Time to Love Again (22 page)

God, what was she doing?

Whatever it was– it felt right. She wanted more.

He nibbled back, and she smiled. His hand came up behind her head, the other brushed against her breast. She heard the sharp intake of her breath as his lips crushed hers.

This was what she waited for. Wanted. Needed. God, she loved this man.

The phone rang, breaking the spell.

"Leave it," he mumbled against her lips.

She ignored it until the answering machine came on. "Mom," she heard Melinda's voice. "Mom, are you there? Pick up."

Rose pulled away and reached for the phone. Something about the sound of Melinda's voice scared her. "Honey, what is it? What's wrong?"

"Hi, Mom, nothing's wrong. I just called to see how you were."

Rose sank down into her chair and let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding.

Stephen motioned that he was leaving. "I'll see you later," he mouthed.

Rose wished he'd stay, but maybe it was for the best. No telling what would've happened if the phone hadn't rung.

She didn't think she was quite ready for that. She wanted it, no point in denying it. But she hadn't made love to any other man than Frank. She wasn't sure she was ready to go to that level. Isn't that what the kids today called it? She knew kids lived together and had sex without marriage. She just wasn't sure she could.

"Mom, are you there?" Melinda broke into her thoughts.

So taken with Stephen, She had forgotten she was on the phone.

"Huh, oh, yes. I'm here." She watched Stephen walk across the yard, and her heart did a flip. God, she loved that man. "So what's going on?" Rose asked her daughter.

"Nothing, I just talked to Francis. I hear your neighbor is coming to Christmas dinner?"

"Can't keep a secret in this family, can you?" Rose teased. "Yes, Stephen and his granddaughter are coming to Christmas dinner."

"So you had a reason for refusing our invitation?" Melinda teased. "Good, I'm glad you're not going to be alone. We really were worried about you, you know."

"Yes, dear, I know. I'm glad I'm not going to be alone either."

"Melinda, are you sure everything is all right?" She didn't sound right . Like she had been crying or something.

"Yeah, Mom, I'm fine. I mean..."

Rose waited for Melinda to go on. "Talk to me, Melinda, what is it?"

"It's Harold, he has to have surgery."

"Surgery for what?"

"Kidney stones. They tried breaking them up but it didn't work. Can you come, Mom? I'm scared."

Rose leaned against the counter. Why, just when life began to get better. "Of course, I'll come. When, Melinda?"

"He's scheduled for Thursday."

"Thursday, that's the day after tomorrow. I'll have to see if I can get a flight."

"I already checked. You can catch a flight tomorrow morning at nine o'clock."

"I'll call for my reservation now."

"Thanks, Mom. I love you."

"I love you, too. See you in a couple of days." Rose hung up and looked for the phone book. She had to call the airport. God, she hated to fly. But Melinda needed her. Surgery of any kind was always serious. She picked up the phone and made her reservation. Now she had to pack. Then she had to call Stephen. Just when things were going so well with them.

Maybe it was for the best. She needed some space. Things were moving too fast. She wasn't quite ready for the next step. She felt foolish but the thought of sleeping with Stephen embarrassed her. The only other man she slept with was Frank. How would she act? Somehow she couldn't picture it. She and Frank knew what to do, how to do it. They had years of experience. She knew what turned him on and vice versa. She'd feel clumsy. Oh, Lord, what made her think of that? She put the thought from her mind and pulled her suitcase down from the attic.

What should she take? How many days should she pack for? Melinda said only a couple of days. She hoped that's all it was. She wanted to be home for Christmas. Wanted to spend it with Stephen. Now that she let herself go, she didn't want to be away from him.

After she finished packing, she called Stephen. He wasn't home so she left a message. She got in her car and went to visit Louise.

Her friend was delighted that Stephen agreed to spend Christmas with her. "I've never seen you look happier." Louise said. "Are you sure you'll only be gone a couple of days?"

"I think Melinda just wants me there for the surgery. Once he's on the road to recuperating I think she'll be fine." Rose hoped that's all she wanted. While she looked forward to seeing her daughter and grandchildren, she hated to be away from Stephen for too long.

Funny, not long ago she wouldn't even speak to him. Now she couldn't bear to be away from him.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Stephen called her later. "Rose, what's going on? Is everything all right?"

"I have to go to
Oregon
for a couple of days. Harold, Melinda's husband, is having surgery Thursday, and she wants me there. I have to go."

"Of course you do. Is there anything I can help you with? Can I take you to the airport?

"That will be a big help. I was hoping you'd offer. My flight leaves at nine. Are you sure that isn't too early? I have to be there by seven thirty the latest."

"That's fine. I'll see if Millie will stay with Sarah and send her to school. I'm sure she will." Stephen said.

Rose didn't sleep well the night before her flight. She hated flying for starters, and her nerves were frayed. She should have taken a tranquilizer, but she didn't like the after affects. They made her groggy. She finally got out of bed at five. May as well get up and take her shower. At least she'd have time for coffee before she left.

Rose sat at the table and waited for Stephen. She still didn't like the idea of leaving. But Melinda took priority. It was time she put her kids first. Besides, surgery of any kind was scary. It'd be good to see her and her grandkids again. It had been too long. Maybe they'd even enjoy part of the visit once Harold was recuperating.

She had left her return trip open, so she could stay pretty much as long as she wanted. Not that she wanted to stay long at all. But it was her first trip to
Oregon
, and she did look forward to seeing some of the beautiful state. She looked forward to the warmer temperatures too. Of course they weren't anything like
Florida
, but according to the Weather Channel the average highs were in the forties and lows were only in the high thirties. That beat the twenties and thirties they dealt with in
Ohio
. Heck the high forties would feel like spring to her.

Stephen knocked at the door. "I know I'm early but I wanted to spend some time with you before you left. We have about an hour before you need to be at the airport. I saw the lights on so I knew you were up."

Rose opened the door and went straight into his arms. "Would you like some coffee?" She offered after a quick kiss.

She didn't trust herself for anything longer. She'd melt if he kissed her the way he did just before Melinda called.

She didn't want him to let her go, wanted to hold him, but knew she couldn't do this now. She was struggling with herself. She hoped Stephen didn't change his mind about her while she was gone. She sat down at the table and accepted she had to be content just to look at him.

"Did you schedule your return flight?"

"No, I wasn't sure how long Melinda would need me. I hope to be home Sunday or Monday."

"You let me know, and I'll pick you up from the airport."

Rose smiled at him. "I was counting on that." She took a piece of paper off the counter and handed it to him. "My cell phone number in case you want to call me. That way it's not long distance."

"Thanks, I never thought of that. You have my number, don't you? I want you to call me and let me know how the surgery went. Heck, call me any time day or night. And don't worry about the time difference."

Rose looked at the clock. "Guess we better go." She switched off the coffeemaker, turned off the lights and looked at Stephen." She took a key off the key holder and handed it to him. "Check my house while I'm gone."

The dark sky fit Rose's mood. "Looks like we're going to get more snow."

"It's in the forecast for the next three days."

Rose looked out the window. Already her stomach did flip flops anticipating the flight. She had never flown alone before, and she didn't relish the prospect. She hated flying as it was. The idea of doing it alone made her doubly nervous.

Stephen pulled around to the curbside check-in. "Since I can't go much farther, I'm just going to drop you here if you don't mind."

Rose agreed. Since nine eleven, airport security was so tight if you didn't have a ticket you couldn't go anywhere in the airport.

Stephen got out and took her suitcase out of the trunk.

Rose looked up at him and tears welled in her eyes. She reached up and pulled his mouth down to hers. He put his arms around her and held her. "I'll miss you," she said.

He ran his finger through her hair, pushing a strand behind her ear. "I'll miss you too. Call me when you get there."

Rose pulled away reluctantly. She'd better get a move on, she didn't know where her gate was, and she didn't want to miss her flight.

Stephen got into his car just as security came along to tell him to move it. He blew Rose a kiss and drove away. Damn, she actually said she was going to miss him. He had made more progress than he thought. Things were looking brighter. Hopefully this short trip wouldn't make her change her mind. Put that wall back around her.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Rose checked her bag, picked up her ticket and went through the security check. Good thing she got here this early, the line wound around almost to the ticket counter. And wouldn't you know it her gate ended up being all the way at the other end of the airport. She hardly had a chance to sit down when they called her flight.

She found her seat on the plane, sat back and took a deep breath. The passenger next to her had a book out and was reading. Good. There wouldn't be any meaningless talk during the flight. She hated that people tried to be friendly. She had a hard enough time flying without making small talk.

The plane finally took off, and Rose gripped the arm rests 'til her fingers turned white. She wasn't sure what she hated worse taking off or landing. Both were equally nerve racking.

 
Once they were in the air, she settled down. The flight attendant passed out earphones for the movie, but Rose didn't feel like watching it. She leaned back and closed her eyes. They had to make one stop in
Houston
, which seemed out of the way to Rose. Certainly wasn't the most direct way to go and the flight was going to take seven hours with an hour layover. Damn, that was a long time to be in the air. Hopefully, she could catch up on some of the sleep she lost last night.

Before she knew it the attendant came around with a snack. Rose sat up and pulled down the tray in front of her. Not that she was that hungry, but she knew she needed something. She ordered a coffee. She figured she was paying enough for the flight, she may as well. After she drank her coffee, she pushed her tray back up, reclined her seat and tried to sleep.

Next thing she knew, the pilot announced their arrival. That seemed like a quick two hours and the plane started its descent. She decided she hated landing more than taking off. But she had to give the pilot credit. The wheels hit the ground without a bump. Nice smooth landing. Rose let out her breath, stood up and waited to get off the plane. It felt good to stretch her legs. Now to kill the next hour. Rose found a small shop, picked up a magazine, leafed through it and decided to buy it along with a small coffee. She took it back to her gate, sat down and started to read. An article, How to Develop a Relationship Past your Forties, caught her eye.