Dating A Silver Fox (Never Too Late) (35 page)

“Morrison—you are incorrigible,” Lydia pronounced, forking a grilled shrimp into her mouth, which turned out to be surprisingly good. They would have to come back again. She speared a shrimp and held it out for him, almost blushing at how slowly he slid it off her fork, but blushing profusely when he winked and smooched the air afterwards.

His gaze never left hers as he chewed and swallowed.

“Did I ever tell you my theory about the way a woman eats being directly related to how much she likes sex. . .I mean,
coitus
?” he asked, correcting his term as the people around him broke into embarrassed laughter at his bold question.

When every table in the small, elegant restaurant stopped and turned to them waiting for her answer, Lydia put her head in her hand as she blushed. It was hard to remember in that moment what possessed her to let this man into her life when all he did was cause her grief in public.

Maybe it was because he was so unusually truthful with her about everything, she thought.

It certainly turned out he was right about being good in the mornings. And it was the first time in years she’d spent a whole two hours in bed when she wasn’t asleep.

Chapter 25

“Do not wheel me into her office,” Harrison protested, but his clever and very strong grandson deftly tipped the wheelchair onto two wheels and wedged it through the office doorway.

He gave Walter a withering look as he clung to the chair, but it was totally useless given the amount of masculine pride the boy felt for getting it in.

“See? It fit,” Walter said with a grin, glancing down at his shirt and tie to make sure it was still in place and mostly unharmed by the exertion.

“Jane might not be planning to meet in here for the closing, doofus,” Harrison said with a head shake. “It’s unlikely we’re going to be able to squeeze four adults in this small space, especially with me in this chair. I can still walk. In fact, I’m supposed to walk.”

“You walked earlier and did your therapy. I’ll get you and the chair back out if I need to. Don’t forget, I’m a fireman. I’m trained to rescue people from tight situations,” Walter said with a smile.

“You’re a maniac, and I should know,” Harrison declared, fighting back a grin. “I’m an expert.”

When Lydia appeared in the doorway, Harrison’s eyebrows rose despite the effort it took to push all the wrinkles up his forehead. She was wearing a red t-shirt, slim white shorts that stopped just above her knees, red earrings that swung halfway to her shoulders, and lipstick that matched her shirt.

“Wow,” Walter said with genuine surprise. “You’re looking especially great today. Nice legs, Ms. McCarthy. I hope you don’t think it’s rude, but you look too good not to mention it.”

Lydia smiled, reached out a hand, and patted his chest muscles. They were very nice. She made a mental note to have another talk with Jane. “Hello, Walter. I put in a good word for you. Any luck with dating Jane yet?”

“Forget Jane,” Walter teased. “Let’s go to lunch. I’ll buy just to get to show you off.”

“Boy, I’m three times your age,” Lydia said, choking on the laugh.

“Okay. Should I invite two of my friends? That should even it out,” Walter said, biting his lip as he realized that comment might have been a bit over the top for teasing a woman her age. He said ‘ouch’ when Harrison reached out and smacked his thigh, but Ms. McCarthy only giggled. Walter mentally wiped his brow and flushed a little under her gaze.

“Well, you should really call me Lydia if we’re going to
lunch
,” she said with a smile.

“Lydia—that’s my
grandson
you’re practically propositioning in front of me,” Harrison said. “Leland I could understand, but Walter is still a kid.”

Lydia snorted as she crossed her arms and glared at the man in the chair, who was frowning. “Rest easy, you old goat,” she said sharply. “Your progeny is not at risk. I don’t have any serious interest in the boy—or his father. I don’t mess with other women’s men.”

“If Fox isn’t taking care of business right, I’m still available,” Harrison said, feeling a tug on his heart as she smiled. “Don’t let this chair fool you.”

It was worse when Lydia walked over and leaned to kiss his cheek. Morrie Freaking Fox had somehow found the magic combination. The woman was practically giddy.

When she straightened, Harrison rubbed his chin. “Guess I can’t blame Walter for losing his head over you today. You’ve never looked better.”

“I’ve never felt better, but this delightful conversation isn’t getting towels washed. When you see Jane, tell her I’m starting at the pool house today,” Lydia said. “Bye, Walter. Try to find a younger woman to date.”

“Story of my life,” Walter said sadly. “What’s the use of looking like I do if I keep striking out with all the best women?”

“Keep the faith, Walter. A person’s luck can change any day,” Lydia said brightly. “Happy Closing.”

Both men were silent as they watched an almost too happy version of Lydia exit, hips swinging and leather sandals slapping the hardwood floor of the Lodge as she walked away. Her friendly manner and easy smile were hard to get used to.

“Now I’m
really
sorry Lydia never gave you a chance,” Walter said, putting a hand on Harrison’s shoulder. “Who knew that could happen?”

“I did—or at least I hoped. But I’ll tell you, Walter, some women are just not meant for you, no matter how much you like them,” Harrison said sincerely. “Still, I’m happy to see her happy. Of course, I intend to give Morrie hell over it—the talented bastard.”

Walter snickered, straightening when Jane came into her office wearing a white silk blouse, three inch black heels, and a pencil skirt that wrapped around her curves in a very enticing way. His gaze dropped and stayed on her legs until they disappeared behind her desk. When he lifted it again, it was to see Jane with a very red face. Probably because she knew now just how interested in her he was.

“Happy Closing Day,” he said, receiving an answering nod. “Where are we doing the deed?”

“Randall is meeting us here with the rest of the paperwork. Since you two seem settled, we’ll do it in here. I think we can squeeze in another chair,” Jane said. “Dad’s roaming about today and I’d just as soon he not be a part of this, so I thought we would close and lock the door.”

“Works for me,” Walter said, looking at Harrison, who rolled his eyes. He passed on gloating about getting the wheelchair inside the office and turned back to Jane. “Lydia said to tell you she was starting in the pool house today.”

Jane nodded, keeping her attention on her computer, her desk, and the paperwork she had carefully prepared, doing everything she could to keep her attention off Walter looking way too grown up in dress clothes.

Though she wasn’t sure how it was possible, Walter looked even bigger and taller in his suit. And with memories of her lousy date still fairly fresh, Jane knew she was more vulnerable than ever to what his eyes were promising as he looked at her. Plus, his aftershave, or whatever it was Walter wore, went straight to her knees these days. Okay, maybe it was little higher than her knees, but she definitely could not think about that.

“Thanks for letting me know,” she said, her voice husky instead of firm.

Moments later her attorney came, and they locked the doors to begin the process of turning control of North Winds over to its new owner.

Jane was relieved to know that in a short while she would be moving on to the next challenge in her life.

***

Morrie was coming through the front door of the Lodge when he saw her across the room. Her confidence in her body was obvious, even though she wasn’t as bubbly as he was used to seeing her be. He walked across the floor, his gaze intense on the attractive brunette.

“My, my, my—David let you take those out for a spin without him?” Morrie demanded, hearing her delighted giggle.

“Yes. Too bad you didn’t stick around long enough to enjoy them for yourself. What have you been up to lately? Other than chasing lonely widows, you big flirt,” Dorothy demanded. “Give me a kiss and I’ll let you check out my new ta-tas.”

Morrie chuckled and leaned into her, touching her mouth briefly just to make her laugh again. He was only a little shocked when she brought his hands to her breasts, but mostly he was just amused at her pleasure.

“Did it hurt to have it done?” he asked.

“Yes. And the anesthesia made me sick,” Dorothy admitted, closing her eyes to enjoy the sensation of being touched on breasts she hadn’t had until a few weeks ago.

“Well, sweetheart, I believe you got your money’s worth,” Morrie said, easing his hands away from her breasts and bringing them to cup her face. “I just hope you did them for yourself and not because of anyone else. You were a sexy woman without them.”

“And I am still grateful every day that you convinced me of that,” Dorothy said. “I didn’t do it for David. I did it for myself. I decided it would be grand to have perky breasts even when they put me in a casket.”

Morrie laughed and leaned to kiss her cheek. “You’re an amazing woman.”

“Not as amazing as Lydia McCarthy evidently,” Dorothy said, smiling at his almost guilty expression. “What exactly do you see in that uptight woman?”

“What do you see in David?” Morrie asked, seeing the man in question coming towards them with wave and a smile.

“I see the man I’m going to love for the rest of my life,” Dorothy said. “You’re in love with Lydia? Morrie, she’s not even Jewish.”

“You and David can pray for me at temple,” Morrie said. “I have to have her.”

Dorothy laughed and shook her head, smiling at the man who slipped an arm around her waist.

“Flirting with your old boyfriend?” David asked. “Or showing off your new ta-tas?”

Dorothy giggled. “You know me so well.”

“She makes people feel them whether they want to or not,” David said, grinning because a sense of humor was required with Dorothy. “Look—why don’t you show Harrison? And Walter’s with him. There’re two more males who haven’t touched the eighth wonder of the world yet.”

Dorothy smacked him on the arm, just as Morrie turned towards Jane’s office and swore.

“Oh shit,” he said. “Jane caught me checking out the trial pair you were wearing. Now she’s caught me again checking out the real ones. I suppose you realize my daughter thinks I’m a womanizer because of you and your breasts.”

Dorothy threw back her head and laughed until she was dizzy. “Oh my, I’m sixty and don’t care what people think anymore. And for what I paid for these babies, I’m going to show them off to anyone that wants a squeeze. Tell Jane it’s just how I am.”

Grinning, Morrie shook his head and started to walk away, seeing the back of the red t-shirt Lydia had worn this morning flash as she headed at a clip to the side door. If she’d seen him touching Dorothy. . .no, he couldn’t think she’d take that well or not jump to the wrong conclusion. But she should know how he felt. Surely she did.

“Lydia. . .wait,” Morrie called, breaking into a jog to try and catch her.

***

Standing outside her office and watching her father grope Dorothy Henderson again, Jane’s indrawn breath had alerted the two remaining males with her, just as Walter managed to get the wheelchair back out.

Shocked at what he’d witnessed, Walter rubbed the back of his neck, unable and unwilling to believe it. He looked at Jane’s pink face and put his arm around her shoulders in support. “I’m sure there’s a reasonable—and probably hysterical—reason for what we just saw.”

“You mean a reason other than my father has lost his mind? Or is a womanizing bastard who doesn’t even have the good sense to do those things behind closed doors?” Jane said, her voice and tone sucked dry of all humor.

“Morrie just didn’t strike me as that kind of man,” Walter said softly. “There’s a reason.”

Jane shrugged. “That’s nice of you to say, but Dad hasn’t been normal since Mom died. But I thought. . .Lydia and he. . .Oh hell, what do I know about anything? I had the lousiest date in the world this week. I’m in no place to judge. It’s only ten in the morning, but I definitely feel the urge to drink. Walter, this might just be your chance to take advantage of the situation. I plan to get smashed until I can erase what just got burned into my eyelids.”

Walter sighed and eased his arm off Jane’s shoulders. He wanted to pull her to him for a hug but was afraid he would just embarrass her further with his unwanted attention.

“Damn my ethics,” Walter said.

Harrison sat rubbing his chin, pondering the situation. His eyes told him one thing, but his instincts were telling a very different story.

“I don’t care how bad that looked. Morrison Fox is head over heels in love with Lydia McCarthy. If he wasn’t, I’d be tempted to beat him to death with my cane right now. But I’m not so inclined. I refuse to believe he’s a cheating bastard like the first one she got involved with. No offense, Jane. Sorry to be discussing your father’s actions in front of you.”

Jane reached out a hand and patted Harrison’s shoulder. “Quite alright. I’m in shock myself. Let’s just go out and celebrate like we planned. Dad screwed up, and we were unfortunate witnesses, but he’s the one that has to make it right. There’s nothing the three of us can do.”