"Oh, my God, Tony, that’s awesome, thank you so much. Where’s he going to fly into, Yakima or Spokane?”
“Hopefully neither, here’s the best part. Your jet is available. It’s been in San Francisco for routine maintenance and it’s free for the next week. The pilots are actually on vacation but they’re willing to make the trip up here. I think we should use it to fly Luis here and then fly you back home. That way you won’t have to spend several days in a car on the road. The flight attendant, Sandy, has offered to stay with you at the house until I get back. Luis and I can haul ass and be home in two days. What do you say?”
“Oh my, yes, let’s do it, how in the world did you manage to pull all this off?”
“I told you once, baby, I’m a master magician when I put my mind to something.”
“You’re the most amazing man in the world, that’s what you are.”
“And you’re good for my ego, sweetheart. You just keep thinking like that, I won’t let you down. Now, let’s do some planning. Can you find out when the title company thinks your sale will close?”
“Yeah, I’ll call them now.” Just then, the phone rings. I listen to Paul at the title company tell me that everything’s done, all I have to do is sign the papers and he can hand me a nice big fat check. “Thank you, thank you, Paul. I was just getting ready to call you. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Woo hoo,” I yell at Tony. “That was Paul, it’s done, I just have to sign the papers. Will you drive me to the title company?”
“You bet, that’s fantastic news, let’s go. Where’s Angie?”
“She’s asleep on my bed. I’ll go get her while you get the car started.”
After we wind things up at the title company Tony takes us out to dinner and then it’s back to the house to finalize the travel arrangements. After talking with the pilots it’s decided that we’ll leave on Thursday, 3 days from now. They’ll pick Luis up in Santa Rosa at 9:00 in the morning and by noon I’ll be on my way to San Francisco. Sandy is going to bring me home from the airport in her van, which means I’ll be able to take most of my personal belongings with me on the jet instead of sending them with Luis. Tony calls Luis and gets things set up with him. While he’s talking to him, Angie screams out, “Bring cousin Carmen with you.” I yell, “Bring Merlot with you.”
When Tony’s finished talking to him, he tells Angie that Carmen won’t be able to come. She’s not at home she’s visiting her other grandparents. Merlot isn’t going to be coming either.
“Why, not,” I ask him. “Who’s it visiting?”
“Definitely not with you, that’s for sure.”
“That’s okay, the jet has a bar, and there is a wine cellar in my house, you know.”
“You think you are so funny. You must be feeling better. I think all this fainting and getting sick has mostly to do with stress. You were doing so well there for a while. It wasn’t until we came here and you had to deal with all this house stuff that you got sick again.”
“I think you’re right, I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders. I can’t wait to get back to San Francisco. Just think I’ll have two days of pampering by Sandy. I will be one spoiled pampered princess by the time you get back, and I can’t wait to fly my jet again. Oh, I wish we were going tomorrow.”
“Fly your jet again? Do you know how to fly that jet?”
“Yeah, sort of, the pilot lets me sit in the right chair whenever I fly with them. He was giving me instruction until Grandma leased it to them. I grew up in aviation. I held the stick of an airplane long before I ever held the steering wheel of a car.”
“Boy, I learn something new about you all the time. Do you have a pilot’s license?”
“Not any more. I gave it up when I left home and didn’t have a plane to fly any more. Besides, it’s just too expensive. The day of the weekend pilot is basically over.”
“That’s kind of like me and my polo ponies. After I stopped playing they were just lounging around but still costing me. I leased them out the same way your Grandma did with the jet.”
“Polo, you play polo? My God, why haven’t you told me this before? I’d love to see you play.”
“I haven’t played for several years but I’ve got some home movies I can show you.”
“We need to go riding together some time. Angie wants to learn so we could go to a riding stable where they give lessons and have trail rides. That would be so cool.”
“I don’t think you’re going to be doing any riding in the near future, but I’ll keep it in mind. I’d like nothing better than taking my two favorite girls riding. Now, let’s hit the hay, we’ve still got a lot to do before Thursday and you need your rest.”
Early the next day I call the Warner’s who are still living in the motel. I tell Betty that we’ll be out of here on Thursday but they’re welcome bring stuff down and even move in with us before that. She’s ecstatic and says she’ll be here with a load of stuff within the hour. When she gets here Tony helps her unload her things and then we sit down for coffee.
“I have one big problem,” I tell her. I haven’t been able to sell my living room furniture. I guess I’ll just donate it to one of the churches for their rummage sales. Will you guys help me call around and see who wants it?”
“Forget that, Libby,” Betty says. “We’ll buy it from you. Most of our stuff is still in storage in Oregon. To tell you the truth, I like your furniture better than I do my own. Consider it sold.”
That’s it then, everything is done. Everything is taken care of. All I have to do now is wait for Thursday. We spend the next two days enjoying Betty and Mike’s company and Betty’s fantastic cooking.
On Thursday, we get to the airport just minutes before the jet lands. I watch as the door opens and then Luis is bounding down the steps. I’ve only met him once but I would know him anywhere, he’s the spitting image of Tony, only 10 years older. He comes over and he and Tony embrace, pounding each other on the back, the way that men do. Then he looks at me and I reach out my hand to shake his. “I don’t know how to thank you, Luis, this is one of the best things anyone has ever done for me.”
“No, thanks, necessary, little lady, this trip is really a godsend for me. I need the time away and getting to spend a couple of days with Junior here is just icing on the cake.”
The pilots come over and I introduce them to Tony. I tell them that I want to show him the jet and then I have some things to put in the baggage compartment.
“Show us where they are and we’ll load them while you show Tony the jet,” John says. I take them over to my car and tell them to load everything in the back seat. The stuff in the trunk can go with Luis.
After I show Tony the jet and all my stuff is loaded it’s time to be on the way back to my beautiful Sea Cliff home in San Francisco. I can’t wait to get there.
CHAPTER 40
The flight home is uneventful. After Sandy serves us lunch, she sits down with me and we talk. I’ve met her twice before but I don’t really know her. She’s a gorgeous girl, tall and slim with long blonde hair and blue eyes. She tells me that she’s 40 and never been married. She loves people, loves to pamper them. I think that she’s the perfect flight attendant.
“Sandy, I can’t thank you enough for offering to drive me home and then stay with me until Tony gets back.”
“Think nothing of it. I’ve been on vacation for over a week now and I’m starting to get restless, this will be a great change of scene for me.”
After we’ve been in the air for about an hour John lets me sit up front and I get myself re-acquainted with the jet. I wish I could fly with them every day the same way that Sandy does.
Once we get home and get the van unloaded, I show Sandy around the house. She’s amazed with it and asks if I’m going to keep it.
“I don’t know yet. I love it to death here in Sea Cliff, but this house is much too big for one person. It was designed for guests and entertaining. Plus, the flo
or plan is awful for someone who wants to raise a family here. If I had kids I would never want to put them alone down on the lower level while I slept upstairs.”
"Libby, I know this is none of my business, but are you pregnant?"
"You can tell? Do I show?"
"No, not really, but I've been watching the way you carry yourself and the way you protect your stomach with your hand and arm. I'm the oldest of six. After watching my mom with her pregnancies, I can spot a pregnant woman a mile away."
"Yeah, I'm pregnant, but please Sandy don't tell anyone. Tony is the only one who knows. I'm not even sure I can carry this baby full term; I've already had one miscarriage. I don't want to say anything until I know everything is going to be okay."
"Your secret's safe with me. Who's your doctor?"
"I don't have one yet. My doctor in Stanford told me I was pregnant when I thought I had another problem, but I don’t have anyone here."
"I have a great ob/gyn, Robert McIntosh. If you want, we can go there tomorrow and you can fill out the paperwork to have your records transferred and then make an appointment. Dr. Mac has one of the best reputations in town; you won't be disappointed with him. He specializes in infertility and high risk pregnancies. What do you say?"
"Sandy, you are just too much, thank you. I’d like that if it isn’t too much trouble for you."
"It’s no trouble at all and you haven't seen anything yet. Girlfriend, I'm going to take such good care of you for the next two days. Right now, I think we should start with a soak in that beautiful sleigh tub upstairs and then I'll give you a mani-pedi. Now, what do you want to do for dinner?"
“We’ll probably have to order in. Tony and I made sure there wasn’t anything left in the refrigerator before we left.”
“Okay, but I want you to have a nutritious meal, no fast food. There’s a place called Pandora’s that serves up rotisserie chicken, roasted turkey, baked ham, St. Louis ribs and meatloaf with all kinds of side dishes. They’ll deliver. Decide what you want and what time you want to eat and I’ll order it while you’re soaking in the tub. Tomorrow we can go shopping and get you stocked up.”
"I think you should give up flying and come to work for me full time as my personal assistant," I tease.
"Someday I’d like to be a personal assistant but right now I just love flying too much to give it up. But, Libby, just remember that when I'm home I’m only a phone call away if you ever need anything. I sure hope we can become friends.”
“I’d like that Sandy. I’d like for us to be friends.”
After a great dinner of roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn and baked beans we go into the family room and talk.
I open up to her and tell her about Red. "I don't know if I'll ever be able to trust another man. Tony is the most wonderful man I've ever met but we're just friends, we're not involved romantically."
"Maybe not now but I've seen the way he looks at you. He's in love with you, Libby. He's probably scared to tell you because he doesn't know how you'll react."
"I know he is. He whispered it to me one time when he thought I was asleep. I love him as a friend, but it’s not the same way I loved Red. But that’s enough about me. Let’s talk about you. So what did you think of Luis? I saw him looking at you with a gleam in his eye.”
“Gracious Lord, Libby, he and Tony are two of the best looking men I’ve ever seen. Tell me about him.”
“I don’t know too much. Today was only the second time I’ve met him. He’s 10 years older than Tony is, so that would make him 44. He owns a vineyard and winery in Sonoma County. He’s a widower with two kids. His son is a senior in high school away at a boarding school back east somewhere. His daughter, Carmen, is twelve and lives with him. That’s about all I know. Do you want me to see if I can fix you up with him?” I tease.
“I don’t think so, Libby. My job is not conducive to relationships and I don’t do flings. I’m never home and when I am, it’s just for a day or two. Getting married and settling down has never been all that important to me because I can’t have kids.” Her face crumples and she starts to cry.
“Oh, Sandy, I’m so sorry.” I put my arms around her and hold her while she sobs against my shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Libby, I don’t usually talk about it, but when I do I get maudlin.”
“It’s okay, it’s okay, that’s what friends are for, to be there for one another, to listen to the good and the bad. I’m so glad you want to be my friend.”
“I do, Libby, but now I think I’d like to go to bed. I can’t wait to take a shower in that glorious bathroom and go to bed in that scrumptious bedroom.”
“You got it. Let me secure the house and then we’re off to lullaby land.”
CHAPTER 41
The next morning Tony calls around 8:00. They're in Eugene, Oregon and should be here in 8 or 9 hours, depending on how many stops they make.
"That's great, how do you feel about steaks on the barbie tonight? Sandy and I are just getting ready to go shopping."
"That sounds good. I can't wait to see you, babe."
"Me too, Tony, I miss you. You guys drive safely now and kiss Angie for me."
After I'm through talking to him, Sandy and I go to her doctor's office where I make an appointment and sign the papers to have my medical records transferred. After that, we go grocery shopping. We pick out some beautifully marbled steaks and decide to have baked potatoes, salad, and asparagus to go along with them. Then she helps me stock up for the next week.
After we get home and put the food away, I take her outside and show her around the grounds. It’s so pretty and private. The whole thing is fenced with metal fencing and lush green hedges, trees, and foliage. They completely obscure the yard from prying eyes. Out in the front yard there’s a table and chairs where we could eat if the weather was nicer. In the back, there’s a pergola, with a glassed-in front, that keeps it comfortable even when the wind is coming off the ocean.
“This is really something, Libby. You don’t take care of all this yourself, do you?”
“No, I fool around in the flower gardens but I hire professional gardeners to keep up the foliage. It seems like they constantly needs trimming. There’s no way I could do it all. Let’s go back to the house. This wind and fog is starting to feel cold. “
Once in the house we starting preparing for the evening meal and then at 5:15 I hear the buzzer at the security gate, they’re here! I open the garage doors and watch as they drive in. Angie jumps out of the car, races into the house, and grabs me in a big hug. Then she looks and stares at Sandy. “You’re beautiful,” she says. “What’s your name?”
“I’m Sandy and I’m glad to meet you. Libby has told me all about you.”
“Your yellow hair is beautiful. Can I touch it?”
“Of course you can.” Oohing and aahing Angie goes over and strokes her hair. Sandy’s long beautiful blonde tresses captivate her.
The guys come in all happy and laughing. Tony gives me a hug and as I’m looking over his shoulder, I see Luis giving Sandy one. Oh, my, what’s happening here?
“Okay, guys, why don’t you sit down and relax, would you like a drink? Sandy and I will get dinner started.” I tell them.
Luis says, “No sitting down for me but I would like that drink. Show me to the bar, little brother and then I’ll help Sandy in the kitchen. Libby, I don’t mean to put you down, but Tony says you can barely boil water. Why don’t the two of you have some alone time, and Sandy and I will deal with the culinary work?”
That sounds good to me so Tony and I go over and sit on the sofa. He puts his arm around me, and then he leans down, and peers at my stomach. “How’s that little baby doing down under there?”
“Fine, I guess. It’s still there. I’ll know more next week. Sandy took me to her doctor yesterday and I made an appointment for next Thursday.
“Great. Can I come with you?”
“Sure, but if you think you’re going to come in the exam ro
om and watch me have a pelvic, you’ve got another think coming.”
“Of course not, I just want to be there to support you.”
“Okay, it’s a date then. Hey, look at this.” I jab him in the ribs. Sandy and Luis are carrying things out to the grill on the balcony. They can’t take their eyes off each other. “Oh, my, I think romance is in the air.”
“Yeah, he’s smitten. One look at her the other day and he can’t get his mind on anything else. He badgered me to tell him about her but I couldn’t tell him anything since I’d just meet her for the first time too. Has she said anything about him?”
“She said that he was the best looking man she’d ever seen, next to you that is.”
He laughs. “Well, we’re just going to have to wait and see where this goes. Luis hasn’t looked at another woman since his wife died 5 years ago. This is a first. Maybe I’ll be getting me a new sister-in-law one of these days. Oh, I almost forgot, tomorrow I’m taking Angie back to my folks for the rest of the summer. She misses them and her cousins. Is that going to be a problem for you, me staying here without her?”
“Of course not, but I’ll miss her like crazy.”
Luis yells from the kitchen, “Get ready to eat, I’ve prepared a feast.” After a great dinner, he wants to dance. “Show me to the stereo,” he yells. “Let’s get this party started.”
While Tony goes into the family room with him, I corner Sandy and ask her if everything is going okay.
“Oh, my God, Libby, I’ve never had this kind of attraction to a man. And I don’t mean just his good looks either. I’m scared to death.”
“Where’s our women?” Luis hollers. “It’s time to boogie.” I think he’s had more than just one drink.
“Let’s talk about it later when we go up to bed,” I tell Sandy. “If you get too uncomfortable, let me know.”
Where Does My Heart Belong? Page 14
