Being Emma (7 page)

When she walked in the door, she looked
around and recognized everyone there. At first, though, no one
recognized her. She saw Mike sitting at a table by the back. He
waved at her and she walked through the restaurant to join him.
Finally, the bartender blinked…

“Janie? Wow… Didn’t recognize you.” He gave
her a low whistle.

“Thanks, Jake. I think…” She laughed. Others
around the room then starting waving at her and saying hello.

Mike pulled out her chair for her when she
sat down. He looked around.

“What gives? How can people not know you
here? It’s such a small town and you’re a deputy, for Pete’s
sake…”

She laughed. “It’s the hair.”

“What about it? Your hair looks pretty. I
like it down.”

“Well, since you just met me today — You
don’t know that I never wear my hair down.”

“Never?” She shook her head.

“Why tonight?” Janie thought about that for a
minute.

“I think I’m ready for some changes in my
life. Hair is an easy place to start.” He gave her a long look.

“I don’t know what you mean, but that was
quite a provocative statement. I think it calls for drinks. What’ll
you have, Deputy?”

He was cute.

“Something I don’t have very often: a
martini, two olives.” He smiled.

“Yes, ma’am. Coming right up.”

As he
went to get the drinks at the bar, Janie was glad of the relatively
dim lighting in the place. She could see just fine, but lower
lighting just felt more romantic.
Why did she think of that?
Was she ready for
romance?
…And why Mike
Church… Whoever he was… Definitely overthinking this.

When he came back to the table, they talked
easily about his life and her life for some time. It was actually
fun learning about someone new. He asked good questions about
herself and seemed interested in who she was… in what she did.

Mike, she learned, was a bit of nomad. His
business was based out of Reno, but he could be working anywhere in
the world where someone needed a well drilled. And he had worked
all over the world. He had wonderful stories about working in
France and Germany… Quirky stories about working in Saudia Arabia…
Sad stories about drilling in a few African countries… The poverty
there and in India bothered him a great deal.

She had refused a second drink, and they were
halfway through dinner, when in walked Craig Ferguson. Her back was
to the door and she didn’t see him come in. Mike was telling a
funny story and she was laughing at it. He was a good storyteller.
Craig sat down at the bar and started talking to Jake, the
bartender, who automatically gave him a beer. Jake was a good
friend of his. Leaning against the counter, he asked how Scotland
was.

“Grand, my good man…” Craig laughed.
“Especially if you like haggis, bagpipes and kilts.” He took a pull
of his beer.

“Come on, Craig. There’s more to Scotland
than that.”

“Yep. You’re right. Those are stereotypic
examples, but they still exist. When I visit my grandparents, we
still wear kilts to major functions. The Ferguson plaid is
prominent and not to be confused with the Campbells or MacDonalds.”
Again, Craig smiled.

“Pulling my leg still, Ferguson?” Jake
laughed. Just then Mike Church walked up to the bar.

“I’d like two cokes, please.” Turning to
Craig, he asked, “Were you speaking of Scotland?”

“Yes, I just returned from a visit.”

“Beautiful country.”

“… Been there?” Mike smiled.

“Several times. I’ve drilled a few wells
there.” Craig nodded.

Jake handed Mike the cokes and he slipped a
few bills on the bar. “Keep the change.”

“Thanks. I guess I won’t be calling a cab for
you tonight.” Mike laughed.

“Nope. My date can’t have more than one
drink, so that’s good enough for me. Nice talking to you,” he said
to Craig.

“Same here.” He walked away.

Craig wondered aloud to Jake. “What woman in
this town can’t have another drink?” Jake stared at him.

“… Janie.” Craig choked on his beer and set
it down. He turned around to watch Mike place a glass in front of
her. Janie saw Craig at the same time. His mouth dropped and she
smiled at him. He looked back at Jake.

“I thought you knew…” he mumbled and got busy
cleaning the counter.

Craig stood up and walked over to their
table. She looked beautiful – He noticed the makeup and clothes…
the earrings… Not typical Janie… but really gorgeous.

“Hi.” He looked at the way she was wearing
her hair. He hadn’t seen her wear it down in a very long time. Why
was she wearing it like this tonight?

“
Hi
yourself. Just back from Scotland?” He continued staring at her.
Craig was aching to touch her beautiful hair. Yet she had never
worn it down for him. But then why would she? …
Who was this guy?

“… Um… Craig… Have you met Mike Church? He’s
drilling a water well on our property.”

Craig finally got his bearings, turned to
Mike to shake his hand.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Pleasure.”

“Would you like to join us?” Nope, he
couldn’t do that. He’d just stare at her the whole night and
embarrass himself. He shook his head.

“That would be great, but I’ve got to get
home. Lots to do before hitting the accounts tomorrow.”

He just stood there for a minute, gazing at
her. His universe had tilted off its axis and he couldn’t catch his
breath.

“
Craig?”
What was the matter with him?
He was looking at her like he’d never seen her
before.

“Sorry… sorry…” He shook his head. “I’m
pretty tired. Mike, I guess I’ll see you sometime at the ranch.
Bye, Janie.” And he ran for it… Craig walked out of the bar as fast
as his legs could get him there. Reaching the outside sidewalk, he
felt light-headed and bent over to put his hands on his knees. He
drank in the fresh air. Straightening up, he walked to his car.
Janie ran up behind him.

“Craig? What’s the matter? Are you all
right?” She was all concern for him. He turned to look at her. She
was so lovely, standing there in the moonlight. Why had it taken a
new hairstyle and another guy to kick him in the gut? He knew now,
as well as he knew anything that he was in love with her. And now
she was with someone else.

“Speak to me, please…” Janie was getting
upset.

“I’m fine, really. Don’t be concerned. I… ah…
I’m just tired. It’s a long flight.”

“Did you just get back today?”

“Yes, I went over to the ranch, but no one
was home. I thought you were staying there for a few days.”

“You came to see me?”

“Look, I need to get home and you’re keeping
your date waiting. You’d better get back.” He looked into her
lovely eyes and sincerely wished he were the one who was waiting
for her.

“Okay… right. You’re sure you’re all right?
You don’t look so hot…”

“I’m fine.” He unlocked his car and got in.
“See you soon.” And he drove off.

Janie
blinked her eyes to get the mist out of them. It was his first day
back and she had obviously upset him… Probably by being with Mike…
Maybe…
But
why would that upset him?
Never having had a serious relationship with a man before,
she wasn’t sure what the rules were, if there were any. And she
thought she might be ready for some kind of relationship. But not
the kind she’d always had with Craig. He was just her good friend
and he wanted it to stay that way. Didn’t he? Wasn’t that what he
wanted? This was confusing… She shook her head as she walked back
to the restaurant. Mike was waiting for her at the door.

“What was that about?” he asked her.

“I’m not sure. He’s a family friend and I’ve
never seen him act that way before. I think he must be jet-lagged.”
Mike didn’t think so, but didn’t respond. He and Janie had just
met, but she was too pretty not to have some guy lurking in the
background…

Janie and Mike went back into the restaurant
and finished their dinner. He made her laugh and she enjoyed being
with him. When he walked her to the car, he asked to see her again
and she said yes. Why not? He gave her a chaste kiss on the lips
and she didn’t pull back. So he moved in and kissed her deeply,
putting some real feeling into it. They could have continued like
that for some time, but she drew back. Janie wanted to see his
face. When Mike looked at her, he was sweet, but she didn’t see the
Carter face. And that told her what she needed to know… She’d just
have fun with Mike and that was okay…

CHAPTER EIGHT

Janie’s grandparents, Jeanne and Sam, had a
ranch in the Sonoma, California area. Sam trained horses for local
ranchers and operated a small winery. He loved experimenting with
new wines.

Jeanne had gotten a call from her friend,
Millie, with some rather startling news. Millie owned the candy
store downtown where Lily had worked when she first came to Naples.
Millie and her husband had gone to Naples Bar and Restaurant last
night for dinner.

“So you saw her with some man you don’t even
know?” Jeanne was pretty confused. “How could Janie go out with
somebody no one knows? Where did she meet this guy?”

“I’m telling you, Jeanne, it surprised the
heck out of us too. He seemed like a nice guy – they didn’t drink
very much and she laughed a lot with him. He must be funny at
least.”

“What did he look like?” Sam came in from the
corrals and Jeanne waved him into the kitchen.

“Well… sandy-colored hair, I believe, a
little long. It curled around his ears.”

“Tall? Short? Thin? Fat?”

“He just seemed medium height and weight to
me, Jeanne. Nothing extraordinary.”

“
Huh…
Anything else?” Sam gave her a
What’s Up
look. She shrugged her shoulders.

“About him? Nothing.”

“You’re not giving me much to go on here,
Millie.”

“Sorry, Jeanne. You’re so much better at
details than I am.” Then Millie thought for a minute. “There is
another thing…”

“Out with it…” Jeanne was getting
impatient.

“Janie’s hair was different.”

“Different? Different how?”

“She was wearing it down. You know, down on
her shoulders.”

“No ponytail?”

“No ponytail.” Jeanne blinked.

“Wow. That’s major for Janie. She’s changed
her hairstyle. I knew something was up, but I thought it would be
about Craig.” She sat down in a kitchen chair and Sam handed her a
glass of iced tea. She took a sip.

“Oh, yeah… Craig was there.” Jeanne blew the
iced tea out all over the table. Sam looked at her like she had
lost her mind.

“Millie, cut the suspense and tell me.”

“Well, the basic facts are that Janie was
there with some guy, Craig walked in, had a drink at the bar, saw
her and went over to her table.”

“Yes?”

“… That’s about it.”

“Did he join them… run out of the bar…
collapse… anything?”

“He talked to them for a bit, not long I
think, and then left.”

“Huh…”

“Ah… One more thing…”

“You’re killing me, Millie.”

“Janie went after him. Then this guy went
after her. They eventually came back in, but we left before I saw
anything else. That’s it, Jeanne.”

“Thanks, Millie, for the report. I need to go
get my heart started now.”

Millie laughed. “See ya, Jeanne.”

“Bye.” She hung up the phone and looked at
Sam. Usually, he’d hang back and pretend not to be too interested
in the family gossip, but this news he wanted to hear. Janie was
the strong, silent type that he really admired. She was solid and
never gave anyone too much trouble… Except for people who didn’t
abide by the law, of course.

“Let’s have it, honey. What’s up?”

Jeanne’s mind was processing this
information. It was almost unbelievable.

“Okay… Here’s what I know. Janie went to
dinner last night with some man Millie didn’t know. That means he’s
not from around Naples.”

“So she finally went out on a date. What’s
wrong with that?”

“Nothing… I knew she was about to do
something… Anyway, another fact was that she was wearing her hair
down.” It took Sam a minute for that one to register.

“
Janie
without her ponytail? Whoa… that
is
big…”

“Ready for more?”

“Not sure. That last one was mind-blowing.”
He smiled.

“Craig’s back from Scotland and was there at
the restaurant too. Millie said he saw her, talked with her and
then left.”

“Okay, so he saw her. So what?” Sam was
confused.

“This isn’t fact, but I bet he was upset that
she was there with someone else.”

“Someone else… meaning not him?” She gave him
a stern look.

“Sam Cable, do you mean to stand there and
tell me you didn’t know that Craig was in love with Janie?” Sam was
completely taken by surprise.

“When did that happen?”

“I’m sure it happened a long time ago.
They’ve known each other since they were kids, and I bet he loved
her even then. How she feels about him is the unknown element here.
For him too probably.”

“Okay, I’m beginning to follow. Then it would
upset him that she was out with another man. I get it…”

Jeanne looked at Sam and sighed. “You know,
honey… We’ve been through every trial and tribulation that Sandy
and Lily’s kids have ever had. It’s exhausting…”

Sam laughed. “But there’s a silver lining
here.”

“What?”

“Janie’s the youngest…”

“Thank God…” And they smiled at each
other.

* * *

Craig had difficulty concentrating at work
the next day. His 9:00 appointment was late, so he fidgeted until
they arrived. He had to work straight through lunch, so he ordered
a sandwich and didn’t think the delivery guy was ever going to get
there. He fidgeted some more. Working on the Johnson Family Trust
finances for Sandy and Bill, his mind was preoccupied all day with
the Johnsons. His computer program with all the accounts went down
for some unknown reason. Silently giving thanks that he had backed
everything up, he waited for the IT guy to arrive to find out what
was wrong. In the meantime, he tried working up some figures with a
ledger and a pencil. Craig broke two pencils before giving up and
calling his secretary.