by Rita Hestand
When he pulled away, he looked into her eyes, "Now, does that feel like I'm gay?"
"N-no! No, I'm sorry…I just. The way she acted, she must have thought maybe you were…."
Lori felt the tingle still on her lips. She stared at him a long time. "If you'd kissed her one time like that, I'm sure you wouldn't have to use me to make her jealous."
He smiled, "You think? Maybe I should kiss you like that more often in front of her then."
"I-I…guess, maybe." Lori felt her knees going soft on her, as though buckling.
"Good, now we've got a plan. Don't we?" He asked watching her facial expression closely.
"Yeah…I guess we do." Her voice drifted off. Lori acknowledged she was in way too deep now. She'd enjoyed that kiss, it knocked her socks off so to speak and quite suddenly she wasn't so sure of his plan. Or herself.
When he took her home later that night he looked at her, "I gotta take your aunt to the doctor on Friday."
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot. You know, she went to bed real early the other night. I thought something might be wrong, but she didn't say a word. Do you think she's alright?"
Mark hooded his glance, "I'm sure she's fine, Lori."
"She is getting up in age. I thought when I first came here that it was really helping her, me being here. But I worry about her all the time."
"Hence the reason to go to the doctor." He smiled.
"Yeah, you are right. Should I go with her?"
"No, she's kind of funny about doctor's she doesn't like anyone going inside with her. I've tried before." Mark told her.
"I wonder why?" Lori asked, thinking about it.
"If she was sick, she wouldn't tell you, Lori." He told her.
"You think she's sick?" Lori glanced at him.
He smiled, "Quit you're fretting. She's fine. Look, my mother is the same way. She won't let me go in with her either. I think it's the age thing."
She nodded. "She's all I have…." Lori murmured.
He saw the genuine concern on her face, and lifted her chin to look into her eyes. "She'll be okay; we'll take care of her."
She stared up at him, mesmerized by his sincerity.
And then he kissed her again….
Lost in his kiss, Lori let her worries escape her for the moment and she wrapped her arms around him. It was a kiss of comfort and she embraced it.
When she looked a bit startled, as he pulled away, he smiled, "Practice." He murmured.
"Oh, yeah…"
"I acted as though you'd already planned to go with me to the dance, but I think I should ask first. Will you go with me to the dance?" He asked with a sexy smile.
"Sure…" She replied, still shaking from the kiss.
"And just so you know, I plan to go with you Friday night to babysit. Okay?" His eyes were shining as he spoke.
"You don't have to." She told him.
"I know, but I'd like to." He said softly.
"You just want cookies, don't you?"
He chuckled, "Sure I do. I like anything sweet." But when he said that he was staring into her eyes. She was lost in that stare.
She licked her lips. "Are you afraid I’m not a good sitter?" She had to ask.
He shot her a mock frown, "Well, I do need to check you out."
She stared, then burst out laughing.
"It was fun…" She said getting out of the truck when he pulled in front of her aunt's house.
"Okay, so you're straight on this. Friday I'll take your aunt to the doctor, Friday night we'll babysit. Saturday, we go to the parade and Saturday night we go to the dance. Then church on Sunday. Sounds like I've got an active social life now."
"Maybe Heather will take notice of it." She nodded and got out.
He got out and walked her to the door.
"You really didn't have to walk me to my door," She giggled.
"Sure, I did, I couldn't do this, if I didn't." He pulled some mistletoe from his pocket, hung it over her head and took her into his arms and kissed her crazy.
She swooned, and some little voice said she was in over her head now. She was becoming addicted to his kisses.
The kiss was warm and inviting and made her toes tingle.
When he finally turned her loose, he smiled into her stunned face and said goodnight.
Then he was gone.
And she was still reeling from the kiss.
Chapter Eleven
Friday morning came and Mark was there to take her aunt to the doctor. Lori was getting ready for work. Judy was all dolled up and Lori couldn't help but tell her how pretty she looked.
"See you later, dear!" Her aunt called as Lori came out of her bedroom with her tools and jacket.
"Alright you sure you don't need me to go with you?" Lori asked as she glanced at Mark. Mark was wearing nice clothes today and she was captured by the way he looked in his spotless and pressed jeans, with a white shirt.
His thick brown hair was combed so neatly and he had just a tad of a shadow on his cheek. He was gorgeous.
"See you later," He winked at her.
She nodded and smiled and was off on her bike to work. All the way to work she kept thinking how thankful Heather was going to be when she finally took full notice of Mark.
Her day sailed by, with lots of customers and work. When she got off a little early, she went home and propped her feet up for a while.
Mark and her aunt weren't back yet. She got out her little tub of water and soaked her feet.
Relaxing she was almost asleep by the time they arrived.
"I didn't think you'd be gone this long." Lori told her as Mark came in with her.
He looked at her aunt and then explained, "Well, we stopped off to eat."
"Oh, well, how did it go?"
"Just fine, dear." Her aunt went to put her coat up and came back to look at her feet soaking.
"Hard day?" Judy asked.
"No, just felt good to relax, I'm babysitting tonight."
"That's good, I've got my sewing circle coming so we'll both be busy." Judy smiled. "Mark said he'd take you to his sister's house, since you don't know where it is."
"Oh, I hadn't even thought of that." Lori admitted. "Let me change my clothes then…"
Mark sat down in the living room and waited for her as Judy came to sit with him.
"Thanks for taking me Mark." Judy said with a grin.
"You're very welcome. Are you going to tell me what he said?"
"The usual, still in remission. No problems, Mark." She assured him.
Mark didn't say anything.
When Lori came out a few minutes later, she watched them talking and watching television.
"What time is the sewing circle coming, Aunt Judy?"
"Six, we had to move it up because of the cold weather."
"Well, I should be kind of late, but I only have a half day to work tomorrow."
"And Judy's going with us to the parade." Mark told her.
"Great." Lori smiled at her. "It should be a lot of fun."
"See you later dear." Her aunt smiled.
When they got in his truck Lori fretted, "Did she tell you anything about what the doctor said?"
"No, but then she never does." Mark told her.
"You sure look nice today." She glanced at him.
"Thanks." He smiled. "I guess I don't dress up much when I'm working."
"Does Heather see you when you are working?" Lori asked.
"No, not most of the time unless I'm working for her father." He told her as though he was thinking about that.
They drove to his sister's house and Amy came out to greet them. "I'm so glad you came."
Lori smiled, "No problem."
"And what are you doing here, bro?" She asked Mark.
"They are making cookies, Lori brought all the stuff to make them with, you know me." Mark chuckled.
"Yes, I do, where there is a cookie, you are there on top of it. Well, I see you are in good hands. Come on in and you didn't have to
bring all the stuff to make them with, Lori. I have most of what you will need, and help yourself."
"Thanks. If I forgot something, maybe you'll have it."
As her and her husband got ready, the kids came out and started talking to Lori and Mark. Hugging Mark Lucy climbed up in his lap and looked at Lori.
"Did you know we're making cookies tonight?" Lori asked her.
"We are?" Lucy's eyes widened and then she looked at Mark and he nodded. "I love cookies."
"Have you ever helped make them?" Lori asked.
"No."
"Well, you will tonight."
"Oh boy, I'm going to tell Mike." She got down and ran into the back bedroom
Amy brought Jacob out and Lori took him so he didn't mess Amy's dress up. "You look fabulous." Lori said settling the baby on her shoulder. Amy had just fed him and he was going right to sleep.
"Thanks."
"Do you have a portable crib?" Lori asked.
"Yes, I'll get Seth to bring it in, where do you want it?"
"In the kitchen, we'll be in there for a while."
"Oh yes, the cookies. Wonderful idea."
"Yeah, I told Lucy she was going to help and her eyes got round as saucers." Lori chuckled.
"That will be a first for her." Amy chuckled. "And don't worry about the mess, I'll clean it up later."
"Don't be silly, if Mark stays he can help me clean it up." Lori laughed.
"You are putting me to work?" He made a mock face.
"Oh yes, there is a price to pay for cookies you know." Lori chuckled.
"You sure drive a hard bargain for a few cookies." He chuckled.
Amy stared at the way they got along and smiled.
After Seth and Amy told the children to mind Lori, they kissed them and left, Lori began engaging the kids in the plans to make cookies.
"Boys don't cook!" Mike told Lori quickly.
Mark smiled, "Now that's not true, Mike. If we want to eat them we have to help."
"Do I gotta put an apron on?" Mike frowned.
"If you want to stay clean, yes," Lori told him.
Lori put the baby in the crib close to the table and then she got out her supplies. Mark tied aprons on both the kids and himself and waited for instructions.
Lori glanced at him and watched his interplay with the children. He was a remarkable man; she couldn't get over how easily he offered to help. She'd never met a man who would get so involved in such simple things. Maybe someday she'd find a man like that. She almost envied Heather.
An hour later they were all dusted with flour and putting the first pan of cookies into the oven to bake.
As they waited she and Mark took turns with telling the kids stories.
When the first batch of cookies came out, Mark and the kids ate most of them.
"Aren't you going to eat some?" Mark asked.
"I suppose I should eat a couple to make sure they are good, huh?"
"We all insist. Don't we kids?"
"Yep!" They all agreed.
Later, after all the cookies were done, they watched a Disney movie and scuttled the kids off to bed.
Lori went back into the kitchen to check on Jacob, he was still sleeping, so she began cleaning the dishes up. Mark joined her and dried, while she washed.
"Thanks, it goes faster with two people doing them."
"Did your boyfriend used to help with the dishes?" He asked.
"No, he was like Mike. He didn't think that was a man's job." She chuckled. "You know; Heather is going to be lucky once she figures out what a catch you are."
"You think I’m a catch?" He stared.
Trapped by her own mouth, she tried to smooth that one over. "Don't let it go to your head."
"It's going to be hard, you keep giving me all these compliments." He chuckled.
She chuckled too, but realized she meant every one of them.
She'd never had a man that she could work with and play with and enjoy their time like this. Her boyfriend had spent his time on the couch, watching football most of the time and she hadn't dated many others before him.
She suddenly realized she hadn't dated enough to compare Mark. But she did feel a little envious of Heather now.
When he drove her home that night she was quiet. She'd said far too much about how good he was and she didn’t' want to gush over him.
But when he leaned over and kissed her, she was again putty in his arms. Heather wasn't around and there was no reason for the kiss, but that thought never entered her mind while he held her in his arms.
When he pulled away, he stared into her stunned face.
"I don't think you need any practice in kissing."
"I'm good at that too, am I?" He smiled sexily at her.
He seemed to make light of all her compliments so she decided it was she that was taking them so seriously.
"Well thanks for helping out tonight, it was fun." She said and started to go in.
"It was fun, wasn't it?" He stared at her again. It was the way he stared.
She put her hand on the door knob. "You know, Heather's crazy not to see you for what you are."
"And what am I?" He asked throatily.
She thought about that a moment, "I think maybe you're a good guy with a white hat." She smiled this time right at him.
"Goodnight, Lori, see you tomorrow." He smiled.
"Goodnight…" she murmured and walked to her door. But she paused at her door, and he hadn't pulled away yet. He was waiting until she was inside. There were just so many things to like about the man.
Aunt Judy was waiting up for her. "Well, looks like you had a good time."
Surprised to see her up, she smiled. "Yes, the kids were great. The baby practically slept the whole time, and the rest of us made cookies, told stories and watched a Disney movie. And…. I brought you some of our cookies."
"Oh, how sweet, I'll just get some milk to go with them."
"I'll get it for you." She told her.
Her aunt went into the kitchen with her. "So, what did you think of her kids?"
"They were great. Lucy's going to take some cookies to her teacher on Monday. Mike said cooking wasn't so bad, even though he was ready to balk about it at first. If Mark hadn't convinced him that cooking wasn't just woman's work, he wouldn't have enjoyed it."
"So, Mark stayed, did he?"
"Yeah, it was fun." Lori said with a sigh.
"What do you think of Mark?" Judy asked with a smug smile.
"He's a really nice guy." Lori said. "Heather's going to be a lucky girl someday."
"Is that all?"
Lori glanced at her. "Aunt Judy, he's taken. I'm just helping him out."
"Is that so, Heather wasn't over there, too was she?"
"Well, no…. but he wanted some cookies." Lori explained.
"Is that what he wanted? I thought he might enjoy spending some time with you."
"Mark's a terribly nice guy, but he's not interested in me!" Lori protested.
"Isn't he? And exactly how do you feel about him?"
"I like him."
"Uh huh."
"He's in love with Heather." She established.
"Time will tell, I'm sure…" Aunt Judy chuckled all the way to her bedroom.
Lori sat up for a while wondering about Mark. Especially how he kissed her. Wow! The man could kiss!
Chapter Twelve
The next morning Judy and Lori dressed casually for the parade. But it was chilly so they donned sweaters and jackets.
"Lucy's going to be in the parade," Lori told her aunt as she made pancakes that morning.
"Really, I didn't realize."
"Her Kindergarten class, they'll be on some kind of truck. And they are letting Mike ride with her so it's a real treat for them." Lori smiled as she flipped a pancake. "You should see how her little eyes light up when she talks about it. I wonder if I was like that when I was a kid?'
"Or course you were dear, and sometimes your eyes light up when you least e
xpect them to." Judy smiled.
"They do? When?" Lori asked twisting so she could look at her aunt.
"When Mark's around."
"Oh, now Aunt Judy. We've settled this, Mark is a friend. And I think a lot of him, but I don't want you running him off with that kind of talk."
"Of course, dear." Judy smiled.
Mark came in moments later and Lori was silently grateful that her aunt hadn't said any more.
He smelled the pancakes. "Looks like I’m just in time."
"Sure, sit down and help yourself. It's the least we can do since you're taking us to the parade." Judy chuckled.
Lori dished several pancakes onto a plate and set them in the middle of the table, "Help yourself."
Mark joined right in and got up and poured everyone some coffee. "These are good." He said as she bit into them.
"Aunt Judy's recipe. Sourdough flapjacks."
"Tasty, I like the slight tartness."
"That's the word…" Lori chuckled.
"What time does the parade start?" Judy asked.
"We have exactly one hour and thirty-five minutes. But we want to go as soon as we can so we can get a curb-side seat." He told them.
"Do we need to take chairs?" Judy asked.
"I think one for you would be good, at least," Mark smiled as he took another pancake.
"I can sit curbside too young man; I'll just take a little pillow to pad it for me." Judy laughed.
"Fine."
"Did you help with the floats this year, Mark?"
"A couple of them, yes. But I was busy working this year, so not as much as I usually do." Mark replied. "My business is picking up so much I’m thinking of hiring another man to help me out."
He sipped his coffee and watched Lori finish the last pancake.
"When you went into this business your mother was so skeptical about it. She just knew you couldn't support yourself with it. But you've done rather well in a short time with it. And you more than support yourself." Judy proclaimed proudly.
"Maybe, but it still doesn't hold much clout when you tell people you're a handyman. It has a certain stigma attached to it."
"You mean people like Heather aren't impressed?" Judy winked at him.
