Janice was opening her card case as Bill approached the fence protected property. "Put this into the card reader on the left side of the driveway." Janice said indicating a post about twenty feet before the gate.
As Bill slipped the card into the reader he asked Janice, "Have I just cooperated in my own kidnapping?"
"But of course," replied Janice, "I wanted to have you all to myself for two whole days."
"So you contrived this little trip to the seashore?" Bill said.
"I won't play that sort of game." Janice said tartly. "The situation about the storm damage is real. But I decided to take advantage of the opportunity."
"Thank you for your honesty, Janice." Bill replied, "I've been looking for an opportunity like this myself."
While they talked the gate had opened and now was closing. Bill was still holding the card so he inserted it into the reader a second time. The gate paused then reversed direction. Bill drove forward and stopped allowing the gate to close behind him. "Where do I park?"
"Around behind the house. There is a two car garage. I'll get out and trigger the opener from inside the kitchen."
"After I park shall I bring the bags in?" Bill asked.
"Yes, please. I'll start the fire to warm up the house."
"Okay." Bill said as Janice got out and walked to the kitchen door. Janice unlocked the door and entered the house. Lights came on in the kitchen and the garage door started to rise. Bill pulled into the garage noting that he would have room to raise the tailgate when the door was shut.
Bill shut down the ignition and doused his headlights. After exiting the SUV he walked to the rear scanning for the button to lower the door when he left. Not seeing one Bill raised the tailgate, pulled out the two overnight bags and shut the tailgate. Fingering his pocket Bill enabled the alarm system. Picking up the overnight bags he took them into the house.
While Bill was putting the SUV away Janice entered the living room and approaching the far wall bent down to ignite the fireplace. Through design and innovation the fireplace would have the house comfortably warm in fifteen minutes. Walking to the sliding glass doors Janice read the display to the right of the doors. Smiling she noted that the water in the pool was a comfortable seventy-two degrees. 'Just right for skinny dipping,' she thought to herself. Turning around at the sound of a door opening Janice said, "Bill, shall I make us a pot of coffee?"
"Sounds good to me." Bill replied, "While it's brewing we can do a preliminary walk-about to see if there is any obvious storm damage. Damn it, I didn't think to bring in the flashlights."
"Tsk, Tsk, Shame on you." Janice said with a giggle, "And the garage is so far away."
Bill walked to the counter where Janice was preparing the coffee. Trapping Janice between his arms Bill laid several light kisses to the side of her neck. "We left in such a rush that I didn't have a chance to give you a proper greeting."
"Allow me to turn around," Janice said as she felt the tingles course through her body, "and you can rectify that glaring omission."
Bill stepped back just far enough to let Janice pivot in place. One arm went around Janice's neck while the other snaked its way around her back. While Bill thoroughly kissed Janice's lips his arms tightened molding Janice into his body.
When Bill broke the kiss Janice laid her head on Bill's shoulder. "Wow! That kind of greeting I could get used to."
"Then I shall endeavor to properly greet you from this point on."
"Oh, please use discretion. I would feel uncomfortable if you did it in the mayor's office or at the apartment complex."
"So noted." Bill said, "Shall we perform our preliminary investigation for storm damage?" Slipping their coats Bill and Janice went out to the garage. Retrieving two flashlights Bill gave one to Janice indicating that she should lead the way.
"This thing is heavy." Janice said attempting to make small talk. She was trying to shake off the effects of Bill's kiss and embrace.
"Oh, these are MAG lights," Bill said sensing that Janice was in turmoil. "Over the years I have found that quality often times has long term benefits. For instance, I would probably purchase fifteen $3.98 flashlights during the time I have owned these MAG lights."
Both of them had been scanning for storm damage but neither had seen anything obvious. They had rounded the corner of the house when the stiff breeze was cut off.
"I didn't realize the wind had such a sting to it." Janice said, "Damn, that's not what I wanted to say but it's a start. Bill, thank you for being patient with me. Your hug and kiss knocked me for a loop. I still haven't recovered."
"You're welcome, Janice." Bill said with complete sincerity, "Can we continue this in a warmer climate? I'm afraid that I'm feeling the sting a bit too much."
"Yes, of course."
Walking quickly around the rest of the house Bill and Janice were soon back in the kitchen. They didn't remove their coats but went immediately to the fireplace. After several minutes they removed their coats which Janice hung in the entry closet.
"Janice would you get the meds bottle from the right breast pocket, please?"
"You're not β "
"No, I'm not." Bill said interrupting Janice, "In fact, for the past month I've been on a regular schedule."
"Oh Bill, I'm happy for you."
"But the VA wasn't so happy. They wanted to lower the dose. But when they saw the improved motion and reduced inflammation they were forced to leave the dosage at 30mg. They got even though. I now have blood work every six months for liver studies."
"Good on them and especially good on you." Janice said handing Bill the meds bottle.
"Would you like a cup of coffee as well."
"Maybe a shower after the coffee will take away the rest of the chill."
"That might be a good idea." Janice said as they walked over to the kitchen. Janice went to turn on the coffee she had prepared prior to their walk about so she could hide the Cheshire cat grin on her face. 'I couldn't have come with a better opening for getting that man into the pool', Janice said to herself.
Sitting at the table Bill took his meds and waited for Janice to return with the coffee. When she brought the coffee Bill said, "Do you come here often enough to get mail?"
"No, I don't. Why?"
"Well, there is an official looking envelope on the window sill that's addressed to you at this address."