8. Misunderstandings
Their lunch meeting drug on. It took forever for Bob to tell her about the program. Even though the food had been delicious, she’d picked at it and moved it around on her plate. She listened to Bob with one ear, her mind focused on what she wanted to say to Pat when they saw each other again.
Finally, to get away from Bob, she’d agreed to come and see the program. Then she’d gracefully deflected a dinner invitation from him.
Hoisting her bags from the floor, she made her way back to the casita. With every footfall, her anger at Pat grew. Opening the gate, she spied the recorder on the chair. A note next to it.
I know you’re busy with Bob, but had tried this out last night. Notify me if you wish to proceed or decline, so I can plan accordingly.
So we’re back to formal talk, are we?
She crumpled the note into a ball before sticking the recorder in one of her bags. Inside the casita, she set the bags on a chair. She paced up and down the short length of the room. Well, two could play that game. She lifted her chest and thrust her shoulders back.
Enough.
She grabbed the crumpled paper and marched across the garden. After mounting the steps to the veranda, she spied Pat sitting in a chair reading a book. He looked up at her presence but said nothing.
Claire shook the paper at him. “What’s the meaning of this …I’m not ‘busy’ with Bob. He just happened to see me in the restaurant—”
“And just happened to place his hand on yours.”
“Are you kidding me?” She advanced toward him, her body shaking.
“You seemed pretty chummy for someone you just met the other night one time.”
Claire felt the flush on her cheeks and neck. “Not as chummy as you did with that woman you were kissing!”
He bolted up from his chair. “You don’t understand.”
“Oh, I think I do. You’re accusing me of something, who knows what, with Bob? When you’re the one who’s actually doing something with whoever that was.”
Her breath came hard and heavy as the pent-up emotion went through her. Tears formed, and she fought back against breaking down in front of him.
He took a step toward her. His voice was soft. “Claire—”
“Don’t Claire me.” She couldn’t help it as the tears broke through. She turned away from him, and whispered, “I’ve been such a fool.”
He came up behind her, heat radiating from him. He placed a hand on her upper arm. “Please. Can you let me explain?”
“Give me a minute.” She pulled away from him. Claire took deep breaths, swiping her hands up and down on her thighs to release the energy. Her dress wrinkled, and she stopped before she ended up tearing it.
The warmth of his body came back as he handed her a tissue over her shoulder. She wiped her eyes, taking another deep breath. She faced him, “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s come over me.”
“I want to tell you the truth if you’ll listen.”
She sniffed. “Okay.”
He motioned to the sofa and instead of taking the chair, he sat next to her, their knees touching. It sent a tingle up her leg, but Claire ignored it. “Go ahead.”
“I was married. Two years ago, my wife passed away. I needed some time to grieve and some space from everything. Everywhere I looked, everywhere I went, was a constant reminder of our life. Where we went to dinner…you get the picture. I came here for a break. I liked the laid-back vibe. I came another time and considered moving here. I found out about this place being listed for sale through my friend’s realtor, Angela. I figured I’d buy it and if I didn’t like it, I could rent it out.”
He stopped for a moment and took hold of Claire’s hand. “I’ve only lived here a few months when I overheard about someone needing a place to rent. Winter’s the hardest time to get a rental because of so many snowbirds. But I’d had the casita repainted so figured it’d be a good test. Then I could decide if I wanted to do it on a more permanent basis.”
He paused while Claire waited for him to continue. “Then you showed up.”
He rose and paced back and forth. “I never expected this. It’s shook me. The woman you saw. Yes, I’d been dating her, but we were more friends than anything.”
“It didn’t look like friends to me.”
His gaze met hers. “It was a goodbye kiss. I told her that … well, I’d fallen in love.”
Claire gasped. “In love.”
“Yes. The moment I saw you. It was like the warmth of sunlight after the gray days of winter.”
“Apricity.”
He roared. “Who doesn’t love a woman with a great vocabulary?”
Claire replied, “Though not unexpected with an English professor. You see, we both love the written and spoken word. Yes, that’s exactly the way I felt.”
He hurried to her side. His warm, firm hands massaged hers in his.
He continued, “Claire, I loved my wife. I never thought I could feel like this. Even with her. I can’t help but want to care for you and protect you. Maybe my fall was a subconscious desire for you not to leave. I don’t want to live without you.” He kissed her hands.
More tears sprang to her eyes. “I don’t know what to say. Except the only thing I can. I love you too.”
Their lips met, and the kiss was sweet with a hint of promise. Drawing back, he smiled at her before running his fingers through her hair. “I love your hairstyle. You look lovely.”
In all the earlier angst, she’d forgotten about her new ‘do. “You think it looks lovely?”
“No. You look lovely. You’re a beautiful woman, Claire.”
“I’m an old woman.”
“And I’m an old man. What’s that got to do with the heart and what it wants?”
She shrugged as more tears came to her eyes. “I don’t know what to think. It’s all…it’s overwhelming to even think about.”
He gathered her to his chest with his one good arm. “We don’t need to think about anything. Let’s just savor this moment. I suggest we do that by going up on the Mirador and watching the sunset over the lake. We can take some wine—”
“Some bread, cheese, olives, and…”
“Yes. That sounds wonderful.” He kissed her hair.
“Pat—”
“Yes, my darling?”
“Thank you.”
“For?”
“For loving me. For protecting me. For giving me options. I figured I’d go quietly into a life of boring retirement.”
“Thank you.”
She looked up at him. “For what?”
“For rescuing me from the darkness that had covered my soul.”
“So, when you said ‘one’, you meant your wife?”
“No. I meant another woman. Long ago.”
As they sat on the Mirador, enjoying their picnic, they heard voices below. Steve and Gwen. Claire went to the top of the steps, yelling down at them. “Come join us on the Mirador.”
As the couple arrived, Steve followed Pat downstairs to grab another bottle of wine, more glasses, and snacks.
Gwen sat on a chair across from Claire. “I love your new hairstyle. It suits you.”
“Thanks. Pat and I bargained with one another. He’s going to get his hair cut tomorrow, and I promised I’d do the same.”
“Well, it looks nice. Oh, I wanted to let you know I talked to some of the other ladies. They’d like to start a book club down here. You in?”
“Possibly.”
“Did I hear right that you’re staying longer to help Pat with his book?”
“Yes. I feel bad since he took the brunt of that fall to save me. I believe I owe him that.”
Gwen winked, “Is that all?”
“A lady never tells.” Claire grinned.
“I thought so. You’re practically like a glow stick. Him too. I saw it the first time I met you all. Clear as the nose on your face.”
“Really?” Claire replied.
“Really. You two were made for each other. Now, I wish those two would hurry up.”
Steve called up the stairs, “Did someone say time for wine?”
“We did!” They called out.
The rest of the night was spent in wonderful conversation. Learning, laughter, and the simple enjoyment that comes with finding kindred spirit friends. Before they knew it, the time showed it was one in the morning. Steve gathered Gwen to his side, and the group made their way down the stairs carrying plates and glasses.
Gwen sat the dishes on the counter. “This was fun. Next time, you really must come to our place. We were driving by and took the chance you all were up for some company. We enjoyed our time the other night.”
“Yes, it was nice. Glad you decided to pop in,” Claire replied.
“Don’t forget about the book club. We’re going to have our first meeting at my house next week. Then we’ll pick our book.”
“Sounds good. I’ll be there. If you can text me your address, date, and time, I’ll stick it on my calendar so I don’t forget.”
“Great. Steve, you ready?”
Steve pulled away from his conversation with Pat. Gwen linked her arm in his. “What were you two guys talking about?”
“You know. Guy stuff.”
Claire laughed. “Ah, okay, that settles it then.”
They walked Steve and Gwen to the gate before Pat shut it and Claire locked it. They faced each other, not saying a word yet saying so much. He took her hand. “Is it okay if I walk you to your door?”
“I suppose.” The short walk took a lot longer than necessary, neither of them making any attempt to hurry their process. At the door, she faced Pat. “Good night then.”
“Good night then.” He kissed her forehead, then her nose, and ended with his lips finding hers. His voice was husky as he reluctantly pulled away from her.
Claire’s heartbeat raced as she knew his beat in rhythm with her own.
Desire has no expiration date.
Clearing her throat, she said, “I’ll listen to your recording and type up the first draft. Then we can see how it goes from there.”
“Good, good.” He stepped away from her. “Until tomorrow, then.”
“Tomorrow.” Claire opened her door and waved at him before reluctantly shutting it. Leaning against it, she allowed time to collect her thoughts.
“Well, looks like rotten teeth can lead to excellent prospects.” Chuckling, she made her way to bed, where she dreamed of a winter wonderland with a warm sun shining on her.
Yet, something niggled in her mind, just out of reach.