by Curry, Edna
“Got time for a cup of coffee before you check in your order?”
George sent him a sharp glance. “Sure. Come on back. I’ll get you a cup.” He stepped to the door, turned the sign to ‘back in fifteen minutes,’ snapped the lock and led the way to the back room.
John smiled and followed him. Having coffee together was their signal he had news he thought George would be interested in hearing.
“I hope your news is Dee Jacobs is finally ready to sell to me and retire,” George said. “I thought this spot would be a good one, but business has been lousy here. Everybody goes to the big store next door. I’d much rather be downtown where all the tourists hang out.”
John sipped his coffee and nodded. “I think she may be retiring. Her niece, Loni, is there running the place.”
George frowned. “Niece? Did she say where Dee was?”
“Yeah. Went to California. Loni wouldn’t say any more, but I waited outside and talked to one of her customers when she came out. The lady said Dee had gone to California to take care of her sick sister. She didn’t think Dee was coming back. The niece is a young, pretty thing. I’m sure she’ll want to be out dating and having fun. She won’t want to be tied to running a store long. Dee probably just talked her into filling in ’til she can sell the place.”
George grinned. “Nice work, John. I’ll check with the local real estate agents to see if she’s listed it for sale, yet.”
“If it isn’t, I’ll bet it will be, soon.” A few minutes later, John left with the payment for his usual delivery of greeting cards and a little extra in his wallet. Sitting in his car, he pulled out his cell phone, called his sweetie and told her, “I’ll be done early tonight. Make a dinner reservation at that nice Minneapolis restaurant you’ve been wanting to go to. Meet me there at seven, okay?”
“Finally,” she said. “Poopsie, we haven’t been out in ages.”
* * * *
The next Sunday morning Loni was ready before ten. Why had she agreed to go on this picnic? But a long, lonely day spent by herself was a worse idea.
Earlier, she’d talked to Dee on the phone and gone into town for breakfast with Maria and Jolene, their usual Sunday morning treat. Maria told her they’d be on this picnic, too, laughingly adding, “We three girls will be the only single ones.”
She’d probably know everyone who attended. Although she couldn’t help being nervous about it, she’d go and enjoy the day, not allow her stalker to paralyze her with fear of new people or of getting out and doing things she enjoyed. She couldn’t give the creep that much power over her. She’d be safe among old friends, wouldn’t she?
Over the past few days, she and Matt had had coffee and donuts several mornings and they’d gotten comfortable again. She hadn’t told Matt about her stalker or that she suspected both the flat tire incident and the dead raccoon were the work of her tormentor. Matt drove up and she hurried out to his car before he could come to the door for her. “Hi.”
“Hi, yourself,” he said, helping her inside and coming back around to get behind the wheel. “Are you all set?” He grinned at her and put the car in gear.
“Yes.” She tossed him a bright smile. “It’s a beautiful day for an outing on the river, isn’t it?”
“I love it when the weather cooperates with our plans. Did you bring sunscreen?”
She nodded and they chatted as he drove east to Taylors Falls, then took the highway that followed the river north. After several miles, he pulled into the boat landing and parked. Some cars and a half dozen people were getting ready to launch a small motor boat. Maria looked up and waved to them and they all called hello.
“Whose boat is it?” Loni asked as they walked down to the others.
“It’s Harvey and Cindy Lathrop’s.” Matt helped her step into the boat. She moved over to sit on the padded bench around the side of the boat beside Maria. Matt and Bob pushed off and rowed them out away from shore, then Harvey started the motor.
Matt sat beside Loni. “We’ll go upriver about ten miles to Nevers Dam, then eat on the island near there.”
Loni knew Nevers Dam, the largest wood-piling dam ever built, no longer existed, but everyone still called the spot by its name anyway. The dam had once been an important cog in the logging business dominating the area’s economy over a century before. Now only a few small islands of rock and dirt marked the spot in the river where it had been. Trees lined the shoreline there.
The boat bounced as Harvey gunned the motor and they picked up speed.
“Oh, look, there’s a bald eagle,” Loni said, pointing to the bird soaring over the water. They have a really wide wingspan, don’t they?”
“And over there is a heron. I love them. They look so cute,” Maria said, pointing to a spot near the shoreline.
“I like the bald eagles best. They soar so beautifully and make flying look like so much fun.” Loni sighed. “I wonder what it feels like to float through the air like that.”
“You sound like my little brother,” Maria said. “He has a lively imagination like yours.”
“Are you calling me a little kid?”
“Hey, a lively imagination is a wonderful thing at any age, isn’t it, Matt?”
“I’m sure it is. All great artists have one,” he agreed. “But don’t let me spoil a fun argument.”
Loni met Matt’s gaze and blushed. Was he making fun of her? Or just teasing for attention?
“Ha,” Jolene said. “They love to pick on each other. Don’t mind them. Will you put some suntan lotion on my back, Matt?” She tossed him a smile and held out a bottle of lotion.
A surge of jealousy swept through Loni as she watched his capable long fingers smooth the lotion on Jolene’s back. Jolene arched in pleasure.
Loni pulled her gaze away and watched the wake behind their boat. She didn’t care if Matt paid attention to Jolene. She had no right to care.
Harvey cut the motor and swung the boat over to a small beach on the island. He, Bob and Matt jumped out, pulled the boat onto the beach and tossed the anchor up. A path led up among the bushes and trees to a cleared area where there were picnic tables, grills, garbage barrels and a metal portable toilet. The garbage can was full, indicating the island was a popular picnic area, although they were the only visitors at the moment. A sign read, ‘No overnight camping.’
The sudden silence underscored how far they were from civilization. Nothing surrounded them except river and trees. No homes or farms in sight, although she knew some lay beyond the trees. No other boaters at the moment. A bird calling overhead was the only sound except for the waves lapping against the end of the boat still in the water.
“It’s so peaceful out here,” she said.
“Yes. They call it ‘the gateway to the wild river,’” Maria said. “Let’s go check out the island.”
Matt took Loni’s hand and helped her ashore, pulling her a little closer than necessary. He met her gaze with a long, hot look. A shiver of awareness ran along her veins, warming her to her toes. She looked away and stepped back. She was not getting involved with anyone. She’d had enough pain from romance with Hank to last a long time.
But her traitorous heart still pounded at Matt’s nearness. She was relieved when Maria handed her a bag of food to carry to the picnic area. Matt grabbed a big cooler of pop and preceded her up the path to the wooden table under the trees.
Jolene was already covering the table with a plastic tablecloth. “Did you remember to bring the thumbtacks?” she asked. At Loni’s nod, she added, “Pin down the corners, then, before the breeze carries our tablecloth into the river.”
“The mosquitoes are already out, darn it,” Matt said, digging through a bag of supplies.
“The unusually warm temps must have helped them hatch. I was hoping it was too early for them, too,” Loni said.
“Stand still, ladies, and I’ll spray you with repellent.” Matt proceeded to cover them all with the spray.
“Ugh, I hate the smell of t
hat stuff,” Cindy said. She wrinkled her nose and squeezed her eyes shut to protect them from the pungent mist.
“Better to smell like Deet than get bitten.”
“How am I supposed to get Harvey into a romantic mood smelling like a pine tree?”
Loni laughed. “Make him get in the shower with you when you get home, Cindy.”
Matt heard her and grinned. “Oh, I like your ideas, Woman.”
Loni’s face flamed and she couldn’t look at him. Whatever had made her say that? She’d never showered with a man. But the image of her and Matt naked under a hot shower, running their soapy hands over each other jumped into her mind. It was a very alluring idea and made heat shimmer all over her.
He winked at her and moved over to help Harvey and Bob get the charcoal grill going.
Cindy nudged Loni, asking, “Have you two got something going?”
“Of course not,” Loni declared, feeling her face heat again.
“Hmm. Well, you could have fooled me.”
After that, Loni was careful to keep her distance from Matt. She knew it wasn’t safe. The attraction between them, although powerful, couldn’t go anywhere, not now with her stalker’s threats still fresh in her mind.
The guys grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and the women put out the buns, beans and potato salad. Soon the air was fragrant with the scents of sizzling meat and charcoal smoke.
They ate and chatted, lazed on the beach a while, then swam in the river. When Loni tired of swimming, she sat on a towel on the riverbank, watching the others.
Matt came up behind her. “You’re turning pink. You’d better put on more sunscreen.”
“I suppose,” she agreed and reached for the bottle. His hand reached for it at the same time and covered hers. Electricity seemed to jump between them and she drew back, letting him pick it up.
He uncapped the bottle, saying, “Turn around and I’ll put some on your back. You’re going to be sore, it looks like. Why didn’t you ask me to do this earlier?”
Because you make me nervous. Her face reddened more, not from the sun but from knowing Matt was eyeing her and cared. She shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. “I got distracted, I suppose.”
She turned her back. His hands smoothed the lotion over her skin. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the wonderful sensation of his calloused fingers sliding over the sensitive skin of her back. What would it be like to let him do this when they were alone and able to continue to where she wanted it to go?
Maria and Jolene came splashing out of the river in front of them. Loni’s eyes popped open. Matt sighed and handed her the bottle of lotion.
“I’d better let you do the rest,” he said with a wink and a glance at the other women.
“Thanks.” She took the bottle from him, careful not to touch his fingers, and began smoothing the lotion on.
“Oh, the water’s cold,” Maria said. “There must be a spring under the river here.”
Soon the others followed them out of the river and they began packing up for the return trip. Loni hated to see the peaceful day end.
Matt drove Loni home. They were both tired, but now that they’d left the others behind, Loni was nervous about being alone with him. She tried to think of something to say, and blurted out, “I’m a mess. I need a hot shower and bed.”
He glanced over and grinned, obviously remembering her earlier comment to Cindy about showering together. “Me too. Can I join you?”
She blushed furiously. “No!”
He shrugged. “Just a suggestion.”
“I…I’ve never even tried that. I don’t know what made me suggest it to Cindy.”
He stopped in front of her house and got out. He helped her out and walked her to her door, waiting very close to her as she unlocked it. “Want me to come in to check things out?”
“All right,” she said, relieved that he’d thought of it. He walked through the house, then came back to where she waited by the front door.
“Everything seems fine.”
“Thanks. And thanks for a nice day. Goodnight, Matt.”
“You’re welcome, Loni.” He took her in his arms and kissed her, first gently, then with more assurance.
Oh, yes. She’d been aching for this all day. She moved closer, heat bouncing along her bloodstream, echoing her speeding heartbeat.
She couldn’t for the life of her remember why she wasn’t getting involved with anyone. Her arms went around his shoulders and held him close as their lips explored each other and tongues tasted each other. His hand slid along her back, edging her closer to him. His lips moved to send little kisses along her jawline, then along the side of her throat.
She couldn’t help arching to allow him better access. His hand cupped her breast and her nipples puckered in response. He opened a couple of buttons and his lips slid lower, to the valley between her soft mounds. An answering moan escaped her lips.
“Umm. You smell like sunshine and coconut,” he laughed. “But I still want more.”
Loni laughed shakily. “So do I.” There, she’d admitted it. What was she doing, practically throwing herself at him?
But in response, he only asked, “Are you sure?”
When she nodded, he picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. There he locked his lips to hers and let her down, slowly sliding her body along his until she stood on her feet. The bulge of his engorged cock poked into her stomach. Easing back, she slid a hand between them and unbuttoned and unzipped his jeans, pushed them down, then wrapped her fingers around him. When he moaned, she teased, “Like that?”
“Oh, yeah.” He pushed her back onto the bed and began tugging off her clothes.
She sat up, objecting, “First, a shower. I need to get all this bug spray and suntan lotion off me.”
“Good idea. Let’s try out your fantasy of a double shower.”
Giggling, she eased off the bed and led the way across the hall to her bathroom. “The shower’s not very big.”
“That’s okay. I’ll just get closer.”
They threw off their remaining clothes. She reached in and adjusted the temperature of the water, then stepped in.
He was right behind her, cupping her breasts with his hands and pulling her back against his hard chest. He reached for the shampoo and lathered her hair, then worked his strong fingers to massage her scalp. She returned the favor, then worked conditioner through their hair. His fingers and lips moved to her nipples as she pulled off the flexible shower head and rinsed their hair.
But his fingers were busily lathering soap all over her, circling her breasts and then rubbing her back. “Oh, yes, I love having my back rubbed,” she told him.
“And here, too?” His hand slipped lower and lathered her nest of curls down below. She groaned as his fingers found her sweet spot and slowly rubbed back and forth.
“Oh, God, yes!” she murmured. She reached out to soap his hard cock. She slid the skin up and down until he groaned, “Enough.” He grabbed the shower head and quickly rinsed them both, locking her lips in a kiss. Then he pulled her out of the tub and wrapped a large fluffy towel around her and grabbed another for himself.
Grinning, she dried off and they raced across the hall and tumbled into her bed.
Suckling and teasing, they played until neither could wait another minute. Then he reached for his jeans, pulled out a condom, covered himself and slid inside her.
“Oh, yes!” she said raising her hips to meet him. In a minute, they’d found a rhythm and the age-old dance continued amid more kisses and explorations.
Pleasure bounced along her veins until it tightened and burst into a thousand tiny lights. She felt him pulse inside her in response He groaned and relaxed, dropping to his side and pulling her with him, obviously unwilling to leave her body just yet.
After cuddling and catching their breath for a few minutes, he got up and disposed of the condom, bringing a warm washcloth back to clean her up as well.
“I’d like to stay and do i
t all over again,” he said, fondling her breasts and giving them another kiss. “But I’d better go home.” He began putting on his clothes.
She nodded and slipped on a robe to go with him to the front door to lock up after him. After a few more kisses, they said goodnight. She stepped back and watched him leave, her lips still tingling with the feel and taste of him.
She wanted him to stay, too, but she dared not encourage him. One of her anonymous caller’s favorite threats echoed in her mind. “If I can’t have you, no one will.”
She didn’t know if he meant it, but she dared not take the chance he’d find her again and discover she was seeing another man.
* * * *
A couple of days later, Matt had just opened his business when the brown uniformed UPS man dropped in with several boxes.
“Morning, Matt. Two for you today. Sign here.” He scanned the packages and handed them to Matt. “The gift shop’s not open yet downstairs. Could I also leave her package with you?”
“Sure.” Matt said. Accepting deliveries for each other was the usual custom in Canton. Neighbor helped neighbor. No point in waiting another day for a package when a little helpful courtesy could prevent that inconvenience.
“Thanks. I appreciate it.” He scanned another long box, set it on the counter and strode off, whistling.
A half hour later, Matt noticed Loni had opened her gift shop. Leaving his assistant in charge of his shop, he picked up the package the delivery man had left for Loni, stopped for coffee and glazed doughnuts at the café and took them down to her.
“Morning, Loni.” He set the package and tray on her counter and handed her a Styrofoam cup of coffee, then dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “You doing okay?”
“Morning. Matt! Someone will see us.” She blushed bright red.
He glanced around and grinned. “I don’t see anyone.”
“What’s that?” She glanced at the package he’d brought.
“The UPS man brought it for you earlier. You weren’t here yet, so he left it with me.”