Blindsided (Indigo Love Spectrum) Page 23

  “And you think this girl and your Ivy League woman will give you a real family?”

  “I know they will. I’m going to be a good spouse to my mate, and a good parent to my child. Two things you and Dad have never been.” Norris pointed to the door. “I want you out of my house, out of my life, and I don’t want you to come back.”

  “You . . . you don’t mean that.”

  “No, Mom, I mean it. You’ve made it clear you don’t think my daughter is good enough to be a part of your family. Well, I’ve decided you’re not good enough to be a part of mine.” Norris walked to the door and pulled it open, bringing in the muggy heat of outdoors, making him more exhausted. “It’s not bad enough you’ve insulted my closest friends, but you refuse to accept your one and only grandchild because her skin is darker than you’d like. That’s pitiful, you are pitiful, and I want you gone.”

  Genevieve stuck out her chin and grabbed her purse. “Fine. You know how to reach me when you change your mind.”

  “My mind won’t change. Good-bye.” Norris closed the door behind his mother and waited for devastating sadness to fill his heart. No sadness came, but he did feel the weight of a boulder leaving his shoulders.

  “Norris?”

  He turned around to find Reese in a pink nightshirt, wearing the devastating sadness missing from his heart on her face. A knot formed in his throat. “How—how much of that did you hear?” he asked, fearing the answer.

  Tears filled Reese’s sad eyes. “All of it,” she said.

  “Oh, baby.” Norris held his crying daughter in his arms as the shards from his broken heart fell with his tears. “I’m so sorry, Reese. I’m so sorry you had to hear that.”

  Reese’s arms curled around his shoulders, alerting him of a most ironic fact. His mother’s stupefying ignorance had provided his first embrace with his daughter. Thanks to his mother, he was hugging Reese.

  Minutes later Reese pulled away. “I’m sorry about this.” She sniffled.

  Norris brushed away her tears. “Why are you apologizing?”

  “Because I was a fool yesterday. You were trying to protect me, and I accused you of being ashamed of me.” Reese hunched her shoulders. “She seemed nice yesterday.”

  “That’s what she wanted you to believe. My mother is not a nice person.” Norris cupped Reese’s face, forcing their eyes to meet. “I want you to understand, Reese, when it comes to you, there’s nothing I won’t do. I want to protect you from everything harmful. I know I won’t always be able to, but I’ll try. You mean the world to me, and I want you to be happy.”

  “I am.” She walked to the couch and sat. “You come off a bit gruff sometimes, but I believe you do things with my best interests in mind. You really do love me, don’t you?”

  “Absolutely.” He moved to the couch and cupped her chin. “More than anything.”

  “Even that Ivy League woman you’ve fallen in love with?” Reese smiled. “You’re in love with Dahlia, aren’t you?”

  Norris nodded and smiled. “Yes. I love her very much.”

  “I should have known. Her interest in Tawny, your interest in her whereabouts, always finding you two huddled together. And then her phone call yesterday.”

  “She phoned?”

  “Yeah. The usual talk she gives me. I should cut you some slack and try to see things from your point of view. Yesterday, with everything going on with her sister, she calls me to sing your praises. You went to Atlanta, didn’t you?”

  “I wanted to give you some space.”

  “And you wanted to see Dahlia, too, right?”

  He nodded. “That, too.”

  “I knew there was a guy, but Dahlia denied it every time.”

  “You knew there was a guy?”

  “Of course.” Reese nodded. “She was always smiling or looking sad. Only a man could give a woman such high highs and low lows. How long have you guys been together?”

  “We met on Valentine’s Day.”

  “Why did you two keep it a secret?”

  “It’s rather complicated, but it’s what Dahlia wanted.”

  “She loves you, you know.”

  “I do know, but she doesn’t want to own up to it.”

  “Neither did I, but you kinda make it hard not to. Dahlia’s going to come around, just like I did.” Reese kissed his cheek. “I’m going to try to get some sleep, old man.”

  Norris touched his stubbly cheek where Reese had placed her kiss. His daughter loved him. His lips curled into a wide smile. Reese loved him.

  * * *

  Norris drew a breath and grabbed the colorful bouquet of tulips from the passenger side of his car. How hard could this be? He was doing an unasked favor for Dahlia. Checking in on Grandma Flora. Dahlia had made it clear the older woman was self-sufficient and hated the idea of people checking up on her, but he could tell Dahlia was concerned, and he wanted to reassure her. After being away from the office for two days, he couldn’t get away yesterday, but visiting today topped his “To Do” list.

  He walked up the brick steps of the large white house, but before he could ring the doorbell, he heard a voice from the right side of the wrap-around porch.

  “Over here, child.”

  Norris made his way around to see Mrs. Best watering the colorful flowers growing around the base of the porch.

  “Mrs. Best, I’m . . .”

  “I know who you are,” she said, interrupting his words but never deviating from her task at hand. “Took you long enough to get here. Put the flowers next to the lemonade on the table and sit yourself down. When I finish with my flowers, we’ll talk.”

  About two hours later, Norris was waving goodbye and making his way back to his car. He couldn’t remember when he’d enjoyed a conversation more. He was in no way ready to give up on Dahlia, and after the talk with Grandma Flora his convictions remained strong.

  It had surprised him to learn how much Dahlia had told her grandmother about him and their arrangement. Flora confessed the details surprised her, but she wanted to draw her own conclusions about Norris, and all in all he seemed like a pretty good man, and she could see why Dahlia loved him. When he admitted being inconsistent in attending church, she made him promise to attend with her the coming Sunday.

  A smile stayed on his face as drove to the office. Things in his life had definitely taken a turn for the better. Reese met his siblings yesterday and they were hitting it off, and he and Dahlia kept the telephone lines burning. Absence definitely made the heart grow fonder, and he was counting the days until he could hold her in his arms again and never let her go.

  Chapter 22

  “I gonna miss you, Sammy.”

  Dahlia smiled down at her sleeping nephew, tucked nice and cozy in his crib at Leslie’s apartment. Leslie had given her the honor of naming the newest Sinclair, and considering his entry into the world and his amazing strength through it all, the name Sampson seemed ideal. Sampson Aaron Sinclair. Aaron after Grandma Flora’s beloved husband, and Sammy’s great grandfather. Jonah was none too pleased he didn’t have a junior, but managed to keep his disappointment to a minimum in order to hash out an agreeable visitation schedule with Leslie.

  Dahlia brushed her fingertip against Sammy’s soft little cheek. Her love for him filled her heart.

  “You’re a natural, Dahlia,” Leslie said, brushing the downy thatch of black hair on her son’s head.

  “He makes it easy.”

  Leslie sat in the nearby rocker, hugging a blue teddy bear to her chest. “I can’t believe how fast the last two weeks have gone. I don’t know how I’ll make it without you.”

  “You’ll be fine. You’re amazing with him. You’ve found your greatest love.”

  Leslie nodded. “I have. And what about you? I didn’t get to meet Norris, but Mama and Daddy think he’s made quite the impression on you.”

  Dahlia managed a tight smile. She and Leslie had gotten closer, but she was nowhere near ready to discuss her personal life with her baby sister.


  “You don’t want to talk about him with me, do you?”

  “No, Leslie, I don’t,” Dahlia answered, refusing to lie. “I’m trying, but we’re not there yet. I’m sorry.”

  “No, I’m sorry. It’s going to take some time, and I understand that. I hope you find the happiness you deserve. Maybe Norris can be that for you.”

  “Maybe.” Dahlia checked her watch. “I need to head to the airport. My flight leaves in a couple of hours, and I have to turn in the rental car.”

  Leslie stood with open arms. “Take care of yourself.” Dahlia accepted her sister’s hug. “I do love you, Leslie.”

  “You just don’t like me the way you used to, right?” Leslie shrugged. “It’s my own fault. I’m glad you’re willing to try to get us back to where we were.”

  “I am, and I’m going to keep trying.” Dahlia hugged her sister. “You take care of Sammy, okay?”

  Leslie nodded. “You know I will. And I’ll send lots of emails with pictures.”

  “Thank you. I would love that. I’ll visit when I can.”

  “Will you?”

  “We can’t get closer if we don’t see each other.” Dahlia grabbed her purse and smiled down at Sammy. “Auntie Dahlia loves you.” She kissed her finger and pressed it to his cheek. “Bye-bye, sweetie.”

  Leslie followed Dahlia to the front door. “This has been good, right?”

  Dahlia smiled. “It’s been tense at times, but it’s been very good.” She embraced Leslie once more.

  “Be happy, Dahlia. That’s all I hope for you.”

  Thoughts of Norris’s smiling face and gentle touch filled Dahlia’s head. “I think I’m on my way, Leslie,” she said, already counting the minutes until she landed in Denburg. “I’m on my way.”

  * * *

  “Whoa!” Norris rushed over to the door as Reese and his sister, Julia, stumbled inside loaded down with packages. “Should I ask for my credit card or is it too hot to touch?” he asked half-jokingly.

  “You can touch it,” Reese said, “but using it might prove to be a little embarrassing.” She smiled.

  “Tell me you’re kidding.”

  “I’m kidding.”

  Norris tilted his head and crossed his arms.

  “I’m kidding,” Reese repeated with conviction. “I used some of the ridiculous amount of cash you call allowance. The operative word being some. I can still go out and buy the Hope Diamond if I want.”

  “So long as that’s still an option.” Norris laughed. “You guys had fun?”

  “Did we.” Julia plopped into the chair, expelling a loud breath of exhaustion. “You’ve got a champion shopper on your hands, Norris.”

  “Considering her aunt is the reigning title holder, I’d say she got that skill honestly.”

  “You hear from Lane?”

  “Yeah. He should be here in a few minutes.”

  “Oh.” Reese sat on the arm of the chair, her mouth turned down. “I wish you guys didn’t have to leave.”

  “Aww, me, too.” Julia gave her a squeeze. “But we’ll keep in touch. And who knows, maybe before the summer ends you can come visit me in Paris. That is, if you can stand being away from Jack that long.”

  Reese’s face lit up like a megawatt bulb. Norris wanted to think excitement about spending time in Paris with Julia had brought on her happy glow, but he knew better. Reese could have found a worse kid to be interested in, and in the last few weeks, Norris had found Jack to be a likeable young man, but he still got cold sweats at the idea of some boy being interested in his daughter.

  Julia tapped Reese’s cheek, laughing. “Looks like I’ll have to come back to Denburg, ’cause this girl is going nowhere this summer.”

  Norris rolled his eyes, not finding the least bit of humor in Julia’s teasing.

  The doorbell rang. Norris jumped up, anxious to get away from his daughter’s grinning and his sister’s giggling. “I’ll get that,” he said. “It’s probably Lane.”

  Norris pulled open the door to find the brother he expected looking a lot like Dahlia. He blinked, believing the beautiful vision in strawberry red to be a figment of his imagination, until the scent of her intoxicating, sensual perfume erased all doubt. Visions did not smell this good.

  He brushed his finger against her smooth cheek and softly whispered, “Dahlia.” Norris gathered her into his arms, kissing her softly, yet thoroughly, savoring the sweetness of her ruby lips like a glass of vintage chardonnay as his hands reacquainted themselves with her soft, supple body.

  “Mmm, mmm.” Dahlia moaned. “Norris,” she mumbled against his lips. “Where’s Reese?”

  He continued to kiss her, drowning her words with his tongue. He didn’t want to talk. He wanted to touch, to taste, to kiss, to hold her the way he’d wanted to for months. Dahlia combed her fingers through his hair, her touch an active accelerant to the fire stirring in his loins. He held her closer, allowing her to feel his need. Her body molded against his like a hand in a tailored glove. She wanted him, too.

  “Ahem!”

  The exaggerated cough broke the kiss, but the Jaws of Life would have to pry his hands from her body. Norris turned toward the sound to see Reese front and center and his sister a few steps behind.

  “Welcome back, Dahlia,” Reese said. “I can’t give you the kind of greeting Norris did, but it’s just as heartfelt.”

  Norris licked his lips, recalling Dahlia’s sweetness, fighting the urge to taste those lips once more. He nuzzled her neck, breathing in her delightful perfume.

  Dahlia pulled back, eyeing Norris curiously. “Why doesn’t she sound surprised by this?” she asked.

  “Telepathy?” he said with a coy grin.

  “Norris?” Dahlia frowned.

  He chuckled. “Okay. I told her.” Norris ushered Dahlia inside and closed the door. “Reese overheard me talking about the woman I love, and when she asked I confessed.” His fingertips trailed from her waist to her hip. “You’re not angry, are you?”

  Dahlia smiled. “No. I’m not angry.”

  Julia made her way over with her right hand extended. “Hi, Dahlia, it’s nice to finally meet you,” she said.

  Recognition shone bright in Dahlia’s eyes. “You must be Julia, Norris’s baby sister,” she said, taking Julia’s hand. “I can see the resemblance.”

  “See, that’s the highest compliment anyone can get. Looking like me.” Norris grinned.

  Julia gave his shoulder a sportive shove. “How do you put up with this guy, Dahlia?” she said.

  Dahlia shrugged. “I don’t know.” Her gaze met his. “He makes it hard not to.”

  As always, Norris found so much more in Dahlia’s eyes than she ever allowed herself to verbalize. They needed to talk. The sound of three quick raps turned his attention to the door.

  Lane popped his head inside. “No time for long good-byes, Jules, we need to hit the road,” he said.

  Norris waved him in. “Come inside for a second, I want you to meet someone.”

  Three inches taller and forty pounds heavier, Lane personified the term ‘big brother.’ With straight black hair and ice blue eyes he had a look that made many a woman take a second glance. However, unlike his younger brother, Lane didn’t suffer egocentric tendencies.

  “What’s up?” Lane rested his sunglasses atop his head and walked in, smiling broadly when he spotted Dahlia. “Uh-huh! Now I see,” he said. “You must be the amazing Dahlia.”

  Dahlia raised a brow. “Amazing Dahlia?” she said. “Hey, this guy is talking love, that’s amazing.” Lane kissed her hand. “It’s a pleasure.”

  “It’s all mine. I see charm is in surplus with the Converse men.”

  “Some of us have more than others.” Norris grinned. “Norris told us about your sister,” Lane said. “I’m glad she’s doing better.”

  “Thank you. She is so much better, and baby Sammy is growing like a weed.”

  “Glad to hear it.” Lane checked his watch. “I hate to do this, but
we have to get going. You know these airports, and we can’t miss our connections at O’Hare.” He pulled Reese into a big bear hug. “Favorite niece, don’t be a stranger.”

  Reese smiled. “I won’t, and I’m your only niece,” she said.

  Lane snapped his fingers. “That’s right.”

  Following more hugs and kisses, Julia and Lane departed for the airport.

  “Your siblings are really nice.”

  “I think so, too, but there are some new siblings I believe you’ll think are even nicer.”

  Dahlia smiled. “Lara’s babies.”

  “They are something else.”

  “The most darling little angels,” Reese added.

  “Can we go see them?” Dahlia asked.

  “Sure. You’re not too tired after the trip?”

  “No, I’m great. I would like to drop my car off first.”

  “We can follow you. Maybe after we see the babies, the three of us can grab some dinner.”

  Dahlia nodded. “That sounds good.”

  “I agree,” Reese said. “I’ll need about five minutes to take my bags into the room and freshen up.”

  “Freshen up? You look great.”

  “You’re stating the obvious, Norris, but it’s hot out, and I’m sure you can see your reflection in my face. It’ll only be five minutes,” Reese said, grabbing her shopping bags and dashing toward her room.

  Dahlia laughed. “She is definitely your daughter.”

  “She is that.” Norris smiled as he pulled Dahlia into his arms. “Alone at last.” He kissed her neck, hugging her close. “I missed you.”

  “I missed you more.” Dahlia smoothed the hair along his temples. “We need to talk.”

  “I know.” He kissed her cheek. “After dinner?”

  She nodded and settled back into his arms. Norris held her closer, breathing her in, luxuriating in the feel of her against him. Moments like this would fill his future, because tonight promised to be the night he’d longed for. The night Dahlia would finally confess her love for him.

  * * *

  Dahlia brushed her finger against Christopher’s soft golden cheek. His blue eyes fluttered open for the briefest moment, and after a long yawn, they closed.