Posted by hummingbird on 2/19/2014, 7:55 am VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Because Chapter 12 is short and just a connecting chapter, I decided to post Chapter 13 today also.
Chapter Twelve
When Monday dawned, Nora wasn’t quite ready to dive into the work week. She hadn’t slept well the night before...too many conflicting thoughts had prodded through her brain. She felt relief that she and Bo had been able to make apologies and extend forgiveness, happiness that they had been able to spend some time together talking and laughing like old friends; and yet, she felt confusion and some dismay that he was still so deeply and obviously imbedded in her heart.She found it hard to concentrate on the tasks at hand...her mind would drift to parts of their conversations, a look or a smile he had given her, the way he had interacted with Matthew….
Likewise, Bo was remembering her. When work didn’t consume his thoughts, Nora did. He was glad he had made the effort and the apologies, yet he felt defeated. She was building a new life for herself and seemed like she was determined to do it on her own. He knew in his heart that he still loved her, yet now he knew he would have to try to regain her love...or let her go. The thought of letting her go was too hard to think about. Then again, what excuse would he have for calling her or making the trip again to see her? It was frustrating trying to figure it all out.
By Thursday night, Bo had made up his mind. He had to take a chance. Without any good reason, he decided to call. Nora was in the midst of Matthew’s bath when the phone rang. She quickly dried her hands and answered.
“Hello...”
“Nora…Hi...it’s Bo.”
“Bo? ...is everything okay?”
“Yes, everything is fine...I just decided to call and see how you’re doing…”
“Oh…”
“So, how are you?”
“Well...to be honest...busy. I have Matthew in the bath…”
“So I called at a bad time...sorry...I could call back later...if it’s ok?…”
She hesitated only a second. He had been on her mind all week. Did she want him to call back? Both her heart and mind gave her an emphatic “yes”, but her voice remained calm.
“Sure...give me an hour. By then Matthew will be tucked in and I will be showered and ready to relax.”
“Sounds good...talk to you then.”
After they hung up Nora thought, this is pathetic...I feel like some silly teenager...
Still, when she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, she found herself smiling.
* * * * * * *
An hour later found Nora relaxed on the porch with a glass of wine. When Bo called back, the stilted conversation became much easier as they talked about their lives and their work weeks. Bo once again was able to talk with Nora about cases pending. He always loved bouncing ideas off her regarding work issues. She often took a different perspective than he did and made him view situations in different ways...then there was her vast knowledge of the law. Shop talk was always stimulating with Nora.
But, he found their light conversation just as stimulating. He noticed that the teasing banter they had always enjoyed was still there. In Nora, he found something that was lacking in other women...the ability to talk on a deeper level while still being able to play and have fun. He missed that...he missed her.
By the time their conversation ended, Bo had made plans for a return visit on Saturday. He went to sleep peacefully with a smile on his face. She, on the other hand, stared at the ceiling for an hour.
Chapter Thirteen
Saturday dawned sunny and promised to be hot for a late September day in Rhode Island. Before making plans with Bo, Nora had accepted Kyle’s invitation to go out on the boat again with his friends. This time, however, Nora was to be the single friend along for the ride...Kyle had taken her advice and had been seeing Elaine. That gave Nora a great sense of relief. Kyle was still her friend without him seeing her as a romantic interest, and that was exactly what she wanted.
When Bo decided to come, Nora called Kyle to cancel her boating plans.
“Why don’t you bring him along?” asked Kyle. “Does he have any interest in fishing? We’re going to do some deep sea fishing and have a fish fry in the evening. You’re both welcome to join us if you think he’d be interested.”
When Nora shared the idea with Bo, he jumped at the chance.
“I’ve only been deep sea fishing a couple of times. I’d love it...but...I don’t want you to be bored. If you’d rather do something else…”
“No...that’s fine. I love being out on the boat. I’ll just visit with the girls and let you men catch my dinner.”
* * * * * * *
Bo fit right in with the rest of the guys. They were soon conversing as if they had known each other all of their lives…mostly about fishing, of course.
Most of the ladies lounged and chatted soaking up some sun...except for Kendra who enjoyed the sport of fishing. She was right in there with the guys and pulling in just as many fish.
Nora was glad Casey had brought along her baby this time. Her Josh was just a few months older than Matthew. It was fun comparing the boys and talking about their milestones.
About mid-afternoon the conversation was halted by excited shouts from the fishermen at the back of the boat.
“You got it!”
“Pull it in!”
“PULL MAN!”
“Holy….!”
“Wow!”
“Son of a…!”
“It’s HUGE!”
The girls stood to get a glimpse of what was going on. The could see Bo’s line and rod nearly bent double as he struggled with a catch. Finally, the flailing fish was hauled into the boat. It thrashed on the deck gleaming in the sun. He had caught a striped sea bass...at least three feet long. Bo was wet, his hair was wild, and he was grinning from ear to ear.
“Come and look at this, Red!” he shouted. “I caught the big one!”
Nora put Matthew on her hip and went to see. “Oh my gosh, Bo! It’s huge! It’s bigger than Matthew! I need to get some pictures. Hold him. I’m going to go get my camera.” She started to hand the baby to Bo but changed her mind when she saw his wet and fishy hands. Instead she turned and handed him to Elaine and went to search her bag for her camera.
“You carry a camera?” Bo asked.
“Everywhere I go,” she shouted back at him. “I’m a mom, remember?”
Bo hoisted the fish for the photos...first holding the fish vertically...then horizontally. Then Casey took a photo of Nora and Matthew with Bo and the fish.
When the excitement was over, Kyle said, “Okay...we have plenty of fish. Let’s head back to my place and fry them up!”
* * * * * * *
The dinner was delicious...fried bluefish and sea bass, hush puppies, slaw, salad, and fresh fruit. After dinner they played some cards, but the evening was cut short for Bo and Nora when Matthew started getting fussy.
After saying their thanks and goodbyes, they headed back to Nora’s cottage. Bo drove while Nora tried to soothe a crying Matthew and make conversation at the same time.
“So, did you enjoy the day?” she asked Bo.
“It was great, Red. Loved catching the fish and loved eating them. Delicious...but I think I overdid it.”
“Me too,” she moaned. “Too bad Hank isn’t here with his fizzy medicine. Remember that?”
“Ohhhh,” Bo groaned. “I was trying to block that memory out. We were miserable that night, weren’t we?”
“To say the least. Speaking of Hank, you need to send him a photo of you with that fish. He will be so jealous.” She laughed.
“I’m glad you took pictures. It’s proof that I’m not just telling a big fish story.”
“Yeah, Buchanan. I’ll back up your story...maybe…” she said giving him a sly smile.
He laughed at her. “You better!”
When they finally reached the cottage, Nora unlocked the door and headed straight down the hall. “Come on, Mr. Grumpy,” she said. “It’s time for your bath.”
As Matthew kept fussing, she continued in a soothing voice, “I know...Mommy knows you’re tired. We’ll get a bath and jammies and a bottle...then to bed with you.”
Bo followed. “Can I help?” he asked.
“Sure. There’s a linen closet in the hall. Grab a towel and washcloth.”
When Bo entered the bathroom, Nora had the warm water running and was removing Matthew’s clothes. She undressed him down to his diaper then held him in a standing position on the counter. He loved stretching his legs.
“Here,” she said to Bo. “Hold him a minute will you?”
Bo held him up under the arms as he stretched and kicked. “His skin is so soft...hope my hands aren’t too rough on him.”
“No...he’s tough,” Nora said. “Just look at that physique. I’ll bet you’re jealous,” she said to Bo teasingly.
“He’s a brute, for sure,” Bo agreed nodding his head and smiling. “He’s really cute, Nora.”
“Say ‘thank you Bo’,” Nora said to Matthew, and to Bo, “Okay, go ahead and put him in the tub.”
As he did so, they heard a phone ringing. “Is that your phone or mine?” Bo asked.
“I think it’s yours.”
Bo hurried to answer. Nora heard him asking questions.
“When?...Did you get the guy?...any casualties?...”
Something is wrong, Nora thought. She hurried to finish Matthew’s bath, wrapped him in a towel, and joined Bo in the living room.
He was finishing his conversation. “I’ll try to get the next flight out...if I can’t get a flight it will be seven hours…”
Nora reached into her desk drawer, pulled out her phone book, and started searching for the airport number.
As Bo hung up, she handed him the phone book. “Here’s the airport number. What’s wrong, Bo?”
“Let me make these arrangements, then I’ll fill you in...Hello, yes, I need to book a flight to Llanview, Pennsylvania...this is an emergency. I’ll need the next flight available…”
While Nora waited, she paced the floor cuddling Matthew in his towel. Then she brought his jammies into the living room and dressed him on the couch. Finally, Bo was off the phone. She stood to face him.
“What’s going on, Bo?”
Bo looked at her. “A gunman opened fire in the Palace Restaurant. Two casualties, six injured. He’s at large. There’s a manhunt going on. I need to get back there as soon as possible.”
“Oh, Bo! Who? Anyone we know?” she asked.
“I don’t know the victims’ names.” He could see the worry in her eyes and pulled her into his arms for a hug. “Try not to worry. Call Rachel. Put your mind at ease.” He kissed her forehead, then released her to tuck in his shirt and find his few belongings. “Now, help me...how do I get to the airport and how long will it take?”
“It’s about a twenty minute drive from town. You’ll take Route 41 north and follow the signs. Do you want me to take you?”
“No, I’ll drive and leave my jeep in long-term parking. But, I have to go get my things from the hotel first. I’m just glad I could get on a flight.”
“Me too.”
“I guess I have everything...okay, take care...call Rachel...you’ll feel better.”