Our lunches arrived,
and not soon enough for me! This coming out of my cocoon was a little
uncomfortable for me. There weren’t many
additional questions
during our meal. I decided if there is another
outing with him…..I’ll
have my own mental list of questions to ask him.
Upon returning to my
office he remarked that this had been a pleasant
and enjoyable lunch.
He said he would like to get together again very
soon. We each agreed
that this time, we had passed the lunch test with
flying colors, and
progressed to a future dinner outing.
A few days later, I was
bending over a filing cabinet drawer when I heard the door opening
behind me. There stood the same deliveryman with a beautiful
arrangement of flowers. There was another note attached which read:
“Anne, would you like to try another outing with me? This time,
let’s make it for that dinner we discussed. I’ll phone when
arrangements are made.”
Signed, Jonathan.
When my home phone rang
a week or so later…..excitement filled the
air. (It had been a
very long time since I had received a social call from a gentleman.)
“How about this Saturday…..I’ll pick you up around 7 pm. if
that is convenient for you.” Yes, I replied……….that would be
great!
Jonathan arrived right
a seven. He said he had selected a beautiful
mountain lodge/retreat
on the Blue Ridge Parkway called, the “Peaks of
Otter,” and located
at the edge of Abbott’s Lake. The lake was beautiful, and
glistened from the setting sun’s remaining rays. In the early
evening as sunset meets darkness…..it was breathtaking! As we
entered the rustic looking lodge, the candles sparkled and flickered
on each table. The soft playing music made the setting and the
evening seem to perfection!
After ordering from our
menus, the friendly conversation begins Jonathan, I would like
to know more about your life. May I
ask you some personal
questions?
Q. Have you always
lived in Bedford?
A. Yes, but with my
parent’s extensive travels abroad, our family probably went
unknown for many years. I cannot remember having any close ties or
family connections during my earlier years here.
Q. Are your parents
currently living abroad?
A. No, they’re
not….they were killed in a plane crash when I was in my late
twenties. Their remains were never found.
Q. Why did you never
marry?
A. I really don’t
know why. I was never attracted to anyone. After my parent’s
tragic death I stayed to myself for many years. I guess you could
say I became a hermit of sorts. Also, the vastness of my sudden
inheritance was a bit overwhelming. I now realize I had to grow
into my good misfortune, and that took quite some time for me to do.
Q. Weren’t you lonely
living on your estate and never seeing anyone?
A. Yes, there were many
lonely times. The acreage and the upkeep on the land itself came to
be more than full-time. That became my obsession, and it filled the
loneliness.
My love for the
livestock, wildlife, natural beauty of my surroundings, and to
honor with love and respect my parent’s home….became the driving
forces in my life.
Soon the questions and
conversation came to an end as our delicious dessert of the widely
acclaimed blackberry cobbler alamode was served. We decided the end
to our delightful evening must come to a close.
Looking overhead as we
approached the car…..the stars shone brilliant,
and the sky was crystal
clear. That shooting star will be forever etched in my memory as the
evening of perfection, and like an evening I had not known in some
years. This perfect night, and a memory of a bygone romance and
marriage to my late husband, Jim.
Chapter
Six
In was nice sleeping
in this Saturday morning! Last night had turned into an enjoyable
and memorable late evening. There had been lots of nice informative
conversation, and I now have a better insight into Jonathan’s life
and traits.
What had seemed a lack
of a humble gene, I now know was his method of covering his
insecurities and fears. After all, his life had completely changed
with the tragic unexpected death of his parents. It had happened in
his late twenties at a time when those his age had other age related
aspirations to pursue.
After
the usual Saturday cleaning ritual…..I decided to go in search of
the butterflies, maybe save the lives of a turtle or two, and
photograph some of Bedford’s scenic views. Such a beautiful crisp
morning I thought! The butterflies will soon be leaving for warmer
climates. I’ll miss their colorful performances in my yard.
Just the other day
while headed home on a lunch break, I saw an injured beautiful
yellow swallowtail in the road. I could see it was still intact,
pulled up my hand brake and checked for traffic in the rear view
mirror. I jumped out to claim yet another specimen for my
collection. I always wondered why a butterfly cannot see something
as large as an automobile. They seem to hurl themselves with great
abandon into cars. I have come to the conclusion, that they are so
caught up in the moment.....so busy and happy flying here and
there.....they just forget to pay attention to something as trivial
as traffic on a road.
I didn’t hear from
Jonathan at all today. I was a little disappointed, but remembered,
we must not move too quickly with this newly found friendship.
I awoke the next day
and decided to have breakfast on the screened porch. I love this
time of year! The slant of the sun projects such nice patterns from
the light. I’m torn between eating breakfast or recording the
moment with camera in hand before leaving for church.
After church, I was
changing into something more comfortable when the phone rang.
Jonathan, It’s good to hear your voice. Yes, I would love to join
you for a picnic at your estate! I don’t have to bring anything, I
replied? This will be a unique picnic with no food, I laughed. Oh,
I didn’t realize one of your talents was also cooking.
Why don’t I drive to
your place…..that way, you won’t have to travel to town. That
will allow you additional time to prepare all sorts of food for us.
I’m pretty hungry now for some reason. Okay, I can be there at two
o’clock. See you then…..The drive is unusually pleasant on such
a nice day. I believe the spring and early fall seasons to be my
favorite times of year in Virginia.
Jonathan’s beautiful
Greyhound, Rowan, greeted me as I stepped from the car. She is a
slender white dog with a harlequin mask and black markings resembling
those of a Dalmatian dog. He recounted how he had obtained her
through the “Adopt A Greyhound” program. Rowan’s personality
reveals the calm characteristics of her breed. A true “lady” in
every sense of the word.
I have always thought I
wanted a dog, but decided to keep a little stray kitten that appeared
at our door a few years ago. We named him, “Oliver,” and he has
been a member of our family for about ten years. Like all cats,
Oliver is very independent. He occasionally allows me to stroke his
fur, but I’m ever mindful to quickly withdraw my hand before
receiving one of his love nibbles!
Hey, Jonathan, I’m
starving! You’d better have lots of food at this picnic. We’re
not eating at the house, he said. We’re riding horses to the
picnic spot I have chosen. It is beside a river that winds through
the estate.
I already have the
horses saddled, loaded with everything we’ll need, and we’re
ready to leave. Oh? There’s just one little problem…..I’ve
never been on a horse. Jonathan, it isn’t amusing to me! He
assured me that it would be easy, and all I had to do was get up in
the saddle. The horse would do all the work. He helped me up in
the saddle while laughing, and cautioned me not to fall from the
other side. Jonathan, you are just one barrel of laughs today, I
replied.
Oh my, this isn’t
quite as comfortable as my car, no air conditioning, and I really do
miss not having a break pedal. Thank goodness, the chosen spot for
our picnic was only about thirty long minutes from his estate. I
don’t think my lower extremities could have made it much
farther. As he helped
me from the saddle, his arms pulled me near, and our eyes met with
deep longing for our shared loneliness to end.
I had not noticed
until now that we were at a lovely large screened-in gazebo at the
river’s edge. He obviously had his staff ride ahead to prepare
for our picnic. The water rushing by made the surroundings cool and
mesmerizing.
Jonathan, did you
really prepare everything that is at this feast? (it is spread
buffet style on the table before us) Well, I must confess that I did
have an assistant or two drive on ahead to help put it together. It
is delicious! How did you know I would like everything that was
prepared, I asked? He said, “Our tastes seem so much alike…..I
assumed we’d also like the same foods.”
After our meal, he
asked if I was too full for a stroll along the river. We had not
strolled too far when Jonathan reached for my hand. They each fit
the other like a glove. His hand felt so confident, so warm, so
strong, as he guided me over and about the surrounding rocks and
ledges.
The wide river is clear
with fish darting about, and occasionally breaking the water’s
surface. It sparkles from the evening sunlight and reflects the
nearby mountains. It is breath-takingly beautiful! The water pools
just below a dam where wildlife pause for a cool drink and to graze
amid the tall grasses and reeds.
It is here we stop to
watch a doe and her fawns frolicking. It is here that he releases my
hand to place his arms around my shoulders, and not a word is spoken.
After a while, we
return to the gazebo, gather our personal things, and mount the
horses for the short ride back to the estate. I think Rowan heard
the horses and our laughter, because she is waiting. She has her
happy long skinny wagging tail spinning in a circular motion…..like
one of those little whirly things that fall from the trees. We say
our goodbyes with an enormous hug, and the promise of a check-up
phone call within the hour.
Just checking to see if
you made it to your home safely, he said. Yes, no problems at all, I
replied. Jonathan, thank you for the spontaneous picnic, preparing
all the food, and the delightful stroll along the river.
It was the most
enjoyable evening and picnic I’ve ever known. You’re welcome!
I’m growing quite fond of our time together. It means a lot to me,
Anne!
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