Emerald Eyes (3 page)

She glanced out through the window over the sink. “Yes! Good!”

“You know, I was just a little concerned that you might not be all that comfortable alone here. You’re young,” he observed. “Just how young are you?”

“Twenty-one,” she confessed. “I’ll be twenty-two next month.”

“August? August what?”

“Twentieth.”

“Twenty-two on the twentieth. Cool.” He leaned his head back against the wall. “Tell me, Madison. Are you really sure you want to stay here?”

“Honestly, I’m not so sure now. I was never scared when I stayed here with Aunt Mattie. I remember a storm or two. But nothing like this!”

“I will admit I’ve never seen lightning here before like it did tonight. That was very unusual. I could be wrong, but I’d dare to say it probably won’t happen again. Not for a very long time.”

The lights came on. “Thank God!” She realized he was drenched. “Jeezzz! You’re soaking wet!”

“A little,” he sniggered. “But you didn’t seem to mind when you grabbed onto me at the door.”

She blushed. “I’m sorry.”

He smiled with mild amusement. “Don’t be. Made me feel kind of good.”

“Oh?”

He quickly explained, “Being needed and all. No one ever needs me. But tonight, you sort of did.”

“Yes! I did. Thank you so much for coming. I’m sure I would have been totally lost if you hadn’t showed up. Probably certifiable.”

He smiled affably. “We don’t want that, do we?”

“Oh! What’s wrong with me? The power’s on now. Would you like some coffee?”

“Sounds great. However, I really should get back and get into some dry clothes. Now that I know someone’s not killing you.”

“Again, thank you.”

He stood. “But what’s this about you being stupid? I kind of passed over that, focused on the moment at hand. What did you mean by being stupid?”

“For coming here…alone.”

“You’re not stupid. You just weren’t prepared. Thought you were, but you weren’t. I’ve done some pretty irresponsible things in my life. Not that coming here was irresponsible. But I believe you get my drift. You just didn’t think it through all the way. Didn’t consider the possibilities of what might lie ahead.”

“Yeah…I think you’re right.”

He headed for the door, calling Shep, who had sprawled out in front of the sofa.

Madison followed Chuck. “You know…It’s not fair. You know how old I am. Can I ask your age?”

“You certainly can. Just turned thirty last month. The fourth. I’m eight years your senior.”

“Oh!” she said, thinking him a little old for her, but not by much. And he was growing on her; had a certain ol’boy charm that reminded her of many a man she’d known in Texas. It hit her then. “Boy! I must be slow this evening! You’re a Texan, aren’t you?”

He grinned hugely. “You’re just now pickin’ that up? Thought surely you would have noticed before. It’s been a while. But yes…I was born and raised in Dallas. Been a few years since I was there.”

“Yes. Your accent’s not that strong. Probably why I didn’t notice before.”

“Probably.” He opened the door and took a step out and turned to face her. “Now I’m just a scream away…as you know.” He grinned amusedly. “But let’s try not to do this too often. Okay?”

“I’ll try not to lose it again.”

“Well, at least the rain has stopped. The sky’s even clearing.”

“That it is,” she said, sticking her head out and looking too.

“Well, you take care now.” He whistled and Shep followed him down the steps.

“You too,” she said, and quickly closed and locked her door.

Having a more secure feeling than previously, knowing Chuck definitely was there if she needed him, Madison was determined that she was going to make it through the night. She snuffed out the candle in the sink, but left it there, should she need it; left the hall light on again, and made sure she had her flashlight with her and carried it to bed, tucking it under her pillow.

The next thing she knew it was morning. It was cloudy and dreary out, but it wasn’t raining. She did remember from times past that Washington weather sometimes could be cloudy all day, sometimes for days, and not rain a drop.

She promised herself that she was going to make this work. Yes. Perhaps she had been a bit irresponsible in moving away so suddenly like she had. Although, she often told her beloved aunt that she wanted to live here someday. It had been her dream as a child. Her aunt had made that possible. Only like so many dreams, common sense isn’t always in the picture. Irresponsible and hasty or not, she was here now. Here, she was determined to stay.

Determined not to let another stormy night without electricity catch her off guard, the first thing she did after she was dressed and had breakfast was make a list and head back to Chuck’s. This time, he was busy with a store full of customers. It seemed that the storm had caught more than one person off their guard. The candles and flashlight batteries were going like mad. Only one candle was left in the box on the shelf, but Chuck walked up just then, tearing open a new box. “Good!” she said, smiling into those pretty gray eyes as he sat the box on the shelf.

“More batteries coming too,” he informed her. His eyes squint endearingly. “Glad to see you here this morning. Thought you might come in for more emergency supplies.” He glanced around. “Everyone else is.” He faced her again. “Grab ‘em while you can. I’m thinking I’m going to have to make a trip into Seattle this evening. Indian Joe’s coming in to relieve me so I can.”

“Oh…” she said, picking out four long candles. “I guess this should do for a while.”

“It should.” His expression changed. “Would you be interested in going with me to Seattle this evening? Won’t take long to pick up the supplies I need. We could stop and have dinner on the way back?”

She had thought that he might be interested in her, but this suddenness did surprise her; hadn’t expected anything this soon.

He took her hesitation as a no. “Well…Just thought I’d ask.” He went to walk off.

“I’d love to go, Chuck!”

He swirled around, flashing a very compelling grin. “Great! I’ll pick you up,” he glanced at his watch, “say seven-thirty?”

She bobbed her head yes. “I’ll be ready.”

He walked off to wait on another customer.

Madison couldn’t help grinning to herself as she put her storm supplies away in the bottom drawer beside the sink. She stood and surveyed her surroundings. She wanted to sweep, mop and clean, but not right now. It could wait until tomorrow. Instead, she took a long hot bath and just relaxed for a while, rewarming the water every so often. Then, finally deciding she would end up looking like a white prune if she didn’t get out, she let the water out and slipped into her jeans and a sweatshirt, but laid her dark blue dress out across her bed; one she’d bought right before leaving Texas.

It was a little while before time for her date, and she wanted to take a walk before it got dark, as it was already looking like dusk to her. It was still overcast, with a low cloud ceiling, but it hadn’t rained a drop since the storm last evening. She snatched up her red sweater that she’d worn to Chuck’s store and opened up her back door. It wasn’t cold, but it was definitely cooler than what she was accustomed to. Something she’d been looking forward to. For one thing, not having to worry about her makeup melting off her face when she went outside, or when she was in a place that didn’t have air conditioning.

She locked the back door behind her and headed off across her yard, which was a good half acre before the line of trees in the back. At one time there had been a trail through the woods. If her memory served her correctly, now that she’d had time to think about it, it seemed that the cabin that had belonged to her Aunt Mattie’s friend was back there somewhere. She believed that the trail led to it, but she wasn’t absolutely sure.

Even in her last couple of visits with her aunt, she had not gone back there anymore. She remembered having been there when she was very young. In her mind, she could still see the very handsome, but deeply mysterious man Aunt Mattie had been so close to. Had eyes the color of emeralds.

Sure enough, though it had grown over to some extent, there were still traces of the trail. She figured if she walked it a few times, it would easily be opened up again.

Only, why would she want to do that? She wasn’t sure. Strange. She felt oddly compelled to see the cabin once more. Finally, she arrived at her destination, and she thought then that she should go back – it really was getting dark. But it wasn’t that late by her watch.

The cabin didn’t sit on the ground as so many did. It was built up high on pillars made of logs. She could easily walk under it. And she did, frightening a family of rabbits who’d obviously made their dwelling there in the overgrowth. They scurried off in all directions. She yelled apologies to the creatures and made a mental note to watch out for them if and when she came back again.

The front door was on the far side. She walked all the way under the building and proceeded up the steps to the front porch, promising herself she’d head back in just a couple of minutes. The place did appear abandoned – at least no one seemed to be around –but it wasn’t quite as rundown as she had anticipated. The screen door appeared to be in good shape, as was the wooden door.

There were windows to each side of the door; she peeked in the one to the right that opened up to the dining room first. Straining to see in the fading light, she could make out a long table just in front of the window and several wooden chairs. The table was familiar. As a child, she had sat at it many times.

She stepped back and peered into the other window, into a bedroom, and was surprised to see the bed there fully made with a crimson spread. To the other side of it was a long closet full of a man’s clothes! This did surprise her. She stood straight and surveyed her surroundings. Did someone live here now? If so, who? Surely it wasn’t Devin Knight. If he was still living here, he would have to be much older now.

“May I help you?”

She swung around, startled; shocked to see the tall dark-haired man standing there at the bottom of the porch.
“Oh my God!”

“You must be Madison?” he asked in an even voice, staring at her with hooded, emerald eyes.

“Ah…I am. You look just like—.”

“Devin Knight,” he finished for her. “And I am, Devin Knight, grandson of the first Devin Knight, the man who used to live in this cabin.”

Curious, she tilted her head slightly. “How do you know who I am?”

“Photos. Your Aunt Mattie kept photo albums. She loved showing them off when she had the chance. You were her pride and joy.”

“Yes. Guess I was.”

“She left you the cottage, didn’t she?”

“Un-huh.”

“I’m sorry about your loss,” he said, slowly ascending the steps and making his way up to her.

She couldn’t help it. She gasped. It just happened without any intention. Those piercing, emerald eyes seemed to cut into her very soul. She wasn’t sure how she did it but she finally claimed her voice again. “Thank you…I miss her a lot.”

The vaguest hint of a smile showed at the corners of his mouth. “Mind if I ask what you’re doing here?”

“Curiosity. I remembered the cabin being here from when I was a little girl. I just wanted to see if it was still here. I know my aunt really cared for your grandfather.”

“That she did.”

She was feeling uncomfortable now. Not scared, exactly. Just unsure of the moment. Something in his gaze really unnerved her. “I’m sorry…I shouldn’t be here. I thought the cabin abandoned. But you must own it…Or—?”

“Or what, Madison? It is okay if I call you Madison?”

“Yes! Of course.”

“I feel I’ve known you all your life.”

“Oh?”

“And you were about to say?”

“Your grandfather’s
not
still here is he?”

“My grandfather doesn’t live here…No. He’s dead.”

“Good! I mean…I’m sorry. I don’t mean—.”

Seeming a bit amused, he said, “I know what you meant. It’s okay.”

“Good! Because I seem to have this uncanny knack for putting my foot in my mouth.” She was positive he was laughing at her behind those incredible eyes. “I was going to say that Chuck…Mr. Smith, my nearest neighbor, said he thought you lived down the road from him.”

“He did…did he?” he mused.

“Yes.”

“I do. However, sometimes I stay here. Even have some clothes here. No good reason other than nostalgia. Memories of times gone by…With my grandfather of course.” His expression altered slightly. “I’m sorry we never met as children. Though I am a few years your senior. Guess we just missed one another somehow. I was probably already in middle school when you were in kindergarten.”

“Good possibility.” She smiled affably. “I can relate to what you mean… the nostalgia. I have a lot of memories of my Aunt Mattie with the cottage.” She sighed then, thinking it was getting dark really quick. “Well! I should head back.”

“I’d be happy to walk with you,” he said, still in that even, calm voice.

She found him unsettling, stately, regal, and fascinating in ways she couldn’t begin to define, yet something about him made her almost afraid to decline his offer. “That would be nice. I appreciate it.”

“It would be my pleasure.”

There was a powerful presence about him; even though he was dressed in ordinary jeans – which he wore quite well – and a black, long-sleeved shirt. He had neatly trimmed sideburns, and his broad forehead and those piercing eyes gave the impression of much wisdom and high intelligence.

He had a well-defined, slender nose, and didn’t look a day over thirty, but he definitely wasn’t ordinary.

His manner, his posture, his countenance, held an air of someone far, far more refined than what she was accustomed – European aristocracy came to mind.

He was stunning!

Though she’d been a young girl when she’d seen his grandfather, she had been enthralled by him, as well; had thought him the most beautiful man she’d even seen. She figured it only normal, as they appeared identical, except maybe for their attire, from what she could remember.

His uncanny resemblance to his grandfather was brought home to her even more as he took her arm in an old-fashioned manner and held onto her as they made their way down the trail; although she noticed his hand was unusually cold. He didn’t say much, merely commented that he kept to himself mostly. He wasn’t a sociable person, but he did say that he was glad they’d finally met and, as he led her to her front door, he also said that he hoped they’d meet again soon.