by Kari August
“Hey, what about my belt with the all-purpose knife strapped to it? It has nine attachments that can perform fifty different functions. Don’t you think that’s cool, too?”
Lindsey nodded, “Oh, most assuredly, Ned—or should I say Nerd.”
Ned reached for her again, this time swinging his arm lightly around her shoulders and pulling her closer. He couldn’t keep his hands off her. But she didn’t pull away. She adjusted her seat so she was sitting right next to him. Ned felt a sense of contentment unlike any he had ever felt before.
They quieted. They stared straight ahead at the gorgeous view before them, twilight turning the shades in the sky into a profusion of pastels while the soaring mountains peeked at them from behind the scattering of scudding clouds.
Lindsey spoke up. “You know, Ned, I was so excited to come here just to have a design job, but I didn’t expect to fall in love with the place as much as I have.”
“It’s always felt as if it were home to me. As if this is where I’m supposed to be.”
Lindsey nodded. “I can understand that.” She turned to look at him inquiringly. They were just inches apart. He yearned to kiss her and almost did before she asked, “Why’d you come to the RV?” She looked straight ahead again.
“Oh, I wanted to talk to you.”
“What about?”
“The Tudors Are Lying Whoresons.”
She looked back at him sharply and chuckled. “What?!”
Ned held back a smile. “That’s what Dickie thinks we ought to name the clothing company.”
She leaned forward, laughing, resting her head on her knees.
Ned continued. “What about the Tudors Eat Shit. That was another one of his inspirations.”
She looked over at Ned, still resting her head on her knees. “Oh, I know. How about the Tudors Shag Donkeys?” She straightened. “Do you think he’d like that one?”
Ned chuckled. “Undoubtedly. Anyway, we need to decide on a company name. TBN and the clothing manufacturer are putting on pressure to decide.”
Lindsey straightened. “Hmmm. Let me think.” She turned toward Ned with a serious expression, causing him to drop his arm from her shoulder. Lindsey looked down and bit her lip, deep in thought. “Hmmm.”
He loved watching her mind work. Her intelligence and wit were just some of the reasons why he had fallen so hard for her. He asked, “You know what I think we ought to call it?”
She looked up. “What?”
“Lindsey’s Beautiful Designs.” Ned smiled warmly.
Lindsey smiled back, but shook her head. “Oh, Ned. That’s so sweet, but so corny. Besides, I think the name should be a tribute to Dickie. He’s the one who’ll be appearing on the show.”
Ned shook his head. “Not another the King’s Something-or-other. It doesn’t apply.”
“How about simply York Designs?” She raised both her brows in question.
Ned tilted his head, considering. “You know, I think I like that.”
Just then women’s voices drifted up from the driveway below. Caroline and Charlena were returning from their jog. Ned suddenly couldn’t stand the thought of their time alone being interrupted. It was the first time Lindsey was actually talking to him in ages. He grabbed her hand and stood, pulling her up with him. “How’s your foot?”
She tentatively put pressure on it, looked at Ned, and smiled. “I think it’s good.”
“Great, then follow me.” He started to lead her toward the trail next to the house, still holding her hand—anywhere but the cabin and RV, where people were constantly coming and going.
She pulled slightly back. “Why are we leaving? And where are we going?”
“We need to continue our business discussions in private.”
She kept following him, but said, “I thought we just decided on a name.”
“We ought to give it more thought.”
“Ow!” She started hopping. “I just stepped on a cactus.”
He stood straighter and saluted. “Ned the Nerd to the rescue.”
She inquired in a playful voice, faking demureness, “Are you going to carry me again?”
He started patting the pockets on his shorts. “Nope. You weigh half a ton.”
“Hey!”
He fished around some more, then said, “There it is.” He held up a miniature flashlight and grabbed her hand again. “I’ll light the way; that way you won’t step on anything you don’t want to.”
Lindsey smirked. “How gallant.”
“You want to wear my boots?”
She shook her head, so Ned kept going. They reached the shadowy woodland and Ned slowed their pace a bit.
Lindsey pulled on his hand again. “Wait. This is getting scary. It’s so dark in here.”
Ned flashed the light around and focused on a group of rocks forming a shallow cave. “I knew I’d find it. My cousin and I used to play fort over there.”
He led her to the entrance and they both sat down.
Lindsey looked around furtively, then whispered, “Did you hear that?”
Ned whispered back, “What?”
Lindsey pointed to her right. “Over there.”
Ned listened more closely. He heard slight scampering. “Oh, that’s probably just a chipmunk or raccoon.”
Lindsey started to rise. “I think we’d better leave. It could be a mountain lion. I heard they come out at nightfall.”
Ned grabbed her hand again and pulled her back down. “We need to have our business meeting, remember? I’ll start a campfire to scare the animals away.”
He reached into a shirt pocket, then held up and shook a small waterproof tin. “Matches.”
“Oh.” She looked a bit disappointed. “You mean you’re not going to start the fire primitive style, Super Survivor Man?”
“You know about bow drills? Actually, I’ve been practicing and can now start a fire that way.”
Her eyes widened. “Really? Show me how.”
He leaned back and dived into the long pocket that ran along his thigh. “I made some of the things we’ll need.” He held up a piece of twine attached to a small bow. He leaned back again and pulled out a little piece of a flat-sided log with a small hole carved into it. “We’ll need to gather some kindling.”
Lindsey hesitated. “Perhaps we shouldn’t. What if the whole place catches on fire?”
“I’ll collect rocks to help prevent that. Why don’t you try to gather some tinder?”
Lindsey walked outside the cave, not wandering too far off, and began picking up small twigs.
Ned glanced around and spied a small mound nearby, covered in pine needles and dirt. He walked toward it and shook his head. “I bet that’s the pile Clarence and I gathered to make our fake fire years ago.” Ned picked up several rocks, brought them back to the cave entrance, and started arranging them in a circle, then went back for some more. He lifted another rock before exclaiming loudly, “Holy shit! I forgot we hid that here.”
Lindsey walked over to where Ned stood. “What?”
Ned reached down and held up a dusty bottle half-full of amber liquid. “Clarence broke into my father’s scotch.” He studied the liquor. “It’s aged at least twenty years. Must be pretty decent.” He pulled out the cork and held the bottle to his lips.
Lindsey grabbed his arm. “Wait. I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
Ned shook his head. “No, I’m sure it’s fine.” He took a tentative sip. “It’s fantastic!” Ned took another gulp and held out the bottle. “Want to try some?”
Lindsey shook her head.
“You sure?” He swung the bottle before her eyes. “Twenty-year scotch, you can’t beat that.”
Lindsey reached for the bottle. “All right. I’ll take a sip.” She imbibed with a grimace. “That’s strong stuff.”
“Come on. Let’s get back to work.”
Ned laid the bottle near the circle of rocks. Every time he brought back an armful of rocks, he took another sip.
>
Lindsey also tried some more each trip she hauled back some logs for the fire. “You know, I think this is an acquired taste. It’s not half-bad,” she commented at one point.
After a half hour, they were finally ready to try making a fire. Ned set up the bow and began drilling it back and forth. The end of the stick started smoking.
“Oh, can I try?”
Ned stopped and looked up at an eager Lindsey. “Sure.”
He showed her how to properly put pressure on the device. She made an attempt, but the bow and stick went flying off into the air. She sat back on her heels and laughed uproariously.
Ned smiled. “Lindsey, are you a little tipsy?”
She pondered for a moment and scratched her chin. “Hmmm. Could be, but don’t worry; I’m not one of those women who turns into a sloppy drunk.”
Ned went back to working the bow drill, briefly glancing up at her. “Never crossed my mind.”
“Thanks, Ned.” Lindsey smiled warmly, as if he had just paid her a huge compliment.
“You’re welcome.”
It took several attempts, but he finally got a spark going. He was grateful, wanting to impress Lindsey. It had helped that the tinder was so dry.
“You did it!” she cried out.
“Yeah.” Ned smiled broadly. He was starting to feel the effects of the alcohol himself. They each settled themselves cross-legged in front of the fire, next to each other. They quietly stared into the flames a moment.
Lindsey asked, “Now what?”
“Are you hungry? I’ve got some trail mix.” He unsnapped another shorts pocket and pulled out a plastic bag filled with crushed nuts and squashed dried fruit.
“I’m famished. Alcohol always makes me hungry.”
He handed the bag to her. “Help yourself.”
She frowned slightly as she began nibbling on the combination. “Aren’t we supposed to be having a business meeting?” She handed the bag back to Ned.
He ate a few nuts before replying. “It’s not necessary. We’ll name the company York Designs.”
“I thought you said we ought to think about it some more.”
“I did. It’s done. The name’s York Designs.” And perhaps it was the alcohol, or just that he longed to do so, but he boldly asked, “Wanna kiss to seal the deal?”
And miracles of all miracles, she giggled, stretched out her legs, leaned back on her arms, and said. “All right.”
Ned grinned, while scooting over and pulling her down, laying her flat against the ground. He leaned over her and kissed her gently on the lips.
Lindsey had been dying for Ned to kiss her again ever since he had shown up knocking on her RV door, and she had taken one look at his handsome, intelligent face. She had done a lot of thinking about what Dickie had told her. Perhaps Charlena and Ned were a thing of the past. Perhaps Ned had feelings for Lindsey after all. But she wasn’t sure, and the RV had suddenly seemed much too intimate. Going outside on the cabin porch had seemed like a good idea.
She had been determined that she wouldn’t be the aggressor this time. If Ned was interested in her, he would have to take the lead. And lead he took!
The kiss felt so right. Just as it had the first time. She opened her mouth and Ned dived in with his tongue, holding the back of her head and angling his own. She broke the kiss after a minute and started giggling. “We’re acting as if we’re a couple of teenagers, making out down an alley so our parents don’t find out.”
Ned smiled down at her. “I don’t mind; do you? I’m not exactly in the mood for Dickie’s or Charlena’s stares, if we were to go back there.”
She grinned back. “I don’t mind a bit. I think it’s kind of fun doing it here.” She grabbed his neck to bring his head back down.
A log snapped loudly in the fire. They broke their kiss and looked over. Ned got up and crouched by the flames, circling the fire, rearranging the logs to satisfaction. Lindsey rose up on her elbows, watching. When Ned finished, he looked over at Lindsey. “God, you’re pretty. How did I ever get so lucky?”
She motioned with her finger for Ned to return next to her. He leaped over the flames excitedly and she giggled, pulling him down over her. She was so happy she felt as if she would bust at the seams. They began kissing again, putting more passion and less laughing into the effort. “I don’t suppose you carry any protection in one of your shorts pockets.”
Ned moaned and looked into her eyes. “No, it’s the one thing I don’t carry.”
Lindsey sat up and smiled slowly, looking down at Ned, lying on his back. “You know, perhaps that’s for the best. In fact, if it’s all right with you, I’d prefer to take whatever this is slowly and just neck like teenagers tonight.”
Ned didn’t appear upset. “I’ll take whatever you can give me, Linds.” He pulled her down on top of him.
Hours later, Lindsey crept as quietly as she could back into the RV. She didn’t want to wake up Caroline or, for God’s sake, Charlena, and talk about what had happened tonight. It had been her special time with Ned, and she held it as a precious secret. Before Ned and she had departed to their separate quarters, they had both agreed to keep quiet anything about their burgeoning affair. Lindsey’s reasoning to herself was that she didn’t know where this thing between them would eventually lead. They had too much at stake with the design business to take a chance on letting anything personal get in the way of work. Ned had simply said to her that he didn’t want to deal with other people’s reaction to their closeness. She had looked at him quizzically and said she wasn’t sure what he meant by that. He had muttered something about Dickie being very traditional in his thinking and left it at that.
She walked over to her bed, dropped her shorts to the floor, kept on her blouse because its newly acquired earthy scent reminded her of Ned, and fell blissfully asleep.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The time for the Holidays in August show was fast approaching. There were a million and a half things to get done. Everybody pitched in, trying to help one another out.
That didn’t stop Ned from asking Lindsey in front of coworkers whether she had time for an occasional business question. They would casually walk out the door, faking an earnest discussion, briefly look around to see whether anybody was watching them, then run off to the trees. A quick session of passionate petting and kissing would ensue; then they would return back to work, nobody the wiser. Call it juvenile behavior for two grown adults who could rent a room if they wished some privacy, but Ned and Lindsey reveled in the playfulness of it all. It somehow was the opposite of their normally sensible and extremely intelligent behavior, and they loved it.
Ned didn’t tell Lindsey, but he was now packing protection in one of his shorts pockets. He would be ready when Lindsey gave the signal that she was.
He didn’t have long to wait, thank God. Several days of hot groping were leaving him frustrated for more.
She rose at the end of their weekly group business meeting and asked in front of everyone, “Ned, didn’t you promise to take me camping so I could observe some of the region’s flora and fauna more closely?”
Dickie coughed loudly, but Ned simply smiled. “Why, yes, I did. When did you have in mind to go?”
She looked nonchalant. “Oh, I don’t know. Perhaps we could take a break from work Saturday night. We can’t toil all day, every day.”
“Excellent idea. Oh, and Lindsey?”
She gathered up her possessions. “Yes?”
“I’ll remember to pack everything this time.”
She fumbled with her papers, dropping her drawings all over the floor.
Dickie raised one brow and mouthed, You’d better behave! to Ned. Ned shook his head, forbidding Dickie to say anything.
The week after the camping trip, Ned and Lindsey ran off to the cave for a quickie now and then.
Dickie had had enough. He needed to talk to Ned. Didn’t he realize everybody had known he and Lindsey were an item from the first time the two of the
m had run off down the trail, the night they had chosen a name for their design business? Squire Cody had taken to air-pumping his fist a couple times with a wink to Dickie every time he saw them together. This gallivanting about would be all right if Lindsey were an eager widow or a tavern wench. But the fact that she was an innocent, or had been, made Ned’s behavior unchivalrous and dishonorable—not the way any York male should behave. Why, even his rowdy brother Eddie had tried to avoid virgins before he got married, for this very reason.
Dickie placed a plate of eggs and bacon on the table in front of Ned, who was daydreaming again, first looking out the window at the RV longingly, then displaying a foolish grin on his face.
“Ned . . . Ned!”
“Huh?” Ned turned around, startled.
Dickie remembered well how to give royal commands, and he used his special tone of voice now. “We need to talk. You must marry Lindsey. Your behavior is unacceptable.”
Ned frowned, then actually blushed. “Dickie, I want to marry her. You don’t understand.”
Dickie shook his head. “There’s nothing to understand. Wed her!”
“But I haven’t even told her I love her, and I don’t know if she loves me!” Ned wailed.
Dickie rolled his eyes. “Since when has love had anything to do with whether someone should get married?! Marriages are typically formed to make alliances, or to gain land or riches or a title. Why, only peasants would marry just for love, and not even the sensible ones at that! But you have forced yourself into a difficult situation. You have ruined an innocent.”
Ned shook his head. “It’s not the same nowadays.”
“Well, it should be.”
“Dickie, didn’t you marry for love?”
Dickie scowled. Men didn’t talk about these things seriously with one another; they joked, they sang courtly ballads, they wrote poetry—some of it bawdy—but they didn’t have conversations about whether they actually loved their wives. But this was Ned, so he answered. “Annie and I had a strong attachment to each other. We spent our youth together in her father’s household.” Dickie paused. “Annie was grateful when I saved her after she lost her first husband, the son of Henry VI. My brother George, who was also her brother-in-law, was keeping her confined, trying to maintain control of her inheritance. I rescued and married her. And yes, I did then acquire a lot of land and titles, including important influence in the North of England. But I treated her well and I ruled the North commendably.” Dickie puffed his cheeks, then blew out a long breath before continuing. “Yes, we probably developed a love for each other, but we were the exception, not the rule.”