Chapter Thirty-Six

The phone jangled at 8:30 in the morning. Bo groaned as he reached across sleeping Nora to answer.

"Hello," he said quietly hoping not to awaken her.

"You still in bed?" Asa asked on the other end of the phone.

"Yes, Pa...it was a late night," Bo answered rubbing a hand over his face.

"I see…" Asa responded, grinning.

Bo could hear the smirk in his father's voice without seeing it on the old man's face. He didn't humor him with a comment.

"So...what do you want?" Bo asked.

"Oh. Well, the reason I'm calling is that I need you to pick up Lilli as soon as possible. Looks like the Covington merger is going to fall through unless I can get myself to London. Nigel is packing my bags now."

"How did that deal get fouled up? I talked to James Covington just last week."

"That's what I'm going to find out. Nigel can keep an eye on her for a little bit, but I'm leaving...have to get to the airport."

"Okay, Pa. I'll be right over. Let me know what happens with the merger."

"I will, Son."

Nora awoke as Bo crawled out of bed. "What's going on?" she mumbled.

"I'm going to pick up Lilli. Pa's heading for London on business...emergency meeting."

"Oh…"

"So much for sleeping in after our slumber party, huh?" he grumbled pulling on a pair of pants.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, "It's tradition after a slumber party to sleep the morning away."

"So much for tradition."

"Are you saying you didn't have fun...that missing the sleep wasn't worth it?" she asked sleepily.

He looked at her tousled hair and the tangled sheets and grinned. "No, it was more than worth it," he said, buttoning his shirt.

She smiled. "I thought so too. Come here…"

"I'm in a hurry, honey. Pa is leaving right away."

"Not for that...it's your shirt. Come over here…"

Bo slipped on some shoes and approached the bed. "What?"

"Your shirt...you have it buttoned wrong, see? You can't go out like that," she said re-buttoning it, "people will wonder what you've been up to."

"Then I'll tell them," Bo grinned.

"You would," she responded, buttoning the last button then giving him a kiss. "See you when you get back."

Unable to get back to sleep, Nora threw on her robe and made her way to the kitchen. She could already smell coffee brewing, and was surprised to see Mick making himself some breakfast.

She also saw his packed suitcase beside the door.

"What's going on?" she asked him, pouring herself some coffee.

"Do you want some eggs?" Mick asked. "I can make you some."

"No...thanks. I'm not hungry yet. So...what's going on?" she repeated having a seat at the table.

Mick followed her to the table with his coffee and breakfast.

"I'm heading back to Chicago. It's nearly April, and time to get the boat ready for the fishing business again. So...I'll finally be getting out of your way," he said nonchalantly.

"You know you're not in our way. So what's the real reason?" Nora asked, sipping her coffee.

Mick hesitated. "The real reason? Well...I hate to tell you this, but...it's your cooking, Nora."

"Oh stop! Come on, Mick! What's going on? Why the big hurry all of a sudden?"

Mick wiped his mouth with his napkin before answering, "It's just time."

She knew there was more to it. "Is it Caroline?" she asked gently. "Did something happen between the two of you?"

"Yes and no," Mick answered. "I love Caroline, Nora, I really do…"

When he didn't continue she prompted him, "But…"

Mick sighed. "But...I think she's just using me as a crutch. She doesn't want to be alone, she doesn't want to get back to work or see people, she's still mourning over her losses…" He threw up his hands. "I don't know. I just think that maybe she'll be forced to get on with her life if I'm not around, you know? Besides...I'm not sure she can ever get past this thing she has for Jack Westfield. I'm beginning to think the only reason she even spent time with me was to make Jack jealous. Anyway...I'm a sucker, I guess." He took a sip of his coffee. "I'm sure you're glad I came to my senses. You never much liked her anyway."

"You know my reasons, Mick."

"But, that's the only side of her that you really got to see," Mick said, defending her. "None of you ladies ever gave her a chance because of her reputation...none of you ever really understood why she's like she is…"

"I can't deny that, Mick. That's true. Caroline told me as much."

"Can you do me a favor, Nora? She's not out to cause you and Bo problems anymore. Do you think you could put that behind you? Be kind to her when you see her? Give her a chance?"

Nora gave him a weak smile. "I'll try, Mick."

"Thanks. You're a good gal, Nora, you know that? If Bo hadn't of snatched you up first…"

Nora laughed. "I'm not your type, remember?" she asked with eyebrows raised.

"Oh...that's right...you're a nice girl...definitely not my type."

The door swung open and Lilli raced in before Bo.

"Look, Mommy! Look what Papaw gave me!" she said excitedly holding a large stuffed panda in front of her.

"How nice!" Nora responded with feigned enthusiasm. "Seems like every time you go to Papaw's you bring something home."

"That's Norbert," Bo added to the conversation. "my teddy bear from when I was little."

Nora looked at the scruffy panda with the crooked nose and worn off fur and imagined a young Bo loving on him. It made her smile.

"Welcome home, Norbert, she said handing him back to Lilli.

"Wanna see 'im, Uncle Mick?" Lilli asked, running to Mick's side.

"He's really nice and so big! Why is his nose so crooked?" he asked Bo.

Bo took the panda protectively from Mick's hands. "Because...I used to fondle his nose trying to get to sleep at night," Bo explained.

Mick laughed.

Bo gave Norbert back to Lilli and nodded toward the suitcase. "What's going on?" he asked Mick.

"I'm leaving you, my friend...time to get out of your hair and go back to work."

"You're not 'in our hair', Mick…" Bo began.

"I know. That's what Nora said too, but...it's time for me to ready the boat for fishing season, so I'm going to be on my way...and there are other reasons. Nora can fill you in on those."

Lilli, listening to the adult conversation, approached Mick with a worried expression. "But why, Uncle Mick? You live here," she said sadly.

Mick took her up on his lap. "Not really, honey. I just came for a visit...a long visit. But now it's time for me to go home. Back to the lake. The fish are missing me."

"But I don't want you to go," she said leaning against Mick with lip quivering and tears in her eyes.

Mick was touched by Lilli's words but held his emotions in check. He'd miss her too.

Finally he spoke again. "I tell you what. Maybe sometime your Daddy and Mommy could bring you to see me. I'd let you ride on my fishing boat and maybe even let you catch a fish...would you like that?"

Lilli smiled and nodded. "Can we, Daddy?"

"Sure, we can do that sometime," Bo answered.

"Okay then," Mick said, "I'll be looking forward to it. Now I'd better get started." Lilli slid off his lap as he stood to clear his dishes from the table.

"Leave them. I'll get them later," Nora told him. "How about I throw a lunch together for you...some fruit and a couple of ham sandwiches?"

"That would be nice. Thanks, Nora."

As Nora made the sandwiches, Lilli ran upstairs. She returned a few minutes later with George the bear in her hands.

She interrupted Bo and Mick as they were talking, " 'Scuse me. 'Scuse me...Uncle Mick?"

Mick looked at her. "What is it, Lilli?"

"This is for you. His name is George. He can be your friend."

Mick squatted down in front of Lilli. "Are you sure, sweetie? I don't want to take your bear…"

"It's okay," Lilli said with wide eyes. I still have Lamby and Unicorn and Norbert. But you don't got nobody...and George is really nice…"

"He snores," Bo said, interrupting their conversation.

"NoOooo, he don't snore, Daddy!" Lilli reprimanded Bo. Then she turned her attention back to Mick, "He don't snore, Uncle Mick. Daddy's juss teasing."

Mick smiled. "Well, if you're sure you want me to have him...thank you, Lilli. I'll sit him right next to me on the seat. I'm sure he'll be good company for me. Can I have a hug?" he asked her.

She wrapped her arms about his neck and hugged him tight. "I love you, Uncle Mick."

"I love you too, Lilli," Mick said over the lump in his throat.

Nora mercifully broke up the moment with a lunch bag for Mick's journey. They all walked him to his car where he loaded his bags.

"Thanks again...for putting up with me and everything," Mick said.

"Not a problem, Bud, come back and see us anytime," Bo responded. The two friends embraced, slapping each other on the back.

Then Mick grabbed Nora and hugged her tight. Looking over her shoulder, he teased Bo, "If only you hadn't snatched this one up first."

Bo waved a hand in dismissal, "Nah...she's not your type."

"That's what she said," Mick laughed.

Next he scooped Lilli up. "You sure you don't wanna marry me someday?" he teased.

"Nope," she answered. "You don't need me, Uncle Mick. You gots George!"

"Oh...that's right! And there he is sitting in the seat. He's ready to go. Give me a kiss, sweetheart."

Lilli smooched him on the cheek then went to her Daddy's arms.

"Well...guess I'll be on my way then," Mick said, taking a glance toward Mrs. Mumsby's house where he knew Caroline was sleeping.

As he pulled out of their drive, they all waved goodbye...as Caroline Talbott watched from her bedroom window...

To be continued...