Kiss Me, Chloe

by George, Linda

  Chloe glanced at Greg, nervously, then smiled at Kyle, who began singing in a tenor voice that reminded her of velvet stretched over smooth leather.

  “If I had something to hug, then I wouldn’t need you.

  I’d hold it and kiss it and love it, all night through.

  And, it wouldn’t break my heart, every day or two.

  So, if I had something to hug, then I wouldn’t need you.”

  Chloe loved Kyle’s voice and the humor he included in the love song. She glanced at Greg. His frown left no doubt about his disapproval.

  “If I had something to kiss, then I wouldn’t need you.

  Its lips wouldn’t lie and cheat and make me blue.

  And it would say that it loves everything I do.

  So, if I had something to kiss, then I wouldn’t need you.”

  Greg’s face reddened with every verse.

  “If I had something to hold, then I wouldn’t need you.

  Its arms would keep me safe from danger, too.

  It would never be unkind or prove untrue.

  So, if I had something to hold, then I wouldn’t need you.”

  Chloe squirmed a bit from the uncanny parallels in the song. Greg’s sour expression and obvious anger had the opposite effect on her than the one she expected. Instead of feeling embarrassed, wanting Kyle to sing something more benign, her discomfort eased. If she’d been mistaken, as Greg said, the song shouldn’t bother him at all. The truth was showing.

  Kyle, loving Greg’s response—and Chloe’s—put his heart into the last verse, gazing into Chloe’s eyes the whole time.

  “But a kitty cat can’t hug and kiss like you.

  And a puppy dog can’t hold me when I’m blue.

  And a Teddy bear doesn’t thrill me the way you do.

  So, I won’t need something to love—‘ cause I’ve got you.

  No—I won’t need something to love—‘cause I’ve got you.

  I’ve got you.”

  Kyle set the guitar down amidst applause from Byrdie, Chloe, and several guests who had gathered to listen. He took several exaggerated bows. He considered kissing Chloe smack dab on the mouth in front of Greg. But he changed his mind, not wanting to make her mad at him. She still didn’t want to openly express affection for him in front of the fish salesman. That had to mean she might still feel something for him. That possibility burned in Kyle’s gut like one of the embers flying up the chimney.

  Greg bolted from his chair and out the door. They heard his tires squeal when he left. He hadn’t spoken a single word the whole time he’d been there.

  “Want to hear more?” Kyle asked with a broad grin.

  “Please.” Chloe settled back to listen while he entertained everyone with half a dozen other songs, all lively and well-known. His rendition of John Denver’s “Country Boy” had everyone laughing. When he sang, “Rocky Mountain High,” Chloe’s eyes filled with tears.

  “Ten o’clock. Time for you to get to bed,” Kyle announced. “I’ll be knocking on your door at six-thirty in the morning.”

  “Six thirty! What happens at six-thirty?”

  “We head for town to take a jeep trip to Yankee Boy Basin. Be sure to bring your camera. It’s a photographer’s dream.”

  She loved his enthusiasm. He was like a little boy, taking a friend to his favorite theme park. “When does the tour leave?”

  “Seven.”

  “That means setting my alarm for five forty-five. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

  “I didn’t want everyone to think they’re invited, too. Just you and me, darlin’.”

  She liked the sound of that. She wondered what Greg would do when he showed up in the morning and found out they weren’t there.

  “Time for bed.” She started to get up from the couch, but he was quicker, trapping her in the circle of his arms, kissing her in front of Byrdie and whoever else happened to be around—still playing the clown.

  “Kyle! Everyone’s watching!”

  “So? Let them get their own sweetheart. You’re mine.”

  Stiffening, she leaned back. “No. I’m not.” She hurried up the stairs.

  Kyle hurried right behind her. “Chloe, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. Honest, I didn’t. Don’t be mad at me. I’m an idiot! I can’t believe I said that. I don’t deserve to live among decent folks. I’m a jerk. You can thrash me if you want to. Please, darlin’?”

  She stopped at her door and waited for him to catch up, amused at his contrition, struggling not to laugh. “I’m not mad. Just tired after a very long day. I’ll be ready at six-thirty in the morning. Good night.”

  His sheepish grin made her smile, but not until she was safely inside her room, with the door closed. She heard him clomp back downstairs and felt a strong urge to call him back, but Kyle had to learn he couldn’t just take over her life. She couldn’t help smiling, though. He really knew how to apologize!

  <><><>

  The alarm jerked Chloe awake at five forty-five the next morning. The sun hadn’t even dared to show its cheery face over the mountain peaks. She ambled into the bathroom to have a shower to wash the sleep from her eyes.

  Her thoughts settled gently on Kyle and what a sweetheart he was. Yet something about him made her uneasy. She couldn’t let herself forget he’d once held a high-pressure job, just like Greg. It would be nice to think Kyle had left that workaholic tendency behind, but people didn’t usually change that drastically. She strongly suspected, once Kyle decided he’d had his fill of trucking, he’d find another investment job and slip right back into the old routine, leaving the woman who dared to love him at home alone, while he worked himself into an early heart attack—or another woman’s arms.

  She couldn’t picture Kyle doing that, but it didn’t mean he couldn’t or wouldn’t, given the opportunity. She still didn’t know him that well, even though it felt like she’d known him forever. Kyle’s musical talents had surprised her. How many more surprises were there to learn about him? She knew they couldn’t all be delightful.

  Greg’s presence tonight meant that he hadn’t caught that plane. GCS would be closed for the long weekend, so he had nothing to gain by going back early—except to catch up on the work he’d abandoned to follow her to Ouray. It had to be a first for Greg, leaving work on his desk in favor of being with her. Did that signal a change in him? Having his fiancée run out on him wasn’t compatible with the VP image he’d constructed so carefully. The only way to save face was to bring her back. But then what? Right back to the same old grind for her, and sweet kisses for Ellen when he had to “work late?”

  She decided to postpone these thoughts until after the weekend, as she’d said she would. If Greg really intended to stay the whole weekend, she’d have a chance to see if he meant what he said about still loving her. But would it make a difference in how she felt about him?

  <><><>

  More people poured into Ouray every day. Byrdie had predicted there wouldn’t be a vacant room anywhere in Ouray until after the fourth, yet Greg had found a room at the China Clipper—with a Jacuzzi, a fireplace, and a balcony for each room. Leave it to Greg to seek out the most expensive place in town.

  She went back to her room to get dressed and decided on a camisole, knit top, blouse and sweater, not knowing how cool it would be on the tour. For insurance, she grabbed a parka hanging in the closet, left by Byrdie for guests who might not have thought about packing a coat.

  Kyle knocked softly on her door at six twenty-five. “Chloe, are you up?”

  She opened the door. “Of course. Ready when you are.”

  “I’m sorry to say, we may have company on this tour.”

  She knew without asking who it would be.

  “He showed up here about six and informed me he’s going wherever we go today, like it or not. If we’re lucky, there won’t be an extra seat on the jeep.”

  “How many seats does the jeep have?”

  “About a dozen.”


  “A stretch jeep?”

  “It’s a touring jeep. We have to leave now. What’s his name is on his own to find the place. If we hurry, we might be able to sneak off without him seeing which way we went.”

  “Don’t count on it.” Greg had never been negligent when it came to something he wanted. He went after it with all his energy. Chloe had every expectation of seeing Greg right behind them all the way, even if he had to drive behind the jeep in his fancy rental car. If Kyle thought otherwise, he’d have to revise his strategy.

  Downstairs, they swung by the kitchen and found Byrdie sacking up flaky biscuits sandwiched with sausage patties, scrambled eggs, and cheese slices. “There’s coffee on the stove. Get a cup now so your eyes will be open for the wildflowers.”

  “Thanks, Byrdie.” Kyle kissed her on the cheek. “Hmmm. You taste like apple jelly. Did you put it there just for me?”

  She grinned to beat the sunrise. “I’d hate to think I put jelly there for nothing. Chloe isn’t the only one who’s sweet to kiss.”

  “That’s why you’ve been my best girl all these years.”

  “Been? That sounds suspiciously like I’ve been replaced.” She winked at Chloe.

  Out on the porch, Chloe wasn’t surprised to see Greg waiting in his car. He started the motor and flashed her a terse smile.

  They arrived at the San Juan Jeep Tours office at six forty-five, licking their fingers clean of butter and jelly, and finishing the coffee. After Kyle paid for their tickets, they climbed into the second seat of the twelve-passenger open-air jeep, fire-engine red with three roll bars spaced above the passenger section.

  Kyle pulled a blanket from the front seat of the cab and spread it over their laps. His arm around her shoulders warmed her nicely.

  Greg went to the reservations desk with his billfold out. Chloe saw from his expression there weren’t any available seats. The ticket clerk offered another tour, but he refused.

  “I think we may have this trip to ourselves after all.” Kyle chuckled at Greg’s bad luck.

  Just before they pulled out, the ticket clerk got a telephone call. She called Greg back to the counter. With a satisfied smile, he took the last available place, in the rear of the jeep.

  The driver pulled out, reaching for a microphone. “Good morning! My name is Pete. Anytime you want to take a picture or see something up close, yell at me. We have plenty of time, so stop me as often as you’d like. If you get cold, I have blankets.”

  Chloe punched Kyle’s arm playfully. “You didn’t tell me it would be cold enough for a coat and blankets.”

  “I promise, as long as I’m around, you won’t be cold.”

  “That’s wonderful to know.” Truly.

  They left the highway after driving about fifteen minutes. At that point, the road disintegrated mile by mile until they bounced along in ruts not quite wide enough for the jeep. Several times, Chloe asked Pete to stop so she could take pictures. No one seemed to mind. Most of the other passengers had cameras, too, and were happy to have the opportunity to use them.

  After being out of the jeep each time, Chloe appreciated the warmth of Kyle’s arm around her more and more. The temperature didn’t actually drop that much, but riding in an open vehicle with sharp wind in their faces made it seem much colder. The rough bouncing and jolting increased the farther they went. Kyle was more than happy to make sure she didn’t bounce off the narrow seat.

  Thank goodness for the roll bars above their heads! If they managed to stay on this miserable excuse for a road without rolling over at least once, she’d be astounded! Pete’s skill as a driver proved a constant source of amazement, as he negotiated numerous hazards. Especially fun were the “switch-backs”—hairpin turns so sharp the jeep had to zigzag forward and back several times to make the turn.

  Kyle provided commentary on the sights along the way, in between explanations from Pete, who was a real cut-up. He enjoyed their anxiety over the narrow, rutted trails leading into the basin, and actually laughed out loud a couple of times when everyone muttered with concern on a particularly hazardous switch-back.

  Kyle clearly enjoyed the ride, along with Chloe’s starts and gasps as they lumbered up the mountain into a basin between snow-dusted peaks.

  “What do you think so far?”

  “I think I’d like to live until tomorrow.” She groaned when the jeep lunged into a pothole the size of a stock tank, which could have swallowed the jeep in one gulp if Pete hadn’t been such a good driver.

  Kyle laughed full and free and put both arms around her. “That’s what I love about you. Always the optimist.” When his laughter died, a familiar softness shone in his eyes.

  She knew what he was thinking. She also knew Greg, bouncing along several seats behind, had to be watching every move they made. If Greg hadn’t been there, like an over-protective nanny, she might have invited Kyle to kiss her again. But Greg was there.

  Kyle heaved a sigh the size of Texas. “All right. If that’s the way it has to be.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  Trying to focus on wildflowers, waterfalls, and abandoned mining shacks along the trail, she fought the urge to glance back at Greg. She could feel his glare without seeing it.

  “Whoa there, darlin’.” Kyle tipped her chin upward.

  “What is it?” She looked away but he brought her chin around so she’d meet his gaze.

  “No guilt, now. No regrets. He chose to come along. I’m not happy having to change who I am and what I want to do, just because he’s sitting in the peanut gallery.”

  “I know.”

  “I’m not going to let that fish salesman ruin our day together. When I see a frown, I feel it’s my duty to divert your thoughts to something happier. Okay?”

  “Not only okay. Appreciated.”

  “Remember those waterfalls I told you about?”

  Chloe peered around the couple sitting in front of them. There, off to the left, not one, but two sets of double waterfalls cascaded down the mountain. She’d seen them years ago, on a beer commercial, but had never wondered where those falls were located. They’d featured only one set of the double falls—the upper set. All four, viewed together, were spectacular.

  Pete pulled over. “We’ll be here about half an hour. Take your time exploring and taking pictures, but watch your step. Avoid the buildings. They aren’t safe. And watch for marmots. They’re everywhere. I’ll stick close to the jeep, because those little varmints love to eat the insulation off the wires in the engine. It’s their favorite snack. While you look around, I’ll make sure this jeep will still run when we’re ready to leave.”

  A couple of the younger kids headed for the falls. Pete yelled to them, “The rocks are wet and slippery, so stay down below. No climbing unless your parents are with you.”

  Chloe spied a dozen potential shots. Wandering around, deciding which to take next, she framed each picture carefully. Pete rattled on, relating the history of the basin and some of his experiences driving the jeep to anyone close enough to hear.

  “One summer, before digital cameras, one of my passengers took nine rolls of film here.”

  “Nine!” Chloe always took “insurance shots,” but nine rolls of film in one spot was excessive, even for a professional photographer! “Why so many of the same place?”

  “He had six children. ‘Here’s Andy by the falls. Now, here’s Sean by the falls. Kelly next. Then John, Dee Dee and Maryanne. Kelly and Sean. John and Andy. Mom and all the kids …’”

  Everyone laughed. Chloe realized Greg had taken advantage of the opportunity to ease in beside her. She recognized his cologne—unmistakable in the crisp, clear air of the basin.

  “How about seeing the falls with an old friend?” He grasped her arm possessively.

  “Greg—”

  “What is it with you? For years, you and I have been devoted to each other. I don’t see you pulling away from that sorry truck driver!”

  She wanted to tell him Kyle never
tried to control her life, but, instead, she felt guilty for being so uncooperative. Closing her eyes, she realized she hadn’t experienced those negative emotions since meeting Kyle. Having them reappear after the respite made them especially unpleasant.

  Kyle rescued her from Greg’s grasp. “Let’s get a little closer to the falls. It’s one of the most romantic places on the face of the earth.”

  They left Greg with an angry scowl.

  “You’re thinking about someone other than your date again, darlin’.” Kyle squeezed her shoulder to snap her train of thought.

  “Sorry, Kyle. I just—”

  “Feel guilty. I know. That’s what he wants you to feel. Let’s try to enjoy the tour, all right? I’ll behave myself, and if you want to sit with poor Greg on the way back, so he won’t be lonesome—”

  Chloe stopped abruptly. “So now you’re feeling sorry for Greg? You’re going to have to get it straight which player you are in this game, Kyle. And it is a game. The two of you have faced off, and I’ve ended up being the prize for the winner.” She couldn’t say much for the arrangement.

  Kyle frowned and shook his head. “That’s not the way it is at all.” He took her hands in his with a deep breath to help organize his thoughts. “I’m messing everything up, trying not to go too fast, trying not to embarrass you or make you feel guilty, trying everything I know in the world to get you to like me—a lot. But it isn’t a game. You’re a prize in my book, but there’s no way I’d ever equate winning your love with winning a silly game.”

  She succumbed to a new version of guilt, centered on Kyle this time, and what she was putting him through.

  “So it isn’t a game with you?”

  He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her fingertips, never taking his eyes off hers. “I’m deadly serious.” Kyle wanted to kiss her but thought better of it, not wanting to destroy his point by making her feel self-conscious again.

  Deadly serious, in the midst of clowning. It made her think about something she’d heard once, about the clown crying behind his painted-on smile. Kyle was trying awfully hard. It was definitely time to lighten the mood.