Be My Guest

by Caroline Clemmons

  He lay on his side facing her, one arm folded back over his head and the other reaching out toward her. What would it be like to wake up beside him every morning, to have him reach over for her and be able to go to him? She sighed wistfully. What a wonderful way to start the day that would be.

  She blushed at her wayward thoughts and slipped out of the bed quietly and into the bathroom. Instead of returning to the bedroom, she went through the door on the utility room side of the bathroom and into the kitchen. There she found Lily already at work.

  "Ha, you should be asleep, pobrecita. Did I wake you when I started the generator, or do you have too much pain to sleep?"

  "No, I think I'm hungry, and maybe that's why I waked up. I'm awfully sore in places, but I slept pretty well last night."

  Lily clearly assumed charge of this kitchen. "I made some biscuits and will cook some eggs and ham. You sit and talk to me, but I'll do everything. Will said you've injured yourself very badly. You must have had a terrible time. It is fortunate that he saw your linternacita in the storm."

  Aurora clearly remembered the fear and isolation of the storm, but tried to minimize her ordeal to Lily. "It all happened pretty fast, except for the walking along the railroad tracks. I really believed I had walked dozens of miles, but Will thought it more likely I came only a little over two from my description of where I left my car."

  "And you carried su maletas, your suitcases, through the storm? Ah, Aurora, I don't know how you did it." Lily shook her head as she busied about the kitchen.

  "Well, I realize now that it was terribly stupid of me. Part of the time I put my suitcase on one of the rails and sort of pushed or pulled it along on the rail. I tried to save as much as possible, you see, but that's why I fell into the water and wound up in the tree."

  When Lily eyes held question, Aurora continued, "I set my suitcase to the side of the rails but before I could sit on my suitcase to rest, I saw a huge water moccasin crawling toward me. It startled me so much I fell." Even remembering that event made Aurora uncomfortable. She realized too well how close came to drowning.

  Lily shuddered. "Ugh, un serpiente! I hate snakes! But to fall into the water of the flood...Madre de Dios! How did you keep from drowning?"

  "I tried to swim but all I could do to stay on top of the water. When the flood slammed me into the tree, I grabbed at a branch and held on until I could climb higher. That's where Will found me."

  Aurora sighed and shook her head before adding, "Oh, if only I had accepted his offer to show me around the area yesterday, this would never have happened."

  Lily paused in her breakfast preparations and stared as if not certain she heard correctly. She took a step closer. "Por favor? What did you say, Aurora?"

  Aurora shrugged with her least sore shoulder. "Oh, well, you see, yesterday in Snyder when I met Will, he offered to show me around the area. Had I accepted his offer then, I would have been with him and would never have stalled my car in the deep water."

  Lily said slowly and carefully as Aurora's words took effect. "Ah, I see. So...you met Will yesterday in Snyder. Ha! This explains many things. And why didn't you take him up on his offer?"

  Aurora chewed her lip before answering, "Well, uh, you see, Lily, um, he wore a wedding ring and I--I thought he was married."

  Lily raised her eyes to the ceiling and gestured upward with both hands. "Madre de Dios, did I not tell him? How many times did I say this to him? I knew this would happen!" She returned her gaze to Aurora and shook her head. "That is one stubborn hombre. We all told him to quit wearing his wedding ring."

  The housekeeper went back to work on breakfast, interspersed with a great deal of gesturing as she spoke. "Now I would never interfere, you know, but I told him so. I said to him that thirty-three is too young to live like a monk. Kelly and Lori Beth told him too. Finally, he listens. Ah, men! You can tell them nothing."

  "Oh. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned it." Aurora sat at the breakfast bar across the counter from Lily. You really put your foot in it this time, she thought.

  "De nada. Well, I am glad he found you--both times. He is a good man, our Will is. One of the very best. He and Nancy were very happy, yes, but Nancy has been dead three years. Will deserves to be happy again."

  Aurora thought it best to shift Lily's attention away from Will's love life, or lack of it. "Will said your family and he have been friends for a long time."

  "Yes, this is true. We were amigos in school together many years. With his Nancy, too, though she was Lori Beth's age. When Raul needed a job, Will asked his father to hire Raul."

  As if to emphasize her explanation, she paused to gaze at Aurora. "Even though Raul is very good at his job, we are very grateful. That was when Will went away to college. You see, Will always planned to go to college after high school, but Raul had no wish to do so. He and I wanted just to get married and live a peaceful life on a ranch."

  A slight frown gathered at her brow, as if she suddenly recalled something unpleasant. "Raul had trouble finding a job around here that would pay enough money for us to get married and raise a family, and we didn't want to live in town."

  Will appeared in the door. "Tell the truth, Lily. You wanted to keep that handsome husband of yours away from the women in town as much as he wanted you all to himself."

  Dressed in his jeans and a western shirt in gray print that complimented his eyes, Will stopped near Aurora and flashed a heart-stopping smile. "Good morning. Are those biscuits I smell?"

  His smile brightened the room for her far more than the sunlight shining in through the windows. Her stomach did flip flops again but she struggled to produce a casual smile. "Yes, and fortunately for you, Lily made them. Um, I haven't actually cooked in a long time. I'm afraid any biscuits I cooked wouldn't be nearly as wonderful as Lily's. Even then, I've always used an electric range and oven, so I'd probably be lost with a gas range."

  His gaze never left her face. His voice sounded natural, but it seemed, in spite of the words, Aurora commanded his entire focus. "Actually, it's propane. There's a big tank at the side of the house and a truck comes once a month to fill it. But it works the same as gas when you're cooking." He leaned his hips back against the counter with his hands loosely balancing his crutches.

  Lily sat plates of ham and huevos rancheros on the table, and popped biscuits from the oven before she turned to the others. "All right now, pronto. This food is ready, so you two eat and then go away. I'll clean this up mañana. Right now, I have to leave to make sure those kids get cleaned up. Raul says the roads to Post are open now so we can go to church."

  After breakfast, Aurora stacked the dishes. "I can't leave these for Lily to do later, Will. The food will have dried like cement on them."

  Will washed as she dried until they cleared away the dishes from breakfast and their dinner of the evening before. Will chatted about ranch life and life in a rural community. He didn't mention his wife, but as far as Aurora could tell Nancy's presence was almost visible. He must have performed these same tasks many times with Nancy, and repeating them now must remind him of those other times. After all, Nancy probably designed this fabulous kitchen. In spite of that, Aurora hoped he thought only of the present with her.

  When the dishes were finished, Will checked again with the county sheriff, who affirmed that traffic had resumed on Highway 84 between Post and Snyder. Next, he phoned his friend Nick and arranged to meet at the hospital.

  Aurora gathered her belongings. What a strange feeling. Could it only have been thirty-six hours that she came here? Was it only forty-eight hours ago that she left Abilene? How could so much happen in only forty-eight hours? She’d asked for new experiences, and she’d managed a giant share in just two days.

  Her efficient nature resurfaced and she snapped out of her reverie. Soon, with her things secured in her briefcase and suitcase, she set the cases by the door to await her return from the doctor’s visit. By that time, Will's daughter would probably be home. This might be the
ir last few minutes alone here in his home. Reluctant to leave, she knew she must.

  When he failed in his attempt to dissuade her from doing any sort of cleaning, Will helped Aurora tidy his bedroom. She was grimly determined to leave the house as she found it even though she the strain from her day's activity drained her.

  Will saw a tightness in her pale face, especially around her eyes, from the pain. Her movements favored her left shoulder and side. How could he have become so attracted to a woman in such a short time? What he wanted most to do was say to hell with convention and propriety and keep her here with him from this day forward. He wished he could take the easy way just once, but he knew he must let her go now to win her later.

  Very gently, he took her in his arms. His crutches dropped as he took her chin in his hand and raised her lips to meet his. Aurora met his kiss with renewed ardor. Pulling his lips from hers created a painful longing for more of her.

  "Oh, Aurora," Will said as he pulled her head to his chest and cradled her in his arms. Her arms slipped around his waist. For a few seconds he held her there, then pulled backed slowly.

  "You know I don't want you to leave but it's time to go meet Nick, and we shouldn't keep him waiting." He shared her reluctance to leave, but leave they must.

  "I know," she said sadly. "I think I'm ready, Will.”

  They arrived at the hospital with about ten minutes to spare before time to meet Nick. Will stuck to Aurora's side like glue, even though she repeatedly told him she would be fine and suggested he stay in the lobby. Looking all the while as innocent as a lamb, he blatantly eavesdropped to her answers as the admitting clerk took information. When Aurora again hissed at him that she could manage fine if he would just go sit in the waiting area, he just smiled sweetly at her without budging.

  A chubby nurse bustled in and checked over the information on Aurora's chart. In spite of Will's presence, she asked for additional information as she gently guided Aurora to the scales.

  "How tall are you?"

  "Five foot eight inches."

  The nurse clucked her tongue. "My, my, you only weigh 125. That's low for your height and build. I hope you're not dieting."

  Will almost snorted. "I guarantee she's not dieting. She eats like a farm hand."

  "Let's see, you're how old?"

  Aurora glared at Will to let him know she could speak for herself. "Twenty-eight on February 12."

  The nurse expelled him from the examining area long enough for Aurora to change into one of the scanty examining gowns, an act that required the nurse's help. The woman tucked a sheet around Aurora's legs and hips before she left. Will returned the second the nurse exited the cubicle to search for the doctor. Within minutes, the doctor sauntered in. The men exchanged greetings and Will once again stepped into the hallway to wait.

  Aurora liked Nick at once. Of medium height, with curly black hair prematurely shot with gray, his friendly banter changed to concern as he examined Aurora's shoulder and ribs and the lump on her head. Nick gently probed the wound to her head. "Damn, Aurora. Another half inch to the center, and you'd probably have been killed." He ordered lab work and a set of x-rays of the head, ribs, and shoulder, but found no permanent damage or fractures. To Aurora's chagrin, Nick insisted she have a tetanus shot. After two hours that seemed like ages, she was finally allowed to leave.

  Both Will and Aurora remained quiet as they left the hospital, each lost deep in thought. When they stopped at a restaurant, Aurora watched the people going into the restaurant, then considered her wrinkled slacks and knit top. "I'm not dressed for this place. Could we go somewhere else?"

  Will peered at the other people who walked toward the building as if suddenly aware of their existence. "Oh, right. I forgot that this is Sunday and most of these people just got here from church." He smoothed imaginary lint from his shirt. "I guess we’re dressed pretty casually. I just wanted you to have a good meal."

  "Thanks, Will, but we had a terrific meal last night. Maybe I'll take a rain check on this place."

  That statement lifted Will's spirits, for it almost promised a future for the two of them. Soon, he parked near the door of the Dairy Queen. "Here we are, ma'am. Money is no object. In fact, I feel so generous you can order the most expensive thing on the menu if your little heart so desires."

  Aurora ordered chicken-fried steak fingers and gravy with French fries and a root beer. Will ordered the same thing. "Good heavens, Aurora. Do you always eat like this? You're cholesterol count must be outrageous!"

  "Actually, it's quite good. It's another part of my inheritance from my Grandmother Aurora. I don't usually indulge in quite so much fried food, though. My experiences of the past few days make me feel reckless--or maybe it's your presence. I told you I seem to lose all sense of reason with you around." Aurora peered at him from under her lashes and flashed an impudent smiled. She could not imagine how she suddenly became such a flirt in the last two days.

  He spread his napkin on his lap with a great flourish and puffed up his shoulders. "Well, ma'am, I like to think I'm a good influence whenever possible. I seek to do good wherever I go against the evil forces of conservatism." He gave a little salute to finish his speech.

  The waitress called their number and Aurora went to get their food. Will could never have managed the tray. With great care, she arranged her gravy in just the right spot before she cut a one-inch piece of steak to dip into the gravy. When she ate that, she cut another of precisely the same size and started the process again."

  He sat transfixed. "This is even more unbelievable than watching you reorganize your hamburger or slice your ham."

  Aurora put her fork down and leaned against the back of the booth. "I guess Russell was right. I am too fond of organization and way too much of a control freak" Decisively, she picked up the container of gravy. With one plop, she dumped the gravy onto the mound of fried steak strips and leaned back triumphantly. "How's that?"

  He laughed, "That's good. Now you're living dangerously."

  She cut a bite of the meat and chewed it slowly. Surprise crossed her face. "Hey, wait a minute! It tastes just the same as the other way!"

  Chapter Seven

  They arrived at the ranch before Will's sister and brother-in-law returned with Kelly. From habit, Will pressed the garage door opener and the door raised.

  "Great! The electrical power is restored."

  "Mm, that makes about thirty-six hours it was off, doesn't it?"

  "Closer to forty, I think. Lie down for a little while until Kelly gets here? I really want you to meet her and Lori Beth and Tommy Joe. You must be pretty tired. Remember, Nick said take it easy for a few more days."

  Aurora hesitated, but gave in. Her head throbbed abominably again and she really did feel tired. She returned to the bedroom she shared with Will the past two nights. All traces of her stay were gone. The spotless room seemed almost sterile and made her a little sad, as if she had never been there, as if the moments she'd shared there with Will had never existed. You're maudlin, she told herself, you must really be overtired.

  She went to the family room where the draperies hung open, giving way to the marvelous view she’d enjoyed the evening before. With her head at the fireplace end of the sofa so that she could see out the wall of glass as she rested, she lay down on the sofa. Soon the pastoral scene relaxed her and she drifted into sleep.

  Aurora awakened to the sound of voices in the kitchen. Quickly, she straightened her hair and smoothed her clothes with the wet palms of nervous hands. She wondered why it seemed so important that these particular people like her and chided herself for her apprehension. After all, how hard was it to meet two adults and a child. There's no reason to be nervous. With a smile pasted on her face, she mustered her courage, took a deep breath, and walked into the kitchen.

  Lori Beth was a smaller, very feminine version of her brother with sandy hair and laughing blue eyes. She wore a slate blue linen maternity suit that matched her eyes, probably the one worn t
o church that morning. From her size, Aurora guessed her to be about six months pregnant. As Aurora entered the room, Tommy Joe removed the jacket that matched his dark slacks. Ends of a tie dangled from his jacket pocket and his white shirt lay open at the throat.

  The little girl in a frilly pink dress held her father's hands and hopped from one foot to the other as she spoke. "I really want to meet her now, Daddy. When will she wake up?"

  Over Kelly's bobbing head, Will's eyes met Aurora's and he smiled. "If you turn around, you'll find out."

  Kelly whirled Aurora held out her hand. "Hello, you must be Kelly. I'm Aurora."

  Kelly's eyes grew wide and she stopped hopping. "Wow, you're even prettier than Daddy said!"

  Aurora smiled at Will's embarrassment. Lori Beth and Tommy Joe seemed to enjoy Will's discomfort.

  "Well, thank you, Kelly. You’re pretty yourself. Is that one of your new dresses?"

  Kelly smoothed the skirt of her dress with her hands. "No, this is my Easter dress. Grandma bought it for me last month. It's my very best dress."

  Will's sister stepped forward. "I'm Lori Beth, Will's sister. This is my husband Tommy Joe. We live on the next ranch southeast of here."

  "It's nice to meet you. Was your shopping trip a success in spite of the weather?"

  Tommy grimaced. "Oh, yes. These two brought new joy to store owners all over Lubbock."

  "Lubbock didn't receive as much rainfall as this area. We heard you had over ten inches. Could that be right?" Lori Beth asked her brother.

  "At least that, and much of it within a two hour period. Most of the town of Roscoe is still isolated by the high water."

  Aurora shuddered. "I'm certain I've never seen such rain, even from a hurricane." She addressed Lori Beth and Tommy Joe, "I grew up near the coast in Port Arthur, so I've driven in heavy rains before. I've never seen a storm like that of Friday evening."