Today began as one of the most incredible days of her life, and she wanted to look the part.
After scanning the closet and realized that the clothes she brought were not suitable for dating.
Now she could kick herself for not bringing a better wardrobe. A shopping trip was in order, but for now the red top would have to do.
The clock said seven-fifty and Lana felt like a school girl as she heard his truck driving down the gravel road. When he knocked she ran to the door unable to control her enthusiasm. As she opened the door nervousness overtook her body, but one glance at him and all the nervousness vanished.
My God he looks good. He had on tan cargo pants which showed off his thick muscular legs, and he wore a navy blue sweater with long johns on under it. The sweater was tight on his arms showing off the outline of his triceps and biceps through both layers of shirts. The cutest part of him was the furry camouflage hat he wore, thoroughly covering his head and ears. He was certainly dressed for cold weather or in his case a cold attic.
My God she looks good. He noticed how cute she was with only a little makeup, she didn't need much. What little light came through the front door made her eyes look green, and they melted his heart. Her curves made him take a deep breath. In all honesty, he hadn't dated too many women with large chests, but she made up for his loss.
"The coffee is brewed… what did you bring me?"
"Hold on to your britches, it's a surprise." he teasingly answered while taking off his hat. His hair stood on end from static electricity. He pushed it down and could have cared less how his hair looked.
She laughed and knew immediately nothing had changed from last night. She also knew last night's caught in the moment just changed to caught in a lifetime.
He handed her both bags, and she set them on the bar. She closed her eyes with anticipation when she smelled the pastries. They smelled scrumptious. She immediately opened the brown bag because she was famished but pulled out a metal tube. Sadness filled her heart because she knew he might be finished with the furnace in a few short hours. But those emotions would not be addressed today. Instead, she decided to tease him a little. "Talk about iron in your diet." They both laughed. "I see you got the part." Admittedly, she was disappointed.
"Yesterday Hardin Hardware went to Boston and picked it up for me. You should have heat in a few hours."
She rummaged through the cabinets for paper plates, but there were none. Oh well, she guessed she would have to do the dishes. She dug out plates, mugs and her French vanilla coffee creamer.
He walked outside to his truck to get his toolbox. She intently watched him through the kitchen window. While organizing his tools, he whistled loudly. Although all the doors and windows were closed, she could hear the tune; Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues.
Since she loved Johnny Cash, she couldn't resist giving him a hard time. When she opened the front door, he stopped whistling long enough to look up. "Hey, Mike where did you learn to whistle that song?"
"In prison," he answered without blinking an eye. As she shut the door, he winked and smiled that gorgeous smile.
She took a deep breath.
The door slammed as Mike walked in the kitchen, his nose red from the cold. She reached for a mug and asked, "How do you like your coffee, jailbird?"
Stopping in his tracks, he scanned the items on the counter, saw the creamer, and answered with a grin, "I am a true man, I like mine black. I don't use that sissy stuff."
Were her ears deceiving her? His personality didn't change a bit from last night, actually quite the contrary. "So… you're calling me a sissy?"
He walked over to pour his coffee and never looked at her. "If the shoe fits—in your case if the tiny shoe fits."
Her eyes widened as she walked over to him and put her hands on her hips. "Remember, I own a Dodge truck and you don't mess with girls who own a Dodge."
"Shall I pull up a chair so you can tell me that, eye to eye?" He looked into her eyes and his happy, feisty expression changed. Her piercing gaze turned his dancing eyes solemn, driving all the jolly from this soul. At that exact second, he wanted her more than he'd ever wanted anything in his life. Her eyes mesmerized him, made him want to hold her and never let go. My God, I want to be with her so much, I hurt, and I hurt desperately. He licked his lips ready to kiss hers.
As he moved closer, she could see the veins in his neck throbbing. His eyes never left hers.
Just then, his cell phone rang.
She thought, that damn phone.
He glanced down at his phone, and a look of seriousness crossed his face. "I'm sorry I have to take this call." He walked outside for privacy.
Maybe he had a girlfriend, or a wife. For a moment, jealousy filled her heart. Quickly, she wiped that thought from her mind. She did peek outside, and his conversation appeared serious enough as he continued to stare at the ground while walking in circles. Every few seconds she peeked out the window. Patience was a virtue she usually took pride in practicing, but she had none this morning.
He stood outside at least ten minutes. As he walked inside she heard a car pull up; Mike turned to the driver and raised one finger to let him know he needed one minute. Her heart sank when she knew he might be leaving.
"What's going on Mike, are you okay?" she asked him as he closed the door.
"I'll explain everything later. I'm going to leave my truck. I don't know when I'll be back, and it might not even be today. You have my cell number if you need me. If I don't make it back, I'll send my brother Lance to fix the furnace. I'll give you a call later, but I just don't know when."
Wow, this is a shocker. "Don't worry about the furnace. I guess I'll see you later."
He reached down and kissed her on the forehead then left.
Not the kiss she had in mind, even though his lips were soft.
Did this have something to do with his work? Did this have something to do with his
family? Whatever happened, Mike's demeanor totally changed after that phone call? This day was not starting as she had hoped.