Wandering Heart

by Hestand, Rita

"Well, no, but I just don't want you to feel obligated. I…I mean, you've done so much. Helping Josh with his science project, sewing Partner. We could have called the vet."

  "No need spending money for things like that. And, as for Josh, I do things for him because I like him. I'd like to think it goes both ways. He's been a great help to me, too. He's always running to get parts. Loaned me his radio the other day, and I could tell he wasn't used to parting with it."

  "He likes you."

  "I like him," he murmured, then smiled directly at her. When words failed, he splashed her with water. She yelped and backed away.

  "I'll get you for this, Coop," Angela shouted as she headed back into the house.

  "I'm counting on it," he called after her.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  The next day Greg was a real bear, insisting she move out of the house. Probably due to the fact that Maxine had done nothing but rave about how good looking Cooper was to everyone in the office.

  Angela sat in Greg's office, her pen and pad no longer in her lap, but on the floor.

  "I've already explained to you that Cooper has taken the bungalow. Besides, I don't understand what you're so worried about. He has no interest in me," Angela protested.

  "And what about you? Do you have any interest in him?"

  "Of course I do. I'm planning on taking him to my bed. Come on, Greg, be sensible." She lifted her chin and tossed her head, causing her hair to splay around her shoulders. What did he take her for?

  Greg looked at her a long moment, then smiled. "I sometimes forget just how sensible you are, darling. But I think I should investigate his background a little. I mean he's been gone a long time. Why doesn't he have a job at his age?"

  Angela felt on the defensive. "I don't know. I haven't asked. Coop's a pretty private man, and I've left it at that. I've known him long enough to know he'll do his job without being told, and his business, stays his business."

  "Exactly."

  "Look, Greg, I'm not going to discuss this any further. He's doing a fine job. Unless you want to try your hand at it." When he didn't comment any further she felt compelled to add, "Why make trouble when there isn't any?"

  Greg cleared his throat and adjusted his tie. Angela couldn't stand it a minute longer. "Will you stop doing that?" she protested to his surprise. "Your ties are always perfect."

  He moved toward her with purpose, a smile curling his lips. Taking her into his arms, he planted a gentle kiss to her cheek and held her hands. "I'm only looking out for your interests, darling."

  "I realize that, and I'm grateful. But I'm also a big girl. And I know exactly what I need. Two hundred and fifty acres is too much to handle. And he is doing a good job. Let's leave it at that, okay?"

  "All right, we'll talk about this another time."

  Angela found herself having to stay later and later at the office each night. Greg wanted to show her his appreciation and asked her out to dinner a few nights later, promising no shoptalk.

  "It would be wonderful," Angela said with a smile pursing her lips. "Just let me call Josh before we leave."

  "Go ahead. I'll get my brief case," he called going back into his office.

  Cooper answered the phone, and just hearing his husky voice made Angela's nerve ends spring to life. She didn't like the thought of another man influencing her heartbeat so, but she had no control over it. Something about that soft, sultry voice made her toes curl. Cooper Johnson had always affected her. And there was no controlling that either.

  "Hi, we were wondering when you were coming home," he said throatily. It sounded very much as though Cooper had begun to think of the farm as his home too, and she liked that.

  There was a lot of background noise and Angela couldn't stop herself from listening. "Sounds like you have company."

  "Yeah, we do as a matter of fact. Maxine dropped by and I don't know how it happened, but she's teaching your son how to tango."

  "Maxine?"

  Maxine was there! She shouldn't be surprised, but she was. Was she spying again for Greg? Or was she simply trying to get a date with Coop? Maxine had left the office earlier that evening complaining of a headache.

  "Yes, well, what I called about. I'm going to have dinner with Greg, so I'll be in later. So, if you need—"

  "We don't need a thing."

  Darn! Angela couldn't help wondering if Maxine would have a better time than she. But how could she complain? She had Greg all to herself at last. She planned to make the best of that.

  "Fine, have a nice evening, then," she added trying not to sound envious.

  "You, too," An unexpected throaty reply sent her mind wandering.

  Did he sense her frustration? Of course he didn't. What was bothering her so? She finally had the man of her choice alone, didn't she? They weren't going to talk politics, he had promised. So what was wrong? Could she be jealous? Impossible! Perhaps Maxine and Cooper would hit it off. He sounded very entertained.

  So, why does that bother me? Angela wondered as she slid into Greg's Porsche. Okay, so Cooper hadn't so much as bothered with a date since he had been there. He never entertained or mentioned a woman. Surely he must have a girl somewhere in his life. He was entitled after all, wasn't he? And Maxine wasn't a date, yet! She had to force herself to quit worrying about it, or it might spoil her evening with Greg.

  Greg chose a nice little steak house in the next town. Angela resigned herself to the disappointment. It seemed to her that he went out of his way not to be noticed with her, and that hurt. Just once she wished he'd act proud. Just once. If he really loved her, why couldn't he be open with it? What could the newspapers do to her or Josh?

  When they bumped into Senator Gallagher, Angela's hopes for a quiet supper for two vanished along with any hope at intimacy. Not only that, but Greg introduced her as his assistant, not his date. She wasn't sitting by him.

  As the conversation became stilted with business, Angela picked at her ice blue suit, and wished she were wearing a lovely gown. Honestly, she needed to spend more money on clothes. Until if she was going to marry Greg, she had better get used to all these business meetings. There was little comfort except that the Senator's wife was friendly, and just as bored.

  On the way home Greg pulled her into his arms and she smiled happily once more. "I liked his wife."

  "Really? But that wasn't his wife, darling. Everyone knows Susan is his mistress and has been for years. He never dines with his wife."

  "Oh, for heaven sake, why didn't you tell me?"

  "I thought you knew."

  "I never suspected."

  "I think that's what I find so appealing about you, Angela. You're so naive."

  Angela quirked her head, was that a compliment or not?

  As they pulled into her long driveway Greg kissed her lightly then asked, "Do you mind if I come in? The lights are until on in the house, and I'd like to meet this manager of yours."

  "No, I don't mind at all, of course. But I don't know if he's there or not."

  To their surprise, Maxine was until there, Josh was until up, and someone was in the kitchen making hot chocolate and popcorn for everyone.

  "'Bout time you two got in." Maxine chuckled, but didn't take her eyes off her cards in her hands as she adjusted her cigarette.

  She was wearing an off the shoulder yellow and black polka dot shirtwaist. Her hair was twisted on top her head. This had to be a planned visit as she wouldn't wear anything like that to the office. Even Greg seemed to notice how she was dressed with surprise.

  "That must have been some headache," Greg countered with a frown.

  "Oh that was hours ago," Maxine laughed.

  Angela hesitated, glancing about. "Coop," she called sticking her head through the kitchen door, "I'd like you to meet Greg Thompson."

  Cooper sidestepped the kitchen doorway, intentionally brushing against her, and stuck his head out. "Hi, Greg." He motioned and smiled. "Just making some popcorn for everyone. Ya'll are just in time to join our pa
rty."

  Maxine was playing her cards, and Josh was eyeing her suspiciously. "Damn, she beat me again, Coop."

  "Watch your language, young man." Angela tapped him on the head with his ball cap disheveling his dark straight hair, then replaced it backwards.

  She put her jacket and purse in her bedroom then strolled into the kitchen, watching Cooper pour the popcorn into a big bowl. It was strange to her how accustomed he was to her kitchen. "Can I help?"

  "No, everything is under control. I hope you don't mind me using your place. She wasn't leaving, and I figured this would be better than mine." He motioned at Maxine.

  "No, of course I don't mind."

  "Hello, Josh," Greg greeted her son, obviously until hesitant to join in the light hearted fun. His face was a mask.

  Josh threw up a hand and waved, as he cast a quick glance at his mother. "Did ya'll have a good time, Mom?"

  "Y…yes, we did," she lied, then saw the look in Cooper's eyes. He knew she was lying.

  She bit her longest fingernail to the quick. "So, who's teaching my son to play poker?"

  "I confess, it is I," Cooper admitted as he sat the popcorn between the two card sharks. "Well," he looked up at her with mock sincerity, "he's old enough to help run a farm, I suspect he's old enough to play poker. Don't you think, Angel?"

  Heads rolled at his misdirected endearment, but Cooper seemed to pay them no mind.

  Josh was the first to grab a mug of hot chocolate and a fistful of popcorn. Maxine dipped into it with her free hand, not once taking her eyes off Josh.

  Cooper and Angela reached for the popcorn at the same time, their hands colliding. They glanced at each other, and then burst out laughing. But Greg wasn't laughing. And the way he kept bouncing his unlit cigarette on the flat of his gold lighter made Angela realize how upset he was.

  "Okay, Smartie, what have you got?" Maxine asked Josh a moment later, breaking the tension in the room.

  "You really want to see this?" Josh squinted his dark blue eyes at her.

  "Absolutely. I paid to, didn't I?" Maxine pouted, pushing their matchsticks into one big pile.

  "Read 'em and weep." Josh chuckled as he laid his cards on the table proudly.

  Everyone gasped.

  "Beginner's luck," Maxine protested. "Can you believe this character? Who'd believe a ten-year-old could draw to an inside straight like that? I've had it. I've got to get home. Will you walk me to my car, Cooper?"

  Cooper nodded instantly and got to his feet. "Sure, excuse us. Josh, you better hit the bed. Have you fed Partner?"

  It sounded as though Cooper was part of the family, the way he commanded Josh so easily, and the way Josh seem to take his commands for granted. The only one who noticed was Greg.

  Angela glanced at Josh, then Cooper.

  "Yeah, I fed him as soon as I got home," Josh replied. "Night everybody. See you, Maxine."

  "Not if I see you first. You won't catch me playing poker with you again. Night, Angela, Greg."

  "Good morning," Greg responded dully.

  Josh kissed Angela on the cheek, and then as he headed down the hall, he called over his shoulder, "Night, Mom, Greg."

  A moment of silence passed before Greg spoke. "Well, I'm impressed. I do believe that's the first time he's bothered with a goodnight to me."

  Angela smiled, knowing how her son really felt, yet respecting his effort. "Maybe he's coming around, or, at the very least, trying to."

  "More like growing up a little," Cooper's soft voice echoed from the doorway.

  He hadn't spent much time with Maxine at her car. And there were no lipstick stains on his cheek. Not that Angela cared or was looking.

  "You're probably right," Greg acknowledged. Then he looked at Cooper and smiled. "Funny, but your face looks familiar."

  Cooper shrugged. "I doubt it, but yours sure is."

  "Why, thank you. I take it you are an avid voter?"

  Cooper frowned. "Sometimes. If I know who and what I'm voting for."

  Angela chuckled softly. "Coop's not fond of politics or politicians."

  "I can understand that. It pays to be skeptical these days, no doubt about it, Coop. So, I'll make sure we become better acquainted, then."

  Cooper didn't react; he merely stared, first at Greg, then Angela.

  "Well, I've got a lot of work to do tomorrow. Want me to help with the dishes and clean up?"

  Angela chuckled. "No, I'll take care of it. Get some sleep."

  Cooper nodded and grabbed his jacket off the back of the couch. In jeans and black t shirt he looked like a different version of James Dean, Angela thought silently. She shouldn't be noticing such things, but it was hard to ignore a man like Cooper when he was in a room. He filled the room.

  "Night, Coop," she called after him softly.

  "Night, Angel," he murmured, tossing a smile over his shoulder at her.

  Greg helped her clean the table off, and followed her into the kitchen. "Why does he call you that?"

  Angela's head jerked around to stare at Greg, surprised at his sudden change in voice. She rolled up the sleeves of her blouse and put an apron on. How could someone sound so nice one minute and angry the next?

  "Coop has always called me that. He's done it so long I guess I hardly notice. It means nothing. It's just his way." When Greg frowned she continued, "I guess you have to know him to understand. He likes slang names. Why, he's never called anyone by their proper name before that I can remember. He'd probably call Maxine Max. You just wait, he'll have one for you before you know it."

  "Let's hope not that endearing. You said you've known him a long time. Did you grow up together? Was he a friend of your husband's?"

  Angela stalled at the sink. How could she answer that and until be truthful? She hated lying to Greg, but he just wouldn't be satisfied. Besides, she had begun to think of Cooper as a real friend. And why not? He was so good with Josh, and he worked a good ten to twelve hours a day. What wasn't to like? But the truth was, Cooper and Raif had never been real friends. Merely acquaintances. Cooper Johnson had been a loner, except with the girls.

  "Y…yes, he was."

  "It's no wonder Josh likes him so much."

  When Angela said nothing, Greg came closer, took her hand in his. "You know you never talk about him."

  "Who?"

  "Your husband, Raif."

  "Well, that's for a very good reason, actually. You see I don't want to dwell on the past. It took me a long time to get over Raif's dying. I was so young. And the way he died. I've made a vow not to live with a ghost. You see, he died very unexpectedly. He was hit by a train, going home from work one night…" She paused, grabbed a chair and held on to it. "No, that's not true either. Raif was pretty wild, took a lot of chances. He always tried to beat that damn train. Cooper was in another car, and they were daring each other with stuff. The way teenagers often do. Cooper made it, Raif didn't. His death was nothing short of a nightmare to me."

  Her mind seemed to come alive with memories and a tear escaped down her cheek. Greg wiped it away tenderly. "I understand, I think. But didn't you blame Coop for the accident?"

  "At first, yes, but then I had to come to grips with reality. Raif made a choice that night. Not a good one, but it was all his."

  "It must have been very hard on you. But if we are going to be married I thought we should talk about it. It's probably a very silly question, but I have to ask it. Were you madly in love with him?"

  Angela felt the need to do something. Anything. Her mind clamored. Talking with greg about Raif was difficult for some reason. Her answer came slowly as she gathered her thoughts and emotions together. "I thought I was. But…it was a young kind of love. You know, sort of frivolous." She glanced at him, and sat in the chair. "He was a mechanic, a very good mechanic. He came from a fairly wealthy family. He was the only son, and very spoiled. And quite the rebel. The main reason my parents never liked him."

  Greg's brow shot upward, enough for Angela to take notice. "You n
ever told me about that. Why not?"

  Angela shrugged, knowing why, but not wanting to tell him everything tonight. "You saw Coop tonight. How he dresses, acts. Like a rebel."

  Greg scoffed. "Rather appropriate attire for a farm hand, I'd say. Besides, that's not enough to judge a man on."

  The fact that Greg sounded sympathetic prodded Angela on. "Raif was wild, he liked taking chances. I guess that's what attracted me to him; we were so opposite, and he was several years older. There were a lot of things that made our dating difficult. My father didn't like his father."

  "That must have made things rough on you?"

  "A little, yes." Angela had never confided completely in Greg about her past. Not that she was ashamed, but the chance of being intimidated held her tongue.

  "Is Josh like Raif?"

  "I'm just now beginning to see how much."

  Greg nodded and pulled her into his arms, nibbling at her cheek and neck. "You always smell so sweet. I'd like to make love to you, here and now. But we've got to be up early, don't we?"

  Angela pulled away to look at Greg. "It's impossible."

  "Damn," Greg uttered with a heavy sigh. "You are so—unapproachable at times. Almost to the point of cold. I would think at your age, given your circumstances, you would be ripe for the picking. Until, I find you inviting. I've wanted to make love to you many times. But it's so hard to find any privacy in my kind of life. And believe me, it won't be much better when we're married. Sometimes it makes me wonder if it's all worth it."

  Angela looked into his handsome face.

  "But it is." Greg said.

  Angela's hands were shaking. She had been cold with him. But she always felt when the time was right she'd give in naturally. That time hadn't come yet.

  Trying to soften the moment, she laid her head on his shoulder and smiled. "It's a little hard to get amorous knowing your ten-year-old son is in the room down the hall. And at work it certainly wouldn't be proper. There never seems a right time or place for us. But, surely, when we're married, we can make time for ourselves. I don't mean to be so cold, but all the interruptions are a turn-off."

  "I know."