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Maybe it's love I've run away from
Maybe it's love bringing me back home
I'm tearing down the walls inside
I want to laugh and cry and kiss
Maybe it's love I miss
Maybe It's Love by Trisha Yearwood
Chapter Sixteen
Bo knocked on the cottage door around 6:30 after returning to the hotel for a shower and a change of clothes. The door was answered by a matronly lady who he assumed must be Nanny Clara.
“You must be Bo,” she said letting him in the door. “I’m Clara, the nanny.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you, ma’am. I’ve heard only good things about you.” His comment made her smile.
At that moment Nora came down the hall with Matthew in her arms. She was dressed in sandals and a simple sundress spritzed with flowers. The bodice was form-fitting and showed off her tan. The dress was cinched at the waist with a small belt and then hung full to just above the knee. She took his breath away.
“You’re here! I didn’t hear you come in,” she said with a smile. “So, you’ve met Clara?”
“Yes, we introduced ourselves,” Clara said.“Nora, I don’t mean to sound like a mother, but you may need a jacket when the sea breeze kicks up later on...it’s October, you know…”
“I’ll grab my sweater,” she said as she handed the baby to Clara. “I hope he isn’t fussy for you...he didn’t take a good nap today.” Then kissing the baby she said, “You, Little Mister, be good for Nanny Clara. Mommy loves you.”
She grabbed a sweater quickly and she and Bo were on their way. They decided to walk to the carnival as it was less than two miles up the beach. It was a beautiful evening for a walk. The clouds over the water had taken on a pink and gray hue as they reflected the sun setting in the other direction.
“You look nice tonight,” he complimented her as they walked along.
“Thank you. You know...getting out today and having some time for myself really helped me...I guess I needed that ‘me time’. Thanks for taking care of Matthew.”
“You’re very welcome. Anytime. I had a great time with him.”
“So...how long has it been since you’ve been to a carnival?” she asked him.
He thought for a moment. “Honestly...I don’t think I’ve been to one since that one we went to in Chicago. As I recall, that was a miserable night.”
She started laughing at the memory. “You were so sick.”
“And you find that funny?” he asked her as she couldn’t stop laughing. “I learned a valuable lesson that night. Never load up on food and then ride those spinning rides you like. I thought I’d never eat a chili dog again...”
She bumped her shoulder against his and smiled, “You got over it. So...are you going to ride with me tonight?”
“I don’t know...it depends,” he said.
She turned around and walked backward a few paces in front of him. “Depends on what? If you aren’t going to ride with me, we may as well go back home. You know how I love those rides. Come on, Bo.”
Why does she have to look so beautiful in the setting sun?...She could talk me into anything right now... He shook the thought away and continued the conversation.
“Well...I’ll ride the merry-go-round with you…” he started.
She turned back around to walk beside him. “The merry-go-round?” she said with distaste, “I don’t even like the merry-go-round...”
“You always want to ride the merry-go-round,” he interrupted, “...every time…”
“Well. you must be thinking of some other woman, because I have never liked the merry-go-round…” she said, looking at him.
“Nooo. It’s you. You always insisted we ride it even though you know I don’t really like heights.”
Nora gave him a puzzled look. “Heights? The merry-go-round isn’t...Ohhh! You must be thinking of the Ferris Wheel!” She started laughing again. “Oh, yes! I love the Ferris Wheel! You have your rides mixed up.”
“Well, whatever it’s called...you always rock the seat when we’re at the top,” he said making a rocking motion with his hand.”It really makes me nervous.”
“Awww,” she sympathized. “But you’ll ride it with me anyway? Thank you for overcoming your fears for me,” she teased him.
“You better appreciate it,” he said.
She gave him a sideways glance and continued, “What about the Scrambler? Will you ride that with me?”
Bo thought for a minute. “The Scrambler…” he said quietly. “Is that the silver one where I get smashed by the door? That’s the one that made me sick!”
“Only after eating several chili dogs,” she exclaimed. “We’ll ride it before we eat...come on, Bo. What do you say?”
He gave her a smirk and shook his head.
“I know that expression...that’s a ‘yes’. This is going to be so much fun! We haven’t done this in years!”
* * * * * * *
As planned, they rode the rides before doing anything else. Bo was a good sport riding not only the Ferris Wheel and Scrambler, but a few others of Nora’s choosing. He had to admit that he enjoyed being smashed by the door by her warm body, and wouldn’t have minded her rocking the Ferris Wheel seat had he gotten the kisses at the top that he was accustomed to. He was very ready to move this relationship beyond the friendship stage, but he wasn’t sure about Nora. So, he tried not to think beyond the time at hand.
After they were finished riding, they decided to grab a bite to eat. Once again, they chose something different with the plan to share. They found a seat under a pavilion by the band stand. They were just in time...a band was warming up.
“Let me have a few of those twirly potatoes before you saturate them with ketchup,” he told her.
They chatted and shared their food while listening to the band which played a mix of music; pop, oldies, and country. There was a makeshift dance floor near the bandstand, and as the band livened up, so did the people listening. The dance floor was getting full.
Suddenly, Bo jumped to his feet as the first few bars of a very familiar tune began playing. “Aw, man! We gotta dance to this one.” He held out a hand to her. “Dance with me, Red.”
Bo pulled Nora to the crowded dance floor to the sounds of Bob Seger's Old Time Rock-n-Roll. Bo was a natural and could remember all of their old dance moves. It wasn’t long before Nora was in sync with him following his leads and responding to them. As soon as that song ended, Brown-Eyed Girl began, and they danced through that one also. Nora was pretty tired by the end of that one and was relieved when a slow song began. Bo began to pull her close when they heard someone nearby calling her name.
“Nora...over here!”
They looked behind them to see Elaine and Kyle standing there just off the dance floor. They joined them.
“Hey, you two dance pretty well together,” Elaine commented. “It was fun watching you.”
“Oh,” said a still breathless Nora. “Thanks...but I’m a little out of practice. Bo never tires out.”
Bo noticed that Elaine was carrying a stuffed bear and joined in the conversation. “How did you win the bear?” he asked.
“I didn’t, Kyle did, “ she answered.
“I won it playing Skeeball,” Kyle said. “I’ve never won anything in my life. Guess this was my lucky night.”
Bo turned to Nora. “I should try to win something for Matthew,” he said. “Maybe we can find one of those target shooting games. I’m pretty good with those.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Nora agreed.
They talked a few minutes longer, Bo and Kyle about fishing, Elaine and Nora quietly about Kyle. “Looks like you two are getting along well,” Nora smiled. “So happy for you, she whispered.”
After a few more minutes, Bo said, “Well, we need to find those games. You ready, Nora?”
“Sure...Looks like I have a man on a mission. It was good seeing you two. Have a great night.”
“You too. We’ll see you soon. Nice seeing you again, Bo.”
“Thanks, same here,” he replied.
Bo was lucky with the target shooting game. He won the first time he played. “What should I get for Matthew?” he asked.
“I think you should choose since you won it for him,” Nora said.
Bo chose a giraffe with a bowtie around his neck. Then, like a gambler, he wanted to try again. When he won again, he said, “Now, this one’s for you. What would you like?”
“You choose for me,” she said.
“Okay…” He looked over the choices then said, “I’ll take that furry gorilla for the lady.”
“Why the furry gorilla?” she asked, smiling, when he handed it to her.
“Oh...I just thought his masculine good looks and muscular build would remind you of me when I’m gone…”
Nora rolled her eyes and laughed.
“Oh, now that really hurts,” Bo said feigning mock dismay.
“Here, my muscular hunk of masculinity, you could at least carry the giraffe,” she said, still laughing. Let’s go home.”
* * * * * * *
The sea breeze on the walk back was definitely cooler. Nora was glad she had brought along a sweater. They walked along leisurely each carrying one of the prizes Bo had won. As they walked further down the beach, the carnival music and sounds died away, and they were left with only the sounds of the surf.
Nora spoke. “Look at the moon tonight, Bo...how it shimmers on the water. Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is,” was his brief reply.
“I usually find the ocean frightening at night,” she continued, “but the moonlight makes it look...mystical...almost friendly...”
“Romantic,” he added gazing at the scene.
They walked along in silence for a short while, each lost in their own thoughts. Then Bo broke the silence, “I had a great time tonight, Red.”
She smiled at him. “Me too,” she responded. “It was fun...I’m glad we got it right this time and ate after the rides,” she said lightheartedly.”
They both chuckled again at the memory. “You’re never going to let me forget that, are you?” Bo asked glancing at her.
“Probably not...you know how I am.”
“Yes, I do.”
They walked a little further in silence. Nora could tell Bo had something on his mind. He had been fun and lighthearted all evening...now he was quiet and seemed preoccupied.
“Is something wrong?” she finally asked him.
Bo stopped and set the giraffe on an outcropping of rock. He hesitated a moment before answering, “Well...I was just thinking about how we got cheated out of our slow dance when Kyle and Elaine showed up. So...I was wondering…” He took the gorilla from her and placed it on the rocks with the giraffe. “I was wondering if we could share that dance now...here?”
She smiled at him. “How are we going to dance?” she asked. “The music has stopped.”
He took a couple of steps closer to her. Looking into her eyes he asked softly, “Do you think so, Red? Has the music really stopped?” If she caught the double meaning of his words, she didn’t let him know. He moved closer. “I still hear it,” he whispered. “Dance with me?”
She was lost in his eyes. When he held his hand out to her, she placed her palm in his and he drew her close.
“Now, close your eyes,” he said quietly just inches from her face.
“What?” she asked with a puzzled expression.
“Close your eyes and you’ll hear the music...trust me...close them.”
She smiled and closed her eyes obligingly.
“Now...follow my lead,” he said softly.
Bo held her close and began gliding across the sand. As they moved, they fell into the rhythm of the waves breaking and rolling on the beach. It wasn’t long before Nora also heard the music of the surf. Bo pulled their outstretched hands to his chest between them and held her tighter. She leaned her head on his shoulder.
“I hear it,” she whispered. “I hear the music.”
She opened her eyes to find him mere inches from her face. His dancing slowed as he inclined his head toward hers for a kiss. His mouth found hers. Her lips were so soft beneath his. He started slowly, kissing her lightly, tasting her. But, soon memory and passion overtook them both. Her lips parted willingly when his kisses became more intense. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he pulled her body close to his. It was only a matter of moments, but seemed like time stood still.
When they finally parted, Bo whispered, “I’ve wanted to do that all evening.”
“And... I’ve wanted you to do that all evening,” she said.
He leaned in to kiss her again, but after only a few more kisses, she murmured...“Um...We really need to be getting back. I told Clara we’d be back around eleven.” She played with the collar of his shirt.
“Oh...so you have a curfew?” he teased, eyes twinkling in that boyish way she loved.
“Well...I guess so. Clara doesn’t like to travel too late at night. But...when we get there...would you like to join me for a nightcap?”
“Sounds wonderful,” he said reluctantly releasing her and retrieving the stuffed animals. He handed her the gorilla and grabbed the giraffe. Then he took her hand in his and they made their way toward the cottage in the moonlight.
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