Of Body And Soul (7 page)

"You never mentioned you did ceramics."

"Well, it's only a hobby, but I did sell some of my pieces. I even had an article published in Popular Ceramics."

"I'm impressed. You are quite the lady. Don't you think
becoming a proprietress would be too much for you to handle?"

Grayson smiled modestly. "No, I don't think so. I have
a wonderful Mexican family who manages for me. They have five children and they've helped enormously. I've done my homework and I know I can pass the test," she laughed.

"I have no doubts about that. I just want you take care of yourself. Now that I found you, I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Nothing’s going to happen to me, don't worry. You're going to love it there. The museums are wonderful and the Sante Fe Opera House is close by. You may even want to open a gallery."

"One never knows what
life will deal out to us. I can only hope my life will be filled with as much joy as it's been this past week. You know, Grayson, you made me realize when two people are in love, they should be together."

Without waiting for a reply, Andrea put her arms around
Grayson. "I have good news. Kurt wants to get married and I'm going to say yes. We'll have a quiet wedding, no muss or fuss. 

He only has his sister, Emily, and I have no one."

"You have someone. You have me." She patted Andrea's knee with motherly affection.

"Do you think you'll be back to
New York in a few weeks?"

"Yes
, I will. I have to meet with my attorney for the closing of another parcel of property. I'll hire a general contractor to oversee the refurbishing of the property in Taos, and once I discuss my ideas with the contractor, I can leave for a few days."

“
I'll send you the plane ticket."

Grayson laughed uncontrollably. "I don't need a ticket my dear. Charles left me well off. I'll never get to spend all the money he left."

“Then come and spend a few weeks before the wedding. You can help me plan some of the arrangements." Andrea said.

"I'd love that. I'll be there, unless some
thing unforeseen happens to me,” Grayson said.

“I’ve got to run. I’ll give you a call so we can plan your trip and by then, we’ll have a wedding date.”

Grayson embraced Andrea. "You won't be sorry, dear."

“
I know,” she said.

CHAPTER EIGHT

When Kurt and Andrea boarded the plane, this time they
sat together.  

"It's extraordinary, isn't it?" He laughed as he massaged the palm of her hand.  
             

"Extraordinary isn't the word. I never dreamed I could be so happy."
                           

“
When we're married, every day will be like this."   

"Promise me?"    

"Yes, I promise you," he replied. Now, tell me why this sudden change of heart?"

“We
ll," she hedged. "You remember last night, when I went to the powder room, claiming I had had too much champagne. I used that as an excuse to get away from you."

"Get away from me?" he frowned. "Why? What did I do or say to offend you?"

"It wasn't about you. It was me. I couldn't control my feelings for you and it frightened me."

"But I noticed a big change in you, when you returned to
the table."

"
I met . . . ." Just then the steward arrived with their lunch trays. They looked around the plane and realized everyone was busy pulling their trays down and placing their seats erect.

"See what we do to each other!" he teased. "We don't know anyone else exists."

They lifted their glasses of Diet Coke and toasted each other.

"Getting back to my story, I met Grayson, and she helped me with my decision."

"I don't understand. What decision?"

"Well, to make a long story short, she made me realize,
that if we're in love, why waste time! A year can be a lifetime. Even six months is too long when you're separated from the one you love."

"I fully agree with this wonderful lady. When do I meet her?"

"If possible, the weekend after next. And then, she'll fly back as soon as we give her an exact wedding date."

"Why bother waiting? Why don't we get married the weekend after next? Is that too soon?" He looked at her with such
intensity; she found it hard to speak.

             
“I’d like that but. . . . .”

             
“But what? You’re not backing out are you?” he asked.

             
“No of course not. It’s just . . . we don’t even know where we’re going to live. And don’t you have to get a job?"

"With my background, I'll get a job in no time flat. And
I have a beautiful home in a small village about twenty miles southeast of Albany."

“It’s in
Kinderhook, New York, isn’t it?”

"Yes. How did you know that?"

"You told me the first time we met. At the time, I couldn’t believe it. As a child, I dreamed of living there. My favorite street faces the park and the gazebo. I dreamed I’d sit on my porch and listen to the music and a handsome boy would walk past my house and ask to sit and talk with me."

"You are such a romantic." He put his arm around her and kissed her soundly.

"When we get to my house, I'll show you the paintings I have of the village. Two of my paintings have received recognition. One is of Chatham Street, with the mansions and the oak trees. The oak trees hammock over the street to the other side, as if they held hands in order to join the village together.                           

"The other painting is of the park and gazebo. I've painted the village in the dead of wi
nter and also in the summer with the geraniums, daffodils, and roses in full bloom. I captured the red maples, white birch, and oak trees spreading their branches like they were eager to embrace anyone who walked down the streets of their village. You can almost hear the village speak to you.

"As I painted, I sometimes felt as if the ghosts of Benedict Arnold and President Martin Van Buren peered over my shoulder. I felt they needed to make sure I captured their village in its
splendor. I knew then that someday I’d live in their village.

“You may want to redecorate. I have a lot of antiques.”

"I have a few pieces from my parents and I’d want them to be a part of our home. If you don’t mine.”

He nodded.
“Through my travels I’ve collected an assortment of treasures. The house favors eclectic, in neutral tones. The ceilings are twelve feet high and have dentel crown molding. And the floors are the original maple floors. Wide plank.

             
"It had servants' quarters in the back, which I converted into a guesthouse. You'll be able to use it as your studio."

“Oh Kurt, it sounds wonderful. What about a room for a nursery?”

His startled look made her uneasy. You do want children, don't you?"

He avoided her eyes. "Hum... I'm sorry. You caught me
off guard. I thought we'd wait a year or two before we even considered having children. I'd like some time with you before we start a family," he reassured her. "I have to admit, I'm selfish, Andrea. I was never good at sharing. Emily can vouch for that."

"Emily had mentioned you and your Dad didn't get along and you left home right after high school." She looked at him hesitantly. "If you can unselfishly share your life with me, I know you can share me with our children." She grinned at him, "Could we possibly have three?"

He laughed long and hard. "You drive a hard bargain, my love.”

She looked at him, unsure of how he truly felt about having children. She realized her
biological clock was ticking along swiftly, and she must make him realize this. She knew he'd be happy when she became pregnant. Yes, he would, she thought confidently. These thoughts were quickly shoved to the back of her mind, when the pilot announced they would be landing in thirty minutes.

“I bet my sister is pacing in front of the airport waiting for us to land.”

CHAPTER NINE

Emily waited for them outside the luggage claim. After talking with Andrea the other night, she felt as if she deceived her friend by not telling her of Kurt's feelings on having a family.
It's not my place,
she reassured herself. It's Kurt's responsibility to talk this over with Andrea before they get too serious, not mine.

Emily recalled the phone conversation she and Andrea had the other night. She could almost hear Andrea's excited voice over the phone.

"Emily, thank you, thank you. How did you make all these arrangements for Kurt?"

"What are you thanking me for," she smiled to herself.

"How did you know? What made you realize Kurt and I could . . . would fall in love?"

"I knew Kurt had been in love with you for a long time
and
I
knew, once you realized what a jerk Jason was, you'd throw him out."

"
You’re the one who set up the plane reservation, the hotel, the whole week?"

"Yes, but please don't be upset with me."

"Upset. Why in the world would you think that? I'm just so grateful in more ways than one. The main reason I called was to get some info on your brother. His favorite colors, flowers, and foods, etc."             

During
their conversation, Emily suggested to Andrea her feelings could be a result of loneliness. She lectured her on taking her time, and not repeating the problems that she had with Jason, even though there was no doubt Andrea loved Kurt
.

Emily checked her watch. They should be landing in about fifteen minutes. She let herself drift back to the last time she and Kurt saw their father. It had taken Emily months to get over the shock of finding a gun next to her brother's brutally beaten body.

In the first few months after that night and their father’s disappearance, Emily remembered waking up shaking; her nightgown drenched in perspiration and her head pounding.

Happily, those nights faded into brighter days when she realized he’d never return. Kurt had saved her from her father's abuse and funneled the direction of the abuse toward himself. B
ecause of the severe beatings, she knew Kurt was unable to face his demons. She knew his way of thinking. If he didn’t face the demons, they simply didn’t exist. Now, he'd be forced to face them, and she wondered if he could.             

Countless times she tried to talk
with her brother about
that
last night, but he wouldn't listen. She tried to explain to him how she had faced her terrors and that's when her black nights faded.

Since she'd become a close friend with Andrea, she tried to discuss her childhood with A
ndrea. However, their childhood had been totally different. It was impossible for Andrea to understand what she and Kurt had gone through. How could she comprehend their despair, fear, grief, and shame? She only hoped, with Andrea, Kurt could confront his feelings and soothe his mind.

Emily had alleviated the last of her fears after meeting
Michael at a teachers’ conference. They had begun seeing each other regularly, but in the last few months, they’d become inseparable. Was she in love with Michael, or did she just love him? She didn't know. They were happy and they wanted to be together. That's all they could ask for. Michael knew everything there was to know about her, and she about him. They both wanted a family. She wasn't afraid to have children like Kurt. She had shared her demons with Michael, and she realized he had some demons of his own.                           

Of course, they had misgivings about having a family, but at the same time they were thrilled at the prospect. Together they'd make great parents.
              With all that was happening, she hadn't told Kurt, nor had she told Andrea, that she and Michael planned to be married in July during summer recess. Eight months away, she smiled to herself. And if all goes as planned, she'd have her first child in April or May. She sighed in contentment as she thought of Michael and of their future together.

The announcement of the flight’s arrival brought her back from her reverie. She positioned herself right by the doorway
to luggage claim so she could see them immediately. In an instant she saw them, smiling, happy, loving each other.

When she saw the glow that radiated around them, Emily knew they were in love. Love was there all the while, she thought as she looked at her friend.

"You two look terrific. The mountain air did wonders for you," she said, as she opened her arms to the people she loved.

"Let's get out of the path of the other passengers," Kurt said, taking Andrea's hand and holding on to his sister's elbow.