A Walk In The Wilderness (14 page)

     Cait laughed.  “What if she doesn’t like cake?” she hedged.

     He shook his head and gave her a sidelong look.  “She does.” he assured her.

     They touched down so softly that Caitlin could hardly feel it. 

     David squeezed her hand, and smiled at her.  “It’s not going to be easy to say goodbye to you.” he said quietly.  “I’ve become quite accustomed to your company.”

     Caitlin smiled shyly.  “Me, too.  I want to thank you for all that you’ve done, David.  I won’t ever forget your kindness to me.”

     He smiled.  “You sound as though we’re saying goodbye forever.  I do come home from time to time, you know.”

     “Oh, I know.”  she assured him.

    “Give me a private goodbye, before we leave the plane.”  he said, wrapping his arms around her.  Caitlin obeyed, and hugged him back soundly.  He held her for some moments, and Caitlin felt tears welling up in her eyes. 

     She was almost afraid to be without David.  She’d become so accustomed to him, and his protection.  Although she was also feeling the warm, strong comfort of his arms around her, and his chest under her cheek, she would not even allow her mind to go that direction.

     She felt his warm breath on her cheek, and froze.  He kissed her cheek softly and then turned his lips to whisper in her ear.  “It’ll be all right.  Just relax.  She’s going to fall in love with you.” he assured her.

     Caitlin smiled and nodded.  “I’ll be fine, David.  Please don’t worry.”

     “I’m not.  I’ll be calling you, to see how it’s going.”

    Caitlin nodded, and smiled.  She felt a tenderness in his eyes that went straight to her heart.  But it was more than that;  it was mirrored somehow in her heart.  It suddenly made her hurt, to think of not seeing him for awhile.  She was going to sorely miss David’s company, as well as the comfort of his protection.

     They got Caitlin's things together, and disembarked.  The co-pilot met them on the ground, and got Caitlin’s two trunks out of the plane.  There was an old Bentley limo, waiting off to one side.  A man dressed as a chauffeur climbed into the car, and drove it slowly nearer to the plane.  Then, he climbed out again and faced David with a placid smile.

     “Hello, James.” David greeted him.  “Mother in the back?”

     “Yes, she is, Sir.  Just these two trunks, then?” the blond man asked. 

   “That's right.”  David agreed absently.  He walked immediately to the rear passenger door of the limo, and opened it while the chauffeur struggled to put Cait's trunks in the boot of the car.

      Caitlin looked on with apprehension, as David revealed an elderly lady seated in the rear of the limo.  She looked up at David with sharp, blue eyes.  “David.”  she said in a voice that expressed affection.

     “Hello, Mother.”  he said with a boyish grin.  “Come out here, and give me a hug.”

     “I shouldn’t.  You won’t even come home for tea, I suppose.”

    “I really can’t.  You know I wish I could.  I have to be back by seven.  That leaves only thirty minutes or so, here with you.”

     “It’s not nice.  Just a tease, really.”

     “I know, but it's better than nothing.  Remember, now, we agreed that this tour was important for me to do.”

     “Oh, stop.  I do remember.”  she grumbled.  She took his hand, and got out of the car.  She was wearing a very elegant but reserved suit of Navy blue.

     “This is Caitlin, Mother.  She and I have become good friends; and I know that you’ll enjoy her as much as I do.”

     The lady looked at Caitlin, and found her to be quite beautiful.  After giving David a sharp look, she turned to Caitlin and held out her hand. 

    “My dear.  Welcome!  I am certain that we shall be good friends.” she said obediently.

     Caitlin smiled.  “Mrs. Majors, it is a pleasure, Ma'am.  I am looking forward to it.  David has told me so much about you.”

     The blue eyes dissected Caitlin intensely.  “Has he?  Well, he hasn’t told me nearly enough about you, yet.  But we can take care of that ourselves once he’s out of the way, can’t we?” she threatened lightly.

     David put his hands on his hips, and gave his mother a warning look.  “You’d better behave yourself, Mother.”  he warned.  “I’m not that far away.”

     “Threaten to come home, and I
will
misbehave.”  she answered flippantly. 

     David shook his head and rolled his eyes.  “She can give you a run for your money, Mother, though she seems just a lamb.  Be good, or you’ll regret it.”

    Caitlin watched in amused fascination as the woman turned mischievous eyes up to challenge her son’s.  “Is that so?  Well, then, we shall have outrageous stories to tell you when you finally decide to grace us with your presence at home.” 

   David laughed, and put an arm around his mother’s tiny but determined shoulders.  “I’ll just bet.”  he growled.

She asked her son many questions about his tour, and Caitlin simply listened politely.  She wanted his mother to have all the time possible with her son. 

     She saw that they were close, and she felt a pang of envy, wishing someone loved her as much as David’s mother obviously loved him.  She swallowed hard and looked away to still the stinging tears, before they could rush out.

     It seemed as though they’d just been introduced, when David had to say goodbye.  He took his mother’s hands, and kissed her cheek softly.  Caitlin was touched at the tenderness and respect that he showed her. 

     “Mother, I’ll be coming home for awhile, very soon.  Perhaps when I get done in Scotland I’ll have a few days.  We’ll have to see what I can arrange.”

    She looked up at him with longing.  “That would be lovely, David.”  she agreed.

     David smiled.  “Mum, I would like Caitlin to have the suite next to mine.  I think it would suit her best and be the most quiet, as I am hardly ever in.  You will   see to it, won't you?” he asked.

     Grace tipped her head, and lowered her eyes.  “Yes, of course, David – if that is the way you want it.”  she answered lightly.

     “Thank you, Mum.”

    He then turned to Caitlin.  He pulled her under his arm, and smiled down at her. 

     “Lots of rest, food and solace for you, my lady.”  he ordered.  “You can bet that Mother will keep her eye on you.”

     Caitlin blushed, and tried to smile.  “I’ll try.”  she promised.

     David climbed back into the plane, and waved.  Then he was gone, and she was alone again.

     David’s mother climbed back into the car, and directed Caitlin to follow suit.  James closed their doors and took the driver’s seat. 

     “And how was your flight?”  Mrs. Majors asked politely.

     “Very comfortable, thank you.”  Caitlin assured her shyly. 

    Grace began to notice the dark circles under the girl’s eyes.  She saw the subtle droop of her lips when she forgot to smile.  She had a bit of a pinched, frightened look.  She was pale. 

     Compassion stirred in her heart.  David had not exaggerated about the girl’s distress, it seemed.  He had also told the truth about her respect and politeness.  She was lovely, and seemed very sweet.  Grace noticed that the girl was willow thin, and knew that David had been correct in his concern.  She obviously had suffered a very debilitating blow. 

     It bothered her a bit that it had been over a man.  Why was David intervening in such a situation?  What was it all to him?  Was he involved with the girl, or did he want to be?  She was pretty, there was no doubt.  But there could be no goodness in it if she were involved with another man.

     Grace curbed her curiosity sharply, seeing the apprehension in the young lady’s eyes.  David would berate her severely if she didn’t make the girl feel at home; of that, she had no doubt. 

     She had often wondered when David’s affection would shift from herself to some other woman.  Would this be it?  Would it be all right?  Or was she going to lose her son in an unsatisfactory way?

     She smiled.  “Do you enjoy David’s music?”

  “Very much.”  Caitlin answered immediately.  “He’s incredibly talented.  Phenomenal, actually.”

     “He started to play when he was about five.  David’s father began giving him a foundation, but it didn’t take long for us to realize that he needed to study under a master.  He made his first commercial recording when he was only twelve.  Needless to say, we’ve been very blessed because of his talent.”

     “My!  Did it sell well?”

    “Seventy thousand copies the first year.  Which is moderate.  But it has sold many more than that in the last two years, given his recent rise in popularity.  It has been very gratifying to see David begin to reach his potential, and become famous beyond the United Kingdom’s borders.  But oh, how I miss him!  That part of the price is dreadful for me.”

     Caitlin smiled.  She could only agree, at that moment.  She could imagine how Grace must feel.  David did get under one’s skin.  He was a delightful companion, and Caitlin missed him already.

     By the time that they’d reached home, Grace was certain that there was very little to tell about David and this girl.  Although she spoke of David with affection and respect, there were no apparent romantic overtones in her attitude.  Grace was greatly relieved.

     Caitlin was stunned when the Bentley turned in from the road, and stopped before a ten foot wrought iron fence topped with sharp spears.  The estate beyond, defied the imagination.  James interacted with a computer pad, and the double gates slowly swung open.  They drove through into a manicured park that was breathtaking.  Caitlin simply stared out the windows with round eyes.

     Emerald lawns, shapely trees and manicured shrubs were artfully arranged.  There was a stone fountain on either side of the drive just beyond the entry arch.    She tried to appear prepared for the richness of the estate, but she could not.  As they approached the house, she simply stared. 

     It was a mansion of field stone and brick.  There was a circular drive, and a massive, covered portico over the entry.  It was three stories tall, and it was simply magnificent. A very large fountain splashed musically outside the covered entry.

     James pulled up, and stopped the car.  When her door opened, Caitlin stepped out, and looked around her in wonder.  Grace led her inside, and showed her through the main rooms.  The house was richly and impeccably decorated.  The large, rear windows looked out over a small lake. 

     Then, Grace took her to her room, on the second floor.  It was so beautiful that Caitlin was humbled.  The area carpet was in soft lavender and cream tones with a floral motif, over light Maple floors.  Everything else was in embossed ivory satin brocade, except for a floral needlepoint rocking chair and a few decorator pillows.

     There were French doors that opened to a small balcony, and an en suite bath done in ivory with lavender accents.  Everything was soft, and beautiful.  There was a bench at the foot of the bed.  All of the furniture was of rich, burgundy-toned cherry wood.

     Even the balcony was beautiful.  The floor was of stone tile, and there was a chair and table in wrought iron to match the rail.  A potted tree and chaise would make it a very comfortable space for relaxation.

     “I hope that you will be comfortable here, my dear.”  Grace said hopefully.

    “Oh, my.  It’s too wonderful for words!  I hardly feel that I belong in such a room.” Caitlin said slowly.

     Grace smiled.  “Accommodations are made for the comfort of people, my dear.  It is required that the room meet your requirements;  not the other way around.”

     Caitlin smiled and blushed.  Grace returned the smile. 

   “I’ll see how the evening meal is progressing.  You settle in, and refresh yourself.  You may come down whenever you feel ready to eat.”

     “Thank you so much.”  Caitlin said faintly.  Living David’s lifestyle was going to take a bit of getting used to, despite her background in hospitality.  She found Grace to be an odd combination of genteel formality and manners, yet warm and down to earth in so many ways.

     James appeared with her trunks and put them down near the huge walk-in closet.  Caitlin looked inside, with wonder.  There was a full length mirror, a built-in bureau; a padded bench; floor to ceiling shoe storage;  and an ironing board.  It was almost a dressing room.

     “There you are, miss.”  James said evenly.  Caitlin turned around to find his blue eyes roving her figure.  Then he looked away, and he left hurriedly without another word.

    Caitlin stared after him with terror gripping her throat. Her heart was pounding.  She felt sullied by his stares, and terrified of his obvious appreciation.  He lived here on the grounds, she recalled David telling her.  He was within the high, wrought iron fence. 

    Caitlin clasped her hands, and forced herself to calm down.  He would not dare touch her;  he worked for David, and he had a wife.  He had simply been looking.  Though inappropriate, it meant nothing.  Nothing!  She had to believe that.  She sat on the bed, and collected her wits.  Then, she changed into a long, floral dress, and went downstairs.

     “David, she’s coming down now.  Hold on, and I’ll get her for you.”  Grace was saying.  Caitlin found her hostess on the phone in the hallway, and went curiously to see what was happening.  Grace handed her the phone with a smile.

     “Hello?” she said softly, blushing despite herself.

     “Cait?   How is it going?”

     “David, everything is fine.”  she assured him with surprise. 

     “How is the room?”

     “Oh, David, it’s simply matchless.”  she said enthusiastically.

      He chuckled.  “Good.  How is everything else?”

     She was quiet for a moment.  All that she could think of was James and his bold stares.  “Fine.  Everything is fine.”  she said quickly.

      “Then, why do I hear that sound in your voice?” he asked quietly.