Sporting Chance: A Raw Romance

by Penny Henry

  "Thank the lawd for that," said Temple brightly, "'cause I sure ain’t no lady."

  "At least we agree on something."

  Temple made a lunge for him, raising her hands to throttle him. Travis caught her wrists and folded her arms behind her back, bringing her sweet-smelling body close to him between his open knees. Their eyes dropped to each other's mouth. Their heads tilted and their breath mingled.

  "It really is a lovely morning," prattled Molly as she came bustling back into the kitchen carrying a plastic basket half-filled with dirty linen. She scoured the kitchen for other items to add to her load. "Aye, it's much too nice to be sitting round the house all day."

  Temple pulled away from Travis in a sharp reaction to Molly's appearance. Travis cleared his throat looking for a voice.

  "You're right, Molly," agreed Travis. "We'll be on our way right now. Thank you for the coffee." He slid from his seat and walked to the door, holding it open for Temple. "Say goodbye to Angus for me."

  "Bye, Molly," added Temple. "I’ll catch you both later." She stooped to kiss Molly’s cheek.

  "Goodbye the pair of you, and have fun," said Molly as the door closed behind the giggling couple. She raised her voice. "And mind you don’t leave it so long next time, Travis."

  "That was close," said a relieved Temple as they followed the path to the front of the house. "We wouldn't want to shock Molly now, would we?"

  "Don't you underestimate Molly Kirk," warned Travis. "There a lot more to Molly than meets the eye. I'm sure she wouldn't take offence at a lovers' kiss."

  They both realized what he had said in the same instant. Travis stared straight ahead and fell silent. Temple wasn't sure where to look. They had been lovers for one glorious evening. Was that the way that Travis was thinking of them or had it just been a slip of the tongue? Temple looked across at Travis as they stood either side of his white Mercedes.

  "Travis," Temple said disarmingly. "Thank you for bringing my bag to the house."

  Travis was totally honest. "It gave me the excuse I needed to see you." Then he lightened up as they slid into their seats. "Top up or down?"

  "Top down of course. And where, pray tell, are you taking me?"

  "Ah, that would spoil the surprise," said Travis secretively. "Let's just say that it's neutral territory. That way, neither of us will have the advantage of home ground. What do you say?"

  "I say that it sounds like a good idea, Travis Campbell. There now, I've said it. You do have a good idea now and again."

  Travis pulled a face and pressed the gas pedal. The Mercedes surged forward and Temple reached out for the CD wallet. She should have brought her iPod was her first reaction to Travis’ old CDs. Then she found something she liked and Elton John was booming through the sound system as Travis gunned the motor towards the I-4. Temple reclined her seat and closed her eyes. She let her brain empty and set her mind to enjoying the sun and the music. Even as they slowed to take the off-ramp at Buena Vista she kept her eyes shut. She stayed that way until the engine died and the sound of excited chatter took the place of Elton’s voice. Temple looked up to see the three black circles of Mickey Mouse's head.

  "Disney World?" Temple wasn't sure how to react. Her last visit to Disney had been ten years ago. She had been with her father. She suspected that Travis' last visit had been with Melanie.

  "The Magic Kingdom to be precise," Travis corrected her. "Can't you feel the magic?"

  They sat silently in the Mercedes letting the buzz of the early arrivals infect them with their cheerful anticipation. Despite herself, Temple had to admit that she was excited by the prospect of a day with Mickey Mouse. She leant across and pecked Travis on the cheek. "I love it," she said.

  Travis made a suggestion before they left the Mercedes. "Let's leave our mobile phones behind. The world can get by without us for one day."

  Temple was happy to agree and Travis locked their phones in the glove compartment. They were early enough to have parked within walking distance of the Disney transportation area and strolled hand in hand to join the buzzing crowd. Travis had made sure to buy tickets in advance and the object now was to get to the Magic Kingdom before the lines became too long.

  "We'll take the monorail," said Travis. "We can come back by the Ferryboat, okay?"

  "Fine," agreed Temple in an upbeat mood. She was already planning the first rides to take as she searched for familiar landmarks and took in the changes in the constantly evolving park.

  The monorail was quick and cheery but not nearly fast enough for Temple. She almost ran from the station to the main entrance, pulling Travis by the hand. They were greeted by an array of characters and zany vehicles as they stepped onto Main Street USA. And there in the middle distance the castle of Temple's childhood dreams sat imposingly at the entrance to Fantasyland where she had spent so many happy hours.

  "Wait here," instructed Travis. "Don't move."

  Temple nodded soundlessly. She was allowing the magic of Disney to creep inside her skin. Travis was gone for only a few minutes to return clutching Disney dollars and enough guides and brochures to light a fire. Temple was still standing where he left her, watching the thrill on the children's faces as they were photographed with their favorite characters. She turned to Travis as he approached. She was grinning like a chimpanzee that had stolen all the other chimps’ bananas.

  "You don't need those," she chided, pointing at his handful of pamphlets. "Follow me. We can grab the best rides and then we can take our time. Trust me."

  Temple was taking charge. She thrust the pile of paper into the hands of some surprised English tourists and grabbed Travis by the hand to drag him in the right direction. "We head up Main Street first. Come on, Travis. Don’t drag your feet.” She guided them unerringly to their first ride oblivious to anything but their destination.

  Travis looked in horror at a sign that made his heart sink. The bold lettering offered the ride of a lifetime. He wasn’t good at scary rides and they didn't look to come much scary than this. He had no real desire to hurtle into nothingness but Temple had other ideas. She dragged him through the entrance as Travis wondered what he had let himself in for. In minutes he was smiling through gritted teeth and holding on tight as Temple screamed her delight. He even managed a rueful grin as he stepped unsteadily back to earth. Temple was delirious with joy and Travis dreaded a repeat performance. But there was another attraction that demanded Temple’s attention. Soon he was being bullied into a spine-chilling ride that prickled the hairs on his nape. Even Travis had to admit the effects were extraordinary as he emerged into the sunlight still rubbing the invisible breath from the back of his neck.

  "We'll be back for the other rides later," Temple told her bemused companion. "But now we have to get to the Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain before the lines get too long. They're on the opposite side of the park in Frontierland so we'd best get moving."

  Travis understood by now that this was serious business. There was no time to delay. "Yes, ma'am!" He snapped to attention and saluted. "Lead on, I'm right behind you." He had his doubts about a ride named Splash Mountain but surely Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was child's play.

  When he stepped out of the still vibrating carriage of the Big Thunder Railroad, Travis knew just how wrong a man could be. The twists and turns at breakneck speed had thrown his stomach into rebellion. He was feeling decidedly queasy. And he still had to face Splash Mountain!

  As it turned out the plunging ride was more fun than Travis thought a water ride had a right to be. He had done his duty with distinction. Temple had achieved her goal of riding the attractions before the lines had grown to any length at all. It was then that she took pity on him.

  "Thank you, Travis, I really enjoyed that," said Temple with the cutest smile. "Now you can relax and we can take in the rest of the park. The lines won't be so long from here. Anyway, you’ve probably been through all this with Melanie." She had said it deliberately. She didn’t want Melanie to be an unment
ionable block between them.

  Travis took Temple's hand as they wandered through Frontierland taking in the other attractions. " Melanie didn't like crowds," said Travis simply. “I guess she missed out on a lot.”

  Chapter Twelve

  They walked in silence towards the raft to Tom Sawyer's Island. But the peace they shared was comfortable and Travis managed not to fall into the somber mood that usually accompanied the mention of his daughter's name. They had fun at the pirates’ lair and ate freshly baked apple pie. Then it was back to finish off Frontierland with a leisurely stroll round the attractions and a look in at a welcoming bar. The next destination on Temple's list was Adventureland. Travis acted the fool with Temple's encouragement as they explored the enthralling rides. Then they had to stand in line before enjoying a thrilling voyage through caverns and wild adventures. Travis was fascinated at the attention to detail of the audio-animatronics which brought the ride to life. Temple was simply enthralled by the Disney magic. The line for the next river cruise they took was shorter and they sat close together with Travis' arm wrapped round Temple's back. Travis marveled at the technical excellence while Temple wondered from where the next surprise would spring. They attracted the occasional odd look as they sat side by side lost in each other's company. Temple knew how young she looked without her make-up and her hair held back by the bright green bandanna. She wondered if some people assumed that she was Travis' daughter until a double-take revealed them more as lovers. Temple didn't care what people thought just as long as she was held by Travis' arm. The warmth of their bodies transmitted more than heat. She wished the river boat cruise would last forever.

  "Are you okay, Temple?" asked Travis softly. "You're very quiet."

  "Mmm, I'm just fine," murmured Temple.

  "This is amazing," said Travis. "If you stretched your imagination a little bit we could be three thousand miles away and in a different time."

  "That's not such a bad idea, is it, Travis? No computers, no mobile phones. We probably wouldn't even be fighting."

  "We're not fighting now, are we?"

  "No, we're not fighting. I like it like this."

  "I could kinda get used to it," admitted Travis. "Let's make the most of it while we can."

  "I couldn't agree more. Who knows what tomorrow might bring?" She snuggled into Travis chest to enjoy the warmth of his body and the familiar smell of the aftershave he always wore.

  Travis responded and lightly kissed the top of her head, hugging her to him. He was happy just to have Temple cradled in his arm. The fascination of the river cruise paled against the raw emotion in his heart.

  They walked arm in arm from Adventureland to Liberty Square. Temple chose the quant tavern that was an authentic recreation of a colonial inn. They had intended to dine lightly and spend as much time as possible in the park, but the change of pace was gratefully accepted. Temple's face glowed with the excitement of the day. Travis could barely get a word in edgeways as she insisted on reliving every detail as if he hadn't been there.

  Travis sat back and enjoyed his food as Temple talked. He couldn't remember a day when he had been this happy. He hadn't felt this way in a long time. Not since he had lost Melanie. Sometimes he was reminded of his daughter by Temple's sheer exuberance and energy. Not that anyone could be a substitute for Melanie. He would never want such a thing. The unconditional love for a child was almost a religious thing. It ran through every fiber of a man’s being. It was in the blood. They shared the same DNA. And it and was given without expecting anything in return. As far as a child might stray there was always that special bond. There were times when the bond was stretched and sometimes snapped. But it was always with regret and rarely irreparable. The problem was that it took two. There were few children that could appreciate the sacrifices made on their behalf and even fewer that repaid it. Disappointment was a natural part of parenthood. He has seen it in families a thousand times. He had seen it with Melanie. But the love for a woman was about the heart. It was about the pain that sometimes lovers inflicted on each other. It was a thrilling, caring, upside-down thing that tore at the strands of emotion. It was emptiness and completeness. It was an inexplicable attraction between two people. It was a two-way street. He had glimpsed it in the turbulent relationship he had with Temple. In the irrepressible woman that sat opposite him he could see a way to love again. She had stirred his heart like no woman had been allowed to even attempt in the years he had devoted to raising his daughter and building his business. Travis was falling in love with her and there wasn't a thing he could do about it.

  "Travis, are you finished?" Temple cut into his thoughts. "There's places to go and things to see. We can't sit here gossiping all day. Let's go!" She was on her feet and bouncing on her heels.

  "Okay, okay, I'm ready," said Travis cheerfully. "I suppose I don't need to ask if you know where we're going next."

  "You bet," Temple confirmed his suspicions. "It's all planned out and you don't have to worry about a thing. No more scary rides, I promise."

  Travis wasn't sure if she had her fingers crossed but he breathed out heavily in a show of relief. He paid the bill to which surprisingly Temple took no exception. Then he trailed behind her lithe body as she weaved through the restaurant to join the unending flow of Disney guests to their next destination. They had to stand in lines awhile but the special effects were always worth the wait. They found opportunities to be scared together, holding each other close and touching at every chance. From Liberty Square they wandered to Fantasyland leaning together in a world of their own. The day had taken on a dream-like quality and they hardly ever released each other's hand. Temple was unable to resist the pull of the attractions that brought old movies to life. The lines were growing longer but now that was half the fun as they kissed and hung together like a couple of teenagers. The shows were fascinating and enchanting. Temple had more or less kept her promise as they travelled safely through another adventure without being dramatically hurled from side to side. A show based on a Disney film that Travis had never heard of was equally irresistible, even if only for the music and the chance to sit together bathed in the feel-good atmosphere of the mesmerizing acts. They left the theatre with Travis holding Temple as she rested her head against his shoulder and relived the story in her mind. There was no time to take in more shows in Fantasyland if Temple wanted to visit Mickey Mouse before the daily parade. They headed for Mickey's show quicker than a couple of kids. It was like walking into a cartoon world. First they wandered through the cartoon buildings and found themselves in line for a cartoon show, played out by cartoon characters that were fast becoming disturbingly believable. Finally Temple met the star of the show and shook the hand of Mickey Mouse. Temple was on schedule to make the big parade and hurried Travis in the direction of Main Street. There were other attractions that Temple hadn't been able to fit into their day but she was determined not to miss the big parade for anything. They could come back and take in what they had missed on another day.

  The thought of another day in the Magic Kingdom with Travis caught Temple cold. She was starting to look upon their short and fiery relationship as something more than physical. Temple had unconsciously thought of herself and Travis as an item. She felt they had known each other intimately for a long time. It was hard to work out. Until recently they had barely been aware of each other's existence. Temple was building a permanent relationship on foundations of straw. Or was this how it felt, falling in love? Temple shut the thought out of her brain and slammed the door on it. There were bigger issues involved. Hart Leisure was the most important thing in her world right now. It was the only life she had ever known and Travis was trying to take it away from her. Then there was Travis himself. He was caught up in the same emotional whirlwind and paying her a lot of attention. But how long would it last? Temple was convinced there was only room for one love in Travis' heart. The one person that Travis had loved had been cruelly snatched away. Temple was not about to become an emoti
onal stand-in for his daughter. She resolved to be a little cooler in their relationship from now on. But that could wait until tomorrow. For now she was concentrating on getting herself and Travis back to Main Street USA in time to grab a good spot.

  "How about this, Temple. Right here?" asked Travis as they turned onto Main Street.

  "No, no. Farther down," dictated Temple. "We don't want to miss a thing. The parade starts to spread out a little as it turns the corner. We have to see everything."

  Travis was not about to argue. "Okay, where?"

  "Down here, opposite Casey's," she decided.

  They walked to the spot that Temple had pointed out and Travis left her on the sidewalk to stroll to Casey's Corner for a couple of hot dogs. The length of the line made his heart sink. But he had made a promise to Temple. He was tetchy when he finally emerged but Temple was waiting with a smile that made it all worthwhile.

  "You’re my hero, Travis." She sighed theatrically. "You may claim your reward.”

  Travis bent his head towards Temple in expectation of a kiss. Instead, the girl with laughing eyes grabbed a hot dog running with ketchup from his hand and took a giant bite.

  "Eat up, Travis. You need to keep your strength up," mumbled Temple. "You never know what I’ve got in mind for you later."

  Travis lifted the remaining hot dog and surveyed it carefully in front of his face. "With a woman like you I'm sure I can rise to the occasion," he said before taking a man-sized bite.

  Temple's answer was lost in the cheer of the crowd as the band struck up and the head of the parade filtered on to Main Street. From that moment on Travis knew it would be pointless trying to talk to the beautiful woman standing at his side. Even without the noise that surrounded them Temple was lost in the show time atmosphere generated by the magical parade. It seemed that every dancer and performer on show was attracted to the stunning female clinging to Travis' arm. Temple was having the time of her life. She laughed until the tears were running down her face. And Travis laughed because of the joy it gave him to see her so happy. And when it was over they walked arm in arm up Main Street in the steps of the big parade.