Hello everyone! Here's chapter 2 of my little story. Thank you all so much for the alerts/reviews. They are very much appreciated. There is some Faberry interaction ahead. Enjoy!
**HUGE thanks to my Editor-in-Chief, even though they would never ever use this site, ever. This story wouldn't be what it is without them.**
DISCLAIMER: I do not own GLEE or any of its characters.
Chapter 2 – New Kid On The Block
The following Friday found Charlie Fabray tinkering around in his garage. There were only a few weeks left of summer vacation so he was planning on spending as little time inside as possible. He was currently hanging some of his tools up on the custom pegboard that he and his Dad had hung on the wall the pervious day. His portion of the garage was coming along quite nicely. He also felt that his family was fitting in nicely in Lima, especially with the Pierce's. The night before his family had gone to dinner at the Pierce house without a hitch. Charlie could tell where Brittany got her bubbly personality from. Her whole family was amazing, very welcoming, and accommodating. Charlie could tell that his Dad and Mr. Pierce were becoming quick friends. True to Brittany's word, Santana had joined them for dinner as well. He was a little blown away by their friendship. He knew it was more to it than just friends, but he really admired how Santana was so different with Brittany. It was actually kind of cute. Santana even discontinued with her country bumpkin insults until after dinner when the three Juniors had ditched the adults and retired to the game room. All around it had been a good night and Charlie felt like he had already gained two new friends since moving to Lima.
"Hey Hillbilly, do you ever spend time outside of this garage?" Santana asked as she walked into his
garage.
"Santana, what a pleasant surprise, and you know I do. You just saw me at Brittany's house last night." Charlie said, turning toward his guest.
"True. So did they have cell phone devices where you moved from or was your town to far behind the electronic curve?" Santana asked, hopping up to take a seat on his work bench.
"I'm from Tennessee, not a third world country. Of course I have a cell phone. It's in my truck. Grab it if you need it." Charlie said, pointing toward his SUV.
Santana hopped off the work bench and walked over to the door of the large Tahoe. She reached up to grab the door handle and stepped back, contemplating the best way to actually get up into the lifted vehicle. Charlie just stood over to the side watching her, debating on suggesting she use the stool he had handy.
"There is a stool right over there if you need it, Santana." Charlie told her, trying to hold back a grin.
"Shut up, I can do it." She shot back. She stuck one foot up on the door sill and hoisted herself up into the massive Tahoe, losing her grip on the door. She almost fell back out, but she grabbed the seat and hoisted herself all the way in. She sat in the passenger's seat with a huff before looking over at Charlie.
"You might want to consider putting some kind of steps on this thing, Q. It's a little risky getting in here. Hope you don't plan on taking any midgets for a ride in this death trap." Santana told him while grabbing his phone. "I'm putting my number in here and I'm going to text myself. That way I don't have to come all the way over here when I want to talk to your ass."
"You live two houses down, Santana. It takes like two minutes to come all the way over here." Charlie deadpanned.
"Whatever, my time is valuable. Anyway, you coming to my party tonight?" Santana asked, jumping down out of the truck with his phone.
Charlie nodded, "Yep, from what you and Britt have said it sounds like nobody misses a Santana Lopez party. "
"Damn right," Santana quipped, "Who's Savannah? Damn man, she's hot!"
"Give me that." Charlie said swiping his phone.
"That your girl? I can't believe you left that behind." Santana told him.
"Dude, no." Charlie said disgusted, "That's my cousin so watch your mouth."
"Soooory, my bad." Santana apologized, "She's still hot though."
"You really have a thing for blonde girls, huh?" Charlie questioned with a smirk.
Santana's face got a hint of scarlet to it before she asked, "Just between you and I?"
"Of course." Charlie nodded.
"Yeah." Santana said softly, looking everywhere except at her friend.
"Britt." He stated without question. Santana nodded before finally looking at him, "Just between you and I."
Charlie nodded with a smile, "Promise, but just as a friendly outside-in view, you guys are kinda obvious. Just throwing that out there."
"I know, and B isn't very good at keeping certain things secret." Santana explained with a smile.
"It's cute. You guys are cute together and you have my silence and support." Charlie said, offering her a fist bump.
"Thanks, Q." She replied, bumping his fist.
"Alright, enough with the sappy shit, time for business. What are you wearing to my party tonight? You aren't going to dress like you just came from a hoedown are you?" Santana asked with a raised brow.
"Well, naw. I am wearing my hat, but you do realize I have regular clothes, don't you? Just like any other guy?" Charlie asked.
"No, I didn't realize. I've yet to see you outside of a nice family dinner setting with a shirt on, soo…" Santana trailed off, "Well, you did look nice last night, but that could've been a fluke."
"Trust me, I can dress myself and manage to look half decent, don't worry." Charlie assured her, "I am wearing my hat though. It makes me feel comfortable."
Santana rolled her eyes, "Whatever. Just don't expect to pick up any girls wearing that stupid thing. My number is in here and now I have yours. Be there around 9. B.Y.O.B., okay?
"Sure thing, Lopez. See ya at 9." Charlie said waving her off.
"Later, Hillbilly." Santana said before walking back toward her house.
-The Lopez Residence -
The party seemed to be in full swing by the time Charlie had made to Santana's. She had already texted him to hurry up and come over to her house because she had some people she wanted him to meet. Upon his arrival Charlie just walked right in, it wasn't like anyone could hear him knocking over the loud music anyway. He walked through the living room and found Santana in the kitchen taking a body shot off of Brittany while a group of people stood around cheering. He caught her eye after she downed the shot that was in her hand.
"Hillbilly, you made it!" She yelled when she saw him.
"Charlie! I'm glad you're here!" Brittany yelled as she hugged him tightly, "Come on. I'll introduce you around." She said as she pulled him by the hand.
They made it back into the living room where a slightly intoxicated group of people were gathered.
"Hey guys, this is Charlie. Charlie these are some of our Glee Club friends from school." Brittany explained.
"Glee Club?" Charlie asked with a smirk, "You and Santana are in Glee Club?" Charlie questioned.
"Something wrong with being in Glee Club?" questioned a sassy girl who was seated on the sofa.
Charlie looked over to her, "No ma'am, I was just asking because Santana hadn't mentioned it to me."
"Of course she didn't. I'm Mercedes." The brown-skinned diva.
"Pleasure, ma'am, I'm Charlie." He replied, reaching over to lightly shake her hand. Mercedes shook back, looking at him rather oddly.
"Ma'am? Where exactly are you from?" Mercedes asked.
"Sorry." Charlie said, his cheeks turning a light red color, "I'm from Tennessee."
"Oh, well enough of the ma'am crap, I ain't your mother and neither are they" Mercedes said with a smile, pointing around to her friends.
Charlie nodded and turned his attention to the next person, just noticing he was sitting in a wheelchair, "Sup man, I'm Artie."
"Hey dude, nice to meet you." Charlie responded and bumped the fist the other boy held up before continuing on.
"Hi. I'm Tina." said an Asian girl, who offered Charlie a polite hand shake.
"Kurt Hummel. Please to meet you. Nice hat, looks good on you." Kurt said with a wink.
"Thanks Kurt," Charlie said with a smile, "Finally someone who agrees."
"I'm going to introduce Charlie around some more. You guys have fun." Brittany said, waving as she grabbed Charlie's hand again.
"Bye y'all. It was nice to meet everyone." Charlie said before being pulled away by Brittany.
Charlie tried to remember people's names as Brittany pulled him around Santana's house. They finally made it back to the kitchen where they found Santana playing beer pong with a group of guys.
"Hey San! I introduced Charlie to just about everybody, well really only the cool people that came." Brittany said as she hip bumped Santana.
"Good deal, B. Hillbilly, you want a drink?" Santana asked, holding up a red cup.
"Nah, I'm good. Thanks though." Charlie replied.
"Okay, maybe later. Hillbilly, that loser with the Mohawk down there is Puck, his giant sidekick is Finn. The guy who won't stop dancing is Mike Chang. They all play football for McKinley." Santana told him taking a sip from the cup Brittany handed her.
Charlie reached his hand out to each boy, "Hey guys, I'm Charlie. Nice to meet you."
"Sup man, nice hat." Puck told him as he shook his hand.
"Thank. You." Charlie replied, making a face at Santana.
"Don't encourage him, Puckerman." Santana said sternly.
"Hey man, you play ball?" Mike asked with the rhythm of the song.
"Yeah I do, well I did back home anyway. I'm going to try out here too. Hopefully I make it." Charlie responded with a smile.
"Hey man, nice to meet you. You just moved here, right?" Finn asked as they shook hands.
"Yep, with my family about a week ago." Charlie explained.
Finn just nodded in response, "You got a sister?"
"Yeah. Why?" Charlie told him.
"She single?" Finn asked, curious.
"She's seven!" Charlie practically yelled.
Finn's face flushed red, "Oh, sorry dude."
"About the right height requirement for you though, huh, Finnessa?" Santana asked, grinning.
"Shut up Santana, Rachel isn't that short." Finn said, his face flushing again.
"Yeah right dude, she comes up to your kneecaps." Santana said with a laugh.
"Who's Rachel?" Charlie asked Brittany.
"Rachel is the girl that Finnept has been pining after for years. The little annoying midget won't give him the time of day though." Santana said, answering for her.
"Be nice, San. Rach is in Glee Club with all of us." Brittany added for Charlie's benefit pointing to the four of them.
"Ohhh okay. Why didn't you tell me you were in Glee Club Santana?" Charlie asked, bumping her shoe with his.
"It's not something I advertise, Hillbilly." Santana said with an eye roll.
"Just like how you don't advertise that you can probably widdle a couple dining room chairs out of the only tree that's out in my back yard." Santana said with a smirk.
Brittany's eyes grew wide as she looked from Santana to Charlie, "Can you really do that?"
"Ha! No, Britt. Not exactly." Charlie said, giving Santana a dirty look.
Brittany pouted, "Aww man. I wanted you to make me a duck."
"I'll see what I can do Britt, okay?" Charlie told her.
Brittany clapped and hugged him.
Santana rolled her eyes, "So freaking charming."
They were interrupted when a tall, pretty brunette joined them, "Santana, Britt, who's your friend?" She asked giving Charlie a once over.
Stacey." Santana greeted, "this is Charlie. Charlie this is Stacey Davis."
"Hi, you must be new in town. I know I'd have remembered you." She flirted
"Yeah, just moved here." Charlie said, not at all impressed by the girl.
"Well I'd love to show you around town. Show you the sights. What do you say?" Stacey asked as she stepped closer to him.
"Thanks, but no thanks. Santana has already given me the tour." He lied.
"Hey Stacey, what you are doin later?" Puck called from the opposite end of the table.
"Not you, Puckerman, back off." she replied without turning around. "Well if you change your mind let me know." she said, running her finger over Charlie's shirt covered torso."I'm sure when school starts back you'll want to hang with the right crowd, with the popular people. That'd be us, isn't that right Santana?" Stacey asked, not taking her eyes off Charlie.
Charlie looked to Santana for help. She just pointed to Stacey's back and brought her fist up to her mouth, stuck her tongue in her cheek, and pumped her hand twice in oral simulation.
"Yeah, you're really popular. Totally." Santana replied, rolling her eyes.
Charlie held back a grin, "Thanks Stacey, I'll keep that in mind."
"You better." she said as she walked away.
"Looks like she's free tonight after all Puckerman, better go catch her." Santana said taking another sip of her drink.
"Yep, catch you guys later. Great party, S." Puck said before he rushed after the brunette.
"What's the matter, Q? Not many men turn down Stacey Davis. Not into brunettes?" Santana asked, leaning back against the kitchen counter.
"I am, just not into brunettes like that." he explained
"Like what, easy?" she asked
Charlie just nodded and glanced over to the doorway when someone caught his eye. A short little brunette had just strolled into the kitchen and placed a thermos with a star in the middle of it on the counter. Charlie watched the tiny brunette as she poured its contents into a cup she had also brought with her.
"Hellooo! Q, are you listening to me?" She asked as she tapped his shoulder.
"What?" He asked as he focused on the Latina again.
"What the hell are you staring at?" She asked turning around, "Uggh, who invited her?"
"Who is that?" Charlie asked, looking back at the girl
"Fucking Berry." she said to herself. "Berry, get over here." Santana yelled across the kitchen.
The little brunette jumped and turned around to meet the irritated Latina. It looked like there may have been a hint of fear in her deep brown eyes as she slowly approached them.
"Wow." Charlie whispered.
Santana scrunched her face and looked to her friend, "Really? Ew, no dude."
"Be nice, San." Brittany said, slapping her arm lightly. "Rachel's pretty."
"Introduce me, please." Charlie whispered, not taking his eyes off the brunette.
"Gross." Santana whispered to herself, "What are you doing here, Berry?" the Latina asked as the shorter brunette made it over to them.
"It's a party. Brittany invited me." She said, pointing toward the blonde girl. "The rest of the Glee Club is here so I thought it was okay." the girl explained looked back at the doorway sadly, "I'll go. Sorry to crash Santana."
Charlie elbowed Santana sharply in the ribs as soon as the shorter girl had looked away. He gave Santana a sharp look before looking back at the girl in front of him.
"All right!" Santana huffed, getting the shorter girls attention, "Q, this is Rachel. Berry this is Q."
"Hello, ma'am, I'm Charlie," he said wiping his hand on his jeans before offering it to the girl in front of him. When she gave him her hand and he placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles before softly releasing it. "It's a pleasure to meet you Rachel."
Rachel's face flushed, "You too." she replied softly.
"Right, well that was embarrassing. Q, can I talk to you outside for a second? Berry, stay with B." Santana said before she pulled Charlie out onto the back porch.
"What the hell was that, Hillbilly? Kissing her knuckles? Seriously, what era are you from?" Santana asked pointedly.
"Yeah, what's wrong with that? Haven't you even kissed a lady on her knuckles before?" Charlie asked in disbelief
"Yeaaah, but it sure as hell wasn't Manhands in there. One of the hottest girls in school practically throws herself at you and you turn her down, but Berry walks in and your ass turns all Rico Suave in point 2 seconds? It was sad to watch, really." Santana explained.
"Manhands? What do you mean?" Charlie asked, confused.
"Manhands." Santana stated, pointing through the window to where Rachel had been standing. "If you value your popularity at all you won't go there dude."
"Let me see if I understand all this right, Santana. Yall make fun of her and single her out at events like this and try to make her feel bad about herself just because you can? Manhands, huh?" Charlie scoffed, "I got a good look Santana. Her hands, not so mannish, trust me. I don't know either of them personally, but from what I have seen tonight, just in the past five minutes, I'm willing to bet you my car that Rachel is a better person on her worst day than Stacey Davis has ever been."
Santana smirked, "You've fallen under her little hobbit spell already haven't you? Well you have Finncompetent as competition, just so you know. If you wanna get to know Berry then I got your back. Come on."
Charlie smiled, "Thanks Santana."
When they got back in the house it seemed like most of the party had moved from the kitchen to other parts of the house. Charlie scanned the living room for Rachel but the little diva was nowhere in sight. They continued on into the game room and they found Rachel talking to Stacey Davis and two other girls.
Charlie smiled, "There she is."
"Shit, come on Hillbilly, that won't end well." Santana said, before walking over to the girls.
"Sup, bitches." Santana greeted, "What are you guys talking to Berry about?"
"You know, Santana, the usual. Rupaul here is drinking out of a fucking thermos. Look at this thing, its hideous." Stacey laughed, holding up the thermos.
"May I have that, please Stacey." Charlie asked, hiding the venom in his voice.
"Sure, hold on a second, Sexy." She replied before turning back to Rachel, "Just leave Berry, nobody wants you here." Stacey said, unscrewing the top to the thermos.
"Don't even think about it." Santana said, grabbing the thermos and the lid, "Not in my house, Davis."
"Here, Q." Santana said handing both pieces to Charlie.
"Fine, she saved you another beverage shower Berry. How sad, we all know how fond you are of those." Stacey snipped before she turned to Charlie and bit her lip lightly, "You sure you don't want to hang out at my place after the party, Charlie?"
"I could not be more sure about that actually. What you just did was beyond disrespectful and if this were my house I'd throw your ass out." Charlie said, before turning to Rachel, "Do you need a ride home, ma'am?
Stacey's face flushed in embarrassment before she and her two friends stalked off.
"Ummm, I was just going to have my Daddy come get me." Rachel explained shyly.
"I could give you a ride so he wouldn't have to, I mean, if-if you'd like." Charlie said trying not to sound too hopeful.
Rachel looked to Santana who, to her surprised, just winked and walked away leaving her alone with Charlie.
"Um, sure. That'd be great." Rachel told him.
"Awesome! Let me tell Santana and Britt bye and then we'll go. I live two houses down so we'll have to walk to my truck before we head to your place. Is that okay? Or um, I could run home and grab my truck and pick you up here. Whichever is easier for you."
"We can walk. I'm just ready to go if that's okay."
"Sure, let's go." Charlie said offering her his arm.
They found Santana and Brittany with the other Glee Clubbers in the living room.
"Bye y'all. Thanks for the invite Santana. Had fun."
"No, problem. Just get your hobbit home safely." Santana said with a wink.
"Bye Charlie," Brittany said when she jumped off the couch to hug him.
"Bye Britt, had fun." Charlie said hugging her back.
"Bye y'all." Charlie said again, waving to Mercedes and Tina. Kurt looked to be in deep conversation with Rachel.
"Bye Charlie, it was nice meeting you. Enjoy the rest of your summer if we don't see you." Tina said with a smile.
" Yall too, night ladies." he said before stepping back toward Santana to wait for Rachel.
"You gonna make a move, Cowboy?" Santana whispered so only Charlie could hear her.
"What? No!" Charlie whispered loudly.
Santana rolled her eyes, "You're so lame."
"Thanks, Santana. Any useful advice for me?" He asked quickly.
"Yeah, stop calling her ma'am. It's weird, seriously."
"It's respectful." He defended.
"It's. Weird." Santana said again.
Brittany patted his cheek and smiled, "You'll be fine Charlie. Just be yourself. Your lady awaits." she finished, nodding her head toward Rachel.
He turned around and was met by the sight of a nervous, smiling diva. He smiled in return before walking over to her, "Ready, Rach?"
The brunette just nodded before taking the arm Charlie had offered to her before exiting the house.
"Thanks for the ride home. I really appreciate it." Rachel said as they headed down the side walk.
"No problem, it's my pleasure, really." Charlie replied with a smile.
"Yo, Q! Catch." Santana called out the door as she tossed him his jacket.
"Thanks, Santana." He said before turning and putting it on.
"Forgive me if I'm being forward, but if your name is Charlie, why does Santana call you, Q?" Rachel questioned.
"Because she thinks Charlie is a stupid name I guess. My First name is Quinton so she said she'd just callme Q instead, which she rarely does now that I think about it. She usually just calls me Hillbilly." he explained laughing
"Quinton Charles?" Rachel asked curiously
"Yep, I was named after my grandfather" The blonde boy explained.
"Oh? Are you two close?" She asked.
"We were, yes. He died last year." Charlie said sadly.
"Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry." Rachel apologized, mentally slapping herself for being so socially awkward. "I think it's a very honorable name and Charlie is adorable. Just ignore Santana, giving other people nicknames isn't one of her strong points."
"It's okay." Charlie said, "As far a Santana goes, I guess you just kinda gotta over look her, huh? I know I'm starting too."
"Sometimes. Secretly, I don't think Santana is as bad as she wants us to think she is. Don't tell I said that though. She's still scary." Rachel laughed.
"I definitely agree." Charlie nodded.
"Right here. This is my house." Charlie said as he pointed at the house lazily.
Rachel shivered as the wind picked up. "Your house is beautiful, Charlie."
"Thank you, Charlie frowned, "you cold?"
"A little. I think I left my jacket in my Daddy's car." Rachel told him, shivering again.
"Here. Take my jacket." Charlie said, quickly slipping off his zip up, "Allow me." he said holding it up so she could slip her arms into it.
"Thank you, it's so warm." Rachel said shyly as they neared his Tahoe. "We're not riding in that are we? I'm not sure I can get in there Charlie, it's really high."
"Of course we are, don't worry I'll help you." He told her as he opened her door, "I have a stool you can use, hold on."
Charlie jogged over to the garage and grabbed his stepping stool and hurried back over to Rachel, "Here ya go. Take my hand. Put one foot here and step up with your other."
Rachel took Charlie's offered hand and stepped up inside the over sized truck, "That a girl. You good?"
Rachel nodded before Charlie shut her door, picked up the stool and put it away before climbing up into the driver's seat. He took his hat off and placed it on his console along with Rachel's thermos.
"Show off." Rachel joked, "This is a very nice Sports Utility Vehicle, Charlie, even if it is unnecessarily high."
"You're right. I'll see what I can do about that." Charlie said cranking his truck and backing out of the driveway.
"Wow, it's really rumbly. I like it." Rachel decided out loud.
"Good. Which way Ms. Berry?" He asked her.
"Right." She directed, "You look different without the hat."
Charlie tried to smooth his hair down, now feeling self-conscious, "Good different or bad different? I can put the hat back-"
"No, no need. Good different. Not that there's anything wrong with the hat, it's just-just a good different." Rachel assured him.
"Thanks, I think." he said lamely. "So tell me about yourself, Ms. Berry."
"Well, my name is Rachel Barbara Berry. I've lived in Lima all my life with my two gay Dads. I'm a vegan. I'm also Jewish. I am an aspiring Broadway actress. I plan to attend college in New York at the end of next year and plan to start my career on the stage soon after that. Earning my degree would be ideal, but I wouldn't turn down the lead in a big production because of it. My idol is Barbara Streisand; I am her name sake after all. My favorite movie is Funny Girl. I am in numerous extra-curricular activities at McKinley, including Glee Club. I find that they make my college transcripts very colorful and skills I learn there will give me an edge over the competition." Rachel ranted. Charlie wasn't positive that she took a breath at all.
"Wow, impressive resume Rachel. Broadway, huh? Even more impressive." Charlie complimented her with a smile, "Have you even been to New York?"
"Oh yes, Dad, Daddy, and I have been several times. I love the city, it's amazing. Have you ever been? Take the next left." Rachel replied.
"No, I haven't. From what I know about it, it seems a little… over crowded, but I'm sure it's wonderful. I wouldn't mind taking a vacation there, but that's it. I would never live there." Charlie replied turning left, mentally making notes of how to get back home.
Rachel looked a little like she had just been personally insulted, "It is a wonderful city, magical even. Dreams literally come true there. You should go if you ever get the chance."
"I definitely will." Charlie assured her, "So you have two Dads. How's that work?"
"How's that work? Surely it isn't too complicated for you to understand how two men could love each other enough to want a child together." Rachel said dryly.
Charlie mentally slapped himself because getting to know Rachel wasn't going at all how he had planned.
"I'm sorry, that's not what I meant. You said Dad and Daddy; I meant what are their names, what do they do?" Charlie recovered quickly.
"Oh. Dad's name is Hiram. Short, wears glasses, is Jewish, and white. He's a doctor at Lima General. Daddy is Leroy. Tall, Christian, and is black. He's a Police Officer here in Lima." Rachel explained, "Take the next left and my house is the third house on the left."
"Alrighty," Charlie said, "Your Dads sound interesting. How'd they meet?"
"They're wonderful. I couldn't ask for better parents. They actually met in high school but didn't start dating until after. They've been together ever since." Rachel told him, smiling fondly.
Charlie smiled, "They sound really cool actually."
"They're the best." Rachel said, "That's my house right there."
Charlie pulled his truck up to the curb and threw it in park. "Sit tight, Rach." He told her before grabbing his hat and jumping down out of his truck.
He trotted around to Rachel's door and pulled it open, "Do you trust me?" He asked her.
"Yes." Rachel answered immediately, "Why?"
"I'm going to help you down. I don't want you to break an ankle. That might put a damper on your Broadway career Ms. Berry. May I?" Charlie asked, looking up at her.
"Yes, just don't hurt me." Rachel told him.
"Never." Charlie assured her, "Just jump and I'll guide you down, okay?"
Rachel nodded her head before scooting to the edge of her seat and standing slightly. She couldn't believe it was this much trouble just getting out of a vehicle.
"Come on darlin'. I got ya." Charlie told her as he placed his hands on her tiny waist, "Jump."
Rachel jumped toward him with a small yelp before she was lowered softly to the ground. She looked up at Charlie's face and was caught off guard by the intensity in his hazel eyes, "You have really pretty eyes."
"Thank you." He smiled and released her waist.
Rachel cleared her throat and tucked a brown lock behind her ear, "You're welcome, Charlie. Thanks again for the ride."
"Anytime, Rachel. Anytime." He told her sweetly before she turned toward her house.
Charlie turned to shut his truck door and he noticed the star cover thermos still sitting in his console. He grabbed it and jogged toward the short brunette, "Hey Rach!" He called, "forgot your thermos."
When he caught up to the brunette he handed her the thermos before stepping back again, "Goodnight, ma'am." He told her as he tipped his hat.
"Goodnight Charlie." Rachel replied, smiling, before she turned and walked the few steps to her door, "Oh, Charlie, your jacket!"
"Keep it." He called back to her smiling. She nodded her head and slipped inside.
He watched her as she went, "Wow, she sure is something. Might have your work cut out for you with this one, Charlie." He told himself as he headed back to his truck, "But boy, she sure would be worth it."