Posted by hummingbird on 11/25/2013, 8:46 am VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
CHAPTER SEVEN
With only a few weeks left til Christmas, the mall was a madhouse. While carols resonated throughout the stores, shoppers went shoulder-to-shoulder weaving around each other in an effort to purchase and check items off their lists. Bo and Nora did the same.
“So we’re done with Rachel,” Nora said, crossing items off her list. “And you picked up the train set for Drew, right?”
“Yes, and I finished Matthew’s,” Bo replied.
Nora crossed off a few more items. “You know what this means, Buchanan?” She glanced at her list again. “We are done. Let’s go home. My feet are killing me.”
As they made their way through the center court of the mall, they came across the Santa booth. A long line of bouncing children anxiously awaited their chance to see Santa. Nora stopped as a moment of nostalgia swept over her. “Look, Bo. Look how excited they are. Seems like not that long ago I was standing in line with Matthew so he could see Santa.”
At that moment, Bo heard a resounding “Grampa!” and turned to see Drew bounding toward him a candy cane in his hand. Destiny followed quickly behind.
Bo carefully put down his packages and scooped the boy up into his arms. “Hey Bud. Did you bring me a candy cane?”
“Nooo... Santa gabe it to me. He might gib you one if you go see ‘im.”
“Do you think so?” Bo asked Drew seriously. Drew shook his head in an emphatic “yes.”
Destiny joined in, “Drew had his picture taken with Santa. It’s much better this year.” They all laughed remembering the photo of a crying Drew from the previous Christmas. She showed them the photo.
“Oh, I love it!” Nora exclaimed, “I hope you ordered some extra copies. Great picture, Drew! You’re getting to be such a big boy!”
Drew gave them a sticky smile. “You wanna bite my candy cane, Grampa?” he asked poking it under Bo’s nose.
Bo looked at the slimy candy cane and declined graciously.
“So, are you getting anything accomplished tonight?” Nora asked Destiny. “We just finished. It’s such a relief.”
“I got a few things done. I really didn’t expect to accomplish much with Drew along. But we did get to see Santa which was my main goal for tonight.”
“Well, if you want to get out on your own to finish shopping some night, just give us a call. We’ll be glad to keep Drew for you,” Nora said.
“Thanks, I appreciate that.”
“But, now it’s time for tired Grandpa to get away from this madhouse and get home,” Bo said putting Drew back on his feet. “Be careful driving home, Destiny. I heard some of the other shoppers say the snow is picking up out there. We’re expecting a couple of inches.”
“I’ll be careful,” Destiny assured him. “We’re not going to be here much longer either. Drew is getting tired.”
“Well, you be a good boy for Mommy, Drew,” Nora told him. “We’ll see you soon.”
Then, after some goodbye hugs and sticky kisses, Bo and Nora were on their way.
* * * * * * *
“She’s making a list and checking it more than twice,” Bo commented as they were driving home. “Am I on that list?”
“No,” Nora told him giving him a sideways glance, “this is my nice list. You’re on the other one.”
“Oh yeah? Well that’s fine with me,” he told her grinning and giving her thigh a squeeze.
“Both hands on the wheel, Commissioner,” she scolded. He didn’t comply.
She tucked the list back into her purse and took his hand in hers. The crooning voice of Bing Crosby singing ‘White Christmas’ kept them company. Nora spoke up,“You know, it’s not snowing nearly as much as I expected from the way those shoppers were talking. It’s just enough to be pretty.”
He didn’t respond.
“It’s a relief to get the shopping done, isn’t it?” Then after a moment of silence she said, “Hellooo.”
“Hmmm?” Bo asked.
“I said…” she began, glancing at him... “Oh nevermind, it wasn’t important...what’s on your mind?” she asked. You seem to be a world away.”
“Oh...just thinking about Drew...amongst other things. He’s such a fun little guy, isn’t he? I love being a Grandpa, Red. Just when I think it can’t get any better, it does, you know?.....Kind of like you and me,” he said squeezing her hand.
She looked at him. He continued, “I love the life we have together, Red. It’s sure... and it’s comfortable...and...it’s...’for as long as we both shall live’,” he finished. He looked at her, then back at the road. “I guess I’m just feeling really blessed tonight.”
Smiling she played with his hand still resting on her leg.
A few moments later, Bo began again, “You know...I’m going to need to pull over up here.” He suddenly turned off onto a small drive.
Nora’s senses perked up. “Bo, I think this is a private lane or something. That sign said ‘no trespassing or loitering’.”
He continued. “No, honey, this is just a private drive for the workers at the national park. It’s ok. They won’t be coming in and out of here until morning.”
She looked confused. “Why are we pulling over? Is something wrong with the car?”
“No. The car’s fine,” Bo replied calmly.
“What is it then? Do you need to send a text? Or are you sick? Oh Bo, are you feeling sick? Do you need me to drive?”
“I’m fine, Red, just relax.”
He stopped the car and put it into park.
“Why are we stopping?” she asked looking at her surroundings. “What’s going on?”
“You know how they say it’s unsafe to text and drive?” he began.
She looked at him. “Yes…” she said slowly. “But I thought you said you didn’t need to send a text…”
“I don’t. But... it’s just as unsafe to kiss and drive...and I need to kiss my wife,” he said turning toward her. Her mouth dropped open.
“Bo Buchanan! Are you kidding me?! I thought something was wrong. Why do you do these things?”
He moved closer. “It keeps life interesting, doesn’t it?” he grinned. He pulled her close and began kissing her neck. “Come on, Red...when was the last time we actually necked in a car?”
She rolled her eyes at him but at the same time, she had to smile. She loved this about him...that he had an almost boyish ardor and was still spontaneous and romantic after all these years. She could feel his hot breath on her throat. It didn’t take long for her mind and body to begin to respond. She ran her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck as he continued planting kisses on her neck moving upward toward her mouth. His lips claimed hers and they parted in a slow and passionate kiss…
...which ended abruptly with a knock on the window and the glare from a flashlight beaming in. The passion immediately died, and Bo pulled back only to have that same flashlight glare in his face.
“Commissioner? Is that you?” came the question from a uniformed officer of the Llanview PD.
Bo rubbed his hand over his face and groaned before rolling down the window. Yes, it’s me Wilkens.”
Officer Wilkens beamed the flashlight onto Nora. Squinting, she gave him an awkward smile and a slight wave.
“Mrs. Buchanan...how are you tonight?”
“Just fine...thank you…” she answered quietly and a bit embarrassed.
“So what’s going on Commish?” the officer continued. “Engine a little overheated?”
“You could say that,” Bo responded quietly.
“What was that? I missed that, Commissioner, I’m sorry.”
“Nevermind, Wilkens. It’s just as well. So….why did you stop by here? How did you see my car?”
“Well, the park lights are on, sir.”
Bo looked down at the dashboard...indeed, the park lights were on.
“I thought someone might be having car trouble, Wilkens continued, “or that some teenagers were down here making out. We find a lot of them back here doing that and have to shoo them out of here. I’ll bet half the teen pregnancies in this county begin right here in this very spot,” said Wilkens pointing to the ground and laughing at his own humor.
Bo kept his eyes straight ahead.
“So you say your engine was overheated?” Wilkens continued on again.
Bo didn’t respond.
But Wilkens did. “So let’s just see if it starts, Commish. If it doesn’t, Peterson and I will give you a jump.”
“Peterson?! Is Officer Peterson here too?” Bo asked, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
“Yes sir! I remember what you said about always calling back up, sir. You said…”
Bo held his hand up to stop him. “I know what I said, Wilkens. I know procedure.”
“Well, sir...did you also know this is a no trespassing-no loitering zone?” Wilkens asked seriously. “Now...you weren’t trespassing or loitering here, were you sir, because I sure would hate to have to ticket our commander-in-chief.”
Bo looked at the officer. “Are you planning to ticket me or not, Wilkens?”
Officer Wilkens looked confused. He didn’t want to ticket the Commish, but he didn’t want to get into trouble for not issuing a citation either. He opted out of the citation.
“Tell you what, sir. If you were any other citizen, I would probably give you just a warning since it’s your first offense. So I’ll do the same for you. But, if I find you loitering here again…” Wilkens began.
Bo interrupted him. “Really Wilkens. It won’t happen again, I assure you.”
“Glad to hear it sir.” Wilkens smiled a knowing smile. “You have a good night now, sir. Mrs. Buchanan,” he said smiling and tipping his cap at Nora.
Officer Wilkens started to proceed to his cruiser. Bo called him back.
“WILKENS.” Bo motioned him back to the window. “Since there are no charges, there is no need for paperwork on this.” Bo stopped and looked the officer in the eye, “...and there will be no need to mention this down at the station, right? You and Peterson will keep this to yourselves?”
“Is that an order, sir?”
“Would it make a difference if it was?” asked Bo.
“Yes, sir,” replied Wilkens honestly.
“Then that’s an order,” said Bo.
“Yes sir!”
The two cruisers left and Bo followed out behind them. She could see Bo’s jaw clenched with nervous tension. Nora bit her lip to keep from laughing. After several silent moments, she ran her hand over the back of his neck playing with his hair, then along his jawline, and finally down his thigh where she finished by squeezing his knee.
“So,” she said in a sultry voice gazing at him, “do you still wanna neck, Big Boy?”
A grin started at the corner of Bo’s mouth and spread into a smile. The pent up tension in Nora burst forth into that laugh of hers that he loved so well. Soon he was chuckling along with her until they were both laughing hysterically, Nora holding her stomach. “Please. Please stop laughing...I think I’m going to be sick,” she said with tears streaming down her face.
“Don’t you dare get sick,” was his response, “because when I get you home, I wanna neck!” he exclaimed. Then the laughter began all over again.