"You know, you've reminded me several times about my mistakes, Greg. And on any other subject, other than the farm, I'd probably concede. But you've got to admit, you are a regular green horn when it comes to farming. You really wouldn't know what questions to ask."
"Fine, we'll both ask them."
Sometimes settling wasn't good enough. She wanted to win this one. But she had a lot at stake. She was going to marry Greg. He would provide her and Josh with a good life, for the rest of her life. She had to learn to give and take, and be—diplomatic.
"Okay, we'll both interview them." There was no use arguing, but she felt she'd lost something and for the life of her she couldn't put her finger on it. Or could she?
Greg had just won the debate and he knew it, a smile radiated on his face as he came closer. "That's what I like about you, Angela. You have a level head. You know when to compromise. That's important these days. Now that we've settled that, do you suppose you could stay late tonight at the office?"
Late? Again? When would it end?
Angela found herself nodding, feeling the guilt for not being home with Josh already. "I'll have to call Pat and see if Josh can stay over there tonight. I really hate imposing on them so much. She's been a great friend, and so helpful, but I hate to ask so often."
"I realize the inconvenience, darling. And I'll have to personally meet and thank this Pat myself, one day."
"Oh, you've met her."
"Have I really?" He shrugged it off, as though it was suddenly unimportant. "I don't recall."
Angela followed him to the file cabinet. "Yes, of course you have. She's the one that helped design your campaign signs."
His brow raised a fraction in question, and then his face cleared. "Oh, yes, that one, very artistic."
"Yes," Angela said, "she wanted to be an artist, but she had to choose between a career and her husband. She chose George."
Greg was absorbed in a file he had pulled from the cabinet, obviously not listening, not caring. Funny, but Greg could put a person down faster than concrete dried on a hot day. It was a minor flaw and she overlooked it most of the time, but today it bothered her. Today everything bothered her.
Yet, for all his weaknesses, Greg was a fine man, Angela reminded herself, and very handsome. Every girl in town practically swooned when he walked by. And why not? He had a nice physique. He worked out at the gym three times a week, played racquetball and tennis at least once a week, and, of course, golf. Not only that but he was intelligent too.
Angela raked her gaze slowly over him. His hair shone with golden glints, his green eyes danced with an eagerness to succeed.
Angela couldn't keep the picture out of her mind. She'd conjured it more than once. She could see him coming home to his pipe and slippers, reading the paper, petting the dog, and inquiring eagerly about the kids. Oops, kids, they hadn't discussed that yet either. The fact that Greg wasn't overly fond of children had kept that question at bay longer than it should have been..
"How about dinner afterwards?"
As tempting as it was, Angela found herself shaking her head. "No, I better not. I need to pick Josh up as soon as possible."
It was a small action, but nonetheless, Angela noticed it immediately as Greg's shoulders tensed. "I understand, but you have to eat. And besides, I thought you told me this Pat enjoys having Josh over as much as possible."
"That's true, she does. But I'd like to keep her enjoying his company. I really don't like imposing. And I'm sure Maxine and I will just grab a burger or something."
"A burger?" He turned up his nose. "I don't know how you keep that hour glass figure of yours, eating things like burgers. They're really not that good for you, Angela."
"I know. That's why I have at least four or five home cooked meals every week with plenty of home-grown vegetables. There are advantages to farming." Of course she knew she'd never convince Greg of that.
"A steak would be much better than a burger."
"Granted, but I'll survive."
"All right, darling, you know best," he said with an indulging tone, his eyes scanning the file in his hands once more. "Tell me, have you given anymore thought to Josh attending military school?"
This was not the day to discuss it and Angela bristled before thinking.
He sat the file on his desk and reached for a nail file in his top drawer of his desk.
"No," she murmured distractedly, watching him with growing irritation. She liked an immaculate man, but sometimes it was disgusting the way he was always primping. A minor flaw, she reminded herself. It seemed her mind was bent on concentrating on his negative qualities.
She glanced down at her own bitten fingernails and grimaced.
When Greg looked at her with a mocking smile she went on to explain. "Honestly Greg, I need Josh home with me, especially now. Maybe when he's older, and only if he really wants to."
"You're the parent, Angela. Kids don't know what's best for them. That's what parents are for, to guide them. They don't have the proper insight. Besides, it's an opportunity of a lifetime for him. Do you realize what it could do for him? It would make a man of him."
"A man?" Angela murmured then slumped into the chair in front of the desk. "I don't want a ten-year old man, Greg. Look, he's taking the piano lessons you wanted, let's leave well enough alone, shall we?"
"As you wish." Greg turned away from her, glanced at his watch, his way of dismissing any issue he didn't care to continue with. "Good grief, I'm nearly late for my meeting with Senator Gallagher. I've got to run. Hate to rush off, but duty calls."
Again he had turned off the subject of Josh.
Chapter Two
Two weeks later Angela was back at the "Palace", anxious to see "Gone with the Wind", not that she hadn't seen it a dozen times before, but each time was like the first. Old movie classics were her weakness.
She glanced around to see if she recognized anyone. The same group of teen agers were sitting in the back row again. She grinned. Downstairs a couple of older ladies from the auxiliary were sitting midway up the aisle. Several more walked in as they dimmed the lights, and the big red velvet curtain rose.
After tucking her raincoat under her seat, she sat back, her legs drawn under her, Indian style. Baggy sweats and hair curlers intact, she smiled to herself as she nibbled on her popcorn and sipped her soft drink.
In her own little heaven, she let the music surround her. The magic of the romance captured her heart and soul. She was lost.
She didn't hear the voice behind her until a warm breath feathered her neck and ears, sending prickles of awareness through her. An awareness she wasn't used to feeling, but recognized instantly.
"I knew you wouldn't miss this one," Cooper Johnson cooed against her ear.
"What are you until doing in town?" she whispered so as not to bother anyone this time.
His big easy smile enraptured her. "The same thing you are, apparently. I mean, I know you can rent the movie, but there's nothing quite like seeing it on a big screen, with such magnificent sound, is there?"
All the tension dissipated like someone waved a magic wand, relieved that Cooper seemed to understand her feelings about the movies. "It's fantastic, isn't it? It reminds me of the first time I saw it."
Just like before, Cooper slid a leg over the seat and joined her, helping himself to her popcorn.
And for now, Angela wasn't going to analyse her feelings. She was sitting in a movie theatre, enjoying one of her favourite movies, with someone that felt the same way, nothing more.
During intermission people piled out of their seats and went for refreshments.
"Want some more?" Cooper asked pushing the half-empty box of popcorn under her nose without a sign of guilt.
"No, thanks."
He leaned back in his seat, sat the popcorn away from them, and stretched his arm behind her.
"So, what do you do with Josh on these nights you get away from it all?
"Who says I'm getting away fr
om it all?"
His smile widened, throwing her heart into a little spasm as she looked at him. "Well, I know you don't dress like this all the time, do you?"
A giggle popped out. "I wish. No, he's spending the night with a friend."
She eyed him for a long moment, surprised that he was even interested in talking about Josh. "You know it's funny, but I figured you'd be long gone by now."
"I should be, but my bike's dead. I've got it over at Ramsey's."
"What's wrong with it?"
He laid a hand on her shoulder, as though that's where it belonged.
"The question is, what's not wrong with it?"
Angela's pulse quickened and heat rushed up her face. This was ridiculous, reacting to him this way. She'd known him practically all her life. So, what was different now?
Nothing was different, he was the same old charming Cooper.
"Actually, I loaned it to a buddy last month and he nearly totalled it."
"Then how did you get it to Ramsey's?"
"I drove, kicked, and pushed it all the way." He snickered.
Angela glanced over her shoulder.
"Expecting someone?"
"Uh no," she answered quickly turning her attention back to him, riveted by his magnetic expression. "So, are you staying with your mom and Brag?"
"Not hardly. You know how Brag and I get along. Or don't. No, I've got a small room above Ramsey's shop. Part of the bargain I struck with him. I'm helping him at the shop, he's providing the tools for my Harley, and a room and board type thing."
"Ramsey's a bachelor, how much board could there be?"
Cooper chuckled, a nice soft sound that Angela was quickly finding a fancy for.
"Not much. But he makes a pretty mean pot of red beans, and he has a washer and dryer. What more could I ask for? And as soon as I get my bike going again I'll be splitting for the Northwest. I got a buddy up there that could use a helping hand."
"Those floods were devastating."
"Tell me. My buddy lost everything."
Angela glanced at him quizzically. "What about you, Coop? Don't you want to do anything for–yourself?"
That wasn't fair. He wasn't dressed like a bum. No, in fact, his jeans were snug fitting and clean, and his blue chambray shirt neatly pressed. But he didn't seem to have any goals in sight. No ambition, she concluded, prematurely.
His smile faded, and he withdrew his arm from around her, leaving her feeling cold. "Ambition, career, those things?"
She nodded, afraid she might have said something to offend him.
"I guess it depends on how you look at life, Angel. I've been down that road, had a career, made lots of money. But I learned pretty quickly money isn't everything. It doesn't buy love or happiness."
"Maybe not, but it does pay the rent."
Love and happiness? Those were strange words coming from a man that was once known as 'Love 'em and leave 'em, Johnson'.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed, bringing with it an unexpected intimacy. Strangely enough, Angela missed his arm around her, and his smile.
Cooper didn't say another word until the movie was over.
At a loss for words, she slowly rose to leave, not knowing how to say goodbye, or why there was a lump in her throat.
Cooper pulled at the sleeve of her pink sweats. "Wanna go for a cup of coffee?"
"This late?"
"Why not? You're awake. I'm awake. And I know a place that's open all night, if you're game?"
"I shouldn't."
"Neither should I," he said with exaggerated seriousness, "but let's do it anyway."
"Is it close by?"
"Sure, we can walk," he murmured somewhere near her ear as he stood up and nudged her elbow.
The feeling the movie had put her in, and the fact that for once she wouldn't be leaving the theatre alone, made Angela agree. She wished she could spend moments like this with Greg, but he wouldn't be caught dead in a movie theatre.
"A quick one," she answered, a smile curling her lips as the butterflies churned in her stomach.
Walking distance turned out to be halfway downtown, across the antique brick road of the main street, and round a corner. It was dark and wet and the March winds made her shiver, and pull her raincoat tighter, even though the rain had stopped.
It was a small cafe, and the fresh aroma of coffee stirred Angela's senses the moment they walked in.
When the waitress walked over to their table, Cooper ordered for them. "Two quick coffees."
Angela locked gazes with him and laughed. Those beautiful blue eyes of his were doing strange things to her equilibrium.
"So, who's the guy?" he asked throwing her out of her trance.
"Guy?"
"Yeah, sure, the one you keep looking over your shoulder for."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I wasn't aware—"
"Boyfriend, maybe?" he asked a dark brow shooting up quizzically.
"N—no!"
"Oh, but there is one," he added his smile turning sardonic.
Why was she so hesitant to tell him about Greg? What could she say though? She was engaged, but no one knew it?
"Well," she drawled, "y yes, there is one." She stammered trying to find the right description to fit her situation and coming up blank. "I—I have an arrangement, of sorts."
"An arrangement? Is that what they call it, these days? Sounds ominous. Are you carrying on with a married man or something?"
"No!" she snapped. "Look, Coop, I don't want to talk about it. It's not important. Actually," she paused, her eyes going over him thoroughly before she continued. Could she dare ask him? Greg would kill her for what she was contemplating. But…"Coop, how big a hurry are you in to get to your friend's place?"
Their coffee came and Cooper reached past her for the sugar, his arm barely grazing hers. Somehow the act seemed intimate, but she was letting her imagination run away with her. Cooper was not interested in her, besides, she'd already told him she had an arrangement.
Slowly, he stirred a spoonful of sugar into his coffee. Then his glance met hers.
She bit her lip. He smiled.
"I don't know," he replied, taking a sip. "I can't go until my bike's ready. We had to special order a part. Why?"
She swallowed hard, her decision made. "Because, I have a proposition for you."
Her stomach knotted, her nerves jangled, and her hands felt sweaty, but she had to ask him. Greg wasn't going to like this, but it was her decision.
"I'm listening," he said softly, his eyes not quite meeting hers yet.
"It's the farm."
Evidently that took him by surprise, by the perplexed look on his face. But his eyes said he was until very interested.
"It's become a problem for me recently. You see, I have this temporary job in town. It won't last long, a couple of months at most, but it's a very important job. And, I can't handle both. I know, I've tried. But the place is too big, and even with the right equipment, I need more man power. Josh is a big help, but there is a lot for him to learn. I'm not ready to just turn him loose with the place yet."
Cooper sipped his coffee thoughtfully. "How much help do you have?"
"Just me and Josh."
Coop's cup fell to the table with a clang. "Boy, you do have a problem."
"Yes, I've been finding that out. I desperately need a manager, a sorta take-charge person, a live on property manager. My time is going to be so tied up in town and whoever I hire is going to have to help with everything, including Josh." She caught her breath and searched his face for reaction. "I wouldn't dream of asking you or anyone else, but under the circumstances, I need help. It dawned on me tonight, that you are so right for the job, so experienced. You know the lay of the land. It wouldn't be like I was turning it over to a stranger. But the question is, would you be interested?"
"Why me? I mean, as I recall you were never all that fond of me. Especially since Raif died the way he did.
"That's water under the bridge, Coop. I've grown
since then. I never meant to blame you for his death. I know differently now."
Cooper looked skeptical.
"Oh, all right. I'll be honest. You happened along at the right time, and I'm desperate. I simply don't have the time to spend showing someone around the place. I need someone with experience who can get right on the job. And since you've already worked for my uncle, I just figured…"
She saw the sardonic shadow of a smile he wasn't buying that either. She was going to have to level with him.
"Okay, I've already tried three men. The first one I fired for trying something with me. The second one stole from me. The third one was such a drunk I couldn't have him around Josh."
Cooper remained silent for a long moment; he seemed to be weighing her words. Then suddenly he shook his head. "I don't think it would work."
"Why not?" She couldn't hide the disappointment in her voice.
His lips curled into a devilishly handsome smile. "Because I'd probably try something, too! Well don't look so surprised, you're fair game until there's a ring on your finger."
"Look." She couldn't stop her voice from shrilling. It seemed very important that he totally understand her position and what she was actually offering him. "This is strictly a business proposition, Coop. There is nothing personal in this for you."
The gentle teasing went out of his eyes, and his smile faded, replaced by some grim determination. "You must be pretty desperate to ask me."
It wasn't a time for games, or being coy. "It's not a question of likes or dislikes, Coop. In fact, the truth be known, I admired the way you stood up to everybody when they blamed you for Raif's death. You were both so young, but he made his own decision. He didn't have to race that train. And even you couldn't control his decision to try. Deep down I knew it wasn't your fault. Raif had been drinking that night. Even I tried to persuade him to stop the insanity." She shook herself a little, a shiver running up her spine. "But back to the present, it's not as though we're strangers or enemies. You grew up on the farm next to mine. We've known each other all our lives. And I should know if you can handle it or not. Why, your place was literally a showplace for years, until you ran off."
Wandering Heart Page 2
