DASHED DREAMS (18 page)
Authors: Susan Worley-Bean
Back at their hotel RJ ordered another Jack on the rocks from the pool bar. They found a beach lounge chair. RJ straddled the chair, sat down, and leaned back. Jillie sat at on the end of the same lounge, both looking out at the black ocean and its breakers.
“Look at that sky.” RJ said. Jillian looked up. The sky was coal-black and the stars so crisp and clear, they looked close enough to reach out and touch them.
Jillie leaned back onto RJ’s chest, and he put his arms around her.
“Yes, it’s a wonderful sky. This is the kind of sky sailors always talk about…a dream sky.”
“Doc, I hope you’re not sorry you came down.”
“I was this afternoon, but tonight, sitting here’s almost perfect.”
“Almost?”
“You know what I mean.”
He tightened his arms around her. As she leaned her head back onto his shoulder, he kissed her ear and the side of her head.
“M-mm, you smell good.”
“So, do you. I love your cologne. I get weak in the knees whenever I smell it. Takes my breath away.”
“Thank ya, m’am!”
The couple sat quietly looking at the stars for quite a while. Jillian could feel RJ’s arms relax his grip around her and she wondered if he was falling asleep.
“RJ?”
No answer.
She nudged him. “RJ, wake up. Let’s go up to our room. It’s late.” She took the drink from his hand and poured it onto the sand. She stood up, took his hand, and he got up, mumbling about sleeping there.
Back in their suite, RJ plopped down on the sofa, leaned back and again was asleep. She stood before him and put her hand on his shoulder. “Good night, my Sweet Prince. See you in the morning.” She leaned down and kissed him on the lips.
Jillian turned out all the lights but one, went into her bedroom, closed the door, and quietly locked it behind her. She brushed her teeth and slipped on her nightclothes, startled to see the time was one o’clock. She was exhausted, she’d left Reno at six yesterday morning and it‘d been a long day and night. She opened the window so she could hear the ocean’s waves breaking onto shore. After she knelt and said her prayers, she slipped into bed. Lying in the darkened room, she listened to the ocean’s music until she fell asleep.
Later, RJ woke up to find himself alone in the living room, Jillian’s bedroom door was closed. He stumbled into his room and fell into the bed and instantly was asleep.
RJ’s group left Mexico the next day; RJ and Jillian stayed for two more days. They played tourists, relaxing on the beach. They were only bothered a couple of times for autographs or pictures. Monday morning came quickly and it was time to say goodbye. RJ and Jillian took the same limousine to the airport. She was to leave from the public terminal and he was using the private terminal, heading to Denver for his next concert. The limousine parked and the driver took Jillian’s bag and checked it for her through the outside check-in desk. Inside the limousine, apprehension was strong. Neither wanted to say goodbye.
“I had a wonderful time. Thank you for asking me to come down. I’m glad I did. Robert, I….”
He interrupted her. “There are so many things I want to say to you, but I don’t have enough time. Jillie, I love you. Come with me. I want you by my side.”
“You know I can’t. I love you.” Tears welled up in her eyes. She looked at him. The rims of his eyes were also damp.
The limousine door opened slightly, “Mr. Montgomery, it’s time.”
“Yeah, yeah. Just a sec.”
Jillian slid over and stepped out, RJ grabbed at her hand, but couldn’t catch it in time. He exited the car. He put his arms around her and kissed her.
“I love you.” Jillian said choking back the tears.
The heartthrob to many was having trouble controlling his emotions, “I love you, lady. I’ll call you tonight.” He sat back in the limousine and closed the door.
As Jillian walked into the terminal, she thought: I could catch up with him. Her practical side took over, she whispered, “Well, I’m on my way home.”
Chapter 21
The girls decided to have dinner together at Dini’s in the Steakhouse on Friday night after Jillian’s return home from Mexico on Monday. Dini’s Casino was on Main Street in downtown Yerington.
The locals were talking, nodding to, and wishing each other good evening. In the Steakhouse, the Sage Hill Cowboys strolled around the room, singing, talking to the locals, and performing requests. Local fellows Doc, Dale, and Bobby came to the girls’ table, “What do we have here? A celebrity girl! Anything special you ladies wish to hear tonight? Bobby asked. The three girls smiled and said they’d like to hear
The Wind Beneath My Wings.
Jillian blushed as that was the song that RJ said was their song. The trio started singing and she for a moment she’s taken back to the last time RJ sang that song to her.
When they finished, Doc approached the girls and said, “Hey, listen, if your boyfriend ever needs an opening act or backup, we three cowboys are always available.”
“You can tell him in person next weekend. He’s coming here to do the hospital benefit concert,” Jillian said.
“Yeah, we’re really excited about meeting him and hearing his music,” Doc said. He smiled, tipped his hat, and moved over to join the strolling cowboys. At the next table Bobby started to sing,
“Amarillo by Morning.”
Emma said, “Jillie, it’s been ten months since you and RJ have started dating. Are we going to hear an announcement soon?”
Jillian smiled. “I don’t know…there are times...”
Emma and Lynda looked at her silently questioning her reply.
“What do you mean?” Emma said.
“It’s not as you always see. He has his moments, as we all do, but sometimes his are extreme and frightening.”
Lynda’s squeezed Jillian’s hand. “If you ever want to talk, please know that Em and I are here for you anytime.”
Jillian nodded. She paused for a second, wondering if she should say anything about on the concerns she’d been feeling or keep it to herself.
“Well…” Jillian left the sentence unfinished.
“Such a deep subject for such a shallow mind,” Lynda said, and all three laughed. “Come on Jillie, finish what you were going to say.”
Jillian just shook her head and said nothing.
“Are you getting excited about RJ coming here? Em is.”
“You got that right. I don’t think I’m going to let him out of my sight. Gary’s staying at my house!” Emma said with much enthusiasm. “Jillie, Gary said the some of the crew were going to stay at Casino West and some in the RV at the fairgrounds. Has RJ said anything to you about where he’s staying?”
“Last night we talked about just the very subject. He’s staying at my house.”
“Your bed?” Lynda said jabbing Jillian in the side.
“He knows that my bed’s strictly off limits to him. He’s welcome to occupy my guestroom. I’d love to have him stay with me, sometimes the pressure gets too great.”
“Come on, girl, you have a sexy, gorgeous entertainer chasing your skirt and you’re playing hard to get. Boy, what’s-a matter with you, girl?” Lynda exclaimed.
“Hey, you know how I feel about sex before marriage.”
“That’s really old-fashioned! You mean, how’s that old saying go? Why should he buy the cow when he can have the milk for free? Something like that,” Lynda said.
“Hey, Em, you’ve been awful quiet over there. Have you and Gary slept together?” Lynda asked.
“Boy, you’re really on everyone’s case tonight. And for your information, it’s none of your beeswax! Leave Jillie alone. I think it’s wonderful to stand by your beliefs, whether right or wrong.” Emma said, smiling.
“There’s something else that we’ve been wanting to know.” Lynda said smiling.
“What’s that?”
“Boxers or briefs?”
“You are hopeless. That’s my answer.”
Gretchen Dini came to the table. “Jillian, we have a dining room reservations for Friday night for a party of 10 at 5:30. Is that right?”
“Yes, thank you. As I said when I made the reservations, they can be split up into a couple of tables, if you’d like.”
“That probably would be better. We don’t want to bog Bill down with such large group to be served at the same time. Is your fellow going to be upset if we continue to take reservations for outside parties?”
“Not in the least.”
“Okay, then we have it, and we’re all looking forward to meeting him.”
“Thanks, Gretchen.”
“Oh, thank you. All of us here at Dini’s are looking forward this weekend,” Gretchen said, as she turned and walked away.
“You know, Gretchen’s a real hoot to hang around with,” Lynda said.
“Yeah, I heard she dressed up for the new Harry Potter book release. They were at the bookstore at midnight all dressed up with her beautiful blond hair teased into a witches doo and she wore a witch’s hat,” Emma said.
Chapter 22
Since Mrs. Crawford asked Jillian about the benefit concert and RJ said yes and the date was set, all the planning seemed to fall into Jillian’s lap. Her office staff was probably getting tired of handling phone calls regarding the concert. Jillian tried to handle most of the planning, relying on Joy to answer and screen calls for her.
Jillian awakened Saturday morning thinking about RJ’s arrival. The days had flown past, and now at the end of the week, he’d be here. She was pleased, as he’d not visited her home in Yerington. She felt giddy like a filly. She’d seen his world, now she wanted to show him hers. She shopped for groceries, as if he were going to be here for a month or as if she was going to feed an army. Thumbing through a magazine while standing at the checkout at the A&P market, she came upon a picture of RJ taken at the Music Awards. Her heart leaped, and she said silently, Hello, Beautiful. She looked at the article, placed the magazine on her stack of groceries. She chuckled to herself. He asked me to accompany him to that awards program. Too bad I didn’t go.
His support group arrived the day before, the caravan came in a motorhome and a semi-truck full of equipment to set up prior to RJ’s arrival. There’d be lighting and sound checks on Friday afternoon and then a final rehearsal Saturday afternoon after RJ’s arrival.
On Saturday morning, flying in the corporation’s jet, RJ, Gary, and a couple members of the band arrived at the Yerington airport. At about 9:30 RJ called Jillian when they were about 25 minutes from Yerington. She told him she’d meet them at the airport. Jillian got into her car, picked up Emma at the shop, and they were off to the airport. Lynda was upset when she found out that she’d have to work the day the group arrived. When their jet made its final approach Jillian’s stomach was doing flip-flops. She and Emma stood by the fence near the tie-down area. The plane taxied to the parking area and stopped. The drop-down door opened slowly, and the co-pilot was the first to exit. Jillian held her breath. Would RJ be the next to exit the plane? Suddenly she heard from behind, “Dr. James, dear?” She recognized the voice of Mrs. Crawford. For a second she thought about ignoring her, Jillian turned. “Mrs. Crawford, how nice to see you. How’d you know what time they’d be arriving?”
“I just wanted to come out to meet our star. In fact, there are several of us that wanted to meet him. Well, I have a spy out here at the airport. You know, old Gus Palmer. He’s out here at the airport all the time visiting with Malcolm Redwine and a few retired pilots. They all sit around and tell stories about their flying days and monitor the airport unicom. ” She motioned towards the restaurant and were several people milling around. “Dear, would you mind terribly introducing your young man?”
As soon as she saw RJ enter the doorway of the plane, Jillian was out onto the tarmac heading towards the plane. RJ looked around and waved, when he saw Jillian. They met at the bottom of the stairs. He threw his arms around her and kissed her, whispering in her ear, “Hi, Jillie.”
“Hi, you,” she said almost in tears, so happy to see him. “Welcome to Yerington.”
Emma and Gary greeted each other, then approached the other couple who were still in a tight embrace.
“Hey, save it for later, folks. We’ve got people over here waiting to meet you, RJ.”
RJ mumbled under his breath. He was holding Jillian’s hand when he started toward the group of people. When he reached the fence, he stopped and said to Jillian, “Please introduce me to these fine nice people, Dr. James.”
Before Jillian could open her mouth to say a word, Mrs. Crawford spoke. She introduced all the people, each and every one. RJ stood politely and when she was finished, said, “My dear, that’s quite a bunch of friends you have, but you didn’t introduce yourself.”
“Oh, my!” Mrs. Crawford stammered. “My name’s Ella Crawford and I’m President of the Hospital Auxiliary Guild. We’re the benefactors for your concert tonight.”
RJ addressed the gathering. “Folks, it’s nice to be in Yerington for a few days. I’m sure I’ll see you around town. Please enjoy tonight’s concert and thank you for coming out to meet us.” He stepped back and took Jillian’s hand. As they turned to walk away, the crowd applauded. RJ glanced over his shoulder and giving a quick wave.
“
Jillie, I can’t wait until we get to your house,” he whispered.
“
I have something to tell you. I need to talk to you.” Jillian said.
When they returned at the plane, Gary and Emma were ready to leave the airport. The suitcases had been loaded into Jillian’s car. Jillian drove slowly out of the airport, as a few people still remained, hoping to get another glimpse of Robert John Montgomery. Cameras flashed.