Chapter 4

Boston Massachusetts

Teresa wandered the streets of Boston in a daze. Her silky dark hair was swept back in a severe chignon, her usually radiant face was pale and wan, and the black dress she wore with sedate black pumps made her look older than her years.

Uncaring of the appreciative male glances sent her way, she continued to walk, as her mind drifted to the past she had shared with Ethan. She still couldn't believe he was gone, forever. When Miguel had given her the news she'd fainted for the first time in her life and then she had begged Pilar to let her come to Boston. Until she saw Ethan's body she wouldn't believe he was gone.

Maybe in another life
I could find you there
Pulled away before your time
I can't deal it's so unfair
Wasn't ready to let you go

But when they had gotten to Boston, Daniel, had informed them that because his body had been unrecognizable the medical examiner had recommended that he be cremated and he had given in. It was at that moment that the finality if his death had hit her and Teresa had wanted to bawl. But some part of her refused to share her pain with a complete stranger and so she had held back. She hadn't even been able to cry at his memorial service.

And it feels
And it feels like
Heaven's so far away
And it feels
Yeah it feels like
The world has grown cold
Now that you've gone away

After the service, Daniel had taken her and Pilar to a nearby hotel and instructed them to rest before dinner. Pilar, worn out from the stress of the day had fallen asleep quickly but Teresa had been unable to rest and grabbing her purse she had fled the hotel. She wanted to be alone. Suddenly, the tears she had been holding back through sheer force of will, began streaming down her face. Spotting an empty bench she sank down wearily and let the tears fall.

"Need a tissue?" a deep, masculine voice asked as he held out a neat white handkerchief.

Leaving flowers on your grave
Show that I still care
But black roses and Hail Mary's
Can't bring back what's taken from me
I reach to the sky
And call out your name
And if I could trade
I would
My life for yours

Teresa stared up at the blond haired stranger bemusedly. The man was tall and lean with spiky blond hair and eyes as brown as sinful dark chocolate. He had a sexy cleft in his chin and he wore dark trousers and a white opened necked shirt with black boots. But it was his smile that drew her in. It was so gentle and so understanding that at that moment all she wanted was to bury herself in his arms and never let go.

A horrified gasp burst from her lips when she realized what she was about to do. For all she knew he could be a rapist or an axe murderer.

"Relax, I'm not going to hurt you," he replied correctly divining her thoughts. "You just looked so sad and so lonely I couldn't contain the urge to play white knight," he added.

"Bad day?" he questioned and Teresa nodded. When the stranger sat down next to her and pulled her into the safety of his arms she didn't protest for the embrace soothed her as nothing else could have.

And it feels
And it feels like
Heaven's so far away
And it stings
Yeah it stings now
The world is so cold
Now that you've gone away

Resting her cheek against his warm chest Teresa let the tears fall as the stranger stroked her silky dark hair. When there were no more tears left, she lifted her eyes and stared into his handsome face, embarrassment tinting her cheeks becomingly.

"There's no need to be embarrassed. Tears are cleansing for the soul and sometimes it's hard to let family see us in pain," he remarked and Teresa was surprised at his perceptiveness.

"However, now that I've loaned you my shoulder to cry on I guess it's ok to introduce myself."I'm Nicholas, Nicholas Crane but my friends call me Fox," he added with a beguiling smile.

"I'm Teresa, Teresa Lopez-Fitzgerald but my friends call me Resa," Teresa answered shyly.

"Well Resa, how about if we stroll over to that lovely cafe, order something warm to drink and get acquainted?" Fox asked.

Teresa lowered her eyes, doubt eating away at her. She had just lost the man she loved, she shouldn't be flirting with a stranger.

"I won't take no for an answer, Resa. Besides, as I know every beautiful woman in the city I know you're a stranger in town and thus you shouldn't be wandering about all on your own. We'll have a cup of coffee and then I'll drive you to your hotel and you'll never have to see me again," he added as he read the refusal on her lips and getting to his feet, he extended one hand.

Teresa let him guide her to the cafe, too bemused and too tired to do anything else. Fox had been the perfect gentleman and instinctively she knew she was safe with him. And a part of her didn't want to see the last of him yet for somewhere deep in her soul she had recognized that this man was going to change her life. Forever.