Changes

Disclaimers: thought I'd stick it in here—the usual, not mine

A/N: Hope everyone had a good weekend. Meant to send this in time for Thanksgiving but I've been having problems downloading to this site—my computer won't for whatever reason! Thank you to everyone for reading and especially for those of you taking the time to review. Both are much appreciated!

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Chapter 11

It was her free Saturday and Sue found herself at loose ends. Lucy was working and Jonathan had called earlier to cancel yet another date.

"It was a communication mix-up." The words scrolled across her screen. "The meeting's been rescheduled for today. It was the only time the client could make it."

The explanation was altogether too familiar.

"I promise to make it up to you," he continued. "Dinner tomorrow. We could go to that little Japanese restaurant you like."

"Let's see what happens tomorrow," she replied matter-of-factly. "Good luck on your deposition."

"Thanks. Bye."

Sue hung up the phone thoughtfully. Okay, one more broken date. How many did that make now? She'd lost count. If Jonathan liked her as much as Lucy believed he did, he had a very unusual way of showing it.

So…what to do now? She'd already vacuumed, scrubbed the bathroom, and did the laundry for the week. She was sure there was a long list of things she should do but she couldn't think of a thing at the moment. She wanted to do something…but what?

She stood, arms crossed, deep in thought trying to think of exactly what would ease that itch. She glanced outside and saw it was a beautiful day—it already felt like summer but without its heat.

Coming to a decision, she grabbed the phone and punched in a number.

"Manning."

"Bobby? It's Sue."

"Sue. This is an unexpected pleasure!"

"Good choice of words!" she said brightly. "How would you like to make a girl happy?"

"What girl?"

"Me."

"What do you have in mind?"

"A picnic."

"A picnic? Outside…with food and ants?"

"I don't know what kind of picnics New Yorkers go on but here a picnic is definitely outside, definitely with food and hopefully without ants."

He was flabbergasted. "I…ah…haven't been on one in ages."

"Well, you get to go on one now. Pick you up at twelve—unless you have other plans."

"I don't."

"Great!"

"Sue?"

"Yes?"

"What about my leg?"

"The spot I'm thinking of is within walking distance of your place. It's relatively flat and easy to navigate even with crutches. Besides, it'll be good exercise for you."

"Sue?"

"Yes?"

"Why me?"

"Why not? Aren't we friends?"

"Well, Friend, what can I bring to this picnic?"

"A pleasant disposition would be nice."

"Aren't I always?"

"I think you better quit if you still want to go on a picnic."

"I can take a hint. I'll see you at twelve."

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"I'm glad you invited me," smiled Bobby. "It's been a long time since I've been on a picnic."

"Why not?" asked Sue as she gathered the empty containers.

"I don't know," he answered. "Too busy, I guess. Plus, Darcy wasn't the picnicking type." A twinge of pain flitted across his face at the mention of her name.

Sue paused in her clean up efforts. "You loved her very much, didn't you?" she asked softly.

Overwhelmed at his memories, he could only nod.

"I know I didn't know her, but if it would help, you would like to talk about her?" she offered in that same gentle voice. "I'm a very good listener."

He hadn't been able to talk about Darcy after the accident despite the suggestion of the grief counselor. It had hurt too much. But maybe now it would be possible without falling apart. There was something about Sue….

"We met three years ago," he began as he looked into the distance, "Jack's girlfriend at the time introduced us. She was a model, too. I'd run into Darcy at some shoots and some social events. What can I say? We fell in love and planned to be married and raise a family. Life was good. I had a flourishing career, the love of a beautiful woman… everything." His dimple flashed for a moment.

"And then…and then everything changed."

A painful silence followed. Sue could see the grief in his expression. She reached out to place a hand on his arm in sympathy. He glanced at her appreciatively and continued his story.

"We were on our way home from a party. The road was wet and a drunken bloke ran a stop sign. I swerved but he broadsided the car. The passenger side took the full force of the impact." He had to stop again to regain control as the memory of the accident overwhelmed him.

Sue's eyes filled with tears as she gazed at him. It was times like these she was grateful she couldn't hear voices because she was sure the pain in Bobby's would have broken her heart.

"I woke up in the hospital a few days later. Jack was there to tell me Darcy's family had made the decision to take her off life support."

He'd forgotten Sue was there. Silence reigned as he relived those moments. He'd wanted to die, too, when Jack broke the news—and he almost had. But his innate stubbornness and excellent health prevented it. Sometimes he wasn't sure if it would've been easier to just not wake up the next morning. But he had and life had gone one. With a sigh, Bobby turned to face Sue and was startled to see tears on her face.

"I'm sorry," he apologized straightening up. "I didn't intend…" Her hand covered his mouth to stop the flow of words.

"Don't apologize," she told him. "You needed to talk to someone and I'm glad I was here to listen," she said sincerely.

Bobby gazed at this woman who was so unlike the women he was used to. He felt drawn to this person. She was tough when she needed to be but soft enough to cry for him and a woman she'd never met. That she felt his pain was evident by the look in her eyes. Slowly, he leaned forward and gently placed his lips on hers.

Surprised for an instant, Sue willing melted into the kiss. Time seemed to stand still until Bobby pulled back.

"Thank you," he said softly, as he wiped the trail of tears.

"For what?" she asked puzzled.

"For listening…for being here with me…for being you," he said simply. "I've never had a friend like you before."

"I'll be here for you for as long as you need me," she promised.

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"Bobby? Are you ready to go back?" called out Sue as she approached their picnic spot. She'd just returned from walking Levi.

There was no response. Standing at the edge of the blanket, she could see he'd fallen asleep—and from the expression on his face his sleep was not a restful one. Recounting the story of the accident and its aftermath probably brought back memories he'd preferred to forget.

She dropped down next to him and gently stroked his hair in an attempt to smooth away the frown lines in his forehead. Gradually, the lines eased and a more relaxed expression appeared.

"He's resting," she whispered to Levi. "We'll let him sleep a little while longer." She yawned. "Maybe I'll just rest my eyes for a few minutes, too." She lay down and in a matter of minutes, had fallen fast asleep.

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Bobby vaguely became aware of a warm presence and rolled to his side automatically throwing an arm around the body next to his. For a few moments he savored the feel of the feminine form in his hold when suddenly his eyes flew open. Who was he snuggling with? Blinking rapidly to focus, he raised his head—it was Sue. She looked so peaceful.

Dropping back down his thoughts centered around the woman in his arms. He liked her—a lot. Somehow, she'd gotten him to open up about the accident and talk about Darcy. Maybe she wasn't as physically beautiful as Darcy, there was something about her that made her seem warmer and more alive than Darcy had ever been. He was a very lucky person to have made such a friend.

His eyes narrowed as they caught a glimpse of the sky between the leaves. It had darkened and the clouds were grey. It looked like rain. He would have to wake Sue.

He leaned over to press a soft kiss on her forehead then gently shook her. "Sue? Sue? You've got to wake up." She snuggled deeper into his arms.

"Sue," he called out louder and shook her just a tad bit harder. Her eyes fluttered opened. "Did I fall asleep?" she yawned. "I'm sorry. I was just so comfortable," she said as she smiled at him.

The smile disappeared when she realized she was in his arms. "Oh!" she said, abruptly sitting up narrowly missing Bobby's chin as he pulled back. "I didn't mean to do that!" she said with a stricken face.

"My pleasure," smiled Bobby, "but I think we'd better be going. It looks like it's going to rain," he said pointing to the sky.

"You're right," she agreed briskly to cover her embarrassment. "Good thing almost everything is packed. If you just move, I'll be able to fold the blanket."

Bobby obligingly rolled off the blanket and helped her to fold it. Hurriedly, they gathered everything but before they reached they reached the house, the storm broke drenching both in the short distance to shelter.

"You're soaked!" exclaimed Sue as they stood in the relative dryness of the porch.

"So are you," retorted Bobby as he shook off the water running down his arms.

At that moment, Levi chose to dry himself off and shook himself vigorously.

"Levi!" cried Sue holding up her hands in a futile effort to keep the water from spraying her.

Bobby burst into laughter.

"What's so funny?" Sue demanded.

"I don't think you could be any wetter than you are now," he declared.

"You know," she grinned, "you're right!" and joined him in laughter.

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"I should go home," stated Sue as she watched the rain pour down.

"Don't be ridiculous," Bobby declared. "You can't go home in this storm. Take a shower and wait until it's cleared up—unless you had other plans for the rest of the day."

"Nope, not a thing."

"Then stay and keep me company," he suggested.

He looked so much like an overgrown puppy…a very wet overgrown puppy that she didn't have the heart to say no. "All right."

"I'll get you some towels and clothes." He eyed her critically from head to toe.

"What?"

"I don't have anything that'll fit you," he apologized. "I hope you don't mind."

"As long as it's dry and warm, I'll be fine," she assured him.

"Leave your wet clothes outside," he instructed. "I'll pick them up and throw them in the wash."

"I can do that," protested Sue.

"You've done so much for me already, the least I can do is your laundry," he said firmly.

"Okay."

"Use the shower in my room and help yourself to any clothing you fancy," he told her. "I'll just grab some clothes and use the other bath."

"Or I could use the other bath and you could use your own," she suggested.

"Don't worry about it."

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Bobby was busy pulling out the clothes from the washer and putting them into the dryer when Sue appeared wearing one of his shirts rolling up the sleeves to make them fit.

"Everything okay?"

"I borrowed a shirt. I hope you don't mind."

With her fresh-scrubbed appearance, she looked incredibly sexy. Bobby gulped and took a deep breath to calm himself.

"On you it looks good," he said. "What about something for your feet?"

She looked down at her barefeet. "Your feet are way too big, Mr.Manning."

"My feet are the proper size for a man of my height," he stated solemnly. "That being said, I do have a pair of bedroom slippers if you'd like to wear those."

She wiggled her toes. "No, I'm fine. Here," she offered as she stood next to him, "let me help you with that."

"I'm just about done," he said. "I boiled some water for tea. You could get that ready."

"All right." Sue returned to the kitchen and rummaged in the cupboards for mugs and tea bags. She was pouring the water when he returned.

"Just in time," remarked Sue placing a mug in front of him. "Here you go." She perched on one of the breakfast bar stools.

"Where's Levi?" asked Bobby.

"Sleeping." She jerked a thumb toward the back of the kitchen. "I had to use one of the towels to dry him off. He did not enjoy that. You need a hair dryer."

"I'll put that on my list for visiting dogs," he gravely told her.

"And guests," she added.

"I like your hair like that," he remarked.

"Wet?"

"On you, it looks fabulous."

"Oh," she blinked. "Thank you…I think."

"It's a compliment," he assured her.

"How's the sketching coming along?" she asked not knowing how to respond to his remark.

"Better than I expected," he admitted.

"I'd love to see anything you've done," she smiled.

"I thought you'd never ask," he beamed. "I'll get the sketchpad. Wait right here."

In a few minutes he was back. With sudden trepidation, he handed it to her. "Remember, I haven't picked up a drawing pencil in years."

"I'll keep that in mind."

He looked over her shoulder as she flipped through the pages, occasionally glancing at her face to gauge her reaction.

Bobby's first attempts at drawing were rough. But with each succeeding drawing, there was improvement as he became more confident of his technique. Most of the drawings were still life subjects but the last page consisted of Levi in different poses. With a few spare strokes, he'd managed to capture the canine's personality.

"I love this!" her eyes bright in admiration.

"I know I've got to work on my technique some more," he commented to Sue, "but I think with time and more practice, it'll come back to me."

"I'm sure it will," she agreed warmly. "May I have this?"

"No."

"No?"

"Not before I sign it." He looked around for a pencil. Grabbing one from the counter, he signed the sketch. "There you are—an original Bobby Manning," he said presenting it to her with a flourish.

"I'll have it framed and hang it in my office. Thank you," she smiled. "How much do I owe you for this?"

He bent down and kissed her quickly on the lips. "Consider it debt paid in full."

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It was dark when the rain started to ease up. Bobby had insisted she stay for dinner to repay her for her hospitality. Over a meal of scrambled eggs, bacon and canned soup, the pair had spent the rest of the evening talking and laughing.

Sue was stretched out on the sofa with Levi on top of her. She was scratching his favorite place under his ear. Bobby sat on the floor next to her content to just watch her. Occasionally she'd look at him and smile but words didn't seem necessary.

He'd never felt so relaxed. It was as if all the anger he had pent up over Darcy's death had quietly flowed away leaving only the memories and feelings of their time together. Maybe life could be good again—even without Darcy.

Sue sighed. It had been a wonderful day rain and all but it was time to go. It was getting late.

"Why the big sigh?"

"I have to go. It's getting late," she said reluctantly.

"Do you have to? It's still raining."

"Just a little." She stood up. "I had the nicest time today, Bobby. Thank you."

"It was your idea to go on a picnic," he reminded her. "We should do it again but the next time, I'll bring the food—that is, if you carry it."

"And maybe without the rain," she smiled.

"I like rain," he assured her blandly.

The memory of the cozy evening still fresh in her mind, she tiptoed to kiss him on the cheek. "I think I like rain, too. Good night."

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