A Walk In The Wilderness (18 page)

       “Why?” she laughed.

     He chuckled.  “Because there’s a timing to things.  If I were, I’d tell her first; don't you think?  There wouldn't be much point in confessing to you if the lady wouldn't have me, now would it?”  he asked.

      Grace smiled at him.  “If you weren’t, she wouldn’t be here.”  she accused.

      David gave her a long look.  “Mother.  She needs a home.  She needed you.”  he explained patiently.  “That’s all there is to it.”

     “That may be, David.  But it’s you that she truly needs.  And wants.”  she added sweetly.

       He gave her a sharp look.  “She didn’t say that to you.”  he accused.

     “No.  No, she hasn’t said it.  But I know.  I’m not sure that she’s realized it, herself.”  Grace said quietly.  “If you don’t love her, David, you need to be very careful.   She could grow very close to you without even realizing it, and be hurt.”

      He was silent for a time, looking at her. Then he stared at the fire.  Grace just smiled.  She knew that she wasn’t going to get any more out of him tonight.  But again, she had planted seed for him to think about.  And he hadn’t denied a thing.  But he was exasperated by her honest comments.

     Caitlin came downstairs wearing a green velvet tunic that made her eyes blaze,  and matching slacks.  She looked very cozy with her hair falling down her back. 

     She smiled at David and pointed to the floor.  She had a bottle of rubbing alcohol and a bottle of oil in her hand. 

      He obliged her and put a throw pillow under his head.  His eyes looked up at his mother and she smiled.  He smiled back, all ire forgotten, and then closed his eyes.

     “Is that sore?” Caitlin asked evenly.

     “Uh. Yes.”  David winced.

     “Sorry.  How far down your back does it go?”

     “Halfway.”

     “And down your arm?”

     “To the elbow.”

     “And up the left side of your neck?”

     “Yes.  How did you know that?”

     “It’s my business to know.  Now, you just try to relax.” she ordered efficiently. 

     David closed his eyes and tried.  Her fingers were very strong and talented.  She knew exactly where the fluids were collected, where the pain was, and how to massage it for the most effect.  It was simply wonderful to have that shoulder worked over.  He could feel the tightness simply melting away.

    The three of them talked a bit, as she worked.  It took her an hour before she’d done all that she wanted to do.  Then, he convinced her to do the rest of his back.  She blushed, but consented.

     Grace watched with amused affection.  After another half-hour, she excused herself to go to bed.  David looked up at her with a look that told her he knew what she was doing.  She smiled innocently and bade them a good night.

    Caitlin felt a bit awkward continuing the back rub with Grace gone.  “She turned in early tonight.”  she commented uneasily.

      “Hmm.”  David admitted.  He smiled to himself.  Drat her, his mother had him thinking about things he’d rather not have to think about.  Like Cait’s fingers on his back.  Like the fact that they were alone together and the fire was burning.

      He was silent until she finally patted his shoulder.  “There.  That should hold you for a bit.”

     He rolled and looked up at her.  “Thank you.”  he said heartily.  “Caitlin, that felt absolutely incredible.”  he told her, in a voice that surely conveyed his relief.  He shivered.  “Let’s move closer to the fire.” he suggested.

      Caitlin watched as he moved the settee up within four feet of the giant hearth and stretched out full length on it again.  He patted the seat at his waistline and pulled her to a sitting position next to him, when she tottered close.  She looked down at his face and found her eyes drifting to look at his bare chest.  The strong muscles, the smooth, brown skin.  The dark hair.  The breadth of his shoulders and the defined muscles.  She looked away quickly.

    His hand on her arm turned her eyes back to his.  “Are you happy here, Caitie?” he asked tiredly.

     She let the corners of her mouth turn up.  No one had ever called her that.  “Very much so.”  she assured him.  “Your mother is delightful.”

      “What am I?  Chopped liver?”  he accused, stifling a yawn.

     She laughed.  “Hardly. You’re the knight in shining armor who saved my life and spirited me away to his castle.”  she dramatized.

     He laughed.  “I lured you here with money and the promise of security.  But your version sounds much more romantic.”  he conceded. 

      She smiled.  It was very cozy and romantic there before the fire. 

      “Let’s see how much you trust me these days.”  he suggested.

      “How’s that?”  she asked uneasily.

     “Put your feet up on the chaise.”  he instructed.  “Now, lean back and get comfortable here with me.  There’s plenty of room for both of us and I’m too tired to misbehave.  Come on; I just want to relax with you.  I can't do that with you sitting there, stiff as a board.”

     Caitlin felt her nerves snapping as his strong arms pulled her back against his chest, and nestled her in his arms.  She sighed when she realized that he was only going to cuddle her there.  His strong, muscled arms around her were so warm and comforting, and his breath in her hair made her wish things she shouldn’t.  But he didn’t even touch her with his lower body.  He just held her, and stared at the fire.

     She sighed and relaxed, her head on his shoulder.  The fire was beautiful and warm.  She smiled as she realized that David was already asleep and snoring.

     David woke up at ten the following morning.  He was alone, still on the settee, and he’d been covered with warm blankets.  The fire was blazing and it was raining outside.  He sat up and stretched.  Then he remembered the prior evening with Caitlin in his arms, and he groaned.  He should never have done anything so stupid!  

     He got up and dragged up the stairs to his bath.  He laid there for a long time, thinking about his dilemma.  His mother had become his worst enemy in regard to Caitlin.  Oh, how she had enjoyed leaving them alone in front of the fire, David with no shirt, Caitlin stuck rubbing his back.  She’d been hoping that the time alone would turn the tide. 

   David was getting to be pretty sure that Grace was right.  Caitlin wasn’t immune to him.  He would have to be careful, indeed.  

    Caitlin joined him in the kitchen, and made some tea.  She sat down and smiled at him, wearing a beautiful plum sweater and some stretch pants.  David just watched her moving around the kitchen and then he turned his eyes out the window to watch the rain.  

     “When do you leave?”

    “Right after dinner.”  he sighed.  “I’d give just about anything to dump this tour, Cait.” he sighed.

      “Because of Skyler?”

      “Yep.” he agreed.

     “I’m sorry it’s so rough.  My!  You’d think that Skyler would simply blow up, or something.  Did he ever get Connie off his back about paternity?”

     David turned lazy eyes up at Caitlin.  “You’re too innocent for words, Cait.  There is no need for a paternity suit.  The kid’s his.”

       She blushed.  “He said he didn’t know.”

     “He knows.”  David assured her.  “They’ve lived together for the three years I’ve known him.  I wouldn’t be doing the tour with him if I’d known they weren’t married; it was bad enough just watching him dally with every pretty girl he could interest.  It’s not good business to have my name linked with someone who’s obviously headed for disaster.  But I had just found that out, when I met you.”

   Caitlin sat down and looked at him blankly.  “Why do they let him go on as a Christian artist if he’s not married and was living with a girl?  Especially someone like Connie!  He did say he was paying support, didn't he?”

     David shook his head.  “He makes them money.  They just try to keep it quiet.  It's easy for them to pretend they don't know.”  he explained tiredly.

    “How dare he ask me to marry him?”  she hissed.

    David gave her another lazy look that made her feel witless.  “Skyler is seldom sincere, Cait.  Those magic words have a way of engendering trust in a woman.  And once you have her trust, you can more likely get what you really want.”

     Caitlin blushed and stared at him angrily.

     He smiled to soften his words.  “If a man ever comes asking such a question, he really ought to have a ring in his pocket to back it up, don’t you think?”  he challenged.  “Then, you can at least see that he’s put a little bit of thought and money where his mouth is.”

   “I would hate to have to be so very calculating, actually.”  she answered tersely.

      He grinned at her.  “You’re a romantic, my dear.  It’s easy to see.  I suppose I should keep my advice to myself.  You kept Skyler at arm’s length.”

      She smiled sadly.  “Thank God.” 

      “Indeed.”  David agreed.  He took a sip of tea and stared out the window.

      “What do you want to do today?” she asked brightly.

     He shrugged.  “I don’t know.  I’m pretty tired, still.  I don’t feel like taking on much, really.  If I’m wise, I’ll practice for a couple of hours.”

      “David, can I listen?” she asked instantly.

      He smiled.  “Of course.  That would be great.”  he agreed.  He laughed to see her eyes shining.  “Do you like it that much?” he asked curiously.

       “Oh, yes.  You’re simply tremendous.”  she assured him.  “Surely you know you're remarkable, David.”

      “Don’t go turning my head, now.” he laughed.  He put an arm around her as they went into the music room.  “I don’t need it.”

       “Facts are facts, David.  I’d be lying if I said anything else.”

      He sat at the piano with a sigh.  Caitlin chose the settee in front of the fire.  He turned and watched her curl up there, with a smile.  “You didn’t get much company from me last night, did you?”

      “You were snoring before I could say two words.” she confirmed.

      He chuckled. “Sorry.”

      “I’m not.  You needed the rest.  That’s what home time is for.” 

      He shrugged.  “Still, I’d rather have talked to you.”  he said. 

    He began to play, and Caitlin closed her eyes. There was nothing in the world that she would rather do, than sit and listen to him play.  This time, it was Caitlin who fell sound asleep.  The fire was so warm and cheery, and the music so peaceful. 

     David looked over at her, and smiled to see her sleeping.  Grace came by and looked at the scene.  She and David exchanged an unreadable look.  David did not smile, and he seemed to challenge his mother subtly.  She just lifted her chin and gave him a look that seemed to hold a knowing smile.  Then she went on to the kitchen.

     David left Caitlin sleeping and went upstairs for a nap, himself.  He awakened to a tap on his door. 

     “David, come to dinner.”  his mother urged.

    “All right.  Give me ten.”  he yawned.  Actually, he took twenty.  He wanted to shower again before he got dressed.  He had a long night of travel and work ahead of him. 

     He chose a black shirt open at the neck, jeans and boots for the occasion.  He knew his mother didn’t like jeans at the dinner table, but she’d have to make a concession for him.  He didn’t feel like wearing anything else on the plane.

      He found Cait and his mother at the table, waiting. 

     “Sorry.”  he said.  “Guess I should have gotten up a bit earlier.”

    “That’s all right.” Grace assured him.    

    They shared a lovely dinner and chatted about things that didn’t matter.  There was a sadness -- almost a strain at the table, because he was leaving just after.

     “How long will you be in France?” Grace asked quietly.

     “Two weeks.  Then I may come home for a few days again, before we go into Ireland.  I don’t know yet.”

     Grace smiled.  “Well, darling, we’ll pray for that.  I really feel that you need a few weeks’ rest.”

     He raised his eyebrows.  “I’m beginning to think so, myself.  I don’t ever recall being so short on patience.”  he agreed.

     “Skyler would test anyone’s limits, I think.”  Caitlin soothed.

     David laughed.  “Yeah.  I guess that’s true.”  He looked at Cait, and shook his head.  “I envy you, being here safe and sound from his tantrums.”  he admitted.

     “When do you go, tonight?” Grace asked.

    “I have to be at the airport at six.”  he said tiredly.  “I go on at nine, so I’ll barely have time to change when I arrive there.”

      “You have to perform tonight?” Caitlin gasped.

      “Yep.”  he confirmed.  “Want to come?”

      She blanched.  “To France?”

      “Paris.  You could spend a few days and then fly back home.”

      “But won't Skyler be there?” she asked uncertainly.

    “He will.  I’m thinking that perhaps we could drive him over the edge.”  he suggested sweetly.

     Caitlin laughed.  “Oh, David.  I don’t know if I’m up to facing him, just yet.”  she admitted.  “And what if that beast is there with him?”

      David denied it with a shake of his head.  “The child is very sick.  She’s been staying close to home.”

      Caitlin digested the idea thoughtfully. 

      “Why not go with him, Caitlin?  I’ll be fine here.” Grace urged.

    Caitlin looked from one to the other.  “But what would people think, me traveling alone with David?” she objected.  “Wouldn’t that be bad for his reputation?”

     David looked at her with amusement.  “I’m over here.  You can ask me these things, you know.” he teased.