Clever Heart

By Alice Levine

Clever Heart is the story of a young lady who agrees to housesit for a friend, hoping to study for an important exam.
She is interrupted by the unexpected appearance of her friend's brother.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796055764

Alice Levine

Author Bio coming soon.

Book preview

Copyright © 2019 by Alice Levine.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2019912734

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-7960-5578-8

                Softcover        978-1-7960-5577-1

                eBook             978-1-7960-5576-4

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 09/04/2019

Xlibris

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CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Dedicated to my children

Judith

Jean

Laban

Susan

Sol

And to my beloved Bert

CHAPTER ONE

From the pocket of her suit jacket Zoe withdrew Sonia’s letter; it bore the logo of a Paris hotel.

"Dear Zoe,

I’m thrilled that you’ve agreed to housesit for me this summer. You know how important my precious Modigliani painting is to me. Please pick up Henrietta as soon as possible."

There was more, but Zoe stuffed the letter into its envelope without finishing it. She stole a look at the strong-featured profile opposite her on the train then turned back to her sooty window, but not before the craggy-faced stranger smiled at her. He had a wide sensual mouth, perfect teeth, and laugh crinkles at the corners of his blue eyes.

Smiling to herself, Zoe turned her thoughts to the scene outside while the train sped past the landscape separating Manhattan from Long Island. It had been a long time, she reminded herself wistfully, since she visited her old neighborhood. To her, it had seemed more like a small town than a metropolitan suburb. Once when she brought a college classmate home for the weekend, the friend, a girl from the Midwest, had commented, It’s just like a sleepy little place back home. No one would guess we’re thirty minutes from Manhattan.

It’s true, Zoe thought. Lovely big green parks, empty lots filed with tall weeds, streets shaded by old trees, funny old-fashioned homes. She smiled sadly. Only there was no home for her to come back to.

Her overnight case lay at her feet. In a day or two UPS would deliver a trunk containing her summer clothes and other essentials. If everything turned out according to her plans, she would resign from her job at the end of her two-month leave, and move to Florida.

The train sailed through one station after another, until finally, at Bayside, she and the handsome stranger were the only passengers left in the car. As it lurched to a standstill, she hurried to the door, noting that the other passenger had left his seat, too, and was carrying a large case, an art portfolio, she was certain. Stepping out onto the concrete platform where he stood smiling at her, she paused and found herself looking directly into his eyes.

After you, he said, in a disturbingly sexy baritone. The gleaming interest she saw in his eyes made her glad she was wearing her new Calvin Klein suit. She had bought it when she was feeling particularly blue. Making the decision to leave New York and to break up with Ron had been difficult. She might never find a job as deeply satisfying as her present one. And despite Ron’s continuing infidelities, she knew she would miss him.

Momentarily unnerved by the stranger’s stare, she touched her curly brown hair, then the silk scarf draped around her slender throat. For a brief moment she imagined them together. Stop it! she told herself. She had no place for men in her life in the foreseeable future. She had more important things to do. She must pass the exam in September so she could leave New York and assume her other obligations. Climbing the steep steps to the street, Zoe was acutely aware of the tall figure behind her, and flushed at the thought of his eyes on her trim thighs and legs. At the street level, their eyes met again. Goodbye, handsome, she mouthed silently. It might have been nice.

Tearing herself away from his blue eyes, she proceeded to the corner convenience store. Minutes later, balancing a bag of groceries, she reached the taxi stand. The driver jumped out to open the cab door, grinning appreciatively at her shapely figure and her full-lipped face.

Zoe gave the driver Sonia’s address and settled back in her seat while the taxi made a U turn and drove south on Bell Boulevard, Bayside’s main shopping street. At the corner of 40thAvenue she leaned forward and strained to see down the block. Newly painted, the building was still standing, but her grandfather’s deli had been replaced by a bike shop. As unfamiliar boutiques, fruit stands and shops whizzed by, Zoe’s mood darkened. Everything looks so different, she murmured unconsciously.

The driver squinted at her in his rear view mirror. You’re not kidding. The old place isn’t the same. He made a right turn on 35th Avenue. You from around here?

She nodded. A million years ago.

He laughed. It’s changed all right. I guess you’re visiting the McMullens. I recognize the address, he added, noting her surprise.

You know them?

He chuckled. You bet. Everybody knows the McMullens.

The houses were further apart now, with wide green velvet lawns stretching down to the road, and bird calls echoing from the grand trees guarding the properties. The cab sped toward its destination, the salty smell of the bay filling Zoe’s nostrils.

She peered out eagerly as the cab approached a white-pillared mansion on the crest of the hill. For years it had stood boarded up and neglected. As children, Zoe and Sonia had discovered a broken latch in the basement, and it became their secret place, their hideaway.. From the abandoned observatory they had looked out at the bay beyond the treetops, plotted their lives and shared their dreams. Dark, serious Zoe was going to be a state senator like her father; save the world; help the unfortunate. Blonde impetuous Sonia had different dreams. Someday, she had announced shiny-eyed – someday this house will be mine. She had waved a hand toward the bare room. I’ll furnish it with the finest French furniture and the softest deepest carpets.

Zoe smiled to herself, remembering, as the driver followed the curving driveway up to the front steps. He leaped out to carry Zoe’s suitcase and groceries.

I can manage, she protested.

No trouble, he insisted cheerfully.

Zoe fumbled with Sonia’s key until she felt the lock open, whereupon the driver swung open the large oak door and deposited her belongings on the marble floor inside.

She handed him his money. Thanks; keep the ch. …

Suddenly, on the steps leading upstairs, a man’s figure loomed above, descending toward them. Alarmed, Zoe stepped back, bumping into the driver, who looked up apprehensively, then broke into a wide grin. Hello there, Mister Fontanez.

Zoe blinked, for the man he addressed was the stranger from the train. Barefooted, his shirt open to the navel, a shock of blond hair falling over one eye, he regarded Zoe intently.

Is this a break-in? he asked, his face reflecting both puzzlement and amusement.

A welter of confusing emotions swept over Zoe. She flushed and drew herself up indignantly. I beg your pardon! My name is Zoe Maxwell. I’m a friend of the owner, Mrs. Sonia McMullen. I’m housesitting for her this summer. She pulled Sonia’s letter from her pocket. I have her letter to prove it. She waved the letter before his face . Who are you?

He gave a short laugh, exposing his even white teeth. Actually. . .I’m Sonia’s brother.

She scowled at him. Sonia doesn’t have a brother, she spoke sharply. Then she put her hand over her mouth, and an expression of dawning understanding appeared on her face. You’re Bernardo, she whispered.

That’s me! he replied jauntily.

The driver consulted his watch and shook his head. If you won’t be needing me any more, miss, I’ll be going. …

She spun around. Don’t leave me here!

He scratched his head. Where do you want to go?

She put her hand on her forehead. I. . .don’t know, she answered faintly.

She had felt this way that terrible day years ago when she stopped at the deli after school and found the door locked. CLOSED DUE TO A DEATH IN THE FAMILY, a hand-scribbled sign said. Her father was out of town, and her grandmother had died just months before. And now, her beloved grandfather was gone too. The fear she felt that day stayed with her long after her father had returned to comfort her.

The tall blond man strode to her side as if to steady her. Let the cabbie go. You can always call him back if you need him.

Well. . .all right, she agreed, her face clouded with uncertainty.

After the door closed behind the driver, Zoe stood anchored to the marble floor, trying to organize her thoughts, the sound of the taxi fading in the distance. What if this strong, sensual-looking man standing before her was not Sonia’s brother after all?

Recognizing her confusion, the tall man spoke to her in gentle tones. Why don’t you come into the living room, Zoe Maxwell, while we sort this out?

She followed him stiffly, acutely aware of his masculine aura.

He pointed to a long green silk couch. Please sit here. You show me your letter from Sonia, and I’ll find something to convince you who I am.

She gripped her letter, suspicion sketched on her features. You first.

He laughed and strode to a rosewood case. I can see you’re going to need convincing. After looking through the cabinet, he lifted a photo album from its shelf and seated himself beside Zoe on the couch.

She flinched as she felt the heat from his body near hers.

He leafed through the album and paused at a certain page which he pressed open. Passing the album to her, he pointed to a picture.

Here. This is a shot of Sonia and me. It was taken the year she graduated from high school.

Zoe peered at the photo of her friend Sonia standing between a bearded man and a young blond adonis, unmistakably the man sitting beside Zoe now. She turned to compare his face with the photo. It was ruggedly handsome. Not a soft line in it. This man would be strong in every sense, she told herself, quivering inwardly. Silently she returned the album, careful to avoid touching his hands. Then she handed him her letter.

As he studied Sonia’s message to her, Zoe let her eyes sweep over the beautifully appointed room. Her friend had been true to her dreams. The room was opulent, almost overpoweringly so with its rich fabrics