“We were a lot of things to one another,Jeanne Murdoch.Want to go for a walk?”Sam’s face relaxed and hiseyes softened making him look like that handsome actor…what’s hisname?Oh, yes.Sam Elliott.
* * *
The Fairmont Hotel had her registered and putthe call through.His cell phone rang at the same time.Sandy knewwho it was before he answered.He hung up the Fairmont call andanswered his cell.
“Sweetheart!Is that you?”
“Yes, it’s me, Sandy.Look, I am sosorry.”
“…Don’t be sorry about anything.I’m justhappy to have found out where you are.”He let out a staggeredbreath.
“Jeanne didn’t blow my cover?I thought forsure she would.”
“No, Sam flew in today and I cornered themboth to squeeze the information out.I figured together they couldgive me what I needed.”He laughed.Damn, it was wonderful just tohear her beautiful voice again, the panacea he needed to soothe histroubled heart.
“Dad is there?How is he?”
“We talked everything out, Lily, and heapologized a few times.Right now, he’s taking my mom for a walk.”He looked around his office, the familiarity comforting him.
“Really?Interesting.”
He paused and listened to her breathing.Itwas nirvana to him.“Are you all right?”
“Sandy, you might not want to hear this, butI’ve been having a pretty fair time in one of my favorite cities.Icalled my friend Page and she forced me to talk out this wholebusiness.I couldn’t do anything at all for several days.But thenwe started going shopping and eating out.We went to the Wharf forlunch and I bought the prettiest dress at Bloomingdale’s.You’regoing to love it!”Her babbling relaxed him even more.
“I would love to see it.How about tomorrow?I want to fly up to get you.Would that be all right with you,sweetheart?I love seeing the guys ogle you in airports,” heteased.
“Come get me, Sandy.I want to see you morethan I realized.I do love you so.”He could tell she was smiling,even on the phone.
He paused and his voice became a whisper.“Invain have I struggled.It will not do.My feelings will not berepressed.You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire andlove you.”
Lily couldn’t speak for a few seconds.
“Hello?Lily, are you there?”
“Is that fromPride and Prejudice?I’moverwhelmed!That was so beautiful, Sandy!Did you read that book?Was it for me?”
“Cover to cover.I watchedSouthPacifictoo.”Sandy grinned.
Little sniffling sounds came over thewire.
“Oh no, that’s not the effect I was hopingfrom you.”
She sniffed and said haltingly, “That…is themost wonderful…sniff…and intimate thing anyone has ever said to me.Cowboys are special, aren’t they?”
“… I’ve always thought so.”
“I also have a nice welcoming gift for you.Igot a suite here, you know.”
They talked another half hour about theranch, Jesse, school, Sam, Jeanne and everything else.Finally shesaid, “I have to go, Sandy.I wish you were here.I miss being withyou.”
“Tomorrow, sweetheart.I’ll be at your hotelabout noon.I want to stay for another day, would that be allright?Let’s see your town, your way.Pretend I’m a visiting sailorin port for the day.”
“Aye, aye, skipper.I love you.See youtomorrow.”
“I love you, sweet Lily Cable.Tomorrow.”
They clicked off their phones and both satthere looking off into space.
