Together in the Wild: Clean Romance Novella (Alaska Adventure Romance Book 4)

by Hart, Renee

  Judith wasn’t going to give her new look away. Anton was just going to have to be patient like everyone else.

  “Fine,” Anton conceded. Judith could hear rustling and voices in the background. It was no doubt Max or Daniel since that’s where Anton was spending the night.

  “Uhhh mom? Daniel wants to talk to you,” Anton said in a rushed tone. Judith was about to protest, but she could already hear the shuffling of Anton’s phone as he passed it into someone else’s hands.

  Judith puffed out her cheeks, held her breath, and waited for the voice on the other end of the line. Her insides were wide awake now and moving as rapidly as an unpredictable roller coaster.

  “Hello?”

  “Daniel. Hi,” Judith said. She had the sudden urge to sit up in bed. If her body was more alert then maybe her mind would be too.

  “What’s this I hear about you getting a new look?” Daniel said. His voice sounded so husky and sexy on the phone. Judith had to stop to mentally replay his question before answering.

  “Yeah. There was some contest at work that I didn’t enter. I miraculously won anyway, and I’m getting a makeover,” Judith said. She was a little embarrassed to admit that. But it wasn’t the worst thing she could have admitted to.

  “That’s really weird that you won then. I’m guessing there’s a story there,” he said.

  “A short and boring one. My boss thought she would do something nice,” Judith said. She laughed a strange and awkward laugh. She didn’t want to talk anymore about herself or this makeover. Even though it was turning out to be more rewarding and enjoyable than she cared to admit. Just a few outfits and a haircut and her whole perspective on some things had changed.

  Maybe it was time to allow herself to be beautiful. And maybe it was time to invite new things into her life; like new clothes, a new way to do makeup, a new way of handling conversations without having to always have a snide remark, and maybe...just maybe, a new man in her life.

  “I guess you can expound on that story another time. It seems like it’s been a lot of fun,” Daniel said. He sounded a little bit nervous, but he spoke in a way that made him seem like he was trying to force himself to act casual even though he was anything but.

  “It’s ok thus far. Excited to see?” Judith asked.

  “To see you? Yes.”

  Judith puffed out her cheeks and held her breath again. He didn’t say he was excited to see her new look, he simply said that he was excited to see her. She did a little dance and moved the phone away from her for a second. Then she brought the phone back to her ear and cleared her throat.

  “So what are you boys doing?” she could have smacked herself. She was so geared up to flirt with him, and she ruined it by not wanting to talk too much about herself.

  “Oh, well we just had some dinner.”

  “At his hour? Did you cook something or was it another bacon and pizza night?”

  Daniel literally said the words “ha ha ha” to show that he wasn’t impressed with Judith’s joke.

  “As a matter of fact I cooked. Spaghetti bolognese.”

  “Good. That sounds good,” Judith said. In the middle of her sentence she yawned. She couldn’t control it, but it only acted as a reminder for what was coming the next day, and how tired she was since she had been woken up from her sleep.

  “I’ll make you some when I see you. I’ll add it to the list. Beer chicken and then spaghetti bolognese.”

  “Sounds good,” Judith said again. She wasn’t sure what else to say. She hadn’t flirted since probably before Anton was born. It didn’t help that she was just about to fall back asleep.

  “Yeah? Good. It’s a date then,” Daniel said with a nervous chuckle.

  “It’s a date,” Judith said. She was practically grinning from ear to ear. She knew that Daniel could probably hear her smile over the phone.

  They said their goodbyes and Judith sighed and sank into bed after she hung up the phone. She kept playing the way he said ‘it’s a date’ over and over in her mind. There was something stirring within her. It was a strange oxymoronical feeling of calmed excitement. She was now settling into the sudden idea of change; not just in her physical appearance.

  Everything was shifting and changing, and she realized now that she had to change with it.

  As excited as Judith was after her conversation with Daniel, she found herself dozing off. She wasn’t even sure when she fell asleep.

  Chapter Seven

  “I can’t believe how different you look. I’m...speechless.”

  Judith and Nicky were driving out of the parking lot of the art gallery. The people of Pure Touch had wanted an authentic interview for the story. Judith had to sit in front of several bright lights; they were so warm that a makeup artist had to dab her face to keep from messing up her makeup.

  Nicky was there. She didn’t need to be, but she was the nosy and curious type. She arrived right after Judith's makeup was finished. The makeup artist was a kind plump woman who gave Judith a fresh and natural look. Her lips were a dull pink-rose mixed with an almost peach color, with just a bit of beige and gold eyeshadow. Her eyes popped so much against the makeup that she almost looked like a mystical creature. She had always known that she had unusual eyes, but they were more striking with her new hair style and makeup.

  Judith also had no idea how she was going to feel once her makeup was finished. Like Gary, the makeup artist had turned her chair the other way so that she couldn’t see her transformation. The makeup artist talked her through everything; explaining which shade of what color worked well on her skin and lips, and which would define the shape of her eyes as well as bring out their bright color.

  Putting on the black dress with the unusual back and white collar was the final part of Judith’s transformation. She could hardly recognize herself. She stood in the full length mirror and admired herself for several minutes. She touched herself tentatively, as if she would somehow become ruined if she did anything more than glance at her reflection. She appeared taller and her face looked younger. She couldn’t wait to show Anton.

  Now that her interview and photo shoot were over, Nicky promised to treat Judith to some lunch before taking her home. Nicky wanted to show Judith off to the world before Judith could even have a chance to show her son her new look.

  If Judith hadn't been beaming she would have declined, but a certain swelling of confidence surged in her like a powerful sea, and the let the waves propel her into whatever shenanigans Nicky had for them to partake in.

  ***

  They were sitting inside the very fancy bar of an elegant restaurant. Nicky had obviously been there before because a waiter brought her a glass of wine before she said anything to anyone. Although the restaurant was full, it was still quiet enough to hear the clinking of cutlery on plates and the faint laughter of a couple on their first date.

  Judith didn’t feel out of place. She felt right at home. She didn't have her usual anxiety of feeling underdressed or not looking the way she should for something that was special.

  “Thank you for bringing me here. And thank you for…for everything,” Judith said. There was no joke or silliness attached to it. She was genuinely grateful for the experience, even before she had a chance to show anyone that she knew.

  “I’m just happy you like it. You’re sparkling. You really look so radiant with that haircut and the natural makeup,” Nicky replied. She raised her wine glass and toasted Judith, who decided to stick to water.

  “Are we toasting?” Judith joked. “I may need something a little stronger than this.”

  “We can toast in just a bit. I actually need to use the bathroom,” Nicky took a gulp of wine and excused herself.

  Now Judith could really take a look at her surroundings. There were tables strewn about the place and a bar in the corner with lights that were slightly dimmer than the lights in the main restaurant. There were a few people sitting on the stools that were attached to the mahogany bar. Judith discreetly
looked at each person sitting there.

  Just when she was about to look away, a handsome gentleman caught her eye. He had a buzz cut and beautiful posture. She imagined he might be in the military. He turned this way and that on the round stool, and when she saw that he was looking at her too, she looked away. She couldn’t help but smile. She took a sip of her water to hide the fact that she was smiling, and did her best not to look over again. He was definitely looking at her. Judith felt younger already.

  The man rose from his stool and glided over to Judith’s table.

  “Hi there,” he said. He had a southern accent and a clear smooth voice. His dark eyes never left her form.

  “Hello,” Judith said politely.

  “I don’t want to seem forward, but I noticed you and your friend from the moment you ladies walked in here,” he said.

  Judith’s heart jumped. This was what she was waiting for and secretly dreading. He was probably going to ask if Nicky was single and then try to get Judith to give him her number. Nicky was a natural beauty and men constantly flirted with her. She mostly ignored them. Nicky was too busy with her work. And it didn’t help the men when they found out she was a lesbian.

  “What is it that you noticed?” Judith was trying to play it cool and to be somewhat coy.

  “That you have just about the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen,” the man chuckled nervously and leaned over on the back of Nicky’s chair. Judith could feel a surge of heat flowing through her face. Under the light just above the table, it would have been obvious that Judith was blushing now.

  “I bet you say that to everyone,” Judith said. She lowered her head and then raised her eyes up at him, peeking from behind her bangs.

  “Not at all. You’re just a really captivating woman. You look like someone who has a lot of stories to tell.”

  “So do you. You have the charm and the stoicism of a soldier. I bet there’s a lot to you,” Judith said. She offered him a smile, and she could see that he really liked it.

  She was flirting! She couldn’t believe it. In this restaurant full of people, someone had been so taken by her that he felt the need to come up and say hello. Flattered wasn’t even the word. It had been over a decade since the last man flirted with her.

  The handsome young guy straightened himself and smiled too. He nodded when he spoke.

  “Yes indeed. Just got back from my second tour.” The way he looked made him seem so proud of himself and his accomplishments.

  “Well thank you for your service to our country,” Judith said. She held out her hand to him and he took it. Instead of shaking it, he turned her hand in his palm and he gently rubbed against her knuckles. It wasn’t in a way that made her feel uneasy.

  “Thank you for being someone worth fighting for.”

  Judith practically melted. She had to stop this. She didn’t want to get this young man’s hopes up. She couldn’t possibly entertain this further, even though there was a part of her that wanted to.

  “Thank you,” she breathed. Their eyes met and she half smiled at him. Then she caught herself and gently moved her hand away from his grasp.

  “You seem like a really sweet person. I just...I don’t think I’d be the right fit for you,” Judith started. He was about to open his mouth in protest, but she gave him a look that made him stop before he even uttered his first words.

  “There’s...someone in my life,” Judith said. She wasn’t at all sure about Daniel, but there was a feeling there that she couldn’t shake. And she needed to know. She wanted to find out what was going to happen with him before trying anything with someone new. Plus, this soldier looked almost ten years her junior.

  “Oh,” the soldier said. He looked a little dejected but not defeated. He bowed his head in a way that was almost unnoticeable and told Judith to take care. When he got back to the bar it occurred to her that she never got his name, and he didn’t know hers. She sent good vibes his way.

  Judith turned around to get a final glimpse at him from the bar, and when she turned back, Nicky had reappeared. She was grinning like a proud mother hen.

  “So...who’s that guy?”

  “Just someone who wanted to get to know me a little better,” Judith replied. Nicky sat back down at the table and scooched in closer to Judith so that they could speak without being heard.

  “Did you ask him out? Did he ask you? When’s the wedding?”

  Judith laughed. Nicky would forever be nosy.

  “Never. I didn’t even get his name. I actually flirted with him though. I couldn’t remember if I still knew how to do that. But he was smitten. And oh so young. And not the someone for me.”

  “Look at you! Where are all these gentlemen callers coming from?” Nicky said with an adorable giggle.

  “There’s only one gentleman caller I’m thinking about right now. I’ll tell you about him a little later.”

  Chapter Eight

  Judith was just about to turn the key in the lock to her home when she got a call. Nicky was standing behind her and asked to come in to use the bathroom. Anton was calling.

  “Hey honey, I just got home. Are you still at Daniel’s?”

  “Yeah I am. He’s inviting you to dinner. We just saw you pull in and he wants you to come by,” Anton said.

  “Oh. Well I’m here with Nicky…” Judith started.

  “That’s ok. He wants her to come too.”

  Judith furrowed her eyebrows and turned around to face Nicky. She slowly pulled the key out of the lock and peered over at her neighbor’s house.

  “Okay,” Judith said suspiciously. She hung up the phone.

  “My neighbor’s inviting you to dinner.”

  “Oh goody, I’m starving. I hope they don’t mind if I use their bathroom,” Nicky said. She skittered down the stairs in front of Judith’s house and hopped around in her impatience. She and Judith walked over to the neighbor’s and knocked on the door.

  There was no answer. She tried a few more times and turned to look apologetically at Nicky.

  “They’re probably round back,” Judith said. She moved to the side of the house. Their fences were connected, but they had their individual entrance ways that led to their separate backyards. The latch was normally locked on the inside of the fence, but Judith was able to open the gate right away.

  Not wanting to seem intrusive, though she was invited, Judith took a few cautious steps forward. From where she was there was no one in sight.

  That was strange. She was just invited to this house and no one seemed to be around? Judith was about to panic internally when she stepped around the corner and noticed something. She was just about to turn to Nicky to say something, but just as she did she heard

  “Surpriiise!”

  Judith nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw a swarm of people jumping out of hiding places to scream surprise at her. She screamed too, but then laughed and put her hand to her chest. She saw some of her coworkers, and spotted her ex husband, and in front of him stood Anton and Max. She looked around for Daniel, but he was nowhere to be seen.

  “Mom, you look incredible!” Anton reached her first and he flung his long arms around her. His words were genuine, and he pulled her away to admire her black dress, her new shoes, and her beautiful rust colored hair.

  “I haven’t seen you look this nice since college,” Judith’s ex Keith said as he walked over to her. She replied with a roll of her eyes, and Keith brushed his knuckles against her cheek.

  “I mean it Juju. You look beautiful.”

  Judith gave in and smiled at Keith. She was going to speak but Nicky grabbed her by the arm and yanked her towards her coworkers. They were like a hive of bees. They poked and prodded and hugged and buzzed all around her; each offering their compliments and congratulations.

  It felt weird to Judith to be complimented by all of the people she cared about. Weirder still that it was for her physical appearance. She felt overwhelmed, but in the best of ways. But there was still something missing. O
r someone rather.

  Where is Daniel?

  As excited as she was to be the center of something, and being with her friends and her family, she really wanted to see where Daniel could be.

  The crowd dispersed little by little. Some people had started their own conversations, or they went to get snacks and drinks. The kids of her friends were rolling around on the grass or playing. Anton and Nicky were the only ones still by her then.

  “Well?” Nicky asked expectantly.

  “Well what?”

  “Wadya mean ‘well what’? I was thinking of ‘thank you forever Nicky. Thanks for the party and the makeover. You’re a miracle worker and I never should have gotten mad at you for putting my name in this raffle’.”

  “Pfff fat chance,” Judith said. She was still defiant. But then she took a look around at all of the people who were there supporting her, and realized how happy and confident she was. She even had a decent conversation with Anton’s father.

  “Fine, Nick. You’re a miracle worker. And I’m glad I went through with this, and it’s all thanks to you.”

  “And shopping next week. Don’t forget!” Nicky said as a not so gentle reminder.

  “How could I?” Judith laughed.

  That was all Nicky needed to hear. She grinned and hugged Judith before dancing away to a small group of people who were on the other side of the garden drinking some wine.

  “Actually, I was the one in charge of the party. I just called Nicky and asked for help,” Anton said when Nicky was a safe distance away. Judith laughed and ruffled his hair.

  “Then thank you too.”

  “You look happy mom. Not just prettier...but happy,” he added.

  “Prettier?”

  “Yeah, I don’t think anyone liked the blonde too much. I’ve been saying this for years and you…”

  “Okay smart ass, I get it,” Judith said. He was right. She didn’t only look happier, but she felt it from within. She had gained some confidence over such a short amount of time, and it didn’t take much more than believing in herself the way other people believed in her.