Watson Manor Eventually (Watson Manor Mystery Series Book 1)

by Ronald S. Craig

  "Yeah, I guess we should get started." Charlie joined her at the table. Two hours and a bag of cookies later her mother announced it was nine o'clock and that they had thirty minutes. He was having fun and found himself talking to interested ears.

  Eden walked him out to the porch after he'd said good night to her parents. Her father made a joke about his new son-in-law. They both felt good about the progress they'd made.

  "See it isn't going to be so bad," she said.

  "I like it here." The words slipped out before Charlie could catch them.

  "I'm glad we're getting a chance to do this project together."

  "Me too," he admitted walking down the steps. "See ya tomorrow"

  "Charlie," she called out.

  "What?"

  "We like you here too. Goodnight."

  The following weeks gave Charlie a sense of family. He quickly put away his suspicion of a show by her parents and found real warmth from them. They joked about him being their adopted son and he loved feeling a part of it. Eden made one trip to Charlie's house and understood how blessed she was.

  They had gotten an "A" on their report; Charlie understood the gift of family and learned about love. They were inseparable their senior year and wrote to each other following her father's transfer out of state. Their letters had kept them close to each other's activities and the dream they shared of being together again after graduation, but writing became too hard and time eroded their plans. Charlie would never forget what they shared, as first loves always hold a special place, but, even more important, was the glow of hope he still held onto of family.

  *****

  Charlie felt the same explosion of those awakened emotions he had years ago sharing his first kiss on Eden's porch that led to exploring all aspects of loving. The idea of picking Jenny up for an evening together was very appealing. Okay, he thought, how do I do it right? For Charlie, dating was a process of steps toward a relationship, but "relationship" was not a word that rang of familiarity with him either. Instead, it was a concept that had always left him hurt and frustrated. He realized he wanted more than the surface connection that being C.W. allowed. He felt ready to let her in and to stop trying to hide from what he really wanted. He also realized it wasn't an option to push her away because she had already gotten through his defenses and refueled that glow of hope.

  He couldn't help the nervous excitement when he pulled into the parking lot of a Holiday Inn, just outside of town, that offered a parking lot big enough for his semi truck. He was almost giddy with excitement when he jumped out of his truck and walked toward the office, where he waited outside for her.

  Jenny drove up waving with the dying goose squawking. When she stopped beside him she said, "Hey big fella, I got me a powerful thing for truckers. You happen to know where I could find me one of them?" Her southern slang was better than her English accent he noted. Not to be out done, he assumed his John Wayne stance with his hands planted on his hips.

  "Well, listen up missy. If you're thinkin' you can handle a real man then open those pretty little eyes of yours. You just happen to be looking at one."

  "Well, thank ya' mister," she volleyed back, smiling broadly, enjoying the banter when her tone softened, her smile faded slightly and she added, "You are very, very special, Charlie."

  He wanted to say something funny, to continue the playful volley but he was touched by the warmth of her words. As he opened the door for her she saw his face suddenly became tense.

  "Is something wrong, something I said?"

  "No Jenny. Nothing at all." His words to her were just above a whisper. After a moment he continued, "Quite the opposite, actually. I'm sorry, I just..." He smiled and reached out to hug her. She walked naturally into his arms, without hesitation. He held her in silence trying to gather his thoughts. Charlie hadn't been ready for the overwhelming sensations happening inside of him as he released control, stepped out of that bunker, got off the bench. The emotional rush was a stranger overpowering him, a stranger he welcomed and wouldn't turn away from, even if he could. He stepped back slightly, his hands clutching her shoulders and said, "We had better get checked in. I've got a date with the most wonderful lady."

  The lights from an approaching car had exposed the tears welling in her eyes as she stood there, staring at him. She stepped up, never breaking eye contact and kissed him softly.

  "The Lord is smiling on us, Charlie," she whispered. "I believe that, with all my heart."

  They walked into the office in silence and checked in. Charlie carried her bag to one of the rooms and set it at the foot of her bed. "I'll be back to pick you up in an hour. Is that enough time for you?"

  "I'll be ready."

  Charlie set her room key on the dresser, kissed her quickly then pulled the door closed before he couldn't leave her room.

  *****

  Jenny sat there for a moment and stared blankly at the door. She picked up the phone slowly, deep in thought and dialed.

  "Hi it's me," she said. "We're in Phoenix. I'm not sure I can go through with this…" She listened with disappointment written all over her face then broke in, "Of course I trust you...I know you know him better than I do, but I'm..." She again listened to the instruction. "Okay...yes I know...I'll try to stay with the plan but he is a wonderful man." She hung up the phone and headed for the bathroom.

  *****

  Charlie put his bag in his room and returned to the motel office. He approached the desk and asked the girl behind the counter, "Do you know where I might pick up some flowers?"

  The clerk thought for a long time. "Not this late at night. Sorry sir." Charlie turned to leave, and with cupid's spark in her voice said, "Wait just a moment." She disappeared into the back room and returned with a large arrangement in a vase. "These were brought in earlier for the lounge tomorrow. Please take them for your lady."

  Charlie thanked her and tried to give her some money, but she refused it. "They're going to a good cause; love." The clerk was right and Charlie knew it.

  He went through his bag after his shower and was disappointed that he didn't have better clothes with him. The things he had were always fine before but not good enough for a date, he thought. Dressed, he picked up the phone to call a cab. He realized, with a glance at his watch, that only thirty minutes had passed. He asked the dispatcher to have a cab there in thirty minutes and hung up.

  He sat on the end of the bed and heard the shower in her room turn off. He laid back, closed his eyes and envisioned her walking out of the shower. He greeted her with the softest towel his hands had ever touched and began patting her beautiful skin dry. When his mind drifted to his hands flowing down her back, he rose quickly and turned on the television. It provided only a little distraction.

  When the hour had passed, he grabbed the flowers and knocked on her door. When it opened, the sight of Jenny standing in the doorway was a shock. He could only stare mesmerized without even the ability to say hello. He studied her, not wanting to risk missing the smallest detail. Her hair seemed softer, the hint of crimson highlights within the flowing curls almost sparkled. Below her warm brown eyes that already held him prisoner, were small, flattering freckles, perfectly placed on her cheeks with only a few crossing the middle of her nose. Her lips were sensual and inviting, naturally curved up and smiling. She was wearing a white knit dress, revealing a shapely body that belonged on the cover of the finest fashion magazine. He wondered how he'd missed these details; like he was stepping into the light and seeing her for the first time.

  "The flowers are beautiful, Charlie, thank you," she said with excitement. "Where in the world did you find them so late?"

  "Jenny, you are striking." He finally caught his breath though still in a daze.

  "Thank you. I wanted this to be special." Jenny was a little overwhelmed by Charlie's reaction. "I think it's what I see, reflected back to you."

  "Then I'm gorgeous! I wish I'd had better clothes with me."

  "You look wonderful to me,
come in." He took a deep breath and handed her the flowers. She set them on the night stand next to her bed.

  "I stole them from a bunch of drunks but they won't know it 'til tomorrow." He laughed and added, "A gift from cupid for the right reason." She looked at him a little confused. "It's not important."

  They waited outside and he couldn't take his eyes off of her. He knew from that moment, there was no turning back. He was sliding down hill too fast to grab a life line.

  The cab arrived close to 9:30. "To the best steak house in town," Charlie directed.

  Chapter 10

  Walking into the restaurant was like crossing back in time into the old west. Every detail from the wooden floors and oil lamps to the barmaid dresses and gambler outfits worn by the staff had made the illusion complete. The walls were lined with rough sawn lumber, as if taken from the sides of an old barn. Every picture on the walls had a horse in it, some were pulling covered wagons, some rushing the mail between towns, some with mounted cowboys chasing Indians and some with cowboys being chased by Indians. All of the tables and chairs, though probably not over three years old, were made to look old, authentic and well used.

  "This may not be your kind of place," Charlie said, pointing to a sign hung just inside the door.

  Jenny read the sign aloud, "Check your weapon at the door." She turned to Charlie and confessed, "You do have a good point. I'll never learn, I leave a guy with a knife in a trunk and look at the bum I'm dating now."

  "That was good." He laughed. "Okay, I concede."

  The hostess sat them at a table by a window. The place was only about a third full and had given them the feeling of being alone.

  "This place is delightful," Jenny said, looking around like a small child at Disneyland. "Charlie, look over there." She pointed toward one of the barmaids in a swing over the bar. The song she sang was an old ballad about some gal that fell in love with an outlaw and about her pain as he was shot down in the street.

  "Imagine that," Charlie said sarcastically. "A song about lost love in a place like this."

  "Thus returns the hardcore romantic," she said, sharing his joke. "Not much of a country music fan I'd guess?"

  "Actually, I like it when it doesn't whine. I like happy endings, though, so I usually play it backwards," he said, baiting her.

  "I've heard it. The cowboy gets his dog, truck and girl back."

  "I said happy endings; he gets a new truck," he told her laughing.

  "So what happened to the dog and his girl?"

  "Don't know. You're the one who brought them up."

  "Maybe she grabs the dog, climbs in the truck and drives to Long beach."

  He looked at her and as his smile grew. "That could work, a new version I haven't heard yet."

  Charlie watched the waitress approach and asked Jenny, "Can I buy you a drink?"

  "When in Rome. I'll have a beer."

  "Two Millers, please." He turned his attention back to her. "Have you always wanted to teach?"

  "I started college majoring in architecture. Got too much resistance and switched in my fourth year."

  "I'm impressed. Resistance from where?"

  "I kept trying to get my foot in the door at architectural firms, part time and during summer breaks. I was good too. But nobody took me seriously. Women didn't design buildings in Little Rock. They answered phones and sat on laps taking shorthand."

  "I have ten acres in Northern California, in a place called Marina. My grandfather bought it in the 40's, never did anything with it. When he died three years ago it was willed to me. I've seen some pictures but haven't made the drive up to see it. After watching you swing a hammer at Jake's, I'd hire you in a minute to design my little resort, the first of a major chain of course." Charlie understood the letting go of a dream and reached out for her hand.

  "Thank you. I didn't intend to vent that frustration on you. I'm sorry." She returned his smile and squeezed his hand. "I really like you Charlie and believe you would give me the job."

  "You have the talent and I have the land. All we need now is the genie with the capital."

  "Grandpa Henry," she said excitedly, as if having just solved a puzzle she'd wrestled with all day.

  "Our genie with the capital?"

  "No. You remind me of him."

  The waitress returned with their beers and sent them fleetingly through the menus they hadn't opened yet. Charlie ordered what sounded like a side of beef and Jenny went for the filet.

  "So tell me about your grandpa."

  "He wasn't really my grandfather. He lived down the road from us when we lived in Redding. After my father was killed he kind of filled the gap. I just called him Grandpa Henry because he was pretty old and it felt like what I imagined a grandfather would be like, all white haired, loving, patient and wise."

  "Santa Claus," he summed up with a smile.

  "Not far off," she quickly returned. "Anyway, he was always out in his workshop building something. I was pretty much a tomboy and quickly became his shadow. He taught me how to work with my hands and when I began showing some promise or at least knew what most of his tools were used for, he showed me how to work with my imagination, see possibilities." Jenny's excitement soared as she continued, "I have to tell you about the mirror. I was going on 13 and we had built bird houses, rabbit pens, boxes to hold my rocks, just everything. One day I walked into his shop and he sets a rough sawn board on the work bench. It was about a foot wide and maybe 10 feet long. He looks at the board, then at me, and asks me what I see. A board, I told him."

  "You really were a smart kid. It would have taken me at least three guesses to get it right."

  "No, wait," she said excitedly. "So he says, yes, it's a board now, but what do you see that it could be. He took me from seeing a simple fence slat to visualizing it as the rudder of a freedom ship carrying thousands of children out of a war-torn land. I saw it guiding the ship through rough seas, waves crashing against the sides and the hope in the eyes of the children on board. Charlie, it was the most incredible day. That simple board had the potential of affecting so many lives or simply providing a mere moments' heat by being consumed in a fireplace."

  "That's what I call a teacher," Charlie found himself getting pulled in by the imagery.

  "It was a wonderful time for me. When I saw him the next day, I had thought of thirty other things the board could become and he listened to every one of them. When I'd finished, he told me he saw a mirror frame. Over the next week I watched and helped him, shape, sand, and finally assemble the most beautiful mirror I've ever seen. He hand-rubbed the finish until it was as reflective as the glass itself. Somehow when I looked at it, finished, it became so clear that out of all the things I saw, it was always a mirror just waiting for the right hands. He hung it on the wall, and put me in front of it and asked me what I saw..."

  "An architect?" Charlie asked.

  "I didn't see it then. We moved shortly after that time and years later, in my senior year of high school a large package arrived from his law firm. Taped to the mirror was an envelope with the words "I see an architect", hand-written on the outside. Inside was a check from his estate for $25,000."

  Charlie took a deep breath to push down the lump in his throat. Their dinners arrived and they ate them in silence. He managed to order a couple more beers and it wasn't until dessert that he could say, "Don't you dare tell me you made that up."

  "No, I didn't. I meant it, though, when I told you that you reminded me of him." She reached for his hand.

  "Jenny, you were supposed to leave your knife at the door," he said, confessing her penetration. "I can see why your back-up plan was to teach. You must be a wonderful teacher, the way you are with people. You really care." Then captured by her eyes, he added, "and are so easy to care for."

  "Thank you, Charlie." She held back what she wanted to say, fearing she was further down this road than he was.

  Charlie needing to reign in the intensity he felt, transitioned the conversati
on. "Have I told you about the opportunities, the construction boom in California?"

  "The best years of my life were there. Somehow, California is looking brighter all the time."

  Charlie realized it wasn't houses they were building here. The music that played in the background offered hope and he led her to the dance floor. They laughed as she stumbled through the ten-step he tried to teach her but within the hour they were ready to enter a competition. It was the perfectly executed two-step waltz that ignited the magic between them in the glory of love's birth. They danced until the band's last song, hailed a cab and went back to the hotel.

  When they arrived back at the hotel, standing outside Jenny's door, she turned to face him. "Charlie, there is something I've got to tell you. I..."

  Charlie didn't let her finish. His hands gently cradled her head and brought their lips together. They lingered in a long passionate embrace. Each time she tried to turn and walk through the door, their hearts pulled them back together. Nothing in the world held more value than what they had in that moment. To let it go for even an instant seemed impossible. Charlie returned to his room slowly humming the melody of their last dance. He thanked the Lord for Jenny, hours into the early morning before he slept.

  *****

  Jenny couldn't sleep. The door had closed between them hours ago and she remained torn. The emotional connection to him was pulling her to the door. She wanted to know his touch and share hers with him. The awareness that they were perfect for each other was an exploding truth she felt throughout herself, the certainty of that was enhanced by an overwhelming desire to love him so completely. She never imagined feeling so much in so little time. Her heart ached as she recalled the instruction over the phone. How could she listen to that, she debated, when everything inside of her screamed "Run to him." It was too important not to yield to and she finally dosed off confused and torn.