Free For the Love of You by Donna Hill

referring to Jewel by her mother’s name—Estelle—and by degrees he became more and more agitated and seemingly disoriented, not understanding why he was on a plane or where he was going. Jewel was terrified, and his agitation grew to a point where the flight attendants had to intervene. Fortunately they were only twenty minutes out of Louisiana and Jewel was able to calm him without him being restrained. By the time they landed, he seemed to be himself again, but exhausted, as if the lapse had been as much physical as mental.
    The diagnosis was what every child fears for their parent—early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Whatever idea Jewel might have had about returning to New York or going back to Europe came to a grinding halt. Her father couldn’t be left alone, especially in that enormous house. The doctors prescribed the latest in medication that was touted to slow the disease but not stop it. For a while the medication seemed to work, and then it didn’t. They tried combination after combination, with the same result—“You should put him a facility where he can be cared for.” For Jewel that was not an option.
    Augustus Fontaine was her dad. The man who had been her rock for the better part of her life. Now it was her turn to be there for him.
    For a while she tried to paint, to sculpt, but her father needed her more and more. Maybe it was some macabre blessing in disguise, she often thought. After the debacle of her showing at the Guggenheim, no one was beating down her door. She’d lost her mojo, and there seemed to be nowhere in her day or in her life for her to reclaim it. Instead, she turned all of her time and attention to caring for her father, until it became too much for her to handle alone. She hired Minerva.
    That had been a little more than two years ago. The disease had plateaued and remained at the same stage for quite some time. She supposed that was a good thing, and she’d fully accepted the turn that her life had taken. But the hard reality of her father’s care had done major damage to her bank account, and without the income from sales of her work, tours and speaking engagements, there was not much to replenish it with.
    And then came Craig Lawson.
    â€œNeed any help with those?” Minerva walked into the kitchen and settled on the opposite side of the counter.
    â€œI’m almost done. Thanks. How’s Dad?”
    â€œFine. He had a good day. And might I ask about yours?”
    Jewel tucked in a grin and busied herself with stacking the boxes. “Well...it was very nice.”
    â€œHow nice?” she probed.
    Jewel pushed out a breath. “Nice enough that I might do it again...if he asks.”
    Minerva’s light brown eyes widened. She clapped her hands in delight. “Hallelujah, and let the choir say amen!”
    Jewel couldn’t help but laugh. “Gee whiz, Minerva, it’s not that bad.”
    â€œOh, yes, it is. When was the last time you went out...with a man?” There was a long pause. “Exactly. And it don’t hurt that he’s drop-dead gorgeous and wealthy.”
    â€œThat’s all very true, but you are getting way ahead of what is going on. He lives between London and California. He has the kind of life that I have been out of for quite some time. Even if there was something going on between us—which there isn’t—there would be no way to make it work,” she added dismissively, even as she replayed the way his mouth felt on hers, the way he tasted and the way she wanted more. “It’s just two adults in a business arrangement that somewhat enjoy each other’s company.”
    â€œHmm,” Minerva murmured with a rise in her brow. “If you say so.” She started for the archway that led to the dining room. “I have to run into town to pick up a few things. I should be back in an hour or so. Do you need anything?”
    â€œNo. I’m good.