Free A Subtle Tenderness by K. C. King

woman can change your frame of mind.  It looks good on you.”
    “What looks good on me?”  Heath looked at him slightly perplexed.
    “Being in love, man, you got it bad for your woman,” he said it with a slight laugh in his voice.
    “It’s that obvious.”  Victor’s look was speculative.  “ Well, at least I’m not denying it.  Forever doesn’t look as mundane as it once did.”
    “Forever is a long time Heath.”
    “If it’s spent with the right woman, it’s a lot shorter than you think.”  His eyes were on Ophelia as she laughed at something Gita had said.  ‘Forever wouldn’t be nearly enough for him.’
    Their ride home the next morning was quiet . They both seemed to be in deep thought.  Heath’s mind kept going back to the secluded meeting he had with Ophelia’s father and brother.  He was prepared and had expected it to go a lot harder than it actually did. 
    “What are your intentions toward my daughter, Heathcliff? ” Mr. Dean asked the second the door was closed.
    “I’m ready for a family of my own in the next chapter in my life Mr. Dean and if Ophelia ’s ready and she’ll have me…I’d like to start one with her.”  He answered honestly. 
    “I would tell you that your relationship will have its struggles but I’ve begun to realize that you’re a man who might not care about what others think or believe.   That’s a good thing in your favor.”  He said as he sat down indicating for Heath to do the same. “I see that you’ve intuited that Ophelia isn’t ready for that next step.”
                  Heath looked from Mr. Dean to his son Kenny who was lounging on the edge of the couch and nodded.  “I didn’t make it through twenty years in the military by being dense.  Ophelia is a smart woman with a good career and life in Chicago and suddenly decides to move to the hills of Notch Ga.  I knew there was a man or a bad relationship behind that move.  I knew she was healing or hiding or maybe both.  I know a little bit about that myself.”
                  “So she hasn’t shared her story with you yet?”  Kenny looked slightly surprised when Heath shook his head no.
    “ It’s her story to tell son, but if it’s any comfort to you I like the happiness and joy I saw in her this weekend.  I’ll be rooting for you both.   Now if you’ll follow me outside there’s a project… I’ve been thinking about upgrading the gazebo.”   Heath stood up and followed Mr. Dean as Kenny nudged his shoulder on his way out and laughed.
    “Welcome to my world,” Kenny said and closed the door.
    Heath silently glanced at Ophelia’s sleeping form and wondered how long it would take her to tell him her story.   He was a patient man.  Heath honestly didn’t care so much why Ophelia came to Notch, he was more grateful that she did and he was loath to have her leave his life.  He enjoyed everything about Ophelia and having met her family and friends understood her a little better.  Ophelia Richelle Dean was a keeper and his parents didn’t raise a fool.
     

Chapter Nine
     
    The wind teased the nape of her neck as Ophelia and Heath walked around the ship on the dinner cruise they were taking on Lake Michigan.  She leaned into his warmth as he pulled her close and they looked at the lights of the city.  Ophelia was at home within Heath’s arms.  She has lured him to Chicago with her while she went to some business editorial meetings.  Her life had drastically changed in the last four months and all for the better.  Their home life was uncomplicated and fulfilling.  Ophelia was content with Heath in her life and heart. 
    What she loved most about him was that Heath was all about her and he didn’t care about the occasional odd looks they got.  Heath put her first and she felt cherished when she was with him.  This week had been magical for her, Ophelia got to share her friends and favorite places with him.  They shopped and