Page 54 of Serial Love

As the post-orgasmic coma descended, they both lay quietly. She wondered what he was thinking. And she had to admit that she was already falling for this man—the one who works so hard to fight injustice when there will never be any glory in the success. She lay in his arms, luxuriating in the power of his embrace.

An hour later, after one more round of shower sex, a new experience for her and one that she could fully enjoy in his humongous tiled shower enclosure with the multi-head faucet raining water down upon them, they finally went back outside.

She squealed with delight as he handed her a helmet and proceeded to back an ATV out of the garage.

“You ever been on one?” he asked. Seeing her shake her head, he added, “Jump on and wrap your arms around my waist. Hang on and I’ll show you around my property.”

In a few minutes, they were following the trails that covered the outskirts of his twenty-six acres. The back of his land rose steadily as it climbed to the base of the closest mountain. When they slowed down, she was able to discern the fencing that divided his property from the park. Stopping at the peak of his acreage, he twisted and assisted her as he took her helmet off. He watched with pleasure as she turned and gazed down over the land.

“Oh Jack, it’s beautiful!” she exclaimed.

Her blonde hair had partially escaped its ponytail and the breeze blew it around her flawless face. Herwide, sky-blue eyes took in everything as she viewed the trees, meadow below, and in the distance, his home.

“Yeah,” he said, staring at her, “It’s beautiful.”

They sat in silence for a while, the late summer sun warming them on its descent. He sat on the ground at her back, his long legs stretched out on either side of hers.

“This is going to be beautiful in the fall when the leaves change colors,” she added after a while.

“I wasn’t here often last fall, so this’ll be my first time to see it.” Catching her smile as she twisted around to look at him, he added, “And being able to experience it for the first time with you will make it even better, baby.”

As she leaned her head back onto his shoulder, he kissed her once more. Soft. Gentle. With the promise of good things to come.

By the time they returned home, it was almost dinnertime and she insisted on cooking. He offered to help, but mostly just stayed out of her way. She flitted around the kitchen, discovering where he kept items and utensils. Soon, the smell of homemade tomato, basil, and garlic pasta sauce was simmering, hand-rolled meatballs were cooking, and garlic toast was baking.

Sitting down at his table for their dinner, the conversation flowed, just as it always had. She learned more about his business, what he could tell her, and she regaled him with tales of life at the cabins.

He managed to convince her to let him have the wall built this week for her protection. After dinner, they settled on the deck swing, her legs stretched out in theseat with her ass in his lap. Sipping wine while watching the sunset over the mountains in the distance was the perfect end to a perfect day. Or so she thought.

It was actually when she fell asleep, her head on his chest with their legs tangled and his arm protectively around her middle after another round of sensational sex. Then it was the perfect end to the perfect day.

19

The next weekend, Jack was gone once more so Bethany took a drive to visit her grandmother. The facility was a long, one-story, red-brick building with stately columns in the front. The flower gardens and lawn were meticulously manicured.

Walking through the lobby, she waved at the receptionist and headed to the main room. Gram was sitting at a table with other women as they worked on a puzzle. She looked up as Bethany came in and her smile spread across her face.

“Helen!” Gram called out. She turned to the other women at the table and said, “My sister has come for a chat.”

The other women looked up at Bethany, all with expectant smiles on their faces. She greeted each one as Gram stood and moved over, linking arms with her.

“Come on,” Gram said conspiratorially. “I can work puzzles anytime, but I want to hear the gossip!”

Walking a short distance, they sat on a small, butsturdy, setee. “So,” Gram began. “Are you still seeing Charlie?”

Bethany had no idea if Gram was referring to Jack, or if she was really thinking about Helen and Charlie from sixty years ago.It doesn’t matter. Both makes her happy.

“Yeah, Gram. I’m still seeing Charlie.”

They chatted for a few minutes, more like old friends than in the here and now, but Bethany was learning to accept the changes. A few nurses walked by smiling at the two of them and, occasionally, stopping by to speak.

As Bethany was getting ready to leave, a nursing aide came over. “Oh, Mrs. Bridwell, I see your granddaughter came to see you.”

Bethany saw the confusion pass through Gram’s eyes as she turned and stared at her. Linking her arm with hers, she said, “Come, walk with me, Gram.”

They said nothing as they made their way back toward the front of the beautiful building. As she turned to hug her grandmother, Gram spoke softly, “You’re not Helen, are you?”

Licking her lips nervously, wanting to say whatever would give her grandmother the most peace, she confessed, “No. I’m Bethany. Your granddaughter.”

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