Brokenhearted Beauty(Divine Creek Ranch 19)(28)

As she exited the store, carrying the box which was lined and stuffed with newspaper to cushion the pieces, Leah considered the matching set she had at home. It was all packed safely in bubble wrap and stored in a closet. Her mom’s antique china cabinet was in storage because she didn’t have room for it so she’d simply left the crystal packed up for some time in the undetermined future when she’d be able to display them. It struck her as a little sad that they were packed away, not being enjoyed. She could practically hear her mom chuckling and the thought made her smile.

“I know, Mom, there’s a metaphor about my life there somewhere. Gotcha.” With a nod, she put the box in the trunk and murmured, “I was just waiting for the missing pieces.” Maybe if she rearranged her furniture she might have room in her apartment for that china cabinet. Then she sighed. It would be better to wait on that until she made a decision about moving. No point in displaying the crystal only to have to pack it up and move it. The idea was almost distasteful, even though she knew that wasn’t looking at the situation fairly.

No matter how much she missed her mom, she couldn’t let her imaginings of her mother trying to communicate some deep truth to her from beyond the grave, nor could she allow furniture or possessions to influence her decision. It was silly. Of course her mom would want what was best for her.

After starting the car, she turned up the air-conditioning and pulled out onto the two-lane road and continued on her way north, looking for the turnoff to the park the lady from the antique store had mentioned.

She switched the satellite radio to a different channel and country music played softly in the car. Her thoughts gradually drifted to the night before and the way James and Vincent had touched her, and spoken to her. The way they’d made love to her. At times they’d been tender, and at other times rougher and more animalistic.

Fucking. The word still made her blush, to think she’d used it the night before. They’d aroused her so much, not only with their sexual skills, but also with the way they’d spoken to her. She’d never been turned on by dirty talk before, had in fact found it laughable on the few occasions her past lovers had tried it. She wondered if she could become comfortable using such language and realized that she didn’t only wonder. There was also a kernel of hope mixed in with her speculation.

James’s huskily spoken words came to mind. You’re perfect, honey. I’ve wanted to taste your sweet pussy for so long. Don’t deny me now.

When they’d described how much they enjoyed looking at her body, how much they liked the way she tasted, it’d made her feel sexy, desirable, and powerful. Even when they used terms she’d always viewed as insults. “Pussy” hadn’t bothered her as much, but when Vincent had referred to that part of her as her cunt, she’d nearly reacted as if insulted, until she understood his use of the word was much like his use of the word fuck. He wasn’t being insulting. It was an intimate thing between just the three of them.

Her thoughts then turned to her destination. It was unfair to arrive at a decision before she’d even seen the store she was considering taking over. She was putting the cart before the horse.

Only two cars passed her the entire time she was on the park road, looking for a likely place to pull over and enjoy the view. She found a wide spot with a gentle slope that looked out over the vast Hill Country, with a lake in the distance.

“Perfect.”

She grabbed the thick wool blanket from her trunk and her cell phone and then locked her car and ventured into the trees, looking for a smooth spot where she could sit and relax for a bit. The tightness in her shoulders told her the relaxing part was going to be a challenge.

After folding it to provide a comfortable cushion, she laid the blanket on the ground under the shade of an oak tree, and she sat, staring off at the hills. Under the partly cloudy sky the colors of the landscape changed constantly as the clouds flew by.

A brief check of her cell phone told her that she didn’t have even a hint of a signal so she put it aside and lay back on the blanket. A caracara wheeled slowly overhead and she watched its lazy path until it was out of sight. Closing her eyes, she breathed deep hoping to quiet her mind as she whispered a prayer.

She wondered if James had ever gotten her message and if Vincent was still hurt by her decision to go. An unsettled feeling entered her gut as she imagined his reaction if she decided to move.

The tranquility of the area wasn’t helping much. All she saw every time she breathed deep and tried to get into a Zen frame of mind was the vulnerability in Vincent’s eyes when he’d said please come back right before he’d walked out of the kitchen. His eyes told her he wanted her to not only stay in Divine, he wanted her there with him and his brother.