The fall air snapped crisply around the lovers legs. They walked hand in hand, mindless of the leaves crackling around their feet. Even the breeze through the trees sounded dry, crackly, as if it was electric. An overcast sky accompanied them on their journey, the wind promising rain sometime soon. They could smell it, taste it even. They reached their destination, the smell of wood-smoke and burnt leaves hanging heavily around them.
Kathleen was deep in thought. The summer sun was high- just like the humidity. Sultry, sticky air was stifling her, but it was worse in the big ole heat-storing farmhouse. At least on the front porch there was the tiniest of breezes.
Her laptop was sticking to her legs, and her hair was plastered to her neck. It was hard to write about a chilly fall day when she was so miserably hot. Kathleen could feel sweat trickling along her spine, and she finally gave up and headed into the house.
"Grandma, who services your furnace?"
At the older woman's answer, Kathleen replied, "I'm calling them. I'm getting you an air conditioner."
Her grandmother argued, but not too loudly. The heat was sapping her energy, and secretly she admitted to herself that air conditioning would be nice. Her husband had never believed it was necessary, but he'd been gone for almost five years. It wasn't that she didn't have the money. She was just from the old time where they never had it.
"I don't know how you're supposed to heal up from that surgery in this heat. But you watch, the minute you're cool, you'll perk right up." Kathleen dialed the number and spoke to the company.
"They'll be here between eight and ten in the morning. Just one more night. Thank God."
"Kat, I sure do appreciate that. Honey, could you get me a glass of water?" Ester asked hesitantly. She wasn't one to ask of other people.
"Sure Gram. Don't sound like you'd rather I pulled your teeth. I'm here to take care of you. Don't be afraid to ask for anything, okay?" Kathleen retrieved the water and placed it on her grandma's end table. Kissing her forehead, she added, "I'm going back outside to write."
"Are you sure this isn't any trouble Kat?"
"Gram, I can write just as good on your front porch as I can sitting behind a desk. I love you." Kat kissed her again and headed for the porch once more.
Upon her return, a Corgi and a German Sheppard had taken up residence beside her chair. They both looked friendly, and she was proven right. Too friendly. Her canine companions insisted on helping her write. She tried shooing them, but to no avail. Finally, at four o'clock exactly, they stood in unison and trotted off down the lane.
Kathleen went inside. "Gram, do you know who has a couple dogs? A Corgi and a German Sheppard?"
"Oh yes dear. Those sweet dogs come by every day and visit me. I didn't realize what time it was! Oh, pooh, I missed 'em. Tomorrow, could you let them in so I can visit with them?"
Kathleen was slightly surprised. "Yeah, Gram, sure. No problem." She smiled to herself.
"They belong to Trace who lives up the road. He's such a nice man. And I hear he's available." Gram smiled that sweet smile.
"Oh no ya don't. I am here to watch you and write a book. Not have some fling." Kat smiled.
"Well, you do write romance novels, right? What could be the harm in a little... inspiration?"
"I am going back outside." Kat grinned as she turned, and her grandma's laughter followed her out the door.
The next morning, almost right at eight o'clock, the air conditioning guys were there. Kathleen thanked them profusely, and by that afternoon, she was cool as a cucumber. Gram was breathing easier, and they both ended up falling asleep in the living room.
Kathleen woke to a scratching sound, and when she sat up, those dogs were at the window, making their prescence known.
"Gram, wake up. You have visitors." Kathleen stood and stretched, then went and opened the front door. The canines came in calmly, and both took up position on either side of her grandma.
As Ester cooed and petted and scratched, the dogs lolled their tongues and offered their bellies. Kathleen shook her head with a smile, then headed for the porch. The heat was still awful, but the humidity had dropped out and there was a pretty good wind going. Kathleen stretched again and opened her laptop. The cursor blinked, seeming to mock her, for she couldn't think of a single sentence to write. Maybe Gram was right. Maybe she did need some inspiration.
After her first book flew off the shelves, she was in demand for another. When that one went just as quickly, she was pressed for yet another. This being her fourth, Kathleen was getting slightly burnt out. And she hadn't had time for a social life in months. Her last boyfriend had been around went her first book went out, but he ran because he couldn't handle the pressure. She later found out he had a boyfriend.
Kat found herself woolgathering, but knowing that three chapters were due in as many days, she had to get to work. Time flew as she was typing, and she didn't realize the sun was setting until she heard her grandma ringing her bell. As she stood, she stretched and marveled at how quickly time had went by.
"Yeah Gram... what do ya need?"
"I let the dogs out a couple hours ago. Did you realize what time it was?"
"You shouldn't have gotten up on your own! You could have fallen!"
"It was only a few steps, and I needed to stretch. But I am hungry."
"Of course. Don't get up alone again. How does tuna salad sound?"
"That sounds wonderful." Gram looked away and flipped the TV to a different channel.
As Kathleen mixed in the mayonnaise, the phone rang. She grabbed it off the wall and cradled it on her shoulder.
"Hello?"
"This isn't Gram." A deep, rich voice spoke into her ear. Kathleen felt a shiver shimmy down her back. She felt like the owner of the voice was breathing on her neck.
"No, this is Gram-daughter. Can I help you?"
"Maybe. This is Trace from up the road. I see my mutts were up there pestering again."
"How do you know that?"
"Cause Gram sent a note on one of their collars."
Kathleen let out a surprised laugh.
"And just what did this note say?"
"Nothin' much. I was just hoping to talk to her for a few minutes."
"Hmm. Sure. Let me click on the other extension. Hang on."
Kathleen peeked around the corner.
"Gram, phone's for you."
As the older woman picked it up, Kathleen debated for a few minutes about listening in, then sighed and hung it on the hook. She tried to eavesdrop from just Gram's side, but she was being quieter than usual. Kathleen shrugged and went back to making their dinner. After a few seconds, she couldn't take it anymore and she stepped quietly to the doorway.
"I'd love for you to come visit. Tomorrow would be fine. No, I won't be too tired. Bring the babies, would you? Okay, thank you Trace, you're a dear. Bye-bye."
"Why's he coming over?" Kathleen propped herself against the doorframe.
"To visit." Gram had practically jumped when Kat spoke.
"You aren't trying to fix me up are you?" Kat jokingly shook her finger at the old lady.
"Not at all. Trace usually comes by once or twice a week for a chat, and he mows the yard. He's certainly easy to look at." Gram twinkled.
"I think you have a crush on him. How old is he? He might be too young for you." Kat laughed.
"He's about ten years older than you. Give or take. I think he's about thirty-seven. And all I'm saying is that he's easy on these old peepers."
The girls had their dinner and Kat helped Gram to the porch. The sun had set and a breeze had kicked up. It was much easier to breathe. Gram was content to swing, and Kat did a little more writing. She was ahead of schedule now, and she might even had some time for herself the next day. After the chapters were sent off, of course.
After helping Gram to bed, Kat grabbed a bottle of water and went to her room. She watched the news, then found an old black and white movie. She found herself wondering about this Trace character. He was either genuinely sweet, or he was getting in good with her grandma and planned to take advantage of her eventually. Gram was a pretty good judge though, so she figured he must be really that sweet. She drifted off to sleep wondering what he looked like.
When Kathleen woke up, it was a little before seven. She groaned and knew she was too awake to go back to sleep. Kathleen staggered out of bed and turned the air conditioner up a little. It was slightly chilly in the house. After starting the coffee, she cut up fruit and put it in a bowl for their breakfast. She stuck it in the fridge and poured herself some caffeine.
A few sips later she brushed her hair off her face and headed for the porch. Her laptop sat on the table by the door, but she lifted her lip at the thought of starting so early. In the distance she could hear the whir of a lawnmower.
She settled herself in the porch swing and used her toes to push off the old wooden planks. Sipping her coffee in the relative silence, Kat realized she missed the country more than she thought.
As a child and teenager she had spent a lot of time at this old farm. But the draw of a bustling city was too strong to be ignored. So after graduation, she headed off, leaving her country girl roots in the dust. She loved it all.. The people, the noise... just everything. Being older, she appreciated the quiet and the simplicity of the middle of no where.