They had covered pasts that were difficult to overcome, for both of them. Some of that had to be talked about and put away if they were going to accept each other as friends. But once that was dispensed with, their picnics became an easy three hours, filled with storytelling and laughter and ending with an affectionate peck on the cheek. The kind casual friends gave each other. When he told her about the day he dropped his pants and took off his prosthetic limb to make a point for Rick, left hopping one-legged in the street, she laughed so hard she had tears running down her cheeks, and people in the park were staring.
Dan was no longer unsure of how he felt about her. Cheryl was no longer suspicious of Dan’s motives.
He draped an arm along the back of the park bench while he talked to her. “So, Rick started working for Paul Haggerty, and Haggerty told me to keep him with me, to train him, keep an eye on him, make sure he didn’t take on too much. Boy, if Rick knew Paul was looking out for him that way, it might piss him off. He’s a lot better, but he’s still got that edge of pride, you know?”
“How’s he doing on the job?” Cheryl asked.
“It’s only been a few days and he’s holding up pretty good. If he didn’t have a new prosthesis, I’d have him hauling trash. But I’m teaching him drywall and texturing. I figure anyone can paint.”
“Anyone but me,” she laughed. “There must be a trick to it. I tried to paint my bedroom where I’m staying. It looks like I went after the walls with a scouring pad and dirty white paint.”
“Really? How’d you like me to fix that up for you?” he asked.
“No, thanks. But I wouldn’t mind if you told me the secret.”
“No secret, kiddo. Good brushes, good paint on a clean wall and a primer if the wall isn’t going to hold the paint—like if you stripped off wallpaper and there was some backing left. People run into trouble when they buy the cheap stuff or don’t prime a wall that needs it. I can show you how to use masking tape and caulk to make a straight line.” He ran a knuckle along her cheek. “Why don’t we fix it up together. I’ll give you some tips so you never need me for painting again.”
“You’re trying to tempt me into letting you get closer into my life,” she said with a laugh. “Tempting me with paint.”
He grinned at her. “No. I’m looking for an invitation to your bedroom.”
“There are five women living in that house. If you’re ever in that bedroom, it’ll be for painting.”
“Would you be embarrassed?” he asked her, lifting his eyebrows.
“You might be attacked. Only one of the five has had a man in her life in the last millennium. And it wasn’t me.”
“Cheryl, I don’t want to scare you, but I think maybe you have a man in your life now. You just haven’t had sex. That I know of,” he added with a shrug.
She laughed at him. “What have I done, getting mixed up with you?”
“Come on, it’s been nice. Admit it,” he said, leaning toward her and brushing his lips against hers. “Nice. Come on.”
“Nice,” she said. “But you know I don’t want to get into anything complicated.”
“Oh, Jesus, Cheryl, I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to mislead you. I didn’t have anything complicated in mind…” Then he smiled.
“You’ve used that line on me before.” She put a hand against his cheek, then she grew briefly serious. “We’re pretty screwed-up people, you and me. We have some heavy past issues. What if we get together, then go back to being those screwed-up miserable people and take each other down into the hole?”
He thought about this for a moment, looking deeply into her eyes. “Honey, I’ve been there, down in that hole. I’m not going back that way. You can’t make me. And I, for God’s sake, have no interest in ruining you. How about that?”
“What are you looking for?” she asked him.
“Today? I’m thinking a real kiss, arms around each other, pressed close, wet and sloppy and longer than half a second. And then, I think I’ll call you Wednesday night after work, just to see how your day was.”
“I have an AA meeting Wednesday night….”
“You could tell me what time is good to call. I’m very flexible.”
“And then?”
“One of these days I’d like to take you out to a nice dinner. Nothing scary or fancy, just nice. Quiet, good food, a place to talk while we eat where there’s no risk of bird shit. I don’t expect you to miss a meeting, I could pick you up afterward. Get you home early enough to get some rest before the early shift at the diner.”
“I have a couple of days off a week,” she said. “I could hit an early meeting and we could actually have dinner at dinnertime.” Then she smiled.
“You’re not fighting me on the idea,” he observed.
“So far you haven’t suggested anything that I ought to beware of.”
“Honey, I have no interest in scaring you.” He rubbed that knuckle along the smooth skin of her jaw. “You’re pretty and smart and being with you is good. If it’s good for you, too, we’ll keep going. The second it stops being what you want, all you have to do is say so.”
She shook her head and smiled. “If I’d run into someone like you years ago—Aw, forget it, that had nothing to do with it.”
“What?” he asked.
“It’s just this trap alcoholics sometimes get tempted by. Like if my life had been better, I wouldn’t have been a drunk. The truth is, my life wasn’t better because I’m an alcoholic. It had to do with addiction, not luck or intelligence or the right man.”
He grinned at her. “I sensed a suggestion that you might almost think I’m the right man.”
She patted his cheek. “You seem to be working out so far.”
“I’m going to put in appliances in a couple of weeks. That old place of yours is starting to shape up nice. Any interest in seeing it?”
She looked down. “I’m sorry, Dan. I know you’ve worked hard and spent good money. I don’t mean to downplay that. It’s just that house, you know? I hate who I was when I was there. Just stepping in the door, even when it’s all fixed up, takes me back. I hate it. I don’t care if I ever see it again. And I’m so sorry because that must hurt your feelings.”
“Nah,” he said, pressing her hand against his cheek again. “Not a problem. In fact, why don’t I just finish the job fast as it can get done and you can put it up for sale, get it out of your life. I’ll tell you what—I’ll snap a few pictures for you. That way you can get an idea what I’ve done and not have to walk through the door.”
“But if I sell it, where will you live?”
He shrugged. “I’ll find something.” Then he smiled. “Maybe something a little closer to you, if you don’t think that’s too pushy.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know why you’re doing this…”
“Aw, honey, you’re one of the most special women I’ve known. I’m real sorry you lived so many years without knowing that, but if that’s what it took to get you to this place in your life, good for you. I’m proud of you. Plus, I’m just plain attracted to you. Sorry, it’s the God’s truth, but don’t get worried. I can deal with the fact that you turn me on.” He grinned. Then he became serious. “Cheryl, you’re sweet. Good to the bone, kind-hearted, strong, beautiful, so easy to talk to…” Tears started to run down her cheeks. “Baby, don’t do that,” he said, wiping away a tear with his thumb. “I’m sorry, I’m pushing on you—I didn’t mean to.”
She shook her head and sniffed. “No one’s ever talked to me like that before. No one’s ever said those things about me before.” She sniffed again. “I think that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.” Then she got a scowl on her tear-stained face. “Dan Brady, if you’re playing me to get in my pants, I’m going to shoot you dead.”
He burst into laughter and pulled her against him. “Okay, Cheryl. If it turns out I’m one of those no-account losers just looking to get laid, you go ahead and kill me. But if you’re smart, you’ll wait till I get that god-awful bathroom remodeled. Jesus, that’s going to be a nightmare.”
She snuggled in his embrace. “Don’t make me shoot you dead,” she whispered.
“Okay, darlin’,” he whispered. “How about a phone call on Wednesday night and you see if you can wrangle a night for dinner. That work for you?”
“Hmm. That’s gonna work.”
“Come a little closer. Press up against me here, right on this bench. Kiss me like a girlfriend, I want to see if I should go to the trouble of calling Wednesday night.” She scooted closer. He threaded his fingers into her soft hair, cradling the back of her head in his palm. He pulled her mouth against his and let his eyes lower as he moved over her mouth slowly, deliberately, deliciously. Their heads tilted for a better fit; their lips parted and they both moaned softly. They didn’t hurry. When the kiss broke, he smiled very sweetly. “Might not call Wednesday,” he said. “Might have to call Tuesday. And Thursday. Unless I’m crazy, you’re ready for that.”
“That’s about all I’m ready for….”
“Good,” he said with a grin. “I like the job of talking you into things.”
“Just out of curiosity, do you make love with the fake leg?”
“No, baby,” he said. “I make love with lips, fingers, words and essential body parts. It’s been a really long time, but I think once I get in the stream of things, I’ll remember how it’s done.” He gave her forehead a kiss. “You worried about it?”
She shook her head. “You’re going to give me plenty of time, right?”
He smiled and brushed her hair over her ear. “I’m going to give you anything you need.”
She returned as she had left, wearing jeans, boots, a light suede jacket even though it was almost July, and the cowboy hat. She was followed down the stairs by the uniformed cabin steward who handed her a small carry-on bag. But unlike at her departure, she now had more luggage and a very large suitcase had to be retrieved from the baggage compartment. She shook the steward’s hand and pulled her bag behind her on its own wheels.
Walt had told her exactly where he’d be waiting. He pushed his hat back on his head, crossed one long leg over another, his thumbs hooked into the front pockets of his jeans, and waited for her to come through the small building that served as passenger check-in, dispatch, offices. He enjoyed the sight as she walked toward him, admiring her long, slim legs. She stopped a few feet away from him and smiled. “How are you?” he asked.
“Just about done,” she said, smiling.
“Just about?”
“I’ll have to travel some when it’s out, do some promo. And there will be events—Cannes, the Oscars, Golden Globes, that sort of thing.” She grinned. “I’ll have to get manicures and pedicures and special gowns. And you’ll have to let me dress you up for that stuff.”
“Aw, I don’t know…”
“You really wouldn’t argue about this, would you? I want you with me for things like that. I want you right beside me, and we’re leaving the pitchfork at home.”
“That would be kind of coming out to the world, wouldn’t it?”
“It would,” she affirmed.
“Spoil your chances of getting it on with your personal trainer, you know.”
“My personal trainer is named Helga, and most of the time I hate her!” He laughed at her, tilting his head back. “At least you don’t have to fly to Montana every couple of weeks. You should be thankful.”
“I might miss Montana,” he said. “Good things happened with us in Montana. Full weekends of good things.”
It was her turn to laugh. “I can make sure you don’t miss Montana too much.”
He grew serious. “I’m so damn glad you’re back. I can see you every day.”
She stepped toward him, leaving her suitcase behind. She put her hands on his shoulders and he put his on her waist.
“I need to fatten you up a little,” he teased. “You’ve lost weight.”
“Weight I could stand to lose, too. Just being with you seems to plump me up.”
“Are you worn out, honey?” he asked.
“I’m tired,” she admitted. “I’m so looking forward to lying in your arms tonight for a good long sleep. Do we have obligations?”
He shook his head. “I told Vanni you were coming home this afternoon and that I would be indisposed for at least twenty-four hours. We’ll catch up with all of them on the weekend.”
He pulled her closer and swept the hat off her head, pressing his lips to her forehead. Just as he did that, there was a
click-whir click-whir click.
They both turned their heads toward the sound, startled. “Are you kidding me?” he said.
“Jesus, that makes no sense,” she said, spying a photographer with a powerful camera sneaking up on them from behind a parked car. “Me? Why would anyone want a shot of me?”
“Maybe it’s who you’re spending time with that’s the news,” Walt said with a shrug. He pulled her closer against him. “Let’s make sure there isn’t any doubt about that.” And he swept over her mouth with powerful intentions and, just as he had secretly hoped, the clicking went on and on and on. When he let the kiss run its course, he pulled back just a little and laughed. “That ought to do it.”
“That was very unlike you,” she said. “You don’t normally like that sort of thing.”
“Muriel, honey, I’m dead in love with you and it suits me just fine for the whole world to know it.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “So, you’ll let me dress you up for the production events?”
“I might.”
“I’m dead in love with you, too, darling. And so damn glad to be home. Where I hope to stay for a good long time. And, you’re going to wear whatever I say.”
“I will,” he said. “It’s my aim to make you happy.”
She patted his cheek and smiled. “We’re going to do just fine, you and I. Let’s get out of here and be alone a while. I need some peace and quiet.”
“In Virgin River?” he said with a hearty laugh. “Girl, this little town can fill up with more drama than your movie set.”