Lawfully Chosen

by Ginny Sterling

  Will was here!

  His hand raised in greeting as he walked over to her house. The gas streetlamp cast a warm glow, basking him in the light suddenly. He wore a duster jacket that fell to his knees over his suitcoat and looked like something out of the old west. He wasn’t wearing his fedora like she’d usually seen him wearing at the diner, but instead his carefully combed hair was in slight disarray from having chased down the ruffians.

  “When did you return? I hadn’t heard from you,” she asked happily crossing her arms around her chest as if to hug herself. Her prayers had worked. He’d returned safe and sound, looking even more appealing than ever before. His face broke into an easy smile as he stepped forward and picked her up off the porch.

  “Does this mean you missed me?” he asked with a faint smile, pulling her into a hug. Her face laying against his chest and she heart his heartbeat, letting out a breath of relief.

  “I might have,” she teased.

  “Just ‘might’? Nothing more than that?”

  “I might have missed you a lot,” she whispered shyly, glancing up at him. She adored the way he looked so stoic all the time, but when their eyes met – she saw him melt, thus making her own heart puddle into her shoes.

  “That’s my girl,” he murmured and kissed her on the cheek. “Are you busy? I just got back into town and thought I’d come see you when I saw the cars headed this way.”

  “Were you worried about me?”

  “Concerned, yes. Since you live alone, I get anxious for your safety.”

  “Not anymore. Ruby moved into the house with me,” she reassured him and reached up to smooth the frown from his eyebrows. He captured her hand and kissed the palm, watching her. The look in his warm eyes, intense and sensual making her pull back, nervously.

  “So, two lovely ladies are living alone down the street from a couple of crooks? Now I am completely beside myself.”

  “We can take care of ourselves, silly.”

  “Get your coat and let’s get away for a bit.”

  “Where are we headed?”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  “I’m not dressed for anything nice or fancy,” she hedged. She wore a simple gown that buttoned to the neck and frankly, mortified to be seeing him in it. She wore it to clean at home. It was comfortable and had been mended several times with a small bleached spot along the edge. She wished he’d give her more notice so she could doll her face up or throw on something nicer.

  “You’re the best thing I’ve seen in weeks. Now, grab your things and put a hat on. There is still a chill in the air and we are going for a ride. I want to take my girl out for a bit.” The sincerity in his voice gave her goosebumps. There was no mistaking his tone, he thought her to be gorgeous and how could she ever resist that invitation when it seemed to be pulled straight from her heart?

  Penny grinned.

  She ran inside and grabbed a cloche, a coat and pinched her cheeks in order to put a bit of color on her face without the use of makeup. She tucked her shoulder length hair up inside of her hat and rejoined Will where he stood waiting. The other cars had dissipated and she saw his Chevrolet across the way. While she didn’t like the idea of heading out in the motor car, however, she craved the thrill that being with Will gave her.

  Walking to the car, he held open the passenger side door for her. Penny took her seat on the hard leather seat and gave a shiver as the cool seat touched the back of her legs. Sitting primly, she watched as he pushed the door shut and gave a slight jerk on it to make sure it was firmly into place. Will climbed into the driver side seat and smiled happily at her. It was obvious that the car was his pride and joy. Having a motor car was a sheer luxury not many could have which spoke highly of the income he must have.

  She’d never seen his house and knew his parents lived out in the country on a farm, so she assumed he must be quite well off due to the vehicle and his nice suits. It made her feel like she wasn’t worthy to be enjoying such extravagance and she had to remind herself that they had once lived a life of luxury as well before her father had passed away and her mother had left.

  Turning the key, the car gave a great lurch as the engine surged to life loudly. Penny practically leaped at the sensation of the car rumbling to life. She steadied herself with a hand on the cold dash.

  “Relax. It’s just starting up.”

  “I’m not fond of these and usually walk everywhere I need to go.”

  “Well, I thought maybe I’d treat you to a little something special.”

  “Oh?”

  “Trust me on this,” he told her and moved the gear shift causing the car to jump into motion. The engine puttered along as they began to roll down the street. Penny was incredibly anxious, and it took several minutes for her to relax enough to open her eyes and look around. She felt like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs, panicking at everything going on around her. Everything was going by them so quickly!

  “How fast are you going?” she questioned nervously.

  “Thirty miles per hour.”

  “THIRTY? Slow down!” she yelped in a panic. “That’s way too fast!”

  “You really don’t like riding in the car, do you?”

  “No, I don’t. It’s like you are flying bodily towards another object and there is barely anything around you. I mean, look at this? I can see right through the glass and there is no metal in most places.”

  “That is the same in a buggy, except its open air.”

  “That’s different.”

  “Is it? How?”

  “Yes. A buggy doesn’t get up to thirty miles per hour and I can operate it myself.”

  “Oh ho! Is that the crux of it? You want to drive?”

  “No. I want you to pull over and let me out.”

  “I’ll pull over but that is only because we are here,” he said chuckling. His face alit with humor making him look like he was full of mischief. How had she ever thought him solemn and brooding? It just took a lot to make him let down his guard. Looking around warily, she felt slightly off as her equilibrium played tricks on her. She felt like she was still moving in the vehicle.

  “Did you set the brake?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “I feel all woozy.”

  “Let’s get you some fresh air and a little something sweet.”

  Nodding, she watched as he came around the car to her side. She pushed at the door as he pulled causing her to spill out practically onto the ground. Her limbs felt so wobbly and her stomach turned. The cool evening air was certainly helping. Will immediately helped her get to her feet and stand.

  “Are you alright?”

  “I think I’ve got a case of seasickness, is that possible?” she breathed. “I used to get this way when my father would take us boating on the Trinity River. He liked to fish when I was a child. I hated it because I ended up green around the gills.” Glancing up, she saw that they were in front of a small bakery. Her stomach lurched in protest.

  “I don’t think I can stomach anything just yet.”

  “It’s no problem. We’ve all the time in the world and maybe a glass of soda would calm your nausea?”

  “I don’t want to be a bother. Give me just a few moments to breathe in the fresh air.”

  “How about we at least sit inside so you don’t get too chilled?”

  Nodding, she allowed herself to be led inside of the bakery. Thankfully Will seemed to be in no hurry at all and ordered two Dr. Pepper’s for them. She watched as the counter man took his order and skillfully popped the tops off of the two glass bottles. Little beads of sweat pooled up on the curvy sides as she took a sip. It was quite warm in the bakery and the cold sweetness helped her stomach more than she ever realized.

  “Do you like those?” he inquired with a smile, taking a large sip from his own bottle. She found herself watching his throat work as he swallowed, fascinated by the simple way he moved. Her stomach fluttered, but it wasn’t that she was queasy anymore. It had been replaced by
a growing feeling of longing for the man that sat opposite of her.

  “It’s truly the first soda I’ve had in months.”

  “I like a bit more than I probably should, he admitted. His hands held the bottle almost nervously, shuffling it back and forth causing a rush of fizz to the top of the dark liquid. “I’ve got quite a sweet tooth which is why I thought I would bring you out for a treat. I’d hoped you had one too.”

  “Very much so, but things have changed a lot for me and I need to get back on my feet before I start splurging on bon-bons and sweet treats. My lucks changed, and my run of dough is gone kaput. I don’t want to be a flat tire, so let’s talk about something else.” Penny felt a flush of shame rise to her cheeks as she looked away. Will got silent for several moments and she wished he’d say something to break the tension. No one wanted to discuss their financial woes. Things were awful across cities everywhere financially causing a different kind of ruckus.

  “Ah, here we are.”

  Penny glanced up in surprise as a small woven basket was laid in front of them with a napkin draped over the top. She reached out her hand to lift the corner of the napkin, only to jerk back in surprise when Will’s hand pretended to swat her for peeking. Stunned, her eyes shot up and met his. His expression was full of humor and eyes dancing. She found herself grinning widely, not at his playfulness but simply because he genuinely looked happy.

  “That’s much better,” she admitted. “When you’re happy and smile, it’s the bee’s knees. Truly.” Blushing, she saw his smile grow even wider at her candid words, his eyes dark with a knowing look between them. That intimate gaze in his eyes reminded her of kisses and breathless whispers between them. “And whatever this is,” she quickly amended nervously. “I’m sure it’s good too!”

  Relieved, she saw him chuckle and nod as he sat back in his chair, watching her. Will picked up the corner of the napkin closest to her and studied her face. Penny couldn’t keep from matching his smile.

  “I thought I was the one that had a sweet tooth?” he asked, teasing her.

  “You do, but the smells in this joint are driving me nuts. My nausea is gone and I’m ready to have a bit of whatever that is.”

  She realized that he hadn’t exaggerated about liking sugary things. Inside the basket were four small steaming hot fried pies sprinkled with confectioners’ sugar that was melting into an oozy goodness. She could practically feel her mouthwatering imagining the taste.

  “They are exactly that good,” he told her, “I’m glad I brought you.”

  “This is an incredible treat, I mean, look at that.” Penny stared at him and the pies. “You don’t have to keep doing this, you know.”

  “I want to keep seeing you and I know I have a crazy schedule. So, if tempting you with dinner, fried pies, or maybe something pretty gets me a chance to spend time with you- I’ll take it. It’s rude of me to just show up and assume you are available. You aren’t seeing anyone, are you?”

  “Just you,” she breathed, watching him.

  “I’m glad,” Will said truthfully, his intense eyes watching her. “I’d like to claim you were my girl but I didn’t want to assume.”

  “Don’t then. I’ve a head on my shoulders and an independent woman.”

  “I apologize then.”

  “I’m just joshing you,” she teased and hesitated. “I think I’d like to be your girl, but you’ll have to drive slower or teach me someday so I can drive like a maniac and you can see how it feels.”

  “Deal. Now, let’s eat while its hot.”

  Penny used her fork to gingerly maneuver the fried pie onto a small saucer. She’d tried to pick it up like Will did, but the pie was simply too hot for her to manage easily. He seemed to have no qualms as he took a bite and fanned his mouth from the heat. She laughed aloud as she saw his eyes water in pain.

  “You could wait for it to cool down or use a fork? It’s not worth blistering yourself,” she teased as the scalding apple filling fell onto a plate and he eventually put the delicacy down with it.

  “Man, that must have been straight from the fryer. Shoooo-wee, that was hot!” he admitted and took a sip from his bottle of soda. She admired the way his throat worked and marveled at how handsome he looked in his suit. He really was a looker! It was a wonder that girls weren’t falling all over him where ever he went.

  Penny cut off a piece with her fork and gingerly took a bite. It was really hot but not unbearably so. It had cooled down just a smidgeon for it to be edible. The rich, honeyed tasted of the apples and cinnamon were decadent. She about moaned aloud at how delicious the bubbly crisp crust and the filling were. No wonder he wanted to come out here, it was divine! Minutes later, she stared down at her empty plate only to be surprised when he put another pie on there.

  “I bought four. We’ll split them,” he told her with a grin as he picked up his own.

  “If I keep eating like this, then my get-up isn’t going to fit anymore.”

  “You don’t want yours?”

  “Now, I didn’t say that,” she retorted and swatted is fork away with her own like a mock swordfight. He laughed aloud and quickly began to eat his own second fried pie when she made a stab at it with her fork on his plate. She giggled, her heart alight with happiness at the fact that he was actually fun to be around once he loosened up. They sat there for over an hour just talking. Penny could have sworn her knickers would split if she moved, her stomach was so full.

  Thankfully they sat there for quite a while before heading to the car. She promptly reminded him to be on his best behavior behind the wheel. Last thing she wanted was to be frightened out of her wits or vomiting. This time, he drove much slower for her sake. The ride was very nearly pleasant for her except for all the commotion around the car. Other vehicles were honking and buzzing near them. It was like riding in a fast buggy or wagon. She was growing to like the little car a lot except for all the chaos that driving on the road seemed to bring.

  “What’s all that noise?” she finally asked in exasperation. Perhaps she’d tuned it out on the initial ride out to the bakery because she didn’t remember any of this before. When you rode in buggy’s or walked- it was peaceful. This was nerve-wracking.

  “It’s nothing,” Will assured her with a grin as a man drove around them, shaking a fist towards the car. Penny gaped in shock at the hostile glares.

  “Are they honking at us?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m taking it easy so you don’t get nauseated. They just want me to go faster on this thoroughfare,” he explained. She stared at him in surprise and saw that his gorgeous lips twitched with the hint of a smile he was trying to keep hidden.

  “Sheesh, what a bunch of maroons. Go on ahead and speed up. Ill shut my eyes,” she ordered and sat back on the bench seat like a person being led to the chopping block. Martyrdom didn’t suit her, nor her nerves. Penny braced herself for torture and swallowed hard as the car sped up. A few moments later, he turned a corner abruptly. The din of traffic faded away and she saw that they were in the neighborhood now. All signs of the fiasco earlier were gone. It was peaceful and dark out save the warm glow of the lampposts. Pulling up in front of her house, he brought the car to a stop and set the brake.

  “Why don’t I take you out driving tomorrow if your free?”

  “I work tomorrow until four, but you’ve got yourself a deal. Someday I’m gonna have a shiny automobile too,” she told him emphatically. “It’s pretty thrilling once the initial shock wears off.”

  Will’s hand reached up and cupped her face tenderly, making her suddenly silent. His warm hand against her cool cheek was very nearly as stunning by the movement and the heat coming off of him. She found herself covering his hand with hers as he leaned down towards her. His lips pressed gently against hers making her gasp at the sudden show of emotion and tenderness. He lingered just a moment before clearing his throat nervously and backing away.

  “My apologies, I was a
bit forward.”

  “Wow,” she breathed aloud as the realization dawned on her. He was incredibly gorgeous and interested in her as more than a friend-and she was glad of it too! “You’ve got a beautiful kisser there, Will.”

  Penny could have bitten her tongue at her foolish words blurted out absently. Her heart almost burst at his nervous chuckle and the flush that crept up his neck in the dim light of the car.

  “You aren’t so bad yourself,” he admitted shyly. “I’d like to do that again sometime. I’m not sure what was sweeter or more heavenly… the pies or those lips.”

  4

  April 1930

  It was actually two weeks before Will could take Penny driving. He’d shown up at the dinnertime, promising to make it up to her but things were flaring up in town. Speakeasies were popping up left and right. Dancehalls were one thing, but speakeasies were another entirely. At a dancehall, you could dance the night away without fear of being raided. Speakeasies weren’t so easy to distinguish. If you knew the right person, right word or secret knock then the illegal alcohol would surface. one word got out, it suddenly got livelier. The dancing got wilder, the smoke a little thicker and the atmosphere more rambunctious. The threat of a raid combined with the temptation of danger and illegal whiskey was what kept them popping up around town.

  Things seemed to be rough for everyone and they looked for a way to escape their everyday woes. Ruby had been to a speakeasy recently with Teddy and the fire in her eyes made her yearn for fun and recklessness.

  Bonnie had begun coming around the restaurant and her home yet again- this time asking for money. She claimed that Clyde was being framed by Will and the police. Penny felt her face flush as she listened to her old coworker rant and rave about how the world was against her man - and that Penny should immediately stop trusting Will, that he was using her to get to Clyde.

  “I have to leave to help Clyde- I can’t tell Ruby or you why, but something isn’t right.” Bonnie looked like a nervous mess, her eyes watching the door and darting around the room anxiously.