WindSwept Narrows: #4 Alice Branch Read online

  “So we could have a play space,” Matthew told her, moving to stand next to Alice.

  Alice ruffled the dark hair. Both his parents were dark haired, and both tall and almost lean. But there was a rigid quality to Victoria Hunter. “Would you like to join us outside, Mrs. Hunter?”

  “Have you known my son long?” She asked, following slowly.

  “Not long…” Alice picked up the brightly colored ball, tossing it to the sand and running with Matthew to chase it. She wasn’t sure why, but keeping Matthew away from his grandmother seemed important.

  “He’s having a good time,” Darren said with a warm chuckle, sitting on the stone wall and accepting the ale his son handed him.

  “He’s been a bundle of giggles for all day…he took to Alice…we both have taken to Alice…like nothing I’ve ever seen,” Nick remarked casually.

  “Have you known her long? Does she live here?” Victoria moved a chair to the shade and watched the little boy running in the sand.

  “She’s British. Her parents are professors in Oxford,” Nick tried recalling all the bits of their lives they had talked about all night long. “She was born here, though and works for Northstar shipping. She’s an accountant.”

  Alice half listened as she ran, scooping Matthew up when she heard the timer go off in the kitchen. “Gotta check the taters,” she whispered to him, cuddling him close when he giggled.

  “We need ketchup!” Matthew ran after her into the house, barely recovering from a stumble.

  Alice carried a large tray of oven baked potato bits onto the patio, watching closely as Matthew followed carrying the plastic ketchup bottle. She set the tray down and lifted him into the place she’d made for him at the large picnic table, sitting him on several bricks so he could reach without feeling left out.

  She cut up the crisp hot dog, added potatoes, a couple little carrots and some ketchup before popping a straw into a fruit juice box.

  “All set…”

  “These are good…” Matthew announced, dredging a cube of potato in ketchup and chewing. He held one up on his fork to his grandmother. “Want a bite?”

  “No thank you,” she accepted the hamburger, sampling the vegetables and dip. “Nick tells me your parents teach.”

  “Mother is a historian and father teaches linguistics,” Alice answered, enjoying the hamburger Nick had brought her. “They’ve been there as long as I can remember. I grew up running the campus as if it were my backyard.”

  “When did we make potatoes?” Nick asked, popping a couple of the red tinged bites into his mouth.

  “When we were raking the leaves,” she teased playfully.

  “Me an’ Alice made them…she let me clean them,” Matthew told him. “Alice made eggs for breakfast…and cherry pie toast.”

  “I think that cherry pie toast sounds pretty good,” Darren agreed.

  “You were here for breakfast,” Victoria said quietly, looking at her son with one eyebrow arched.

  “Daddy makes good cereal,” Matthew announced, curious at the laugh from his father and grandfather. “An’ tomorrow, we’re having pancakes.”

  “Nick told me you were both instructors with the University, but he never said what your fields were,” Alice asked politely, trying to think of things to talk about in the uneasy silence.

  “I’m a botanist,” Darren told her proudly. “Come spring, we’re going to see about no grass landscaping here…”

  “I love those huge grasses,” Alice said happily. “With the massive pink plumes out of the centers…and canna lilies. I have a friend with an enormous collection of the bright orange flowers with the prettiest colored leaves.”

  “We’ve been drawing up a plan,” Nick said between bites. “I’ll make sure those things get into the scheme of things, Alice…”

  “A couple of those pampas grasses would look pretty good near the entrance to your driveway,” Darren commented with a thoughtful nod, envisioning them in his mind. “They’re really low maintenance, too…”

  “And you, Mrs. Hunter? What do you teach? Or I’m sorry…I know how important titles are in the academic world,” Alice looked from one to the other.

  “We have doctorates,” Victoria told her in that quietly flat voice. “I teach economics. I understand you’re an accountant.”

  “Yes, I am. I’ve always favored math and with computers, it’s become even more fascinating to me. My parents terribly wanted me to teach, but…it simply isn’t for me,” Alice replied honestly. “Excuse me…”

  Nick had thought he was dreaming until he saw her return with a pie. He had been smelling it for the last hour.

  “We made pie?”

  “We’ve been really busy,” Alice couldn’t stop the laughter, sidling next to him and kissing him softly. “You need vitamins to keep up.”

  “I guess…” but he was smiling as he watched her make slices out of the pie, putting a small sliver onto Matthew’s plate.

  Alice watched him pick up one of the cherries and pop it into his mouth with a childlike ‘yum’ before going after more.

  “Use your fork, young man,” Victoria ordered with a tsk.

  “Food always tastes more delicious from ones fingers,” Alice wrinkled her nose and nodded to Matthew, to which he immediately knew it was alright to continue to eat with his fingers. “It is a picnic, after all. And whatever goes on, can easily come off,” she set the small box of hand wipes on the table. Swiping one of her potatoes through some ketchup on his plate, an action that made him giggle. “The cole slaw is delicious,” Alice said easily, adding a second large spoonful to her plate. “It has pineapple in it…”

  “It’s too bad your sister couldn’t make the barbecue today,” Darren said, nodding when Alice offered him a slice of the pie.

  “Didn’t you take her to the charity ball?” Victoria looked expectantly at her son.

  “I did and left her with her friends. I’m not sure what they all had planned today,” Nick shrugged it off. Delia was thirty-four and as independent as he was.

  “Can I go play?”

  “All done?” Alice pulled a wipe free and dabbed carefully at his face, ending with his nose.

  “Yep…see…” he showed her his belly, giggling when she poked him before lifting him to the ground.

  “You haven’t finished what’s on your plate,” Victoria told him.

  “I think your stomach tells you when it’s had enough, not your eyes,” Alice said quietly, cleaning up the plates and stacking them to go into the house. “Matthew, your juice is here if you want more later.”

  “Okay…” He ran off to sit in the sand, pouring it into the containers they’d collected to play with.

  Chapter Six

  “I think come spring, we’ll have to try some ribs and chicken on the grill, Nick,” Darren walked with him to the shiny chrome and black grill.

  “Yeah…and baked potatoes and maybe corn…I’ve been reading the book…”

  Alice looked after Nick with a shake of her head. “I’ve never understood the fascination with cooking outside for men…yet they get lost in their own kitchen.”

  “You won’t be here long, you know,” Victoria met her eyes, her voice low.

  “Excuse me?”

  “I believe you heard me quite well.”

  “I believe that’s up to Nick and me. I’m sorry it my existing has upset you,” Alice carried leftovers into the house, sighing. She didn’t know how to make a very unhappy woman glad that she was part of her sons’ life.

  Alice frowned when she saw Victoria near Matthew on the sand. They walked slowly back toward the house, Matthew suddenly taking off at a run and coming into the house, going immediately to the back, the happy little face set in a firm scowl.

  “Matthew?” Alice went after him, discovering him standing in front of the walk in closet in Nick’s bedroom.

  “Where’s your dress?” He demanded, tiny hands curled into fists and his face drawn.

  “My…” Alice
dropped to her heels, pulling him carefully closer. She brought one hand up, brushing the hair from his forehead. “My dress…from this morning?” He nodded tightly. “It’s at the apartment, Matthew. Why?”

  “She said…” The strength he had been holding in was slowly melting, the small three year old folding against Alice, his lip quivering. “She said you’re not a fairy princess. She said it’s all a lie…”

  Alice lifted him in her arms and moved to the bed, laying back with him.

  “I don’t think she understands,” Alice said softly.

  “She said you would leave us…that you can’t stay…”

  “I’m here, Matthew. She can’t take me away,” Alice whispered.

  “I told her…you could stay with us ‘cause you’re a fairy…”

  “That is a very special dress, Matthew…”

  “Is that why you went away this morning? ‘cause…” He blinked, rubbing at the tears in his eyes.

  “’Cause to be with you, I have to be a girl,” Alice said quietly.

  “You want to be with us…more than be a fairy princess,” he concluded, a trace of awe in his voice. Little arms went up immediately, circling her neck and clinging. “I don’t want you to go away…”

  “Oh, Matthew,” Alice held him close. “No one…but you and Nick…could ever…ever make me go away…no one…”

  They lay there for a few minutes before Matthew sat up and nodded. “I want to play in my room.”

  “It is looking rainy outside…” Alice walked with him, pointing out the windows. “The trees are starting to dance…” She left him on the floor with his little people and their airplane.

  Alice inhaled deeply, stepping onto the deck and speaking clearly.

  “Are you proud of yourself, Dr. Hunter? How can you possibly enjoy bringing such distress to a child?” Alice demanded hotly, the fury in her as alive as the dancing trees around them.

  “That boy needs a world based in reality…”

  “And you’ve decided it’s your place to shatter his imagination? He’s a child!” Alice whispered angrily.

  “That child…”

  “Has a name! It’s Matthew,” Alice informed her hotly. “You have no right to cause him such distress that he…he lays crying.”

  “And you have no right telling me what I can and can not tell my grand child!”

  “Nick has asked me to marry him, Dr. Hunter. That…gives me every right in the world. I will not tolerate your version of reality where Matthew is concerned. He is a little boy and deserves every bit of fun and imagination that exists until he forms his own thoughts and beliefs. I will not see him hurt, have I made myself clear?” Alice saw the taut jaw as she drew herself up. “Now…if you will excuse me…”

  Nick had held up his palm when his father made a move to go to the deck, both of them listening to the exchange. “I’ll go…”

  “It might be best if we leave, Nick…I’m sorry…”

  “It’s okay, Dad. Thanks…”

  “Nick! I want to speak with you immediately regarding…”

  “Not now, Mother,” Nick held up a palm and went straight into the house, scanning quickly and finding Alice on the floor beside Matthew’s small bed, her fingers gently brushing hair from his forehead. He’d curled next to the pillow, holding his stuffed bear, sound asleep. “We can only let him have thirty minutes…I have a timer here…or he won’t sleep tonight.”

  “If you’ve come to yell or lecture, Nick, don’t waste your breath,” Alice said quietly. “I’ll gather my things and go. I warned you…” She pushed herself to her feet with a little sniffle.

  “And why would I want you to go, Alice Branch?” Nick took her hand in his, carrying it to his lips. He felt his heart twist when the thick lashes shimmered with tears.

  “I haven’t exactly made a sterling impression upon your mother.”

  “Alice…a saint couldn’t make a good impression on my mother,” Nick sighed, leaning his head against hers. “I came to make sure you and Matthew were alright…and to thank you.” He led her into the living area, relieved and sorry to see his parents gone. “They’ve gone. Dad knows how…how difficult…she can be. I’m honestly surprised they’re still married. She’s my mother, but she’s a very difficult person to love.”

  “I…you’re not angry…” Alice sat sideways on the sofa, legs crossed beneath her, staring at Nick.

  “I can’t be everywhere, Alice…unless Matthew tells me…or says something…I have no way of knowing the things she says to him,” Nick sat in the corner, his head back. “She’s so caught up in this belief that a child shouldn’t be deceived…which includes Santa, Easter bunnies and fairies…I try and make sure she’s not alone with him. I can see how he shies from her…”

  “It hurts…” Alice whispered, taking his hand between hers.

  “Dad did his best when we were kids…trying to give us the right to our imagination and the fantasy that belongs in a kids life,” Nick sighed. “Yeah…it hurts.”

  “I guess you both need a fairy princess in your life…” Alice moved over the sofa, sitting comfortably on his lap. She leaned back, drawing his mouth to hers for a long, slow kiss. “I think we should clean up…there’s a very dark sky coming this direction,” Alice was up and off his lap before he could react.

  “I definitely need vitamins,” Nick decreed, following her to the deck, the winds kicking things around in the fading light of a fall day. Twenty minutes later, Nick grabbed her around the waist to keep her from blowing off the deck. “We got it all!” He said above the winds, pushing her into the house and slamming the solid glass doors, the latch thrown into place. “Wow…”

  “Fall storms come out of nowhere,” Alice pulled several leaves from her hair, dropping them into the trash. The sound of a bell going off making her look up as Nick went around flipping switches to get them some light.

  “Matt’s room…he’s not happy when he wakes up,” he headed back, stopping when she put her palm on his wrist.

  “Let me…” She winked at him.

  Alice didn’t bother with the light, sitting on the edge of the bed and gathering the warm, sleepy child in her arms.

  “Hi, sleepy head…did you have a nice nap? The trees are still dancing…” Sleepy, blinking eyes peered at her. “Want to see?” He nodded drowsily, his arms around her neck and head on her shoulder as she carried him into the living area. Alice stopped in front of the large glass doors, watching the waters hit the beach and the large trees sway from side to side.

  “Wow…” Matthew raised his head with a yawn after a few minutes. “Can I have some taters and juice?”

  “You may…first, visit the bathroom and come back,” Alice lowered him to the floor, smiling at the amazed look on Nick’s face.

  He moved slowly to stand in front of her, raising her arms and pulling her close. “You really are a magical fairy,” he whispered before kissing her.

  Alice backed up slowly, her head shaking. “You…are dangerous.”

  “I…am hungry…” He told her with a wink, going to the fireplace and setting the dial.

  “What’re we doing tomorrow?” Matthew asked after taking a bite of the potato on his plate.

  “Well…that depends on the weather,” Alice said with a sigh, biting down on a fork load of the salad she mixed up. The three of them sat perched in the high stools around the breakfast bar. She found herself watching Matthew and Nick constantly, the giggles and laughter something she knew she’d never tire of. There was no criticism from his father about how he ate or if he missed his mouth occasionally, just a quiet clean up afterwards.

  Nick went to the table next to the door, lifting a remote and clicking the TV on to the news channel, returning to help Alice clean up the kitchen. Matthew lay contentedly on the floor playing with his toys.

  “Weather guy claims it’ll be clear…” Nick commented, switching to a music channel when the news was over. He glanced at his desk.

  “Nick?” Alic
e took his hand, guiding him to the desk chair and pushing him down. “Even Cinderella and the prince had different activities. I don’t need to be entertained and I don’t feel neglected if you have work to do. I have my own laptop…”

  “This might sound…” He tugged her onto his lap. “Even knowing you’re here…it feels right, Alice.”

  She sighed, her arms going around his neck. Just comfortably being held.

  “I know…I don’t pretend to understand it, Nick. Part of me wants to label it and worry…but the more we’re together, the more I know I like it…” Alice looked to the large room above the kitchen. “What’s up there?”

  “Nothing. I was going to make it into a kind of…office thing…that’s the reason it’s classed as a split level. Sunken kitchen…three stairs to that area…”

  “That might be nice…computers and toys…”

  “It has good, bright track lighting…” Nick opened his laptop when she got up and wandered into the back, returning with her laptop and sinking to the floor in front of the low table.

  “Can I see?” Matthew came to stand next to Alice, his hand on her shoulder.

  “Of course you may…come here,” she backed up a little, seating him in the cross of her legs.

  “Hey…daddy plays this game…” Matthew announced laugh. “You have girls…”

  “I like being a girl,” she told him, opening the girl she was working on leveling. “Daddy is a gamer…we played his car game…”

  “What are you playing?” Nick asked casually, reading through a couple emails and shaking his head. “You know…these people pay for your advice…and then wonder why things don’t work when they choose not to follow it.”

  “Warcraft…”

  “Seriously?” Nick looked over at her, another surprise in the form of Alice Branch.

  “I like the game,” she told him. “I’ve been playing for a while…it’s relaxing and nerve wracking, all at the same time.” Alice saw him rise out of the corner of her eye. “Honestly, Nick…you think only boys game these days?”

  She dropped her game to the desk top and opened another window, calling up a video and letting it play.