by Judith Keim
She parked in front of Ed’s house and hurried to the front door, excited to reveal her feelings for him. She rang the doorbell and waited, and waited.
Alarmed, she rang the bell again.
The door opened.
Ed stood in front of her wearing a terry robe.
Carol Ann took one look at his pale face and gasped. He looked terrible, absolutely terrible.
“Oh my God! What’s the matter?”
“Flu,” he mumbled and turned away.
She followed him inside. “What can I do for you?”
“I’m not sure. But, hey, I don’t want you to get sick. Not with the baby. You’d better go.”
She shook her head. “Not until I’m sure you have everything you need. Go back to bed. I’ll bring you some water and crackers. Then I’ll go to the store for ginger ale and other drinks and snacks you might need.” She placed a hand on his forehead. “Have you taken any medicine?”
“Not yet,” he mumbled, heading for the stairs.
She took a quick inventory of food items and drinks, made a list, and then went upstairs to check on him.
Stepping into his bedroom, she couldn’t help looking around. With just a king-size bed and one bureau, it needed her help.
Ed took off his robe. Seeing him in just his undershorts, she thought his body looked, well ... delicious. Ashamed of her thoughts when Ed was so sick, she hurried to help him under the covers.
“Where’s the medicine?” she asked.
He pointed to the bathroom.
She went to the medicine cabinet and found the cold and flu pills, filled a glass of water, and took them to him.
“See if you can get this down,” she murmured, handing a pill and the glass of water to him.
“You’re an angel,” he murmured.
She remained quiet. Angels don’t lust after a sick man’s body, do they?
After seeing that Ed was more comfortable and well-supplied with fresh groceries from the store, Carol Ann left him with the promise that he’d call if he needed her.
Disappointed by the change in events, she entered her apartment. She was changing out of her fancy underwear when her cell phone rang. She checked caller ID. Her mother.
She’d thought her day couldn’t get any worse. But, apparently, it could.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
LYNETTA
Lynetta hummed a hymn as she changed out of her good dress into something more comfortable for a lazy Sunday afternoon. James had accompanied her and the boys to church—a big step in her mind. And then after the service, he’d left her with a promise to call, that he had something he wanted to discuss with her.
Finding a good man was no easy task, she thought, grateful things seemed to be back on track between them. Even the boys had resigned themselves to having James in their lives. Or, she ruminated, they were glad to have my attention diverted from them. She couldn’t help shaking her head. As if that would happen. Teenage boys needed their mama to keep an eye on them. That was for sure.
After slipping on a sweater and jeans, Lynetta decided to ask James for dinner. It was the least she could do for him. He’d taken her out to the movies several times in the last couple of months. He’d proved to be a good date and a very good lover.
Her cell phone rang. She smiled when she saw who it was and picked it up.
“Hi! I was about to call you and ask you to dinner.”
“We need to talk, Lynetta. Something’s come up,” said James. His serious tone sent warning signals along Lynetta’s nerves. “How about coming over to my place? We’ll have privacy away from the boys.”
A lump formed in Lynetta’s throat. “Okay,” she managed to say. It couldn’t be good news.
She checked in with the boys, put on her coat, and headed out the door. James’ apartment was in the next building over from hers.
James greeted her at the door without his usual smile. “Come in, ’Netta.”
“What’s wrong?”
He let out a long sigh. “I just got a call from my brother. It’s my mother. She’s dying and wants me to come to California. I have to go. My older brother and his wife are supposed to take the long vacation they’ve talked about for years. They’ve had the care of my mother for the past several months, so it’s only fair that I do my share now.”
“I’m sorry about your mother, James,” said Lynetta. She still missed her own.
“It’s not a surprise. When I was there over the holidays, I made her go to the doctor. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Now, they’ve given her no longer than a couple of months to live.”
Lynetta took hold of one of his hands and squeezed it. “I’m sorry.”
“She’s one of the best, raised two boys alone, like you.”
“So, you’re moving there?” Lynetta couldn’t hide her disappointment.
“I’m not sure if it will be permanent or not,” James said. “I’ll definitely be there for the rest of the school year. After that, who knows?” He gave her a steady look. “The thing is, I don’t want to give up on our relationship.”
At the idea of his leaving, Lynetta’s stomach squeezed with disappointment. “What are you going to do about your job?”
“When I came back from the holidays in California, I talked to the principal of the school about this possibility. He and I agreed that, if it became necessary, I’d take a leave of absence. I’m pretty sure I can get a job substitute teaching in my hometown. A buddy of mine mentioned it to me.”
Lynetta lowered herself onto the couch, shocked by the sudden changes.
James gazed down at her. “I’m hoping you can fly out to California for a couple of days.
Lynetta shook her head. “You know I can’t leave my boys. And I couldn’t afford it. I’m barely getting by. And the boys need all kinds of equipment for spring sports.”
James took a seat on the couch next to her. Drawing her into his arms, he hugged her close to him.
Resting her head against his strong chest, Lynetta closed her eyes, inhaling the smell of him, the way he made her feel whole. Tears stung her eyes. She quickly blinked them away. It was just another of life’s disappointments.
James lifted her chin and stared into her eyes. “I’ll miss you more than you know.” His lips came down on hers, soft and sweet and so sure.
She gave in to the passion his kisses always inflamed and wrapped her arms around him, wishing, wishing, wishing life was easier.
When they pulled apart, he wiped a curl away from her face. “I’d hoped we wouldn’t have to part like this. But I’ll keep in touch.”
“Promise?” Lynetta asked, not sure she should trust him or any other man.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CAROL ANN
Carol Ann flipped through her to-do list restlessly. Ed had stayed out of the office most of the week. When she’d talked to him on the phone, he promised he was getting over the lingering cold that had followed the flu, but he didn’t want to expose her or anyone else at the office. And when he’d finally returned, he’d stayed cooped up in his office, communicating with her mostly by phone.
Lynetta came over to her desk. “Ready to go to lunch? Tiffany and Sukie are going to meet us at Bea’s. Grace will come there after she takes care of a project for her boss.”
Carol Ann picked up her purse, glad for the opportunity to get out of the office. All week she’d felt trapped inside, with little to do. Ed’s absence and the depressingly gray and cloudy weather had added to her blue mood. Today the sun was shining, and she hoped to change her mood.
The crowd at Bea’s seemed raucous with pent-up energy let loose on the first sunny day in a while. Carol Ann inhaled the wonderful smells of good home-style cooking and made her way to where Sukie and Tiffany were in conversation.
“Hi! Where’s Vanna?” Carol Ann asked, taking a seat at the table.
Lynetta sat opposite her. “You found a nanny after all?” she said to Tiffany.
Tiffany nodded. �
�I think it’s going to work out just fine. She looks like a grandmother in a storybook—gray hair and a soft, comfy body. Best of all, Vanna loves her.”
“Whoa!” said Sukie, smiling. “I’m a grandmother, but I don’t think I need to look like that.”
“And you don’t,” Tiffany assured her. “I’m being silly, I guess, but with Muffy the way she is and my mother’s refusing to even think of seeing her granddaughter, I love this woman. Her name is Hildie Schweitzer. Don’t you love it? She’s originally from Switzerland.”
Grace hurried over to them. “Sorry to be late. Has everyone ordered?”
“No,” said Carol Ann, “but the waitress is headed our way.”
They all placed their orders, and then Sukie, as she usually did, said, “Okay, give me your news, everyone.”
Lynetta let out a telling sigh. “James left yesterday for California. His mother is dying, and he needs to be there. He’ll be gone for several months. He might stay on after his mother is gone, so I don’t know if I’ll ever see him again.”
A chorus of sympathy rose up from the other women.
“Does this mean it’s over between the two of you?” said Sukie, giving Lynetta’s hand a sympathetic squeeze.
Lynetta shook her head. “I don’t know. He asked me to come visit him, but I can’t leave my boys, and I can’t afford a trip like that.” Her eyes shone with moisture. “I thought he was the one, you know? I thought ... well, never mind. It’s not going to work.”
“Aw, honey. Things will work out. Wait and see,” said Grace. “It’s not easy to put aside disappointments and worry, though I’m learning to do just that.”
“Yeah,” said Tiffany. “You never know what can happen.”
The others nodded solemnly. No one had suspected Tiffany would be a widow at twenty-nine.
Carol Ann sat quietly, listening to the details of the other women’s lives, though a part of her attention remained on thoughts of Ed. She wondered if his aloofness was because he was cooling to the idea of getting together or merely recovering from the flu, as he said.
“How’s the decorating business going?” Sukie asked her.
Carol Ann startled and forced a smile. “Good. Ed’s living room and dining room basics are done. It’s going to be really nice.” She pulled her cell phone out of her purse. “I took a couple of pictures.”
“Wow! Beautiful job,” said Sukie, studying the photos before handing the phone to the others.
“When you’re done with that project, I want you to help me put together some decorating touches in my rooms,” said Tiffany, passing the phone back to Carol Ann. She smiled. “And it might be time to sort through some of my maternity clothes.”
“You’re looking good, Carol Ann,” said Sukie. “Is that a new outfit?”
“Yes. I can’t get into my regular clothes anymore.” Self-conscious about her body, Carol Ann shifted in her chair. “It’s a good thing fashions are showing big, loose tops. I’m not ready to tell everyone about the baby yet.”
“Aw, sweetie, don’t worry about it. You look beautiful,” said Lynetta. “And I think you’ll be surprised by the support you’ll get.”
“If anyone gives you a rough time, they don’t deserve to be your friend,” Grace said. She checked her watch. “Time to go, everyone.”
As Carol Ann prepared to leave, Sukie caught her arm. “Is everything all right? You seem a little down.”
“I’m okay,” Carol Ann responded, not at all sure how to answer her. She was nervous about declaring her feelings to Ed. He’d hadn’t been himself all week.
###
Carol Ann awoke on Sunday morning after a restless night. She’d almost made a fool of herself with Ed last week. She wished she could be sure of his reaction to any declaration of interest she might make, but her self-confidence was at an all-time low. When she’d left the office on Friday, he hadn’t spoken to her about their Sunday get-together, he’d just waved goodbye. And then on Saturday, both her mother and her sister had called and berated her once again for her lack of attention to them. Instead of making her want to be with them, it did the opposite. But it had hurt, all the same.
Overwhelmed by feelings of rejection, Carol Ann got out of bed and staggered into the kitchen. As she waited for the coffee to finish brewing, she imagined what life could be like with Ed. He was kind, gentle, fun, and sexy in a strong, yet tender way that stirred her soul. He had a good job, and she could supplement his income with earnings from her decorating business. And the baby? The baby would be so lucky to have him as a father.
Recalling the way her body hummed with pleasure every time they’d kissed, Carol Ann decided she’d be brave enough to see how he felt about a future with her. He’d said he loved her, so why was he insisting that she be the one to move to take their relationship to the next level?
She poured coffee into her cup and sat down at the kitchen table. The image of his face when he’d confessed he wanted her in his life floated before her. His hazel eyes had gleamed with happiness and love for her. Then, when she’d told him she was pregnant, she’d watched that happiness leave. She set down her coffee cup, seeing his dilemma in a new light. She stood, and headed for her bedroom to get ready to go see him.
Shivers of anticipation traveled through her body as Carol Ann parked her car in front of Ed’s condo. She’d come here once before filled with determination to show her feelings for him, feelings that went deep and true. Now she’d try again. Would he be ready for it?
The front door of his condo opened, and Ed stood there smiling at her.
She waved and hurried up the front walk to greet him.
“Wow, you look great,” he said.
She studied the healthy glow on his cheeks. “So do you. You must be feeling better.”
He nodded. “Like a new man after feeling so crappy all week. I don’t know why I couldn’t shake that flu. It hung on forever.”
He pulled her into his arms.
Carol Ann nestled against his body. With her head resting on his chest, she could hear the rapid beat of his heart. When she moved closer, she realized from the way his manhood rose exactly how happy he was to see her. A rush of pleasure filled her. She closed her eyes, savoring the moment. He loved her. He really did.
Ed lifted her chin. “Hey, what’s going on?”
“I do, Ed. I do want to move forward. I do want to live with you. I do want to grow our relationship.”
His face filled with a flush of pleasure. Smiling, he held her away from him and gave her a steady stare. “You’re sure? There’s no going back from here.”
She gave him a tremulous smile. “I’m sure,” she said, suddenly realizing they were standing in an open doorway where everyone could see them.
Ed helped her inside and, holding onto her, kicked the door shut behind them.
He studied her. “I’ve waited a long time to hear you say this, Carol Ann. From the time I first brought you over to this condo to pick up your things.” He lifted a lock of hair away from her face. “It’s one reason I bought this place. I knew you loved it.”
“Really?” No one had ever treated her with such care. She couldn’t help the tears that began to form.
“Hey, don’t cry,” he murmured, cradling her in his arms. “We’ve got to get busy. Come on upstairs. I want to tackle the bedroom.”
Fighting panic, she gazed up at him. “You want to go to bed now?”
Ed laughed. “No, I want to see how you’d decorate the two upstairs bedrooms.”
Feeling her cheeks grow hot, she couldn’t help laughing. God! She was such a dope!
He caressed her cheek. “You’re adorable, you know.” He gave her an exaggerated leer. “And who knows just what might happen? We might have to test out the bed.”
Carol Ann’s body turned cold then hot as Ed took her coat and then led her up the stairs.
Standing in the master bedroom, Carol Ann made notes about colors and then had Ed help her take measurements. Standing
back, she studied the room.
“What do you think?” said Ed. “We’ll move this furniture into the guest room. But what do we want here?”
“Something comfortable,” Carol Ann said. “A king bed with a duvet and simple lines on the furniture. I would suggest setting up a sitting area by the windows, so you can look out at the lake, a sort of retreat from the rest of the house.” She’d seen something like it in one of the online pictures of a star’s home.
Ed smiled. “Sounds good to me, you and me sitting there, enjoying the view.”
He came over to her and wrapped his arms around her. “Make everything just the way you want it because I plan for you to be here with me.”
He lowered his lips to hers.
The notepad slipped out of Carol Ann’s hands as she reached up to put her arms around his neck. He smelled so good, tasted so good, she couldn’t get enough of him.
He led her over to the bed. “Shall we?” he murmured, looking deep into her eyes.
She nodded and allowed him to draw her down on top of the bed. Her heart skipped a beat and then raced to catch up. The last time she’d been in this position, she’d been with Ramón in darkness aboard the cruise ship, and very drunk. And he’d been a little rough and definitely in a hurry.
Lying beside her, Ed cupped her face in his hand and kissed her—long, slow kisses that opened her mouth to his tongue. The pulsing sensations caused by his tongue stroking hers were repeated in the lower regions of her body. She gave herself in to them, marveling at what he could do to her. A moan escaped her. She wanted him in a way she’d never wanted anyone else.
He rose up on his elbows and studied her. “Ready for more?”
“Oh, yes, please,” she gasped.
He helped her out of her sweater and stared at the lacy black bra she’d put on just for him. Unbuckling her pants, he slid them down, exposing the lacy black panties that matched her bra.
“Did you wear these for me?” he murmured, cupping her breasts in his large hands.