Knight Vision (15 page)

“I don’t know,” Annie replied.  “I just need to see him.”

“Are we still going to Vegas?” Leah asked.  “For our last hoorah?”

“Can I invite Jeff?” Annie asked, before thinking.

“Sure.  In fact, my father is home right now.  Maybe, I can get him to fly us there instead of having to drive.  When do you want to go?  I say the weekend is out; too late to get rooms.  How about Wednesday and Thursday night?” Leah offered.

“Sounds good.  I will call you,” Annie said, walking to the door.

***

When Annie arrived at her house, she did not get out of her car.  She turned off the motor and just sat there, and that is where Jeff found her when he arrived.  Coming to her driver door, he opened her door and wrapped his arms around her pulling her into his embrace.  “Annie,” he said softly.

“Jeff, I was so frightened,” she whispered into his neck. 

“Don’t be,” he assured her.  “I feel wonderful.  You feel wonderful,” he said, lifting her out of the car.  “Toss those demons aside.  I am here.”

“I will try,” she answered meekly.

“What time do your parents come home?” he asked softly. 

“Around five-ish,” she said, pulling back from him.

“Plenty of time,” he purred, reaching into her car for her keys and purse.  Annie knew what he had in mind.  It was written on his face as he guided her to the front door.  “I never thanked you properly for the roses,” he said, opening her front door.

They did not stop between the front door and her bed.  Entering her room, Jeff closed the door and dropped her purse on the floor.  “Let get you out of those nylons,” he said softly, dropping to his knees. 

“Oh, Jeff,” she laughed softly as he moved to her.

***

Contentment filled her as she stretched out next to him on her bed.  She was the one now who would need to wash her bedding to be able to sleep tonight, she thought as she giggled slightly and curled up beside him.  “Penny for your thoughts,” he said, rubbing the upper part of her arm with his fingers.

“Washing.”

“What?  Your body?  A shower would be fun,” he responded. 

“No, the bedding,” she said, looking into his eyes.

“Oh.  What about a shower?” he raised his eyebrows. 

Annie looked at the clock.  Seeing the numbers roll over to 5:00, she shook her head.  “Not enough time; it is five now,” she replied.  “We need to get dressed.”

“Too bad; it could have been fun,” he said sadly, pouting.

“You look pathetic,” she moaned as she rolled away from him.  “Get up, get dressed,” she ordered as she moved to get off the bed.

“No, you don’t,” he said, pulling her back to him.  “I need reassurance that this will happen again.”

“I am pretty sure that it will.  Why ask?”

“I am not referring to the sex.  That is a sure thing.  I mean in a nice soft bed,” he amended, bouncing on the bed. 

“Maybe sooner than you think,” she began.  “You know the question you asked in my poem?  That was silly; of course you know.  I might have an answer for you.”

Jeff released her and propped himself on his left elbow and looked down at her.  “You do?” he questioned, moving the hair from her forehead.

“I have an idea,” she began.  Hearing the garage door open, she yelped.  “Move, Jeff.  My parents are home.”  They both jumped out of the bed and gathered Jeff’s clothes.  “To the bathroom across the hall,” she ordered, pushing him out the door. 

She grabbed her sweats out of the drawer and covered herself, not taking time to put on underclothes.  Pushing her work clothes under her bed with her foot, she pulled the comforter up on her bed.  Stepping into her clogs, she rushed out the door and plopped down on the sofa in the family room and turned on the TV set.  Winded, she composed herself.  Running her hand through her hair, she knew her lips were full and she looked flushed.  “Maintain,” she whispered to herself, looking for something to hold in front of her face.  Spotting a magazine on the table next to the phone, she reached for it and noted that the answering machine showed a message.  She pushed the play button and heard Leah’s voice.  “Dad is in.  Let me know if Jeff is?  Call me.”
God
, Annie thought as she pressed the delete button. 
Glad I caught that before the parents heard it
.  Picking up the magazine, she opened it just as her parents walked into the house.  “Hi,” she said, lowering the magazine just below her eyes. 

“Hi,” her mother responded.  “You and Jeff staying for dinner?”

“No.  He is in the bathroom.  We are going out.  Do you want us to bring you anything?” Annie asked.

“No.  We are good.  Have a good time,” her mother said as Jeff walked into the room.  “Hello, Jeff.  Nice to see you again.”

“Hello, Mrs. Downs and Dr. Downs.  Annie, are you ready?” he asked.

“Let me grab my purse and I will meet you outside,” she managed to say, getting to her feet.   Annie ran to her room to grab her purse as Jeff headed to the front door.  She stood, eyeing her room for a second to make sure that there were no signs of their activity.  Seeing nothing visible, she jogged back to the family room.  Rounding the corner, she yelled,  “I won’t be late.”

Her mother’s comment went unheard as she shut the door and ran into Jeff’s arm.  “Please, let’s not cut it that close again.  I don’t think my heart can take it.”

Laughing, he responded, “Then, please stop being so damn cute.”

“Sorry, can’t help it,” she said, kissing him.  “Where to?”

“Let’s go to the park,” he suggested. 

“Sounds good.”

Opening the driver’s door, Annie slid into the car and planted herself in the middle.  As Jeff entered and started the car, he asked,  “What is this plan of yours?”

“Ah.  What are your days off?” Annie asked as they pulled away for the house.

“Any, really.  The dealership is commission-based.  I can work one or seven days a week.  Why?” he asked.

“How about hopping on a plane with me to Vegas?” she asked.

“What?”  He looked at her, confused, as he parked the car.

“Leah’s father is a pilot, and has his own plane.  He has agreed to take us to Vegas this week.  Want to come?” she asked.

“When?”

“How about tomorrow night and back on Friday?” she offered.

“That is awful fast.”

“I know, but we just planned it this afternoon when I was at Leah’s house,” she stated.

“What about Leah?” he asked.  “Won’t she be upset that I am coming along?”

“No.  She has her own agenda when she visits Vegas.  She already knows I was going to ask you,” she responded.  “We only have to pay for the room.  Are you interested?” Annie asked, batting her eyes at him.

“Meow,” he replied.  “How can I resist you?  Alright, I am in.”

“Yippee,” she screamed, leaning in to kiss him.  “Turn this baby around and head to Leah’s; we have to book a room.  And, to answer your question, tomorrow night.”

As Jeff followed her directions, she thought about how she would get her parents’ permission.  They had to agree. 

***

Chapter Nineteen

As Leah and she sat in the passenger seats of the Cessna, Annie kept her eyes glued on the back of Jeff’s head.  He was sitting in the co-pilot’s seat, chatting with Mr. Painter. 
Wow
, she thought,
this is really happening
.  Thinking back, she was still in a state of shock at pulling this trip off so quickly.  Smiling to herself, she felt warm all over. 
There is a God
, she thought.

Seeing her smile, Leah reached over and touched her hand.  “You are happy, aren’t you?” she asked.

“Oh, yeah.  I have never been happier,” she replied, touching the back of Leah’s hand.

“He brings out the best in you,” Leah said.  “You glow.”

“It is strange that you would use that word.  Jeff used it to describe me when he first saw me.  He said I glowed for him.  You know, Leah, I firmly believe he is the one for me.  There is not a doubt in my mind.  I truly love him,” Annie confessed.

“It is very obvious from both of you,” Leah told her.  “I have been through your last relationships with you and I have never seen you this way or a guy so taken with you.  Annie, this is really quick.  Aren’t you afraid?”

“No, I am not afraid.  As for it being quick, you are correct.  However, I feel like I have known him forever.  We have already gotten to the point of finishing each other’s sentence.  Leah, he is my other half, my soul mate.  We are destined to be together.  I feel whole with him.  It is not lust, even though the sex is great.  I do know the difference; Jess taught me that.  This is IT.  I would step in front of him and take a bullet; his life means that much to me.  I hurt when he hurts; I laugh when he laughs.  I have never felt this way before and God forbid if we are not meant to be together.   I seriously doubt I will ever feel it again.

“That is some really heavy stuff,” Leah said thoughtfully.  “It is not like you, Annie.”

“I know.“

“You cannot love him as much as you loved Scott.  You guys were together for years,” Leah said, eyeing her friend closely. 

“Mmm, Scott.  Scott was my first love; you never forget your first love.  He will always be in my heart.  But, to answer your question, I do.  Scott possessed me; I do not feel possessed with Jeff.  I feel complete with him.  When we are not together, I feel empty,” Annie said truthfully.  “Maybe that will change when or if the glow wears off, but I doubt it.  We fit together too well.  Please try to understand.”

“I envy you, Annie.  You are not talking emotionally.  You sound like you are stating the facts,” Leah said.

“Because that is what it is to me, facts.”

“Good for you, Annie,” Leah said, sitting back against the seat as they prepared to land in Las Vegas.

***

In the taxi on the way to the Circus Circus, Jeff held Annie’s hand.  “Where is your father staying?” he asked Leah. 

“He is meeting up with his Air Force buddies,” Leah replied.  “Your father is amazing,” Jeff said.  “Smart guy.”

“He has his moments,” Leah said, laughing.  “Show interest in his toys and you are a friend for life.”

“I have never ridden in a small plane before.  I might have to give serious thought to taking up flying,” Jeff offered.

“When are we supposed to be here at the airport for the return flight?” Annie asked.

“Friday, around noon,” Leah said.

As the cab pulled into the hotel’s entrance, Annie announced, “Okay, guys.  We are here.” Let’s check in, put our bags in the room and see if Ron is working tonight.”

Once settled into the room, the threesome linked arms and wandered around the maze of blackjack tables, scanning for Ron.  Leah’s cry of delight told Annie that all was well for her friend for the evening.  Spotting Ron, Annie saw his eyes light up as he eyed Leah.  “Party on, girl,” Annie said, seeing Leah move into the first-base position at Ron’s table. 

“Hi and bye, Ron,” Annie called in greeting.  “Leah, find us on your next break.  We won’t wander far.”

“Okay,” Leah called back.

“What do you want to do?” Annie asked Jeff as they walked away. 

“Hold you.”

“Later,” she said.  “For now?”

“I told you.”

“How about some food?  Hungry?”

“Not for food.”

“Okay.  I will not argue,” she said, reversing course. 

“Leah, you good?” she asked as she got close to the table. 

“Yes, very,” Ron replied for Leah.

“Cute, Ron.  Meet Jeff,” Annie said, seeing Leah blush.

As the two exchanged greetings, Annie looked at Leah.  “We are going to the room,” she said. 

Leah looked at Ron.  “She’s good with that,” Ron said.

“Right,” Annie said, laughing.  “Dinner or breakfast?”

“Breakfast,” Ron answered.

“Okie dokie, then,” Annie laughed.

“Have fun, you two,” Ron called as they walked away.

“We will,” Jeff called back.

***

At the elevator, Jeff turned to Annie.  “Could you get us something to eat? We will be in for the night and we will need nourishment.   I need a few minutes alone in the room before you come up,” Jeff said softly.

Oh, Jeff.  Please don’t foul the room. Use the facilities down here
, Annie thought, but held her words.  “Sure,” she said, smiling.  “Any preference?”

“No, just give me about fifteen minutes, then come up,” he responded, giving her a quick kiss.

“Okay,” she said, turning and heading back to the casino floor. 

Annie scanned the perimeter of the casino and noticed that the take-to-your-room fast-food places were crowded.  None of the options pleased her.  “I have to find something,” she said aloud.  Rescanning the options, she noticed the gift shop and moved to it.  “They have snacks,” she mumbled.