Meredith

That was so neat. I couldn’t be happier for Nellie that her Grandfather is here. She obviously loves him dearly. It was great for Derek to surprise her that way. He really is trying to help Nellie get through this difficult time.

The goats were a pretty interesting idea too. Nellie told me about Misty and Blue and how Derek, Lacey, and Ned surprised her with them yesterday. She wants me to come see them. I guess I will be seeing them sooner than she thinks. Ron used the excuse to go to the restroom to find time alone with me so that he could ask me to join the family for dinner tonight. He was so insistent that I couldn’t say no. He said they are having a very informal dinner of pizza and salad. He gave me the address and asked me to come by around five thirty. I must be crazy but I want to go. I hope it won’t be awkward. He also said that Lacey and Ned will be there. I am acquainted with Lacey; she is a friend of my sister. Seeing a familiar face and having another girl there makes this a doable situation; otherwise, I would not think it a good idea to go. I wonder if Ron even told Derek he invited me to dinner. He seems like a mischievous kind of person.

What should I wear? I guess jeans would be appropriate since it’s a pizza night. I will ask Allison and see what she thinks. I guess I want to brag a little bit too. Allison will go bonkers when she finds out I am going to Derek’s home for dinner. I will just walk over to her room now and see how she reacts to my news.

I walk into Allison’s classroom and ask, “Do you have a moment to chat? I need some fashion advice for tonight.”

Allison looks up from her desk and asks me, “Now where is my ‘never go out after work’ friend going tonight that she needs fashion advice?”

With a grin, probably too big of a grin, I tell her, “To Mr. Brandt and Nellie’s home for a pizza dinner.”

“What?!! He asked you out?” She almost yells.

“No.” I have to be honest with her. I grin too much when I am trying to tease someone. “His dad did. His dad arrived today for a visit and Derek brought him to pick up Nellie after school. You should have seen how excited Nellie was when she turned around and saw her grandfather standing in the room. She flew across the room to hug him. It made me cry, it was so moving.”

“Aw. That’s so wonderful for her. Let’s get back to dinner. So, Derek’s dad asked you to dinner? How did Derek act when his dad asked you to join them?”

“Well,” I say, “Derek wasn’t in the room. He had already left. His dad asked to use the restroom as they were leaving so Derek and Nellie waited for him out in the hallway. He didn’t even use the restroom! He just used that as an excuse to talk to me. I think Derek must have told him he asked me out so he was trying to do a little matchmaking. He was so persistent that I couldn’t say no, even if I had wanted to.”

“Way to go, old fella!” Allison is beyond thrilled with this news. “I wonder if he told Derek that he invited you?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t think he will mind, but if his dad doesn’t tell him it will be interesting when I show up.”

“Oh, I wish I could go watch!”

“Allison, you are crazy! I will tell you all about it tomorrow on our shopping excursion. So, tell me what to wear.”

“You are going to wear some snug fitting blue jeans with sandals that have a little heel on them. Wear those black sandals that you wear sometimes on casual days. For a blouse, you should wear a black camisole with that shear teal long-sleeved blouse that you bought but never wear. It looks great on you. Don’t forget to put some jewelry on. A simple necklace that is long enough to hang down to dip a little bit into your cleavage. Wear your hair down and put a few curls in it, but not too many. You can Skype me before you leave so I can see if you forgot anything.” Allison is all business now; she’s a fashion guru.

“You are so funny! You know I would never wear any of that to school. I love that blouse too but it is all wrong for this environment. I will go now and get it all together and put it on. Be ready for a Skype call at five. I’m supposed to be at their home at five-thirty and I don’t want to be late.” As I say this I turn to head out the door. Five o’clock is just a little over and hour away!

I’m getting a little nervous now. What am I doing? I should not have told Ron I would join them for dinner without making certain that it is okay with Derek. What if Derek just wanted to have a family dinner? I should have looked up Derek’s phone number before I left school and brought it with me. I could have called Ron and bowed out. I need to try to calm my nerves as I drive over to their house.

Hmm. There’s that blue mustang. It’s parked outside of Hank’s Diner. Darn. I was hoping that the men who drive that car had decided to leave town. I should tell Derek about this. I wonder if Derek has alerted the Police Chief about these men. It would be nice to know that they are watching also. A one-man defender isn’t near as good as having an army.

Derek’s property is ten miles out of town. Ron said to look for nature’s best, that I would understand when I see it. I have heard that he has about three hundred acres. Rumor has it that he keeps a few cows on it, but that’s it. He doesn’t allow hunting on his land even though he is a hunting guide, and there should be plenty of deer. Now, they have two goats to add to the cows. Nellie has told me that there is a large pond on the property that has ‘huge’ fish in it. She said that a couple years ago her daddy taught her how to swim in the pond and her Uncle Derek bought her a small canoe with a flat bottom as a gift for learning to swim. There’s also a little dock that was built for sitting on for fishing. It sounds wonderful. Maybe I will get to see it.

Well, this is it. There’s a cool sign above the driveway. Nature’s Best it reads. That’s what Ron meant. The driveway is paved and it runs between a bunch of trees that provide a beautiful canopy. It’s not claustrophobic but it is very private feeling. It’s very pretty. There are large groupings of well-tended flowers about every fifty feet on both sides of the narrow road. Someone has taken great care to ensure that there is enough break in the tree branches above to allow sunlight in for the flowers to flourish. After traveling a short distance, I come upon a fence with a large gate. Ron is there waiting at the gate. He punches in a code on a security key pad that opens the gate and allows me to drive past the fence. He is smiling like he’s happy to see a long-lost friend. I tell him to get in the car and ride the rest of the way with me. He does.

I say to Ron, “It’s absolutely lovely here. Someone has taken great care in planning a very pretty entrance. I can’t wait to see the rest.”

Ron replies with pride, “Yes, my son likes beautiful things.” I somehow feel there is a double meaning in what he said. “Just follow the road and it will take us to the main house. There is a right turn just around the bend that leads to Ned and Lacey’s house. It seems like it’s a distance from the other home but it’s very close; only about seventy yards. Derek had a bunch of trees and hedges put in to provide a privacy barrier. Do you know Ned and Lacey?”

“I don’t know Ned, but Lacey is a good friend of my sister’s.” I tell him. “We have met several times. I like her, she’s friendly and easy to talk to.”

“Yes, you are right. I met Ned in Denver when he was just a kid. He worked at a ski resort that I used to take my wife to. That’s where he met Lacey. They were much younger than Deanna and I but we made fast friends and have stayed friends ever since. They were older than Derek and Cara but there always seemed to be a tight bond between them as well. I was happy that they came here with Derek when he bought this place. They were tired of Denver and the ski life atmosphere. They all love this place.”

“I can see why,” I say as we pull up to the main residence. The house is lovely. It’s a wood frame; painted white with a black door and black shutters. There is a swing on the front porch along with two rocking chairs and a table with a checker game on it. There are large decorative pots with beautiful overflowing purple flowers on both sides of the steps leading up to the porch. About 30 yards from the house, on the left side, is a large barn that is painted to match the house. To the right of the house is a small fenced in area with a small wooden shack that is also painted to match the house. I see two goats in the fenced area. They must be Misty and Blue. There is also a well-worn trail that leads from the front of the house, in front of the fenced area, and into the nearby trees. I am assuming this trail leads to Ned and Lacey’s home. As we get out of the car, the front door to the house opens and Nellie comes out. When she sees me, she runs down the steps to stand in front of me.

“I didn’t know you were coming, Miss Walker! I’m so happy you are here!” She says with delight. “Come see Misty and Blue!” Nellie grabs my hand and pulls me towards the goats before I have a chance to respond. “The white one with the blue eyes is Blue and the one with the tan spots is Misty. Aren’t they cool?! I get to feed them and they follow me around. I just love them!”

“Do you think they will let me pet them?” I ask.

“Sure they will. They are super nice.” Nellie opens a little gate for us to enter the fencing. The goats are darling and they let me pet them like Nellie said they would. I am not sure I have ever petted a goat before; maybe I did as a child and just don’t remember.

Just when I think I can’t smile much more I look up and see Derek approaching. Only Derek doesn’t look like he normally does. This is a look that will be forever imprinted in my mind. He’s not wearing his normal jeans with a Henley and work boots. No, this is much better; and less. His dark hair is tussled and his brow is marked with sweat. His whole body is sweaty. There is no sign of a Henley; just bare beautiful chest with a small patch of dark hair between his pecs. Below his well-defined pecs is a six pack of muscles that just won’t quit. I have seen his incredible arms before but I’ve not seen that tattoo; it is usually covered by his shirt sleeve. The tattoo is a simple word: ‘Honor’, which says a lot. The jeans have been replaced with long running shorts that show off just a tiny bit of his taut toned thighs. Even his calves show that Derek is fitness conscious. His outfit, or lack of it, paired with the running shoes he is wearing, tells me that Derek has been out running. It’s most likely part of his fitness routine. I see he has a shirt in his hand, one that he is now using to wipe the sweat off his brow and out of his eyes. He can leave the sweat on his body. I like the way it makes his body glisten. Can I be dreaming?

Derek walks to the fence and leans on it. He looks directly at me, smiles, and says, “What a nice surprise to have you here, Meredith.”

“Oh, did your father not tell you that he invited me to pizza night? I hope I am not intruding. He was very insistent that I come.” I tell him with sincerity.

“Isn’t it great that Miss Walker is here, Uncle Derek? Misty and Blue already love her.” Nellie says.

“Yes,” replies Derek to Nellie’s question as he looks at me, “I think it’s great that Meredith is here. I’m a little embarrassed that I am not properly dressed for the occasion. How do you like our new pets, Miss Walker?”

I look at the little goats and say, “They are so cute! I love them! Nellie has given them the perfect names.”

Derek smiles. “They have worked their charm on me as well. I haven’t had a pet in a long, long time. I am usually away too much to have one, but, things are different now. I may even get myself a dog and a cat. Ned and Lacey have a dog that’s around here somewhere. If you don’t mind I am going to head in and get cleaned up for dinner. You two come on in when you’re finished playing with the goats.” He turns to leave but as he gets about ten feet away he turns and says, “I really am glad you are here.” Then he continues to the house.

“Wow.” Wow is all I can think.