Chapter Fourteen
“…Every gesture, every caress, every touch, every glance,
Every last bit of the body has its secret,
Which brings happiness to the person who knows how to wake it.”
Hermann Hesse
Siddhartha
Parker arrived at Isadora’s the following afternoon. He didn’t waste time thinking about Bishop or feeling sorry for a man who was obviously out of touch with the woman Isadora had become. He didn’t care about what they previously shared. He’d respect it as a fundamental part of her past, but he fully intended to be her future, so he was pulling out all the stops.
She opened the door and her beauty stole his breath. He forgot the gift in his hands when moments ago it was his first priority. That was how deeply she affected him.
His lips brushed hers and the familiar equilibrium he felt in her presence slid back into place. “I have something for you.”
“I see that.” She stepped back and he handed her the burlap sack.
She examined the roughly wrapped package. It wasn’t flowers, that was too cliché.
Flashing him a skeptical smirk, she raised a brow. “What is it?”
“Peek inside.” He followed her into the house where she placed the heavy sack on the table.
She carefully untied the ribbon, shooting him curious glances over her shoulder. Pulling back the material, she peered between the folds and laughed. “It’s a shrub.”
“It’s a yew,” he clarified, stepping close to her back until the heat of her body burned into his front.
She leaned her weight into him and sighed. “A you?”
“Y-E-W. Yew. It’s what they used at Hever Castle in England to build the labyrinth.”
She brushed her fingers over a prickle of needles and slowly turned to face him, her expression unreadable and her voice quiet. “You bought a shrub for my labyrinth?”
“I bought you several. They’ll be delivered next week so we better get working on that map.”
She looked into his eyes, a touch of confusion creasing her brow. Maybe he should have stuck with flowers.
“No one’s ever given me a shrub before.”
“I…” Damn. He thought this would be something she might appreciate, but her expression didn’t look flattered. Maybe it was presumptuous to give her something that required work on her part. He was probably overwhelming her with the painting of the library and now this.
He would help, but she looked … confused. And upset.
Maybe he should leave his other surprise for another day. He had a habit of being a tad too eager once he got an idea into his head.
“If you don’t like—”
She flung her arms around him, pressing her lips to his. Catching her by the ribs, too relieved to let her go, he pulled her tight against him and savored her kiss.
“That’s the most thoughtful gift anyone’s ever given me.”
He laughed, relieved. “That, m’lady, is a shame. I think it’s time we raise the bar.”
Smiling, she rested her cheek on his shoulder, glancing back to admire the yew. “I love it.”
“I’m glad.” Very glad.
They carried the shrub out back and sat for a while, discussing all the possibilities of her future labyrinth. He loved when she used words like we and us. He wanted to be a part of her world in every possible way.
“How did it go with Toni last night?”
Her mouth tightened. “She’s a mess. I don’t know what’s going on between her and Shamus. They’re very private and sometimes they seem so intense, whether they’re arguing or getting along. He’s apparently upset because Toni doesn’t do everything he tells her to do.”
His brow creased. “Well, she’s allowed to think for herself. No one should be able to make decisions for someone else.”
“That’s what I said! But they’re … different. I can’t really explain it because I’ve never really seen anything like it before, but you pick up little hints here and there. Shamus seems like an easy going guy, but according to Lucian he can be quite exacting—Toni describes him as the same.”
“Do you think she’s in a bad situation with him? In some sort of trouble?”
“Oh, no, nothing like that. They love each other and sometimes Toni can be very high maintenance, but other times she’s just sweet little Toni. My sister’s always been a little self-indulgent. I think it’s difficult for her to cater to a man twenty-four-seven, but that’s the sort of relationship Shamus expects, apparently.”
“Seems unfair.”
Isadora shrugged. “He spoils her rotten, so I guess it’s a give and take.”
“But she’s okay? You were really concerned last night.”
“She’s okay. I don’t know if their relationship is. They can be quite explosive when they fight.”
“Volatile.”
“Yes. I don’t know if that sort of passion is healthy, because when they fight they really fight. He’d never get violent with her, but he has a terrible temper, according to my sister. I’ve never seen it. Last night he flipped out because she was apparently flirting with some guy. He left her condo and said some pretty nasty things on his way out.”
“Did they break up?”
“I don’t know. You can never tell with those two. Sometimes she acts like he’s her only option, but he’s not.”
“Why would she think that?”
“Because she’s wanted him for so long. I wish she’d date someone else just to try dating someone different for a change, but who am I to talk?”
“Old habits die hard.”
She sent him a sidelong glance and smirked. “Well, I finally broke the cycle.”
He took her hand and casually asked, “Any echoes from your past today?”
“Is that your way of asking about Sawyer?”
He promised himself he wouldn’t, but he wanted to make sure last night hadn’t changed anything. “Does he usually burst in like that?”
She laughed. “Not since recently.” Shaking her head, she pursed her lips. “I was going to call him and tell him he can’t just show up like that anymore, but I don’t want to be cruel. I think this is hard for him.”
Or maybe she was afraid to say it was truly over between them. He kept hold of her hands and looked into her eyes. “I’m not going anywhere, Isadora. If he’s some sort of safety net for you… You don’t need one.”
Her gaze darted to the patio and he sensed he was close to the truth. Maybe in time, that would change. He wanted to be the one she counted on.
Her brow pinched as she sent him an apologetic look. “He’s always been in the background of my life. I don’t want him interfering with us, but imagining him completely gone… It’s upsetting. I’ll talk to him. I’ll make it clear that this is where I want to be and he needs to respect my wishes.”
Parker didn’t expect Bishop to give up that easily. There had been a sort of desperation in his eyes yesterday, one that told Parker this was far from over.
Glancing at the sky, figuring they had a few hours until sunset, he gave her fingers a squeeze and let go of her hand. “We better get going. I have another surprise for you and I want to give it to you while there’s still daylight.”
“Another surprise? I feel like it’s my birthday.”
Just wait until that day…
“Come on. We’ll go to dinner when we’re finished.”
He’d made reservations at a small bistro close to his home. He’d always been a bit self-conscious about inviting her to his place, but he wanted her to see all of him and didn’t want any more mysteries between them.
He wasn’t the best decorator and his tastes were rather simplistic, but he knew Isadora didn’t put much weight in luxuries. She cared about the more meaningful stuff, which was exactly why he loved her.
They pulled into the parking lot at the Grounds of Sculpture, an outdoor museum made up of gardens and natural artwork. The flowers were in bloom and the air was warm and lush, a perfect day to take in the sights.
“Do you smell that?” she asked as he took her hand, leading her through the park gates.
“It’s the flowers.”
She breathed deeply and smiled.
Parker paid the admission fee and they slowly walked the path. He was nervous and anxious to give her the gift in his shoulder bag, but he wanted to make this perfect, so he took his time leading her to the spot he found earlier that morning.
“Look at that!” She laughed. “It’s the Mad Hatter’s table.”
They walked over to the sculpted hedges resembling a tea party surrounded by the Hatter, the Rabbit, Alice, and even the little mouse coming out of a teakettle. A man-made stream trickled nearby, babbling over rocks and falling over hills. Wildlife chirped and buzzed around them.
Up ahead he spotted a copse of cherry blossoms in full bloom and directed her to the stunning path of pink. “Let’s go this way.”
“Okay.”
He loved how agreeable she was in the face of adventure. The more time they spent together the more daring she seemed, each day pushing past her shyness to try something bold. Yesterday it was feeding the hippos, today she’d step into a whole new world.
His chest got a little tight the closer they came to the trees. Lush lawns sprawled and a path cut through the field ahead, lined by the budding trees. The air sweetened and soon the green carpet of earth was littered with delicate pink petals that had fallen like snow.
He led her to a cement bench. “Let’s sit for a minute.”
She didn’t appear much taken with the path, and he understood she wouldn’t be able to see how lovely it truly was. Lowering to the bench, she shut her eyes and breathed in the scents, a smile curving her lips as her chest rose slowly.
“I have something for you, m’lady.”
Her eyes opened, creasing at the sides as her smile turned coy. “You’re full of surprises today. A girl could get spoiled.”
“Maybe a girl deserves a little spoiling from time to time. There’s a reason I brought you here.”
He reached into his bag and withdrew the wrapped box. It was light, about the size of a brick, but nothing heavy inside. However, he hoped this gift carried more weight than any other surprise he’d given her.
He pressed the long gift box into her hands. “Open it.”
Smirking, she sent him a sidelong glance and tore back the red wrapping paper. “I do believe you’re trying to seduce me with presents, Mr. Hughes. By the way, it’s working.”
He remained silent as she stuffed the crumpled paper between their thighs and examined the nondescript box. She popped off the lid and her head tilted.
“Sunglasses?” She slid the glasses out of the case and unraveled the protective wrapping.
“Put them on.”
She examined the glasses. “They’re pretty. You have good taste.”
Unfolding the earpieces, she slid them onto her face and he held his breath. She raised her head and her smile fell.
“What do you see?”
Her fingers trembled to her mouth as she gasped. Her entire body vibrated as she slowly rose from the bench.
“Isa?”
He watched as she deliberately turned, her head angling toward the trunks of the trees and grass, her body unsteady as little gasps fell from her lips with every breath.
“Does it look different?”
She sniffed, her face tilting toward to the pink blooms, a sharp breath of laughter escaping as her smile returned, now more radiant than ever.
“Color…” she rasped, cupping a hand over her mouth.
“They work?”
She laughed again, the sound muffled against her fingers, then sniffled, both hands now covering her mouth as she walked closer to the trees where a patch of daffodils bloomed. She lowered to one knee and slowly touched the center tube of the flower.
“This… This is…” She laughed and shook her head. “I don’t know what this is.”
He stepped closer to the flowers to see what had caught her eye. “Orange. The rest is yellow.”
Her shoulders shook as she giggled, her voice a watery rasp of what it usually was. “Oh, my God.” She covered her face, fingers slipping under the lenses as she quietly wept.
He dropped to his knee and rubbed her back softly, trying hard to keep his own emotions in check. “It’s okay.”
She collapsed more onto the ground, sitting cross-legged like a child as she wiped her eyes. “I can see everything.”
He smiled, relieved to know the glasses did everything they claimed. “I didn’t know if they’d work.”
“I’ve heard about them, but … I never believed… I didn’t want to be let down.” Suddenly, she grabbed his face and rose to her knees. “Let me see your eyes.”
He looked at her, seeing his reflection in the dark lenses. Her lips parted as her chin quivered. Her fingers smoothed over his brow, her thumb gliding softly over the arch of his cheekbone as if seeing him for the first time.
“Green,” she whispered. “Your eyes are green. But I see other colors flecked in them, too. And they’re so white.” She held out her hands, looking down at her fingers and gasped. “My nails! Is that red?”
His stomach cramped as if her excitement was filling his soul to a point of near bursting. Seeing her so happy made him happy, more so than most pleasures could.
“Tell me what else you see. Look around.”
Her head moved with jerky motion as she continued to laugh in awe. Her cheeks wore tracks of tears, but there was nothing but joy emanating from her. She pushed to her feet and staggered to the trees, her hand touching everything she could reach.
She fidgeted as she meandered down the path, her wrists twitching at her sides as she made a three-sixty. Sliding the glasses down her nose, she’d look at the world, then push them back over her eyes to see it in living color again.
“It’s … overwhelming.”
“I’m sure.”
“Your shirt!” She rushed over to him, her palms ghosting over his chest and sleeves. “Is that blue?”
He nodded.
“Blue? It’s not…” Her brow creased. “This is blue?”
“A dark blue, sort of a midnight blue.” He could see, in the set of her mouth and the unsteadiness of her motions that so many colors—even the ones she could identify before—were brand new.
She paced to the trees, pausing every few feet as something else caught her eye. But when she stepped out from the canopy and looked up, her breath drew in on an audible inhale as she truly saw the sky for the first time.
He followed her, giving her time to absorb all the beauty. Her attention turned to the grass underfoot and she shook her head.
“This is what you see all the time?”
His throat tightened as her question made him realize how much she’d actually been missing. “Is it that different?”
“I never knew how much...” Her voice broke, heavy with emotion. “It’s so … crisp. Defined. Look at the flowers!”
She rushed over to a low garden bed and brushed her fingers over the purple and pink petals. Her legs collapsed as she sat in the grass, staring at the expansive gardens. She pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around her shins.
Unsure if this was too overwhelming, he quietly lowered his body next to hers, giving her time to process.
“You okay?”
“It’s intense. It’s like the world’s glowing. I never knew there were so many different shades or that colors could be so bright. This red’s different than that one.”
“That one’s more of a crimson. The other one’s a little duller.”
She shook her head. “It’s like everything has an outline and dimension. It was so flat before. Now, everything pops.”
Seeing her so happy, so awed by the world she’d been living in, he felt a fullness he couldn’t describe. He kissed her temple and hugged her to his side. “I’m glad you like them.”
She looked at him, brow and mouth tight. “It’s just so bright. Radiant. I … didn’t know…” She held out her hands. “I’m shaking.” Twin tears fell from behind the lenses.
“It’s okay. No one’s taking them away from you.”
She gasped as if it all became too much to bear. “It’s so different from what I thought it would be. I’ve never seen such colors. I didn’t know there were so many.”
Her head rested on his shoulder and she sniffled. He traced a finger over her arm. “You’ve got goose bumps.”
She examined the hem of her shirt. “What color is this, pink?”
“Sort of like a … orange. I think the exact name would be coral.”
She laughed. “I had no idea. Do my clothes even match?”
He chuckled. “I’m a guy. To me, they match fine.”
She sighed and dropped her back to the lawn, a smile permanently stretched across her lips. He rested beside her and stared up at the sky.
“It’s so much deeper, all the blues and whites.”
His fingers entwined with hers and he squeezed. “They take a few months to come in, but there are a bunch of different styles. If you want to pick out another style I won’t be offended.”
Her head turned to face him. “When did you order these, Parker?”
His cheeks warmed. “The night you told me you couldn’t see The Wizard of Oz.”
Her mouth opened in a wide smile. “I’ll finally be able to see the Emerald City and Oz!” Then her expression shifted, her lower lip pulling between her teeth. “What would you have done if we never saw each other again?”
“I knew where you lived. I would have sent them to you anyway. The world’s too beautiful. I didn’t want you to miss it.”
Her hand tightened in his. “Parker?”
He faced her, the cool blades of grass tickling his cheek.
She grinned as if she had so much to say but lacked the words to get it out.
He could almost hear her love as fully as he could feel it. “I know.”
“Do you?”
He nodded. He’d waited a long time to hear her say it, but knew in that moment the words couldn’t make it any truer than it already was. She loved him and he loved her. They didn’t need the words when it was this palpable.
She sighed. “You know me so well after only a short time. I’m either very transparent or you’re the most observant man I’ve ever met.”
“You’re not transparent. But you're easy to pay attention to. Watching you has become one of my favorite pastimes.”
“I’ve always wanted a stalker,” she teased.
He let out a slow breath, so full of contentment he felt perfectly at ease. This was everything.
“I think people are like books,” he whispered. “Sometimes we rush to get to the end, but the best stories are meant to be savored. You always hear how some couples know each other well enough to finish each other’s sentences. I don’t want to finish your sentences, Isadora. I care too much about what you have to say. And I’m paying close enough attention to read between the lines.”
She leaned close and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you.”
They walked the grounds and enjoyed the most spectacular sunset of his life. Though the sky only had a few streaks of fuchsia and teal, hearing her describe it made it the most breathtaking twilight to ever grace the earth.
She wore the glasses all night, putting them back on throughout dinner and staring her fill at the food, people’s clothing, and her surroundings.
“Food’s so pretty.” She examined a carrot speared on the tines of her fork. “I feel like it tastes better now. Bolder. I know that’s silly.”
“Not silly.”
She smiled at him. “Today’s been one of the best days of my life, Parker. You amaze me.”
It was she who amazed him. They drove to his home in comfortable silence. When he pulled up to his house she glanced around the property, a delicate smile curving her lips. “Your house is green.”
He led her to the door and unlocked it, stepping aside to let her enter first. Though she was holding the glasses in her hand, she often slipped them over her eyes to see something more clearly.
“It’s so open.”
A polite way to say sparse, he thought. “I’m still deciding which rooms should be used for what.” He placed his keys on the hook and led her to the den, which was basically a personal library.
She drew in a long breath as he flipped on the lamp, her lips parting as she surveyed the walls. “You have so many books.”
Sliding on the glasses, she grinned at the multiple colored spines.
“Books are my second love,” he confessed, as she moved toward the shelves, running her fingers adoringly over the spines.
Many were first editions he’d found online. He considered his collection his one show of selfish indulgence earned from his financial success.
She slid the glasses off her nose and faced him. “What’s your first love?”
“I’m looking at her.”
She crossed the room and wreathed her arms around his neck. “I wish I met you a thousand yesterdays ago. No one’s ever made me feel the things that you do, Parker. You never make me cry from sadness, but you’ve given me countless tears of joy. The world’s brighter when you’re near.”
Wrapping her in his arms, he kissed her deeply, taking his time and savoring every passing moment. As he pulled away, her smile was like the first ray of light breaking the longest night. She was his new beginning, his endless dawn.
Lifting her into his arms, he carried her up the stairs, stopping several times to kiss her along the way. When they finally made it to his bed, he was desperate to be with her.
Stripping off her clothes, he paused every few seconds to run his lips over her skin, unveiling each little curve like a gift. She laughed and tugged at his shirt, shoving it away in a frantic rush despite his effort to take things slow.
Once they were both naked, she rolled onto him, straddling his hips and kissing him passionately. “I need you inside of me, Parker.”
She lifted and took hold of his straining flesh, but he caught her hips. “Wait. Condom.”
She smiled and shook her head. Nothing but certainty reflected in her eyes. “You’re it, Parker. I trust you.”
He hesitated only a moment, but then accepted her decision. Trusted her choice.
Settling into the mattress, he hissed in acute pleasure as she adjusted her body and guided him into her heat. Home.
She looked into his eyes and leaned low to kiss him. She rode him slowly, her hair draping over her narrow shoulder as her breasts gently swayed. He caressed her face lovingly. She was so stunning.
“I love you so much, Isadora.” He’d never withhold his affection from her.
She pressed her lips to his. “I love you, too.”
They made love several times that night, sleeping for increments in between. Sometimes he reached for her and sometimes she reached for him. All that mattered was, every time, the other one was there.
The following morning as they lay in bed, Isadora rested on his chest and he held her close, trying to recall a time life had ever felt so … right. A frightening weight seemed to press on his shoulders. It had been so long since he had anything to lose and somehow Isadora eclipsed all he’d ever owned.
Running his fingers through her hair, he made a suggestion he wasn’t sure was wise. “Perhaps it’s time we did something with your family—dinner or a picnic.”
Being in the same vicinity as Lucian was never pleasant, but Scout would be there so the man wouldn’t act like a complete lunatic.
Isadora lifted her head and gave him an appraising look. “Really?”
Though he was still debating his suggestion, the look in her eyes told him this pleased her very much.
“Really. If we’re going to be a couple, I’d like to mitigate the friction between me and your brother as much as possible.”
Her lips pressed to the underside of his jaw. “And that’s why I love you. I’ll call him today and see what date works for everyone.”
His smile was unsure, but this was a step they had to take. Later that day Isadora called her brother and sister. Toni was open to any night, but Lucian was currently out of town with Scout.
Isadora left him a message. “Lucian, I need to speak to you when you get back. Something’s come up and I’d like us to get together. Call me as soon as you get this.”
Since they had some time before the big family dinner, Parker suggested they go to the hardware store and get the tools and paint they’d need to redo her library.
“I can wear my glasses,” Isadora said, excited to select the new colors. “I don’t think anyone’s ever been this excited to look at paint swatches.”
They drove to a chain store outside of the city and he realized something he hadn’t known about her once they started shopping for supplies.
“You’re cheap,” he teased as she debated one roller over the other.
Holding a spongy roller in each hand, she looked up at him. “What? No, I’m not.”
He took the better quality tool and dropped it into the cart. “Yes, you are. I think it’s cute.”
He wasn’t interested in her money, but he knew she was sitting on an impressive fortune. She followed him down the aisle as he pushed the cart toward the drop cloths.
“There’s a difference between being economical and cheap. I’m thrifty.”
He smirked and threw three tarps into the cart. She was cheap. It was sort of adorable. “Good painting requires good brushes.”
Her mouth opened and she paused, her phone ringing from inside her bag. She glanced at the screen and muted it. It was the eighth time Bishop called that day, each call coming closer to the last.
Saving his comments, Parker went to inquire about the type of primer they should use.
On the way back to her house, the car full of renovation materials, she was quiet. Her phone hadn’t rung in a while, but she looked at it every few minutes and he suspected she’d set it to silent.
“You can answer,” he said when she glanced at the illuminated screen again.
Her eyes watched the road as she folded her arms over the bag on her lap. “No. There’s no point. I don’t want him to ruin our day.”
He respected her decision and didn’t bring it up again.
It took several hours to empty out the library and tarp the furniture. It was a shame so many books would be displaced, but Parker took quiet joy in seeing them donated to the public library. This was to be Isadora’s room and it only made sense for her to keep the kind of novels she enjoyed.
A shrill ring came from the foyer and they both paused. Taken off guard by the sound of a landline, he frowned.
“You have a house phone?”
Her easygoing mood deflated before his eyes. “Yes. Just ignore it.”
The phone rang several times then stopped.
“Sometimes,” he said gently, carrying the last box of books to the door. “If you want something to go away, you have to confront it.”
“I know. I just don’t have anything new to say. Repeating myself will only cause more pain.”
For both of them, he assumed.
But the phone calls kept coming and by the time they were mixing paint Parker had lost about all the patience he had with the situation.
“Do you want me to answer?” It was getting ridiculous.
Apparently, his interference was enough to make her confront the situation. She tossed her gloves onto the tarp and marched into the foyer where she yanked the phone off its cradle and snapped, “What?”
Parker edged toward the door and watched as her shoulders drooped. Softly mumbled words crossed her lips. “No… You can’t keep doing this… Please stop calling…”
When she set the phone back on the receiver, she didn’t turn around. He crossed the threshold and waited for her to look at him, but she wouldn’t.
“Isadora?”
Her head slowly shook. “Why is he doing this?”
He closed the distance and pulled her into a hug, her back to his front. Resting his lips on her head, he whispered, “Maybe he feels left behind. You’re moving on and he can’t.”
“But he’ll never move forward. I used to get so angry when he would talk about my future and act like he was stealing it from me. Now… he’s just being selfish. I’m tired of repeating myself. I’m tired of hurting.” Her shoulders lowered. “He makes me hurt.”
She flinched in his arms as the phone rang again. Having had enough, he went to the wall and jerked the cord out of the socket. The house went silent.
She looked so small, so defeated. There was something very childlike about her in that instant and he wanted to protect her.
Glancing at the clock, he said, “It’s probably getting too late to start painting today. Why don’t you take your mind off things? Take a bath or something and I’ll run out and get dinner. We can paint tomorrow.”
She nodded and turned to the stairs, but made no comment about what she’d like to eat.
He shut out the lights in the library and grabbed his keys. Enough was enough.