Pulling into the Austin Airport parking lot, Hank slides out hitting the power locks and makes his way to the main entrance. Still not used to the fact that the novel he and a writing friend collaborated on had done so well. Now he was here in Austin to attend some award ceremonies given by the state of Texas for Best novel, authored or coauthored by a Texan. Although it is a regional award and relatively small it will still look good on their cover sheets.
Hank stopped and glanced at himself in a glass pane. He noted the way his long dark brown hair seemed to contrast against his greying full beard. He had always liked his dark-brown eyes that were so dark that at times they appeared black. Then his eyes traveled to his beer gut. No matter how hard he tried, he had never been able to get rid of it. So one day he decided to just live with it.
Though he had never met her before in person his collaborator's plane had yet to arrive. Turning on his heel, he strode over to the information desk and quickly scanned the arrivals and departures list. Piedmont from Raleigh-Durham is due to arrive in . . . a quick glance at his watch . . . about 15 minutes. Noting the gate number, he headed toward Hannah's gate. Excitement built inside him and steadily grew as the time of her arrival grew nearer.
Hannah grew nervous as the plane began its decent. She was arriving in Austin to attend an award ceremony for Best Novel written or co-authored by a Texan. Hannah was surprised when Hank informed her of the award. It was small, but would look good on their resume.
Though Hannah and Hank had worked together furiously over the past year to complete the novel, Hannah was beside herself with worry. Hannah had chosen her outfit careful, totally unaware that she wanted Hank to take notice of her. The black dress with the flared skirt and low neckline emphasized her small curvaceous figure. The small delicate neck chain brought notice to her cleavage. Hannah wore a pair of sandals upon her feet. She was going to make as much of this trip as possible since she had combined her vacation with it.
The plane landed, Hannah had butterflies in her stomach. She tossed her head back, then brought it forward quickly. Her copper colored hair floated about her, giving her that just fucked look. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her briefcase and her carry on bag. Hannah didn't take much in the way of clothing on this trip, she figured if she needed anything more she could purchase it. Her briefcase contained the novel that they had written, pens, pencils and writing tablets just in case she discovered a good story line. Hannah wished she had a laptop but all she had was her computer and that was much too awkward to lug back and forth on a plane
Hank looked and saw a Piedmont Jet nearing the off ramp. That has to be her, he thought as his heart leapt. He was surprised at himself for being so excited. He felt as if he were going on a blind date rather than meeting someone he had gotten to know intimately while working on the story. Soon the passengers started flowing out of the gangway.
Hank had sent Hannah pictures during the year they had been corroborating. She hoped she wouldn't have difficulty in finding him in an airport this size. She couldn't wait to meet him, though you wouldn't know it by the flipping of her stomach. Hannah entered the airport, eyes scanning the crowd waiting for the passengers as they filed off. Blue eyes settled upon Hank, his long dark hair, the full graying beard, Hannah couldn't have missed him for the world. His black shirt and blue jeans contrasted nicely with the cowboy boots upon his feet. His black Stetson was incredible.
Then he saw her. He noticed her copper colored hair and blue eyes from the photo that she had sent him. Recognizing him, she waves frantically at him, her whole face lighting up with her smile. Hastily she pushes through the crowd and rushes toward him. As she approaches him, she drops her bag and encircles his neck in a hearty welcome hug. Hank returns her hug as the initial surprise wears off.
"Well it is about time," she whispered in his ear. Her breath was warm as a summer breeze against his flushed flesh.
"Howdy, how was the trip in?" Hank asked.
"Smooth, though had some turbulence early on it passed quickly enough," Hannah said as she removed her arms from about his neck, straightening herself up.
Hank had hoped but never dreamed, their first meeting, would happen the way it just did. His heart was racing when they finally stepped back from her embrace.
Tearing his eyes from the bottom hem of her skirt that barely concealing the soft curvature of her bottom and looking at the bag she dropped, he asked, "Is that all the luggage you brought or do you have another bag we need to pick up. I took the liberty of booking us adjoining rooms. I hope you don't mind."
"This is all the luggage I brought with me I figured anything else I would need I would buy here. I am a tourist you know, and I plan to have something Texan to take home with me."
"So you didn't bring anything to write on?"
"No, I didn't, all I have is my desktop at home. I figured if the urge hit me I could do it the old fashion way with pen and paper."
"OK so what first, Hotel, or sightseeing?"
"Well let's go get settled into the rooms then we can go from there."
"OK you are probably tired from your trip."
Hank took Hannah by her elbow and expertly guided her through the airport to the parking garage. There, at his pickup he turned and looked at her. Hannah smiled rather shyly.
"You are beautiful," Hank said.
"Aw shucks bet you say that to all the girls," Hannah chided.
Hank chortled as he tossed her bag into the back of the pickup. He opened the door and helped Hannah inside.
Hank slipped in beside her through the driver's side, as he did his thigh accidentally brushed against her thigh. She warmed to the touch.
Hank started the pickup the roar of the engine filled their ears momentarily. Hank turned on the radio some nice mellow country and western music filled the cab. Hannah settled back, her eyes darting to Hank absorbing his features. The ride to the hotel was filled with good conversation and laughter. Hannah was feeling pretty good about this trip. Hank's looks and demeanor were working on her. Her thighs were growing moist.
Once they reached the hotel, Hank took Hannah's bag as Hannah checked in. He dropped her bag on her bed once they reached the hotel rooms, Hannah had to chuckle as she discovered the rooms were indeed adjoining. She wondered if Hank had planned this, it left an aura of mystery to the trip. Hank excused himself and left for his room leaving Hannah to freshen up. Jumping into the shower, Hannah couldn't keep her mind off Hank. He had a wonderful beer gut. Hannah blushed as she wondered how comfy it would be to rest her head against it.
While Hannah checked into her room, Hank went to his room to give her time to freshen up and retrieve a small surprise he had bought for her.
Hank returned for her an hour later, with a small package in his hand. When Hannah arrived at her door Hank handed her a wrapped package, about the size of a large box of chocolates, which she took and looked up at him, her blue eyes danced with mirth.
"Chocolates for me?"
"Not exactly," he commented grinning ear to ear and his face suddenly filled with a soft reddish hue.
"Then what is it?"
" You'll have to open it to find that out 'cause I ain't sayin'."
Quickly she unwrapped the box to reveal a laptop computer.
"Awww I was hoping for some chocolates," She said in mock disappointment. Then stepped up and gave him his second hug and a light kiss on the cheek. "You shouldn't have bought me anything this expensive."
"Well I picked it and its twin up at the Dallas swap meet. Paid one low price for both of them and the seller wouldn't let me buy just one. So . . . "
"Well it is just what I have always wanted. "Thank you, it is just perfect!" she said.
"Me too now I can go out in the woods and write my stories."
"I was thinking the same thing."
"Yeah seems like mother nature just gets the old creative juices flowing. So what now? Do you need to rest or what?"
"Well right now I am famished I really need something to eat."
"Ok what are you hungry for?"
"I want something Texan."
"Ok Chile or better yet let me introduce you to the famous Texas Chicken Fried Steak."
"Chicken Fried Steak?"
"It's a beef flank steak tenderized till it melts in your mouth and covered with cream gravy served with fries and a salad. It's delicious you will love it."
"OK you've convinced me. Okay, take me, I am yours!" said Hannah impishly.
Hank's loin jumped at that thought. His!? Hmm how wonderful that sounded. He recovered quickly and led Hannah to the elevator, then out to the pickup, once again helping her inside the cab.
"Let's get on the Internet and see if I can find a nice place to eat chicken fried steak in this town."
Not finding anything on the web that specialized in Chicken Fried Steaks, Hank decides to go to a restaurant that he had tried once before while in Austin. The steak was good, although not the best Hank had ever eaten, Hannah thought it was terrific.
Dinner was relaxing, getting to know Hank was better than Hannah could have thought. The night was wonderful and as dinner came to a close, she hoped it wouldn't end so soon.
They decided to take in the sites of the Famous Austin's Sixth Street. After a few hours of going from one restaurant/bar to another and seeing all the different theme shops, until they decided it was enough for one day. Heading back to the hotel, Hannah sported a new western outfit complete with boots and hat. Seeing it was about sunset as they pulled into the parking lot. Hank announced he was going to pull out his laptop computer, go watch the sunset and try to get a little writing done. Hannah decided to go to her room for a bit.
Hank went in and retrieved his laptop, which had been charging up, then headed out to a nice oak tree that over looked a jutting point. From his vantage point he could look out over the water and see the setting sun as it slowly slid down the clear Texas sky bringing it alive with glowing reds, ambers and oranges. The evening air was cool as a breeze started to blow in from the lake. The sounds of roosting birds and lapping waves seem to cast a spell of tranquility upon the landscape, which slowly sank into Hanks bones and opened up his creativity. Unlocking the laptop's screen he flips it back on turns it on the screen springs to live and he starts the word Processor. Sitting back, he decides to write a scene much like he was experiencing.
Hannah cleaned up, and made a few phone calls. She paused by the window. Hank was resting against an oak tree that overlooked a jutting point of the lake. The sunset was exquisite, an array of reds, oranges and yellows played along the skyline. Hannah quickly grabbed her laptop and went to join Hank. He must have been so absorbed in the sunset and his writing that he never heard her come up behind him.
After typing a few paragraphs, Hank became aware of a stirring beside him. So lost in the story and the scenery he hadn't noticed Hannah had came out with her laptop and now set next to him drinking in the same experiences as Hank. It wasn't long until Hannah broke the silence.
"This is such a lovely way to spend a sunset isn't it?"
"Well I for one can do this for a while that's for certain."
"The peace kind of makes me drowsy, I guess I am more tired than I realized from the flight and all. Do you mind if I just lay my head upon your shoulder for a bit?"
