Dorie Graham - The Morning After

“What’s to understand? Sophie says Mom has a big heart.”

“It’s true. Do you doubt that Maggie loved each and every one of those men?”

“I don’t know. I guess she did.”

“Was there ever fighting? Any bad partings?”

“Of course. What home goes without fighting?”

“Maggie had fallings-out with her men? They fought?” Thomas peered at her, his eyebrows arched.

Nikki frowned. Funny, she and her sisters had had their share of sibling rivalry. Seems she and her mother had fought all the time. But try as she might, she couldn’t remember a single moment of discord between her mother and any of her lovers.

“It’s weird. I can’t remember any. That seems strange, doesn’t it, that all those relationships were peaceful, then the breakups amicable?”

“That’s my Maggie. She has a special magic.”

“Sophie calls it a ‘gift.’ I guess that’s one way of looking at it.”

“I take it you don’t believe in this gift?”

“The gift of sexual healing? Get serious.”

“Oh, Nikki, it’s very serious business indeed.”

She turned to face him more squarely. “You mean you believe my mother runs through lovers like last season’s fashions because she’s in their lives to heal them sexually, then she moves on once the healing’s complete?”

“That’s right. You do understand.”

“No. I don’t get how a man as reasonable as you can believe that.”

“I don’t get how a woman with this special gift can deny the magic she’s been born with.”

She stared at him a moment. First Sophie, now Thomas. Was there something to this after all? “So you believe this gift is inherited by all the women of my family?”

“That’s my understanding, but you should be able to answer that for yourself.”

A small groan escaped her. Tess certainly seemed gifted when it came to the opposite sex. With Erin it was hard to tell, but she was young still and hadn’t had many serious relationships. Nikki’s own love life was at least unusual. “I don’t know, Thomas. It’s just a little out-there, isn’t it?”

“Is it?”

A shrug was all she could give in answer. “I suppose the empathic nature goes hand in hand.”

“I believe it’s stronger in some of you than in others.” His gaze pinned her. “Could be worth exploring.”

If it were all true, was she doomed to live a life devoid of love? “You mean, I should enter relationships for the sole purpose of healing but never get attached because I’ll always have to let go?” Her throat tightened.

“No, sweetie, here’s where you don’t understand. Look at Maggie. She loves each and every one of them heart and soul. That’s where the real magic comes from. That’s where she taps into her healing potential.”

“She loves them, then when it’s over she just lets them go?”

His head bobbed. “It’s the releasing that frees her to receive again.”

“So does she just stop loving them?”

“Of course not. She has unlimited potential to love in that big heart of hers. It’s part of her charm.”

“But I don’t want to keep getting left behind.”

“Then be the one to go out and embrace the world.”

“I don’t know.” Dylan’s image wavered in her mind. If ever a man needed her healing, he was the one. She didn’t question this inner conviction. And she’d never felt such a strong attraction. Did she dare explore her gift with him? Then, if she did, would she be able to let him go? “It’s a lot to think about. For now, I need to get going. There’s a house I’ve got to go see.”

“A new house and a new life, Nikki.”

She smiled. “Yes, I think so.”

NIKKI’S HEART POUNDED AS she passed slowly in front of the house. Soon it would be hers. It stood as solid and enchanting as it had before, the stained glass over the door reflecting the late-afternoon sun.

“I’ll just drive by,” she murmured to herself.

An orange cat suddenly streaked in front of her. She slammed on her brakes. She came to a screeching stop, her front tire grazing the curb. To her amazement, the tabby, which looked suspiciously like Dylan’s cat, jumped up onto the hood of her car.

“You little rascal.” With a shake of her head she got out, then walked to where the animal stood meowing at her. “What are you doing? Were you trying to kill us both?”

“Well, hello, Nikki.” Dylan’s deep baritone startled her.

The sun danced across his bare chest as he approached. He wiped his hands on a rag sticking out of his shorts pocket. Apparently he’d been working in one of the gardens.

Warmth filled her cheeks and her pulse quickened. “I was actually in the neighborhood, not five minutes away. A friend of mine has a dog I had to see whose face was all…had to give him some injections… Anyway, I just wanted to drive by to make sure I hadn’t dreamed this place. I tried to call you back…and your cat came out of nowhere.”

She closed her mouth, her cheeks burning. She’d turned into a babbling idiot.

“Sebastian, bad boy.” He turned his gaze to her. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize he’d gotten out. Come on, big fella.” He reached for the cat, but Sebastian growled, flicking his tail in warning.

“That’s no way to act.” Gently she stroked his back and he calmed. “Would you like me to put him inside? I don’t think he’ll mind if I pick him up.”

“I guess I can’t leave him out here to endanger other drivers.”

The cat meowed when she scooped him into her arms but didn’t resist as she moved toward the house with him. “Now, what was that all about? Do you have a death wish?”

“Could be. He hasn’t been right since…for a while.”

She nodded, her heart swelling. What had happened to upset Sebastian? Was it the same something that had put that wounded look in Dylan’s eyes? The sun beat down on them as they crossed the wide lawn. Heat shimmered in the thick air.

Nikki stumbled, bumping into Dylan. “Excuse me.”

He steadied her, the muscles of his shoulders rippling across an expanse of bronzed skin. “No problem.”

With an effort she continued walking, all too aware of his musky scent and virile presence. And of the ache deep in his heart. She frowned against the overpowering need to soothe his pain. If she were to get involved with him, she’d best do it quickly, then move on. She was already too taken with the man. She was bound to get attached if she extended their acquaintance any longer than needed.

He kept his hand at her elbow, steering her toward the gardens. “The front door is locked. We’ll have to go through the courtyard.”

The cool green of the palm trees gave some respite from the heat as he stopped in front of the French doors. He opened the door but remained close. A cool blast of air hit her as she leaned in to drop Sebastian on the Spanish tile.

“You stay in here, away from the cars,” she said, drawing a deep breath and trying to calm her heart. The cat gave her a backward glance before padding off.

“Would you like to go in and get out of the heat?”

She straightened. All the blood rushed from her head in a dizzying swirl. She reached out to catch her balance and her hand connected with smooth, hot skin and firm muscle. For a moment she stared at him transfixed, his heart thudding beneath her palm.

His gaze dropped to her mouth. She inhaled a shaky breath and pulled back her hand. “Excuse me. The heat doesn’t usually affect me like this. Maybe I’m just dehydrated.”

“Let’s get you something to drink.” Though she had regained enough of her equilibrium to walk, he kept his hand at her back as he guided her into the kitchen. The heat of his fingers branded her where the sundress bared her to his touch.