by T. J. Honey
Ronnie was taken aback with Maddie’s outburst toward him and was a little stunned. He backed up as he answered, “No, I haven’t. I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to upset you any further. I was just trying to comfort you. I’m really sorry… I’m so sorry Maddie.”
Her cheeks were bright red with emotion and anger. Not really aimed at Ronnie, but the whole situation… her fear, her fear of loss, feeling safe, not being sure about the world around her. When would she ever get over it? She thought, as she tried to rope in her emotions. She was so tired of it all.
“Maddie, maybe you should stay another night and sort things out with BB, maybe find out some more details about the operation to ease your mind.”
“Yeah, maybe you’re right. Actually I wanted to talk about us on the way to the garage, but this just came up and has thrown me for a loop!”
“What about us?” Ronnie didn’t want to sound insensitive about BB’s situation, but he was really more interested in his relationship with Maddie.
“Well...” Maddie said sniffing, “I didn’t want you to get the wrong idea. I mean, last night I don’t know if I was very clear. I was thinking about Laura, leaving town, getting back to school, my car being broken down, I just wasn’t sure if I really conveyed how I feel. Ya know?”
“Yeah, I know, you had a lot on your mind. It hasn’t been the most relaxing vacation this year with all the stuff that’s gone on, that’s for sure.”
“Anyway, Ronnie, I do really like you, I mean, I think we have something, but I’m just not sure what or how to go forward from here. Distance is a major issue!”
“I hear ya, I’m not sure either and yeah, distance is a problem.”
They sat there in silence for a few more minutes.
“Look, I better get you to the garage,” he started the truck and got back on the road.
“You can decide from there what you want to do. I’d like for us to talk a little more before you leave and I think maybe you should spend some time with BB before you go too. I really think it would be best for you to get a fresh start in the morning. What do you think?”
“I think you’re probably right. I’ll do that. Let’s just get the car and maybe you can follow me back to BB’s and we can talk a little and I’ll spend tonight with her.”
“Okay, I’d like that and I know she’ll be happy about it too.”
Chapter Twelve
When Maddie and Ronnie got back to the house, it was still mid afternoon. BB was surprised to see them, but thrilled.
“It’s you! What are you doing back here?”
“I’m taking everyone’s advice and leaving tomorrow. I don’t think I’m up to it today and with the news you gave me BB, I want to spend some more time with you and ask questions if I could, okay?”
“Sure honey, you can ask me whatever you like. I’m going to go finish folding my laundry. Why don’t you kids have a cocktail and I’ll meet you out on the patio.”
“Sounds like just what the doctor ordered.” Maddie said; glad to be somewhere comforting, if not just for a little while.
She and Ronnie found a couple of glasses and poured vodka and cranberry juice over cold ice. The heat of the day was not even close to backing off yet and you could see the beads of sweat forming on the glass.
They carried their drinks to the patio and flopped down onto the lounges. Maddie took a long, deep sip from her glass, almost chugging the whole thing.
“God Maddie, you must be parched!” Ronnie laughed.
Not to be outdone, he swallowed almost all of his drink too. They both laughed. Maddie could count on him to break the tension in most any situation. She appreciated him for that; in fact she appreciated so much about him… things that she had never had in a partner or lover. It always brought her closer to him, when he unknowingly became her hero.
“How was Laura when you saw her last night?” Ronnie asked, putting his glass down.
“She’s still a little beat up, but in a shorter cast now and she can get around a lot better. I did ask her if she wanted me to stay longer and help, but she said she has friends and her mom that can do stuff for her to help her out.”
“Cool. I never did find out what her problem was with men and relationships. Seems like she just dates a lot of different guys and never really gets too close to any of ‘em. A few years ago, she told me about a weird experience she had in high school, well, almost. She called it her secret… but she wouldn’t tell me exactly what it was. She just said it was interesting and changed her perspective on life and relationships. I don’t have a clue what she was talking about, really.”
‘Yeah, I noticed about the guy thing too. I’ll have to get to the bottom of it sometime and find out what the deal is. She never talks about it… with me anyway, but the year you and I had our misunderstanding in the boathouse, shall we say, she didn’t seem the same. She acted weird. Maybe that’s related to her secret. Ya think?”
“Maybe, I don’t know, but we have to find out now. The suspense will drive me crazy.”
They laughed and Ronnie continued, “You gonna come out next summer?”
“I’m planning on it. I graduate and I’d like to have a little vacation time before I start my internship.”
“You know where you’re gonna do that yet?”
“I have several choices, but I’m not ready to commit, why?
“Well… I was just thinking that if you weren’t set on staying in Bend, you might find a vet here that you could intern under. I mean, you’d be closer to your aunt and uncle and all… and me.”
Ronnie looked over at Maddie sheepishly, with a sly grin on his face, waiting for her reaction.
“Yeah… and you,” she laughed, “But, I would be closer to BB and Don and that’s a plus. I’ll have to think about it, I’ve got all year.”
BB came out to the patio and sat down on a lounge.
Ronnie took it as his cue to leave, he knew Maddie needed to talk with her before she left and he didn’t want to get in the middle of anything. He’d already witnessed Maddie’s outburst today and he respected that they needed some time alone together. He thought he’d give her a call after she got home and continue their discussion.
“Well, I best be getting home, I have a huge day at the shop tomorrow. I can only leave the guys there for so long without the boss,” he laughed, Maddie stood up and they hugged.
“Thanks for everything BB. It was great to see you again after all this time!”
“You too Ronnie, don’t be a stranger. You can come by anytime you like.”
“I’ll walk you to your truck. I’ll be right back BB.” as they got to the vehicle, she stopped and turned to him, “I’ll miss you, Ronnie.”
He pulled Maddie toward him and took her into his arms leaning back against the truck door. He kissed her gently, tenderly, savoring the moment. She kissed him back and gave in to his passion as it intensified. She knew that if she didn’t cut the goodbye short, she would leave wanting him more than ever. She pulled away from his kiss and mumbled into his mouth.
“I better go Ronnie, or I’m not going to be able to control myself.”
He loosened his grip, blue eyes piercing right through her, hot breath hissing between his teeth, “I’m gonna miss you so much Maddie.”
She melted in his arms, her desire overtaking her, “Oh Ronnie, please! I’ll call you first thing when I get home, okay?”
“Promise?” he asked as he kissed her nose, his arms still around her waist.
“Promise, I gotta go.”
“Okay,” he released her and she walked off to the patio, turning and smiling at him all the way. He watched her go, until she was out of site, then got in his truck and took off down the road. Maddie wasn’t sure when she’d see him again, but knew she’d miss him.
BB was waiting for her when she sat back down. “You kids got pretty close this summer, didn’t you?”
Maddie sighed, “Yeah, I really like him.”
“Well, classes will be
over before you know it, and you can rekindle your passion for each other, that is unless you find a nice fella at school this year. Or maybe he already has a girl friend; I can’t image such a nice looking guy like that, not having a steady.”
Maddie thought about it for a minute. She had considered it for a brief moment, before they reconnected, but had put it out of her mind. Maybe he did have a girl. She should have asked him. Maybe, when she called him she would sneak it in to the conversation somewhere, but did she really want to know? That could change everything.
“Gee thanks BB, I didn’t even think about that!” she said, sarcastically.
BB just laughed, while Maddie fumed. I don’t like that much, she thought as she re-imaged Ronnie’s mystery girl friend with all the tattoos.
She turned her mind to more important issues and looked over at BB, who had her eyes closed soaking up the last of the afternoon sun.
“BB, tell me about what’s going on with your heart. I’m scared for you.”
“Well, they did a bunch of heart tests and it appears that one of my arteries is blocked. Not enough to cause any real major damage… yet, but it needs to be taken care of soon. I don’t want to have a heart attack and there is the possibility that I could, if I don’t handle it.”
BB opened her eyes and looked over at Maddie who was listening intently and continued, “So I have an appointment to see exactly how much blockage there is and to schedule a routine stent. I see the heart surgeon end of September. I don’t think you should worry about it, honey. They do these all the time and it’s pretty safe now,” BB tried to comfort Maddie who was biting a nail, “Come on, honey, don’t worry. I’ll call you before I go in and I’ll have Uncle Don call you the minute it’s over… okay?”
Maddie got up, leaned down and hugged her aunt, kissing her on the cheek, “I just couldn’t stand the thought of something happening to you BB. You and Don are all I’ve got in the world now.”
She wiped the tears away from her eyes and tried to control her emotions.
BB hugged her back, “Why don’t you go to bed early tonight, it’s been a hard couple of days for you. I’ll make you an early dinner and you can hit the sack.”
“Okay. I think I just need to chill and take your advice. I’ll try not to worry.”
But Maddie was scared to death inside. She kept imagining BB lying in her coffin, eyes closed, never to wake up again. She was horrified and began to shake. After dinner, she said good night to BB and Uncle Don and went off to her room. Changing into her sleeping shirt, she crawled under the covers, pulling them over her head and blocking all the negative thoughts from her mind.
Morning came and she felt rested as she jumped out of bed. She threw on her clothes and met BB in the kitchen. There she was, blonde springy curls, tank top, black shorts and flip flops, pouring steaming hot cups of coffee.
She turned and saw Maddie, “How’d you sleep?”
“Like a baby. I got some much needed rest. I’m definitely ready for the drive today.”
BB sat beside her as Maddie sipped her coffee and munched on a roll. BB had her nose in the morning paper and all seemed well in the world. It was a good feeling. She felt peaceful.
After clearing her dishes, she retreated to her bedroom to pack her overnight bag. Shoving the last few things in, she came back out and sat it by the front door. “
“You ready to take off?” BB said, as she stood up. She hugged Maddie tightly, “You drive safely, okay? Promise not to worry all the way home.”
Maddie smiled at her, “I promise.”
She picked up her bag and BB walked her to her Suv. She tossed it into the back seat and got in. BB kissed her on the cheek and they were silent for a minute.
Maddie choked on her words, “Just take care of yourself. I’ll call you when I get home.”
“Okay honey. Bye now.”
Maddie pulled out of the long driveway, turned onto 10 street and headed out of town.
The end
Author Thank You Page
Dear Reader,
I want to personally thank you for reading A 4th of July to Remember and sincerely hope you enjoyed it.
I am working on the sequels now and there are three books in this series.
I take Ronnie and Maddie on a series of wild adventures which include new characters and secrets revealed.
If you would like advanced notice on new releases, please go to my author website and sign up on my mailing list. You will be the first to know when I publish my new books and also which are free or on sale.
http://www.tjhoney.com
Additional Titles by this Author:
He Gave Me Crabs for Christmas and I Gave Him a Black Eye
I feel privileged and honored to connect with you through my books.
Thank you again,
Best,
T.J. Honey
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Author’s Thank You Page
