Olivia Ch 4

At 3:55 the Range Rover stopped in front of the house

Now Fitz was driving and wearing chinos, sandals and a fitted blue shirt which matched his eyes. She wondered if he knew his shirt brought out the color in his eyes, yes he knew some woman has either told him or filled his closet with blue everything.. She is sure he absolutely sure he knew, she learned from her brothers men are not as clueless about clothes as they pretend to be. My brother told me. 'men are peacocks, without the feathers'.This outfit brought out the carefree Fitz while the business attire reeked of alpha male.

He drove through town , pass the fruit stands and the carnival with its bright lights and people passing out leaflets and playbills announcing the goodies inside. He purposely slowly drove up to each stop light so he could stop and give Liv that cat bird look.

He took the same route as she did last night a right at the caution light a left at the second stop sign. The difference. the second stop sign was slightly angled behind a bush so if you did not know it was there it was easy to miss. He stopped at the sign and gave Liv a smirk which brought a smile and the shake of her head from her.'

"Ok I have been truly schooled about not totally depending on google, "Liv said, "can we picnic now."

"yup, I know you feel lost without your neon street lights and street signs," ""...''''..."yes neon lights and no street signs hidden behind trees" Liv countered

"there is no tree, that's a bush" ... Fitz said

..." you know what I mean and there is a tree and a bush just before you get to the sign , that makes one not look for a sign."

"ok, I will make it my business to realign the sign but rules of the road or not I suggest you stop or slow down at every road junction in rural areas never know when a lost stranger could go whizzing by, not stopping . "

using his comment she continued "and …if you cut that tree down, all those lost strangers would really appreciate that."

"Now you want us to cut down trees and change signs just because you got lost?"

"Nope,... just make things more user friendly, come on lets find a spot to picnic"

" Can't cut that tree is older than me but I will fix the sign.."

Fitz drove another 15 minutes without any additional conversation about old trees or misaligned signs. Olivia commented on the jams, jellies and spreads from breakfast. Fitz explained he had enjoyed her aunts jams as a child and would always visit her house for a sample whenever he was in town.. He finally convinced her years ago to make him a case. She did, the first case grew into two, now she makes two batches a year. He includes her jams in his Christmas boxes for friends where he also includes other non commercially prepared food from the area. . He has tried to persuade Ms. Max to let him finance it as a business but she told him then it would no longer be special, he agreed so he settled for his two cases each year. He could never eat two cases alone. He used his stash for treats during his fall football brunches. Her jams and the slow smoked ham from another neighbor were always the number one hit at his tailgate table. She would fly just before football season to make a batch of her breads and muffins and freeze them for him. They only needed heating before they were served. He got his breads , she got a California vacation , a win win. Olivia remembered her aunt going to California in the fall but never connected the two,

They finally stopped at the top of a hill which had a beautiful view of the valley below, an area filled with lush grass and tall trees.

Fitz..."This part of Virginia is on the edge of the mountains so we have a couple of nice elevated areas."

"Please do tell , is it also the areas lovers lane?"

"Yupp, but no blue swimming hole for skinny dipping" Fitz said with a wink

Liv looked at Fitz and shook her head thinking, he's funny

Fitz hauled out a picnic basket filled with unusual goodies . First the obligatory red checkered table cloth then goodies of all kinds. This was not just a picnic it was a basket of gourmet delights .No cold chicken with warm potato salad. The contents included an assortment of breads, cold canned meat, smoked meat, cheese , cookies , crackers and breads for the meat and cheese and three kinds of wine. Liz, thought how did he put this together in 4 hours

"A lot of wine, aren't you concerned about driving officer, or are you trying to lower my inhibitions?"

"Nope. not worried about driving ," Fitz answered

"Well I am" Liv snapped back loudly , " driving and my inhibitions" liv said under her breath."

" Ms. Pope are you insinuating I'm trying to get you drunk?"

"Drunk and stranded on top of this "elevation" hidden even from google"

"Nope , nope and nope , first Mis.s Max would kill me and Harrison would bury my body in an undisclosed location."

Fitz took the keys out of his pocket and handed them to Liv,..." satisfied'

"If I am drinking and you are drinking how do we get off this "elevated "area?"

Fitz held up a finger picked up his phone dialed and told someone on the other end to pick him up in two hours." Is two hours ok?"

"Ok, sounds about right, we will have relaxed a bit and finished the bottle of white by then."

"Only the bottle of white?...I told Tom he should be on standby... If you decided to stay , and drink, we would need a driver if not you could drive us back because I was going to enjoy the food , the wine and your company. Not often I get to picnic with such a beautiful lady and I am going to enjoy every moment even though I suspect her every thought must be that should get back to civilization before nightfall."

Oh my this man is impressive not at all like the khaki clad sheriff who scared 10 years off my life less than 48 hours ago. I wish I could bottle him .

"Let's open that bottle of white. "

"Not the red ...or the champagne?"

"Nope not today"

"Why, we have a driver…. ..and the time,"

"Well, champagne is for celebration ."

"We could find a reason to celebrate..., why not celebrate you will not get lost again"

"Nope,"

"The red, ?"

"Looking at the label its very good Sirah and a good Sirah should be enjoyed under stars with someone special."

"Don't you consider this special?"

"That's a question for another time"

"While we enjoy our wine , Liv tell me about yourself."

"I'm the youngest of three , the only girl a change of life baby."

My oldest brother followed dad into the military and he has a firm that helps with mergers acquisitions and….. conflict resolutions. He and his family live in Seattle where he settled after he left the service, he iss married with 3 children. Middle brother unmarried, don't think he ever will, lives in DC is a partner in the law office with Harrison . Loves the good life

"And You,….. did you purposely leave yourself last?"

"I don't like talk about myself, nothing really interesting I Live in NY, work with 5 friends from college at a PR firm we formed , we fix problems save reputations."

"Graduated High School one year early ditto college , attended Harvard Law, passed the bar on my first try. Love NY"

"Married?"

"Nope"

"Engaged?"

Olivia dropped her head. ….. her smile disappeared….. s her body tensed.

"Ouch, sorry shall I try again?"..."Tell me about your firm"

"Two attorneys, one investigator one litigator, one super tech guy. We are family"

"And, there is money in solving problems?."

"Yes ...lots"

"So give me an example"

"cant give you names but we do pretty well. We've handled cases for Harrison's clients and we get a lot of referrals .My brother is on retainer because he truly loves to keep the ladies happy We hope one day he will find that lady that hobbles him"

"Why say hobble, when he finds the right woman her she won't have to hobble him, trust me from a former Don Juan, who never left a woman without a smile.."

"What about you, the man who never left a woman without a smile."

"Two sisters one brother. My sisters are the middle children and twins. "

"Twins,?"

" Yes, twins , Twins run in my family, my moms oldest sisters are twins. My Grandpa said he had twin sisters"

"twin girls run in your family?."

"yes, but I'm hoping to break the string"

"break the string, the twin string?"

"Nope not the twin string, the twin girl string with twin boys,"

"Who is the lucky lady?"

"she's around "

"around, doesn't she mind you picnicking on an elevated area with me?"

"nope, not at all"

"how do you know?"

"I know"

"how do you know,"... his answer was interrupted by light snaking up the mountain.

"That's Tom and the extra driver, lets pack up, ok. We will continue this conversation later"

"Shall we do this again , a picnic, dinner , breakfast on your porch, or whatever you choose,... how long are you here again?"

"a week "

" a week, plenty of time, there is the carnival , a couple of great fishing holes where we could use the old bobble and sinker method for fishing or dinner". Where to after you leave... back to New York saving reputations ?"

"A week in Bali"

"With friends?"

"Alone", why are you interested ... , what are you asking and why are you asking?"

"just asking usually Bali a romantic destination. Anyone special in your life, you said you were not engaged is there a special friend joining you."

"Nope,"

"Bali, alone,... why?

"This was supposed to be a special getaway before I agreed to marry my fiancee, then I followed him from a restaurant to a hotel with his ex, the woman he dated before he met me.".

"That smart, how long were you engaged?"

"for 2 years"

"2 years, that's a long time why hadn't you married him?"

"don't know"

"don't know, ….maybe he wasn't the man you wanted to spend the rest of your life with."

"maybe so, but I don't think that perfect person for me, or anyone, exist."

" maybe you just don't know what you are looking for yet, when you meet him you will know"

"what if both of us are in a relationship when we meet?"

"If he is the one for you , and you are the one for him , you both will find a way"

"that from the man who always leaves the women he is dating with a smile on their face."... Liv said sarcastically.

" You are taking the trip alone?"

" Yes, it's for .the ..., sand and sun all that's missing is the man but with enough sun , sand and island drinks the man won't be missed."

" So cynical Ms. Pope...when do you leave?

" One week here , NY to repack ...then off"

" can I, May I, take you out again, maybe the carnival?"

"What about your future wife?"

"why are you worried I'm not?"

"I just don't want to spend what's meant to be a relaxing week in Bali in traction. And I understand what it like to see your man with another woman, although you are just my tour guide, we are temporary friends."

"Any woman that is that insecure would never be part of my life I'Il worry about that you just decide if you would rather the carnival after church tomorrow or dinner."'

"I think not , but I have enjoyed today."

Tom stopped in front of the house and opened her door as Fitz walked around to walk Liv to the porch when her aunt was sitting.

Aunt Max greeted them as they came up the walk," you guys are back early ,... yes Fitz said , this city slicker is afraid of the dark."

"Its not the dark it was dark and I was lost. "Liv shook her head

"Callie you have spent summers here with me,. what has changed.?"

"Things were so different, not as many people then. It seems darker now We all hung around together , its just so , its just different., I was younger ."

"If you change your mind about another outing I'm just a phone call away"…. Fitz then said his goodnight and left.

"Callie, how was the picnic,?"

"good, the food, loved the "elevated " area good conversation"

"And Tommy.?"..., " Tommy " Olivia said

" Oh , Fitz, ... Fitzgerald Thomas Grant. One needs a chart to keep up with your nicknames auntie."

"You guys going out again?"

"No. I'm here to visit you not socialize with the local Don Juan."

"Who is this Don Juan fellow,….. not Fitz because he is not local or a Don Juan"

Olivia shook her head and sat for a while catching up on family members. At about 11 she excused herself telling her aunt she had a long day and was going to call it a night

She may have gone to bed but her sleep was constantly being interrupted by that baritone voice and that crooked smile. She was so jealous of that woman in his life.

On the other side of town Fitz was having the same problem falling asleep. His tossing and turning was caused by the woman with the caramel skin, brown doe eyes and angelic voice.