Faith and Hope Part 5
Drew handed Miranda a wrapped sandwich and soda from the bag on his lap. They were sitting side by side in the cab of Drew's large, new black pick- up truck. A sophisticated, telescopic camera, on a tripod, stood on the ground in front of them. The camera was aimed at the shower of stars above them.
Drew stole a side-glance at the woman beside him. He had always enjoyed watching her but tonight, he had the privilege of observing her away from the university. She was a little more relaxed but still skittish around him. He was shocked when she accepted his invitation to watch him take pictures of several supernova stars. Her appearance at the coffee shop this evening was encouraging and Drew was pleased that her curiosity outweighed her anxiety.
"So, where did you get that camera from?" Miranda turned around to face him and caught him staring. "That's expensive."
Drew smiled at her. "I have a friend in the astronomy department. I helped him out with a few projects."
"You do get around."
"I try. The great part about majoring in physics is that it applies to so many other physical sciences. I've learned a lot just assisting professors in other departments."
"I know what you mean." Miranda responded with enthusiasm. "I spend hours calculating why certain phenomena occur when Declan and I are investigating something. I really like using what I know about physical properties."
They both took bites from their sandwiches. Miranda had to admit to herself that she was having a good time. She glanced his way for a few seconds. Drew continued to keep his long curls combed away from his face. She liked that his hair was so black, her favorite color. Miranda stopped herself from mooning like a teen-ager. She sipped her soda.
"Are you ready for the next set of photos?" Miranda asked forcing her voice to sound casual.
Drew looked at his watch. "11:00pm. Good timing." He put his food down and stretched his legs down to stand on the grass. Before Miranda could hop off the truck cab, Drew offered his hand to help. Their eyes met briefly and then darted away. Miranda gave him her hand and gracefully ended up beside him at the tripod.
Drew didn't let go of the hand. Miranda looked up at him and found amused gray eyes. "You see, we can get along for five minutes without arguing." He tried to subdue the smile that took over his face.
Miranda frowned. " As long as you don't bring up early Bantu hunting, I'll call this a truce."
"Deal. But if I'm right about the writings on the cave walls in -"
"Flanagan!"
He laughed nervously. "Truce."
Declan gratefully accepted the glass of wine from Peggy. He scooted over to make more room for her to slide under the heavy quilt. She hugged her silk robe close as she snuggled next to him. With their backs against the sofa, they faced the small fireplace.
"To us." Declan tapped her wine glass with his. Peggy took a small sip and leaned over to seal the toast with a kiss.
Declan turned his eyes to her. Peggy's hair was now tied back and her skin was free of make-up. She looked thoughtful and content, yet, he was afraid she was having regrets. He tried to imagine what was on her mind as she watched the fire.
Peggy felt his questioning glances. She met his gaze with a smile and another kiss.
"You're going to spill the wine." Declan softly warned. He took the glass from her and put it next to his on the coffee table. They embraced and stayed nestled together, heads touching and hands clasped.
"Declan?"
"Hmnn?"
"I'm still okay."
"You sure?"
"Positive." She lifted her head a fraction so he could see her face. "I understand why you think I'm not settled about us yet." Peggy slowly shook her head. "I didn't want to let myself give in to the way I feel about you. It just started happening and there was nothing I could do." She absently caressed the fine layer of black hair on his bare chest. "I know that I couldn't hold it back forever." Declan grabbed her wandering hand and gently kissed the palm. "I knew it would be like this, Peg. That's why I decided; it's now or never. We're connected. I told you that before. Remember Dr. Hess' class? When I realized who you were, I was stunned. Here was the girl I'd day dreamed about in class. Amazing." He angled his head to kiss her. "We were bound to happen one day."
"I think you're right." Peggy pulled her hand away and continued her imaginary circles on his chest. Declan closed his eyes and laid his head back against the sofa seat.
"You know what's even more amazing to me?"
"What's that?" Her muffled voice inquired. She was placing small kisses across his shoulder and neck.
"That a conservative, disciplined, psychiatrist like yourself could be so. .wild in bed."
Peggy lightly tickled his midsection. "You don't inspire restraint. In case you've forgotten, you were asking so much of me, or was that begging I heard, anyway you were quite clear about how much you were enjoying yourself."
Declan slipped a hand under her robe and smiled mischievously. "That wasn't begging, Peg, that was encouragement so that you knew I supported everything you were doing." His hand roamed across her hips. "You already know I can't control myself around you anymore." Declan pulled her over him until she was sitting on his lap. "I know it's late and we both have to work tomorrow, but your appalling behavior tonight has really got me curious. How far will you go, lady?"
She was laughing and lightly stroking his chest with both hands. "It's going to take a lot of encouragement to find out."
Declan yanked the quilt from them and moved forward until Peggy was under him lying on the quilt. "I think you know by now, Peg, that I can be very supportive."
Miranda's eyes opened slowly as she realized that her body was stiff and the truck had stopped moving. Quickly, she turned toward the driver's seat and felt a stab of embarrassment. Drew was smiling at her. He had one long arm across the back of her seat.
"Sorry to keep you out so late."
"Ah . it's okay." She checked her watch and was shocked that it was already 2:00 AM. They were sitting in front of her apartment building. "Thanks for showing me the supernovas. Sorry I fell asleep. I had an early class and -"
"Hey, don't apologize. I get carried away when science is involved. Especially when I'm sharing it with someone who likes it too." He looked away shyly and then looked at her again this time taking in her hair and letting his eyes move across her face. "And especially with someone as beautiful as a supernova star."
Miranda was looking down at her hands gripping the backpack on her lap. She wanted to run from the truck. She cleared her throat. "You mean I look like a big bright white mass floating in the dark?" She tried for humor to make him less serious.
"Yeah. Can you imagine anything more beautiful and intriguing?" Drew still continued to stare at her with gentle, admiring eyes. "Miranda, I really enjoyed your company tonight. Thanks again for coming with me. I know I'm not the easiest person to get along with but I'm learning to spend more time away from the lab and more time with people. I like spending time with you."
"It was nice. You were okay."
"Good. I would like very much to take you on a real date." His gray eyes flashed with pleasure. " How about a nice quiet dinner at Del's on Friday? No research or project talk. Just get-to-know-you conversation."
She was so captured by his eyes, that his invitation almost escaped her. Blinking and sitting up straight in the seat, Miranda automatically responded. "I can do that. Friday's good."
"I'll pick you up at 7:00." While he spoke, Miranda was opening the truck door. He hurried out and was just in time to grab her elbow as she jumped to the curb. She gave him a little smile and wave and walked toward the building. Drew watched her open the door. He waved back.
"I'll see you on Friday, Miranda." He said getting in the truck.
"Okay." She hurried in the door and closed it. Miranda fell back against the closed door and exhaled. Then she bent over briefly to restore the oxygen to her brain. When she stood straight again, a huge, unfamiliar smile spread across her face.
End of Part 5
Drew handed Miranda a wrapped sandwich and soda from the bag on his lap. They were sitting side by side in the cab of Drew's large, new black pick- up truck. A sophisticated, telescopic camera, on a tripod, stood on the ground in front of them. The camera was aimed at the shower of stars above them.
Drew stole a side-glance at the woman beside him. He had always enjoyed watching her but tonight, he had the privilege of observing her away from the university. She was a little more relaxed but still skittish around him. He was shocked when she accepted his invitation to watch him take pictures of several supernova stars. Her appearance at the coffee shop this evening was encouraging and Drew was pleased that her curiosity outweighed her anxiety.
"So, where did you get that camera from?" Miranda turned around to face him and caught him staring. "That's expensive."
Drew smiled at her. "I have a friend in the astronomy department. I helped him out with a few projects."
"You do get around."
"I try. The great part about majoring in physics is that it applies to so many other physical sciences. I've learned a lot just assisting professors in other departments."
"I know what you mean." Miranda responded with enthusiasm. "I spend hours calculating why certain phenomena occur when Declan and I are investigating something. I really like using what I know about physical properties."
They both took bites from their sandwiches. Miranda had to admit to herself that she was having a good time. She glanced his way for a few seconds. Drew continued to keep his long curls combed away from his face. She liked that his hair was so black, her favorite color. Miranda stopped herself from mooning like a teen-ager. She sipped her soda.
"Are you ready for the next set of photos?" Miranda asked forcing her voice to sound casual.
Drew looked at his watch. "11:00pm. Good timing." He put his food down and stretched his legs down to stand on the grass. Before Miranda could hop off the truck cab, Drew offered his hand to help. Their eyes met briefly and then darted away. Miranda gave him her hand and gracefully ended up beside him at the tripod.
Drew didn't let go of the hand. Miranda looked up at him and found amused gray eyes. "You see, we can get along for five minutes without arguing." He tried to subdue the smile that took over his face.
Miranda frowned. " As long as you don't bring up early Bantu hunting, I'll call this a truce."
"Deal. But if I'm right about the writings on the cave walls in -"
"Flanagan!"
He laughed nervously. "Truce."
Declan gratefully accepted the glass of wine from Peggy. He scooted over to make more room for her to slide under the heavy quilt. She hugged her silk robe close as she snuggled next to him. With their backs against the sofa, they faced the small fireplace.
"To us." Declan tapped her wine glass with his. Peggy took a small sip and leaned over to seal the toast with a kiss.
Declan turned his eyes to her. Peggy's hair was now tied back and her skin was free of make-up. She looked thoughtful and content, yet, he was afraid she was having regrets. He tried to imagine what was on her mind as she watched the fire.
Peggy felt his questioning glances. She met his gaze with a smile and another kiss.
"You're going to spill the wine." Declan softly warned. He took the glass from her and put it next to his on the coffee table. They embraced and stayed nestled together, heads touching and hands clasped.
"Declan?"
"Hmnn?"
"I'm still okay."
"You sure?"
"Positive." She lifted her head a fraction so he could see her face. "I understand why you think I'm not settled about us yet." Peggy slowly shook her head. "I didn't want to let myself give in to the way I feel about you. It just started happening and there was nothing I could do." She absently caressed the fine layer of black hair on his bare chest. "I know that I couldn't hold it back forever." Declan grabbed her wandering hand and gently kissed the palm. "I knew it would be like this, Peg. That's why I decided; it's now or never. We're connected. I told you that before. Remember Dr. Hess' class? When I realized who you were, I was stunned. Here was the girl I'd day dreamed about in class. Amazing." He angled his head to kiss her. "We were bound to happen one day."
"I think you're right." Peggy pulled her hand away and continued her imaginary circles on his chest. Declan closed his eyes and laid his head back against the sofa seat.
"You know what's even more amazing to me?"
"What's that?" Her muffled voice inquired. She was placing small kisses across his shoulder and neck.
"That a conservative, disciplined, psychiatrist like yourself could be so. .wild in bed."
Peggy lightly tickled his midsection. "You don't inspire restraint. In case you've forgotten, you were asking so much of me, or was that begging I heard, anyway you were quite clear about how much you were enjoying yourself."
Declan slipped a hand under her robe and smiled mischievously. "That wasn't begging, Peg, that was encouragement so that you knew I supported everything you were doing." His hand roamed across her hips. "You already know I can't control myself around you anymore." Declan pulled her over him until she was sitting on his lap. "I know it's late and we both have to work tomorrow, but your appalling behavior tonight has really got me curious. How far will you go, lady?"
She was laughing and lightly stroking his chest with both hands. "It's going to take a lot of encouragement to find out."
Declan yanked the quilt from them and moved forward until Peggy was under him lying on the quilt. "I think you know by now, Peg, that I can be very supportive."
Miranda's eyes opened slowly as she realized that her body was stiff and the truck had stopped moving. Quickly, she turned toward the driver's seat and felt a stab of embarrassment. Drew was smiling at her. He had one long arm across the back of her seat.
"Sorry to keep you out so late."
"Ah . it's okay." She checked her watch and was shocked that it was already 2:00 AM. They were sitting in front of her apartment building. "Thanks for showing me the supernovas. Sorry I fell asleep. I had an early class and -"
"Hey, don't apologize. I get carried away when science is involved. Especially when I'm sharing it with someone who likes it too." He looked away shyly and then looked at her again this time taking in her hair and letting his eyes move across her face. "And especially with someone as beautiful as a supernova star."
Miranda was looking down at her hands gripping the backpack on her lap. She wanted to run from the truck. She cleared her throat. "You mean I look like a big bright white mass floating in the dark?" She tried for humor to make him less serious.
"Yeah. Can you imagine anything more beautiful and intriguing?" Drew still continued to stare at her with gentle, admiring eyes. "Miranda, I really enjoyed your company tonight. Thanks again for coming with me. I know I'm not the easiest person to get along with but I'm learning to spend more time away from the lab and more time with people. I like spending time with you."
"It was nice. You were okay."
"Good. I would like very much to take you on a real date." His gray eyes flashed with pleasure. " How about a nice quiet dinner at Del's on Friday? No research or project talk. Just get-to-know-you conversation."
She was so captured by his eyes, that his invitation almost escaped her. Blinking and sitting up straight in the seat, Miranda automatically responded. "I can do that. Friday's good."
"I'll pick you up at 7:00." While he spoke, Miranda was opening the truck door. He hurried out and was just in time to grab her elbow as she jumped to the curb. She gave him a little smile and wave and walked toward the building. Drew watched her open the door. He waved back.
"I'll see you on Friday, Miranda." He said getting in the truck.
"Okay." She hurried in the door and closed it. Miranda fell back against the closed door and exhaled. Then she bent over briefly to restore the oxygen to her brain. When she stood straight again, a huge, unfamiliar smile spread across her face.
End of Part 5