Blind Witness (15 page)

Glancing over at the woman beside him, he realized he’d found an important piece of what was missing in his life. It was time he did some serious courting of Rachelle. He wanted her to know how well they were suited.

Britt pulled up to the main drive, circling around to the front door instead of going back to the garage. He stopped the car and turned to her. She was so peaceful he hated to wake her. Leaning over, he brushed her hair back from her face. When she let out a soft sigh, he could resist no longer. He brushed his lips over hers. He kissed his way across her cheek to her neck and felt her react. Her hand came up to caress the side of his face. He went back to her lips for a full passionate kiss. Her fingers burrowed into his hair, holding him there, not that he had any intention of ending the kiss yet.

He let her learn the taste of him, as he reveled in her. She followed his movements. A groan escaped her, when he finally managed to pull back.

“Umm,” she purred. “That’s a nice way to wake up.” Her voice was velvet soft, and it was all he could do to resist going back for more of her.

“How did you know it was me?”

“I know.” There was an intriguing blush on her face.

“You sound certain.”

“Well, let’s see. I fell asleep in your car, with you driving. Which I do apologize for, I’ve not been very good company.”

“That’s all right.” He let the subject change for a minute. “You needed the rest. You didn’t get much last night.”

“Yes, and you should take that as a compliment. I don’t trust many people’s driving enough anymore to fall asleep.”

Britt knew she was serious, but that she was also keeping the subject from the one they started. “Thank you. Now, how did you know it was me?”

She hesitated, “Your scent for one thing.”

“Is that bad?”

“No, not at all,” she hurried to pacify him. “I like it. It’s fresh, clean, masculine, but not overpowering at all. It’s nice.” She stopped and blushed.

“Thank you, I won’t change then. What else?”

Her lip caught in between her teeth, in that way he was beginning to love. He wondered what she would say if he told her it made him want to go for the lip, claim it between his teeth for himself. She spoke before he could do it, and her words about sunk him. “The feel of you, no one else makes me feel the way you do when you touch me.” The words were whispered, but they echoed in his mind.

“Yes,” he said, coming into kiss her again. This time, it was him that groaned. “We’d better go in before we get caught making out in the car. And that hasn’t happened to me for nearly two decades.” That brought a laugh from her.

He got out of the car and came around to get her.

“Oh, smell the fresh air and flowers,” she exclaimed. “Tell me what your house is like?”

He described the flowers running up on either side of the walk, paying attention to them for the first time since he couldn’t remember when.

“We have six steps here.” He warned her and let her feel her way to get the foot spacing on them. He drew her to the side, where there was a foot-wide stone railing. She paused to finger it then turned to him. “Britt, how big is this house?”

He knew this question was coming and sighed. “Three stories about twenty-two thousand square feet.”

She stopped. “That’s not a house. I’ll never be able to find my way around.”

“You’ll do it easily.” He drew her up the steps.

“Easy for you.”

“For you too, I’ve seen you at work.”

“I’ve been doing that for months, and I still get confused every once in a while.”

“Well, if you get disoriented just yell and I’ll come find you. I plan on staying very close.”

“You better and it would be a good idea to put any valuable breakables away.”

He laughed, though he knew she was serious. “Ming vases away.”

“You have one?” she gasped.

“No, not my taste, but I don’t want you to worry.”

“Well, I will. I’m at five lamps now, and the only reason it isn’t more, is that I changed to brass in my apartment. I haven’t been counting light bulbs.”

“Yes, but the last one was well spent. Feel free to break as many of my lamps over attackers as you need.” He kissed her on the nose, pulling her toward the door like a reluctant child.

“Britt.” An older woman’s voice called him as they entered. “About time you got here. You haven’t been home for too long.”

“Been busy.” He released Rachelle to give the plump older woman a kiss on the cheek.

“I know, I’ve heard all about those dreadful doings. Are you okay, my boy?”

“Fine. Mae, this is Rachelle. Rachelle.” He caught her hand and brought it to the woman’s. “This is Mae. She spent half her life chasing me out of her kitchen.”

“Huh,” the woman scoffed. “There’s truth in that. I couldn’t keep this boy full. He was always eating and growing. I couldn’t keep up with him. Now I hardly see him.” There was a genuine sadness in her voice at that, but she waved it off. “Mrs.
Clairbourne’s not here. She went to town.”

“I’m going to take Rachelle on a tour of the house.” He knew the woman was studying her. Mae had been like a second mother to him. He was happy when the woman smiled as if satisfied.

“I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything.”

“We’ll be there in a few minutes.” He led Rachelle up the stairs, stopping first at the room that would be hers, letting her get used to it.

Thirty minutes later they came through the living room, toward the kitchen. Rachelle hung on to Britt’s arm with one hand while trailing her other hand along the wall.

“I’ll never find my room again.”

“That’s all right as long as you get the right wing, on the right side of the house, if you miss your room, you’ll end up in the bathroom or my room. So it won’t be too bad.”

“As long as I get the right wing and the right side of the house,” she repeated sourly.

“Nothing to worry about, I’ll watch out for you.” He slid his arm around her so they were walking arm in arm. He warned her about the double swinging doors to the kitchen before leading her through them.

“All settled Miss Harris?” Mae’s mellow voice greeted her.

“Yes, thank you, and call me Rachelle, please.” Rachelle missed Mae’s glance to Britt and his nod.

“Can I fix you something to eat?”

“Actually, I was wondering if you’d mind fixing us a picnic lunch. Rachelle and I are going to take a walk around the grounds, and I thought we’d stop and enjoy ourselves. That is if you’d like?” He squeezed Rachelle’s hand.

“That sounds wonderful.”

“I’ll have it ready in five minutes.”

“Perfect,” Britt said, “I’m going to run up and put on some jeans. Rachelle, would you like to wait outside?”

“No, I’ll wait here. If that’s okay?”

“Of course,” he placed her hand on the counter and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I’ll be right back.”

Rachelle edged to the side. When her hip bumped a chair fastened there, she settled into it. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“No, I have all the
fixin’s ready. The day before an event I always keep a tray ready, because I never know who will be around and when.”

“Do they hold these often?”

“Twice a year, the summer fundraiser and a Christmas social, it’s a combined party and charity event for gathering gifts and toys. Mrs. Clairbourne does a real nice job with them. She raises a lot of money. People find it easier to give, just to be invited.”

“You sound like you’ve been doing this awhile.”

“I’ve been here twenty-eight years. I started out just a part time cook, but it grew over the years. Now I oversee the house. I have people that come in to help with the cleaning and caterers for the social events. It’s a wonderful job, and I have a wonderful place to live. It would be nice if Britt was around more. He lets too much of life pass him by, though maybe that’s changing. You’re good for him. He looks happy.”

“I wish that were true. I know with all that’s happening he’s under a lot of stress, and I’m afraid I’m just one more worry. My blindness is a complication for him.”

“That’s not what he feels for you. Take it from me. I’ve known him a long time. He cares for you.”

Rachelle could feel the color rise in her cheeks and was helpless to stop it.

“So you care for him, too. That’s good. He was a good boy, a touch on the lonely side as his wealth cut him off from people at times. Still, he grew into a good man, though he’s remained lonely because of his sense of responsibility and drive to build Clairbourne. It’s time he found someone to make him happy, so he won’t be alone anymore.”

Rachelle was still at loss for words when she heard Britt walked back into the kitchen.

“Please, tell me you’re not telling her secrets of my youth,” he said with mock distress.

“Only the real juicy parts, someone has to warn her.”

“Thanks a lot,” he said with exaggerated dryness.

“You’re welcome. Here’s your lunch. You two enjoy yourselves.”

“Thanks, Mae.” He gave the woman a squeeze before helping Rachelle from the stool and snagging up the basket.

“The sun feels so nice,” Rachelle exclaimed, stepping outside. Turning to the warmth, she tilted her face up.

“It’s a beautiful day, clear blue sky.”

“Describe it all to me. I want to picture it.”

“Well.” He put the basket down, stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “The house sits on a small rise. Straight ahead and to the right, about three hundred feet away is a grove of trees that stretches out almost a mile. There are also a few scattered trees across the lawn and a small stream that trickles through it.” Taking her hand he pointed out. “It comes from that direction. There’s a foot bridge over there. Though, you can step over it almost anywhere. Up this way, where the stream starts, there are a couple small ponds with fish and water lilies and some plants, flowers and bushes around them. They continue over this way, where there’s a swimming pool. It’s behind the house on the right corner. Tan and reddish tile connects it to the house. There’s stairs leading down to the pool from the upper floors to give easy access. So if you want to go down to the pool later.”

“That would be nice. I haven’t been swimming for a long time.”

“We’ll go.” He kissed the side of her cheek. “Back to the yard, there’s a rose garden stretching to the left. It was left over from my grandmother. My grounds keeper really lords over it. There are about thirty different varieties. It smells beautiful, you’ll love it. Beyond there are the stables.”

“You have horses?”

“Five. My sister keeps them exercised. I don’t ride much anymore. Right now, I’m wondering why.”

“Can we go see them?”

“Why not.” He dropped his arm to her waist, snagging the basket back up, and headed her that direction.

“Oh, smell the roses.”

“I told you.”

“You said nice, this is much better. There must be a hundred bushes.”

“Approximately, hold it a moment.” He picked a flower. “For you.”

“Oh,” she touched the soft petal. “What color is it?”

“Pink and white with touches of yellow.”

“A Peace Rose?”

“I don’t know their names. I just like how it smells.”

“Me, too.”
She laid her head on his shoulder as his arm came around her again. She held the rose so they both could smell it. Picking the flower was a sweet gesture but the sweetest was he removed all the thrones before handing it to her.

Rachelle lost track of where they were going. It wasn’t much further before she caught the scent of the stables.

“We’re here. Since the weather is nice, we keep the horses in the pasture instead of the stalls.” He directed her to the fence.

Rachelle stretched her free hand out through the boards, keeping the one with the rose tight over her heart.

Britt made a clicking sound.

She shifted toward the horses when she heard the sound of approaching hooves. Britt slid his hand down her arm directing her to feel the velvet of the horse’s nose.

“This sweet lady is Daisy Mae.”

Rachelle laughed as another horse butted her arm. “Let me guess, Little
Abner.”

“Nope, Charlie.”

“Charlie?” she asked, in disbelief.

“Actually, Sir Charles the third. He came with the name. I just shortened it to Charlie, besides, he’s kind of a funny pest, but he’s a good ride.”

“And Daisy Mae?”

“I named her. I tease Mae I named her for her, but actually we have a patch in the pasture where these little daisies grow wild, and as a foal, she always used to lay in it to sleep. She’s a good horse, nice, gentle. She just turned fourteen.”

“Could I ride her?” Rachelle turned to him.

Britt only hesitated a second.
“If you’d like. You don’t have to for me. I can come down later.”

“I’d like to. I haven’t been on a horse since I was a kid. You’ll have to guide her though.”