Daredevil's Mistress

Chapter 27

Slowly, the taxi circled the curved driveway and rolled to a stop under the marbled covered porch. The afternoon sun dipped behind a bank of dark gray clouds as her feet touched the ground. “Oh bugger, here comes the rain,” she muttered. Samantha paid the driver and waited until the tail lights disappeared down the driveway.

Not even the glorious house with its modern Spanish design and flawless gardens, which always made her so happy, succeeded in liberating her from her gloom. Silently, she prayed for the winter clouds to scatter and bathe them with sunny bright skies instead of the usual dreary chill that matched her inner turmoil perfectly. Feet heavy, Samantha mounted the marble staircase to the front door. Home is where the heart is. Unfortunately she left her heart in another continent entirely. With a bleak sigh, she rang the doorbell.

“Good morning, Miss.” The door opened shortly to reveal an elderly butler. Drew joined the family when Samantha celebrated her sixth birthday. While he loved his position, his affection for Samantha bordered on paternal adoration. Her father traveled constantly, and Drew almost always filled the gap whenever she needed some fatherly advice or found herself in a pickle.

“Hello, Drew, it’s nice to see you.” Inside, Samantha set her handbag down on an occasional table, and sniffed the citrusy blend of flowers and fruity air freshener. The final sign she left the ranch behind. Gone were the rustic smells of wood, smoke, and hay.

“How’s my favorite girl?” The old man winked, taking her bag. “Did you enjoy your holiday?”

“I did, thank you.” Samantha glanced around, subtly reminding herself which direction to take. At the ranch, the entrance led from the front door down the three short steps, along the hallway past the open plan living, and dining rooms to the bedroom stairwell.

Her home, the front foyer led off in three directions. The right followed a long hallway with twist and turns to the bedroom staircase. To the left a short passage to the dining room situated next to a large kitchen. Straight ahead and one step up opened into a large living room, the pool patio, and her father’s study. She exhaled on a low groan and strolled toward the living room. “Where’s Mom? Wait. Let me guess. At the club?” The Sandton Country Club remained her mother’s only means of escape. She described it as a place of comfort and freedom with her group of friends.

“Yes, dear. Shall I fetch you some tea?”

“That will be nice. Thank you, Drew.” Her last cup of tea was the day she left for her holiday. At the ranch, coffee became her every morning ritual.

God, she missed the place. The horses, the fresh country air, and Cody. His gorgeous smile, broad shoulders, beautiful body, and…

Oh, stop it, girl.

Forget him. Wash away the memories, and his derisive attitude toward love. Leaving behind her entire luggage in her haste, the delayed eighteen-hour flight via Chicago then London didn’t improve her mood. The time allowed her to wallow in misery over the last encounter with Cody.

A hot shower and good sleep would make her feel better. Downing the tea Drew left on the table, she set her cup on the tray and ran up the curved stairway to her room. Samantha opened the door and gazed at her ever-ready source of comfort.

Casually elegant and summery with its white wicker furniture, soft cream walls, and plain white- netted curtains at the large bay windows overlooked an impeccably manicured garden. Her bed, a round burgundy cushion magnificently crowned by a shell shaped mother of pearl headboard, beckoned lazily.

It’s good to be back. Oh yeah? Who are you kidding?

Samantha stepped further into the room and strode across to the bed. Then chuckled when something feather soft brushed against her legs. “Hey, Snowball. Missed me, didn’t you?” Bending, she scooped the large white Persian in her arms, and snuggled him against her chin. “I missed you too.”

The cat purred in agreement. After giving him some much-deserved attention, she settled him on her bed and strolled into her bathroom. Samantha ran a bath, slowly undressed, and marveled at the feel of the soft white plush carpet under her tired feet. Easing her body into the enormous bath, she welcomed the warm water, and sweet vapors of the aromatic bath salts she added.

Within minutes visions of Cody invaded her mind. She reminisced their days together, however short. Missing him, she ached for his touch. Suddenly, the bath lost its calming allure. Samantha climbed out, stepped into the shower, and opened the cold water faucet. The iciness shocked her system. Exactly what her frazzled mind needed.

****

Restless, Cody paced the living room aimlessly. Sleep evaded his tired body. His gaze landed on a photo on the mantelpiece. He picked up the frame and studied it, longingly. A photo from the birthday party where Samantha stood beside him, her smile full of mischief after she’d coerced him to join her in the photo.

“You miss her, don’t you?”

Engrossed, he didn’t notice Deborah enter the room. He almost dropped the frame in his haste to replace it on the mantelpiece. “Hey, shouldn’t you be sleepin’? You need the rest you know.”

“No use hiding your feelings from me, brother dearest.”

“What are you talkin’ about?”

Cody realized his vague effort at nonchalance didn’t faze Deborah. “C’mon, Cody, I know you miss Samantha. Only you’re too pig-headed to admit it. You’re human. It’s a natural part of life falling in love.”

Walking over to the bar, he poured himself a drink and took a large sip. Slowly, he rotated and stared at his sister with blatant uncertainty. Miss her? Hell, missed her was an understatement. He was empty. Lacked concentration, on a slow stinking boat to nowhere, lost with no sense of direction.

“You’re in love, but you’re afraid admitting it may make you appear weak.”

“No,” he hedged a little too quickly, escaping the weight of indecision.

“No to what? Being in love or afraid to admit it?”

His reply filtered out as a dismal grunt. Love? Is this how someone in love feels? For all the nonsense he forcefully droned into Samantha about knowing the workings of love were pure horseshit. He had no clue what real love truly meant. New to the emotion as well, it created a heartache he didn’t think possible.

Wedged firmly between regret and frustration, he’d thrown himself into work since her departure. Mended barbed wire along the south side of the ranch, fixed corral fences, overhauled the tractor engine, and changed the oil in the pump motors. When that didn’t help, he gave the damn barn a makeover with a fresh coat of paint. But exertion didn’t bring peace of mind. Only blisters and a stiff back as Samantha’s final words haunted him.

“Hello. Earth to Cody, I’m still here.” Deborah waved her hand in the air.

Cody sauntered over to the sofa opposite his sister and dropped down wearily. “Sorry, got carried away a little.”

“Dammit, you’ve moped ever since Samantha left and in the worst possible way.”

“Says who?”

“You’ve overworked yourself not mention the other guys as well.”

“Someone complainin’?”

“Yes. Reece says the guys are complaining. Do this and do that without so much as a please and thank you. And everyone is in total agreement it has to do with a green-eyed beauty that left without saying goodbye.”

“Is that so?” Amused, Cody rubbed his chin lightly. He recalled Samantha’s words and laughed. At his sister’s raised brow, he said, “Samantha told me too much work made me a grouch.”

“You’ve gotta love the woman’s sassiness, right? She had the guts to lick my brother clean. I mean that figuratively, okay.” Deborah winked.

Cody grinned. Yep, he loved her impudence all right and, yeah, she definitely gave him a licking, figuratively and literally.

“C’mon admit it. You are in love with Samantha. Why don’t you call her and tell her exactly how you feel?”

He took another long swig at his drink and leaned back against the sofa. Why deny the inevitable? “Yes,” he finally admitted. “I love Samantha. And as honest as that may be, it’s a waste of time calling her, though.”

“Why not?”

“’Cause she is in love with Chance.”

“What?” Deborah’s jaw dropped in astonishment. “Hell, no. Where did you get that zany idea?”

“I heard it with my own two ears.” Cody stood, stepped over to the bar and poured a refill.

“Let me guess. The conversation you overheard in the barn between Chance and Samantha?”

“Why? What don’t I know?”

“Samantha filled me in on your clumsy theory of her being in love with Chance. She decided you walked in on their conversation then didn’t stay long enough to hear the entire discussion.”

“Go on.” Cody leaned back against the marble counter of the bar.

“When she tried to explain, you cut her off then insulted her about love and money. She decided the argument wasn’t worth it since you refused to listen, didn’t want to understand.”

“Understand what exactly?” His heart lurched. “That she loves you and only you, you big dummy.

Chance told her to be honest with you about her feelings. She thanked him with a hug, nothing more.”

Cody popped his eyes wide open then groaned. “I’m such an idiot.”

“I agree.” Deborah neared him, looped an arm in his, and dragged him to the sofa. “My dear stubborn brother, when we’re in love we’re blinded. We see and hear only what we want to, and often end up doing or saying the wrong thing.”

“Shit. I feel so damn stupid?” He flashed his sister a dismal look.

“It happens.”

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I only found out this morning when I called Samantha.”

“Did she ask about me?”

Deborah shook her head. “Honestly, no. She’s still upset. If I were you, I’d give her a few days to get over it.”

“Jesus, Debs. Let’s say hell couldn’t compare to what I’ve felt in the last three days and now I know exactly what happened, I’ve gotta see her. But she may not want to see me.”

“Don’t give me that. Its bull and you know it. Anyway, it’s not like you to give up so easily.” She smiled. “Perk up, brother dearest. All’s not lost, you know. It’s just a case of bad judgment, on your part.”

“Rub it in, why don’t you?” Cody grunted.

Horseshit didn’t come close to describing how he felt. “I’m not.”

“Give me one good reason why she’d want to see me?” His behavior wasn’t exactly of the noble kind. “’Cause she loves you.” Deborah’s playful punch to his shoulder made him look up. “Hey. Stop shutting me out, okay. Tell me what’s going on in this head of yours.” She poked a finger at his brow with a laugh.

“Hmm, a surprise visit, and then Samantha won’t have choice but to see me.”

“I suggest you make it soon then before she decides you’ve given up on a relationship.”

“I know. There’s a flight in two days. I’ve already checked.” His gaze swept the room with a sheepish grin.

“Then make damn sure you’re on that plane and in the meantime, I’ll console Samantha, okay?”

Cody pulled his sister into his arms. “You know somethin’. For all the wrong I’ve done, you’re one heck of a sister.”

“We have our faults, but if I have to count the wonderful things you’ve done for me, I think it kinda overrides any wrong you may’ve done.” Deborah hugged him back. “Now, I suggest you get some sleep. I think you really need it. Good night.” She kissed his cheek lightly.

He kissed the top of her head affectionately. “You’re probably right. Good night.”

An act easier said than done as he discovered over the last few nights.

****

Sliding open the French doors, Samantha stepped out onto the balcony and smelt the familiar flowery scent saturating the air. She moved over to the cushioned rattan chair and dropped her weary body into it. Snowball followed suit but chose her lap instead.

“You know something, Snowball, I wish all men were like you, a sucker for love and affection.” Scratching his neck playfully, she gazed out, lost in thought.

The last four days flew by and she was disappointed. Cody hadn’t made any contact. Perhaps it’s for the best. Did she really need someone like him in her life? A man filled with stupid assumptions and arrogance. Sadly, the answer was yes. She needed Cody, arrogance or not. Life without him seemed unimaginable, painful as it were to forget the man. Hardly believable, less than a month ago, a shy twenty four year old, clueless about passion or relationships embarked on a holiday and now, she sat in her front lawn, resolutely pining a lost lover.

Life and its strange wiles.

She studied the garden in admiration, a beautiful ensemble of various color among shades of green. Eighteen years ago, they lived in a small two bedroom apartment on the outskirts of central Johannesburg. While the incessant noise of traffic, hubbub of people going about their daily business, sidewalks littered with hawkers, and the zigzag of minibus taxis was the accepted cultural norm. It took her mother time to adjust. Five years out of England, her mother needed to embrace a new country, city, and culture.

Her father invested wisely and life changed. His business grew, and they moved into a large six bedroomed mansion in Sandton, a business metropolis of note neatly fringed by large homes of the seriously rich. The house with its stone gateposts marked the entrance, manicured green lawns, and wrought iron balconies protectively shaded by low hung eaves of the two-story opulence.

She lost track of how long she sat out in the patio. Relieved at having spent the last few minutes reflecting on something other than Cody, Samantha stretched. She set Snowball on the chair and stepped inside to her mother’s cheery voice in the hall. Her father had returned from one of his many business trips and her mother filled him in on the events of the last few days.

“Hi, Papa.” Samantha kissed his cheek.

“Hello, Sam. How are you? Did you enjoy your holiday?”

“Yes. Loved it.” Well most of it. She followed him into the living room.

“Come, sit and tell me about it.” With a smile, he tapped the sofa lightly and she experienced the start of age five all over again.

Samantha slid into the seat next to him and recounted parts of her holiday while he listened attentively. “I even helped deliver a calf,” she finished on a laugh. Deborah had coerced Samantha into helping her and Jace in the delivery.

“You what?” her father asked, his tone lined with disbelief. “You faint at the sight of blood. How did you manage delivering a calf?”

Samantha laughed. “I didn’t actually deliver the calf. I watched that part. But I rubbed it down with a towel after, and bottle fed it because the heifer didn’t have much milk. It happens sometimes. The cow is called a heifer up until she gives birth for the first time.” Excited with her new found role as Mama to a calf, she’d gone back every day for the next week to give her baby his feed. On the whole, an unforgettable experience.

“Now, that you’ve gone on your holiday and enjoyed yourself, have you given any thought to Rajesh’s proposal.”

Startled, Samantha winced. Right, back to business. Barely in the in the door and boom, straight into marriage discussions, not even a breather. “You’re not serious.”

“On the contrary, I’m very serious. I’ve been extremely lenient. You’ve completed your studies and gone on a holiday, on your own. It’s no surprise, Sam. I’ve already talked with Rajesh. He’s very excited about the proposal.”

Samantha remained speechless. Less than four days ago, she blindly declared her love for another man and today she was being told…no, more liked ordered to marry someone she hardly knew let alone liked. “But, I don’t even like the man.”

“You will learn to love Rajesh,” her father declared, his tone one of annoyance.

“I hate to disappoint you, Papa but I’ve no intention of marrying him.” She caught her mother’s dismal frown.

He glared at her, obviously surprised. “I beg your pardon.”

Defensively, Samantha folded her arms. “Exactly what I said, I won’t accept this proposal. The man is a bore, irksome, and I can’t stand him or his mannerisms.”

Darkened gray eyes bore dangerously into her very soul. “Now you listen to me, girl. I don’t care how you feel about him, I’ve agreed to your proposal and you’re going along with it, like it or not,” he reprimanded tersely.