One Magic Moment, page 24
It seemed odd to her that the sky was so blue and cloudless as she stood at her mother’s grave. Shouldn’t it be dreary or raining? Cloudy and overcast?
Laying the dozen lilacs on Lily’s headstone, Nia sank to the ground and wept. She cried for Lily’s lost youth and her dreams that were never realized. She didn’t know how long she stayed like that, when she heard her father and aunt behind her.
“Are you ready to go?” her father asked, moving to comfort her. Olivia was standing beside him.
“Yes, I am.” Blowing a kiss at the grave, Nia turned around to face them.
“This had to be very hard on you,” Nathan said.
“It was, but I can’t imagine it was easy for you either.”
“No, it’s not. This is the first time I’ve been to Lily’s grave. Your grandfather wouldn’t tell me where she was buried.” The pain in his eyes was self-evident; her father was haunted by memories of the past as well. Somehow he would have to live with his own guilt and demons.
“I’m sorry, Nathan,” her aunt said, squeezing his arm. “My father had no right to do that, but you could have come to me.”
“I was so ashamed, Olivia. I didn’t think I had the right to ask anything of the Taylor family.’’ Her father’s voice cracked under the pressure.
Nia could see that Nathan, a proud man, was holding back his tears.
“It’s okay, Dad,” she said reassuringly. The moment the words were out of her mouth, Nia couldn’t believe her ears. She had never dreamed that one day she would call someone “dad,” least of all Nathaniel Alexander.
Finding him at her aunt’s after leaving Damon’s had been a breakthrough for them. She had been a mess and his being there had helped tremendously. Nathaniel had helped pick up the pieces; Nia hadn’t known she needed a father until she had one staring her in the face. He didn’t back down, no matter how hard she made it for him while all the pent-up emotions she’d held inside for so many years were unleashed.
Her father had made her see she had judged Damon unfairly. And after talking to him and Lexie, Nia saw the situation completely differently. Lexie had called her a fool for ever letting a good man like Damon get away. Unfortunately, she realized her mistake a little too late. Her father told her to listen to what was in her heart. He’d been right about her letting her own insecurities overtake her. Now it was up to her to put things right. She just wasn’t sure Damon would give her the opportunity to tell him how wrong she’d been. To tell him she was sorry for ever doubting his love for her/
As soon as she could, she was going to take off to find Damon and beg him to take her back. Damon had never given her any reason to doubt him, but she had. She was always so quick to believe the worst. Now she had to find him and tell how she truly felt. She just prayed he wouldn’t turn his back on her as she’d done to him.
“Are you ever going to see your grandparents again?” her aunt asked as they walked back to the car. “I know my father may not deserve it, but he really misses you, Nia. He loves you so much, they both do. And you’ll never find another person who could love and adore you more besides them and your father and me. You’re his grandbaby.”
Pausing mid-step, Nia inhaled and said, “Maybe one day soon, but not right now. What about you? How do you feel about it?” She looked to her father for an answer.
“Nia, I don’t begrudge you a relationship with your grandparents,” he replied. “Just don’t expect us to be friends.”
Nia smiled.
“Do you blame them for Lily’s death?” Aunt Olivia wondered out loud. “There was nothing he or the doctors could have done. Daddy made sure Lily had the best possible medical care.”
Nia nodded. “I understand all that, Auntie. And I know that being angry with Grandpa won’t change things. Just give me a little time to absorb it an, okay?”
“Sure, baby.” Her aunt gave her an enormous bear hug.
Taking both their hands, Nia walked back to the car. As they drove away from the cemetery, Nia whispered, “Goodbye, Mama.”
Chapter 21
A few days later Nia walked through the glass doors of the law firm of Hamilton, Morgan and Gilbert with surety and purpose. Her feet sank into the plush forest-green carpet. She had come dressed to impress, wearing a black sleeveless sheath and matching red duster. She’d tried unsuccessfully to reach Damon. She’d tried his condo and his office, but they’d all remained mum. No one knew where he was, but she one person who would. Jordan Bradley. Jordan wouldn’t be laying out the welcome mat for her, but Nia was armed with the knowledge that she wasn’t going to back down.
She would have preferred to approach Damon’s mother, but when she telephoned, the butler informed her Simone was at a charity event and Nia didn’t feel comfortable approaching Damon’s father. Jordan was the next best thing.
Nia stopped at the front desk. The receptionist, a young blonde, looked up from her work. She looked every bit the legal eagle in her Donna Karan suit.
“Jordan Bradley, please.”
“Do you have an appointment?” the blonde inquired.
“No, I don’t. But if you could let Ms. Bradley know that Nia Taylor is here, she will agree to see me.”
On the contrary—she was sure Jordan Bradley wouldn’t want to see her, but she also doubted Jordan could resist giving Nia a piece of her mind when the opportunity presented itself.
“I’m not sure what she’s doing here.” Nia overheard the receptionist whisper into the headset. “All right, as you wish. I’ll send her in.” The receptionist turned back to face her. “You can go in, through the double doors, last office on the right.”
Nia followed her instructions and found Jordan in a small corner office, sitting behind a large maple desk stacked high with files. She guessed that a lowly associate didn’t rank too high when it came to getting a great office. Not waiting for an invitation inside, Nia closed the door behind her and took a seat opposite Jordan.
Nia nodded her head. “Jordan.”
“Nia.” Jordan replied, raising her brow. “I must say this comes as quite a surprise.” She smiled sardonically.
“I’m sure,” Nia retorted. She looked around the cramped office and noted the brass plaques of Jordan’s achievements, along with her bachelor’s and law degree. Family photographs adorned her walls, including some of Jordan and Damon. Nia had never known that kind of close-knit bond. Until recently it had seemed everyone in her family kept love at arm’s length.
“Very clever of you,” Jordan said. “You knew I wouldn’t turn you away at the workplace for fear of making a scene.”
An awkward silence filled the room.
“Yes, I did, but I won’t insult you by trying to cozy up to you. I know you’d see right through that, so let me cut to the chase. I want to know where Damon is.”
“Do you honestly think I’m going to tell you where my brother is?” Jordan asked, whipping off her reading glasses.
At twenty-seven, Jordan was the youngest associate in her law firm. Her every action and movement exuded confidence that must have taken years to master. She probably had defendants quaking in their boots on the witness stand, but Nia wasn’t going to give her that much power. She would not be intimidated and cross-examined. It seemed that letting go of the past and embracing her father had given her a newfound confidence.
“Yes, I do,” Nia answered unapologetically. She scooted closer to the desk to look Jordan straight in the eye. “You’re going to tell me exactly where he is because I know you want what’s best for your brother.” Nia held her hand up. “I know you don’t think that’s me.” Jordan shrugged. “And I know you don’t approve of me as the right woman for your brother.”
“You’re right. I don’t think you’re good enough for him. “Jordan catapulted from her chair. “And it has nothing to do with where you come from, or how you dress, though I do think you need some help in that department. It has nothing to do with the fact that you’ve accused him of lying and cheating on you—and with that witch Kendall, no less. He’s been through enough with that two-timing slut, especially when he caught her in bed with Daniel, but that’s beside the point.”
Nia stared back, shocked. She thought Damon would take that little piece of info to the grave with him. Apparently not.
“Yes, Nia,” Jordan said at her shocked expression, “He finally told me what happened between the two of them, which is why he would never do what you accused him of. Damon is one of the best men I know. He’s honest and loyal, kind and generous to a fault. He’s the kind of man women dream of.”
“You don’t have to list all of Damon’s good qualities to me. I’m well aware of them and have experienced them all,” Nia bounced back, “Listen, Jordan, I know I was wrong and I’m ready to admit that—to you and to Damon. But how can I if I don’t know where he is?”
“And you expect me to help you? If there’s a problem between you and Damon, you need to look closer to home because the reason is right at your own doorstep.” Jordan turned her back on Nia to face the window.
Taking a couple of deep breaths, Nia held on to her temper. She had to get through to Jordan. She knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but being hit with extreme animosity wasn’t exactly pleasant either.
“The blame lies entirely on my shoulders, I admit that. But it’s not your place to judge me or my actions.”
Jordan whipped around with her arms folded across her chest. “No, it’s not. But I won’t stand idly by and give you another chance to hurt my brother.”
“You may not want to hear this, but it’s not your choice to make,” Nia said quietly. “It’s his. And you need to give him that choice. Whether he slams the door in my face or takes me back with open arms, it’s his choice.”
“Damn you, Nia Taylor,” Jordan said, stomping her foot on the floor.
Had she made a breakthrough? Was Jordan willing to tell her where Damon was staying? Would she get the opportunity to make things right between them? She waited for a response from Jordan, who’d turned quiet all of a sudden.
Nia walked behind the desk to touch her shoulder. “Please, Jordan,” she pleaded.
Jordan turned around and saw the tears in Nia’s eyes.
“I love him. And I know he loves me. You know it, too. I can see it in your eyes.”
Jordan held her head down, but Nia continued. “We have that in common, you and me, our love for him. And that’s why I am asking for your help.”
After several long moments, Jordan finally spoke. “He’s staying up at our friend’s cabin in Wisconsin.” Jordan moved past Nia and wrote down the directions to the cabin. She ripped the sheet off her legal pad and thrust it at Nia.
“You won’t be sorry.” Nia grabbed the slip of paper.
“Don’t make me regret this, Nia,” Jordan replied, grabbing her by the arm. “Or I’ll make you eat those words.”
Nia crossed her heart with her free hand and Jordan let her arm go. She wanted to give Jordan a big fat kiss, but doubted the wisdom of the move. Instead she walked back to her chair and threw her purse over her shoulder.
“Some free advice,” Jordan offered as she walked her to the door.
“And what might that be?” Did Jordan know something that would convince Damon to take her back? She did know her brother better than anybody.
“Persistence is the key,” answered Jordan. “My brother is about as stubborn as I am.”
“Don’t I know it.”
It was an unseasonably warm and mild afternoon in Chicago. The skies were blue with puffy white clouds, the trees were rustling and the flowers were blooming, but Nia was a nervous wreck. She had gone through a mental catharsis over the last week, releasing her past demons by forgiving her father and finally laying her mother’s ghost to rest. Her aunt was her mother and it was high time she acknowledged that fact and gave her aunt the proper respect.
These were the thoughts that accompanied her on the drive up to the cabin where Damon was staying. Nia knew it wasn’t going to be easy begging for his forgiveness, but she had to try. He would either reject or embrace her, but she would never know if she could have saved their relationship if she didn’t put forth the effort. Jordan told her he had gone up to the cabin to “get over her.” She was about to find out if he’d succeeded.
A short while later, Nia stood at the front door of the cabin and rung the doorbell. Her heart was pounding loudly in her chest and her stomach churned with anxiety. It didn’t help that it seemed like an eternity before Damon came to the door. He poked through the curtain and seemed to pause several moments as if thinking whether he was going to answer it, before he finally opened the door.
“May I come in?” she asked Damon, who was looking down at her with disdain.
“Why? I think you said all you had to say to me back in Chicago, don’t you think?” Damon crossed his arms.
Nia prepared herself for an uphill battle. “No, I don’t,” she answered. “I think emotions were running high, and now that the dust has settled, there’s a lot that hasn’t been said that needs to be.”
“You can come in and say whatever you need to, and then leave.” Reluctantly, Damon stepped aside to allow her to enter.
Nia wouldn’t let his harsh tone deter her. She walked inside and looked around the cabin. It appeared that she had disturbed him from reading because a book lay open on the coffee table along with the throw blanket he’d cast aside on the couch. Nia walked over to the large bay window opposite the couch and peered out at the lake. The cabin was very quiet and serene with tons of trees lining the woods below. It was a good place to collect your thoughts and, if necessary, get over someone.
She turned to find Damon staring at her pointedly, waiting for her to begin. Nia looked into Damon’s face, but it was unreadable. How was she going to reach him? He had built up a wall that seemed impenetrable, but she had to try. She had no idea how he was going to react to what she had to say. Her throat felt dry and a lump started to rise in her throat.
“May I have a glass of water?”
Without answering, he turned on his heel and walked into the kitchen. A few moments later, he returned with water for her and a beer for himself. He handed the glass to her, avoiding any physical contact, and sat down on the couch. She accepted the tumbler and stood by the window, taking a long gulp.
A silence formed for several long, tense moments before Damon broke it. “Nia, I don’t have all day,” he said finally, taking another swig of beer.
Slowly Nia moved away from the window and with heavy, wooden legs found her way to a nearby chair across from him. She knew he wouldn’t welcome her sitting beside him on the couch, even though she longed to reach out and touch him, feel his arms wrapped around her. When they were making love, they were so in tune with each other’s feelings, but of course that wouldn’t solve anything right now.
“Damon,” she said, “so much has happened since we last talked.” He looked at her strangely. “I mean, since we really talked.” Nia felt anger emanating from his every pore. “You see, that day I came over to welcome you back home from your trip, I’d just had a very emotional weekend with my family.”
He gave no response. He probably figured she was always having problems with her family. What made that weekend any different?
“I took your advice and finally took the time to hear my father out,” she continued. “I learned that my grandfather played a part in my mother’s death.” Damon’s eyes perked up and suddenly he appeared interested in what Nia had to say for the first time since he’d let her enter the cabin.
“What does all this have to do with you and me?” He hated himself for saying the words as soon as he’d uttered them. He wasn’t a thankless bastard and he didn’t know why he was acting like one now. He just couldn’t afford to let Nia Taylor get under his skin again.
For days now, he’d tried to forget about her smooth, honey-colored skin, those delicious lips that were quivering with fear this very moment. He wanted to lose himself within her soft feminine curves, but he couldn’t think with another part of his anatomy now because his heart couldn’t withstand another blow. She’d eviscerated him the last time together and he wasn’t going to give her another shot at it.
“My father did not abandon my mother as I originally thought. After Lily told him she was pregnant, he reacted horribly. But later he realized his mistake and went to find her.”
She took a sip of water. “He was ready to marry Lily and be a father to me.” Nia stopped, tears forming in her eyes. Even talking about it now, she still got choked up. She pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. “So he went to my grandfather to ask for her hand in marriage, but my grandfather discouraged him, told Nathaniel he wasn’t good enough for his daughter or granddaughter. And my father believed him.”
“Nia, I’m so sorry,” Damon said. It was heartfelt. He knew how much she loved her grandfather and how hard it must have been for her to hear such awful things about him.
She sniffed. “It gets worse. He paid my father five thousand dollars to leave town and never come back, to never make contact with my mother.” Damon gasped. “My father took the money and ran. My mother went to her grave believing he didn’t want her or me.”
“I see.”
“Do you really, Damon?” Nia asked, jumping out of the easy chair and coining to sit beside him on the couch. Had she made some progress?
She reached out to touch his hand, but he snatched it away. Her heart sunk. Maybe she was expecting too much too soon. She had to finish, tell him everything that was in her heart.
“I know you’re wondering how all this relates to us, but-”
“There is no us,” he replied bitterly, interrupting her. You saw to that.”
