by Joachim Jean
“Take me, Danny.”
“Sweetpea…”
His hand on her thigh held her in position while he entered her, stopping for a moment to savor the feeling of being inside her again. She moaned loudly, exciting him almost beyond endurance. His mouth swooped down on hers in a hungry kiss, his tongue possessing her mouth, then he lifted his head to gaze into her eyes as he took her, thrusting hard and fast. Holding her close, they moved together, hips undulating, sweat creeping between the two warm bodies, Eliza buried her face in his neck and he closed his eyes, focusing on his spiraling physical desire mixing with the love in his heart, creating an intense passion he had never felt before. The pace increased until they both dissolved into joyful release.
In the morning, he rolled over and hooked his arm around her.
“Hey, did we decide to get married last night or was I dreaming?”
Eliza smiled and pushed herself closer against him. “You can’t weasel out that easily, Professor.”
“Oh, Sweetpea, you’re a dream come true.”
Danny covered her neck with tiny kisses. She rolled over on her back to face him, cupping his rough cheek with her palm. “I love you,” she whispered.
He pushed a few strands of hair off her face with his finger, then traced the outline of her lips, never taking his gaze from her face. “Me, too. I’m hungry.”
Eliza laughed and hugged him. They got dressed and went down to the Eagle’s Nest for breakfast. They couldn’t stop smiling at each other as they held hands over the table.
Danny picked up his coffee mug.
“A toast.”
“To?”
“To Callie! Without her conniving, we wouldn’t be together.”
“To Callie.”
On the way out of the Eagle’s Nest, Danny stopped to talk to the proprietor.
“Tell me, do they fix driveways up here in February?”
“Nah. You can’t fix a driveway up here now. Too cold to pour concrete or anything else. Gotta wait ‘til spring. Why?
“Just curious.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Late Saturday morning, Callie prepared muffins for the oven while Jason played with Blue and Kitty chased Rocky around the house. Mac grabbed Kitty and swung her onto his shoulders to give Rocky a chance to nap. The exhausted pug had been running away from her all morning. He gave Kitty crackers and juice in the kitchen when Jason came in with Blue.
“I want a snack, too.”
Mac gave Jason a couple of crackers and juice, too. He tossed a treat to Blue. When Rocky, the chubby pug, realized people were eating, he came trotting in looking for a handout which Jason administered.
“I wonder when Eliza and Danny will be back from the lake.”
“What do you mean?”
“I expect them soon.” She took a pan of hot muffins out of the oven.
“Eliza and Danny were at the lake this weekend? Together? At our house now, with the electricity and the heat turned off?”
“Yup.” She carefully eased each muffin out to cool on the rack sitting on the counter.
“Why?” He fitted his long frame into a chair.
“I sent them there.” She poured more batter into the muffin pan.
“What the…?” Mac said, rising to move the children and dogs into the living room and returning to the kitchen. He poured a cup of coffee for himself and Callie and sat down again at the kitchen table. Callie joined him after she put a new batch of muffins in the oven.
“Yesterday they were supposed to have that date, but Danny had to be at the police station. He cancelled. Eliza got mad. Things were not going well…” she paused.
“So?”
“They are our best friends. Someone had to do something, so I did.”
“What did you do?” Mac inquired his eyebrows rising slowly.
“I told them each a story about how we needed them to be at the house for the driveway man. They bought the lie and went up there. They had their chance to be together and talk things out.”
“You sent them up there in the dead of winter with no heat and no electricity? They’ll come back with pneumonia!”
“They needed a place…a quiet place with no interruptions…the phone is turned off up there, too…where they could, uh...talk…and be alone…and…stuff.”
“You lied to them, getting them up there under false pretenses in the freezing cold. They’re going to kill you. I don’t want to be here when they get back.”
“When it’s cold, then people can’t sit on opposite sides of the room and stare at each other, can they? They have to…to…get together. You know. To keep warm. I thought they needed a helping hand...”
“More like a shove, don’t you think? You’re meddling again.” Mac took a big bite of a warm muffin.
“They weren’t doing anything. What are friends for?” She broke off a piece of muffin and popping it in her mouth.
“Your intentions are good, but they might be mad at you for interfering.”
“They might be mad at first…but knowing them, especially Danny, Mr. Hot Pants, by this morning they are probably not mad anymore. Does that make sense?” she asked turning to face him, coffee mug in her hand.
Mac kissed her.
“Sort of. When you explain everything to me…but at first, I’m sure they’re going to be ticked off. You took a big chance.”
“I know you don’t always understand. I only want them to be happy.”
“I’m glad you are on my team.” He ruffled her hair on his way to check on the kids.
* * * *
About an hour later, the doorbell rang and the dogs came running into the living room, barking. Kitty started screaming and Jason yelled at the dogs, chaos reigned because Danny stood outside the door. When Mac opened it, Blue and Rocky jumped all over Danny, licking his face and wagging their tails.
“Hey, Danny…coffee?” Mac watched him nervously for signs of anger.
“Thanks, Mac. Hey Blue. Hey Rocky, how you guys doing? Jason,” Danny said, picking him up and tossing him up in the air. “How are you, buddy?”
Kitty came toddling over. She gave Danny a kiss and he picked her up and twirled her around. Danny and Mac joined Callie in the kitchen. Danny went over to her and picked her up in a big bear hug.
“You little liar! You schemer!” Danny smiled broadly.
“My plan worked… didn’t it?” she asked as her feet left the floor. Danny put Callie down and hugged Mac.
“What happened?”
“What do you think?” Danny asked her, his eyes twinkling.
“I don’t think you want her to answer.”
“You got engaged, that’s what.”
“Right on the money…but not officially yet. Eliza has something cooked up for the night of the spring dance and until then, we’re not official.”
“How can you be unofficially engaged?”
“I don’t know, but we are.”
“Eliza has agreed to marry you?” Mac poured a cup of coffee and handed it to Danny.
Danny nodded.
“Way to go, Danny!” The two men did high fives.
“Oh, Danny.” Callie started to cry.
Mac gave her his handkerchief.
Danny put his arm around her; she hugged him, crying into his shoulder.
“Mommy, what’s the matter?” Jason poked his head into the kitchen.
“You know Mommy always cries when she’s happy.”
Jason nodded and left the kitchen.
“Is Eliza mad?”
“Not anymore. But you didn’t want to talk to us last night!” Danny stared at Callie.
“I knew the phone didn’t work, or I wouldn’t have had the guts to send you there.”
“Any problem staying warm?”
“What?” Danny blushed.
“I meant did you find the firewood and newspaper okay? Did you make a fire?”
“I’m sure they made plenty of fire, Mac.” Callie chuckled.
; * * * *
Callie and Eliza planned a shopping trip for dresses for the annual spring dance at the University. President of the university was ramping up the dance for senior personnel and school contributors by attaching an awards ceremony this year.
Three years ago, Callie was the star attraction at the ball as Mac’s new bride. Her beauty and charm had male contributors lined up to dance with her. This year Callie wanted to make her friend, the newly-in-love Eliza the star.
Their shopping trip was a success. Callie found a gold gown, low cut to show off her cleavage, with a fitted waist and a gently full skirt, perfect for Callie’s figure. She’d wear the pearl necklace and matching earrings Mac gave her when Kitty was born.
Eliza found a form-fitting, low cut dress in deep Prussian blue which brought out her green eyes and made her blonde hair glow. She had a diamond necklace and matching earrings Bill gave her when the twins were born. Eliza invited Danny to be her date for the dance, which was only a week away, making it too late to rent a tuxedo, so he’d wear his uniform instead.
Mac was the Master of Ceremonies, running the show and making the awards. Eliza would speak as well, about new initiatives planned at the university and John Lawrence would give a short opening speech and close the ceremony before the dancing began.
The dance was a major social event in Willow Falls and many wished to make large contributions to be invited to the event. Jonesy headed up the committees that provided the food and the decorations. Every year the dance had a different theme.
As the dance approached, Eliza with Jonesy’s help worked feverishly to complete the secret project. Jonesy pulled strings and got the process speeded up.
Chapter Twenty-Four
When Danny came to pick up Eliza the night of the dance, he noticed the house was painted a dark red instead of beige, with white shutters. When she opened the door, she gasped.
“Am I okay? Something showing?” Danny checked his zipper but it was closed.
“Oh my God, I forgot how fabulous you look in your uniform. Look at those medals. You’ll have to explain them to me.”
“Yeah, some of them are complicated, but not the Purple Heart.” He beamed with pride at her.
“You look so sexy, Danny, makes me want to jump you right here.”
“Me? Look at you. Don’t bend over too far or you’ll fall right outta that gown. Of course, I’ll be there to catch them…you.” He snickered.
“Low cut gowns are the fashion now.”
“Must have been created by a guy. You will be the most beautiful woman at the dance.”
She smiled at him.
“It’s an honor to be escorted by you, Captain Maine.”
He offered her his arm, opened the car door for Eliza, got behind the wheel and they drove off.
* * * *
The theme of the dance this year was an ice palace in Alaska. The walls were covered in blue-white paper and paint. Pillars of realistic-looking ice framed doorways. Huge fake icicles hung from the ceiling and smaller ones hung from lights. With cotton snow on the floor by the walls, fake snow dusted on the tablecloths, animals and light fixtures around the room and ice sculptures gracing the tables, the room had a festive, exotic feel.
Fake polar bears and penguins were found in corners and a mirrored floor looking just like ice reflected the images of the band and their instruments. Tiny bluish white lights glimmered making the room feel a little cold but authentic. Tables with white flowers on ice blue tablecloths dotted the center of the room.
Only John Lawrence, his wife Annika, Callie and Mac were there when Eliza and Danny arrived. Callie looked gorgeous in her new gown and pearls, huddling with Mac, handsome in his black tuxedo, before the festivities began. Soon they would separate and circulate, trying to squeeze larger financial commitments out of Kensington supporters.
The magnificence of the room impressed Danny when he came in with Eliza. He spied Callie at a table near the door and saw her pale when her gaze swept his uniform. He knew he resembled Kyle. Sensing her discomfort, he joined her, sitting down next to her.
“Think of me as a combination of Kyle and me when you see me in uniform,” he whispered, taking her hand.
“You okay, Callie? You look pale.” Mac arrived by her side.
“Danny in his uniform…freaks me a little.”
“I’ll stay with you until people start arriving.” Mac sat down, took her hand, kissed her and put his arm around her. She leaned into his shoulder and closed her eyes.
Before long, people started filtering in. Many came up to Callie, glad to see her, asking about Kitty and Jason. Color returned to her face and she got up to socialize.
“Why Jake Stonington! How wonderful to see you again,” Callie said, throwing a flirtatious glance his way as she took his arm. “What are you planning to do for Kensington State this year?”
Eliza introduced Danny to some of the contributors. Their wives paid special attention to him. He was dazzling with his good looks and perfectly pressed uniform, covered with medals.
Jonesy came over to Eliza’s table. “You look like a princess this year, my dear,” Jonesy said, squeezing her arm.
“Can you be a princess at my age?”
“You’re forty-two, not eighty-two. Besides, you can be a princess at any age; all you need is to be madly in love. I think you fit the bill.”
Eliza blushed.
“Everything is set for later,” Jonesy whispered.
Eliza hugged the older woman.
As Mac and Eliza circulated and Callie chatted with people she met in years past, men and women came up to Danny to inquire about his service. He appeared shy at first, not wanting to talk about Iraq but people were sympathetic and proud of him so he relaxed. He wondered if they’d think the military so glamorous if their sons and daughters or husbands and wives were wearing the uniform.
Several contributors mentioned they were aware of the “preference for the military” hiring policy and asked Danny about his adjustment to academic life. Danny had only good things to say about Kensington State and living in Willow Falls.
Some of Danny’s Kiwanis friends were also big supporters of the school. George Cameron and Skip Patterson played golf with Danny and installed playground equipment with him on several Saturdays in October. They had never seen Danny in his full uniform. To them he appeared to be only the guy who volunteers for Kiwanis activities, not a decorated war hero.
Then came the speeches. John Lawrence spoke, and then Eliza spoke briefly about the new plans to help incoming freshmen adjust to life at the University. Danny was proud of her.
Mac got up to present the awards.
“We launched several new initiatives this year. First is our brand new literary magazine called The Winds of Time. I’m proud to tell you the magazine received a third place prize in the Will Cather College Literary Magazine competition. This is the first time ever a magazine won any of the top three places in its first year of publication. Thanks go to our student editor, Jennifer Goldman, all the students who contributed essays and, especially our faculty member who spear-headed this launch, Professor Daniel Maine. We have a small token of our appreciation for Professor Maine.”
The room burst into applause. Danny was embarrassed and didn’t know what to say. Eliza squeezed his hand and urged him to go to the podium. Mac shook his hand and handed him a check for one hundred and fifty dollars.
“Copies of the magazine are waiting for you when you leave tonight. The topic of the magazine’s essays was love, I guess it’s something our students are well versed in,” Mac said, drawing a laugh.
“Next are three Ph.D. scholarships made possible through the Kobey Foundation. This is the second year we are awarding these scholarships, full scholarships to be used within four years with the promise from the professor he or she will remain at the University and teach for the next five years after receiving his or her Ph.D. We had many more applications this year than last year, making our choice more
difficult. But here they are. In the science department our scholarship goes to Professor Martin James. He received the scholarship for his outstanding medical research involving students culminating in a large grant from the Townsend Foundation to continue next year. In our history and humanities department, the scholarship goes to Professor Ruth Covington, for her outstanding work recreating historical events that happened hundreds of years ago right here in Willow Falls. In our English and Foreign language department, the scholarship goes to Professor Daniel Maine, for his outstanding work with freshman this year who received the highest scores on our English proficiency test in over five years, for receiving the highest evaluation from freshmen ever at Kensington State and for the launch of our literary magazine, The Winds of Time.”
All the winners stood up to huge applause. A sense of joy mixed with disbelief swept through Danny. He had won the scholarship and was one step closer to marriage with Eliza. Kyle would be proud. He’d tell me I kicked butt. His eyes bright with unshed tears, Danny blinked rapidly.
“Now our latest initiative to bring more excellence and national attention to our English department is our writer-in-residence program. Maybe you haven’t heard of this program, so I’ll explain. Our committee selects a professor either within KensingtonState or from outside to become our writer-in-residence, which means he or she will receive a stipend to complete a book in two years. The University will then publish that book, splitting the proceeds with the author. Afterward, we expect the professor who received this special position to stay with us and teach writing for two years to juniors and seniors. Our committee members had a heckuva time choosing only one person to receive this coveted position as there were so many excellent entries. But one entry stood out as a fascinating and moving memoir. Perhaps in keeping with the University’s heightened sensitivity to the plight of our servicemen and women, we were all deeply affected by the excerpt of a memoir titled 419 Days in Iraq by Professor Daniel Maine, or should I say, Captain Daniel Maine, who will be our first ever writer-in-residence. Dan, please stand.”