Chapter 19

A/N: Hi all! This chapter is a lot shorter than I intended. There were some things I really wanted to get into with regards to Ana's feelings, but that will have to wait for another chapter. As I told you guys a few weeks ago I have bursitis on my left elbow, and it's a bugger. Who knew a little fluid in the wrong place could cause this much pain. The doctor has told me to stop typing…no typing with my left hand, as I am just irritating the nerve. So for the next two weeks I will have no use of the fingers on my left hand. In two weeks if it's not markedly better they want to do a cortisone injection, and from what I hear they are painful as all get out. I think I would like to avoid that. Therefore, I am posting this chapter where it is; it's that or wait another couple of weeks. I didn't think any of you wanted that. Luckily, I am right handed so will keep writing out long hand so that I don't lose ideas or get too far behind.

Not really interested in complaints…my damn elbow and hand hurt, like really hurt. This is a consuming hobby, that's it, something I enjoy exploring. Not something I'm willing to endure hours of pain for, just to be greeted by annoyed and grumbling readers, so don't be a killjoy by grousing about how slow I update, or how you are losing interest because I can't fulfill the time schedule envisioned. If you like the story and enjoy the writing, and I really hope you are, know that I am doing what I can.

This has not been to the beta reader.

~oo0oo~

Narration: Ana is surprised in many different ways when she accidentally runs into an acquaintance from Seattle.

Ana

I am utterly flabbergasted. I don't know why I'm so stunned, and secretly pleased to see him. I am working overtime to keep a smile from playing on my lips. We both stand mouths agape, surprise dancing around our eyes, along with amusement if I am not mistaken. A stiff silence ensues momentarily as we both try to gather our wits. Dumbstruck.

"What are you doing here?" Tumbles out both our mouth's simultaneously.

"Family….," he trails off watching as my face morphs with shocked comprehension.

"Oh my God…..,Harper. Harper Hill Farm…," I stutter eyes stretching wide, "and Winery, is YOUR family?

"Small world, huh?" He says with a sheepish grin sliding across his face.

"Yeah," I whisper distractedly.

"And you?" His eyebrows reach for his hairline.

"I…uh, I am spending some time with my mom and her husband, they live here in Savannah." I answer cautiously.

"I see." He sounds just like a damn shrink. "Would you like a quick tour?"

"Thank you, that's nice of you to offer, but I was actually in search of the ladies room."

"Oh, okay," he chuckles. What's so funny? "Come with me, I'll show you." And he steps past me and places his hand at the center of my back as I turn to follow in the direction he's leading. I quicken my steps; I'm not exactly comfortable with his comfortable touch. He gets the hint and drops his arm back to his side. We walk to where several golf carts are parked.

I stop, and look at him dubiously. "Where are we going?"

"No need for you to use the public facilities, I thought I'd take you up to the house." He says matter-of-factly, as he reaches for my elbow to help me into the cart.

I don't move. "Um, I don't want you to go to any trouble…."

"Mrs. Grey, please it's…."

"Ana," I say, cutting him off.

"Ana," he corrects, "it's no trouble at all." Still gently cupping my elbow, he leans in and lowers his voice conspiratorially, "Besides, I know the owners," and a spectacular grin lights up his face.

"Fine, Dr. Harper." I offer my own face splitting smile, shake my head and allow him to help me into the cart.

"Beau."

"Beau," I tilt my head in acquiescence.

~o0o~

The house is majestic, sitting upon a hill in all its antebellum splendor. Wow, straight out of 'Gone With the Wind', or something; it's that spectacular I muse in silent wonder.

"Your family home is…beautiful." I murmur as he shows me to a small bathroom just inside of the house.

"Thank you." His answering grin is slightly sheepish, like he's uncomfortable with the compliment. "Come find me when you're through. I'll be just down the hall."

When I'm done I exit the powder room and there is no one around. I don't want to wander through the house alone, but I feel ridiculous just standing here. I remember he said he'd be just down the hall. I hear voices off to my right and decide to head in that direction. As I walk along the long hallway I come across a room that can only be described as a parlor. It speaks of southern charm. I can imagine afternoon tea being served in this airy, elegant, sun filled room. A warm breeze blows through the unscreened windows, and the French doors, ruffling the summer white sheers that frame them, drawing me into the room. There are several giant oil paintings in ornate gold frames of men in uniform, and some of women in their southern belle best. Around the parlor on the side tables and the mantle of the enormous fire place are modern pictures, snap shots in black and white and color. Some look like they were taken in the early days of the camera, while some look like they were taken more recently. This place has such history. I am taking a slow tour of the pictures when a voice close behind me startles me.

"That's Bart." I gasp, Beau is close enough for his breath to tickle the loose hairs at the nape of my neck. The shiver that runs the length of my spine catches me totally off guard. I blink a few times trying to get my bearings back.

"Who's Bart," I ask, not recognizing the huskiness in my own voice. What the hell?

"My older brother, Bartholmew, he's the oldest and runs the farm along with my dad and two other brothers."

I can feel the heat wafting off his body, smell his bodywash and aftershave, even his breath is sweet, the slightest hint of wine. Shit. I glance back over my shoulder, his eyes cast down at me are hooded, intense with an emotion I can't quite place. The attraction is tangible, visceral, the muscles in my stomach clench. I need to move, to escape his proximity. I know once I get home I'll be dining on this moment for the rest of the evening. Hormones have hi-jacked my brain and I am having difficulty continuing the conversation.

"So there are four of you, huh? I lamely manage as I take several steps forward putting some much needed distance between us.

"No, six, I have two sisters also."

"Oh, wow…um, big family." God I sound like an idiot. I chance a glance at him as he is still in the same spot, looking like he too is trying to get his bearings. Moving my gaze away from him my eyes land on a picture of a small girl, chubby cheeked, with a sunkissed complexion, just adorable with her mass of dark ringlets cascading down her back, her eyes lit by her dazzling smile.

"Who's this, she's simply adorable." I ask, trying to dispel some of the tension. He slowly approaches, and as he reaches out with his left hand, I notice for the first time, the gold wedding band resting on his ring finger. My breath hitches momentarily. What the hell? I totally misread that. And I realize I am disappointed and relieved in the same moment.

I watch as a warm smile breaks across his face.

"Ah, this is Clotilde, sweet Cloey, my precious baby girl." The love he has for her practically oozes from every uttered syllable. I'm transfixed.

"This is one of my favorite pictures of her." He doesn't look up, but studies the picture like it's the first time he's seen it. "It captures her personality perfectly."

"She's a handful, huh?" I nudge to keep him talking about his little girl and hopefully his wife.

"And then some, she's full of life, curiosity, and mischief; she's feisty like her mother." With that bit of information a sadness comes over him. "She's running around out back terrorizing her cousins as a matter of fact," and he seems to shake off the sad demeanor.

"With your wife?" For some unknown reason I keep pressing.

Before answering he steps over to the enormous fireplace and pulls a picture from the mantle. And that sadness engulfs him again.

"Tru."

"Pardon me?" I am thoroughly bewildered.

"My wife, Tru, actually it's Truleigh, but she'd skin me alive if she heard me telling anyone that." No cheeky little grin, no sly smile, just sad eyes and a lost quality to his words.

I don't know what to say, I know I should leave it there, but somehow I can't.

"Isn't she here today?"

"No, Ana she's not," he grinds out impatiently, irritated, almost angrily; looking up from the photo pinning me to the spot with his gaze, he softens, "Tru lost her battle with cancer nearly a year ago."

Oh shit, please let the antique wood floor open up and swallow me now. Why did I pry like that? He clearly did not want to discuss this. I am swamped with a sense of shame, or maybe it's guilt, definitely embarrassment. One minute I thought we were engaging in some flirtation, then I thought he was just another married asshole, and now….what,…now what do I think.

"I…I'm, oh," I slump ever so slightly, "I really didn't mean to pry." Yes you did. "I feel awful, really." I stammer and ramble idiotically, tears stinging the back of my eyes. Why do I feel like crying?

"Please don't, you had no way of knowing." He returns the picture to the mantle never showing it to me. I think we both want to escape this room right now.

"Come with me, I'll introduce you to some of the family that's here." I can tell he's trying to shake off the melancholy and awkwardness now permeating the parlor. But irrational fear lances through my body. I don't want to meet his family, not here, not now, not after that emotional revelation, so as he makes steps toward the door, I stand uncomfortable and rooted to my spot.

"Beau," I call softly to get his attention. "I…think it would be best if I make my way back to the picnic. I'm sure Mom and Bob are wondering where I've been all this time." His answering nod is accepting if not a little sad, but his smile shows a hint of relief.

"Yeah, that might be a better idea."

"We'll have to be leaving soon anyway; I need to get back so that Christian can drop off Teddy after their big weekend." I add to try and lighten the mood, but it backfires.

"How is the counseling going, better than the last session I hope?" He doesn't hesitate to dive right in.

The moment I realized it was Dr. Harper that I collided with I've been praying that neither of us would mention that disaterous afternoon, and I go and stick my foot right in my mouth.

"Yeah, about that…um, session," I mutter. "I'd like to apologize for my outburst." I feel my cheeks start heat with my blush.

"I should be the one apologizing Ana. I let that session get away from me, I lost control and wasn't effective or helpful." He actually looks embarrassed.

I am so out of my element here, there is all this chemistry floating about, I'm attracted but it feels so wrong; like neither of us has a right to these burgeoning feelings. Him, widowed and me in a messy, failing marriage, over but not ended. Leave it for later Ana, not now, right now get out of his pull.

"We are batting a thousand this afternoon, aren't we; we go from one uncomfortable topic to another." I say with a little shake of my head and a chuckle that sounds more of an unladylike snort. Oh please somebody kill me now. And he just stands there gazing at me as if I'm the most amusing thing he's ever seen. He leads me out a side door and once again holds my elbow as I step into the golf cart. We ride back down in a companionable silence; the grounds are an amazing panorama from high on the hill. He insists on walking me back to find my mom and Bob.

"Ana, there you are, I was beginning to think you'd gotten lost." Mom rushes over to me.

"No, I just ran into a friend." I begin to introduce Beau to my mom when Bob interrupts by clapping Beau on the back and shaking his hand vigorously, taking over the introductions.

"Beau, good to see you son, how are you?" This is the most animated I've ever seen Bob. "This is my wife Carla, my sister Alicia LeClair, and my niece Chellie."

He says a sedate 'hello' to each of the ladies kissing them briefly on the cheek. Chellie takes the opportunity to let us all know she's already acquainted.

"Hey Beau, how's Bizzie?" She continues not waiting for an answer. "I had no idea you knew Ana, how do you guys know each other?" She's eyeing us both oddly. What's her damn problem?

"We met in Seattle through a mutual friend." He answers smoothly, showing a touch of irritation. "Bizzie's, you know…busy."

I stand watching the bizarre conversation until Beau directs his words back to me.

"Well, now that I've seen you safely back I'll get out of your hair." He says giving me his undivided attention. "Enjoy your time in Savannah, perhaps we'll bump into each other again before I leave," his eyes unwavering, like he's trying to pass me a veiled message. Once again, I clench deep inside.

"It was good to see you too." I can barely hold his gaze. The look on Carla's face is as amused as I am bemused at the moment. Shit. This is the last thing I need.

"Until we meet again Ana," And he leans in to brush a feather light kiss on my left cheek, his lips are so soft and all the muscles south of my navel dance.

~oo0oo~