“Not really. I mean, no.” She laughed. “Hey, maybe I’ve been waiting for you to come back.” She laughed again, but this time her cheeks reddened.
Their eyes locked for a moment, and Ben almost fell into them.
“Ben, is that you?”
He turned at the sound of his mother’s voice.
“Down here, Mom.” He stood up. “I better…” He thumbed over his shoulder.
Emma also got to her feet. “Yeah, you better.” She brushed crumbs from her jeans and headed for the door. She jammed both hands into her back pockets.
Ben opened the door for her and she turned back to him.
“A few of the old gang are getting together tonight to throw back a couple of beers, have some ribs and a few laughs. Why don’t you come along?”
“Um.” His first instinct was to decline. But looking down into those eyes made it impossible. “Sure, where and when?”
She grinned. “When, is 7pm. Where, is across town; I’ll pick you up at quarter to seven, deal?”
“Deal.” He reached out a hand and she took it. This time, he felt the calluses on her hand and he turned it over. “Oh yeah, these really are rock-jock hands.”
She pulled her hand away. “They can be soft when I want them to be, soldier boy. See you tonight.” She turned and skipped down the steps, a lightness in every bounce.
A car horn honked at 6:45 on the dot.
Cynthia looked up from her book. “Your date’s here, darling.” She smiled.
Ben rolled his eyes. “It’s not a date. Just gonna catch up with some of the old crowd.”
“Emma’s nice; I like her.” Cynthia watched him as he pulled on his jacket. It was tight across shoulders that were more at home on a linebacker.
He nodded. “She sure is. And she makes a great cake.”
“And she’d make a great wife. Not that I’d match-make, you know.” She raised an eyebrow.
He chuckled. “What? I’m back a few days and you’re trying to marry me off already?”
“Well, you’re not getting any younger, handsome. Barry missed out on seeing any grandkids, and I sure don’t want to.”
“Aw, Mom.” He scowled but couldn’t help the corners of his mouth turning up.
There was a knock on the door.
“And impatient to see you — good sign.” Cynthia lowered her voice. “She often asked after you, you know.”
Ben waved her to quietness and was about to turn to the door when he paused. “Do you need anything?”
She shook her head. “Just for you two to have a nice time.”
“It’s not just us two,” he whispered back. “I won’t be late. Call me if there’s anything you need.” Ben quickly crossed back to kiss her on the cheek.
He then headed back to the front door and pulled it open, immediately smelling wonderful perfume. Emma stood there in a clinging cotton dress, and her smooth, tanned skin, perfect figure, luminous green eyes, and shimmering hair made his heart leap in his chest.
“Wow, you brush up real fine.” He meant it.
“You make me sound like a pair of shoes.” But she grinned appreciatively. “And you look pretty damn good yourself. Even if you could do with some new clothes.”
He opened his arms. “Shabby chic; it’s all the rage in Colorado.”
She nodded. “I believe you; thousands wouldn’t.” She leaned around his large frame. “Hiya, Mrs. Cartwright; need anything?”
His mother waved. “No, and thank you for the magnificent cake. Even though Ben ate most of it before I even got to take a peek.”
Ben raised his hands. “Guilty.”
“I’ll make some more,” Emma replied, beaming.
“You two have a nice night.” Cynthia settled back in her chair. “And no need to bring him back early; he needs a break from looking after an old woman.”
“Aw…” Ben grimaced at her.
“Go.” Cynthia shooed him out and Emma grabbed his arm.
“See ya, Mrs. Cartwright.” She waved and dragged him down the steps, barely pausing long enough for him to drag the door shut.
Her car was an old Land Rover that was covered with dust up to the door handles.
“Whoa, the best of British muscle, huh?” He smiled appreciatively.
“It’s open.” She jumped in and he followed. “Yup; 1998 Land Rover Discovery. Tough as all get out and damned cheap; it also has a V8 engine, four-wheel drive as well as great angling for off-road activities — there aren’t many tracks that I can’t get to in this bad boy.”
“Nice.” He strapped in. “So, where to, driver?’
“You remember that hokey bar and rib joint that all the cool kids used to hang out in?” She started the Rover.
“Ricky’s?” His brows went up.
“Yep, that’s the one. Well, the cool kids still go there; they’re just a little older and less cool now.” She chuckled.
“And some of us don’t need fake IDs to sneak into bars anymore.” He gave her a wry smile.
She chuckled. “Yep, that’s me; Emma the law breaker.” She half turned to briefly flash him a dazzling smile before facing the road again.
Ben enjoyed her company, and they talked like they had never been apart. He was almost disappointed when they arrived at Ricky’s Bar and Rib Joint as it meant he’d now have to share her.
She parked the Rover with a jerk and jumped out. He followed.
“Hasn’t changed a bit.” Ben looked up at the neon sign, still glowing cherry red with an image of sauce-laden ribs on a plate. Through the windows, he saw a few family diners and a group of younger people gathered at one end of the bar.
The door squeaked as he held it open, and she led him over to the group.
“Get outta town, it’s true.” A slim, stubbled young Asian man stepped out, grinning widely. He wore casual, but expensive clothing.
Ben returned the smile. “Mr. Daniel Murakami; you still here?” They embraced and then others swarmed around.
“Nah, I come back from time to time; you should too, buddy. Long time no see,” Murakami chided.
“He’s slumming it.” Another hand slapped his shoulder and Ben turned. The blond man was lantern-jawed, as broad as Ben, and had an easy smile. “Welcome back, big guy.” He stuck out a large hand.
“Steve,” Ben scoffed with a grin. Steven Chamber’s hand felt like wood and leather. He turned seeing another member of his old crew.
There was Andrea Ashley, still as intensely beautiful as she was at school. He distantly remembered that she headed off to Hollywood to find her future. He doubted she was now back in Greenberry just to see him.
“Andrea.” He smiled, and she looked back at him with an appraising eye before stepping in to hug him, and then continue hugging him.
“Jesus, someone throw a bucket of water over them.” Steve jammed a bottle of beer between them and another into Emma’s hand as she also wedged herself in front of Andrea.
Steve then held his own beer aloft. “To the return of all prodigal sons and daughters — saludo!”
“Saludo!” Bottles and glasses were raised and then clinked together.
They spent the next few hours catching up, talking crap, laughing too loud, followed it with ribs and more beer, before finally settling at a corner table to finish with coffee and whisky.
“Bummer about your dad, Ben. He was a good guy.” Steve gave him a glum smile.
“Yeah, thanks. Mom’s still a little messed up.” Ben continued to stare at his coffee.
“And will be for a while; but she’ll be okay,” Emma said. “Those guys come from tougher stock than us.”