by Zoë Archer
What am I thinking? I don’t have time to consider a serious relationship. Sure Mom would love it. She keeps telling me I’m not getting any younger. Dad laughs and says take my time. Course, the last time he’d said that, Mom had elbowed him in the ribs.
She shook herself loose from the thoughts. No matter, even if she liked what she’d seen, she didn’t like what they’d done. A serious relationship. What a joke!
Well, two can play that game.
Going back to the main page, she Googled a new search. She typed in: New York…dumb laws…men flirting. Bingo! Choosing the first item, she found exactly what she wanted.
Now to make it work.
~~~
Walking into the sheriff’s office, Lisa looked around. She stepped up to the bulletproof window and tapped. A young, attractive woman in uniform, who’d been staring down at some papers, looked up, and raised the glass.
“Can I be of assistance?” she asked. She had a charming smile and Lisa’s first impression was of a public official who truly wanted to help the people she served.
“Yes,” Lisa said, craning her neck and glancing around beyond the reception area. “Is Deputy Parsons here?”
“Uh…yeah, he is. Wait here,” she said, moving away from the window. Then she turned back, and asked, “What is it you wanted to see him about?”
Lisa thought her overly curious. “Well, it’s kinda personal,” she said with a wink, hoping to convey a conspiratorial woman-to-woman look. “Could I just speak to him for a few minutes, please?”
In a heartbeat the woman’s manner completely changed. Turned up lips vanished, replaced by narrowed eyes. “Sure. Just wait here,” she demanded, before disappearing down the hall in a huff.
A few minutes later, the door to the public area swung open and the uniformed woman strode toward Lisa, Deputy Parsons at her heels. Lisa determined the woman had a major ‘tude issue.
“Here she is,” the woman said, as she turned to the deputy. Arms folded across her chest, she tilted her head once in Lisa’s direction. She almost wanted to duck at the pinned stare the woman was throwing in her direction. She chanced a quick peek down to make sure her pistol was still holstered. It was.
Lisa wasn’t sure what was going on. For the second time today, people were acting weird. Must be something in the water.
The deputy stared at Lisa and back at the other woman. Then his brown orbs grew wide as it evidently dawned on him who she was.
“Oh, Miss…I’m so sorry. I didn’t recognize you with your clothes on…I mean…”
At which point the other woman, appearing as though she’d like to slap him, spun and strode away.
“Well…Miss…er… I never did get your name, did I?” His stammering hadn’t improved since she’d last seen him.
She needed to set him at ease. “No, you didn’t. It’s Lisa Butler.” She stuck her hand out, flashing him a big smile. “It’s nice to meet you unofficially Deputy Parsons.”
He took her proffered hand and chuckled. “Yeah, same here. You can call me Skip,” he said nervously. His eyes kept glancing to the greeting window. “So, what brings you to the sheriff’s office, Lisa?” He injected a bravado into his voice, which didn’t seem to fit.
“Is there some place we can talk?”
“Sure. Let’s go outside.” He appeared to want to get as far out of hearing range as possible. “There’s a bench in the garden on the side of the building.”
Lisa followed him out the door to the little garden area. She was always amazed how New Yorkers were so proud of any area—no matter the size—where something beautiful could grow and this was no exception. Well-tended flower beds were scattered about and nice shade trees. Several benches and a picnic table sat in the center.
“We come out here to eat lunch a lot.” Skip breathed an audible sigh and ambled over to a bench, motioning for Lisa to sit.
“We as in the lady inside and you?”
“Yeah. Angie, my fiancée. She’s a very territorial Italian.”
Lisa laughed. “Well, that explains a lot. Hmm. Must be an interesting story there, ‘cause you just don’t look the type to hook up with a fiery Italian.”
“You’ve got that right. It’s more like she hooked me.” His neck and then his face flamed red. “I’m not complaining, mind you. I love her to pieces.”
“Okay. Well, I’m not really here to discuss your love life. I’m happy you have one, mind you, but what I want to know about is this morning. What was that all about?”
“Well, uh…” he mumbled.
“Look, Skip. I’m not trying to get anybody in any trouble, however that was obviously some kind of line you handed me. And, since you seem to be taken by the lovely Angie, it doesn’t make any sense you’d pull me over to hit—” And then, lightbulbs! “It wasn’t for you, was it? It was for that Brian guy. Right?” Hmm, this is going to be better than I envisioned.
“I think I get the picture. Your friend, Brian—probably your best friend, right?—is the one who wants to meet me. So, why didn’t he just find an opportunity to do so?”
“Well, he’d seen you riding your bike and you know how laws are nowadays. He didn’t want you to get the idea he was stalking you.”
“Oh, like having a sheriff pull me off the road and scare the wits out of me is better?” she chided.
“Well, no,” Skip sputtered. “Are you going to report this?”
She lifted a brow. “I suppose it could get you into some pretty hot water with your boss, couldn’t it?” Thoughts bounced around in her head like flashing pinball machine lights.
“You’d better believe it.” Skip raked a hand through his hair, then across his smoothly shaven face. “Sheriff Atwood doesn’t take too kindly to his deputies being involved in trumped-up charges. You do know I wouldn’t have brought you in. I hope you realize that.”
“I’ll make a deal with you, Skip. I won’t say anything to your boss if you cooperate with me.”
~~~
Skip was really getting nervous. He didn’t want to get in trouble just because his best friend wanted to meet this woman.
But she certainly is beautiful. No doubt about that.
He couldn’t blame Brian, who’d already proclaimed how gorgeous she was. When Skip had seen her this morning on the road, all sweaty and barely out of breath from biking, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, he’d thought her attractive. But all cleaned up, her dark, brown hair—with blonde streaks—streaming across her shoulders, and makeup, boy, she was a jaw-dropping knockout. No wonder Angie had reacted as though she’d been bitten by a green-eyed jealous monster.
But Skip didn’t like the sound of this, not one bit, or being offered an ultimatum. It was one thing to go out on a short limb for Brian, but this lady acted like she was going to have him out on the end of a long, heavy branch in an ice storm.
“Like how?” he finally managed to get out.
“Here’s what I want you to do, Skip. And I’d be willing to bet it’ll also get you back in good graces with your tempestuous Angie.”
His ears perked up and he listened.
~~~
Later, as Lisa tried to pick out the clothes she was going to wear for her ‘date,’ the doorbell chimed. Several items already lay discarded on the bed. Spinning toward her closet, she snagged a robe from a hook and threw it on. Through the sidelight she saw her neighbor and best friend, Renee, standing with her back to the door. Even with the door closed, she could hear Renee humming. Too late, she remembered they were supposed to go into the City. She cringed at the thought of disappointing her friend. Lisa opened the door and welcomed her in.
Renee gave her undressed state a quizzical look as she went to the kitchen and deposited the bottle of wine tucked under her arm. “We’re still going to dinner, aren’t we?”
“Uh, sorry, I forgot…and made other plans,” Lisa said apologetically.
Renee leaned against the refrigerator, staring at her. “Hmm…if you’ve forgotten our o
nce-a-month City visit, there must be something going on you haven’t told me about. Spill the beans. What’s ‘his’ name?”
“There is no ‘him’ as you say. Well, not exactly,” Lisa yammered as she walked into her bedroom. She pulled the robe off and threw it on a nearby chair.
She heard Renee following close at her heels.
“Yeah, right! I can tell there’s no guy involved. Shall I open the wine to loosen your tongue?”
“N-no.” Lisa turned and shook her head. “I’ll need all my wits about me tonight.” Then she related the morning’s events to Renee, and her subsequent Google search findings.
Renee couldn’t stop laughing. “Wow, that’s the most fantastic story I’ve ever heard. If a guy was that anxious to meet me, I’d be stalking him to find out why. Of course, no one has to look far to find the reason a guy wants to meet you.”
“Thanks, Renee. You’re always good for my spirits.”
Renee eyed Lisa sideways. “So what’s this guy who wants to meet you so badly look like?”
“Uh. Oh, I guess he’s all right,” Lisa mumbled.
“Sure. It doesn’t take an ophthalmologist to see the light that just went on in those baby blues, kiddo. What’ve you got up your sleeve?”
“Well, I went over to the Sheriff’s Office and talked to the deputy that scared the stuffing out of me—his name’s Skip. I found some sites on the internet that had these dumb laws listed…like the one he pulled me over for.”
“Oh, and your thoughts are to entrap this mysterious Brian? How do you plan on pulling that off?”
“I asked Skip if he and Angie—”
“Wait up. Who’s Angie?”
“Skip’s fiancée. Anyway, I kinda shamed…bribed him into helping turn the tables on Brian. Lame, huh?” Lisa flung her arms in the air and quirked her lips. She headed for the closet. ”Guess I just want to pay him back and then forget about the whole thing.”
“Are you sure that’s all this is? It seems to me you want to meet him now. By the way…you still haven’t told me what he looks like.” Renee sat on the side of the bed, grabbing Lisa’s teddy bear and running her hands through its soft fur.
“Uh…what’s Brian look like? Nothing spectacular—I hardly noticed him,” she commented as she grabbed a short, black skirt and wiggled into it. “He’s really tall, maybe six foot four or so; probably weighs 200-210. Very broad shoulders. He had on jeans and a tee and it’s obvious he works out. Great biceps and well-developed abs that taper to a narrow waist,” Lisa said abstractedly as she pulled a turquoise top off a hanger, slipped it over her head, and adjusted the spaghetti-thin straps.
She turned to Renee. “What do you think?” she asked, striking a pose. “Oh, and he has fantastic eyes—sea green…very striking.” When Renee nodded her approval of her outfit, she stepped in front of the mirror and stared. “In fact, the few times I glanced at him, it seemed as though his eyes spoke.”
“Well, I’m sure glad you didn’t take too much notice of him.” Renee chuckled. “Any more information and you’d have to provide me with his blood pressure and cholesterol levels.”
“What?” Lisa spun and glared at her.
“You’ve just described one hunk of a guy. Are you sure this is just about getting ‘even’?”
“All right. I suppose I would like to meet him and find out more about him,” Lisa confessed.
“Good girl. I hate to see relationships start out on the wrong foot by not being up front and honest. Is there anything you want me to do?”
“No. I appreciate you helping me recognize my motives though. I couldn’t ask for a better friend.” Lisa walked over to the bed and leaned in to give her a hug.
Renee stood. “Call me as soon as you get home. I don’t care what time it is. Okay?” She moved to leave.
Lisa followed her through the living room. “I will.” She closed her front door.
A light tapping made her reopen it. “You look fantastic, by the way. A real head-turner.” Renee laughed out loud as she stepped down the porch stairs.
~~~
Lisa noticed high clouds floating across the dusky sky as she slid into her silver Audi S4 Quattro Special Edition, and cranked it up, enjoying the purr of its V-8 engine. Backing out onto the road, she couldn’t decide if she were looking forward to the encounter with Brian or not. Driving in the direction of one of her favorite restaurants, she thought perhaps she should just forget about the whole thing and go home. Call Renee and reset their plans for the evening.
She grabbed her cell and punched in the numbers.
“You’ll do no such thing,” Renee squawked in her ear.
“But—”
“No buts… Now get going, girl, or you’re going to be late. This is darned exciting and I can’t wait to hear all about it later. Go!”
The call went dead. Renee had hung up.
~~~
Not many people were at the restaurant when Lisa arrived. She hoped she wasn’t too early. Skip should have been in place about twenty minutes ago. Then she spotted them, sitting at a table in the center of the room. Skip looked in her direction. Brian’s back was to the entrance.
She headed toward the rear of the restaurant. As she passed their table, she was so nervous about her plan she actually did have to use the bathroom. The palms of her hands were damp, her heart pounded like some frantic drum signaling a war-cry. After using the facilities, she stayed in the restroom arguing with herself that this was a really stupid idea. Finally, she smoothed her hand down her skirt, straightened her shoulders and walked out.
More people had arrived and the tables had filled up quickly. To her surprise, other people were sitting at the table Skip, Angie and Brian had occupied previously. She glanced around. They weren’t anywhere in the restaurant.
“Well, doesn’t that beat all,” she whispered under her breath. But she couldn’t get angry about it. Skip was loyal to his friend, which was a good thing. She breathed a sigh of relief.
A smirk curled her lip as she headed out of the restaurant. The sun had almost completely set; scattered fragments of yellow and orange splintered the western sky. On the way to her car she passed a little café that had tables outside, all of them filled with chattering patrons. It had a charming, romantic ambiance. As she approached the last table, to her shock she stared into Brian’s eyes. She managed to walk straight past, shoulders squared, head held high. About five steps beyond, she heard Skip shout behind her, “Okay, buddy. You’re busted.”
Angie giggled.
Lisa stopped with a smile on her lips and just as she turned, the back of her shoe caught in a dip in the sidewalk. She heard the heel snap at the same time her leg gave way.
On her way to the pavement, she saw Skip had vacated his seat, had Brian standing upright with his arms behind his back, slapping handcuffs on him.
“Oowww,” she cried.
~~~
“What are you doing?” Brian yelled. He twisted and looked helplessly toward the woman of his dreams. She was sitting on her beautiful butt on the ground, rubbing her ankle, grimacing. He couldn’t stand the thought of her being in pain. “Get these things off me,” he spat at Skip.
The waiter and café manager appeared at the entrance to find out what the commotion was about.
Skip fumbled in his pocket for the key and quickly released him.
Angie had rushed to Lisa’s side and he heard her ask, “Are you all right?”
He ran over to Lisa and as easily as picking up a kitten, he lifted her into his arms and carried her back to the table, gingerly placing her on a chair.
“Are you okay?”
“I think so, other than my dignity being slightly bruised.” She smiled at him and it lit up his heart.
He slipped the shoe off her foot. “Can’t say your shoe fared as well.” The heel dangled limply, barely still attached to the sole. “I might have to carry you home.”
“I have another pair in my car,” Lisa assured him.
&
nbsp; Setting the shoe aside, he gently held her foot in one hand, her calf in the other. When he slid his hand under her leg and felt the warm, silky texture of her skin, his mouth went dry. He swallowed hard and his voice cracked as he asked, “Does it hurt?”
She twisted it slightly, then a little more, finally giving it a good turn. “No. It seems to be fine.”
“Whew!” Brian released a breath. “I’d hate to have been the cause of this gorgeous leg being damaged in any way.”
Even by the dim candlelight on the table, he saw the red flare into her cheeks.
“Thanks,” she said quietly, staring at him. “It was hardly all your fault.”
Their eyes locked and for the first time in his life, he knew she was the one. He felt as though it were just the two of them.
He stood and looked at Skip and Angie, who were standing beside Lisa’s chair. It seemed they were barely able to conceal their concern for Lisa a minute ago, now they appeared to be having trouble not bursting into laughter.
“What the heck was that all about a minute ago, buddy?” Brian said bluntly to Skip.
“I was arresting you.”
“For what?” Brian said, flabbergasted.
Then he looked back at Lisa when she said, “It’s okay, Skip. You can tell him.”
“Skip?” Brian blustered. “You know Skip? Skip, you know her? What the heck’s going on?” he asked, now definitely perplexed.
He watched Angie reach out and take Lisa’s hand, still trying to smother a laugh. “What can we order for you to drink?”
“A merlot will be nice.” Lisa looked at Brian. “I’m sorry, Brian. I went to the sheriff’s office earlier today to see the deputy who’d pulled me over this morning. I needed to know why. That’s when I met Skip and he told me what it had been about.”
Brian looked at his friend. He narrowed his eyes, hoping his countenance conveyed the displeasure he was feeling with the betrayal. “Why would you tell her about this, Skip? You’re my friend. You didn’t owe Lisa—” he stopped talking and just shook his head. He now realized she knew what he’d done. What must she think of me?
