Watson Manor Eventually (Watson Manor Mystery Series Book 1)

by Ronald S. Craig

  "She's waiting to hear from you. Charlie, she didn't know until this morning how well we know you, so if there is any anger on your part, direct it at me."

  "I don't believe this…" He paused a moment to get his emotions under control. "As for your stupid plan, it worked. Jenny is as much a part of me as... my God, Avery, I love her so much. How could I be angry, confused maybe, but not angry. You answered my prayer to finding her."

  "Her sister's name is Laurie. The number there is 916 555-1332. We love you. Jenny needs to hear those words. Good bye, Charlie. I am so happy for you two."

  Charlie didn't waste another moment and called right away.

  "Hello," an unfamiliar voice answered.

  "Hello, this is Charlie Watson. Is Jenny there?"

  "Yes, I'm her sister Laurie. Hold on, she's right here."

  "Charlie, I saw on the news, it was you that hit Paul. I couldn't believe it. I wanted to call you but didn't know how to reach you…You could have been killed."

  "I didn't have a choice. I love you, Jenny. Getting you out of danger was the only option."

  "That's good mister, cuz I'm crazy in love with you too. I called Avery this morning, hoping for a way to contact you through Nathan. It seems we were the plan of matchmakers. A very sneaky and wonderful matchmaker, I love dearly."

  "I'll never live down how right Avery was about us. Is that what you have been trying to tell me?"

  "Yes, but I didn't know the whole story at the time, that you were more than just a friend of Nathans. How far is Long Beach, I can't wait another minute to be in your arms."

  "I can be in Palm Springs in ninety minute."

  "I want to come to you, be in your home."

  "OK." He gave the directions to his home in Long Beach.

  It was getting close to two hours after the call and Charlie found himself pacing his living room. He stopped dead in his tracks and listened. The faint unmistakable sound was getting louder as it turned the corner of his street. He walked out to his driveway and shook with emotion as the final call from the dying goose had filled his ears. She parked and flashed her lights before leaping out of the car.

  "Does the flashing light thing still work?"

  "Always." Charlie took her in his arms and they held each other tightly, then taking her hand led her into his home.

  Slowly, playfully, they discovered the warmth of each other's skin as his shirt and her blouse found their way to the floor. His eyes followed the lead of his hands floating down her side. He had known the depth of her beauty from within but for the first time beheld the splendor of its compliment. She found the answer she needed in his smile, a smile delightfully confirming the love exploding inside of him.

  "Make love with me, Charlie," she said while slipping out of her skirt to reveal a sheer and delicate body slip. She took his hand and led him toward the bedroom.

  "Jenny I need you as much as my next breath. My body has never ached with greater anticipation..." The excitement in his voice broke suddenly. His mind flashed in a second on a dozen faces, women of nights gone by, excited faces without names. He hated their invasion on him and the woman he loved.

  "No Jenny...not like this." He took both her hands in his and looked deeply into her eyes. "God knows I love you." Then he kissed her with a new tenderness. A lover's kiss, as would be given to reaffirm heart-felt love in the intimate afterglow of love's physical expression.

  "Charlie, what's wrong?"

  "Wrong? Jenny, nothing has ever felt so completely right in my life. Damn, this is so different. There is something new, fresh and so alive within me. It's you…us. It's a gift so precious and fragile. I'm lost in its wonder and fear eager, impatient hands will shatter it; make it less, make it common. I'm in a place I've never been before, somewhere above this passion pulling me to you."

  "You scared me Charlie. I felt you slipping away."

  "Never Jenny, not slipping away. I've lived for the moment most of my life with little regard for the rules. I can't remove the nights of shallow skin-deep desire before you touched me so thoroughly. I want so much more for us. When our bodies unite, I want our souls to embrace. I want heaven and earth pulling for us. Am I going crazy? Does any of this make sense to you?"

  "Yes it does. When I walked through that door, I didn't think I could love you more," she said wiping tears from her eyes, "but I do and I know you're right. We have been given something very special."

  "It's not just a band of gold or piece of paper that makes the difference. Lord knows I..." Charlie laid back on the bed in silence looking up at her. His arms reached out in invitation.

  She laid down beside him, placing her head on his chest as his arms closed around her. "Our love feels like forever," she said softly. "I feel your words inside and believe a smile from above will keep our hearts warm. I need your arms around me, hold me close tonight."

  "I couldn't bear to let you go." He pulled her close to him, somehow knowing they weren't alone. Turning from a gentle kiss he looked above them and whispered, "Thank you."

  "Promise me Jenny; never leave something unsaid in a note. Promise you'll talk to me."

  "I promise. As much as I wanted you that night in Phoenix, I wouldn't risk never making love with Charlie for a night of passion with C.W."

  They held each other for hours in silent, contented understanding. Charlie had never felt closer to anyone. Holding Jenny then as she drifted into sleep, he gently stroked her back to confirm he was not in a dream. His whole life had seemed to bring him to this moment. His heart was held out of touch until her hands reached deep within and carried it out of exile. He hadn't mourned the passing of C.W. but celebrated the rebirth of himself.

  "Jenny," he spoke softly to her, "if you're not busy tomorrow..."

  Jenny smiled to herself, pretending to be asleep, and didn't move when he spoke to her. She knew the actual words would be hard for him and wasn't ready to let him off the hook.

  "I finally find you, get up the nerve to ask and you fall asleep on me."

  "Yes," she whispered back to him.

  "Yes? Yes what?"

  "Yes, I'm busy tomorrow." She didn't move from lying contentedly on his chest.

  "Oh," he said, feeling a little defeated. He laid there for a moment puzzled by her response. "Doing what?"

  "Nothing special really. Maybe see a movie, do some shopping or getting married, not sure."

  "Oh I see, anybody I know?"

  "Well, actually, yes." She raised her head to face him. "We both just met him. Charlie Watson, the complete version." She kissed him softly and rolled back into his arms.

  "I couldn't be more certain of us, Jenny. How are you able to…after Paul I mean…to trust again?"

  "I knew Paul was the exception. My whole life before him showed me that by being surrounded by loving, caring people. I've never lost sight or the hope for what we've found." She laid her head on his chest and fell asleep.

  *****

  A ray of morning sun found its way through the blinds and hit Charlie directly in the eyes. Rolling over in defense, he found himself alone in bed. "Jenny?"

  "Right here sweetheart," she called from the bathroom. "If I'd have stayed in bed...well let me just say, I was thinking too much about the Carnal Wizard."

  Charlie laughed. "I'd love for you to meet him. Come here."

  Jenny came out and gave him a long passionate kiss and said, "I'm saving myself...for my husband. Anything you want to ask me?"

  "Asked and answered as I recall."

  "You asked me if I was busy today."

  "You know what I asked you," Charlie answered in protest.

  "I want to hear the words, Charlie. What do you want?"

  "I want to wake up beside you every day for the rest of my life."

  "And?"

  "And...I really want you to meet the Carnal Wizard."

  "Charlie, come on," she asked softly.

  He got out of bed, sat her in a chair and knelt down in front of her.

&nb
sp; "Jenny, I want to believe in forever the way I believe in you. I want to marry you in a little church. I want our children smothered in our love and I want my last breath to confess that love. Jenny," Charlie said pausing only to push down the emotional lump blocking his words. "Jenny my love, will you marry me and share that dream?"

  Jenny nodded a yes and slid to the floor into his arms crying so hard she couldn't answer. "I love you…so much Charlie…yes our dream." She was unable to say more.

  Chapter 13

  Charlie kissed Jenny goodbye after dinner Sunday night and watched as she passed through security at the Ontario Airport in California headed back to Arkansas. It had been a full day. Charlie drove her back to her sister's house in Palm Springs to pack a bag. He insisted on placing an engagement ring on her finger so they had spent the afternoon shopping for one and found wedding bands also before her flight.

  They wanted to get married in Nathan and Avery's church with their friends and family present. She initially wanted to ride back with Charlie in his rig, but this gave her the time to plan the wedding, get a wedding dress and pack the rest of her things. She just hated the idea of leaving him for a week.

  It was a small wedding, 40 guests and Jenny's sister, Laurie had flown into Little Rock and drove to West Helena with their mother and stepfather, who gave her away. Little Amy was thrilled to be their flower girl and Nathan stood in as Charlie's best man. Nathan, Avery and the kids had preformed a miracle for them with flowers and a photographer. Peg and Kate had provided a small buffet and even a wedding cake in the church reception hall.

  They spent their wedding night at The Edwardian, an old southern mansion that had been converted into a bed and breakfast. The management had a chilled bottle of Champagne waiting for them, though it was hours before they noticed it. When they did, Charlie reached to open it.

  "Let's save it." Jenny said in an enthusiastic burst. She sat up in bed and continued, "Charlie wait, let's build a place just like this one on your land in California. We can call it The Watson Inn...No…Watson Manor."

  "I had my heart set on Charlie's Bar and Bed," he smiled, delighted at her energy. "I love it, honey. Watson Manor it is."

  "I'm serious, sweetheart. We can do it. Will you take me there for our honeymoon?"

  "Is that really how you want to spend our honeymoon?"

  "What could be better than having the Carnal Wizard for a week at Watson Manor?"

  "I guess we could pull a trailer there for a week. Okay, if that's what you want, Mrs. Watson."

  "Yes, Mr. Watson, it is. Right now, though, remind me why I married you."

  "I can't believe this is real. You are the most wonderful experience of my life, Jenny." He ran his hand slowly down the contour of her side.

  Jenny gently slid her leg over him and buried her head into his chest.

  "How is it possible, Charlie? Three weeks ago my life was up-side-down, and now...beyond what I would have let myself imagine is beside me, glowing inside of me. How can I feel so sure about us? Why do I know the Lord has his hand on us?"

  Charlie's hand found the small of her back and drew her even closer to him. He was drawn so completely into the fulfilling bond they were given. He'd never known these extremes, that height of passion or a greater sense of peace. His hands moved delicately across her body as if he were reading a love story in Braille within the texture of her skin.

  "Because," he answered her softly, "we couldn't reach this height without his hand lifting us." Her body moved across him, fanning the contented glow into a flame as his body reacted to her desire and passion for him.

  "Jenny, I..."

  She cut him off with an impatient, hungry kiss. His mind flashed a vision of their bodies actually becoming one, melting together like two candles caught in a separate, larger flame surrounding them, their individual colors flowing together into a brilliantly new and vibrant color as their bodies reached desperately for depth within each other. It felt as though their souls embraced. Every nerve end felt exposed and sensitive. Simultaneously they surrendered to an almost frightening vulnerability that was new to both of them as they let go of who they were and united in one spirit. The intensity had drained them completely. They lay quietly, locked in each other's arms reluctant to let sleep rob them of the lingering sensations from the journey they had shared.

  *****

  The following morning they missed the morning crowd at Kate's Diner as they walked in at 11:30. Peg greeted them still holding a sheepish grin for her involvement in the set up.

  "Your wedding was just perfect," Peg said giving them both a hug.

  "Thank you, Peg for your little push," Charlie said. They took a booth in the back and ate a small quick breakfast and then drove to Jenny's apartment. When they arrived Jenny turned to face him.

  "Come and see what I've bought, a surprise for you." She jumped out of the truck and stopped, caught her breath and stared at him for a moment.

  "I'm coming already. Let me get my bag."

  "No, that's not it. I just want to look at you, because I love you so much."

  "I love you too, sweetheart."

  "Now hurry. Come see what I got." She turned and made an excited dash to her apartment.

  Charlie was bright enough to know he should follow her now and dig out his bag later. When he walked through the door she handed him an ornament stating "Our First Christmas 1995".

  "We can put one of our wedding pictures in it, our first kiss as husband and wife here in the heart."

  "It's wonderful Jenny. You're wonderful."

  "Avery has been here all week helping. They're coming over tomorrow to help us load."

  "I'm really going to miss them."

  "Yeah, I know, me too. They can be our first guests at Watson Manor. Are you hungry honey, it was a light breakfast?"

  "No, we can get dinner later."

  "Good. Let's go make a baby."

  "I don't even know if you can cook. Can you?"

  "Does it matter?" She reached for his hand to pull him into the bedroom.

  "Not in the least," he confessed.

  Once in the bedroom she pulled him over in front of the mirror and stood beside him. "Look, this is the mirror I told you about. Tell me, Charlie, what do you see?"

  He took a deep breath, noticed her reflection grinning with anticipation and said, "There seems to be a smudge in the upper left hand corner..."

  "Charlie!" she hollered.

  "A bed behind us calling?"

  "Come on Charlie, what do you see?"

  "Jenny, I see the first portrait of our family; the beginning of our shared dream."

  "That's exactly what I see and lots of love ahead of us." She wrapped her arms around him.

  "I do love us, Jenny. I can live with the smudge on the mirror but, that bed is getting really loud."

  "Deafening I think." She turned and pulled the bed covers back.

  *****

  Charlie was up early the next morning. Jenny wanted to give her car to Nathan's son, Thomas so he had the shattered rear window replaced and built some heavy wooden ramps to transport it back with him in the trailer of his semi truck. He unloaded the car and parked it in her driveway just as Nathan, Avery and the kids arrived. They were completely packed up by noon. Charlie tossed the keys for Jenny's car to Thomas. "You're going to be driving soon, think you can use it?"

  "Wow, thanks Uncle Charlie, Aunt Jenny. I can really fix it up," Thomas said excitedly.

  "It was Jenny's idea. Personally I wouldn't give it to anyone I cared about."

  Jenny gave Charlie one of her playful slaps and said, "We want you to have it Thomas, for all your family has done for us."

  "Thanks, Aunt Jenny. You guys won't recognize it the next time you see it."

  "Sell it and buy a bus pass Thomas," Charlie said laughing.

  "No way," Thomas shouted, smiling.

  The final hugs produced a gallon of tears. When Charlie felt a little composure returning, little Amy ran up to hug
him.

  "You're coming back, aren't you Uncle Charlie"

  "Yes, sweetheart. Jenny and I will be back in a few weeks."

  Charlie and Jenny walked slowly to the truck and got in. He pulled away from the curb then suddenly stopped.

  "What is it?" Jenny asked.

  Charlie grabbed a small tool pouch and said, "Be just a minute." He ran back to Jenny's old car and raised the hood. He gave Thomas twenty dollars.

  "You'll need to buy a new horn. This one has got to go with us," Charlie said, slipping the horn into the tool pouch and returned to the truck.

  "What was that all about?" Jenny asked confused.

  "The goose goes with us."

  "You never cease to amaze me." She leaned over and kissed him.

  "Works for me."

  The trip to Long Beach was a detailed planning session. They stayed the first night in Clinton again and had to drop in on Jake the next morning to share the news. They were relieved that Jake didn't have a large sculpture to take west and that his new work bench was lined with the new projects.

  Back on the road they fed each other's excitement for hours describing the smallest of details about Watson Manor and became engrossed in naming all of the children they would have. Charlie broke the conversation when he pulled off on the side of the road.

  "I think this is the spot."

  "Our very first night sleeping together, now that’s the romantic I married."

  "We can go on ahead to a motel if you want."

  "Not a chance. I want to retrace the whole trip."

  "Me too, but let's skip the adventures in Palm Springs this time," he said.

  "I was petrified. I called out for you, knowing he was going to kill me. All I could think of was that you'd never know that I love you."

  "It's behind us now. I'll give you a whole lifetime to remind me you love me though."

  "I love you...I love you. I..."

  "Showing me would work here," he interjected playfully.

  Jenny jumped into the sleeper, pulled him back and energetically began to show him how much she loved him. She couldn't shake Palm Springs though. "You could have been killed..."