Twice in a Lifetime (Love Found)

by Henrick, Ruthie

  “Very shrewd.” She passed her driver’s license across the counter.

  “No, but I know you.” The clerk fastened a tag on the first bag and tossed it to the conveyer belt behind him. Jake dropped the second bag on the scale and passed the attendant his license.

  “One of these days you won’t be so smart, Mr. Taylor.”

  “Will you still love me?”

  “I’ll always love you.”

  “Let me guess, honeymoon?” The grumpy ticket clerk returned slid their boarding passes across the counter.

  “Yep.”

  “Hmph. Don’t drink the water.”

  Following signs, Jake led the way to the correct gate and then through the creeping serpentine line of security. As the line stalled, Allie struggled to shift her heavy tote to her other shoulder and he took it from her, then checked his watch. He shuffled forward three feet and checked it again.

  “Relax. There’s plenty of time to make the flight.”

  “I’ll relax when we’re on the plane.”

  “Come on, you’re standing here with the woman you love most in the world and we’re all dressed up in the pretty clothes we got married in. You’d rather be sitting on a stuffy airplane?”

  “No, I’d rather be lying on a beach in Cancun with the woman I love most in the world wearing that string bikini you thought you were hiding.” He kissed her lightly on her nose. “Or not.”

  Allie waited for him to tie his shoes after finally being screened. Their gate was only a short way down the walkway. Passengers milled about, unconcerned. “You want a magazine?”

  She nodded and wandered to the newsstand. Over a PA the gate attendant called first class passengers to board.

  “Hurry Allie, they’re calling us.”

  “That’s first class. We have a good twenty minutes before the plane finishes boarding.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Did you look at the tickets, Allie? We’re first class.”

  Her jaw dropped. “I haven’t ever sat in first class before.”

  “Neither have I. I thought it might be fun.” He grabbed their magazines and stepped to checkout. “You want gum?”

  “Thanks. I’ve never been to Mexico before either.”

  He grinned. “I thought that might be fun too.” He took his purchases and change from the clerk and steered her toward their gate.

  Jake finished stowing his bag and sat beside her in the roomy leather seat. Her bag and purse were safely tucked under the seat before her. “This is wonderful.”

  She took a glass of champagne from a passing attendant and raised it for a toast. “To surprises.”

  His echo mingled with the clink of glasses. “To surprises.”

  She breathed a relieved sigh after the smooth take-off, turned on her reading lamp and lifted the arm rest between their seats. Jake stole one of her new magazines and leafed through it until he came to an article that seemed to interest him.

  “Here, look at this.” His finger pointed out a passage. “I want to try this.”

  Did he just leer at her? She scanned the article he was reading and choked on her champagne. “Sure you can handle that?”

  “I haven’t had any complaints so far.”

  Okay, now that was definitely a leer. She choked again, this time on a laugh. “You’re right, sweetheart. Absolutely no complaints.”

  Her dress rode up as she laid her head in Jake’s lap and tucked her legs beneath her. So far it had been a long and nerve-racking day, but all her tension rolled away with his steady, calming heartbeat at her back and the crisp, bubbly champagne streaming through her system. Jake draped a thin blanket over her and her weighted eyelids closed.

  She lurched and her eyes flew open as the plane suddenly lost altitude. Jake tightened his hold on her. “Hush, baby. Go back to sleep. We’ll be there soon.”

  Soon? She pushed herself upright and stretched. She peeked at his watch and mentally computed the time change. “Thirty more minutes?”

  He nodded. “Give or take.”

  Good. She had time for repairs. She took her makeup bag from her carry on and made her way precariously toward the restroom.

  Jake’s face held an obvious look of relief as she climbed over him on the way to her seat.

  “What?”

  “I was afraid you would take the pins out of your hair.” He shrugged at her grin. "I’ve had a fantasy about it all day.”

  She laughed and cupped her hand around his ear, leaning in to whisper. “So have I.”

  The elegance of the extravagant marble lobby impressed her, but the sheer opulence of their suite on the top floor of the hotel had her grasping for words. Wide marble expanses, sophisticated upholsteries, deep cushions—she oohed and aahed as they meandered through a doorway and into the bedroom to discover a king-sized bed covered in rose silk.

  She peeked through another doorway and then stepped in as if drawn by an invisible force. Spinning slowly to take in the jetted soaking tub and the inviting glass-encased shower, she scooped up a plush robe and brushed its velvety softness against her cheek. She could live in here all week! Laying the robe across more of that elegant marble, she grasped Jake’s hand and pulled him back through the lavish rooms and onto the balcony.

  The sound of the ocean surf was soothing, almost hypnotizing, and Allie fell into her thoughts. It was impossible for any other woman to be as happy as she was tonight. She sighed as he drew her to him, facing the darkened horizon. Today she married the man she loved. While she looked for companionship, someone to have a little fun with, Jake’s steady presence stole her heart. Maybe she couldn’t offer him everything he dreamed of, but she could offer him love. He loved her so well, so thoroughly, swore that her love was all he needed. She tightened his arms around her. She would make sure that it was enough.

  “The moon’s shining on the water. It looks like a great night for a walk on the beach.”

  Did they make them any better than that?

  One after the other she slipped out of her heels and handed them to Jake to stuff in his jacket pockets. “You have that romantic, sappy look again.” His teasing didn’t bother her tonight.

  “This is actually my I’m exquisitely happy look.” she corrected him with a prim smile. “I’m here on this beautiful beach.” She swept her hands before her. “At a stunning hotel with a really great guy… who went above and beyond in the accommodations department, by the way. And… as it happens, he’s my husband. What more could I ask?”

  With a tug he pulled her closer and slowed their steps. He leaned just a little and whispered into her lips. “Thank you.”

  On her tip toes in the sand, she nuzzled her mouth against his. “You’re welcome. What did I do?”

  His lips kissed their way to her ear. “You married me. You make me happier than I could ever imagine. You make me want to be… more.”

  She turned in his arms, her back to him. Placing her hands on his forearms, she leaned into him, the warm Caribbean breeze soothing them, the slow lapping of moon washed waves peaceful. “If someone said to me six months ago that I would be here with you today—that we would be married—I would have thought they were insane.” She shook her head ruefully. “But now, now I can’t picture my life any other way.” She turned and stretched to meet his waiting lips. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

  They wandered their way back upstairs. Jake began undressing while she unpacked. Shouldn’t take long. Knowing Maddie, it was filled with nothing but bikinis and lingerie. Laying her suitcase open on the luggage rack she picked up the package lying on top and smiled. Yep, lingerie, she recognized the gift wrap. She rifled through the rest of the contents. Phew, Maddie did her proud. She had plenty of real clothes. And running shoes.

  Jake finished pulling off his socks and stood. “I’m going to take a quick shower.” He cocked his head to the side. “Care to join me?”

  On their wedding night? “Absolutely.”

  Box in hand, she trailed him into that little slice of marb
le heaven. He closed the door behind them and nodded at the box. “What’s that?”

  With a secretive smile she set the package on the vanity. “A little gift from the girls.”

  He tugged her close. “What’s in it?”

  From Maddie the Romantic? Something to knock his socks off, undoubtedly. Or more likely, his pants. “I don’t know yet. It’s still wrapped.”

  Jake adjusted the water spray. “Don’t you want to open it?”

  “I will.”

  Thoroughly scrubbed and wearing a satisfied smile, Jake stepped through the glass door and wrapped a towel around his waist. “Are you coming out?”

  She tiptoed across hairpins and let her eyes follow him as he tossed the comforter to the end of the bed. “I’ll only be a minute.”

  Paper ripped and tissue rustled as she tore into her present and uncovered handsful of delicate, foamy froth. Oh, bless you, Maddie!

  There was nothing like sheer white silk slithering and sliding over female curves to make a girl feel sexy. But, uh oh. She gave the satin ribbons at her shoulders a tug. Nope. There was no way those tiny lace triangles were going to hold all her breasts. Oh well, Jake was sure to enjoy the show.

  In was something new to waken in degrees, awareness filtering into his brain one step at a time as first his eyelids cracked open and then his body roused bit by bit. His hand automatically reached out, stroking the smooth skin of Allie’s hip as he spooned her. This was new, too.

  Leaving her warmth he rolled out of bed, stripping off his T-shirt as he padded to the shower. How did he ever live without her? Answer was easy: pretty sure he didn’t. He went through the motions from one day to the next, always searching for… something. But that wasn’t really living. Allie brought light. Sounds and aromas became more distinct. He let his eyes land on her as he turned to close the bathroom door. It was her love that made him alive.

  Allie sailed across the front porch and through the doorway. Reaching up, she released her hair and let it fall. She removed her running shoes and carried them with her into the kitchen. The house was quiet. She probably had time for a shower before Trey woke. It would be nice to shower in her own bathroom again. But then again, the glass room they’d used for the past week was a tough act to follow. Allie pulled a bottle of water from the fridge and set it on the counter as Trey careened through the house.

  He skidded to a stop at her feet, panting, looking for all the world like a puppy happy to see his master. “Mom, you’re home! Did you have a good trip?”

  Early morning runs on a deserted beach. Snorkeling in waters teeming with vivid tropical fish. Romantic moonlit walks under a star-draped sky. And sex. Hours and hours of mind-tripping, bone-melting sex. She couldn’t imagine anything better. “We had a great trip! But I missed you!” She opened her arms to hug him with abandon. “We’ll tell you all about it at dinner.” She glanced around. “Where’s Jake?”

  “Just got home. Nick called early this morning, needed him to check a job site.” Trey got down two big glasses as he spoke, then pulled the orange juice from the refrigerator. He poured out the juice, shoved one glass toward her.” “Are you tired? You guys got home really late last night.”

  She shook her head. “Not tired at all. I need to get dressed and go to my classroom. I still have to take down all the holiday stuff.”

  He chugged his juice and put the empty glass on the sink counter. “I don’t have anything planned. I can help.”

  She’d be a fool to turn down an offer of free labor. “Thanks. Now rinse the glass.”

  “Aw, c’mon Mom.” He rolled his eyes.

  Some things never changed.

  It was going to be a while yet before the unexpected sight of Jake sprawled across her sofa didn’t cause her heart to bump. And when warmth blossomed in her belly and spread to, well, south - that was good, too. “Hi sweetheart, how was work?”

  “Under control. How was your run?” He tossed the remote and made room for her to sit.

  She sat. “Cold. I could seriously get used to running on the beach in warm weather.”

  “As long as I can watch from the sidelines.”

  “Whiner.” She’d bribed him into joining her for a three-mile jog. And ended up babying him for the next two days while his legs recovered.

  Which was actually kind of fun.

  He grinned like he could read her mind. And then was kind enough to change the subject. “Feel like doing something today?”

  “Trey’s going to help me reset my classroom when I’m done here. We’ll get done faster if you come along.

  “Sounds good. I’m in.”

  Allie stood in the center of her classroom. They’d converted it from Merry Christmas to Winter Wonderland in record time, and now she was ready for Monday morning. Having her guys along made a big difference. Her guys. It sounded good.

  Oh, she didn’t want to forget this one last thing. Picking up the chalk she wrote her name on the blackboard. Mrs. Taylor. She nodded in satisfaction. Now she was ready.

  She’d been back at school for forty-five minutes and already she was ready for a vacation. In that short amount of time she was forced to send one girl to the nurse—a sobbing sixth grader who was on the wrong playground and had either a hornet sting or a zit, two boys to time out for staging a spitting contest—the criteria being both volume and distance, and the principal’s grandson of all people, to the safety officer for collecting quarters from children standing in line for the slide. One father had already called the school and threatened to sue for extortion.

  Never a dull moment in primary.

  But finally—finally—she stood at the front of her drama-free classroom, ready to make her big announcement.

  “Mrs. Tate? Mrs. Tate! Who’s Mrs. Taylor?” Amy Johnson was such a good little reader. “Good job, Amy.”

  “Is she a sub? We aren’t we gonna have a sub, are we?” Aaron Phillips had separation anxiety.

  She shook her head. “No, Aaron, there’s no sub.”

  “Then who is she?” One at a time, she may have had a chance at control. When they all started in, she didn’t have a shot. She looked around the room at her entire class and grinned. Better to roll with it.

  “Mrs. Taylor is me. I got married right after Christmas.” Before she could get the final words out she was surrounded by students, all jabbering at once.

  Yep. Not a shot.

  “But you’re old, Mrs. Tate. I mean, Mrs. Taylor. Are you allowed to get married when you’re old?”

  “I’m not that old, Billy.”

  “Are you gonna have a baby, Mrs. Taylor? My sister got married ‘cause she was gonna have a baby.”

  “No, Jennifer, I’m not having a baby.”

  She studied the magpies chirping her name as they swarmed. One was missing. When her gaze landed at his seat, her shoulders sagged. She picked up the tissues from her desk and walked over. Squatting beside him, she laid a hand on the back of his chair. If only she could break policy and drag the boy into her arms. His silent tears broke her heart. “Jason, why are you so upset?” She held out the tissue box and he pulled out a couple.

  He scrubbed his eyes and blew. “Are you gonna move away?”

  “Oh, Jason. No. I have a house here and all you children. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Are you sure, Mrs. um, Taylor?” He sniffed. “Really, really sure? ‘Cause my mom got married and she moved away. Now I live with just my dad.”

  Her heart melted. “Promise. I’m staying right here.”

  He smiled a watery smile. “Okay, Mrs. Taylor.

  Time to wrap up this carnival. She stood and addressed the entire classroom. “Listen up. I need you all to find your seats so we can get started on the day.” After the morning they had, she wouldn’t be surprised if they whined and dawdled.

  “Now, please.” Nope. Not surprised at all.

  But she was Mrs. Taylor.

  She’d tried to avoid thinking of this day since they returned from their honey
moon. But now that it was the third week of January, it was time for Trey to head north again. Allie lifted her head from her pillow to check the clock. Three thirty. She would fall asleep at her desk if she didn’t fall asleep soon. Rolling to her side, she yanked the covers and forced her eyes to close.

  “Allie, what’s up? Go to sleep, would you? You’ve been tossing around all night.” Jake’s words were laced with impatience, but it was the third time she woke him tonight.

  “Yes, Jake. I know I have. I’m the one doing the tossing. Don’t you think I’d sleep if I could? I’m going to be a wreck tomorrow.” Each word was delivered like icy hail spit from the sky. Darn it. He didn’t deserve that.

  Jake laced his fingers behind his head and stared at the ceiling.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” Tears gathered at the back of her throat. Her voice was thick with it when she spoke. “I’ll go lay on the sofa.”

  Jake unthreaded his hands and rolled to face her. “You’re not going anywhere. Come closer.” He pulled her to him, against his warmth. “There, that’s better. Now, tell me what’s wrong.”

  “Everything’s wrong.” Her words fell as freely as the fresh batch of tears. “Everything’s changing so fast and I’m tired and I’m bitchy. The race we worked so hard for is over and Trey’s leaving tomorrow. And I can’t have a baby.” The last came out on a loud, keening wail.

  Shifting his weight, Jake gathered her closer still and tightened the arm covering her waist. “Well hell, Allie. This marathon is over, but you and Maddie can start planning for the next one.” He smoothed her hair back and kissed her forehead. “And Trey was always going back to school. You’re just used to having him home, but in a week you’ll be used to having him gone again.”

  Yeah, that was sensible. She sniffled. “I guess it all kind of hit me.”

  “I know, babe.” Jake ran his palm along the ball of her shoulder and down her arm. It was soothing. “Now tell me this thing about a baby. Is this something new?”