by Janice Sims
Deborah’s gaze took in their damp swimming suits. “You two do look mighty attractive in those swim suits, but aren’t you a bit uncomfortable? Where are your clothes?”
Dominique straightened her shoulders. “You’ll have to ask Jon that one. I saw him running from the lake with them.”
Mrs. Winston gasped. “My Lord, what will that boy think of next? I’m so sorry.” She went to the bottom of the stairs and gazed up expectantly. Then her voice rose in pitch and volume. “Jon…”
Deborah Winston talked to her son alone, so Blair and Dominique didn’t know what she said, but when she was done, he apologized profusely and returned their clothing.
Afterward, Deborah talked Blair and Dominique into staying for dinner. The chef had selected a Chinese theme, so they dined on General Tso’s chicken, vegetable chow mein, and egg rolls. They ate the delicious meal with lots of spirited conversation and laughter.
While the cook served almond cookies and ice cream for dessert, Dominique’s brother Jon ruined everything for her. He turned to Blair and said, “I saw you two kissing at the lake. Are you Dominique’s boyfriend now?”
Blair eyed him calmly. “Dominique and I are friends.”
Dominique didn’t know what the right response should be, but Blair’s seemed flat after what they’d shared. She placed her water glass back on the table before she could embarrass herself by dropping it.
Jon didn’t let things end there. “Are you two going to get married?”
“Jon!” Deborah said in a scandalized voice, “That will be enough. I want to see you display the good manners we’ve taught you, or you can go to your room right now.”
In the following silence, Blair surprised everyone by answering the question. “I’m not planning to marry anyone for quite some time. I’m too busy trying to make my business the success I know it can be.”
Dominique’s hands twisted nervously in her lap under the table. Her face burned and she felt as if everyone was staring at her. When she dared look up, she saw it wasn’t true.
“I know you have to do what you think is best,” her father said. “But I made the most progress on my road to success with Deborah at my side. She’s the best partner I’ve ever had.”
“Thank you, John,” Deborah said, her eyes moist. She clasped her husband’s hand briefly. They looked as if they wanted to kiss.
Watching them, Dominique promised herself that when she married again, it would be a love like that. Meeting Blair’s gaze, she smiled and got through the rest of dinner with all the grace she could muster.
As Blair and Dominique said their good-byes, Blair extracted a promise that Dominique would go out with him again soon.
Dominique drove home on a cloud of happiness. She’d enjoyed the outing with Blair and looked forward to seeing more of him. He’d brought new excitement to the dull routine of her life.
As she showered and washed and blow dried her hair, her brown eyes sparkled in the mirror. Preparing for bed and climbing between the sheets, she suppressed the niggling worries about falling in love with a man who was only going to be around for a limited time, and the fallout from the questions and innuendo that would follow when Willie May Ryker started talking about seeing Blair and Dominique in their bathing suits.
Dominique’s head touched the pillows and she closed her eyes. Her lips curved into a smile as she relived Blair’s kisses. She fell asleep with a sigh.
Six
The following Sunday, Dominique got up early and went to church to practice the hymns before the service. That day she had a solo, “Precious Lord,” to perform.
When it was time for church to begin, she walked in with the rest of the choir. She still managed to catch a few giggles and whispered comments about her picnic with Blair. It seemed Willie May Ryker had been busy.
Holding her head high, she continued up the aisle and took her place in the choir stand. That day, she was determined that no small-town gossip would touch her. She was too happy.
Looking out on the congregation, she saw her parents in the third row and spotted Blair in a dark gray suit in the pew behind the deacons. Next to him was Mother Maybelle in a white lace suit and matching hat.
Mother Maybelle’s face was serious as she spoke to Blair. He shook his head vigorously and gestured as if he were defending himself. Mother Maybelle’s hand closed on his arm, and she leaned close to get in a few more words. Nodding carefully, he glanced up at Dominique. She guessed they were talking about her and wondered what Mother Maybelle might have told Blair. Continuing her perusal of the crowd, she greeted each person she knew with a nod.
When the time came for Dominique’s solo, she stepped up to the microphone. Her voice rang out in the church as she put her heart and soul into the song. When she was finished, she knew she’d done her best rendition yet. Tears of emotion filled her eyes as several members of the congregation shouted “Amen!”
Later, Dominique stood at the microphone again as she breezed through the church announcements and the chair reports. Then she returned to the choir. The service ended with an inspiring hymn and benediction. Following the choir out of the stand, Dominique went to the room where she’d stowed her robe and retrieved her purse. When she came out, she went to greet Mother Maybelle.
“Dominique, you look happy,” Mother Maybelle told her with a big hug. “Whatever you doing, keep on doing it.”
“I will,” she promised.
She greeted her parents and promised to come for the evening meal. Moving on, she stopped to chat with Reverend Avery for a few minutes.
Off to the side, Blair was waiting for her.
“I enjoyed your solo,” he said when she’d finished. “You have a beautiful voice.”
Thanking Blair, she let him walk her to her car.
“I had a lot of fun yesterday,” he said as they strolled out the side door.
“Me too,” she confessed, stepping down to the cement walkway. Dominique stopped at her car and used the remote to unlock it. She opened the door and sat in the driver’s seat.
“Scooter made plans for this evening, but maybe we can do something tomorrow,” he suggested.
Dominique smiled into his chocolate-brown eyes. “I’d like that.”
She drove home and piddled around the house until it was time to go to dinner at her parents’ house.
Dinner at the Winstons’ home was a fancy Italian-themed meal, with chicken and eggplant parmesan served with spaghetti, garlic bread, and an antipasto salad. She drank chardonnay and enjoyed the food.
Afterward, the adults retired to the family room. Dominique’s mother wasted no time in asking about Blair. Dominique admitted to liking him, and cited his brains, ambition, and upbeat personality.
“Honey, please,” her mother said rolling her eyes. “He ain’t bad to look at, either. I’ve seen the two of you together. You could do a lot worse for fun and excitement.”
When her mother quizzed her on the picnic, Dominique they’d eaten, swam, and canoed, providing little information beyond the things her brother Jon had already said.
Her father had been watching her quietly. “Everything all right with this one, princess?”
“Yes, Daddy. Except for the fact that he’s only here for a little while, I couldn’t have done better.”
“Don’t worry about the time. When a man meets his soul mate he knows it. If he knows what good for him, he won’t walk away.”
Dominique pinned her father with a glance. “Daddy, I know you’re trying to help me, and I love you for it, but I don’t know if he’s my soul mate, he’s not interested in anything permanent, and he’s already said that he’ll be gone on the twenty-ninth of June.”
In the ensuing silence, her father could only incline his head in agreement.
Dominique was glad when the conversation turned to the upcoming visit of her cousin Lucy. She was around Dominique’s age and a diva who loved to party.
Noting the time, Dominique made her escape. It was near
ly eight o’clock when she got home. The name “Jones” was on the caller ID more than once, but there was no message. Since Blair was staying with Deacon Jones, she guessed that he had called. However, the fact that he’d left no message was puzzling.
Dominique put on her pajamas and spent the rest of the evening in bed watching movies until she fell asleep.
The ringing telephone awakened her. Disoriented, she sat up in bed, noting that it was after nine a.m. She eyed the phone cautiously, then checked the caller ID. The name on the display was “Jones.” It had to be Blair. Her pulse sped as she grabbed the receiver and lifted it to her ear. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, Dominique.” Blair’s voice filled her ears, wrapping around her name in an aural caress. “After the good time we had Saturday, I couldn’t wait to get back with you. Are you up? You said you were an early riser.”
“I don’t have any business appointments on Mondays, so I sometimes sleep a little later,” she explained.
“I’m going to be in your area and thought you might like to go for a morning ride. Should I call back later?”
“No!” The word tumbled from her lips. Dominique collected her wits and managed a more ladylike response. “I can be ready in about half an hour.”
“Good. Wear your jeans and some boots or walking shoes.”
“Why?” she asked curiously. Why should he care what she wore for a ride in his car?
“We could be riding in a car, on a motorcycle, a horse, or a helicopter. It’ll just make things easier. You’ll see.”
“Okay,” she said, trying to be agreeable. Her anticipation grew at the thought of the rides he’d mentioned. She ended the call and leapt out of bed to sprint into her bathroom. Glad she’d washed her hair the night before, she got ready for her date.
She was pulling her hair into a ponytail and running the comb through it when the phone rang again. It was Blair.
“I’m waiting outside,” he said.
Stuffing her wallet and cell phone into her jeans, she hurried to the door. Outside the condo, she saw Blair in jeans and boots sitting atop a handsome black stallion. As usual, the sight of him took her breath, but this time her pulse jumped. He looked like something out of one of her fantasies. Was he her knight in shining armor come to rescue her from her boring life? Dominique was used to saving herself.
A horse nickered softly and the familiar sound caught her attention. Tied to a tree nearby was a chestnut mare. It was Salsa, the horse she usually rode at the riding stable near her condo.
Dominique went over to Salsa and stroked her firmly on the neck. Salsa nickered again in welcome. Blair tossed Dominique an apple, which she gave to the horse. She remembered telling Blair that she liked to ride as they hiked to the lake yesterday. She was impressed at what he’d done with the information.
She untied the reins and climbed up into the worn leather saddle. “So, where are we going?”
He pulled out the riding stable’s map of the area. “I thought we’d ride over to the national park and hit some of the trails, but if you have a favorite route.”
“I do, but I go that way all the time,” she said, turning the horse to face the path. “I’m ready for something new.”
With that, they took off for the park at a trot. Dominique enjoyed being up high on the smooth-riding Salsa in the pleasant morning air. Having Blair at her side on the stallion made everything more exciting. He talked about his business, and, although she knew nothing of engines and racing, he made it sound interesting. Then he teased and cajoled her into having the time of her life.
They rode to the park and tried several trails. Dominique’s favorite was a challenging one that ended on a ridge looking down at a small lake. They stopped to sit on the grass and talk, then made their way down to a trail Dominique often used.
Blair’s stallion had been exercised, but he was anxious to run. Blair suggested that they race to the end of the trail before returning the horses. Knowing that Salsa was fast, she agreed. “What do I win?” she asked confidently.
Blair burst out laughing. “Mighty confident, aren’t you?”
She shrugged. “Salsa’s a fast horse.”
“So is Black Thunder,” he said, referring to his stallion. “The loser has to cook breakfast for the winner. Okay?”
She agreed, already planning to request waffles and bacon.
Blair took off on the stallion in a flash of speed, and Dominique shot after him. Salsa was fast, but the stallion was a powerhouse. Halfway through the trail, Dominique suspected that she would not be able to win this one. Still, she hung on to Salsa and urged the mare to go as fast as she could.
At the end of the trail, Blair waited for her while he fed Black Thunder a treat. “I’ll make it easy for you,” he quipped. “I’d like bacon, scrambled eggs with cheese, and grits.”
“Congratulations.” She shook his hand, working hard to cover her disappointment at the loss. She hated to lose anything. “We can go back to my place for breakfast.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” he answered. He held on to her hand and pulled her close for a deep, dizzying kiss.
Dominique arced against him, her body warming to his sensual heat. “Congratulations,” she said again, her voice ringing with conviction.
On the way back from the stable, Dominique glanced at her watch and remembered the missionary society’s fundraising meeting that was scheduled to begin in half an hour. Retrieving her cell phone, she called Nona, the group’s secretary and made an excuse for her absence. When Nona promised to handle the meeting, Dominique breathed a sigh of relief and made a quick rundown of the important agenda items. When she ended the call, she felt the weight of Blair’s gaze.
“I forgot,” she confessed.
“It happens,” he said in a light tone. “I would have understood if you wanted to postpone my victory breakfast.”
She shot him a quick glance, certain he’d the word “victory” in the sentence just to tease her. “I can miss one missionary meeting.”
Blair nodded and kept driving. Back at the condo, she washed her hands and began to prepare breakfast. Blair washed his hands, too, and used her juicer and coffee maker to make fresh beverages. They worked well together.
As they ate, Dominique found herself thinking that this was what it would be like to be married to a man like Blair. The pleasant conversation, smooth camaraderie, and the electricity between them were all things she craved.
Before he left, he lingered at the door with Dominique, holding her in his arms and showering her with hot kisses. Sighing, she tilted her face up and reveled in the moment. Desire shot through her when she felt the touch of his hands on her breasts. Her knees shook as they kissed for several minutes. Blair held her tight. Prying himself away regretfully, he finally said good bye. She felt the sensual effects of his kisses and caresses long after he’d gone, and comforted herself with the prospect of their next date.
Seven
The rest of the month was a blur of exciting dates with Blair. Dominique had so much fun that she nearly forgot she had ever been bored and lonely. They went motorcycle riding, fishing, dancing, bicycling, and hang-gliding. Sometimes they just hung out together, enjoying each other’s company. Whatever they did, Dominique was happy to be with Blair. He was always courteous, considerate, and exciting. The attraction between them sizzled, but they never went past the sumptuous kisses and he never indicated he wanted more. Dominique said nothing, but it grew to be a sensitive point. Blair Thomas was haunting her dreams.
Dominique didn’t know when it started, but her efficiency began to slip. The missed meetings and appointments here and there began to add up, and the reasons behind them varied from forgetfulness and stress to being ill. For so long, her efficiency had generated success and been the constant in her life. Now she couldn’t count on anything.
She was having the time of her life on a personal level, but she’d begun to get worry headaches that incapacitated her. Blair had shaken
up her ordered life and she wasn’t sure it was a good thing. She was falling in love with him. The man was perfect for her, but she suspected that she was just a pleasant way for him to pass the time in Red Oaks.
Sitting with the choir in church one Sunday, she was called to the podium to give the chair reports. Somehow she muddled through. And when they asked for a chairman and volunteers for the Women’s Day program, her temples pounded so hard that she couldn’t even think of volunteering. Before she left church, she heard the whispers and rumors starting back up, and this time they hurt twice as much. She was making a fool out of herself again.
While in a ladies’ bathroom stall, she heard Cissy Slade tell her sister that Blair was dating Dominique in return for the Winston Bank endorsement, and that Dominique’s parents were worried that she was going to have a nervous breakdown when Blair left town. Both women laughed.
Dominique was so hurt and angry that she nearly threw the stall door open right then to confront the women.
Instead, she finished her business and then exited the stall with her head high. The women had already left.
In the mirror, she saw her eyes were red and her nose had a pinkish tint. She was upset and it showed. What hurt most was the grain of truth that resonated in her thoughts. Though she hated to admit it, she did have some doubt about Blair’s feelings for her. She splashed her face with cold water and patted it dry with a paper towel.
Always thoughtful and charming, Blair was waiting to walk her to her car, and he reminded her of their plans for the evening. She wanted to be with him, but physically she wasn’t up to it. With her head pounding, Dominique could barely speak. Her stomach gurgled nervously. She slumped forward. “Blair,” she managed, “I’m not feeling well. I’m going home to get in the bed.”
Concerned for her, he insisted on driving her home. Once there, he took off her shoes and jacket and put her to bed. While she slept, he made chicken noodle soup from scratch.
Blair brought a tray with a bowl and crackers into her room and sat with her while she ate. The soup was delicious and full of chicken, carrots, onion, noodles, and a flavorful broth.