Revelation of Hearts (Stacey and Shane Mcleod, #3) (5 page)

They had a very pleasant meal. Sam didn’t seem to mind that he was getting the third degree from Jessie’s aunt.  He would look at Jessie and smile.

After they left, Jonathan asked, “Well, what do you think of our doctor-rancher?”

Mindfully, Lora said, “He seems very sure of himself.  Did you notice he never said, “I,” he kept saying,

“We,” I’m impressed. I do believe he loves my Jessie and god help anyone who tries to come between them.” 

“I think you’re right.  He seems a very determined young man.  I wouldn’t wanna be his adversary,”

Jonathan said.

“I think he and Jessie are a match on that,” Lora said.

She thanked Jonathan for his help and asked, “Would you like more pie before you go?” 

He gave her that sideways grin and said, “No ma’am, but I would like a kiss before I go.”

Lora smiled and put her arms around his neck.  This was the first real kiss they had shared.

As she closed the door behind him, she knew it was no Michael kiss.  She told herself, you must stop

comparing other men to Michael, but she didn’t know how to do that.

Chapter-8

The Double SS Ranch

The next week, Lora changed her day off from the hospital to please Jessie, she had asked her to ride to Rawhide with her to see the ranch. Lora said, “Yes, of course, darling. It’ll be fun.”

They had turned off the main highway onto a county road.  They drove up and down, but couldn’t find the ranch. They were about to give up when Jessie said, “Look, that sign says, “Double SS.” They drove across a cattle guard, but there was no road. Way off in the distance they could see a windmill, so they drove through the pasture, in that general direction. They came to a large stand of pecan trees. A ways over, they saw two dump trucks and a digging machine of some kind.  When they drove closer, a medium height, well built man came over to the car. “Are you ladies lost?” he asked.

Lora decided to leave the talking up to Jessie. “No, not really, I’m Jessie Flemming and this is my aunt, Lora Flemming. We thought we would come take a look at the ranch.”

The man swept his arm wide and said, “Well, here it is.”  Then he introduced himself. “My name is Bryan O’Neil. I’m Sam’s uncle. I’m gonna help him build himself a ranch house. Would’ja like to take a look?”

Lora and Jessie looked. Lora said, “But there’s nothing here but a big hole in the ground.”

“Yes ma’am, that’s how basements begin,” Bryan said.

“Where’s Sam?” Jessie asked.

“He’s at the hospital, sugar, he had to work today.  You must be his pretty little Redhead that we’ve been hearing about,” Bryan O’Neil said.  He turned to Lora and asked, “Are you her sister?” 

“No, I’m her aunt,” Lora said. “Well, since Sam isn’t here we’ll let you get back to your digging.” 

“Nice to meet you ladies,” Bryan said with a grin. “Oh, by the way, if you ladies will go (he motioned with his arm) that way, you’ll run into a make shift road that’ll take you to Rawhide. It’s not much yet, but it’s a mite easier than coming across the pasture.” 

Lora and Jessie looked at each other and started laughing.  As they drove away Lora said, “They must think we’re a couple of idiots.”

“Probably,” Jessie said, “and they’re getting a good laugh at our expense.”

They followed the so-called road.  It took them to the small picturesque town of Rawhide.  It had one main street that led to the town square.  There were buildings mostly made of brick on each street.  Some of the buildings still had hitching posts in front of them.  There were two churches, one on each end of town.  They drove slow and looked the little town over. 

Having lived in the city all of their lives, this was like a completely new world to them.  They drove slow and took in the sights.  At the edge of town, was a feed store, a boot and shoe and saddle repair shop, a blacksmith shop and a pool hall.  Across the street was a Dairy Queen, a Gas station and garage.  The town square had a grocery store, dry goods, a barbershop, a five and dime store, a dress shop, a hotel, a bank, a post office and a drug store. The cross streets had a café, a Dentist office, shoe store and an Antique store and a library.  The town square was a park with a big shade tree and benches for sitting. There were streets that went to well kept homes and a school.  The school had three two-story brick buildings with bleachers and a football field in the back.  Behind each church, there was a well-kept cemetery.

Jessie smiled at her Aunt Lora and said, “This is gonna’ be my town. My children will go to school here.  I love it, Aunt Lora.” 

“I hope you love that hole in the ground too,” Lora said teasingly.

“Oh I will, Aunt Lora.  If Sam is there, I’ll love it. Sam has plans on building a clinic for this area and I’m going to help him.” 

Before they crossed the bridge that crossed over a fork of the Brazos, they saw a well-maintained little park with tables and play equipment and a pavilion.  They were two light headed, happy women that drove back to Houston.

Lora had just walked in the door when the phone rang.  It was Jonathan. “Where have you been?”

Ordinarily, Lora would have objected to such a proprietary question, but today had been joyful and she wasn’t going to let anything spoil her mood.  She laughed and told him, “The ranch, Jessie and I rode out there.” 

“I detect a story there, have you eaten?”

“No, I just this minute walked in the door.”

“Good, how about I bring supper and hear about your day?”

“Okay,” Lora said. “See you in a bit.”

Lora had showered and dressed and had just finished blow-drying her hair when the doorbell rang.  She hurried downstairs with a smile on her face.  As Jonathan came in, he said, “You smell good.”  He leaned over kissed her and said, “You taste good too.  I’m impressed, all this for me.”

“No, doctor, all this for me, I was gritty from my day out in the country.”

He put his hand over his heart and said, “I’m wounded, you could’ve lied a little to make me feel better.”

“No, I couldn’t have, that’s not my style,” Lora said.

“Let’s eat in the living room,” Jonathan said. “The game is on and I wanna’ hear about your day.”  He turned the volume on the television low and listened to Lora tell about the elusive ranch, and the trip across the pasture and what a nice man Bryan O’Neil was. She told him about the huge hole in the ground that’s gonna’ be the ranch house basement and the primitive road that lead to the picturesque little town of Rawhide and Jessie’s reaction to it. 

“I will admit,” Lora said. “The make-shift road was a better alternative than bumping across that cow pasture.” Lora’s recitation of the day had them both laughing. For Jonathan the game was forgotten. He helped her pick up the paper plates and trash and took it to the kitchen.  As Lora turned from the sink; Jonathan took her in his arms and kissed her.  Lora found herself returning his kiss whole heartily. He was pleased, but a bit surprised.

He ventured a bit farther by asking, “How would you feel about my spending the night here?” 

Still in his arms, she said, “That’s okay with me, the couch is quite comfortable.”

“That’s not what I mean and you know it,” he whispered to her.

“Yes, I know,” she said, “But I treasure your friendship and I don’t wanna’ jeopardize it.”

Jonathan didn’t push the subject. He pitifully said, “Guess I’ll go home to my cold bed.

“It’s just September, it can’t be too cold,” Lora said as she patted his cheek laughing. Jonathan laughed at her humor, kissed her goodnight and walked out the door.

Lora decided, it was time to change her schedule at the hospital, however, before she had a chance to do so, she was asked to come to the hospital director’s office. She couldn’t imagine what they wanted with her. After they shook hands and she sat down, he asked, “Have you heard that Mrs. Borders, director of nursing, will be leaving in November?”

“Yes, of course,” Lora said. “What does that have to do with me?”

“Quite a bit,” he said. “We would like to offer the position to you. You’ve been with us some years now and we feel you’re the right person for the job. That is, if you’re interested, of course?”

“Yes, I’m interested,” Lora, said. “May I have a few days to think about it?”

“Yes, of course, however, we’ll need an answer within ten days.”

“I understand,” she said. Then thanked him and left his office. Lora went directly to see Mrs. Borders to ask questions about the job.

Mrs. Borders said, “Lora dear, I know you can handle this job. You’ve been head nurse on your shift for some time now. All the staff looks up to you.  You’ll do just fine as director of nursing.”

Lora left the hospital and drove to the castle to tell her mother the good news.  As she was leaving, Jackie came out of the music room with one of her students. “Lora, could you stay a minute?  I need to talk to you.”  After the student left, they went into the library and closed the door.

“What’s wrong?” Lora asked.

“Nothing, I hope,” Jackie said. “I understand you’ve met this young man that Jessie is becoming involved with.” 

“Yes,” I’ve met him. I had them over to supper the other night. Why?”

“Well, Bradley and I were wondering, what type of young man he is?”

Lora smiled and said, “From what I saw, a very serious and determined young man.

Have you met him yet?”

“No, not yet, he’s coming here Friday after he gets off duty at the hospital.”

Lora waited for her sister-in-law to say more. When she didn’t Lora asked, “Are you wanting my opinion or advice on this?”

“Yes, both,” Jackie said. “That’s what I need.” 

“Okay, my opinion about Sam Scott is, he’s in love with Jessie. When he talked about the future, he never once said, “I,” he always said, “We.”  From what I understand, he comes from a good, up-standing family. He’s building a house on his ranch as we speak.”

“Does he plan on being a doctor or a rancher?” 

“I think he plans on being both,” Lora said.

“And your advice is what?” Jackie asked. 

Lora took a deep breath, shook her head, and then said. “Remember when you were young and the Macgregor’s didn’t think Brad was good enough for you, or could support you in the style you were accustomed too, but you knew who and what you wanted.  Not hell or high water was gonna’ stop you.  You were only eighteen.  Jessie is twenty-one and she is your daughter. Need I say more?”  

Jackie smiled and said, “Thank you for reminding me. I’ve never regretted my decision for a single minute.” 

“Don’t worry,” Lora said. “Jessie has a good head on her shoulders. I think Sam Scott does too. Give him a chance.”

Chapter-9

The celebration

On her way home Lora was thinking; here I am the maiden aunt giving advice. I should be thinking about getting married and having children of my own before it’s too late. But god knows I haven’t met the man that I want to wake up looking at his face for the rest of my life.  Maybe I should try with Jonathan. See if there’s anything there.

At the end of the week, Lora told the director, she would take the job. She called Jonathan and asked,

“Would you like to celebrate with the new director of nursing?” 

“Yes, I certainly would. Do you know her?” he chuckled and said, “I believe congratulations are in order. I was gonna’ call you anyway. Did you change your shift?”

“Yes, I did. Starting Monday, I work the seven a.m. to three p.m. shift.” 

“Where would you like to go to celebrate?”

“I don’t care, as long as they serve champagne.” 

“Let me see what I can do,” Jonathan said. “I’ll get back to you.”

Lora had just walked in the door when the phone rang. It was Jonathan. “Will the French restaurant be alright?”

“Of course, it will, but I’m buying this time.”

“Not likely,” he said.

“But Jonathan, I want to pay this time. I invited you.”

“Zip-it,” he said. “You’re not gonna’ win this one.” 

Lora hung up the phone smiling. Jonathan picked her up at seven. The French restaurant was crowded. Jonathan could tell she was in the best of moods. At a cozy table for two, he toasted her new job and said, “Here’s to the most beautiful director of nursing ever.” 

“Thank you, but you’re bias.” 

“Oh, yes ma’am I am,” he said.

They ate, drank more champagne and threw caution to the wind.  Jonathan knew he’d had more to drink than was safe to drive. He asked the waiter to order him a bottle of champagne to go and a taxi. When they reached Lora’s condominium, they finished the bottle in short time. They were on the couch kissing when Jonathan runs his hand under her sweater and unhooked her bra.  She pulled back and looked at him.

“I wanna’ make love to you,” Jonathan said.

Lora suggested they should go upstairs, and not sit there fumbling at each other like teenagers.

Jonathan stood up and said, “Okay, let’s go.” Lora looked at his trousers and smiled. He said, “Yes, I know, my desire for you is quite apparent.”

Lora giggled and said, “Well, what are we waiting for, let’s go upstairs and let that tiger out of his cage.” When she stood up, she was dizzy. Jonathan picked her up and carried her upstairs.

The next thing Lora knew, the sun was shining through her window, and she could hear water running. It was difficult to focus her eyes. Her mouth was dry and her head hurt. The bathroom door opened and there stood Jonathan in his trousers. No shirt socks or shoes, just a towel over one shoulder. He smiled and said, “I hope you don’t mind, I used your shower.  There’s not one downstairs.”

Lora squinted at him and asked, “What are you doing here?” 

She looked at him, licked her dry lips and asked, “Did we?” 

He leaned against the doorframe and said, “Well that’s a fine way to greet me after I wine you and dine you and put you to bed.”

Lora quickly looked under her covers.  She had on a gown. 

“It took me awhile to find that,” he said smiling.

Lora looked at him sheepishly and asked, “Did we?”

“Did we what?”

“You know!” Lora said. 

“Are you asking if we un-caged the tiger?” he said grinning.