by Maddie James
Cheris, who had so far found fourteen different viruses on Annie’s computer, shrugged. “Pick a room, have a family clean up day, and a yard sale to get rid of some of their junk. The next week, pick another room. Annie, I’m going to install some virus protection on your computer. You’ve got about a thousand cookies on here. It’s not good for your computer.”
“Cookies?”
“Yes Ma’am. They’re spies that come into your computer from web sites you visit. Hip Granny even has them. That way we know how to market to people who visit.”
The older woman sniffed. “It seems very unethical.”
“Some of the cookies are. Ours are less invasive than most. But some of the web sites you’ve been visiting…” Cheris shook her head. “I’ll install a program on here so that you’ll have to give the cookie permission to be set if it’s not a nice cookie.”
“What do you think of wives chatting on the internet with men?”
“Are the men their husbands or dads?”
“I’ve heard enough.” Annie clapped her hands together. “Just leave that old thing. I’m going to take you out to lunch.”
Despite Cheris’ protests that she wanted to get the older woman’s computer working again, Annie had taken her out to lunch at a small posh restaurant in Cullsbaeir. From that day forward, Annie had taken a personal interest in Cheris, inviting her into the lives of the web visitors of Hip Granny to advise and inform. What Cheris did not realize at the time was that Annie was training her to be Hip Granny when Annie stepped down from the role.
With Bill’s vision for selling anything even dirt, Hip Granny had become a lucrative internet enterprise selling everything from cleaning products, to how-to kits on organizing one’s life and home, to debt and weight reduction plans, to relationship fixers.
Cheris had shown up in a few of Hip Granny’s webcasts when they had demonstrated how to use Skype or some other techie topic. Though both Annie and Bill had approached Cheris about becoming a more visible presence on the site, Cheris had declined. She felt more comfortable operating the web cam than being in front of it.
****
His cell phone was ringing when Geoff stepped out of the shower of his hotel room. Grabbing a towel from the rack, he dried his skin as he summoned the call. He peered at the number on the small screen.
Janie.
“I hope you’re planning on coming over here to Mom and Dad’s pretty soon. I need a buffer between me and all of these elderly people.”
Geoff expelled a breath. His parents’ thirty-fifth anniversary party. He had completely forgotten. How was he supposed to go to the party and take Cheris out on a date at the same time? He rubbed the towel across his hair as he contemplated being in two places at once.
“Hey Dumb-dumb. Do not tell me you forgot the party. That was your reason for coming home,” Janie uttered in disbelief.
“I know. I know. Just calm down.” Geoff picked up his watch from the dresser top. It wasn’t even five o’clock. He had hoped to catch a nap this afternoon before his date. “What’s the hurry? The party isn’t until seven.” The exact time he said he’d pick up Cheris. He slipped the band around his wrist and fastened it.
“The hurry is I’m losing my mind here. The house is filling up with all our crusty old relatives, half of whom I don’t even know. I’m tired of their condescending remarks about me being an artist. I do very well for myself without any handouts from Mom and Dad. I had a spread in Southern Culture Today; I don’t have to put up with this. Now be a brother and get over here and let them make over how brilliant you are, while I slink down to the basement and eat worms.”
“I can be there in fifteen minutes.”
“I’ll give you twenty if you bring my new sister-in-law with you.”
Geoff laughed as he shouldered the phone and rummaged through his suitcase for clean skivvies before throwing the phone on the bed so he could slip first one leg then the other in his shorts. “You haven’t said anything to Mom and Dad, have you?”
“How crazy do I look?”
“Well, don’t. Cheris is pretty shaken about all of this. I’m not planning on bringing her tonight. She isn’t even sure she likes me yet. How crazy would I be to sic the Arrowood clan on her on our first date?” He picked the phone back up in time to hear his sister’s reply.
“I thought last night was your first date.”
“The first date she can remember.” Pants next. He pulled the khakis off the hanger in the closet and stepped into them before selecting one of the pressed button-down shirts still in his hanging bag.
“You idiot. What were you thinking marrying her?”
“It’s your fault, you know. You’re always talking about how wonderful she is, and you painted that picture of her—”
“What picture?”
“Woman in Gold.” He’d first seen the painting in Janie’s studio last summer. A young woman reclined in a field, the soft curve of her hip contrasted with the lateral planes of the plants, and the fiery glint of her auburn hair complimented the hue of the golden wheat. Geoff was so struck by it that Janie had presented it to him as a Christmas gift last year. Then two weeks ago he’d been watching a tutorial on Net Enterprises about CMSs when he’d seen her again, talking about Drupal and caressing the computer keyboard instead of the blades of wheat which cradled her in the painting.
“Oh, Geoff,” Janie gasped.
“What can I say, Sis? You know how much I loved that painting.” He tucked the shirt in his pants and sat on the edge of the bed to retrieve his shoes.
“It’s a painting,” she said simply.
“Of Cheris.”
“Well…I guess there was a likeness, but, Jesus, Geoff! You’re supposed to be the smart one in the family.”
“Tell me you don’t think we’re a good match.”
“Couldn’t you have waited?”
“Is this the rebel Janie Arrowood talking?”
“She’s my best friend. She does not do spontaneous. Ever.”
“Hope that goes for divorces, too.”
“Just get over here. We can talk about it then.”
Geoff disconnected and grabbed his keys. He’d make an appearance and shield Janie from well-meaning relatives before sneaking out for a couple of hours to spend with Cheris.
No such luck. Even with forty people milling through the house his mom had caught him sneaking out the door. She hadn’t bought his excuse that he was going to the store for more ice, more milk, or more anything else. When he finally admitted he was going on a date, she commanded him to be back with his date in half an hour.
This was not how he had hoped to spend the evening gaining his new bride’s trust.
The door to Cheris’ apartment was open when Geoff walked up the paved path. Bluesy music played on the stereo, but she wasn’t in the living room. Geoff paused at the doorway wondering if he should enter and how he was going to break the news to Cheris that she’d be meeting her in-laws tonight. Oh, he wasn’t a total idiot. He knew she wanted out of the marriage ASAP, but somehow he had to stall her until she got to know him, until she realized he wasn’t insane and until she was on board with his plan to love, honor, and cherish each other as long as they both shall live.
Cherish Cheris. It had a nice ring to it.
Movement from the corner of the sofa caught his attention. A large white cat with green eyes stretched and yawned.
So she liked cats.
“Here kitty,” he called and knelt offering his hand in greeting.
The feline stood for a moment before cautiously moving toward Geoff who crooned to him. Finally within touching distance, Geoff scratched his big head. The cat had to weigh at least twenty pounds.
“Aren’t you a big cat?” He crooned. “Where’s your mistress, huh?”
The cat purred in reply, turning so Geoff could have better access to his back.
Muted footsteps approached, and Cheris entered. “Oh. Hello. I see you’ve met Timmy.” She til
ted her head, a quizzical expression on her face. “He’s not usually so social with strangers.”
For a moment, Geoff didn’t speak his gaze traveling over Cheris who wore a black sleeveless dress and matching high heels. Her only jewelry was a pair of pink stones which dangled from her ears and an ornate silver toned necklace with pink highlights. But it was her hair he took notice of. Last night she’d worn it up, secured loosely with a big barrette. Tonight it hung loose past her shoulders in big auburn curls. His fingers itched to reach out and touch her hair and find out if it felt as silky as it looked.
“If you’ll give me one more minute, I’ll be ready.” Cheris pivoted on those spiked heels and walked from whence she came. In less than a minute she returned. Her hair had once more been pulled up and off of her shoulders. It was on the tip of Geoff’s tongue to ask her to take it back down, but he concluded he hadn’t earned the right to have a voice in her how she styled her hair. She looked pretty darn good with it up, too.
Beautiful, in fact.
She smiled at him, and his heart hammered in his chest. “So, where are we going?”
“Funny you should ask.”
“Oh?”
“I’d like to take you out to dinner, but…” Geoff’s voice trailed off. What could he say? But my mom told me I had to take you to meet her.
“But?”
“The reason I’m in town this weekend is because my parents are having an anniversary party. They’ve been married thirty-five years. In all of the excitement of…you, the party slipped my mind. I want to go out with you tonight, but I wonder if we could go to the party for a little while. Afterwards you and I can go get something to eat, you can grill me about my life, then I’ll take you home.”
“Do they know about our…mistake last night?”
Geoff’s eyes narrowed. So, eloping was a mistake, was it? Man, I sure have got my work cut out for me. “No, they don’t know about us getting married if that’s what you’re talking about.”
“Do you promise that they won’t find out tonight? It will just make it that much harder for them when we get divorced.”
“You’re my date. That’s all they know.”
Cheris picked up a black jacket of the same material as her dress and turned to slip it around her shoulders. Geoff noted the graceful curve of her neck, and considered maybe the hair up had been the way to go after all.
“Come on then, Date,” Cheris straightened her collar as she arched an eyebrow his way, “and make sure to take off your wedding ring before we get there.”
Geoff couldn’t help the smile which broke out on his face at her flirty tone. Last night had been a wild roller coaster ride. Tonight was turning out to be more like the Ferris wheel—a more sedate experience but what a breathtaking view.
Chapter Four
“What lies over there?” asked the Mole, waving a paw towards a background
of woodland that darkly framed the water meadows on one side of the river.
“That? O, that’s just the Wild Wood,” said the Rat shortly. “We don’t
go there very much, we river bankers.”
“Aren’t they-aren’t they very nice people in there?” said the Mole a trifle nervously.
—The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
The drive over was quiet. Cheris detected a faint scent of Geoff’s cologne or aftershave. She inhaled the citrusy scent.
Nice.
What was it? Did he put it on all the time, or just on special occasions?
The SUV was different than what he had been driving this morning. The other car must have been a rental, probably one he’d had to get because she’d stranded him in Serenity. Guilt nagged at her.
“I’m…sorry about leaving you without a ride this morning.”
“I accept your apology. Thank you for leaving me my pants and wallet.”
Right. She’d taken his shirt, too. “I only took your shirt because I couldn’t find mine.”
“And you already had mine on,” Geoff supplied. “It’s okay. If I’d known you were going to wake up with no recollection of the night before, I would have…”
“What?”
“I don’t know, set an alarm or something. I’m usually not such a heavy sleeper. I guess I was really tired. I don’t blame you for panicking though—waking up in bed with me. I look pretty bad before a shower and shave.”
Cheris decided not to think about her role in tiring the boy out, or how bad he hadn’t looked all rumpled in bed. His slumbering form would be etched in her mind until she died.
Was it hot in here? She aimed the air vent toward her face.
Geoff pulled his car in front of a large antebellum structure which looked more like a museum than a family residence. Wide columns stretched from the floor of the stone front porch to the two-storied roof. Lights shown from nearly every window. Cheris gulped. Janie had grown up here? Cars lined the circular driveway and the perfectly manicured lawn. Geoff exited the car and walked over to the passenger side to open Cheris’ door, holding his hand out to guide her. She took his hand and stepped out of the car still staring at the house.
“Hey.” Geoff circled in front of her as he grasped her other hand. “This may be the last time we’re alone tonight so I want to tell you that you look very beautiful.”
Cheris felt warmth creep up her neck to her face. “At least one time in her life a woman should have a man tell her how beautiful she is. I give thanks that you are the one to tell me.” Turning her face away from the house, she gazed at Geoff in the twilight of the evening.
He smiled. “Do I detect a movie quotation?”
“Ingrid Bergman said it in The Inn of the Sixth Happiness.” She pulled one of her hands out of his and strode up the paved walkway, pulling him with her.
He matched her gait. “That’s a nifty talent, to be able to pull a quote from a movie to fit the situation.”
“I do it when I’m nervous,” Cheris admitted. What could go wrong? She was going to the anniversary party of the parents of her best friend as well as the man she’d slept with last night while drunk on cake and punch.
No potential for awkward conversation there.
“Hmm. Interesting.” Geoff murmured. “I didn’t think nervous was in your repertoire. You sure didn’t act nervous last night. In fact, your daring was a little scary at times.”
“Please don’t bring up last night. I’m already about to jump out of my shoes.”
“I apologize.” They were almost to the door. “Are you ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” Cheris took a deep breath and pasted a smile on her face.
“Just think lovely wonderful thoughts,” Geoff whispered as he pushed open the door and motioned for her to go ahead of him. Cheris glanced back to make sure he was coming in with her, and he winked as if he could read her mind.
Inside an airy foyer with granite floors and stairs leading to the second story greeted them. A distinguished man in a dark suit with a red tie approached them with a welcoming smile. “Geoffrey, glad you made it back. Hello, my dear.”
“My dad,” Geoff spoke in her ear, and Cheris shivered at the intimacy of the gesture. He drew back and made the introductions. “This is Chip Arrowood, my father who is celebrating thirty-five years of wedding bliss to my mom. Dad, this is Cheris McDowell.”
“What a pleasure, Cheris.”
She saw the family resemblance—same strong chin and captivating smile. Chip enveloped her hand in his, pulled her toward him, and kissed her cheek. The gesture surprised and pleased Cheris. Stepping back, he gestured toward a room through a wide doorway. A table overflowing with food dominated the space. “Go eat. Make yourself at home, Cheris.”
Several people milled around the table filling glass vintage luncheon plates with food. Janie sat on the couch next to an older woman. When she spotted Cheris, she jumped up and hurried across the room to the couple. “Hi. Oh, I’m so glad to see you. I just knew you were going to skip out on me.”
Cheris shot a startled look at Geoff who shrugged.
“Don’t panic. She pumped me for information the second Geoff left,” Janie informed them.
“How romantic that Janie fixed you two up. I’m Margaret, but everyone calls me Monnie.” She leaned forward and embraced Cheris. “Welcome. Welcome. Welcome. To our party. To our home. To our family.”
Geoff and Cheris glared at Janie, but she waved her hand in defense. “I didn’t tell her.”
“Tell me what?” Monnie pinned each person with perceptive eyes. “Oh, never mind. We’re glad you’re here, Cheris. What a lovely name. We’ll talk later about what Janie didn’t tell me but obviously should have.” Monnie aimed the latter part of the sentence toward her daughter and finished with, “Young lady.” She looked past them toward the front door. “Oh, for heaven’s sake. There is Larry Preston. I told Chip not to invite that man. Excuse me,” she said hurrying into the foyer.
Cheris let out the breath she had been holding. Geoff cupped her shoulder. “See? That’s as bad as it will get. You’ve met them. It’s smooth sailing from here on out.”
“Don’t count on it, Romeo,” Janie replied. “Mama knows something’s up.”
“She couldn’t know unless you opened your big mouth.” Geoff stepped closer to Janie so no one would overhear.
“I didn’t say anything about the you-know-what, you big stupid oaf. What did you say?” Janie stuck her face next to his until they were huffing at each other nose to nose.
Cheris stood between them pushing them apart with her hands. “Stop it. Don’t make a scene. Geoff, would you get us something to drink while Janie and I get a little snack from the buffet?”
Geoff immediately relaxed his stance. He adjusted his glasses. “Sorry, Sis. I should know you’d always keep my secrets, but you seemed a little too ecstatic over the…arrangement between Cheris and me.”