A Timeless Heart

Excerpt of A Timeless Heart
Copyright © 2022 Siobhan Muir
All rights reserved.
“That Sounded Like Her Ex.”

Bianca unlocked her front door and breathed a sigh of relief. This was her sanctuary and a place for respite after setting up her business in a whole new state, getting her business license, and getting the word out to the locals. She set her kettle on to boil as she put away her vegetables and thought about the men who approached her at the farmer’s market.

The huge one named Mason seemed friendly and had to help his older friend along. Despite his reticence, she’d liked the look of Captain Śandor Halmi—pronounced “Shawndor”—more than she wanted to admit. With deep green-gray eyes and silver at his temples, he definitely brought back her Mel Gibson fantasy from the last Mad Max movie with Tina Turner. But just because he was beautiful didn’t mean she wanted to spend time alone with him. Beauty could hide monsters as she’d learned the hard way with her ex-husband.

The kettle whistled and she poured herself a cup of peppermint tea. She had nothing to gain by getting together with another man. Yes, it had been six years since she’d been in a relationship, but this was the first time she’d had an adventure that didn’t include someone else. She didn’t want help—she didn’t need it—and she was glad to be alone.

Most of the time.

The nights were sometimes lonely, and she liked to share meals with people. Having a friend around would be nice, too.

Before she got too maudlin, her phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Mom. How are you doing?”

A smile curled her lips. “Izzy! I’m good. How are you?”

“I’m pretty good. I have a new roommate who knows the guys in the Blue Man Group and got us tickets to see them backstage.”

“Oh, honey, that’s fantastic. I’m envious.”

“You are?”

“Hell yeah. I loved their music when they first appeared on the music scene and couldn’t believe they were a bunch of nerdy engineers.” She grinned at the phone.

“Mom, not all engineers are nerdy. I’m not.” She could hear Izzy’s eyeroll.

“I know, but I can’t help poking you for your big brain.” She laughed. “How’s everything else going? School start all right this semester?”

“Yeah, I really like my advisor. She’s wicked smart and makes everything fun. Serious but inquisitive and so enthusiastic, she makes even structural engineering exciting.”

Izzy laughed and warmth filled Bianca’s heart. It had been a while since Izzy laughed, especially after the divorce. Her father had done a number on them all for the breakup of the marriage, and it had only reenforced Bianca’s need to get away.

“But, um, did you tell Dad you were leaving California?” Caution and unease filled Izzy’s voice.

Bianca sighed. “I didn’t tell him because we only stay in contact for things pertaining to you and Trey. Since my move to Cloudburst didn’t include you, I didn’t tell him. Why?”

“He called me ranting and raving about strangers in your house who said they bought it over a month ago and you ‘absconding’ in the dark of night without his say-so.”

Bianca snorted and rolled her eyes. That sounded like her ex.

“Well, he’s right about selling the house. And the Mercedes, too. But since neither the house nor the car was connected to his finances, nor were they connected to your college funds, I didn’t bother to ask his permission to leave. He’s not my husband so there was no ‘absconding’ involved. You and Trey are important, so I let you kids know I was leaving and where to find me.”

“So, do you want me to keep it from Dad?” Izzy sounded uncomfortable.

Bianca sighed. “I’d rather he doesn’t know so he doesn’t try to track me down, but it’s not a big secret if that’s what you’re asking. Really, I’m not his problem anymore and I’m perfectly happy cutting off ties with him beyond you kids. But if you do mention it to him, I won’t be mad.”

Izzy let out the breath she’d been holding. “Okay. I hate keeping secrets, but I know how Dad is and you’re right, it shouldn’t matter what you do anymore. You’re your own person.” It sounded like she as trying to remind herself as much as Bianca. “But he’s going to be mad that you didn’t check with him. He always had this weird need to keep tabs on you.”

“Yet another reason why we weren’t right for each other. But I don’t regret having you or Trey, so I’ll chalk the relationship up as worthwhile for the bright lights you are.” She didn’t want to rehash the old traumas they shared. She’d moved on from the hurts caused by her ex and it was time the kids did, too.