Rachel shook her head at her sister’s antics. She watched her walk into the house, and then she reached into her jacket pocket for her cell phone. A quick look at her watch, told her it was late, but not too late.
Taking a deep breath, she quickly dialed the phone. It rang once, twice, and on the third ring, she thought he might be sleeping or out. She’d almost hung up when she heard him answer.
“Hi, it’s me.”
“Hi me. How are you? Did you make it ok?” Rachel could hear the concern in his voice.
“Yep, I am in one piece.”
“Just the way I like you.”
Rachel giggled.
“I was thinking about you, I’m sorry if you were sleeping.”
“I wasn’t., don’t worry. I was letting the dog out and it took me awhile to get to the phone. I’m glad you called.”
“Yeah? Miss me already huh?”
“Like you wouldn’t believe.” Jim said with feeling.
‘Jim, can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Why were you worried earlier, about me coming back, I mean.”
She heard Jim take a deep breath, and then let it out.
“I was afraid that once you’d get back to see your family, that you’d want to stay there. I was afraid I’d lose you. I have just realized that I am in love with you, and I got nervous about you leaving. Crazy, huh?”
“Yes! But I love you too, please tell me you know that!” she answered.
“I do. I’m sorry. I am not the clinging type, really. But I had this overwhelming feeling come over me. I just got scared. I’ve lost so many people that I love, already. I don’t want to lose you too.”
“You’re stuck with me, Frayne. Aside from visiting my family, I’m not going anywhere. Now I am happy to see them, but I’m missing you too.”
“I’m glad. I mean that you miss me. I mean- well, -“
Rachel was laughing at this point. This tall, strong man was reduced to gibberish.
“I get it!” she said putting him out of his misery.
“Thank God! If my students heard me I would never be able to teach them proper grammar again!” he said laughing with her.
“I guess I should let you go. It is going to be a long day tomorrow. Tell your family I wish them a Happy Thanksgiving.”
“Yours too. I’m really glad you called. Sweet dreams, sweetheart.” He said. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Jim. Would you think I’m crazy if I call you again?”
“No, in fact, I’d love it. I’d call you, but I don’t want to interrupt your visit. So you call me. Call my cell, then you’ll get me, even if I’m not home, ok?”
“Sounds good, I miss you and love you. Go to bed!” Rachel said. And Jim added a final good night and he hung up. Rachel sat holding her cell phone, just thinking about Jim. Finally, she shook herself. It was getting chilly now and she really needed to go to bed. Getting up and grabbing the quilt and her empty mug, she went into the house. She smiled when she saw her mother had left a light on to help guide her way upstairs.
She got changed into a pair of boxers and a t shirt and slid in between the sheets of her old bed. She was tired, and after saying a final thanks to God for sending her Jim, she slid into dream land.
The next morning, Rachel went down to breakfast, and the rest of the family was there, including Eric and Alicia. After the greetings were made, Rachel grabbed a mug of coffee and sat down. Her mother placed a plate with 2 eggs and pancakes in front of her.
“So, how was
“Fine and his name is Jim.” Rachel said, rolling her eyes.
The family perked up and asked what they were talking about. Jessica took great pleasure in giving the details of Rachel’s love life.
“So, is he worthy of my girl?” Her father asked after everyone else had cleared out of the kitchen.
“I think he is.” Rachel said with a grin.
“He’d better be!” Howard huffed.
Howard Walker had watched his little girl get hurt by Jeremy Miller. He’d wanted to go out and castrate the boy for hurting her that way. This time, he wasn’t going to let even state lines stop him from watching out for his baby.
The rest of the day was spent eating and visiting with family. They gone to visit friends in the evening and Rachel hadn’t gotten home until about 10:30pm. It had been an exhausting day but she wouldn’t even try to sleep until she’d spoken with Jim.
“Hi beautiful! I was just thinking about you.”
Rachel smiled broadly when he’d answered.
“Good things I hope.”
“The best! But of course, also how much I miss you.”
“I miss you too. How was your day?” she asked.
“Pretty good. I had brunch with my family, then, we went to the Belden’s annual open house.”
“Oh, how was it?”
“Nice, as always. Everyone asked about you and if I’d heard from you.”
“I’m glad you had a nice holiday. We did too.”
Rachel yawned once then twice.
“Sweetie, you sound so tired, I’m going to let you go to bed.”
“Ok, I won’t argue. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
They hung up at the same time. Rachel went into her room and changed into her pj’s once again, falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Once again, her dreams were filled with a red headed man.
The rest of the weekend was filled with shopping with the women in the family for Christmas, a tradition. Rachel had decided to ship the stuff she bought and her mother promised to take care of it for her. On her last night, the pressure started on if she was coming back for Christmas.
“I don’t know. I might have to work you know.” She said.
“Well, Rae, it’s Christmas, you have to be here!” her mother protested.
“We’ll see.” Was all Rachel would promise.
Not adding, that she needed to find out what Jim’s plans were. She realized she had started thinking in terms of what Jim wanted and that wasn’t such a bad thing, but her family wouldn’t understand that either.
Sunday they stayed
in, her brothers heading out in the early afternoon. Jessica, Jack and the kids
had an earlier flight out to
“Rae- Rae, don’t let your mother influence you. You do what you want to do for Christmas. We’ll understand. Your mother sometimes forgets that you all have grown up and have left the nest.”
“Thanks dad.” She stood on her toes to kiss his cheek.
She finished packing and both her parents drove her to the airport later on. It was a good bye filled with tears, but before she knew it, Rachel was settled into her seat ready for take off.
The plane was right on time, but Jim was still pacing. He couldn’t wait to see her. Finally, as he watched, the plane started to disembark. He kept an eye on the gate and waited for her to come through it. When she did, she caught sight of him and flashed him a brilliant smile. He knew his was rivaling hers, as he took 3 steps and scooped her into his arms. When Rachel’s feet left the floor, her arms wrapped around his neck. Lips met in a searing kiss. Passersby grinned. Finally, coming up for air, Rachel buried her face into his neck and inhaling his scent.
“It’s so good to be home.”
Jim’s arms tightened around her before he let her down to the floor once again.
“Do you consider Sleepyside home now?” He asked trying to mask the hopefulness in his voice.
“Yes I do!” Rachel said forcefully. He might have sounded casual, but there was a glint in his eye and a definite relaxation of his body when she’d answered.
“Come on then, let’s go home.” He took her carryon from her and placed his arm around her shoulders as they walked.
Rachel talked about her family the whole way to her apartment. He laughed at the antics of her nephew Cole, and even those of her sister Jessica.
As he parked his car in the lot of her building, he turned to her and said, “I know you’re probably tired. But if you want, we can order some pizza and watch a movie or something. If you aren’t too tired that is.”
“Sounds perfect.” She said as she got her key out of her purse to open the door.
They went into the apartment and Jim set her bag down in her room. Rachel went straight to the phone to get the number for Pauly’s pizza Place. She asked Jim what toppings he wanted, stating she liked everything except anchovies.
“Get a deluxe then.” He said moving into the living room, to pick a movie.
“What do you want to watch?” He asked when she came into the room.
“UM, it doesn’t matter to me. You pick! I’m going to change, ok? Start the movie.”
Rachel returned a few minutes later with plates and napkins that she’d stopped to get on her way back into the living room.
The doorbell rang and Jim went to get the pizza while Rachel shuffled pillows around on the couch to make it comfortable for them to sit on.
Rachel started the movie and Jim opened the pizza. They ate in silence while they watched the beginning of the movie. When they were finished eating, Rachel took the empty carton into the kitchen and grabbed 2 more Cokes for them. Jim had already moved to get more comfortable, and he patted the space next to him on the couch.
Rachel settled herself into the space, and laid her head on his chest as he eased them to a reclining position. With a sigh, she snuggled into his arms and watched the movie.
Somewhere along the way, Jim had started lightly caressing her arm as they watched. Rachel’s hand that was resting on his chest, began to move. She leaned back and looked up into his eyes. They stared into each other’s eyes for a moment then Jim moved in to kiss her.
He stopped kissing her and pulled back far enough to look into her face. He saw the slight frown that came over her brow when he stopped kissing her. Her lids fluttered open and looked at him questioningly.
“I love you so much Rachel.” He said smoothing her hair from her face.
Rachel traced his lips with her fingertips. “I love you Jim.” She said quietly. She picked her head up off the couch to meet his lips again and Jim returned her kiss with equal fervor.
Jim pulled back again. “Are you sure?”
Rachel nodded, unable to speak with the weight of her emotions. .
He planted kisses on her eyelids, cheeks, and lips. Jim scooped her up into his arms and carried her into her bedroom, laying her gently on the bed.
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