Lady in Red – Chapter 3
At long last, I got a chance to work on this bad boy. It would have been up weeks ago...I had chapters three through fourteen outlined and had notes on what I wanted to happen...I even had a couple pages of chapter 3 typed up. Then I went to save it on my flash drive as a back up, but apparently I got my windows mixed up and saved everything the wrong way and ended up saving the old over the new instead of the other way around.
So here it is. I hope it was worth the wait. I've got the next several chapters outlined and noted out, so it shouldn't take nearly as long to get back into the swing of things. I've also got a couple unofficial prompts/requests I'd like to get out, plus my Summer of Learning (which started as a prompt request and has since taken on a life of its own...I really need to stop calling things one-shots) which features a certain yummy Mr. Flanery...just sayin'. Anyway, here we go. Enjoy. Don't forget to leave a review!
Beth and Daryl had stayed out on the blanket for what felt like minutes but could have easily been hours – Beth had completely lost track of any sense of time. As time ticked by, they had laid back on the quilt, gazing straight up into the starry sky. Neither spoke much, both just enjoying the quiet company of each other.
Beth readjusted her arm, accidentally bumping Daryl's hand with her own. She recoiled at first, almost apologizing for the contact, but then, tentatively, brushed the back of her fingers against his, just to test his reaction. Instead of him pulling away like she'd expected him to, his fingers interlaced with Beth's. A thrill shot up her arm as a small smile bloomed on her face. Tempting fate, Beth slipped her finger tips over the back of his hand, over his thumb, and threaded her fingers through his, holding his hand palm to palm. Her smile stretched across her face when he tightened his fingers around hers.
Beth was about to ask him something, but the thought flew out of her mind when something moved out of the corner of her eye. They both pointed upwards as a shooting star streaked across the sky. She turned to face Daryl, finding that he was already looking at her. "Make a wish," she whispered.
"Already done," Daryl replied, his voice low and husky. "You?"
Beth thought for a moment before closing her eyes and scrunching up her face. She sent up a wish to the heavens, making it almost a prayer. She wasn't bold enough to ask or wish for something to happen between her and Daryl. Instead, she just wanted some kind of a sign that this, whatever it was, was more than just for tonight. She blinked her eyes open to find him still watching her. "Me too," she spoke softly.
Another moment passed. "We really should head back to the house," Daryl murmured, a hint of reluctance in his voice. "We stay out here much longer, your old man's likely to come looking for ya."
"Yeah, you're probably right," she sighed heavily.
Daryl sat up, still holding her hand. He lightly squeezed it before releasing his grip, bracing himself to stand up. He straightened his shirt then offered his hands to help Beth up. She grinned and slid her hands into his, noting their warmth despite the cool night air. He pulled her to her feet; she was impressed at his strength, showing no effort in lifting her off the ground.
Beth picked up the blanket and turned to Daryl. "Here, help me fold." Daryl took the two corners she offered him and followed her lead in folding it. She felt her pulse quicken as she stepped toward him to fold the blanket in half, their fingers closing over each other. She blushed slightly at the contact and smiled nervously up at him. "Thanks," she whispered. He merely nodded in acknowledgement and took the quilt from her, silently volunteering to carry it for her.
Side by side, they walked the distance back to the front porch. Once they approached the steps, they turned to face each other. Beth took the blanket from Daryl, hugging it to her chest. "Thanks for staying out with me, Daryl. It was really nice."
Daryl grinned and ducked his head almost bashfully, kicking his foot at an imaginary clump of dirt.
Beth took advantage of his slight awkwardness and pecked him on the cheek. His eyes snapped up to meet hers, wide with surprise. He smirked at her and took a step toward her. He reached up to tuck a wayward curl behind her ear before bending his head low to capture her lips in a kiss.
Daryl gently moved his lips against hers, drawing a soft moan from her. He pulled away before the kiss developed into anything deeper, and Beth almost groaned in disappointment. She leaned forward, trying to maintain contact with him. He chuckled softly, not even a hint of mockery or malice, but pure contentment. He kissed her once more, softly, before murmuring against her lips, "I'll call you?" It was a question, not a statement.
Beth nodded, trying not to appear too eager. Was this the sign she had wished for? She tried not to get her hopes up too high. She wasn't so naïve to believe in love at first sight. Technically this wasn't first sight, but it was pretty close. Her heart fluttered when Daryl kissed her once more on the cheek then slowly backed away from her for a couple steps before turning away and walking toward his motorcycle. She watched as he swung his leg over the seat and waved at him when he looked back at her. He returned the simple gesture, started the bike's engine, and drove off.
Close to a week had gone by, and Beth still hadn't heard from Daryl. She tried not to over-think it, tried not to worry. After all, she was just some college girl; he was at least ten years old than she was. Who was she kidding, getting her hopes up like that? So what if he'd kissed her? He probably kissed a lot of girls...women. He'd want someone more mature, someone he could relate to.
The worst part about it all was that Maggie was still off on her honeymoon. Beth didn't dare interrupt any of their plans with a phone call or a text just to complain about a guy. Even if the guy in question was Daryl Dixon. Even if they had kissed more than a couple times that night. Even if he did have the most amazingly blue eyes she had ever seen. Even if her heart fluttered at just the thought of him.
She hung her head. What was she going to do? Here she was, pining away over a guy she'd really only met a handful of times. Oh, but what a time they had that night... "No, stop it Beth!" she scolded herself. "Just let it go." Her heart sank as she reluctantly admitted to herself that in all likelihood, she'd heard the last of Daryl Dixon.
She needed to find something to do to get her mind off him. She made her way to the stables and saddled Nelly, her favorite horse. Beth steered Nelly down her favorite path, one that skirted the edge of the stream that ran through the woods surrounding the Greene family farm. The gentle ride helped calm her nerves, and she found herself simply enjoying the quite of the forest around her. She circled back to the barn, brushed Nelly down, even treated her to some carrots from their garden. She made her way up the porch steps, and caught sight of the blanket lying on the porch swing where she had left it all those nights ago, and the few memories she had of him came back with a vengeance. All the aggravation she had just left in the woods poured back onto her shoulders. She stormed up the stairs and went right into her bathroom to take a shower.
Feeling refreshed after her long ride in the hot Georgia heat, her mood improved dramatically. She chose a soft cotton top and jean shorts, planning on relaxing at home the rest of the day. She would be starting her last year of college in about a month's time and she had lots to do to prepare, but she also had lots of free time to enjoy before then. Still, it never hurt to plan ahead. She sat at the desk in her room, writing out all the things she needed to get done before school started at the end of August. She started to get excited about student teaching, finally being able to get her feet wet in what she really wanted to do.
She jumped when she heard her father's voice from behind her, "Bethy?" Beth turned to face him; he was standing in the doorway, holding the phone out to her. "Someone for you."
Beth gave her father a confused look as she got up from her chair and crossed the room. Pressing the receiver to her ear, she started, "Hello?"
"Hey," a gruff voice on the other end replied.
Beth's heart did a backflip in her chest before she remembered she wasn't supposed to be excited about him anymore. "Hi." She wasn't sure what else to say to Daryl, so she decided to let him take the lead.
After a pause he finally spoke, "How, ya doin?"
He sounded nervous, but she wasn't letting him off easy. Not yet. "I'm fine. Yourself?" A niggling feeling in the back of her mind warned her not to get too snarky. He did call, after all, and he never said he'd call her right away. Maybe she should lighten up a little.
"I'm good." Another pause. "Look, I'm, uh...I'm sorry for not calling sooner."
"Yeah...you should be," she said with a smile, hoping he'd pick up on her half-hearted sarcasm. "Not that I was waiting around for you to call or anything." Except that she had been. Not that he needed to know that little tidbit of information.
"Shit, I'm sorry, Beth. I didn't have your phone number. Not like I could call Glenn and ask. I ain't about to disrupt the guy's honeymoon. Do you know how many H Greens there are in the Atlanta phone book. Then I realized you have an extra E on your last name."
Her heart was filled with gratitude and pity for the man on the other end. "Oh my god, Daryl. You didn't..." she trailed off with a laugh. "And after all that, you had to talk to my dad first? You poor guy."
"Yeah. Plus I been real busy at work and going to meetings and stuff. I swear I wanted to call sooner. I didn't mean to leave ya hangin'." He truly sounded remorseful, and her heart went out to him.
"You're forgiven, Daryl. I'll let you make it up to me by taking me out to dinner," she said with a grin. When had she gotten so forward?
She loved hearing his low chuckle in her ear. "You got it," he agreed. "Hey, I really hate to cut this short, but I kinda need to get going. I'll give you a call to figure out dinner. Shouldn't take so long to get a hold of you again."
"I'll make it easier on you," she offered. She was truly touched at the thought of him calling number after number trying to find her. "What's your cell number?" She typed the number into her cell phone as he rattled it off and sent a quick text message. "Now you've got my cell number, too. Should make things go a little smoother, and you don't have to go through daddy's inquisition. I know how he can get."
"I appreciate that," he said, and she really believed him. "I'll talk to you soon, I promise."
"Alright. G'night, Daryl," Beth spoke softly.
"G'night, Beth." She could hear his tiny smile through the phone. "Sleep well," he added before she heard a click, marking the end of the call.
Beth flopped backwards on her bed, as she'd seen done in a hundred romantic comedies where the girl is smitten with the guy and he's just called her. She even clutched the phone to her chest and giggled at the ceiling, completely giddy over him making good on his promise. And now he'd promised to call again to set up a dinner date.
Her cell phone vibrated in her hand. She checked the screen and saw a message waiting for her from Daryl. Thanks for the number. Have a good night.
She excitedly typed back, You're welcome. Good night.
She sighed heavily and grinned to herself. She went over their too-brief conversation in her mind. She sat up at a sudden realization. 'Wait a minute,' she thought to herself. 'He said he was busy with work and with meetings...Daryl's a mechanic. What kind of meetings are keeping him this busy?' The thought plagued her mind for the majority of the night before she decided Daryl didn't seem like the kind of guy to make up excuses, that he was a straight shooter. Still, she couldn't help but wonder if he was hiding something.
'Oh, now seriously, Beth. It's not like you're together or anything. He doesn't have to tell you everything. He doesn't really have to tell you anything. Just let it go,' that stubborn voice in the back of her head scolded her.
She brought the home phone back downstairs and set it back on the charger before heading back to her room and getting ready for bed. She fell asleep, her mind flitting back and forth between trying to solve her Daryl puzzle and wondering where he was going to take her for dinner.
