by Anne Conley
“Thank you, officer.” She said weakly. After he had driven off, she heaved a frustrated sigh, and went in search of her goats.
Almost eight hours later, she was exhausted. After rounding up the wayward goats, a trip into town for hog panels and some electrical fencing, and spending almost all of the money she had made from Connor yesterday, she was finished. And exhausted. She picked up the phone to call her neighbor.
“Henry?”
“Yeah?”
“This is Jessica. Did you call the Sheriff’s department on my goats?”
“No, Jessie. I would have called you, first. You know I wouldn’t do that.”
“Well, someone did. I got a visit this morning.”
“I’m sorry, sugar.” Henry drawled. Jessie clenched her jaw at the endearment. “It was probably the guy who’s working my land for a deer lease this fall. He’s planted a ground crop for the deer, and putting out feeders. He told me last week he had pictures of your goats all over the place on his game cameras.” Well, no wonder, Jessie thought. Goats would bust through a brick wall to get that kind of candy.
Jessie didn’t find much sport in hunters who fed the deer corn all summer long, and then shot them dead on the first weekend of November. She gritted her teeth, for the umpteenth time today. At this rate, she wouldn’t have much enamel left. “Well, could you give him my number, and tell him to please call me before he calls the sheriff’s department again? Please?”
“Will do, sugar. But he’s spent a lot of money, on feeders and corn, and planting that crop and all.” Jessie didn’t have a lot of sympathy for somebody who would spend massive amounts of money to shoot a deer they had essentially tamed. “You know, I can get some of my cowboys out there to help you with the fence. Fencing’s a man’s work. A woman’s just not strong enough. You won’t be able to keep them goats on your property for long.”
“I’ve been managing just fine, Henry. I put up electrical fencing today, so it should work. I’ve been putting it off, because it’s so expensive, but it’ll be more expensive to get my goats out of impound if he calls the sheriff’s department again.”
“Well, I don’t see how you make any money off them goats anyways.”
“I’m doing alright, Henry.” She managed to grind out. “I’ll talk to you later.”
After hanging up, Jessie hurried to the shower. She was meeting Summer at Connor’s restaurant in an hour, and of course, she was running late.
Now her goats were taken care of, she turned her thoughts to anticipation of tonight. She had thought about Connor all day long. Her insides melted again at the memory of his lips on her wrist. If she weren’t trying to pursue a lucrative professional relationship, she probably would have had him in her bed sooner. If Chad hadn’t given her a bad taste of men, that is.
She used to really enjoy the different pleasures of men, until Chad had shown her a side she didn’t like. But it seemed Connor could put her back in the right frame of mind. Only if she could do it without messing up the business, and she wasn’t sure she could do that.
Washing herself vigorously, and shaving her legs carefully, Jessie wondered what he would be like in bed. He had displayed characteristics of sensuality yesterday, which made her tremble. Watching his elegant fingers stroking the herb leaves, plucking the ripe tomatoes, squeezing them gently, had made her think of her bedroom. Imagining his fingers doing those things to her, instead of her produce, in her room by candle light made her quiver with eagerness. Even though she had decided they couldn’t pursue that relationship, she could still fantasize, couldn’t she?
Carefully choosing a strappy sundress and sandals to wear, she pulled her hair up on top of her head and loaded her truck with the bushel baskets of fruit, which would complete his order. Since she had already spent the money on the fencing expenditure this morning, she had to be sure and deliver the goods.
Summer was sitting in her yellow Volkswagon when Jessie arrived at the restaurant. When Jessie tapped on her window, Summer rolled it down and looked at her, panic in her eyes.
“I’m not really sure about this, Jessie. I don’t have a great feeling about this place.” Summer kept telling everybody she had a sixth sense, and most of her friends scoffed at her. Her girlfriend, Bo, was a paranormal investigator in Dallas, and they ghost hunted regularly. Occasionally, though, Summer had a little freak-out session.
“Come on, Summer. It’s dinner, not a séance.” Jessie rolled her eyes.
“You’ve heard the stories about this place, right?” Summer really looked like she was fixing to pee in her pants.
“Of course I have. Everybody in town has heard the stories about this place. But nobody’s died here in at least seventy years, so get your butt out of the car and come inside with me.”
“Fine. But I may not eat much.” She reluctantly got out of her car, and stood there awkwardly, looking at Jessie with pleading eyes.
“Whatever. Just come on.” Jessie pulled a reluctant Summer toward the door to the restaurant.
Kathy met them at the hostess stand, and greeted them both with hugs.
“Hey, girls. I’m so glad y’all came. Connor will be tickled y’all are here. He’s saved you a good table.” Kathy ushered them to a quiet table in the corner. There were only two other tables with people at them. “As long as you don’t mind, Connor’s already chosen which dishes to serve you. It’s gonna be good…” Kathy left them to ponder the ambience of the place.
The house was an old Victorian, with small dining rooms connected to each other by ornate doors, and molding everywhere. The room Summer and Jessie were sitting in, was the dining room closest to the kitchen, with a stairway off to the side. Summer was sitting in the corner, facing the stairs, while Jessie faced the swinging kitchen door.
Before they had a chance to get a feel of the place, the kitchen door opened, and Jessie’s stomach did a flip-flop as Connor strode toward them, looking gorgeous wearing a wide grin and carrying a bottle of wine.
“I brought you ladies a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. I don’t have my liquor license yet, but since tonight is on the house, I can get away with giving you a bottle of wine. I think this particular wine brings out the flavor of the chevre.” He sent Jessie a look that would have melted an icesicle in January, “I hope you enjoy it.” He skillfully uncorked the bottle, and poured for the ladies, setting down the glasses with a flourish. Jessie couldn’t take her eyes off him. Standing there in his Chef’s whites and black slacks, his impressive form seemed exaggerated somehow. “Your first course should be out shortly. I hope you don’t mind me serving you. I really want to see your reactions.” He winked at them, before turning to go back into the kitchen.
“Holy shit, Jessie. You didn’t tell me this was the guy from the bar!” Summer’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “You dirty dawg!”
“Shut up! I’m not starting anything with him, Summer. He’s giving me a lot of business, and I don’t want to screw it up. This is purely a professional thing.”
“Does he know that?”
“Of course he does.”
“I couldn’t tell, with the way he was looking at you.” Summer eyeballed her with a raised brow.
Jessie opened her mouth to respond, but was interrupted when the kitchen door opened again, and Connor reappeared holding a colorful platter.
“This is my take on the traditional Caprese Salad, from Italy. Instead of mozzarella, however, I’m using the herbed chevre, and instead of balsamic vinegar, I just opted to use olive oil, so as not to compete with the tangy flavor of the cheese. The tomatoes are fresh, picked just yesterday.” He winked again at Jessie, as she took her first bite.
“Oh my goodness. This is wonderful. I’ve never had a Caprese salad before, so I’m not comparing this to anything else, but this is really good.” Jessie said around a mouthful of awesomeness.
“A traditional Caprese salad is tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, topped with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Since I used the herbed chevre you
make, I held back on the basil, and did without the balsamic. I’m glad you like it.” He bowed briefly, which caused an amused giggle to emerge from Summer. With a slight smirk on his face, he turned and went back into the kitchen, leaving Jessie with an impressive view of his backside.
“It’s a shame you guys are sticking with the professional thing. He’s hot, Jessie. Y’all could have some beautiful babies…”
“Stop it, Summer.” Jessie’s voice held a tone of warning.
“I’m just saying…” Summer waved a hand dismissively as she continued to eat.
Jessie took a sip of wine. “Do you have any idea how much money he gave me for my stuff yesterday? And he’s placing the same order every week. I’ll be able to make double payments on my loan, if it keeps up. I can’t afford to lose him as a customer.”
“I’m glad it’s going well for you, Jessie. I’m just kidding around.” She took a sip of her wine. “He is pretty, though, yes?”
“Yes, he is definitely daydream material.” Jessie sighed, as she forked another mouthful of the salad into her mouth.
Connor returned with another dish, this one a fig and chevre pizza. He set it on the table, before serving Jessie and Summer each a slice.
“Pizza! Now this is my kind of food.” Summer eagerly took a large bite, and Jessie followed suit, all under Connor’s close scrutiny.
The pizza was cheesy, and slightly sweet, which surprised Jessie. Her eyes widened in pleasure as she groaned.
“This is amazing, Connor.” She said with her mouth full. “I didn’t know my cheese could taste this good.”
“Goat cheese and figs have been paired together for centuries. It’s a classic combination.” His eyes were focused solely on Jessie, watching her eat eagerly. “I just gave it a slightly more modern twist, pairing them on a pizza.”
“This is so good. Mmmmm.” Jessie wiped an errant string of cheese from her chin.
“The next course will be out shortly.” Connor again disappeared into the kitchen, where strains of some rap song were coming from a faint radio. Soon, Connor’s voice could be heard singing along. Jessie smiled to herself. This guy was really pretty fun.
Jessie and Summer sat and ate, while looking around the room. The wall paper was a muted pattern of flowers and vines, not too distracting. The woodwork around the doors and windows was dark, polished to a gleaming shine. Over on the stairs, the woodwork was the same, and the carpeted runner up the stairs matched the wallpaper. The whole effect was elegant, and soothing.
Suddenly, Summer froze, the blood had drained from her face, and her eyes were glued to the corner by the stairs.
“What?” Jessie turned to look, but couldn’t see anything.
Still staring at the spot next to the stairs, Summer jutted her chin in the direction her eyes were focused. “Over there. There’s a woman.”
Jessie turned and looked again. Nothing. “Whatever, Summer.” She turned back to her food.
“There is a woman standing at the foot of the stairs, and she’s staring at us…” Her voice had faded, and she gasped. “She’s angry, Jessie. I don’t like this.” Summer clutched the table top on either side of her, and Jessie could see her knuckles turning white with the sheer intensity of her grip.
“There’s nobody there, Summer.” Jessie wasn’t going to turn and look again.
“You can’t see her, that’s fine. But I can, and she’s sending some seriously bad vibes this way.”
Jessie waggled her fingers dramatically. “Ooooohhhhh! Scary…”
“Please don’t joke about this Jessie.” Summer’s pale complexion had turned waxy, and she looked physically ill.
“I’m sorry. Look, I’m having a really good time, but if you want to go…”
“I do. I’m sorry Jessie. You stay.”
“You’re okay, though, right? You haven’t…um…” She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, “taken anything?”
“Jesus, Jessie. No. I haven’t taken anything.” Summer wiped her mouth, and gulped down her glass of wine, her eyes never straying from the corner by the stairs. “Just…do me a favor. Don’t go up those stairs. Okay?”
Jessie snorted. “Okay. I won’t go up the stairs. You okay to drive?”
Summer was standing now, edging around the table. “Yeah. Please be careful, Jessie?”
“Yes, ma’am. I will.” Jessie saluted her friend as Summer scurried away.
She was shaking her head in bewilderment as Connor came out of the kitchen again, carrying another platter of food. “Where did your friend go?”
“Prior engagement. She just remembered something.” Jessie looked around the dining room, noticing the other two tables had been cleared. “Am I here alone, now?”
His gaze swept the room, finally landing on Jessie. His voice came out a raspy whisper, “Aside from the two people in the kitchen, yes.”
“Then, can you join me?” She gestured to the recently vacated seat across the table from her.
“Let me tell Kathy when to get the tart out of the oven.” He strode back into the kitchen, returning after a few minutes with a clean plate, another wine glass, and a fresh bottle of wine. “Do you mind if I help you eat?”
“God, please!” Jessie laughed as he dished out the next course of the meal onto both plates.
“This is a chicken breast stuffed with goat cheese and artichokes, served with raviolis with a peach chevre filling. I don’t usually serve the two together, but since you are having the chevre supper tonight, I figured why not?”
“Yeah, why not?” Jessie laughed, and dug into her food. “Ohmygod…this is…so yummy.” She quickly took a bite of the ravioli. “Good lord. Where did you learn to cook like this?”
“Mostly self-taught. I took a couple of cooking classes at the community college where I grew up, but that was before I got serious about cooking. I’ve always enjoyed it, but it wasn’t a passion for me until I was grown. When I discovered my bachelorhood, I realized I couldn’t survive on take-out alone, so I started experimenting in the kitchen, and voila! Here I am.”
“Well, I approve. You make my cheese taste so good.” She licked her lips exaggeratedly, for emphasis.
“Jessie, you make good cheese. Period.” He said to her appraisingly. He raised his glass of wine in a toasting gesture. “May I?”
“Of course.” She raised hers.
“To new relationships, and their continued success.” They clinked glasses and sipped. Jessie watched Connor’s lips caress the wine glass, his eyes never leaving hers over the rim.
Jessie thought about the toast as she finished eating her food. She felt positive he was flirting with her, but she wasn’t sure how much she should humor him. There was no way she would sleep with this guy, no matter how hot he was. He had bought so much stuff from her yesterday, and would continue to do so each week, as long as she didn’t screw it up. If she slept with him, she would definitely screw it up. She always did.
On the other hand, if she didn’t sleep with him, would he stop doing business with her? She didn’t think he was that type of guy, but who knew? She originally didn’t think Chad was the type to beat on defenseless women, and look where that had landed her. She was a horrible judge of men’s character, which was why she had always preferred to have physical, no strings attached, sex. No relationships. Relationships were not her forte. And here, she had just toasted to one. Sheesh…
Kathy brought out dessert, a cherry chevre tart, which looked scrumptious. “Where did Summer take off to?”
Jessie shrugged, “I’ll tell you later. She had a …moment.” Summer’s friends were accustomed to her ‘moments.’ Kathy nodded knowingly, while Connor watched the exchange quizzically.
“Ah… Oh well, more for you guys. Enjoy!” She set the tart down on the table. “I’ve almost got the kitchen closed down, Connor. I’m going to go ahead and leave, if that’s okay?”
“Sure, Kathy. Have a good evening.”
“Thanks, you too.” She w
as gone in a flurry.
Connor dished out helpings of the tart that oozed dark cherries, and creamy white goodness. Jessie was so full, she couldn’t honestly eat another bite, but she knew she would have to force herself. It was all too good.
After trying her first bite, she said, “I wish this had been the appetizer. It’s by far, my favorite, but I’m too full to eat any of it.”
Connor looked at her with hooded eyes. “It’s okay, I can wrap it up for you to take home.”
“Would you? It’s so good.”
“Of course. I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it, Connor. Tonight has been really special. Thank you. I’ve never tasted creations made from my cheese like this before.”
“You don’t cook at all?” He was incredulous.
“Not much, no.” She looked down, embarrassed.
“Why not? It seems like a natural progression from growing and producing all of the ingredients.”
“I don’t know. I’m so tired after working all day, I just don’t have the energy to spend more time in the kitchen, I guess. I don’t have a passion for the creation of flavors from the stuff. I just eat them in the raw.”
Connor looked amused. “You make all of the wonderful, top quality ingredients, and you don’t cook with them?” He sounded like he didn’t believe her.
“Nope.” She pushed her plate aside, and leaned back in her chair, stretching out her legs under the table. She accidentally brushed up against Connor’s legs. The soft material of his slacks against the strength of his legs gave the bare skin on the tops of Jessie’s feet something wonderful to explore. She kicked off her sandals and continued rubbing her feet up and down his calves, relishing the contrast of textures.
Surely, it was because they were half-way through the second bottle of wine. Because she had already told herself she wasn’t going to pursue anything with Connor, yet here she was, playing footsie with him. And it looked like he was enjoying it.
Connor had stilled in his chair, his gaze focused intently on Jessie. His entire countenance had gone rigid, and he clasped his fork in a white-knuckled fist.
