Every morning like clockwork, Georgie Bradford woke up at 6 a.m., alone, in her queen size bed. She would lay still in her solitude, watching the dust motes floating in the light that streamed through the blinds at the windows.
When she finally got out of bed, there was no urgency to her movements. She lived alone, and had since her late husband, Glenn, had passed away. It had been her choice; her daughter, Victoria, had offered Georgie a home in Massachusetts with her and her husband, Sam, and their two children, Ivy and Merritt, but she had declined. This was her home, the one that she and Glenn had bought when they had been young and newly married, with stars in their eyes and dreams in their heads.
She took a shower, then applied plenty of moisturizer and a touch of makeup to her wrinkled face. She often wondered why she bothered, since no one would see it, but she knew it was force of habit. She’d never been vain, but she liked to look presentable, just in case.
Georgie always made herself two scrambled eggs, a slice of bacon, toast, and a cup of coffee for breakfast. It was boring, but there wasn’t much point in going hog wild when it was just for her. When it was nice out, like it was this morning, she took her meal out to the porch to eat. She’d never done that when Glenn had been alive, but now that she ate alone, it was nice to have something to look at, even if it was a neighbor mowing his lawn, or kids riding their bicycles up and down the sidewalk.
After breakfast, Georgie cleaned up the kitchen and went into the living room to watch a morning news show, and after that, a game show. Around noon, she heard the mail carrier arrive, and hurried to the front door, hoping that she would get a magazine or catalogue to look at.
What she found, instead, was a letter addressed to Mrs. Georgia Lynn Bradford. She hadn’t been called Georgia Lynn since she was a teenager, she thought, bemused.
She moved to the little side table and opened the drawer, pulling out the letter opener. She slide the metal along the top of the envelope and sat the opener aside as she reached in and brought out the letter. It was a single sheet, handwritten:
Dear Georgia Lynn,
You most likely don’t remember me, but I knew you back in high school. In fact, we went on a date, just once. I ran into our mutual friend, Bobby Richards, in the grocery store the other day, and he and I got to talking and you ended up in the conversation. He told me that you had gotten married to a Glenn Bradford, so I decided to look you up in the phone book. Lo and behold, there you were. I would love to see you sometime, just to catch up and talk about old times. We could even go to one of those coffee places that are all the rage with the younger crowd. Wouldn’t that be fun? I’ve included my phone number and address and I would love to hear from you.
Kindest Regards,
Milo Henning
Georgie felt a bit flustered as she reread the letter for the third time. She remembered Milo Henning. Of course she did. For a time, she’d fancied herself in love with him, until he’d broken her heart when he’d taken up with Louise Fletcher. Well, she had no intention of answering his letter, the old coot. Hah! She slid the letter into the drawer and slammed it shut.
Over the following week, though, Georgie’s mind kept going back to the letter, even though it annoyed her to no ends. She decided that what she needed was a distraction, so she pulled out all of her odds and ends fabrics and started cutting them out into squares. She would make a quilt. It had been something that her daughter had been hounding her about for years, perhaps now was as good a time as any.
Two days later, as Georgie sat rubbing her arthritic hands, she heard a tap on her front door. She frowned and considered not answering it, but occasionally her next door neighbor would stop by and ask her to keep an eye on their home while they went on vacation, so she got up and made her way over to the door. She opened it. Milo was grinning at her. She shut the door, hard.
“Aw, come on Georgia Lynn,” Georgie heard him holler, “Open the door and talk to me. Please.”
Georgie’s heart was pounding fast as she leaned back against the door and tried to calm herself. He looked the same. Well, maybe not the same, exactly. Obviously he was older, but even then, she could see that he had the same mischievous smile, and sparkling eyes that he’d always had. Flustered, she patted her hair, wishing that she’d put it up in rollers last night.
“Georgia Lynn, I know you’re in there. You remember me. I know you do. I saw it in your eyes in that split second before you slammed the door on me.”
Georgie rolled her eyes. Yep. He was the same. The exact same. Unfortunately, he had the same effect on her, too. She was in trouble. Damn.
She sighed and opened the door.
“What do you want, Milo?” she asked him, pointedly.
He smiled at her in that slow, charming way that had brought her to her knees when she’d been a younger woman, “Georgia Lynn, it sure is good to see you, sweetheart.”
Georgie tightened her knees and her heart as she raised her brow, and appraised him knowingly, “Fine. You came and saw me. Now leave.”
“You’re not still mad at me, are you, Georgia Lynn?”
“Of course I am,” she planted her hand on her hip, sassily, “And why wouldn’t I be, Milo? After what you did to me?”
“What did I do to you, Georgia? Answer me that.”
“You don’t remember?”
“What I remember is taking you out on a date and we had a good time. Or, I thought we had a good time.”
“And then you asked Louise Fletcher out the very next weekend, Milo.” Georgie added.
“Well, sure I did, but only because you said that you wanted something serious, something that would lead to marriage, and I wasn’t ready for anything like that, Georgia Lynn.”
“So you played the field. How wonderful for you. But don’t go thinking I’m just going to fall at your feet now. I might be old, Milo, but I’m not desperate.”
Milo slapped away a bug. He looked pleadingly at her, “Can I just come inside. We can get to know one another again.”
Georgie’s head was screaming no, but her heart was screaming yes. She opened the door wider and stepped aside.
“Looks like you did well for yourself, Georgia,” Milo said, as he followed her into the living room, “Bobby said that you married a year after we graduated.”
“I did. And you went to, where was it? California?”
He turned to face her, “Your husband? He around?”
“No. He passed a few years ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Georgia Lynn.”
She nodded, “And you, Milo, did you ever marry?”
“I did. Her name was Anna. I lost her six years ago.”
“Children?”
“We never had any. Tried for awhile, but it just never happened.”
“Glenn and I have a daughter. Victoria. And I’m a grandmother to her two girls, Ivy, and Merritt.”
“That’s wonderful to hear. Do you get to see a lot of them?”
They sat down on the couch as Georgie shook her head, “Unfortunately, no. She lives in Massachusetts, and I don’t drive that much, anymore.”
“Why not?”
“Well, I guess because I’m seventy-three.” Georgie said, with a chuckle.
“We’re old, not dead.”
“Would you like a glass of lemonade?” Georgie decided to change the subject.
“That sounds perfect.”
Georgie busied herself with the lemonade, well aware that she was feeling a bit giddy. She didn’t like that she was, not one bit, but there it was, all the same. Before she went back out into the living room, she paused to check her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Goodness, she thought. Had she added a few extra wrinkles since she’d opened the front door?
“Here you are.” Georgie swept into the room and handed Milo a cold glass of lemonade.
Milo took a long drink and smacked his lips, “That’s mighty good, Georgia.”
Georgie took a sip of her own lemonade. She was wondering how she could get him to leave quickly.
“I could take you.” Milo said, as he sat his glass on the side table and rubbed his knees briskly.
“Take me where?”
“To Massachusetts to see your daughter and grandkids.”
Georgie’s jaw dropped.
“Come on, what do you say? A road trip sounds like fun.”
“No. No, absolutely not, Milo. I’m not going on a road trip with you all the way to Massachusetts. Are you crazy?”
“Crazy like a fox, sweetheart.” Milo said, with a wink.
***********************************************************************
“Did you bring maps?” Georgie asked, as she slid into the front seat of Milo’s comfy sedan.
“Don’t need them. I’ve driven all over this country, so don’t worry about a thing, Georgia Lynn, I know how to get to Massachusetts.”
Georgie pursed her lips as she put her seatbelt on. She was in a bit of shock, she supposed. Was she making the right decision? No, probably not, she decided. Yet here she was. He’d talked her into it, the damn charmer.
As the miles started falling behind them, Milo glanced over at her, “Mind if I play some music?”
Georgie shook her head, watching as he flipped the radio on. A song from their teen years filled the car and Milo smiled, “This is a good one, huh?”
“It is. I haven’t heard this one in years.” Georgie admitted, as she allowed herself to bob along with the music. She was starting to feel like a girl again as excitement bubbled through her. She glanced at Milo between her lashes. What was it about this man that brought out all of these new sides of her?
Two hours later, they stopped at a roadside diner.
“I’m starving,” Milo said, as he perused the enormous menu, “Everything looks good.”
“I’m just having my usual.” Georgie said, as she pushed the menu aside.
“Really? You’re not even going to have a look at the menu?”
“No.”
“But what if you found something you wanted to try?” Milo held the menu out and pointed out a stack of pancakes topped with raspberry sauce and chocolate whipped cream, “Like this. Man, that looks good.”
“That looks amazing, but think of the calories.”
“You worried I’m going to get fat?” Milo asked her with a grin.
Georgie grinned too, feeling her cheeks pinken at where her mind went at the mention of Milo’s body.
“I just prefer to keep to a routine. It’s easier that way.” she explained.
“It’s boring that way. Come on, Georgia Lynn. Live a little, will you. Order the damn pancakes. You know you want to.”
An hour later, sated with the delicious pancakes and plenty of coffee, they got on the road again.
Georgie looked out the window, watching a pasture of cows pass quickly by. She had always been disciplined, extremely so, at times, but this man beside her was making her feel off kilter in the most delightful way, and she didn’t know what to make of it all. She’d assumed, after losing Glenn, that her life was effectively over. She’d assumed that she would just while away her days until her time came, and she’d decided that she was okay with that. And now, suddenly, with Milo beside her, everything had opened back up. Like a door opening to a field of dreams, all of them possible, when she’d thought that door had closed long ago. It was like being on a roller coaster, invigorating, yes, but also terrifying.
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“Where are we going?” Georgie asked, as they pulled off the highway, “It’s too early for dinner, isn’t it?”
“I’m going to show you something. It’s a surprise.” Milo turned down a side road. They were out in the middle of nowhere, or at least that’s what it looked like to Georgie.
“I’m not sure I like where this is heading.” Georgie said. The dirt road was getting more and more bumpy, and the tree branches were draping over the car, sinisterly, as they headed deeper and deeper into the woods.
“I just hope it’s still there,” Milo seemed unconcerned as he concentrated on keeping the car out of the biggest ruts, “I’m kind of surprised I still remember it.”
Suddenly, the trees opened up, revealing a small dirt lot for parking. Milo parked and turned the car off. He grabbed a camera from the back seat, “Come on, sweetheart, let’s go for a short hike.”
“A hike? I don’t know if I’m up for that.” Georgie shook her head, worriedly. What if she had a heart attack out here in the back of beyond?
Milo got out of the car and came around to her side. He opened the door, coaxing her, “It’s just a small hike, I promise. I wouldn’t have even brought you here if I didn’t think we could make it.”
Georgie sighed, as she got out of the car. She looked down at her orthopedic shoes, mentally bidding a fond farewell to their pristine white soles.
They found the path that led up into the trees and started down it. As they walked in the leafy darkness, they saw a fawn beneath a tree, and a family of squirrels darting back and forth across the path.
“It’s not far now,” Milo told her, as he reached down and took her hand in his, “Trust me, you’re going to love it.”
As his fingers enveloped hers, Georgie felt her breath catch in her throat. His hand was warm and foreign to her, but she liked it.
They were climbing up a gentle incline. By the time they reached the top, they were breathing harder, but not gasping for breath.
Georgie heard it before she saw it. They stepped out of the tree line and out into a sunlit glade. Across the distance was a tumbling waterfall and a glistening pool surrounded by large boulders.
“It’s beautiful!” she exclaimed.
“Isn’t it,” Milo looked delighted, “And it hasn’t changed a bit, either. Come on, let’s dip our toes in.”
As he led them over to the pool of water, all Georgie could think about was how his hand still clung to hers. They sat on the rocks and took their shoes off, putting their feet into the crystal clear water. They oohed and aahed in relief as the cool water touched their warm skin.
Georgie leaned back on her hands and admired the way the waterfall splashed into the pool, sending up a spray of white froth. She looked over at Milo and her eyes caught his. She was struck by how handsome he looked, and she was caught off guard when he suddenly picked up the camera and took a picture of her.
“Milo, I’m all sweaty, for heavens sake,” she admonished him, “Take a picture of that beautiful waterfall instead.”
“You’re far more beautiful than that waterfall, Georgia Lynn.”
“Oh, would you stop.” Georgie said. She splashed her foot, sending water droplets onto him in an effort to hide her embarrassment.
“So you want to get wet, Georgia Lynn?” Milo stood up and jumped into the water suddenly. A spray of water splashed her and she yelped in shock. His head popped out of the water, and, like a shark, he swam closer and closer to her boulder and then he pulled himself half out, his arms on either side of her.
“You really are crazy, Milo Henning!” Georgie claimed, as she smiled and shook her head back and forth in wonderment, “And, you’re dripping on me, too!”
“Go for a swim with me, Georgia Lynn.” he said.
Georgie shook her head, but his eyes were imploring her beneath his water spiked lashes and she could feel herself caving.
“We’re going to be all wet when we get in the car.” she offered as an excuse.
“We’ll dry in the sun,” Milo reached for her, “Come on, let’s swim out to the waterfall.”
“I don’t know.”
“Georgia Lynn, I have always wanted to kiss a girl under a waterfall. You’re the girl, sweetheart. You always have been. Come on, I’ll help you in.”
Well, how could she say no? She slid into the water with his arms there to keep her from going under. He was right; the water was perfect. She giggled like a teenager as she dove under and started swimming. It felt wonderful. She’d always loved to swim, but she’d long ago given it up. She couldn’t remember why.
When they reached the waterfall, Milo led Georgie through the spray into a small grotto behind it. Their bodies were close, their legs entwined as they treaded water. Milo wrapped his arms around her, his hands holding them steady behind the splashing water that tumbled down from above them. Georgie felt breathless, but it wasn’t from kicking her legs, either. She knew he was going to kiss her. She knew that he knew that she wanted him to, or she wouldn’t have agreed to come out to the waterfall. She also knew that she hadn’t kissed another man since she’d met Glenn, which, honestly, was a lifetime ago. Was she ready? She didn’t know.
“Georgia Lynn, why are you trembling?” Milo asked her, “Are you cold?”
Georgie shook her head. The way her body was reacting to his nearness was something that she couldn’t control. She couldn’t remember ever feeling this way, not even with Glenn, and it frightened her as much as it fascinated her. She lifted her face up to his, “Just go ahead and kiss me, Milo.” she said.
“Well all right then.” Milo leaned over her, as his mouth gently found hers.
Georgie softened into the kiss as she realized that she’d been waiting her whole life for its magic. She didn’t want it to end, but when it finally did, she knew that she would want another kiss, and another after that, and on and on.
“Damn,” Milo whispered, “I knew kissing you was going to be something special, Georgia Lynn, but sweetheart, you’ve got me seeing stars.”
**********************************************************************
“By my calculations, we’ll be in Massachusetts just before noon tomorrow, Georgia Lynn, but only if we drive another couple of hours tonight. Are you up for it?”
Georgie took one last bite of blueberry pie and drank the last of her tea, “Let me make another run to the restroom and we can head out.” she told him. The diner was fairly busy and she had to wait for a stall, so Milo was waiting for her when she finally came out. The sun was low in the sky as they stepped out into the balmy air. Normally, they would have found a hotel for the night, but now they drove back out onto the highway. She was fine with it. She was beginning to get excited about seeing her daughters and grandkids, and introducing Milo to them.
They drove companionably, with soft music as a background to their easy conversations. The sun slowly disappeared behind the horizon and Milo flipped on the headlights as Georgie turned off the air and rolled down her window.
“Would you look at that moon, Milo,” Georgie pointed out the stunning full moon that glowed in the dark sky, “Isn’t it gorgeous?”
Milo bent down so he could see it. He let out a low whistle of appreciation, “You know what this calls for, Georgia Lynn?”
“I have no idea, Milo, but I’m sure you’re about to tell me.” she chuckled.
Suddenly, Milo slid into the outside lane and took the next exit, “This calls for finding us an empty field, sweetheart.”
“What are you talking about?”
Milo winked at her as he turned down a two lane gravel road, “You’ll find out, Georgia Lynn, and you’re going to love it. I guarantee it.”
Georgie just shook her head and settled back to see where he was going to take them next. She wasn’t going to fight it, not anymore, for she was sure that where ever they ended up, she would love it, because it was with him.
“Aha!” Milo exclaimed, when he spotted the empty pasture that didn’t have a fence around it. He pulled deep into the field, fiddled with the radio until he found a song he liked, cranked it all the way up, and got out of the car. He came around to Georgie’s side and opened the car door.
“My lady,” he reached for her hand and helped her out of the car, “Will you have this dance?”
Georgie’s face broke into a grin as she allowed Milo to escort her towards the front of the car. The headlights were only a dim backdrop to the splendor of the big, silver moon that hung above them as Milo pulled her close and started swaying with her to the love song that played on the radio.
Her heart felt so full right then, like it was going to burst right out of her chest. She closed her eyes and laid her head against Milo’s chest as they moved softly in time to the music.
“I love you, Georgia Lynn,” Milo said, as he dropped a kiss on top of her head, “And I know that you’re going to tell me that we’re too old to plan for a future together, but the way I look at it, we could have another twenty years together, good ones at that, and I intend to make every single one of them count. I hope you’ll spend them with me. Will you?
Georgie smiled into his shirt. This man, she thought. This crazy, amazing man. How could she say no. She lifted her face and met his eyes, “I will. Whatever time is left us, I will spend it with you, Milo.”