CHAPTER 8

Lucy pulled two towels out of the linen closet and I got the next shock of the morning when she began to dry my body. A simple expression on her face told me that I was expected to dry her. "Hell," I thought, "why not?" We were soon dry and back in the bedroom.

I was almost dressed when I told her, "I think I'd better buy some shirts and slacks and maybe a decent pair of shoes or sneakers. All I have are uniforms."

"I kind of like you in a uniform. It suits you." Then she sealed the deal with another kiss. We walked to the kitchen, detouring briefly to let Max out. Rain was still falling, but not quite as hard as it had the prior two days. I dried him with the towel once he was back then we walked into the kitchen where Lucy greeted me with a mug of hot coffee—black and strong, just the way I liked it.

We had another great breakfast—French toast and sausage patties. I handled the dishes while Lucy changed the bed linens. We hung out a while before I drove her to the diner. She left me with a kiss that lingered for almost a minute then she petted Max and exited the SUV. She waved at the diner's door and I waved back before backing out of the parking space and driving off the lot. A few minutes later I stopped at a no-name gas station, charging the gas on my personal credit card. I'd charge the gas to the government once I was headed home again.

I drove into town and turned left at the city center, parking on the street at a men's store I had seen in my explorations. I opened the car door for Max and together we walked into the store. I was sure the owner was going to bitch about a dog in his store, but one look at my U.S. MARSHAL shirt and another at the determination in my face closed his mouth in a hurry. I led Max to a corner of the large room and told him to lie down. Then I opened my belt and let the pistol, baton, and handcuffs fall to the floor. Max put his head down on top of them, exactly as I had taught him. Knowing that my weapons were secure I addressed the store owner.

"I need some clothes—a couple of pairs of decent slacks and a few shirts, at least. I'd also like a sports jacket if you think you'll have something that would fit me. Some matching socks would help and I see that you also sell shoes. What do you have in 14EE?"

He came and carefully measured my chest and waist, keeping an eye on Max the whole time even as Max kept an eye on him. He finished by measuring my inseam. "Hmmm, do you have difficulty buying clothes, Mr. Cahill? You have an extremely muscular body."

Somehow he knew my name--from the folks at the diner, I assumed. "Not in a big city where there are quality men's stores," I replied.

"Well, we may not be a big city, but I can attest to the quality of my goods. Perhaps you'd like a sports jacket, as well. I can tailor it to fit you perfectly. Who knows, you may want to take Miss Lucille to a fancy restaurant like Carter's or even to the theater." Damn, but this guy knew an awful lot about me and my business.

"Let's start with the basics first and then we can talk about the others." He nodded and walked to a rack of shirts and then to another of slacks, motioning me to a dressing room once he had four of each. I tried on the slacks first, surprised that he had my size—36-35—waist 36 inches and inseam 35 inches. Surprisingly, they fit me well. I selected one pair of tan and another light gray before trying on several lightweight shirts. They were made of an elastic material that promised to wick perspiration away from the wearer's body. I liked three of the four so I kept them. Dressed again in my uniform I laid the clothes on the counter.

"Good choices, Marshal; why don't we try on a few jackets now? You'll need a size 52 Extra Long because of your muscular chest and back, but I'm sure it will need alterations because of your relatively small waist." I found a nice one that I liked—mauve with silver plated buttons. It was a trifle snug, but I was promised that it would be altered for free and that it would be done by tomorrow afternoon. I walked out the door almost two hours later with my arms full and my wallet empty. I had spent almost $1,000 on my new wardrobe. I justified the expense by telling myself that I wanted to look good for Lucy.

Max and I walked into what was now our table at the diner at 1:30 on the dot. Lucy was busy with a customer so Amy, who was by now our official waitress, brought my menu as soon as Max had made himself comfortable in the booth. "I don't know what's going on with you and Lucille, but I've never seen her so happy."

"I think it must be the rain," I said jokingly, actually laughing when Amy looked totally confused. I ordered a cheese steak sub and a Coke then I sat back to check out the people in the diner. This was something I always did, but—not surprisingly—I saw nothing even remotely suspicious. I had just finished my inspection when Lucy slid into the booth with me. Max bounced up so she could pet him. He really was just a big baby when not on duty.

"Did you get everything you wanted?"

"Yeah, I went to George's. Do you know where that is?"

Lucy laughed before answering, "Of course, remember that I've lived here all my life. I know George, too—have for years. I'm leaving early this afternoon. The rain is supposed to stop soon. I'd like to show you around while it's sunny for a change. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, I think that's a great idea. You can show me where all the kids go to make out."

She leaned over to whisper in my ear. "I can show you, but I think we're a bit beyond that, aren't we? I much prefer a nice comfortable bed over a back seat every time." My response was to kiss her cheek. Amy brought my lunch then and Lucy excused herself to deal with some customers. I ate the overstuffed sub, wondering if Lucy had told the cook to give me double. It was a great sandwich. I paid with my MasterCard, adding a tip, just as Lucy walked out of the kitchen to join me. We held hands as we walked out to the SUV.

She directed me through the town to a high point overlooking a beautiful pristine lake. I parked and stopped the car as we looked out the front window at the incredible sight before us. Lucy leaned across the console to kiss me. Her eyes were closed, but I swore I could still see all the way into her core. She broke the kiss a few seconds later to tentatively ask me, "Do you like me, Matt? I mean…really like me? I know you like fucking me, but…."

"I've never fucked you, Lucy. I have made love with you a few times, but I doubt that I would ever fuck you. Do I like you? No…I'd say it's a lot more than that. I can't say that I'm in love with you because we haven't known each other long enough, but I could fall for you in a heartbeat. I do have one question for you, though. When I went to George's this morning he knew just about everything about us. Do you have any idea why?"

She smiled and leaned up to kiss my cheek. "When I introduced myself to you I never mentioned my surname."

"What difference does it make? You are who you are regardless of your name."

"It would matter in this case, Matt. My name is Lucille Ann Bascomb."

"You mean like Bascomb in Bascomb's Creek and Bascomb's Landing?"

"Yes, it was my great grandfather who first settled here and founded the town. I didn't mention it because I wanted you to get to know me for who I am, not who I'm related to. I also misled you about the diner. I do own it, but—I'm not sure how to say this."

"Just tell me the truth."

"Okay, I'm a graduate of University of Tennessee and I have an MBA from Haslam, the Business School. All of that was so I could take over the family businesses when my dad decides to retire."

"Businesses…as in more than one?"

"Yes, Matt, I'm sorry if I deceived you, but I couldn't anticipate what has happened between us. I'm glad you feel the way you do, because I'm falling for you big time. I'm usually so level headed, but all I want to do is hold you and kiss you and make beautiful love with you."

I was chuckling when I asked, "Is that so bad?" Then I looked into her eyes and I knew. We had a big future ahead of us.