The Dark Side of the Rainbow (12 page)

Gaston added his own thoughts about his wife. “Landon is absolutely right. When she put the ball in motion to hire Juan, she was thinking of me and the children. She knew how difficult it was for me to be away every month for the three days of the cruise, in addition to the three nights of the week that I work, but I was too prideful to draw a line and do what was necessary on my own. This one here,” he motioned to Landon, “works like a dog, but doesn’t have children to think of, so he doesn’t always notice these things.”

The reference to not having any children caused Landon to ache. He couldn’t resist glancing at Brooke. Gazing at her didn’t help soothe the now-open wound; the way she looked at him caused it to throb with pricks of pain. He wanted to close his eyes and push away the troubling thoughts. Instead, he turned his gaze back to his brother-in-law. “Now you will have your time, Gaston, and I am glad for it.”

It was Brooke’s turn to share her thoughts. “It sounds like you are very fortunate, Landon, to have a sibling who cares a great deal for you; likewise, Gaston, for a wonderful wife and mother. I hope to meet her while I’m here in Patagonia.”

Landon’s thoughts had strayed for a moment. “I’m certain you will meet her. She would enjoy making your acquaintance. Beware, she will offer you a nice side job of taking pictures of the children. If you have not photographed children before, good luck. Trying to get those two to pose for a picture is like asking the sun not to set.”

She appreciated the metaphor. “Well, then if your sister does offer me the opportunity, you will have to help me corral them into cooperation.”

“How much will you pay me? You know, some type of subcontracting fee?”

Brooked gave a delightful laugh. “If it’s as challenging as you say it is, I’m happy to negotiate.”

“Please, you two,” Gaston chimed in, “these are my children you are describing.” Looking at Brooke, he said, “They won’t give you an ounce of trouble.”

Both Landon and Brooke laughed at the chef’s good-natured comment.

Gaston smiled. “Do you have any siblings of your own, Brooke?”

“Unfortunately, no. I would have enjoyed having a sister; someone to giggle with about boys.” She changed the subject and looked at Landon. “Does the family travel to London often?”

“About two or three times a year. My father moved his base there about eleven years ago. I fly there for meetings and, of course, to visit with them.”

“I’ve always wanted to go to London,” Brooke commented.

For the next hour, the three of them talked about London, Paris, and travel in general.

As the evening grew late, they made their leave. Landon offered to escort Brooke back to her room. She said goodnight to Gaston and seemed pleased as he air-kissed both of her cheeks. Unaccustomed to the European tradition of greeting and saying goodbye, she appeared to enjoy the gesture. Would the woman on his arm feel the same if he attempted such a farewell after dropping her off at her door? Too mixed up by the feelings churning inside him, he knew he would simply wish her goodnight.

“Thank you for escorting me to dinner. I’ve really enjoyed my stay so far. Would you like to meet for breakfast? I thought we could discuss some of the other shots you would like for me to take.”

The longing Landon felt for her grew stronger with every moment. Part of him wanted to step on the brakes for a second or two, enough for him to catch his breath and think. Like an addict lacking self-control, he found himself accepting her invitation.

She smiled in response, her high rosy cheeks deepening in color in what appeared to be pleasure. “Great, I’ll see you then, around eight.”

He nodded and waited for her door to close and for the lock to slide into place before turning toward his suite.

“I
miss you too, Natasha.” Gaston kicked off his shoes and loosened his tie.

“He really did well, sweetheart?” Natasha asked, referring to Juan.

“Indeed, mon amour. I’m tempted to rent a car when we port in Villa La Angostura tomorrow and drive home.”

“Really?” Natasha sighed.

“No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned it; now I have given you false hope. Tomorrow afternoon is the cooking class. I should be here. Please forgive me.”

“There is nothing to forgive, Gaston. I miss you, that’s all.”

“And I miss you. I have some interesting news that will give you something else to ponder.”

“I’m listening.”

“There is a woman Landon has met.”

“On the cruise?”

“No, before. And you won’t believe where he took her for dinner: Dragonfly!”

His wife groaned. “Gaston, we’ve discussed this. It is perfectly fine if Landon enjoys a restaurant that is not run by you. If Landon did not prefer your cooking over anyone else’s, he never would have asked you to work on board
The Absolution
. He had no choice with the Grand Vue as it was my decision to make, but the ship has been all his from day one.”

“You didn’t let me finish.”

Natasha was silent for moment. “You’re right. I’m sorry. He took this woman to Dragonfly, and . . .”

Gaston smiled into his phone. He was stretched out on his bed, wishing badly that she were here lying beside him while he told her about the little joke Brooke played on him.

He was rewarded by her laughter. “I love it!” she exclaimed.

“It gets better.”

“Yeah?” she said with excitement. He could picture her sitting up, hanging on to every one of his words.

“I believe your brother is falling for this woman.”

Natasha gasped. “How can you be sure?”

“When he’s around Brooke, there is this intensity about him that I’ve never seen. I’ve noticed him smiling and laughing more in one day than I’ve seen him do with the few women he’s dated since I’ve known him. It’s like he’s a different person.

“At one point tonight I stuck my foot in my mouth and pointed out that he had no children. It was in reference to how much he worked. There was a look on his face. I could tell the statement bothered him, not because he was offended, but because of something else. He was looking at Brooke while whatever was bothering him ran its course. I’m convinced he’s falling for her. ”

“Well, that is something,” Natasha agreed.

“That’s not all. There was a similarly intense look on her face. For a few brief moments, it was as if they were the only two people in the room. Then as suddenly as it appeared, poof! It was gone.”

Natasha laughed at how he exaggerated his French accent when he said, “Poof! It was gone.” “What do you think of her, Gaston?”

There was no hesitation on his part. “She’s charming, witty, and so far I like her. The only thing is, she’s here temporarily on assignment for about six months. She is a photographer taking pictures of Patagonia. When Landon found out, he offered to reimburse her for the cost of the cruise in exchange for pictures of the ship.”

“Wow, he does like her! He had new pictures done of
The Absolution
not too long ago. What is her last name?”

“Johnson. She’s from Montana. I can’t remember the name of the city, but she is a published photographer.”

“I’d like to meet her as soon as possible.”

“She’s looking forward to meeting you.”

“Oh, yeah? How did I come up in the conversation?”

* * *

L
andon saw Brooke sitting at a table close to a window. She was sipping coffee and gazing out the large pane of glass toward the water.

“Good morning, Brooke.”

She turned her head to peer at him. Smiling, she gestured for him to sit. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

He had tossed and turned the entire night, his mind filled with thoughts of Brooke. “I slept so-so. I have a lot on my mind. How about you?”

“The same. I got up early to take some photos of the mountain pass.”

“And how was it? Did mother nature cooperate?”

“She did. Do you have time to see some of what I’ve taken?”

Landon looked at his watch. “Were you planning on traveling into Villa La Angostura when we dock later this morning?”

Brooke nodded. “It’s hard for me to resist a new place. I always wonder what shot I’ll miss if I don’t go.”

There was a pensive light in his gaze. “Is that what keeps you motivated? Hope for the next moment that will take your breath away, forever captured in the eye of your lens?”

She glanced openly at Landon for what seemed like an eternity, as if she didn’t know what to say. “I never quite thought about it in that way. I suppose it’s partly true, but more than the next memorable moment, my dreams and goals are what keep me going.”

“Do you care to share them with me sometime?”

“Someday,” came her steady reply.

He reached for his coffee cup, which was now brimming with the hot black liquid. “A rain check it is then. If you don’t mind some company into town, I’d be happy to show you some sights that are off the beaten path.”

Brooke smiled. “You make it difficult for me to refuse such an offer.”

Shrugging, Landon replied, “Chalk it up to years of boardroom maneuvers and tactics. I knew they’d come in handy at some point, when I wasn’t in a suit and tie.”

Landon enjoyed hearing her laugh. It did something to him, restoring all the stolen years his tragic mistake had taken away from him. His thoughts sobered as he realized it wasn’t possible, merely a fantasy. It was hopeless to try and recover the innocence of days past. They were lost to him forever.

Forcing his dark thoughts aside, he said with a smile, “If I’m going to spend the day with you, I must hurry and eat so I can get some work done before we dock. Have you ordered yet?”

The pair enjoyed a nice breakfast and agreed to meet on the upper deck at eleven when the ship anchored.

An hour later, Landon finished the last of his pressing phone calls. He began working on a report to be presented to the board of directors but was unable to concentrate. After several attempts, he dropped his pen on the black leather desk blotter and looked toward the clock. He had an hour before it was time to meet Brooke on deck for their excursion.

Leaning back in his chair, he rubbed his eyes in weariness. All night and this morning, Landon had been consumed with thoughts of kissing her. He knew he had to stop. The open wound in his heart reminded him of how futile his imaginings and wishes were. The tormented reminder he had felt the night before was increasing with every thought of Brooke. Would the pain become so unbearable that he would no longer have the strength to cope?

When he thought about what the future held for him with no one but family to love and no children of his own, it caused him to crumble on the inside. Before seeing Brooke, he thought he could manage; but in one short week everything had changed. There was an inexplicable, iron-clad hold she had on him that he was desperate to shake. Why was he unable to forgive himself long enough to open his heart and life to another?

Last night, while in the lounge with Brooke and Gaston, he had remembered the conversation he and Natasha had after Isabella was born. His sister had been right about what he desired. For a brief moment on that long ago afternoon, he had felt a spark of hope. Sadly, the spark had failed to spurt into a full-blown fire. Struggling to stay alive, it flickered with frailty before disappearing forever.

Landon never should have offered to take her into town. He had been weak. Standing to retrieve a bottle of water from the compact fridge, he made his decision. When the cruise was over, he would wish Brooke Johnson well and steer clear of her for the remainder of her stay in Patagonia. Somehow he would do whatever it took to forget her.

T
he day was lovely and warmer than normal for spring. A light jacket was all that was needed and soon, when the late morning sun made its zenith, all outer garments would no longer be necessary.

The sight of her took Landon’s breath away. Brooke’s black hair was swept up in a twist, revealing her shapely face and slender neck. The sun caused her smooth pale skin to glow even brighter. In the natural light, he could make out the subtle freckles that kissed the bridge of her nose and cheeks. As he approached where she stood at the railing, he admired the dark denim Capris and the long-sleeved lavender knit shirt she wore. Brooke had already discarded her jacket.

“Do you have sunscreen?” he asked as he held out his hand toward her bag with an offer to carry it for her.

She entrusted him with her camera equipment, while thanking him for his offer to burden himself with the load. “I do have some. I never leave home without it. The sun wreaks havoc on my skin if I’m not careful.”

“Good. Shall we?”

Nodding, Brooke followed Landon as he led her off the boat. Within moments he managed to hail a cab. She looked at him with a quizzical expression.

“To travel the road not taken in Villa La Angostura ironically requires a vehicle, preferably a car.” Landon couldn’t resist referencing one of his favorite poems
The Road Not Taken
, by Robert Frost. “We’ll be sure to do some touristy stuff later, but I have to show you the best thing about this area.”

When they were seated side by side in the back of the cab, Landon spoke to the driver in Spanish, giving him directions to the place he wished to take Brooke. When he returned his attention to her, he allowed his eyes to linger upon her. “We haven’t spoken much about your stay. I know it’s only been a week, but I hope it’s been a fruitful one.”

“More than you know. I spent the earlier part shopping, banking, and finding a good camera store. When the cruise is over, I’ll begin trekking all over the immediate area for photos. When I leave the resort for the farm stay, I’ll branch out even farther.” Glancing out of her window, she added, “I thought the northern part of the United States and Canada were beautiful, but I think this part of the world has pulled ahead by a nose.” Brooke turned to face Landon once again. “How long have you lived here in Patagonia?”

“Nearly twelve years. I agree it is stunning. I like to imagine God bending over the world and kissing this corner of the earth, pleased with how beautiful it turned out. Traveling to many different places, I have found the splendor of this land to be unparalleled.”