Midnight in Brussels Read online

  “Even if I were fifty or sixty, I’d still feel young with you.”

  Amanda suddenly felt nervous. “Well, maybe so. Anyway, I got to go inside; got some things I still have to do before I go to bed.”

  “May I have a goodnight kiss? A little one?” He moved closer to her. He could feel her body heat emanating between them. “Just one?”

  She was mesmerized by his half closed eyes inviting her lips to his, and the mellow hypnotic sound of his voice.

  He kissed her and they both lingered for a moment, their bodies touching in all the right places.

  Amanda panicked. “I have to go in.” She pulled away and ran up the steps, hurriedly unlocking the door. “Thank you for lunch and all,” she said a little too loud.

  “When can I see you again?” he asked with a longing, pleading look.

  “Next time you’re at KC’s, I guess. Good night. Thanks, again.” She closed the door.

  Once inside she took a deep breath and dropped her purse on the cocktail table near the stack of magazines. She plopped down on the small sofa and stared across the room towards the fireplace, thinking about Richard, about the kiss, and how her heart was racing. She mustn’t give in to him, she mustn’t. She couldn’t help but feel that Arlie had run off because of how she was in bed. She must have been awful for him to do that. And she was afraid Richard would drop her if he knew how bad she was at making love.

  Besides, she couldn’t let Richard interfere with her plans. She figured within six months, no later than June, she would be on her way to Belgium, anyway. She would spend at least a couple of months there, maybe more if she could swing it. She might even stay forever. So Richard couldn’t be a part of her life.

  Besides, she definitely didn’t want another man telling her how to live and what to do. She didn’t want another man restricting her comings and goings. She wanted a life of her own, without sex and all the other things a man wants from a woman.

  Nope. She didn’t want a relationship with anybody. Anybody!

  Chapter 12

  It was a stormy day in February.

  Amanda decided to call in sick. She had never missed a scheduled day of work at KC’s and had always been on call for extra work when Frenchie needed her. But today she had the worst case of the flu she’d ever had. If she wasn’t sitting on the toilet, her face was in it. And to top it off, it was raining hailstones. She could hear the heavy ice rocks hit the roof and occasionally hit a window. The garden was covered with a white knobby blanket of it. If she weren’t so sick she’d be sitting at a window enjoying the view, sipping hot chocolate with a fire blazing in the fireplace. She loved storms.

  She grasped the sink as she rose to her feet from the toilet after another round of dry heaves. There was nothing left in her stomach or intestines. There couldn’t be. She wondered why the convulsing and cramps still went on after the body was empty of all matter and fluids. Didn’t it know it’d expelled it all?

  Feeling too weak to stand, she crawled to the doorway over the wooden floor and leaned back against the doorjamb. She could see through the living room and out the windows and marveled at the beauty of the storm. How she wished she were out in it gathering hailstones. When she was a girl in Arkansas she and her sister would fill buckets with giant hailstones and put them in the ice box in their grandmother’s house. They didn’t have a refrigerator, so a hail storm was a blessing.

  The phone rang.

  Amanda crawled to the table next to the loveseat and reached for the phone.

  “Hello? Oh Paula. I’m so sick. Sicker than a dog. I’ve been up all night puking my guts out and I have a bad case of diarrhea. No. I don’t have any of that. I’ve got some Alka Seltzer Cold & Flu capsules, been waiting till I quit vomiting long enough to take them. No. It’s just the flu. I’ll get over it. Okay, but wait till after the hail stops. Don’t come out in this storm. Okay. Love you, too.”

  Twenty minutes later Paula was at the door, knocking.

  “Just a minute!” Amanda called out while she raised herself from the loveseat where she’d just fallen asleep wrapped in a blanket. She opened the door. “Didn’t I tell you not to come out in this storm, Paula? It’s too dangerous for you to be driving.”

  “Oh, don’t you be silly. I’ve been out in worse than this. I remember when neither one of us ever worried about any ol’ storm.” She took off her coat and reached for Amanda. “Now let’s take a look at you. My God, you look like shit!”

  “I feel like shit.”

  “Have you eaten anything today?”

  “Hell no. Wouldn’t be able to hold it down, if I did.”

  “You got any cans of soup?” Paula asked.

  “Some tomato and chicken noodle in the cabinet.”

  “Okay, you go lie down. I’ll fix some crackers and chicken noodle. That’ll do the trick. You got any tea?”

  Amanda pointed with one hand and held her belly with the other. “There’s some green tea in the basket on top of the refrigerator.”

  Paula immediately brewed tea and poured a can of Campbell’s soup in a pan on the stove. She stepped back in the kitchen doorway to look at Amanda lying on the loveseat in her blanket. “Hon, you don’t look too good. Maybe we ought to take you to the doctor.”

  “No, I’ll be all right. It’s getting better, really. You know I don’t like doctors.”

  “Well, I don’t know. Your face looks drawn and it looks like you lost some weight and you can’t afford to do that. You’re skinny as a rail as it is.”

  Wanting to change the subject, Amanda said, “You look like you’re ready to pop that child, Paula.”

  “Yep, you got that right. Come hell or high water you’re gonna get a nephew this month.”

  “Looks like it might be high water if this storm keeps at it.” They both laughed.

  Paula stepped back into the kitchen to prepare the soup and the tea. She carried out a cup and saucer for Amanda. “Okay now, sip on this. I put some honey in it. It’s good for you when you’re sick like this. It’ll give you some energy. You need to get some liquid in you since you’ve lost it all.”

  “Actually I feel better than I did when we talked on the phone. Must be the capsules I took.”

  “Well, the soup will help, too. I’ll have a cup of tea with you.” She went back to the kitchen for the tea and stirred the soup. “Have you heard from Richard?”

  “He’s coming down on Monday. We’re going out to dinner at the Woolgrowers.”

  “He’s such a nice guy, isn’t he? And he really does like you, hon. I couldn’t believe how much he watched you when y’all were at the house last week. He couldn’t take his eyes off you. Drake remarked about it after you left. And talk about getting along with Drake! I mean, they’re like two peas in a pod. We couldn’t ask for a better brother-in-law.”

  Amanda smirked. “We ain’t getting married. I’m already married.”

  Paula waved a hand dismissively. “That doesn’t matter. You can’t go back to living with Arlie even if he did come back. You wouldn’t want to, would you?”

  “Hell, no.”

  “Well, you can annul that one. You said Richard wants to marry you.” Paula sat in the chair next to the loveseat with an inquisitive look on her face.

  “I didn’t say I would.”

  “Why not? You like him and he’s good to you. It’s obvious he’s crazy about you.”

  “The soup’s boiling over, Paula.”

  “Dammit!” She lunged for the kitchen and the pan of soup. “It’s okay. Not much of it boiled over.”

  “You never were much of a cook.” Amanda laughed.

  “I didn’t have to be, I had you and Grandma to do it all for me.”

  They both giggled as if they were little girls again.

  Paula reached for a soup mug. “Remember the first time I made spaghetti, wanted to surprise you and Grandma? I put a half cup of salt instead of sugar in the sauce?”

  “Oh yes. I remember that. It was awful.” Amand
a grimaced at the memory. “And Grandma ate it anyway, like it was supposed to taste like that. Told you it was good while you and me were spitting it out on our plates.”

  “I miss her,” Paula murmured. “I really do.”

  “I do, too.”

  Paula returned carrying a tray. “Okay, here you are … a nice hot cup of chicken noodle. Just like we used to have when we were sick.” She set the tray on Amanda’s lap.

  “Thank you. It looks good. You didn’t put any salt in it, did you?”

  “No, I didn’t put any salt in it. Now you just be grateful and behave yourself.”

  “Just wondering.” Amanda grinned as she blew on a spoonful before putting it into her mouth.

  Paula returned to the kitchen and poured more tea for both of them. She was worried. Worried that Amanda would make the biggest mistake of her life by rejecting Richard. She only wanted the best for her little sister. She wanted her to be loved by a man that could take care of her. And she knew in her soul that Richard was that man. Drake thought so, too.

  Chapter 13

  Allan George Livingston was delivered to Paula and Drake on February 22, George Washington’s birthday so they gave him George’s name. The happy parents adored the little fella from the moment he popped into the world.

  At the first sounds of the baby’s cries announcing his arrival, Drake beamed as he looked at Amanda and said, “Listen to the noise A.G. is making. That child has got some strong lungs on him if you ask me.”

  Three months had passed since A.G. was born.

  It was the last Sunday in May when Amanda drove out to a barbecue at her sister’s house by the river. Drake had given Amanda a brand spanking new red Ford 150 super cab pickup truck on her birthday the month before. Although she hadn’t wanted him to do it, she was grateful she hadn’t had to use her savings to buy a car, and it was obvious she adored her truck, the first vehicle she’d ever owned. It was her baby to be proud of, and it was in her name. She wondered what Arlie would think about her owning such a fancy truck and learning how to drive.

  Nearly a year and a half had passed since Arlie had disappeared, and they weren’t any nearer to solving the mystery than they’d been the week after he was gone. Amanda had resigned herself to the fact that he was probably dead. She just couldn’t imagine he could still be alive and not trying to contact her, regardless of his reasons for leaving. Surely he would want a divorce if he were alive after all this time.

  Richard had been pressuring her to marry him every time they were together. She hadn’t given in to his frequent sexual advances and was feeling guilty about it, but she just couldn’t go all the way with him. She used the excuse of still being married, but that was fast becoming a lame excuse for she was beginning to want him in her bed. The desire was building. In fact, she looked forward to the sensual kisses and embraces that almost pushed her past the point of no return. She knew she was falling in love with him and was fighting it with all her might.

  As she drove, she recalled seeing Richard a couple weeks before. He’d knocked on her door and when she opened it and saw him standing there grinning, holding a guidebook on traveling in Europe in one hand and a bouquet of yellow roses in the other, she couldn’t help but feel love for him. He was perfect. She could find nothing wrong with him.

  That evening she had made dinner for him, they sipped wine, and as they cuddled on the sofa, he asked her to marry him once again. With tears in her eyes she had put her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately, not giving him an answer.

  He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom and they lay on the bed together for the first time, but fully clothed.

  “I love you, Amanda,” he said hoarsely as he brushed her hair back from her face. He cleared his throat, embarrassed at the sound of his voice. “I want to make you happy and give you everything you want, darling. I’ll never leave you.” His fingers traced the arch of her eyebrows and he kissed her nose. “Do you love me a little bit?”

  Instead of replying, Amanda pulled him to her and gave him a long, deep, wet, passionate kiss that left them both dizzy and weak. Then she moved from the bed and took his hand, leading him back into the living room.

  “It’s time for you to go back to the hotel now. It’s after three. Paula will be here in six hours to go shopping, so I’ve got to get some sleep.”

  He was hurt that she couldn’t tell him she loved him, couldn’t say she’d marry him. Something kept holding her back, but he wasn’t going to let that stop him. He believed he could persuade her eventually.

  “Where’s my little A.G.?” Amanda called out as she burst into the Livingston house through the back door into the service porch that led to the kitchen.

  “We’re in here!” Paula answered from the family room. “Watching the game.”

  Amanda took off her coat and left it in the kitchen draped over a chair. “Gimme that little bear!” She reached for A.G. in the playpen and picked him up; giving him enough hugs and kisses to last a lifetime. “You little baby bear … baby, baby bear … you’re my favorite little cub, yes, you are. I’m going to eat you all up. Yum, yum, yum.”

  A.G. began giggling as she nuzzled under his chin and blew on his neck.

  “So, where’s Richard?” Drake asked. He guzzled his beer and got up from the leather recliner to get another one.

  “He’s driving out by himself. Called and said he wasn’t sure when he’d be through with the meeting.”

  They all heard the horn honk.

  “There he is now.” Drake rushed towards the back door.

  “Well, I guess he’s excited about seeing Richard,” Amanda said as she put A.G. back into the playpen and then sat down next to Paula.

  “More excited than you are, little sister?”

  Amanda smiled at Paula.

  “What’s going on, Amanda?”

  “I’m making an announcement today.”

  “Oh, Amanda!” She reached over and hugged her before Amanda could respond.

  “Where’s my little darlin’? Where is she?” Richard didn’t take the time to take off his sheepskin jacket as he barreled through the kitchen and set a cooler box on the table. “It’s been two weeks since I’ve seen my woman. There you are! Come here, you little angel.” He headed straight for Amanda.

  She stood up and he smothered her with an embrace and a kiss that would melt the thickest glacier in the Swiss Alps.

  “I don’t think I could have made it one more hour without you in my arms. I’m never going to be away from you that long again. Never.” He turned towards Drake and Paula. “I love this woman, you know that. And I want to make this formal right now.” He reached into his pocket and withdrew a red velvet ring box. He opened it and took a 10-carat ring from its perch and lifted Amanda’s left hand. “Will you marry me, Amanda?”

  Amanda’s face flushed and her pulse quickened. She was having trouble breathing, gasping.

  “She’s going to faint, Richard!” Paula rushed to her side and they guided her to the sofa.

  “No, no. I’m all right. It’s okay. Could I have a drink, please?” She turned pale as she leaned her head back on the sofa and looked up at Richard, tears in her eyes.

  “The champagne is in the cooler I set on the kitchen table, Drake. Let’s have a toast.”

  “You got it!” Drake hurried to the kitchen.

  Richard reached again for Amanda’s hand.

  “Richard, sit here beside me.” She patted the seat. “I have something I want to say. C’mon, sit down.” She took a couple deep breaths, looking back and forth at the faces of Richard and Paula.

  Drake returned with four flutes and the open bottle of champagne. “Here we go, time to celebrate.” He began pouring and handing out the glasses.

  Amanda hesitated while the three happy faces stared at her, waiting. She lifted her glass. “A toast to this lovely man who I adore more than any other. To you, my dear Richard.”

  They all took a sip.

  She loo
ked down at the glass she held in her lap. “But … I’m going to Bruges, Richard. I have my plane ticket,” she continued as her eyes met his, “and I’ve taken a leave of absence from work. I’ll be leaving on Thursday and will be gone at least two months. So I can’t commit to marrying you just yet.” She reached for Richard’s hand and looked at Paula. “I don’t know what lies ahead for me; y’all can understand that, can’t you?”

  Richard was paralyzed. Paula was wide-eyed and Drake’s mouth fell open. They all stared at Amanda. No one spoke. The silence was a departure for them. Even A.G. was quiet; it was as if he understood that now was the time to be silent.

  “I made the decision and finalized it last week. I’d planned to tell y’all today. Wanted to surprise you. You know this is what I’ve always wanted to do. All three of you know that. It hasn’t been a secret. And, Richard, I didn’t know you were going to do this today. I’m so sorry. I don’t want to hurt you. But it’s been my dream since I don’t know when to go to Belgium. I just have to. Paula, you know how I feel.” The tears were spilling from her eyes. What she’d hoped would be a happy announcement was turning out to be a fiasco.

  Richard blinked back his own tears and squeezed her hand. “Well, we can get married on Wednesday and I’ll go with you. I’ll take the time off. We’ll make it a honeymoon, darling. I’d love to show you Europe. Venice, Paris, the Swiss Alps, and all the places you want to see. I’ll take you.”

  “No, Richard. I have to do this by myself. Please try to understand. Please?” She stood up and walked towards the window and watched the Kern River flowing by through the trees.

  Richard had recognized the determination and sincerity in her eyes, and the pain. Of course he realized what going to Bruges meant to her and he suddenly felt he’d managed to make it harder for her to be joyous. He went to her and turned her to face him.