They went to dinner at Gaido's on Sea Wall Boulevard. As they walked from the Cherokee to the restaurant, Erina noticed many cars traveling up and down the wide road. The ocean lapped against the sand beyond the sea wall and salt spray tainted the air. She was warm in her new clothes because the cold weather was gone, replaced with the typical balmy climate.
The outside of the restaurant wasn't elaborate, but inside were carpets and wonderful lighting, along with illuminated cases of cut crystal so beautiful that she had to stop and admire the pieces before being led to the table.
She was surprised that it was nearly dark outside already; she hadn't thought much time had passed since arriving at the hospital after lunch. Apparently, reading magazines made the hours pass quickly--especially ones with such shocking topics. So different from Godey's or The Saturday Evening Post.
And, of course, waiting to see Colin gave her a distorted sense of time. She was so happy her baby was going to be well that the world--even this new, unknown time--seemed as bright as the lighted crystal, and so full of hope that heart was near to bursting.
Over her protests, Grant ordered a large combination of scallops, shrimp, fish, and oysters for her, along with a wonderfully sweet white wine from Germany. She couldn't eat that quantity in days, she told him, but as they talked and sipped the wine, she was surprised at how much of the delicious food simply disappeared.
"I'll not eat another bite all week," she said, wiping her mouth with the cloth napkin. "Thank you for dinner."
"No dessert?" he asked, smiling across the table.
"Not another bite. You can't tempt me with anythin' else." She took a sip of her cooling cup of tea.
"Really? You wound my ego," he said with a half-smile that made his eyes sparkle in the candlelight.
She felt a blush warm her cheeks as she remembered the kiss in the waiting room. "I'd best be gettin' back to the hospital now," she said, looking away. The restaurant was full of couples and families. Although she felt a bit disheveled from spending so much time in her new outfit, she at least knew she was dressed appropriately.
She didn't look at all out of place, even when she felt so different on the inside. If she were really a woman of this time, wouldn't she go back to Grant's condo, have sex with him, then "share" the experience with her friends? She could never be that modern. Her religion forbade it; her experience reinforced the danger of physical attraction. With shaking hands, she refreshed her tea from the hot pot the waiter had brought minutes before.
"I'll take you back to the hospital, but I want you to come home with me later."
"Mr. Kirby!" she said, her spoon clanking loudly as she dropped it against the saucer. The fact that his words echoed her thoughts was too upsetting.
"Calm down, Erina. I have the extra bedroom and I think it would be a good idea for you to get an uninterrupted night's sleep. You can't stay with Colin in the ICU. I'll take you back to the hospital first thing in the morning."
"I can stay in the waiting room tonight."
"But wouldn't you be more comfortable in a real bed? Besides, you need to change clothes and you'd probably like another bath. Since everything I bought for you is still at my place, it makes sense for you to come over tonight."
She leaned forward, resting her forearms on the table. "Why do you want me to come to your condo?"
"Because, like I said, it makes sense. You've got to be exhausted. You need to relax, at least for a little while, and--"
"But why would you be carin' about me and my son?"
"Dammit, Erina, I just do, okay? I don't know why."
"And you don't believe in miracles?"
"No, I don't. I believe I'm attracted to you, despite my best advice to myself that you're way to young and that you've got some secret to hide. I believe that I care about what happens to a baby too small to help himself. I believe I have the money and time to help."
"You don't think that God is guiding us all, and that the Virgin Mary might just be askin' for your faith? She did put us in your condo."
"You broke in. I don't know how or why."
Erina sat up straight, her spine against the chair back. "I did no such thing. I went to the cathedral and prayed for a miracle."
Grant leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and steepling his fingers. "Look,, Erina, I suppose you suffered some trauma. It's easier to believe you're from the past than accept what really happened. Obviously, you've studied Galveston before 1900 and my family. Lord knows, you've got your historical perspective down solid. But for once, just try to tell me where you're really from and what you want from me."
"I want nothing from you for myself. And I've told you what happened to me."
"Then did you plan this whole scheme to get your son the medical attention he needs."
Erina fought the frustration she always felt at Grant's dismissal of the truth. She knew her first reaction was to get angry, but that wouldn't make him believe her. Somehow, he had to believe that divine intervention had occurred, but perhaps that was another miracle. "I didn't plan on meetin' you. I didn't know how the Blessed Virgin would grant a miracle, but I'm grateful she sent me to a man who would care for Colin."
"So after he's well--what then? Surely you want something for yourself: an apartment, a job, an education?"
"I can do just fine. I imagine even in this day ladies need their clothing tended or their houses cleaned. But I'd like a better life for my son. An education for him would be a fine thing. When he grows up, he can work with his mind instead of his hands."
Grant glanced at his own hands. Erina noticed again how large they were, how weathered they appeared in contrast to his well-cut hair or clean-shaven jaw. "So you want me to provide a college fund for Colin?" he said casually.
"No! I've not asked you for a penny of your money."
"You still believe I'm a laborer, don't you?"
"I've no reason to call you a liar, Mr. Kirby."
"Grant. And I really do run our family investment company. That's not what I'd planned to do with my life, but it's what I chose."
"Your job must not be too demandin' then, because you don't even go to the office," Erina observed.
"It has its peaks and valleys. Some days I don't even leave the office. I have a corporate attorney, Brian Abbott, who handles the contracts. Dottie Benson is my CFO--Chief Financial Officer--and I have property managers in the various cities. In addition my own office staff takes care of the daily operations of the investment firm."
"And this office is in Houston?"
"That's right. I usually just come to Galveston on the weekends to get away from . . . well, to have a change of pace." He paused, looking at her intently. "But I suppose you know that, since you knew where my condo was and when I'd be there."
"I knew no such thing, as I've said before."
He didn't answer, just continued to stare in a most unnerving way.
"Colin and I will be fine if you have to work. I'll remember not to talk to anyone about my past."
"That's good, but that's not the only reason I'm staying in Galveston."
"And what would the other one be?" she asked, feeling a bit breathless from his close perusal.
"Some spunky Irish girl who should get an Oscar for the performance of a lifetime."
"I'm not performin'! And I don't know anyone named Oscar."
Grant laughed. "We'll see if you're real, sooner or later."
"I'm here because of a miracle and no words can change that fact."
"Like I said, you're certainly consistent."
"And like you've said, you don't believe in miracles."
"That's right."
"I do. And I also believe that the Holy Mother chose you for a reason. I'm not sure why, but maybe it's because Colin was denied his true father, and you are a Kirby who takes responsibility seriously."
"Erina, you did not know Jerrold Kirby, in the biblical sense or any other way," Grant said patiently, as though he were speaking to a small child.
"I certainly did, but it's clear you don't believe me, so I won't burden you with the story again."
"Thanks. Now can we go to the hospital, then back to the condo? I promise I'll be on my best behavior."
"I'm ready," she said, pushing her chair back.
He came around and acted the gentleman. "I do trust you," she said as they stood beside the table, "I just don't know how to make you believe. I don't know you very well."
"Brian Abbott, my corporate attorney, is beginning to think the same thing," Grant said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
#
Colin was still sleeping when they arrived at the ICU. Grant leaned against the wall while Erina sat in the chair beside the bed, rubbing her baby's hand, smoothing back his hair. She spoke softly, with that lyrical Irish accent, and he swore she sang in Gaelic for just a moment.
Erina excused herself for about ten minutes, using the breast pump, no doubt, and blushing as she did so well. He supposed she didn't want him to think of her nursing the baby, but he did. He thought about it a great deal lately, far more than he should.
The nurse ushered them out at nine thirty, telling Erina that Colin was doing fine, that she should get some sleep. He could tell she wanted to argue, but yawned instead. Grant smiled as they walked into the corridor.
"I know you hate to leave Colin for the night, but he's going to be fine. I'll have you back as early as you want in the morning."
"You have no work to do tomorrow?"
"No, except to read some papers. I'll probably do that tonight. On Thursday I have to go back to Houston for a meeting."
"Oh."
She didn't say anything else. As they walked together down the empty hallway, he had a strong urge to take her hand. He didn't--he knew he shouldn't. He'd made a point of telling her how much he could be trusted, how he just wanted her to get a good night's sleep. Well, that wasn't entirely true. He did want her to stay with him, make love with him, sleep with him. And when they woke up together in the morning, they would make love once again, take a shower together, then go to the hospital to see Colin.
None of that was going to happen, except the part about seeing Colin in the morning. He was going to keep his word. He wasn't going to give in to his entirely inappropriate urges.
But he still didn't understand why he was so obsessed with her. Even if she was suffering some trauma that made her believe she was from the past, she must know how she got into his condo. Grant could not understand why he tolerated such behavior. With anyone else, he would have cut them off immediately. With Erina, he couldn't wait to see what she'd say or do next.
The air was warm and humid as they walked through the corridor to the parking garage. She seemed deep in thought. He wondered what she was thinking about, but didn't want to ask. For one thing, she probably wouldn't tell him the truth. She'd make up some story about Galveston in 1896, or her childhood in Ireland, or something that he couldn't believe.
He decided to stay on a fairly safe topic. "Colin looks much better. His color is pink, just like a healthy baby."
"He's never had that good a color. When I took him to the doctor after he was born, the man said that nothing could be done. I never believed that, though. I kept hoping that God wouldn't make such a wee baby suffer forever."
Grant opened the door from the second floor stairwell into the parking garage. "Well, whatever happened, I'm glad he came through the surgery okay. I've grown attached to him. I've been thinking that maybe I should put aside some money for his education. I can take out an investment policy for him now, and by the time he's eighteen, he'll be able to go to the school of his choice."
"If he's still here," Erina said softly.
Their footsteps echoed in the concrete structure, virtually deserted this time of night. Lonely was the word that came to mind. "What do you mean? Are you planning on moving?"
"No, I have no plans myself. But the Blessed Virgin might have different ideas. Perhaps I won't stay in your time forever. I might go back when Colin is well. After all, I don't belong here."
"Don't be ridiculous. You have free will over where you live. And no more talk about miracles. If you want to stay, you can."
"Ah, you don't understand, do you? Sometimes the world isn't so neat and orderly as you'd like to believe."
"Right. Natural disasters happen. People get sick and die. I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about where you choose to live, where your son is growing up."
They arrived at the Jeep. Grant unlocked the door and walked Erina to the passenger side.
"And if I had a choice, I'd stay right here. I'd miss Mrs. Abernathy, but she might already think I'm gone. Maybe somehow I can find out what happened to her."
"Erina, Mrs. Abernathy is a figment of your imagination," Grant said, resting his arm on the door. "Or she's a name you remember from researching the past. She's not real."
"Aye, she's real. She's a fine, compassionate woman. I'll never forget what she did for me and Colin."
Grant shook his head. She was so far gone in her fantasy that she couldn't consider reality. He wished he'd taken more than one semester of psychology so many years ago. "Don't forget to fasten your seatbelt."
They drove home in silence. Once they entered the condo, Erina seemed especially tense.
"Don't worry. I'm keeping my word. I won't make a pass."
"I'm not worried," she said with an upward thrust of her chin.
Grant couldn't resist a smile. "Do you remember where everything is in the bathroom?"
"I believe so. I'll not be bothering you any more tonight."
He placed his keys on the bar between the kitchen and living areas. "It's no bother. If you need anything at all, just call me. I'm a light sleeper."
"So am I, especially since Colin was born. Sometimes it seems as though I hear his every breath, and I always had to listen for . . ."
He saw her eyes fill with tears, saw the strength that seemed to desert her with that admission. In an instant, Grant crossed the room and took her in his arms. "Erina, it's okay. Colin is going to be well."
"I know, but I miss him so. I want to go to sleep with him beside me, and wake up knowing he's there. He's all I have."
She felt so good, so right, tucked beneath his chin, next to his heart. "No, don't say that. You love him very much and he loves you. But you're not alone. I'll be here when you need me."
"But you might be gone from my life soon," she said with a watery sob, "and I'd feel so sad if I grew to care for you and never could see you again."
"Is that what's happening? Are you growing to care for me? Because I'll tell you right now, I'm very attracted to you."
She pushed away from his embrace, fighting tears and comfort. "I'd best be gettin' ready for my bed. I'm sorry to be a bother."
"You're no bother," he said again, reaching out.
But she stepped back, away from his hand, rebuffing his sentiments are certainly as she denied her own. "Good night, Grant. Thank you for dinner and . . . everything."
She slipped into the guest bedroom, as silent as a wraith.
Grant threw himself heavily on the couch. He'd certainly picked a difficult woman to be attracted to. One with secrets and fantasies that he couldn't even imagine. And yet she seemed so much more real that any other woman he'd known.
With a sigh, he flicked on the remote control to a financial news channel, then picked up the faxes from Brian. He'd lose himself in his work, at least for a few minutes, and forget that Erina O'Shea was naked behind the door to the guest bathroom.
#
Erina woke early, just as the sun crept over the east end of the island and gilded the waves with gold and pink. The sky itself was purple and gold, turning to rose as lighter fingers of pink radiated upward. She watched the sunrise from the large windows of what Grant called the living room. She tried to be quiet so she wouldn't waken him too early, but her impatience to see Colin was a tangible thing, pulling her toward the door that led to his bedroom. She actually took a few steps in that direction before stopping herself.
No, she wouldn't venture inside. He'd told her that he'd take her to the hospital whenever she wanted. She was ready now, but couldn't bring herself to knock on his door. That was too intimate. She could imagine him in that large bed, looking much like one of the men in the magazines; chest bare and sculpted with muscles, loose pants resting below his waist, a smile on his face. He'd be more temptation than advertisements of those other men.
She hugged her arms around herself and walked into the kitchen. She wished she knew how to operate this new stove. She'd make herself a cup of tea--if Grant had any of those tea bags like the restaurant used. Of course, the water coming from the pipes was very hot, maybe hot enough to brew her favorite beverage. She began opening cabinets, looking for something familiar.
One of the doors slipped from her fingers and slammed shut. The sudden noise in the still condo surprised her; in an instant, she realized it had awakened Grant also. He stood in the doorway of his bedroom, looking just like she'd imagined--tall, lean but muscled, and wearing very little. Nothing above the waist, baggy, soft drawstring pants below.
She swallowed, suddenly needing the tea to soothe her parched throat. "I'm sorry to wake you."
"No problem. I was ready to get up."
"I was lookin' for tea bags."
"I think there are some in the canister," he said, walking toward her, running a hand through sleep-tousled hair.
She scooted back from the counter, giving him plenty of room. In truth, she didn't know what she'd do if she were too close to him. He was too nearly naked, too potently male.
He gave her a sleepy frown. "I'm just going to get you some tea," he said with a little irritation. "I wish you wouldn't act like I'm some kind of sex fiend."
"I'm not," she said defensively. She was beginning to think she was the one who had a problem. "I'm just gettin' out of your way."
"Uh-huh," he said absently, turning his back to her and opening one of the ceramic containers that sat next to the refrigerator. That appliance she knew, because she'd used the breast pump and stored the milk in there for Colin. "I hope these aren't too old. I rarely make tea, but my mother insisted I have a well-stocked kitchen."
She couldn't tear her eyes away from his back. Muscled rippled over and around his spine, his shoulders, his arms. His skin was a golden color that reminded her of the sunrise. She'd never realized a man's could be so beautiful. "Sounds like she's concerned about you," she said weakly.
"She is," he said, turning and handing her a large cup with a bag inside. "Actually, she had her chef see that I had a well-stocked kitchen. My mother doesn't know how to cook anything more elaborate than watercress sandwiches."
"She comes from a moneyed family then," Erina said, trying to tear her eyes away from Grant's naked chest to focus on the much less interesting cup.
"That's right. Her family came to Houston when oil was first discovered in East Texas. They made a fortune in refineries."
"What?"
"Large plants that process crude oil."
"Oh." She still had no idea what he was talking about.
He stepped closer. "So, do you want me to heat some water for you?"
"Ah . . . yes, that would be nice."
"Pay attention," he said with a smile. "You can do it yourself the next time."
Erina nodded, wondering if she'd need any appliance to heat water for tea. She could probably just hold it close to her blazing cheeks. She watched him fill the mug with water, then place it in a box-like device.
"This is a microwave oven. It doesn't get hot, but it heats food or water from within with vibrations. It takes about two minutes to boil a cup of water, less if you just want it hot."
His smooth-skinned, muscled arms lifted the mug and placed it inside the black box. He hit some panels with his fingers, but she was so busy watching him that she barely noticed what he was doing.
"I've got to take a shower and get dressed. We can grab a bite to eat on the way to the hospital, or go down to the cafeteria later."
"I'd like to see Colin as soon as possible."
"Of course." He reached around her, close enough that she could smell his very masculine scent and feel the golden glow of his sleep-warm body. "Here's the sugar." He pressed a bowl into her hands. "Spoons are in the drawer beside the sink."
He smiled at her again, looking less sleepy and more sexy each moment. "Good morning, Erina," he said, dropping a quick kiss on her lips.
Startled, she stood there as he walked out of the kitchen. When a bell rang on the microwave, she jumped and nearly dropped the sugar bowl. Taking a deep breath, she prepared her tea, but couldn't banish the image of Grant from her mind, or forget the enticing smell and taste of him. Did he know what he did to her?