Chapter 8 #2
“Don’t be. It was God’s plan for us. Just like it was his plan for her to teach and love her students like she did.
” His eyes met mine. “I also believe it was in his plan for me to meet you. I can’t tell you how many long, awful nights were made a little better just by seeing that sweet smile of yours.
You’ve always been so kind and thoughtful, and it’s meant a lot to me. ”
“Your friendship has meant a lot to me too. More than you might think.” I’d told him bits and pieces about my past, but I’d never really gone into anything specific.
I didn’t see the point in dwelling on it now.
Instead, I simply said, “I never really felt like I had any friends or even a real family until I came here.”
“Then, I guess it was in God’s plan for you to end up here with us.
” Before I could respond, Ford reached in the front pocket of his overalls and pulled out a white envelope.
As he handed it over to me, he said, “I want you to take this and continue following that plan. Take those college courses you didn’t finish and get your degree. ”
“What?” I opened the envelope and gasped when I saw that it was filled with cash. “Oh, Ford. This is too much. I can’t accept this.”
“You most certainly can. It’s a gift, and I want you to have it.”
“But this is money you could use for yourself. You could take a trip or fix your kitchen floor like you’ve been talking about.”
“Got no place I want to go, and my floors are fine.” He placed his hand on mine and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Like I said, never had kids of my own. It would mean a lot to me if you’d let me do this for you.”
“Are you really sure about this?”
“Wouldn’t have given it to you if I wasn’t.”
“Thank you, Ford. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.”
“You’re very welcome.” He eased back his hand as he smiled and said, “I’ll expect an invitation to your graduation.”
“You can count on it.”
I got up and went over and hugged him, thanking him once more.
As much as I hated to leave him sitting alone, I didn’t have a choice.
I had to get back to my other customers.
The rest of the night was a bit of a blur.
I filled one order after the next and was relieved when everyone started to say their goodbyes and leave.
Once our last customer paid his tab and left, Gladys and I stared out at the mess they’d left behind and sighed with exhaustion.
Gladys shook her head as she muttered, “Good heavens. What a night!”
“Did you have fun?”
“Lord, yes. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had such a great time.
” Her lips curled into a pained smile as she said, “Probably have the headache of all headaches tomorrow after all those shots, but it was worth it.” She started tossing empty bottles into the trashcan as she said, “Still having a hard time believing this is the last time I’ll be here cleaning up the place. ”
“You still feel good about your decision to close?”
“Yeah, I think it was the right thing to do, but that doesn’t mean I won’t miss the place.” She sat down on one of the stools as she glanced around the room. “I got a lot of good memories here, but it’s time to move on.”
“It’s going to be hard not seeing you every day.”
“Well, I’ll be expecting to see a lot of you, missy,” she replied playfully. “You best be planning to visit.”
“You know I will.” I reached over and gave her a hug as I told her, “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, Gladys. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
“You would’ve made it just fine.” She patted me on the shoulder. “You’re a smart girl with a good head on your shoulders. No one can tear you down unless you let them. Remember that whenever the tough times roll around.”
“I will.”
We were just about to start cleaning up when Rafe and Country finally returned from the clubhouse. As they made their way over to us, Country looked around the bar and grumbled, “What a fucking mess.”
“No more than usual.” Gladys continued tossing empty bottles as she said, “Shouldn’t take long to get her cleaned up.”
“Are you kidding me?” Country argued. “This shit is gonna take hours.”
It was clear from his tone that he wasn’t in the mood to deal with helping us close.
To be honest, I understood how he felt. It was after midnight, and even though it was still relatively early, I was exhausted.
I’d hoped Gladys would feel the same, but Gladys being Gladys, countered back with, “Well, it has to be done.”
“Yeah, but it doesn’t have to be done right this second. Let’s just come back in the morning or something.”
“He’s right.” Rafe stepped forward as he continued, “We’ve all had a long night. Let’s just call it, and we’ll get a few prospects over here to take care of the mess.”
“That sounds like a hell of an idea.”
“I don’t know. Doesn’t seem right to leave things like this.”
“It’ll be fine.” We could all see Gladys wasn’t sure it was the best idea, but Country wasn’t going to take no for an answer. “Come on, Gran. Go grab your stuff and I’ll help you upstairs.”
“But I need to lock up.”
“I’ll take care of it,” I assured her. “You head on home and get some rest.”
Thankfully, Gladys was tired and grabbed her things without any fuss. As they started up to her apartment, Country called out to Rafe, “I’ll see you back over at the clubhouse.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I get Marlowe home.”
Once they were gone, I glanced over at Rafe and couldn’t help but notice his furrowed brow and the distant look in his eye. It was obvious something was weighing on him, but I had no idea what it was. Curious, I inched over to him and asked, “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. Just a lot on my mind.”
“I’m here if you want to talk about it.”
“Thanks for the offer, but not something I can discuss.” He leaned over and kissed me on the temple. “Let’s get this place closed up, so we can get you home.”
I didn’t argue. Instead, I gave him a quick nod and then started locking everything up.
Once I was done, Rafe followed me out to the parking lot.
After I got in my car, I looked back at the bar one last time, and I found myself thinking about how much my life had changed over the past year.
I won’t deny that leaving the only home I’d ever known was one of the most terrifying things I’d ever done.
But when I thought about Gladys, Rafe, and all the other people I’d grown to care so much about, I knew, without a doubt, I’d made the right decision.
I glanced back in my rearview mirror, and just as I expected, I found Rafe waiting there behind me.
He followed me back over to my apartment, and as soon as we were parked, he walked me up to the front door.
Even though I knew he had a lot on his mind, I was eager to tell him about my conversation with Ford and the money he’d given me.
Hoping he’d have a minute to talk, I asked, “You want to come inside for a while?”
“Wish I could, but I’m gonna have to pass tonight.” He leaned down and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. “I gotta get going.”
“Okay.” I’d like to say this was the first time he’d left me at my door with just a simple peck on the lips, but it wasn’t.
This entire week he’d been different, withdrawn and oddly distracted, and I had no idea why.
I could only assume it had something to do with me.
Maybe he wasn’t as interested as I’d hoped.
Trying to play off my disappointment, I gave him a slight shrug and said, “Well, I guess I’ll see ya later. ”
“Yeah.”
He raked his teeth across his bottom lip as he stood there staring at me with an odd expression.
For a brief moment, I thought he was going to say something more, but then he shook his head with a huff and turned to leave.
He’d only taken a few steps when he stopped dead in his tracks and muttered, “Damn.”
He quickly turned around and charged back over to me. Like a man possessed, he snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me against his chest. I could feel the heat of his breath caress my neck as he whispered, “I don’t want to go.”
“Then, don’t.”
His mouth landed on mine, and a needful moan vibrated through my chest as his tongue slid against my bottom lip.
Answering the only way I could, I met his mouth in a deep, searing kiss.
I’d known from the start Rafe was a man who knew how to handle himself.
He moved with confidence, his hands strong and possessive, and that kiss ...
it was everything I was hoping for and more.
I was getting lost in the moment when he stepped back, breaking our embrace.
He brushed his calloused thumb deliciously across my bottom lip as he rasped, “You got no idea how much I’ve missed your mouth. ”
Without giving me a chance to tell him I felt the same, Rafe’s hand moved to the nape of my neck, tangling in my hair as he pulled me close once again.
His mouth landed on mine, hard and demanding, and my knees almost buckled beneath me.
His hands begin to roam, exploring my curves in a way that had me clenching my thighs together.
Damn. I’ve never been so turned on in my entire life.
It was hard to believe that at my age I was just now experiencing such a feeling.
I didn’t have much experience with men, but something told me there was only one man who could make me feel like this.
His voice was ragged and full of need as he growled, “Soon, Marlowe. Very soon.”
I was still in a desire-filled haze when Rafe turned and headed back out to his bike.
I didn’t even have a chance to try and stop him before his engine roared to life, and he was gone.
It terrified me how much I wanted him. I had no doubt I’d end up with a broken heart, but just for the chance to be loved by him, I was willing to take the risk.