Page 41 of The Soul of Archer
“Mmm, hi yourself.” She breathed.
“So, what did you want to do today?”
She turned in his arms. “I figured you’d want to spend time with your parents. I mean you said it’s been a while.”
“That was my plan, till mama and Alex told me to take you and show you around.” He chuckled.
She stifled a laugh, “They…they kicked us out?”
“Yep. Said not to come back till four at the earliest. So, where you want to go?”
Alora shook her head and chuckled. “Well, this is your turf, surprise me.”
Lance nodded. Since they had a week he could spread things out. But it was Saturday and he knew just the place to take her. Taking her hand, he started for the Navigator till Alex stepped onto the deck, gave a whistle and tossed something at Lance. He caught the keys and was shocked. He looked back at Alex who just nodded, gave a wave and walked back inside.
“What did you dad toss you?”
“The keys to his baby. Come on. You’re gonna love this.”
Lance tugged her toward the garage. He opened the garage door and there under a grey car tarp sat his dad’s baby. Lance had only driven it a few times but always with Alex. Alex had taught him, Jessi and Jake to drive in it but had never let any of them take it out alone. Lance released Alora’s hand and pulled the tarp off. He turned when Alora let out an awed sigh. Under the tarp rested a 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge soft top convertible. Alex and his father had restored it together and it had been Alex’s first car. It was black with red and yellow pin striping and “The Judge” on the front wheel well.
“Oh my god! She’s gorgeous!” Alora exclaimed, relevantly running a hand over the hood.
“Yeah she is. Dad taught all three of us to drive on this baby. He and his dad bought and restored it.” Lance said.
He watched Alora walk slowly around the vehicle, admiration painted on her face. Was there anything sexier than a woman who fully appreciated a classic car? Lance moved to the passenger side and held the door open for her. With a giddy laugh, she hopped in. Lance hurried to the driver’s side and brought the car to life. He petted the steering wheel as the car purred. Lance hit the switch and folded down the top. With a wink at Alora, he pulled out.
“So, what did Alex name her?”
Lance smirked, “Marleen.”
“Marleen?” she snickered.
“After his mom.” He nodded.
Lance pulled onto the road and they were off. He watched from the corner of his eyes as Alora rested her arm on the window, her hair pulled back into a pony tail, flapping in the wind behind her. It was Alora who reached for his hand first. He decided then and there that today he would tell her. The way he felt right now, he wanted to feel it over and over. And he knew just the place to tell her.
***
Alora marveled at Tyron Palace. She had heard of it but when she came here with Ryan and Jacquie, they hadn’t been able to make it up to New Bern. Now she was seeing it in the flesh and it was more beautiful than the pictures she had seen. “Wow, this place is amazing.”
“It was the Governor’s Mansion. The original house was burned in 1798 and the place just sat here. In the late 1920’s the people of New Bern began restoring the mansion. For thirty years the place was restored to its former glory. It was reopened in 1959. Did you know that New Bern was once the capital of North Carolina?”
“No, I didn’t. I thought Raleigh was always the capital.”
“Nope. Raleigh is the third capitol. Edenton was the capital from 1722 until 1743. Then New Bern became the capital in 1766 until 1787. Raleigh became the official capital in 1788.”
“I take it you did good in history.” She teased.
Lance shrugged, “I’ve always been good with that stuff. Come on, let’s go see the gardens. If you think my moms are pretty, wait till you see them here.”
When they stepped out of the mansion and into the gardens, Alora’s jaw dropped. She pulled her hand free of his and stepped further into the gardens. The red brick walkways carved through the geometric shapes of the many flower beds. The shrubs and bushes mixed with the colorful flowers made this place an ideal location for pictures and tourists alike. He quickly caught up with her, took her hand once more, he led her toward one of the archways. They stepped through and in front of one of the marbled statues, Lance pulled her flush against him.
“Alora?”
“Yes Lance?” she asked looking up at him.
“I love you.”
