Heart and Soul by Carrie Elks

23

“You really don’t need to do this,” Gloria said, her brows pinched together as Meghan swept her kitchen floor the following Wednesday. “I’m right as rain now. The doctor said so.”

“He also said you should take it easy,” Meghan pointed out. “Including getting someone to help with cleaning. And while you’re looking for someone I can help out. I don’t mind at all.”

She’d already finished the bathroom and bedrooms, and in ten minutes or so the kitchen would be sparkling as well. Isla was doing her best to distract Gloria from Meghan’s movements by playing a round of crazy eights with her, but Gloria was still frowning.

“I don’t like getting old,” she muttered. “I’m the one who helps everybody else.”

“You do help us.” Meghan smiled. “We’re neighbors, we help each other.”

Gloria looked at her carefully. “Speaking of neighbors…”

Meghan shook her head, looking pointedly at Isla. Thank goodness Gloria took the hint. “Isla,” she said, turning to the little girl. “I have a new postcard from Kevin and Grant. It’s got a picture of a train on it. Do you know what it’s called?”

“What?” Isla asked smiling.

“The devil’s nose. Isn’t that a funny name for a train?”

“Can I see it?”

Gloria nodded, her expression pleased. “Of course. It’s in my bedroom drawer. There are some more in there, too. Why don’t you take a look? I want to talk to your mom anyway.”

Isla skipped off to Gloria’s bedroom, closing the door behind her, the sound of an opening drawer echoing through the room. Meghan carried on sweeping, biting down her own smile because she knew the onslaught was coming.

Nothing escaped Gloria. She should have been a detective.

“So you and Rich?” Gloria asked, shuffling the cards together.

“What about us?” Meghan asked casually, enjoying Gloria’s curiosity.

“I saw you coming out of his apartment on Sunday morning.” Gloria put the cards down on the table. “Wearing just a t-shirt.”

“Sunday?” Meghan stopped sweeping and tipped her head to the side, as though she was thinking about it. “Hmm, was that the day it was really warm?”

“Yes. It got up to eighty. Wasn’t it lovely?”

“It was,” Meghan agreed. “So lovely I had to strip down to a t-shirt. I was probably borrowing one from Rich.”

Gloria huffed, shaking her head. “Are you two a thing or what?”

Meghan’s lips twitched at her neighbor’s sudden directness. She glanced at the bedroom door, relieved to see it still closed. “It’s complicated,” Meghan said. “And I don’t want Isla worrying about things.”

“Of course you don’t.” Gloria sat back, crossing her arms over her ample chest. She looked delighted to be proved right. “Anything you say will stay between us, I promise.”

Leaning against the kitchen counter, Meghan rested the broom in her palm. “You look awfully pleased about it.”

“All I can say is that every time I’ve seen Rich this week he’s had a huge smile on his face.” Gloria shrugged. “I haven’t seen him this happy in a very long time. I knew there had to be a reason behind it, and I was pretty certain that reason was you.” She rubbed her hands together. “I love it when I’m proved right.”

“I’m happy to be of service.” Meghan grinned. It was stupid how pleased Gloria’s words made her. She’d been pretty much the same. Floating through her days like her feet didn’t quite touch the ground. The memory of their weekend together was like a turbo boost to her happiness.

He’d been working nights, but he’d called her from the ER every evening before she went to bed. Just hearing his voice made her giddy, as she told him about her day and he regaled her with stories about the patients he’d seen.

And yesterday they’d bumped into each other in the hallway as she and Isla were heading out to school and Rich was coming home from his shift. He hadn’t bothered to change out of his scrubs and he was a little sleepy and rumpled as he walked out of the elevator, his lips curling into a lazy grin when he saw them standing there.

Damn if that smile hadn’t sent shivers down her spine.

“Mommy, what’s a copacksy?” Isla asked, scurrying out of Gloria’s bedroom with a bunch of postcards in her hand.

“A what?” Meghan asked, holding her hand out for the one Isla had close to her face. Isla passed it to her and Meghan skimmed the words.

“It’s Cotopaxi,” Meghan said. “A mountain in Ecuador.” She looked over at Gloria. “Is that where they are now?”

“It’s the last part of their trip. They’ll be home in a couple of weeks.” Gloria smiled. “I can’t wait for you to meet them in real life.”

It was going to be strange, having the fourth apartment on their floor occupied. She was so used to it being just the four of them. But from their postcards and emails Meghan knew she was going to like Kevin and Grant.

“Will they bring gifts?” Isla asked, her face serious. “My granny and gramps always bring me a gift when they’ve been away.”

“They threatened to bring me a new boyfriend.” Gloria wrinkled her nose. “They met some llama herder in Peru who they think is perfect for me.”

Meghan smiled at her. “I hope they got his number.”

“I’m too old to date.” Gloria shook her head. “They’re just teasing me.”

“How old are you?” Isla asked her.

“Sixty-nine years old.” Gloria smiled.

Isla’s eyes widened. “That is old.” She nodded seriously. “Even older than my gramps.”

“Don’t be rude,” Meghan chided. “And go put those postcards back nicely. We need to head home soon. It’s almost dinner time.”

* * *

“Doesn’t it look fabulous?” Belle asked, her eyes lighting up as she looked around the gallery.

“It’s amazing.” Rich’s throat felt thick. His sister’s talent was astounding. “You’ve done a good job.”

“Carlyn did most of it. She has a real eye for art.” Belle looked up as the office door opened. “Speak of the devil.”

Carlyn saw Rich standing there and took a deep breath. He’d only seen her once since the day he’d threatened her, but both then and now she was on her best behavior. No innuendos or demands, just pure professionalism. Maybe this could actually work.

“Hello.” She smiled carefully at him, then moved her attention to Belle. “Only a few hours to go, how do you feel?”

“Scared,” Belle admitted. “And excited, too.”

“It’s going to be amazing. Everybody who is anybody will be here. I’ve already had enquiries about three of your pieces and the show hasn’t even begun. I’ve arranged for the press to arrive at six, and they’ll all want to sit down and talk with you for a while. Then we have some influencers and celebrities arriving at seven once the show is up and running.” Her eyes were pale as she looked at Rich again. “So make sure you’re rested and ready to go.”

“I will.” Belle beamed, turning to Rich. “I wish Mom and Dad could be here to see this.”

“I wish they could, too.” He tried to push the guilt back down. “They’d be so damn proud of you.”

“And of you, too,” Belle said, her voice earnest.

A little twist in his gut told him that wasn’t true.

“We’re still waiting on a couple of RSVPs,” Carlyn said. “And I’m almost certain there will be a few last minute changes. Are there any you know of?” she asked Belle.

“No. Everyone I know is still coming.”

“How about you?” Carlyn asked Rich. “Are you still bringing a plus one?”

“Meghan will be with me.” She’d arranged for Isla to stay with a friend for the night. He was counting down the hours until they could be together again.

“Wonderful.” Carlyn’s smile looked almost genuine. “Right, I need to go check on some last minute details. Is there anything else you two need?”

“We’re good. I’m off to the salon to make myself beautiful.” Belle smiled. “Thank you for all you’ve done.”

Carlyn nodded. “It’s a pleasure. I’ll see you here at five forty-five.” Her eyes flickered to Rich’s and away again.

Belle nodded. “See you then.”

* * *

“Hey.”

Meghan looked up, her eyes crinkling when she saw Rich leaning on the counter. She had another three hours at the ice cream parlor before she could hand over the reins to Jeannie and head home to get ready for tonight. Isla was already at her friend’s house, they were going to a birthday party together, and then she’d be sleeping over there. Her skin already felt heated at the thought of a night alone with Rich again.

“Hi. I thought you’d be with Belle.”

“I just dropped her off at the beauty salon. We stopped in at the gallery on the way. It looks amazing, Belle was so happy.”

“I bet it did. She’s so talented.”

Rich had showed her some of Belle’s paintings on his phone. Her use of color was exquisite. Meghan didn’t know a whole lot about art, but she knew what she liked, and she like Belle’s ocean scapes.

“How was Carlyn?” Meghan asked lightly.

“Surprisingly okay. She was very nice to Belle and seems to have arranged for some top dealers and influencers to attend the show.” He shrugged.

Meghan’s stomach tightened. It was stupid, but she hated the thought of Rich spending any time with Carlyn. She was so elegant, so beautiful, and she ran her own gallery. She made Meghan feel like a little girl playing business owner.

Not good enough. Never good enough. She pushed the thought down. It wasn’t true. Just echoes of her childhood – she’d left them behind along with the rest of the things her parents had taught her.

“I’m glad,” Meghan said. “For Belle’s sake.”

He cocked his head to the side, that smile still playing at his lips. “What time do you finish?”

“Four.”

“I’ll come and pick you up.”

She shook her head. “I have my car. Plus I need to get ready.” Lowering her voice, she smiled at him. “If you pick me up, we both know what will happen.”

His eyes flashed. “Is there something wrong with that?”

“No. But I don’t want to turn up at the gallery only wearing eau-de-freshly-ravaged.”

“That’s my very favorite fragrance.” He grinned.

She bit down a smile because he always made everything better. When he walked into a room it was like the temperature rose by ten degrees. He reminded her of that scene in The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe where Aslan the lion bounded through

Narnia, bringing the frozen landscape back to life with his touch.

That’s what Rich had done to her. Made her feel alive. More than a mother or a daughter or a shop owner. When he looked at her with hot needy eyes, he made her feel like a woman.

And she liked it.

A group of teenagers walked through the door, giggling when they saw Rich leaning over the counter. He gave Meghan a wink and stepped back, and they thronged in front of him, pointing at the tubs full of pastel desserts, talking about their favorites.

“I guess that’s my cue to leave.” The corner of his lip lifted, but his eyes still held that hot promise. “I’ll pick you up at five-fifteen. Then we’ll swing over to get Belle if that’s okay.”

“That’s perfect.” She turned to the teenagers who were still ogling Rich. “What can I get you?”

He turned and walked out, and she tried not to stare at his strong shoulders. Shoulders that had enough power to hold her up while they made love against his bedroom wall.

“Just vanilla please.”

She saw his shoulders shake, and bit down a smile. Today was already a good day, and this evening was going to be even better.

She loved living in Angel Sands.