Courting Alley Cat (7 page)

              “Maybe you will,” he said. “Maybe you will.”             

              Four hours later, Alley sat in the glassed-in back porch reading a novel. She wasn’t reading so much as she was watching the rain. As a clap of thunder sounded nearby, she was reminded that she shouldn’t be sitting in the room of glass. Charlie had hidden under the bed. She just didn’t have the motivation to go back inside the house away from the windows. The rain was like a balm to her troubled soul.

              Holding the open paperback beneath her chin, she gave up on trying to read. She was so confused about Justin. He’d practically begged her go someplace, she had no idea where, with him today. Was that where he was now? She’d gone over this morning to find him, and he hadn’t been home. His parents hadn’t seen fit to even tell her where he was. It was almost as though it was a secret. He must be with another girl, she decided forlornly.

              She shouldn’t care. She didn’t care.

              She sighed.

              She did care.

              Ever since she had seen him from her kitchen window, she had been intrigued. Only now, did she realize just how attracted she was to him. In fact, she found him fascinating, handsome, intelligent, and thoughtful. She wasn’t quite sure what to do about this. They hadn’t even been a date, for heaven’s sake. Having a crush on a neighbor was a new experience for her.

              Already, she had shown up on his doorstep with a flimsy excuse and tried to get information from his parents about his whereabouts. She felt like an idiot. Why should she think that a man like Justin would be interested in her? He knew she would be heading back to Dallas by the end of the summer. He wanted someone who would be here. Someone he could start a life with here in Hanover. Not a city girl with an expensive shoe appetite.

              She must have dozed off. She woke with a start. Her book was on the floor and Charlie was sitting at her feet purring. The rain had stopped and the sun was setting.

              She felt some better. A little less foolish.

              She gathered up her book and her half full glass of water and went inside to feed Charlie.

              When the doorbell rang, she jumped two feet off the floor.             

              She had closed the blinds to keep herself from watching for Justin, so she had to walk to the back door and peer through them.

              She dropped the blinds and took a step back.

              It was Justin.

              She didn’t know how she felt about seeing him right now. She had just waken up and she wasn’t sure what she looked like.

              “It’s me, Justin,” he said through the door.

              She backed up a few more feet. “Just a minute,” she called and stepped into the half bath off the kitchen.

              Glancing at her reflection, she took a deep breathe. She wasn’t completely disheveled and she was still wearing her cute new outfit, even if it was a little bit wrinkled. She had been wanting to see him all day and here he was. She was as nervous as a school girl. But excited enough to hurry to the door once she had confirmed she looked acceptable.

              Unlocking the door, she pulled back the door and stepped back. Neither one of them said anything. They just stood there, looking at each other. He looked tired. And a little disheveled himself. Then, she was in his arms. She could feel his strength and his soft breath against her cheek. He smelled of animals and the damp outdoors. He had come straight over without showering. She was a little honored by that in a strange way. She certainly didn’t mind.

              He placed his finger beneath her jaw and ever so gently lifted her face. She blinked and met his gaze. His eyes were deeper blue than she could fathom. His expression intense.

              His lips feathered against hers, so lightly, she wondered if she imagined it. Then they pressed against hers more firmly. They were soft against hers.

              She was lost.

              She had never been kissed in such a tender, caring way. She wanted more. She responded eagerly to his kiss.

              He pulled back. Uh oh. Maybe she’d been too eager. She’d never had any complaints about her kisses. Maybe he thought she was wanton. Maybe country girls didn’t kiss like that.

              “I’m sorry,” he said.

              “Sorry?” she echoed. She couldn’t think. What did he have to be sorry for? She just wanted more.

              “I’m sorry I wasn’t home this morning when you came by.”

              “Oh,” she said. She’d already forgotten. “It’s ok.”

              “No, it’s not. Sometimes I have to go... out of town.”

              Her lips still tingled from his kisses, but her brain was a little less foggy. “Why do you have to go out of town?” What was so mysterious about this out of town thing?

              “I work with some animals in the country.”

              “She tried not to smile. To her, Hanover was the country. “I see. Why is that so secretive?”

              “What do you mean?”

              “Your parents just said that you have to travel on business sometimes.”

              He shrugged and ran his hands along her upper arms. “You know how parents are.”

              “Is that where you wanted to take me?”

              “To the country?” He laughed. “No, not at all.”

              “Then where?”

              “Oh, no,” he said, shaking his head. “That’s still a secret.”

              She turned away with a half-smile. “I don’t like secrets, you know.” However, perhaps with Justin, the case may be different.

              “Is that so?” He reluctantly let her go.

              “No,” she said, “I don’t.”

              “Ok, then,” he said, with a little grin. “No surprises for you.”

              She looked at him over her shoulder. “Thank you,” she said, then turned to face him. “Where are we going?”

              “Nowhere.”

              She sighed. “You’re exasperating, you know.”

              He smiled. “I know.”

              She looked at him questioningly.

              “What are you doing tomorrow?” he asked.

              She laughed. “That depends.”

              “On what I have in mind?”

              “Exactly.”

              ‘I’ll have to think of something.”

              “You don’t know?”

              “No clue. And... I have to work tomorrow. So, it’s a little difficult to come up with something.”

              “Would you like some help with figuring it out?”

              “Hmm. No, I think I can figure something out.”

              “You’re sure?” she couldn’t help asking. “I’m good with coming up with plans.”

              “Yes, I’ll just bet you are.”

              She raised an eyebrow. “And what does that mean?”

              He smiled that little half smile again. “Just a hunch I have.”

              She nodded. “I get those sometimes.”

              “Like right now?”

              She shook her head. “No, I don’t have any right now.”

              “Well, I do.”

              “Is that so?”

              “Yeah.”

              “Are you going to share it?’

              “I haven’t decided.”

              “Let me know when you figure it out,” she said, and took a bottle of water out of the refrigerator. “Water?” she asked.

              “No, thanks,” he said, leaning against the counter.

              “You look tired,” she observed. And he did. Suddenly, completely exhausted. She could see darkness beneath his eyes.

              “I am tired,” he admitted.

              “Perhaps you should get some sleep.”

              “I will,” he said, “but first, I’d like a good night kiss.”

              Her heart skipped a beat. She, too, wanted a goodnight kiss. Maybe an all night kiss. Her toes tingled in anticipation. Their eyes locked, but neither moved forward.

              Then in one step, he had her in his arms. Holding her close, he cradled her head against his chest. He was a full head taller than she was and she nestled in perfectly.

              He gently stroked her hair, then tilted her head up until her lips were a fraction from his. She could feel his breath against hers. Her lips parted.

              Then his mouth was on hers -gently, then he deepened the kiss. She moaned softly. She couldn’t get close enough to him.

              She wasn’t sure how long they stood there, their bodies pressed against each other, their lips greedily entwined.

              Then he bent down, put one arm behind her knees, and lifted her from the floor. Their lips never parted as he carried her to the sofa and laid her gently on it. He kneeled beside her, his hands again wrapped in her hair.

              Everything else faded into the background - including time itself. It wasn’t until the grandfather clock chimed one time indicating one o’clock that Justin pulled his lips from her swollen ones.

              “It’s one o’clock?” he asked.

              “I don’t know,” she answered.

              He checked his watch. “It’s one,” he said.

              “Ok,” she said, her brain in a kiss-induced fog.

              “I have a meeting in the morning at seven.”

              “Seven? In the morning?”

              “Unfortunately, yes.”

              “Why?’

              “Believe me, it wasn’t my idea.”

              “Maybe you should get some sleep.”

              “Hmm,” he said.

              “Hmm?”             

              “I suppose I should,” he said, taking her hand in his. “On one condition.”

              “And what would that be?’

              “That you agree to go out with me tomorrow night?”

              “Go out, like on a date?’

              “Why not? We don’t have to worry about the whole first-date kiss thing.”

              “No, I don’t suppose we do.”

              “Is that a yes?”

              “Yes,” she said. “How could I say no?”

              “You can’t,” he said. “I would perish.”

              Justin stood at Alley’s front door, shifting from one foot to the other. He’d debated which door to use - the front or the back. He’d debated about bringing a rose, but had decided against it. He’d been debating with himself all day about what to do, where to take her, and even what to wear.

              He’d finally settled on a pair of khaki slacks and a light blue polo shirt. When his mom had said his shirt matched his eyes, he’d almost decided to change.

              He checked his watch. He was just on time. Where was she? He rang the doorbell a second time. He heard it – surely she did. Maybe he should go to the back door.

              Two minutes later, he checked his watch again. Maybe she had changed her mind.

              “There you are,” she said as she opened the door.

              He returned her smile and felt his mood lift. She was like sunshine to him.

              “I thought you would be at the back door.”

              “I thought maybe I should come to the front door for a date.”

              “Good idea,” she answered. He took a step forward and she stepped back. “Come in. I’m almost ready,” she said, with a twirl away from him.

              He followed her inside and his heart skipped a beat. She was wearing a pink and white sundress with matching strappy sandals.

              “I didn’t know what we’d be doing,” she said, a hand sweeping over her skirt.

              “Neither did I,” he answered. “But now I have some ideas.”

              She tilted her head to one side, her expression slightly perplexed. “Great. I’ll just get my bag.”

              She disappeared into the bedroom and came back with a little leather clutch.

              “How’s Charlie?” he asked.

              “He was just here,” she said, glancing around the room. “He seems to be doing just great.”

              “Want me to take a look at him?”

              “Sure. If we can find him.”

              Charlie wasn’t hard to locate. He was in the kitchen drinking water.

              “Well, that’s a good sign,” Justin said, kneeling next to the cat. “He looks really good. If you’ll bring him over in a couple of days, I’ll do some blood work.”

              “Sure,” she said, leaning one hip against the counter.

              Still kneeling, he just stared at her. She was absolutely stunning. She’d been cute dressed for lawn mowing, and had looked good yesterday in her red shirt. But today, she just looked… like a princess.

              She tilted her head questioningly. “What?”

              He shook his head. “You’re beautiful.”

              Her blush deepened becomingly as she smiled. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

              He stood and pulled her to him in a tight hug. Then, he pulled back and kissed her on the forehead. “So, what would you like to do?” he asked.

              “Me?”

              “And who else?” he answered, losing himself in her emerald green eyes.

              “Well, I don’t know. I thought you had something planned. What is there to do in Hanover?”

              “We’re just a hub of activity. Right up there with Dallas. We have the bowling alley, and a movie theater, and once a year, we have a rodeo that comes through.”

              Alley laughed.

              “What, Dallas has a rodeo twice a year?’ he asked, with a serious expression, taking her hand.

              “You know, I couldn’t even tell you,” she said as her fingers linked easily with his. “I’ve never been to a rodeo in my life.”

              “Why, Alley, I’m shocked.”

              “I don’t feel deprived.”

              “Oh, but I’m certain you are. We’ll have to take care of that. But in the meantime, are you hungry?”

              “Pretty much.”

              “Not starved?”

              “Not completely.”

              “Perfect. The place I want to take you is a 30 minute drive.”

              “No problem.”

              “Out here, that’s considered a long drive to dinner.”

              “In Dallas, it’s just expected.”

              “Great. I think you’ll like it. It’s on a lake.”

              “Sounds perfect.”

              He brought her fingers to his lips. “As are you,” he said, then, taking her hand, pulled her toward the door.

              Almost an hour later, they stood on the pier outside the restaurant.

              “There’s usually not a wait,” he said, glancing toward the crowd of people sitting on benches, waiting their turn to be seated. They had walked along the pier and the voices and laughter of others had drifted into the background.”

              “It’s a good sign that the food will be good,” she said. “I don’t mind. Anyway, it’s so beautiful here,” Alley said. “So quiet and peaceful. It’s like there’s hardly any background noise.”

              “Unlike the big city?”

              “Yeah,” she said, turning to look at him. “No rush of Interstate traffic. I mean, there are cars, but it’s just not the same.”

              “You miss it.”

              “I wouldn’t say that I miss it. It’s just what I’m used to.”

              A couple walked by, arm in arm, their heads bent together in conversation. Alley turned back to the view of the lake. It was quiet, except for the water softly lapping against the pylons.

“What about you?”

              “What about me?” he echoed, following her gaze.

              “Do you ever wish you lived somewhere else? I mean, do you ever wonder how your life would be different if you weren’t in such a rural area?”

              “Not really. I’ve spent my share of time in the city. This is where I belong.”

              “Yeah,” she nodded.

              “You’ve been here, what? A week? Are you going stir crazy?”

              She glanced up at him. She was going crazy alright, but it wasn’t because of the small town. It was because of Justin.

              She shook her head. “No, I wouldn’t say that. I’ve been kind of busy.”

              “I suppose you have, at that,” he said, reaching down to take her hand in his. “Other than a sick kitty, any complaints?”

              “None so far,” she said, meeting his gaze.

              He pulled her to him and she could feel his heartbeat. She shivered.

              “Are you cold?” he asked.

              She shook her head against his chest.

              “We should probably go back in case they call us, but I’m just enjoying being here with you.”

              She nodded. “Me too.” Justin was having a strange effect on her. Sedating almost. She didn’t feel a need to fill the silence. She just needed to be next to him.             

              A family with two young children passed behind them. Alley turned to smile at the little girl who looked to be about seven years old. The little girl continued to stare as she was dragged away by her mother.

              “She thinks you’re pretty,” Justin said.

              “Oh, I don’t know. She’s probably just curious.”

              “You’re too modest,” Justin said, taking her hand and pulling her with her him along the pier toward the noise and the crowd.

              “Do you remember me?” Alley asked suddenly.

              “Remember you? What do you mean?”

              “When I was a child and used to play next door. Do you remember me?”

              “Of course I do. How could I not? Do you remember me?”

              She remembered him, but she wasn’t about to tell him that she had thought he was rather old. “A little. I remember a boy next door.”

              “I remember you well. You were a beautiful little girl. I thought you were… sweet.”

              “Really? Why didn’t you ever talk to me?”

              “I did once, but you were so busy.”

              “Hmm. I don’t remember that.”

              “You had so many friends.”

              “A few, I guess.” Had she? She had three cousins that she saw frequently as a child, but had lost touch with. She had Steven and Zena, and a couple of others in their group, but compared to her mother, she didn’t have all that many people she spent time with. “I don’t have so many now.”

              “Hmm,” he murmured. “That happens when we get older, I guess.”

              “I suppose.”

              “Do you miss them?”

              “No, not really.” She actually rarely thought about having a lot of friends. The ones she was close to were the ones that mattered.

              Justin’s pocket buzzed. “We’re up,” he said, and they made their way to the front of the restaurant.

              As they stepped inside, Alley’s stomach growled, belying her earlier statement that she wasn’t hungry. The hostess led them to a quiet corner in the back of the restaurant.

              “We got lucky,” she said, sitting.

              “Something like that,” he said, with a wink.

              Justin didn’t seem like a mysterious kind of guy. However, tonight, he did appear to have an air of mystery about him.

              “Do you like wine?” he asked.

              “Of course,” she said.

              “May I?”

              “Sure,” she shrugged as the server approached.

              “We’d each like a glass of Wild Horse Pinot noir,” he said. “Is that ok?”

              She nodded. Taking a wine class was on her extremely long bucket list, somewhere in there with piano lessons and taking French. In the meantime, she usually followed the lead of others when it came to wine. If left to her own devices, she always went with a cosmopolitan.

              After a quick perusal of the menu, she set it aside. He followed her lead. “What would you like?”

              “The fried shrimp.”

              The server returned with their drinks and Justin ordered for both of them – fried shrimp for her and swordfish for him. Alley smiled to herself. It was doubtless a small thing to him, routine, no doubt, to order for his date, but to Alley, it was a rare display of gallantry.

              She sipped her drink, surprised at the smoothness of the wine and allowed the alcohol to warm her blood, relaxing her.

              “Do you want to have children?”

              She nearly bobbled the drink, barely avoiding wearing the light red color.

              She looked up at him, startled. That was a question women usually asked men. Not the other way around.

              He laughed. “Not right now. Just in general.”

              “I guess I do. I don’t think about it very often.”

              “Maybe you should.”

              Her heart gave a little stutter. This had to be the oddest conversation she had ever had on a first date. “Why do you say that?’

              “You never know when you might need to know.”

              “Ok.” What exactly did he mean by that?

              “If you want a family, it could make a difference in who you marry.”

              “Marry?” Guys weren’t supposed to voluntarily talk about marriage.

              “Well, sure. Don’t you plan to get married some day?”

              “I haven’t given it much thought.”

              “I thought girls always wanted to get married.”

              “Some women choose not to.”

              “Are you one of those women?”

              “I suppose if I were to find the right guy, I’d want to get married.”

              “So, you aren’t opposed to getting married?”

              “No, I’m not opposed.”

              “Good,” he said, and nodded toward a little family, two tables away. “I went to high school with him.”

              Alley glanced over at the guy about Justin’s age, a brunette girl, doubtless his wife, and two children – one a girl about seven who seemed to be struggling to sit still in her chair and an infant, banging against the high chair. They had so easily blended into the background for Alley. When she walked into a restaurant in Dallas, she rarely looked at faces. When nothing was out of the ordinary, she allowed the public to blend into the scenery. Justin proceeded to tell a story about him and Justin and the local football team. She only half listened.

              She was confused. Why was he asking her about marriage? Was he implying that he wanted to marry her? No, surely not. Guys didn’t do that. He was doubtless merely asking because his friend was there, married with family.