“Will he be back today?” Alley couldn’t resist asking.
Mrs. York hesitated a second longer than expected. “I just don’t know. Sometimes it takes longer than others. Now don’t you worry. We’ll take care of little Charlie.”
Alley fought down the urge to skip out the front door, taking Charlie with her. She only wanted to see Justin. She sighed. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to see Justin’s dad. Maybe he could offer some insights into what was going on with his son. She certainly needed some. In Dallas, people rarely even admitted to having parents.
She wasn’t in Dallas anymore.
“Hi there, Alley, come on in. Who have you got there?” At the sight of Dr. York’s sunny, welcoming smile, Alley was overcome with guilt. Justin’s parents had been incredibly kind to her and all she could do was resent them for being there.
She immediately put the smile back on her face. “I’ve got little Charlie, who, I think, is doing just fine.”
“Let’s take a look at him,” Dr. York said, as he took the cat from her arms.
Alley realized that her smile was genuine.
As Dr. York checked Charlie, he asked Alley about her stay, and when he mentioned Justin, she felt the tinges of a blush on her cheeks.
“Justin will be sorry he missed you.”
“I… um… he took really good care of Charlie the other night.”
“I’m sure he did. He’s a top notch doc.”
“I could tell.”
“He’s a fine young man, too. Responsible.”
“You must be very proud of him.”
“I am proud of him. I’d just like get him married off, so he can move this blasted clinic to a place of his own,” he winked at her.
Alley wasn’t sure if he was winking about the marriage part or the clinic part. “I’m sure he’ll get around to it.”
Dr. York just grunted.
“He does like girls, doesn’t he?”
Dr. York laughed out loud. “He’s straight all right. Smart of you to ask, though.”
“So what about you?” Dr. York asked. “Have you thought about settling down and starting a family?”
Alley shrugged. Had she? Of course she had. Didn’t everyone? She’d been close once, but that had been as an undergrad in college. Almost too long ago to remember. He’d been from Florida and was a pilot. He’d irritated her at first, but then, she’d found him charming. He graduated and went back to Florida and she had made the decision to stay in Dallas. Since then, she’d dated, but no engagements. She’d thrown herself into studying, then writing and drawing, and spending time with her friends.
“Well,” Dr. York said, interrupting her thoughts. “There’s still plenty of time for all that. No need to rush into anything.”
“That’s true,” Alley said, but she wasn’t sure she completely agreed with that logic. She was, after all, nearing thirty.
“I wouldn’t worry too much about Charlie. Why don’t you bring him on back in next week when Justin is back and let’s take another look at him.”
“Justin will be gone a week?”
“Oh, I doubt it. You never know about that boy, though,” Dr. York said, handing Charlie back to Alley.
“I see.” Though she didn’t. “Thanks for taking a look at him.”
“You’re more than welcome. I’m always happy to see Charlie. Say, have you heard from Granny?”
“No, not a word. She probably doesn’t have phone service.”
“I bet she’s having the time of her life.”
“I sure do hope so. I wouldn’t mind taking a trip like that someday.”
“Maybe you will,” he said. “Maybe you will.”
Four hours later, Alley sat in the glassed-in back porch reading a novel. She wasn’t reading so much as she was watching the rain. As a clap of thunder sounded nearby, she was reminded that she shouldn’t be sitting in the room of glass. Charlie had hidden under the bed. She just didn’t have the motivation to go back inside the house away from the windows. The rain was like a balm to her troubled soul.
Holding the open paperback beneath her chin, she gave up on trying to read. She was so confused about Justin. He’d practically begged her go someplace, she had no idea where, with him today. Was that where he was now? She’d gone over this morning to find him, and he hadn’t been home. His parents hadn’t seen fit to even tell her where he was. It was almost as though it was a secret. He must be with another girl, she decided forlornly.
She shouldn’t care. She didn’t care.
She sighed.
She did care.
Ever since she had seen him from her kitchen window, she had been intrigued. Only now, did she realize just how attracted she was to him. In fact, she found him fascinating, handsome, intelligent, and thoughtful. She wasn’t quite sure what to do about this. They hadn’t even been a date, for heaven’s sake. Having a crush on a neighbor was a new experience for her.
Already, she had shown up on his doorstep with a flimsy excuse and tried to get information from his parents about his whereabouts. She felt like an idiot. Why should she think that a man like Justin would be interested in her? He knew she would be heading back to Dallas by the end of the summer. He wanted someone who would be here. Someone he could start a life with here in Hanover. Not a city girl with an expensive shoe appetite.
She must have dozed off. She woke with a start. Her book was on the floor and Charlie was sitting at her feet purring. The rain had stopped and the sun was setting.
She felt some better. A little less foolish.
She gathered up her book and her half full glass of water and went inside to feed Charlie.
When the doorbell rang, she jumped two feet off the floor.
She had closed the blinds to keep herself from watching for Justin, so she had to walk to the back door and peer through them.
She dropped the blinds and took a step back.
It was Justin.
She didn’t know how she felt about seeing him right now. She had just waken up and she wasn’t sure what she looked like.
“It’s me, Justin,” he said through the door.
She backed up a few more feet. “Just a minute,” she called and stepped into the half bath off the kitchen.
Glancing at her reflection, she took a deep breathe. She wasn’t completely disheveled and she was still wearing her cute new outfit, even if it was a little bit wrinkled. She had been wanting to see him all day and here he was. She was as nervous as a school girl. But excited enough to hurry to the door once she had confirmed she looked acceptable.
Unlocking the door, she pulled back the door and stepped back. Neither one of them said anything. They just stood there, looking at each other. He looked tired. And a little disheveled himself. Then, she was in his arms. She could feel his strength and his soft breath against her cheek. He smelled of animals and the damp outdoors. He had come straight over without showering. She was a little honored by that in a strange way. She certainly didn’t mind.
He placed his finger beneath her jaw and ever so gently lifted her face. She blinked and met his gaze. His eyes were deeper blue than she could fathom. His expression intense.
His lips feathered against hers, so lightly, she wondered if she imagined it. Then they pressed against hers more firmly. They were soft against hers.
She was lost.
She had never been kissed in such a tender, caring way. She wanted more. She responded eagerly to his kiss.
He pulled back. Uh oh. Maybe she’d been too eager. She’d never had any complaints about her kisses. Maybe he thought she was wanton. Maybe country girls didn’t kiss like that.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“Sorry?” she echoed. She couldn’t think. What did he have to be sorry for? She just wanted more.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t home this morning when you came by.”
“Oh,” she said. She’d already forgotten. “It’s ok.”
“No, it’s not. Sometimes I have to go… out o
f town.”
Her lips still tingled from his kisses, but her brain was a little less foggy. “Why do you have to go out of town?” What was so mysterious about this out of town thing?
“I work with some animals in the country.”
“She tried not to smile. To her, Hanover was the country. “I see. Why is that so secretive?”
“What do you mean?”
“Your parents just said that you have to travel on business sometimes.”
He shrugged and ran his hands along her upper arms. “You know how parents are.”
“Is that where you wanted to take me?”
“To the country?” He laughed. “No, not at all.”
“Then where?”
“Oh, no,” he said, shaking his head. “That’s still a secret.”
She turned away with a half-smile. “I don’t like secrets, you know.” However, perhaps with Justin, the case may be different.
“Is that so?” He reluctantly let her go.
“No,” she said, “I don’t.”
“Ok, then,” he said, with a little grin. “No surprises for you.”
She looked at him over her shoulder. “Thank you,” she said, then turned to face him. “Where are we going?”
“Nowhere.”
She sighed. “You’re exasperating, you know.”
He smiled. “I know.”
She looked at him questioningly.
“What are you doing tomorrow?” he asked.
She laughed. “That depends.”
“On what I have in mind?”
“Exactly.”
‘I’ll have to think of something.”
“You don’t know?”
“No clue. And… I have to work tomorrow. So, it’s a little difficult to come up with something.”
“Would you like some help with figuring it out?”
“Hmm. No, I think I can figure something out.”
“You’re sure?” she couldn’t help asking. “I’m good with coming up with plans.”
“Yes, I’ll just bet you are.”
She raised an eyebrow. “And what does that mean?”
He smiled that little half smile again. “Just a hunch I have.”
She nodded. “I get those sometimes.”
“Like right now?”
She shook her head. “No, I don’t have any right now.”
“Well, I do.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you going to share it?’
“I haven’t decided.”
“Let me know when you figure it out,” she said, and took a bottle of water out of the refrigerator. “Water?” she asked.
“No, thanks,” he said, leaning against the counter.
“You look tired,” she observed. And he did. Suddenly, completely exhausted. She could see darkness beneath his eyes.
“I am tired,” he admitted.
“Perhaps you should get some sleep.”
“I will,” he said, “but first, I’d like a good night kiss.”
Her heart skipped a beat. She, too, wanted a goodnight kiss. Maybe an all night kiss. Her toes tingled in anticipation. Their eyes locked, but neither moved forward.
Then in one step, he had her in his arms. Holding her close, he cradled her head against his chest. He was a full head taller than she was and she nestled in perfectly.
He gently stroked her hair, then tilted her head up until her lips were a fraction from his. She could feel his breath against hers. Her lips parted.
Then his mouth was on hers -gently, then he deepened the kiss. She moaned softly. She couldn’t get close enough to him.
She wasn’t sure how long they stood there, their bodies pressed against each other, their lips greedily entwined.
Then he bent down, put one arm behind her knees, and lifted her from the floor. Their lips never parted as he carried her to the sofa and laid her gently on it. He kneeled beside her, his hands again wrapped in her hair.
Everything else faded into the background - including time itself. It wasn’t until the grandfather clock chimed one time indicating one o’clock that Justin pulled his lips from her swollen ones.
“It’s one o’clock?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” she answered.
He checked his watch. “It’s one,” he said.
“Ok,” she said, her brain in a kiss-induced fog.
“I have a meeting in the morning at seven.”
“Seven? In the morning?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“Why?’
“Believe me, it wasn’t my idea.”
“Maybe you should get some sleep.”
“Hmm,” he said.
“Hmm?”
“I suppose I should,” he said, taking her hand in his. “On one condition.”
“And what would that be?’
“That you agree to go out with me tomorrow night?”
“Go out, like on a date?’
“Why not? We don’t have to worry about the whole first-date kiss thing.”
“No, I don’t suppose we do.”
“Is that a yes?”
“Yes,” she said. “How could I say no?”
“You can’t,” he said. “I would perish.”
Chapter 8
Justin stood at Alley’s front door, shifting from one foot to the other. He’d debated which door to use - the front or the back. He’d debated about bringing a rose, but had decided against it. He’d been debating with himself all day about what to do, where to take her, and even what to wear.
He’d finally settled on a pair of khaki slacks and a light blue polo shirt. When his mom had said his shirt matched his eyes, he’d almost decided to change.
He checked his watch. He was just on time. Where was she? He rang the doorbell a second time. He heard it – surely she did. Maybe he should go to the back door.
Two minutes later, he checked his watch again. Maybe she had changed her mind.
“There you are,” she said as she opened the door.
He returned her smile and felt his mood lift. She was like sunshine to him.
“I thought you would be at the back door.”
“I thought maybe I should come to the front door for a date.”
“Good idea,” she answered. He took a step forward and she stepped back. “Come in. I’m almost ready,” she said, with a twirl away from him.
He followed her inside and his heart skipped a beat. She was wearing a pink and white sundress with matching strappy sandals.
“I didn’t know what we’d be doing,” she said, a hand sweeping over her skirt.
“Neither did I,” he answered. “But now I have some ideas.”
She tilted her head to one side, her expression slightly perplexed. “Great. I’ll just get my bag.”
She disappeared into the bedroom and came back with a little leather clutch.
“How’s Charlie?” he asked.
“He was just here,” she said, glancing around the room. “He seems to be doing just great.”
“Want me to take a look at him?”
“Sure. If we can find him.”
Charlie wasn’t hard to locate. He was in the kitchen drinking water.
“Well, that’s a good sign,” Justin said, kneeling next to the cat. “He looks really good. If you’ll bring him over in a couple of days, I’ll do some blood work.”
“Sure,” she said, leaning one hip against the counter.
Still kneeling, he just stared at her. She was absolutely stunning. She’d been cute dressed for lawn mowing, and had looked good yesterday in her red shirt. But today, she just looked… like a princess.
She tilted her head questioningly. “What?”
He shook his head. “You’re beautiful.”
Her blush deepened becomingly as she smiled. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
He stood and pulled her to him in a tight hug. Then, he pulled back and kissed her on the forehead. “
So, what would you like to do?” he asked.
“Me?”
“And who else?” he answered, losing himself in her emerald green eyes.
“Well, I don’t know. I thought you had something planned. What is there to do in Hanover?”
“We’re just a hub of activity. Right up there with Dallas. We have the bowling alley, and a movie theater, and once a year, we have a rodeo that comes through.”
Alley laughed.
“What, Dallas has a rodeo twice a year?’ he asked, with a serious expression, taking her hand.
“You know, I couldn’t even tell you,” she said as her fingers linked easily with his. “I’ve never been to a rodeo in my life.”
“Why, Alley, I’m shocked.”
“I don’t feel deprived.”
“Oh, but I’m certain you are. We’ll have to take care of that. But in the meantime, are you hungry?”
“Pretty much.”
“Not starved?”
“Not completely.”
“Perfect. The place I want to take you is a 30 minute drive.”
“No problem.”
“Out here, that’s considered a long drive to dinner.”
“In Dallas, it’s just expected.”
“Great. I think you’ll like it. It’s on a lake.”
“Sounds perfect.”
He brought her fingers to his lips. “As are you,” he said, then, taking her hand, pulled her toward the door.
Almost an hour later, they stood on the pier outside the restaurant.
“There’s usually not a wait,” he said, glancing toward the crowd of people sitting on benches, waiting their turn to be seated. They had walked along the pier and the voices and laughter of others had drifted into the background.”
“It’s a good sign that the food will be good,” she said. “I don’t mind. Anyway, it’s so beautiful here,” Alley said. “So quiet and peaceful. It’s like there’s hardly any background noise.”
“Unlike the big city?”
“Yeah,” she said, turning to look at him. “No rush of Interstate traffic. I mean, there are cars, but it’s just not the same.”
“You miss it.”
“I wouldn’t say that I miss it. It’s just what I’m used to.”
A couple walked by, arm in arm, their heads bent together in conversation. Alley turned back to the view of the lake. It was quiet, except for the water softly lapping against the pylons.
Love Me Tomorrow Page 6