DASHED DREAMS (21 page)

While RJ was fixing his drink, Jillian retrieved up her overnight bag from the laundry room and went into a guest bedroom.

Finding her in the guest bedroom, he asked, “Hey, don’t you want to sleep in the master bedroom?”

“This’ll be just fine, RJ. You
know
how I feel.”

“What about if we sleep together?…draw a line in the bed and neither one of us will cross the border.”

“Now, you’re making fun of me.”

“No, babe, I’m completely serious. I want to sleep with you, and I mean sleep. I want to feel you breathing next to me. I want to wake up with you.”

Jillian thought for a second, looked at RJ and picked up her bag. He took it out of her hand, and they walked to the master bedroom.

The next couple of days passed quickly. The couple spent their time sitting on the dock watching the lake and talking. They took a sunset gondola ride up to the top of Heavenly. At Neighbors Books and Music RJ signed several of his latest CD. The morning they were at Neighbors, they had breakfast at the Red Hut Waffle Shop, a favorite spot with the locals.

One day, RJ and Jillie decided to have lunch down at The Cantina on Emerald Bay Highway. They entered through the double-door entrance. The entire cantina was of heavy polished shellac knotty pine wood throughout. The hostess recognizing RJ, seated the couple in a small room off the main dining area.

Since they were the only patrons in the area, RJ relaxed. He had said once that he was always on guard without his buffer, Gary. The star-struck waitress took their drink orders of two margaritas on the rocks. She soon returned carrying two of largest margaritas Jillian had ever seen.

“Jillie, look at the size of these! I know I’ll only want two or three of these babies.”

“RJ, you can’t be serious. If I had two, you’d have to carry me right out of here. There must be at least a quarter of a bottle of tequila in each one of these.”

“Here’s to us!” RJ toasted Jillie. They clinked glasses.

The drink was strong with tequila, Jillie puckered her lips, thinking: I won’t be able to finish even one of these. RJ’s reaction was exactly the opposite: This drink sure hits the spot I can just sit here and enjoy quite a few.

Jillie stared intently at RJ with a relaxed look on his face. There hadn’t been few times that she’d seen him like this.

As the couple finished their lunch, a few other patrons were seated in the dining room; since RJ had his back to the door, no one recognized him. Jillie said, “It’s getting kind’a crowded in here. Do you want to leave?”

“Almost ready, gotta the check.”

As, they stood, getting ready to leave; a patron approached their table.

“Surprise, Dr. James. How nice to see you.” The curly red-headed female patron was talking to Jillie but looking at RJ.

Jillian said, “Dixie, it’s nice to see you. Are you enjoying your lunch?”

“Yeah, we come here quite often.” She extended her hand to RJ and said, “I’m Dixie Johnson and I work with Dr. James at the hospital. We were in the audience the other night. You gave a wonderful performance. Could I have a couple of autographs?” She held out a couple of pieces of paper and a pen.

“How nice to meet you. It’s nice to meet someone who works with Jillie. I’m glad you enjoyed the show,” RJ said as he reached for the pen and papers. He quickly signed,
God Bless. Robert John Montgomery,
and handed them back to her.

“Thank you.”

Jillian said, “Who are your lunch mates?”

“My Aunt and Uncle Jerry and Marge Rock visiting here from Pensacola, Florida and that’s Tom Hamilton. Tom and I have been dating for several months. Dr. James, have you met him? I think he comes into your office.”

“He must see Dr. Morrison,” Jillian quickly said trying to deter her from asking her boyfriend to their table.

She thanked them again and walked away. Jillian watched Dixie sit down with Tom and her relatives, as she passed around the autographed papers.

RJ said, “Are you ready to leave, before someone else decides they want a autograph or something else?”

Jillie nodded, picked up her purse, and they started out of the dining room.

Dixie stopped them as they passed by. “Robert, I’d like you to meet my boyfriend, Tom Hamilton, and my Aunt Marge and Uncle Jerry Rock.”

Tom stood and shook hands with RJ. Jillian looked at Dixie, then at Tom; they fit together. He wore a Western shirt with white pearl buttons, blue jeans, and cowboy boots. She also had on a Western shirt and boots. He was nearly six inches taller than her and probably 8 or 9 years older. She smiled at Tom as he talked to RJ.

Jillian thought: It’s refreshing, as most women throw themselves at the superstar, whether or not with their significant other.

As they were returning home from lunch, Jillian said, “You have two more days before you have to be back in LA, right?”

RJ nodded yes.

“Could we this afternoon, go back to my house? I really want you to see my world.”

“Done.”

“Thank you, RJ.”

They were to arrive in Yerington at about five o’clock. RJ was complaining about being hungry. Jillian remarked that it seemed like to her all they did while up at the lake was eat. She silently thought:…and drink.”

Jillian said, “Hey, tonight’s Monday, buffet night at Dini’s. They always put on a great buffet, the locals’ favorite. They have great fried chicken. Let’s go there before going home. Could I call Em and Lynda?”

“Sure, why not? Let’s make it a party. As long as I can get something to eat and drink,” RJ said in a cantankerous tone.

Jillian called Em and found out that she and Lynda were already planning on going over and that they’d get the table. Jillian told her that they were just coming through Wilson Canyon and would be there in about 15 minutes.

Emma and Lynda were sitting at the long table in the back of the non-smoking area, when RJ and Jillian arrived. Jillian was hoping it’d be a light night for the buffet, so there wouldn’t be much attention paid to her companion.

The girls got up and hugged RJ, and he sat down with his back facing the open room. Jillian questioned the large table with five place settings.

“Well, Jack’s stayed these past few days,” Lynda said. “He’s been going up to Tucker’s during the day and back here at night. Speak of the devil.”

“So, I’m the devil now,” Jack Morgan said leaning over to kiss Lynda. He shook hands with RJ and sat down beside Lynda. “So, how’s everyone this grand evening? I understand you and Jillian spent a few days up at the lake? How’d you like your new home? Did the designer work out?”

Jillian said, “It turned out beautiful. The house is absolutely magnificent.” RJ seemed perturbed as Jillian answered for him.

Few took notice of the diners sitting at the long table; a couple of people noticed him, but said nothing. Several people spoke to Emma, Lynda, or Jillian, with people were greeting each other and conversing around the dessert table. When Ron and Laverne passed the table, Laverne said, “Hey, Lynda how are you doing?”

Lynda said. “Hey, why don’t you join us here at our table? We have a couple of extra places.”

“Sure, thanks, we’d love to join your party,” Laverne said as she and Ron moved over to the table. Introductions were made, and the group began individual conversations, men to men and women to women. The conversation ranged from the entertainment business to RJ’s newly decorated home.

During dinner, Ron got up from the table, was gone for a few minutes, returning with beers for RJ, Jack, Gary, and himself. They thanked him and told him that they owed him the next round.

The waitress checked if everything was okay and if they needed anything.

“Everything’s hunky-dory,” RJ replied.

When dinner was finished, RJ motioned for Lisa and asked her for the check.

“It’s all been taken care of,” she said. “The gentleman to your right took care of it a few minutes ago.” She motioned to Jack Morgan.

The group thanked Jack. He tipped his hand to his forehead and said, “You’re welcome.”

The time RJ was in Yerington was peaceful. He and Jillian spent much of their days close to home and the evenings with Lynda and Jack or just by themselves. All too soon it was time to say goodbye. RJ was needed back in LA for the completion of his latest CD and then was going to see his parents in Iowa for a few days.

One morning, RJ said he’d really like a good chicken fried steak and eggs breakfast. Jillian said the best in town would be Casino West. They called Jack and Lynda to see if they wanted to join them. When the waitress seated the foursome, she was confused and nervous with the fact she was serving a superstar. After breakfast RJ commented that the chicken fried steak was the best he’d had in a long time. When he asked for the bill, the manager, Gretchen Redwine, came out and told the group that their breakfast was compliments of Casino West.

On Thursday morning, they decided to have breakfast at Dini’s before it was time for RJ to leave. Sandy seated the foursome in the last booth in the non-smoking area. Lorena came over to take their drink order and Vicki came over to take their food order. She stopped, did a double take when she realized that she’d be serving Robert John Montgomery.

“Good morning. How’s everyone doing today?”

“Just fine, Vicki, thanks.” Jillian replied, “I’d like to introduce Robert John Montgomery.”

“Nice to meet you. My mother hasn’t stopped talking about you. What’re you going to have this morning?”

“Well, to start the day off right, how about a couple of beers?”

“Mr. Montgomery, I’ll have to run to the bar but I’ll get them right away.”

The group placed their breakfast orders and Vicki said that she would return with the coffeepot. She looked over at Jillian and winked, as if giving her approval. Vicki mentioned to Jillian that she was starting her vacation in a couple of days. When Jillian asked if she was going anywhere special, Vicki said she was heading down to California. Lynda told Vicki to have a great time and she’d see her when she returned. Vicki said, “Cool.”

When breakfast was finished and goodbye’s were said. Jillian and RJ went over to the Yerington airport. RJ’s plane had already arrived. His pilot was over in the fixed based operator’s office, Yerington Aero, sipping coffee and talking to Malcolm Redwine, while placing his call to the Reno flight service for the automated weather for the return trip to Burbank. RJ placed his bag alongside the flip-down steps and turned to Jillian.

“Well, kid, it’s been fun! You have no idea how much this time has meant to me.” He took her hand. “I’m going to miss you. I don’t know if I want to be without you.”

“RJ, you know we have our own lives, responsibilities, and now it’s back to reality.”

“Always, the serious one, my sweet Jillie.” He put his arms around her and squeezed her tightly, tilted her head up and kissed her. When the kiss ended, they continued to hold each other. Jillian pressed her face into his shoulder, and took a long slow smell, intoxicated as usual with his cologne. After saying goodbye, RJ and the pilot got in the plane and the door was closed. Jillian stood watching, as they taxied out and took off.

Over the next several of weeks Jillian and RJ spoke every night. They discussed their day’s activities and what was in store for the next. One evening RJ said, “I’m going to my parents’ for a few days. Jillie, come with me.”

“I don’t know.”

“Can you take the time off?”

“Our new doctor’s arrived, and the office isn’t as crazy now. I’d have to give it some thought.”

“You have until tomorrow night. I’m getting ready to leave the day after tomorrow. Please.”

“I’ll let you know,” Jillian said as she yawned in his ear. “I’m fading fast, so I’m going to say goodnight. You’re in my prayers. Love you.”

“And you’re in my dreams. Goodnight, my sweet love.”

Chapter 25

Arriving by private jet, seeing the farmland from the air was amazing, squares all looking as if they were laid out to form a quilt pattern. Once on the ground and driving, the Iowa countryside was just as Jillian had imagined: lush fields of crops, dairy cattle grazing on tall grass, and acres and acres of cornfields. She was glad that RJ was driving, as she was nervous about meeting his parents, wringing her hands, twiddling her thumbs.

“Honey, you’re going to make yourself sick. Don’t tell me you’re nervous.”

“RJ, yes, I am. Am I dressed okay?” Jillian had taken care not to dress up but didn’t want to appear sloppy. She’d chosen jeans and a chenille sweater.

“Jillie, they’re going to fall in love with you, just as I did. My parents are just simple Iowa farm folks… nothing fancy, just country folk.”

As they turned onto a gravel road, RJ slowed the car as they crested the first hill. Jillian was thoroughly enjoying the scenery and had almost forgotten how nervous she was. Old wooden fences lined the road. Trees on both sides of the road formed a canopy, reminiscent of the tree-lined drive she’d seen on the island of Kauai. As they approached a crossroads, RJ said, “On both sides of the road is where our property starts. We have about 800 acres, depending on the time of the year, as we lease some out for share cropping.” He slowed and motioned to two houses up a small lane, “That’s where great-grandfather built the first house. My brother Josh lives up there. And my sister Lucille and her family lives in the other house. ” They climbed another hill and RJ slowed the car and made a left turn into a driveway. The sign on the fence read,
Montgomery Dairy-Grade A.
He stopped, jumped out of the car, and came around to open Jillian’s door. Near the drive was a two-story white farmhouse. On one side stood a giant elm tree with a well-used rope swing hanging from one of its limbs. Across from the house on the other side of the drive was a white barn with a large swimming pool and corral. Down from the barn stood a tall silo, with silage hanging from the small opening near the top. Jillian took a deep breath and smelled farm smells: a combination of cows, silage, pollen, and newly baled hay. The sound of a door slamming brought Jillian’s attention back to the car.