Look Into My Heart Page 2

  Ashley, Cynthia and Rosaline, looked out the window as the snow began to fall. “I have the kitchen clean and all the items packed in the vans. If we leave now everyone should make it home before the storm gets too bad,” Rosaline stated. Cynthia could always depend on Rosaline handling the kitchen. Besides being business partners, they had been friends for years. The two worked together in one capacity or another since college. Cynthia handled organizing the parties while Rosaline Taylor-Marable handled the food and everything in the background. Then two years ago their friend, Tracy put together a business plan for them. Their company TNT Event Planning has been growing ever since.

  “Well, I’ll have the valet bring the guest vehicles around for departure. Is anyone staying the night?” Cynthia asked Ashley.

  “LaVere’ and his security staff will stay tonight,” Ashley replied. “Oh, and you are welcome to stay if you like.”

  “We’ll see. I want to make sure everyone is gone and the area is cleared out before I leave. But I’ll let you know,” Cynthia replied as she surveyed the room to determine the time it would take to clear things out.

  “I’m sure LaVere’ would be pleased if you stayed,” Ashley smiled.

  Rosaline looked from Ashley to Cynthia. “Who’s LaVere’?”

  Ashley turned Rosaline around by the shoulders until she was facing James and LaVere’.

  “The man standing next to James, who has been asking about Cynthia since the wedding, is the one and only Prince LaVere’ Ashro of Emure.”

  “Oh my, he’s a prince?” Rosaline smiled.

  “A damn good looking one at that,” Ashley grinned.

  Rosaline looked at Cynthia with a questioning eye. “He’s about six feet tall, handsome and a prince and you haven’t jumped on that?”

  Cynthia looked over at the man standing next to James and smiled. “Actually, he is six-one, one hundred and ninety pounds, coal black eyes, third in line for the throne, has unlimited financial security and the look of royalty,” she shrugged indifference and looked away. “However, I took a vow of celibacy, remember. If he is not offering marriage I’m not interested.” Ashley and Rosaline looked at each other and began to laugh so hard, you would have thought a comedian had just delivered the punch line to his best joke. With hands on hips, Cynthia turned to her to friends, and gave them a look that made both of them stand up straight. “I don’t see anything funny about wanting to wait for the right man. You did,” she pointed to Rosaline “and so did you,” she said to Ashley. “Why is me waiting so funny?”

  “Well maybe the fact that you have already slept with half of America. This is your chance to start on another country,” Rosaline snickered.

  “Are you calling me a whore?” Cynthia asked angrily.

  “No,” Rosaline replied quickly, “girl, you know I know better. But you have been around a stadium or two.”

  “Three, four, five, six of them at least and that’s just counting the ball players,” Ashley teased.

  Raising her chin high, “Well, that was then, this is now,” Cynthia replied. “I don’t wish to live my life that way anymore. Can’t a person change?”

  “Sure they can,” Rosaline sympathized with her friend.

  “Of course,” Ashley chimed in as she looked over at Rosaline who was shaking her head.

  Cynthia caught the look, sighed and pointed her finger at them, “You know what? Both of you can kiss my natural ….”

  “Ladies,” James interrupted just before Cynthia could complete her statement. “I believe I lost my manners earlier. This is my friend Prince LaVere’ Ashro. LaVere’, allow me to introduce Rosaline Taylor-Marble and you remember Cynthia Thornton. She is the one that fell all over herself the first time you two met at the wedding.”

  “Prince Ashro,” Rosaline extended her hand. Taking it, he kissed the back and turned his attention to Cynthia.

  Cynthia smiled as she extended her hand. “It’s a pleasure to see you again Prince Ashro.”

  “It’s LaVere’ and the pleasure is mine,” he replied as his lips lingered on her hand.

  Cynthia saw the look in his eyes and recognized it immediately, he wanted her, but she was no longer interested in the one nightstand game. She gently pulled her hand away and smile. “I hope you are enjoying your stay.”

  The action of Cynthia pulling her hand away did not get past LaVere’. “I’m enjoying it more with each moment I spend in your presence. Will you be staying the night?”

  Eyebrows went up on every face, Rosaline, Ashley and James. They each turned to Cynthia. Who smiled sweetly, “Thank you for the compliment, but no I will be leaving with the other guest, which we need to see to.” Addressing the group she smiled, “Would you excuse us?” She then turned to Rosaline, “Let’s take care of the guest,” she said as the two walked away.

  “That was a rather hasty retreat,” LaVere’ smiled as he watched the two women walk away.

  “Count it as a blessing,” James murmured as he took a sip from the drink in his hand.

  Ashley frowned at her husband then turned to LaVere’. “Cynthia has a lot on her mind this evening. She is concerned with getting everyone on their way and home safely before the storm hits.”

  “Thank you for trying to smooth my ego, but I am not deterred. I’m sure Ms. Thornton and I will see each other again—soon.” He was going to make sure of it.

  ♡♡♡

  Prince LaVere’ stood at the window where he watched Cynthia drive away earlier. He smiled at the audacity of the young beauty. She is pretentious, that’s for sure. Nevertheless, like all the rest she can be tamed. He sat in a chair near the fireplace in the guest suite of the home of Avery and Gwendolyn Brooks. He attended Harvard graduate school with their son James and they became close friends. Over the past years James and LaVere’ shared good times and bad in their individual lives. LaVere’ was the reprieve for James during the time of his divorce and his brother’s deception. James stayed in his country, Emure, until he was sure how he would go on with his life. Of course, those plans changed once he met Ashley.

  As for LaVere’, it was James who assisted him in negotiations that gained economic stability for his country. Now, he wondered if James would be willing to assist in a different type of negotiations. For some time now, his father has pushed for him and his brothers to marry and extend the royal family’s bloodline. As the youngest of three sons and one daughter, the pressure was not as great, but it was unmistakably present. There was one thing LaVere’ knew for sure. He did not want an arranged marriage. He wanted to select the woman that would become his wife. A woman his equal in intelligence and determination, but one that understood her place was to stand beside him and support him. In his mind, that woman was Cynthia Thornton.

  LaVere’ understood the women in America were different from the women in his county. Women from here were use to having their say, doing as they please, and going at will. While the women in his country knew their place, did not speak out of turn and did not go anywhere unaccompanied by a male. Women here did not have to have a man, and made sure men knew that. Women in his country were the property of men, and the men made sure everyone knew that.

  Although he liked the customs of his country, LaVere’ wanted to see progression in the area of acceptance. He knew, without a doubt his older brother, Aswan, who was next in line for the throne, would not take steps on his own to liberate all within his country. However, with a little persuasion, he was sure once his older brother became king, all social classes and women would become somewhat liberated.

  LaVere’ stood to refill his empty glass with the very smooth cognac, James had left with him. His mind returned to Cynthia. She has the spirit to change a country, he smiled. The self assurance she displayed each time he saw her, demonstrated she would be able to stand up to the scrutiny she was sure to encounter, whenever she attempted to do those things she was accustomed too. She had the right amount of spiciness, spirit and compassion. He laughed thinking how his compatriot
s would react to Cynthia and her antics.

  There was a knock on the door. LaVere’ continued to enjoy his drink as Charles, James’s butler opened the door. James and Ashley stood there in what seemed to be a confrontation and looked as though Ashley was winning.

  “LaVere’ please excuse the interruption,” James said as he entered the suite with Ashley closely in tow. “There’s been an accident.”

  LaVere’ sat his glass on the bar and walked towards the distraught couple. “What happened?”

  Ashley did not give James an opportunity to respond, “Cynthia was in a car accident on her way home. We’re on our way to the hospital to check on her.”

  “We regret having to leave you here alone but Ashley is determined to go,” James explained as he looked over his shoulder at his wife’s anxious retreat, and then turned back to LaVere’. He exhaled, “I love that woman but I swear she is going to be the death of me.”

  LaVere’ nodded his head signifying his understanding, but at the moment, his concern was with Cynthia. “Allow me to tag along. I would like to know that she is alright.”

  “Sure, I asked Charles to have the car pulled around. Meet us downstairs in five minutes.”

  “I’m ready now,” he said as he grabbed his coat from the closet.

  James gave an exasperating look, “You are as bad as Ashley.”

  Chapter 2

  There was a constant thumping or hammering going on. Not sure where it was coming from Cynthia moved her head in the direction she thought the sound was originating. The slight movement made it very clear, the pain and thumping was inside her head. Opening her eyes didn’t help. She closed them hoping the spinning of the room would slow down. The stillness eased the pain slightly, but not completely. Fingers caressed the area on her forehead that was causing the pain. “Rest, Sleeping Beauty,” a voice said, “You’re not alone.” The quiet voice had an immediate calming effect, an unexplainable sense of security from the gentle touch guided her deeper into the recesses of her mind and moments later she was lost in her dreams.

  Hours later she cried out, “Turn the lights out.” When the light remained, she slowly opened her eyes. At that point she realized it was the sun shining through the window. Looking around, somewhat disoriented, her eyes fell on a man sleeping in the chair by the door. He looked familiar, but she couldn’t quiet focus on who he was. His long legs were stretched out and crossed at the ankle. Nice shoes, she thought as she continued her silent evaluation. She noticed the jeans fit his thighs rather well. Her eyes traveled up over the turtleneck sweater covering his expansive chest. That she remembered. As her scan reached his face, his eyes met hers. She could read the amusement in the coal black eyes as they stared back at her. Now, if she could just remember his name.

  “LaVere’,” he said as if reading her mind. “Good morning.”

  Cynthia looked around. She was certain he was not the man that brought her to the hospital. Nor was his the voice she heard during her sleep, but that was no reason to be rude. “Good morning,” she mumbled as she attempted to sit up. The discomfort from the movement showed on her face. LaVere’ went to her aide, lifted her as if she was a feather and gently sat her up in the bed. Holding her against his strong chest he positioned the pillows behind her and slowly laid her back down. He then pushed the button for a nurse.

  “Is that better?” he asked concerned.

  Amazed at how gentle he was, she smiled, “Yes, much. Thank you.” She looked around the room, “Is Brian here?”

  LaVere’ put his hands in his pockets, “I’m not sure who Brian may be, but if he was the gentleman that was here when I arrived, he indicated there were issues he had to handle.”

  Cynthia frowned, “Describe him.”

  “Six two or three, light brown skin, close hair cut and rather mean looking.”

  Cynthia nodded her head without thinking of the pain it would cause and squinted, “Yeah, that’s him.” She grabbed a fist full of the sheet and squeezed as the pain literally shot through her head. The pain was so severe she thought she would throw up. Sliding down the pillow and her pain began to ease.

  The nurse walked in and began to check her vital signs. “Good morning Ms. Thornton, how are you feeling?”

  “As if my head was sandwiched between two Mack trucks going one hundred and twenty miles an hour before they slammed into each other.”

  The nurse chuckled, “That’s quite descriptive.”

  “Is there something you could give her for the pain?” LaVere’ asked.

  She began to administer medication. “The doctor anticipated some discomfort and left instructions to give you this. It will help until he arrives.”

  “Any idea when that will be?”

  The nurse looked at her watch, “He usually makes his rounds around eight. For now, you should rest.” The nurse smiled and left the room.

  “Keep your eyes closed and relax.” LaVere’ suggested. “Just relax.” That was the last word Cynthia heard as she drifted back to a less painful place.

  ♡♡♡

  “Doesn’t it seem like an awful long time for her to be asleep? Are you sure she was awake earlier?” Ashley asked LaVere’. The concern for her friend was very clear on her face.

  “Yeah, are you sure Prince Ashro? I don’t mean to question you, but Cynthia has never been a late sleeper. It’s after ten in the morning. Surely, she should be awake by now.” Tracy sighed from where she sat on the side of the bed holding her friends’ hand as she slept.

  Before LaVere’ could respond, Rosaline who was on the other side of the bed exhaled. “I want to know where the damn doctor is. The nurse I spoke with said he would be here around nine, and that was an hour ago.” She began to stand, “I need to go find her again.”

  “No!” the men in the room yelled in unison. They were desperate to keep Roz away from the nursing staff who had threatened to throw them all out if she returned to the desk.

  “Roz, let’s wait until she’s awake. The doctor can’t examine her until then anyway.” JD suggested as he displayed that smile, which most people believe got him elected into office. “I’m sure the nurse understood our concern the first five times you told her.”

  “JD, you are the Attorney General of the State, can’t you make them find the doctor or do something?” Rosaline pleaded.

  “Yeah JD, can’t you make them wake her up?” his sister Ashley questioned.

  JD looked at the two women and wondered why they believed he would have any authority over the hospital. The court system in the state, yes, he has a say in that. The district attorney offices across the state, yes he also had a say in that. But to his knowledge nothing could move doctors to show up for rounds until they are ready to.

  He was about to share that knowledge with them when his wife Tracy turned to him. “Sweetie, you are so good at convincing people to do things. Would you please ask the nurse to place a call to the doctor? I am so worried about her being like this.”

  All eyes went to JD as he melted from the beautiful brown eyes staring so sadly at him. There was nothing he could refuse Tracy. He turned to look at James who had nothing but a sympatric look for him. The bond between the two was more than brother-in-law to brother-in- law. It was one of mutual understanding. Neither of them could say no to their wives. Nevertheless, he also knew patience was what was needed in this situation. JD stepped over and kissed his wife’s cheek. “I’ll try babe.”

  Tracy rewarded him with a smile, “Thank you.”

  “JD, while you’re out there, tell that nurse to bring some more of those really great drugs they gave me before.” Cynthia said as she turned over on her side.

  “Cyn,” Rosaline cried out, “girl, how you feeling? Are you okay? Do you need anything? You want some water, or something to eat?”

  Cynthia turned back towards them just as she saw Ashley run over to stand at the foot of her bed. “I feel like a sledge hammer is using my head for drums. No I’m not okay, but I don’t think I’m de
ad, yet. Yes, I need that nurse with the really good drugs. No I don’t want water or anything to eat.”

  “Okay babe,” JD said to Tracy, “Cynthia is back to her normal bitchy self. Can we go home now?”

  “Jeffrey,” Tracy scolded. “She is just waking from a terrible ordeal. How else do you expect her to act?”

  “Um, babe, I just had a traumatic ordeal also. I’ve been away from my wife, whom I love dearly, for two weeks. I have been a very patient man, waiting for the day I could come home and make love to my wife again. This is that day. And since she is neither dead nor dying, I will be damned if I am going to allow Cynthia to block that.”

  All eyes were once again on JD. He looked around at the expressions on his friends faces. “Oh, like you don’t understand?” he said to James.

  James chuckled, “I feel your pain. Been there, done it.”

  LaVere’ smiled, “I haven’t been there, but I feel your pain also.”

  Cynthia looked at embarrassment on Tracy’s face and patted her hands. “Tracy, go home with JD. I think he needs you a lot more than I do right now.”

  Tracy was still looking at him in shock when Brian came into the room. He looked around at the silent faces and asked, “Okay, what did Tracy say this time?”

  Rosaline and Ashley could not hold it in any longer and began laughing. James made an attempt to stand by JD and not join in with the women, but it did not last long.

  JD shook Brian’s hand, “Hey B.”

  “JD,” Brian acknowledged as he continued to look around the room amused. “Tracy?”

  Not at all ashamed by his statement, JD spoke up. “I was just explaining to my wife how much I was looking forward to staying in bed with her this morning. But since she insisted, and I, being the loving husband that I am, brought her here to see about Cynthia. Now that we know she is not on death’s door, I was merely suggesting that we go home and resume the activities I had in mind.”