Kissing Fire (27 page)

“Grandma! I miss you so much!”

“Well darlin’, don’t be wastin’ your time missin’
this ole bird. You get on out there and enjoy yourself. I know how
much you love to ski so don’t you even miss a minute of it, you
hear?”

“Yes, ma’am! Grandma, I want you to come and visit
me this summer, when all the flowers are in bloom. Will you?”

“Why, you can count on it.”

“I love you Grandma!”

“And I love you Little Avery! You take care of
yourself and have a Merry Christmas!”

Then another deep voice was on the line but this
time it was my brother Pearce. “Why Ava, you sneaky girl you! I
have to say I’m so happy that you ended up there though. That was
always your place. Justin’s kept us up to date, but maybe next year
Lexi and I and the newest Middleton will come out for a visit.”

“Oh, I hope so Pearce. Please promise me you
will.”

“I promise. Now have a great Christmas and we love
you.”

“Love you all too.”

I ended the call and was in a much better mood than
when I made it. It had been good to talk to everyone, but the
absence of my mother made it blatantly obvious to me that she was
still angry with me. Well, too bad. It was time for her to get over
it and move on.

********

Tres Chicas had been busy all day, but by seven
thirty that night, the last customer had left the restaurant. I
cleaned up the bar and by the time I got everything closed out, it
was almost nine. All the other employees scurried off like ants,
eager to get back to their families to begin their festivities.

Since I didn’t have any plans, I took a stroll
around the village, to enjoy the lights everywhere. Vail knew how
to decorate for the holidays. Every tree, shrub, doorway and window
was festooned with tiny lights of every color, adding that perfect
glow to the village. It dispelled my sense of gloom for a bit, as I
watched the gentle flakes of snow fall softly from the sky, making
the perfect Christmas scene. For an instant, I imagined I was in
one of those Christmas globes, where everything glistened and
sparkled, as it should on that special night.

Completing my circuit of the
village, I was back at my building and heading inside. When I
stepped in front of my apartment door, I noticed two huge boxes on
the floor. One was wrapped in beautiful handcrafted Christmas paper
and tied with a lovely gold satin bow. The other one was an oblong
box, and it was embossed with a local florist’s logo. I picked it
up first, which was quite heavy, and went inside. I came back and
retrieved the second box and it, too, was really heavy.

I opened the oblong box first, knowing there would
be flowers inside. When I lifted the lid, I gasped. It was clear
why the box had been so heavy, because it contained several dozens
of a variety of flowers interspersed with each other. They were
absolutely stunning. The first I noticed were white roses, then I
saw white tulips, purple hyacinths, forget me nots and baby’s
breath. My breath was jammed in my throat for I had never seen
anything so lovely. The fragrance from them was radiating into the
room and I closed my eyes and smiled. But wait! There was another
box. I scrambled to open it and this time I didn’t gasp. I let out
a loud cry. Inside sat the most amazing hand blown vase I’d ever
seen. It was clear glass with lines of purple and pale pink running
down its sides and it was simply gorgeous. At the bottom were clear
glass purple marbles to add a bit of effect to the display. I
quickly filled the vase with water and then placed all the flowers
in it, arranging them as I went along.

As I was placing the flowers in the water, I started
to think about what they were and where or who they came from. This
had to be from Preston because no one else I knew would dare to
send such an extravagant gift. They had made quite a statement.
White roses meant true love for eternity. I knew that one without a
doubt. Baby’s breath also symbolized eternal love. I wasn’t sure
about the tulips or the hyacinths, but forget me nots had to
indicate serious love, just from their name alone.

I dashed to my laptop, jumped online and ran an
internet search. When the results popped in, I knew without a
doubt, these had been sent from Preston. Purple hyacinths were the
flower of regret and white tulips were the flower that begged for
forgiveness. So by this whole arrangement, he was telling me he
loved me and asking me for forgiveness at the same time.

I smiled as I stared at it. How could I not? It was
the most beautiful thing I’d ever received. No one had given me
flowers like this before. No one had given me flowers period...as
least not from a romantic interest anyway. I was truly wowed by
them.

I picked up the box the vase came
it and it was then I noticed another oblong box and a card at the
bottom. I had almost missed them both. The card had my name
scrawled across the front of it in big, bold letters.

Holding it against my chest for a few minutes, I sat
there in silence. He’d touched this. He’d held this in his hands
and now it was in mine. Was I ready for this? Was I ready to face
him and move forward? My body said yes, but what about my mind?

Taking a deep breath, I ripped the envelope open and
pulled out the contents.

My dearest Avery,

If you are reading this, then you
have received my gifts to you. I am hoping you enjoy them, but it’s
my deepest wish that you understand the meaning behind
them.

The regret I felt and still feel for having hurt you
and lied to you is with me daily. I will carry that with me until
the day I die. It was foolish and stupid of me, but the past is the
past, and I can’t change what has been done. The only thing I can
do is prove to you that I will do whatever it takes to show you I
will never lie to you again.

Avery, I have never, nor will I ever stop loving
you. My feelings of love for you were nothing but sincere. You are
forever on my mind and I will only ask you to see me this one time.
If you can find it within your heart to talk with me, maybe we can
find a way to bridge this gap between us. I will do whatever it is
you want. But if you don’t think that’s possible, I can understand.
Just say the word, and I will never be a bother to you again.

I am in town and I’m staying at the Grand Ski Lodge.
You have my number, so I beg you to call me. I only ask for one
chance. Just this once Avery.

Always yours (whether you want me or not),

Preston

I picked up the oblong box and I knew what would be
nestled inside because it was from Tiffany's. I slowly opened it
and yelled to no one but myself, "Oh good heavens." Lying on a bed
of navy blue velvet sat a gorgeous diamond bracelet of the likes I
had never seen. My mother didn't even own anything like this. There
were too many diamonds to count, but it was absolutely magnificent.
Sitting right next to it was another small card in Preston's
handwriting.

This bracelet represents my love for you, always
encircling you and never ending.

Yours forever,

Preston

It was foolish of me to think I’d
consider saying no. I clutched that letter and box and held them
tightly to my chest, not wanting to ever let them go. Knowing he
loved me was one thing. Feeling his words flowing from him was
another. My breath was coming in quick bursts and I dabbed the
moisture from my eyes. What the hell was I waiting for?

My feet scrambled beneath me as I went to jump up. I
suddenly laughed at the way I must’ve looked. Wondering if he was
outside my window, I ran to take a peek outside. Not wanting to
look like the total loser, I inched the blinds apart to check. He
wasn’t there and I felt such a huge wave of disappointment, it made
my belly ache.

What should I do? Should I call him? Should I just
go over there? Maybe I should surprise him.

Stop overanalyzing this Avery!

I tugged my jacket, hat and gloves
back on, slipped the oblong box in my pocket and headed out the
door, before I lost my nerve. My feet moved of their own accord,
picking up the pace as I got closer to his hotel. It was only about
a ten minute walk, but I could barely stand it so before I knew it,
I had broken into a jog. That didn’t last too long since I wasn’t
what one would call a jogger. I was quickly winded and huffing for
oxygen. Spying his hotel in the distance, I slowed my pace so by
the time I got there, I’d be able to breathe again.

When I pushed through the front entrance, I headed
straight to one of those hotel phones, but then I changed my mind.
I decided to text him instead.

A: Hey, where are you?

P: I’m in room 317.

A: I’m coming up. Is that ok?

P: It’s more than ok.

A: See you in a minute.

With heart pounding, I pushed that button on the
elevator and waited for the doors to open.

Chapter 24

Preston

My arrival in Vail coincided with her friend,
Melissa’s. That worked to my advantage because it gave me the extra
time I needed to get my head on straight.

My time on the ski slopes was spent trying to keep
up with the girl. Justin had tried to tell me that she was an
accomplished skier, but I never imagined she’d be as good as she
was. I would catch glimpses of her every now and then but I stopped
trying to even follow her after the first day. It was a waste of my
time, not to mention a hazard to my health.

Avery’s description of Melissa was dead on. It
would’ve been impossible not to recognize her, except I wasn’t
expecting someone quite that flashy. Melissa loved the attention
and made sure she got it everywhere she went. I could sense it made
Avery uncomfortable, because that wasn’t her style, but it was
apparent she was happy to have Melissa there, so she dealt with it
just fine. It was hard not to stare at Melissa as she sailed down
the ski slopes. Bright red frizzy hair, partially tucked beneath a
red helmet, lips lined in shiny red gloss and wearing the brightest
pink ski outfit I think I’d ever seen, she was quite the spectacle.
Skiers would abruptly halt to watch her as she gracefully soared
by, screeching and laughing at the top of her lungs. It was truly a
sight to behold, and one I’ll never forget.

I tried to stay away from Avery’s studio, I really
did, but that one day, I just couldn’t help myself. It was late
afternoon and I’d watched her and Melissa head off to Tres Chicas
with those ski instructors. I figured I had enough time to get in
and out, but when I entered her place, I sensed her everywhere. Her
scent enveloped me and I could almost touch her, making me want to
stay forever. Looking at her things, seeing how and where she lived
everyday, where she slept, made my heart pound.

Melissa’s suitcases were piled in the corner and the
place was sort of a wreck. It looked like they had left in a hurry
that morning. I walked over to the kitchen table and there was an
open box. Deciding to snoop, I looked at the contents and chuckled.
Inside were all sorts of sex toys, but the one on top caught my
eye. It was a neon pink vibrator, but that wasn’t what had captured
my attention. The fact that my name was written on it was what had
done it. Had she been using that thing and thinking of me? I hoped
like hell she had because she had been stuck on my mind like a damn
strip of duct tape.

I moved to her bed and ran my hand across it. When I
got to her pillow, I couldn’t stop myself from picking it up and
holding it against face. I ached to feel close to her. That’s when
I saw it. It had been hiding under her pillow. I didn’t know what
it was at first, so I picked it up and smiled for the first time in
I don’t know how long. She slept with my shirt beneath her pillow.
It was my black shirt, the one I’d been missing forever. She had
it!

I must’ve stood there for quite
some time, because I suddenly realized it had grown quite dark.
Voices were drifting up to me and my senses were alerted. I needed
to get the hell out of there and fast. Moving quickly, I slipped
out the door, locking it behind me. I surely didn’t want her to
know anyone had been there. Still wearing my helmet, I was
unrecognizable. I passed her on the street right outside her place.
That had been way too close for comfort. As I thought back, I
realized I’d left that damn shirt lying on the bed, instead of
placing it back under her pillow. I prayed she wasn’t perceptive
enough to notice. Knowing Avery though, she’d pick up on it right
away. Damn it! I should never have gone in there. But then I
grinned. Hell no! I wouldn’t have missed seeing that for
anything.

********

When Avery’s text came in, my heart
stopped. Her gifts had been delivered hours ago, but I didn’t know
what time she’d gotten off work so I wasn’t sure if I’d hear from
her or not. I didn’t set any expectations, because I decided not to
set myself up for disappointment.

The light tap on the door indicated
she was right there on the other side of that barrier. My hands
became damp with sweat. What if she came here to tell me we were
through for good? That the presents were nice and all but we were
done? It was something I’d prepared for, but didn’t want to accept.
She tapped again, so I pulled the door open and I could barely
breathe, just looking at her.

“Hi,” she said.

“Hello to you,” I said back, moving aside to let her
in.

She stood there for a second before I remembered
myself. “May I take your coat?”

“Oh, yeah. That would be great. Thanks.”

Score one for Preston. I’m taking her coat. That
means she’s going to stay at least for a few minutes.