“Come on, Ben.” Eugenie stood on the sidewalk waiting for him and he realized he’d been staring at the building, gripping the steering wheel tightly, caught up in the past.
He climbed out of the truck and picked up the box containing the carvings they’d decided to show the gallery owner. Eugenie had wanted him to bring along the bust but he’d refused. It was personal and it reminded him so much of her, he’d never want to part with it. Someday, when she’d moved on, he’d still have the carving to look at and remember her by.
The door of the gallery chimed softly as they entered and Ben felt his throat tighten as he looked around. What was he doing in a place like this? With his work boots and old jeans, he felt like a country bumpkin. Eugenie, however, seemed to have no compunction about approaching an attendant and asking to see the owner.
“Daphne Standish, please. She asked us to stop by.”
“Indeed?” The attendant looked them up and down then disappeared into a back room. A few minutes later, he returned with a tall blonde woman.
“Hello, Mrs. Standish. We spoke yesterday. I brought along the artist I was telling you about and some samples of his work.”
The woman flicked her glance over Eugenie and then looked at him. A smile slowly spread over her unnaturally red lips. “Well, hello. I’m Daphne Standish. I’m pleased to meet you...?”
“Ben. Ben Davis.” Ben stuck out his hand and shook hers, noting her nails were long and the same red as her lips. “Mrs. Standish.”
“It’s Ms. But please, call me Daphne.”
He nodded and, feeling uncomfortable with the almost feral gleam in Ms. Standish’s eyes as she looked him up and down, he shifted the box he held under one arm. “Eugenie said you’d like to see some of my work?”
“Yes. We’re a very exclusive gallery and don’t carry the work of just anyone who calls themselves an artist.”
She indicated a table at the side and Ben set the box there. Eugenie took off the lid and withdrew one of the pieces, handing it to Daphne.
“Hmm...” Daphne turned the piece in her hand, running her fingers over the wood, turning it at various angles. “This is quite good. May I see what else you have?”
They took the other samples out and with each new piece, Daphne’s smile grew. In the end, her enthusiasm was contagious and Ben felt his trepidation melting away. The woman genuinely thought his work was good. Before he quite knew what was happening he was agreeing for her to stop by his house to pick out the pieces she thought would work best for the show and he had a sales contract in his hand.
After they left the gallery and were back in the truck, he was still bemused at what had just happened.
“Isn’t this exciting?” Eugenie reached over and hugged his arm. “I’m so happy for you, Ben.”
“Thanks.” He folded the contract and stuck it in his pocket. “I’ll read this over tonight before I sign it.”
“Good idea but I’m sure it’s standard.”
“Probably, however, after my business partner screwed me over, I’m a lot less trusting than I used to be.” He started the truck and headed towards Eugenie’s place.
“I think I know a lawyer who could read it over for you if you want.”
“An honest one?”
“Definitely. He’d have to be honest to live... I mean, work where he does. The...company...is very particular about who they let in.”
That night Eugenie went to see Michael, Ben’s contract with the gallery in her hand. She was sure there were several lawyers in Heaven she could ask to peruse the contact, she just wanted to ask Michael which one to approach.
She’d called ahead this time, not wanting to repeat the mistake of her previous visit. Michael was a busy man—even more so than she’d initially thought—and she didn’t want to disturb him. Her tentative tap on the door was immediately answered and Michael, smartly dressed in a suit and tie, stood up and walked towards her as she entered.
“Eugenie, prompt as always. What can I do for you?” He gestured to a seat and she sat down while he circled to his side of the desk.
“I was wondering if you could recommend a good lawyer?”
“A lawyer?” He raised a brow and smiled, leaning back in his chair. “You’ve broken the law?”
“No! At least I don’t think I have. I...” She paused and considered her conduct of late and then shook her head. “No. I’m sure I haven’t. This is for Ben. He has to sign a contract with an art gallery and, because his previous business partner screwed him, he wants to make sure there’s nothing untoward about it.”
“Screwed him?” The corner of Michael’s mouth twitched. There was a definite air of amusement about him.
“I believe that’s the term he used, sir.” She frowned. “Or maybe it was screwed him over?”
“I think that might be the phrase you wanted.” Michael chuckled and held out his hand. “May I see this contract?”
“Of course.” She slid it across the desk and watched as Michael scanned the piece of paper.
“It seems standard but I’ll have our legal team look it over and get right back to you.” With a negligent wave of his hand the contract disappeared.
“Thank you, sir. I really appreciate this. I wouldn’t want Ben to end up being taken advantage of because of my idea.”
“And what idea is that?”
She explained about the gallery and concluded with a nod. “I think the case might be almost over. If Ben is discovered at the art show, and I’m sure he will be because he’s very talented, well then he’ll become rich and famous and his troubles will be over.” She folded her hands in her lap and smiled, though a part of her wasn’t completely pleased the assignment would soon be over.
Michael gave her an enigmatic look. “You need to be careful, Eugenie. Never bet on the future because the path you see set out before you can, in the blink of an eye, disappear in the mist. It all rests on Ben’s decisions.”
“He’ll make the right choice. I know he was hesitant at first about the gallery show but I can see his faith in himself growing.”
“Faith in oneself is very important.” Michael nodded. “However, what about his faith in people, in relationships? Is that growing too? Benjamin has been deeply hurt, those he trusted turned on him. Humans need to know they can depend on others. Living in isolation isn’t good for them.”
She frowned. “He’s mentioned his business partner. As I said, that’s why he wanted the contract read over.”
“That’s just good business sense. I’m wondering if Benjamin is opening up to you. It’s important for him to have people in his life. He wasn’t meant to live as a hermit. And the same goes for you. Your experience in life was limited. Are you willing to take risks?”
She nodded but then thought about Jonathan and how hurt she’d been when she’d discovered he was married. Of course, that had been years ago, and it had been a really brief encounter. In fact, she’d often wondered in the intervening years if it had been wishful thinking on her part. It wasn’t still affecting her today, was it?
A movement caught her attention. The contract had reappeared on Michael’s desk. After glancing at a sticky note attached to it, he peeled the message off and passed the contract to her. “It’s perfectly safe for Ben to sign this.”
“Thank you, sir. And, please, thank the legal team for me as well.” She rose to her feet, preparing to leave.
“You’re very welcome, Eugenie. But remember what I said. Being open to new relationships is important. A guardian angel has to be able to relate to a wide variety of persons.”
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind, sir.”
A wide variety of persons. She mulled that over as she headed back to her apartment. But did she want a wide variety, or…did she just want Ben?
Chapter 13
Over the next few weeks, Ben switched his focus from furniture to his carvings and bowls, preparing more pieces for the art show. Daphne had been to the farm several times to look at his work,
trying to pick the carvings that best showcased his skill. It was nerve-wracking, having someone examine his work so critically. Chip didn’t seem to like it either, growling each time the woman stopped by. Her silver sports car seemed incongruous parked in front of his place as did her heels and designer clothing as she walked through his tired house. Not that it mattered; she was there for his art work, not the state of his home.
The carving of Eugenie, as he now called it, had especially captured the woman’s attention.
“Benjamin, you really need to include this.” Lips pursed, she’d examined the carving with a critical eye.
“No. I don’t want to sell it.”
“It doesn’t have to have a price tag. It could be the centrepiece of the show. Think of the attention it would garner.”
“It might but I don’t want to share it.” He’d placed a cloth over the bust and drawn her attention to another item.
Daphne had let the matter drop that day but he could tell she hadn’t given up on convincing him.
Beyond Daphne’s visits, life continued much as it had before. Eugenie arrived each day and worked on sorting the collectibles in the barn. He’d use his lathe to form bowls or he’d bring a carving out so he could work and keep her company. She protested he didn’t need to be there but he enjoyed their conversations. Besides, the house was lonely when she wasn’t in it.
He considered that point. When had that changed? It seemed only a few weeks ago he’d been enjoying his own company. Now he found himself looking out the window every morning, anticipating Eugenie’s arrival and, at the end of the day, he was reluctant to let her go. They’d share supper and then sit by the fire talking and roasting marshmallows for dessert. She’d even shown him her mastery of shadow puppets.
He chuckled at the memory of how that night had ended, a playful kiss on her hand had evolved into him kissing a variety of other body parts too. As always though, he’d stopped when things were getting too hot and heavy. Eugenie wasn’t the type of woman one had a casual sexual encounter with. No, sex with her would mean something and was he ready to risk that again? He wasn’t sure.
Eyes narrowed, he studied her as she worked. She was nibbling on her lip, flicking her gaze between an old lantern she held in her hand and something on her tablet. The pile of what he’d considered junk was shrinking. What would happen when she was finally done? The idea of not seeing her again was like a cold weight in his stomach. Without thinking, he stood up and walked over to her.
“Eugenie?”
She looked up from her work at the sound of Ben’s voice. As usual his clothes were festooned with wood shavings and his thick brown hair wasn’t quite as dark as it should be due to the sawdust that had drifted on to it.
“Yes, Ben?”
“What do you have there?” He nodded towards the item in her hand.
“A finger kerosene lamp. I found it packed in an old crate.”
“Finger?”
“Yes. See the glass loop on the base where you’d hook your finger?”
He nodded. “Is it worth much?”
“Not a great deal from what I can tell. Maybe twenty dollars. The chimney has a chip but its still pretty to look at and the detail in the cut-glass base is gorgeous when the light shines through it.” She turned it in her hand before carefully setting it back in the crate.
“You’re making good progress.” He glanced along the back of the barn. There’s so much stuff gone that I can actually see the wall.”
She nodded. “You’ll have a lot more room to work. Maybe you can even create a proper display area for your furniture.”
“Good idea.” He slung one arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple.
The simple gesture filled her with a warm, happy feeling. They were so comfortable around each other. It was hard to believe there had ever been a time when she hadn’t known him. She loved spending time with him and hated to see each day end. When he took her home in the evenings, he’d press a lingering kiss to her lips before pulling away with obvious reluctance. At night, she hugged her pillow and wished he was beside her. Some days she didn’t even remember she was here on an assignment!
And that reminded her... She moved to look up at him. “I have good news for you!”
“And what might that be?”
“I sold several of the collectibles. I set up an account online and posted pictures of them. I just have to ship them to the buyer.”
“Fantastic. I can drive you to the post office.”
“Do you want to know how much your percentage of the sale price works out to?” The amount she quoted him had his eyes widening. She left out the small detail that she’d fudged her records so he was getting one hundred percent of the profits. After all, she had no need of money in Heaven.
“I’m surprised you could get that much for what I thought was junk.”
“It’s not a fortune but every bit helps, right?” She smiled, pleased with her efforts.
Chip chose that moment to nose his way between them, managing to sit on Ben’s feet while leaning against Eugenie’s legs, effectively claiming both of them. They’d laughed and given him several pats before getting back to work.
Ben helped her package the items she’d sold and ready them for shipping. She’d already neatly printed out labels at her apartment last night, now all they needed was postage. “I’ll take them to the post office for you tomorrow.” Ben offered. He was holding her hand as they walked to the house for dinner. Of late, he seemed to assume she’d stay to share a meal with him. It was yet another little thing that filled her with happiness.
The fact Ben’s art show was the next day dominated dinner conversation and carried over to their time in front of the fire. Ben expressed his inner doubts and she did her best to alleviate them.
“Your carvings are wonderful. Everyone will love them.”
“I think you’re biased.”
She was tucked up against his side, sitting on the floor, their backs against the sofa. Her head was resting on his shoulder and she tipped her head up to look at him. “Maybe, but I also know amazing when I see it.” She stretched a bit and kissed him.
When she would have pulled away, he cupped the back of her head and drew her closer for another kiss. “I know amazing when I see it, too.” His gaze travelled over her face and she felt her face heat under his intense scrutiny.
“I’m not amazing.”
His thumb stroked her cheek. “And that’s why you are.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You don’t realize how wonderful you are. It’s not some act where you pretend to be modest to get another compliment. You’re genuine.”
“Well, thank you.” She wasn’t sure how to respond.
“You’ve taken time out of your own life to help me; sorting and selling the stuff in the barn, arranging the art show, dragging in customers to buy my furniture.”
“I didn’t exactly drag them in.”
“You know what I mean.” He shook his head. “You even inspired me to finish that sculpture of the artist’s model.”
“I—”
“Thank you, Eugenie, for coming into my life.” He kissed her slowly, tenderly.
She responded in kind, reaching up to touch his face, then stroke his hair.
Eventually, he bore her backward until she was lying on the carpet, his body pressed to hers. She caressed his shoulders, not for the first time, marvelling at their breadth, then traced her way down the indent of his spine and back up again.
His hand was on her breast, stroking and kneading as their kisses became more intense. Warmth began to bloom down low in her abdomen and she found her hips were moving against his of their own volition.
“Eugenie,” he pulled away, breathing heavily. “I think—”
“Don’t stop, Ben. Please.” She grasped his head and kissed him again. “I love you. I want to be with you.”
“You what?”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said t
hat.” She couldn’t believe she’d actually spoke the words that had been burning in her heart and turned her head away in shame.
He took her chin in his hand and forced her to meet his gaze. “Don’t be embarrassed. I...I love you, too.”
“You do? Oh Ben, I can’t believe it!” She wrapped her arms around him and he laughed softly.
“Why so surprised? What is there about you not to love?” He gazed down at her. “You have beautiful eyes, amazing cheek bones, plump lips...” He pressed a kiss to each feature as he spoke. “A long slender neck and this little area here...” He pushed the top of her blouse open and brushed his lips over the hollow at the base of her throat, “intrigues me.”
He continued on, moving lower, leaving little open-mouthed kisses on the exposed skin as he unbuttoned her shirt and brushed her bra aside. When he finally kissed her breast, her back arched and she gave a cry of delight.
“You like that?” He grinned.
“Yes.” She breathed out on a sigh.
“Then you’re going to love what comes next.” He took her nipple in his mouth and sucked gently. She was sure her eyes were rolling back in her head.
She tugged at his shirt, freeing it from his jeans and slipping her hands underneath, eager to give him equal pleasure. From the sound that came from his throat, he seemed to like her efforts.
Stroking, kissing, the sound of zippers being undone and rustling material filled the room, joining with the crackling of the fire as they explored each other. Somehow, she still had presence of mind to make sure a targeted mind wipe was in place so her wing flaps wouldn’t register on his consciousness.
“Are you sure, Eugenie?” He loomed over her, the firelight highlighting his sculpted muscles.
“Yes, except...I’ve never done this.” She tensed, not sure how he’d receive the news.
He pulled back. “You’re a virgin?”
She nodded. “Does it matter? I’ll try to make it good for you.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” He shook his head and kissed her tenderly. “That’s supposed to be my line.”