Things she’d done in the last few days included hiking, walking along the river and seeing some of the best waterfalls in the world. The flora and fauna were exquisite and she took many photos. It was not enough. She had no idea when she’d have the chance to come again so she wanted to make the most of this vacation.
It was Wednesday morning. The cool morning breeze rushed in through the bedroom window overlooking the tranquil waters of the river. Leah went to stand by the window, wondering what she should do on her last day. Another walk, she concluded. She could perhaps take more pictures of rare plants or the tiny animals she saw before. The morning was overcast and she hoped it wouldn’t rain until later.
There was a chill in the air and she dressed in jeans and a sweater. Added to her ensemble was a knitted cap with a mini peak. All dressed, she went out to have breakfast before her walk. When she was on the ground floor, she bypassed the dining room and opted for the deck. That area was enclosed with winter shutters and heating, making it warm. She liked it there. She could see outside through the transparent blades of the shutters and saw that the grass was damp from a light drizzle earlier. It was still early, a little past six, so many of the guests were not yet awake, she supposed. She took a table near the lawn and waited for a server.
Another person stood at the opposite end of the desk, his back to her. With his hands buried in his pockets, he stood with his legs slightly apart. His height was something special. She liked tall men and this one was more than six feet. What tight buns he had!
“Cut it out Leah,” she whispered. “For all you know, he could be ugly, or worse, married.”
The server came and took her breakfast order. She took her eyes of him to speak with the girl serving her. When she looked up again, he was gone. Shrugging, she pushed the stranger out of her mind. She was leaving soon anyway. It would make no sense getting to know anyone.
Her breakfast came and she dug into her waffles and sausages. The best she’d ever had. The coffee was also out of this world.
“What’s to see here?” the voice was rich baritone.
The voice came from within the dining area, just behind the wall she was sitting. Her interest was piqued by the tone. She rarely heard voices like that. He must be a television or radio personality, she thought.
“There’s a hiking trail,” the attendant replied. “The waterfalls are great, or you can walk along the river. We also have a guide to help you.”
“Thanks, I think I’ll take a walk, alone.”
“You’re welcome. Is there anything else I can get you, sir?”
“No, that will be all,” he replied.
Leah was disappointed when the conversation ended. She hadn’t realized how much she liked his tone. Laughing to herself, she was amused that she’d admired two men within the space of a few minutes. This was unlike her, but a girl could let down her hair, couldn’t she? She wondered if perhaps if the man on the deck was the same with the voice.
Since the last year she hadn’t time to breath let alone date. Perhaps it was because she was on vacation that she felt relaxed enough to be drawn to the opposite sex. Then her mind recalled the last few days and how Quinn occasionally popped into her head. She’d managed to push him from her thoughts each time, but the frequency of thinking of him was beginning to irritate her.
She lounged on the deck for half hour after breakfast to get a glimpse of the man she’d seen earlier. Neither did she see him or hear the voice again. With a shrug, she left the lodge and began her morning stroll.
A walk by the river soothed her. There was mist in the air, giving hints of the pending rain. Even so, she enjoyed the walk. It wasn’t long before Quinn entered her mind again. Then the thought flicked to the stranger on the deck. It was strange. She felt an uncanny familiarity or was it a connection? This confused her. The voice of the man stuck in her head, if not anything else.
* * *
Quinn showered and changed. He needed this place. It was serene and quiet, just what he needed to clear his head. This was a change for him and Vita had done the right thing by sending him there. He usually abhorred the quietness, and much preferred the buzz of the city and nightlife. The air was frigid. He dressed in jeans jacket along with hiking boots and headed out. He needed the fresh air to clear the fog from his mind.
The whole idea of him getting away for a few days was to renew himself. However, as he stood on the deck this morning, his mystery woman suddenly popped into his thoughts. He felt strange as if she was there. This was not what he planned. In order for him to think clearly, he had to put her into perspective. She was only someone who assisted him in time of need, and though he was grateful, he needed to end this obsession he had of her. What bothered him about this was that she didn’t seem to want to come forward.
He recalled the night before at his condominium with Terry. While she ministered to his carnal needs, all he could think of was that other woman. A woman whose name he didn’t even know. A woman who seemed that she didn’t want to be found.
At first, Terry did nothing for him, then as soon as he pictured those eyes, his body responded. How was it possible that a woman he’d never actually met could have such effect on him? I must be going crazy, he thought. I have to get her out of my head. This confounded Quinn. He wanted to find and repay the person who saved him. Yet, he hated being haunted by thoughts of her.
This was also his time to plan his next move about finding his culprits. He decided that if by the end of his little trip the police had no leads, he’d have to call upon the services of a private detective. He knew such a man, a former CIA agent who could find anyone on this planet. He would have an easy time finding the attackers and certainly no problem finding ‘Angel Eyes’. When he found her, he could repay his debt and forget about her.
His walk took him along the path beside the river. Quinn had to admit that he liked it. The slowness of it, the tranquility and the beauty, he appreciated it all. Most of his life he spent making money or managing his business. When he was not doing business, he was wining and dining his female companions, but never in a place such as this. A place like this was for honeymooners, he decided. He wondered if his angel would like it there.
Moving along the trail, he allowed his tension to ease. The water gently flowed from a rock, creating one of the many waterfalls of this river. He stopped for a moment to take in the sights and sounds. The soft swooshing of the water, coupled with the chirping of early morning birds relaxed him. Further, up the path, he made out someone else. The steward mentioned it was unlikely that others would be out walking before nine. It was some minutes after seven. It made no difference to him now, since the atmosphere was so medicating.
The other stroller was a woman. He could see her round hips in her jeans. She had her hands tucked into her pockets and her back was to him. For a second she stopped to admire something, and then moved along. He watched her walk away until she disappeared around the bend. Lazily he moved along until he reached the spot the woman had stopped. There was a tiny flowering plant in bloom. Its small petals were of various colors, like a work of art. Quinn smiled.
As he moved off again he heard someone sneeze. When he looked up the woman was coming back down the path. Wearing a light green sweater and knit cap, her dark hair fell carelessly off her shoulder. Her head was down with her hand over her mouth. She sneezed once more. He stepped out of the path to allow her to pass.
Brushing past him, she let out another sneeze. That’s when he his nostrils enlivened at her scent. Her flowery perfume jolted him in a way that was unexpected. He’d know that scent anywhere. Yet, she could not be the only one in the world to wear it. However, that pull was there, the same as when he been in the hospital. That same feeling he remembered the night she rescued him.
For a moment, he felt his insides melt, and then his mind went blank. He watched her half run away, sneezing as though she was catching a cold. He stood rooted to the spot for about five minutes when it occurred to him that this was the woman he’d been fantasizing about.
Quinn shook his head vigorously in denial. “That’s not possible, how could she be here?”
However, the perfume and especially that feeling was impossible to ignore? With much effort, he pushed her out of his mind and continued his walk. Every now and then, his eyes would search the path leading back to the lodge. When he could no longer stand the suspense, he went back to the resort. Maybe if he saw her eyes once, he could settle his mind.
It was breakfast hour when he returned. Many of the lodgers were either on the deck enjoying the fresh morning air or in the dining area. There was a chill in the air while gray clouds covered the sky like a shroud. The clouds also obscured the sun and a moist wind blew in from the ice-capped mountains beyond.
Quinn found an empty chair and pulled it up, while glancing around. He did not see her anywhere. He took coffee along with the business news, pretending to read while getting a look at the patrons in the dining room. There was no one whom he’d seen that seemed like her.
He motioned to one of the stewards serving the deck. He was a young man with a bright smile and the nametag, James.
“Can I get you anything else?” James inquired.
Quinn nodded and asked, “Have you seen a woman coming from the river in a green sweater?”
The young man narrowed his eyes and looked at the ceiling as if trying to think.
“Knitted cap – dark hair?” Quinn added.
A light bulb seemed to go off in James’ brain as his face lit up. “Yes. That’s Miss Leah,” he replied.
Quinn’s heart skipped a beat. “Where is she now?” he asked.
“She went to her room. Seem to be coming down with something,” James informed him. “Are you sure I can’t get you anything else?”
“No, I’m great, James. Thank you.”
So her name’s Leah, he thought. However, she may not be the one who saved me. It took some effort to convince himself that the woman whom he saw was not the same as the one in his dreams.
He finished his coffee and read the paper. A few minutes later, the rains came and he moved into the lounge where he ordered another coffee. He was hoping that the woman would come down, but she never showed. He was tempted to visit her room and bring her cold medicines but he restrained himself. It would seem suspicious for a complete stranger to do that. Moreover, he was almost convinced it could never be her.
Later that afternoon, he left for fifteen minutes to shower and change. When he returned, he scanned the room, but there was no green sweater. She must have changed, he figured. Now he had no idea what to look for. He couldn’t very well go up to each female and sniffed them.
Now that it was afternoon and Quinn was sure she must be wearing something else, he figured he’d try to identify her by her eyes. Those eyes he’d never forget. They were unusual – light brown with flecks of gold and green. That was the only thing he saw that night – her eyes.
Each time a female entered the room, he strained to see their eyes. No one with such eyes entered. He was about to give up when a honey colored woman entered, wearing a red shirt and jeans. He glanced her way briefly and moved his eyes to the other tables. A waiter approached and drew his attention from his mission.
“Sir, there is a telephone call for you at the front desk.”
The woman in the red shirt was coming his way and as they passed each other, her perfume swept up his nostrils. Could this be her? The woman was African American. Quinn wasn’t sure what to believe, but the hopscotching of his heart as it jumped around his chest was undeniable. He stopped short and turned in her direction.
“Sir?” the waiter said.
“Take a message, I’ll call back.”
He followed a few feet behind and watched as the waiter seated her. Like a stalker, Quinn stood watching her, hoping to see her eyes. As though sensing him she raised her head and his heart thudded heavily in his chest. Light brown with flecks of gold and green stared back at him. They widened as if recognizing them, then she lowered her gaze and picked up a menu.
Quinn was spellbound. He knew immediately who she was. Her long hair cascaded below her shoulders like the beautiful waterfall he’d seen that morning. Her soft heart shaped face with pert nose and delectable lips made his stomach quiver. Was this a coincidence that they were there in the same resort or was it fate? He could do nothing but watch her for a few seconds as she picked up her water and took a sip.
“I can’t just watch her, I must go over.”
It was she, no doubt. Quinn stared at what he figured must be another illusion. Could it really be the one who he’d seen hovering over him that night? All he could recall was her eyes and smell. Then at the hospital, he’d thought he’d seen her through the glass panel of the door.
He closed his eyes as he brought back the memory. Someone looked at in through the tine panel but he could barely make out their face. Brittani said there hadn’t been anyone there, but as he looked at the woman sitting at the table, he was convinced she’d come to the hospital to see him.
* * *
Everything flew from Leah’s brain at the sight of the man in the dining room. Those seductive eyes and angular face were forever imprinted in her brain. A day old stubble and luscious lips made for a striking appearance on a sexy man. Gosh. Bridget was right. The man was gorgeous – dangerously so. How did he find her? Was it a coincidence - or fate? Their eyes locked for a moment and she had to use all her strength to tear hers away. All she could do to distract herself at that point was pick up the menu. When she chanced a glance, he was coming towards her. She picked up her water and downed a gulp.
“Oh no!” she inwardly groaned.
Her eyes were still on the menu when he reached her table. She looked up and back at the menu. She tried to avoid looking at him but his deep rich baritone sent shivers up her spine.
“Hi,” he greeted. “May I?” he indicated the chair.
She swallowed and nodded, glancing up at him. Leah could not believe that the man with the sexy voice was Quinn. Chiseled chin made her want to touch it. His lips curved in a slight smile and he was looking at her alluringly. He pulled out the chair and sat, never taking his gaze off her.
Did he know? She wondered. Well if you act this way he will, she chided. With a cheery smile, she put the menu down and looked at her guest.
“How can I help you?” she asked.
“Thank you,” he earnestly replied.
That threw her off balance. He knows! Still, she held her smile and her gaze. “What for?” She asked, trying to keep her gaze steady.
“I can never forget those eyes,” he replied, closing his eyes.
What’s he doing now? She wondered. Is he sniffing me? Jesus, he is.
Quinn opened his eyes and continued. “And your perfume … that scent I can never forget. What is it, lilies or….”
“You remember my perfume?” She asked, dumbfounded.
“How could I forget? That was the only thing I had to hold on to, along with your eyes,” he replied. “I thought you were an angel.”
She laughed lightly as he focused on her lips. Involuntarily she pursed them and looked away. Her heart somersaulted and started speeding like a runaway train.
“Tell me. What can I do to repay you? Anything you need, you name it.”
She eyed him demurely. “That’s not necessary. I just want to know you are okay. Are you healing well?”
“Yes. Still some pain in the chest, but I’m a strong fellow,” he replied, tapping his chest playfully.
“I’m glad,” she smiled.
“By the way, I saw you earlier and you seemed to be coming down with something. Are you alright?” he asked.
“Just allergies. I took my antihistamines and am now fine,” she told him.
Silence fell between them as they observed each other. Quinn’s eyes penetrated her as if he was seeing deep into her mind. Leah averted her eyes to keep herself from drowning in his gaze.
“There must be something. Do you need a new car? A new house…anything?”
Cold water doused her the moment those words spilled from his lips. The invisible cord snapped and she recoiled into her shell. Did he think she was looking to get a reward?
Deep creases entered her brow as she gave him a chilling look. “Mr…,” she started.
“Quinn,” he interjected.
“Mr. Quinn….”
“Quinn … just Quinn.”
“Okay Quinn.” The iciness in her tone was unmistakable. “You don’t need to worry about repaying me. I don’t need anything.”
“There must be something,” he insisted.
“What don’t you understand? I don’t need anything, I did what any decent human being would do,” she replied. “Now, if you will excuse me.”
Quinn didn’t budge. Silently she willed him away, but he remained seated. To add to her agitation, he picked up the menu and started perusing its contents. Without raising his eyes, he spoke again.
“I didn’t get your name.”
When she did not immediately respond, he raised his eyes to hers and they locked for a moment. That feeling was there again as if he was pulling her in.
“It’s Leah … Leah Brooks.” Her voice was clipped. “Now can I have my lunch in peace?”
Quinn fell silent for a minute while she picked up her menu and started pretending to read it. He made no move to leave and it maddened her. How could he think of giving her material possessions as compensation for an act of kindness? What did he take her for? Why didn’t he just leave her alone to enjoy her lunch?
Chancing a glance at him, she noticed him scrutinizing her keenly. He regarded the contours of her face, the curve of her neck, then resting on the rise of her cleavage. A warmth spread over her skin at his inspection and she could not help settling her eyes on the breadth of his shoulders.
“At least let me buy you dinner, when we get back to Cupertino…that is, if you’re from there,” he said.
“You don’t give up, do you?” She looked pointedly at him.
A grin spread across his mouth. There it was again, that pull – the invisible cord that was drawing her to him. When Quinn smiled, her irritation dissipated.
“Not when it’s important.” He’d softened his voice.
“Okay, dinner and that’s it,” she gave in.
That smile again that caused warmth to spread over her like a heated blanket. Inwardly slapping herself, she pushed the feeling aside and gave him a hard stare. She hoped he would get the message that she wanted to eat alone.
“You don’t mind if we have lunch today, do you?” he asked.
“You never said anything about lunch,” she protested.
“Well, since I’m already at the table … and look, someone already took my seat.”
Leah sighed. There was no winning this one, she thought. “Okay lunch and we’re even.”
“Nope, you already promised dinner,” he said, beckoning to a waiter.
Seething at his smugness, she took a gulp of water. This darn cocky bastard was getting on her last nerve. What irritated her the most was that she was unable to control that unending fluttering of her heart each time their eyes met.
Shit! She peered at him over the top of the menu card and he caught her in his snare. Those cobalt pools were pulling her in again. A sound from the direction of the deck broke the spell and Leah took the opportunity to look away.
The room was certainly warm now even though it was raining outside and many people were dressed in sweaters or jackets. Picking up her glass, she brought it to her lips and emptied it. The cool liquid slid down her throat and she closed her eyes to shut out the man before her. Go away, she willed. Leah squirmed as a tiny bead of sweat trickled down her pine. Go away Quinn, I wont allow you to get to me.
“This is going to be a long lunch,” she mumbled, when he made no move to leave.
Quinn must have seen her discomfort since his struck up a conversation about his college years. Surprisingly, after a few minutes she was laughing and completely engrossed in his jokes. He told her stories about his best friend and their childhood, bad jokes he heard and things he’d like to do before he retired.
They talk for three hours nonstop. One conversation led to another until they spoke of their families. When Quinn mentioned his father, the sadness reflected in his eyes.
“You miss him don’t you?” she asked when he’d become quiet. “I lost my grandfather six years ago. He was like my father.”
“We were all each other had,” he said.
Unintentionally, she reached across the table and touched his hand. “What about your mother?”
“She left when I was five and then she passed away when I was in high school. I never forgave her for breaking my father’s heart.”
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
Quinn shrugged and planted a smile on his face. “What about you. Are your parents alive?”
Leah withdrew her hand with a sneer. “They might as well be dead. My mother and father spilt when I was small, that’s how I ended up with my grandparents. I think they disinherited my father and I never saw him again. My mother lives in Florida.”
“You sound like you’re angry with your parents.”
“Even after gramps died, my father never once showed up. I don’t know whether he’s dead or alive. At least my mother tries, whenever she isn’t off somewhere finding a new husband.”
“And that bothers you, that your mother has multiple marriages?”
Leah had no idea how the conversation turned to this. She never talked about her parents to anyone except Bridget, least of all a man she didn’t know.
“Can we talk of something else?”
She wanted to stay away from such subjects that would bring about that hurt and anger she often felt. Deep down, she was convinced that her parents abandoned her because they never wanted her. They’d married quickly and soon separated when she was still a baby.
According to her mother, her grandparents were to blame for the split. Celine made it seem as if Leah’s grandparents were against the marriage because she was black. It didn’t make sense to Leah since her grandparents loved her so much. Her grandfather was her hero and there was nothing he thought too good for his granddaughter.
It had gone well into the dinner hours when Leah told Quinn she had to go. They’d been engrossed in talking to each other that they were both reluctant to part.
With an early flight in the morning, she hurried to her room to pack. After packing her bags, she spent a couple of hour reading and then she ordered a salad for supper. By nine, she was in bed. As she snuggled under the covers, it occurred to her that she hadn’t given Quinn her contact details for Cupertino.
“Oh well. Perhaps it’s better this way,” she mumbled, before sleep stole her away.