Luke guided his water taxi into a boat slip at Bridgewater Plaza, assisted the middle-aged couple from the boat, thanked them for their generous tip, and waved goodbye. Usually he enjoyed showing folks different waterfront developments around the lake, the cliffs, and some of the other attractions. This time was different. When he’d met them at Bridgewater four hours ago, he’d not been in the best mood. He was angry at himself for losing his cool earlier in the day and socking Win. Luke couldn’t get Carole’s reaction—or Win’s—out of his mind. Maybe Win’s right, he thought. Maybe my actions will drive Carole into his welcoming arms. I’m an idiot.
Fifteen minutes later Luke stepped onto his own dock and secured the boat. He looked at his watch—4:15. Maybe Carole was home. Probably a good time to call, he figured. When he entered his office, he checked the messages on his answering machine, decided they could wait, and dashed upstairs to his apartment and picked up the phone. No answer at Carole’s office. He didn’t leave a message, nor did he call her cell. He needed to see her in person—without Win hanging all over her—and apologize, tell her he was sorry, that he loved her more than anything in the world. After showering, he splashed on the after shave Carole liked so much, put on a pair of slacks, a nice shirt and tie (he hated ties, but Carole liked them), and took a sports jacket out of the closet.
“Look out, Carole. You’re not done with me yet.” Grabbing his car keys, Luke rushed out the door.
Luke stopped at a flower shop and hurried inside. “Give me a dozen long-stemmed red roses, the finest you have,” he said.
The lady behind the counter looked at the handsome young man, smiled knowingly, and soon handed Luke twelve velvety-soft red roses, their stems wrapped in green tissue paper. “Would you like a card with them?”
“Good idea, thanks.” He took the small card she offered and quickly wrote “Carole, please forgive me. I’m sorry and I love you.”
“Good luck,” she called after him as he hurried out the door.
“Thanks.”
Still at The View in the Sweetwater development, Carole showed Win the two-story condo with its three spacious bedrooms, each with private bath, and powder room. The kitchen and living room combination was to die for. She pointed out the gas fireplace flanked on each side by bookshelves, told him how nice it would be to cook in such an efficient kitchen. A screened porch, accessible from the great room and from the small office, overlooked the lake and offered an ever-changing view. How could he not like living here?
“And Win, it comes completely furnished. What do you think?”
Win didn’t answer her. He was still angry with himself for letting Aurora see him without his sunglasses. He’d recognized her the first time he saw her in Sweetwater Cove; he had seen her once before that. For some reason his instinct told him when their eyes met at the intersection that September day that she knew what he had done. How she knew, he didn’t have a clue. He hoped that today she hadn’t remembered their previous brief encounter.
“Win, are you listening to me? I asked you what you thought. Do you want to make an offer?”
Pushing his thoughts about Aurora out of his mind, he looked at Carole. “What?”
“I asked if you want to make an offer. On the condo.”
When he told her it wasn’t what he was looking for, Carole fought to control her temper. She’d shown him brand new houses, older homes, contemporary, traditional and eclectic homes, some fully furnished, most with large covered docks. A few even included the boat and jet ski. How could anyone who said price was no problem turn down every single house she’d shown him without even having to think about it?
“I have shown you 27 fantastic properties, all on the water, each different in some way or another.” Carole sighed. “Have you seen a single thing that’s interested you at all?”
“Yeah, I have. And it’s standing right in front of me.” He put his arms around her, pulled her close to him, kissed her.
Carole pushed away from him.
Win reached for her again. “Come on, Carole.”
Carole sidestepped him, reached the door and hurried into the hall. She nearly bumped into Aurora’s Uncle Charlie.
“Well hey, Carole. You don’t live here, do you?”
“Hey, Uncle Charlie. No, I couldn’t afford this place. I was showing the condo to a client.”
“Anthony, is that you?” Charlie asked when Win looked around the door.
“Charlie, meet Winston Ford. Win, this is Judge Charlie Anderson. He’s Aurora’s uncle.”
Charlie stared at Win. “Winston Ford, huh? You’re the spitting image of a man who’s been in my court. That man was charged with assault and grand theft, but the jury let him off. A mistake in my opinion.”
Win smiled. “Nope, sorry to disappoint you. I’ve never been in a Lynchburg court—or any court, for that matter—never been charged with grand theft or assault, and my name’s always been Winston Ford. I’ve heard there’s a double for everybody somewhere. Would like to see this Anthony guy. Must be a handsome fellow.”
“My mistake,” said Charlie, a frown on his face.
Charlie and Carole talked for a couple of minutes. He told her about Dixie Lee who lived next door and how Hessie had disappeared. Win interrupted their conversation.
“Sorry to have to leave, but Carole and I are going to dinner. Nice to have met you, Judge Anderson. Coming, Carole?”
Carole said goodbye to Charlie and hurried to catch up with Win. “I’m not going to dinner with you. Why did you say that?”
“You’re afraid to be alone with me.” Win grinned at her.
“No, I’m not. I’m tired. Take me back to the office, please.”
They rode in silence until they reached the real estate office.
Win drove his Porsche into the parking lot and looked at Carole. “What can I say to convince you to eat dinner with me?” he asked.
Carole gave him a tired smile. “Nothing. I told you that already. There’s nothing you can say that will tempt me, Win. I’m exhausted. I need some down time.”
“I would love to be down with you.”
“Don’t you even think about it. I’m serious. I’m so tired I’m not thinking straight. I just want to go to bed.”
“Why didn’t you say so? I’d love—”
“Don’t go there, Win.” Carole looked at him, put her hand on the door handle. It was locked. “Unlock the door, Win.”
“What if I refuse?” Win leaned toward her, put his arm around her shoulders, caressed her neck. “I know you want me, Carole. Don’t play hard to get. And remember, Carole. I always win—one way or the other.”
The first thing Luke saw when he drove into the parking lot was the black Porsche. He thought about leaving. He stopped, uncertain of what to do next. When he saw Carole slap Win hard across the face, he smiled and turned off the ignition. “Atta girl, Carole!” he wanted to yell, but he didn’t.
Seconds later Carole stood beside the Porsche, Luke at her side. “Go somewhere and cool off, Win,” she said. “And take a cold shower.”
“Yeah,” said Luke, grinning. The Porsche screeched across the parking lot and onto the road.
Inside her apartment, Luke knelt on one knee and held the roses out to Carole. She took them and laughed. “You’ve already proposed, Luke, and I accepted.”
“Yeah, I know. But I’m an idiot who doesn’t handle things right and I’m not sure you still mean it.”
Carole knelt in front of him. “I said yes the first time, Luke. And yes, you’re an idiot sometimes. And yes, I still want to marry you.”