Emma Bryant came in here after the last banner, Mac said. She was pretty angry. I dont think a new banner is going to make her happy.
This one will make her very happy, Charlie said. Ive decided that I was moving too fast. I have to slow down and court her. A girl like Emma doesnt want a pushy guy. A girl like Emma needs time to fall in love.
A girl like Emma? Mac asked.
Charlie shifted uneasily. Yeah...you know.
I do?
Yeah. Cause shes a virgin. He paused. Not that theres anything wrong with that. In fact, to be honest, Im lacking in that department, too. Thats why wed be an excellent match. There wouldnt be any...expectations.
Mac groaned inwardly. This was too much information! Was this the gossip that Emma had referred to? Mac let the information sink in. Though it didnt change his desire for her, it certainly changed his attitude about seducing her at the next available opportunity. One didnt just ravish a virgin without a care for her limited experience. Being a womans first lover was a tremendous responsibilitythe kind of responsibility he wasnt sure he was ready to accept.
So what will it take? Charlie asked.
Mac blinked and met his gaze. What?
What will it take to get you to fly my banner? I paid you two hundred dollars for the last flight. I assume this one will cost the same?
Are you sure you want to wasteI mean, spendyour money on this? Ive talked to Emma and she really isnt impressed. Maybe you ought to turn your attention to another woman. Someone more...obliging.
What does that mean?
A girl who might welcome your affections?
But the book said that I should be persistent and not give up. No matter what. Charlie pulled a dog-earred paperback out of his jacket pocket and dropped it on the counter.
How to Catch a Mate in Ten Easy Lessons, Mac read out loud. Which lesson are you on?
I cant seem to get past number three, Charlie said with a dejected sigh.
Maybe you should start over...with a different woman. A guy has to know when to cut his losses and move on. Mac couldnt help but feel a little guilty for his suggestion. After all, he did have ulterior motives. But it wasnt just because hed been suddenly captivated by Emma Bryant and wanted her for himself. He also wanted to save her the irritation and embarrassment of dealing with another of Charlies banners.
Charlie set the banner on the counter. Youre probably right. You might as well toss that, he said.
Mac nodded. Good call. Youll see. Youll find someone wholl appreciate your romantic gestures. There are a lot of fish in the sea.
Where? What sea have you been looking in? There are only so many women in this town whod consider dating a guy like me and Ive run through them all.
Maybe you ought to aim higher, Mac suggested. Shoot for a girl whos out of your league.
The book doesnt help with that, Charlie said. I wouldnt know what to do.
Mac paused. If he really wanted a clear road ahead with Emma, then he had to be willing to help Charlie out. It wasnt as if business was booming for Buddys Flying Services. And he did have knowledge he could impart. How about if I help you out? Mac offered.
Youd do that? Charlie asked. Why?
Because I dont want to see you make a fool out of yourself. Well hang out. The 49ers are playing on Monday night. Is there a sports bar around here?
Theres Shooters just east of town.
All right. Ill meet you there on Monday night. Well have a few beers, talk to a few women and see where it goes.
Youll be my wingman, Charlie said, grinning. Thats been my problem all along. No wingman.
Charlie left the banner sitting on the counter. It was still there when J.J. came in through the shop door. He stopped and stared at it, then winced, shaking his head. Charlie again?
I talked him out of it, Mac explained.
J.J. seemed surprised. That guy is like a terrier with a bone. He once decided that he was going to get on that show Gladiator Games. He trained for three years. By the time he was ready, the show had been canceled. Charlie has the worst luck. Thats why people avoid him. Theyre afraid it might rub off on them.
Im just going to distract the guy for a while. Give him some good advice and maybe find him a different girl.
J.J. gave Mac a dubious look. Youre fixin to steal his girl away.
Emma is not his girl.
Thats not what most people in town believe. Most folks around here are all for the match.
You didnt mention that she was a virgin, Mac said.
J.J. shook his head. Why should that make a difference to you?
It doesnt, Mac said. Its just something most guys would want to know. He cursed beneath his breath. This was suddenly getting far too complicated. Too many people had a stake in his relationship with Emma. Mac had always preferred to keep his social and sexual life simple. It made for easier exits. And hed be the first person to admit that he never wanted to stick around for long.
He was all too familiar with the consequences. There would be questionsabout his parents, his family, his background. Where was he born? What were his parents names? What about grandparents? So many questions that he didnt have answers for.
For any other man, that might have made a difference. But for Luke MacKenzieor whatever his name really washed put those questions aside. Hed determined at a young age to let the past go, to focus purely on the present.
Hell, it made for a much happier life. The past was all about mistakes and regrets, lost opportunities and broken promises. And the future? Well, that was about goals and dreams and aspirations. All those things just out of a guys reach.
It was, and always would be about the present for Mac. He knew all too well that life could change in a split second. Dreams could be shattered and the future turned upside down. His mind flashed an image of that night, of the empty motel room and the police cars outside. So many questions and never any answers.
So he lived for pleasure and adventure, excitement and spontaneity. He never knew what the new day would bring, but Mac was always determined to make the best of it.
Any idea how to work this computer? Mac asked, turning to J.J.
Yeah, the mechanic said. Whats the problem?
I have to enter these time slips and fuel receipts to generate an invoice and I cant figure out what Im doing wrong.
J.J. grabbed the stack of notes. It would take me longer to explain than it would to do the invoices, he said. I can take care of it.
Are you sure?
No problem, J.J. said.
Can you keep an eye on the front desk? I have something I need to do.
I have to leave in an hour. We have some final work on the set before the show tonight. You still planning on coming?
Yeah, absolutely, Mac said. Wouldnt miss it for the world.
I wouldnt go that far, J.J. joked. Im not that good.
Mac chuckled and clapped J.J. on the back. Dont sell yourself short.
Mac walked out into the hangar and pulled open the passenger door of his plane. It was the closest thing he had to a home. Mac crawled through to the tail, rummaging around until he found what he was looking for. He took the small tin box out and sat down on a crate, pulling off the lid in the light of day.
The rusty tin held all that was left of his old lifehis only clues to his past. He picked up the larger of the two wedding bands and stared down at it, then slipped it on his finger. Marriage had never been a part of his future. Until he had a past, he couldnt have a future. But how did one go about finding ghosts? The police had tried and failed.
Did he even want to find them? Wouldnt it simply be easier to know nothing? And why did it make a difference now?
Mac closed his eyes. Emma. For some reason, she made him think about the future, made him question his past.
But why? Hed met her only a few days ago. There had to be a reason for this unreasonable attraction. Some quality that had captured his attention. It wasnt her virginity. Had he been aware of that, he would have run in the opposite direction. Charlie was rightthere were too many expectations.
And yet, the news hadnt changed his interest in her. Emma was smart and beautiful and vulnerable and strong. She was the kind of woman who needed a partner to help her navigate the world, yet would never admit she couldnt do everything alone. But was he that man?
Mac slipped the wedding ring off his finger and held it up to the light. His gaze focused on the inside of the ring. For Benjamin, with love, he read.
Who the hell was Benjamin and what was Mac doing with his wedding ring?
Mac tossed the ring back into the box. Probing the past was too dangerous. Hed been right before. It was better to live in the present.
* * *
IM READY, EMMA SAID, holding the phone to her ear. Ive been going over it in my head all day long and Im ready.
This is a dinner date, Trish said, her voice crackling over the connection. Not the D-Day Invasion.
I realize that. But I have to have a plan, dont you think? Well have dinner, well discuss the book, have a little wine and then, sometime around dessert, Ill make my proposition.
I thought you guys were going to see Oklahoma.
I hope thats just his backup plan, in case the date is a real disaster.
Maybe you shouldnt plan too much. Just let it happen, Trish said. You know, organically.
I thought you guys were going to see Oklahoma.
I hope thats just his backup plan, in case the date is a real disaster.
Maybe you shouldnt plan too much. Just let it happen, Trish said. You know, organically.
And here I was thinking Id just force the issue up front and forget about the date entirely. Emma stood in front of the mirror and studied her reflection critically. Why is this so complicated?
It isnt. Thousands of couples go out on first dates. And hundreds of them go home afterward and have wild monkey sex without suffering even the tiniest twinge of guilt. You bought condoms, didnt you?
Four different kinds, Emma said. I had to drive all the way into Petaluma to get them. You should have seen the look I got from the clerk. I think she assumed I was going to an orgy. Emma groaned. I have to go. I hear his car. Wish me luck.
You dont need luck, Trish said. Just be yourself and see where it goes. No pressure, no expectations.