Following Love (18 page)

“I work hard.”

“I'm in school to be a medical assistant.”

“Good for you.”

“But, really, I'm a dancer. I've been in a few videos, maybe you seen me.” She went on to name a few videos he hadn't heard of.

“No, I'm afraid not, but then I don't get a chance to see a lot of videos. I'm usually…”

“…busy,” they both said in unison. She laughed again.

“So what do you do exactly, Julian?” Toni asked.

“Construction,” he said, simplifying his occupation as he always did.

“Oh, so that's why your body is so fine,” she said, cooing sweetly. Then she boldly reached out and began rubbing her hands over his chest and stomach, then continued lower.

“Toni,” he said, quickly taking her hands of his body. “I'm not interested.”

“Why not, baby?” she asked, stupefied by his objections.

“I have someone else in mind.”

“Is she here tonight?”

“No,” he replied, wishing she was.

“But I am,” Toni said.

“It doesn't work like that.”

“Why doesn't it? I'm here with you and she isn't. She obviously had something better to do. So she's out of the picture as far as I'm concerned,” she said, sounding like an impertinent child.

“But not as far as I'm concerned and that's what counts.”

Toni looked him up and down then smiled up at him. “Is it serious, this thing with her?”

“I don't know yet,” he answered.

“You gonna marry her.”

“It's too soon to tell.”

“So what's the big deal, then? She's not here. She's obviously out with someone else having her fun. Why shouldn't we have ours?” she said, then reached up and untied her bikini top, letting the scant material fall down the front of her. Her small perky breasts beckoned him proud and bold. “Baby, men don't just walk away from this,” she said, striking a seductive pose.

Julian smiled, shaking his head at her boldness. He felt nothing seeing her expose herself to him. “I'm afraid I'm going to have to.”

She eased closer, rubbing her bare breast up and down his arm. “I can do tricks with my tongue that most women would be ashamed to even think about.”

“Exactly, and I'm not surprised. But still, no thanks.”

“What's wrong with you?” she asked, wrinkling her nose.

“That's a good question.”

“Fine, then forget you.”

Now totally pissed, she replaced her top, mumbled a few strong expletives then stomped away, heading back to the party still going on.

Julian shook his head. When a woman wholeheartedly offers her body to a man, history dictates his gleeful acceptance. But there was no way he could even think about another woman. And Toni could have stripped down to nothing and he'd still not want her. He didn't want anyone except Dena.

He walked back toward the boat, climbed onboard. He stood portside and looked out at the darkness of the water. The overcast sky shed about as much light as he had when Toni asked him questions and his plans with Dena.

Was it serious? Did he want it to be? And as far as marriage was concerned, he was completely lost. His relationships never ended well. He'd been burned too many times to just do the fall-in-love thing again. But a part of him knew that it was already too late.

He turned and walked down the few steps to the cabin below. Without turning on the lights he lay down on the oversize bunk bed and let the slow sway of the troubled water rock him to sleep. Dreams of Dena came just as he expected. They were in the greenhouse surrounded by plants and flowers. A monstrous storm raged outside. But they lay in each other's arms just after making love. A calm serenity surrounded them even as the elements battled outside. The peace warmed him.

 

Thanks for the drink, baby.
What was that?

Dena hung up the phone, her mouth still wide open. Apparently their night together was just what he needed to get back in the game. She was just about to go on a roll when she stopped herself. Wait. Yes, there was a party going on and, yes, there was a woman's voice in the background, but jumping to conclusions had gotten her before. She remembered well.

It was the last holiday party at her in-laws' home. She and Forester arrived late because they had talked all night. He had committed himself to their marriage and together they intended to start anew. He was going to leave the law firm and she was going to find them a new place to live as far away from outside influences as possible.

They'd walked in hand-in-hand. He went to talk to his father about quitting, leaving her to mingle with the guests. Adel walked up with Forester's old girlfriend, Gloria, in tow. She was obviously pregnant. Since they had never been formally introduced, Adel had done the honors. She still shuddered hearing her voice as if it were just moments earlier.

“Dena,” Adel had begun, smiling haughtily as she approached. “I don't think you've met Gloria. She's an old friend of the family. She and Forester were boyfriend and girlfriend all through middle school and high school.”

“Hi,” she'd said, extending her hand to shake.

Gloria had held out her weak fishlike hand then winced when Dena shook it gently. “Hi,” Gloria'd said, holding her other hand on her stomach.

“Oh, yes,” Adel had continued. “I almost overlooked the guest of honor, this is my soon-to-be-grandchild.”

Dena's heart had trembled and she'd begun to physically shake. “What?”

“Yes, it appears that you and Gloria have something very real in common. She's carrying Forester's child and you're not.”

Dena had fainted. When she'd opened her eyes she was lying on the sofa and there was a crowd standing around her. Forster was at her side, holding her. Gloria was standing at his side and Nelson and Adel were arguing about something.

She'd gotten up off the sofa, grabbed her coat and hurried out. Forester had grabbed her arm to have her wait for him but she didn't. Another argument between Adel Forester and Nelson began as she'd closed the door behind her. Seconds after she got in the car to drive off, Forester had jumped in the passenger seat.

Snow and ice covered the ground but still she floored the accelerator. Driving down the curvy hill she and Forster argued that he was not the father of Gloria's child but that they had had an affair. He'd begged her to turn the car around so they could confront both Adel and Gloria, but she'd kept driving and crying.

He'd grabbed the steering wheel and pulled, the car went into a spin. She had been thrown from the car after it hit the tree and could only watch as the car continued its descent.

Just then a second car had appeared, driving down the hill just as fast. Before she could scream, it hit that same patch of ice and slammed into Forester. The car ignited into flames. Several other cars followed, but were able to stop.

She'd run to Forester and reached for him through the broken windshield. She'd held his hand as he'd died and even now the pain of seeing him lying there broken and crushed tore at her heart.

A slow-moving tear slipped down her face. She looked out at the rain still pouring heavily and let the tears release and the pain come. She was anguished of the lost lives, Forster, Nelson and Kirkland, three dead because of Adel's selfishness, Gloria's lies and her lack of trust.

K
eeping busy seemed to be the order of the day. Dena cleaned, vacuumed, dusted, washed, folded, shopped and cooked, all with Julian hovering somewhere in her thoughts. When the doorbell rang just after one o'clock she excitedly went to answer, hoping it was Julian.

It wasn't.

An older gentleman with a ratty old hat, dressed in weathered jeans and a long-sleeved plaid shirt, stood on the other side of the screen door and smiled down at her. “Hi, there. You must be Dena,” the man said happily.

He was tall and broad with a smile that was contagious. “May I help you?” Dena asked, having no idea how he knew her name. The first thing she thought was something from Adel.

“You're just as pretty as they said,” he added.

“I sorry…” she said, leery of him.

“Wheeler. Otis Wheeler. I'm looking for Louise or Ellen.”

“Oh, right, you must be Mr. Wheeler, Mamma Lou's friend from Crescent Island.”

“Colonel Wheeler, front and center,” he said, snapping to attention.

“Come in, come in,” she said, holding the door open for him. “No one's here right now, but I expect them soon. Mamma Lou asked me to tell you to cool your heels.”

He laughed loud and hard. “That sounds about right.”

It seemed that not only was his smile contagious, his laughter made you smile, too. “Can I get you a drink or maybe something to eat?”

“I'd take a nice cold drink if it's not too much bother. Been fishing all weekend without a single bite.” He shook his head. “If I didn't know any better I'd say I lost my touch.”

“I'm sure it's not that. What would you like to drink?” She headed to the kitchen, he followed.

“Iced tea, lemonade, water, anything cold is fine.”

Dena opened the refrigerator as Colonel Wheeler took a seat at the counter. She poured him a tall, ice-filled glass of sweetened iced tea. He took a long sip then she refilled his glass. “So where did you go fishing?” she asked as she poured herself a glass of tea.

“A few miles west of here. A place in Henderson County called Buckeye Lake, supposed to be great fishing.”

“That's funny, Aunt Ellen and Mamma Lou are in Henderson County, too. There's a fair there this weekend.”

“Ah, that explains all the traffic on the way here, must be breaking up today.” He shook his head, “A fair, huh? That means a dozen or so new plants, bulbs and flowers.”

“Yea, I'm pretty sure that's exactly what it means,” she said. They chuckled, commiserating Louise's and Ellen's zeal for plants. “They took my son, Dillon, with them and stayed over Friday night then called and said that they were staying over again last night.”

“You have a child, you look like a kid yourself.”

“You are a charmer, aren't you?”

He winked then laughed. “That'll be our little secret.”

“Dillon's three and a half, and a handful. They'll probably be completely worn out by the time they get back here.”

“Louise will love that. Her grandson Tony and his wife Madison just had twins and she's spoiling them already, and they're barely out of the hospital.”

“She's such a sweet lady.”

“Yes, she is that, and then some,” he assured her. “Now don't let me disturb you.”

“I was on my way over to the greenhouse to check on the sprinklers. Feel like taking a walk?”

“After sitting and driving for the last hour and a half, that sounds perfect. Lead the way.”

In the ease of the afternoon sun they strolled down the garden path, talking easily about the weather and the construction on the patio. Then the conversation lapsed.

They started walking around, checking the system. Dena pointed out several prized flowers while Colonel Wheeler talked about his home on Crescent Island. All of a sudden Dena remembered a dream she'd had the other night. She suddenly looked sad. “Are you okay, Dena?”

“Yes,” she said quickly, then shook her head. “No.”

“Do you want to tell me about it or is this something you want to talk to your aunt or Louise about?”

“I messed up,” she said softly.

“We all do, it's called being human.”

“I met this guy, actually we kind of work together now. He's nice, kind, funny, understanding, he likes me and he likes my son.”

“Sounds like a winner,” Colonel Wheeler said, nodding approvingly.

“He is, at least he was, his ex-wife came into the picture.”

“Ah, that sounds like trouble.”

“No, not really. I don't think there's anything between them anymore, not from his perspective anyway.”

“So what's the problem?” he asked as he opened the door and they headed back to the house.

“I overheard them talking yesterday and she made it seem that he was neglecting their child. I got upset. If you only knew the drama I'm going through with my son's grandmother…anyway I walked out on him. Then I found out later that he's not even the father and that he still keeps in contact with her child and she doesn't know it.”

“Sounds like a good guy,” Colonel Wheeler said as they walked back to the house.

“He is, but as I said, I walked out on him.”

“You were overly sensitive for a mother's plight.”

“You make it sound almost noble.”

“Talk to him.”

“I tried. Last night I called him, but we got disconnected. I don't think he was in town anymore. But even then, I don't think I'd even know what to say to him.”

“Tell him how you feel.”

“That's just it. It's confusing. I don't know how I feel.”

“Doesn't sound like you're confused to me,” he said. “Sounds like you really care for him.” She nodded. “Then tell him that. If he's half the man you just described, then he'll step up.”

“You think so?” she asked.

“I know so,” he said.

“Thanks, Colonel Wheeler,” she said as they reached the kitchen again. “Wow, I can't believe I told you all that, bet you had no idea that you'd be playing shrink this afternoon.”

He squeezed her hand gently. “God puts people exactly where he needs them to be at exactly the right time. Right now this is where I need to be.”

She nodded and exhaled the sadness away. “Sure I can't get you something to eat,” she said as she turned to the refrigerator and pulled out some large crusty rolls and a few croissants she'd purchased earlier. “It's nothing fancy, I just finished cutting up some leftover roasted chicken for a chicken salad and I hate eating alone.”

Colonel Wheeler smiled and nodded. “Don't mind if I do. Let me wash up and I'll give you a hand.”

Dena pointed to the first-floor bathroom then she began pulling salad fixings from the refrigerator. By the time Colonel Wheeler returned a delicious-looking roast chicken salad was mixed and ready to serve. Dena had also piled a bowl high with crispy potato chips, had a side dish of assorted cheeses, grapes, melon and crackers. Colonel Wheeler slapped and rubbed his hands together and smiled. “Now that's what I call a lunch spread.”

She handed him a plate and he scooped up a large spoon of chicken salad then grabbed a roll, some chips and cheese. Dena slit open a croissant and filled it with chicken salad then added lettuce, sliced tomato and cheese to her plate.

As they finished eating they laughed and talked about flower obsessions, the military, law and family. Dena listened and laughed, thoroughly enjoying herself. Colonel Wheeler was a treasure. He had an answer to everything and enough wisdom to have his own following.

“Mo-ommm, I'm ho-omme.” Dillon called.

“Let me guess, Dillon,” Colonel Wheeler said, chuckling.

Dena nodded then shook her head. One of these days she would have to teach him to calm down. “In here,” she said, and stood just as he came barreling around the dining room into the kitchen. He slammed into her, grabbing her legs and holding tight.

“I had so much fun. I saw a horse and I rode on a pony and we played in some dirt and then we ate to funny-el cake, I don't think I like that again,” he added firmly, then finally slowed down to take a breath. He looked at Colonel Wheeler and smiled. “Who are you?”

“Well, hello there, young man, and what might your name be?” Colonel Wheeler asked, holding out his hand to shake. Dillon looked at his mother, she nodded, then he reached out and shook hands.

“Dillon. I went to a fair with Aunt Ellen and Grandmamma Lou. See?” He held up a photo book of fair activities already completely colored in with crayon.

“My goodness, that must have been a lot of fun.”

Dillon shook his head animatedly.

“Colonel Wheeler, this is my son, Dillon. Dillon, this is Colonel Wheeler.”

“Colonel Wheeler?” Dillon said. Colonel Wheeler nodded. “Like in the army Colonel Wheeler?” He nodded again. “Where's your tank?”

“I put it away, it was kind of big.”

“I know,” Dillon said, obviously commiserating, then leaned in to whisper, “my mom makes me put my toys away, too.”

Colonel Wheeler burst with laughter just as Louise and Ellen joined them in the kitchen. “Well, hello there,” Louise said as she walked up to the center island counter and hugged Dena then leaned over and kissed Otis on the cheek. Ellen followed and greeted Dena and Otis. Dillon walked over and stood between the two older women, holding both their hands.

“You're here early. I didn't expect to see you for another few hours.”

“The fish weren't biting.” Colonel Wheeler said.

“Fish bite?” Dillon asked, looking up at Colonel Wheeler. “With teeth?”

“Not exactly. I'll tell you what, why don't we go in the living room and I'll tell you all about fishing and you can tell me all about the fair.”

“'Kay,” Dillon said, happily beginning instantly. “First we drove in the car a real, real long time and I went to sleep an' then we had a big dinner then we saw some flowers and then we talked to a fireman, but he didn't have his fire engine…” Dillon continued as he and Colonel Wheeler headed to the living room leaving Dena, Louise and Ellen in the kitchen.

“You hungry? I made some chicken salad for lunch.”

“No thanks,” Ellen said.

“We just ate,” Louise added, exhaling happily.

“We stopped at a pancake house and ate just about everything on the menu. I couldn't eat another bite. So how was your weekend? Do anything special?” Ellen asked curiously.

“No, nothing special. I just hung around the house, did a little shopping this morning, no big deal,” she said as she began covering and putting the leftover food in the refrigerator.

“You had the whole weekend to yourself and you didn't do anything?” Ellen asked.

She shrugged. “It was quiet,” she said, wiping the counter off with a dishcloth.

“Huh. I tried calling you late Friday evening to let you know we'd arrived safely. There was no answer.”

Dena froze midwipe. Her eyes widened as she blushed bright crimson-red. She looked guilty as sin without even opening her mouth. “Oh, um, I went out for a while, to dinner, with a friend.” Ellen smiled at Louise. Dena caught the brief interaction between the two. “What was that?” she asked.

“What?” both Louise and Ellen asked.

“That look,” Dena said, pointing to their now innocent faces.

“What look?” they responded in unison again.

Dena scanned her aunt's face then looked at Louise. Somehow they knew. She sighed heavily, surrendering. “Okay, fine, I went over to Julian's house Friday after you left.” Ellen and Louise started nodding, waiting impatiently for more. “And we—I stayed the night,” Dena added hesitantly.

Ellen and Louise squealed then burst with laughter. Dena stood, realizing that she'd just confessed to something they'd apparently already surmised. “You knew, didn't you? You planned it?”

“Let's just say I hoped and offered an available opportunity,” Ellen said, taking Dena's hand as Louise nodded sweetly.

“Did you have a good time?” Ellen asked.

Her indignation dissolved instantly. “Yeah, I did,” Dena said as her face brightened by the thought of her night of passion with Julian. “I had a great time.”

“I hope you're going to see him again?” Ellen said hopefully, nodding her head as she asked.

Dena stopped smiling. “I don't know, maybe, maybe not. I guess it was what it was.”

“What kind of answer is that, ‘it was what it was'?” Ellen asked, honestly having no idea what it meant.

“The only kind I can give you.”

“Dena…” Ellen began.

“Aunt Ellen, I know you want the best for me and that you want to see me happy. I am. And if every now and then someone passes through my life for a moment then fine, wonderful, I can't expect more than that.”