Texas Stranger

by Muncy, Janet

  “Hey look, someone left their purse. Let’s get it and get out of here. I’ve got the money bag.”

  “Okay, okay, I just want to see what this room in here looks like.” The strange voice said.

  January backed up slowly into the sauna closing the door and holding her breath as she saw the man’s shadow through the filmy glass.

  “Hey man, someone is pulling in, let’s get out of here.” The other intruder shouted.

  After unbearable minutes went by, January breathed with caution as she heard voices coming from the other room. She opened the door again hoping to get out and to her clothes before someone came through the shower area door.

  “January are you in there?” Mary called out, cautiously opening the locker room door.

  “Oh Mary!” January went limp. “I’m so glad you’re here.” January cried holding now onto Mary for dear life.

  “January are you alright?” We were so worried about you. Your car was still here, and the window was broken.” Mary comforted her. “I thought you were dead.”

  “They ran out when they saw you pull in. They took all the money and my purse. I was so scared. I hid in the sauna and one of them almost opened the door.” January cried harder.

  “January how awful, how many were there? Did you get a look at them?”

  “No, I was afraid to come out. But I think there were only two, but I’m not sure.”

  “Well BJ and I are here now everything will be alright, just try to calm down, I think BJ is calling the police.” Mary comforted her.

  After a few minutes BJ knocked on the door of the locker room. “The police are here.” BJ said, standing in the door way watching them.

  January looked up trying to regain some control of herself when the locker doors burst open again.

  “What the hell is going on in here?”

  January sprang to her feet. “What are you doing here?”

  “I could ask you the same thing.” Carl said coldly. “What is all the commotion about?”

  “There was an apparent break in.” BJ said, turning to stare at Carl.

  “Figures,” Carl said. Taking in the barely covered body, of January standing there staring at him.

  “Get dressed the police will want to talk with you.”

  January quickly looked down at her all but covered body and stomped her foot in frustration, realizing she had been standing there with only a towel wrapped around her.

  Mary in the mean time was standing there with her mouth gaping open, totally confused at the display of words, between them. January ignored her dismay and cursed under her breath, grabbing her clothes and trying to stuff her arms through the allotted holes. Mary stayed quiet, as January finished dressing, and was trying to run the brush through her matted hair, mumbling to herself the whole time.

  Entering the workout area, January gasped as she saw the large window broken into small pieces laying on the floor. “That must have been what woke me from my dream.” She cursed out loud, remembering the dream had been about Carl.

  “Has anything been stolen, Miss Manson?” The officer asked her as she surveyed the damage.

  “Oh, ha...yes, I believe my purse and the bank roll, but I better check first,” she said walking into the office.

  Sure enough the money had been taken along with her purse. She just stared into the empty drawer as though somehow it would all reappear.

  “How much money was taken?” The officer asked, making notations on a pad of paper.

  “I had $800.00 in the bank bag to be deposited in the bank tomorrow. I had about $30.00 in cash in my purse, but I had all my credit cards and bank card I guess I need to cancel them. But I guess everything else is still here,” she said looking around at the computer and adding machine.

  “How many were there? Did you see any of them?”

  “I think there were only two, young boys. But I can’t be sure. I didn’t see them at all. I was hiding in the sauna. But I could hear them talking to each other.”

  “January, Carl wants you in the other room when your finished with the officer.” Mary said softly.

  January left Mary with the officer and strolled up to the men standing by the large broken window. She noticed Carl had taken off his jacket and was stooping down by the broken pieces of glass when she came up to him.

  He slowly turned around, dark eyes followed the length of her until finally settling on her oval face. He then slowly and gracefully stood, keeping his eyes transfixed on her silvery blue eyes. As he stood up slowly, his large frame towered over her as neither one spoke for a few seconds.

  “The men are here, Carl.” BJ said, breaking the spell between them.

  Carl slightly shook his head and looked in the direction of the door. Not moving but looking back down again at January.

  “I’ve called to have this window boarded up tonight, tomorrow I’ll have that window replaced.” He said, still watching her, taking in the disarray of her attire.

  “Why would you do that? I’m sure the insurance company will take care of it.” January stood unable to take her eyes from his.

  “I’m also sure, but the window must be at least covered with a board or you may come into an empty club tomorrow. If there is anything else stolen then the insurance will take care of it. If the window stays uncovered the insurance won’t touch it.”

  “Thank you for your trouble, the owner will appreciate your concern.”

  “I am the owner, January.” Carl replied flatly.

  “You? You own this building?”

  “I do, along with several others.” Carl frowned down at her.

  “Terrific!” January said, turning toward the office area. Numbly she sat down on the tall stool at the reception desk.

  “January, there doesn’t seem to be anything else stolen, and the officer wants to know if there is anything else you’ll be needing this evening?” Mary asked.

  “Don’t ask me, I’ve never been robbed before, ask Carl, he’s the expert.” January said irritability.

  January sat trying to decide what to do about the money when it finally crossed her mind about her purse.

  “Mary do you have your car?” January jumped out of her chair crossing the room where she and BJ stood. “They have my key’s to the apartment. I need your key to get in.” January said, following Mary across the room, to get her purse.

  “The only key I have is your apartment key, BJ drove me in and I loaned my car to my cousin.” Mary apologized.

  “Officer would you drive me home? The men that broke in also have the key’s to my apartment, and my address is on my drivers license.”

  “Mr. Richards has already thought of that Miss.” The officer said strolling indifferently, toward the door.

  “Mr. Richards?” January stood looking after him. “Who is Mr. Richards?”

  “Me,” Carl said strolling over to her. “I figured your address was also in your purse so now someone is waiting at your house in case they try to break in there also.”

  “Do you really think they will break in my house?”

  “Maybe,” he said walking toward the men again.

  “Do you want to come home with me until you can call the office and have your locks changed?” Mary offered.

  “No, I’ll have one of the officers to take me home. I’ll be alright.” January assured her.

  “You’re not going home alone.” Carl over heard the conversation.

  “Don’t tell me what I’m going to do, Mr. Richards!” January said mocking his name.

  “It’s to dangerous, I’ll stay there tonight and tomorrow you can have the locks changed, but tonight you’d better stay with Mary.”

  “I’m going home,” January said, walking toward the officer standing in the door watching the commotion.

  “Then you’ll have to stay there with me because I’m going with you. Miss Manson.” Carl said, mocking her name as well.

  “Don’t trouble yourself Mr. Richards, you’ve done enough already
.”

  “You’ve got that right, but I would feel guilty if anything happened to you. So don’t argue with me.”

  January was too tired to argue as she let him lead her to the door. He stopped momentarily to issue more orders to the working crew, and to BJ.

  Being lead out to Carl’s sports car. That was just his style, she thought miserably. But she settled down into the plush seat and tried to relax. The next thing she knew he was shaking her shoulder softly.

  “January, wake up, your home.” Carl said, looking into her eyes, as his breath softly brushed her face.

  “It’s best we keep the light off.” He said, helping her out of the car.

  “Do you think they will show up tonight?”

  He ignored her question as he took the key from her and opened the door.

  The apartment was dark except for the porch light outside on the corner of the building, that was barely shining light through her window. Taking a minute to adjust to the lighting, they both entered the living room.

  “So what do we do now,” January asked, walking into the middle of the room.

  “Well, you...ouch! What was that?” Carl muttered, under his breath, as he ran into something sharp.

  “The coffee table.” January almost laughed out loud. Serves him right, she beamed, it was about time, he felt some pain. “You were saying.” She grinned.

  “Hum... I said you can go on to bed and I’ll just make myself comfortable on the sofa, in case they decide to come here tonight.”

  “I’m afraid if I did go to bed, I would never be able to sleep.” January said, walking toward the kitchen. But stopped abruptly as she realized Carl was groping for some sort of direction. His long arms feeling wildly around him before he took further steps. January watched him in the dim light, for she knew where every piece of furniture was and he was having a time trying to figure out the arrangement. She became still as his arms came dangerously close. His forearms came in contact with her shoulders, and he also stopped suddenly. She was unable to move from the contact. He was quiet for some time as he hands held her shoulders tenderly. She wished she could see his face, but it was impossible in the darkened room. She could almost feel the warmth from his body as he moved closer to her. She caught her breath as the fragrance of his cologne drifted by her nose. Her knees were getting weaker by the second as she waited for him to say something, or do something.

  “I could help you sleep,” he said softly, pulling her closer, putting his hands on her back, rubbing the tense muscles.

  January had trouble finding her voice as his hand slowly edged its way down her back making contact with her lower back as he gently pulled her toward him. She became powerless as she leaned against him in total surrender. January looked up to receive his kiss just as the noise at the door broke them apart. Carl had cleared the furniture and was behind the door in seconds. The door slowly opened, and the small young boy stepped through, another followed behind.

  Carl waited until both boys had entered through the door way before he slammed the door shut behind them. Both scrambled to get to the closed door, but it had been blocked by Carl. January in the mean time was frozen to the spot where Carl had left her.

  “January, turn the light on.” Carl ordered.

  January temporarily blinded them all as Carl took both boys by the arms and led them toward the sofa. The larger of the two tried to get past Carl and nearly knocked him over in the process. But Carl was way to quick for either of them as he shoved the larger of the two on the floor.

  “You make a false move and I’ll see you never walk again.” Carl threatened. It seemed to scare the boys into obedience, for they both made their way to the sofa and sat quietly.

  Everything was happening so fast January hardly had time to think. The police lead the two boys off to jail, and Carl was taking care of everything else. The police gave her belongings to her that the boys had left in the car.

  “I think you’ll be alright now,” Carl said, walking toward her where she had sat on the sofa.

  “Yes, I suppose so.” January, looked up at him.

  “You look tired, why don’t you go ahead to bed and I’ll just make myself comfortable here on the sofa if you don’t mind. I have some things to take care of tomorrow morning in town, and I would hate to drive back to the country tonight.”

  “No, of course I don’t mind, your more than welcome to sleep in the guest bedroom if you wish, there’s clean sheets on the bed. I’m sure you’ll be more comfortable.” January, moved toward the guest bedroom leading the way.

  “I appreciate your hospitality,” Carl followed her, grinning slightly at her apparent nervousness.

  “I feel I owe you more than just a place to sleep tonight, for all you’ve done for me lately.” She said pulling the covers down on the bed.

  Chapter 9

  January hadn’t even remembered falling asleep until the smell of coffee perking caused her sensitive nose to respond to the pleasant aroma. She sat up quickly on the side of the bed, remembering she had left Carl standing in the guest bedroom last night. She hurriedly put on her robe and made her way to the living room.

  Carl was sitting at the dinning room table with the newspaper and a steaming cup of coffee.

  “Good morning sunshine, would you like me to fix you something to eat?” Carl offered in a cheerful tone, standing up and reaching for the coffee pot.

  “No, coffee will be fine,” January smiled back, thinking he sure was making himself comfortable in her apartment.

  “Just coffee? That’s not enough to start the day, you need a balanced breakfast, besides you didn’t eat supper last night did you?” He frowned at her.

  “No, I didn’t, but it’s hard for me to eat breakfast, it’s been hard ever since college.”

  “I hope you didn’t mind me making the coffee this morning? BJ had a load of cattle and wasn’t able to get in town this morning, so I’m going to have the morning free.”

  “No, I don’t mind, could I fix you some breakfast?” January started toward the kitchen.

  “No, thank you, I’ve had too much coffee I think and I’m not hungry.”

  January was at a lost for words. The night before seemed so long ago. She had strange dreams about Carl and felt a little embarrassed looking him in the eyes.

  “Well, I guess I better call Mary to pick me up. I need to get some things taken care of, like a broken window.”

  “No need to bother, the window is being fixed at this moment, so you should take the day off and enjoy it while you can.”

  “I wish it were that easy sometimes, unfortunately I have a business to run and sitting at home enjoying myself won’t make me a living.” January sighed, picking up the hot coffee cup and taking a large sip.

  “Surely one day isn’t going to make that much difference?” Carl grinned at her.

  “I’m sorry Carl, but if I’m not there to get things in order today, I may not have a business tomorrow.”

  “Well why don’t I drive you to the club? Mary won’t have to go out of her way to get you and I can see that the window has been taken care of?”

  “Well if you really want to, I would appreciate the ride.” January smiled, hoping she wasn’t being a burden.

  The ride to the club was quiet. January was caught up in her own thoughts about the night before. Tragedy seems to be the only time they could spend together without fighting.

  It wasn’t long before Carl left to get his own business taken care of and January hated to see him leave. He didn’t ask to see her again, but she thought she would hear from him soon.

  The aerobic competition posters arrived and were being put up in the club. As the competition got closer, the girls would be more demanding of her time, so she was working on her work schedule as well as everyone else’ so she would be free to train the girls who were interested. She hoped several would be interested in trying out. It was hard work but a lot of fun when everyone had the same mindset. To be ready for the comp
etition she had lots of work still yet to do.

  Several weeks had gone by and Carl hadn’t made any effort to see her or call her. January also felt it strange Mary hadn’t even mentioned him.

  Mr. Peters, the small bald headed man who managed the center and collected the rent on the building space, entered the club late one afternoon. January was about to start the aerobic practice and she noticed him come through the door.

  “Mr. Peters! Is there something I could do for you today?” January greeted him.

  “I thought I’d bring you some interesting news,” he said, shaking her hand. “Could I have a minute of your time.”

  “Sure, I can spare a minute,” January smiled, leading him into her small office. He sat down on the sofa crossing his legs.

  “It looks as though I’ll be having another two thousand square feet available at the end of the month. It’s located next to your east wall, you can knock out the wall and make your work out and aerobic room larger. The renewal on your lease will be coming up soon. That is if you still plan to stay? I can make you a good deal.”

  “What kind of deal?” January sat back in her chair ready to listen to any offer that would help her club grow.

  “Well, you’re paying one dollar a square foot now with insurance and maintenance free. I could let you have the additional two thousand feet for just fifty cents a square foot, and that would give you enough room to expand at a fair price.”

  “You’re being very generous, Mr. Peters. What has brought all this on? You’ll be losing money, not to mention having another shop for people to come into?”

  “You may be right,” he said, clearing his throat. “But on the other hand we have thirty seven shops in this strip center and they are all paying top dollar. Most of the people that shop here are the one’s that come from your club anyway. So.... we aren’t really losing money, we’re making it through your success, if you really want me to be honest.”

  “Need I ask who’s ideal this was Mr. Peters?” January’s eyes searched his for the apparent answer.

  His face turned a certain crimson color as he re-adjusted himself on the sofa. “Let’s put it this way Miss. Manson, Mr. Richards knows his business, I for one couldn’t possibly tell him how to run it.”