Chapter Three
"Whoa." Lula stopped dead in her tracks and watched the two women sparring in the ring. "That is so totally bad-ass."
The manager, Dan Wilson, who was showing her around, smiled. "That's Deputy Charli Judd and Dr. Reese Quinn. They're regulars."
"Wow, Deputies and Doctors don't look like that where I come from." She watched for a few more seconds then looked at Dan. "Okay, so where were we? Oh yes, so you have weights, weight machines, peg boards on the wall for climbing, ropes for climbing and battle ropes and cardio machines and a sparring ring and – what about stuff for women not really into a lot of heavy-duty weight workouts?"
"You look pretty fit and defined. You don't do weights?"
"No, poles."
"Pardon?"
"Poles. As in pole dance?"
"Seriously?"
"Yeah, it's a great workout."
"Can you do any of it on a climbing rope?" He gestured toward the thick rope hanging from the ceiling.
"Sure. It's called rope dancing."
"Could you show me? And before you think I'm being a creep, I ask because we have women come in all the time who walk away without joining because we don't have anything that appeals to them."
"Oh. Okay sure. Can I put my bag somewhere?"
"Right over here." He led the way to a long bench along the wall. Lula put her shoulder bag on the bench, took off her shoes and stripped off her sweat pants. She'd worn biking shorts, just in case she decided to join, she could work out.
"What do you want me to do?" She walked over to the rope.
"Just show me what can be done with a rope."
Lula showed him some basic moves, explaining as she did. "You can see that a lot of the moves require you to wind the rope around an ankle, wrist or leg. It's how you move up and down the rope."
She demonstrated and after a few minutes, descended to the floor to find that nearly everyone in the place was watching. And clapping. Lula smiled and lowered her head in a nod of appreciation.
"That's incredible," Dan said. "You wouldn't by chance, be interested in teaching a class, would you?"
"Maybe. What does it pay?"
"Free membership and twenty-five a class if we can get at least ten people signed up?"
"You have two," one of the women from the ring called out.
"Really?" Lula looked over at them.
"Hell yeah, girl, that's bad ass."
"Thanks." She smiled and turned her attention back to Dan. "But to be honest, women will tear their skin up on ropes like that. I'd suggest different ropes or silks."
"Okay, how about this? Do you have email?"
"Sure."
"Then email me what you think we need and how much space you need to teach a class. I'd figure the costs of start up, and class costs and if I can get enough interest, we'll do it."
"Okay, sure. Thanks Dan." She looked over at the rink. "And thank you."
Both the ladies climbed out of the ring and approached her. "Hi, I'm Reese Quinn," the tallest of the two said and stuck out a hand.
"Lula Sumpter. It's a pleasure. You're a doctor, right?"
"Of etomology."
"Bugs?" Lula took a stab at it.
"Yep."
"Interesting. And it's a pleasure."
"Same here." Reese dropped Lula's hand and gesture toward her companion. "Charli Judd."
"Deputy, correct?"
"Correct." Charli shook Lula's hand. "That was pretty amazing. How did you learn?"
"I was in gymnastics as long as I can remember. After that ended, I sort of gravitated toward aerial workouts then poles and – well, that's that."
"That requires extreme muscle control. If you and Dan get it worked out, we'll definitely sign up. And between the two of us we probably know more than enough women to make a class happen."
"Seriously?"
"Absolutely. Hey, we normally have breakfast after our workout. Want to join?"
"I'd love to, thanks."
"Great, we'll get changed."
"Okay, I'll wait."
She watched them hurry off, she presumed to the locker room then looked at Dan. "I appreciate you taking time for me. This is a nice place."
"Thanks, I'm proud of it. I'm guessing you're new to Cotton Creek."
"I am."
"How long have you been here?"
"About a month. Long enough to learn my way around and get settled."
"Did you buy a place?"
"No, I'm renting a place on Clear Spring Lake."
"It's nice out that way."
"Yes. I really like it."
"I'm guessing from your accent that you're not from around here?"
Lula smiled. "No, I grew up in Tallulah Fall, Georgia until I was fourteen and then we moved to New Orleans where my maternal grandmother lived."
"You're a long way from home."
"I am indeed."
"Is there a Mr. Sumpter?"
"As in husband? No."
"What about steady boyfriend?"
Lula hated to lie, but also hated just to hurt Dan's feelings, so she fudged just a bit. "As a matter of fact, I just got involved with someone."
"Bad timing," he said and smiled.
"Sure is. But you can never have too many friends, can you?"
"No, you sure can't. Hey, since you're waiting on Charli and Reese, why don't we go to the office and we can look online for the kind of ropes or silks you think we'd need."
"Sounds great. Let me grab my stuff."
She pulled on her pants, picked up her bag and returned to where Dan waited. "Lead the way."
By the time Charli and Reese came to find her, Lula and Dan had found what was needed and he'd promised to put up a flyer in the gym later in the day.
Lula thanked him and walked out with the other ladies. "We normally walk to the diner, but can drive if you want," Reese said.
"No, walking is fine."
"That was really cool stuff you did on the rope," Charli said. "How hard is that to learn?"
"Probably not very difficult either of you," Lula replied. "I mean you obviously have the strength. I don't know about flexibility, but that comes with practice and I imagine you are already fairly flexible, so bottom line, if you'd not afraid of heights—or falling, you should catch on quickly."
"And you do pole dancing as well?" Reese asked, then waved at a woman riding down the road who stuck her arm out the window and waved.
"Yes."
"It'd be cool to learn. I've seen videos and some of the people are amazing. Women and men. And talk about a great workout."
"It can be," Lula agreed.
"Let's cross here," Charli suggested. "How did you learn all that?"
"I was a gymnast in my younger days."
They waited for a couple of cars, then made their way to the other side. Just as they turned in the direction of the diner, Lula saw them. Walking across the street just ahead, was one of the biggest men she'd ever seen in her life. He had to be seven feet tall, or close to it. And good Lord was he handsome. His color led her to believe he was Native American.
With him was a man a bit shorter, but still quite tall, built like something from a woman's imagination and handsome as a dream. Both men lit up and smiled and Lula looked the women with her.
They were smiling as well. "You know those men?"
"The one on the right is my husband, Grady," Charli answered. "And the other is Mathias, Reese's fiancé."
"Good God."
"Yeah, right?" Charli laughed.
"Seriously." Lula agreed.
"Y'all headed for the diner?" The man Charli had named as her husband asked, as they drew near.
"We are. Want to join?"
"Always." Grady gave Charli a kiss and then smiled at Lula. "Grady Judd, ma'am."
"A pleasure Mr. Judd. Lula Sumpter."
"Pleasure is all mine. The short fella with me is Mathias Gray Horse."
"Nice to meet you, Lula." Mathias offered his hand.
"Same here."
"So, breakfast?" Reese asked.
"Yes, indeed." Mathias walked over to give her a kiss. "Good workout?"
"Charli always pushes me. Oh! Lula may be teaching ariel classes if Dan can get enough sign-ups. You should see her. She's amazing."
"Sounds interesting. Can men join?"
"Sure," Lula answered. "I know men who are great at it. Of course, most of them work as exotic dancers in women's clubs, but hey, nothing like learning some new moves for your woman."
Everyone got a laugh out of that. Within moments they were at the door of the diner. It took less than a minute for them to be seated. Just as they finished placing their orders, Cody Sweet and her father Billy entered.
"Well, hey there," Cody greeted everyone and then turned her full attention to Lula. "I see you're already making friends."
"Folks here are very nice," Lula replied and then added. "And thank you again for your help, Mr. Billy. I just love the little cottage. It already feels like home."
"I knew you would and am tickled pink, honey. If you need help with anything you just let me know now, you hear?"
"You're so kind. I really appreciate it. In fact, I was going to call. I'm making homemade plum jam from those plums you and Mrs. Stella gave me and thought you might like a jar."
"You know I would. Thank you, Lula."
"My pleasure."
"Well, we better get on to our table. I see mama and Hannah waving," Cody said. "Y'all have a wonderful day."
Everyone responded, and Lula was struck with the sincerity she heard in all the voices. She hadn't lied when she said everyone in Cotton Creek was nice. It was a beautiful little town, filled with friendly people. She was already in love with it.
"You know how to make homemade jam?" Charli asked.
"Sure, doesn't everyone?"
"Not me," Reese said. "I do good with scrambled eggs and steak."
"Well, it's not rocket science, girl and you're obviously smart as Einstein, so you shouldn't have any trouble learning."
"Yeah? You offering to teach me?"
"Sure. I need to pick up some canning jars and wax, so I won't start until Wednesday, if you want to come over. I can pick up some apples or more plums at the farmer's market."
"I'd love to."
"Great." Lula turned to Charli. "Want to join?"
"I do. How about you meet us for workout Wednesday and afterwards we'll head to your place."
"That'd be perfect."
After that, talk turned to who she had and had not met, and who everyone at the table wanted to introduce her to and before she knew it, breakfast was over. She was just picking up her napkin from her lap when everyone looked behind her.
"Hey Linc," Mathias said and smiled. "What's up?"
"Just meeting Wiley for breakfast. How're you, Grady?
"Couldn't be better. You think you'll have those horses taken care of by the end of the week?"
"Yeah, I plan on riding over tomorrow."
"Need a hand?" Mathias asked.
"Miss the farrier work?"
"Sometimes."
"Then meet me at seven and we'll get it to it. And my apology ladies. Reese, Charli and—"
Lula looked over her shoulder and smiled. "Well good morning, Thor. Imagine meeting you here."
"Nice surprise, for sure, Miss Lula." The smile he gave her was sexy enough to have her question her rule on casual sexual encounters.
"Indeed, it is. Well—" She pushed her chair back, plucked her ticket from the table and stood. "This was loads of fun. Thank you so much. Grady, Mathias, it was a real pleasure. And girls, I'll see you Wednesday."
She turned to face Linc. "Have a wonderful day."
"You, too."
"Why thank you."
With that, she sidestepped him and headed for the register to pay. As she left, she noticed him leaning on her vacant chair talking to the people she'd just left. Lula was willing to bet that her ears should be burning. Not that it bothered her. That was just the way of things.
It wouldn't be the first time she'd been the topic of gossip. And she would not be at all surprised to find that it wouldn't be the last.