Finally an update! Sorry, I really struggled w/ this one. Thanks for all the reviews, keep them coming!
Ronnie sighed as the door closed behind Anghared and Josh. She took a moment to smell the fragrant blossoms before artfully arranging them in a crystal vase. She carried it up to Anghared's room and placed it on the dresser where she would be sure to see it when she returned. Looking at the clock she realized that it was getting late and she had an early morning. Going downstairs she locked up the house and shut the lights off leaving the porch light and a small lamp on for the girls so they wouldn't be tripping over things in the dark. Back in her room Ronnie searched through her closet and pulled out her hiking gear. Edgar had called to say they were headed up into the mountains to get a view rarely seen by others, she'd been all over that area at some point in time and she wondered what he had in mind. Though she was hesitant to admit her feelings, she was looking forward to this 'date'. It had been nearly seventeen years since she had gone out with anyone but Chad. Maybe the fact that this day with Edgar was pressure free would make beginning to date easier in the future. Yawning, she slipped into her jammies and under the covers. Blissfully, her sleep was dreamless.
~DC~
The next morning Edgar turned off the engine of his truck and sat outside Ronnie's house. He sat there for quite a while, hesitant to get out. After Andy's text the day before he couldn't stop thinking about Ronnie and her deceased husband. He walked up to the door not sure what to say or even if he should say anything at all. Deciding to take a page from his brother Norman's book, he decided that silence was best. He rang the doorbell and waited for someone to answer the door. He was admiring the trim around the door when Ronnie opened it. "Hi," she said shyly, "would you like to come in?"
Edgar smiled back warmly, "Sure. We've got plenty of time." Ronnie showed him into the living room then went to grab them coffee. Edgar took the opportunity to peruse the photos that lined the mantel and walls of the room. He smiled at the pictures of Ronnie and her friends on what appeared to be spring break while they were in college. Moving on to what was obviously Ronnie's wedding photo he froze. There, beaming at his beautiful bride, was Officer Marek. The color drained from Edgar's face as he realized that the woman he was about to go on a date with was the widow of the man who had saved his life all those years ago.
Ronnie walked back into the room, two mugs of fresh coffee in her hands. "Do you want any cream or…" she stopped when she saw him looking at her wedding pictures and the expression on his face. Assuming he thought she was cheating on her spouse she tried to make him understand, "It's not what you think. I'm…Chad…He's…" tears filled her eyes. She couldn't get the words to come out.
Edgar crossed the room and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, "It's okay. I know about… your loss. Your friend had Andy tell me."
"Oh," she said quietly not sure whether to be upset with Jamie or not. "You looked a little upset."
Edgar pressed his lips together and decided to tell her the truth. "Your husband saved my life ten years ago. I was drunk, been out partying with friends. Had no business being behind the wheel. He pulled me over and arrested me for DUI. I've never forgotten that."
"I don't think I've ever met someone who was happy about getting put in jail," she replied.
"Oh I wasn't at first," chuckled Edgar. "In fact I was mad as hell. But that Thanksgiving my mother mentioned the arresting officer during the dinner prayer. She gave thanks for the man who saved her child from killing himself that night or someone else. She was right. I never thought that I might hurt someone else."
The two sat in awkward silence drinking their coffee until the sound of someone moving around upstairs prompted them to get a move on. Edgar helped Ronnie into the truck pleasantly surprised to see that she was actually dressed to go into the woods. Her well-worn boots and sturdy clothing gave testament to the fact that she was no stranger to the outdoors. He smiled to himself; hopefully she wasn't afraid of heights…
~DC~
Edgar drove them deep into the woods. The giant trees quickly blocked out most of the sunlight. A thick mist had settled in and the weather hinted that rain was on the way. Ronnie looked over at the ruggedly handsome Norwegian and smiled. Edgar met her gaze, "What?"
"Are you going to sparkle?" she giggled.
Edgar looked at her like she had sprouted horns, "Are you high?"
She laughed outright then, "Ever seen Twilight? I think they filmed part of the forest scenes nearby."
"God save me from glittery vampires," huffed Edgar. He shook his head, "THAT is NOT a vampire movie."
They followed the winding road until it ended at a gravel trailhead. Edgar threw a small back pack over his shoulder and took Ronnie's hand. He noticed the confused look on her face, "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, just wondering what trail this is. I thought I knew most of the trails in the mountains around Seattle but I can't place this one," she replied.
His eyes sparkled, "Ah, that's because this one is new!" He led the way until they reached a small wooden outpost looking structure. Seeing the cables running overhead Ronnie knew where they were, "This is that new zipline experience that's opening later this month isn't it?"
"It is. My buddy owns it and I thought you'd like the opportunity to have a go before the crowds descend on it. You aren't acrophobic are you?" he asked.
Edgar's friend greeted them warmly when they reached the top of the first tower. He helped them into their harnesses and then locked them together in what was for all purposes a spooning position. "Since this is your first zip Ronnie, you're going in tandem with Edgar." She felt her pulse quicken in response to the intimate position she was in. One of Edgar's arms was lightly wrapped around her waist keeping her "seated" on his lap while the other grasped the harness to keep them upright. "Ready?" the rough timbre of his voice reverberated in her ear. She nodded and he stepped them off the platform. There was a moment where she thought they were going to fall to their deaths but then the line went taut and they flew across the canopy of the forest.
Ronnie screamed as the adrenaline rushed through her veins. Behind her she heard Edgar's whoop of laughter. They reached the next platform, "You okay?", she could feel the breath on the sweet spot on her neck as he spoke. Tingles of pleasure rippled through her body in response. She hadn't had a response like this to any man since…
Edgar interrupted her depressing line of thought, "You up for a faster line?"
"Sure," Ronnie's voice cracked as she answered.
"Whatever you want hon," laughed Edgar and transferred the harness to another line. He gripped her waist tightly once again and jumped. Ronnie leaned back against his body and tucked her legs up to increase their speed. "Atta girl!" he yelled. Ronnie and Edgar played in the treetops for a couple of hours before their final fall to the forest floor several stories below. Edgar helped her out of the harness, "So what'd you think?"
Ronnie threw her head back and laughed, the exhilaration still flooding her body, "Amazing!" She hadn't felt this alive since losing Chad and the sharp contrast to her senses was staggering.
Ever the gentleman, Edgar helped her back into the truck then drove them to a small roadside diner for lunch. They talked for hours, both surprised at the easy conversation and shared interests. Reluctantly they drove back to Ronnie's house, only to find that her driveway was blocked by several cars.
"You having company?" he asked not sure if he had put her out by keeping her away from her guests for so long.
"What? Them? It's just the girls. Anghared and Jamie are staying with me while they're here in the States. Ireland is staying at Ally's," explained Ronnie. "They're all leaving tomorrow so we're having a girl's night in to celebrate."
Edgar walked her to her door, awkwardness apparent. He really had enjoyed his day out with Ronnie. He'd like to see her again, but this was a charity date. Would that be appropriate? He also wasn't sure how she felt about him. He knew she was still grieving, but she'd seemed to have a good time on their date. Turning to face her at the door he settled for a quick hug goodbye.
Ronnie smiled at the touch then shyly gave him a peck on the cheek, "Thanks Edgar. I haven't had such a good time in a very long time." She waved as he made his way back down the walkway. As she stepped inside the foyer hands reached out and grabbed her, dragging her into the living room.
"Thank GOD you're here!" exclaimed Ally thrusting an overfull glass of red wine into her hand.
"Time for the dirt bitches!" announced Anghared passing the white to Jamie.
"Who goes first?" asked Jamie shifting uncomfortably on the couch. Her sunburn hurt like hell, and she only got relief when she stood up.
"How about you? Ms. "I've got a full body sunburn," answered Ireland arching her eyebrow.
"Hold up, Ms. "I didn't come home for two days", added Anghared.
"How about we just go in order?" suggested Ronnie diplomatically.
"Seconded," agreed Anghared.
"Third," replied Jamie.
"Majority rules," announced Ireland.
"Crap. Guess I'm first then huh?" grumped Allyson taking a hearty gulp of her wine.
"Yep!" the girls replied in unison laughing at her discomfort.
~DC~
"So you gave the good captain a happy ending with his massage did you?" teased Jamie.
"Isn't that against the Hippocratic oath or something?" ribbed Ronnie.
Allyson threw up her hands in defeat, "All right, that's my night. Let's hear about your weekend Jamie," Allyson was more than ready to turn the attention to her bud.
"Yeah," leered Anghared, "Cause we all want to know how your arse ended up redder than my hair!"
~DC~
"So did you get to wear his Stetson, cowgirl?" teased Allyson.
Ronnie began to sing the Big and Rich song, "Save a horse, ride a cowboy!"
"My turns over!" blushed Jamie. "All right Ireland, you are up next."
~DC~
Ronnie and Allyson doubled over in laughter at the thought of Ireland out fishing the oldest Hillstrand. "Bet that went over like a lead balloon!"
"Well, he was a better sport about it than I would have been," agreed Ireland laughing at the memory of the look on Johnathan's face as she doubled his take.
Anghared smirked, "Ever wonder what the candy shell syrup would be like? You know heat it up; pour it all over his cock and balls like hot wax. Mmm then let it harden…fuck me," she ended in a mutter.
"Speaking of hot wax," began Ireland, "Did you spank a certain deckhand?"
~DC~
"Oh my God!" exclaimed Allyson. "That's so sweet!"
"And you just snuck out? No goodbye, no nothing?" asked Ronnie in disbelief.
Anghared rubbed the back of her had across her eyes trying to force back the tears that threatened to fall, "It was easier that way. So enough about me. Let's hear about your forest adventure with Edgar!"
~DC~
Jamie waggled her eyebrows, "So you spent the day strapped to his lap?"
"With him whispering in your ear?" giggled Allyson.
"Aw hon, you're the only one who didn't get laid this weekend!" tutted Anghared. "Let's drag him back and make him do you right. Right here in front of us so we know you got the shagging you need!"
"Shut up!" yelled Ronnie laughing throwing a cushion across the room.
~DC~
That night in a waterside dive they all favored, the captains and deckhands gathered to shoot the shit. Talk soon turned to their dates.
"So you took her to THE most expensive restaurant in Seattle and she ended up going home with the bartender?" bellowed Johnathan laughing at the sullen look on Jake Harris' face.
"What are you laughing at?" yelled Jake hating the mirth in Josh's face. "We all know YOU got laid…you had a date with the whore!"
Josh's vision turned red and the next thing he knew Andy Hillstrand was pulling him off his brother. He shoved his fist back in Jake's face, "Don't you ever, EVER speak about Anghared that way! Do you fuckin' understand me?"
Jake Anderson dragged Jake away by the arm. All eyes turned to the elder Harris, "What?" he asked sheepishly.
Andy held his hands up in surrender, "You wanna share with the class?"
"I really like this girl!" admitted Josh, surprised to hear the words even though he spoke them.
Andy absently twirled his beer bottle with his finger, "They're definitely an interesting group. Jamie's pretty cool too."
Sig sat back, crossed his arms over his chest and huffed, "So I'm the only one who didn't get lucky?"
Scott looked over at Edgar, "What about you? You've been quiet on that front."
Edgar looked at his friends soberly the caught Sig's gaze, "You remember when I got busted for DUI?"
"Yeah?" Sig shook his head in confusion.
"That officer was Ronnie's dead husband." Silence descended around the table, no one sure what to say to that.
