First Mates (7 page)

Deion shrugged again. “I don't get it. Why should you even care what she thinks? You don't even know if you'll be seeing her again. You just said so.”

“That's enough about Rainy. It's time for you to leave. I'm tired.”

“I can take a hint.” He returned the picture to the counter before pulling Winston into a hug. “You had a good time on the cruise, though, right?”

Winston nodded as Deion released him. “And…are you sure you're okay with everything else?” Deion's hazel eyes were full of warmth and compassion as he gazed at his brother.

“Yeah, man, I'm fine. Now get out of here so I can get some sleep.” He pushed his brother out the door.

He donned his ripped T-shirt and hole-filled shorts before dropping into bed.
Lord, please give me some guidance about my relationship with Rainy. If she's the right woman for me, I'm sure You'll do everything in Your power to make this work. Amen.
As he slumbered, his dreams were filled with images of Rainy and their glorious vacation cruise.

 

Rainy arrived at work early the following day. The newspaper office scurried with activity as people hurried to their desks while writers bustled about, trying to find the latest breaking story. She entered the accounting section of the building. Gray cubicles housed staff accountants as they added figures on calculators and entered journal entries into computers. She stopped to speak with a few of the workers before she entered her office.

Her assistant, Linda, rushed into the office. “Rainy, I'm so sorry.” She pressed her hands together, drawing attention to her red, talon-like nails. Rainy wondered how she managed to type. Linda had dyed her dark hair again. Her platinum-colored locks clashed with her cocoa-brown skin.

“Linda, didn't we already have a talk about the company's dress code?” She eyed her assistant's short dark dress. The hemline was way above her knee, and the bodice stretched taut across her full breasts. At times, she wondered if Linda was there to work or to entice men.

She tossed her briefcase on the desk. “Now what are you sorry about?”

“Well, this guy called here last week. I know you told me if anybody called you during your vacation, I should take a name and phone number. Well, I forgot to get this man's name, and I think I mentioned that you'd gone on a cruise and would be returning on Sunday.” She stared at her boss, wringing her hands.

Rainy folded her arms and glared at her assistant. “Listen, you need to remember the instructions I give you. How else am I going to run a successful accounting department?” She sighed as she sat in her leather chair.

Now she understood how Jordan knew about her return date. Well, she knew Linda's mistake couldn't be used as an excuse for the terrible end to her evening the previous day. Jordan would have found her sooner or later.

“I know. But after I had the conversation, I remembered that I hadn't taken down his name and phone number.” She frowned as she gazed at her boss.

Rainy rolled her eyes as she twirled her chair toward the wall. She really needed to pray about the relationship she had with her assistant. She hoped the rumors she'd heard weren't true. She questioned Linda's integrity.

A few months before Rainy was promoted to accounting manager, she'd heard through office gossip that Linda was having an affair with her former boss, the previous manager. She'd apparently made some kind of demands on him, and threatened to go to Human Resources about their affair. However, before she could make any accusations, he resigned.

Rainy felt blessed when her hard work was rewarded with this position. She felt God was looking out for her by providing another outlet for her to release the pain and anger from her breakup. She didn't know if the rumors about Linda were true; however, she felt that the Lord wanted her to help this troubled woman. Linda left her office and returned minutes later with her steno pad and gold pen, eager to give a rundown of office events during her absence.

After their short meeting was over, she gave Linda a bright yellow flyer.

“You know how much I want my staff to benefit from the business seminars at the center in Miami. Well, there's a basic course on office professionalism that I think you should take. I've already signed you up
for it. It's for two days, and breakfast and lunch are provided. You'll be going there on Thursday and Friday instead of reporting to work.” Rainy had caught Linda openly flirting with several men in the company. At times she would leave her desk and not return for long periods.

She wondered if Linda was in search of another office affair. She prayed for patience, a virtue she needed when dealing with her assistant. Linda barely glanced at the flyer before placing it into her notebook. “Am I supposed to dress casual at the seminar?” She smoothed imaginary wrinkles from her tight dress. Even though a lot of offices in Miami adopted a casual dress code, their office was still business attire.

“No, it's business dress code for the seminar.” Pausing, she gazed at her assistant. “And, please listen and try to learn something from the seminar. I think you might find some useful things to apply to your job.”

Linda rolled her eyes and scratched her scalp. “Okay, whatever you say.” She slammed her notebook shut. “You're having a lunch meeting later this week with three other managers. Did you want me to order food from the deli downstairs?”

Rainy nodded and told her what needed to be ordered. She gave her a box of Jamaican candy. “Put this out in the reception area so people can enjoy it.”

“How was your trip?”

She managed to smile. “It went pretty well. I had a pleasant time.” She had not gotten the pictures devel
oped, but she assured her she would show them to the staff when they were ready.

After her assistant took her exit, Rainy gazed at her flooded inbox. She changed the message on her voice mail. She then lifted the stack of papers from her inbox and sorted through them.

Hours later, her growling stomach reminded her about lunch. As she left the air-conditioned building to go to her weekly lunch date with Sarah and Rachel, the Florida summer heat tinged her skin. She welcomed the cool air as she entered the restaurant.

“Hi, Ms. Jackson.” The host approached bearing three menus. “I suppose your friends will be joining you?” She nodded as he led her to their regular table. Voices filled the room, and she had to strain to hear him. As she sat, he snapped her napkin open and placed it on her lap. “Enjoy your meal, Ms. Jackson, and I'll make sure to escort your friends over when they arrive.” Before she could open her menu, Rachel and Sarah strutted into the restaurant. Both women looked like total opposites as they made their way to the table. Sarah's tall, dark frame contrasted with Rachel's short, chunky physique.

Sarah pulled Rainy into her arms. “Girl, you look good!” She sat and scanned the diners. Rainy rolled her eyes, leaning back into her chair. Sarah's manhunt was still in full swing. Her short hair glistened, and her gold hoop earrings swung as she gazed at the crowd. One reason they chose this restaurant as their regular lunch place was because it was known for having successful African-American clientele.

Rachel hugged Rainy, giving her an anxious smile. “You're as dark as wood, girl! You must have been in that sun a long time.”

After they were served and said grace, Rachel searched through her purse. “Do you all mind if I pay for lunch on my credit card and you guys just give me the cash for your meal?”

Sarah glared at Rachel. “Good grief. You're always doing this. Can't you get your finances straight? You only want the money because you don't have any cash until payday.” She ripped a roll apart and buttered it. “Besides, will your credit card even work? Seems like the last time we tried this, your card was declined, and me and Rainy had to pay for your meal.”

Rachel's nut-brown skin reddened as she sipped from her water glass. “You're making a big deal out of nothing. Besides, I called my credit card company yesterday, and they gave me a three-hundred-dollar increase, so I should be set for lunch. I'll stop by the bank this afternoon to get a cash advance to pay you guys back for the last few lunches.”

Sarah gritted her teeth. “Oh, you really need to make some changes in your life! You're never going get out of debt if you keep this up.”

Rainy sighed as Rachel changed the topic. “Let's not talk about this now. How was the trip?”

Sarah's brown eyes widened with anticipation. She abandoned her roll and placed her hands on her hips as she gazed at Rainy. “Why didn't you call us when you stopped at your ports of call like you promised?”

Rainy stopped eating as she vaguely recalled the promise she made when they left her at the Port of Miami, and again on the phone that first night. “Well, I had a lot on my mind the past week.” Her heart fluttered as she talked about the exotic places the cruise ship docked. Her friends listened intently to every word.

Sarah gave her a shrewd look as she polished off her burger and fries. “I know there's something you're not telling us.”

Rachel was silent as she continued to eat her tuna salad. Their waiter returned and the tinkling of water and ice broke the silent moment.

Frowning, Rainy focused on the drops of moisture clinging to her water glass. She wanted to keep the knowledge of her new love interest to herself, for a little while anyway. However, she couldn't hide her happiness from her friends. Besides, since they were the ones who urged her to go on the cruise, they deserved to be the first to know. She took a deep breath and blurted, “I've met someone.”

They stopped eating, staring. Rachel dropped her fork against the plate. “You're kidding.”

Sarah folded her arms and pursed her lips. “Maybe I need to book myself on one of those cruises.”

Rachel's large brown eyes glowed. “So what's he like?”

A hint of a smile touched Sarah's full lips. “What does he look like?”

Rachel placed her hands on her hips. “There's more to a man than the way he looks!”

Sarah chuckled, pushing her empty plate aside. She signaled the waiter to refill her soda. “Yeah, but if he looks good, there ain't nothing wrong with that!” Her gold hoop earrings swung as she laughed.

Rachel sighed and turned toward Rainy. “Is he a Christian?”

Questions continued to pop from one to the other. “Slow down. I can only answer one question at a time.” She paused. “His name is Winston,” she began. She told them about the man who'd made her happy during her voyage to the Caribbean islands. Of course, she didn't tell them everything, but she did stress that he lived in Miami and that he shared her Christian beliefs. “Oh, and did I mention that he's truly gorgeous?”

Rachel glowed as she listened to Rainy's story. “Well, if anybody deserves to meet a good Christian man, it's you. Especially after that stuff you went through with Jordan. You need to praise God that he's out of your life.”

Rainy frowned as she pushed her plate of spaghetti and meatballs away. “I saw Jordan last night.”

Rachel's eyes widened with surprise. “What do you mean you saw him last night? He's in London, right?”

She shook her head as she toyed with the white napkin in her lap. “No, his job assignment overseas is over so he's back in town, and from what I can gather, he's here to stay.” She told them about her encounter with Jordan at church the previous evening.

Rachel gasped. “Winston was with you?”

She nodded. “Yes, he was, and he sure was mad.”

Sarah crossed her legs. “That just shows how much Winston cares about you. So, Jordan really wants the two of you to get back together? What happened to his girlfriend in London?”

She squeezed her eyes shut, recalling the stormy night when Jordan called, delivering his painful message. She finally opened her eyes as Sarah placed her hand on her arm. “Hey, you okay? I didn't mean to bring up bad memories.”

Rainy shook her head. “It's okay. I need to get over Jordan's deception sooner or later.” She lifted her glass and took a drink of cold water. “I asked him about his British girlfriend, but he didn't answer me. I wouldn't be surprised if he got dumped and now he's crawling back to me, his ex-fiancée.” She gazed at the patrons enshrouded in warm sunlight. “I hope he doesn't make a habit of approaching me. Now that he's back in town, I just hope that he leaves me alone.”

She signaled the waiter for the check. It was time to get back to the office.

R
ainy leaned back into her leather chair. She raised and lowered her shoulders several times, relieving the tension settling in her bones. She closed her eyes and tried to relax.

Linda knocked on her office door. “I'm leaving now. Did you need anything?” Rainy glanced at the clock. It was five o'clock, and she knew her assistant wasn't crazy about overtime.

“No, I'm fine.” She waved her away.

A few hours later she glanced at the clock again.
It's seven-thirty.
Weariness consumed her as she slowly stood.

After a hot soak in a bubble bath, perhaps she would feel better. She was starving. She already missed the elaborate meals they served on the cruise. How she wished for one of the thick juicy steaks they served for dinner! She said goodbye to the remaining co-workers
before she exited the building. The bright sun spilled on the crowded sidewalk. She removed her shades from her purse and placed them over her eyes.

As she walked to the adjoining garage, she thought about the baked fish and salad she was having for dinner. She needed to resume her healthy eating habits. She also wanted to call Winston. She hoped he didn't feel slighted when she'd spoken to Jordan the previous night.

“Rainy!” She glanced across the street and stiffened. Jordan walked toward her, wearing a custom-made suit and carrying a leather briefcase.
Was he waiting for me?
She stood in the same spot, frozen. Cars honked as he finished crossing the street. He had not waited for the walk signal.

Drops of moisture clung to his forehead as a tentative smile tipped the corners of his lips. “I've been waiting across that street in this heat for over an hour! You need to learn to leave your job on time and not work too hard.”

Nostalgic memories flooded her mind as she sniffed his familiar aftershave. He touched her arm and she stepped away.

“What do you want?” Her voice was a whisper amid the busy traffic.

A group of sun-bleached, tanned teenagers ran across the street in their beach attire. One of them collided into Jordan. “Yo, sorry, dude!” He hurried to rejoin his friends. Jordan glared at the boy as he brushed granules of sand from his suit.

“Those kids need to stop running around like a pack of animals!” His dark eyes glared with malice.

She watched the group disappear down the street. “You get so upset over the smallest things.”

He cleared his throat. “Who cares about those stupid kids? Besides, I wanted to continue the conversation we started last night. Since your new boyfriend isn't with you, I figured we could talk without interruptions.”

Her glare was met with his continued smile. “Let me take you out to dinner. We can go to Raymond's.” He knew Raymond's was her favorite restaurant. Her stomach growled, announcing her hunger. He chuckled. “I see some things never change. You still have the loudest stomach.” He tousled her hair and attempted a clumsy embrace.

She swallowed as she backed into a nearby building. What should she do? If he wanted to speak with her, he would just keep showing up at inopportune times until she agreed to listen. If she had dinner with him this evening, maybe he would leave her alone. Perhaps she could convince him that attending her church would not be in his best interests since that scheme would fail to win her back.

“Okay, I'll have dinner with you.” He beamed like a child on Christmas morning. “But just this once. We're not making this a habit.” She pressed her hands together so hard, they ached. She silently prayed for guidance in this sticky situation.

Since Raymond's was a few blocks away, they opted to walk. The warm Florida breeze blew over her hot
skin. Tiny beads of perspiration ran down her back as they entered the restaurant. The cool, dim interior provided welcome relief. Jazz music played over the speakers and minutes later the server showed them to their table. “Enjoy your meal.” She gave them plastic-laminated menus.

“Before we order, I think you owe me an explanation. Why do you want to resume our relationship?”

He took her hand and stroked her fingers. She slapped his hand away and threw her menu on the table. “Don't you dare touch me, Jordan! If you keep this behavior up, I'm not having dinner with you.” She tried hard to keep her temper in check as she stood. He frowned as if he'd lost his most prized possession.

“Baby, don't leave. I promise I'll behave myself.” He hung his head in shame as he toyed with a napkin.

She sighed as she sat back down on the cushioned chair. “I just don't understand you. You break our engagement and suddenly you want me to welcome you back with open arms? Why?”

“I want you back because I love you.” He reached toward her but pulled away, as he seemingly recalled her recent outburst.

She gritted her teeth, taking a deep breath. “That's lame. You said you loved me before you went to London, but that didn't stop you from finding someone else. You never did tell me what happened to your London girlfriend anyway.” She folded her arms, wondering if she was a fool to spend time with him. She closed her eyes and again prayed for guidance. Jordan's
reentrance into her life was causing so much pain and bitterness to erupt within her, like a steaming volcano ready to explode. She needed to work on tempering these feelings. Should she witness to him, try to convince him to give Christianity a chance? She didn't think she could utter those words.

His fingers brushed her arm. “Are you okay, baby?”

She opened her eyes and threw her napkin on the table. Her chair grated against the wooden floor as she stood once again. “I don't think dinner is a good idea after all.” She turned and left the restaurant.

 

Winston entered Raymond's restaurant with a few of his co-workers. They insisted on taking him out to dinner for his birthday. He stopped as they were shown to their table. He spotted Rainy with her no-good ex-boy-friend. He watched her slap his arm. He was about to go to her table to see if she needed help, but her anger abated and she returned to her seat.

He sighed as he walked to the table that his co-workers had reserved. He could no longer see Rainy and her dinner partner from the table. He glanced at his menu. His co-workers urged him to order the most expensive entrée. However, he had lost his appetite. Rainy Jackson filled a secret place in his heart, and now he wondered if that place was about to become empty again.

 

Thoughts of her aborted dinner appointment with Jordan still filled Rainy's mind the following day as she sat at a lunch table in the company cafeteria. As she ate
her tuna salad sandwich, she attempted to lull the other managers into conversation, eager to try to forget about Jordan's sudden interest. She told them about her cruise ship vacation, showing pictures she'd recently had developed at the one-hour photo store.

After lunch, she strolled into her office and immediately noticed the fresh scent of lilies swirling through the room. The white elongated leaves tickled her nose as she touched her face to the budding blossoms.

Linda peeked into the office, clutching a small cream-colored envelope. “The card fell out when the delivery man left the flowers.”

Rainy plucked the card from Linda's outstretched hand. She hovered in the doorway. “Is there anything else?”

She brushed her hands over her platinum locks. “Uh, I guess that's it for now.”

After Rainy closed her door, she slit the sealed envelope with a letter opener.
I hope these flowers are from Winston and not Jordan.
She scanned the letter and read the following words:

She sighed, running her fingers over the thick paper. As she settled into her chair, her phone rang. She lifted the receiver. “Rainy Jackson speaking.”

“Rainy Jackson, this is Winston Michaels.” His deep voice sounded stilted and formal. “Did you get my flowers, sweetheart?”

She caressed one of the buds. “Yes, I got them.” She sighed as she continued to stare at the flowers. “Thank you, they're lovely. Why do you want to meet in the park today?”

“I'll explain that when we meet this evening. That is, if we
are
meeting.” His deep voice hardened, and she gripped the phone.

“I have some errands to run tonight but I can meet you. You sound so…so upset. Is something wrong? Frankly, I'm confused. You send me flowers and ask me to meet you, but your tone indicates to me that you're angry.” She paused and chewed on her lower lip. “Besides, you want to meet me right after work. I won't even have time to go home and change.”

“Don't change. I like seeing you in a dress.”

“How do you even know I'm wearing a dress today?”

“I just figured you wore suits and dresses to work all the time. Besides, I've got a nice surprise for you. Just come to the park after work…please?” He sounded like a child begging for the last cookie in the jar.

“Oh, okay. I'll meet you in the park. But which one?”

He told her which park she needed to go to. “And you promise you won't go home and change?”

“I promise.”

After work she took the expressway to the park. She
pulled into the deserted parking lot and turned her engine off. She wiggled her toes in her flat shoes as she stared through her sunroof. Birds flew in the clear blue sky, their twittering song carrying over the summer breeze. Clouds, as white and fluffy as cotton balls, nestled in the heavens. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the light summer breeze. She thought about the exquisite lilies, still sitting on her desk at work.

She finally got out of her car and stretched before she walked through the wooded path into the adjoining picnic section. Squirrels scattered around the trees as they hunted for food. The palm leaves fluttered in the wind as she made her way toward Winston. She'd spotted him right away in the small picnic area. He sat under a large oak tree. A roaring fire burned from the flaming barbeque grill. His hazel eyes softened as he spotted her walking through the trees.

“I'm glad you made it here.” He spread a blanket over the seat of the picnic table. “I don't want you to get that pretty dress dirty.” He gestured toward the blanket.

She sat as she smoothed wrinkles from her navy-blue dress. A nautical pattern decorated the sleeves and the buttons, and it was her favorite.

He cleared his throat as he opened a package of hot dogs. “Our meal is going to be short and simple since I know you've got some things to do tonight.”

She settled on the wooden bench as birds swooped to the ground, eagerly seeking stray crumbs. She watched the corded muscles in his arms as he turned the
hot dogs over the coals. The scent of freshly grilled meat filled the air as he took a paper plate and removed their food.

He set the plate in the middle of the table and opened a cooler and removed two ice-cold sodas. He popped the tops and gave her one of the frosty cans. Drops of moisture clung to her fingers as she lifted the refreshing drink to her lips. He suddenly clamped her wrist in a firm squeeze. “Don't drink that yet.”

She looked into his hazel eyes. Her soda was still raised in her arm, and warmth traveled through her wrist from his touch. “Why not?”

He sighed as he released her wrist and raised his can of soda. “Because. Before you take the first drink, I'd like to propose a toast.” He lifted his can into the air. “To us.”

She raised her soda. “To us.” Her voice was barely audible in the secluded park. She sipped her drink while he fixed her hot dog, just as she liked it. “You know I'm dying to know why you suddenly wanted to go on this picnic. Why did you send me those lilies?”

He placed her hot dog on a plate and poured potato chips from a cellophane bag alongside it. He placed her meal in front of her. “You don't like the flowers?”

She nibbled on a chip. “I love the flowers. But I sense you have a reason for suddenly doing all of this.” She gestured toward the simple impromptu meal.

The wooden bench creaked as he sat beside her. He pulled her hand into his and kissed each of her fingertips. “I know we've only known each other for about a
week and a half, but I can honestly say that it's been one of the happiest times of my life.” He cleared his throat as he continued to caress her hand. “But, you've got to be straight with me. I need to know where I stand.”

Her stomach felt as if it was full of fluttering butterflies. She sighed as she gazed into his gorgeous hazel eyes. “What do you mean?”

His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. “My co-workers took me out to dinner last night. I saw you at Raymond's restaurant with Jordan.” She cringed as she looked away. “I know you were pretty upset on the cruise about your breakup with your boyfriend. Now I know he's back in the picture. Are you thinking about giving your relationship with him another chance? If that's the case, then I need to know right now. Do you still have feelings for Jordan? What's going on?”

She pushed her plate aside as her appetite diminished. “I didn't have a date planned with Jordan last night.” She explained how he'd cornered her after she left her job.

He rubbed her back and warm currents of pleasure flowed through her. “Is this dude stalking you? Maybe you should call the police. Or I can talk to him and make sure he stops bothering you.”

She sighed as he continued to massage her back. “I went to dinner with Jordan willingly. He didn't force me to go with him. If you'd watched us long enough, you would have seen that I got upset and left the restaurant before we even ordered dinner.”

“That's a relief. Is he going to leave you alone now?”

She huffed. “I doubt it. He's very competitive. Plus, I wonder if the Lord is placing him in my path for a reason. Maybe if Jordan attends my church enough, just to pursue me, some of the messages from the sermons might make him accept Christ.”