Page 28 of Vinny

She watched him at work, his strong hands handling her feet in such a gentle manner. She saw his face, a study in concentration, as he bent to the task. Wincing occasionally, she noticed that each time, he gentled his touch even more.

Standing, she admitted that her feet felt so much better. Smiling up at him, she placed her hand on his arm, saying, “Thank you, Vinny. And not just formaking my feet feel better.” Standing on tiptoe, she added, “But for everything. Taking care of me, as well.”

He leaned forward to kiss her lips, this one soft. Easy. A promise. Suddenly, he pulled back, cocking his head to the side. Seeing her questioning look, he said, “I think I hear a tractor, babe. There may be a farmhouse around here close by. BJ indicated that we would run into some farms before we made it to the road.”

Not willing to have her feet become more injured, he swung her up into his arms and began walking toward the sound. He saw the farmhouse in the distance. “Let’s get to the farmhouse and see if we can get some help,” he said.

Protesting, she cried, “You can’t carry me and the backpacks too.”

He chuckled as he looked down.“Never insult a former Special Forces, woman.You’re light as a feather and I’ve carried around rucksacks, equipment and weapons much heavier.”

She had to admit that it felt good to be in his arms.Well, for her feet.No,she had to admit.It feels amazing to be held by this man.She wanted to lean in and kiss his jaw.See his eyes on her.Feel his touch on her skin.Pressing her lips together, she battled back the thoughts.

The lone farmhouse came closer into sight, a woman in the yard hanging wash. She saw the two strangers coming across the field and called for her husband. An older man ambled out through the screen door, warily watching them approach.

Vinny stopped at a safe distance so as not tomake them nervous.“My wife has hurt her feet while we were hiking and we wondered if we could get some help.”

“Oh my goodness,” the woman exclaimed.“Well, bring her into the kitchen.”

The man stepped back allowing them access into the house, pointing to the kitchen table. Vinny set her down carefully, then bent to take off her shoes. The quick treatment he had given her had helped, but he knew she needed her bandages re-done.

The woman took a look at her blistered feet and immediately got a large plastic pan and filled it with cool water.Vinny took the heavy pan from her and set it down on the floor.

“Ya’ll been hiking?” the old man asked.

Annalissa’s eyes stayed on Vinny’s, allowing him to give whatever story he wanted to.

“We wanted to go for a drive in the country and then decided to take a little hike. Next thing we know, we get lost and thankfully ended up at the edge of your farm. We thank you for your hospitality and promise that as soon as I can get her feet cleaned and re-wrapped, we’ll be on our way.”

“Nonsense,” the woman said. “You’re not any trouble.We’re Mable and Alfred Johnson, by the way.”

“Pleased to meet you, ma’am,” Vinny said with a smile.“I’m Walter and this is my wife, Delores.”

Annalissatried not to grin at the names Vinny had given them, earning her a stern look from him.

“Are your feet ticklish, darlin’?” he asked.

“Y…yes,” she answered, stifling her smile.

Soon, he had her feet soaked and re-bandaged. Standing, he was about to thank them when Mable walked back into the room.

“Here are a pair of thick cotton socks, sweetie. You traipsing around in little canvas shoes with no socks is going to keep wearing blisters on your poor feet.”

Vinny accepted them graciously and slid them over the bandages before placing her feet back into the sneakers. Looking into her eyes, he asked, “Better?”

“Oh my God, yes,” she answered, her eyes less pain-filled. She smiled at him, mouthing, “Thank you.”

Leaning over, he kissed the top of her head, before standing again. Turning to their hosts, he said, “We appreciate this more than you can know. If we could trouble you for some water to put in our canteen, we’d be grateful and will be on our way.”

Alfred nodded toward his wife and she returned his smile. “We’d be happy to have you two share our lunch and then I can drive you to the nearest town, ‘bout fifteen miles down the road.”

Vinny glanced at Annalissa, seeing hunger and fatigue written plainly on her face. Turning back to the kind couple, he agreed. “We’d love to, thank you.”

10

Several hours later, after good conversation and a lunch of cold fried chicken, potato salad, green beans, and sweet tea, Vinny and Annalissa were ready to leave. With hugs goodbye to Mable, they climbed into Alfred’s old Ford pick-up truck with him, and pulled onto the road heading to the little town.

It consisted of a local grocery shop, gas station, diner, several stores and a few other buildings. Stopping at the gas station, Alfred let them out. “Eugene here has some old cars in the back that he’d let you borrow to get where you’re going.”

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