Dreams Claimed (Warfield's Landing, #1) (6 page)

“He is so beautiful.” Nic was actually gushing. Looking into the rearview mirror, Daniel exchanged glances with his wingman... and, he was pretty sure the dog winked.

When Daniel pulled onto I-95 heading north, Nic looked around for the first time. “Where are we headed?”

“We’re going up to Maryland, near the Delaware state line. Have you ever been to Port Deposit or Havre de Grace?”

“I’ve heard of Havre de Grace, but I’ve never been there. As for Port Deposit... I’m not even sure where it is.”

“We just go straight up I-95. Both towns are on the Susquehanna River. Port Deposit is perched on the cliffs over the river. The town consists of just a couple of streets, due to the topography. It’s on the north side of the river and Havre de Grace is on the south bank. The interstate runs between them, crossing the river.”

She nodded, concentrating on what he was saying.

“Port Deposit is much smaller, since it is so geographically challenged. I thought we’d go there first. We can eat at a restaurant overlooking the Susquehanna, and then walk Bentley through town. If we have time, we can explore some of Havre de Grace. It’s larger. I confess that I find Port Deposit fascinating because it is so small.”

“That sounds wonderful.”

“Did you bring your sketch pad and camera?” He asked. “You mentioned you wanted to try some landscapes, and the Susquehanna River is beautiful. You might see something you want to paint.”

“That sounds great.” She bounced a bit in her seat and he melted at her enthusiasm. He looked back at the highway and smiled.

*****

N
ic looked around with interest. Daniel had just exited I-95 and they were winding into the tiny town of Port Deposit. They made a final curve around to the right and there it was, the small main street. There were houses on both sides, many of them dating back to the early 20th century and before. The river followed the street on the left. There was a condo complex on the river side that had been designed for boaters. It provided water access and ran parallel to the road for several blocks. After that were more of the older homes.

“This is beautiful, Daniel!” Rummaging around for her camera, her knapsack at her feet, she turned her head and looked up at him as she spoke.

He grinned. “I thought we’d eat lunch on the water, then we’ll take Bentley for a stroll through town.”

She beamed at him. “Great plan!”

She found the unusual little town entrancing, and the river... well, it was primal. The artist in her was inspired. This was just what she needed. How amazing that Daniel seemed to know that and had offered her this experience.

Daniel drove down the street for less than a mile. As the tiny town faded away, he turned the car and drove back. There was a charming stone church, Catholic, Nic noted. It was pressed back against a steep rise of land. There seemed to be two more streets climbing and following the rough terrain.

As they made their way east, Daniel took a right into a restaurant parking lot. It was located on the river side of the main drag and Nic could see a patio with tables overlooking the river.

Daniel pulled into a parking spot under a large shady tree. He lowered the convertible roof on the Jag. Efficiently he pulled a bowl and water jug out of the trunk and, with Bentley on a leash, he gave the dog a drink. Putting the dog back in the car and signaling for him to stay earned them a long mournful look. Bentley settled down to nap in the back seat in the shade. Nic was sure she heard an editorial hurrumph from the dog as they walked away. She shared a smile with Daniel over the Golden Retriever’s antics.

At their request, they were seated where they could keep an eye on the car and dog, as well as watch the river. The boating condos were nearby. Although it was midweek, there was a fair amount of small boat traffic on this beautiful summer day. It wasn’t as sticky hot as it would be later in the summer and there was a continuous cool breeze coming off of the water.

As they waited for their server, Nic looked over the view across the river. There was another small town directly across the water. It was on flatter ground and as a result, had spread out over the years, making it larger that Port Deposit, although it was still a small town.

“What’s that?” Nic asked pointing across.

“I believe that’s Warfield’s Landing. I haven’t been there but I’ve heard it’s very nice.”

Nic considered the view, then pulled out her camera and used the lens to get a closer look. A bit further up the river she could see a long two story building with many windows. It was empty and somewhat dilapidated. She thought it might be an old school. The sturdy brick structure, with its large windows made her curious. Was it just sitting empty?

“Look.” She handed the camera to Daniel.

“I think it’s probably an old school. Just the thing to explore.” He smiled at her and returned the camera. “We’re a bit too tight on time to do it today, but let’s plan a return trip.”

“I’d like that.”

Lunch was delightful. As they ate, Daniel asked Nic about growing up in Ohio.

“Mom and her sister owned a dance studio. Mom had been a dancer in New York City. When she discovered she was pregnant she went home to her sister and started the studio.” Nic took a bite and mmmmed. After she finished chewing, she laughed. “Mom met Daddy when I was two years old. He was a cop. He adopted me when they got married.”

She blinked. Waving a hand, she said, “Sorry. This always makes me tear up. I was in the ceremony. Mom got a ring and I got a necklace. Daddy said it was so everyone would know we were his girls.”

She reached under her shirt and pulled out a beautiful antique locket. Laughing, she said, “I wear it all the time.” She slipped it over her head and handed it to him.

As he held it in his hands, he considered a man sensitive enough to understand what a tiny girl needed. Mentally, he tipped his hat to Nic’s Daddy.

The locket was sterling with dark glittery stones that formed an intricate starburst on one side. The other side was etched with two florid roses and a rosebud.

Nic leaned forward and pointed. “It’s Victorian. The stones are marcasites and the engraving... that’s Daddy, Mom, and me.” She pointed to the bud and grinned. “Hold on... let me show you.”

She opened it. There was a picture of a woman who looked just like Nic—with long hair and in a wedding dress. The other side held a photo of a handsome man in formal wear. “Mom and Daddy on their wedding day.”

Daniel smiled at her. “It sounds like you had great parents.”

“I did. Daddy never minded that someone else was my biological father. When I started drawing, Mom wasn’t happy.”

He was confused and it must have showed. She explained. “My birth father was an artist. It was Daddy who encouraged me at first... and he talked her around.”

“Did you ever meet your birth father?”

Her eyes darkened and he was sorry that he had asked.

“I met him when I was in grad school... after Daddy and Mom were gone. It turned out he’d attended Virginia Commonwealth University, too. He was back visiting the campus. He saw me and recognized me, since I look like my Mom.”

Still holding the locket, Daniel examined the tiny picture. “You sure do...”

Nic laughed. She pointed to herself then to the locket. “Apple... meet tree.” A shadow crossed her face. “We ended up with a cordial enough relationship... He died about eighteen months ago. I guess it left me with some unresolved issues.”

Daniel raised an eyebrow in question, encouraging her to elaborate.

She shook her head with a smile “No. That’s a discussion for another day. Today, I want to enjoy this weather, being with you and Bentley... and to take pictures.”

Daniel handed the necklace back to her and she slipped it over her head.

The waiter appeared and the mood ended. In accord, the conversation turned to casual topics.

After they finished eating, Nic took the time to photograph the small islands in the middle of the river that were visible from the restaurant patio.

She also took pictures of the interesting old building across the river in what their waiter had positively confirmed was Warfield’s Landing. She was determined to check it out as soon as possible.

*****

A
fter lunch, Daniel, Nic, and Bentley strolled down Main Street. The town was an interesting architectural mix, and between buildings, they could see the river. On the other side of Main Street, steep cliffs rose behind the buildings. Some of the houses were perched on small terraces.

Nic took pictures right and left and Bentley ambled amiably. Daniel enjoyed the moment, quietly vowing to himself that this would be just one day out of a lifetime together.

Driving back down to Old Town Alexandria, they talked quietly, while Bentley snoozed in the back seat. Interstate driving was windy, so Daniel reluctantly put the top up.

“I’ve been thinking...” Nic started.

“Uh oh!” Daniel teased her.

She laughed and said darkly, “Watch out, world!” Then she continued more seriously. “I’d love to explore Warfield’s Landing with you, but... Stevie, our friend Karyn, and I do one Girls’ Day Out a month. We have one coming up next week. Do you mind if I take them to Warfield’s Landing? I think they’d both enjoy it.”

He glanced over at her, surprised that she bothered to ask him. “I don’t mind at all, as long as you and I still plan a visit to explore it together.” Then curious, he asked, “You haven’t mentioned your friend, Karyn before.”

She explained. “Karyn and her husband Thomas are architects. They were in Richmond, Virginia doing internships. We met when I moved into the same apartment building for grad school. Karyn saw me in the hall struggling with my furniture. She and Thomas helped me move in and we’ve been best buds ever since. In fact,” she laughed, “the three of us made the joint decision to move to the DC area, after I finished my MFA. They started their practice and I juried into the Torpedo Factory, so it worked out well.”

She flashed a grin at him and he fell in love all over again.

“I hate to say this,” he started slowly, and she sent him an inquiring look.

“I’ll be going out of town the day after tomorrow and I’ll be gone a week or more. I’m not sure yet, but it may be as long as ten days.” He frowned. “But, I thought maybe we could talk on Skype while I’m gone?”

She tipped her head to the side as her eyes searched his face, then slowly smiled. “That would be good.”

His frown turned to a smile.

She repeated, “That would be very good.”

He grinned and looked back at the road.

“So Luke takes care of Bentley when you’re gone?”

“Yeah. We have condos in the same building so Bentley goes back and forth between our apartments. I think he knows he’s actually my dog, but he might not.”

Nic giggled at that. “Luke must be a pretty good friend.”

“Yes. Like you and your architects, I imagine. Luke, CeeCee, and I met on the first day of school in seventh grade. We were all at boarding school under protest and didn’t fit in. We joined forces, initially out of a desire to survive, and somewhere along the way it became “us against the world”. It’s stayed that way. We stayed together through college and even graduate school.”

“That sounds wonderful.” She commented.

“None of us had very good family situations, but together we became a family.”

Nic nodded. “That’s the way it’s been with Karyn, Thomas, and me. They’re the first ones I go to when stuff happens.” He happened to be looking at her and saw her eyes darken. He wondered what she was remembering.

“Yes. When CeeCee’s husband died, Luke and I dropped everything.” He shook his head. “He was considerably older than she was, but there was genuine love there. His death was unexpected. She’s slowly getting over it but it has been difficult. Some issues arose regarding his estate and she’s taking it hard... not that I blame her.”

“That’s so sad.” Nic commiserated.

Daniel had just started to reply when Nic’s cell phone rang. She fished it out and answered. The caller was shouting loud enough that Daniel could hear. The voice was mechanical and terrifying.

“So, bitch... I saw you meeting HIM this morning. You’re still gone... what have you been out doing all day?” Nic flashed Daniel a frightened look, as the caller continued.

“I don’t like it when MY woman goes out without me. I’m gonna have to teach you a lesson... BITCH!” With that, the caller ended the tirade and broke the connection.

Nic sat for a moment, still and silent. Daniel suspected that she was frozen with shock and fear. He forced himself to ask calmly, “Who was that?”

She turned troubled eyes toward him. “I have no idea.” She seemed to have broken free from the paralysis and fished around in her bag for the small notebook.

While she was making notations, Daniel pulled off the nearby exit and into the parking lot of the first convenience store they came to.

As the car came to a stop, Nic looked up, surprised. Daniel waited patiently for her to finish taking notes, then, wordlessly held out his hand for the notebook. For a second, he thought she would refuse to let him see it, but she handed it over... slowly.

The notebook was small with a spiral binding across the top. It was worn and slightly tattered. The front cover was pink with mod style flowers in screaming orange. He hid a smile. This was serious.

He opened it up and discovered that Nic had used purple ink. His little artist...

He started flipping through the pages. In Nic’s creatively messy handwriting, he saw dates and locations, sometimes along with other notes. He checked the dates and did a quick calculation. The phone calls had started about a week or two before he saw her on the Metro.

She was turned in her seat, so she could watch him. Her face had closed down, and he felt a quick flash of anger that she was hiding her feelings from him. One of the things he loved about her was her emotional transparency. It hurt to see her block it from him.

He took a breath and reminded himself that she didn’t feel the same way about him... yet.

She’d just met him.