Blindsided (Indigo Love Spectrum) Read online

  “You don’t need to apologize, Mama. It’s been a tense few days for everyone. I understand.”

  “Thank you for that. It’s more than I deserve.” Nona pulled Dahlia into an embrace and kissed her cheek. “Are you two going to be all right?” she asked, looking from one daughter to the other.

  “Yes, Mama,” Leslie answered, her voice soft and a little shaky, but sounding good for someone who’d just come out of a coma. “I need to talk to Dahlia alone.” She tucked her long, dark hair behind ears. “We’ll be fine.”

  “Your daddy and I are going to leave and get those items you wanted for yourself and the baby, and give Quentin a call to catch him up with everything that’s been going on. We’ll be back in a couple of hours.” Nona waved good-bye and left.

  Dahlia gazed at her sister. Alone with Leslie for the first time in years, she didn’t know what to say first. ‘I’m glad you’re okay’ or ‘Why did you do it?’

  Leslie motioned to the stool at the side of her bed. “Sit down, Dahlia.”

  Dahlia walked over and sat.

  “You really look incredible,” Leslie said. “Not that you weren’t beautiful before, but you’ve lost so much weight.”

  “Eighty pounds,” Dahlia said.

  “I know. Mama and Daddy told me. They’ve been keeping me in the loop. I love your haircut, too. You look wonderful.”

  Dahlia pulled back her hand when Leslie reached for it. “I don’t think I’m ready for that yet,” she said.

  Leslie nodded. “I understand. I owe you a lot of explanations and a lot of apologies.”

  “Visiting hours will be over in five minutes, so why don’t you skip the apologies and get to the explanations. I’m dying to hear this,” Dahlia said, trying not to sound snarky, but certain she did anyway.

  “I thought I loved him,” Leslie said. “The first time it happened, he was just there when I needed someone. I had lost out on yet another job and I was still reeling from the break-up with Walt. Jonah came home and found me crying on the couch. He wiped my tears, lifted my spirits, and propped me up. One thing led to another.”

  “And another and another.”

  “The day you found us was supposed to be the last time. We had been together about three months, and I felt horrible. I had convinced myself I loved him, but the guilt was killing me. I told him it had to end. Jonah said one more time, that you’d never know. He’s so attractive and was so persuasive. I gave in. But you came home early from Denburg, and that was that.”

  “So, you decided to keep seeing him.”

  “When you found us, Jonah said we didn’t have to end things. You disappeared, Dahlia. You kicked me out of your house and the next thing I knew you were gone and Jonah was getting divorce papers. I thought I was special. He told me I was special. But after two years, when he still refused to consider marriage, I discovered there were special women in every corner of the world. I had to know more than business kept him away. I’d lost my big sister and best friend for a man who was never worth my time.” Tears streamed from the corners of Leslie’s eyes. “I had hurt you, the person I loved and admired more than anyone in this world, for nothing.”

  Dahlia dried Leslie’s eyes and wiped her nose as she had so many years ago. “We both fell under the spell of Baron magic,” she said, understanding how her sister could succumb to Jonah’s considerable charms. “Thankfully, the spell wears off.”

  “Do you think you’ll ever forgive me, Dahlia?”

  Dahlia tossed the damp tissue onto the bedside table. “I can’t promise anything, Leslie, but I think I’d like to try. Nearly losing you really shook me up. It shook us all up, but it’s also brought this family closer together. I don’t want to be the weak link in this chain. I can’t lie, watching you raise Jonah’s child will be a challenge.”

  Leslie dropped her head. “I’m sorry, Dahlia.”

  “I know, but that doesn’t make this any easier. I always wanted a baby.”

  “I know.”

  “Which makes this even harder. Jonah may be a heel, but he was also my husband, and I loved him. This is going to be tough, Leslie, but your baby is so incredible. I already love him. I will always love him, and I want to be a part of his life—a part of your life.”

  “You forgive me?” Leslie murmured.

  “I didn’t say that,” Dahlia said, “but I’m willing to try.”

  * * *

  “Dahlia.” Norris walked over to her the moment she emerged from the unit. “How did it go?” he asked, unable to read her expression.

  “It went.” Dahlia released a breath. “We have a long road ahead of us, but I think we’ll make it.”

  “That’s good to hear.” Norris smiled. “Have you eaten?”

  “I had an apple earlier.” She rubbed her stomach. “Much earlier.”

  Norris offered her his arm. “How about a late lunch/early dinner?”

  “Sounds good.” Dahlia curled her arm around his. “And while we’re eating, you can tell me all about the conversation you had with Jonah.”

  Chapter 21

  Norris arrived home just before eight to find Reese curled on the couch watching TV. He tossed his keys to the coffee table and smiled. “Glad to see you out and about,” he said. “You feel better?”

  “I do, thanks.” Reese pulled up the blue bed sheet wrapped about her knees. “How did things go with your work?”

  “My work?”

  “Yes. Agnes told me you had to leave town to take care of something.”

  “Oh, that.” Norris walked to his desk and browsed through the mail he’d asked Agnes to pick up. “It went fine.”

  Norris hated not telling Reese about his feelings for Dahlia, and honestly didn’t know how much longer he could keep it up after what happened today. They’d grown so much closer. He’d learned about Leslie and Jonah and been introduced as a ‘dear friend’ to her parents. It wasn’t a ringing endorsement for a relationship, but he’d met Dahlia’s parents, and that was huge. He didn’t think he’d ever stop smiling.

  “What did you do today?” Norris asked.

  “Listened to music, ate, slept, thought,” she mumbled. “I left you some of Ms. Castanza’s lasagna. Want me to heat it up?”

  “I’m not hungry right now, but thanks.” Norris picked up the newest edition of Sports Illustrated and joined Reese on the couch. “What have you been thinking about?” he asked, dropping the magazine to the coffee table.

  “What happened earlier.” Reese clicked off the television and gave him all of her attention. “I’m ready to listen now.”

  Norris studied his daughter closely. He didn’t detect any anger in her expression or tone. She seemed curious and interested in whatever he had to say, a strange but welcome metamorphosis. “You’re not angry anymore?”

  “I’m learning fathers and daughters don’t always see eye to eye, and it’s normal. So, I guess we’re doing something right.”

  “You’re not giving up on me?”

  Reese tugged on a curly lock. “Dahlia, Lara, Diana, and Agnes won’t let me.”

  Norris smiled. “I guess it’s a good thing so many people care about us.” Norris reached for Reese’s hand, and much to his amazement, she didn’t pull away. “These past few months have been like none I’ve ever experienced. They’ve been the hardest and best of my life, and a big reason for that is you.”

  Reese scrunched her face. “I guess there’s a compliment in there somewhere,” she said.

  He laughed. “There is. Reese, when I say I love you, I mean it, and I am not ashamed of you. I want to shout to the world I have this beautiful and bright daughter.”

  “To the world, but not your mother?”

  “My mother and I don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things, and today was no different. As you suspected, you caught us in the middle of something. Introducing you to this pain in my butt didn’t enter my head as something to do.”

  “You call your mother a pain in the butt?”

  “It
suits her. I bet you’ve said the same about me.”

  “I haven’t. You’re more a pain in the neck.” She laughed.

  Norris dropped his jaw in feigned outrage.

  “Yes,” she said. “I’ve learned it’s a condition most fathers give their daughters. I’m trying to become immune to its annoying effects, but it’s a challenge.”

  “There are a few conditions daughters give their fathers, too. Gray hairs, sleepless nights, indigestion.”

  “Indigestion?” Reese laughed.

  He nodded. “Fathers get it from worrying about the boys that have this amazing way of lighting up daughters’ eyes. It’s enough to make them sick to the stomach.”

  “From what I’ve heard, you lit up your share of eyes in your day.”

  “My day? You make me sound like I’m a hundred years old.”

  “May as well be. You’re played out.”

  “Pl—Are you kidding?” Norris stood and pranced around like a fashion model. “Look at this. I’m just hitting my stride. There’s a lot of gas still left in Norris’s tank.”

  “When the indigestion isn’t taking its share.” Reese grinned.

  “Touché.” Norris returned to the chair, laughing.

  Talking, joking, dare he say it, bonding? After the rocky start to the day, he and Reese had somehow managed to salvage the evening and get closer. He didn’t feel the tension that seemed to always linger just beneath the surface. It felt good. After months of struggle, in one day he’d made some real headway with the two most important women in his life.

  “Tell me, how much do you like Jack?” Norris asked.

  Reese’s eyes took on the glossy shine he’d mentioned earlier. His stomach twisted in knots. He would probably never get used to seeing that look in her eyes. He groaned. “What?” Reese asked.

  “What? That’s my indigestion groan. You can’t see how bright and shiny your eyes are right now.”

  Reese smiled. “But I can feel my happiness.” She curled into the near corner of the couch and clutched the throw to her chest, sighing. “Jack is wonderful. He’s considerate, kind, smart, athletic, and so fine. Mmm.” She fanned her flushed face.

  Norris rolled his eyes. “Tell me how you really feel.” Reese chuckled. “You asked,” she said.

  “I did.” Norris paused for a moment. “That day at the mall, I might’ve been a bit . . .”

  “Might’ve been?”

  “You didn’t let me finish.”

  Reese held up her hands. “I’m sorry. Please continue.”

  “Maybe I was a little rough on him, but I want to

  know any guy you go out with. I guess my thoughts on

  this aren’t very high on your list, but it’s important that I know. Call it another one of those father things. I want my daughter to have the best of everything. That includes potential boyfriends.”

  Reese gave his hand a pat. “Don’t worry about that, Norris. Jack is a great guy. You know his father. Chip/block.”

  “I guess. Invite him over soon. Maybe he can give me pointers on how to make you so giddy and happy.”

  “You have your own ways of doing that,” she said, bringing a moment of companionable silence between them. “Now, enough about my personal life. What’s going on with you? Is this drought about me?”

  “Drought?”

  “All the ladies. I see ‘em checking you out, but it’s like you’re blind to them. What happened to the legend? Or has the torch been passed on to me? You know, I do have my charms.”

  Norris shook his head at Reese’s beaming smile. She was too much. “There’s been no passing of anything, young lady. I’ve just grown.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means I’m not interested in a string of women. I’m beyond that now. I want something better than the life I had.” He smiled, imagining the future he could have with Dahlia and Reese, and seeing it so clearly he could almost reach out and touch it. “I really think I can get it.” Dahlia had to deal with her demons, and after their discussion today, he felt strongly she’d be professing her love soon. He knew she felt it, but she had to be okay with feeling it.

  “What are you talking about? You never go out. All you do is work and spend time with the Andrews and me.” She raised an eyebrow. “Wait a minute. You seeing somebody on the sly?”

  The ringing phone postponed Norris’s debate on how much of the truth he should give Reese to her question. “I’ll get that,” he said. “Hello.”

  “Norris, it’s Ryan. I’m at the hospital. Lara’s in labor!”

  “Is she?” Norris smiled. “How’s she doing, pal?”

  “Pretty good so far. The real party hasn’t started yet.”

  “I’ll be right over.”

  “You might want to wait,” Ryan said. “It could be a while.”

  “Or maybe not. I’ll be over soon.” Norris ended the call. “Lara’s in labor,” he said. “I’m heading to the hospital.”

  “Cool.” Reese stood. “Mind if I tag along?”

  “You want to?”

  Reese nodded.

  “Feel free.”

  “I need to change first. I won’t be long,” she said, heading to her room.

  Norris smiled. Closer to Dahlia, closer to Reese, and this much closer to having new godchildren. This had definitely turned into a pretty good day.

  He dropped to the couch and leafed through his Sports Illustrated. Another thing he’d learned about his daughter, when it came to getting dressed, not long usually meant an hour.

  * * *

  Twelve hours later, Norris and Reese returned home. “Who would’ve thought two six-pound babies would take so long being born. I was beginning to wonder if they were coming by Pony Express,” Norris said.

  Reese laughed. “They are the cutest little things.” She cooed. “Brianna Evelyn and Christopher Boyd. I could actually look forward to babysitting.”

  “I’m sure Lara and Ryan would love to hear that.” Norris stretched. “I’m beat.”

  “So am I.” Reese yawned. “I’m gonna crash for a while.”

  “Go ahead. I’ll turn in after I check in with Agnes.”

  “Good night, then.”

  “Good morning,” Norris corrected, smiling as Reese disappeared down the hall.

  Two minutes after Reese went into her room, Norris ended his call with Agnes. His body was so tired, he wondered if he could make it to his bed. In the middle of taking the first step toward his destination, the doorbell rang. Norris turned to the offending sound. What damn cruel trick is this?

  He checked the peephole to discover the cruel trick to be a hellish nightmare. His mother. He pulled open the door, desperate not to hear that ringing again. His heart pounded with fury and hands shook with exhaustion. “What do you want?”

  “We needed to finish talking.”

  “We were finished yesterday. Mom, I’m tired. I’ve had a very long night, and I want—I need—to go to sleep.”

  “Sleep? Norris, it’s nine o’clock in the morning.”

  “I was at the hospital for the past twelve hours. Ryan and Lara’s babies were born earlier this morning.”

  Genevieve grunted and brushed past Norris. “I see.”

  “No, you don’t see.” Norris rubbed his hands over his face, feeling the rough overnight stubble. “I want you to leave. You’re not going to destroy the life I’m trying to make.”

  “It seems to me you’re destroying your own life. You’re drowning in a sea of bad choices. I’m throwing you a life preserver, and you won’t take it.”

  “Getting me to disown my daughter is your way of helping me? No thanks, Mom, I’m not interested.”

  “She’s not interested in you. What is it, Norris? You want to be so much like Ryan, you’re going to take in this brown child to make it happen?” Genevieve’s face reddened. “I bet the next thing you’ll be telling me is you’re going to marry some black woman!” She folded her arms. Her face an angry scowl of disapproval.
>
  Norris looked at Genevieve, the woman who had given him life, and saw her for the first time. His eyes were tired, burning for sleep, but he’d never seen a clearer picture of his mother than he did at this moment. She wasn’t misguided; she was lost. He didn’t have the desire to lead her from her darkness. But he would prepare her for this worst-case scenario she’d already dreamed up in her head.

  “It’s funny you should mention marriage, Mom. I have some news that should make you really happy.”

  The light of happiness dissipated the anger in her eyes. “You’ve met someone?” Genevieve said. “Our kind of woman?”

  “She’s definitely my kind. She’s beautiful, successful, an Ivy League graduate. MBA.”

  Genevieve clasped her hands. “Norris, this lady sounds perfect,” she gushed.

  “I think she is. She’s also African-American.” He smiled. “Is she still perfect, Mom?”

  Genevieve recoiled. “No.” She backed away, shaking her head. “This isn’t true. You wouldn’t do this to me.”

  “I’m not doing this to you. I’m doing it for me. For years I’ve gone from woman to woman, seeking cheap thrills and nothing more. Commitment wasn’t in the cards for me, until I met this woman. She’s shown me a happiness I didn’t think existed, and if she’ll have me, I’m going to spend the rest of my life with her, and hopefully populate this earth with more brown babies.”

  Tears streamed down his mother’s face. Norris shook his head, not the least bit affected.

  “Why do you want to hurt me like this?” Genevieve said.

  “Get it into your head, Mom, this is not about you. But perhaps the reason it’s taken me so long to find someone to love is because the first woman a boy should love, his mother, was missing from my life. You were too busy jet-setting to be a parent. Hired help raised Lane, Julia, and me. And when we got used to one set, they were gone and new workers came in. Had it not been for Ryan’s folks, I wouldn’t have known what a real, stable family looked like.”