Grant Me The Moon

by Caroline Clemmons

  She smiled at her grandmother, recognizing Grandma’s probe for details. “I did. We ate at a steak restaurant. Tonight, we’re going to dinner and a movie. Grant’s bringing you a surprise for your supper.”

  Grandma spread jam on her toast. “My, you two are moving awfully fast. Never mind, I’m happy to see you going out after a year of babysitting me. You ought to have a string of beaus wanting to court you.”

  She let the babysitting comment slide by. “I don’t think there’s courting any more, not the way you mean. You’re either ‘in a relationship’ or you’re not. Only I guess I don’t know yet whether Grant and I are in one. I wouldn’t exactly call two dates a commitment.”

  “He’s a good man. The only trouble he was involved with while in school was not mean-spirited. Just crazy stuff thought up by an intelligent boy.” Grandma chuckled.

  Tory set down her fork. “Okay, tell me what’s funny.”

  “I was just remembering. One time Grant and his brother took cherry bombs and put them between the toilet seat supports and the rim of the toilet in the teachers’ bathroom. When someone sat down, the little bombs exploded.”

  “Oh, no. Did they get expelled?”

  “No, because the person who was first to use the bathroom was pompous Mr. Maxwell. He was a hundred pounds overweight but thought he was God’s gift to the world in general and women in particular. He had a fit and demanded the perpetrators be dealt with severely.”

  “What happened?”

  “Mr. Price had a hard time keeping a straight face when he talked to the two boys. He did call their grandfather. I imagine that meant they both got punished worse than being expelled would have been.”

  Tory scooped up a bite of scrambled egg. “Did they do that sort of thing often?”

  Her grandmother’s eyes twinkled merrily. “Every now and then something odd would happen and we knew who to suspect. Things they did usually took cunning and intelligent planning. Good thing they didn’t turn out to be criminals or no one would be able to capture them.”

  “Tomorrow’s the day the History Explorers’ Club kids go to Grayson Ranch to look at the archaeological site Grant discovered.”

  “Nice of him to let them come and nice of you to arrange the trip. Seeing historic places first hand is inspiring to kids.”

  “My goodness, look at the time.” Tory jumped up and set her plate and cup in the sink. She kissed her grandmother’s cheek. “I’ll see you this afternoon. Stay out of trouble.”

  “Harrumph. You need to get into some.”

  * * *

  Anytime she had a quiet moment, Tory thought of the coming evening. She knew that somehow Grant would arrange for them to be alone and he’d supply a condom. Recalling their shared frustration last night, she couldn’t help grinning.

  At lunch time in the teacher’s lounge, Tory’s friend Pamela Hilliard sat across from her. They usually sat at the last two seats of the back table for more privacy. Pamela wore her black hair pulled into a bun. She wore warm colors that complimented her dark skin. Today she wore an orange and gold print.

  Pamela said, “Girl, you are smiling like a possum in a persimmon tree. Did someone stroke your happy place for a change?”

  Tory set down her salad. “Why does everyone talk like I’m on the shelf?”

  “Because… ” Pamela raised her eyebrows and didn’t bother to finish the sentence.

  Tory sensed the heat of a blush creeping across her face. “Well, if it makes you feel better, I have a date tonight. We’re going to Lubbock to have dinner and see a movie.” She didn’t see any point in mentioning they’d gone to dinner the night before.

  Pamela unwrapped her sandwich. “And who is this mystery man?”

  “Grant Grayson. He and his brother and grandfather have a ranch southwest of town. You know, his is the ranch we’re going to with the history club.”

  “Oh, girl, I know who that man is. Every single woman and a lot of married ones for fifty miles hanker after him but he never appears to notice. His brother, now, is another case entirely.”

  “I haven’t met his brother but I know his name is Brad. Is he as handsome as Grant?”

  Pamela tilted her head and appeared to think about the question. “They look a lot alike. Brad’s about an inch shorter but has the cutest dimples. He uses them to flirt outrageously with every female he meets. Frankly, I wouldn’t mind either man parking his boots under my bed.”

  A sudden stab of jealousy attacked Tory. For heaven’s sake, Pamela was just talking in her usual way. No call for Tory to feel threatened.

  She’d only known the man for twenty-four hours. Certainly Tory had no claim on him. But, admit it, she wanted to keep him exclusively for herself.

  Attacking a bite of lettuce, Tory said, “I thought you were hot on the trail of Mark Langston.”

  “I am but I’m growing weary of the chase. We’ve taught together for two years with classrooms next door to one another. He has yet to ask me out. Guess I’m just not his type.”

  She assessed her friend’s glossy dark hair, satiny skin, and brown eyes. “You’re a beautiful woman and smart as a whip. You can attract any man if you set your mind on one.”

  “Then maybe I’ll set my sights on Brad Grayson. I wonder how I could meet him?” She gave Tory a speculative look.

  Tory laughed. “Okay, if I have the chance, I’ll introduce you. But don’t hold your breath. After tonight, I may never see Grant again other than the History Explorers’ Club trip to his ranch tomorrow.”

  “Yeah, glad I’m one of the chaperones. I knew there was a good reason I let you coerce me into herding a bunch of teens on a dangerous trip. You do know we’re both crazy to get involved in hauling teens around in our cars, don’t you?”

  “Grant pointed that fact out to me, but it’s the only way. There’s no money to rent a bus and pay a driver. Besides, we’d have to go during the day to do so and I’d never get a field trip approved this close to the end of school.”

  Pamela held up her hands in surrender. “I know, I know. I’m in, so you don’t have to defend yourself. It is what it is. I’ll even clean out my car to prove I’m on your side.”

  Tory laughed at her friend. “Oh, no, you don’t have to do that. I know you keep half your stuff in your back seat and trunk.”

  Pamela pursed her mouth in her stubborn expression. “I’m not messy. I simply never know what I’ll need so I keep lots of things handy. If three kids have to sit in the back seat, I have to move stuff out to make room for them.”

  “I’m wondering how comfortable three will be in the back seat of my Prius. I love my car, but it’s not designed to transport a crowd of teens.”

  “They’re going to be real cozy. Put that pretty Angela between two boys and they’ll be fine—or put Jacob between two girls.”

  Tory stood and gathered the container and trash from her salad. “You may be right. Sounds like something to consider. See you later.”

  Tory checked the clock a dozen times during the afternoon. She was eager for school to end so she could hurry home and change into something pretty. What did she own that was sexy? Most of her clothes were business dressy or slouching-at-home casual. She needed to check out the lady’s clothing store on the highway. They always had pretty things in the window.

  * * *

  Tory turned in front of the mirror in her room. The red dress wasn’t exactly daring, but the fit accented her figure. Her red heels helped complete the look. At five-twenty-five, she spritzed perfume and walked through the mist as she headed downstairs.

  Grandma waited in the living room. “My, you look nice. I suspect you’ll knock Grant’s socks off.”

  She was saved from replying by the bell. When she opened the door, Grant stood with a takeout bag.

  “Come in. I see you remembered Grandma’s supper. Mmm, smells delicious.”

  “I almost pulled over to eat it, but I resisted and brought this to you, Mrs. Stafford. Should I put it in the kitche
n?”

  “No, I’ll eat right here while I watch the news.” She slid a TV tray from between her chair and a table and unfolded it in front of her. “I always forbade eating in the living room until a year ago. I decided it’s my house and I can eat anywhere I choose.”

  Tory handed her the remote control. “What do you want to drink? Should I get you a glass of iced tea?”

  Looking into the sack, she said, “There’s a huge drink in here. I hope it’s root beer.” She proceeded to set out the various boxes and her large paper cup.

  Grant laughed. “You have root beer, Mrs. Stafford. The cashier at the restaurant told me that’s what you always order.”

  Tory leaned down to kiss her grandmother’s cheek. “If you’re all settled, we’ll be on our way.”

  “I’m settled with this feast, dear. I’ll sit right here until after my shows are over. I won’t wait up for you. ’Course, after drinking this much root beer, I may be up and down all night.” She made a shooing motion. “Run along and have a nice time.”

  Grant ushered her to the Navigator and they drove toward Lubbock. She couldn’t suppress a fluttery sensation in her stomach. Recalling last night, she wondered if he had planned for sex later. Warmth pooled in her lower abdomen and her breasts ached for his touch.

  Get a grip on yourself. You hardly know the man. You’re acting like a ho.

  Ha, she was anything but a party-hardy girl. At the first big bash she’d gone to in college, a guy had thrown up on her favorite shoes thirty minutes after she arrived. She’d decided there was nothing fun about associating with drunks. After that incident, she was selective about the festivities she attended.

  Grant drove with skill and pushed the speed limit. She told him about her friend Pamela without mentioning their discussion of him and his brother. Soon they were on the outskirts of the city that called itself “The Hub of the Plains.”

  At a stop light, he turned to her. “I hope a detour is all right. I have a friend who owns a townhouse here. He lives in Houston and has me check on the place for him.”

  “I-I guess it can’t hurt to go by and see that everything is all right. How often is he here?”

  “About twice a year. He keeps it as a tax write off. Has to live here three weeks a year so he comes in October and April.”

  “He must be wealthy if he needs that much of a tax loss.” Oops, she hadn’t meant to say that out loud.

  “Yeah, but he’s pretty down to earth in spite of his money. We were roommates in college. Actually, his parents bought him a small two bedroom, two bath house. I paid him rent for one of the bedrooms and kitchen privileges. But, he’s a nice guy and acted as if we were equal partners in the place.”

  He turned onto a street of fancy residences. At the end stood a series of one-story townhouses separated by what looked like brick firewalls. He turned into one, pressed a button on a key ring, and the garage door opened. He drove into the garage and closed the door behind them.

  “You’ll like this place. He had a decorator and I think she did a great job.”

  She unfastened her seat belt. “Now I’m curious.”

  He came around to open her door and guide her inside. They walked in to find candles on a table set for dinner. He gave her a tour of the two bedroom luxury townhome before the bell rang and he hurried to open the door. Two waiters dressed in black slacks, white shirts, and black ties carried in food. She felt as if she’d walked into a movie.

  When the supper had been arranged on the dining table, the men departed. She could only stare at Grant.

  He held a chair for her. “It’s not barbecue, but I think you’ll enjoy the meal. I guarantee there is no liver or Brussels sprouts.”

  She sat and opened her napkin. Cloth, naturally, no paper for this feast, and black so it didn’t shed white pills on her skirt. “You arranged this quickly.”

  “I hope you’re not mad at me, Tory. I wanted to be alone with you. The food is from one of my favorite restaurants.”

  “I can hardly be angry that you went to all this trouble to be with me. However, I’m not sure I appreciate the inference.” What a stupid thing for her to say. She was the one who’d hoped he’d bring condoms tonight.

  He held out his hands. “The meal comes with no strings. Last night the restaurant was so noisy we could hardly talk. At least I can hear anything you say tonight.”

  “That’s true. Sometimes in restaurants the piped-in music combined with the chatter is deafening.” She peeked into a container. “Ah, tortellini in pink sauce, one of my favorites.”

  “And try the seafood linguine.” He ladled food onto her plate.

  She held up her hands. “Stop, I can never eat this much.”

  “Want to bet? I’ll pour the wine. I ordered a Riesling.” He opened the wine and poured a generous amount in her glass.

  She scooted away from the table. “I think I’ll get a glass of water too if you don’t mind.”

  He leaped up, almost upsetting his chair. “Let me. That’s a good idea.”

  The kitchen was only a few steps away and she could see him as he grabbed the glasses and filled them with ice then water.

  He set down her added drink with a flourish as if he were a waiter. “Okay, eat up, Dr. Fraser. I’ll be interested in your verdict.”

  “Mmm, the tortellini is perfect.” She savored the taste of her favorite Italian dish. To be fair, she sampled the seafood linguini. “Oh, this is just as delicious. No wonder this is one of your favorite restaurants.”

  She swirled her fork to point at the town house. “Well, not this place but the restaurant that prepared the food.”

  “Have a roll, they’re very good.”

  She couldn’t resist the golden bread. “Oh, there goes my waistline. A large dinner two nights in a row. I’ll have to skip lunch tomorrow.”

  “Trust me, there’s nothing wrong with your waistline. Eat up. Think of all the starving children in China.”

  She couldn’t prevent a laugh escaping. “Oh, did your mom use that one on you too? I never understood how my eating would help them. I did regret the one time I told her to box it up and mail it to them.”

  He laughed too. “I’ll bet you did. I never thought of that or I would have tried the idea on my mom. I know how that would have ended.”

  They chatted easily through their supper but she couldn’t keep her thoughts from what would come after their meal. Was he a man who thought dinner meant bedding her? She didn’t believe so but this was supposed to be their do-over night.

  Darn, she hoped he didn’t think she was an easy lay. She enjoyed the lavish dinner plans at the same time she almost resented them. Oh, she should enjoy the evening and stop over thinking everything.

  When they’d eaten as much as either could hold, she boxed up the leftovers and set them in the refrigerator. “You can take them with you when we leave.”

  “You can take them for your lunch tomorrow at school. Or have them tomorrow evening with your grandmother.”

  “I’m sure she’d enjoy this dinner. She’s a healthy eater now that I’ve gotten her used to mealtime again. I’ll bet she polished off every bite of the food you brought her tonight.”

  “Let’s go to the couch. I have a movie lined up for us. I brought corn to pop but I don’t think I could face it.”

  “Me either. I won’t be hungry for days. I appreciate all the trouble you went to setting up tonight, Grant.”

  They settled on the leather couch. He started the movie and tugged her near him. “I hope you’re okay with an action flick.”

  “As long as no animals or children are hurt in it, I’m good.”

  “I think mostly cars, trains, and buses take the hit in this one. Maybe even a plane, but it’s had good reviews.”

  She grinned. “Oh, you mean it actually has a plot?”

  He clutched his chest. “A stab to the heart. I guarantee you’ll like this one or double your money back.”

  “Clever, Grant, very clever.
”

  He settled in the corner of the couch with a pillow propped under his head. She cuddled with him and rested her cheek on his shoulder. With a press of the button, the massive TV came on and the movie followed.

  Later, she woke and struggled to orient herself. My goodness, both she and Grant had fallen asleep watching the movie. A different one was on the TV, one she didn’t recognize. She sat up and gazed at the clock on the wall. Two o’clock?

  She shook Grant’s shoulder. “Wake up, we fell asleep and it’s the middle of the night.”

  Acting groggy, he sat up slowly. “What?” Apparently her message reached his brain and he checked his watch. “Damn, guess I was more tired than I thought.”

  “We need to go—just as soon as I visit the ladies room.” She went in search of the bathroom.

  My stars, she marveled again at the room as large as her bedroom at Grandma’s. Marble with gold faucets at the sink with a separate room for the toilet. She hurried with her business and washed her hands. For good measure, she splashed cold water on her face.

  When she returned to the living room, Grant had tucked in his shirt.

  With a sheepish expression on his face, he said, “I guess I’m not used to herding cattle all day and then being up late two nights in a row.”

  “Three, remember the sick cow? I’ll be teaching on remote tomorrow but I’ve really enjoyed tonight.”

  “Let’s get the takeout containers. Oh, man, I hope my brother never learns about this. He’ll never let me live it down if he does. As it is he talks as if I’m a dinosaur when it comes to dating and women.”

  Within minutes they were driving back toward Post. When he walked her to her door, he whispered, “So much for the charming, suave lady’s man. At least I remembered to pick up a twenty-four pack of condoms.”

  She giggled. “My you were optimistic, weren’t you? You must be an over-achiever.”

  He grinned. “You could say overconfident, but I have had my comeuppance. If you’re ever willing to see me again, I promise to be a better companion. At least I’ll be livelier.”

  “Hey, I fell asleep too. You make too comfy a pillow.”