by Sable Hunter
“You are.” He held the flowers out to her. “These are for you.”
She took them gently. “They’re gorgeous.”
“They don’t do you justice.” He followed her in as she put the flowers in water. “Do you want me to put Rose in her yard?”
“Yes, please.” She found a glass pitcher for the roses. After filling it with water, she arranged the flowers to her satisfaction. Listening for Benjen’s footsteps, she bent to inhale the magnificent scent. “I can’t believe he gave me these.”
“Why? You deserve all the beautiful flowers in the world.”
Apple gasped when he picked up her hair and kissed her on the smooth exposed skin of her shoulder. “You walk so quietly. I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Well, you know what they say about us Indians and our stealthy way of walking in our moccasins, creeping up on unsuspecting game.” He nuzzled her neck. “Toe to heel, measured steps.” Kiss. Kiss.
“You aren’t wearing moccasins.” She smelled her roses again.
“Very observant, McIntosh.”
Apple turned in his arms to find his lips for a quick kiss. “Good one. What’s next? Rome? Winesap? Jonathan?”
“Granny Smith, if you don’t hurry. I have some serious courting to do and you’re holding up progress.”
“I’m ready.” She laid her head on his chest. “We don’t even have to go anywhere if you don’t want…except bed.”
Benjen groaned. “Temptation thy name is Apple.”
Giggling, Apple ran her finger down the smooth line of his nose. “Yea, I know all about the Garden of Eden and original sin.”
“Oh, you do?” he asked as he pulled her to the door. “Come on, you can tell me all about it on our way to Austin. We have reservations at the best restaurant in town.”
With their laughter ringing out like two children at play, they ran hand in hand to the truck he’d driven. “This isn’t your regular pickup,” she observed as he led her to the driver’s side.
“Right. This is Sam’s.” He opened the door and lifted her up to sit her inside. “If you notice, there are bench seats. You can sit beside me instead of all the way on the other side of the cab.”
“Oh, good idea.” She scooted over to the middle of the seat, while he climbed in next to her. “We can be close.”
He helped Apple fasten her seat belt. “Yea, I wanted you close enough to touch.”
As he settled in and started the engine, she tried to catch her breath. “I’ve looked forward to this for so long.” Even as she made the admission, Apple wasn’t sure if she referred to the date they were on, the prospect of sleeping with Benjen that night, or the reality of finding someone who just enjoyed spending time with her.
“Me too.” He winked at her. As he headed south to Austin, Benjen rested his hand on her knee. “I have news from Zane.”
“Oh, really? What?”
“He enlisted some help. The Governor is getting involved with your case and is going to appeal to some connections he has in the Pentagon.”
“Seriously?” Apple couldn’t believe it. “Governor Chancellor is willing to help me?”
“He is. Zane is confident Kyle can pull some strings and get the VA’s ruling overturned.”
“Oh, wow, that’s wonderful.” She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “You’re amazing.”
“I didn’t do anything,” Benjen protested.
“Yes, you did,” she told him in earnest. “I didn’t know what to do or where to turn. You made my problem your own. I want to know how much your lawyer charges. I fully intend to pay – but…”
“No payment is necessary. I want to help you.” Benjen moved his fingers over the fabric of her skirt, caressing her skin through the thin material. “I need to help you.”
“See? You’re a hero. Without you, I would have just done as they asked.” Apple clasped his bicep and pressed her face to the hard muscle. “You’ve been so good to me. Fixing my roof. Building Rose a yard. And now this? I don’t know what I can possibly do to make it up to you.”
At first, he beamed at her praise – then, an odd feeling came over him. “Hey, you’re not…going out with me tonight or – you know, because you’re grateful for that stuff, are you?”
Apple stared at him, mouth agape. “Benjen. Are you kidding? I want you. I want to be with you. Not for what you’ve done for me – not for any other reason than for who you are. Sweet. Kind. Funny. And hot as hell!”
Benjen felt the worry melt away. He grinned. “You want me.”
“Like I haven’t made that abundantly clear.” She playfully punched him on the shoulder.
He wasn’t through. “I’m hot as hell?”
She pursed her lips in a play frown. “Hotter.”
“Good. I’m glad we got that settled.” He put his hand on her right leg and tugged her closer to him. “Now, what did you do today?”
“Cooked for this weekend mostly.”
“What? You cooked? I’m supposed to be wining and dining you. Remember?”
“I know, but we might need snacks.” She ran her hand up and down his thigh. “For strength, you know?”
“True. I might wear you out, that’s for sure.” He stole a quick kiss from her cheek, then raised an eyebrow. “What kind of snacks are we talking about?”
“Chocolate chip cookies. Brownies. Cinnamon rolls ready to bake in the morning. Manicotti for lunch.”
Benjen moaned, “Good lord, woman. You’re an angel!” He wrapped an arm around her. “I wouldn’t trade you for a barrel of gold monkeys.”
Apple barked out a laugh. “I’ll take that as a compliment. How is Easy this morning?”
Shrugging, Benjen sighed. “Packing. I feel guilty. I’m wondering if I pushed him away by asking to be the one to remain in the house. Hell, I didn’t mean today. I was speaking of…eventually.”
“I don’t think so, Benjen. From everything you’ve said and what I saw, he just seems to need a fresh perspective.”
“Yea, I just hope this won’t be a permanent move. I want him to come home. Blackhawk Ranch is his home. So, you’re meeting Sara for coffee, huh?”
“Yes. Does that bother you?” She glanced up into his face, trying to read his expression.
His smile answered her question before his words did. “No, not at all. It pleases me a great deal.”
“Good.” She sighed. “I like Sara. I think we’ll be friends.” Apple sat still for a moment, her eyes on the highway stretching out before them. “Something weird happened today.”
“Oh, yea? What?”
“I got a phone call from a woman and she was speaking Spanish – which I don’t speak. She said my name, my married name, and the rest was gibberish. I told her I couldn’t understand her, but she just kept talking. The connection was poor, too.” Apple let out a long breath. “I have no idea who she was or what she was talking about.”
“Well, I wouldn’t worry about it. If it was important, she’ll find some way to contact you.”
“I guess.” Still, Apple couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling about the call. There had been such a tone of desperation in her voice.
As they neared Austin, Apple’s curiosity got the better of her. “Where are we going?”
“Downtown.” He pointed to the city skyline. “I have a couple of surprises up my sleeves. I hope you’ll enjoy what I have planned.”
“Oh, I will. I’m sure I will,” she countered the note of concern in his voice. “As long as we’re together, it will be amazing.” Apple glanced down at her dress. “I just hope it’s not somewhere fancy and hip, I’m not sure my attire is appropriate.”
“I love your dress.” He soothed the material of her skirt, causing Apple’s skin to break out in frissons of excitement. “You always look like such a lady. So feminine. Your sense of style appeals to me a great deal.”
Apple laughed in embarrassment. “I’m glad. I’m not sure I have a sense of style. I like girly stuff.”
“I like you just t
he way you are,” he told her solemnly. “And wherever we go, you will be the loveliest woman there.”
“Oh.” As they neared their destination, Apple blushed at his words, but they soothed her as nothing else could have.
Once they exited the freeway, Benjen maneuvered through the traffic to their destination near Lady Bird Lake. “I thought we’d eat first, then have a drink at this club I know, then I have a really wild surprise for you.”
“Okay.” She smiled with anticipation. “I’m sure everything will be perfect.”
After valet parking their car, Benjen escorted Apple into the Vince Young Steakhouse. “Oh, this place is nice.” Her eyes widened at the upscale eatery as they were seated at a table near the window. “The food smells delicious.”
Once the hostess gave them their menus and a waiter brought wine, they were left alone to study the menu. Apple’s eyes bugged at the prices. “This place is expensive, Benjen,” she whispered, her eyes darting around at the elegant interior with its romantic lighting. Everyone looked so chic – except for her.
He glared at her teasingly. “Stop. This is our special night. I want everything to be perfect. Just tell me what looks good and I’ll order for you.”
“Um.” Apple checked out all the amazing selections. “I like everything, that’s my problem,” she confessed as her stomach growled.
“I love that,” Benjen said. “Women who eat like birds annoy me.” He gave her a wink. “Leave it to me.”
While Benjen gave an attentive waiter their order, Apple’s attention wasn’t on the food. She indulged herself, her eyes eating up Benjen Blackhawk. He was dynamic. Magnetic. So good looking, her heart contracted anytime she looked at him. What in the heck was he doing here with her? Fresh concern for what would happen later brought sadness to her eyes.
“Hey, sweetness, what are you thinking?”
She started a bit, her eyes losing the glazed over look of deep thought. Not wanting to confess her self-doubt, she grabbed onto a question that had occurred to her earlier. “Who is Vince Young?” she asked, referring to the name of the steakhouse.
Benjen stared at her a moment, as if trying to decide if this was the question she’d really intended to ask. “A famous football player. He didn’t do so well in the pros, but he was a star at the University of Texas. Their win, with him playing quarterback, at the 2006 Rose Bowl game is legendary.”
“Did you play football?” she asked, picturing him in his jersey and pads.
He shook his head. “Don’t laugh. I played polo in college.”
She brightened, grinning. “I should have known, horses and all. I bet you’re amazing.”
“Well, it’s been awhile. Instead of chasing a small white ball around a field, I’m tailing cattle.”
“Do you miss it?”
“In a way, I guess, but my life is full.” He took her hand. “I’m very happy now.”
She felt her cheeks grow warm. With her free hand, she picked up her wine glass and took a sip. “Me too. I’m just nervous.”
“About what?” he asked incredulously. “Tonight?”
She understood what he meant. “Yea, I guess.”
“Hey.” He grinned at her, his dimples shining. “You’re the one with the experience. I should be the nervous one.”
“Are you?” she asked softly.
“Yea, I am,” he confessed in the same hushed tone. “I don’t want to disappoint you, but I want you so much. I’m afraid it will all be over in a nanosecond.”
“Benjen, that doesn’t matter,” she whispered, holding his gaze. “We can always do it again. And again. There is no right or wrong way.” Even as she gave him this assurance, her own doubts came into play. “Besides, you read Alan’s journal, you know I’m not that good in bed.”
His eyes turned hard. “I’ve been in bed with you. We’ve done everything but the act itself. You’re beyond hot. I’ve been hard from the moment I met you.”
Seeing the waiter standing by with the food, Apple hid a smile. Benjen had been defending her so zealously, that he hadn’t noticed they had an audience.
“Excuse me, sir, madam. Your food.”
For the next few minutes, they marveled at their delicious fare.
To start, deep fried Texas quail, with bacon infused tangerine marmalade, followed by filet mignon with lump crab meat, and asparagus with béarnaise sauce on the side.
“This is marvelous,” Apple exclaimed, the food melting in her mouth.
As they ate, they made small talk, discussing her job at the vet and his work with the hospital. “I’ve witnessed some miracles,” Benjen confided. “Last month, I went to a little boy’s birthday party. He’s three years old now, and so smart. I watched him crawl up on the piano bench and play a piece of classical music.” He held his hand out, palm up. “I held that baby in the palm of my hand. I remember him wrapping his hand around the tip of my little finger. No one expected the little mite to survive.”
“Did he?” Apple was on the edge of her seat.
“Yea, but I remember his little feet weren’t even an inch long.” Benjen smiled, memories coming to his mind. “You know, there’s no footprint so small, it doesn’t make an imprint in this world.”
“True.” She cast her gaze down in sadness. “I’ll certainly never forget my baby. I only had her a short time, but she certainly left her mark on my heart.”
“Oh, love.” He took her hand. “I didn’t mean to remind you of sad times.”
“No. I want to remember her.” She gave him a sad smile. “Always.”
“With a heart like yours, you’ll be an amazing mother to another baby someday.”
“I don’t know.” The Asherman’s Syndrome she’d developed after the routine removal of a few fibroid tumors had seen to that. Her gynecologist had warned her she might never get pregnant again. “After losing Jenny, it’s hard to think about. Do you want children?”
“Oh, hell yeah. A whole tribe.”
Despite her sorrow, his answer made Apple laugh. “You’re so funny.”
“No, I’m kidding,” he told her, not wanting to scare her off with his hope of a big family. They paused to order dessert. “What looks good?” he asked her, loving how her pretty white teeth caught her plump lower lip as she perused the menu.
“I shouldn’t…” She was still thinking about children. His stance on them was a little hard to read.
“Yes, you should. How about if we shared the Brulleed Banana Split?” He pointed to the selection featuring house made strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla ice cream with a caramel whiskey sauce.
“Oh, yea. Ummm, that looks good.”
Her pleasure at the idea made Benjen groan. “I want to hear some of those same sweet groans tonight, baby.”
Again, the waiter blushed and Apple laughed. “I’m sure you will.”
As they waited on their sweet treat, Benjen took something from his pocket. A long, narrow velvet box. “I have a surprise gift for you.”
“A gift? Benjen! Why?” She looked at him with surprise. “I didn’t get you anything!”
“Oh, you’ll be giving me everything. Tonight.” He held out the present. “Open it.”
With trembling hands, Apple did as she was asked. When she lifted the lid to find a delicate gold charm bracelet, tears came to her eyes. “Oh, my. This is exquisite.”
“Let me help you put it on.” He got so excited, his big hands taking the small piece of jewelry. “You’ll have to look at the charms closely.”
“Oh, I will.” Once he fastened it on her wrist, she gazed at each tiny charm. “An apple. How sweet. And a heart,” she glanced up at him with a tremulous smile, “you’re so romantic.”
“With you.” He pointed. “Look at the others.”
She did so. “Oh, a hawk! This is you!” Apple loved it. “And a dog! How appropriate.” A giggle of joy burst from her lips. “And what’s this?” With the tip of one finger, she touched the small charm shaped like the sun with wavy beam
s.
“That’s our light. Our ghost light.”
Apple clasped her wrist over the bracelet, then held her joined hands over her heart. “I love this. So much. You are so sweet and thoughtful.” Uncaring who could see, she rose and came to sit in his lap. “I’ve never received a more perfect gift.”
As she kissed and hugged him, Apple became aware of his huge erection beneath her thighs. “Do you want to go home now?”
“Oh, hell yea. Forget dessert.” He wanted to go home now. He wanted to be buried as deep between Apple’s creamy thighs as he could get. “I want you…to have a perfect night.” He motioned for the check. “Come on, we’re going to enjoy this date.” Even if it kills me, he thought.
After leaving Vince Young’s, Benjen took her to a rooftop club, so they could share a drink and dance in the moonlight. Neither did much moving, mostly they held one another and swayed, missing the beautiful lights of the city as they gazed into one another’s eyes.
Their last stop in the city was a true surprise for Apple. As they left the club, he told her their next destination. “Ever been to a drive-in?”
“I’m not sure. Do you mean like Sonic?”
“No.” He chuckled. “I mean like when you park your car in front of a big movie screen and neck.”
“Oh, one of those! I thought they were extinct! There’s a drive-in in downtown Austin?”
“Yep, the Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-in, just off MLK on the east side.”
“Oh, boy. What’s playing?”
Benjen threw back his head and laughed. “Me with you, if I have my way.”
Driving the short distance from 6th street to Franklin, Apple was so happy, she could scarcely believe she was awake and not dreaming. “All of this seems surreal. I keep expecting to wake up.”
“I’m thrilled you’re enjoying yourself, but why does it seem like a dream to you?” He wanted her to understand how very real this was to him.
“Too good to be true?” she asked wistfully.
“Hmmm, well, I see I have my work cut out for me tonight, convincing you otherwise.” He pulled up to the gate and bought their tickets and two soft drinks.
She helped him with the drinks, placing them in the cup holders affixed to the dash. “This is exciting. I’ve only seen these in the movies. How do we hear the words? Roll down the window?”