For the next few weeks, life for Remi became hectic, fulfilling and wonderfully demanding. Each morning, she and Greta jogged and discussed their goals and achievements. By the fourth day, Greta was able to lumber once around the track, compared to Remi’s six times, but when the girl couldn’t run any further, she’d walk as fast as her chubby legs and labored breathing allowed.
While together, they collaborated on meal plans and grocery shopped together for their specialties. Remi noticed that Greta’s skin had become less mottled and hoped the new products she’d suggested were performing the miracle. It likely helped that the she’d done away with salted chips and chocolate bars and the amount of water she drank, versus soft drinks, was now keeping her properly hydrated.
By not replacing an old client who’d moved, Remi discontinued some of her accounting responsibilities. She found that the extra free time gave her the hours she desired to work on Eadan’s flat and that made less of a strain on her daily routine.
Madly excited by her ideas, which had to be the best she’d ever imagined, made the effort less work and more of a pleasure. At the beginning, his choices had surprised her. During his perusal of the conglomeration of magazines she’d displayed for him after they’d returned from dinner, he’d decided that the soft pearly greys were to be his basic theme, in various shades from room to room. To offset that, he felt drawn to blacks and numerous tones of blue and white.
Working with these choices was a joy for Remi, and her drawing pencil never stopped. From one end of the flat to the other, she designed a magical appearance that would appeal to the masculine, but also with a feminine flair to soften.
She’d never been happier. The hours flew by and daydreams about Eaden’s kiss were all she allowed to disturb her creativity. Food was only consumed when starvation occurred. Her snack habit had disappeared, except for the occasional fruit platter she produced when Greta visited.
Each day, Eadan Skyped her and they discussed her progress online. She loved seeing his handsome face on the screen, smiling at her, making her feel like she was the only person who mattered. Soon, they began to veer off topic. She’d ask him how the day went. He’d tell her about his patients, not their personal medical details, but a little about each case.
“I’m incredibly relieved that you were able to remove that boy’s tumour. How horrible it is that there are so many children who suffer from those types of cancers.”
His eyes crinkled at the corners from his special grin. It had her clenching her knees together to relieve the budding arousal he could create from just this way of looking at her. “Remi, you wouldn’t believe how resilient the nippers are when they’re sick. I’m often humbled by their strength. Remember I was telling you about Joey, the wee boy who had to have his leg amputated when it was crushed in a car during an accident.”
“Yes, of course I remember. You had me in tears with his story. How is he now?”
“He was fitted today for his prosthetic and we couldn’t shut him up. He talked non-stop about how he could ride his bike again. I’ll even admit to having trouble swallowing when he took his first step. Never saw a boy’s eyes glow so brightly.”
“Eadan, how wonderful for you that you get to have those moments. They must pay back somewhat for the bad times.” She didn’t want to mention any names, but he had told her of a child he’d lost a few days ago. It had been the first time she’d seen exhausted frustration mar his troubled face and a bleak look dulling in his normally soft brown eyes.
“Enough about me, I want to know how things are with you. I’m glad you were able to take my call this early in the day, and not at our usual time. You’re a sweetheart to be so accommodating.”
“It was fine. I worked from the apartment today on the bedroom schemes, and intended to go shopping after Greta gets home from school. She wanted to come with me today. Remember, she’s the young girl in the building who has been working with me on a special project.”
He chuckled and then probed. “You wouldn’t tell me what the project is, but I do remember you telling me about the teenage girl. Look, if I guess what it is, will you come clean?”
“No! So don’t bother. Why do you even want to know?”
“Oddly, Remi, I find that I want to learn everything I can about you.” His eyes captivated hers even through the screen between them.
She gulped. “You do?”
“Yes. You’re such a contradiction of naive young girl, career woman and artistic genius. I find that fascinating.”
Suddenly, the mouse flipped out of Remi’s hand and when she bent to pick it up, her bottle of water landed on the keyboard. Thankfully, because of other less fortunate times, she had the cap tightened. “Sorry, I’m so clumsy. It’s fine. The lid was closed.” She hid her excruciating embarrassment for as long as possible before returning her gaze to the monitor and his laughing expression.
“You are quite wonderful, Remi. Do you know that? By the way, I do like your hair. You’ve done something different.”
Now totally flustered, Remi let go of the mouse which again dropped to the floor. She reached up to feel the wayward ringlets surrounding her face. They’d come loose from her restraining clip and were falling everywhere. Without thinking, she blew one twisted strand away from her eyes and heard his soft exclamation. “I wish I was there to touch those curls of yours. They’re thick and attractive and shouldn’t be tied back all the time.”
Shocked by his words and the sincerity that rang in his low, husky voice, she cleared the choking clump of swelling in her throat and answered, “I… I wished you were here also, I—”
Pounding sounded from the front hall and interrupted her stammering. An indistinct voice yelled, “Remi! I need you. Please… help me.”
“What the… something’s happened, Eadan. Greta is banging at the door and she sounds like she’s in trouble. I’m so sorry. I must go.”
“Of course you must. Call me back if there’s anything I can do to help. Otherwise, I’ll look forward to talking with you tomorrow. Bye, love.”
Love? She ran to the door with stars enhancing her eyes, bliss filling her heart and tingles rioting throughout her body.