To Hell in a Coach Bag

by M. J. Schiller

  She turned. "Do you?"

  "No, but—"

  "Be at the bottom of the stairs at six." She left, but at the last minute stuck her head in the door again. "Oh. You're not a jerk, are you?"

  This was shaping up to be the strangest conversation I'd ever had. "What? No! I'm not a jerk."

  "Good. I didn't think so." And with that, she was gone.

  "Meet her at the bottom of the stairs... She's one strange duck, that one," I said to the tasteful recliner in the corner. I sat at the end of the bed and scratched my head, reviewing the conversation, and then the entire morning with Dani. All I could figure out was that Sam must be sizing me up, in her own unique fashion, for Dani. The real question then was—did I pass the test? I reached for my phone on top of the dresser.

  "Hey, Sis...."

  "What is it now?"

  I cringed. "Is there any way you can watch the kids another night?" I asked hesitantly.

  "Chase needs you again tonight? I thought it was an off-night?"

  "It is. It's not Chase..."

  "Did you meet somebody?" she squealed in shock.

  "Yes, sort of. I—"

  "What's she like?" she asked hurriedly.

  "I don't even know if this is going anywhere. I only played tennis with her, but—"

  She continued her browbeating. "What's her name?"

  "Dani. Danielle, actually. She—"

  "What's she look like?"

  What was it with women that they felt the need to rake you over the coals constantly? "Really, what does that matter?"

  "Answer me, Tucker, or I won't watch Zoe and Scott for you."

  I smiled. Just like when we were kids. "That's blackmail."

  "Yes, it is. Now what's she like?"

  I blew out a breath, flopped back on the bed, and stared at the ceiling, picturing Dani's face. "She's... hot. Completely, mind-numbingly hot."

  She whooped. "I knew it! Little brother's gonna get him some tonight."

  "Shut up! Are the kids listening?"

  "No, you moron. They're in the next room."

  "Doing what? Playing with handguns?"

  "Don't try to change the subject."

  "There is no subject, 'cause I'm done talking." I quickly added, "I love you. Thanks for watching the kids for me. Have them call me later."

  But before I could hang up she said in a sing-songy voice, "Don't forget a condom."

  "Nice," I mumbled and returned my phone to the dresser.

  What was I going to do until six o'clock?

  Chapter 18

  Danielle

  I'm next after this hymn. I'm going to have to get up in front of all these people and talk. No. We're not going there. I took a deep breath. I was not going to think about it. The music ended, and I found myself rising and walking to the pulpit. This is for you, Daddy. Cause heaven knows I would never do this on my own.

  I spread out my papers and cleared my throat. "Good morning," I began. And, suddenly, I felt calm. Completely, unexplainably, calm. I was even able to glance into the audience from time to time without passing out. Truly a feat.

  I was able to tell them about all of my dad's good qualities and idiosyncrasies, then I told old family stories to illustrate, which made the audience laugh and my family roar. I told the story about when we were young and Dad took us on a vacation after Mom died. Becca got a little green dog at a souvenir stand. For the next three hours in the car we got to hear, Rocky this and Rocky that. Finally, Amber snatched Rocky from Becca and held it out the window. "Rocky takes a trip." She smiled evilly, and did the unimaginable. Let it go.

  Becca screamed and cried. Dad was furious. He pulled over and made Amber walk back along the highway to retrieve Rocky. The rest of us knelt on the seat and stared out the back window watching Amber get smaller and smaller. She seemed so far away, just a dot on the horizon, before she returned. I was scared. Scared about Dad's reaction and scared for her. It was a story brought up every Thanksgiving, or Christmas, or random family holiday.

  That story allowed me to segue into telling them about how Dad would take all four of us on vacation, which was unheard of at the time, and how generous and kind he was. I looked up once and caught Maxine, Alexis, and Samantha beaming at me. Warmth flooded me. When I finished, I returned calmly to my seat, receiving whispered compliments from my siblings.

  I did it, Daddy. A sense of completeness filled me, steering me closer to the proverbial closure everyone searched for. This final gesture for him was the best goodbye I could give. The heavy grief I had been carrying around lightened a little. Of course, it would hit me again many times, Father's Day, Dad's birthday, my daughter's graduation... but I hoped those periods would be brief, and become fewer over the years.

  I was grateful for each memory of Dad. As I was grateful for the new ones I forged with the women I worked with, my sisters in the kitchen, who drove across the country with me to help me through the darkness to the other side.

  Chapter 19

  Tucker

  I waited at the bottom of the stairs with sweaty palms. It was twenty after six, and I had just about convinced myself Sam was crazy enough, that maybe she only wanted me to sit around and wait like a fool. I was going to head to the hotel bar for a drink when a door opened above and female laughter trickled out. I listened closely, hoping to pick out Dani's voice.

  "A hockey game? I thought we were going out for a drink? I need one after today. And aren't you a little overdressed for a hockey game? You usually save the beer sweater for clubbing." It was her. Heels clicked on the stairs, and then she came around the corner. She wore snug jeans and a gauzy white tank, with a short, black jacket draped over her arm. All dolled up, with her hair down—she looked fantastic.

  When her gaze landed on me, she froze. "Tucker!" Her face lit up, and she ran the final steps, throwing her arms around me. I staggered a little in my surprise. Over her shoulder I caught Samantha's satisfied expression, and gave her a grateful smile. "I'm so glad to see you." She turned back to her friends. "Guys. Can you wait for me a minute? I'll be right with you."

  "Sure." Sam gave me a wink. "Take your time."

  Dani took my arm and led me forward, putting some distance between her friends and I. When she stopped and turned to me, her hand slid down until she held mine lightly, swinging it to and fro. She stared off, as if searching for words on the numbered doors that surrounded us. Dropping her head, she seemed to contemplate our hands. "I want to apologize for today. I ran off, and that was rude. I was upset, but that doesn't give me the right to be rude to you, and—"

  I reached to put my hand under her chin and tipped her head so I could look at her. A punch in my gut hit me as her gaze met mine. "It's okay. I knew you were upset."

  She shook her head and glanced down again before rubbing her thumb over the back of my hand.

  "But that's no excuse—"

  I bent to catch her gaze again. "It is in my book. And anyway, I accept your apology."

  She exhaled, and her smile took my breath away. "Thank you. Thank you so much for understanding." She squeezed my hand and dropped it, and I made an effort to resist the urge to pull her back. I didn't want to rush her. She glanced over my shoulder to where her friends waited, and then back at me. "Are you leaving tonight? Or is there another show? I hardly got to talk to you. I wish I could find out more about you—"

  "Well, maybe you can at the hockey game."

  Her jaw dropped, and she stared at me. "The hockey game? You're going to the hockey game, too?"

  "I hope that's okay with you. I'm pretty sure Sam asked me this afternoon, although she was kind of vague..."

  Her gaze slid to Sam, and Sam gave her a wink. An even brighter smile split her face. "Yeah, that's okay with me!"

  "Come on, you two," Sam called.

  "Come on," Dani repeated gleefully, taking my hand and dragging me forward. When we got to the trio waiting for us, Dani introduced me. "Tucker, I'd like you to meet Alexis—"

  "
She's the angry one," Sam interjected, and Alexis hit her, laughing and commanding her to stop.

  "And this is Maxine, otherwise known as the Boss Lady, or B.L. We all work together."

  "You do? Well, nice to meet you both." Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Dani hug Sam and whisper in her ear with a laugh. "What is it you do together?"

  "Mostly get into trouble." Sam laughed.

  "Those two do," Maxine countered with a frown. "Believe me, half of my job is keeping those two knuckleheads in line."

  "Oh, come on, Maxi." Sam swung an arm over her shoulder. "You know you love us."

  "Yeah. Whatever." She turned back to me. "When I'm not keeping my eye out for them, I'm running a school kitchen. We're lunch ladies."

  "Did you say lunch ladies? You're all lunch ladies?"

  They nodded as the group fell into step, Dani and I bringing up the rear. "Now I'm the one who is surprised," I said to her quietly. "I'd have never guessed you to be a lunch lady."

  "I've got a hairnet in my suitcase to prove it."

  I thought about that beautiful black mane covered with a hairnet. That would be a crime. "Maybe later," I teased, and thought I detected a faint flush in her cheeks.

  I still wasn't sure if the gigantic hug I got was a you're-a-good-guy-and-I'm-happy-to-see-you kind of hug, or if there was more to it. She held my hand so gently after she hugged me. Was it because it was hard for her to say the words she did, to apologize? Or was she attracted to me? I prided myself, as a lawyer, on the ability to pick up on nonverbal cues. But this time I wanted to be sure. I didn't want to make a mistake. It had become too important. I wanted so much to initiate something with her—then to accelerate the pace as quickly as possible and take it to the next level, to have her in my arms—but I knew I could blow it if I came on too strong.

  Again, I got that uncomfortable, uncertain feeling that I had no idea what I was doing. Dating was like walking a tightrope, one bobble, and... SPLAT. I mean, really, I was only a guy she had a brief exchange with at a concert, and who played a game of tennis with her. Could I really expect her to feel what I was feeling? If I made a move on her, would she think I was like that with girls all the time?

  Still, I thought her eyes contained a certain sparkle when she teased. I sensed a secret in her smile when she looked at me, detected an undercurrent when she spoke. Or was it my imagination? While I was thinking about all this, Dani grabbed my hand again. Was she taking the initiative?

  "You're quiet. I hope you don't feel awkward around a bunch of women."

  "Are you kidding? It's always been my secret fantasy to be surrounded by beautiful lunch ladies."

  She laughed lightly, squeezed my hand again then let go. Was she just one of those people who touched? She hugged Sam so easily... maybe I was reading too much into her taking my hand. But, if I never took a chance, would I ever know? We hit the parking lot and once we were out of the protection of the buildings, the Denver winds blowing from the mountains were chilling. Dani shivered and started to swing her coat around. I quickly helped her into it and gave her shoulders a squeeze.

  We had stopped walking, and the others were a little bit ahead. She turned her head back slightly. "Thanks." Her voice was soft.

  Was this my cue? I wanted so badly to turn her to face me, tilt her chin back, and kiss her gorgeous mouth. Was she waiting for me to make a move? I mean, traditionally, that was the man's role, right? But it was so much easier for a female. If a guy made a move, people believed he had conquest in mind. If a girl made a move and didn't receive the reaction she hoped for, she could back out more gracefully.

  There should be clear guidelines. Rules, laws. I understood laws. But no books could guide me here. No case number could be cited. Was I really so worried about making a fool out of myself? Sometimes my mind was a dark and mysterious place.

  I had been out of the game so long. Actually, I wasn't sure if I'd ever been in the game. In high school I didn't date much—too intent on my sports. Then I met Gina. Since her, there had been nobody. I'd been working too damn hard, and I hadn't met anyone who interested me anyway. The women in my office were either married, or cold and calculating career women. There were some lookers, no denying, but no one who I cared to go beyond the looking stage with. Maybe being burnt by Gina soured me on the whole relationship thing, but, whatever the reason, I hadn't dated anyone in... well, Zoe was fifteen... was it really fifteen years? No wonder I was rusty. No wonder Denise sounded so excited and jumped willingly to watch the kids for me when she heard a woman was involved. She'd probably been wondering if I'd ever get around to seeing anyone again. Dani's voice waded through my thoughts.

  "Tucker...? Are you sure you're okay with this? I don't want you to feel like you have to come if you have something else you wanted to do."

  Was that the impression I gave? "No. I'm sorry. I was just... thinking."

  She looked at me sideways. "A lot on your mind?"

  You could say that again. "Sort of... Sorry, Dani, if I'm giving you the wrong impression. There's nowhere else I'd rather be right now." I said it lightly, but I hoped she understood how sincerely I meant it.

  She smiled. "Okay."

  We reached a red Cadillac convertible. I whistled. "Sweet ride."

  "It's my husband's pride and joy." Maxine sighed. "Hop in."

  I found myself in the back, wedged between Dani and Sam. Not a bad place to be.

  "I hope you don't mind being stuck with four women tonight," Maxine said as she started the engine.

  "I can think of worse things than being in the company of four beautiful women." I put my arms around both Sam and Dani, a safe move. Dani's hair brushed my arm. It was as silky as it appeared to be. My body awakened in response. And, this close to her, I was able to catch her perfume. Something floral with a hint of sexy thrown in that practically had me salivating.

  "Good looking, and a charmer," Alexis commented, gazing at Dani. I caught the blush in Dani's cheeks and the flash in her blue eyes that said, "Shut up," to Alexis, though she chuckled a little. She turned and pretended to look out the window.

  Bingo! Thank you, Alexis. So I wasn't the only one who thought maybe Dani was interested in me. That was all the encouragement I needed. I took my arm off Sam's shoulder, but kept it around Dani's for the rest of the ride. After about ten minutes, she leaned into me. I breathed a sigh of relief.

  I took a chance and leaned in. "I'd like to go out for dinner together tomorrow."

  She turned her head to focus on me. "All of us?"

  "Ouch," I joked, though I was a little stung she thought that way. "No. You and I."

  Her smile appeared genuine. "I'd like that, Tucker."

  I smiled. "Good." She turned back and reached to squeeze my hand on her shoulder. I was happier than I had been in a long time.

  When we got out of the car, Dani waited for me, while the other three girls gathered together, another good sign. I smiled at her and took her hand. It felt so good, so right. Not like when I tried to hold Gina's hand in the Poconos, when it felt like nothing was on the other side of my fingers. Now a connection seemed to link my heart to Dani's along the length of our arms. I wondered if she felt the same way, and why it never occurred to me this is what I wanted in life, to be truly connected to someone else. As we strolled behind the others, I relaxed. But I still knew it was a fine line I walked. There was much to learn about each other, and many things could throw us off-balance, no matter how hard we tried to stay on the tightrope.

  Chapter 20

  Danielle

  I had been forced to push all thoughts of Tucker McCord out of my mind when I prepared for the memorial service for my dad. But, when it was over, and the guests left and we returned to the hotel, I felt awful. He'd been so sweet, and I'd walked off without so much as a proper goodbye. I figured he must have checked out and that I'd never see him again.

  Then when I came around the corner of the stairs and he smiled up at me, like he'd done when we first met, I
wanted to scream for joy. I thought I would have the opportunity to apologize and clear the air before he left.

  The hug was automatic. But I felt foolish for practically tackling the poor man like that. He looked so good, though. Faded jeans and a white, button-down shirt, sleeves rolled up, with that whole clean-boy freshness about him that was so appealing... And when he said Sam had asked him to the game, I knew it was Sam's way of apologizing for snapping at me earlier. If this was the kind of apology I was going to get from her, then I wished she would bite my head off more often.

  I wasn't sure at first if Tucker was comfortable with the situation. He was so quiet. But he seemed natural with the girls, and when he left his arm over me in the back of the car, I eased into it. Maybe he was as interested in me as I was in him. It was strange, how comfortable I was. It was like when I'd first met Darren.

  I'd been interviewed by Darren's assistant principal and hired on to teach Junior English. The first time we laid eyes on each other electricity had passed between us. I wasn't at all sure if I'd been imagining it until months later, when Darren stuck his head in my classroom and asked if he could speak with me.

  He'd bumbled through some small talk, but I could tell he had something more he wanted to say. Finally he blurted out, "Miss Forbes... I know this is totally unethical, and I don't want you to feel in any way like you don't have a choice in the matter, because you do. You do. You should in no way, shape, or form feel forced to respond positively. And there will be no retribution of any kind if you should not agree to the proposal set before you. Let me be clear about that." He paused, strumming his fingers on top of my filing cabinet.

  I gave him a confused smile. "Okay, I get it's my choice. But what, exactly, is it I have a choice about?"

  "It's just... I've been throwing this around inside my head for months now, and I know this could get me in some hot water with the school board. But, apparently, I don't care. Apparently, I feel compelled to... well, ask you out. I've never been so completely and insanely attracted to a woman before, so... put me out of my misery, one way or another." By the time he finished, he sounded irritated by the whole thing.