Waiting For Eden (Eden Series)

by Leigh, Jessica

  Waiting for Eden

  ~*~*~*~*~*~

  Chapter 14

  It was very close to midnight when they pulled into the parking lot at the North Fork. Alex was surprised to find the place hopping with music and activity.

  Ginny giggled at her bemused look. “Folks like to party it up around here.”

  “I guess so.”

  The bar was dimly lit by lantern, deepening the atmosphere, and some of the tables had been cleared away to make room for dancing. It was packed with people of all ages. Alex noticed several grayer heads bobbing in time to the lively music.

  Although the jukebox was loud itself, the room was overpowered by the sound of laughter and ribald talk. She had expected a small town bar to host whiskey guzzling men, with rough-looking bikers in one corner, and shady, cowboy types in the other. Pleasantly surprised, she observed the whole room jostling together as one sociable unit, bouncing and swaying to the pounding beat.

  “Let’s fight our way to the bar,” Ginny yelled, and pulled Alex behind her through a sea of unfamiliar faces.

  “Hi, Randy.”

  The tall and lanky bartender grinned and nodded back at them.

  “Give us two lagers, would’ya?” Ginny grinned back saucily.

  “You bet, Gin. Who’s your lady friend?”

  “This is Alex Winters. New in town, but here to stay. Right Alex?”

  Alex laughed. “Yeah, I’m stuck here now. I’ve got myself glued to a pile of debt and hungry animals.”

  “Well, Alex Winters, this is a fine place to be stuck.” Randy pushed a chilled, foam-capped mug in front of her. “On the house. Welcome home.”

  “Thank you, Randy.” He winked at her and then Ginny was pulling her to the dance floor. Alex managed to slurp the first sip of her beer en route before it could spill down the front of her skirt. Then, they were bumping and grinding like teenagers, with their beers held at arm’s length for safekeeping.

  Strange faces waxed and waned in front of them, some leering, some open and friendly, and Alex just grinned and nodded at them all alike. Ginny knew everyone, and introductions filled her brain until she couldn’t possibly absorb another name.

  “Wait a minute, Ginny, I’ve gotta sit for a minute,” she breathed heavily into the wriggling woman’s ear.

  “Okay, grab a booth for us. I see Kenny Richards, and I’ve got to give that randy bastard a big wet sloppy kiss.” Ginny shimmied through the throng and disappeared.

  Alex scanned the room as best as she could, looking hard for an empty table. She spotted one, high-backed and private in the far corner. She fought her way there, and slid onto the smooth, wooden bench. Sipping her beer, now flat, she contemplated muscling her way to the bar for a second, fresher mug.

  “Not worth it,” she mumbled, eying the thick mass of bodies lining the bar. She was happy for the moment just to watch the milling crowd in quiet.

  ~~~~~~~

  Aaron turned to his brother and grinned. “Wow. That about sums it up, big brother.”

  Jamie slanted an annoyed glance in his direction. “That’s your opinion.”

  “I gotta admit, she’s got legs up to her neck! What a body. And she can move it too. Sexy Curves Ginny looks like a cafeteria matron next to her.”

  Jamie sighed, and tossed back the remainder of his beer. “Happy wet dreams, Aaron.”

  Aaron laughed, shaking his sandy head. “I think you’re the one who’s gotta worry about that, bro. Been awhile, huh?”

  “You’re pushing it, Aaron.”

  “All right, all right. No need to beat the crap out of me again. She’s just a yuppie, anyway.”

  “Then shut the hell up.”

  “Grumpy, aren’t we?”

  “I need a refill is all.” He picked up a coaster and twirled it between two lean fingers.

  “James, you’ve had a stick up your ass all week. And it seemed to get worse after old man Wilkens dropped in. I can’t believe that old coot’s still getting around. Hope I’m that peppy when I’m his age. Hope I can still get my dick up, too.”

  Jamie simply ignored him now and feigned interest in a slim blond who was shaking her stuff near their table. It was true. Ezra’s visit had gotten under his skin. The old man had gushed over Miss Alex like she was an angel sent unto him from the good Lord above.

  Miss Alex is a feisty one... got that place runnin’ ship shape, she does... never thought I’d be happy ‘bout sellin’ my land, but when I seen her face today, I just knew I done right by my Marta...

  Miss Alex this, pip-squeak that... Jamie had finally pleaded a migraine and left the room. But not before Ezra had forced a promise out of him that he’d continue to be a good neighbor and check in on Alex from time to time.

  Check in on her. He thought of her pert bottom wriggling beneath the plum mini skirt, her hazel eyes flashing as she’d bumped slim hips against Ginny’s rounded ones. Every able-bodied man in the place had looked in her direction more than once. Including him.

  He gritted his teeth. Aaron slid toward the edge of the booth, and Jamie pushed a five across the table. “Fill me up, little brother.” Aaron winked and made his way to the bar while Jamie returned his attention to the blonde. She was making doe eyes at him, sidling closer to his table with every song.

  He softened his surly expression and managed a half-hearted grin. The girl shimmied faster, shaking her blonde mane that had been highlighted to the maximum load of platinum.

  Aaron soon returned with a pitcher and two chilled mugs. Jamie poured and downed the deep amber brew without thought. He seldom drank much, but tonight.... tonight he had the urge.

  Before he could pour another, the streaky blonde was suddenly in his lap, entwining her legs with his. She giggled prettily. He wondered if she realized those streaks made her look a bit like a skunk.

  “Hi, Jamie.”

  “How do you know my name?”

  She giggled again. “Randy told me.” She wriggled her bottom against his lap. Chuckling, Aaron mumbled, “Since your hands are full there, bro...” and poured him another beer.

  “How old are you?” Jamie questioned gruffly in the blonde’s dainty ear.

  “Twenty-one,” she returned petulantly. “Old enough.”

  “Jamie’s an old man,” Aaron quipped. “I’m twenty-three, honey. My lap might be... a little firmer.”

  Jamie rolled his eyes as the girl giggled again. “Maybe. Maybe not.” She slung her arms around his neck and pressed her breasts toward his face. He smelled alcohol on her flesh, and thinking of Tracey, his stomach churned in response.

  “Holy shit,” Aaron crowed, obviously enjoying the show.

  The blonde swished her long hair and gave Aaron a hard look. “You’re both gorgeous. Actually, you know, I think you’re both what I need tonight.”

  As Aaron thumped the table in glee, Jamie wondered how to disentangle the girl from his body. She was drunk, and more than that, she was really stupid.

  “Well, if it isn’t the Sheldon boys. I thought I recognized your voices.”

  “Hi, Ginny.” Aaron was holding his stomach to contain his mirth. Alex was undoubtedly standing right behind her, but Jamie could see nothing but a straining bosom to his left and his brother’s asinine face laughing across the table.

  Gently, he pushed at the blonde. She clung. “Come on, give me some breathing room,” he muttered. She flounced up abruptly, shooting a glare at both women.

  “Try back later,” Aaron chuckled.

  “Don’t count on it.” She stalked away.

  Jamie turned his gaze to Alex. She was grinning, but her eyes were glittering dangerously. Good, he thought, I’ve pissed her off. Touché.

  “You two are having fun, I see,” prodded Ginny laughingly.

  “As always,” Aaron replied with a wink in her direction. “Hey, want to test my lap, Ginny? Am I strapping enough for ya, yet?”

  “I’d smother you, Aaron.” She put her hands on generous hips. “You’re still a bit young
for my taste. Got some growin’ to do, yet.”

  “Yeah, but you’ve got a healthy appetite, Ginny. And so do I.”

  Alex cleared her throat at the ribald play, and Aaron slanted a pointed look in her direction. “How about you, Alex. You game tonight?”

  “She likes her men tall, dark and handsome, Aaron. A young, blond thing like you wouldn’t do,” Jamie interjected wryly. “Not to mention, you’re poor. That’s the biggest sin of all.”

  Alex rolled her eyes. “Tonight I’m finding the entire male species a bit distasteful.”

  Then she walked away.

  ~~~~~~~

  Alex turned and escaped the table filled with Sheldon boys, still steaming inside. As she made her way through the crowded barroom, she noticed a familiar form hulking in the archway to the kitchen. Mouse, quite obviously, the only man she knew who truly resembled The Incredible Hulk.

  While making a bee-line for him, she passed the drunk, streak-haired blonde, and returned the girl’s spiteful glare with equal vehemence.

  Mouse grinned as she approached. “Hi Ow-lex.”

  “Mouse! It’s good to see you.” The jukebox fell silent for an instant, and the crowd milled about uncertainly. A slow tune came on, wailing in lonely intensity. “Hey, you wanna dance?” she inquired.

  Mouse flushed, but nodded. Alex took his giant, clammy hand and led him to the dance floor. He dropped his large palms on her shoulders uncertainly and shuffled to the music. Alex had to tip her head back to see his face.

  “Having a good time tonight, Mouse?”

  He smiled sweetly. “Now ah am.” It was amazing that only weeks before, his face had appeared so menacing to her. Now the broad, thick features and the dark brown eyes that shone so happily were both familiar and endearing.

  “How is thuh fencing, Ow-lex?” he questioned.

  “It’s great, Mouse. You did a wonderful job, even Ezra said so.”

  “Jay-me,” he mumbled in explanation.

  “Jamie couldn’t have done it without you.” Mouse’s grin widened, his palms gripped her a little firmer, and they danced. When a second slow song came across the jukebox, Alex didn’t have the heart to leave him.

  “Sorry Mouse, but I’m cutting in on this one.” The familiar voice came from right behind her.

  Alex groaned audibly. Mouse patted her with a smile, and then released her into Jamie’s tugging grip. She pushed against him initially, frowning.

  “One dance won’t hurt you, neighbor,” he muttered in her ear, drawing her closer.

  Heat filled her. Anger, she reasoned. I’m royally pissed.

  She felt his hand dip to the small of her back, pressing her into the rhythm. Her body brushed against his.

  “Space, Jamie.”

  “This is a slow dance, city woman. Out in the country, we do them close.”

  She gritted her teeth.

  “Bodies have to touch.” His hips met hers briefly as he rocked her slowly.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she whispered heatedly. The neighboring couple cast a strange look their way.

  He only laughed, humming to the music in her ear. When Alex felt his lips brush her earlobe, she involuntarily shivered. She knew he felt it, because he made a little “ummm” sound in the back of his throat.

  Alex contemplated stomping on his toe. “Your little bleach blonde would be better suited to such beer-induced advances.”

  “You jealous?”

  “No!” she shot back. “Just sick to my stomach.”

  He dipped his palm between them and lightly touched upon her taut belly. “Poor Alex.”

  This time, she did stomp on his foot. Unfortunately, she had switched her heels for flats before leaving the ranch. He only grimaced and tightened the circle of his arms.

  “Quit being such a prude and dance with me. Try being neighborly. I know it’s real hard for you, Lovey, but try.”

  “Fine.” Impulsively, she wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her body firmly against him. Tit for tat.

  Jamie stilled the exploration of her body with his hands, and groaned aloud. Well, he’d goaded her purposely, ruthlessly almost, and she was going to pay him back.

  She nibbled on his neck with warm lips.

  “Quit that,” he growled in her ear.

  “Oh, poor baby,” she crooned low in her throat. When she allowed her hips to brush his groin, she felt him tighten his fingers on her back, and the tips twitch against the small of it, as if preparing to drop lower and explore her bottom.

  She shimmied against him, and dropped lower. Then she turned around and had the gall to bump her ass against him. He grabbed her by the hips and rocked with her.

  “Quit being such a prude and dance, Jamie,” she goaded. “Try being neighborly.”

  “Yeah sure, but why don’t you look around for a second.”

  Alex glanced over her shoulder and saw their dirty dancing was gaining them a lot of curious looks now. Damn it to hell. She closed her eyes briefly, already flushed from the beer and his closeness, and gathered her wits.

  She attempted to push away from him again, but he held her hips firmly. “If you don’t knock off your damned teasing, I’m going to kiss you in front of everyone. Hard, long, and with no room for argument. And believe me, it won’t end there, Alex.”

  She glanced up at him uncertainly. The love song trailed away, and a thumping dance beat hopped up the pace.

  Alex laughed nervously. “Saved by the bell.”

  Jamie took her elbow firmly and led her toward the booth, his mouth drawn in a frown.

  Aaron watched their approach, and made a disgusted sound in his throat.

  “What’s up with them?” Ginny questioned.

  “They’re in love and don’t even know it,” he muttered, “They’re too damned busy trying to get one up on each other all the time. It’s truly sickening. They’re complete opposites. All wrong.”

  Alex noticed that Ginny was perched on Mouse’s lap this time around, and a wide grin was evident on the big man’s face. Aaron appeared to be sulking.

  “This guy is like a big teddy bear,” Ginny announced, giving Mouse a hard hug and a kiss on the cheek. At Alex’s raised eyebrows, she added, “Don’t worry, I’m not hitting on him. He’s my cousin.”

  Mouse stood up, lifting Ginny with him like she was made of feathers.

  “Hey, Hee-Man!”

  He set her down gently, chuckling. “I haf dish-es, Gin-nee.” With a wave, he disappeared into the kitchen.

  “Jack-of-all-trades,” Jamie responded to Alex’s surprised look. “Actually, his Pop owns half the restaurant. Mouse gets saddled with a lot of the dirty work.”

  “Poor guy.”

  “His Pop’s not the ideal fatherly sort,” Aaron added with a frown. “Treats him like he’s completely worthless.”

  Ginny laid her long, red fingernails on Aaron’s shoulder. “All right, young buck, time to show me your moves.” She gestured to the dance floor. “I gotta burn off some calories.”

  “I thought you’d never ask.” They moved away into the dancing crowd, leaving Jamie and Alex to stare uncertainly at one another.

  “Have a seat,” he murmured with a grin, and Alex slid into the booth. Jamie sat opposite from her, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Mentally, she still struggled to shake off the lingering feeling of the intimate slow dance, and the impact that it had on her. Her own teasing had left an impact on her senses with which she hadn’t even begun to contend.

  “So what have you been up to lately, James?” She managed shakily to break the awkwardness. Alex found two mugs, and poured them each a beer.

  “Well.” He blew out a breath in an attempt to switch gears.

  “It was a hectic week, to say the least. I’m involved in a fairly big project that’s really gaining impetus at the moment, plus the farm work is no easy ride during the summer months.”

  “What kind of project?”

  “It involves something cal
led a biomass plantation... a reproduction of hardwoods and all that.” He took a swig of lager and glanced out over the dance floor, watching his brother mince around beneath Ginny’s wild undulations. He caught the young blonde glaring at him from an alcove near the bar, and quickly looked away.

  “Go on,” Alex prodded.

  “You’re really interested?”

  He looked pointedly into her hazel eyes, and she grinned with amusement. “I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t,” she chastised.

  Jamie chuckled. “I received a grant from Cornell University last year to begin work on the re-vegetation of disturbed lands. I found the perfect area on an old, reclaimed strip mine from years ago. The soils had been damaged by acid and erosion to some degree, so the study is really dealing with remediation. I’m working with genetics and breeding issues best suited for disturbed areas.”

  She took a sip and looked at him over the rim of her mug. He ran a hand through his sandy hair, and his blue eyes were suddenly thoughtful. The project was on his mind. Forester, farmer, and scientist, she wondered. And he still found time for his friends and family. Why was this man not married?

  “This all sounds fairly complicated,” she observed, bringing him out of his reverie.

  “Terribly so,” he agreed with a laugh. “It’s difficult to keep track and analyze all the different parameters - stream flow fluctuation, erosion, plant diversity, vegetative growth measurements, and the impact of animal life. I could really use about twenty research assistants.”

  She shook her head. “Sounds like it. Plus, you have all your normal forestry duties, right?”

  “Right.”

  “How is it that the state allows for your time in this project?”

  “Oh, the state and Cornell are working together, believe it or not. It’s tricky - Cornell granting money for studies in Pennsylvania, which was difficult for me to finagle. But I had some connections, and the state snapped up the opportunity.”

  “Did you attend Cornell?”

  He nodded. “For my graduate degree. Forest Biology. I got my undergrad at Penn State.”

  Alex stared at him. There was always something new and unusual to learn about Jamie Sheldon. “And yet you’re here... Nowhere, PA.”