Part 10

A deep boom of thunder rolled overhead, making the walls of the ancient Inn shudder. Rachel too shuddered as she and Carl continued their impromptu game of stare-down. In the dim light of the room his already inky eyes were nearly impossible to read. In typical Carl fashion he neither moved nor spoke—she would have to end the standoff. So, she glanced away, more to give herself a chance to think than to give in.

In that split-second he was upon her. Before she knew it, the backs of her legs slapped against the vanity. Carl crowded from the front but didn’t touch her, didn’t raise a hand to tease or torture. Rachel kept her eyes on his chest, not daring to look up at him. She knew that if she dared to look into his eyes she’d be lost. If she felt his hand on her, anywhere, the melting would begin. Where was that anger when she needed it most?

"Rachel." Her name was a hoarse whisper on his lips. "Rachel, look at me." She shook her head. "Rachel."

When she didn’t do as he asked, he moved away. "You shouldn’t have left."

"I didn’t have a choice."

"There is always a choice."

"Sometimes there’s only one choice." She still couldn’t find the strength to look at him, focusing instead on the wet spots his dripping clothes left on the floor.

"Why must you always presume the worst?"

His soft words tore at her heart. "I’m familiar with your methods Carl. I don’t know if I can believe you." I want to believe, she thought. His feet shuffled toward the balcony door then back toward her. "You should go Carl, you shouldn’t be here."

"I shouldn’t be here or you don’t want me here."

Rachel sighed. "I’m tired Carl, I don’t want to fight with you."

"Then look at me." She kept her eyes down. "Look at me damn it!"

He rushed forward, this time clutching her close in a punishing embrace. One hand gripped her face firmly, but not enough to hurt. She put up minimal resistance as he brought her face up. Their eyes met at last and what she saw made her breath catch.

"I only tell you the truth Rachel. If you’d only given me the opportunity, you’d know that."

"How do I know…" His fingers fell across her lips, silencing her protest.

"I love you Rachel." NO, she didn’t want to hear those words from him. She felt herself weakening. "And if you love me, then you’ll know. Now, look into my eyes, my soul, and tell me you don’t believe."

This time, she did as asked. All it took was one little glimpse and she tumbled headfirst into all the old emotions. Any remaining anger slipped away. She wanted to believe.

His fingers slid into her hair and brought her lips forward for a searing kiss. She held him close, his damp clothes soaking through her thin ones.

"Carl," she murmured against his lips, any issues she had with him forgotten. Then the unthinkable happened. His hands withdrew from her body, leaving Rachel with an overwhelming sense of loss. "Carl?" She opened her eyes. He was back at the balcony, his face stony once again. "You’re leaving? Just like that?"

"Just like that." Did she detect a note of reluctance? Surely she did. She hoped she did. "As you said earlier…I shouldn’t be here. After our little…escapade…this is the last place I should be."

Rachel couldn’t fathom he was doing this to her. No, wait, she could. It was all part of his plan, the so-called ‘education’ she was to receive.

"Don’t I deserve some answers Carl? After today, after everything, you owe me that much."

"I owe you nothing," he said. "First of all, I did not come here tonight to explain anything. Second, if anyone ‘owes’ anyone, it is you Rachel. Yet, I have not demanded anything from you. I can see I’ve rendered you speechless."

Indeed, her mouth was hanging open, just a bit. Until he crossed to her once more to dust her lips with the faintest of kisses. "I can’t make you believe if you’re not ready and willing Rachel. Seven sharp in the morning—be ready."

"Why?"

"You spent a good-sized chunk of cash on my purchase. I have an ‘obligation’," he replied.

Then he was gone.

And Rachel was alone.

*(*

"Da-dee! Wake up Daddy!"

Carl stirred from his sound sleep to look up into a pair of heavenly violet eyes. His traditional crack-of-dawn awakening was right on time. "Good morning little one. How did you sleep?"

"Really good." She snuggled against his bare chest and wrapped her tiny arms around him. "Are we goin’ today?"

"Of course we are." Carl kissed the top of her mop of curls then tickled her sides. Norie’s peals of girlish laughter thrilled him beyond measure. Everything he’d done had been more than worth it just to have her in his life. Could he make Rachel understand that? Did he dare reveal the complete truth?

"Are we goin’ to the fair?"

"I promised we would didn’t I?" She nodded. "Then we are going. We will have lots of fun. There’ll be rides and a petting zoo and cotton candy and candy apples." With little effort, he lifted the wriggling child above his head. "But before we have any fun, we must get up and get going!"

"Okay!" She scrambled from the bed, leaving Carl to shower and dress. Most definitely they would have fun today, in more ways than one. And, with any luck, Rachel would have a memorable time as well.

*(*

Rachel had managed maybe three hours of sleep since Carl’s visit. Between the remorse and the anger, she was no closer to anything even approaching clarity. So, first light found her in the communal bathroom under a stream of hot water. Which hadn’t helped wash away any of her misery. When she emerged from the bathroom nearly an hour later, her problems were still with her. So much for washing the man out of her hair.

As she neared her door, Rachel noticed how it was slightly cracked. She also noticed the voices drifting out into the hall--one masculine and the other noticeably that of a small girl. Rachel froze mid-step. Carl?

"Where’s the angel, Daddy?"

Rachel couldn’t hear his reply, just the deep rumble of his voice. She directed a disparaging glance at her ratty old robe. Why hadn’t she put on something new and silky?

Another step or two and Rachel found herself standing in the doorway to her room. Norie, dressed in a lovely light green sundress, bounced up and down on the unmade bed. Equally casual, Carl sat on the edge of the bed. He looked much better in the clear light of day with his sharply pressed khakis and short-sleeved shirt. When she cleared her throat, he stood to attention.

"Good morning Rachel."

"Good morning," she replied in a perfectly normal voice. "Good morning Norie."

The little face broke into a wide smile. "Mornin’ Angel!"

"Her name is Rachel, little one," Carl corrected her.

"But I like Angel better," Norie complained.

"She can call me whatever she likes."

"She shall call you by your name."

"Carl…"

"Da-dee…"

Carl sighed. "Not both of you. Now, Rachel, dress quickly please. We have places to go this morning."

She supposed she wasn’t going to get anymore from him just yet. Still, she hesitated. Last night was hard to forget. "I presume you’re here to fulfill your ‘obligation’."

"What else. I, more than anyone, understand the value of a dollar." Rachel caught the speculation in his eyes as he roamed her attire. "I suggest you dress for a strenuous day. That is, unless, you’d prefer not to join us."

"Oh no, there’s no way I’m staying behind. Whatever you have planned, I’ll be right there beside you."