Friday Aug 30

Bobbie spent the morning in the Restaurant helping prepare the chili and stuff for the market. Just after noon, she went out to the SPOKES patio with a plate of homemade fries and some of Gina’s aioli sauce. Townes was sitting at a table so Bobbie asked if she could join him and he agreed.

He eyed her fries so she told him to help himself. “I hope you are enjoying your stay. At least the weather has been nice for you.”

“I am, I got two river runs in and the white water is just the right level of challenging.”

“That’s nice, if you have time, you’ll have to come to the market tomorrow. Johnny and I and maybe my brother will play a little show and there is good coffee and local crafts and Mark’s famous chili and garlic bread.”

“Mark was telling me about it. I’m trying out his baked beans right now.” Mark came out, smiled and put down the plate. “I was thinking, I’d like to thank you and Johnny for the hospitality the other night by taking you out to dinner tonight, if y’all don’t have plans.”

“Oh Townes, I’m so sorry, I’m invited to a friend’s apartment warming party and Johnny’s busy. I mean you could join me as a plus 1 if you like.”

“I’d love to join you, thanks for asking. These beans are great, I sure hope they are digested by the time we go to the party.”

They chatted and laughed and agreed she’d pick him up around 7. She bussed the empty plates, took her leave and climbed up the stairs to her apartment. Johnny had the awards dinner for the soccer team he coached over the summer and she was glad Townes was joining her. She felt a bit shallow that she especially liked that Townes was younger and really handsome and would make her look good.

She went into her office and started to get some papers ready for Chase. He would be eligible for workman’s compensation and maybe temporary compensation, depending on how long he had to take off for his operation and treatment. She wasn’t sending anything yet, she just wanted to download the right forms and read up on the details of submitting a claim. She checked over the financials and e-mailed Frank about some things. Around 4 she decided to have a coffee and a snack and then have a shower. Around six she was standing in front of her closet trying to decide what to wear. She decided on a pair of red fitted capris and a white almost sparkly raw silk collarless pull over tunic. She had the softest leather, red, driving shoes that went well. She planned to wear Jewellery. Jamie gave her a nice pendant set with some of the rubies that were in her old pieces; she had a nice bracelet and a big dinner ring too. She had several pairs of earrings so she picked out the simplest ones. They looked best with the modern pendant. She fussed a bit and put on her makeup. One last critical glance in the mirror and she grabbed her bag went to the kitchen and picked up the little housewarming present of place mats, linen napkins and a bottle of wine.

She went down and then up to Townes’ room and knocked. He answered the door holding car keys with a rental ticket.  He stepped out and kissed her on the cheek “You look really lovely. I just picked up a car, how about I drive? You’ll have to give me directions though.”

They walked out to the parking lot and Townes pointed to a fancy red sportscar. “It’s a convertible.”

“Ha ha, this is a midlife crisis car. I love it. Can we drive with the top down? It’s an unseasonably warm night.”

‘It might mess up your hair.”

“I don’t mind that a bit.”

They couldn’t talk much in the car, it was a little noisy but they got to their destination. Bobbie checked the mirror and got out. “So, I went on a couple dates with George and then I learned that his ex-wife was a childhood friend and then his dad started dating my mom so it got weird.”

“Sometimes this seems like a very small town. Back home you have to check back a couple generations to make sure that you’re not dating a cousin or something.”

Bobbie laughed. “Well, it’s not that small.”

They walked up a couple flights and saw that George’s door was open so Bobbie took Townes’ hand and led him in. Heads turned and she saw everyone taking them in. Townes had a dazzling smile and expressive brown eyes and slightly greying hair. He was wearing well broken in cowboy boots, dark jeans a pain blue chambray shirt with a bolo tie.

Sam came over. “Hi Bobbie it’s great to see you; this time for a happy occasion. Doesn’t Georges apartment look great?”

“It really does, Lorne does great work. Sam, this is my friend Townes Carson, I met him at a brunch for Trixie’s oilmen.”

Lorne joined them and hugged Bobbie. “Hi Bobbie. Hi handsome oil man. Bobbie where do you find these guys.”

Townes laughed and shook his hand. People had stopped staring and were going about their socializing again. Bobbie hugged Sam. “Where’s George? Is he still dating that cute French teacher.”

Sam handed her a drink and asked Townes what he wanted. She turned back to Bobbie. “He’s around here somewhere. The French teacher was a bust but he’s not too broken hearted. My traitorous daughter has left our flour company and is now working with her father at the store and they are both really happy with that. I love the pendant by the way.” Sam remembered what jewellery like that was worth.

“Thanks, I haven’t worn it before. Jamie broke down some older pieces and reused the gold and the gems to make it. We have to get together soon Sam. I’m going to mingle a bit.”

Bobbie got up and went to say hi to Rocco.

“Hi Bobbie, you sure clean up nice. You look great.”

Lorne nodded. “She’s almost glowing.”

Bobbie leaned towards him. “It’s the new BB cream. Rocco, the apartment looks great.” She looked up and saw George coming over. She walked over and hugged him. “George, the apartment looks fantastic. It looks so much bigger with the kitchen open. They removed the hallway too. There is so much more natural light. I left you a little prezzy on the table.”

“Thanks, Bobbie. I know, who would have thought there’d be so much light. Everyone in the building wants to do the same thing.”

Bobbie felt someone behind her and Townes slipped his arm in hers. She got a little pink. George was taking this all in with raised eyebrows. “George, this is Townes Carson. I met him through Trixie.” George nodded hello.

George’s daughter joined them. “Bobbie this is my daughter Hanna, she’s working at the store with me now. Someday it will all be hers.”

“It’s nice to meet you Hanna, it’s nice that you are working with your dad.”

Hanna smiled and nodded. She was looking at Townes.

“Right, I think I’ll head to the balcony for some air.” Townes joined her.

“How are you making out? I think we’ve seen mostly everyone I want to see. I meant to ask George if my mom and Dean were coming. I’m not sure how long to stay. I think Lorne and Rocco are already gone. Maybe I’ll go say goodbye to George and Sam. Are you hungry?”

“I could eat.”

“I have left over brats and cheap wine back at my place.”

Townes laughed. “That sounds perfect.”

Bobbie and Townes went back into the living room. Bobbie saw George and Sam together so she went over. I guess Mom and Dean aren’t coming this evening.”

“No Hanna and I had them over for dinner last night.”

“That’s nice. I guess we’re going to take off, thanks for having us.”

“Thanks for coming. Goodnight Bobbie and Townes.”

They were silent until they made it to the car.

“Well, that wasn’t such a great party.”

“Oh, I don’t know. What do you expect in a good party?”

“All my family parties involve music. Usually someone is playing something.”

“I thought it was neat to see you with your friends.”

“I really have to get in touch with Sam again. We used to have a lot of fun.”

“Did she play music with you? It’s not all on you to get together, she can call you.”

“No, we used to go out to the nightclubs and dance up a storm. We probably have to redefine out relationship.”

They were back on the highway and still had the top down so it was hard to continue talking. They got back to the Hotel. They went up to Bobbie’s suite and were oddly quiet in the elevator.

I’ll get something to eat maybe you could pour some wine. The box is on the counter and the glasses are in the rack, right above. If you take the wine over to the living room, I’ll meet you with snacks.  She got a few things out of the fridge, readied 2 small cutting boards and made 2 charcuteries. She took them into the living room and turned on their stereo receiver. She activated her Zune and started some music.

She took a sip of wine and picked up some cheese from her board. “This wine isn’t too bad.”

“You are a good hostess. You make everything seem effortless.”

“That’s nice of you to say.”

He smiled his dazzling smile and looked at her in a suggestive way. “You were the most beautiful woman at that party tonight.”

“I thought you were the most handsome man there too.” She definitely didn’t mind his advances and she returned the look. “So, do you want to see my jewelry collection? Bring your wine and cheese in case we get hungry.”

“Townes smiled his amazing smile again and grabbed his wine.”

He followed her into her room and put down his drink. She was standing at her safe putting away her earrings and he moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her. He nuzzled her neck and she felt like putty. They fell asleep, exhausted, around 2.