I'm so glad people like my story. But you know what? I was almost done with this chapter, and I forgot to save it. (pouts) I can't believe I did that!
My cheeks hurt because I was grinning so much from the very kind reviews I received! I love all you reviewers!
Btw, does anyone want to beta read for me? Someone with an A in English Honors or something? I could really use a beta reader.
Pot Of CornChapter Four-The Date
Kristina paced around her room, every article of clothing she owned was thrown around her room. Her shoes were everywhere! She couldn't take a step without stepping on a shirt or dress.
Shadow was laying on the bed, with a shirt across his back, a shoe by his side and a bra laying across his nose. He made a whinning sound, as he watched his master pace back and forth.
"I'm so nervous Shadow!" She said in frustration. "What am I going to wear?"
Shadow gave a bark.
"A dress?" She questioned.
Shadow barked again.
"Maybe you're right." She mumbled, picking up a dress. "Flower print or solid color?" She held up two dresses she saved for dinner nights. One was made for restaurants, the other for casual dining.
Shadow stared at the flower print. Kristina smiled and slipped the flower printed dress over her head.
"Ok. Now for the shoes!" She said, continuing her pacing. Shadow just whined again.
Mort was having about the same luck as her. He had picked out a green tee shirt with jeans. A leather dress jacket over it. He combed his hair a few times, making it look decent, then put on his thin framed glasses (having found them under a pile of paper on his desk). He was pacing his kitchen, making sure he had everything ready.
"Ok. Dinner." He said. He looked at the boiling pot of corn. "Check. Romantic/Casual table." His table had a table cloth over it, with a vase with a single red rose in it. "Check."
He walked over and made sure the flower had some water. He didn't want it to wither away while she was over here.
What's with the rose thing going on? The voice questioned.
"Saw it in a movie." Mort answered.
Oh. That's just peachy. Why don't you wait till she comes in and say 'you complete me'? I bet that'll really win her over.
"I got an idea. How about you shut the hell up before I grab a knife and try to cut you out of me?" Mort questioned. The voice stayed quiet. Mort chalked that up as a win.
Then he continued to pace, looking over everything once more.
Kristina had finally chosen the sandals which lace up her ankle. It made her look somewhat refined and yet casual. Well, at least that's what she hoped she looked like. Her hair was pulled away from her face with a clip on either side of her head. Her hair was still free flowing down her back though.
She put on some light make-up and quickly popped a tic-tac in her mouth. 'Never know when you could need one.' She thought.
Shadow had followed her to the door. He looked up at his Master with a pout.
"Don't worry. I won't be gone too long. Besides, you have the bed to yourself for a while." She said with a smile. She patted his head. "Wish me luck."
Shadow wagged his tail.
She blew him a kiss before leaving to go on her date.
Mort wiped his sweaty hands on his pants. He heard a knock at the door and quickly ran over to it. He then paused, checked his hair and his breath, before opening the door with a smile.
The smile fell as soon as he saw who was at his door.
"Hello Mr. Rainey." Said the Arthritic ridden Sheriff of Tashmore.
"Hi." Mort said with great difficulty. He couldn't have his date see a Sheriff at his door! She would probably run from him or question him about it. Then he would have to explain. Something he really didn't want to do. Ever.
"I've come to ask you a few questions. Like, why you came into Town today when I asked you not to." He questioned.
"Look. I needed a few things and I didn't have time to go into the city to buy them. Besides, it's a free country." Mort answered. He was on his last nerve with this guy already. Mort resisted the urge to click his jaw.
"Well, I understand, but weren't you bothering a young lady today?" He questioned.
"Can't this whole thing wait until tomorrow? I have something to do and my dinner is about to burn." Mort said, trying anything he could think of to get the Sheriff the hell off his property!
"Alright. I'll leave this until tomorrow. You have a nice night Mr. Rainey." The Sheriff said. He left the porch.
Mort shut his door, hearing the car leave his driveway. He banged his head against the door, trying to calm his nerves.
I can still catch him and kill him if you want.
Mort gave a smirk to his voice. "Would be nice, but I can't."
Why not? Don't tell me it's because of that girl.
"Why? Jealous?" Mort couldn't resist asking.
Of course I'm not! How could I be? I'm only a voice somewhere in your mind.
"Do true." Mort answered, with a small chuckle. Just then there was a knock on his door. Mort quickly slicked his hand through his hair, trying to make it look half way decent. He opened the door.
Kristina was standing there, with a small purse in her hands. Her dress was white with red flower print on it. Her bangs were clipped away from her face. Mort's jaw dropped a little.
"Hi. Am I on time?" She questioned.
Mort stumbled on his words a bit. "I.. umm.. well.. yeah. Of course. You're right on time."
She smiled as he stumbled on his words. She didn't know she looked good enough to impress. A blush pasted over her face.
"May I come in?" She questioned. The night air was starting to nip at her skin. It would be dark in an hour or so.
"Of course. Come right in." He said, moving aside. "Once you say the password."
She giggled and walked past him. She looked around the cabin for a brief moment. It seemed quite the cozy place and a second story. One which, hers didn't have.
"So.. um.." Mort started, not knowing what to say. He could curse himself out at that moment! Think about it! A writer, not knowing what to say! How cliché!
"Do you want to talk before or after dinner?" She questioned.
"Before." Mort said. Then added. "And After. If you like."
She gave him a smile. "Of course."
Even though she looked very calm on the outside, her insides were screaming at her, noticing every little curve and sway of his body. He seemed to be the prefect man, even though he had braces on. He was cleanly shaven and had trimmed his mustache a little, so it wasn't as wild as last time. His brown eyes sparkled every time he spoke a word. It was like an enchanting spell was being cast over her. Though, one she really didn't mind.
"Why don't we sit on the sofa and wait. Dinner still has another five minutes." He said, checking his wrist watch. He sat down on the sofa. She sat down next to him. "SO. What do you do for a living?"
"Oh. I'm a magazine photographer. I came out here to snap a few photos of the wilds of Tashmore." She said with slight sarcasm towards the end. Then added. "But, when I saw that cute little cabin just a ways up the lake, I couldn't resist buying it and moving in."
"What Magazine?" Mort questioned.
"Geographies for Kids." She answered with a shrug. "It's a living."
"That must mean you're able to travel almost anywhere, right?"
"Actually the only places I've been to so far were Alaska, Arizona and Canada. Alaska was amazing, thought very cold. I loved Dog sledding a lot. That's where I bought Shadow from. He's been my travel companion ever since." She explained.
"Wow. You've had an interesting life." Mort said.
"And what about you? What great adventures have you done? I'm sure you've gone somewhere in order to get inspiration for some of your stories, correct?" She questioned.
"I came to Tashmore for relaxing and getting everything straightened out while trying to write another book." Mort started. "See, I write short stories and comprise them into a book, which is then published. And, I'm boring you aren't I?"
"No. Not at all. I find writers to be fascinating. How someone could come up with some of the plot twists and dialogue I've read before in books intrigue me beyond belief! I could never write some of the stories I've read. I can't even come up with a logical character that doesn't seem like a 'Mary-sue' type." She said with a sigh. "I've only tried writing once. It didn't go over so well."
"What happened?" His brows went together in concern and wonderment.
"Well, I sent my short story into a magazine. They sent a letter back, with the nicest criticism, but with an undertone of sarcasm and dislike. I haven't written a single thing since then." She said with a shrug. "It's not like I was any good at it anyways."
Mort put his arm around her shoulders in comfort. "It's ok. Everyone has their own calling. You just have to find yours."
"Thanks." She said, smiling up at him. Mort and her eyes met and locked. They both moved slowly closer to one another. Mort licked his lips in anticipation. Their lips brushed one another's and…
Ding!
Mort and Kristina looked over their shoulders at the kitchen. Apparently the timer had just gone off. Mort got up with much reluctance to finish dinner. He grabbed the pot with pot holders and drained out the boiling water.
Then, he dumped the corn into a bowl. He placed it on the table. Kristina walked in and sat down.
Mort then went to the oven. "I made something else too. The first time I ever truly cooked." He grinned as he pulled out a small version of a Thanksgiving Day Turkey.
Kristina smiled, almost grinning at him. He seemed so happy over being able to cook, she felt it radiate off of his body! He placed the steaming fowl in the center and started to cut away at it.
"Ok, what part do you want?" Mort questioned.
"Wing and breast please." She said in a shy tone. She realized that while he was standing over, trying to cut the small sized Turkey, he would easily glance over and see more then what she wanted to show done her dress.
Mort only was looking from the corner of his eye, trying to pretend he didn't notice what the dress so graciously offered for his hunger eyes. He hadn't been with a woman since Amy and that had been a long time ago. A man has needs and by god Kristina could fulfill those needs without a problem.
Mort nearly cut himself twice, since he wasn't paying attention. He gave her, her plate and made his own. They sat down and started to quietly eat.
After a few bites, Kristina looked up. "This is really good."
"Really?" Mort asked with hopeful eyes.
"Yes. It's the best home cooked meal I've had in years." She answered truthfully. Then again, she hadn't had a true home cooked meal in years. Then again, he didn't need to know that.
Mort gave a smile, biting into his chicken. He hadn't tasted anything other then chips and corn for about a month now. Chicken tasted like a rare treat to his tongue and his stomach growled, thankful for the change in diet.
Once finished with the rather quiet dinner, Mort cleared the table. They made their way back to the sofa for more conversation.
They talked all about their jobs, life styles and just brushed the subject of family. They both strayed away from the subject, both for different reasons.
After a good two hours of talking and laughing, Kristina looked up at the clock.
"Shadow is going to be mad at me. I forgot to refill his water dish." Kristina said. It was almost midnight!
"I'm sure he can handle himself without some water for the night." Mort answered.
"I'm sure you're right, but he's like a baby to me." She explained. "I've only had him by my side for over a year now."
"I understand." Mort said, standing up. He gave her a smile and helped her up. "It is getting rather late too."
"Yes. You're right." She said. They still hadn't let go of each others hand. "I had the best time I've ever had in over a year tonight. I'll never forget it."
Mort couldn't resist anymore. He pulled her closer and pressed his lips against hers. Kristina was shocked her a second at his bold move, but quickly got over it. She let herself be drawn into the spell that Mort had cast over her.
She wrapped her arms around his neck. He wrapped his arms around her waist. They broke apart only because they needed air to breath.
"That was…." Kristina started.
"Amazing." Mort ended. They both stared at each other, sinking deeper into each other's eyes. They started to lean in for another kiss, when Kristina shrunk away.
"I'm sorry. It's not that I don't like you or anything Mort, I just really have to get home." She explained with an apologetic smile.
"I guess, you never kissed on a first date." Mort asked with a raised eyebrow.
She blushed. "I've only kissed one other before you."
"I'm second… damn.." He said, snapping his fingers in fake frustration.
Kristina giggled and leaned into his arms, poking him in the chest with her index finger. "You may have gotten second, but you won over the judges."
"Oh, I have, have I?" Mort asked. He suddenly grabbed her and dipped her, as if they were doing the tango. "Then would the judges allow a simple writer such as me to steal the grand prize?"
She laughed and put her index finger to his mouth. "Don't push you're luck."
"Then a simple kiss?" He questioned.
"Nothing is simple with you." She answered with a joking voice.
Mort smirked at how true that statement really was. He leaned in and gave her another kiss, this time his tongue brushed her lips. She allowed him to deepen the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck, still in the dipped position.
He parted their lips and brought her back to her feet. "Now, like a true gentleman, I shall escort you to your car." He offered his arm. She gladly took it.
This was positively the best date she had ever been on! And it was with a very attractive man. How could life suddenly be so kind to her? She smiled at him as she got into her car.
She grabbed a piece of paper and a pen. She wrote down her number. Then she handed it to him.
"Please call me." She asked.
"I will." He answered. He cupped her face and gave her a small, but impression leaving kiss on her lips. She could feel most of her body melt when he did that.
"Can I come over next week?" She questioned.
"You can come over any time you want to." Mort answered. He winked at her. "Especially at night, in case you get scared or anything."
If she could reach him, she could have hit him on the arm. 'Men!' She thought to herself. But, despite that she laughed. "I'll come by when I can."
"That'll be great." Mort answered. He waved as she pulled out of his drive way. "Good-bye!"
"Good-bye!" She called out, before pulling off and leaving.
Mort stood outside until he could no longer see the lights from her car. He gave a sigh of happiness. He turned around, only to find probably the worst person to see at this time.
"She's awfully Pretty, that girl there." Shooter said.
Mort gulped. He thought Shooter was gone for good!
Whoa! Another chapter finished right before bed-time! And worked on for three days! I'm beat! PLEASE REVIEW!!! I LOVE READING THEM!!!!