Ana descended the stairs and went into the bathroom, taking another quick shower. Miles suggested that they shower apart – he said he was afraid that they'd never leave if they took another shower together. Ana carried her clothes down, the green gauze dress and dark green lace bra and underpants. After she was done in the shower, she found a hairdryer on the towel rack. Miles came in as she was drying her hair. He liked the way the outline of the lace bra showed under the lighter colored dress. He also noticed the button front on the dress, and looked forward to taking it off, button by button, later that night.
"I'm sorry to rinse off the smell of Ana," he said as he went into the shower. "But I broke a sweat. I'd feel self conscious if I didn't clean up." He started the shower and opened the door. Ana finished drying her hair. She left it full and wavy.
"I'm going to get my makeup." She said.
"You don't need any," said Miles. "You're beautiful no matter what!"
"Flattery," she said smiling. "But, it's working." She went out of the bathroom and found her cosmetic case. She applied a light amount of blush, a small touch of eye shadow in the outer corners of her eyes, and a slight amount of mascara. She found a sheer lipstick and applied it. Miles was out of the shower and running the blow dryer. Ana put her shoes on. Miles came out of the bathroom, dry and naked.
"I hope you don't mind this. It's a habit. I like to hang around like this, at least when its warm out."
"No, not at all. In fact, I like to do the same, when I'm alone."
"Much more fun when you're not alone!"
Ana laughed.
"If you're all ready, you can go on out. I mean, if you're afraid that it's obvious, or whatever."
"More like you don't want Miss reporter to see you with another woman," she said, with some humor in her voice.
"I doubt it. In fact, anything that makes her more likely to leave, is, well, better than anything that makes her more likely to stay!" He looked serious. "Ana, really, that is just business. I don't want you to think for a minute that I care for any woman in the world but you. Cassy Combs could come in here stark naked, and I couldn't stop looking at you."
Ana raised her eyebrows. "Really?"
"Well, Ok. I 'd at least look at her. But not for long. Don't tell anyone this, but she's really not my type."
"What is your type?"
"Um. Hard to describe." He looked up and down Ana. "Or maybe not. About 5'6", reddish hair, long lean body with nice breasts". He leaned forward and touched them. "Intelligent, articulate, and capable of hard work." He leaned back and looked her over, top to bottom. "I'd say you're it. One of a kind." He looked at her, questioning. "So, Ana. I've done it. Define your type. Let me help….successful, clean cut, corporate type…"
"Miles, that's not fair."
"So, enlighten me. I'd bet you never imagined yourself with me."
"But I didn't really know you."
"Know me? Or know what I used to be?" He had a serious, questioning look on his face. "Come on, Ana, tell me."
"The truth? Miles, I didn't care where you came from or what you were running from. "
He raised his eyebrows.
"Believe me, Uncle Chester keyed me into the fact that you had some sort of 'mysterious' past. He also warned me the weekend before I laid eyes on you that you were a lady killer of sorts. And, while I might have been curious, I certainly didn't have any interest based on that. Besides, there was still Greg." She remembered that she hadn't yet told Miles that she had broken up with Greg. "But, Miles what I found attractive wasn't what I expected. I mean, it wasn't that you were dangerous, or mysterious, it was that you had so much love and passion for what you did. " She looked at him. "It didn't hurt that you seemed to find me attractive, too."
"I did. And still do." He kissed her on the check. "Again, no more serious talk. Including amateur analysis. I'm going to get dressed. Why don't you go out and wander around? The music starts at five – it's a couple of minutes to. And, please let Jimmy know I'm on my way. You should see him around the grill somewhere."
Ana nodded. "I'll see you soon." Miles smiled. "You bet. You're not getting away from me for at least the next 24 hours. Maybe longer!"
Ana walked out of Miles' front door. She didn't see anyone near, but could see that the parking lot was filling up with cars. And she heard the sounds of guitars tuning up over a loud speaker system. She could hear an amplified voice saying, 'testing, testing.' She headed toward the main winery building, intending to cut over to the stage. As she approached, she thought she saw a familiar looking person. It couldn't be, she thought to herself. As Ana approached, a blond curly haired figure in a floral print dress happened to turn and look her way.
"Surprise!" said Mary Pringle. She was flanked by figures Ana soon recognized – Veronica and Chris, with Alicia holding her mother's hand.
Ana couldn't suppress a grin. "You guys had to come and check up on me, didn't you?"
Mary laughed. "Vern and I made our reservations the other night. We decided no matter what, we needed to check this place, especially this Miles person out. Where is he, by the way?"
Before she thought about it, Ana replied "He's getting dressed." Vern and Mary looked at each other making some encouraging sounds. Chris looked as if he wished he wasn't there. Noting this, Veronica said," Why don't you take Alicia over there where the music is. Then we can have a few minutes of girl talk." Chris looked thankful and took Alicia's hand. "Come with Daddy, sweetheart"
As soon as they were out of earshot, Veronica started. "So, what happened? Did he show up? Did he spend the night? What about today? What happened today? What do you mean 'he's getting dressed?'"
Ana smiled. She was glad to see her friends. In some way, their' presence made the whole situation seem more real. And, she would value their impressions of Miles. She was afraid that she was being swept away by the physical and the emotional parts of her being, without using her logic or intellect.
"Lets just say that after some initial obstacles, we got along well. And still are."
Mary looked at Ana closely. "I'd say you got along within the past hour, judging from the glow." Ana couldn't hide a little grin. "So, when do we get to meet Mr. Wonderful in person?"
Before Ana could respond, another person joined their group.
"Hey, I know you. I took your picture a couple of times today." It was Manny, minus his rolling bag, but with two cameras strapped around his neck. "We haven't officially met. I'm Manny. And you are…" Manny extended his hand toward Ana's, but his eyes lit on Mary Pringle and stuck.
"Ana . " Noting Manny's focus, she gestured toward her friends. "Veronica. And Mary."
Manny grinned. "Hi, Mary. And Veronica. I work for the Messenger. Photographer, features section. I'm here with Cassy Combs. We're profiling the winery for this Wednesday's food section." Manny, for a change sounded serious. Ana noticed that he had changed his clothes. He had traded the tee shirt and nylon pants for a light weight sweater, and cuffed dress pants, also black. The combat boots had been exchanged for a pair of square toed black lace up shoes.
Ana looked around for Cassy but didn't see her. She tried to sound nonchalont. "So, you're staying around for awhile?"
"Yeah. Me and the, …I mean me and Cassy took rooms down the road at some bed and breakfast place." Manny sounded like himself again. Realizing this, he went back into the serious voice. " Cassy and I always travel prepared to spend the night when we leave town. Just in case the story warrants it." He couldn't help himself and became Manny again. "And, the…, I mean Cassy wants to party tonight!" He laughed and looked back at Mary. Mary noticed that this somewhat strange looking young man seemed to be interested in her. She wasn't sure what to make of it, but she dreaded the prospect of being a fifth wheel with Vern and Chris, Ana and Miles. What the hey, she thought. No ring. He must be single. And, hopefully college educated, if he's a photographer for the paper.
"What kind of cameras do you have there?" Mary asked Manny.
"Do you like photography? " he asked her back. "I've got a shit load of stuff with me." He looked up. "Sorry. You know, in the newspaper business, you tend to pick up some bad language."
"I bet," said Mary. "You can't fool me. I'm a teacher. I've heard it all."
Seeing his surprised expression, she added. "And used it all. What do you think teachers' say to each other, when they're in the teachers' lounge? All we do is smoke and cuss." Manny looked relieved. "Come on. I'll give you a demo. Then I'll take your picture." Mary started off with Manny, walking toward the parking lot. "Don't worry about me, girls. I'll be back before its time to eat!"
Manny and Mary passed Cassy, who had just arrived. She, too had cleaned up and changed. She was wearing a tightly fitted red dress and carrying a red fringed shawl. She had the same turquoise and red shoes and hand bag. "Have you seen Brandon?" Cassy asked Manny. She glanced at Mary Pringle but didn't say anything to her. Manny shook his head. "What about Miles?"
"Nope," said Manny. But his friend's over there." He pointed back toward Ana. Cassy walked past without another word.
"Tell me, Manny," said Mary, "what is it you really call her? The..?"
Manny started laughing. "You can guess," he said.
Cassy Combs tried to decide if she wanted to approach Ana. She had a feeling that Ana would know where to find Miles, but she didn't particularly want to defer to Ana. She enjoyed her ability to control things, at least temporarily. She was spared any further deliberation by the approach of Miles. He had cleaned up, too, she noticed, his hair still damp, he was wearing loose khaki slacks and an off white button down shirt decorated with the Creek Valley Winery logo.
