into the distance, recounting the weekend in her head.

“Out loud, Isabel. Come on, I can see the wheels turning.”

“Okay,” she laughed. “See, you’re relentless.”

“And that’s why you love me.”

“Hmmm.” Isabel rolled her eyes, then popped the last piece of veal into her mouth, giving her a moment to think. “Friday night, at least twice. Saturday afternoon on the highway. Saturday night in the bath. Sunday in the cave.”

Jenny, who had been holding fingers up to keep count, paused and held her hand up in a stop motion.

“Wait a minute. You made love in a cave?”

“That’s what I was trying to tell you, Jenny. The snowstorm, being stuck in the cave-”

“What snowstorm?”

“When we went to the mountains.”

“You said that. After I left on Saturday, he whisked you away to the mountains. I still can’t believe you just went without telling someone. Without even calling me. It was so unlike you – I was worried sick.”

“I’m sorry, Jenny, I didn’t mean to worry you,” Isabel rested her hand on Jenny’s, and grinned wickedly. “Do you want the dirt, or not?”

The prancing waiter was back to clear their plates and offer dessert menus. The restaurant, a favorite of Jenny’s, was renowned for their tiramisu. They ordered some to share and decaf cappuccinos without opening the menus.

“We went to the mountains, a friend of Tray’s has a cabin there. Actually, it’s more like a three-level house. On Sunday, we hiked up a mountain. But when we got to the top, there was a huge storm coming in. We weren’t able to make it back down the mountain.”

“So you stayed in a cave?” Jenny stared at her. “I can’t imagine you sleeping in a cave.”

“I know. It’s sounds more like you than me! I still remember your story about Greece.”

Jenny smiled. “It does sound more like me than you.”

“We were lucky to find the cave, Jenny. It was blowing like crazy, there was a complete white-out. We would never have made it back down in the storm.” Isabel’s thoughts drifted back to piling the boughs on top of the makeshift lean-to, remembered her misgivings about spending the night in the open and her relief when Tray came back to say he had found the cave. It really had seemed like a miracle.

“Did you have food? Fire?”

“Tray was incredible. He had this big pack, and was totally prepared.”

“So … if that was Saturday night, then … you made love in the cave?”

“We made love in the cave, in front of the fire. It was very romantic. Then we fell asleep. Until the bear came.”

“You’re pulling my leg,” Jenny squealed. “I know I wanted a story, but you don’t have to be so creative.” She stopped laughing as she caught the serious look on Isabel’s face. “Wait - there was a bear?”

“It’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. This weekend, I’ve had more excitement than I’ve had in years. I feel like I’ve been given a new lease on life.”

“What happened with the bear?” Jenny was stuck on the bear. Knowing Isabel’s lack of experience camping and hiking, she probably couldn’t imagine her friend having to confront a bear in the wild. A few days ago, Isabel would have had trouble with it, too.

“Tray scared it away. He yelled and waved a burning log, and the bear left us alone.”

“Maybe it was the bear’s cave?”

“It likely was.” She grinned remembering his bravery. He hadn’t hesitated for a second, automatically jumping between her and the bear, determined to keep her safe. It had had a deep impact on her. It had been a long time since she’d thought someone else could take care of her.

“So Mrs. Robinson meets the bear? That’s your story?”

“And I’m sticking to it,” laughed Isabel, dipping her spoon in to the tiramisu.

“And Grizzly Adams? When are you seeing him again?”

“I’m not.”

“You’re not? Did you already teach him everything he needs to know about lovemaking?”

“He doesn’t need me to teach him anything. He’s, umm, inventive, and …”

“Oh, well then it’s clear why you won’t be seeing him again.”

“Jenny, look. I served his purpose, he served mine. We’re done.” She glanced around the restaurant, not wanting to meet her friend’s eyes.

“You like him,” Jenny said, leaning across the table and holding Isabel’s gaze.

“What’s not to like? He’s smart, funny and young. Too young for me, Jenny. You know I’m not looking for anything right now.”

Jenny regarded her friend and leaned back slowly in her chair. “You just finished telling me that this experience has given you a new lease on life.”

“So?” Isabel squirmed, knowing Jenny would not let this drop.

“So the new fearless Dr. Chapel runs from what she wants?”

“I don’t want Tray. He’s too young, Jenny. Anyway, he would never want me. It was a lark for him. A chance to play a movie role.” She could hear her doubt in the words as she spoke them out loud. He hadn’t seemed like he was playing. He’d been tender and considerate. They’d shared secrets and developed a deep intimacy. Still, she couldn’t risk it all again.

“You’re scared.” Jenny put the words on the table like a final course Isabel hadn’t ordered. “You like him, and you’re afraid he’ll reject you.”

Isabel fidgeted with the napkin in her lap and wished her friend didn’t have to be so damn perceptive. Scared didn’t begin to cover what she was feeling.

Reaching across the table, Jenny grabbed her hand as she threw the napkin in a crumpled pile on the table. “Issy, I haven’t seen you this happy in, well, years. In the whole time I’ve known you. You can’t just walk away from this.”

“I have to walk away from this,” Isabel said, miserably. “He won’t want me. Besides, we made a deal.”

“Hearts don’t make deals. Heads make deals. Listen to your heart, Isabel. Isn’t that what you tell your clients? Follow their hearts and they can’t go wrong?”

“It’s more than that,” she started to explain, but found she could not. What it was, was fear. Fear of rejection, fear of falling more in love. Fear of wanting something she would only lose again. “I have to focus on my practice right now, Jenny. It’s too important. Maybe once I get things in order there…”

“The famous Dr. Isabel Chapel. Running from life. So much for wanting to turn over a new leaf.”

“I can’t just fall into relationship with this boy.”

“Yes, oh yes, you can. Maybe you need to take a risk, let your feelings take the rein for a while. Lock orderly, safe Isabel in the closet for a bit and live on the edge.”

Isabel could feel the excitement building in her stomach, tried to force it back down, as she let herself imagine more time with Tray. A chance to get to know him, for him to get to know her. He had a way about him that made her feel he was truly interested in her, her dreams, her hopes. It didn’t make sense, though. He was too young.

“It was just for the sex, Jenny. I’ve done my field work, so that’s it.” She closed the subject with finality and motioned the waiter for the bill.

Jenny settled the bill with the waiter, and they walked out of the restaurant into the bright afternoon sunlight. They hugged briefly and Jenny held her at arm’s length for a second before letting her go. “Isabel, I love you. You’re my best friend and I want you to be happy.”

“I am happy. Or I will be once I get my practice back on track.”

“You haven’t been happy, you’ve been safe. Having someone in your life could be great.” Jenny held up her finger as Isabel started to protest. “Here’s the thing. You can look for someone else next weekend or you can take a chance with Tray. Don’t let fear deal your cards, Issy.”

CHAPTER TEN

It was the third appointment for the Kellys and Isabel knew that they’d considered not coming back. At the end of their session last week, they’d glanced at each other while she was booking their next appointment. She recognized that shared look between couples; it said, do we really want to do this?

It never ceased to surprise her that even in the midst of conflict, couples maintained their secret language. Their stance of them against the world. As long as it was there, Isabel knew there was hope for them. And once it was gone, it was so difficult to help them get it back.

This session she was determined to give the Kelly’s something to sink their teeth into. Something that would help them get their limping relationship back on track and, importantly, bolster their confidence in their therapist. She couldn’t afford to lose even one more client and her weekend with Tray meant she had new tools to share.

Five minutes to three. She stared out the window, over the tops of the surrounding buildings, to the view of the river that she loved. Tray had given her the tools she needed and now she was going to have a chance to put them to good use. The appointment with the Dufferins yesterday had gone incredibly well and she was looking forward to turning things around with the Kelly’s.

“Dr. Chapel?” Heidi’s voice chirped over the intercom. “Do you have time to take a call from a Mr. Tray on line two?”

“Take a message please, Heidi.” Isabel didn’t have time to speak to Tray. Why couldn’t he just leave her alone now? That was part of the bargain. Although they hadn’t decided when the deal would end, Isabel had decided it needed to end here.

“Uh, Dr. Chapel. He’s already left three messages.”

“Then you already have his number.”

“But what should I tell him?”

“What did you tell him last time?”

“That you were busy, with a client.”

“Tell him that again.” Isabel punched off the intercom, ending the debate and drummed her fingers against the rich oak of her desk.

Tray. He was a lot more complicated than he first appeared. For one, he was the most beautiful man she’d ever been with. Just remembering his arms around her sent a warmth rushing through her.

For the last few days, she’d been living in a state of heightened awareness. Everything seemed crisper, colors seemed brighter. She seemed to view the world with more clarity than she had in years. She felt more alive and she knew that had everything to do with Tray. Getting caught on the mountain and the encounter with the bear had helped to put an edge on things. She also knew there were circumstances where people fell in love because they came through dangerous situations together, but the truth was that she’d been excited by Tray before that.

From the moment she saw him, she’d felt something stir deep inside her. He’d touched a part of her that had been sleeping since Chet left. She’d always expected that when she was ready to be involved again, that waking that part of herself up again would be painful.