The other man’s voice filled the cab over the Bluetooth. “Hey, Aiken, all good here. Wanted to tell you that a guy by the last name of Wagner is going to call you. Runs an orchard up near Harrisburg. He’s expanding and wants to drive more traffic to his store.”
“Thanks, appreciate the business.”
“No problem. We love the site. Been telling everyone in my farmer’s group about it. But that’s not all I called about. Been thinking about Jeannie a lot since you were here. Wondering where she went. If she’s okay. Hope she didn’t find more trouble.”
“Thanks, Bruce. My mom was definitely some sort of trouble finder, but I don’t know much more. I’ve been meaning to ask my dad, but I haven’t found a good time to bring it up. Too upsetting and all that. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Same here. Was getting my oil changed the other day, and Roscoe mentioned your grandparents. He’s still got their car in his heap. He’s gonna scrap it.”
“Well, that’s probably all it’s good for. Listen, Bruce, I’m heading on a quick trip with my lady. When I get back, I’ll come by, and we’ll chat.”
“Why didn’t you say? Goodbye.”
The phone clicked off before Aiken could say goodbye.
“You can call your dad back if you want.”
“I don’t,” Aiken said, matter-of-fact.
He turned up the music—something country, twangy blanketed the cabin, and I stashed my bare feet on the dash.
We drove all the way to New York like that, making one stop so both Smitty and I could go steal a potty break.
As soon as we checked into the hotel, Aiken’s feverish excitement rubbed off on me. We hit Central Park, Smitty leashed and raring to go. The sun was high in the sky, but a few clouds and a million skyscrapers lent us shade.
“Look at that.” Aiken pointed toward a young guy down on one knee near a cluster of rocks, obviously proposing to the young woman dressed in all black and standing tall in front of him. Her long hair blew in the wind, her smile visible from where we stood at a distance.
“Cute, if you’re into forever love and all that jazz.” I leaned into Aiken’s shoulder, not daring to make eye contact. At one point, I’d believed inall that jazz.
“I kind of am.” He pinched my side. “With you and all that...jazz…”
“Don’t even finish that thought. I’m not even going to say what I’m thinking, because you already know.”
“Ooooh, is someone being sensitive again?” He poked my side, eliciting a yelp and a laugh.
“Not really. Sort of, but it’s an issue. I was married before, and it didn’t exactly go as planned. And I’m older. And…David lost interest.”
“David wasn’t the right guy. Plus, you’re the fancy-pants psychology professor. Don’t you know age is only a number? A chronological thing, not a barometer for how we should live our lives…once we’re an adult…feel me? Maybe I’m an old fogy at heart?”
I brushed my lips along his cheek, not bothered by the coarseness of his scruff.
“You kind of are an old fogy.” I jumped on his back. “Can you even give me a piggyback ride?” Smitty barked and stared at me. He’d never seen me act so frivolous or impulsive.
“You have to say giddy up.” Aiken started prancing.
“Oh, come on.” I slid down his back, and he whipped me around the front of him, my legs staying wrapped around his waist.
“Give me that mouth.” He gathered me close with the hand not holding the leash and melded our lips together.
His tongue snuck in for a brief sneak attack, before he nipped at my lower lip. With our foreheads touching, he held me tight, Smitty at his side. “You know what? I’m the lucky one, because I got the whole hot love thing and the forever deal wrapped up in one mighty fine package.”
I closed my eyes and tried to digest his words.
“Don’t think so hard about it, Richards. I more than like you, and you more than like me. End of conversation.”
We were diverted when a group of street performers set up near us, boom box blasting some funky dance music as they did tumbles and flips. I welcomed the distraction, still taking in Aiken’s sentiment.
We spent a few minutes watching, before dropping a few bills into their hat and making our way toward the reservoir.
