Learning to Drive... Him Crazy

by Misty Malone

  She squealed. "You think so, really?"

  "Like I said before, I wouldn't let you take it if I didn't feel you were ready. Now, do you want to use my car to take your test? You seem to be able to handle it real well."

  "Could I?"

  "Of course you can. Just make your appointment for sometime when I'm off and I'll go with you." He reviewed his schedule with her to be sure she knew it before he kissed her goodnight and planned to leave. The problem was, she returned his kiss with such an urgency that he found himself pulling her tighter against him and kissing her again, with more passion. When he finally pulled away this time, they were both breathing heavy.

  He took a deep breath and whispered, "Honey, you are having way too much of an effect on me when you kiss me like that."

  She giggled and mischievously asked, "Why do you suppose that is?"

  "Brat." He reached behind her and playfully smacked her bottom. Then he held her face in his hands as he said, "I suppose that's probably because I love you."

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. He returned the hug eagerly. "I love you, too, John."

  He leaned down for one more kiss, soft and gentle, yet full of love. When he pulled away he said, "Be sure to lock the door when I leave, honey, and sleep well tonight."

  * * * * *

  The next evening John and Alana were cuddled on the swing on his front porch. Alana said, "I can't believe I have to wait until next Thursday to take my driving test."

  "I knew they were getting backed up. I didn't know how much."

  "How did you know they're backed up?"

  "Because they asked me if I was interested in testing for them for a couple days to catch them up. They're looking for someone to hire to give driving tests, and until they find someone they're starting to get them backed up."

  "Are you going to help them?"

  "I told them I'd do two days over the next couple weeks, on my day off. They're starting to schedule people in for those days. That should help them a little bit."

  "Maybe you'll be testing me again."

  "Nope."

  "What do you mean nope? How do you know?"

  "Because I told them I won't. I told them you'll be calling in and not to schedule you with me."

  "Why? If you do it I won't be nervous and maybe I'd finally pass."

  He turned to face her and gently guided her chin toward him. "Alana, listen to me. You are ready to pass this test or I wouldn't have told you to make the appointment. But I want you to pass it on your own. If I'm the one giving you the test, you won't feel as confident about your driving, thinking you passed it because of me. And other people may say I passed you because of our relationship. I don't want either of those things to happen. I want you to take the test with someone you don't know, and I know you'll do just fine. You're a good driver. Then when you pass it, you'll know you passed it on your own, without my help."

  "Not without your help. You taught me to drive."

  "I didn't teach you how to drive, I just rounded off some rough edges."

  "You fixed the parts that made me keep failing the test."

  "Like I said, I rounded off some rough edges."

  "Whatever you want to call it, thank you."

  "You're welcome." She laid her head on his shoulder and they watched the stars.

  "So, what kind of car are you going to get?" John asked.

  "One like yours."

  "Why is that?"

  "I like it. I feel comfortable driving it."

  "Why don't you just buy mine then?"

  "Oh, I don't know. Maybe because it's your car that you drive, and not for sale."

  "How do you know it's not for sale?"

  She sat up and looked at him. "Is it for sale?"

  "It just happens to be."

  "Why?"

  "Because I trade my car every two years. I always have. I like cars, and the one thing I allow myself to spend money on is a new car every two years. I've already picked out my new car, and I talked to them about trading mine in. I know how much they'll give me for it on trade, and if you want to buy it I'll sell it to you for the same as what they'll give me."

  "That'd be a deal. They never give you as much as it's worth."

  "They always mark it up some and resell it."

  "Do I have enough for a down payment on it, though, do you think?"

  "You do if you buy it from me."

  "Why? The bank will want so much down before they'll give me a loan, no matter whom I buy it from."

  "If you buy it from me, I can finance it for you. We'll set up monthly payments just like you would with the bank, but you'll pay me instead of the bank. You'll pay it off quicker because I won't charge you interest."

  "John, I couldn't let you do that. I'd love to buy your car, but you have to let me pay you interest. That's not fair to you."

  He thought a moment and said, "Okay, here's my final offer. You can pay me the same interest I would get if I had that money in the bank. That way I'm getting what I would if it were there, and you're getting a good deal on the car."

  "Why are you willing to do this, sell me your car cheap and finance it for me?"

  "First and foremost, because I love you, honey." He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. "But it's partially self-serving on my part. I'd feel better seeing you drive my car than another used car that you find that I know nothing about. I know mine's been taken care of, and I know what's been done to it. If you buy someone else's, you may be buying their headaches."

  "You'd feel better?" She said it softly, almost to herself, thinking about what she was saying.

  He pulled her up against him and said, "Yes, I'd feel a lot better. I don't want you out on the road in a car that I don't feel confident about. I'd be worrying all the time about it breaking down and leaving you stranded along the road somewhere. Remember my protective streak? I want to make sure you're safe all the time, not just when you're with me."

  She looked at him and smiled.

  "What's the smile for?" he asked.

  "I like that. It makes me feel all safe and cozy," she said, cozying in against him.

  "I'm glad, since that's exactly how I want you to feel. But seriously, I'll feel better knowing you're driving my car than a car I don't know the history of. So what do you say?"

  "Are you sure? I'm sure you could sell it for more to someone else."

  "But I want to sell it to you. Deal?"

  With a big smile she said, "Deal!" She reached her hand out, and he shook it, smiling back at her. She laid her head against his shoulder and snuggled in again. After a little while she asked, "So when are you going to quit driving my car and get one of your own?"

  "Brat." She giggled, a sound he loved hearing. "I'll call the car salesman and tell him I'll take the car I've been looking at. Then you can have mine as soon as you get your license."

  "So next Thursday?"

  "As soon as you have your license. Just don't get so excited that you don't pay attention during your test and fail it again."

  "That would be awful."

  "Yes, it would. You're ready for this test, so if you fail it now, it's because you were being careless. And as a police officer, can you guess how I feel about careless drivers?"

  "About the same as you feel about people spending money on shoes they don't need?"

  "Yeah, pretty similar." They both chuckled.

  * * * * *

  Thursday afternoon Kelli called. "Go get 'em, Alana! I know you can do it this time."

  "You know, for the first time I feel like I can pass this."

  "You finally got a good teacher. I'm not a teacher and I readily admit it. John is a natural, though. You'll do great this time. Call and let me know."

  "I will," Alana promised.

  Ten minutes later she got a call from Cal. "Hey, Alana, I just wanted to call and let you know I'm thinking good thoughts for you. I know you'll do fine."

  "Everybody seems to know I'll do fine except
me. I'm nervous as can be."

  "Alana, listen to me. I know my brother. If he wasn't absolutely positive you're ready to be out on the road driving he never would have allowed you to take the test. He not only allowed it, he suggested it, didn't he?"

  "Yes, he did. He told me I was ready now."

  "And that's all I need to know for certain that you're ready. He worries about you more than anyone else, so if he says you're ready, trust me, you're more than ready."

  Cal's words were exactly what she needed to hear at that moment. As he said them she knew in her heart he was right. It felt as if John were right there with her, looking out for her, and that gave her a very comfortable, calming feeling. Just like that, she stopped trembling. "Cal, this is weird, but you don't know how much that means to me. It really helped. Thank you."

  "Well, good. I'm glad it helped. Just concentrate on your driving and you'll do fine. I'm sure you'll let Kelli know how it goes and she'll fill me in."

  She thanked him again, just as John arrived to take her for her test. She drove there, and to her surprise, she wasn't as nervous as she thought she'd be. They got there and she registered and sat down. It wasn't a long wait before a man came out and called her name. He looked up and saw her, and saw John sitting next to her.

  He went toward them with his hand out. John shook hands with him and said, "Phil, good to see you."

  "Good to see you, too, John. Is this the little lady you didn't want to test?"

  "It is. Phil Simmons, this is the special little lady in my life, Alana Carpenter. Alana, this is an old friend of mine, Phil Simmons."

  They shook hands and Phil said, "It's nice to meet you, Alana."

  "Take care of her, Phil," John said.

  "I'm sure she'll be fine."

  John tried to read a magazine after they left, but it was no use. When Alana and Phil came back twenty minutes later, they found John nervously pacing. Phil laughed as he said, "John, you can relax. Alana's a good driver. She tells me she had a good teacher."

  John looked up and saw the huge smile on her face. He opened his arms and she practically ran into them. After a quick kiss, since they weren't alone, he asked Phil, "She did okay?"

  "She did real well. All she has to do is take this to the BMV and they'll get her license, complete with professional-quality photo."

  They chuckled at his joke. John shook Phil's hand and thanked him, and led Alana out to get her license.

  "Do you want to drive home?" John asked.

  "Nope, you can," she surprised him by saying. "Now that I have my license, you can drive again. I've kind of come to like this you-in-charge thing."

  He opened the passenger's door for her, and after she was in he went around and got in the driver's seat. Before he started the car, though, he turned to look at her. "Are you serious about liking this me in charge thing?"

  "Yes, I am," she said, with a bit of a blush. "I was afraid it would mean you would be like a dictator or something, but it doesn't. It mostly means you watch out for me and make sure I'm okay. I'm liking how that makes me feel more and more."

  He gently held her chin as he leaned in and kissed her. It started off as a soft, gentle kiss, but he'd soon taken command, and she felt herself melting into the kiss. She was glad she was sitting down because she didn't think her legs would have held her at that moment. He pulled back enough to say, "I love you, Alana," and rested his forehead against hers while they both recovered.

  "I love you, too, John," she answered, also happy to rest against him.

  When they were finally on their way home, John asked, "Do you mind if I stop at Cal's a minute on the way home? He says he's got something he wants to show me."

  "That's fine."

  They pulled into Cal's driveway five minutes later and John opened her car door for her. They walked in the house and heard a SURPRISE! Kelli and Cal were smiling at them, along with Alana's boss, Marilyn and her husband. Agents Brad Barstow and Sheila Livingston and Ryan Reed were there, as well. Even Lieutenant Berry was there. Everyone was congratulating Alana.

  Alana looked at John and said, "I can't believe you didn't even let on. I had no idea."

  "Neither did I," John admitted. "I had nothing to do with this."

  Brad said, "Cal called us and told us he and Kelli were planning this little surprise and asked if we'd like to help celebrate the special occasion. Of course we did."

  Ryan added, "And that was before we even knew there'd be cake!"

  They were all laughing as Cal said, "I have the grill going out back and the hamburgers and hot dogs are about done. I got some potato chips and other snacks. Kelli made potato salad and baked beans, and we have the cake and ice cream. It's not gourmet food from a five star restaurant, but we figured it would be sufficient for us to celebrate this momentous occasion."

  Alana agreed. "Absolutely, and the fact we're free now so I could finally take this test again!"

  Brad looked indignant as he asked, "Are you saying you didn't enjoy your time with us?"

  "I told John a couple days ago, I can't really say I wish this whole thing never would have happened, because then we wouldn't have met you guys. But just the same, I wouldn't want to do it again. One good thing, though, I haven't seemed to want to go shoe shopping much any more. Go figure!"

  Everyone laughed again as they started to fill their plates. The evening was wonderful. Alana getting her license gave them all the excuse they needed to get together again under better, happier circumstances with a more relaxed atmosphere.

  Marilyn waited around after the party until everyone else had left. She told Alana, "I'm really glad you got your license, Alana. I've been wanting to retire for some time now, but I've been waiting for you to get your license."

  Alana listened patiently while Marilyn went on. "You've basically been running this business the last couple years, so it's only fitting that you take it over. Now that you have your license you can do that."

  "You want me to take it over?" Alana asked, a bit stunned.

  "Yes, I do. Customers already know you, and now that you have your license I'm sure you'll do well. Please tell me you'll do it so I can retire and my husband and I can travel."

  "Thank you for your confidence in me," Alana said appreciatively, "but I don't have the money right now to buy it from you."

  "I never said I wanted to sell it, Alana. There's really not much to sell. As you know, I rent the space. The chairs and tents and such are the only things the company actually owns, and I want you to have them."

  "Marilyn, there's also all the linens and serving pieces and chocolate fountains, and all kinds of things like that. All that stuff costs a lot of money!"

  "But they don't bring that much when you sell them used." She took Alana's hands in hers and said, "If it wouldn't have been for you, I wouldn't have been in business the last few years. You did most of the work. About all I did was the driving. I don't have any kids to leave my business to, and my husband and I really do want to travel. I'd feel better knowing the business is still operating, though, so please say you'll take it over."

  Alana looked over at John, who was smiling, and nodded. She had tears in her eyes as she told Marilyn, "If you're sure, I would be honored to take it over. Thank you, Marilyn. Not just for giving me your business, but for your patience over the last three years and teaching me everything I know about being an event planner."

  "You're welcome, Alana. Thank you for being my right hand woman all that time."

  * * * * *

  Alana settled into her new occupation, and driving, well. She worried over her first few jobs, but John was there to encourage her. On one occasion she was so worried about forgetting something that John was getting concerned. She became fixated with going over everything time and time again to be sure she didn't forget any detail. It got to the point where she was becoming careless with every day things because she wasn't paying attention to what she was doing. He talked to her about it twice, telling her he was becomin
g quite concerned. He put an end to it when she stopped at his house on her way home from work the very next evening.

  He saw her pull into his drive and went out to meet her. "Hi, honey. I was planning to come over to your place later this evening."

  "I know, and that's fine. I just wanted to show you something I got in the mail today. I don't understand it and was hoping you could explain it to me."

  "I'll try. Where is it?"

  "It's right here." She reached over to the passenger's seat, but stopped. She looked down on the floor in front of the passenger's seat, but there was nothing there. "Well, damn, where is it?"

  She was leaning over into the car on the passenger's side. He did a quick look around before giving her a hearty smack on her upturned bottom. "Watch your language, Alana."

  "Ow!" She stood up and whirled around to face him, ready to argue. "What was that for?"

  "Alana, you've got to get yourself calmed down. You're worrying way too much about this job you're working on. You know better than to use that language, and you're getting careless about too many things. If you can't let go of the stress that's got you so wound up, I'll be helping you. One way or another, you've got to calm down."

  Knowing he was right, she said, "Sorry. I'll try harder."

  "Okay. Now, what do you want to show me?"

  "It's in my purse, but I can't find it."

  His eyebrow rose. "You can't find it? Where do you suppose it could be?"

  "I don't know. Maybe I left it at work. No, wait a minute. I didn't see it when I went through the fast food window today, either, so I grabbed the extra ten-dollar bill I keep in the glove box. I may have left it at home this morning."

  He put his arm around her waist as they headed toward the house. As they were walking in he asked, "So you think you left your purse at home this morning?"

  "I'm thinking I must have," she answered slowly. She realized John was not at all happy.

  He held the door for her and they went into his house. As they were going to the living room he asked, "So you drove all over the place this morning, delivering linens and supervising the men setting up the chairs in two different locations, and you didn't have your driver's license or proof of insurance?"