Flight of Fancie

by Linda Rettstatt

  “It must be uncomfortable for you having to deal with him.”

  “Mostly irritating. I passed the uncomfortable stage. I figure in another month, I’ll reach the I-don’t-give-a-damn stage and then I’ll be fine.”

  “Your mother seems to be in good spirits.”

  “She’s amazing. Not a single complaint. I can see the pain in her face when she’s doing her physical therapy, but she just pushes through it.”

  “How are you?”

  “I’m okay. No nightmares. Unless you count Dr. Wonderful’s unexpected appearance.”

  Luke chuckled. “Want me to throw him out on his ass?”

  Fancie grinned and batted her eyelashes. “You’d do that for little ol’ me?”

  “Nah. I’d do it just because the guy is an arrogant jerk. Took me less than five minutes to see that.”

  “Was he rude to you?”

  “Not directly. Forget about him. Are you free for dinner this evening? It’s my last night here.”

  “I don’t know. I usually cook for Mama and Daddy.”

  “We could go for a late supper somewhere.”

  She hesitated. So many mixed emotions rolled around in her like a spring tornado. But then Graham opened the door and returned to the kitchen.

  “I’d love to have dinner with you tonight, Luke. Seven okay?”

  Luke’s gaze shifted ever so slightly from her face to Graham and back to her, a grin tugging at his mouth. “Seven is perfect. Wear that little black dress you wore before. I’m taking you somewhere special.” Then he smiled at Graham. “Nice to meet you Dr. Wellington.”

  Fancie bit her lip. That little black dress you wore before? It took her a moment to realize Luke was onto her. He knew she’d hesitated at his invitation until Graham was standing there. And he played along perfectly. She could kiss the man. She could kiss the man and that thought sent a shiver through her.

  “How’s Mama?” she asked, turning to face Graham.

  He looked stunned, still staring at the back door where Luke had exited. “Huh? Oh, she’s coming along nicely. I left a new prescription for a milder pain medication for her to take right before her physical therapy. I gave her a few samples for a day or two until someone can get that filled. I thought you said that guy was just a friend?”

  “He is. A very good friend.” She slipped past him and started down the hall to open the front door. “Thanks for stopping by. You can send us the bill.”

  “There’s no charge. As I said, it’s a courtesy call.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Right. So….”

  “So—goodbye, Graham.”

  He stared at her for a moment. “Goodbye, Francine.”

  She closed the door and pressed her forehead to the cool wood, taking in a few deep breaths. What the hell had just happened? She’d said goodbye—an honest goodbye—to Graham. A goodbye that left her feeling free. And she’d made a date with Luke for dinner that evening. Then her mind recalled his statement about her ‘little black dress.’ Which she did not own. Was he serious about going to a fancy restaurant for dinner? Should she call and ask him? If she did, would he think she expected something fancy and expensive?

  The doorbell startled her out of her wonderings and she opened the door to find the physical therapist there. “Please, come in.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Mama’s expecting you.”

  Fancie walked the therapist back to her mother’s room, then rushed upstairs and found her father. “Daddy, the therapist is here with Mama. I need to go out for a bit. I’ll take Mama’s car and I’ll be back soon.”

  “Okay. Maybe I’ll go down and watch, see how she does.”

  “You know she hates that. Check on them in about half an hour.”

  From the car, she called Charity. “You free to go shopping?”

  “Now?”

  “It’s an emergency.”

  “You have a shopping emergency?”

  “If you can’t go, that’s okay. I’ll call Chas and see if she’s free.”

  “She went to Tupelo earlier. Let me see if I can get out of here for a couple of hours.”

  Fancie chewed on a thumb nail while she listened to canned music on the phone.

  “I can leave in half an hour. That work for you? What are we shopping for?”

  “A little black dress. I’ll explain when I pick you up.”

  ~

  Her cousin bounded out of the family-owned print shop and slid into the passenger’s seat, grinning.

  “Thank you for taking time off to come with me.”

  “One of the perks of working for family. Dad was very understanding when I told him you needed my help. I didn’t say what for. Now, explain to me why the urgency to buy a black dress.”

  “I have a date tonight. With Luke.”

  The grin broadened into a full smile. “You go, girl. Where’s he taking you?”

  “I don’t know. I’m not even certain I need the black dress.” She explained about the appearance of Graham and Luke at the same time and the exchange that had taken place. “So I don’t know if Luke was putting on a show for Graham’s benefit or if he’s serious.”

  Charity waved a hand in the air. “No matter. Every woman needs…..”

  They both said together, “A little black dress.”

  Fancie found herself breathing easily, much more easily than she had in weeks.

  “By the way,” Fancie said. “Luke is not gay.”

  Charity laughed. “Ouch. So he just wasn’t interested in going out with me. Thanks, cuz.”

  “Do you have any idea how embarrassed I was after I announced to him that he was gay and that it was okay?”

  “You didn’t.”

  “I did.” Fancie considered the circumstances under which she’d made that announcement and decided not to share those details.

  “Where are we going to find you a little black dress in Columbus?” Charity asked.

  “I don’t have time to do a lot of shopping. Let’s hope I can find something at Penney’s. Not expensive, but serviceable.”

  “A serviceable little black dress. Now there’s a concept. All a black dress needs is a low neckline, a high hemline and whatever cleavage you can muster.”

  An hour later with a new dress, shoes, a new bra—which she had no intention of Luke seeing but which enhanced her cleavage—and a serious hit to her credit card, Fancie dropped Charity back at work. “Thank you. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

  “Yeah, you could have, but you wouldn’t have. You would have bought something sensible. You didn’t go with black, but I love one you chose. The blues and greens really bring out your eyes. Tell Luke I said goodbye for now and to have a safe trip back to New Hampshire.”

  “I will.”

  Charity got out of the car, but leaned back and grinned. “Have fun tonight. Don’t go rationalizing about why a relationship with Luke could be a bad idea. Just go for it.”

  Before she could respond, her cousin was already inside the building. Go for it. She thought about butterflies, how they lived fully as butterflies even though their lives were short. It’s something she loved about them. They went for it—emerged from their chrysalis with wings flapping and rose up to become what they were meant to be. But Luke was leaving in the morning, returning to his life in New Hampshire. There was no it to go for. She would let herself enjoy his company, have a nice evening out, and then say goodbye. She’d see him again when she picked up her car and belongings, but that could be months.

  When Fancie didn’t join her parents for dinner, her father asked, “Are you sick? You love this dish.”

  “I’m going out with Luke. It’s his last night here and he asked me to join him for dinner.”

  “Well, then, you best get dressed. I’ll take care of cleanup.”

  “No, you won’t. Not hobbling on one good leg. The doctor told you to keep weight off that ankle as much as possible. It’ll only take few minutes to load the dis
hwasher. I’ll leave the casserole dish to soak until I get home.”

  “I’m not an invalid.”

  Her mother shook her head. “Stubborn. It’s a shame Luke has to leave so soon.”

  “His research is complete and he has to get back to his teaching job.”

  “You should get back to your work, too,” her mother said.

  Fancie gave her father a meaningful stare. “It’s okay, Mama. I want to be here with you and Daddy right now.” She gathered up the plates and carried them to the kitchen, glancing at the clock. She had half an hour to get ready.

  She pulled her hair up from her neck into a chignon. She twirled and watched the flutter of the dress around her knees. The blues and greens did highlight her eyes. And though she hadn’t shared the thought with her cousin, the dress would be practical for the Christmas holidays. She worried that the back was too bare. Too late now. Her outfit still needed something. She removed her grandmother’s pearls from her mother’s jewelry box and fastened them on. They were perfect.

  The doorbell sounded and she heard her father’s tap and thump as he made his way to the door with the cane he’d been instructed to use. She gave herself one last look over in the full-length mirror and headed down the stairs.

  Her father sat in his recliner and Luke stood nearby. Both men looked up as she made the turn at the bottom of the staircase.

  “You look beautiful, Fancie,” her father said.

  Luke just stared.

  “Doesn’t she, Luke?” her father prodded.

  “Yes. Wow, I mean, yes—beautiful.”

  She felt the flush rise in her face. “I hope I’m not overdressed. I wasn’t sure….”

  “You’re perfect.”

  “I’m just going to say goodnight to Mama.” She hurried down the hall to escape Luke’s gaze. She felt as if he was not just looking at her, but taking her in. “Mama, I’m leaving. Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

  Her mother smiled up at her. “Your daddy’s here with me. I’ll be fine. You look so beautiful. Are those my mother’s pearls?”

  “They are. I hope you don’t mind. They seemed perfect for the dress.”

  “She’d love that you wore them. I wish you’d gotten to know her the way you were able to know Bitsy. Come here.” Her mother reached out to her and then took her hand. “Have a nice time tonight.”

  “It’s just dinner.”

  Her mother laughed. “It’s always just dinner for a start.”

  Fancie smiled at her mother’s laughter. There’d been so much pain in the past few weeks, so much struggle to do the ordinary things. She squeezed her mother’s hand. “I love you, Mama.”

  “I love you, too.” Her mother’s expression turned serious. “Have you gone to see Ashley yet?”

  “No. And I don’t intend to.”

  “Fancie….”

  She stood. “I have to go. Luke’s waiting. I won’t be late.”

  “I’ll be asleep in an hour. Stay out as late as you want. Just go and have a good time.”

  “I will.”

  Luke helped her with her coat, his fingertips brushing her shoulders. She hoped she hadn’t physically shivered at his touch and, if she had, that he hadn’t noticed. But the look in his eyes told her he had.

  Outside he led her to the Chrysler. “Your dad loaned me this car for the night. It didn’t seem right to have you get all dressed up and then put you in my Jeep.”

  “Is there a conspiracy going on here?”

  “You mean matchmaking?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  He chuckled. “No doubt. Your father’s done everything but offer a dowry. He’s told me how smart you are, how kind and generous, and how beautiful. He really didn’t have to tell me all that, however.” His gaze slid over her. “I’d already figured it out.”

  “I’m sorry. And embarrassed that he’s trying so hard to marry me off.” After an awkward moment, she asked, “Are you going to start the car, or is dinner being delivered to the driveway?”

  “Hmm? Oh, yes.” He started the engine and pulled around the circular drive.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Some place special.”

  The family owned restaurant located near the college campus specialized in New Orleans cuisine. The atmosphere was cozy, romantic and decorated for the holidays.

  “Have you been here before?” Luke asked.

  “Yes.”

  “With Dr. Wonderful?”

  She chuckled. “Yes. And with my parents a few times. I love it here. The food is fabulous.”

  “Then I should let you do the ordering.”

  They began with shared appetizers—baked brie and grilled shrimp cocktail. Luke chose the ribeye while Fancie ordered the Creole glazed pork chops. Luke ordered a bottle of Champagne. “No celebration is complete without Champagne.”

  “What are we celebrating?”

  “The end of my research.” He offered her a flute and filled his own. “And a beginning, too. I hope.”

  “A beginning of what?”

  He locked his gaze with hers. “Us.” He set down the flute. “Before you say there is no us or can’t be an us, listen. I think there can be. I think there’s supposed to be an us. Fancie….” He covered her hand with his. “I’ve never felt about any woman the way I feel about you.”

  “Luke, we live in different worlds, over one thousand miles apart. I’m not coming back to New Hampshire.”

  “I understand that. Lots of people have long-distance relationships, at least for a while.”

  “For a while. And then what?”

  “And then they compromise.”

  The word sent a chill along her spine. How many times had Graham told her their relationship required ‘compromise’ and it always involved her making that compromise. “You mean one gives up everything for the other.” She pulled her hand away. “You’re a great guy, Luke. Under other circumstances….”

  “Circumstances can change or be changed.”

  She shook her head. “I have a plan in place. I’m going to see if I can get my job back at The W or maybe get hired at another local college. I can always fall back on Uncle Avery’s offer to take over the newspaper.”

  “That’s not a bad plan. Where’s your novel?”

  “It’s in there, too. I can write in my spare time.”

  He nodded. “So I’ve misread things between us?”

  No, you didn’t. I feel the same way about you. She drew her hands into her lap, crossing her fingers the way she had when she was a child and told a lie. “I guess so.”

  He stared at her. Fancie tried not to blink.

  “How about dessert?” he asked.

  “I couldn’t eat another bite. I think I’d like to go home.” How could she swallow anything past the lump of lies balled up in her throat?

  He waved to the waiter for their check. “Your father forgot to add stubborn to your list of attributes,” he mumbled.

  “What?”

  “Nothing.” He paid the bill and stood. “I’ll get you home.”

  This was the first time she’d seen Luke short on patience. Or maybe high on frustration, and that was her fault. They rode in silence until he pulled into the driveway at Quail Hill. Fancie turned to face him. “Thank you for dinner. I’m sorry it didn’t turn out the way you’d hoped. I meant what I said earlier—you are a great guy. I’m probably crazy and, believe me, my cousins will never let this go. I need to stick close to home right now. I’m sorry if you can’t understand that.” The words came out in a rush and sounded practiced to her, though they hadn’t been.

  “Oh, I understand. I do. I’m just not sure that’s all there is to it.”

  “Meaning what?”

  “That day I found you on the beach flying a kite. A huge butterfly as I recall. You were so—happy. Free. You told me it was your mother who reminded you of who you are. Which makes me think you’d forgotten or the good doctor made you forget. You’re searching for something, Fancie. You
found it that day, for a little while at least. Now it’s like your stuck being a caterpillar.”

  “Did you just call me a bug?”

  “I’ve read up on butterflies, too. I’ve never heard of one returning to its cocoon.”

  She glared at him and then opened the car door. “For your information, a butterfly comes from a chrysalis, not a cocoon.” She held out a hand. “Keys, please.”

  He dropped the keys into her palm. “Do we have to part like this?”

  She got out of the car and slammed the door. “You have to leave. I need to stay. It’s that simple.”

  “Yeah. It’s simple.” He got out and rounded the car. “I’ll see you to the door.”

  “Not necessary.”

  “It is in my book.” He strode beside her up the steps. Before she could open the door, he turned her to face him. His eyes blazed and his mouth covered hers. She wanted to resist, but instead found herself leaning into the kiss. Her mind whirled, trying to grasp what it was that stopped her from giving in completely. He pulled back, still holding onto her. “Take care of yourself. Let me know when you plan to come and pick up your car. Any time is fine.”

  He hurried down the steps and strode briskly around the house.

  Fancie stood under the porch light, fingertips pressed to her lips. Tears stung her eyes. She was letting him go. No, she was pushing him away. She convinced herself it was for the best for both of them. She was certain it was the best thing for her. No more compromising for the sake of a man. She would nurse her mother back to health, find another job, and write that damned book.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Fancie jolted awake and listened, certain she’d heard breaking glass. She eased out of bed and listened at her bedroom door. No sound. Moving to the window, she saw a light go on in the cottage. Luke has been gone for a week. No one should be in there in the middle of the night. She pulled on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt over her pajamas and slid her feet into slippers.

  Downstairs no one stirred. The door to the den-slash-bedroom was closed. She hesitated. Should she call the police, wake her father, or investigate on her own? She’d tiptoe out there and peek in one of the windows first. Her father’s ankle wasn’t yet up to fast movement and she didn’t want to put him at risk of being injured further.