Jerry had cooked the fire-roasted dogs. Gillian handed Tyler and Zachary a plate and sat down on the blanket with hers.
“Thanks,” Zachary said staring at the food as if she’d served him hemlock.
"What's wrong? Don't you like hot dogs?"
"Can't say I ever had one," Zachary said. "Don't think I could eat it."
"What do you mean, why not?"
"It could be one of Molly's friends," Tyler cried.
Gillian blinked and she looked back at Jerry and Samantha who tried to stifle a laugh. Gillian looked back at her two favorite men and smiled. "You’re not really eating a dog. They’re just called that. These dogs happen to
be
made with turkey meat."
Zachary stared at the hot dog for a moment. "Then why don't they call them a hot turkey?"
Gillian shrugged. "I have no idea." She took an over exaggerated bite of her hot dog to emphasize how wonderful it tasted, but the two just continued to stare at their plates as if they were still unsure if they should try the unfamiliar meal.
"Come on, you at least have to try one," Gillian coaxed.
Zachary looked at Tyler. “Hey, if you try it, I’ll give it a go.”
“It does smell good.” He nodded. “Sure.”
They took their first bite.
Zachary mouth curved into a grin.
“These are good, Uncle Zachary.” Tyler took another bite.
“Told you,” Gillian chuckled.
“Another first here.” Zachary grinned at her and she leaned against him, giving him a nudge.
“See, I can take care of you, too.”
“So you can.”
***
While Zachary, Samantha and Tyler were down by the water, Jerry grabbed two Dr. Peppers and sat down beside Gillian. He handed one of the sodas to her and she glanced his way with a smile. "Thanks Jerry."
"No problem
.”
He sipped his soda in silence.
Gillian smiled as she watched him run his fingers through his hair. It was a habit of his when he had something on his mind. “You might as well spill it, Jerry.”
He looked at her. "What do you mean?”
Her gaze landed on his hand as he ran his finger through his hair again. He realized what he was doing and stopped. “You can read me so well.”
She nodded. “We’ve known each other for a long time.”
“Yes we have and I know I can speak my mind with you. I thought I could keep myself from liking Zachary, but I have to admit he’s a pretty decent guy." He sighed.
“Don’t’ sound so disappointed. Zachary’s a good man."
"You care about him?"
"I do.”
"Do you care for him enough to go with him when it’s time for him to return?"
Gillian didn't know how to answer. She didn't want to lose Zachary, but how could she invite herself to go back with him? They weren't exactly living like a married couple. He had his own room. She had hers.
She had the dream again last night, but it was somehow different. She’d recognized the touch, the feel of his hands. She dreamt about Zachary. Her emotions have been so mixed up lately. Maybe she just wanted Zachary to be the man in her dreams. Maybe it didn’t even matter anymore. Maybe she’d been silly to believe the dreams meant anything at all. She frowned.
“I’ve upset you. I'm sorry, Gillian. Forget, I said anything. It’s really not any of my business." He took a quick swig of his soda.
“No.” She shook her head. "It's all right you asked. Our relationship is complicated. When I was stranded in 1870, Zachary protected me. There was no question on where I would stay, but now, I'm on my own turf, so to speak and the odd thing is I feel insecure. I'm not sure if Zachary would want me to go back with him. He hasn't asked me to." There she had said it. Let Jerry think whatever he wanted with the pathetic statement. She didn't want to pretend anymore that all was perfect for it was far from it.
Jerry sighed. "Gillian, I love you dearly
.”
“Jerry, I
...” A whisper of apprehension centered in her heart, but he must have sensed her wariness.
"Don't worry. I love you dearly, as a friend and I’m worried about you. The 1870’s were primitive socially with their prejudice beliefs, and medically speaking you might as well be stranded in the Middle Ages. I just want you to weigh everything before making your final decision.”
She met his gaze. “I know how different it is. I was there, remember?”
“Yes, but it wasn’t forever.” He had her attention now. “Because of poor hygiene, inadequate plumbing and lack of antibiotics, even a common cold could kill you. I don’t even want to think of child bearing.”
“Jerry, stop.”
“You have to hear it. It’s not a vacation you’re planning. Your decision would affect the rest of your life
.”
From the distance, Zachary looked their way. He smiled and waved. Gillian returned the gesture.
“Maybe you can’t see how Zachary feels about you, but I certainly do. He'll ask you to go back with him." He stood and headed toward the water before Gillian could comment.
***
The next day, Jerry took Zachary and Tyler to their first baseball game, while Samantha and Gillian decided they’d pass on the excursion for they had plans of their own. They caught a matinee then decided to head to Polly’s for dessert. They were becoming regulars. Milly practically had their pie and coffee ready at the table before they arrived.
As soon as they were seated, Samantha didn't waste any
time. She started in on Gillian and her relationship. She meant well, but Gillian wished she’d find another hard luck case and leave her alone.
"Let me get this straight," Samantha began, “you two are married, but he allows you to what . . . sleep in another room and pretend you never said your marriage vows?"
"I told you, neither one of us wanted to get marry. We were forced."
“Oh yes, I heard all right … from both of you. I’d have to be blind not to see how the two of you goo-goo eye each other, and it’s definitely not an employee-boss kind of look. You’ve spent weeks with this man. Surely, things have changed. I’ve witnessed you two in action. You both act as if you’ve been married, forever. What is Zachary’s stand on all this anyway?"
"I asked him once before how he felt about me. He didn't have an answer."
"When did you ask him? Recently?"
"Well . . . no. What difference does that make?"
Samantha shook her head in disbelief. "It makes all the difference in the world. You have both been through a lot. You’ve had a chance to become friends. It’s not all about lust now—and don’t deny it. You’re attracted to him. I’m talking about the way you see him. Haven't your opinions changed? Don't you feel something more than you did the day you married him? Surely, you aren’t going to let him go without finding out."
"There's no need to find out and I refuse to complicate things with sex. As soon as Molly shows up, he'll be going back to his time and it will be over."
Samantha mulled over her answer before she hit her with the next question. "How do you feel about that? I mean, when he goes back … it will be over. You will never see him again … ever. Can you accept that?"
Gillian
pursed
her lips together. She would miss their late night talks, his sparkling blue eyes and how they lit up when he teased her. She would miss the way it felt to slide her thumb over his cleft chin. She swallowed the hard lump of sadness that settled in her throat.
Samantha interrupted her thoughts. "You're in love with him. I noticed it the first time I saw you two together. Your eyes light up when he enters the room, your voice even changes when you say his name.
Zachary
," she said in a sultry, husky voice, pretending to imitate Gillian.
Both girls giggled as Gillian protested. "I do not say his name like that."
"Well, close enough. I'd say you've fallen in love and I'm happy to see it's with a live person and not a dream."
"He might as well be a dream. Samantha, the man may be here in this time living and breathing, but the fact remains, when he goes back to his time, he'll be nothing more than a ghost."
"That may be true, but let me give you a little advice my mother constantly gives me: Live in the now. And honey, he's here now. Let me tell you, he's very much alive. He's one gorgeous hottie and you can't tell me he's just an apparition."
"Samantha!" Gillian tried to sound shocked at her friend's honesty.
"He is gorgeous, as you very well know." Samantha leaned forward and with fierce conviction biting her words. "Don't let him go. Not if he's what you want."
"I believe he’s the one, Samantha. I can't stop thinking about him and it's driving me crazy that he's sleeping under my roof and I can't be near him."
"That's just geography, honey. You can change that easily. It's simple. Just invite him to your room. There's nothing wrong with asking him. You're married to the man. Don't you think it's time you acted like it? Get crazy, kiss, hug and by God, have sex with the man.” She tapped her chin with her forefinger. “If you’re game, I have a plan to help you out."
Gillian listened with sweet anticipation.
Gillian paced while she waited for the boys to arrive back from the ballgame.
Samantha shook her head. “Will you sit down? You’re making me nervous.”
Before she could give her a retort, she heard the car pull up. Her eyes widened. “They’re back.”
“Good thing, too. Look Gillian.” She pointed around her. “The place is set for a night of seduction. Take a deep breath and let nature take it
s
course.”
Samantha volunteered to take Tyler home with her with the promise to rent a movie and munch on popcorn and milk duds. Samantha invited Jerry to join them and before Gillian knew it, she stood on her porch with Zachary and waved goodbye to them.
They were alone at last. She crossed her fingers and hoped everything would go as planned
.
"I hope you’re hungry?" Gillian looked at Zachary.
"Of course. One can only have so many hot dogs. I am dying to have anything else. What did you have in mind?"
"Oh. You’re burned out on hot dogs?" Gillian pouted.
Zachary immediately back peddled, not wanting to offend her. “If you want hot dogs that’s—”
Her lips twitched in amusement.
“Okay, I can see you’re trying to hide your grin
.”
"Had you going, didn’t I
?
” She took his hand and led him back inside the house “Come on. I have
prepared
something special."
Soft music filtered through stereo speakers. The table had been set for two with a vase of fresh flowers. Candles illuminated the room with the scent of vanilla spice. Zachary’s gaze flew to Gillian’s, but she cleverly avoided eye contact as she headed toward the kitchen. "Take a seat," she called from the other room
.
Zachary did as he was told and waited patiently for Gillian to return. Whatever had gotten into her, he liked it. The whole house smelled wonderful from what she’d conjured up for dinner. His mouth watered in anticipation.
“Looks like you went to a lot of trouble. What’s the occasion?”
“No occasion.” She came in carrying plates for both of them.
She made lemon chicken, green beans with almonds, and mashed potatoes. Zachary took the first bite and smiled. “I’ve died and gone to heaven
.”
Gillian beamed with pride. “There’s cheesecake with fresh strawberries for dessert.”
“I can’t wait.”
After the meal, Zachary pushed back his chair and smiled as he rubbed his stomach. "That ma’am was the best darn meal, I’ve had in forever."
"Well, thank you kindly, sir." She pushed back her chair and offered her hand. “Care to dance, cowboy?”
Zachary stared at her for a beat of a second. He’d swear she was trying to seduce him, but he knew better and forced his emotions under control. He stood and pulled her against him. She moved closer until their lower bodies swayed in unison. He swallowed the lump in his throat.
She rested her head on his chest. He was ever conscious of her nearness, her hips moving against him sending fire through every nerve in his body. He wondered if she knew what she did to him. As much as he wanted to hold her, he couldn't do this. God help him, he’d lose his self-control. He’d wanted Gillian for so long that it tore him up inside. How could he hold her so close and not want to sweep her into his arms and make love to her? Didn’t she realize the danger she put herself in? By God, he
’d
never pretended to be a saint, and a saint is what he’d have to be to resist her. He stopped dancing and took hold of her shoulders. He pushed her away. He had to, before he did something, she’d never forgive him for doing. "I'm sorry, Gillian
.”
He took a step back. His actions only proved to make the situation awkward.