There. Ben said laying her foot down gently on the towel. Her legs still crossed as he looked up at her. All he could focus on was her face. He didn’t want to look anywhere else. He felt he could live within the depth of those eyes and on the images of her face burned into his mind for the rest of his life. This he hadn’t ever felt before. Not even with his late wife when they fell in love or with Jean.
Alexandra looked at him mentally noting that he never sat directly in front of her and always seem to watch her face. She noted too the significance of this as she uncrossed her legs, on purpose, and placed her right foot down gingerly on the towel he placed there for her as if she were something special. As she re-crossed her legs, left over right, his gaze never strayed. He looked to have something around him when she looked into his eyes. She couldn’t look directly at it. She could only sense something in her periphery. It was white. Her eyes grew wide and her mouth fell open. She realized his were growing too and abruptly shut her mouth and looked away. ‘Is he frightened or concerned or offended?’ she thought. He looked down and stared at her injured foot.
Ben saw her eyes widen as she gazed into his and thought maybe he’d done something inappropriate or maybe she broke the cut open when she re-crossed her legs. His eyes grew wide in fear of those and looked at her foot to make sure of at least one of those concerns. He saw no blood and it was only a little pink around the edges but otherwise looked fine. He sighed silently.
Can I get you something to drink perhaps? he said looking up. “I have beer, wine coolers, diet soda and ice water as well as some orange juice.”
I would like to try a wine cooler if you do not mind. She said. Her accent was music in his ears. He stood from his kneeling position thankful she wasn’t angry with him for anything and went into the kitchen to get her a wine cooler.
Ben popped the tops off the bottles, took a deep breath and headed back to the living room. He looked at her again as she looked up and the same interest was there in her eyes. ‘Those eyes.’ He thought. Her hair was a radiant dark redish brown that did not contrast so sharply with her skin as he thought it would. Her skin was a bit more olive like an Italian than what he thought anyone from Russia would typically have. He handed her a bottle and just kept looking at her facial features as he saw that she did as well.
So Alexandra. Ben began. “I take it you are from the house up on the hill?” he said and looked out the window. She looked too see what he saw and smiled.
Yes. As much as I wish not to admit to it. She said while still looking out the window, a little sadness shadowed her features.
Why would you hate to admit that? Looks like it would have a really nice view from the deck. He said taking a swallow of the cool drink. Alexandra looked back at him.
Oh. Do not get me wrong. She said. “I do love the view from there. It reminds me of my home when I was a little girl in the Ukraine at times. There was a meadow like the one here but much, much larger. When I went into it, I could imagine it went on to the horizon.” She said with a bit of a wistful look from the memories. Ben could imagine that as well like he did when he was at the beach or alone in the Rockies. When alone he could imagine he was the only one on Earth.
I feel a little like that sometimes myself when I think of the mountains I grew up in. He admitted.
Where do you live Benjamin? Alexandra asked taking a sip of her drink.
I’m living in North Carolina but I’m from Colorado originally.
You are here on holiday, yes? she asked. He looked to her and saw a more interested look than inquisitive. He swallowed, trying to keep the butterflies in his stomach from getting too active again. ‘What the hell is wrong with me?’ he asked in his mind as he felt like a bashful school boy. He smiled.
I’m here visiting for a bit. I’d like to hang up the keys and quit driving so I decided to come here and look around for opportunities. He said casually.
Hang up the keys? she inquired. Realization dawned. “Ah! You drive a truck, yes?” She said then turned to look at him again.
Yes. And you? Ben asked. “What do you do?”
She settled a little deeper in the couch but her expression was a bit on the tense side as he saw her jaw muscles tense. He wondered if he went too far. “I am a property developer. I build multi-family housing units in the mid and upscale range as well as long term occupancy suites. My ex-husband and I built the house about three years ago when we were still married.
We too were looking at a very good opportunity here.” She said. Ben nodding showing he understood. “He was a mean person and sometimes cruel. The lady that lives in the house behind this one received a few of his letters demanding she remove ‘her’ power line to this house. No doubt she believes I am guilty. I doubt too that she will ever come to visit because of it.” Alexandra said, her expression deteriorating into a little sadness as she looked down into her wine cooler bottle and fidgeted.
I don’t believe she’ll hold it against you if I’m any judge of character. He offered. Alexandra looked up without expression.
How do you know this? she asked, and there it was. The answer he gave severed his secret relationship with Jean. Forever. He knew he wouldn’t be able to keep it a secret knowing Jean and Alexandra surely would become good friends due to their common interests in building things.
She’s my Aunt. He said. Alexandra looked a little surprised. He nodded and she smiled broadly.
I see. She said. He saw her right eyebrow quirk slightly and her expression change to doubt then confusion and finally interest again when she looked back up at him.
How is your foot feeling Alexandra? he said softly. She nodded slowly.
I believe you are a good nurse.
Actually, Aunt Jean is a nurse. I learned a little first aid but nothing beyond that. So count yourself fortunate you aren’t at the mercy of anything more disastrous than a small cut. He said. He felt the butterflies disintegrate and felt the taste of ashes in his mouth all of the sudden as his stomach sank.
Are you alright Benjamin? she asked him in a quiet tone. Her change in demeanor as she asked the question jolted him out of his thoughts.
Oh. Yes. I’m fine. Just a few things on my mind is all. He said then diverted the discussion back to her profession. “So you build apartments, condominiums and townhouses?” he asked trying to sound more cheery. She brightened at his inquiry.
Yes! I am in the process of working out a plan to build one near the auto factory. She said.
The one on the Interstate? he said. She nodded. “So corporate VIP’s can visit the plant and not have to stay too far away then. Sounds like a good idea. Just add a company shuttle, let the tours begin and watch the money start rolling in!” he said with a chuckle. She laughed too and took another drink of her wine cooler.
Just then, the whine of an electric motor and gravel crunching came to their ears. Alexandra looked out the large window at the front of the house then looked at Ben. Ben smiled.
Aunt Jean has returned. He said. Standing, he hid his discomfort in his stomach from Alexandra as he went to the door. Setting his drink down on the table next to an overstuffed chair, he walked outside to greet Jean.
Jean saw him come out, smiled and waved. “Hi ya babe!” she said in a little coquettish tone. He smiled then went to her. When he was close enough, he stopped a pace from her and she closed the distance. They hugged and he kissed her cheek. When he pulled away, a little sad smile came across his face. When she saw this, she suddenly felt a heavy load hit her stomach.
We have a visitor. Come. I’ll introduce you to her. He said as he picked up the two bags of stuff from the passenger’s side seat. She stood there and felt she now knew the answer to that nagging discomfort she’d felt since their fantasy earlier in the woods. She took her pack off the roof of the Puma and followed him into the cottage.
He held the door open for her and she stepped in. She saw Alexandra sitting on the couch with legs crossed and sitting up straight.
You remember Alexandra Petrovicha, your neighbor on the hill? he said trying to disguise his need to say more. When she didn’t react, he added, “You know. Her husband sent you some letters about the power line two years ago before they divorced?” he emphasized the word “two” a little. Understanding dawned and she smiled warmly stepping toward Alexandra. Alexandra stood, still favoring her right foot and offered a handshake greeting. Jean took it and they shook hands then pulled Alexandra into a quick little hug.
So nice to finally meet you! Jean said happily. Ben watched Alexandra as she smiled and returned the greeting as if they had been old friends reunited. He took the bags into the kitchen and began to empty them, putting the drinks into the refrigerator. Forgetting his wine cooler, he popped a beer and a wine cooler and brought them to the living room where he picked up their conversation.
So Ben fixed you up. Jean said. Alexandra nodded.
Yes he did. Your nephew did a good job. Alexandra said. Jean’s stomach dropped when she heard her refer to Ben as her ‘nephew’. She tried hard not to let it show.
I saw someone was here and wanted to make a new acquaintance. I have not seen anyone living here and thought someone moved in. I saw your buggy out front and thought I would come down to meet you. Alexandra said. Not entirely true but it was sufficient for the both of them. “Benjamin came out to see what had happened and brought me here. I hope you do not mind Ms. Logan.” She said, a little anguished.
Jean waved her hand dismissing the thought and forced a smile. “Not at all. I can’t imagine how much more injured you would have been if you had to go back up that hill if Ben hadn’t been here. And, please, call me Jean.”
Thank you Jean. Please call me Alexandra. She said. They both looked up and Ben handed a wine cooler to Jean. She could tell he could see anguish in her eyes. He winked at her knowingly then smiled and gave a quick nod as he took a seat in the overstuffed chair.
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