A Few Flowers Part 14

Troy shrugged his shoulders again. Ho, ho, ho, he said lamely.

Cindy hopped up onto the forklift, which was parked neatly against the wall, tucked her skirt beneath her, then started the motor. Her hair streamed back as she drove, her full skirt flowed around the seat, and even wearing high heels, she worked the pedals with ease.

Monty watched intently as she drove through the warehouse, likewise Robert, Troy, and the truck driver. First she headed toward two pallets stowed in the loading bay. Maneuvering the forks underneath the pallet, she threw the levers into place, lifted the stock, and slowly drove the forklift in reverse to the trailer parked in the loading door. Efficiently, she spun the forklift around and inched forward, poking her head out to the side to see where she was going from behind the merchandise. The hydraulic lifters reverberated, followed by the revving of the forklift motor. The trailer shook with a slight b.u.mp as she pushed the load into place.

Driving in reverse on the forklift, she exited the trailer and headed back into the warehouse for more product.

No one in accounting is going to believe this, Robert mumbled to no one in particular.

Troy nodded but said nothing.

Monty hung his cane on his arm, leaned against the wall, and watched Cindy handle the forklift expertly, his attention riveted. Upon completion of her task, she returned the forklift to the designated area and pa.s.sed the copies of the bill of lading to the truck driver to sign. When the paperwork was done, he drove away.

They rode up the elevator in uncomfortable silence. Robert briefly thanked Cindy, but Cindy only mumbled a response and stared intently at the b.u.t.ton panel. Monty didnt dare say anything, because by all rights, he shouldnt have been there in the first place.

Cindy continued her work without saying a word, and Monty followed Robert back into his office, where they completed the final details of his alleged reason for coming. Fortunately, Cindy had not yet completed her task, allowing Monty the opportunity he sought.

Taking a guess that Robert would stay until Cindy was finished, Monty remained in Roberts office making small talk, although he hated aimless chitchat. By the time Cindy rapped on the door, hed had more than enough meaningless chatter.

Her movements were stiff and abrupt as she waited for Roberts final signatures, then left Roberts office. He excused himself and made his way to her desk to witness her ramming everything haphazardly into the drawers and slamming them shut.

Hi, he said, as if she didnt know he was there.

Hi, she mumbled back as she grabbed her purse.

Got plans?

Uh, well, sort of, I dont know, uh, not really. No. Her voice dropped to a mumble. But Im really tired, and I want to go to bed early.

If youre tired, Id like to treat you to dinner. Its late, and you must be starving. This way you wont have to cook or clean up.

He forced himself to smile and then spoke before she had the chance to turn him down. I want to know why youve been avoiding me. I promise if you dont want to see me again, I wont bother you after today, but I have to know.

Its nothing youve done. Its just that. . .well. . .

Monty couldnt stand it anymore. He gently grabbed her hand to stop her from fumbling with everything she could possibly lay her hands on. Please, Cindy. I dont want it to end this way.

She stared down at his hand holding hers, then up to his face and past his shoulder, where he knew Robert was surely watching, but he didnt care.

All right. But Id rather not go out. Id rather go home and order pizza or something.

As long as it was an invitation, he didnt care where they went or what they ate, and the privacy of her home was by far the best setting.

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Sure. Ill meet you there.

Cindys hands shook so hard she could barely get a proper grip on the steering wheel. She nearly dropped her house key when she let herself in. No sooner had she opened the door, when the low hum of Montys car sounded from the street, then went silent.

The entire drive home she hadnt been able to think. Her mind was still completely blank. She had no idea what she would say to him.

Montys flowing baritone voice sounded from behind her. Hi.

You made it. Cindy smiled inanely. If she came up with any more equally intelligent statements, he wouldnt want to see her again anyway.

Yeah.

Since he was leaning heavily on the cane for support, she moved out of the way to let him pa.s.s first. However, instead of continuing into the living room, he deposited the cane behind him and leaned one hip against the wall as he cupped her chin with both hands, forcing eye contact. She couldnt have looked away had she wanted to. His dark brown eyes radiated what she could only think of as sadness and regret.

Montys voice came out low and raspy, doing strange things to her insides. I was going to ask if you wanted to eat first or talk first, but youre so jumpy, I think we should just get it over with. What do you think?

Cindy nodded dumbly. His hands were warm and his touch tender and gentle as he brushed her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. She couldnt help herself as her eyes drifted shut and she let herself sag. His hands drifted down from her cheeks to her shoulders, and she allowed him to pull her closer until they were pressed close together and his arms locked around her. Briefly it registered that he was no longer leaning on the wall, but his unsteady stance indicated he was only standing unsupported by balancing most of his weight on one leg. With this in mind, Cindy slipped her hands to his waist, then up his back to hold him tighter, trying to tell herself that she was only helping to support him.

As she did so, he brushed his mouth against her cheek, then her ear, then buried his face in her hair. She nearly melted at the intimate contact.

She needed this moment, the first time hed held her as she needed him to hold her, but this must also be the last time. She tried to burn into her memory everything about him. His touch. His strength. His gentleness. The almost desperate way he clung to her. She wanted to remember this moment forever.

Yet, no matter how much she enjoyed his touch, as if she hadnt already given him the wrong idea by returning his embrace, Cindy knew she had to tell him quickly what she had to say, while she still had the strength to do so.

He didnt release her as she started to speak. I cant see you again, she whispered.

He stiffened, then tightened his embrace. Why not? He nuzzled into her hair.

The man didnt play fair. Im no angel, Monty.

I know youre not.

She could feel him trailing light kisses along the crook of her neck. She started to tremble. No, you dont understand. Not in the endearment way. I mean Im not a real angel. Im not even close.

I know that. Youre not a man. He brushed his lips against her throat, then his warm, moist kisses moved upward to her ear as his hands caressed her back.

Cindy thought her knees would give out. She was trying to tell him something, and he was getting her all confused. It was coming out all wrong. A. . . a. . .man? she mumbled.

Angels always appear as men. At least they do in the Bible.

She couldnt think with him nibbling on her ear. Thats not what I meant.

His soft chuckle banished the last semicoherent thought she had. Okay, he mumbled in her ear.

She couldnt have opened her eyes if her life depended on it. I mean Im nowhere close to an angel in any way.

Good, because Im going to kiss you now as a woman, the way Ive wanted to kiss you for a long time. His mouth moved slowly from her ear to her cheek, nibbling short kisses. By the time his mouth reached hers, her lips were parted and waiting. He gave her the sweetest kiss she could ever hope for, loving, tender, and pa.s.sionate at the same time. And she returned his kiss with all the love in her heart.

Slowly, he pulled away just a little, then started to speak with his lips still brushing hers. Cindy, I"

Outside a car door slammed, then another. Erins screech was followed by Troys playful growl, and Cindy could hear footsteps running up the stairs.

Monty mumbled something under his breath she wasnt sure she wanted to hear. Then, he pulled back. History repeats itself, he grumbled as he used both hands to swipe his hair back. He started to straighten his tie just as Erin burst through the door.

Erins feet skidded to a halt. Cindy. Monty. We didnt know youd be here.

Cindy drew in a deep, composing breath. We didnt know youd be here, either, so were even.

Troy showed up behind Erin, then he also stopped dead in his tracks. He looked down at Monty leaning on the cane but said nothing. Cindy narrowed her eyes and glared at him as a warning to behave more civilly to Monty than the last time their paths crossed. We were about to order pizza for dinner. Care to join us?

Troy smiled. Sure, we havent eaten yet either. Sounds like a good idea.

She walked into the living room with Monty close behind. I hope you dont mind, she whispered over her shoulder.

No, I dont mind, he said, but he sighed like he did.

She knew she was stalling, but since he had gotten her so rattled, she needed more time to explain herself. She hadnt exactly done a good job on her first attempt.

Troy and Erin got comfy on the love seat, but when Cindy sat on the large couch, instead of sitting on the other end, Monty sat beside her, then grasped her hand. She felt the heat rise on her face, but rather than make a scene in front of Erin and Troy, she didnt protest.

Norburn owes you a big one, Cindy, Troy said, thankfully breaking the awkward silence. You really saved his bacon today.

I guess.

Sorry to do that to you with no warning, but I didnt have any other option.

I know.

Monty gave her hand another gentle squeeze. You drove that forklift like an expert. I was impressed.

The heat in her face rose again. Thank you, but its been awhile since Ive done it, obviously. So, what kind of pizza does everyone want?

After the pizza was ordered, the conversation turned to general conversation and more of Erins bad jokes, giving Cindy a chance to regroup her thoughts. Monty insisted on paying when it arrived, which prompted Troy to say that next time was his turn. Although unexpected, Cindy enjoyed the new, more pleasant interaction between the two of them.

Like typical men, their conversation drifted to work, and when Monty mentioned that his latest computer game was selling well, Troys face lit up like a Christmas tree.

Games? You make computer games? What kind of games? Got any on you?

She felt Monty flinch. He didnt let go of her hand, but patted his breast pocket with the other. Well, I do, but its a beta version. I have a few more tests and trials to run and a few more revisions to do before I can market it.

I can test it for you on Erins computer.

Erin poked Troy in the ribs, but Troy ignored her. Monty turned to Cindy as if asking permission. Cindy shrugged her shoulders. She had no idea if Monty could fixate on a game like she knew Troy could, but if nothing else, she was relieved to see the two men getting along for a change. Not that it mattered. Soon the only time she would see Monty would be when he came to see Robert.

Monty pulled a pile of disks out of his pocket. Its called Princes Perils. I guess I can install it for you.

Cindy knotted her brows as she tried to think. She didnt know anything about computer games, but she remembered hearing that name before.

Troy bolted into the den while Monty made his way more slowly. He installed the game for Troy while explaining the general theme. The Prince had to win many battles against the Evil Overlord, each level becoming more difficult, in order to save the Princess, who was being kept prisoner. After setting the options menu, he returned his gla.s.ses to his pocket and pushed himself up to trade places with Troy.

All Troys attention focused intently on the game as he started to play. Cindy took the opportunity to lean forward and get a closer look at the characters. The dark-haired handsome prince was considerably shorter than the tall blond evil villain, and she imagined it to be somewhat like a medieval David and Goliath. She watched the back of Troys blond head, then glanced beside her to Montys nearly black hair. Standing next to Monty, at eye level, she calculated the height difference between Monty and Troy.

Then it came to her. On the day she used his phone when he wasnt in his office, he had a pile of disks sitting on his desk. The words Trashing Troy had been crossed out, and the new t.i.tle, Princes Perils had been neatly printed beneath.

Monty! she whispered in his ear as she watched Troy blow himself up onscreen. What have you done!?

I couldnt help myself, he whispered back as he again grasped her hand. It came to me in a stroke of genius.

Troy once more did battle with himself. This level of the contest saw the evil villain eaten by a fire-breathing monster. Troy bit the big one, again.

I kinda like it, Monty whispered. You must admit, it gets you right here. He raised his free hand to press his loosely closed fist against his heart. Wait till you see the Princess. He quirked one eyebrow.

Cindy wasnt sure she wanted to know. How long does this go on?

Monty checked his watch. That depends. He seems pretty good at these games, although hes got the trial version, and I set it to the lowest degree of difficulty.

Dont I get a turn? Erin whined. Its my computer.

In changing places, they missed a window of opportunity, making Prince Monty lose a little ground, which Cindy thought rather poetic justice.

Cindy didnt want to watch Erin take a turn at blowing up the onscreen Troy. Im going back to the living room. Anyone care to join me? Both Troy and Erin shook their heads, then squealed with glee as the onscreen Evil Troy disappeared over the edge of a cliff, accompanied by an echoing thud. Cindy gave Montys hand a gentle tug to pointedly encourage him to leave the room.

As they sat side by side on the couch, Monty attempted to grasp both her hands in his. She yanked her hands away and shuffled a few inches away from him. Dont touch me. We have to talk.

He sighed loudly and dragged one palm down his face, then pushed his hair back and off his forehead. Look, if its about the game, I know my att.i.tude when I started it wasnt exactly the best, but Ive already planned to donate all the profits to the church. I guess I got carried away.

Thats not what I meant. We have to talk. She sighed, then stiffened her back. About us.

Oh.

Were not suited, you and I, Monty.

I think we are, and you know it.

Monty, look at you, she mumbled. Youre upwardly mobile, a businessman on the road to success.

Yeah. So?

Before this I was a forklift operator. I just lucked into this job. Cindy clasped her hands together and folded them in her lap. As if it wasnt bad enough that Ive heard Roberts been bragging about me, now when everyone finds out that Roberts super secretary is really a forklift operator, h.e.l.l be so embarra.s.sed, h.e.l.l make things unbearable for me until Ill want to quit.

She flinched when Montys hands covered her own, then closed with a gentle squeeze. No, the opposite will happen. Everyone will be so impressed that you went above and beyond the call of duty, youll be even more valuable than you already are.

She raised her eyes, meeting his gaze. No, Monty, you dont understand those people. Troy knows what theyre like. When I first started the job, he warned me not to let Robert find out what I did. At first I didnt believe it, but the more I saw and heard, the more I knew he was right. I could be looking for another job very soon. I planned on going back to school at night in September, but if Im without a job, I wont be able to do that, either.

He shook his head and squeezed her hands again. No. This time Troy is wrong. You heard him. He said you saved their biggest account. Robert was really impressed. I was standing beside him. Youll see.

Cindy shook her head, but said nothing.

Now Id like to hear whats really bothering you. I cant sleep at night, worrying that Ive done something to hurt you, because if I have, Ill never forgive myself.

In an unexpected move, he released her hands, reached in his pocket and put his gla.s.ses on, then resumed his position. There. I want to see you properly.

At first, she blinked, but then steeled her nerve. She would have preferred if he couldnt see her quite so clearly. Cindy sucked in a deep breath. How do you feel about me?