Page 57 of Cowboys at Coconuts

Grinning, he said, “You can’t hurt my big feet. I’ve got you.” Tucker took her in his strong arms, placed one hand on the small of her back, and led her to the far end of the dance floor as the band played “Stuck Like Glue” by Sugarland. “Change of plans. I was going to teach you to two-step but this song calls for a slow dance. How does that sound?”

“Easier. It sounds much easier.” Hope placed two shaky hands on Tucker’s shoulders and kept enough space between them that another person could have joined in. As they swayed to the music, she relaxed and moved a little closer. Tucker did the same. By the time the song ended, her head rested on his shoulder and their bodies were touching.

When the music stopped, Hope dropped her arms and stepped back. “Sorry if I was in your space.”

“I’m not.” Winking, Tucker said, “You can be in my space any time you like.”

He’s flirting with me. A man is flirting with me.The swirly feelings in Hope’s stomach were new to her. She had had butterflies from nerves, but this was different. A good different. The stirring excited her. For once, she felt like an adult. An adult woman with needs. Something she had squelched for over two decades was bubbling to the top, and she loved it.

After they approached the table, Tucker pulled out her chair. Yawning and stretching, Larry said, “It’s getting’ right late. Mind if we leave. Been a long day.”

Hope’s face fell. Exhausted as well, she had renewed energy from a certain cowboy. “We’ll leave soon. Why don’t you go over to the gift shop and pick something out for yourself.”

“Good idea.” Larry hopped up and began to browse souvenir items behind the cash register. Turning to Hope, Tucker asked, “Mind if I call you sometime?”

Mind?Feeling her face flush, Hope reached inside her bag, fumbled around, and finally wrote on the back of a cocktail napkin. “I’d like that.” Scribbling her phone number, she said, “Here’s my cellphone number. Or you can reach me at Hilltop High School.What am I doing? I gave the guy my number and we just met. He’ll think I’m desperate. I guess I am.

Studying her number, Tucker smiled. “We sure didn’t have pretty counselors like you when I was in school.”

Hope fluffed her frizzy hair. “Thanks. You’re sweet.”

“Like I said, I’m on the road all week but home most weekends. When I’m back in Crystal City, I’ll give you a call. Maybe we can have dinner and catch a movie.”

Doing her best impression of a non-eager, lonely woman who hadn’t dated since her teens, Hope said, “That would be nice.”

Folding the napkin, Tucker stuffed it deep inside his pocket.

Larry returned to the table holding an Ole Red ball cap and a woman’s tee. “I sure would like to take my old lady a gift, but I’m a little low on cash.”

Sick of the all-too-familiar lines, Hope reached for her purse but Tucker beat her to it. Thrusting two twenties toward Larry, he said, “The souvenirs are on me.” He glanced at Hope. “Meeting this charming woman made my day.”

“You don’t have to do that.” Hope extracted her wallet.

The cowboy waved his hand in front of her billfold. “You can buy me a soda the next time we get together.”

Heart skipping a beat, she said, “Deal. It was lovely meeting you.”

Tucker stood and offered his hand. “Until next time.” Hope watched as he crossed the room and stepped outside. Waving through the big glass window, he disappeared.I’ll probably never hear from him again but that was exactly what I needed after this sad day.

Hope approached the casher while Larry paid for his souvenirs and watched him pocket the change.Naturally.He hasn’t changed that much.Yawning, she said, “Let’s find our hotel. I thought we could stay at a Holiday Inn Express or a Hampton Inn. Maybe we can use your AARP card and get a discount.”

Chapter 54

Awakening early, Alex couldn’t wait to fly to New York. Deciding to stock up on toiletries, her car, as if on autopilot, drove to T.J. Maxx instead. After two hours, her cart was piled so high anyone would think she didn’t own a stitch of clothing.

After she shoved her bags in the trunk, she got a quick mani-pedi, and sped home. Checking her mailbox, she cursed herself for not stopping the mail.It’ll be fine for a few days.

Stepping onto her front porch to water her ferns, she spotted a pile of boxes on her doorstep from Amazon containing shoes and yet more clothes she had ordered at the last minute.I don’t have time to try all of this on. OCD is such a curse sometimes.

She wolfed down a quick turkey and pepper jack cheese sandwich, veggie chips, and a Diet Coke. Feeling strange for not telling Tony nor her friends, she occupied her mind by staring at her bulging walk-in closet. Throwing every black top she owned on the bed, since Cheri had told her New Yorkers love to wear black, and she wanted to fit in. Adding two pairs of discounted skinny designer jeans, two short skirts, one turquoise and black maxi skirt, a denim dress with a wide leather belt, an elegant red dress, white, lacy top, leopard print tunic, three different jackets, and more black tops. Crossing her arms, she examined her heaping bed.That should do it.Everyone in New York is so fashionable. I can’t take my bank suits.

Alex made a mental note to shop on Fifth Avenue—or was it Sixth—and had planned to leave space in her luggage for new clothes. After two hours of packing and repacking, she added a variety of silver and gold jewelry and put her shoes in individual plastic bags so the filthy, nasty soles wouldn’t touch her outfits.I don’t want someone else’s bathroom urine on my clothes.Chuckling, she imagined how Hope would throw clothes and shoes together in a jumbled mess, urine and dirty soles be damned. Hell, Suzy probably would too.

Jittery about not telling anyone except Cheri and Gage her whereabouts, she unzipped her suitcase and rearranged it yet again, deciding she was the Worst. Packer. Ever.

Rechecking her list, Alex added her phone charger, favorite perfume, makeup, and hair products. She stared at the bulging suitcase.I’ve got to stop or I won’t be able to fit in a pair of socks. I hope I can sleep.

Chapter 55

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