Read Online His Everlasting Love: 50 Loving States, Virginia by Theodora Taylor - Free Book Online Page B

understand.
    “I’ve really got to go,” she said again.
    “I thought you were done with work for the day. Why do you have leave out of here so fast?”
    His question only compelled her to move faster. She packed up her things in record time and headed straight for the door, calling over her shoulder. “I’ve got another appointment.”
    Which was true. The center closed at six, which meant she had to get all the way back over to Richmond and pick Trevor up. Thank God for the new car. She never would have made it on time using the bus system like she used to, which was why she usually picked him up before coming back to Greenlee.
    “Wait,” he called after her. “Willa, wait, goddammit!”
    She stopped and against her better judgment, turned around.
    He was sitting up on the table now, which meant the tent wasn’t so much on display. But it was still obvious between his legs, and she forced her eyes up to his muscular torso. Tight with tension, it matched his face, which was now a dark storm cloud of emotions.
    Her throat caught at the beautiful sight of him. Unable to leave, but unable to look away.
    “Will I be seeing you again next Tuesday?” he asked, voice low. The question was simple, but the way he held her gaze made Willa’s entire body tingle.
    “Yes, of course,” she answered, hoping and praying seven days would be enough time to regain her composure. Plus… “I owe you five more sessions.”
    He didn’t answer. Just watched her. So hard, Willa felt like she was grabbing on to a lifeline when she reached out behind her and found the doorknob.
    “See you then,” she mumbled before rushing out of his home gym and practically running through the house to reach the front door.
    Being outside was like escaping a vacuum. All the air rushed back into her lungs, and Willa drank it in huge gulps, bending over at the waist and propping her hands on her knees.
    “He likes you, you know.”
    Willa turned her head to see Kate Greenlee Grant leaning against one of the porch’s white columns.
    Willa straightened up, her eyes cutting back toward the house.
    “Don’t worry, after that exchange, he’s most likely back in his gym with those silly weights of his.” Kate rolled her eyes. “That’s how he handles anything that’s bothering him these days—you know there used to be a lot more of you about the property.”
    Willa looked left and right, wondering what she was talking about.
    “Coloreds,” Kate supplied off Willa’s questioning look. “But not anymore. Most of them disappeared after your mother won her case against my husband and the ones who are left don’t particularly care to talk to me, even though I told them I’ve changed my mind about all of that now that I’m dead.”
    Kate made a clucking sound, dismissing her family’s legacy of slavery and oppression with a wave of one elegant hand.
    “But if it’s me you’re worried about, then don’t be,” Kate continued on cheerily. “I’ve been dead for quite awhile now, and have had plenty of time to think about my family’s long held beliefs while knocking about this house on my own. So you’ll be happy to know I won’t do anything ghoulish if you decide to pursue this affection with my son.”
    Wow , thought Willa, just when you thought you had seen it all, the former Southern belle who drowned in the bathtub shows up .
    “No, I wasn’t worried about that…” she answered, trailing off.
    “Oh then was it because he was so very cruel to you in high school?”
    “No, I’m pretty much over that,” Willa answered, not bothering to add that this was because Sawyer had already sincerely apologized to her in Germany.
    “Then I don’t understand,” Kate said, her eyes fluttering with confusion. “You’re an attractive woman, and my son has needs. I’m sure you do, too. Why not meet them together?”
    “Okay, well it was nice talking to you, Mrs. Grant,” Willa said started for the porch stairs.
    “I’m merely saying I