His Other Life - Reunited Teaser

Tricia finished washing the breakfast dishes.  This was going to be a quiet Saturday.  The only thing planned was a trip to the park this afternoon.  She would watch a game of soft ball.  Her co worker and friend would share a picnic lunch. 

Tricia nearly jumped when she heard the doorbell.  Adam planned on driving them to the park, but it was only nine in the morning.  It was too early.  She straightened her shirt blouse and walked to the door.  As she opened the door she commented, “It is too early, Adam.  The soft ball game isn’t until…”  Then her throat closed.

Alton spoke quietly, “I am not Adam, but I hope you will see me today.”  He lifted the box of roses to give her.  “I believe roses are still your favorite flower?”  He felt awkward and suddenly shy.  He felt fear take a grip on his mind.  Would she reject him?

Tricia automatically accepted the huge flower box.  The response she realized was robotic.  She was still trying to find her voice after the shock of finding Alton Preston standing on her front porch.  Fear and panic was racing through her mind.  What would she say?  What would she do?  Tricia had never stopped thinking about Alton, but she never expected him to appear on her doorstop.  How could she explain her life, choices, and decisions?  She had never really thought about it before.  Alton’s voice pulled her back to present reality.

“May I come in?”

“Of course,” Tricia stuttered moving away from the door frame.  She found her legs moving and was able to stutter.  “I’ll put these in a vase.”  Time, she needed time to think.  “Take a seat in the living area and get comfortable,” Tricia offered opening her hand and moving her arm to indicate the living room.  Entering the kitchen she first went to the table and placed the florist box on the table, and then she moved to a cupboard and found one of her largest flower vases.  She took the vase to the sink and filled it with water.  Returning to the table she opened the florist box.  Inside were the most exquisite American Beauty Red Roses she had ever seen.  They were beautiful.  All that love for Alton came back to the forefront in her memory.  He was wonderful, she never denied that.  Tricia felt tears well in her eyes.  Then she read the card.  The tears fell down her cheeks.  She felt movement behind her.  Just as she was aware of Alton’s presence she felt his hand brush aside her hair.  His warm lips on the nape of her neck followed his hand.

Tricia sighed with excitement.  Of course Alton would remember that was her sensitive area.  She was his to control when he kissed her there.  Shivers rippled down her spine and her legs nearly collapsed under her.  They might have collapsed under her if Alton hadn’t wrapped his muscled arms around her waist as he continued to kiss her softly, sweetly, and gently on her neck. 

It took all of Tricia’s resolve to remove his arms and step to the side.  She was already out of breath and trying to control her rapidly heating libido.  “I don’t think your wife, Eugenia, would approve of this, Alton,” she rasped.

Alton arched his brow.  “How did you know about my marriage?”  Tricia’s statement had surprised him.  He had only learned on the flight to Florida that she had never married.

Tricia blushed, “I’ve kept track of you.  It was easy.  You make headlines.”

“Mimic has aided you, I am certain,” Alton stated knowingly.  “I’m surprised he didn’t let you know that I am widowed these past seven years.”

That comment did surprise Tricia.  “Seven years?  But…”

“I married three months after you deserted me.  We were married only eight months before the accident,” Alton said allowing some pain to show in his tonal quality.”

“Accident?”  Tricia was stunned to learn of his wife’s accident.  She missed the ‘deserted me’.

“It was a hunting accident.  Eugenia was killed.”

“I’m sorry,” Tricia uttered.  She felt the words were too little in expression, but it was all she could think of. She struggled with the unease of this subject.  She decided to change the subject instantly.  “How did you find me?  I mean it has been eight years.  You could have found me sooner through the agency, but you would never use your authority for personal reasons.”  After she finished the answer came instantly. 

“Mimic,” they said in unison.

The mutual understanding eased a little of the high tension between them.

Tricia began to lift the roses to arrange them in the vase.  “What do you think Mimic has in mind for us?” Tricia queried arranging the roses.  She leaned into the petals to enjoy their aromas.

“Didn’t he give you any indication I was contacted or would be arriving?” Alton asked placing his long slender hand on Tricia’s hand.

Tricia looked into those haunting silver eyes.  “Not a contact or clue.”

“I wonder why he contacted me now,” Alton pondered.  He still hadn’t released Tricia’s hand.  He applied more pressure.  He didn’t want to release that hand.  He drew her closer to him. “When I begged him so many times, he always ignored me or simply told me to leave you alone.”

Tricia was now enfolded by Alton’s arms.  She felt her body heating up.  This had not changed in these many years without him.  The chemistry between them was powerful.  “You asked him to tell you where I was after I left Milwaukee?”

“Many times, and he told me he was under a blood oath not to reveal where you were.  He told me you were safe and that was enough,” Alton answered lowering his head to allow his lips access to her lips.

He was close, so very close.  The fires were once again ignited.  She had to stop this.  She couldn’t forget the reason she left him.  She had to tell him right now.  She put her hand palm out between their lips.  “Alton, I have to tell you something.  It is important.  I can’t do this until you know.”

A little panic filtered through Alton’s mind.  Could he handle the reason she left?  Would this reason keep them apart?  Was he up to the heartache?  Mimic said they had to face each other now.  Things always happened for a reason.  He would work through this somehow. “Very well, perhaps we should take a seat in the living area?”  He released her and lifted the vase of roses.  “I think they will look good on the coffee table.”  Alton walked into the living room, placed the rose vase on the table, and took a seat on the large overstuffed sofa.  He patted the seat next to him.  “You are right.  It is time to talk.”

Tricia knew she didn’t have much time.  The reason for her leaving Alton eight years ago would soon be revealed.  She sat next to him on the sofa, but not too close.