Over Joyed

by Jeannette Winters

  Although she thoroughly enjoyed the compliment, she wanted to make sure it wasn’t misplaced. “And you believe this why?”

  “The night we spent together, I learned a lot about you.” Joyelle knew he wasn’t talking about sex, but she blushed anyway. Ace reached over and brought her hand to his lips, kissing her fingers. “Yes, Joyelle, I learned that, too.”

  Her heart leaped into her throat and she decided to steer the conversation away from the subject of sex. She asked, “What else did you learn?”

  “That you’re a fighter.”

  “I’ve never been in a fight,” she clarified.

  Ace said, “Yes, you have. Just not with your fists.”

  “You’re a very…confusing man.” She wasn’t trying to be rude, but had no idea what he was talking about. She didn’t even raise her voice at people, never mind fight them.

  “That’s an understatement. But you’re not changing the subject. We’re talking about you,” he said. I know that. And that’s why I want to change it.

  “Life can throw a lot of shit at you,” Ace said. “But it’s how you recover, move past it, that defines you.”

  Ah. The fight against misfortune. Got it. “I guess I never thought of it that way. Did you learn that in one of your textbooks?”

  “No. My mother. It was one of the days I was sitting down feeling sorry for myself. You know, in school when you’re in the playoffs, and you wish you had a father there to cheer you on.”

  She understood that all too well. Every celebration, she wished her mother had been there. Even though her grandma meant everything to her, it was still a void, an empty feeling in the pit of her stomach that creeped in occasionally. Joyelle would like to think it was all behind her, that she’d dealt with her past and could handle herself. But she knew that void would hit her again someday. It always did.

  “I guess we’re both lucky we had people in our lives that were there, encouraging us,” she said. Ace nodded. She squeezed his hand. And it’s nice having someone new come into my life doing the same.

  “I couldn’t agree more. And in case you haven’t noticed, we’re here,” Ace announced.

  Joyelle looked around. It was some sort of amusement park. “Zip Line to Heaven? What are we doing here?”

  “I promised you an adventure.”

  She read the list of things they offer here: zip line, bungee jumping, rock climbing, and things she’d never even heard of before. “No. You promised me a Sunday drive. This is a life-risking outing. They’re total opposites.”

  “First of all, I wouldn’t let you risk your life. Secondly, we did have a Sunday drive. It was just the destination which I kept a secret.”

  “Maybe we can say we did it, and not,” she suggested.

  Ace laughed. “Where is the woman that I said would come out the victor?”

  “Oh, what was I thinking? I should’ve packed a change of clothes.”

  He raised a brow. “I’m not sure I heard right.”

  “Oh, you did. See, I’m afraid of heights. Well, at least the last time I ever got on a ladder I was afraid. I’m good on the first few rungs, but after that, I’m…well…you could say…”

  “You needed a change of…clothes?” She nodded.

  His face broke into the smile that comes with having a good idea. “I changed my mind.”

  “About what?”

  “How about we do something really wild and crazy?”

  Joyelle wasn’t sure what he was about to suggest. If it was anything like this one, she might not want to hear it. Crossing her fingers, she asked, “My version of wild or yours?”

  “Yours,” Ace replied.

  “Okay, let’s hear it.” She hoped this idea was better than the first.

  “Why don’t we stop at Tony’s and actually eat our pizza there?”

  It might be the only way we actually eat it. The only place the last one went was in the trash from being left out all night. “I am hungry,” she admitted. And anything sounds better than falling to my death.

  Ace put the Jeep in reverse and said, “Pizza it is.”

  “Wait, you said wild. Let’s make it a calzone,” she joked.

  He said, “Make it a meat lover’s and you’re on.”

  “Okay, you win,” As long as dessert is you. She turned and looked out the passenger window to conceal her pink cheeks. Ace already seemed to read her too well. There was no need for him to know just how much she enjoyed every moment they spent together.

  Hell, I’d have even done the zip line.

  * * *

  Tony’s was exactly what he’d expected on a Sunday, a bunch of families out to eat. Ace found himself wishing he had suggested someplace more private. Then again, the last time they tried eating pizza in private, they never even took a bite.

  But dinner was done and it was time to bring her home, since she’d already told him she had no room for dessert. Damn. He didn’t want today to end. Then it came to him. He had the perfect excuse.

  “You know it’s still early and we still have a promise to fulfill.”

  “What promise?” Joyelle asked.

  “To find your Grandma’s photo. You know, the one of her on her motorcycle.”

  “I still can’t believe she never told me about that. You’d think at some point it would have come up in conversation.”

  Ace held her hand as they walked back to the Jeep. “Maybe she didn’t want you to think she’d do the same thing as your mom.” He felt her tense with his comment. “Which, if that’s the case, only proves again how much you mean to her and how she’d do anything to ensure your happiness.”

  Joyelle leaned into his arm and said, “I think you’re wasting your time building motorcycles.”

  “That’s not exactly what I thought you’d say.” She hadn’t even seen his designs as far as he knew.

  “I mean, you’re so good with making someone feel better about a situation.”

  Ace stopped and turned her to look at him. “Joyelle, I don’t want you to think for a moment that I am analyzing you. What I said is exactly what I meant. It didn’t come from any textbook.”

  “I know. I never dated someone who had a degree in psychology.”

  “And you’re not now.” He instantly thought about how that sounded. “You’re dating someone who owns a motorcycle shop. Though I’m not sure you like that any better.”

  Ace could tell that the wall between her and bikes was still there, but maybe not as high as when they first met. Did that have anything to do with him? It probably had more to do with her just having someone to talk to about the part of her past that hurt so much. He just happened to be there.

  Joyelle rose up on her toes and kissed him on the cheek, shaking him from his reverie. “I like to think that Horace owns the shop but I date Ace.”

  I like that. You. Me. Dating. He knew some things were going to change in his life, mostly to make sure they had time together. Making it work between two people who usually did nothing but work meant it was going to take effort on both sides. He was willing, and from the playful look in her beautiful green eyes, so was she. But that didn’t mean he wanted her to start calling him Horace.

  “I’m okay with that, psychologically speaking,” he joked. Now if you can get your grandma to stop calling me Horace, we’ll be golden.

  “Oh good, because I’m not sure if I can scream out ‘Horace, oh Horace!’ when we…I mean…oh damn,” Joyelle said, blushing.

  Ace loved it when she made herself blush. And it always seemed to be when she was talking about him. “If you do that, I’m going to have to work a lot harder to make you feel so good you can’t even speak,” he teased.

  Joyelle batted her eyelashes at him. “Oh, Horace. Please, Horace, I need ”

  He pulled her roughly, crashing her against him so his lips were only inches from hers. “I would suggest saving that until we get back to your place, otherwise we might be christening my new Jeep.”

  Joyelle giggled wickedly. �
��Tempting, but I’m not going to risk getting caught doing it in the back of a Jeep.”

  “Then I suggest we get the hell out of this parking lot before we stop caring.” Loosening his hold, he opened the passenger door and helped her inside. “Let’s get back to your place.”

  “To look for the photograph?” she asked jokingly.

  He couldn’t believe he was saying this. “Actually, yes.”

  Joyelle looked at him, eyes wide. “You’re serious.”

  “Yes. It seems to be very important to her.”

  “It is. I just don’t know why. Okay, we’ll stay up all night again if we have to.”

  Ace leaned over and said, “I plan on it, but first, we dedicate one hour on the photo search.” He kissed her briefly and knew right then: they might need to look for the picture in the morning.

  They were almost at her place when she received a call. He could tell right away that there was a problem.

  “Ace, can you turn this around and bring me to my grandma’s?”

  “Of course. What happened?” he asked.

  “She said she fell but is okay. I need to check for myself. She might be one of the strongest, healthiest people of her age that I know, but I’ve got”

  “To be there. I get it. Just tell me where.”

  “It’s not that far. Just on the other side of town. I’m really sorry about dragging you out with me to do this. If you want, you can just drop me off and I’ll take a taxi back.”

  Ace grabbed hold of her hand. It was trembling. “I’m not leaving you, Joyelle.”

  She seemed to relax, but her hands still trembled. That probably wouldn’t quit until Joyelle knew the status of her grandma’s health. It was yet another thing he found he liked about her. Willing to drop everything for someone she cared about.

  “Thank you,” she said, giving his hand an appreciative squeeze.

  Ace followed her directions and before long they had arrived. Joyelle knocked on the door, but used a key to let herself inside.

  “Grandma?” she called out.

  “I’m in here, Joyelle.”

  He followed her into her grandma’s bedroom. Grandma was sitting up on the bed. Joyelle rushed over to her side, kneeling on the floor. “Grandma, are you okay? What happened?”

  “I’m fine. I wasn’t looking where I was walking and tripped on the corner of the rug.”

  “Does anything hurt?” she asked. Her grandma shook her head. “How about your ankle, your knee, your hips?”

  “No. No. And no. I’m okay. I told you that,” Grandma declared.

  “Maybe we should bring you to the hospital and have you checked out. You never know. You could’ve hurt yourself and not even realize it.” Joyelle turned to him and asked, “What do you think?”

  Ace looked at both women and before he could even speak, her grandma cut in. “Now don’t you start telling me what I need to do, too. It’s bad enough Joyelle thinks I’m fragile like a china doll.”

  He replied, “I don’t think anyone would think such a thing. But I know she loves you very much. Worrying is just her way of showing it.”

  Grandma smiled and said, “You seem to be very fond of my granddaughter.”

  Ace watched Joyelle, who was still examining her grandma for bumps or bruising. “She’s a very special person.” It was true. Her joyfulness was…infectious. And all the talking that had once driven him bonkers - well, it was actually…nice. She was intelligent, well-versed in her craft. Her chatter wasn’t rambling, after all; it was a small history lesson.

  “Grandma, I really think you” Joyelle tried again, but her grandma wasn’t hearing it.

  “Shouldn’t have called you. The last thing I wanted to do was interrupt your date,” she said, smiling.

  “Grandma, you didn’t disturb us at all,” Joyelle replied.

  Ace added, “We were just about to look for that picture.”

  “Picture?” she said, looking puzzled. Maybe Joyelle was right and her grandma should go to the hospital. How could she not remember the one thing she kept asking for?

  Joyelle seemed to have the same concern. Softly and slowly said, “Grandma, we’re talking about the photo you wanted us to find. The one of you on the motorcycle you owned when you were young. Don’t you remember?”

  Something wasn’t right, but Ace couldn’t figure out what. Ace was ready to back Joyelle up if they needed to rush her to the hospital.

  “Joyelle, I never owned a motorcycle,” Grandma said.

  Joyelle turned to Ace and ordered, “Help me get her up. We’re going to the hospital.”

  Grandma said firmly. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Yes, you are. You must’ve hit your head. You’re forgetting things,” Joyelle explained.

  Ace approached the bed and scooped her up in his arms. “Lead the way, Joyelle. I’ve got her.”

  “Horace, put me down!” Grandma snapped. “I mean it. Put me down. I’m not injured. I’m not losing my mind and I never owned a motorcycle.”

  Ace looked at Joyelle, not sure what he should do. But he also knew he couldn’t force someone to go if they didn’t want to. Even the EMTs would agree. Gently he placed her back on the bed and took a step back so Joyelle could approach.

  “Grandma, I need you to trust me,” Joyelle pleaded.

  Grandma reached out and grabbed hold of Joyelle’s hand. “And you need to forgive me.”

  “For what, Grandma?” she asked.

  Grandma called Ace over and patted for him to sit on the opposite side of the bed. When he did, she reached out and held his hand as well. “I lied.”

  “You didn’t fall?” Joyelle asked.

  “I fell, and like I told you, I’m not hurt.”

  “Grandma, I’m so confused,” Joyelle stated.

  “Well, it’s time I tell you the truth.”

  “Would you like me to leave you two alone to talk?” Ace asked.

  Grandma shook her head. “No. I lied to you, too.”

  He was perplexed. They had only met a week ago. And she was the sweetest lady. Why would she lie? What motive did she have? Guess we’re about to find out.

  She asked, “Do you remember the day I came to your shop?” Ace nodded. “I told you about the motorcycle.”

  “Yes, the 1950 Indian Chief Black Hawk,” Ace replied.

  Grandma said, “I never owned it. Never been on one either.”

  What the hell? “Then why did you say you did?” he asked.

  “Oh, you’re not going to be happy with me, but I lied so you’d come to Joyelle’s shop. I didn’t think you’d come any other way.”

  “So you lied about a bike to get me over to eat cookies?” Ace asked.

  Grandma chuckled. “You young folks are so brilliant and talented, but sometimes you’re as dumb as rocks. I brought you over there for Joyelle, not her pastries.”

  “Grandma!” Joyelle said, standing up in shock. “You made up this entire story about a motorcycle because you wanted us to talk?”

  “No. I wanted you to see what I saw.”

  “And what’s that?” Joyelle asked.

  Grandma said, “That you two belong together.”

  Ace was the next to get up, stunned. He can’t believe he’d been manipulated by an almost ninety-year-old woman. He couldn’t be upset, though, because she’d been right. Damn it, I actually owe you, Grandma.

  Joyelle didn’t seem as welcoming of the announcement. “Grandma, you cannot go around and trick people into doing things just because you believe they are meant for each other.”

  Grandma didn’t look upset at all. “Sometimes people are so focused on finding one thing, that they can’t see what’s right in front of them.”

  “Maybe they’re happy with how things are and don’t need anyone butting in,” Joyelle huffed in exasperation.

  Ace looked at her. “Joyelle, it seems like she’s okay. Maybe we should let her rest.” And we can talk.

  “But I’m not through explaining that wha
t she did is wrong,” Joyelle answered.

  “I think I’m old enough to know what I did was wrong. But for the record, dear, I’d do it again,” Grandma answered, holding her head up proudly.

  Ace leaned over, kissed the top of her head, and said softly, “And you’d end up with the same results.”

  “You being angry with me?” she asked.

  “No. Me being crazy about your granddaughter.”

  She smiled so wide as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Oh, Horace, you made me the happiest woman.”

  Joyelle stood there shaking her head. “Grandma, you went through all this just to get me a boyfriend?”

  Grandma said, “No. Boyfriends come and go. I have a feeling Horace is here to stay.”

  He wasn’t sure when or how it happened, but Joyelle had become so very important to him. He wasn’t ready to put a label on it, but Grandma was right.

  Ace held Joyelle’s gaze steadily when he answered. “I think you’re right, Grandma. I’m not going anywhere.”

  He and Joyelle sat back down on the bed with Grandma. This time, they didn’t talk about some mysterious photo that didn’t exist. Instead they talked about Tasty Tarts, and they included him in what was coming next.

  I might find I have a sweet tooth after all.

  Epilogue

  The roar of the motorcycle was getting closer. Ace was going to be back any moment. Joyelle double checked and everything was perfect. He was going to be so surprised. She’d thought about inviting his friends, and her Grandma, but this was their first birthday they celebrated as a couple, and she wanted to do so in private.

  Joyelle couldn’t believe they’d been together for seven months, each day better than the one before. It was like some fairy tale romance and this was one story she never wanted to end. If it wasn’t for her Grandma butting in where she shouldn’t, Joyelle probably wouldn’t be in this loving relationship.

  Would fate have intervened in another way? Possibly, but fate was no match for her Grandma. That’s why Joyelle knew his birthday gift was perfect. Well at least from what she believed.

  Joyelle walked over to the front window of her shop and peered out. Yup, he was back and pulling his motorcycle into the shop. She knew his routine so well now. He’d lock up the shop. Check for messages. Then he’d come over to Tasty Tarts & Sweet Brews for a cup of coffee, and a kiss or two. Today there was going to be more than that waiting for him.