Welcome Back to Rambling, TX

by June Faver

She looked a little pouty but nodded. “Stwawbaby.”

  “Coming right up.” He opened the yogurt drink, congratulating himself for recalling that it worked better to give a child a choice than to argue them down about the thing they really wanted. He had learned this the hard way after spending many long hours arguing with a very stubborn young lady named Reggie Lee.

  He looked up to see Vern chatting with the two women again. Apparently, they had finished whatever they were doing in the ladies’ room, and the redhead was mopping at her eyes with a copious amount of toilet paper. It appeared she had cried off the false eyelashes.

  Sandy wasn’t a bad-looking woman. Other than the neon-red hair, she was quite attractive.

  Vern was escorting both women toward the picnic table where Henry was supervising his granddaughter’s lunch.

  “Now we need to check out the Super Beetle and see if it has authentic Volkswagen parts.”

  Lolly nodded. “Yes, Sandy’s husband babied this car like a firstborn child.”

  Sandy’s lower lip trembled, and Henry thought she would dissolve into tears again. But she gave a little giggle and wiped her eyes some more.

  “He sure did,” Sandy said. “I think he spent as much time in the garage with Betty Lou as he did with me.”

  “Betty Lou?” Vern asked.

  “That’s what he named her. Betty Lou… Silly, I know.”

  The trio had arrived in front of Henry.

  Shannon was alternately taking a bite of her sandwich and stuffing Goldfish into her mouth.

  “I thought these lovely ladies might be deserving of a tour of your cooler, my friend.” Vern looked at Henry expectantly.

  “Of course,” Henry said, gesturing to the cooler. “My cooler is your cooler. Help yourselves, ladies.”

  He watched as Vern made an extravagant bow and opened the cooler.

  “Oh, my!” Lolly leaned over to pull a Stella Artois from the cooler. “I love this beer.” She looked around. “Is there an opener?”

  Vern laughed. “Real men don’t need no stinkin’ beer openers.” He flipped the cap off with his fingers.

  Lolly was delighted, giving him a wide grin. “Oh, Vern. That was so cool.”

  Sandy poked around in the cooler, finally selecting a Corona. “Mexican beer.” She heaved a loud sigh. “George took me to Acapulco for our honeymoon, and we drank Mexican beer with lime.” She handed it to Vern and asked him to open it for her.

  Vern then seated the women on the opposite side of the concrete picnic table from Henry and Shannon, who was still systematically eating her sandwich and the Goldfish and drinking her yogurt drink.

  Lolly smiled at Henry. “Are you into classic cars too?”

  Henry took a slow and serious drink of his beer, letting the cold liquid roll down his throat. “Yes, ma’am. I am into my 1969 Pontiac GTO. If you cast your eyes right over there, you will see the badass Priscilla, my pride and joy after my daughter and granddaughter.” He pointed to the blue-metal-flake vehicle gleaming in the sunshine.

  Lolly tilted her head to one side. “She’s a beauty.” She took a sip of her beer. “I couldn’t help but notice that you didn’t mention a wife, Henry. Are you single?”

  To his extreme embarrassment, Henry blushed. “I most certainly am not… My wife passed away some years ago. I was married for twenty years, and now I am a widower.” He finished off his beer and went to fetch another from his cooler. He stood for a moment, gazing with pride at Priscilla, and then realized he had better get back in case Shannon decided to take a header off the picnic table.

  * * *

  “Hey, Mr. Stafford.” Jill Garland greeted her best friend’s father when he opened the door to his home. It had surprised her when he’d called and asked her to come over. He’d said it was an emergency.

  There was a certain grim set to his jaw that caused her some alarm. She had expected him to ask her to stay with Shannon so he could work at the store, which she was willing to do.

  When Reggie Lee had shared that she was leaving town with the notorious Frank Bell, she had been excited that her friend was taking a walk on the wild side…but Reggie had assured her it was just a business trip. She’d said she was going to help her hot boss refurbish the Grady place.

  Jill hoped there was something more going on. Her friend needed a break.

  Henry Stafford held the screen door open and motioned for Jill to step inside.

  She sensed that he needed to unload something that had caused his jaw to be set that tight. She followed him as he went back to the kitchen. “You and my dad were playing with your cars at the park, weren’t you? Was Shannon a good girl for you today?”

  “Perfect.” He snorted and set a cooler on the floor in the kitchen. “My granddaughter is always perfect.”

  “Okay.” She saw that Shannon was following him like a puppy. “Then did my dad get under your skin bragging about his car?”

  “No!” He huffed out a sigh and began unloading bottles of beer into the bottom of the refrigerator. “Why do you ask me something like that?”

  Yes, he was frowning.

  “Well, you’re all swelled up like a toad, and you’re snapping at me.” She managed a frown of her own. “What’s going on?”

  “Sorry. I’m really sorry.” He made a sort of growling sound. “I swear…when Vern runs for reelection, I will vote for his opponent…no matter who it is.”

  “Now, Mr. Stafford. My daddy is your best friend. You two have been best buds since boyhood. What could possibly have ticked you off at Vern?”

  Henry’s face had taken on a quite florid tone. “My friend Vern—” He stopped abruptly and heaved a huge sigh. A muscle in his cheek twitched. “There were these two women in the park. They came from Houston…”

  Jill noted that he appeared about ready to explode. “Breathe, Mr. Stafford. I don’t want to have to call 911. And Reggie won’t understand if I let you stroke out.”

  “That might get me out of this fiasco tonight.”

  “Tonight?”

  “Those two women… Vern offered to take them to the VFW tonight…and he volunteered me!”

  Jill’s brows drew together. “So, you’re saying you have a double date with my dad and two women from Houston…and you’re taking them to the VFW?”

  “That’s what I said, isn’t it?”

  Jill had to chuckle at his apparent discomfort. “What’s the problem, Mr. Stafford? I’m here to sit with Shannon. Auntie Jill will make sure she has a good time. You spring for a burger at the VFW and maybe dance a little. It will be good for you. You need to get out a little more.”

  Henry snorted. “I get out plenty.”

  “Yes, but it’s all about you and my dad and the classic cars. It won’t hurt you to spend some time with nice ladies… Wait! These are nice ladies, aren’t they?”

  “Oh, I guess they’re nice. Just kind of fluffy… Not my kind of women.”

  Jill leaned back against the counter and crossed her arms over her chest. “Please tell me what is your kind of woman.”

  “You know… Natural. Not with all that stuff on ’em.”

  “Stuff?”

  “These two looked like everything was fake. Fake eyelashes. Fake fingernails. Fake hair color. It made me wonder what they were trying to hide.”

  “Aww, Mr. Stafford. They probably just wanted to feel pretty for you.”

  Henry leaned back against the opposite counter and echoed her stance, crossing his beefy arms over his broad chest. He exhaled heavily. “Well…you know…Reggie Lee’s mother was just so beautiful without a speck of makeup… And she never colored her hair, even when she got some white threaded in among the blonde.”

  “She was a wonderful person. She had a snack ready for Reggie and me every day after school. She was like a second mom to me.”

  He looke
d so sad that Jill had to cross the room to hug him.

  “Aw, Mr. Stafford. I know how much you loved your wife…but she’s gone… She’s been gone for some time now.”

  He hugged her fiercely. “I know…and I miss her every day.” His voice went to a higher octave, and he sniffled against her shoulder. She held him tight as they both lost themselves in memories of the woman neither could forget.

  * * *

  Frank rode up in the hotel elevator a few minutes before seven. He had checked the mail at his condo and generally kicked back. He didn’t want to crowd Reggie Lee. He sensed she was nervous and somewhat overwhelmed. Catching sight of himself in a big gilded mirror above a table near the elevator, he straightened his tie. Surprised that he was nervous, he raked his fingers through his hair before striding to the designated room.

  He knocked on the door, and Reggie answered it immediately.

  She was attired in a short black sleeveless sheath with a layer of lace over the top. The black lace against her fair skin made him want to throw her on the bed, or at least reach out and touch her…a lot.

  “Don’t you look gorgeous!” He stepped into the room. “I mean, you always look gorgeous, but tonight you look even better.”

  She dimpled at him, her big brown eyes shining. Then she did a pirouette, allowing him to get a good look. “What do you think? Did I spend your money well?” She had twisted her hair up with little tendrils curling down around her face and neck.

  Frank grinned. “I would say you made a very wise investment. You’ve never looked lovelier than you do at this moment.”

  Reggie flashed her trademark dimpled grin. “I’m glad you approve.” She reached for a small black bag that couldn’t have held more than a lipstick and the room access card.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked.

  “Not famished. That room tray you had sent up was most satisfying.”

  Without thinking, he reached out to touch the side of her face. He felt himself drawn into her gaze. Entrapped in the depths of her warm brown eyes. He leaned down to brush his lips across hers.

  She closed her eyes and leaned toward him, her lips soft and yielding.

  His gentle kiss led to another, not so gentle, and another after that. Pulling away, he gazed down at her. “You seem to be my drug of choice. I can’t get enough of you.”

  Reggie looked really happy. In fact, her face was glowing with happiness. Frank imagined this was the way he looked too because he couldn’t remember feeling this elated. He cleared his throat. “We’d better go. I have reservations at the Carillon.”

  Reggie nodded, and a slight tremor shook her body.

  “Are you cold?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “Just excited. I know this is everyday stuff for you, but this is all a big deal to me.”

  If only you knew. “Let’s go, then.” He took her arm and gestured to the door.

  Downstairs, he helped her into a waiting taxi.

  “I thought you had a rental car,” she said, settling into the seat.

  He slid in beside her. “I do, but it’s easier to use a cab to get around the city. No parking to deal with.” He pressed a kiss against her temple. “This way I can look at you instead of traffic.”

  She smiled up at him. “That was sweet, Frank. You’re showing me a whole different side of you.”

  “I’m the same guy. Maybe I just grew up in the years I was away.” He slipped an arm around her, marveling at how content he felt.

  Complete.

  He felt as though he had become a part of a very important whole. Something that had been missing in his loner life.

  * * *

  The cab wove through and around traffic. Reggie was acutely aware of the man beside her. The handsome, urbane man with his arm snugged around her shoulders.

  She tried to keep from grinning…couldn’t.

  Her insides were light as a feather. She had almost forgotten how to feel this carefree…to let someone else take charge.

  Just for tonight, she wasn’t responsible for anything or anyone.

  The taxi stopped, and Frank handed the driver some cash. He stepped out and leaned in to offer his hand to Reggie.

  As she got out, her already-short dress slid up to reveal more of her thighs.

  Frank’s gaze fixed on her thigh-high hosiery, and she had the distinct impression he was trying hard to appear unaffected.

  She stood and smoothed her skirt down, meeting Frank’s gaze without flinching. Deal with it!

  He grinned openly. “You’re killing me here.”

  Inside the very upscale restaurant, the hostess showed them to an intimate table. No booths or plastic seating. Each chair was upholstered in a rich wine-colored fabric. A candle was lit and offered a very close and private feeling.

  Reggie was aware that she turned a few heads as she passed. Maybe the little black dress was working its magic. She recalled the smoldering look on Frank’s face when it slipped up to reveal even more thigh.

  Maybe they’re staring at Frank. He looks unbearably hot tonight.

  When they were seated, a waiter came to greet them. “Good evening, Mr. Bell.” He nodded at Reggie and handed Frank a wine list, hovering nearby until Frank had made his selection.

  Reggie let Frank order for her, and they started off with a selection of seafood appetizers. He explained the difference between oysters Rockefeller and oysters Lafitte. Both were delicious, but she liked the tiny crab cakes best.

  Their main course was a perfectly seared steak with all the trimmings. Frank ordered different wine to go with each course. She marveled that he had gained such worldly acumen.

  “Hello, Frank.”

  Reggie was startled to see an incredibly beautiful redhead standing by the table. She wore a low-cut dress with a skirt so short Reggie hoped she didn’t bend over. The woman was glaring at Frank through narrowed eyes.

  “Hello, Gina.” Frank stood, his expression grim.

  “I didn’t know you were in town,” Gina said, accusation rife in her tone.

  “We just arrived today.” He gestured to Reggie.

  Gina’s lips tightened as she swept Reggie with a venomous glance. “Oh, I see.” She half turned and then rocked back on one hip. “Call me.” She stalked away, her long legs carrying her across the restaurant.

  Frank reclaimed his seat. “Well, that was awkward.”

  Determined to appear calm, Reggie shrugged. “I’m sorry if I caused a problem with your girlfriend.” Her hand shook when she reached for the wine glass.

  “Not my girlfriend. Just a girl I’ve dated in the past.”

  She met his gaze, not sure what to make of that statement. The past? What was past? Last week?

  They ate in silence for a while until Frank cleared his throat. “I don’t want you to think I’m a player, Reggie.”

  She leaned forward, smiling. “Frank, you have every right to be a player. You’re a very attractive single man and successful, so, as my dad would say, you’re free to sow your wild oats.”

  A muscle twitched in the side of his face. “I think I’m over that. I’m not sure what I’m looking for now, but…” He eyed her tentatively. “I think I’m closing in on it.”

  It was all she could do to hold his gaze. She wanted to ask him to spell it out but couldn’t quite form the words. Instead, she took a sip of wine and set the glass down carefully. “I wish you good luck in finding whatever it is you want, Frank.”

  He leaned a little closer, the candlelight setting sparks glinting in his green eyes. “Tell me what you want, Reggie. What is your ultimate goal?”

  Straightening her shoulders, she exhaled. “I’m not that complicated. I just want to be able to provide for my daughter. I guess the thing I would like most of all would be to have a home of our own.” She shrugged. “I love my father, and I
appreciate that I could take Shannon and crawl back home after Kenny split…but I would really love to have my own place. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Just a home for us, where I can change the paint anytime the mood hits. I want to draw castles and dragons on Shannon’s walls. Really make it special for her.” She stopped, her color rising. She hadn’t meant to reveal anything so personal. But she had. “That’s my goal,” she whispered.

  Frank reached for her hand and lifted it to his lips. “Here’s hoping both our dreams will come true very soon.”

  After the meal, Frank escorted her from the restaurant, and she found he had hired a horse-drawn carriage for the night.

  “Oh, this is just so—so—” Her voice trailed off. Romantic. It’s very romantic.

  Frank handed her up into the carriage and climbed in beside her.

  She felt as if she were on display, sitting in the open carriage surrounded by all the lights of the city. Of course, this was nothing new to all the sophisticated New Yorkers, but she was a first-timer, visiting an alien planet. Frank’s planet.

  He pointed out places of interest, including the building where he leased a condominium.

  It struck her as odd that he didn’t refer to it as “home,” but considering he was a world traveler, she wasn’t quite sure where he considered home.

  The driver turned the carriage into a tree-lined park. The lighting wasn’t as bright here, but she still felt exposed. The traffic noises abated, and the rhythmic clop-clop of horse’s hooves lulled her, giving her a sense of tranquility.

  “Ooh, this is beautiful.”

  “Central Park. You can’t visit New York City without a drive through the park.”

  A gust of cool air whispered over her skin, causing her to shiver. She rubbed her palms over her bare arms.

  Frank removed his jacket, slipped it around her shoulders, and then pulled her into an embrace. “I don’t want you to take a chill.” His deep voice seemed to resonate through her, melding her body with his, becoming one, at least for the moment.

  Reggie snuggled in his jacket, still warm with his body heat. This was feeling very comfortable. She turned to gaze up at him. “What are we doing, Frank?”