Dear Editor

by Emily Sharpe

  "Are you all right?" he asked softly. "I can go home if you need more time."

  "No," she said. "I'm fine, really. This is new for both of us. I'm sure you have some questions running through your mind that are similar to mine."

  "Yes, I would be lying if I said I didn't, but even though this is a big step, it's one I'm looking forward to, and I know that what we've found together is special, and it's different." Chet pulled back a little and tucked a strand of hair behind Carol's ear. "I love you, and I know it will be wonderful."

  "I-I love you too, Chet, so very much." Carol set down her mug and turned to him, taking his face in her hands. "Make love to me, Chet. Take me to bed."

  "Your wish is my command, sweet lady," he said as he set his mug on the tray and stood. He reached down and scooped her up into his arms, surprising her.

  Carol giggled and pointed the way to her bedroom. She'd redecorated since Greg's passing, so it was essentially a different space, for which she was now glad.

  When they entered her private sanctuary, Chet moved toward the king-sized bed and laid her gently in the center after turning down the covers with one hand and still holding on to her tightly in his arms.

  Then he joined her and pulled her to him. "I love you," he murmured before planting a kiss on the end of her nose. Then he moved to her lips and gave her another passionate kiss like the one they'd shared earlier. From there, he moved to her earlobes and neck before carefully reaching around to unzip her simple purple dress. He kissed her shoulders and they shared another steamy, full mouthed kiss, their tongues dancing, before she excused herself and slipped into the bathroom.

  "I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere," she said coyly.

  "I wouldn't dream of it," he teased as he removed his shirt and placed it on a chair near the bed.

  Carol returned as promised, wearing a short, silky black robe that was secured by a tie in the front. She stopped and admired the man in her bed. He appeared to be nude, covered only by the sheet, wearing a big grin on his face. "I approve. Come here and let me see what's underneath that sexy little number."

  She did, and when she reached his side, he deftly untied the belt, letting the robe slide open.

  Chet let out a deep breath. "You are more beautiful than I could ever have imagined, my love."

  Carol let the robe slide off her body into a pool at her feet before raising a knee up on the bed. "I'm so glad you approve, Chief."

  He reached around and gently smacked her bare bottom. "Cheeky," he teased. Then he reached out and she went willingly into his arms.

  The kisses and caresses became heated and serious after that, both of them eager to explore the other's body. Carol marveled at his muscles, his tight abs and the generous gray hair on his chest. She'd never understood women who preferred their men to be virtually hairless. Her hand lovingly grazed the furriness of his chest. He felt wonderful.

  All the fears she'd had vanished as they finally came together, finding solace and love all rolled into one. They were two lost souls finding each other for the first time, forging the path to a new life together. And the best thing of all was that he was now hers and she belonged to him. She was going to marry her best friend, again. Greg had been the love of her life, her childhood sweetheart, best friend, lover, husband and father of her child. Greg had been her world, just as Angie had been Chet's. But now, time had moved forward, and they had found each other, discovered something rare—a second chance at love.

  She couldn't wait to become Mrs. Chet Henderson.

  Later, as they lay together, he twirled a strand of her hair in his hand and said, "That was wonderful, Carol. Are you all right?"

  She turned and gave him a sexy smile. "I am better than all right, my sweet man. I expected that we'd remember the basics after years without practice, but wow!"

  "I like the sound of that." He turned her so that they were spooning and held her close, dropping little butterfly kisses on her head until they both fell into a deep and contented sleep.

  The next morning, they made a big breakfast together and talked about how they would spend their day. They decided to start making some plans and over a second cup of coffee after the dishes were done, they started making a list.

  "What do you think about selling both of our homes and starting out fresh with a new place that we can call our own?" he asked.

  "A new place for memories? I love it. It'll be a place our newly blended family can call home and spend holidays and birthdays and good times with us," she replied.

  They spent some time talking about the two sales and made plans to speak with a local realtor. Next on the list was the wedding. Carol decided she would like something small, with just their families in attendance. Chet agreed with her and they spent another hour making plans for that.

  In the midst of the happy conversation, Carol suddenly frowned. "When should we tell the kids? Jessica already knows I'm crazy about you. I couldn't have hidden my feelings if I had tried. But what about yours? It's been so long since I've even seen them. I mean, I know they'll remember who I am, but will they be terribly shocked at…this?"

  "They're aware I've dated off and on," he said, "but they also know I've never been serious about anyone since their mother. But shocked? I don't think so. Maybe we could set up a Zoom meeting or Skype or something, where we can see their faces when we drop the bomb!" Chet chuckled. "I can ask them to come for a visit, but we'll work something out." He was suddenly serious. "Even if they don't like the idea—and they will, trust me—I'm marrying you. It's as simple as that."

  "I know Jessica will approve."

  "My kids will too, believe me. They've been after me for a while to move on with my life." He stood up and carried his coffee cup to the sink then turned to her. "I hate to leave you, hon, but I have to go by my place and change for my shift. Only a few more months of this and my days will be free to spend with you."

  Carol stood and raised up on her tiptoes to kiss him. "Have a good evening. Call me if you get a break."

  Chet walked to his car whistling, a smile on his face. He drove home and showered then dressed in his uniform and went to the station to begin his evening shift.

  He was a few hours in, sitting at the station with his men, when his cell phone rang. He saw that it was Jessica and immediately answered.

  Chapter 12

  Flying High

  "This is a first, in more ways than one," Jessica said as she laughed softly and fastened the belt across her lap. Worth's eyebrows raised in question, but he said nothing. "My first time sitting in first class," she explained. "My first trip with you." Soon, my first time with you.

  Worth leaned back in the comfortably wide seat and signaled a nearby flight attendant, who walked immediately to him. "May we get two champagnes, Rebecca?"

  "Of course, Mr. Vincent. I'll be right back with those."

  Jessica watched as the petite redhead walked to the galley. She was quite attractive. "You two seem to know each other pretty well."

  "I've made this flight a lot and Rebecca works it often," he agreed. "I've always enjoyed chatting with her." Now it was Jessica's turn to raise her eyebrows. "Just chatting, thank you very much. Rebecca is married to a pilot, has grown children and a grandchild on the way."

  Jessica grinned. "I have a feeling no woman is safe from your charms, no matter her age. Not if you turn on that Bathroom Guy charm." She'd told him long ago about the rather questionable title. They'd laughed about it, but now he made a face. He could be so difficult to read. She nudged him. "You're pretty quiet, Worth. Don't like to fly? Second thoughts? What?"

  Worth leaned over to give her a quick kiss but lingered at her inviting response. He sighed. "I just realized how little we have actually sat together and talked. Our evening phone conversations notwithstanding, there's a lot you still don't know about me. You fume about me taking things too slowly, and I worry about whether or not I'm moving too quickly."

  Jessica shrugged. "There's a lot you don't
know about me, either. We still haven't met each other's mothers and you know little about that whole dynamic for me. I haven't told you about my ill-fated dance lessons as a child. I don't know your shoe size; you will never know my weight."

  Rebecca returned with their flutes of bubbly, which they clinked gently in a toast. "To your first time in first class," Worth said with a smile.

  And our first time together, Jessica thought as she took a sip. There was a time she had thought she would wait until her wedding night. That had been the way she'd been raised. She had honestly thought she would marry Eric eventually, so it had not felt scandalous at all when they had finally become intimate. Intimate. They had shared a bed, certainly, but had they ever been intimate, in the fullest sense of the word?

  Call me old-fashioned, she thought, but I want it all—the romance and the commitment. True intimacy—that's what her parents had had. That's what she craved. To be married to her best friend. To have passion, respect, laughter. It felt like Worth was all that and a bag of chips, as her dad used to say. Unless some deep, dark mystery presents itself, to quash the romance.

  She flashed a smile at the green-eyed object of her affections. "It's not that long a flight, mister. You'd better start spilling."

  Worth's face was suddenly serious. "Actually, there is something I've been wanting to tell you for a very long time."

  "You're married? Gay? Involved in industrial espionage?" She leaned her head back on the headrest and closed her eyes. She could definitely get used to flying first class. No babies crying nearby, plenty of room for her long legs.

  "Jessica."

  Frowning a bit, she turned her head to listen more closely. Worth sounded hesitant again. Surely, he wasn't going to go all Mr. Manners on her. They'd kept things discreet and above board, for the most part, but he had invited her to join him in a hotel room after all. She smiled a little. They were so awkward at times, like teenagers trying to find their way. Mom said she and Dad always felt like teenagers in love. "What is it?"

  Worth could see the wheels turning and guessed correctly. A little sheepishly, he shook his head. "If you're concerned about another roller coaster ride, don't be. We had a tumultuous start—and I admit, the fact that we work together is still an issue for me, given the current social climate." He frowned. "Not that I'm concerned about you or even us. But, I admit I don't want anyone to have the wrong idea." He smiled gently. "But I am also committed to fully embracing our romance as well as fully embracing you, my dear. I'd like to make an announcement at the office when we return. Come out, as they say."

  Worth leaned over and kissed her again. "But. You may have noticed that I was a little taken aback when you told me you wanted to write about that fire years ago."

  Something inside of Jessica went cold. Just when she'd decided there wasn't a connection, now there was? "Did you know the boy who started it? The one who jumped?"

  Worth's cheeks flushed. "Yes, and no."

  Rebecca's voice came over the speaker, calm and instructional as she gave the obligatory safety speech while the airplane taxied slowly into position for take-off. A male flight attendant slowly walked down the aisle, checking to make sure everyone's bags were properly stowed, and all seat belts were visible. Worth waited until he passed to speak again.

  "I was that boy." As Jessica's eyes widened, he continued quickly. "I didn't start any fires, though. And I didn't jump." He paused, obviously uncomfortable. "I haven't talked about this with anyone, Jessica. Not once. Just with my mother and stepfather. The first one, that is."

  Jessica suddenly remembered something Audrey Scott had mentioned that day in the

  café. "Your mother's maiden name was Avery? The woman I talked to knew her. They were friends as children, but she said they lost touch."

  "Yes. Molly Avery, who married James Alexander. My birth name was Vincent Alexander. She changed it after we left to start a new life." He paused a moment, deep in thought. "Things would be different now, but she had connections, plenty of money. I don't even know what all she did, what strings she pulled, what deals she made. She asked me to never mention it again, but I imagine it's quite a story."

  Worth looked up at the ceiling of the plane. "I despise deceit. It's been hard, knowing I ran away, but I was a child. My mother felt there was no way I'd get a fair trial, not after a witness identified me. It was her decision, and later, what would have been the point? I was innocent."

  "But if you didn't do it, why would someone—"

  "Another boy said he'd seen me. I couldn't prove he hadn't. I'd been off playing by myself. No one had known where I was for hours; no one had seen me. I had zero alibi. And no one knew but me, but I secretly hated the librarian. So, I never argued with Molly when she hatched her plan."

  Jessica sat up straighter. "Hate is a strong word, Worth. Why would you hate a librarian, and why was it a secret? That makes no—"

  Worth frowned. "I-I'm not ready to tell you about that quite yet, love. Trust me, please. But if there had been a trial, I thought it might come out and put me in an even worse light. I thought the state's case would've been stronger. And I was just a child, remember. There's no way I processed everything at the time. Molly decided, and I went along with it. Later, I realized how very wise she'd been."

  Jessica was disappointed that he still wouldn't confide in her, not about everything, apparently. "Why would someone lie, though?"

  "I have no idea. Not really. I mean, the boy who said it was me loved the couple that died in the fire. Adored the librarian and her husband. He spent a lot of time with them. Maybe he just needed to see someone charged so badly that his thinking was muddled. He was just a boy himself, actually, just a few years older than I was. Who knows why people say things?"

  Worth was quiet as the jet engines grew louder. She took his hand and they sat quietly as the plane took flight. Only when the plane seemed to level off, did he speak again. "Todd Granger was his name, the other boy. We'd never played together, had different circles of friends, different schools, status, everything. I don't remember hearing anything much about him, but I had the impression, even then, that he'd had a rough go of it until the couple started taking him under their wing." Worth traced a line on his cheek. "He had a substantial scar. Never heard how he got it, but kids probably teased him. I didn't, but—"

  Jessica frowned. The mental picture was disturbing. "Kids can be so mean."

  "The librarian and her husband took to him right away when they met him, apparently. They took him to church, had him over to their house. Every time I saw them in town, Todd was hanging onto one or the other. Not just him—there were other kids too, over the years, but Todd was a constant. They didn't have kids of their own, but everyone in town loved how active they were, taking kids to movies, out for ice cream. They weren't foster parents, not like they have now, anyway, but they spent time with the kids who everyone else kind of overlooked—needy kids, the ones whose parents neglected them."

  He closed his eyes, remembering. "My mother didn't want me to go to trial for something I didn't do, but she also didn't want Todd to get into trouble for lying. He'd had enough tough breaks from what she could see, and after the fire, two people who had cared for him, and he, for them, were gone, tragically. I was released on bond, and Molly cooked up this story of my being so upset, I jumped. She said she'd witnessed the whole thing and she reported it promptly. My stepfather backed her up. She already had me on my way out of state with a friend of hers—who later became my next stepfather, by the way—but they stayed back, facing the questions, the search, everything." He chuckled sadly. "Hell hath no fury like my mother scorned," he paraphrased. "I think she missed her true calling. She should have been in show business."

  Jessica squeezed his hand. "My dad used to say, 'Honey, you belong on the stage, and the next one leaves in five minutes.'" She smiled at the memory. "I guess we both have a lot to learn about one another's pasts. Where did you go? Did anyone ever try to find your mother over the
years?"

  Worth shook his head. "Remember, this was before the internet, before good databases and much sharing of information or anything else between various departments. We went to Canada, lived in India for a time, Mexico City, Paris. We'd stay long enough to suit her or whatever beau or husband she had at the time. Then we'd move on."

  In between kind attention from Rebecca and her fellow flight attendants, Worth painted a fairly detailed picture of his life. One of his stepfathers had been retired CIA, he was reasonably sure. Another was an aging character actor. Each had been decent and happy with his mother and him until he died of natural causes. "They got older as Mom did. She said she wore them out."

  "I had already gathered from those few phone calls with her that Molly is a character, but I had no idea she was that much of one! I think she'll enjoy my mom too. I worried about her when Dad died, but not so much now. I've told you about Chet." Jessica's eyes were shining at him. "I want her to be happy, in love again, and that's what she wants for me too. I know she's going to love you." As much as I do, she thought. Worth's story had touched her deeply.

  Worth nodded. "Love has its own timetable, as we've experienced. I was never going to fall in love, I thought. I had so much baggage, such a complicated past. It never seemed like it would be possible or even desirable. I put the secret—the fire, the arrest, the hiding everywhere—ahead of my own happiness."

  Jessica wrinkled her nose. "Well, selfishly, I'm kind of glad you waited for me."

  "I am too."

  When the Fasten Seatbelts light came on for landing, they were both surprised. The entire flight had been spent in conversation. Now that they were about to land, Jessica's thoughts turned to the next chapter. Soon they would be in a hotel room—together, just the two of them. She sat back in her seat, eyes closed, daydreaming about what that first kiss inside the room would be like. Would they take it slow? Would it be frenzied? She wondered if Worth was thinking about it, too.