Chapter 9

I was ruminating on Rebecca's invitation as I limped to my rental. As Carl it seems like Beth Ann, Colleen, and Rebecca all like me, without much flirting, chatting, getting-to-know-you stuff. Without having to overcome being fourteen, and without having to overcome serious health disadvantages, I was finding that women, some women at least, think Carl is a good guy.

My phone rang, almost before I was out of Rebecca's parking area.

"Hello?" I didn't check the incoming number, just picked it up and answered.

"Carl, its Beth. Brian and I were wondering if you feel up to lunch. We are suffering a little cabin fever and want to ride into town to pick up some things, and get acquainted with the layout, so we know our way around once work starts on Monday."

She hadn't heard, yet. That posed a problem and an opportunity.

"Beth, I would LOVE to pick you up and treat you to a huge lunch, then maybe we can take a ride around and both find our way. Would it be Ok to stop at Mr. Bell's office, while we're out? I have to pick up something, sign something, or he wants to sign something and give it to me. I can't remember. I promised to stop by, is what I am sure of."

I kept it light and set it up so Beth Ann would stop by her new job and find it shuttered, then we could go see Mr. Bell and let him give her the four-one-one. We chatted happily for a little while, and I promised to pick them up at eleven.

"Law Office of Bell and Bell, this is Nanette. How may I direct your call, please?"

"Miss Nanette. This is Carl Fleming. May I speak to Mr. Bell, please? Thank you very much."

The wait was almost zero seconds.

"Carl, its Jim. What can I do for you this fine morning?" He sounded happy.

"Mr. Bell, Beth just called and asked me to drive with her around Branson, so she knows where to go Monday to start her new job at Grayson Fosters' bank. I did not think it was my place to warm her that her job just vanished, so I asked her if she minded stopping by your office so I could sign something while we were out.

"How should I handle this, and is my idea a good one?"

He thought...

I waited...

He thought some more...

... and I waited some more, too.

"Carl, let me call Judge Jones and ask him how much public knowledge is out there. Everyone that banks there knows, because it is shut tighter than a drum today, but I have no idea what the government is telling anyone when they inquire.

"I will get back to you before noon. Is that Ok?"

Of course it was Ok. "Yes sir. I will bring Beth and Brian by after we have lunch. That should give the judge time to decide what is public information, and what is not.

"Thank you, sir," I said. After Mr. Bell reminded me about dinner, and I promised to be on time at seven, we hung up. It took me a little while to remember to put Beth Ann's address in the GPS so there would be no question about how I knew where to pick them up, and I headed for her cabin.

Beth Ann looked amazing, stupendous, incredible, and ravishing – not to mention beautiful, edible, inhale-able, and cuddle-able, which isn't even a word. Mr. Johnson warned me he had no intention what-so-ever of behaving and then stood up and saluted to prove it.

To her credit, Beth Ann did not stare at my bulge as I stood beside the car and held the door for her. She merely glanced and smiled in approval ... or acceptance ... or maybe ... subtle interest ... unless it was toleration – which isn't really a word, either. What I know is that Beth Ann DID NOT make any snide comments about the wild animal thrashing about in my pants, and I was eternally grateful for that kindness.

"Where's Brian?" I asked when she hopped in the car and buckled up without looking back at the cabin.

"Jim Bell invited him to work at the marina where you rented the houseboat, doing odd jobs, and cleaning up boats. He started a little while ago, and I wasn't thinking about it when I called you. In fact, that's how I found out you were living on a houseboat. Jim said you moved in and got settled, and that Brian might be called upon to help you with things around the boat that are too much for you while your leg heals up."

Of Course Brian was working at the marina. It was exactly what happened when I went through this the last time. I hoped he lasted longer than the one day I worked. Hank and JoAnna are wonderful people, and their guidance would help Brian grow up, and be the man he needs to be, someday.

She was talkative and friendly, so I went with it. We drove around finding things, looking for things, noting things, and generally enjoyed getting to know one another. It was becoming fun, pretending to learn out all about the people I love, without giving myself away. Beth Ann loved to smile, and I loved her all the more for it. Every time she smiled I felt a lurch deep in my gut, and an ache to be back where we were before it all went to hell.

I took Beth Ann to an elegant, country style, restaurant, just off the strip, and we shared a porterhouse steak, with all the trimmings. Lunch conversation drifted all over the map. Beth Ann was deliberately trying to get to know me, and I was thrilled to be near her. We could have talked about pork futures for all I cared, just so I could listen to her voice and see her smile.

It was after lunch that I was worried about.