Chapter Three

Alice

Jasper was so upset about my little side trip with Bella that I knew I would have to placate him. When I saw him my heart didn't beat fast any longer, I didn't want his arms around me or his lips on mine. In short I didn't love him any longer, in fact I was beginning to dislike him intensely. In the end I agreed to go away with him on a little "visit" but I wasn't looking forward to this "visit" in the slightest. I'd only agreed because I couldn't get out of it. Over the years Jasper had asked me to visit his friends in Texas and I'd always come up with a valid reason why not, but now we were on our way. He was happy so I guess I should have been too but I'd heard enough to know they weren't my kind of people, she made her own clothes for Gods sake and he had horses. Jazz went riding sometimes but his clothes stunk of horse sweat when he got back and he'd got fed up of my bitching about it. Horses were very nice to look at in a field but that's where it started and finished. We could outrun them anyway so why would I want to learn to ride? I'd placated Jazz by packing my jeans, designer of course, but there was no way he was getting me on the back of one of those creatures. On top of that his friends lived out in the wilds, miles from any shops let alone boutiques!

As we got closer he became more relaxed and turned the radio to a Texas Country Station. I scowled but he didn't seem to notice and even started singing along. When he grasped my hand and smiled, thanking me for coming I put a brave face on and told him through gritted teeth that I was sure it was going to be fun. Fun!

My first sight of their house did little to alleviate my fears, it was an old fashioned Ranch House, log built and in the centre of a meadow with horses grazing in a paddock opposite the back door. An old truck stood by an open barn and I was amazed it wasn't rusting on blocks, that would have really set the scene. As we pulled up a couple appeared on the porch. She was pretty in a rustic sort of way with short hair, her figure was good but the clothes she was wearing did absolutely nothing to enhance it. Old faded and paint smeared jeans and a paint splattered flannel shirt rolled up to the elbows, very homespun. He was Jaspers height and build with short dark hair and an interesting face, a slightly weary expression on his face which disappeared when we got out. They both greeted him warmly before turning to me, so manners weren't their strong point! Jazz introduced me and I shook hands politely. Charlotte offered to show me the house while Peter dragged Jazz off to see a new acquisition in the stable, for that read horse.

She was proud of the house telling me how she and Peter had designed and built it some years back. The ground floor was open plan with home made wooden furniture and soft furnishing that wouldn't have looked out of place in a Museum of Rural Life. Upstairs was slightly better with two huge bedrooms although the closets were way too small and the bath tub too large. The room she called the Guest Suite had a wooden bed with a home-made patchwork quilt thrown over the top, a rocking chair in the window, and a tiny en-suite bathroom. The only good thing was the view across to the mountains.
"Its good to finally meet you Alice. We were disappointed you couldn't make it with The Major last time."
You mean Jasper, yes sorry. I had tickets for the Paris fashion week and went with my sister Rose."
"Yes The Major said you liked high fashion so I guess our place must seem very quaint to you"
"Well its different, not quite what I'm used to but there. Where's the nearest town with a Mall?"
She had to think about that! I really was staying with the Clampetts!

Going back downstairs she showed me to a swing seat out back where she had an easel set up with a partially completed painting of the far hills.
"Oh you paint, that explains the clothes" I smiled generously.
She frowned slightly before picking up the brush. Was she really expecting me to sit here zombie like and watch her?
"Do you have a TV?"
Oh yes. We aren't that backward"
"Would you mind if I checked out the stations and I'd really like to send some e mails if that's OK?"
She showed me to the office corner with an antiquated tower and monitor on a battered table.
I could see it was going to be a gruelling three weeks!

Jasper

"So you finally persuaded your wife to come visit. It'll be good for Char to have another woman around."
"I hope they hit it off Peter. Alice wasn't too keen. She hyperventilates if she's more than an hours drive from a city."
"Well she's out of luck here. Give it a few days and she'll forget all about fashion and the city."
I somehow doubted that but she'd agreed to come knowing how much it meant to me. I hadn't seen my friends in so long because she kept putting me off. Peter and I spent a few hours catching up and checking on his new horses before going back to the house. Charlotte was painting out on the back porch and I stopped to admire her work.
"Well the one I painted for you is still waiting, you can take it with you now you finally got here. We missed you Major."
She put her arms around me and kissed my cheek before springing back when we heard Alice's voice.
"Very cosy. Do I get a greeting as warm as that Jazz?"

I went over to her and wrapped my arms around her slim waist, kissing her soft lips.
"That's better. Come on and see what I found."

She grabbed me by the hand and dragged me into the house and over to the computer.
"You've been on the internet? What about Charlotte?"
She was painting and I got bored watching the brush move, anyway look"
She showed me the new season fashion and then pointed out the things she'd ordered for me.
"Alice I have boots and a hat, I don't need new ones"
"They're old and tatty Jazz"
"They're just worn in" I grumbled but as usual she just ignored me.

"They'll be here tomorrow, I paid for special delivery and a gift for our hosts."
That set alarm bells ringing, Alice's taste was nothing like my friends.
"What have you bought Alice?"
She shook her head with a grin,
"Its a surprise. You never told me they were so hard up"
I groaned,
"They aren't"
"You could have fooled me, look at this place and the internet! Wet string and a two tin cans would be faster, its agony."