Sandy began to speak and he was eloquent. His poems were of loving and loss, of guilt and redemption. Lily’s eyes widened and her lips parted when he spoke of his love for the land where he was born. His poems flowed with passion for the life he was proud to live. Sandy used particular rhymes and meters that made Lily suspicious he had been an English major at one time. Who else knows about internal rhyme and iambic pentameter? One poem was so vivid in imagery that Lily could picture the scene with the horses fleeing for their lives and lightning striking all around them. Imaginary smoke from the wildfires filled her nostrils.
Most of the time he closed his eyes when reciting his poetry, almost like it was too personal to share. Lily knew how he felt. She had only gotten up her nerve to read a few of her poems to students last year. Her poetry was very personal and sharing was too hard sometimes. She hadn’t wanted to ever share her poetry again after her last involvement. The guy couldn’t have care less. But Sandy was… different. Lily felt she might, just might, be able to share some of her poems with him: a man who wrote his own.
His last poem spoke of longing for the right person to share his life and how hard it was to find that person. Sandy opened his eyes and recited it looking right at Lily.
She stared back at him as if hypnotized. What a moment! It was like in Pride and Prejudice when Mr. Darcy cast a long look at Elizabeth Bennett in the drawing room, signaling an attachment between them. An equal understanding passed between Sandy and Lily.
Lily quit breathing while Sandy was speaking. She sucked in a gulp of air when he finished. They smiled at each other and the audience broke into a sustained applause. All the people assembled stood up to give him a standing ovation. The other cowboy poets came over to shake his hand and pat him on the back. Sandy was apparently the hit of the evening and everyone crowded the stage to shake his hand. Soon Lily couldn’t see him anymore and she sat back in her chair breathlessly. The Reno couple said their good-byes and left. Nice couple. She was happy to have met them.
Lily was so impressed with Sandy’s poetry that she was dumbstruck. Never in her life had she heard a man speak that way! Cowboys… She grabbed her purse and started for the aisle. The stage was still a mob scene with well-wishers for all the cowboy poets. Sandy was nowhere to be seen, so she turned to leave and saw he was walking up to her. Jesse ran up first, breathless and smiling his crooked grin.
“Miss Cable! Did you hear Daddy? Wasn’t he great? I never heard that last poem before though. When did you write that one, Daddy? Huh?” Jesse tilted his little face at Sandy and then Lily.
Lily and Sandy stared at each other for a long moment.
Clearing his throat, Sandy asked, “What did you think, Lily?” He clutched tightly to his hat, turning it around and around.
She choked and had to start again.
“I can hardly find the words to say…how fabulous your performance was. You wrote all those beautiful poems? The imagery, the rhyme, the stories…I didn’t know people wrote like that anymore. Not in this century at least.” Lily was babbling. Sandy seemed to relax and smiled. He looked at his son.
“And Jesse, I wrote that last poem last night. What did you think of it?”
“It was kinda mushy, not like your horse poems. I like those better.”
So Sandy had written that after meeting her? No, that couldn’t be. Lily blushed and Jesse yelled, “I want to say goodbye to Arturo. Be right back!” He ran off to find his friend.
Sandy shifted his stance. He shyly looked straight into her blinking eyes. “I don’t want to do this anymore.”
“Do what?”
“Pretend that I’m not attracted to you because I am. What do you think about that?” He held his breath as his eyes roamed her face.
“I’ve… got some… baggage, Sandy. It won’t be easy.” People brushed by and she stepped out of their way. She glanced back at him.
“I can be a good porter if the situation calls for it. Let’s do something together and see what happens.”
Lily realized she was looking at him as if she was starving and he was a big juicy steak. Maybe her luck with men was changing. Maybe it was worth it to find out.
“Okay. I mean, yes. I mean -- I sure would like to give it a try. Ah…that is, if you really want to.” Sandy took her hand. The spark between them was becoming more like an electric current.
“Come to the ranch this weekend like Jesse suggested. We’ll try to make a cowgirl out of you,” Sandy smiled his broad smile. “Would you like that?”
“… Absolutely!”
“I’ll write down directions tonight and then you could drive out Saturday.”
“Okay. Thank you for the invitation. See you then.”
He smiled so sweetly causing a lump to clog Lily’s throat. When was the last time something so corny sounded so good? And she hadn’t felt this happy in a very long time. Maybe, just maybe he was ready for something else in his life besides cattle…God knows she was ready for something different.
They were parting reluctantly when Jesse ran up and was told of the plans. He yelled, “Yippee, Miss Cable is coming to visit!”
Sandy tipped his cowboy hat at Lily, “Ma’am.”
Wow! Lily’s heart beat louder and faster. Jesse and Sandy went one way and Lily went the other.
Someone else had overheard the news: Amy Breen was talking to one of the other cowboy poets when she heard Jesse yell out about Miss Cable. Not that many paid attention or cared, but she certainly did. Apparently, Lily Cable, the troublemaker, didn’t know that Sandy Johnson was hers and hers alone. She narrowed her eyes and began to think of ways to sabotage this relationship before it could get started. She had done it before when Sandy had shown an interest in someone around town and she could do it again… and would.
* * *
CHAPTER FIVE
This place is a mess…
Her entire house was in dire need of straightening and cleaning. Lily had rented a small cottage a few blocks from the school so she could walk to work. She loved passing by her neighbors’ homes and greeting anyone around as she walked. Her neighbors were friendly and she felt like she was settling in, beginning to belong.
That night after the poetry gathering, Lily had paced back and forth in her living room, then kitchen and lastly, her bedroom. She needed to talk to someone, but no one in Naples. Not so close. So Lily called her dad up in Sonoma. Sam Cable was an astute man who looked a bit like Sam Elliot, the actor. A little graying, very rugged... A life in the outdoors had seen to that. He seemed surprised yet pleased to hear from her.
“What’s up, Dylan?”
She grinned because he’d called her that since her middle school days when she had started writing poetry, playing the guitar badly and listening constantly to Bob Dylan. He’d kidded her no end, of course.
“Dad, how are you?” She nervously began with small talk. “How’s that new horse working out? And the vines. Think you’ll get a good harvest this year?”
Lily danced all around the subject until she ran out of breath. Her dad, she knew, would have the good grace to wait her out.
When there was a long pause in conversation, he asked her, “How are you really, sweetie?” Lily didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. A few sounds bubbled out.
“Take your time, I’m not busy doing anything right now.”
What a great dad. She was so lucky to have a caring father. Lily took a deep breath, “Dad, I met someone.” Her eyes darted nervously around the bedroom expecting someone to leap out to contradict her.
“Oh? Butcher, baker, candlestick maker?”
“I think he might be all of those things, Dad. He’s…special.”
“… I’ll bite,” he chuckled. “Does he have a name or should I start guessing? I’ll start with A is for Albert. Is he Albert someone?” Her dad always was able to make her laugh. She blew out a breath, started to relax.
“You know how skittish I am after Ron. I vowed not to look at another guy until
I was old and gray. Maybe not even after that.”
“The guy was a bum, Lily. I told you when you married him that he wasn’t the man for you. You insisted, remember?”
“Yeah, thanks for reminding me.” Gee, did she need a reminder?
“Who is he, Lily? Tell me.”
“… A local rancher named Sandy Johnson. He has a young son named Jesse in my class and he’s just wonderful, Dad. I’ve never met anyone like him. And he looks a bit like a young Robert Redford.” She wanted to continue, but there was a fat lump in her throat to contend with.
“In which movie, sweetie? Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid maybe?”
What a tease. “That would be the one.”
Sam cleared his throat. “That’s such wonderful news, honey. Do I get to meet him anytime soon?”
“Not for a while. It’s all too new, but I just had to tell someone and I don’t want to tell anyone here. Too small a town, as you know.”
“Wait a minute. Did you say Johnson? His name is Johnson?”
“Yes, why?”
“I went to grade school with a Somebody Johnson when we lived there. I think his name was Merle or…Miles. That’s it! Miles Johnson. Any relation to your Sandy?”
“Gee, Dad, he’s not my Sandy and I have no idea about a Miles Johnson. However,” she began teasingly.
“Continue,” said her dad with a short laugh.
“He and his son have invited me to their ranch tomorrow and I’ve decided to go. What do you think?”
“Honey, I can’t tell you what to do. However…I can tell you I am pleased that you have put yourself back out there. They aren’t all Rons, you know.”
“I think I’m figuring that out. Thanks, Dad, for listening.”
“I want to hear the gruesome details after the weekend, all right?” he teased.
“You’re not one of my girlfriends.”
“… Do you have a girlfriend there?”
“Okay, so I don’t, but it makes me feel a little better that you know the family.”
* * *
On another side of town…
Sandy was pacing back and forth in his living room in front of the immense stone hearth. Jesse was playing games on his computer and Sandy was deep in thought. Roaming the room, he decided to make a call.
“Hi, Mom. Busy?”
“Sandy, you know I’m always doing something. My book club is meeting here pretty soon.”
“Okay, then. If you’re busy…want me to hang up?”
“Hold it, mister. You’re calling for a reason. What is it? I usually have to call you. Out with it.”
Now Jeanne Johnson was used to getting her way. She was the head of the big Johnson clan and had been since her husband Miles had died. But Sandy knew she was also sad that he’d been alone and lonely since his wife died four years ago. That had been a devastating experience and he was beginning to realize that he did want some happiness again in this life. For himself as well as Jesse.
His mother was terrific: caring and compassionate and believe it or not, didn’t interfere with his life – too much.
“Is Jesse all right? How did the poetry gathering go tonight? I wanted to be there, but my foot still hurts.” She had tripped over a rug a few days ago and almost sprained her ankle. The doctor had said to stay off it for as long as she could. Since Jeanne was always moving, Sandy doubted it would be long enough.
“Jesse’s fine and the gathering was great. The audience was so responsive and appreciative. All the cowboy poets were super, especially Dave. You know how good he is. Tonight he was even better.” Sandy was proud of all his cowboy poet friends. They deserved the praise they got.
“Okay, then what?” She seemed a little cranky this morning, but that was about to change.
“Mom, I’ve…met someone.”
There was stunned silence on the line and then she exploded.
“Saints be praised! Who is it? What’s her name? What does she do? It isn’t that awful Amy, is it?”
“…Ah, no to Amy, definitely. Her name is Lily Cable and she’s Jesse’s new teacher this year at school. Have you heard anything about her yet?” Jeanne had a nose for news and Sandy was anxious to hear what his very sociable mother had picked up.
“Sweetie, of course, I’ve heard of her. I hear that she’s beautiful – looks a bit like the actress Audrey Hepburn. You know – from Breakfast at Tiffany’s?”
“I’m drawing a blank here, Mom.”
“…Also, the kids love her at school, she makes great fudge that she sells at my friend Millie’s candy store and Amy Breen hates her.”
Sandy smiled. No one could put anything over his mother. She knew everything going on in town.
“Wait a minute,” she began. “Did you say Lily Cable? Cable? Where do I know that name from?” Jeanne was so quiet he could hear her breathing.
“Got it! I knew Sam Cable who went to school with your dad way back when. I think Sam’s dad was named Joe… Yes! That’s right. I remember my mother saying he took a lot of teasing with the name Joe Cable.” She finally paused. “Lt. Joe Cable -- ring any bells? Younger Than Springtime Are you,” she sang.
“What are you talking about?” Sandy blinked with confusion, but then his mother did that to him from time to time with her incessant movie talk.
“Well, you’re apparently too young to remember, but that song is from the grand old movie South Pacific and sung by a handsome young Lt. Joe Cable. My mother would kid my father occasionally about leaving him for Joe Cable, if he wasn’t nice to her. Dad was always confused if she meant Joe in the movie or Joe in the town. It was pretty funny.” Sandy rolled his eyes, but still hung on her every word.
“You’re saying that Lily’s parents and grandparents lived here?” His voice squeaked up a notch. “What?”
“Yes, I know, honey, this is probably confusing for you, so let me explain it again.”
“No, thanks. I think I’ve got it. Sam Cable was a friend of Dad’s in grade school and Joe Cable and Grandpa were friends.”
“Well, Joe and Grandpa Johnson weren’t good friends, but they knew each other and their wives were social. It’s a small town.” Jeanne took a breath. “How about that? The Cables are back in town after all this time.”
“Why did they leave in the first place? Lily mentioned her dad had a small winery up in northern California somewhere.”
“That’s exactly what happened, as I recall. Joe inherited a small ranch up in the Napa-Sonoma area, I think, picked up his family and left. Shocked the heck out of my folks and everybody else in town. They never thought the Cables would leave since they seemed so rooted to Naples. I think they had a small spread around here somewhere.” Her tone changed. “And why… is Joe Cable’s granddaughter here now?”
As usual, his mother could get to the heart of things a whole lot quicker than he could. Wondering about that himself, Sandy wondered if he could get that answer from Lily, without seeming as nosy as his mother. He was anxious to find out though. She had mentioned having baggage. Was she running away from something or someone?
After they ended the call, Jeanne Johnson placed her phone carefully on the counter. She wrapped her arms around herself and let out a whoop! Her handsome son was finally interested in a woman again. He could definitely benefit from the feminine touch and his sweet son needed a mother. Saints be praised. But Sam Cable? The Sam Cable? An old Naples family returning home. Jeanne wanted to keep her mouth shut about this, but she also was curious about Lily. Maybe a trip to Millie’s candy store was in order.
* * *
CHAPTER SIX
Lily drove her little Chevy up Sandy and Jesse’s driveway trying not to gawk at sight before her. It was a beautiful autumn Saturday morning with leafy trees lining the winding road up to the ranch. The large ranch house was made of some kind of white wood that Lily didn’t recognize. There were two stories with large windows reflecting sunlight. Spacious and open, it looked to be welcoming her.
Lily left her car on one side of the long driveway and nervously walked towards the house. Jesse ran down the sidewalk to meet her, arms outstretched. He was such a loving child! Two happy dogs bounded up with him. Sandy walked up behind Jesse smiling broadly. Norman Rockwell could have painted this scene. The dogs and Jesse all converged on Lily at the same time.
“Down, Rascal. Get down, Bogart!” Sandy yelled at his dogs.
“Rascal and Bogart? I’m sure there’s a story there,” she kidded. Lily stopped to pet the dogs just before Jesse hugged her. She gave him a huge hug back and straightened to meet Sandy. It had crossed her mind to wonder if coming here was really such a good idea.
“Before you change your mind about staying, let us give you a tour of the place,” said Sandy.
Had she looked like she was ready to get back in her car and go? They started walking toward the front door.
“The house has gone through several renovations. The latest was after my wife died.” He glanced at Jesse who was skipping in front of them with the dogs at his heels and lowered his voice to speak confidentially.
“I’m so sorry.” Lily reached out to touch his arm.
“Thanks. There were so many reminders of her that I had to do something or move. Since this has been my only home and originally my parents’ home, I decided to make major changes. It looks nothing like it did before.” Sadness clouded his face momentarily but he was able to shake it off.
“What kind of wood is that? It looks fantastic when the light hits it.”
“That’s white pine. It used to be redwood, but that was too dark. Inside there’s a lot of cedar, a nice golden wood.” Sandy opened the front double doors for her. “Shall we go in?”
She hesitated. Somewhere deep down inside, those words rang through her. The house was a bulwark in some way. Going into it was like crossing a finish line or finally making that hard decision. No going back once you’re in, said the little voice pinging in her head. She shook her head to quiet the voice.
“No?”
“No, I mean yes, thank you,” Lily felt her face warm because of the way he was looking at her. He seemed to keep her off balance but it wasn’t bad--just like eating a new flavor of ice cream.