Family Ties (21 page)

She gently laid her hand on his shoulder. “It means they’re important enough to wake afterwards. In other words,” she smoothed the frown from his forehead, “Some part of you wants to consciously remember them.”

She pecked his lips. “Now tell me the rest.”

The last few ones have been about a little boy and his mother. Or....” He wrinkled his brow. “A woman at first and now his mother.”

“Great. Any other characters?”

“Just the boy. At first he’s scared to death, but as the dreams changed, so did he. He’s not scared anymore.”

“Not at all?”

Gray thought for a minute. “No fear whatsoever. He’s quite content.”

“Interesting.” She leaned to one side and idly scratched her neck. “Did you figure out when they started?”

“Shows how much you listen to me,” he growled against her neck.

“What?”

“I told you last night – they started about the same time you moved in here.”

“You were serious?” She laughed. “I thought you were teasing me.”

He ran his hand up her side. “I’d like to tease you. Torment you.”

***

Andie pressed her hand against her side. “I’m going to let you do all those things and more. But first, I want more information.”

“Spoilsport.”

“Tough. Do you know if the dreams started before or after I moved in?”

He took a deep breath and held it for a moment before exhaling.

“I’m not sure, but I think after.” He shook his head. “Not long after, though.”

“Interesting.”

“Why?”

“It’s simply another piece, Gray. Not too important in and of itself, although it matters in the big picture.”

“Can we talk about something else now?” He pretended to eat her neck.

“After you tell me if you’ve noticed anything else unusual or strange?” She relaxed against him.

“You mean other than flying bricks and spray paint and late night fires?”

“Yeah. Things about you or affecting you directly.”

He shook his head. “Nothing ever happens to me. That’s why these dreams are so strange.” A twinkle glittered in his eyes. “Unless you call going out for a burger with you and all the kids unusual.” Then he looked off into space.

“What?” She lifted herself up on one elbow. Intensity had sharpened his cheek bones and flared his nostrils. A deep notch appeared between his brows.

“There was one other thing. It doesn’t have anything to do with my dreams, but it was weird.”

Wanting to give him time to process his memory of the experience, she waited for him to explain.

“Remember the night we all went to dinner?”

“Yes.” She’d always remember the look on his face at certain moments of the evening.

“While I waited for the kids to get out of the van, I watched them over my shoulder. I reached down for my seat belt and fumbled it. For the next couple of seconds it felt as if I was in another time. Years ago.”

“Really? What happened?”

“It wasn’t me, yet it was.” He seemed lost in thought.

“This little kid fought with his seat belt, trying to get out of the van so he could go in to McDonalds. I wanted to be first but my older brothers were going to beat me. I hated being the baby because I was always last.”

“Could it have been a memory Gray? That’s not an unusual scenario.” She laid one hand on his chest.

His eyes were bleak as he caught her gaze. “I don’t have any brothers, Andie. My parents never owned a van. And I wasn’t allowed to latch or release my seat belt until twelve or thirteen.” He shrugged. “Ma was big on safety.”

“But it felt real?”

He cocked his head to the side, remembering.

“As real as anything else I remember. It was weird – like I’d been there and done that, yet I haven’t. However, I could feel the kid’s anger and frustration with the latch. He wanted to be first. Badly.”

“Could it have been a memory, Gray?”

He shook his head. “Not a chance. We didn’t even take other kids out with us. Ma didn’t like the noise of extra kids, said it gave her a headache.”

She couldn’t believe the image he was painting. “Are you saying your mom didn’t allow you to have friends over? Or to sleep over somewhere else?”

“Never. Ma was – is – different from other women. It’s like she never got over being afraid for me. I always thought it was because I’m an only child, so she only had me to worry about.”

“Why didn’t they have more?”

“I have no idea.” He lifted one bare shoulder. “It never came up.”

He slid his hand under her arm and around her back. “Why?”

“No reason. Simply wondering.”

He traced circles on the side of her neck with his tongue, making concentration almost impossible.

“I have to make another loop of the yards pretty quick. Maybe we should concentrate on something else before I have to go outside and face the bogeyman.”

“Will it give you strength?”

He nodded. “Courage too.”

“Well we wouldn’t want you facing the dark without those.” She pulled him down. “Come here.” Then she pressed her mouth to his.

And lost herself in his taste and texture. Reveled in the smooth skin on his back. The dusting of hair on his butt. The mat on his chest, now rubbing against her breasts making her nipples ache and her belly hollow.

They would solve the riddle of his dreams because she didn’t know if she could live without him. And she feared she’d have to find out if he didn’t get some answers.

“So, how was your weekend?”

Andie had expected to be questioned by Bonnie and Dina, but she hadn’t expected it to be the first question out of her sister’s mouth.

“Fine, although I think we could talk about it later, when little pitchers aren’t around.” She tipped her head toward Chloe.

“That’s a guilty look if I ever saw one,” Dina hooted in a stage whisper to Bonnie. “I think she’s got some explaining to do.”

“Looks like it to me.” Bonnie watched the flush crawl over Andie’s cheeks. “A lot of explaining.”

“It was an excellent week-end. Jamie and Gray worked on the pool fence.”

“What else did...what did you say?”

“I said Jamie spent time with Gray this weekend.” She set her hand on the back of a webbed lawn chair on Dina’s patio. “In fact, he’s still there. So I’m in a bit of a hurry to get home.”

“Holy mackerel. What happened?” Dina asked, amazed at Jamie’s quick turnaround.

“I’m not sure what changed, except when Gray asked if he wanted to help work on the fence, he agreed.” She flipped her hand, “He’s been there all weekend.”

“That sucks.” Bonnie looked sheepish. “It’s great for the kid and everything, but....”

“You were hoping for something else to happen.” Andie couldn’t hide her reaction. “You two are so transparent.” She turned to watch Chloe organize her backpack. “You’d never make it as matchmakers.”

“Even if we didn’t create anything this weekend, it’s time you get a life, sis.”

“She’s got a life. She’s gots us.” Chloe continued shoving clothes into her bag.

“You’re right pumpkin.” Andie scooped the little girl up and into her arms. “Did I tell you I missed you?”

Chloe put her little hands on Andie’s cheeks. “I missed you too.”

After giving her a swiveling hug, Andie set her back on the floor. “Go call Billy, for me, okay? Bonnie will you go with and remind him I’m in a hurry.”

As soon as they climbed the stairs, Dina pounced. “So give me the scoop, little sister.” Gray might stick around long enough to keep the emptiness out of her. If he didn’t, then she knew Dina would get busy and start bringing other men around. It was all part of Dina’s plan for her sister’s life. Although it could be a nuisance at times, she appreciated Dina’s desire for her happiness.

“Gray spent the weekend working on his fence and keeping an eye on my place. Poor man must be exhausted.”

“He didn’t get much rest, I take it.”

She shook her head. But the glow on her face gave it away.

“Are you telling me he worked all day and you kept him busy all night? You’re lucky he didn’t drop dead.”

Remaining quiet, she knew Dina didn’t expect her to divulge much. Later, when they were certain they wouldn’t be overheard, her sister would go after the details. Like a pit bull.

When she said goodbye at the door, she leaned in close to Dina and whispered in her ear, “Red negligee.” Given her sister’s reaction she knew she’d set herself up for a major inquisition. But since the negligee had been a gift from Dina, she was entitled.

After she’d squirmed with curiosity.

***

Andie turned in front of the mirror, enjoying the swing of the skirt. She couldn’t afford to shop in Black’s, the upscale, uptown designer shop Dina had dragged her to, but she could look.

“Come on, you have to show me how it looks.” Her sister had never been patient.

“Here I come.” She stepped into the midst of a cluster of changing room mirrors and turned. “What do you think?”

Dina stood in silence, staring her.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t spill anything on it, so I don’t have to buy it.”

“Oh sis, you’re beautiful. It looks wonderful on you. That dress was made for you.”

She turned to the mirror again, then flipped over the price tag discreetly hanging from the side seam. The numbers hadn’t changed in the last few minutes.

“Too bad the price tag doesn’t have my name on it.”

“It’s on sale.”

“Even at fifty per cent off, I can’t afford it. Do you have any idea how many groceries I can buy with that amount of money? Or how many ball games I can cover with it?”

“It would be worth it.”

“No way.” She rubbed her hand over the royal blue sheer chiffon dress. Thin spaghetti straps rose from a shallow vee in the front, to a backless...uhm back. The bias-cut skirt gave her a fun, chic look, perfect for Saturday night with Gray.

She settled the waist in place and did the math again. Since the numbers came out the same, she turned back to the dressing room. “I’ve enjoyed this glimpse into how the other half lives, but I’d better find something to wear and get home. I don’t want to leave Jamie for too long.”

“Fine. Hand the dress out to me and I’ll hang it for you.”

Dina, waiting for her at the front door, handed her a store bag. “Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, sis.”

“You didn’t.”

“I did. This dress has your name on it.”

“But Dina, it’s a designer label. I can probably buy a knock-off at one of the stores in the mall.”

“For once in your life, would you please accept a gift and not worry about the giver? This dress was made for you and I want you to have it. Besides,” she pushed the bag into Andie’s hands, “I have a big contract coming up.”

Dina free-lanced as a technical writer in Calgary and her income tended to feast or famine.

“Come on, take it. We can’t return the darn thing.” She pointed to a stern sign ‘No return on sale items’

“You are absolutely the best sister a girl could have.” Andie hugged her sister, blinking back tears. “This will cover all gifts and create major IOU’s for at least two years.”

“I was thinking more like three.” Dina held her close and whispered, “You deserve it.” Then she stepped back. “Now let’s find some strappy sandals to show off your great legs.” She walked down the mall. “But they’re on you.”

“You look fantastic.” Gray was almost afraid to touch her, even if his palms were itching. Andie glowed from the top of her head down to the strappy shiny shoes the same color as her dress. Her hair was pulled to the top of her head and curled - messy curls that cried for him to pull them all down. Strands teased her cheeks and touched her neck, begging for him to wrap one or two or ten around his fingers.

“You clean up pretty good yourself.”

He’d put on his one and only suit, grateful he’d remembered to get it cleaned this week. He hated wearing ties but owned a few since a contractor had to be prepared to meet with clients anywhere and everywhere. For some of those places he needed to dress up.

“Thanks.” Gray pulled into the parking lot behind the Palliser Hotel. He’d decided a couple of weeks ago to take Andie out for dinner. They hadn’t had
any
time alone in the few weeks since the kids’ weekend at her sister’s and he missed her company - more than he’d expected. They’d seen each other and talked, but one of the kids always seemed to be hovering nearby.

Jamie was progressing - talking more every day. Even so, it had taken more than a week to convince Andie he was well enough to spend the evening with Bonnie. Eventually, to still Andie’s disagreement, Dina had promised to come over keep an eye on things.

There’d been no other vandalism, but he wasn’t willing to let his guard down yet, which explained the permanent crick in his back – from squeezing himself on her too-short couch at night. It wasn’t comfortable but at least he knew she and the kids were protected. Although he’d made no secret of staying there, hoping the trouble would stop, he wasn’t holding his breath. His gut said they weren’t finished with the problems yet. But in the future he’d be ready, even if he didn’t get a decent night’s sleep in the meantime.