Chapter Fourteen

I Know That I Love You

"The Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village is said to be an excellent place to visit in Sedona," Kitt said as he pulled up in a large, cobbled carpark among many other vehicles. "My information says there are several first class food restaurants here worth your attention. It's almost noon. You both must be hungry since it seems you managed to miss breakfast."

He paused and then said, "There was no bill submitted by the restaurant."

"We weren't hungry…" I told the lie as I glanced at his little red screen, shaking my head. Again, he was invading our privacy without truly meaning to do so. He couldn't help it; it was all in his analytical programming.

"It all looks very lovely…" I marvelled as I looked around, not rising to the enquiring tone in his statement to say any more. "Thank you, Kitt."

I knew he was fishing for more information about what may have happened last night after we left the restaurant. I glanced at Devon, and he shook his head, giving me his silent agreement. I knew he was thinking the same as me.

That the less Kitt knew about our rekindled love life the better. I nodded in reply. Our renewed relationship was still too new and fragile to be inadvertently shared by him if he was questioned by those who'd so carefully engineered our getting back together. Kitt was unfailingly honest. He could not keep a secret if he tried.

"Well, I'm hungry now, "I admitted, as I looked through the windscreen.

There was a large, tiled fountain playing in the broad, walled courtyard before us. The craft village was nestled beneath the naked branches of huge sycamore trees that must be shady heaven in the heat of the summer. The whole place appeared to have been fashioned like a traditional Mexican village. I couldn't wait to explore and gain some insight.

"Come on…" Devon said as he got out of the car. "Let's go exploring."

"Thanks again, Kitt." I followed and we stood close together in the winter sunshine, looking around.

There was no wind today, but the air was cold, and some snow lay on the ground. I was glad of the warmth of my leather jacket and Devon was wearing his heavy sheepskin coat again. I sighed, missing his sexy-as-hell tuxedo look and his arms tight around me to keep me safe. I wanted to take his hand in mine, but I was acutely aware that Kitt was watching us, so I tried to appear casual as we discussed our options.

"We still deserve some privacy for the days we have left together," Devon murmured, showing me the commlink he had in his hand before clicking it off and dropping it back into his jacket pocket. "I think we need to play truant again for the afternoon. Then we'll talk about tonight. I have an idea or two you might like."

"I was thinking the same," I breathed raggedly beneath the burning light in his blue eyes. "Just what are you planning?"

"That's for me to know and you to be told when I am ready," he teased, brushing his lips across my cheek and making me shiver with need.

"Very well…" I nodded. "But whatever it is, I'll need to telephone Lucy before she leaves again for Paris. We can't just disappear without her knowing where we're going. She would worry."

"Of course," Devon replied. "We can telephone her when we get back to the hotel. But it's still a secret destination. The less who know, the better."

"Yes, all right…" I nodded. "Thank you."

Behind us, I could almost feel Kitt's disappointment as his single red eye studied us as it moved from side to side. He didn't like being left out of our plans. Without the benefit of the commlink, he could not be any part of the hours ahead.

I was very comfortable with that. Again, the thought crossed my mind that we no longer needed his watching company. He'd played his part very well in bringing us together and I could thank him for that. But I had my Jeep to take us places where a Trans Am couldn't go if Devon needed to access the more remote places to take his photographs. I could sit in the car and create my outline while he went exploring. It made perfect sense.

I would be sad to send Kitt on his way. I was well aware we owed a lot to the car, and I worried about how he would return to LA alone, without the pretence of a driver. It would have to be done in the dead of night. I decided I would ask Devon about it when we were alone together.

"Come on…" I encouraged. "Let's go exploring. It all looks wonderful. I want to capture the flavour of the place for my outline. Which I do need to be getting on with tomorrow. Today, we're still playing truant."

"Sounds good to me," Devon agreed.

We walked into the courtyard, side by side and tried to appear casual. The village's vine-covered stucco walls, cobble-stoned walkways, and magnificent arched entryways gave the impression that the whole place could have been there for centuries. It was certainly the right setting for my new Edward Grainger novel. I couldn't wait to get started on putting my impressions down on paper. Tomorrow, and the necessary work, would arrive all too soon.

Once we were out of sight of the carpark, Devon took my hand. He tucked it neatly into the crook of his elbow and there it remained for the time we spent exploring and looking into the shop windows. I leaned my cheek against his shoulder, and we strolled as two lovers should, close and intimate. It was like heaven to be this close to him and know that I could get closer any time I wished for it now.

But soon our empty stomachs began to make themselves known. "I guess we can't live on love alone…" Devon whispered against my hair.

We retraced our steps and the mouth-watering aromas wafting from the nearby restaurants increased my appetite. I looked forward to enjoying a wonderful lunch in this intimate garden setting where yet another fountain played. It had been pleasant enough to walk arm in arm around and enjoy the architecture and atmosphere.

But there was little time for privacy. Even though it was cold there were people shopping or just hanging out and talking. Many feminine glances were turned our way as we passed. And a few admiring male ones as well.

"This looks nice," I said.

We'd found a convenient restaurant and Devon took a table set to one side out of view of the main area. We ordered some delicious Mexican food and shared a pitcher of margaritas. The time passed unnoticed as we got to know each other again. It was so wonderful to be able to laugh and talk as we used to. Again, the years between seemed to melt away.

Finally, Devon sat back in his chair and toyed with the handle of his coffee cup. I watched him over the rim of my cup, knowing he had something on his mind that he wanted to ask. But he was silent for some time. I braced myself, wondering what he was suddenly finding so hard to express.

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I turned the handle of my coffee cup between my fingers. An uncomfortable silence began to stretch between us as I sorted through what I wanted to ask. I didn't want to pry into Carolyn's past, but I still had questions that needed answers. We were private enough if we remained seated so we would not be overheard.

Finally, I looked up to find her watching me anxiously. I could see she was expecting me to ask her something thorny to which she may have no answers.

"Sorry…" I raised my shoulders at her worried look. "Please tell me about Edward," I said then in a rush. "I want to know everything about our son. I am still getting used to the idea he is mine."

"Of course you are…" Her shoulders sagged and her relief was palpable. "You don't know how long I have longed to tell you everything about him."

I sighed and nodded, waiting for her to go on. I hadn't meant to worry her. It was all still so new to me, having a son of my own after all the years of being alone. Michael was the closest I had to a family, and I'd always treated him like a son. Even when he continued to give me nightmares and more grey hairs than I could count.

"Where would you like me to start?" Carolyn asked quietly.

"At the beginning," I replied, sitting up to push my empty cup aside and give her my full attention. "Tell me everything. I want to know it all from his very first day until now."

I settled forward, reaching across the table to take her hand. I tangled her fingers through mine, and she lifted my hand to her lips before she began.

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It took another hour before I finally ran out of words to describe my eldest child. Devon absorbed everything I had to tell him, asking questions and inserting comments whenever I paused for breath.

I felt spent, but it was a good feeling. I'd often wanted to go to the place where he was buried and tell him everything. But I had no idea where they had taken his body. It was so cathartic to be able to tell him everything now and see the calm acceptance in his blue eyes and the love that burned there.

Last night we'd declared we loved each other. Was that enough to carry us forward into a new future? I dearly hoped it could be so. But we still did need to take it all one day at a time.

"I don't think I have left anything out," I said softly, putting everything I felt for him into my look. "Santa Fe has always been my home and despite everything, I do love living there."

"Thank you…" Devon seemed satisfied. He squeezed my hand before letting me go.

I nodded, knowing I'd skirted around giving too many details about my relationship with Ian and he hadn't asked. I think he knew instinctively that my marriage had not been a happy one and I didn't wish to discuss it. Not in such a lovely setting. I was grateful for his reticence.

He glanced down at his wristwatch. "It's late. We'd better get going." He stood up and came around the table to draw back my chair. "Thank you," he said simply, kissing my cheek.

"Where are we going now?" I asked, looking up at him.

He shook his head. "You'll see. It's a surprise. It's something you asked for."

"Now you're just being mysterious," I complained softly.

I wanted to ask him about my idea of our no longer needing Kitt's services as a guide, and being truly alone together, but the moment slipped by. We walked slowly back to the carpark. As we neared the Trans Am, Devon pulled the commlink from his pocket and switched it on.

"Good afternoon, Devon," Kitt said immediately. "While you have been away, I have been busy on your behalf. Everything has been completed as you requested. I have dealt with all the details. All you need to do is return to the hotel and collect your luggage. I am running a little low. We can fill up my gas tank on our way out of the city."

I gasped and took Devon's arm. "Just what are the two of you up to now?"

He didn't try to hide his look of satisfaction. "A surprise for you," he replied, bending down to kiss the cold tip of my nose. "Just come along with me and do not argue."

"Very well…" I shook my head at him as Kitt's doors swung open invitingly. I got in and studied Devon as he drove us back to the hotel and parked next to my Jeep.

We got out and I followed his lead inside. Once I was in my hotel room, I telephoned Lucy and caught her doing some last-minute packing to leave for Paris the next morning.

"Hi, Mom. I wasn't expecting to hear from you before I left." I could hear her unspoken question in her surprised greeting. "Are you doing all right? I mean, how's Sedona? Is it everything you thought it would be?"

"Thank you, yes. All your careful planning has worked," I told her with a smile. "Devon and I are together again, and we thank all of you for that. I'm aware Kitt was a part of it as well."

"Yes, he was," Lucy agreed. "He's been very helpful." She chuckled. "I still can't get used to the idea I was talking to a car. Danny would totally lose his mind over him." She paused, then said, "If they finally get to meet."

"Yes, I know he would…" I hesitated. "The dinner and dance last night was a delightful idea. You thought of everything. But now Devon and I are looking for more privacy and peace. I hope you understand that we need to leave the hotel. You'll be refunded for the rest of the booking."

"Of course, I understand," Lucy replied immediately, her happiness reflected in her tone. "It's your holiday, after all. You must do what feels right. I'm just really glad we could make it happen for you. You two deserve each other and need to be together."

She sighed. "You looked so lost when Devon left the hospital that last time and didn't look back. I knew I had to do something about that once you were fully recovered. Maria kept saying she could see you were unhappy, even though you tried to deny it."

"You all did what you thought was best at the time. But I'm not sure Edward and Danny will be happy about our reunion. They were so sure I wouldn't be seeing Devon ever again. Though Edward has already spoken with him just before Christmas."

"Yes, Edward told me they'd been in touch. Which only made me more determined to get you two back together again. And you can safely leave the boys to me," Lucy said with firm certainty. "I'll tell them before I leave and make sure they understand your happiness is the most important thing now. They'll understand."

She blew a kiss across the miles between us. "I love you, Mom. Say hi to Devon for me. I'm looking forward to meeting him properly when you think it's the right time. He truly cares for you and that matters. You deserve that after all that Dad put you through."

I nodded, understanding what my loving daughter had left unsaid. My marriage to Ian has never been for love but I had made the best of it until I couldn't take any more of his lies.

"I will and thank you, darling, for everything. I love you all so much. Goodbye." I managed not to cry as I replaced the receiver with a grateful sigh.

After that, it didn't take me long to pack and I met Devon at the reception as he checked us out. The sun was going down in the west as we walked back to the carpark and into the chill of the evening.

"Get in your car and follow us," Devon said.

I stopped beside my vehicle and frowned up at him. "Just where are you taking me? Is it far? It's already getting dark."

He took the keys from my hand and unlocked the driver's door. "You said you wanted to be somewhere more private than the hotel. You wanted to get away from the distractions. I asked Kitt to find us somewhere secluded to stay." He linked my fingers through his as he returned the keys.

"It sounds nice. But I will still have you as a distraction…" I leaned close to whisper. Thank you…" I went up onto my toes and kissed him quickly.

"Ah, we do need to be going," Kitt commented from behind us. "It will take us over half an hour to arrive at our destination. It will be fully dark by then."

"Coming…" Devon kissed the tip of my nose before he let me go.

We left the hotel carpark and turned west away from the city to follow the sun as it went down beyond the mountains on the far horizon. Darkness was almost immediate and the road we were following soon took us into a rugged rural area where road signs indicated we were close to a national park. The darkness was nearly total by the time Kitt turned off onto a private road. We wound our way through the trees until we came to a large, sprawling house set in a forest clearing.

An array of outside lights came on the moment we drove up, casting pools of light and shadow across the gravelled driveway. The sprawling house was constructed of wooden beams and adobe with a dull red, clay-tiled roof. It nestled perfectly into its forest setting, seeming to have grown there organically.

"Well, I guess you can't get more secluded than this," I remarked, looking all around as I parked next to Kitt.

Devon opened his door. "An excellent choice, Kitt," he said.

"Thank you, Devon. I have been given the digital code for the door lock. And there are many trails and walks through the forest to some excellent views well worth photographing. That is the main reason you are here."

"Yes, it is," Devon concurred, trying not to give away anything we didn't wish him to know.

I opened my door and got out, looking around admiringly. Devon followed, standing still to absorb the dreaming silence that was almost total except for the soft night wind sighing through the surrounding trees. The darkness crowded in on all sides.

"Oh, it's absolutely perfect," I breathed. "I can just see my villain living here in splendid isolation while he schemes and plots my hero's downfall. I can't wait to get started."

I shook my head. And if my new outline was now centred on an older, more mature Edward Grainger then so be it. He would still be tall, masculine and vital - as sexy as hell - but that sharp edge of bitterness had softened. Maybe this time he could finally get the woman he deserved.

"I hadn't thought of the place as a villain's lair." Devon shook his head and smiled at my enthusiasm. "I've met a few in my time with FLAG. We could collaborate and compare notes."

"I would like that." I smiled as I looked past him. "Thank you, Kitt. You certainly do know how to work miracles." Again, I felt the need that he should be leaving us soon. But I knew I would miss him.

"You are most welcome, Carolyn. I aim to please you in all aspects of my work. I too thought the place was most suitable as a hideaway for a dastardly villain."

"Don't go giving him a swelled head now," Devon warned. "Come on," he encouraged, walking to the trunk to fetch our bags. "Let's get inside out of the cold."

He glanced at the darkness of the surrounding trees. "No doubt there are bears and mountain lions out there."

"Okay…" His words hurried my steps toward the front door. "Good night, Kitt." I touched the car's wing mirror as we passed.

"Good night," Kitt replied, his red eye watching us while Devon keyed in the digital code he'd been given, and we went inside.

I looked all around as Devon shut and locked the front door behind us. "Oh, this is just lovely…"

I had to admit the inside of the house was even more perfect than the outside. I took off my leather jacket and dropped it onto a nearby chair before I went exploring. I soon found that every need or want had been catered for from the well-stocked refrigerator to the full wine bar. Nothing had been left to chance. It was a perfect getaway hideaway.

All the rooms were rustically furnished and looked very comfortable. Suitable for the wooded surroundings where people would wish to go hiking and walking. Or to take photographs. After a long day out in the fresh air, a log fire could be lit in the enormous stone fireplace with its huge black bear skin rug spread out on the hardwood floor.

"I could get used to this," I said, feeling my cheeks heat as I turned away from the rug's lush thickness and its obvious implications.

The huge size of the animal who'd once owned the skin rug made me wary of venturing too far into the surrounding forest without the protection of my sturdy Jeep. I shook my head.

"I could get used to being alone with you," Devon replied, walking over to me. "Have I told you lately how beautiful you are?" He linked his fingers loosely through his and tugged me closer.

"I seem to remember you saying something like that last night," I whispered, looking up at him through my lowered lashes as I rested against his powerful chest.

"I said a lot of things last night," he teased gently. "And so did you." He looked around the huge living room. "At least, nobody can hear us out here."

"It is lovely," I replied, toying with his long fingers. "We have wasted so much time in all those long years we were apart. Too much time."

"Well, we aren't going to waste a single minute of the time we have together here and now…" Devon lifted my hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to their backs. "But, first off, I think do we need to light that fire. It's getting cold. And then we should see about some dinner. You must be hungry."

"Yes, a little…" I nodded jerkily, stirring my fingers against his softly stubbled cheek before he let me go and went to light the prepared fire. All it needed was the long match he struck and applied to the paper beneath the kindling and larger pieces of wood.

"Now that's done, you stay in here and get warm. Find a book to read. I'll see about our dinner," he said, as he straightened to look at me long and meaningfully before he walked away into the kitchen.

"All right…" I looked after him and sighed.

He'd shed his sheepskin jacket and was wearing a soft cream woollen, roll-neck sweater and dark navy jeans. He fitted neatly into every one of the beguiling fantasies I'd ever had about the gorgeous hero of my novels.

"Blast…" Again, what I wanted had nothing to do with anything as prosaic as food.

I was already warm enough without the fire. The heat of anticipation for the night ahead stirred through me. I wanted to be back in his arms again and with no barriers between us.

But I would allow Devon to take care of me tonight. He seemed determined to do so with or without my permission and I could admit it was a very nice feeling to be cherished by a strong, caring man once more. I didn't know until this very moment how much I missed him doing that for me.

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I watched Carolyn as she entered the kitchen and saw her frown. I had been investigating the offerings in the huge side-by-side fridge and freezer. I took out some fresh salmon steaks along with brown rice and vegetables.

I put them on the kitchen island. I returned to the fridge to take out a chilled bottle of white wine and found two glasses. I opened the wine as I watched her.

"Sit down there…" I indicated a bar stool on the other side of the island. I wasn't going to allow her to help me. "I'm cooking for you tonight."

"Bossy…" Carolyn smiled as she did as she was told for once.

"Sometimes it pays…" I shook my head.

I sorted through my ingredients and started the prep at the island's deep farmhouse sink. "I can see you've got something on your mind. You wanted to tell me over lunch, but you didn't. Care to share it now?"

"All right…" she began cautiously as she watched me work. "I've been thinking about Kitt…"

"What about Kitt?" I prevaricated, guessing what she was about to say.

I was sure I'd already arrived at the very same conclusion. But I waited for her to ask as I poured two glasses of wine and pushed one toward her.

"I mean, do we actually need him anymore?" She rushed to reply, accepting the glass with a quick nod of thanks. "I know we owe him a great deal and he has been very helpful. He was very good to me in all those months we were apart. I couldn't have done it without him…"

"But?" I encouraged as I finished washing the vegetables and put them into a double saucepan to steam.

I picked up my glass and sipped the contents as I watched her. I knew what she wanted to say next.

Carolyn toyed with the stem of her glass. "But if we are to be truly all alone out here, then we don't need a babysitter."

I tried not to smile. "I doubt Kitt has ever been called a babysitter before," I joked softly, to ease her tension as I turned away to deal with the rice. "It would bruise his dignity."

"You said I needed to remember he's just a car," she shot back. "Well, that's what I am trying to do. He reports on everything we do."

"Yes…" I nodded slowly. "I know what you're trying to say. Kitt has been very useful and resourceful. But I do agree. I too feel he has outlived his usefulness with us now. He can go back to LA."

"I'm glad. But how will he get home?" Carolyn worried.

"If I tell him tonight, then he can be back in LA and get to Michael's place before sunrise. No one will pay any attention to a car passing in the night. It has always been the safest time for him to travel alone."

I raised my shoulders as I worked with the salmon steaks. "And don't worry. He will go on auto cruise and if anyone tries to stop him, then there's always the turbo boost. Nothing can catch Kitt at top speed. He will be perfectly safe."

"It does sound very easy…" Carolyn nodded. "But I do feel so bad about asking."

I shook my head as I washed and dried my hands before picking up one of hers. "You have imbued Kitt with human emotions and feelings." I grimaced. "Don't worry, we've all done it over the years. But, at the most basic level, he is still just a computerised car and will do as he's commanded. He has no option. And you cannot hurt his feelings because he has none."

"Are you sure?" Carolyn gripped my fingers. "At times he seems so lonely. And he does have a rather wicked sense of humour."

"That's been Michael's lasting influence on him. But Kitt's still just a car. You can leave it to me to tell him it's time to go." I glanced at the food.

There would be time for us to go and talk to Kitt before it was all ready. The salmon steaks were the last thing to be cooked and would take the least amount of time.

"Come on…" I encouraged her to her feet with my grip on her fingers. "We have time to send him on his way now. Put on your jacket and trust me. You'll see. He won't be at all upset. His gas tank is full so he can drive right through the night."

"All right…" She complied with my command as she retrieved her leather coat and shrugged it on.

But I could see by the guilty look in her eyes that she was not at all convinced. I smiled, loving her all over again for the warm tenderness of her woman's loving heart as I grabbed my jacket, and we walked together toward the front door.

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