Whispers of the Heart (8 page)

“Those were golden days, a different world in a
way,” he continued. “We swam every day, boated and skied and ate barbecue 'til our veins ran with it. My three cousins came for part of each summer and it was always a party then. We boys fished sometimes, but Mom and Aunt Nancy hated cleaning them, so we didn't do much of that until Dad came down for the weekends.”

“That does sound like an idyllic time,” she murmured wistfully. “You must have a large family.”

Autumn paused to check out a blossoming dogwood, recording the exact vanilla shades of the petals in her mind for future use. “I wish I'd brought my camera,” she murmured as they moved on.

“I'll remember, next time,” he offered, determining there would be a next time. Then he continued, “The family is a bit scattered now. My dad died a few years back while I was still in college. Drew lives in Seattle. My cousins moved south. How about you?”

“Oh, I have only Spring,” she answered. “But we're very close. Our mother's Uncle William raised us from when we were seven. He died just before Christmas, which is why it's time, now, for Spring and me to move on with our lives….”

She took a deep breath, determined not to let sadness creep into this unexpectedly lovely day.

“He was loving and kind, but he didn't go in for a lot of outside activities. I can't recall ever spending more than two weekends at the lake. When we were fourteen, a friend's family invited us to come.”

What was it like, Autumn wondered, to have grown up in a family so full of life and interesting things for a child to do besides study and indulge
only quiet pursuits? She'd ceased asking long ago what it might be like to grow up with two parents; she and Spring had had Uncle William.

“Mmm, yes,” he agreed. “I suppose
idyllic
is the right term. We stopped going so much after our favorite cove became crowded with too much building. Mom didn't like it there anymore and we started taking vacations to other places of interest.”

Around a turn in the path, they heard the puppies suddenly bark frantically.

“Daddy,” Timmy shrieked. “Daddy, help! Stop that, Samson. Buttons, don't!”

Brent leapt forward, Autumn only yards behind.

They rounded the corner in time to see the long tail of a green snake slither off the path and into the brush. Timmy knelt, holding on to a straining Samson, while Buttons stood at the edge of the path and barked furiously.

As the snake disappeared from sight, the tiny dog pounced after it. Without a considering thought, Autumn seized the leash, then caught the little body up into her arms.

Brent dropped to his knees beside Timmy, his tone urgent. “Did it bite you?”

Even as he said it, he searched his son's bare arms and brushed down his body. Autumn knelt beside them, one hand calming Buttons, the other reaching for the boy. She let her palm brush the child's cheek in a soothing effort.

“Nuh-uh.” Timmy's eyes shone like dark pebbles. “It scared me, though.”

“Did the dogs get bitten?” Brent asked.

“I don't think so.” Timmy shook his head, then said proudly, “They scared it off.”

Brent let out a relieved breath and sat back on his heels. “I should've been more watchful this early in the year. Snakes carry more poison after hibernating all winter, and they come out to sun themselves. But I think this one was harmless.”

“I wouldn't know,” she remarked quietly while her gaze searched first Brent's expression and then Tim's. Even in a near emergency, Brent handled himself with such complete composure, it reached out to enclose her. The force of his personality permeated everything he did, apparently. Even his four-year-old son reflected it. “All the snakes I've ever seen have been in pictures or the zoo. Are you all right, Tim? Aren't you frightened?”

“Nope, it didn't scare me,” he said with four-year-old bravado. “But I skinned my knee when I dived after Samson.”

A runner sprinted past them, and Samson squirmed to be released. Buttons wiggled to join him. Autumn took both leashes and rose.

“Well, I've got a first-aid kit in the car,” Brent said. “We can fix you up in minutes, okay?”

“It can wait, Dad,” the child insisted. “I don't wanta go back yet.”

Brent inspected the knee, then winked at Autumn. “I guess a few minutes won't make much difference. It only needs major surgery. We can get out the saw and pinchers, and…”

Timmy giggled. “Aw, Dad!”

Alight with fun, Brent's eyes looked as brightly shiny as Tim's. “You game to finish, Autumn?”

She couldn't have refused for a million dollars. “Sure. I'm game.”

“Can I do the leashes?” Timmy asked.

“Okay, but don't let them run too far ahead like before,” Brent cautioned.

Timmy agreed. Brent stood aside and let the boy take several paces, then reached for Autumn's hand, winding his fingers loosely through hers.

It felt so nice she hardly knew what to think of it. She simply enjoyed his touch.

His kiss on her cheek was even nicer when he dropped her off later that day. She felt it linger there for hours.

D
avid Collier called her with the news that the church board had approved the expenditure for the wall mural and asked how soon she could begin.

“Actually, I'd like to start right away,” she said, turning to stare out her favorite window. She brushed her bangs from her forehead. Now that the project had been approved, she felt excited and wondered which sketch they'd liked best. “Tomorrow? Is tomorrow all right?”

“All right? That's fabulous,” came the answer.

“Will there be someone there at seven tomorrow morning?”

It would be unreasonable to ask for anyone to meet with her at 6:00 a.m. the first morning, she supposed, but she had her explanations ready, if anyone should ask why she wanted to start so early in the day. This time of year, the best light came just after dawn.

“Sure, I'll be there,” David said. “No problem.”

“All right. Seven, then.”

She hung up the phone, then took a turn around the room, giving herself a pep talk. She was ready to do this. Brent had invited her to do it. Curtis believed she could. She wanted to and she'd promised.

Nonetheless, she called her sister.

“Morning,” Spring answered.

“Hi. It's me.”

“Hmm?” Spring sounded as though she had pins in her mouth. Autumn pictured her so, scissors or fabric in hand. Spring always had something to sew or create.

“I start tomorrow.”

“The mural?”

“Uh-huh. Spring…”

“Now don't get into a tizzy. You'll do a great job. I know it. You said the atmosphere would be quiet and relaxing, didn't you? You should have none of the usual trouble.”

“Yes, that's true,” she conceded.

“How long do you think it'll take?”

“Several weeks, probably, working only the early-morning hours. It's a big wall.”

“And everyone's okay with that? The minister and Brent and whoever has a say? No one questioned why you don't want to work past…you know…”

“They seem to be. Reverend Collier is so laid-back. I told them I'd be working the same morning hours every day. As long as they can see the painting coming along, I don't think they'll be bothered by my unusual pace.”

“I'll be so excited to see it when I come home for a visit.” Autumn could hear the smile in her sister's voice.

“Yeah, I'll be excited to show it to you.” They'd always shared everything. It seemed strange to think Spring wouldn't see her most important painting until long after it was complete.

“Maybe you'll find it all right to work longer hours than you think.”

“I don't know. But don't try to call me then. I won't take a phone with me. If you should need to reach me, here's the church number.”

She gave it. “Otherwise, I'll be home by nine or nine-thirty. How's New York?” she asked, tossing the ball into her sister's court, and listened to Spring's latest adventure in what she'd seen in the fashionable stores.

She felt better after talking to Spring. That's the one thing she'd missed most about living alone, she supposed. Talking over every bit of the day with someone. Even with frequent calls, she still felt the great distance from New York to Kansas City. No one understood her so well as Spring, even their mother hadn't when they were small, nor Uncle William as they grew older.

She wondered for the umpteenth time if she'd ever meet anyone, a potential mate or even another friend, who could match such closeness. There never had been anyone. She and Spring often read each other's minds without a word exchanged. But Spring needed her own life, and wanted to marry, while she…

She didn't always know what she wanted from life.

Maybe she was one of those women destined to go through her years without any grand purpose. Without a mate or children…

That thought stopped her. Always alone, except for Spring? Or a companion like Buttons? Never quite a part of a family or lively activity going on around her? On the edges of life but never much of a participator?

Those possibilities depressed her too much to entertain them for long. Instead, she called Buttons to take a walk.

“Well, I have you, little Buttons, don't I?” She scooped the dog up along with her carryall bag, determined to get out of her silent apartment for a few minutes even though the noon hour rush was about to begin. If she kept her walk short and confined to her block, she wouldn't run into many pedestrians. And she didn't have to go the way of the delis or market.

Buttons, always eager to go, wagged her little tail so hard it made her laugh. And then almost cry, when she thought of what it took to coax herself out of the apartment. She'd have to do something more to improve her attitude, she supposed.

They came out onto the street just as Brent was walking Laureen to her car.

A smile broke over his face as he called to her. It put a chaser on the rough-edged self-doubts running around her head, and she smiled back. A sight of Brent certainly improved her attitude. His quick welcome always gave her a lift, a little knock at her heart.

Laureen turned to see who Brent had greeted. She nodded and gave Autumn a perfunctory smile.

“Hi,” Autumn said. She loitered on the sidewalk,
hoping for a moment to tell Brent of the approval from the church committee.

Well, honestly, she did like seeing Brent, and fleetingly wondered why she couldn't just admit she liked him a lot more than a little. He had a way of filling in her day with bright gladness.

He gave Laureen a last parting murmur, and waited only until the car pulled away from the curb before he crossed the street.

Autumn, turning to watch the car leave, caught Laureen's frown as she watched them in her rearview mirror. Obviously, they shared a mutual dislike, Autumn admitted, though she still didn't understand where the animosity lay.

“On your way to lunch?” Brent queried.

“Not really.” She set the dog down and found herself tugging at her oversize T-shirt. “Just thought I'd like a short break with Buttons to stretch our legs.”

Buttons jumped and yipped a greeting. Brent bent to rub her head. Why the image of his long fingers petting Buttons set up a longing in Autumn for a little of the same attention, she didn't know. It struck her as ridiculous, but it was there, just the same.

“I could use a stretch too,” he said as he straightened. “Mind if I walk along?”

“No, of course not.”

They started up the street, gazing into old storefront windows no longer in use to display merchandise, watching the distant clouds drift down from the north. The radio forecast had called for rain later in the day, and Brent remarked of the promised thunder and lightning.

“I heard,” she answered. “It sounds very loud from my apartment. The storm last week shook the whole building.”

“Are you frightened of thunderstorms?” he asked, his gaze asking for more details.

She shook her head, then brushed her bangs aside. “No, not usually thunder or lightning….”

They turned at the corner and crossed to his side of the street. She changed the subject. “I wanted to tell you that Pastor David called with the go-ahead. The committee approved everything last night.”

“That's great! When will you start?”

“Tomorrow.”

“That's great, too. I'm eager to see it done.” They paused by his door. “Hey, I'm getting hungry. How about we order a pizza to deliver and you can tell me how you think it'll all work out.”

“Oh, that sounds wonderful. I haven't had pizza in a long time.”

It did sound wonderful. For the first time in ages, she felt she'd definitely be lonelier without company than happily content with merely her own. Brent's company. She didn't even mind when he suggested they have it at his office.

“I have to take a call sometime around noon,” he explained.

“I understand,” she murmured.

He took her elbow and directed her into his building and through to his own front office suite. Fearing Buttons would be smashed by the heavy door, Autumn put her into the carryall over her shoulder. Only Buttons's tiny head showed above the denim edge. Autumn hooked her thumb around the strap and kept
her fingers loosely brushing Button's head to calm her.

“Hired a new assistant last week,” Brent said, nodding to a plump woman in her late thirties by way of an introduction. “And I don't want to scare her off the first week she's here by asking her to give up her own lunch hour.”

“That's not likely,” the woman said, and laughed. “You can't run me off that easily, especially when I've waited half a year for this job. But I do have a lunch date, so I'll see you later.”

“This is Sheila,” he said, as the woman gathered her purse to leave. “Already the place doesn't run well without her.”

He showed Autumn around, and besides Sheila, she met the two men, John and Steven, who worked in the large room off the center reception room. The offices sported all the latest in computer equipment, she noted, and a huge copy machine designed, she thought, to run copies of building plans.

She felt positively out of step. Except for her kitchen appliances, nothing she owned smacked of all this modern, up-to-date equipment. She didn't even own a television set.

Well, she hadn't wanted one. In her life-style change, she'd decided to forgo a set in favor of quieter pursuits. At least for now.

Brent invited the two men to share the pizza, but each had other lunch plans.

“Okay, Autumn and I don't mind keeping it all to ourselves,” Brent teased. Then he said, “We can use that copy paper box that's empty, though.”

He grabbed it before guiding her into his office,
where he set it on the floor. “Now Buttons can stay without worry she'll get into anything,” he said, nodding at the empty box.

“Thanks, that's a clever idea.” Buttons yipped when she discovered she couldn't get out of the box, but Autumn thought it better than constantly chasing the tiny mite all over the office. She'd let her have another run up the block before going home.

Brent phoned and ordered. “You can't get away without pizza at least once a week in my house,” he said, hanging up. “Timmy'd eat it every day if I'd let him.”

That made her chuckle. “Of course. He's all boy.”

“That he is. Sorry,” he said as he brought a leather-seated chair forward for her, and cleared his desk in the center. “No proper table.”

“This is fine.” She sat down opposite his desk while he took his own. “How is Timmy?”

“Oh, he's telling everybody about running into the snake and how brave Samson and Buttons were in chasing it away. The snake is growing longer with the telling, I think.”

She laughed. “Well, the dogs still showed their courage. I didn't know I was getting a lionheart in a teacup with Buttons. I don't think she knows she could be flattened by a gnat.”

“Samson, too,” he said and nodded. “He's proved to be a great boon buddy, never far from Timmy. Barks at anything he thinks is strange. Lets us know if there's something outside the house he doesn't like. If Tim ever really needed protection, little Samson would give his best. Even sleeps with him.”

“The foot of my bed is Buttons's favorite place to sleep, too. She doesn't like being alone.”

“Yeah, that's Samson. Timmy, too, really. He feels more comfortable with the dog there, especially in the middle of the night if he wakes.”

His voice and features grew thoughtful as he leaned back in his chair. “He's missing his old sitter, I guess. I should've bought him a dog long ago.”

“Well, I would think he was too young before now, to handle a puppy properly. At least my friend Kim tells me that's why she hasn't had a pet yet. Her baby is just two.”

“That's so.” Brent sat forward and doodled on a pad. “I can't always give Timmy the full-time attention he deserves, and—” he pursed his lips “—a pet seems to fill the gaps a little. Especially when I have to leave Tim with a baby-sitter at night, when I have evening meetings and such.”

“I thought your mother took care of Tim then.”

“Oh, she often does, but counting on her isn't always fair, either. I can't expect my mother to give up all her time. She still has a life of her own.” He leaned back again. “Finding a new baby-sitter that Timmy likes is my current project. At least until he starts full-time day care next fall.”

“Would Tim stay with me?”

“You?” His surprise caught her off guard.

“What's wrong with the idea?”

“Nothing, only I'd think you wouldn't want to be tied down at your age.”

“Tied down?” Letting a smile tug at her, she simply stared at him. She couldn't be any more tied down than she already was by her own disability.
But Brent didn't know that. On the surface, she'd done quite well in his presence. Having a small child for company for a few hours now and again wouldn't cramp her at all. She'd even find it a pleasure, knowing Timmy now.

“Oh, I wouldn't mind watching Timmy on occasion,” she said, and gave a cool shrug. “If it works into my work schedule. In fact, I think I might like having Tim for a guest if you don't mind him staying with me rather than my coming to your house. He can bring Samson.”

“Well,” his gaze softened with appreciation and—dare she hope—deepening attraction? “You are a surprise.”

He rose as the front door opened with the pizza delivery. “Don't be shocked if I take you up on it sometime. There just might be one.”

The next morning, David gave her a key to the side door of the church, handed her the folder that held her sketches, and explained the committee choices and how they hoped they'd be used.

“Do you need anything more? Help to unload your supplies?”

“I can manage by myself, thank you, but I'll need that scaffold you mentioned when we talked before. If you can have it in place before next week?”