Sweet Christmas Kisses (68 page)

“What in the world happened to this place?”

Marie tiptoed around the furniture and collapsed into an easy chair. Folding her legs under her, she looked like she planned to stay there until further notice.

Rock squeezed past Zelda’s wheelchair and stood off to one side so as not to walk in the potting soil. He gripped his hands on his hips and surveyed the carnage with disgust. “It looks to me like something on four legs went berserk.” He pointed at the damaged curtain. “Something equipped with sharp claws and an evil mind.”

Kim looked around, alarmed. “Where is Sasha?”

A whimpering sound, coming from behind the sofa, answered to her voice. She knelt down and patted a clean spot on the rug. “Here, Sasha, come on, girl. Come out, you’re safe now.”

Two liquid eyes set in a white mask with a tiny snout soon emerged. The dog canvassed the room for danger then darted out, making a beeline for the safety of Kim’s arms. She scooped up her baby and kissed her on the head. “You’re shaking. What happened while we were gone?”

Sasha didn’t answer. She just looked up at Kim with sorrowful eyes.

“Roscoe, where are you?” Zelda bellowed. The tabby emerged at the sound of her voice, trotted across the room with a loud meow and jumped into her lap. “My poor frightened pussy cat.” She stoked his arched back. “Look what that naughty little dog did.”

Kim turned around and went back into the hallway before she said something she knew she’d regret.

“I’ll put Sasha in a safe place then get the vacuum and clean up the mess,” she said to Rock as she headed toward his bedroom. “I’m not sure how much will come out of the carpet, but it’s not ground in so the vacuum should get most of it. We’ll probably have to get it steam cleaned after Christmas.”

On the way to Rock’s bedroom, she found a trail of white along the floor. It looked like shredded toilet paper. Curious, she ducked into the bath situated between two bedrooms and found a mountain of the stuff on the floor. Boy, that cat must have had a blast.

It didn’t take her long to find the vacuum and get started putting the place back in order. Rock picked up as much of the newspaper pieces as he could while she vacuumed the crumbles of black dirt. Marie didn’t bother to help, but at least she stayed out of the way. Once cleaned, the carpet looked almost as good as before the incident, but a couple of black spots refused to come out. The drapes were a total loss.

Rock migrated into the family room, an adjoining area with huge corner windows and a full-service bar, and put a movie into the DVD player to entertain everyone while Kim took the elevator to the “storage area,” secretly known as the condo at 601E.

****

Once in the solitude of her apartment, Kim collapsed onto one of the loveseats and exhaled her first relaxed breath since nine o’clock last night. She and Rock had spent a good part of the night talking, but strangely, she didn’t feel tired. She had no doubt that would change, though, if they didn’t get some sleep tonight!

Someone had taped a flyer to her door, reminding her of the building association’s annual holiday potluck get-together in the main party room at six o’clock that evening on the first floor. The residents put on a fantastic buffet every year of appetizers, entrees and just about every dessert a person could imagine. She’d looked forward to it and had intended to bring the lasagna, homemade garlic bread and a dessert, but that plan fell apart last night when Rock showed up at the door. Now it seemed important to stay out of sight to avoid questions about him, not to mention the gossip that would mutate into gospel if anyone found out they were cohabitating for a week. Deep down, she wished she could bring him as her guest. It would be such fun to be his date at a party, but she knew it would never happen. Once this week ended, so did their relationship. They were doing each other a favor and nothing more.

Grabbing a wicker clothesbasket, she mentally ticked off the ingredients in her head as she filled it with groceries. Once she had everything packed, she cast a last look around the kitchen to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything and as an afterthought, grabbed a couple Christmas decorations that would look nice on the table. Now to lug this basket downstairs and back into Rock’s elevator before anyone saw her...

****

The bold aroma of Darjeeling tea filled her nostrils as Kim stepped off the elevator and walked through the penthouse foyer. “I’m b-a-a-c-k,” she called out. “Anyone want to give me a hand with these groceries?” No one answered.

In the family room, she found Zelda reclining on a Lazy Boy, watching
The Sorcerer’s Stone
on Rock’s wide-screen TV and indulging in an afternoon ‘cuppa’ of tea with a small array of the finger-length sandwiches and scones that Kim had purchased at the mall. Marie, on the other hand, had taken a spot on the sofa next to Rock and sat so close to him that if she moved another inch or two, she’d be in his lap.

What’s wrong with the woman, anyway? Kim thought to herself, becoming irritated. Why was this dippy nurse coming on to her husband? The thought suddenly startled her.

When did I start thinking of Rock as my husband?

She turned away so no one could see her confusion and swiftly walked back to the kitchen. Once out of sight, she examined her hand. The ring sparkled like a star on a clear night. It would be so easy to fall in love with it, but it represented a lie and she planned to give it back to Rock as soon as Zelda left for home.

“Time to get to work,” she said aloud and started pulling open cabinet doors to find the utensils she needed. “This meal isn’t going to prepare itself.”

She figured out how to set the oven temperature then pulled out an oblong pan for the lasagna and began chopping onions to add to the browning meat. After a few minutes she became so engrossed in her work, she didn’t hear anyone come into the kitchen.

“Need any help?”

Rock’s voice surprised her and she whirled around so fast the knife almost flew out of her hand. “Oh,” she said placing one palm across her heart, “you scared me.”

“I’m sorry,” he said softly, the corners of his cocoa eyes crinkling as he smiled. “I just came to see if you could use a helper.”

“Really?” She couldn’t help smiling back. He sure didn’t look like a cook’s helper in his tight, low-rise jeans and navy V-neck sweater. More like the cover model of a magazine. She made a conscious effort to tear her gaze away from his tall, muscled frame then grabbed a bag of spinach and a colander. “Here, rinse this and put it in the wooden bowl next to the sink filled with strips of red and green peppers. The utensils are lying next to it. Mix it up well and put it in the refrigerator to chill. Just before we sit down for dinner, you can put it on the dining room table next to the oil and vinegar cruets.”

She handed him a bottle of liquid soap to wash his hands. “What’s the matter, did you get tired of watching Harry Potter?”

Rock turned on the water and lathered up. “No, I got annoyed with a certain clinging vine on the couch.” He dabbed a goatee of white bubbles on her chin. “I’d rather be in here with you any day. Besides, I want to see if you really can cook.”

She turned back to the stove before he could see her beaming with pride. “You’ll see.”

For the next half-hour, they worked side-by-side, putting together the evening meal. Once the lasagna went into the oven, they set the timer and began decorating the dining room. Kim spread a red plaid tablecloth on the table and a small, but elegant basket for a centerpiece made of pine boughs, apples and pinecones. Red ribbons tied into bows garnished each end of the handle. Next, they set the table with china, silverware and crystal. A little while later she approached the table to add a set of red candles when suddenly her feet slipped out from under her and she landed on her backside on the oak floor.

“What the...” Rock exclaimed as he rushed into the dining room and found her sprawled on her back. “Are you all right?” He threw down his dishtowel and took her hands, gazing upon her with tenderness and concern. “What happened?”

“I don’t know...” Dazed, Kim looked around as he helped her to feet. “One moment I was walking upright then before I knew what happened I’d crashed and burned.”

He knelt and ran his fingers across a shiny spot on the wood. “There’s oil on the floor. You must have spilled some when you put the cruets on the table.”

“No.” Kim shook her head. “Not a drop leaked from either bottle. Look at them. The stoppers are on tight.”

He stood up. “That’s strange. Well, I’ll get a towel and some soap and clean it off. Do you feel well enough to finish dinner? If not, you can tell me what to do and I’ll take care of it.”

“I’m fine, just a little shook up, that’s all, but thank you for asking. I’ll start making the garlic bread right away. The lasagna is coming out of the oven in a couple minutes.”

Rock inhaled a deep breath. “Hmm, that smells good.” He rubbed his taught stomach. “I’m definitely looking forward to this.”

****

Rock dimmed the chandelier and lit the candles as they took their places at the table. Kim took the seat on his right. Marie pulled away a chair and positioned Zelda’s wheelchair at the end of the table, saving the other place next to Rock for herself.

“Rock, dear, give the blessing, please,” Zelda insisted and folded her hands while Marie set the brake on her wheelchair. Kim bowed her head, but a heavy thud caught her attention and she opened her eyes in time to see two furry paws land on her Lennox china plate. Annoyed, she looked up and received a fat, furry belly in her face. Obviously, Roscoe wanted to join the fun, too. Unfortunately, no one had invited him. He yowled in protest when Rock grabbed him and set him on the floor.

The meal started out pleasant with light conversation as they passed around the spinach salad. During the meal, Kim said little, nervously nibbling on her food while she observed everyone’s reaction to her cooking.

Rock took great delight in dishing up the main course, smiling as he filled plates with lasagna for everyone then helped himself to a double portion. He spoke only when spoken to, preferring to substitute filling his stomach for conversation. Kim watched him devour his pasta and garlic toast with such gusto she wondered when he’d last had a home cooked meal. A real home cooked meal made from scratch with organic ingredients, not that home-ready stuff filled with salt and preservatives sold in the grocery store.

Marie had ignored her salad and now sat listlessly picking at her entree. She frowned at her plate, refusing to look up. Something about her bothered Kim. Her attitude and behavior just didn’t jive with her job description. Her oversized glasses were homely and too large for her face. The drab, mousey chignon fastened at the back of her head appeared a bit skewed. A small coppery tendril escaped from the bun, looking oddly out of place.

That’s strange, Kim thought to herself. It didn’t match the rest of her hair.

“Everything is delicious,” Zelda announced as she reached across the table and helped herself to a second square of lasagna. “Where did you learn to cook like this?”

“I taught myself through trial and error.” Kim patted her lips with her napkin. “As a kid, I’d watch all those cooking shows on television and over the years the idea stuck with me. The chefs always made everything look so easy.” She laughed. “I’ve made my share of mistakes, but little by little, I’ve come to master the art of following a recipe.”

“What about your mother?” Zelda picked through the basket of garlic toast. “Did she cook as well?”

Kim grasped her water glass, but stopped just short of taking a sip. “Veronica couldn’t boil water, as the saying goes. She preferred her meals prepared and served by someone else, preferably in a waiter’s uniform.”

“My goodness,” Zelda said, “for a woman born into wealth, you’re quite the anomaly. You can cook and you can clean, but do you have what it takes to make my son happy?”

Rock stopped eating, his fork frozen in front of his mouth. “That was uncalled for, Mother.”

Marie took a sip of water and began chewing loudly on a chunk of ice.

“I’d say it’s quite appropriate.” She glared at him with a challenging lift to her chin. “I want to die with the assurance that you’ve made a good match. Your wife needs to be more than a live-in servant. You need a woman who is your equal in every way.”

Rock put down his forkful of lasagna and shook his head, as though he found the question ridiculous. “She
is
my equal in every way.” Reaching out, he covered Kim’s hand with his broad palm and curled his fingers around hers, though his dark eyes studied her with serious intent. “I admire her loyalty and selfless dedication to others. It’s a refreshing change from the vain, self-centered women I used to date. She’s perfect just the way she is.”

Kim blinked; taken aback that he’d just quoted her own previous comment back to her. Did he actually mean that? Probably not. He was just holding his own against Zelda.

She didn’t have time to ponder it, though, because Marie suddenly burst into a coughing spasm, apparently choking on the ice in her mouth.

Purple-faced, Marie shoved her chair away from the table and stomped out of the room. Kim jumped up and went after her. Rock followed close behind.

“Are you all right?” Kim cried as she rushed into the living room, ready to apply the Heimlich maneuver if need be. She didn’t know if the woman understood her words, but undoubtedly, her tone of voice conveyed her concern.

Marie stopped and whirled around, glaring as though Kim had overstepped her bounds by questioning a nurse about her condition. Rock repeated the question, but when he spoke, she defiantly turned and walked away, heading into the hallway toward her bedroom.

Confused, Kim raised her palms. “What did I say that offended her so much?”

Rock stared at the wide doorway leading to the hall. “I have no idea. Maybe it upset her to hear me arguing with Mother.”

“She’ll come around,” Zelda announced, rolling her chair into the living room next to Kim. “My dear, I’ll take my coffee in here. Rock, please turn on the fireplace then bring me a blanket.”