Baby Kisses Read online

  Do miles separate us?

  Or is he the bright star in my backyard?

  Is he fey?

  Or is he man?

  She pondered and then wrote.

  He is near, yet so far.

  I am young, but old in hurt.

  He is old, but unaware of his youth.

  We are paradoxes of ourselves.

  How shall we end our sweet torment?

  She sighed and looked at the stars, so close and yet so far. She reread her poem, and then read it again. Inhaling sharply, she saw what her unconscious mind—no, her heart—had written in the second stanza. She picked out the words: miles, bright, man. Miles Brightman. Squeezing her eyes shut, she allowed herself to accept her feelings. She hated the fact that he and Monica had been together because…because…she cared deeply for him. She whispered to herself, "Tooty, you're screwed."

  * * *

  Three weeks after arriving back in Colorado, Miles typed the last word and leaned back in his wheelchair. Other than proofreading and some editing, his book was finished. Two emotions attached themselves to him, elation and sadness—elation that it was finally done, sadness that his time in Colorado was almost over. Face it, you've grown fond of Tooty and Harris and this ramshackle house.

  Rolling to his bedroom window he watched Harris pushing a Tonka truck around a dirt road he'd carved out and Tooty hoeing weeds in her small garden. He smiled remembering the excitement on her face when she'd plucked her first ripe tomato.

  A swirl of dust indicated the approach of a vehicle. A big monster truck made the curve and stopped at the back of the drive. Rarely did anyone come to the house and this certainly wasn't Tooty's mother or father, or Sage or Sarah Tanner, or Jacob or Julie Hackstetter. He watched Tooty's stance turn from one of welcome to one of out-and-out hostility. She rushed and bent over Harris, saying something and motioning him toward the house. He said something back and pointed to his toy truck. She admonished him and he walked toward the porch sulking. A tall guy wearing a cowboy hat got out of the truck.

  Miles decided it was time to make an appearance. When he rolled into the living room, Harris was peeking out the window and asked, "Mister Brightperson, who is that man?"

  "I don't know, Harris. Hey, you know those Legos we started making a castle with…"

  "Yeah?"

  "Have you finished?"

  "No. Not yet."

  "I'd love to work on it with you. Why don't you run to your room and see how much you can get done? After I check on your mom, I'll come back and help you finish it."

  Already, Harris had his mind on the project. "Okay. I'll do it right now." He ran toward his room.

  Miles rolled onto the front porch, down the access ramp, and onto packed earth toward the truck parked behind his van. He could see from Tooty's expression that she wasn't happy to see this guy.

  "I just want to see the kid," the tall cowboy said, leaning against the fender of his truck.

  "No way. I want you off my property."

  Miles saw the cowboy's eyes shift to his approach and Tooty turned around. "Tooty, is everything okay?"

  "Is this your boyfriend?" the cowboy smirked.

  Before she could answer, the jerk said, "Howdy, I'm Lucky Larry, Harris' father. And you are…"

  "A friend of Tooty's."

  "Well, 'friend of Tooty's', like I was tellin' her. I'd like to get to know my son."

  Tooty rounded on him, "To hell you would. You just want to check out my good fortune in inheriting my own place. Now that you've seen it isn't much. You can leave."

  The insolent cowboy dismissed Miles' presence and turned back to Tooty. "You're right about it not bein' much, but looks like you've had some expensive repairs done. So you must've got some money in the inheritance, or…" he looked at Miles, "…lover boy has some money."

  Miles reached for his cell phone and dialed 911. The operator immediately answered. "Please send an officer to 722 Wild Tulip Drive. We have an intruder."

  Lucky Larry scowled at Miles and said to Tooty, "I think I need to see my attorney about visitation rights with my son, unless, of course, we can come to some kind of agreement. I've had a slow season on the circuit and just need a little something to tide me over." He jerked the door to his truck open, jumped inside, and looked from Miles to Tooty, and winked. "You were a real sweet ride, baby. Give me a call later." Jamming the truck into gear he peeled out in a cloud of dust.

  Miles dialed 911 again and canceled the emergency. He looked at Tooty. Big tears rolled down her cheeks.

  "Aw, honey." He didn't know what else to say.

  She blinked rapidly and swiped at her eyes. "I-I'm really sorry you had to witness that."

  "I'm glad I witnessed it so I could help."

  "I just feel…so embarrassed."

  Miles didn't know what to say, so he reached and grasped Tooty's hand. Gently tugging, he pulled her onto his lap and she turned her face into his neck, sobbing. "He makes me feel so dirty. I can't believe I fell for his line. What if he does what he threatens and tries to get parenting time with Harris? I don't have the money to hire an attorney." She sobbed, "I swear I'll flee to another part of the country before letting Harris become influenced by that shithead."

  "Honey, it's not going to come to that." Miles smoothed his hand down her wavy hair and rubbed tears from her cheeks with his thumb. Pulling her tight, he continued caressing her hair and murmuring words of encouragement. Finally, she sat up and looked at him.

  "I've soaked your shirt," she half-smiled.

  Miles' heart somersaulted at the sweetness in her expression. If he'd had the use of his legs, he would have pulverized that bastard.

  Her lower lip trembled. "I have to tell you something," she whispered.

  He waited.

  "Even though I hate the guy, I-I wouldn't change anything because…because he gave me Harris." Tears overflowed again.

  Miles smiled. "I understand what you're saying. Harris was worth it all, sweetheart."

  "Thank you for understanding," she whispered.

  A voice from the porch yelled. "Can I come out now? Mister Brightperson is going to build a Lego castle with me."

  Miles smiled at Tooty. "Are you ready to go in?"

  "Yes." She swiped the last of her tears away and started to climb off his lap.

  "No, stay." He pushed the forward lever and the wheelchair scooted over the hard earth to the ramp.

  Harris started jumping up and down on the porch. "Can I go for a ride, too?" He ran to meet them.

  Miles said, "You betcha; as soon as I get your mom on the porch." When Tooty climbed off his lap, Harris was on it in a flash. "You go rest, Tooty. I'll watch Harris."

  She gave him a weak smile and mouthed the words, "Thank you."

  Miles whizzed down the access ramp. Finding the most level spot, he turned the chair in circles, which made Harris shout, "We're flying!"

  Miles laughed with him. "Yes, son, we're flying."

  * * *

  Tooty splashed water on her puffy eyes and blew her nose. Unable to meditate on the encounter with Harris' lowlife father or the ensuing comfort from Miles, she reached into her nightstand and withdrew the diary.

  Thursday, April 20, 1865

  I woke up so excited. Today Pa and me picked up the rolling chair. I would give everything I own and work for however long needed to pay for this gift for Eli. I told Pa a week ago what I was doing and he got tears in his eyes. He said I should keep the extra money I'd worked so hard for because he wanted to make up the difference. My sisters put money in, too, so Pa wouldn't have to pay so much. He needs his money to keep our little ranch going.

  When we got to the blacksmith's, Jed told me to sit in the chair so he could show me how it works. After we got home, Eli was reading a dime novel I'd bought for him. I was hoping it would help him come out of his depression.

  Pa's also been teaching him how to whittle and sometimes he carries him to a chair on the porch. Yesterday, Eli spent two ho
urs whittling. His attempts don't look like much, but he's sure trying.

  I was so excited about the rolling chair that I ran in the house while Pa unloaded it. Eli looked at me surprised when I rushed to his bed. My sisters knew we were picking up the chair today and rushed to his bedside, too. I spoke so fast my words didn't make much sense to him. He usually doesn't talk much, but he almost smiled and asked me to repeat myself.

  Pa came in at that moment and told Eli he had a surprise. Then he rolled the chair in the house. I started babbling again about how he could now go places by himself. He got this stunned look when he saw the chair and his eyes got moist. I started crying and so did my sisters. Even Pa got choked up.

  For the rest of my life I will cherish helping this man who is wounded in spirit and body find a twig of hope to cling to.

  Chapter 14: Differences of Opinion

  Miles said goodbye to his attorney and hung up his cell phone. After that he called the airlines and made a reservation for a flight to New York in one week. There was no use postponing the inevitable. The writing of Anja was complete and he had obligations he'd let slide for far too long. He loved Colorado, but he couldn't stay indefinitely. Now he needed to break the news to Tooty.

  Sighing, he rubbed his forehead and then stretched the tightness in his neck. At least he'd done something worthwhile with his money. Trust funds for Tooty and Harris had been prepared and were ready for him to sign. The investigator he'd hired the day after Lucky Larry had threatened Tooty, had dug plenty of dirt on the dirt bag. His attorney had acted promptly and lowlife Lucky Larry had signed an agreement that he would never contact Tooty or Harris again in exchange for a large sum of money. If he did, he'd be unlucky enough to have some prior arrests brought to public attention, and also have to return the money with a penalty. Now Miles could relieve Tooty's mind about the scumbag.

  * * *

  Tooty stretched and reached for the diary. She just had to reread what she'd read last night. Harris had spent the night with her mom and dad and it felt decadent just doing nothing on a Sunday morning. She almost felt guilty.

  Friday, April 28, 1865

  Eli has mastered the chair and rolls all over the house and yard. We made the ground as level as we could and he helps Pa feed the chickens. He's been whittling out by the barn and I got a peek at his latest attempt. I could make out that it's a horse and I complimented him on it. He looked really proud. Being in the sun is doing him good. I watch him when he isn't looking. He is so handsome. And when he gives me one of his rare smiles my stomach flips and my heart pounds.

  Tooty turned a few pages to another entry.

  Saturday, May 13, 1865

  Today, Eli had an accident. He was rushing across the yard to the barn and his wheels got stuck in a rut and flipped him over. It scared me real bad. I ran and knelt beside him, afraid he'd been injured. He pushed me away and angrily said he was okay. I must have looked hurt because he apologized and lay back in the dirt. I couldn't help but notice how strong his arms and shoulders are now that he's exercising and eating. He saw me looking him over and said a cuss word. The next thing I knew, he was pulling me down to his mouth and kissing me passionately. The only boy who ever kissed me was Jethro Jenkins when he stole a kiss when I was fourteen and it was creepy. Eli Riles has the sweetest mouth and I never wanted him to stop kissing me. Suddenly, he jerked his mouth from mine and pushed away from me. I righted his chair and held it while he pulled himself back into it. He didn't look at me. He just rolled toward the barn.

  Tooty sighed and set the book aside. Stretching again, she decided to make a great breakfast for her and Miles. After a quick shower and dressing in a pretty pink skirt and white tank top, she knocked on his door. When he opened it, she said, "I hope you haven't eaten. I'm going to make a super breakfast. Would you like to join me?"

  "As a matter of fact, I would. There are some things we need to discuss. I'll be out in ten minutes."

  "Okay." She returned to the kitchen, wondering what he wanted to talk about. Maybe he was going to give her more responsibilities as his personal assistant. She'd like that. But then again, maybe he wasn't happy about something. Her mind went ballistic on her.

  Miles joined her just as she flipped the Denver omelette she was making for him. "Here you go." She added some hash browns and toast. "Go ahead and eat so it doesn't get cold. It'll only take a couple of minutes to make mine."

  When she joined him, he said, "Tooty, this is excellent. Thanks for making it."

  "I enjoy cooking breakfast. What did you want to talk about?" Her heart pounded with curiosity.

  "Well, there are several things, actually. I'm not sure where to begin. I guess I should start by saying I'll be leaving in a week. As much as I love it here, it's time for me to return to my obligations in New York. I want to thank you for everything. You've been a great personal assistant, but more than that, you've been a great friend."

  The toast in Tooty's throat lodged and didn't want to go down. She sipped her coffee to see if that would help.

  Miles continued, "I also want you to know that because of you, I'm more than satisfied with the way this last book ended the series. I've told my publisher I want the title to be Anja, and they've agreed."

  "That's wonderful," Tooty said softly.

  Miles tapped his fingers on the table. "For a long time, I've been thinking about a way to express my gratitude." He sipped his coffee and studied her face. "I've set up two trust funds, one for you and one for Harris. After I leave there will be no need for you to work outside your home. When Harris is ready for college, he won't have to struggle financially to make it through."

  Tooty gaped at him and she started to say, No way, when he held up a staying hand. "Please let me finish."

  She blinked.

  "And lastly, I want you to know that Laramie Walker won't be bothering you again. I had my attorneys draw up an agreement for him to sign. For a certain sum of money, he's agreed to never contact you or Harris. If he breaks the contract, he has to pay the money back with penalties. He signed the contract yesterday."

  Tooty jumped up. "What! How…how could you do such a thing without talking to me first? I-I'm not a child. I have a right to make my own decisions."

  "Tooty, I thought you wanted him out of your life. You don't have feelings for him, do you? Because if you do, they are unfounded after he signed an agreement for money to leave you and his own son alone."

  "God, no, I don't have feelings for him! But you did this behind my back!"

  Chapter 15: Inevitable

  Tooty stormed out of the house.

  Miles called to her from the porch. "Tooty, listen to me! Please!"

  She ignored him and kept walking. She could hear his wheelchair rolling down the ramp. She started to run toward the trees, but a thud and a groan brought her up short. She jerked around. The wheelchair had toppled and Miles lay on his back on the uneven ground of the small patch of grass. "Miles!" she yelled, and ran back to him.

  Going down on her knees, she leaned over him. "Are you okay? Do I need to call 911?"

  Pushing up on his elbows, he said, "Shit, Tooty, just move the damn wheelchair next to me and stop treating me like a fucking invalid." He groaned and lay back on the ground. "Why do I even go on?"

  Tooty didn't move. She just looked at him and listened to the words of Annabelle's diary. Eli Riles has the sweetest mouth and I never wanted him to stop kissing me.

  Slowly, she lowered herself, everything else forgotten. By God, I'm going to taste his lips at least once in my lifetime.

  Miles watched her descending face and read her intent. "No, Tooty. Don't do this."

  She didn't care that he sounded like he was begging. She was going to kiss him. Her lips touched his and they both moaned. She didn't have much experience with kissing, but she gave it all she had. He moaned again and lifted his hand to the back of her head, angling his mouth over hers. He ran his tongue across her lips and she opened her mouth, panting for his
invasion. She stroked his shoulders and put her hands beneath his T-shirt. He pulled her tightly against him. His passion gave her courage and she moved her hand lower, stroking him.

  "Please, Tooty... Oh, God, that feels good. You feel good. I want you so much."

  Without any foreplay she released him and herself of the clothing blocking consummation and impaled herself on him. Hungrily she kissed him and moved in the motion he could not. His hands were everywhere: on her face, neck, shoulders, arms, breasts, back, waist, butt; his kisses consuming.

  Kissing him fiercely in an attempt to make him understand her passion for him, she suddenly felt him stiffen and heard his groan of ecstasy. His pleasure sent her into ripples of joy and she followed him into the land of bliss, accepting the fact that she craved Miles and loved him with everything in her.

  When she could breathe again she rolled off him and tucked herself against his side. They lay like that for a long time and he stroked her face and hair. Feeling wonderful, she sat up and looked at the sky. Before God and the heavens, the trees and the birds, she and Miles had joined bodies. From the way he'd kissed and touched her, he had to love her. She smiled at God and turned her head to look at him so she could tell him how much she loved him. He wasn't smiling. His eyes were closed and he looked pained. Even as she watched, he opened his eyes and stared deeply into hers.

  "That can never happen again. Please bring my chair to me."

  "Wh-why can't it happen again?"

  "My God, Tooty. What were you thinking?"

  "But you enjoyed it, didn't you"

  He groaned and rolled his eyes. "Of course I enjoyed it. But it can't happen again. You're only twenty years old! You have your life ahead of you. I'm thirty-eight and stuck in this fucking wheelchair."

  "I don't care about the wheelchair."

  He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "There's never going to be anything between us." And then he said something that ended any romantic hopes she held. "When I need a woman, I have several in New York. Women much more sophisticated and…skilled."