"It's cumbersome. I had to do it two years ago. It was a real pain in the back side," red-haired co-worker said as she picked the pile of papers up and tapped them on the top of a file cabinet, straightening them. "I broke it when I fell out of my recliner."
Nora snickered and immediately felt guilty.
"It's okay. Other people laughed, too."
"I won't ask."
"Go ahead. I don't care."
"Uh, was there liquor involved?"
"I had three beers."
"That explains it. You never drink, do you?"
"You got that crap right. I learned my lesson, don’t think I didn't. Yeah, I got a healthy dose of what happens when I do indulge. Never again."
"There’s your man."
"Where?" Nora asked turning in her chair, peering through the window. Charley's black cherry pick up drove by and pull into the parking lot across the street. A warm, squiggly sensation streamed through her body when she saw her luscious man climb out. His long, strong form strode toward the office. His appearance in the middle of the day set x-rated ideas for nocturnal activities spinning. Oh yes, he does. Although my broken foot may get in the way. She sighed long and hard.
"Maybe he's going to take you for lunch."
"That'll be nice. I'm afraid my cast doesn't match my dress, though. I'll stick out like a sore thumb." Already she could see people murmuring and giggling behind her back. She laughed, turned her wrist and glanced at the time—12:32 PM. "Maybe he'll give me a piggy back ride."
"Poor Charley'll stop taking me to lunch if I'm too heavy. You know, from no exercise and wearing this cast. Besides this cast looks like it came from Disneyland and he'll be embarrassed and—well, whatever possessed me to choose a bright pattern for my cast?" she rambled and shrugged.
"No one pays any attention to those. Don't worry about it," said June as she ambled to her desk across the aisle. "But yeah. A piggy back ride sounds romantic."
Katy hung the phone up, turned in her chair and joined in the merriment. "It's like a dress looks good on a hanger, then when you get it home it looks like crap."
"The bone doctor, bless his heart, gave me a choice of camouflage, white stars and blue moons and purple hearts."
Katy horse-laughed. "Sounds like a Lucky Stars cereal box to me."
“Oh, daisies too.” The more she thought about it, the more she thought she should have chosen the camouflage pattern because at least it hid dirt. "The doctor said I'd get a walking cast in three weeks."
"They say that, but sometimes the bones don't heal just right and they say, ‘let's give it a few more weeks,' like they did me."
"Oh crap, I hope not!"
"Sorry. Me and my big mouth. I shouldn't have said anything."
Katy answered a call on its second ring and talked quietly while Charley ambled up to Nora's desk.
"May I?" he asked.
"Please do."
He took a seat. His unique masculine smile still made her insides quiver. He looked so handsome in his Levi jacket, jeans and duck-billed hat. He had the ability to turn many a woman's head.
"Let's do lunch. What do you say?" he asked.
She nodded. "Sure."
"Before you go..." Katy held the phone up, turned in her seat and gazed back at Nora. "It's a Mr. Carl Kelton."
"Thanks. Got it." Nora pressed the flashing button. Kelton? Carl Kelton? Oh yeah. She remembered his white hair and heavy, wobbling jowls as he spoke to her from behind the wheel of his car.
Charley nabbed the front page and began reading the big story of the day.
"Nora Aames-Kline speaking."
"Carl Kelton. Remember me?" he asked over the line.
She blinked with surprise. "Uh, yes. How are you doing?" She winked, puckered her lips and made a kiss gesture toward her husband.
Carl’s voice cut into her thoughts. "I'm calling to thank you for talking to your ex-husband. Trinity was able to pay her child’s tuition. I appreciate your help from the bottom of my heart."
Relief flowed through Nora's mind. "Thank goodness, Mr. Kelton. I’m so glad to hear this."
"Yep. Josh came by Tuesday and repaid the money. He apologized and swore up and down he'd never gamble again. I hope that's the case."
"I do too, believe me."
They discussed his niece's son’s high grade average, his interests and why he chose to go into Veterinarian Science.
“I’ve married a wonderful man named Charley Kline. He’s my soul mate.”
“Congratulations. I wish you and Charley all the best.”
When the conversation ended, he said, "Goodbye and good luck. Again, thanks for talking to Josh."
"I'd do it again. I'm glad your niece’s son is in school now. Bye."
“Well,” Nora said struggling her feet. “I’m ready, I think.”
The two saleswomen peered their way as Charley grabbed her crutches and handed them to Nora. “Hold these, please, Madame.”
"Yes, Monsieur," she said theatrically. Her heart swelling with pride, she held the second best means of getting around while he lifted and carried her toward the door. “I’d appreciate it if one of you ladies would open the door for us.” He leaned in and stole a kiss as the other women in the office smiled their way. “I’m taking my wife to lunch.”
THE END
www.carol-mckenzie.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carol McKenzie was born and raised in Illinois. Through her twenties, thirties and part of her forties she lived in California, Texas, Montana, Washington and Colorado. She then she moved back to her home state of Illinois. She plans to stay there with her husband and Jack Russell terrier.
She enjoys rendering artwork, sewing, quiltmaking and playing Civilization IV. On any given day, she dutifully works at her computer typing up a new erotic romance story. She writes interracial, contemporary, historical and alternative lifestyle fiction. If she's properly accomplished her goals, all her stories contain hot, sex scenes.
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Loving Thy Neighbor (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 10
