Skin Like Dawn (22 page)

“Lunch.” 

“Excuse me?” 

“Would you like to go to lunch?” 

“Bellamy, it’s nine in the morning, I’m not hungry.” 

“Not right now, dummy, later?  Say...one?” 

“I don’t feel like it.” She shifted the weight of her body from one side to the other.  “And who leaves someone’s house without saying goodbye?”

He grinned.  “Were you worried about my safety?” 

“Go to hell, Bellamy.” She started for the door.

“Wait!  Last night was...look...let me just buy you lunch.  It’ll be my way for making up for it.” 

“You have the hardest time, don’t you?” 

Baffled, he recanted his confident expression.  “With what?” 

“Saying ‘I’m sorry’.” 

“I thought you said that this wasn’t a ‘pissing contest’?” 

“You’re insufferable.” 

“Meet me by the gift shop on the main floor at one.” 

“It’s good to know that you and your friend made it home safely.” 

He smiled again.  “You were worried about me.” 

Huffing, she strolled past him and placed her hand on the knob.  “If I don’t show up for lunch.  Don’t be offended, okay?” 

“Absolutely not.” 

Then, she left the room.  She figured he knew the truth anyway.  

SHE TURNED DOWN LUNCH WITH ZULY, got in the elevator at 12:58, and smiled at a nurse who she immediately recognized from the Oncology floor.  Gazing into the reflection by the capacity and weight limit sign, she fussed with her hair and licked her lips.  In all of the haste from the morning, she’d neglected to check the mirror before she left the house.  Brandon always remarked on her natural beauty, but she never believed him.  

Bellamy was waiting by the gift shop, as scheduled, checking his watch and rolling his lips around tensely.  When he spotted her, he dropped his hands, shuffled his shoulders to adjust his blazer, and smiled.  “You showed up.” 

“Yes.  What kind of idiot would I be if I turned down a free meal?” 

She wasn’t surprised at all when they approached a black Range Rover on the third level in the parking deck.  “A gift from daddy?” 

“You’d like to think so,” he replied, opening the passenger door for her.  

The interior smelled of him.  “Lots of road trips, huh?” 

He slid behind the steering wheel, pushing his key into the ignition.  “I like to drive, if that’s what you’re asking me.” 

“I’m shocked.  Is your driver off today?” 

“Yes. I only require one on holidays and whenever the president is in town.  Have to make a good impression, right?  That’s important to you, isn’t it?” 

“Funny.” 

He started the engine.  “Please buckle your seatbelt.” 

“Where are we going anyway?” 

“I don’t know.” 

“I was under the impression that you had an idea.” 

He shrugged.  “No.  I just kind of like to drive and see where I end up.  You don’t?” 

“I’m only allotted an hour for lunch.” 

He pulled out of the parking space with grace, confidence and ease.  “Not today.” 

“What the hell do you mean?” 

He switched gears, then glanced at her as he turned the wheel counterclockwise.  “It’s taken care of.” 

“Again...what does that mean?” 

“It means that you’re not going to be confined to just an hour for lunch today.  Just today.  I bargained for you to do a ton of makeup work tomorrow, though.” 

“Thanks...?” 

“No need to thank me,” he said, easing out into the traffic as he slid a pair of Ray Bans over his eyes.  “Just didn’t want you feeling like you had to rush back for anything.” 

“But, Head Nurse Wendy loves me so much.  You couldn’t tell?”

“She’s been at the hospital for twenty years.  She’s against any woman younger or better looking than her...or both.” 

“Well...I feel just as old as she looks.”  She gazed out of the window.  “A life half-fulfilled, I suppose.” 

It spilled out of her mouth before she had a chance to stop it.  Bellamy didn’t respond either way.  Still...she was sure that he’d heard it and absorbed it.  After all, what else could a statement like that mean? 

THEY WERE FIVE MINUTES AWAY FROM THE HOSPITAL NOW.  Bellamy had all of the windows in the car cracked, allowing the crisp Pacific air to flow through it.  She then imagined what her husband would think of her, riding alongside in this man’s car willingly.  Brandon rarely got angry...but when he did?  She felt lucky to only be on the receiving end of it a couple of times.  Even then, she feared the worst.  

But what exactly was she doing wrong now?  They’d exchanged very few words as he drove, and vaguely passed glances at one another.  She’d be the first to admit that she was steaming inside; she still wanted answers that she was sure he was unwilling to give.  He was a slave to his self-created enigma, trouncing about with lurid glances, cheeky, highbrow smirks, and a tightened jaw line.  If she, or anyone else, ever tried to understand him or learn something completely factual, he’d return with a vague response of only two words, maybe more.  Just enough to magnetize you to the point of relentlessness.  

At any rate, Brandon needn’t worry.  Her minuscule interactions with Bellamy Guillaume Lambert were nothing more than something to pass the day, tarry her thoughts, exercise her brain.  

“I feel like walking.” He’d stalled at a red light.  What the hell did that mean?  Waiting for him to finish, she looked at him.  He returned her gaze.  

“So.” She raised her eyebrows.  “There’s a trail around the hospital.” 

“You know that’s not what I mean, Natalie.” 

“Well, what could you possibly mean, then?” 

“There’s a farmers’ market.  That’s only open today and tomorrow.”

“Okay?  What are you not telling me?”

“It’s forty-five minutes away.” 

“So...essentially...you already knew that we were going there.  You simply waited until we’d been in the car for fifteen minutes for you to say something.”

“Correct.” 

She rolled her eyes.  “You’re unbelievable, Bellamy Lambert.” 

“It’ll be worth it, I promise.” 

HE ZOOMED EFFORTLESSLY INTO A PARKING SPACE, in a sea of gravel and killed the engine.  Locals coursed through the lot, heading in various directions, collectively enthusiastic, motivated.  The smell of something frying filled the air, reminding her of the markets she visited with her family back in Georgia on tepid Sunday mornings in the Spring.  

Pitched tents of the vendors’ best crops were displayed confidently in a long, narrow row that faced each other.   Trailing Bellamy cautiously, she murmured, “Where the hell are we?” 

“Salem.”  He glanced down at her.  She couldn’t read his eyes behind the veil of his dark shades.  

“Been here before?” 

“No, of course not. Ever had dungeness crab and northwest cornbread?” 

“Cornbread?” 

He grinned.  “Yes, from Alaska.” 

“You’ve lost me.” 

“Come.” 

She followed closely.  Fishermen yelled at each other from tent to tent, hustling buyers from all over the state.  Salmon seemed to attract the biggest crowd.  

Stalling in front of one tent, Bellamy reached into his back pocket for his wallet, and began ruffling through it.  A smallish old man with a crooked spine and a toothy grin approached them.  He smelled of stale flour and fried fish and something else.  Natalie wrinkled her nose. “Well...if it isn’t the Bellamy Lambert.” 

Bellamy nodded once quickly.  “Jasper.  Always a pleasure.” 

“Haven’t seen you around these parts since-”

“Yes, it’s been a minute, hasn’t it?” 

Jasper then turned to Natalie.  “And who’s this little lady?” 

“This is Natalie Greene.  A friend of mine.  Give her the best of your catch this morning, please.” 

“Natalie, it’s nice to meet you.  Come on back here and pick for yourself!” 

She raised her hands and waved them in defeat.  “Sir, I’m a Libra.  Too many options and I go crazy.” 

Jasper chortled.  “Well, it sounds to me that you’re just like any other woman I’ve ever met.  Bellamy, you come too and help her out.” 

Jasper directed them to a small pail of crab clusters that had just been boiled in a local Indian Pale Ale and seasoned healthily with Old Bay.  

Natalie sighed, gazing at Jasper for assistance.  “They all look good to me. I don’t know which to choose.” 

Jasper waved his hand dismissively.  “I’m just a fisherman.  Bellamy here is the chef.  Let him choose.” 

Bellamy pursed his lips.  “I am no such thing.” Then, he leaned closer to her.  Their shoulders touched.  She inhaled protectively and cleared her throat.  “Natalie, you want to pick the one that looks most appetizing to you.  I am in no position to tell you which one to choose.” 

She looked at him.  Her eyes flickered to catch his pink lips quiver as he sank his teeth into the pulp of his bottom lip.  He returned her stare.  Her skin prickled.  “And I’m telling you that I don’t know which one to choose.” 

He blinked slowly.  “Natalie, just pick one up,” he muttered.  “I’ll go grab a couple of plates and the bread.” 

It wasn’t until Bellamy walked away that she realized Jasper had left them alone minutes before.  She shuddered at the fleeting passage of time.  

Settling at a picnic table on a small knoll in beyond the vendors, he broke the legs of the crab off one by one, licking the excess juice off with his fingers.  He then picked up a lemon wedge and squeezed it over the meal, tossing it into the grass once he was done.  “There, have at it.” 

“You lied to me.” 

He looked up at her, baffled.  “What the hell did I lie about?” 

“When you said you hadn’t been here before.” 

“Oh.”  He picked up a leg and snapped it in half effortlessly.  “I didn’t lie.  I call that ‘strategic answering’.” 

“Bullshit.” 

His eyes fixated on hers then.  “Why would I lie to you?” 

“Your guess is as good as mine.” 

“Hmm.” He slid the crabmeat out of the shell and popped it into his mouth.  

She followed suit.  “After I eat this, I will have no desire to go back to work.” 

“So, why should you?” 

“Because I enjoy getting paid.” 

“No.” He picked up a napkin.  “What you enjoy is pleasing other people, without carving out some time to please yourself.” 

“So, playing hooky is your idea of pleasure?” 

He arched an eyebrow.  “Is that a serious question?” 

“Whatever.” 

“I bet you had perfect attendance all through high school, didn’t you?” 

“You know, you’re just a wolf in sheep’s clothing.  A real bastard in an Armani suit with a three hundred dollar haircut.” 

“Versace.” 

“What?” 

“It’s a Versace suit.  Armani is a little too narrow on my shoulders.” 

“How much is a cab from here back to Portland?” 

Regarding her shrewdly, he titled his head to one side and rolled his lips in. 

She bounced her shoulders with indifference.  “What?  I just want to know...you know, just in case.  Forget I said anything.” 

“Already forgotten.” 

She was just about to pull another crab leg from the basket when her cellular phone began to ring.  A flash of heat ignited her cheeks when she spotted the name of her husband on the screen.   Noting the time, she pressed the “talk” button and exhaled.  “Hey.” 

“Natalie, dear?  It’s Martha, I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time.” 

Her eyes flickered in Bellamy’s direction.  “Uh, no, I’m fine, Martha.  How are you?  And why are you calling from my husband’s phone?” 

The sharpness of her reply even struck her as odd.  Still, her feelings toward Martha Greene and her barely veiled distaste for their marriage, lingered with an unexpected sting every now and again.  Hell, how was she supposed to react?  How was she supposed to feel?  The mere thought of Harper landing in Martha’s clutches was enough to make her sick.

“He stepped away from the table to use the bathroom.  We were just talking about you and I thought it a good idea to see how you were feeling.” 

“I’m fine, Martha.  Thank you for asking.” 

“We’re making plans to come visit once the baby’s born.  Did the doctor give you an idea of a due date?” 

“Yes, April seventeenth.” 

“Oh, how wonderful.  A springtime baby.  Think of the possibilities.  I think it would be great if Jack and I scheduled a trip for the twentieth or so.  What do you think?” 

“I think that’s a good idea.  I’ll make sure to see what my mother says...since you two get along so well...” 

“Now, Natalie...” 

“I’ve got to run, Martha.  Please have your son call me as soon as he returns to the table.” She ended the call and stowed her phone. 

Bellamy smiled.  “That sounded like a pleasant conversation.” 

She sighed.  “Do you feel like driving a little further?” 

“What did you have in mind?” 

“I don’t care.” 

Bellamy nodded slowly.  “I see...so there is someone who upsets you?” 

“Congratulations.  You’ve discovered the Holy Grail.” 

“I’m immediately fascinated.” 

“Do you want to drive or can I?” 

They both gathered to their feet.  Bellamy reached into his pocket for his keys, handing them to her.  “You can do whatever you want.” 

“Thank you.” 

“You do realize that I’ll need some sort of backstory?” 

“Oh, you’re about to get an earful.”  She jangled the keys in front of his face.  “Let’s go.” 

BELLAMY INSTRUCTED HER on how to adjust the driver’s seat, mirrors and such, then she started the engine, inhaling and closing her eyes momentarily. 

“You know,” Bellamy began.  “I can always drive.” 

“I know.”  She gripped the steering wheel.  “But I need to drive.  I hope you don’t mind.” 

“Have at it.  I’ve got great insurance.” 

“Thank you.” 

Backing out of the parking space, she exhaled.  “I can’t believe her.” 

“Martha, I presume.” 

She nodded.  “The nerve of her to actually pretend like she gives a damn.” 

“It sounds like she was trying.” 

“If you don’t know the story, you cannot speculate.”

He sighed.  “Fine.  I’m listening.”