Dade watched her drift off to sleep. Pulling the cover up he made sure she was warm. He should probably go home. He looked back at her. Her deep colored curls looked even darker against the white pillow. He reached over and brushed them off her face and she sighed.
Without opening her eyes, she smiled. “Are you going to sit there and look at me all night, or lie down and get some rest?” Her voice was barely a whisper.
He grinned. “Wasn’t sure what to do without an invite.”
“Shut up and lie down with me, Dade, I’m beat and I want to feel safe.”
He walked around the bed and shed his clothes quickly. He lifted the covers and slid over to lie against her back.
“You’re cold,” she whined.
He grinned. “Shh, get some rest.” He wrapped his arm tightly around her waist until her whole body was close against his. Resting his chin against her head he smiled and inhaled the scent he craved. “I love you, Coralee,” he whispered against her hair.
Drifting back to sleep she smiled. “Then we’re even.” She sighed and snuggled back into him.
He closed his eyes and listened to the rhythm of her breathing. This was what he wanted for always.
When the alarm buzzed, he rolled over and pulled the pillow over his head. He heard her muffled giggling.
“Time for work,” she said, smiling at the man holding the pillow over his head. Shaking her head, she got up and headed out to her shower.
Cora walked into the room with a cup of coffee in her hand. “Mr. Jones?”
“Uh huh.”
“Are you always this energetic in the mornings?”
He rolled onto his back and flipped the pillow off. Opening his eyes slowly he looked at her leaning against the door. “Pretty much.” He said with a dry mouth. “Is that coffee?”
She grinned and nodded holding the cup towards him.
He pouted. “Do I have to get up to have that?”
She laughed and walked over to the bed. “I suppose you could have it here.” She sat on the edge of the bed and looked down at him. “But you have to sit up and hold it yourself, at least.”
Dade grinned and pulled himself further up on the pillows. He took the cup and set it on the table. Pulling her down to him he nuzzled into her neck. “Could I talk you into playing hooky with me today?”
She laughed and shook her head. “No. I have to learn a few ropes from Lee today to cover for her after the handfast, they’re locking themselves in the house for a week.”
He grinned. “When they all come back from honeymooning, could we play hooky for a few days?”
“And do what?”
Dade shrugged and leaned up to kiss her softly. “I’m sure we could find a few things to do.” He kissed her harder. “How soon do you have to leave?”
Cora licked her lips and smiled. “Very soon. I just wanted to get you moving, you have a lot to do today.”
He frowned. “I do?”
“You do, there’s a list on the table. The decorations that are needed, where to order the chairs and tables for delivery, some of the things I need to make the food. Chris’s information to charge everything to him…”
“I have to do all that myself?”
“Yes, good thing you have this week off, isn’t it?”
“So, why can’t I wait until you’re done and you can help me get some of it?” He ran his hand down her arm.
“Because I won’t be here tonight.”
He sat up further. “Where will you be?”
“Do you remember Owen asking you if he could stay with you tonight?”
Dade looked down and shook his head. Reaching across he picked up the coffee. “Sort of, but at the time I was trying to figure out if you had underwear on.”
She laughed. “I’m staying at Leena’s tonight. We women are to finish the gowns. Owen sold me his home, so you have him tonight as well.”
Sipping the coffee, he studied her. “When will you be home again?”
“Tomorrow night after work.”
He sighed. “I have a meeting at the temple tomorrow night.”
Cora smiled and leaned down and kissed him lingeringly. “Then you’ll have the chance to miss me.”
“But I don’t want that chance.” He kissed her twice quickly. “Yesterday was long enough to wait to see you.”
She smiled against his mouth and then reached and took the cup from him and set it on the table. She moved over and straddled him leaning down to brush her lips over his. “You’re so cute when you pout.”
His eyes widened. Reaching up her flipped her onto her back and loomed over her. Biting her neck softly he hissed. “I am not cute, or pretty, you’re crushing my ego, woman.”
She laughed and struggled against him for a minute.
Grabbing her ribs, he saw that she jumped. “Oh, oh we’re ticklish.” Grinning, he tickled her until she was wriggling and gasping between laughs.
“Okay, okay, you’re manly and godlike.” She panted.
Dade stopped and grinned down at her. “Better, you forgot sexy though, I think that works better then pretty.”
Cora ran her hands up into his hair and pulled his mouth down to hers. Stroking her tongue against his she felt heat go through her. Glancing at her watch she pushed him over. “I have to go.”
Dade tried to grab her. “Cora.” He sat up and looked at her standing in the door. He pointed to the mattress beside him.
She smirked and shook her head. “I’ll see you tomorrow night if you get back from the temple early enough.”
He groaned and flopped back on the bed. “Yeah, like that ever happens.”
“Good bye, Dade.” She called almost running down the hallway.
“Bye.” He called back sarcastically. He listened and heard the door slam. So much for any plans he had for this morning, or tonight and the next he thought, scowling at the ceiling.
“Great.” He sat up and picked up the coffee. “I’ve been reduced to a love-sick teenager all over again.” Growling he set the cup down and grabbed his pants. Pulling them on quickly he picked up the cup and headed for the stairs. “I get a list.” He stomped down the stairs. “A quick kiss and a list.” He grumbled as he went into the kitchen.
He stopped in the door and stood and looked at the table. She’d left him some biscuits and jam on the table too. Well, maybe her biscuits would make up for it. He sat down and sipped his coffee as his eyes scanned the list. Maybe not.
He leaned forward and read it again. What was a grapevine? And where do I find something like that? Pushing the list away with disgust he scowled down into his coffee. Oh, good now I pout too.
Shaking his head, he sighed. Where was the Dade Jones he knew, and who was this other man taking over his personality?
Running his hand down his chest, he grinned at the thought forming in his head. If he was going to spend the day wandering around in places he knew nothing about, he wasn’t doing it alone. He reached over and grabbed the phone off the counter and punched in Steven’s number.
One ring, two, ha, never made it to three ever.
“O’Reily.”
“Doc, day off?”
“Jones? Uh…why?” His voice was rough. “What time is it?”
Dade grinned. “Morning time.”
Steven sighed loudly into the phone. “And you thought to call and tell me, appreciate it.”
Dade grinned. “Well I was woken up by a woman running off to work, she left me a list.”
“Sec…was that woman running to your place, then to work or running from her own bedroom?”
Dade grinned. “What difference does that make?”
“None, just like details.” Steven groaned. “Do you know how much sleep I’ve had?”
Dade shrugged. “Does it matter? You’re awake now.”
Steven sighed. “Ah, we’re in one of those moods. What is this list?”
“Shit for your ceremony, I don’t even know what half of this is.”
Steven shrugged. “Take Cora with you later…”
“Can’t.”
“Why?”
“The girls are having a little gathering tonight to finish the gowns and whatever they’re doing.”
“Oh yeah. Wished I didn’t work tonight or I’d come hang out with you and Owen.”
Dade shrugged. “Probably better that way, none of us can afford to get into trouble right now.”
Steven grinned. “No shit. I’m in the doghouse over those pictures.”
“Ha! Serves you right.” Dade growled.
“Fine. Come and get me in half an hour and we’ll get your list done so I can come back and sleep.”
“See you soon.” Dade hung up and grinned. Much better.
They stood in the craft shop and looked at the rows of flowers. “Does it say fake or dried?” Steven asked rubbing his jaw.
Dade looked at the list again. “Doesn’t say. Just says primrose for decoration.”
Steven nodded. “And those are the white ones, right?”
Dade shrugged. “Well they said leaves and corn stalks and white flowers, so I guess so.”
Steven looked down at the list. “Don’t suppose she sent pictures?”
Dade dropped his hands and shook his head. “No. You want to phone Rachel and ask her?”
Steven shook his head. “Hell no.”
“Exactly.” Dade motioned towards the older woman wearing the store vest.
Steven grinned and walked over to her. “Excuse me, Miss, we’re looking for a few different types of flowers.” She smiled up at him brightly. “Ah, we’re hoping for something white, maybe close to primrose.”
She nodded. “They’re over here.” She turned and walked down an aisle.
Steven winked at Dade and followed her.
They stood in front of the counter at the rental shop. A short heavyset man came up to the counter. “Can I help you?”
Dade leaned down on the counter. “I hope so. You are our last stop on a long list of…everything.” He pulled the list out of his pocket and pointed to the last six items. “Do you have these?”
“They’re for…”
Shaking his head Dade sighed. “Doesn’t matter, just need to know if you have them and if so, can I get them?”
The man nodded at the list then grinned. “Women sent you two in with their to-do list, didn’t they?”
Steven nodded. “It’s been educational.”
The man grinned. “I’ve got all that in the back.” He pulled out an order form. Pulling the list out from under Dade’s hand he grinned. “You fill this out and I’ll go get the trolley and get the stuff.”
“Thank you.” Dade pushed the form towards Steven. “Your turn.”
Steven pulled it over closer. “Should have eloped.” He muttered picking up the pen.
Dade smirked. “Oh, Oh! You hand me ammunition like that, knowing I can’t use it for a long time.”
Steven wiggled his eyebrows at him. “If ever, considering Cora thinks you’re doing all of this yourself.”
“Bastard.” Dade whispered then smirked. “Fine.” He watched him fill out lines for a minute. “Do you think Cora will go for eloping?”
Steven paused in writing but didn’t look up. “If you word it like that, I’d have to say no.” He finished then glanced up at him. “Things are good?”
Dade nodded. “I think so.” He smirked. “Wasn’t too happy when I found out this morning I don’t get to see her for two days.”
Steven grinned. “No doubt.” He set the pen down and put his hands in his pockets. He didn’t want to know what time it was, or how much sleep he wasn’t going to get. “When are you going to ask her?”
“Why?” Dade straightened from the counter.
Steven smirked. “You can’t break tradition.” He shrugged when Dade gave him a puzzled look. “Owen proposed in the traditional picnic setting with all of us pressing our noses against the window and Chris…he did that whole shining orb thing, that’s going to be tough to beat.” He grinned. “I did it on my knees in front of all of you.”
“I preferred the acceptance with that one.” He smirked. “You think I need to top all that?” He blew out a breath. “Good luck.”
Steven shrugged. “I wouldn’t mind seeing how you manage it.”
“Me either at this point.”
They both straightened as the clerk pushed the trolley filled with odd pots and containers in it. Shaking his head Steven took the trolley and headed towards the door. “You do the signing or whatever while I unload. I want to fit a nap in before work tonight.”
Steven slumped down in the seat, as Dade drove them back to Cora’s to unload everything. Closing his eyes, he sighed. Sleep. Soon.
“Do you know where I can get a horse?”
He opened his eyes and looked at Dade. “There’s a horse on the list?”
Dade looked at him and frowned. “What? No.”
Steven sat back up. “Should I even ask what the hell you want a horse for?”
Dade smirked. “You said you wanted to see me top all you guys.”
Steven pinched the bridge of his nose for a second. “And you need a horse to do this?”
Dade nodded. “Yeah, a white one.”
Steven put his head down and chuckled. “Do you even know how to ride a horse? I’m assuming you’re planning on riding it.”
Dade shrugged. “How hard can it be?”
“I can’t get in shit for taking pictures this time.” He took a calming breath trying not to laugh again. “I have a patient; his parents own a farm. If you’re serious.”
Dade grinned. “I’m serious.”
Steven leaned over towards him. “You’re not going to ride a horse into Cora’s house are you, because I’m pretty sure romantic proposal or not that won’t go over well.”
Dade looked at him with his mouth open, then back to the road. “No. Do I look stupid?”
Steven clamped his mouth shut trying not to laugh and shook his head. “I’ll get you the number, after I clear it with them.”
“Great.” He nodded to himself. “Do you know much about stones?”
“Define stones first.”
Dade grinned. “Rings, stones.”
“Ah, not a great deal, Chris would be the one to talk to about that.”
Dade nodded again turning on to Cora’s street. “Okay. So, to do this I’m going to need you guys to help set it up for me.”
Steven raised his eyebrows. “And the intrigue grows.” He sat back and looked at his watch. “If I get home, soon, I’ll be able to come over to your place tonight for about an hour before work. Have Chris meet us there.” When Dade stopped the van, he opened the door. “I can’t miss finding out where this horse comes into your plan.”