“Truly?”
“Truly.” He reached across the console and, with one hand on each side of her face, kissed her, gently but long enough to leave her shaking. “I sure hope that shaking is from joy and not fear.”
“Oh, I think you are so right.” She touched her tingling lips with her fingertips. “Oh, my.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “I knew when I kissed you, it would rock my world. I think I better take you home.”
She nodded. “I think so.” How long would it be before her heart settled down again? There was surely no doubt that they had chemistry, volatile chemistry. But was this love or merely attraction? Not that “merely” had anything to do with it. There was also no doubt that she had kissed him back. None of that fainting damsel stuff.
At her door, he wrapped his arms around her and this time kissed her with depth and fervor, as if searching for her answer. “I hope this clarifies your confusion; it sure erased any hesitancy I might have felt as to the rightness.”
Please don’t pressure me, Roxie’s mind cried while her body sang for more.
“I’ll see you Sunday if not tomorrow.” He tipped up her chin and kissed her again, lightly this time but filled with promise. “Night.”
“Night.” She realized later that she’d floated into the house and had almost forgotten to shut the door. She could hear the TV on in the family room so Loren was home. She wandered into the room to see that Nate was still here too. Sir Charles leaped up and came to greet her rather apologetically, head down. “That’s okay, Sir Charles, I snuck up on you.” She petted him and smiled at the two on the sofa.
“Did you have a fun ride?”
“We did. And stopped for pizza on our way back.” Nate released Loren’s hand and stretched his arms over his head. “I think I better head home.”
“Don’t leave on my account. Stay and watch the rest of that if you want. Either way, night.” She headed for the stairs, Sir Charles at her side.
She undressed and removed her makeup in a daze. Had that really happened? She’d not been dreaming of such a thing so it wasn’t that. She touched her fingertips to her mouth again. Crawling into bed, she reached for her Bible and her journal and didn’t bother to open either one, instead sat propped against her pillows and let her mind wander back over the evening. She was still sitting like that when Loren poked her head in the doorway.
“All right, Mom, what is going on? You floated in the house and up the stairs.”
“I’ll tell you about it when I have a better handle on this evening.”
“Really? What does that mean?”
“I think it means I have no idea. But when I figure it out, I’ll tell you.” Roxie smiled. “Night. Remember we are shopping tomorrow afternoon.”
“I know. Night.” Her look was as puzzled as Roxie felt. Perhaps her reaction was because it was so many years since she’d been kissed by a man. What she did understand was she had some major decisions to make. And she might need to make them sooner rather than later.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Miss Amalia, this is Addy and I have a favor to ask.”
“Oh, and what might that be?” Amalia swung her feet up on the lounge on her lanai.
“Well, Andy and I leave for Bible Camp on Saturday and I hate to leave my grandma alone for a whole week. I mean, she says she will be fine and I shouldn’t worry but…”
“She’s right, you know.”
“Maybe, but I don’t want her to get so sad again.”
“You’re a good kid, Addy; your grandma is very blessed to have you.” Amalia thought a moment. “Tell you what. I’ll call her and ask if I can come out on Tuesday. That will give her a couple of nights alone. Tell her that if she really needs me, I can come earlier, but she could pick me up Tuesday morning or even Monday night after the UFO meeting. How does that sound?”
“The strawberries are ripe. I was going to help her make regular jam and freezer jam, but maybe you can.”
“Good. That’s an even better reason. My mouth is watering for strawberry freezer jam.”
“Thank you. I’ll bake you a batch of cookies.”
“I’d love that. Bye, Addy, and you have a good time at camp and don’t worry about her.”
“I won’t with you here.”
Amalia stared at her phone. What a kid. When she and Ginny talked after the birthday party, she was so grateful Andy had talked with her, enjoyed the party, and come back to help around the farm the next day after church.
She dug her calendar out of her bag and checked to see what she would have to change. Not a lot. After tapping in Ginny’s phone number, she leaned back on the lounger and watched the birds flitting about in the maple tree. She was sure there was a robin’s nest in the higher branches. She’d seen both parents bringing nest materials.
“I heard the strawberries are ripening. Would you like the company of your I-don’t-want-to-wear-out-my-welcome house guest as of after UFO on Monday night?”
“Now that was a mouthful. Addy called you, didn’t she?”
“I’ll never tell.”
“They are,” Ginny said. “Already, I think, there are enough for jam. You want to come help and take some home with you?”
“Hm.” Amalia thought a very brief moment. “Ginny, come get me and let’s pick strawberries. Are you up for it?”
“I would love that. I’ll be there in a sec.”
It was more than one sec, of course, but Ginny showed up promptly. Amalia slid into the passenger seat. “Thank you, my friend. How big is the job? Any estimate?”
She sniffed, and tears appeared. Again. “Fred always picked. I don’t know.”
“Well, we’re about to find out.”
Spook greeted them as they pulled into the farm. Ginny brought buckets as Amalia walked down to the strawberry patch.
“What do you see?” Ginny asked as she stepped in beside Amalia.
“I see enough to make a batch of preserves already. Looks like you’re going to have a bumper crop this year.”
They began at the east end of the patch. As they parted leaves, ever more ripe strawberries appeared.
Amalia asked around a mouthful of strawberry, “So we’re on that I come stay with you after UFO on Monday?”
“That would leave me with Saturday and Sunday nights to get through and I am determined to do just that. I must admit that being on my own the whole week was beginning to concern me.”
“At least you’re being honest and keeping track of your feelings. I am proud of you, my friend.”
“Taking one day or even one minute at a time has various levels of difficulty. You know how Fred loved his strawberries. I even thought of not picking them, but that would be a waste and…”
Amalia gave her time to fight off the deluge. She even offered a tissue. “We’ll take care of it. And the raspberries and the blueberries and anything else. You know, Sam and Erica…”
“Yes, but they have their garden and berry patch too. Summer is always a busy time.” Ginny suddenly stood up and left.
Should Amalia get up and follow her or keep picking strawberries? Ginny returned with two more shallow buckets. “I had no idea there were so many ripe ones.”
Rocking back on her heels and wiping her forehead with the bandanna she kept in her pocket, Ginny asked, “Amalia? Do you like your little apartment?”
“Very much.”
“So you’re happy where you are.”
Amalia thought about that. “Yes, I am. Mostly. I like being able to bike nearly everywhere, but I sometimes miss not driving. And I miss this right here: being close to the earth, planting and harvesting. I have the pots on my deck, of course, but I miss the open space a farm provides.”
“Would you consider moving out here, to my farm with me?”
Amalia whipped her head around so fast, she got dizzy. “Here?”
Ginny tossed another handful of strawberries into her pail. “I don’t know. Maybe it wouldn’t work. But we
could remodel the basement into an apartment, so you and I could each have alone time.” She smiled. “You know, get away from each other now and then. And together, I think we could do what has to be done to keep the farm going. I know I can’t do it all alone.”
Amalia quit picking and sat back, thinking and nodding at the same time. “Interesting idea.” She continued to nod. “I’ll consider this. Yes. A lot to think about. I take it you’ve already given it a lot of thought.”
“Yes—and prayer. The idea came to me when I was praying the other morning. I figure God had a hand in that.”
* * *
“Okay, Roxie, what’s up? You are not yourself today?” MJ stopped them in mid-stride.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, for starters, you’re not talking.”
“Sorry. I have a lot on my mind, several new clients, things like that.” And what do I do about Rich? That was the biggie, as she well knew, but she was not ready to talk about it yet. Mostly because did she, could she, love him like he apparently loved her?
“See, there you went again, off in some world of your own.”
“Okay, I have some decisions to make, and until I am sure of my answers, I’d prefer not talking about them. Nothing personal, mind you. You know what it’s like when you’re trying to figure out what God wants you to do.”
“I do, but I usually gain help and perspective by talking it over with Daryl or my friends.”
“Well, I don’t have a Daryl in my life to talk things over with.” And since that might be remedied sometime in the near future, oh, my land… “The answer will come, I know it, in God’s good time. After all, He promised.”
“Sometimes His promises take a long time to come through.” MJ got a good yank on her arm by the basset taut at the end of the leash, nose to the concrete.
“We need to hustle if we’re going to stop at Annie’s. I have a ten o’clock meeting with a buyer who wants to see the two houses I showed him before and make a decision.” Lucky man, has only two choices, or so he thinks.
She and Sir Charles caught up with MJ, who was being pulled along by a strong-willed hound.
“Looper, no, we are not going that way.” She planted her feet. “This way, Annie’s, puppy treats.” Looper liked the biscuits at Annie’s. They tied the dogs to the dog hooks and went inside the café.
“Hey, Roxie, someone this morning said she saw you at the country club with a good-looking man.” Anne grinned at her while making the lattes. “She was going to say something to you, but she said you were mighty cozy and she didn’t want to interrupt.”
Between the two of them, they were both too well known around here to even dream of privacy. “He’s just a friend of mine.” Liar.
“Right.” Anne gave her a knowing look. “I’ll bring your cinnamon rolls as soon as they are warmed up.”
They sat down in their usual place, as if it were kept vacant just for them.
“And? The puzzle pieces are falling into place. You must be speaking of Rich Owens, father of Nate Owens, who is dating Loren. And from what I hear, real often. Perhaps all these ice cream dates after UFO?” MJ’s eyebrows arched.
“All right, Mrs. Inquisitive. Good grief, one can’t keep anything private in this town. Yes, we went out to a very nice dinner at the club house, where I haven’t been for a very long time. And yes, we are doing things together. He is a fine man and we enjoy our time together. Now that is all I am going to say right now, so—” She looked up. “Thanks, Anne, oh, this smells so good.”
Speculative looks were becoming more frequent on MJ’s face. “He’s in love with you, isn’t he?” She nodded, her sleuthing look visible in her grin.
“No comment. Now, can we please drop it?” Roxie glanced at her watch. “I have to leave here in fifteen minutes. You know how I feel about being late for a client.”
MJ raised both hands in the air. “All right, all right, but you better promise me you will bring me up to date when you come to a decision. Now, how are Loren and Nate doing?”
“This afternoon Loren and I are going shopping for a little black dress for her, along with accessories.”
MJ clapped her hand over her heart. “Well, I never…How wonderful.”
“Now don’t go getting them married yet, all right? I am sure he’s in love with her…” Like father, like son. “But I don’t think she’s aware of it yet, thinks they are just friends.” Roxie stared hard at her best friend. “I better not hear from anyone that you passed on this tidbit, got it?”
“Yes, ma’am. Besides, Roxie, you know I don’t gossip.”
“Not to Amalia or Ginny even?”
“That’s not gossip, that’s good friends sharing.” She rolled her eyes toward the tin ceiling. “All right, I will not mention anything to anyone.” She did the motions as she said, “Cross my heart and hope to die…”
“Don’t get carried away. We’re meeting Ginny and Amalia for lunch here on Friday, right?”
“Yes, I have it on my calendar for noon. Looking forward to it.”
“Me too.” Roxie ate the last bite and drained her cup. “I’m out of here. Coming?”
“Two minutes, er, one minute.” She chugged her latte and took the last bite of roll. “Yum.”
After a fast walk home, Roxie met with her clients and recorded their offer on their favorite of the two homes they had seen before. “This is a good solid offer, but you know there will probably be negotiations. Are you willing?”
“To a degree,” the man said while he and his wife looked at each other and both nodded. “And all depends on the inspection. How soon will that be able to happen?”
“The owner has to accept your offer before we schedule an inspection. But I feel strongly that will go through easily. I’ll submit to their Realtor this afternoon and we’ll see. Be prepared.”
“We are.” They grinned at each other. “Looking forward to hearing from you.”
Roxie drove into her driveway half an hour later than she had hoped. She hurried inside to use the bathroom. “You ready?”
“Yes, be right down.”
Within minutes they were on their way to the mall. “Did you have lunch?”
Loren shook her head. “I got involved in planning my next display and the time disappeared. Let’s shop first.”
“You sure? You might need sustenance.”
“If the shock is too great, we’ll take a break.”
“Okay.”
It took two stores before they found a possible dress. “What do you think?” Loren modeled the dress in front of a mirror.
“I think it looks very nice, simple but decent-quality fabric and construction.” She had checked that out before Loren put it on. The others she’d tried were too frothy. “You can dress it up or down by the accessories. That print jacket on the rack would make it more casual, and the black one with the scroll trim would look dressier, not that you’d want a jacket so much in the summer anyway. And before you ask, it is very slimming. Now let’s get you a black bra, and panties, and then we hit the shoe department.”
Loren groaned. “All in one day?”
“Might as well while we’re here. By the way, why the change of heart?”
“Nate wants me to meet his mother so he’s taking us both to supper tomorrow at her favorite restaurant.”
“Which is?”
“The Royal Crown.” She flipped the dress over the fitting stall door.
“Okay, this will be fine. You can use my turquoise jewelry, will look great on that, and my black shawl if it gets chilly. Knowing that restaurant, you better take the shawl.”
Loren stepped out of the fitting room, shaking her head. “Jeans or khaki pants are much easier.” She glanced in the mirror and pulled her T-shirt down. “Let’s get this over with.”
“You are not sentenced to the guillotine.”
“Almost. And besides, what if she doesn’t like me?”
Roxie put her arm around her daughter’s shoulder
s. “She can’t help but love you. I’ve heard all good things about her.”
“If she’s so wonderful, why did they divorce?”
“Couldn’t get along in the same house but reverted to being the friends they were before the marriage. Rich said, ‘She gave me great children.’”
They finished their shopping, got Loren through the shock of spending that much money on fancy clothes, and stopped at Loren’s favorite restaurant, where the hamburgers were superb. They had celebrated many life events there through the years. “Let’s get that dress hung up and we’ll steam it. You’ll look smashing tomorrow for supper.” Roxie pulled into their driveway. “You might want to wear your hair up, look even more sophisticated that way.” She grinned at her daughter. “Want a bowl of ice cream?”
“Need you ask?”
A message from Rich was waiting on her house phone. She returned his call. “You called?”
“I did. Since Nate is taking Loren and his mother out for dinner, you want to come out here since you’ll be all alone?”
“You think I can’t handle being alone?”
“And here I was trying to be nice. So much for nice. Will you please come out here? We’ll have chicken on the grill, veggies, garlic bread, and some kind of potatoes, I suppose. Then we can watch the sunset over the water and the moon come up. What do you think?”
“I think it sounds heavenly.”
“Whew, you scared me there for a moment. Oh, I get it, you were teasing me.”
“You got it. See you about…”
“Three, no four. I have some things I need to get done.”
“So do I, so I will see you then.” She set the receiver back in the stand and went to check on Loren, finding her in front of the bathroom mirror. “How are you doing?”
“About done. It didn’t wrinkle much. I’ll be wearing brand-new shoes, with heels no less.”
“Your espadrilles have heels so don’t worry about it. Relax, sweetheart, you’ll have a good time, Nate will see to that.”
“Thanks, Mom.” She tucked the steamer back in its place under the sink. “You going out to Rich’s?”
“At four so I will help you get ready if you need me.”
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