Now and Forever 5, Love's Journey (10 page)

“Mac? I’m sorry…can you come get me?” He
clicked off the phone and rested his head on the table.

Chapter Six

Early afternoon in the neat little house on
James Street

Peter couldn’t stand Lara’s closed window.
He sat down at the piano and played Chopsticks seven times hoping
it would annoy her enough so she’d open the window.

“What?” she finally threw open the
window.

“We have to talk.”

“Talk?”

“Can you come over?”

“Okay, okay. Stop the Chopsticks, all
right?”

“Are you coming now?”

“I said okay didn’t I?”

Lara found her way outside and up on the
front porch of Peter’s house. He was waiting for her.

“Do you want some iced tea?”

“No, thank you,” she said, feeling her way
to a chair then sitting down.

“Water?”

“No.”

“Okay. Okay. I want to apologize for kissing
you.”

“Are you sorry you did it?”

“I enjoyed it. I’m sorry I upset you or it
upset you. Whatever. You know what I mean.”

“I thought we were friends.”

“We are friends, aren’t we?”

“I guess so.” She shrugged.

“I like you, Lara. I don’t want one kiss to
screw us up.”

“I’m not ready for…for…for you. This seems
like the millionth time I’ve put my life back together since I was
sixteen. Every time I think I’m okay something terrible happens and
I’m at square one again.”

“I know about your parents, but…”

“After my parents died, my father’s brother
and his wife took me in. I received a lot of money as reparation
for the loss of my parents, like money could buy me a new set!
Anyway, my other uncle, Brandon Stewart, squandered much of the
money then took off. That’s when my mother’s brother, my uncle Jim,
took over. I took more control of my life, moved into my own
apartment when I was twenty and was getting my life together.

“I don’t remember all of what I was doing,
but I know I was making progress, growing up on my own. Then Keith
died…and this happened.”

“Now you don’t want to fall in love?”

“I’m trying to get my sight, my memory and
my life back. That’s enough.”

“Maybe love would help you?” Peter
coaxed.

“Maybe. And maybe I’ll get dumped
and…disaster again.”

“What if you didn’t get dumped?” Peter
asked.

“My optimism went out the window with my
luck. I have no way to work, no place to live. Peter, you’re my
best friend. What if love screws that up? Then I’ve not only lost a
lover, but a friend too. Can’t we continue on the way we are?”

Peter laughed. He never had a woman say she
wanted to be friends with him before. He knew he was being selfish
and Lara was right.

“I see your point. But don’t shut me out,
okay.”

“You mean, like the closed window?” she
asked, a smile playing at her lips.

“Closed, shut for three days.”

“I promise I won’t do it again.” She stood
up, keeping one hand on the chair back.

“Want to make up over ice cream
tonight?”

“Ice cream is so messy.” She made a
face.

“Cones, no spoons. I’ll get you at
eight?”

“You’ve talked me into it.”

Peter took her hand and helped her to the
door. She insisted on finding her own way home. He stood in the
doorway, watching her to make sure she was safe.

* * * *

Sam took Pat to the Cozy Corner diner for
dinner before the movie. He held her hand as they walked into the
auditorium where the movie would be shown.

“I like to sit up close,” Sam said, “do you
mind?”

“My favorite spot, up where all the kids
are. Then I see everything clearly,” she said, walking next to him
down the aisle.

When the lights went down, Sam took her hand
and folded it into his. After the movie finished, they discussed
the characters and the plot while strolling to Sam’s car.

“Why wouldn’t he admit he loved her?” Pat
asked Sam, referring to Mr. Lucky, the title character in the
movie.

“Don’t know. Some macho guy thing from the
thirties, I guess.” He laughed and Pat did too.

“Can I take you out for ice cream, Sam?” Pat
asked, turning to face him.

“Like when we were kids…perfect. What’s your
favorite flavor?”

“It’s a toss-up between butter pecan and
mint chip. How about you?”

“I’m a big mint chip fan.”

“Did you ever have it with hot fudge?” she
asked.

“Sounds great.” Sam maneuvered the car into
the line of cars leaving the lot.

“The Creamery has the best ice cream around.
Turn right at Fifth Street.” At The Creamery, they both ordered
small mint chip hot fudge sundaes.

. Sam’s cell phone rang and he couldn’t find
the “on” button in time to catch the call. Obviously flustered and
embarrassed, he abruptly shoved the phone in his pocket.

“I try to stay current with all the
technology but it seems to move ahead faster than I can keep up,”
Sam admitted.

“Me too. I don’t need the computer much in
my work, fortunately. But I do have to keep records and communicate
by email.”

“Hell, bird watching is still done with a
good pair of binoculars and eyes,” he laughed, digging his spoon
into the cold confection again.

“I do need to keep up-to-date on changes in
psychology and I surf the net for those. Listen to me, ‘surf the
net.’ I’ve been hanging around with too many underclassmen.”

“I’m amazed at the stuff you find on the
net…from porn to what’s playing at the movies,” Sam said, sucking
down another spoon of ice cream.

“Porn! Sam!” Pat said, blushing but
grinning.

“Just wanted to see if you were paying
attention, Patsy.” He chuckled.

When he drove her home, she invited him in
for coffee. The house was as warm and cheerful as Pat herself.
There was a small entryway for boots, umbrellas and coats opening
into a large living room with two sofas arranged around a big
fireplace. Soft colors were complemented by a few neutral area rugs
scattered on the natural wood floor. The kitchen was separated from
the living room by a counter. A small wood table with four chairs
provided a cozy place to eat.

Pat took him on a tour. There was a queen
size bed in the bedroom, which pleased him, along with a small
fireplace with a white marble mantelpiece and hearth.

“Charming room. Does the fireplace
work?”

“I don’t know. We never got around to trying
it out,” Pat responded.

An image of making love to Pat in the large
bed with a fire blazing flashed through his mind momentarily and a
smug smile crossed his lips.

Pat disappeared into the kitchen to make
coffee. One living room wall had sliding glass doors leading onto a
deck overlooking Linden Lake. Sam went outside to look at the
stars. In a few minutes Pat joined him, carrying two mugs of
coffee.

“Milk, no sugar, right?” she said, handing
him a steaming mug of coffee.

“You’re observant,” he said, impressed.

“I have to be in my work.”

“It’s a beautiful night. Do you ever look
out at the stars?”

“Of course. We have a perfect view. There’s
the Big Dipper,” she said, pointing.

Sam put his mug down.

“Where?” he asked, feigning ignorance so she
would move closer to him.

Pat put her mug down and got up close to
him, raising her arm up and pointing.

“Right…over…there. See?” she said, turning
toward him.

Sam pulled her closer to him with one long
arm and looked up.

“I see it now,” he said, easing her into his
arms.

He kissed her sweet and slow. She softened
against him.

“You’re lovely tonight,” he whispered.

“Thank you,” she whispered back then brought
her mouth to his for another kiss.

He wanted to take it slow but it was
becoming harder to rein himself in. She was pretty, sweet, smart
and he wanted her. Pat parted her lips and Sam moved his tongue in
slowly, not wishing to scare her again. She let out a little moan.
He tightened his arms around her bringing their bodies closer. His
lips tugged on her lower lip, his tongue possessed her mouth. The
kissing got intense.

Pat stepped back, breaking away to catch her
breath. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were shining. Sam
glanced at her breasts, covered by a pretty, coral-colored
lightweight sweater and his fingertips tingled. But he wasn’t going
to rush her and the second date was too soon to be touching
her…which often led to further exploration… and to lovemaking. He
knew she wasn’t ready. He needed to slow down. He took her hand in
his and kissed it, keeping his hands safely occupied.

“I’d better go, Patsy,” he said, reluctant
to leave but knowing if he didn’t go soon, his self-control would
crumble and he might wreck the warm relationship they were
building. He didn’t want to lose Pat, especially over something as
stupid as pushing her for sex.
Hell, I’m not a kid.
He liked
Pat more than anyone else he’d dated…more than other women he’d had
sex with since Ellen’s death.

“Okay. It is late. Thank you for dinner and
the movie.” He thought he detected a note of regret in her voice.
Wishful thinking?

Sam walked to the door, kissed Pat goodnight
then stopped when she put her hand on his arm, pulling him back
slightly.

“Oh, before I forget. I found our two
favorite Cary Grant movies at the video counter at Randolph’s.
Would you like to come over next weekend? We could have our own
Cary Grant double feature and I’d make dinner to eat between the
movies. Does Saturday work for you?”

“Damn. I promised to babysit for Mac’s kids
on Saturday night. He and Callie don’t get out much. How about
Sunday, if we start in the afternoon?” Sam suggested.

Pat smiled.

“Sunday works for me. Can you come around
three?”

“Three’s fine. I look forward to it,” Sam
said, his lips curling into a warm grin.

He kissed her goodnight and got in his car
and drove home. Peter was asleep when he arrived. Sam released a
sigh of relief for being able to avoid his son’s third degree about
his date. He tiptoed quietly into his bedroom and went to
sleep.

* * * *

Peter, Lara and Sam were invited to Callie
and Mac’s on Saturday night for an early dinner. Afterward, Callie
and Mac were to go out dancing, leaving Sam with Jason and Kitty
while Peter and Lara returned home.

This was Lara’s first time at Mac and
Callie’s house so Callie went out of her way to make the blind
dancer feel at home. She explained to the children before Lara
arrived what blind meant. Callie reserved a task for her to help
with in the kitchen, to make Lara feel like part of the family.
Peter kept an eye on Lara so whenever she needed anything he was
there.

“Dad, I hear you’re giving Casanova a run
for his money,” Mac said, raising his eyebrow, grinning.

Peter made a face at Mac, trying to warn him
to drop it but he was too late.

“None of your business, son.”

“Grumpy and defensive! I’m admiring your
success with the ladies,” Mac teased.

Standing behind his father’s back, Peter
shook his head vigorously at Mac.

“Don’t go there, Mac,” Sam said, his temper
rising slowly.

“Boy, what happened to your sense of humor,
Dad?” Mac asked, offended.

“Can’t I have a private life? Do I question
you about your private life with your wife?” Sam asked.

“You’d better not.”

“Show me the same courtesy, will you?” Sam
slammed his beer bottle on the coffee table.

“I’m sorry, Dad. I’m impressed you’ve found
someone you like so quickly. I’m sure you miss Mom,” Mac said.

“You’ll never know how much.” Sadness leaked
into Sam’s voice.

“Dr. Weiss is special to me, Sam. Please
don’t break her heart,” Lara said.

“I won’t, Lara,” Sam chuckled.

“Now there’s an image, Pete, Dad as a heart
breaker!” Mac said, unable to resist teasing his father.

He and Peter cracked up. Sam left the room
in frustration.

“Don’t tease your father so much. He’s
precious,” Callie called from the kitchen.

“He can take it, Callie,” Peter said,
toasting with his brother with his bottle of beer.

“But I’m not sure I can,” she said.

Sam came back into the room.

“Actually, I have broken a few hearts in my
day, boys. Any time you want some pointers from me, feel free to
ask,” Sam said, his eyes twinkling.

* * * *

Callie and her friend Eliza Maine hijacked
Pat one Friday afternoon and gave her a makeover before her next
date with Sam. They brought her wardrobe up to date and threw out
her white cotton underwear. Along with hip hugging jeans, she
bought bikini underwear and matching lacy bras with good support,
to give her the cleavage needed for her sexy new tops. By the time
they got through with her, she felt like the sex goddess of the
sixty set.