The Last Bachelor (10 page)

Joe grinned. “Laundry won't take that long, Ginger. You've got all day.” He couldn't imagine what she would do for the rest of the day. “I'll be working on some plans for a government project the mayor's supposedly opening up. Maybe there's something you can help Mom with.”

“Maybe I can do all the cooking.”

“I don't think Mom will give that up. But we'll see what we can find for you to do.”

Vivian came into the kitchen at that moment. “Sorry to interrupt, but Ed needs another cup of coffee.”

“Please, Vivian, is there something for me to do? I'll do the dishes, but after that, I don't know—”

“Oh, I'm so glad you asked. I'm making some baby blankets for Kitty—Rodney's wife, you know. I could certainly use some help.”

“Oh, I would love to help you. I've sewn quite a bit.”

Joe gave his mother a thumbs-up. He was pleased that Ginger would have something to occupy her time while he worked on his ideas for houses.

“Finish your breakfast and go away, Joe,” Vivian said, tongue-in-cheek. “Ginger and I have things to do.”

As easy as that, Ginger was taken care of. Suddenly, she had no time for Joe. And she seemed happy about it. As he went away, he tried to hide his disgruntled attitude.

 

Justin called that night.

“I'm thinking Ginger didn't go to class tonight, right? I had some men watching, but no one showed up.”

“Do you think we're overreacting?” Joe didn't think so, since they'd already tried twice to get her.

“No. Just as I suspected, those two goons got out. Kept their mouths shut while they were here. It may take a little time for them to set something else up, but I suspect they'll keep trying.”

“Me, too. I'm keeping her hidden here for now. If necessary, I can take her away somewhere for a belated honeymoon or something.”

Justin chuckled. “No rest for the weary, huh?”

“Right.” Justin had no idea how hard that would be for Joe, since he couldn't touch her. He had last night, however. He'd held her in his arms all night long. Now he shrugged away even the thought of a belated honeymoon. “I won't do that unless it's necessary.”

“Well, keep your eyes open. You never know who will turn up.”

“Will do. Thanks for helping out, Justin.”

“No problem. Call me if you get suspicious.”

After Joe hung up the phone, he stared into space. Ginger had already gone upstairs for her bath. Joe had planned on staying downstairs until after Ginger was in bed, hopefully asleep, before he entered the room. That would be safer. He wondered if he could hold Ginger in her sleep again, and if she'd been aware of it. If she had, she'd evidently not been bothered by it. Or she was pretending it hadn't happened.

Half an hour later, he dragged up the stairs and pushed open the door to their bedroom. The room was dark, but he could see Ginger's body outlined against the light through the window.

He gathered his belongings and hurriedly tiptoed into the bathroom. After a shower—cold, in case he needed it—he dried off and put on clean underwear and pajamas and T-shirt. Then he tiptoed across the room again and slid into the bed.

Ginger had seemed happy today. She'd sewed with his mother all morning, doing exquisite work, according to Vivian. The two women had fixed lunch together for the three of them. Then Vivian had given Ginger a book to read. When he'd asked what it was, he discovered it was some mystery his mother had enjoyed. She said Ginger shouldn't have to work all day.

Ginger had begun reading and Joe had heard little out of her the rest of the day. After eating supper
and cleaning up, Ginger had returned to her book until she finished it about an hour ago. She told Vivian it was a wonderful book. Then, telling them all good-night, she'd gone upstairs.

“A delightful girl,” Vivian said.

“Yes, she is.”

“Yes, but I mean delightful because she's a hard worker, and very pleasant to be with,” Vivian said. “I don't mean because she's beautiful.”

“But she is beautiful,” Joe protested.

“I know,” Vivian said.

Joe thought about those words as he climbed the stairs. His mother was right. Even if she weren't beautiful, Ginger was a great person. And fortunate, to have both beauty and goodness.

He stared at her again, wrapped in the covers, her back turned to him.

He got into bed, careful not to awaken her. After a moment of holding very still, he relaxed, feeling sure she was already asleep.

“Joe?”

He jumped sky-high. “Ginger! I thought you were asleep.”

“No. I need to ask you something.”

“Well, sure, honey. Ask away.”

Without turning toward him, she simply said, “What's so special about being a virgin?”

G
inger had considered asking Vivian, but couldn't face her. She thought she could in the dark, with Joe. He was such a thoughtful, gentle man.

“Why do you ask?” He spoke in a level, calm voice. She sat up in bed, shoving down the cover, forgetting she had on a low-cut nightgown.

“When I was with my mother and she tried to talk me into marrying Leo, she said—”

Joe sat up, too, stuffing a pillow behind him. “What did she say?”

“That he'd only want me a few times, until I definitely wasn't a virgin anymore, then I could do what I wanted.” She said the words fast, her face red, looking away from Joe. She couldn't look at him.

“What do you want me to explain?”

“What did she mean? Why did she say that?”

Joe groaned. “Well, Ginger, there are men who want to make love to inexperienced girls exclusively. They're slightly sick. The act of love has no meaning for them. It's a physical act that gets them excited, but they have no feelings for the woman.”

She turned to stare at him. “That's disgusting.”

“Yeah.”

“Is it different for other men?”

“Yeah. Most men have feelings for one woman, and the two of them form a family. The sex is part of the relationship but not all of it, by any means. You could offer my father Marilyn Monroe and he'd pass her up for my mom.”

“Marilyn Monroe is dead,” Ginger pointed out, proud that she'd known about the American actress and sex symbol.

“Yeah, well, I meant when she was alive.”

“I like that explanation. Are you that kind of man?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“But you haven't married.”

“No.” He didn't say anything else.

“So, if I had sex with someone, would that make Leo not want me anymore?” She held her breath for the answer.

Joe turned on his side toward her. “I don't know, Ginger. It wouldn't make a normal man not want you,” he said carefully.

Ginger lay there in the moonlight, thinking. She knew she was attracted to Joe. She liked being with him. She felt safe and cared for. “Joe, would you make love to me? Then our problems would be solved.”

Joe went off into a coughing fit and Ginger waited helplessly for him to recover. “Are you all right?”

“Uh, yeah, I'm all right.”

“Did you hear my question?”

“Yeah. I heard. Ginger, I'd love to, uh, accommodate you. It would be a great pleasure, but—but
your first time to make love should be special. You should make love because you can't help yourself, because you want to spend the rest of your life with the man, no other reason.”

Ginger looked at him in surprise. “But it will help with the green card, too, won't it? Won't they ask us about it?”

“Yeah.”

Silence reigned. Finally he shifted flat on his back again. “But I don't think this is the time or place to, uh, advance our relationship.”

“But would you do it to protect me? Would you be willing to do that?”

“Of course I would, but it isn't going to come to that. I'll protect you without making love to you. That was our deal.”

“Thank you, Joe,” she said in a small voice, and slid back down under the covers. She hadn't realized how much Joe had given her when he'd blithely offered to marry her for a green card. But he seemed to have.

Joe closed his eyes, praying that the conversation was over and Ginger would fade into sleep. How long he'd be awake, he didn't know.

Turning down Ginger as she lay in the bed with him, her warm curves young and fresh, her body firm yet soft, her mind free of other men, was difficult. He was sweating under the covers. Not perspiring, a dignified emission, but sweating, fighting tooth and nail the urges that told him to pull her close, to take what she offered in the guise of protection.

The temptation to claim her as his when he could, devil take the future, was so tempting. Maybe he could bind her to him, make her pregnant, tell her she owed him for his sacrifice. But he couldn't do that to sweet Ginger. She hadn't asked him to marry her, to sacrifice for her. He'd volunteered, because he thought it would be a simple thing.

But he wouldn't change what had happened. Ginger deserved her green card. She deserved to make her own choices and be safe. He'd do it again if he had to.

“Joe?”

He froze. Not more discussion, please, he silently begged.

“Yeah, Ginger?”

“You're not mad at me, are you?”

“No, Ginger, I've never been mad at you.”

“Is it bad that I'm a virgin?”

“No, honey. Someday that will be a precious gift to your husband.”

“You're very good to me, Joe,” Ginger whispered, then said nothing else.

Joe gradually relaxed.

 

They spent Friday much as they had Thursday. Ginger helped sew the baby blankets and then read the afternoon away. Joe worked on house plans, occasionally interrupting his mother and Ginger for their opinions. He was surprised at how content he was, doing work he loved close to Ginger. He wasn't restless, but he worried about Ginger.

“Ginger, are you okay?” he asked about three o'clock that afternoon.

She was in the window seat in the den, propped on pillows and reading. “Yes, of course I am.”

“You don't feel the need to go somewhere or do something?”

Ginger smiled. “I've never had time to sit and read in the middle of the day before. I suppose it might get boring after a while, but I'm enjoying myself. Do you need to go somewhere?”

He smiled back. “Nope. I've got my work and you. What else do I need?”

Ginger returned his smile but looked at her watch. “Oh! I'm going to fix a cassoulet for dinner tonight. I need to go get it started.” She marked her place in the book and then abandoned it on the window seat. “It's a good thing you interrupted me. I'd almost forgotten.”

“A cassoulet? What's that?”

“It's a type of stew we used to make a lot. We made it because we could use stew bones or small amounts of meat, but here, there's plenty of meat. It makes a very good dish.” She hurried off to the kitchen, a smile on her face.

Joe followed her. “Need any help?”

“You can peel some potatoes if you want.”

He'd never considered that he wanted to peel potatoes, but that afternoon he helped in the kitchen, enjoying himself.

His mother checked on them several times, smiling at their harmony but not interrupting. When Joe
claimed part ownership in the cassoulet at dinnertime, she even backed up his claims, much to Ed's surprise.

“Oh, by the way, Joe,” Ed added, “Luke's back. Seems he was on a mission somewhere down in Central America and got in trouble. Ricky Mercado helped save him and he's back.”

“Good for him, Dad.”

“Yeah, except that he's blind,” Ed said with a heavy sigh.

“No!” Joe protested, concern in his voice. “Permanently?”

“They don't know. They say he's getting out, making the best of it. He always was a courageous man. I don't know that I'd do that well.” Ed took a bite of his stew.

Joe continued to stare at his father.

Ginger leaned over to touch Joe's hand. “Is Luke a friend of yours?”

“More an acquaintance. He's a good man, though. The thought of him not being able to see—It's a horrible thought.”

“I heard Mr. Mercado talking to his son on his cell phone on Wednesday. I think his son was still down wherever they were.”

“Yeah, well, Luke and Ricky may be at the club tomorrow night,” Ed said.

“Maybe we'll see them there,” Joe said.

“You still going to let Ginger go?” Ed asked. “Aren't you worried about anyone trying to sneak her away?”

“No. I'll keep her at my side the entire time. We'll go by ourselves and then come back here late. I think we'll be all right. I've already talked to Justin about it and he assures me that the club will be secured.”

Ginger sat quietly, listening to them discuss her life as if she didn't exist. But she trusted Joe.

“Okay with you, honey?” Joe asked.

“Okay with me. I can't wait to wear my blue gown. I've never had a dress like that.” She knew it was a selfish reason, but she couldn't help herself.

“And you'll look beautiful,” Vivian assured her.

 

The party had already begun when Joe and Ginger arrived at the country club Saturday night.

A crowd of the most important people in the country club was gathered by the door to the new Men's Grill to greet the guests. The two founding families were represented by patriarchs Archy Wainwright and Ford Carson, who didn't speak to each other but greeted partygoers. When Joe stepped in, Ginger's heart swelled with pride as everyone greeted him with acclaim.

With good reason. His design had improved the Men's Grill greatly. A young petite blonde stepped forward and kissed Joe's cheek, and Ginger stiffened.

“Jenny!” Joe exclaimed. “You look spectacular.”

She did, and Ginger didn't like it one bit. She nudged Joe.

“Oh. I forgot you two hadn't met. Ginger, this is Jenny, the interior designer who worked with me on
the Men's Grill. Jenny, this is my wife, Ginger Turner.”

Ginger stood tall and proud beside Joe, and Jenny stared in surprise.

“Joe, I had no idea you were married,” she exclaimed.

“It's a recent development,” he said, and leaned over to kiss Ginger's lips. Several people around them heard his remarks and word began to spread. The entire evening, they received congratulations from the membership. Joe kept his hand around Ginger's and towed her along for each introduction.

When she pointed out that she needed to be excused, he rounded up his mother and Amy and several other sisters-in-law to accompany her. Then he followed her to the rest-room door and waited for her to emerge.

“I'm safe, Joe,” she whispered on the way back into the Men's Grill. “You don't have to stay beside me all evening. I can sit with your mother.”

“You could, but I'd rather have you with me. You make me look good.” He smiled down at her, and Ginger surrendered. He was too irresistible. Tomorrow she'd try to be more sacrificial. Tonight she was with Joe.

 

Once he and Ginger were safely in the car, Joe drove around the city, watching for anyone interested in their destination. He cleared his throat. “Uh, Mom asked permission to plan a party for us.”

“I hate for her to go to that trouble,” Ginger said
hesitantly. “By the time the party happened, we might have already passed the test for the INS.”

“True, but even after we pass it, it doesn't mean we'll never see each other again. We'll have to stay married for at least a year.”

“Yes, but…it seems so terrible to celebrate our scheme.”

“Mom will enjoy having the party.” He felt guilty, too, but part of his guilt was because of Ginger. His parents knew the reason for their marriage, but his mother still intended to make the marriage real. Ginger would be appalled if she knew that.

“If we had a party, people would bring us gifts and I'd feel so guilty.” Ginger's blue eyes were wide in protest and Joe felt even worse.

“I know,” he muttered. “But the problem is, Ginger, I can't really say no to my mother. She'd figure out something is wrong. Then she couldn't face the INS with honesty.”

“You're right,” Ginger agreed with a nod. “You've gone to a lot of trouble for me. I don't want you to think I'm not grateful.”

Shooting her a quick smile, he said, “I know you are.”

They drove in silence for several moments, both careful to watch for any familiar cars. Finally, Ginger spoke up.

“I scarcely got to visit with Daisy tonight, she was so busy.”

“You miss spending time with her?”

“Yes.”

“Why don't we take her out to dinner? If we go
to the club, it should be safe enough. Would Daisy mind going there?”

Ginger chuckled. “It wouldn't be her first choice, but I'm sure she wouldn't. When could we go?”

“Tomorrow night would be good. Almost no one goes to the Empire Room on Sunday night because they're all there on Sunday after church. Want to call her in the morning?”

“Yes, Joe, thanks,” she said, leaning over and kissing his cheek. “You're so thoughtful.”

“Now, honey, most men wouldn't consider it thoughtful to agree to escort two beautiful women.”

“It won't be too dangerous to go out again?”

“I'll clear it with Justin and make sure we're safe. Just like tonight.” He nodded his head and smiled, as if in appreciation and relief. “It was a nice evening, wasn't it?”

“Yes, it was. And I loved wearing my new gown.”

“It looks great on you. My reputation shot through the roof once everyone knew you were with me.”

He reached over and held her hand in his as he drove with his left hand. He felt content.

“I saw a few women approving of you, too. Especially Jenny. She's very pretty.”

“Yeah. And she's talented. If I ever get started building the houses I want to build, I may ask her to do the interior design. It makes them easier to sell. Some people don't have the creativity to envision how the house can look when it's finished.”

Ginger kept her gaze down. “Maybe you should've married her,” she said in a low voice.

After ensuring there was no one tailing them, Joe turned a back way into the alley behind his parents' house. “Ginger, I like Jenny, and she's pretty, but she's not the one for me. And I'm pretty sure she thinks I'm not the one for her. I can't exactly explain how that happens. But it does.” He knew in his heart Ginger was the one for him. But he couldn't say that. It would freak Ginger out.

He shut off his headlights halfway down the alley. Then he pulled into his parents' garage and stopped the car. Quickly, he slipped from the car, met Ginger at the back of it and pulled shut the garage door.