Chapter 51
Delivery Man
Martin took in a deep breath and knocked on the back kitchen door. It was the entrance he was used to so he waited for someone to answer. He assumed that Betty would greet him but instead it was Miles.
The man opened the storm door, smiled and shook his head. “What did you do? And, Randi’s not here.”
Martin laughed. “I’m not here to see Randi. I was hoping to talk to Betty, Mrs. Sanders.”
“Well, you’re in luck, she’s here. Come in, come in.” Miles motioned for Martin to step in, and if he thought he felt nervous before, it was nothing to what he was feeling now. He looked around the kitchen. It was nice and clean, small, but homey.
Miles had stepped out into the other room and called out for Betty to come into the kitchen.
“What is it?” she asked.
“You have a guest.”
“A guest. I’m not dressed for company. Who is it?”
The lady of the house came walking around the corner and she stopped and looked at Martin holding the flowers. “I didn’t order anything?” she said shaking her head. “Are those for my daughter, Randi Sanders?”
Martin realized she had no idea who he was. He held out the flowers and smiled. “No, ma’am. They’re for you. Would you like to put them in some water? There’s a card, too.” Martin held out his hand and she looked at them.
“For me? I bet Randi sent them. She knows roses are my favorite. I hope she’s ready to come home.”
“I’ll put them in some water,” Miles said, taking the flowers from Martin as Betty sat down to read the card. Martin waited, not sure what to say or do.
Betty was sitting at the kitchen table, reading the card. Her brows furrowed and she was shaking her head. She started talking forgetting he was there. “Can you believe it? These are from that Martin fella. I guess he thinks he can woo me like he’s done my daughter, with fancy cards and flowers.”
“What does the card say?” Miles asked, giving Martin a wink.
“It’s all about how he only has the best intentions for Randi. It’s very well written. He more than likely paid someone to write it. You know how those stars are. Never do anything for themselves.”
She looked up at Martin and her brows rose quickly. He was pretty sure she’d figured it out. She hurried out of the room and he looked at Miles who only shrugged.
When Betty came back seconds later, she had something in her hand. “Young man, I’m sorry. I should have thought about this sooner. Here you go. Thanks for bringing the flowers. What’s your name and do you have a receipt for me to sign?”
Martin held out his hand to Betty and she shook his hand giving him a warm smile. “No need to sign a receipt, and my name is . . . Martin Taylor.”
He could see the expression on her face move from shock to embarrassment. Martin let go of her hand and she took one step back and looked at her husband. “Is he telling the truth? Is this some kind of a joke?”
Miles shook his head ‘no’ and walked over and put his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face Martin. “No, dear. I could never think of anything this good. I’d like for you to meet the young man who is dating our daughter. I met him once at the hospital. I think I told you about it. Dear, this is Martin Taylor.”
Betty shrugged her shoulders away from her husband and went to look at the flowers. “One of the two of you should have stopped me from making an idiot of myself.”
“I just couldn’t, dear. And, Martin here, he was just not sure how to speak up. You kept talking and digging yourself in deeper.” Miles kissed her on the cheek and smiled. “You two get to know each other. I have a phone call to make.”
Martin wanted to object, and from the look on Betty’s face when she turned, so did she. He thought it best to start out with an apology. “I am truly sorry. I didn’t mean to let it go on that long. It never occurred to me that you wouldn’t know who I was.”
“I don’t watch a lot of movies but even if you do know what someone looks like, you’re more than likely not expecting them to be standing in your own kitchen.”
“I suppose that’s true. Would you like for me to leave? I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable?”
Betty gave this some thought but shook her head ‘no’ and motioned to the kitchen table. “Would you like a glass of iced tea?”
“Yes, that would be nice. Randi talks about your tea all the time. I’d love to try a glass. She says hers comes close to yours but it’s not as good.”
Betty smiled. “Now there is no use in trying to butter me up. You’re not going to change my mind. I’m sure that’s why you’re here. There’s no use in pretending.”
“I’m here to ask you for a chance to prove I’m not like some of the other stars. You can check my arrest history, there is none. I don’t drink and I don’t do drugs. I’ve never been married. I don’t have children by anyone.”
“Those all are fine accomplishments,” Betty said, moving over and setting a glass of tea in front of him. He thanked her, took a sip as she joined him and smiled.
“Well butter or not. This is fine tea.”
“Thank you. I’ve told Randi over and over to time how long she leaves the teabags in, and she never does.”
Martin nodded. “I’ll be sure and remind her next time.” This won him a look that said there wouldn’t be a next time so he spoke. “I don’t want to wear out my welcome or waste your time so let’s get down to the fine print. What would it take for you to give me a chance to prove that I’m good enough for Randi?”
“I don’t know if there is anything you can do. The people of this town don’t appreciate or honor the sanctity of marriage. They kiss people who are not their spouses and call it acting. It’s not acting, it’s cheating, and you will not do this to my daughter.”
Martin could see this was not going to be easy, but he wasn’t giving up. He took another drink of tea and leaned back in the chair. “I see your point and my mother has the same opinion.”
Betty uncrossed her arms and leaned on the table, “Then your mother is a smart woman. I wonder if she’s seen any of your movies, or is she afraid to watch them for what she might see? Kissing scenes or love scenes, I’m sure you’ve done some of both. I don’t want my child to have to sit at home while her husband cheats on her and gets paid to do it.”
Martin wasn’t sure what to say. He didn’t think she would be this open with him. He said the first thing that came to his mind. “I don’t want to hurt Randi.”
“I don’t want you to hurt her either.” Betty seemed to soften. She leaned on the table, and in a gesture, reached over and placed her hands on Martin’s. “Mr. Taylor, I’m not a terrible person. I believe you have feelings for my daughter, and you have brass to come here. I commend you for that. But I want Randi to be happily married, and I want her husband to be worthy of her love. Without some changes from you, I don’t think you’re the right man for her.”
Betty moved her hands and crossed her arms, waiting for him to speak, so he did. “I think I am the man for her. I love her. I would do anything for Randi.”
“Then prove it! Promise that if you do those kinds of movies that you’ll kiss her instead. Promise me that.” Betty smiled and rose from the table turning to throw one more stabbing comment in his direction. “And, I want it in writing and I want it binding.”