It was Peter Wright, wearing jeans, a T-shirt, and a jean jacket, and he was early. He handed her a large bag.
"What's in the bag?"
"Dinner. I haven't eaten." He pushed past her to come inside. "This is a cozy place. Mind if I look around?"
"I'll go with you. Let me drop this in the kitchen."
Peter followed Lauren to the kitchen. Then they walked through the living room. From Peter's narrowed eyes and frown, Lauren knew he was too snobbish to appreciate the comfortable furnishings of the Jamieson's. She called to Skippy, and they went outside to the back porch. "This is it."
"Nice." But his tone sounded flat and bored.
Lauren led him inside.
Jack finished his classes and came by to get Lauren to go riding in town. He hoped for directions to the malls. When she wasn't home, he went anyway, certain he could figure it out from the sketchy impressions she'd given him earlier. Eventually, he found Cordova and University Malls and walked around both quickly. Then he drove around the campus of Pensacola Junior College. He was teaching at the Warrington campus, but he wanted to see the main campus located near the malls.
He had spent most of the day away from the house and suddenly realized it was near dark. He headed back towards the beach. Before returning to the cottage, he stopped at the grocery located nearest the house to stock up on a few cold items. By the time he got home, it was completely dark.
What was Lauren doing? It was too late to expect that she hadn't eaten so he grabbed a sandwich and jogged down the beach, hoping she'd want some company.
When he got to her house, he looked up from the beach. Every corner of the house was ablaze with light, including the pool. There was a young man standing inside the screened porch with his hands in his pockets. Lauren opened the back door, and the man went inside the house with her.
Jack stood there. Why did he feel like he'd just lost his only friend in the world? Because she was the only friend he'd made here. Disgusted with himself and with Lauren, and not quite sure why, he walked back to the cottage. What was I thinking? She's got a boyfriend.
Inside the house, Lauren confronted Peter. "So, where's the report?"
"Right here." He patted his jacket. "I brought dinner because I haven't eaten yet and I thought I should go over a few of the notes before I leave. Do you like Chinese?"
"Sure." She resigned herself to his presence a little longer. "Go sit in the living room and I'll bring the food."
The Jamieson's had a huge sectional couch that stretched around the living room, so Peter and Lauren put the work in the middle of the floor and leaned back against the couches. After Skippy realized no one was going to feed her, she went and sat on her bed.
They brainstormed for awhile then set down the main points of their report findings. Lauren was surprised Peter contributed so much.
"I appreciate you helping me get this report lined out for our client. Thanks."
"Sure. Would you like to go for a walk on the beach? That moon looks tantalizing."
Lauren's stomach tensed. "I don't know, Peter. I'm kind of tired and I still have to finish that report. I'm going to be busy tomorrow, and I wanted to get it done tonight."
"I won't stay long." He reached over to caress her back.
She turned her head. What he really meant was after she had succumbed to his charms, she wouldn't want him to leave. This evening was so different from the one she had spent with Jack. She was uncomfortable with Peter, but she had enjoyed Jack.
Lauren called Skippy. While they were out, she might as well get the dog's walk out of the way.
Once she got outside and started shivering, she realized she'd been so intent on getting rid of Peter that she forgot to put on her jacket.
He began to walk in the direction of Jack's cottage which left behind the residential end of the beach that was more lighted. He whistled as they walked slowly across the sand.
Lauren followed slowly, feeling nervous and miserable.
When he noticed her shivering, he moved closer. "Hey you forgot a coat. Let me put my arm around you." He draped the right side of his jacket and his arm around Lauren's shoulders. "Do you come out here often? I would if I lived here."
"I bring the dog out several times a day and sit up there at the end of that point. There are no houses there and you can sit and watch the boats go by. Are you ready to go back?"
He agreed, and they turned around. When Lauren passed Jack's cottage, she looked up. The lights were on. He was probably home now.
Peter made idle chit-chat until they reached Lauren's pier. "Is that pier safe?"
"Yes. Watch your step."
He pulled Lauren out to the end of the pier. He sat gingerly on the wooden bench then tugged her down with him when he realized the bench was solid. When he twisted his head and tried to kiss her, Lauren jumped up.
"Peter, stop that! I've told you before, we're just friends."
She stalked off down the pier, and he followed her. Before she reached halfway, he whirled her around.
"Lauren, why are you so uptight? I didn't mean anything by it." He held tightly to her arm.
"When you don't listen to what I say, it does mean something. It means you're selfish and a bully." She tried to yank her arm away.
At that moment, Jack called out, surprising both Peter and Lauren. She struggled to regain her balance. Peter lashed out to grab her but ended up knocking her off into the frigid, black water.
She thrashed about, screaming hysterically. She could only imagine the sharks that came up close to the shore on nights like this with the moon high. Such a loud splash would attract anything in that dark water.
She tried to push to shore, but her jeans were dragging her back. Panic overwhelmed her as she went under and choked on a mouthful of water.
Peter called to her from the pier then lay down to reach out, but she was beyond him.
Her fear imagined shapes and nudges in the water. She screamed and gulped water again, more terrified than before.
When she went down for the second time, Jack jumped in. He grabbed at her to drag her back to shore, but Lauren tried to fight him.
"Lauren, Lauren, it's Jack. Let me pull you in."
When she recognized him, she put a strangle hold on his neck, but he kept swimming. The water was barely over his head at this point, so after a few strokes, he could stand.
He dragged Lauren out of the water. She was choking and sobbing uncontrollably. He held her against his chest. Her arms were still tightly clasped around his neck.
Peter rushed toward them. "Lauren, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to knock you in the water. Lauren...can you hear me?"
Jack shook his head at the young man. "I think you better leave."
"Who are you? If you hadn't butted in, this would never have happened."
"If you'd been a proper gentleman, the young lady would not have attempted to avoid your advances. Now leave before the situation gets nasty. You can call her tomorrow and apologize."
Peter stood his ground defiantly for a moment then turned and stomped up the steps.
Jack gave his complete attention to Lauren. "Lauren, you're not in the water anymore. That guy is gone. Let's get up the stairs so you can dry off. Lauren...focus, sweetie." He kept his voice calm and soothing. "I can carry you if you can't make it, but it's very steep. It would be safer if you could walk."
"I'm so-sorry, Jack."
"Don't be ridiculous. Come on now."
He helped her stand and wrapped his arms around her. Her teeth were chattering so loudly they sounded as if they might crack. Slowly, they made their way up the stairs.
When they made it inside, Jack locked the door behind them, making sure Skippy had followed. When he asked Lauren where to find the bathroom, she pointed down the hall, and he practically carried her there. She was shaking so violently, she could barely walk.
He turned on the tap and felt for warm water then picked Lauren up and sat her inside the tub with her back to t
he faucet. He slid the shower knob on full blast. The warm water sprayed her back, and moments later, her convulsions ceased. She didn't even look up until he asked where her room was located.
"Don't you dare go through my clothes."
"Well, do you have a robe?"
"Hanging on the back of the door in the next room."
Jack quickly returned with the white terry robe. "I'll leave this here with a towel. Take your time. I'm going home to shower, but I'll be right back."
He retreated and shut the door.
Lauren sat in the warm spray of the shower and cried softly. I'm such an idiot. He'll think I'm a complete fool. What am I going to do?
She finally removed the wet clothing and washed off.
She crawled out and reached for the towel but left the wet clothes in the tub. She toweled off then wrapped up her hair and put on the robe.
When she opened the door, she peeked down the hall. Jack was nowhere in sight so she made a dash for her room. She dressed in record time and brushed out her hair.
When she was reasonably presentable, she opened her door and walked down the hall to the living room.
Jack sat on the couch, reading her business presentation, but he looked up when he heard Lauren traipse into the room. She looked younger than he'd yet seen her, and he experienced a pang that he was so attracted to such a young woman. A young woman with terrible taste in escorts.
Her expression wasn't encouraging. She barely glanced his way.
"Better?"
"Yes, thank you. You can go now."
Her voice was polite but distant.
"Lauren, I don't want to go. I had hoped we could talk tonight."
"You'll have to excuse me, I'm feeling tired. Perhaps another time."
How did someone so young sound so old?
"Would you at least tell me why you're afraid of the water? You mentioned it last night in passing, but I had no idea…"
"That's right, Jack. You have no idea. I met you yesterday, and for some reason you seem intent on fixing me, my future, my fear of water...I don't need your help or your philosophies. Thanks for helping me out of the water, but right now, I'm not in the mood to bare my soul."
She was right. He continued to find things about her that he thought he could fix because she was young and he was older...wiser. "You're right. I'm sorry. Would you please forgive me?"
His sincerity brought tears to Lauren's eyes. She sat back against the hearth of the fireplace. "It's all right. I know I have problems."
Jack put aside the papers he'd been reading and walked to the fireplace. He bent down on one knee before her. "Lauren, I really just want to be your friend. If you need someone to talk to...fine. If you want someone to hang out with, that's fine too. I need a friend here, and I was blessed enough to find someone that believes the things I do. Give me a chance."
"I like you, Jack...when you're not acting like my father, or an uncle, or a brother."
Jack put both his hands on her shoulders. "In no way have I ever seen you as my child. Can we start over?"
"Yes, but no lecturing."
"No lecturing. Are you still throwing me out or can we pop some popcorn and watch TV?" His hands dropped, and he stepped back.
"You can stay, but mind your own business."
Jack saluted with a grin. "Yes, ma'am. Would you rather work on your business proposal?"
"Jack, what does mind your own business mean?"
"All right, all right. It was sitting out. I thought you might want to work on it."
Lauren padded on bare feet into the kitchen, and he followed. "That's why Peter was here. He works at the agency with me. He was supposed to give me that report at work this morning, but he said he forgot it and needed to bring it here."
"I read that review you wrote about the shift in housing for the elderly. I never realized pre-fabricated housing was so popular with the elderly. Your comments were insightful."
She gave him a level stare. "Thank you, but you're dangerously close to thin ice."
Jack laughed. "My comment requires no rebuttal on your part. It was a freebie. You've got to loosen up and let me be myself."
"Uh, huh. You don't have a girlfriend, do you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I think you have a lot to learn about women. You've got a lot of useful ideas, but you might need some actual practice. I know some women who could teach you a thing or two."
"Wait a minute. I don't date because I don't want to, not because I can't. I'll have you know that I've had several serious relationships that were long-lasting. I just haven't met someone whose future goals were compatible with my own. I certainly don't need you to fix me up."
"Whatever you say, professor. Open the fridge and fix us a drink."
The microwave beeper went off, and Lauren removed the popcorn and placed it in a bowl.
Jack followed Lauren into the living room, and they sat down with their drinks and popcorn. Lauren curled her long legs under her.
"Ok, what do you like to watch, and if you pick some macho guy flick or some philosophical mumbo-jumbo, I'm going to bed."
Jack grinned at her. "Well, that only leaves some mindless comedy or some sappy, romantic chick flick."
"As long as we understand each other."
"Do you like classic movies?"
"They're my favorite. Go over there and see if there's anything on the shelf you like."
Jack walked to the bookcases that lined either side of the fireplace. DVDs or books filled every shelf. He picked one up. "How to Steal a Million?"
"Love it. Put it in."
They sat companionably through the movie, sharing occasional comments, but Lauren was yawning by the end of the movie. Jack reached over and tousled her hair. "Hey sleepy-head. You're hair's dry now. You ready for bed?"
"Pretty much, thanks."
"For what?"
"Just sitting here with me."
"Any time. What do you want to do tomorrow?"
"You really don't know anyone else yet, do you?"
"Is that a polite way of saying you're busy?"
"No, professor. But perhaps you should introduce yourself to some old folks at that church on Sunday so you won't have to hang with the young'uns so much."
"I like this young'un. And quit calling me professor. It makes me sound about 60 years old."
"Whatever you say, professor." She gave him a cheeky grin.
Jack reached over and hit her on the head with a pillow. "I ask again...what do you want to do tomorrow?"
"Don't you have classes to teach?"
"Yes, but I'm finished by noon."
"Well, Jack, What do you want to do? I've got to go to work, but after that, I'm free."
"Why don't we go sailing then we can grill the steaks I bought?"
Lauren's smile faded immediately. "You're pushing again, Jack. I won't go sailing in the dark."
"Lauren, I swear...I bought the steaks earlier today, and I wanted us to go sailing together. It has nothing to do with trying to change you."
"Do you ever turn the boat over?"
"Once, when I was seventeen. But I can't promise it will never happen. Can you swim?"
"Like a fish. When in a pool."
"At the risk of getting skewered…Why then?"
"Sharks."
"There are very few sharks in this bay, Lauren."
"I know. It only takes one."
"What has given you this aversion to sharks?"
"I once went flying with a friend in an exceedingly small plane. We flew over the beaches and there were sharks everywhere. That started it. Then a couple of years ago a 10 year-old boy was in knee-high water at the beach when a 12-foot shark bit off his leg. People think they're safe in the shallows, but they're not."
"That was in the gulf. Has anyone ever been attacked by sharks in this bay?"
"No."
"Will you go with me? I'll pray over you."
Lauren sat staring at him. Jack thou
ght he might have a chance since she was taking so long to consider. "I'll think about it, Jack, but not tomorrow. By the time I get home, it will already be dark."
"I can grill the steaks and have dinner ready for you when you get home."
She was too tired to think that suggestion through clearly. There had to be a reason she should say no. "All right. Now it's time for bed. Go home, Jack."
Lauren stood and stretched. Jack followed suit. He walked to the back door and was instantly followed by Skippy, who hadn't been outside for awhile. "Lauren, Skippy wants out."
"I'm coming. Let me get my jacket."
He went outside to wait with Skippy, but the dog had already run down the hill. Jack stood, waiting at the top of the steps.
"You want me to walk you home, old man?"
"You know, lots of people our ages date."
"Yes, but not each other." She ran down the steps to avoid his playful punch.
They walked in companionable silence to the bottom of Jack's cottage steps. "Night, Jack."
"Goodnight, Lauren."
Jack stood on his bottom step, watching Lauren walk back home. He barely knew her. Why was he so drawn to her? He had thought his other relationships ended because of inconsistent goals, but Lauren didn't even have goals. Suddenly, his plan to go away for six months didn't seem as appealing.
When Lauren reached her stairs, she turned around and waved. Jack waved back then waited for her to go inside the house. He had a lot to pray about.
Lauren went straight to bed. She didn't want to think about anything. Her report could wait until morning. As she was drifting off to sleep, she remembered the comment that made her hesitant to see Jack again. He had said, "I was blessed enough to find someone that believes the things I do."
Ouch, I better put an end to this now. I can't pretend to be something I'm not.
Chapter 3
Lauren woke at her usual time, got Skippy, and wandered out to the porch. She let Skippy out to the yard while thinking about the events of the last two days. She had finally met a guy that was appealing in almost every way. At least, he'd be appealing in every way if he wasn't a Christian and didn't think Lauren was too young.
Then again, his attempts to enlighten her were annoying, too. Anyway, if only he would see her as a person and not as a project. Lauren sighed. Her problems were more important right now. She didn't need a boyfriend.
Wind on the Sand (The Winds of God) Page 3
