Flirting With Forever

by Molly Cannon

  They stared at each other, careful to keep their distance. She felt her blood thrumming through her veins, thick and slow, and she felt more alive than she had in years. Crazy bursts of piercing pain mixed with joy skittered around inside her chest. She’d been shut down, boarded up, nailed closed, refusing to acknowledge the part of herself that longed for love and affection, companionship, and yes, sex. Physical needs. She had them like anyone else. And sitting less than two feet away from her was the man who could make her blossom like a flower with his knowing touch. God, he had great hands. Because he did know her. He’d been her first lover, and even though they’d been young, they’d grown experienced together.

  Theo broke the silence, his voice brushing across her skin like a velvet glove. “So, what are you suggesting? Dinner and a movie?” He was teasing her now, and she knew how to play that game.

  She smiled, a slow smile that seeped out, spreading like honey. “That would be very nice.”

  He returned her smile. “How about tomorrow night?”

  She sighed, the molten lava flow of passion sliding throughout her core. “I’ll look forward to it.”

  “Great. I’ll pick you up at seven.” Theo’s eyes were full of smoldering promises.

  “I’ll be ready.” The need to reach for him was overwhelming, but she resisted. There was something to be said for practicing patience. Building anticipation. Some respect paid to the formalities before she fell into bed with him. Because she had no doubt that was where they were heading.

  Flashing red-and-blue lights filled the car.

  “Great,” Theo said. “I don’t believe this.”

  A policeman walked up to the window as Theo rolled it down. “Good evening, sir.” He ducked down and looked briefly at Irene. “Ma’am.”

  “Good evening, Officer.” Theo sounded friendly and congenial.

  “You folks having car trouble?” He flashed a spotlight around inside the car, first into the backseat.

  Theo sounded breezy as he said, “No, sir. We just stopped to have a conversation.”

  The policeman sounded disapproving. “Out here in the middle of nowhere? That’s not a good idea.”

  “It was an important conversation, and I thought it was safer not to keep driving while we talked.”

  “Hmm. So you were arguing?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Are you all right, young lady?”

  “I’m fine,” Irene assured him. “We were about to leave, so we’ll be happy to be on our way.”

  The policeman wasn’t going to let anyone else call the shots. “Hold your horses there. We’ve had some reports of suspicious characters around these parts. Can I see your driver’s license and insurance card please?”

  “Irene, the insurance card is in the glove box.” Theo pointed to the dashboard as he reached into his back pocket for his wallet. She opened the glove compartment and found the form.

  The policeman took the documents, taking his time to study them. “This insurance card is for Abel Jacobson. Your license indicates that you are Theo Jacobson. I take it this is not your vehicle.”

  “It belongs to my brother.”

  “Sit tight. I’ll be right back.”

  “Holy shit,” Theo muttered as the policeman walked back to his squad car. “We weren’t doing anything. Thank God, we still had our clothes on.”

  Irene shot him a look and laughed. “What do you mean still? Did you have plans for our clothes to come off that I didn’t know about?”

  “A man can always hope.” Theo checked the rearview mirror.

  “I hate to tell you, Theo. But if you manage to get me without my clothes on, it won’t be in the front seat of your brother’s Jeep.” Irene pretended indignation. She thought the whole thing was funny, but Theo didn’t seem to agree.

  “You have to admit, if we’d been naked this situation could have been a whole lot worse.”

  Irene tried not to think about Theo without his clothes. “I’m sure he comes across kids making out in cars all the time.”

  Theo glanced in the rearview mirror. “We aren’t kids. He thinks we are suspicious characters.”

  Irene thought the whole thing was silly. “Why don’t you let me talk to him when he comes back?”

  “Let’s just see what he has to say.”

  Before she could convince him, the officer was back. “Would you please step out of the car, sir?”

  “What’s the problem?” Theo asked cautiously.

  “Just step out of the car. Slowly, and keep your hands where I can see them.”

  Irene jumped out and ran around the car as Theo opened his door and got out of the driver’s seat. “What’s wrong? Why does he have to get out of the car?”

  “Please return to the car.”

  Theo started to get back in the car.

  “Freeze. I said to get out of the car.”

  Theo stopped halfway in and halfway out. “So, do you want me in or out?”

  “Sir, have you been drinking?”

  “Drinking? No. Well, I had some of the punch at the reunion.”

  Irene piped up. “Oh, me too. Was it spiked?”

  “No, it wasn’t spiked,” Theo insisted.

  She finally got a good look at the policeman. “Owen? Is that you? It’s me, Irene Cornwell.” Owen was new to the Everson Police Department. Irene was friends with his mother. She owned the bookstore next to her in the town square. “How’s your mama?”

  Officer Owen Melber looked taken aback. She’d clearly flustered him. “My mama’s fine, Ms. Cornwell, I mean ma’am. Could you get back inside the car?”

  “Oh, surely this is some kind of mistake.” Irene moved toward him, talking animatedly while waving her hands. “Why don’t you let us go with a warning, and we’ll promise not to park on dark roads anymore.” She felt her high heels stick in the soft dirt on the road, and then she was off-balance lurching toward Officer Melber. She let out a yelp and made a grab for his arm to keep from falling.

  Theo towered over them where they’d landed tangled in a heap on the ground.

  Officer Melber scrambled to his feet, yelling, “You’re both under arrest.”

  Theo stood stock-still with his hands raised. Irene raised her hands, too. She heard Theo mutter, “Something tells me we’re in big trouble now.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  I called Charlie. He’ll get us out of here, but he said it might take awhile.”

  “Thanks. You know, I hate the idea of owing Charlie anything, but in this case I’ll take any help I can get.” Theo took a seat on the lumpy bunk in the holding cell.

  Irene paced back and forth in an adjoining cell. “I know, but he was closer than any of my Dallas lawyers.”

  “You might as well make yourself comfortable, then.” He glanced at the closed door that separated the jail cells from the lobby of the police station. Officer Owen Melber had locked them in and then disappeared, saying he’d be back to check on them shortly.

  Irene sat down on the bunk and informed him, “Well, this is my first time in the pokey. It will make my memoir more interesting when I get around to writing it. How about you?”

  Theo shook his head. “I know it’s hard to believe, but this is a first for me, too. And don’t try to find a silver lining in this, Ree. Jake is going to be pissed if his car is impounded.”

  “I’m sure we’ll have everything straightened out before Jake and Marla Jean get home. You’re taking this way too seriously.” She sat down on the cot and arranged her skirt over her legs.

  “Maybe so. I just don’t want him to have any reason to be sorry he asked for my help.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll tell him it was my fault. If I’d stayed in the car, we probably would have gotten a ticket, and that would have been the end of it.”

  He seemed to relax a bit. “Oh, you don’t have to do that, but since you brought it up, why did you get out of the car, anyway?”

  “It sounds dumb now, but when I recognized Owen,
I just thought I could get out and straighten everything out. That backfired when my shoe got stuck in the dirt.”

  “Well, it did look like you just launched yourself at him for no good reason. I have to admit I was shocked.”

  She laughed. “Yeah, that didn’t work out the way I planned. I think he was shocked, too.” The silence stretched out between them. She wondered if he was rethinking his offer of dinner and a movie. She watched him lay down on the cot with his arms bent at the elbow, holding up his head.

  Finally he asked, “So, other than landing in a jail cell, how did you enjoy the reunion?”

  “As a matter of fact, I’m really glad I went, Theo. Almost everyone was nice and friendly. Carol was asking about some of the work the foundation does, so we plan to have lunch and discuss some ways she can get involved. She does work with seniors in Derbyville, and there might be a way to combine resources.”

  “That would be great. I know the more I’ve helped Lily Porter, the more I see the needs of the other older folks in town. Just the other day I helped Clete Morrison with his fence, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. These senior citizens become isolated inside their homes.”

  “It sounds like you’ve thought a lot about this, Theo.”

  “I’m thinking I might talk to Jake about starting a low-or no-fee handyman service. Someplace they can call for basic house repairs. Things that will make it easier for them to stay in their homes longer.”

  “That’s a great idea, Theo. I know the meals program tries to take note of problems we see when we visit, but we miss a lot.”

  “Most folks don’t want charity, but I know Jake will have some good ideas on the subject.”

  “Tell him to talk to me, and we’ll try to help, too.”

  “I will. Thanks, Ree.”

  They heard a commotion in the outer office, and voices drifted back to where they were locked up. “It sounds like Charlie made it in record time.”

  Officer Melber opened the door, followed by Charlie.

  Charlie came striding in with a grin on his face. He seemed to enjoy seeing the two of them behind bars. Irene wanted to remind him who paid his salary, but she’d wait until she was free first.

  “Charlie! I’m so happy to see you. Please, get us out of here. Quickly if possible.” Nell Harcourt drifted in behind Charlie. “Nell? What are you doing here?”

  Charlie looked over at the other woman and said, “We were on a date when you called. Nell was nice enough not to mind when I said I needed to stop by the local jail and bail you out.”

  Irene was sure Nell was gloating and salivating over the new juicy gossip she could add to the rumor mill. “Wasn’t that nice? Thanks, Nell.” She tried to keep the sarcasm from dripping from her words.

  “Don’t mention it.” Nell smiled at Irene, but then turned her attention to Theo. Waving, she said, “Hi, Theo.” Her tone suggested they were bosom buddies.

  Theo grunted in response.

  Charlie looked at Theo. “I suppose you’d like me to get him out, too?” He jerked his head toward her jail mate.

  Theo stood up from his bunk. “Very funny, Charlie. If you can spring us, I’ll owe you big time.”

  “Yes, you will. Now then. Officer, I’m Ms. Cornwell’s lawyer. What are the charges?”

  “I’m still filling out the report. They have to go before the judge, and he won’t be in until tomorrow morning.”

  “Officer Melber, are you sure we can’t make some arrangement? You don’t want to waste the judge’s time, do you?”

  “This is my first arrest.” He sounded unsure.

  “Hey, Owen.” Nell walked over and touched his arm. “If you could let them go, I’d really appreciate it. I could see my way to make sure you get extra pie next week. I’ll be baking in the morning. I know how you love lemon meringue.”

  His eyes lit up. “Extra pie?”

  “Isn’t that a bribe?” Irene asked Theo through the bars separating them.

  “I’m not sure,” he said. “Let’s see if it works.”

  Nell continued her bargaining. “My mama always says our fine law officers deserve some consideration. It’s the Rise-N-Shine’s way of showing our appreciation.”

  “Where’s the sheriff?” Charlie asked.

  “He’s on his way in. We don’t usually have two arrests in one night.”

  “Well, then, let’s wait and see what he has to say.”

  Irene liked the sound of that. She dealt with Sheriff Watson regularly as one of the sponsors for the annual Policeman’s Ball.

  The door opened and Sheriff Watson came barreling inside. “What’s going on, Owen? I got here as soon as I could. We were in the middle of a dinner party, so Mrs. Watson isn’t too happy with me right now. This better be good.”

  “Well, sir, I just finished my report if you’d like to look it over. Or I could just tell you what happened.”

  The sheriff’s face was the color of cooked liver. “Just tell me, for Pete’s sake.”

  “Well, sir. I caught these two making out on Bramble Bush Lane. And they tried to make a run for it.”

  “We weren’t making out, and we were leaving anyway when you turned on your flashing lights. We weren’t running from anything.” Theo peered out from behind the bars while protesting Officer Melber’s version of the events.

  Charlie shushed him. “Just hold on, Theo. We’ll have a chance to give our side in a minute.”

  Owen continued his recitation. “I asked Mr. Jacobson to get out of the car, and that’s when Mrs. Cornwell rushed me.”

  “I didn’t rush you. I couldn’t hear what was going on inside the car. And I only got out so I could help straighten out what was obviously a terrible misunderstanding.”

  “Did I misunderstand when you grabbed my arm and knocked me to the ground?”

  “Sheriff Watson, that’s not what happened. Charlie, that’s not how it happened at all. I slipped and grabbed his arm so I wouldn’t fall.”

  “They were in a car registered to another person. And Mrs. Cornwell refused to stay in the vehicle.”

  Charlie spoke up at this point. “So, what are the charges?”

  “Resisting arrest and assaulting an officer of the law.”

  Charlie laughed. “You’re kidding, right? Sheriff, come on. This is a case of overreacting if I’ve ever seen one. I’d say the worst I’ve seen in all my years of practicing law.”

  “And the back taillight was burned out.” Officer Melber added that as a final justification.

  “So write a ticket, and let’s all go home.” Sheriff Watson reached into his pocket and pulled out a key ring. Unlocking the cell doors, he huffed, “Get the hell out of here. Both of you. Owen, I’ll speak to you in the morning.”

  Officer Melber stood with his head hanging down. Nell stopped in front of him. “Don’t forget about your pie, Owen. I fully support your effort to do your job. I’m sure we all do.” The look Nell shot Irene could have scrambled an egg inside its shell.

  Officer Melber seemed mollified by her words. “Thanks, Nell. I apologize, folks. I guess I was overeager.”

  Sheriff Watson paused while putting his keys back in his pocket. “Did I hear you mention pie, Nell? I hope that includes cherry pie.”

  Nell smiled like she’d negotiated world peace. “You bet, Sheriff. I’ve got a cherry pie with your name on it.”

  Charlie herded everyone toward the door. “I guess you need a ride back to your car, Theo.”

  “Thanks, Charlie. I barely had a chance to lock it before he hauled us in like common criminals.” Theo was still feeling put out over the incident.

  Charlie decided it was time for a lecture. “Maybe you should think twice before parking in the boonies like a couple of teenagers. Aren’t you two a little old for that kind of thing?”

  Nell piped up. “What would Sven think?”

  Irene could feel her hands curling into claws that would fit nicely around the woman’s neck. “Sven would tell you to mind your own
business. But you must hear that a lot, don’t you, Nell?”

  Theo held the door open for Irene while she climbed into the backseat of Charlie’s car. “We weren’t making out,” he insisted once more with feeling.

  “You don’t have to keep saying that like you’re bragging about it, Theo.” Irene was a little sore from the spill she’d taken earlier, and her ego was taking a beating, too, with Theo’s stubborn mantra of how he’d kept his hands to himself.

  “I didn’t mean it like that. I was only trying to keep your reputation untarnished.”

  Charlie scoffed and looked at them in the rearview mirror. “Too late for that, I’m afraid. Her reputation was tarnished as soon as she married my father.”

  Theo reacted sharply. “That’s uncalled for. She loved your father. She told me she did, so as far as I’m concerned, I’d say her character is still intact.”

  Despite the darkness of the backseat, Irene could see Theo’s tightened jaw.

  The car got very quiet. Even Nell kept her mouth shut. Charlie headed out of town and made his way back to Bramble Bush Lane. Irene kept her hands clenched together in her lap. It was the only way she could keep from reaching over and hugging Theo. Why did he keep doing things that bordered on heroic? Right in front of Charlie and Nell he moved in front of her, protecting her from their snarky remarks. And at who knows what cost to himself, he invoked Sven’s name and her love for him to do it. What was she going to do with this man?

  Charlie stopped behind Jake’s Jeep, and Theo and Irene got out.

  “Theo, make sure you get our girl home safely. I’ll see you at the house later, Irene.” Charlie put his car in gear, did a U-turn and drove off with Nell waving good-bye at his side.

  Theo had an unholy desire to punch Charlie in the face. But since he’d already driven away, he unlocked the car and they climbed inside. “Well, here we are again. This has been an unusual evening.”

  “It wasn’t dull at any rate,” Irene said as she put on her seat belt.