Chapter 6
"Mmm, Michelle this tea is wonderful and the view is spectacular," Janet said as she looked out over the lake.
"I'm glad you like it," Michelle sipped some of her tea and looked over at Margaret. Margaret smiled and sipped some of hers as she looked out over the lake.
"So Janet, Margaret tells me you've had a past love. What was he like?" At Michelle's question, Janet nearly spit out her tea. Flashing her dark brown eyes at Margaret, she hinted at her slight aggravation. Margaret avoided her gaze. Nonetheless, a smile formed on her lips. Janet turned to Michelle.
"Yes, he was wonderful; kind, compassionate, always made me laugh. He was…sexy." Janet smiled again and chuckled. "He was a somewhat of a 'ladies man' if you know what I mean," Michelle smiled and nodded. "But he was something else…" She trailed off, looking up at the sky. Her mind flooded with memories of him. She giggled as she remembered the time her parents came to visit. It was chaotic, for the most part, yet secretly thrilling.
"Jack, do you realize my parents expect us to sleep together?" A smile ran across Jack face.
"Well, Janet, it's just for one night!" He moved closer to her.
"Now, stop smiling Jack, we've got to think of something," Janet's eyes burned like the sun as she looked at him; burning in more ways then one.
"I am thinking...that's why I'm smiling," Jack smile turned to a devilish grin and he chuckled to himself. Janet now in shock, quickly decided to tell the truth.
"I'm going to go in there and tell my parents the truth!" She moved away from Jack.
"Janet, you don't know what you're missing," Jack smiled again and walked to Janet. She glared at him in the eye.
"Go take a cold shower!" and she left the kitchen.
Janet smiled, even though it was the most embarrassing thing in her life, deep down she was having a ball. When his warm skin touched hers, it took everything not to kiss him. She wanted him so much. I could have. She closed her eyes in thought. She thought about the time when Jack got hopelessly drunk. The intimate moment of singing him a lullaby and falling asleep in each other's embrace. She was so tired. She tried getting Jack out of her bed, but he didn't budge. Janet knew if she really wanted to, she could have slept in Jack's room. But rhythmic beating of Jack's heart was while she laid on him lured her to slumber. Sending the night together never felt so right. She never felt more loved in her life.
"Yes, he was something."
Jack entered the house, throwing his keys on a nearby table. At that moment, the phone rang.
"GRRRR!" Jack threw his coat on the chair and ran to get the phone.
"Hello?" He snapped in the phone.
"Are we having a bad day, Mr. Tripper?" Came a familiar voice over the line.
"Oh, God… I'm sorry Richard. Yes, you could put it that way. May I help you?"
"Yes, Jack," Richard's voice was stern, yet humble. "The company is having an important meeting in London, and well, we have to be there...today."
"And how long is this trip?" Jack asked about to scream.
"Oh, only five or six days. I know its late notice, but Jack we have to be there."
"I'll start packing," Jack said with a sigh; running his hand with his now shaggy blonde hair.
"I'll pick you up in half an hour," Richard hung up the phone and Jack laid the phone on the receiver. That feeling was back. Jack slowly turned around to find an empty hallway. A window blind clanked, causing Jack to jump a foot. He began to sweat; a bead ran down his nose. He cautiously walked to the kitchen and slowly opened the door. Faint giggles rang in his ear. He looked around the kitchen furiously. He stopped and scolded himself. You have to pack. Richard is going to be here soon. Jack wiped the sweat off his forehead and walked up stairs.
Janet was laughing when she noticed a light turn on in the house. Michelle looked at Janet, then to the window.
"Oh, Jock's home," She smiled and bit into a small soft cookie. "He needs his rest he was sick yesterday and today he went to work. That man never slows down." Margaret and Janet laughed and grabbed a cookie off the silver platter on the middle of a glass table.
Jack threw his clothes out of his closet onto his bed, mumbling to himself as he went along. A few minutes later, Michelle came inside and called his name.
"Jock, darling, how are you feeling?"
"Ok, I guess," Jack yelled out his door. Michelle walked upstairs and found Jack packing.
"Business trip?" She asked with disappointment in her voice.
"Yes, to London for five or six days," He walked to her and hugged her. Jack closed his eyes and immediate visions of Janet flooded his mind. He slowly pulled away and kissed Michelle.
"I'll miss ya babe," He said with Michelle still in his arms. She smiled and hugged him again.
"Well I'm entertaining guest; call me when you get there," She kissed Jack and hugged him one last time.
She walked down the stairs and to the kitchen. Jack finished packing and sat on his bed. He stared out the window, going over what he needed and whatever else from the office. Soon the doorbell rang, it was Richard. Jack got his luggage loaded in the car and with time left the two men decided to grab some food before leaving. Jack made some coffee and some sandwiches.
"So, have you thought anymore about this girl?" Richard asked as he sipped some of his coffee. Jack stared down at this coffee.
"Yes, quite a bit, actually," His mind was spinning with thoughts of Michelle, work, and Janet.
"Why'd you let her go?" Richard asked as he took a bit out of his sandwich.
"Who'd said I let her go," He smiled and the two men laughed. "To be honest, I thought she was happy with Phillip and I wanted her to be happy. But I loved her from the very moment I saw her. We had our rules. I teased and tried, but only got so far," Jack sipped more of his coffee. Richard nodded his head, as he stared at the steam coming off his coffee. Jack looked at his watch and sighed. Richard stood.
"How about some fresh air?" He smiled and walk towards the door; Jack followed.
Richard inspected the grapes within Jack personal vineyard.
"It's beautiful," Richard said as he held part of the plant in his hand. Jack just stared blankly at a fern on the deck. He cocked his head to the side and continued to stare. Richard finally looked over at Jack.
"Jack," Jack jumped and shook his head. "Yes, very beautiful," Jack said as though he was in a trance. He remained looking at the plant. It was the one Janet gave him on their moving day. He couldn't believe he still had it almost 10 years later. Richard sighed and shook his head.
"Jack, can we focus here, please?" He touched Jack's shoulder.
"Focus what?" He asked blinking profusely.
"Nevermind," Richard said and rubbed between his eyes.
Michelle came up from the patio area, on the other side of the yard and kissed him goodbye.
"I'll miss you," He said with a faint twinkle in his eyes.
"Li mancherò." She kissed him for passionately before Richard clear his throat. Jack looked over at him as Richard pointed to his watch.
"I have to go now; I'll see you in a week."
"Six days too long," she said sticking out her lower lips as he walked away.
"Bye Jock," She waved and blew him a kiss goodbye. Once inside Richard shook his head again.
"You really are a 'ladies man', aren't you?" Jack shrugged and gave a wink.
"Maybe," The two men began laughing.
Michelle returned to the patio, sighing upon sitting down.
"Jock is going to London for business," She sighed again. "Six whole days."
"Wow, does this happen a lot?" Margaret asked, concerned for her friend.
"Well, no, but when it happens it…seucks." She said, having trouble with the U sound. This caused giggles between the girls. Michelle pauses and thought for a few moments.
"Hey! I just got this great idea!"
"What?" Janet and Margaret asked.
"How about you girls stay here the rest of your trip? You have, what, ten, eleven days before you go back. Why not just stay with me! It would be less stress on you, and company for me," She smiled and her eyes twinkled with joy. Janet and Margaret looked at each other. No words were needed.
"YES!" They women said in unison. Each one gave a little squeal of excitement.
"We'll go check out of our hotel and meet you back here in like an hour, ok?" Janet said as she stood to her feet.
"Ok!" Michelle smiled. "I'll go make the guest bedroom. Jances, you can sleep in Jock's room. I'll go change the sheets." All the girls gave a smile and squealed once more.
"How exciting!" Margaret said as Janet and her got into the car and drove to the hotel.
Janet and Margaret quickly packed up there room and ran down the front desk.
"Contrôle tôt dehors. pièce 201 que je crois." Margaret smiled as she slid the room keys to the man at the front desk. The man checked the computer and smiled.
"Merci mama. J'espère que vous avez apprécié votre sejour." The man smiled at Margaret, causing her to blush.
"Oui, nous . Merci." Janet rolled and grabbed Margaret's arm.
"Let's go Juliet." Janet whispered in her ear.
"Au revoir." Margaret said as she reached the doors.
"Manque d'au revoir." Janet rolled her eyes again.
"You're hopeless, you know that right?"
"I know," Margaret gave her a childish grin and skipped to the car.
"I don't understand you sometimes," Janet said, shaking her head as she got into the car. Margaret laughed and loaded the luggage into the trunk.
"Let's go!" Janet yelled out at Margaret.
"Ok, ok, calm down. I'm coming, geeze," Margaret came around to the passenger side and got in the car.
"Finally!" Janet said, smiling and laughing.
"Hey, I guess I'm finally rubbing off on ya?" Janet just rolled her eyes again and sped off.
Michelle ran out the front door and greeted them.
"This is going to be so much fun," She took a bag from the trunk and walked in the front door. Margaret and Janet followed with the rest of their luggage. Margaret went down the hall to the guest room. A queen-sized bed sat as the focal point of the room. A rich mahogany frame with four pillars reaching the ceiling supported the plush mattress with crisp white sheets. A thin white sheet canopied the bed. Margaret smiled and jumped on the inviting bed.
Janet followed Michelle up the stairs and down a short hallway to the right where Janet nearly fainted. The aroma of Jack flooded the room. I feel like I've been here before. She thought as she walked into the room. It was the master suite. Blue curtains accented the rich mahogany furniture. Light blue sheets and a navy blue comforter adorned the bed. It was a masculine room, but suitable for Janet. She smiled and scanned the room.
"I hope you don't mind the setting. I cleaned up the best I could."
"It wonderful." Almost perfect. She smiled and turned towards Michelle.
"Thank you for letting us stay here," Janet said.
"No problem," Michelle smiled and the two new friends embraced.
"I'll go make dinner," Michelle smiled, "I let you unpack and get comfortable." She left Janet in the room.
A few moments later, the girls met in the kitchen. Sitting at the table, the three of them enjoyed the chicken Michelle had cooked.
"This is absolutely divine."
Michelle blushed, "I learned from the best."
They talked about life and made jokes. This is defiantly what I needed. Janet thought as she took a bite of chicken. It was going to be hard to leave this place.