by Molly Cannon
Aunt Jo nodded her approval. “I think slow is a good idea. The last thing I want is for you to get your heart broken again.”
Bertie came back with the pie and then grabbed the coffee urn filling their cups to the brim. “I’m sorry for being such a snoop, Irene. Anything going on between you and Theo Jacobson is nobody else’s business. I’ll remind Nell of that, too.”
Irene couldn’t believe her ears. “Thank you, Bertie. I appreciate that.”
The front door to the diner opened and Gavin Carter came busting inside with a bouncy spring in his step. He grabbed a stool at the front counter. “Howdy-do, Bertie.”
“You seem like you’re in a good mood today, Gavin,” Bertie said as she walked back behind the counter.
“Whooee, you’re right about that. I just made a big sale, and I need to celebrate.”
“Is that a fact?”
“Shore is. Nobody buys much furniture in this poky ole town, but Theo Jacobson just bought a complete bedroom set with a spanking new mattress and box springs. If that wasn’t good enough, he then paid triple to have it delivered and set up by this afternoon.”
Jo Anne stopped with a big bite of pie halfway to her mouth. Irene started choking on her coffee, until her aunt had to get up from her seat and come around to her side of the booth. She took Irene’s arm and forced it up and down like she was priming an old water pump until Irene was afraid she’d pull it out of the socket. She’d done the same thing to her and both of her cousins when they were kids. “Are you okay?”
Irene managed to collect herself and took a sip from her water glass. “I’m fine, Aunt Jo. Can we just get out of here?” She noticed that the diner had gone deathly quiet. Everyone was watching her.
Jo Anne looked around and nodded. “That’s a good idea.” She helped Irene to her feet and then picked up both of their purses. They stopped at the front counter long enough to pay the bill. Bertie tried to say it was on the house, but Irene insisted on paying. As they were walking out the door, Irene heard someone say, “Well, at least they won’t have to make out in his Jeep anymore.” Laughter followed them out the door.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Theo had just finished at Lily Porter’s and climbed into his truck when his phone rang. It was Ree saying, “I’m not sure I can go out with you now.”
He was quiet for a second before asking, “Why not? You’re not getting cold feet, are you?”
“It’s because you bought a bed.” She said it like she was accusing him of something sinister, but then she laughed and he relaxed.
He sighed. “News travels fast in these parts. I didn’t realize that was a crime.”
She seemed to be enjoying giving him a hard time. “In Everson, crime is loosely determined by how may tongues it sets to wagging.”
“I’m assuming quite a few are wagging now?”
“You may have set a new record.”
“That sounds like a reason to celebrate.”
“Maybe if you hadn’t paid triple to have it delivered. It makes you seem so… so… desperate.”
He let out a bark of laughter. “To tell the truth, Ree, I am feeling a little desperate. Besides, you’re to blame, too.”
“How do you figure that?”
“If you’d kick Charlie out of your house, we might have had other options.”
“So now the big idea was we’d end up at my place? I thought dinner and a movie was our other option. I don’t remember when we decided it would end up in bed.”
“Are you saying you weren’t hoping on some level for the same thing?”
“I’ll admit it crossed my mind.” His heart rate kicked up at her admission.
“I was mostly thinking of your comfort, you know.”
“I see. You were just being gallant.”
“Listen, lady, I can make love anywhere. On the bare floor, against a wall. On top of the bathroom sink—remember?”
“Stop it.” She was laughing now.
He could tell from her voice that she did remember. “I can’t forget how good we were together.”
“But still, everyone in town will be monitoring our date tonight.”
“Wait a minute. I just had a brilliant idea.” He couldn’t hide his excitement. He should have thought of it sooner.
“Oh, dear. Why does that worry me?”
He laughed while cajoling her. “Trust me. It doesn’t include my brand-new, super-comfy bed in any way, shape, or fashion.”
She turned stubborn on him. “Does it still include dinner and a movie?”
“I’ll make good on dinner, I promise, but I’m afraid the movie will have to wait for another night. I’ll pick you up at six if that’s okay. We’ll need to get an early start.”
“I’ll be ready.” Her voice sounded soft and full of promise.
He needed to stop reading things into everything she said, so he simply said, “Thanks, Ree. I’m looking forward to it.” He hung up the phone, but then looked at his phone contacts and made another call. He had some arrangements to make before tonight.
Irene watched as the airfield came into view. “Are we working on the float?”
“No way. I don’t plan to share you with the rest of the town tonight.” He pulled the Jeep around toward the main hangar and parked in an inconspicuous spot. He walked around and helped her out. “I guess I better ask. Making assumptions has gotten me into enough trouble.”
She smiled, thinking she knew what he was up to. “So, Mr. Jacobson. What do you want to ask?”
“Do you want to go flying with me?” He grinned like he was offering the world.
“Really? Oh my. I’ve never flown in a small plane.”
“I thought we could fly to Dallas and have dinner. No one from Everson anywhere in sight. What do you say?”
“It seems extravagant.”
“You’re worth it.”
“You already spent so much on your new bed.” She had to tease him about it.
“So I made a boneheaded move. My heart was in the right place.”
“I’d love to fly off to dinner with you. You were right. This was a brilliant idea.”
“I don’t have much time to impress you before I leave. Wait right here.” He walked over to the office and took a moment speaking with Bart. The two men exchanged a few words and then Theo trotted over to where she waited.
She stood and stared at the airplane. “This is a good start,” she whispered.
He seemed so pleased with himself and it was contagious. He was smiling as he helped her into the plane. He got behind the controls and taxied out to the runway. As the landscape sped by, she looked out the window and then they were in the air. That moment when they defied the rules of gravity and took off filled her with awe. Theo seemed so in control. She looked down as they circled over Everson and headed toward the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex.
“We don’t need reservations where we’re going, so we have plenty of time to get there.”
“Where are we going? Or is that a surprise, too?”
“It’s nothing fancy. There’s a hamburger joint I’ve heard good things about.”
“I’m always in the mood for a good hamburger.”
“I remembered that, but I wasn’t sure if your tastes had become more refined these days.”
She turned her head to watch him. “Not very much about me has changed since you knew me, Theo. I’m the same woman you lived with all those years ago.”
He nodded. “So, hamburgers it is. I haven’t changed that much, either.”
Irene didn’t know if he was trying to tell her something or not, but she decided to quit trying to read him like a puzzle. She was flying, and it was amazing. It was still light outside so she could see the trees and roads below as they soared through the sky. “This is incredible, Theo. Thank you for doing this.”
“My pleasure, Ree. I’ve thought about getting you up in the air for a long time now. I figured you would like it.”
They landed at a sm
all suburban airfield, and Theo had arranged for a car to be waiting for them to make the short drive to the restaurant. It was a hole-in-the-wall in a strip shopping center, but the parking lot was packed, so it obviously had a dedicated clientele. They walked inside and stood in line to order their food from a blackboard behind the cash register. They had a variety of burgers to choose from and Irene finally decided on the chili cheeseburger with sweet potato fries. Theo got a ten-pepper burger with a side of regular fries.
“Are you sure you can handle ten peppers?” Irene remembered he overestimated his tolerance for hot food.
He tapped her on the nose. “Don’t worry. I can handle it.”
They found a table, and Irene dug in with the enthusiasm of someone who’d missed a few meals. She hadn’t been hungry since the night before, but now her appetite was back with a vengeance.
“It’s nice to eat somewhere outside of Everson for a change.” Irene took a big bite, and chili dripped down her chin.
Theo grabbed his napkin. “Let me get that.” He swiped it across her chin.
“I’m going to make a mess, and I don’t even care. This is so good.”
Theo took a bite and waved his hand in front of his mouth. “Yowee, that’s spicy.” He took a swig of his iced tea and shoved some french fries in his mouth.
She smiled sweetly. “I warned you. Do you want to trade?”
“Like you could eat this. You’d be crying like a baby.” He took another bite and chewed gamely. “I’m adjusting to the heat now. That first bite must have had extra peppers in it.” His face was turning red, and beads of sweat popped out on his forehead.
“You could just order something different. You don’t have to be brave for my sake.” She enjoyed teasing him.
He waved his hand in front of his face again. “I’m not being brave. It’s delicious. Do you want a bite?”
Now, he was challenging her. “Sure.” She couldn’t back down. She took a deep breath and took a small bite. It wasn’t that hot at all. “Have some of mine.” She pushed her basket in front of him and pulled his over in front of her.
He took a bite of her chili cheeseburger. “This is good. You don’t think that’s hot?”
She took a big bite this time and chewed with gusto. “I think it’s just right. You’ve been away from Texas too long, buddy.”
He grinned. “But I’m here now, and I plan to make the most of it.”
“So, what’s next on the agenda?” She didn’t really care. Being in his company was enough.
He leaned back in his chair. “Well, I have a couple of ideas. How about a street carnival? They have a Ferris wheel.”
“A Ferris wheel? I haven’t been on one of those since we lived here.” Old memories of being with Theo flooded back.
He seemed happy she remembered. Leaning toward her, he said, “I’ll warn you right now, I plan to steal a kiss.”
“Just one?” She smiled. Now was no time to act coy.
“I thought I’d start slow. I have a lot of ground to make up since the bedroom set incident.”
She grinned. “Maybe we can negotiate a settlement.” She’d overreacted a bit this afternoon, probably because Aunt Jo had been sitting across from her at the diner. But she soon saw the humor in the situation. It wasn’t like she hadn’t been thinking this date would end in someone’s bed. Charlie absolutely needed to move out of her house. That was clear. He was cramping her style, and with what she was paying him, he could afford his own place.
She couldn’t let Theo keep taking all the blame.
He stood up, gathering their trash. “The street fair is across town. Not too far.”
“Let’s go, then.”
They drove to the fair and parked across the street from the rides. The Ferris wheel loomed overhead, twinkling with colored lights as it whirled round and round. They wandered down the midway and Theo found a ticket booth. He bought an arm’s length worth of tickets, and they walked around deciding on which game booth to try out their skills.
She stopped at the ring toss. “Let’s try this one. I remember you were pretty good at it.”
He surveyed the setup and bragged, “No problem, little lady. You want that giant gorilla or the panda?”
She pointed to a purple fuzzy bear. “Remember Clarence?”
He nodded. “I sure do. He was on the small side.”
She made a face. “No. He was perfect. In fact, I still have him.”
“You do?” He looked surprised.
“I do, so I don’t really need another one. Why don’t we skip the games and head for the Ferris wheel?”
He grabbed her hand, holding it tightly in his, and they ran like little kids to get in line. She was floating, and Theo was anchoring her to the ground. Since she’d gone up in the airplane with him, she still hadn’t come back down to earth.
And he’d made it clear he planned to kiss her. Maybe she should just lean over and kiss him now. Get it over with. Nip it in the bud. Or start a conflagration that wouldn’t be proper in a public place in the middle of a street fair with parents and children all around.
The wheel stopped and the operator let the people off. They got on, and the attendant strapped them in and then their car moved up and around until the ride was full. When they stopped at the very top, Theo’s arm went around her shoulders and it felt so natural, so right. Then they were spinning around and around moving higher and then back down toward the ground. She snuggled into his body, feeling the heat and muscle of the man she’d always loved wrap around her like a cocoon. This was like a dream out of time. If she closed her eyes she could pretend he’d never left her. She could pretend she hadn’t married Sven. She could pretend they were two broke kids out on the town for a night of fun. She looked up to find him watching her.
He smiled and tilted her face up to his. The kiss was gentle, slow and simmering with passion. Unhurried, even while her body said, “Go faster. Don’t waste time.” Time was her enemy now because in only days he’d be going away again, and she wanted to cram every bit of life and passion into the time that was left.
Theo wrapped her in his arms, knowing in this enclosed car he couldn’t get too carried away. If all he could do was kiss her as they spun through the air, it would still be the best night he’d had in years. She was kissing him back, willingly, wholeheartedly, and with an enthusiasm that threatened his sanity.
He’d known she was never really mad at him about the bedroom fiasco. He could have talked her into keeping their date, but getting out of town had been the best idea he’d had in a long time. She shed Everson like an overcoat as they soared away in his airplane. The things that separated them—like Sven, like his son, like their past—didn’t matter tonight.
So he kissed her like he had every right, and she folded into his body like she never wanted to leave. Her arms wound around his neck, her breasts brushed his chest, and her legs tangled with his as they sat side by side in the metal car. He tried to keep the kiss gentle, but his unruly nature had a mind of its own, and soon he was devouring her lips with his. His tongue dueled with hers, playing a game of chase. When the car came to a stop, she was practically in his lap. The ride had stopped with their car almost at the top. They were both breathing hard, and he struggled to find his composure. He smoothed his hands over her hair, whispering her name.
“Ree, I want you to spend the night with me. I don’t care where. I’ll get a room, and no one in Everson ever needs to know a thing about it. But I need you, and I think you feel the same way.” He didn’t try to keep the longing from his voice.
She buried her face in his neck before confessing, “I do, Theo. I tried to tell myself I didn’t, but I don’t seem to have much control where you are concerned. Take me to your house. Please.”
He tilted her head up. “Are you sure?”
The ride moved again, and they were almost back on the ground. “I’m sure, Theo.” Her smile was wicked when she said, “Besides, I have to get a look at this infamous b
ed.”
“I’ll be happy to show it to you.” He winked, feeling dizzy with happiness and desire. The drive back to the airfield was quiet. Theo was afraid to ruin the mood. When they took off and headed back to Everson, the clear sky was filled with twinkling stars and a full moon the size of a giant grapefruit. It seemed magical, mysterious, and he felt like the luckiest man flying over the face of the earth.
They landed in Everson and taxied back to the main hangar avoiding the group of cars parked at the hangar holding all of the parade floats. Theo spoke briefly to Bart, and they were on their way.
“That was the most remarkable night of my life. Thank you for sharing that with me.”
“You’re welcome. Thanks for trading hamburgers. You may have saved me from burning a hole in my digestive tract.”
“What a wimp.” Irene’s hand rested on his thigh while they drove through the streets of Everson. It was quiet for a Saturday night, so nobody was watching as they turned onto Overbrook Street and pulled into the driveway of the house painted buttercup yellow.
He put the car in park, turned off the engine, and turned in her direction. “Irene Cornwell, would you like to come inside for a nightcap?”
She unfastened her seat belt and put her hand on the door handle. “Theo Jacobson, if a nightcap is all you’re offering, I’m going to be very disappointed.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Irene walked up the front sidewalk with Theo’s arm around her. She expected to feel nervous, but it all felt so natural. She could imagine that this was their house and Sadie who was barking at the front window was their dog.
It was a life she’d imagined having with Theo once upon a time. They would get out of school, work at jobs they enjoyed, and buy a nice, little house just like this one. At the end of the day they’d come home, cook dinner together, and fall into bed and make love all night long. But life had thrown them a curveball, and none of that came true.
Until tonight. She planned to make love to Theo all night long. And maybe, just maybe she’d have some memories to get her through the next few lonely years without him. Maybe they could forge a friendship out of this visit, since she knew he’d come back occasionally to see Jake and Marla Jean. She would like to be able to count him as a friend when he returned.