Chet stealthily crept the well-worn path through the bushes on the west wing of the ranch house. He glanced around furtively. He knew he shouldn’t be here...slinking around the house in the dark...but he had to see if she was there tonight...if she had returned. He hadn’t seen her for days...nearly a week.
He didn’t recall when this habit had started...this habit of creeping around the west wing in the dark...but he came fairly often now. He would crawl behind the bushes and peer through the sheer curtains at the window just to get a glimpse of her. Some nights when he came to this window to see her, he would see him too...in her room...kissing her...touching her...the way he used to touch her. It was all he could do on nights like that not to break the glass and take her...take her where no one would ever find her...where they could be happy again...they were happy once, he and Ellie…
Chet’s thoughts were interrupted when he heard a soft rustling sound in the bushes. Startled, he turned toward the sound. Suddenly, a firm hand grabbed his shirt front and shoved him against the wall of the ranch house.
“Just what do you think you’re doing?!” a voice hissed in the dark.
* * * * * * * January 4,1948 Hanen Home Chicago
Bo rolled over and draped his arm across Nora’s side of the bed. Finding it empty, he glanced around the room. In the pale light of the moon, he could see her propped against her pillow in the window seat. He tucked his pillow under his arm and padded silently across the room.
“May I join you?” he whispered.
Startled, she glanced up. “Did I wake you?” she asked quietly.
“No. I reached for you and you weren’t there,” Bo replied. “Saw you sitting here and thought I’d join you. Scootch over.”
“You should be sleeping,” she admonished. “We have a long trip tomorrow.”
“And now we have two drivers,” he said nudging her over. “When I get tired, I’ll give you the wheel. Make room.”
She obliged and Bo plumped his pillow up comfortably behind him.
“Pretty, isn’t it?” she asked referring to the moonlight sparkling on the snow outside the window. “Bet you’ve never seen anything like that in Texas.”
“No, I haven’t. It is a beautiful night.”
They sat quietly for awhile before he continued.
“Texas boasts a lot of beauty, but Chicago has it beat for snowy nights... and beautiful women,” he added leaning his head against hers.
She smiled slightly and gave him a tender kiss. “Flatterer,” she whispered.
“Not flattery...truth,” he said looking into her eyes.
She kissed him again and snuggled her hand into his, then cast her eyes back out the window.
“So...why are you awake at two-thirty in the morning?” Bo asked. “I’m sure you didn’t get up to admire the view.”
“No…” she admitted in a faraway voice, “I was just...thinking.”
“About…?” he encouraged.
When she didn’t respond, he said, “Come on, Red. Talk to me. I know something is on your mind...it has been for quite awhile. We always talk things over. Why aren’t you sharing with me?”
She looked his way. “Well...I’ve just needed some time to think some things through...but, you’re right. I want to talk with you about it.” She moved to sit indian-style in front of him still holding his hand in hers.
“Before I begin, I want you to know that...I love being Mrs. Bo Buchanan...and I love being Lilli’s mom.”
Bo looked at her quizzically wondering where this was going. He waited silently for her to continue. She held his hand between hers as she began.
“Before we were married, you know I was working two jobs...and while I still lived here with my parents, I was...fairly independent. Then, when you went to the front, I worked two jobs again...took care of our home and our bills...and...I was still pretty independent, but...these past few months I’ve just felt…” She hesitated.
“Unhappy?” he ventured.
“No...not unhappy. I guess ‘discontent’ would be the word I’d use.”
“I thought that was because you’ve been wanting another baby.”
“So did I, but…” she shrugged. “...I really think it’s more than that, Bo. Learning to drive was a real boost for me. And I’ve seen what other women are accomplishing. Look at Rita. She’s mother of two now and has always helped run that business. And Lena...did you know she took secretarial courses? She isn’t working now, but has the option whenever she’s ready…”
“So...are you saying you want to work again? Is that it?”
“Not right now, no. Right now I want to be there for Lilli. But...someday... yes.”
“Any idea what you would want to do?” Bo asked.
“Yes…” She looked into his eyes, “but I want you to hear me out before you say anything, okay?”
He looked at her expectantly.
“I would like to study law,” she said quietly.
He didn’t say anything...just continued looking at her.
“It fascinates me...and more women are going to law school now…”
When he didn’t say anything, she mistook it as doubt or disapproval.
“I can do this, Bo...I really want to do this!” She looked at him expectantly, wondering what he was thinking. Finally, she said quietly, “So...tell me what you think.”
A slow smile spread across Bo’s face before he said, “I know you can do this. There’s no doubt in my mind that you can do anything you set your mind to. You’re as tenacious as our daughter…I guess that’s where she gets it...”
“I’m not!” she interrupted.
“No?” Bo raised his brows. “Who was it that pushed me to get married before the war? Who was that?”
“I didn’t “push” you…” she began.
Bo laughed. “To all of my arguments about getting married before my tour of duty, you said, ‘Just ask me...just ask me…’ You were so persistent! So, I asked you.”
She straddled his lap and cuddled close. “That’s not the only reason you asked me…” she said softly.
He went on, “And who was it that said, ‘I’m going to marry Bo with or without your blessing, Daddy...?’ Who was that?”
“Well…” she began...
Bo continued on, “And who was it that told me to ‘stop this truck and teach me to drive’? And who…”
Nora put a finger to his lips. “Okay, okay...I see your point! She gets her tenacity from me, but...aren’t you glad that I was persistent?” she asked kissing him gently.
“Yes, I am. You were right about all of those things...I’m glad we got married before the war, glad you faced Daddy’s wrath to marry me, glad that you always have the desire and enthusiasm to try new things. I love the woman that you are, Red.” He slowed down and pulled her closer. “I love you. You have always supported me in any choice that I have made. Now, I want to support you. If you want to go to school, I am behind you all the way.”
“Really?” She beamed and threw her arms around his neck. “Oh, thank you, thank you! I love you, Bo Buchanan!” she said kissing him over and over again.
He held her tight. “I love you too,” Bo replied slowing her down to a lingering kiss.
Moments later, he pulled back. “Okay, okay...we still have some things to talk about…”
“Are you sure you wanna talk?” she asked seductively, nibbling his neck.
“Yes...for a little bit...I have more to say…and some questions...”
She sat up and looked at him.
“First I want to say that I’m behind you all the way in this endeavor, but I have one request. I don’t really believe I need to say it, but I will anyway...just to cover all the bases.”
“Okay…”
“When you pursue this goal, you’re going to be very busy…”
“I love being busy…”
“I know you do. I just want to say that Lilli is still young and she needs you…”
“And you don’t?” she asked.
“You know I do. But she’s little...no matter how busy you get, Lilli comes first. I can handle it if I get pushed aside a little, but Lilli can’t. Remember, I grew up in a home without my mom. Maggie was a great substitute, but I don’t want that for Lilli.”
“I don’t either, Bo. You and Lilli...and whatever family we have...family comes first.”
“That leads me to my next question. Does this mean that you’ve given up on our dream of another child?”
Nora shook her head. “No, I haven’t given up, Bo. I just have felt like that dream was occupying so much of my thoughts. I can’t sit around and wait for that to happen. Rita and I talked about this very thing this past week. She knows how I feel. She and Sal tried to have babies and never could. So...she decided not to sit around waiting for that dream to happen. She jumped into the business with Sal. Then the war took Sal and left her with the business, and it seemed to her like the end of another dream. But she pressed on to keep the business running. Then Vinnie came along to help with the business and brought with him that dream of love and family again. Her advice to me was to not put my life on hold waiting for another child, but to pursue other dreams as I wait. I think that’s wise advice, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do. Rita is a wise woman.”
“So,” Nora continued running a hand across his chest, “if I do get pregnant, I will put the college dream on hold for awhile...I won’t give it up, but I can always pursue it later.”
Bo smiled. “Mmmm...not only are you tenacious but beautiful and smart as well…”
“Mmmm, there’s that flattery again,” she murmured against his neck. She began pursuing him again, but he drew back.
“Honey, I have something else to tell you about…”
“Really, Bo...can it wait?”
He took a deep breath. “No. It’s too exciting. I have to share it. The timing of this is just...amazing. You won’t believe it, Red.”
She laughed as she sat up again. “Well...it must be good if you’re turning down sex…”
“Not turning it down...hell, no...” he said, “Just...I have to tell you this one other thing first...it’s big.”
“Okay,” she said grinning at him. “What is it?”
“You know how Asa has been wanting me to help Clint with the business in Llanview? He’s asked me several times. I’m thinking maybe now is the time I should accept.”
“Are you serious?...”
He stopped her. “Just let me finish,” he said. “It’s a nice city...not as large as Chicago, but growing...some beautiful houses...hospital...good schools...and...a university. Llanview University...I passed it several times. Founded in the 1870’s, so it’s been established awhile...would be a great place for you to get your undergraduate studies done if we lived in Llanview. What do you think?”
Nora was stunned. “But, you love the ranch…” she began.
“But, I love you more.”
She smiled through tear-filled eyes.
“So...what do you think, Red? You ready to move to Llanview with me?” he questioned.
“You know I’d go anywhere with you...I love you...so much,” she said kissing him again.
“You do, huh? You love me?”
She nodded, her head against his neck.
“Then I have just one other question for you…”
She sighed.
“Who’s JC?”
She sat up again. “Whaaat?” she asked, confused.
“JC? It’s right here...etched in the window frame. “JC Loves NH”. So, who’s JC?” he asked, puzzled.
“Oh! James Casey!” Nora said with enthusiasm. “I told you about him. He was my first love...remember?”
“Yeah, now I remember,” Bo nodded. “So...he was your first love and his initials live in infamy on your window frame. But, I’m your last love, and I don’t see my initials etched anywhere…” he said scanning the wood.
“No...you won’t find your initials there,” she replied softly.
He looked at her as she laid a hand along his cheek.
“You won’t find your initials there because...your initials...are etched on my heart,” she murmured tenderly.
“That works for me,” he whispered.
“So, Mr. Buchanan, are you finished asking questions?” she asked playing with his earlobe. “Because, if so...I have other plans for you,” she said enticingly.
Bo smiled. “I’m all yours, Mrs. Buchanan,” he replied, drawing her into his arms.