Randa (5 page)

“That’s great! Do you like to ride horses?” John asked.

“I haven’t ridden a horse since I was a little girl, but I enjoyed it immensely then.”

“Fantastic! We have some quarter horses, which are very gentle and easy to ride. Majesty will be perfect for you. She is easy to handle and yet just as much of a strong animal as the rest of them are.”

“That sounds perfect. Thanks so much for asking me.”

“It’s my pleasure Randa. I haven’t spent a day in the company of a beautiful lady in quite some time, especially one who seems to have uh….” John paused. He seemed to be at a loss for the right words and unable to finish his sentence. Randa was waiting patiently, looking at him.

“A compassionate and understanding heart,” he finished. Standing up, John pulled Randa to her feet to follow him back through the kitchen and outside to a concrete patio. He walked over to the built-in stereo system and turned it on. He found a local country station and left it on adjusting the volume as he looked above. The sky was full of sparkling stars and there was a full glowing moon above it all. “Drift Off to Dream” began to play. John walked over to Randa and leaned in close to her, asking, “May I have this dance?” Randa’s dazzling smile lit up the night as John took her into his arms and they began to sway to the melody and Travis Tritt’s rustic words.

Randa’s svelte body fit perfectly into John’s strong well-built physique. Being 6’2” in height, he was a full six inches taller than Randa, but the difference felt perfect to him. John closed his eyes and pressed his face into her lustrous hair, inhaling its invigorating fragrance. Oh how he was enjoying this angel who seemed to have dropped directly out of heaven and into his busy, yet empty life. It was teeming of work and responsibility, but his heart was barren and devoid of romantic love. Randa was awakening his long dormant senses and desires. He placed a gentle kiss on her head as the song ended. Randa looked up at the sky and mouthed a few words.

“Did you just wish upon a star?”

Randa laughed softly. “Not exactly. I wished upon the moon. Kind of silly, right?”

“Of course not!” John told her.

“It almost seems to be a lifelong habit. Whenever I see a full moon, I close my eyes and make a wish. For a very long time, I always wished for the same thing.”

“What was that?”

“As a child I had a brief encounter with someone. My wish was to see him again, but it wasn’t to be.”

John was listening to Randa, simply amazed at her capacity to wholeheartedly believe in someone, unlike many adults and even children who became jaded somewhere along their path in life due to other’s damaging words and actions. To continue to bounce back from disappointment and not become skeptical was the sign of a truly strong spirit. John knew that deep down his spirit was still strong, but it definitely went into self-preservation mode when his parent’s marriage broke up.

“Why do you wish on a full moon instead of a star?” John asked.

“Well, most nights when the sky is clear it is full of stars, but full moons occur approximately every twenty-eight days which makes them rarer and more special. I fervently regarded my meeting with that boy as a part of my fate or destiny and I continually felt like we shared a special connection, at least that’s how I always thought of it. Many times as I was growing up, if I ever felt lonely or if I was distressed about something, I would close my eyes and I could remember what it felt like when he held my hand for those few brief moments. And that visualization would provide comfort to me and sometimes even clarity at times when little else did.” Randa continued, “The other reason for wishing upon a full moon is the rock that the boy gave me. My mother told me that it was a moon rock, though I have since found out that it isn’t. She was just trying to appease me since I was relentless about finding out what it was. I could do some research on the internet and find out its identity, but I haven’t. I just choose to let it remain a mystery like everything else about that encounter.”

“Oh,” came John’s reply as he caught himself lost in thought, having missed all of what Randa had just said. “You seem so impassioned about certain things Randa. Things which are priceless seem to mean the most to you.”

“Gosh John, my passions are what make my world go around. As truly blessed as I have been with the phenomenal success of my songwriting career, it will never surpass the endearing things which can’t be bought, such as those moments of my life that I treasure in my soul and I will remember until my last dying breath. Most of those moments are filled with pure love. When is the last time you have tried to buy love?” Randa laughed as she asked.

“Never,” John laughed also, knowing that this lady might someday actually hold the key to his hungry heart.

They went back into the house and John made sure that Randa was set for the night with everything that she would need.

“Goodnight Randa.”

Randa stepped forward and gave him an affectionate hug squeezing him tight. John held her for a moment enjoying her tenderness.

“Goodnight John. Thank you for everything.”

John watched in ardent admiration as she walked away. Grinning, he went into the bathroom and after getting undressed, he stepped into his usual hot shower and quickly decided that a cool one would be much more appropriate. As the water ran over his taut chest and down his firm body, he laughed aloud at the carefree warmth inside his heart. After toweling himself off and sliding between the covers in his bed, he closed his eyes to let himself think about Randa with no distractions. It had been a long day and he had another one in front of him. Before he could focus all of his thoughts on her, he slipped into an uncontrollable sleepiness and it led him to a memory from long ago. The little girl appeared before him holding out her small soft hand. Her heavenly face and luminous eyes once again drew him to her. Just as she took his hand into hers, he awoke with a start. Initially, he was confused about where he was. Looking around the room, it took a few moments for his eyes to adjust to the dim light streaming through the blinds from the glowing moon. Spending so much time on the North Slope left John little time on the ranch much less in his boyhood bedroom. He sat up and turned on the bedside lamp. Opening the top drawer of his nightstand, it only took him a split second to find what he was looking for. He pulled it out and opened his hand to reveal one-half of the Thunder Egg. It was still just as perfect and captivating as when he last held it. Looking closely at it now, there seemed to be something he was missing, but he could not think of it. Giving up, he put the rock-like piece back into its place, closed the drawer, and turned off the light. He thought of the precious girl and all of her gentleness. Up until his parent’s divorce, he thought of her and replayed the memory of their meeting occasionally, hoping that one day they would meet again. Just as he was drifting off to sleep, he remembered the name he gave to her. He had only revealed it to his Mom and Fox. He called her Baby Doll.

Randa awoke humming. She could not recall that ever happening before, but she liked it! There was so much joy in her heart. She rolled over, snuggling in the sheets and indulging herself by thinking about John and the events of the previous day. Not only was he strong and rugged with a smoldering hot aura, he was also sharp and witty. He was so attentive toward her and it made her feel so cared for. She was certain that his heart and soul, even though buried deeply, were filled with love waiting to be claimed.

The smell of bacon sizzling in a frying pan brought Randa back to reality. There was a light knock on the door. Randa sat up.

“Come in.”

Taylor opened the door and stepped into the room.

“Rise and shine pretty girl!” Taylor laughed and as always immediately started talking and asking a million questions about how the previous evening had ended for her and John. Randa just sat there smiling. Finally, Taylor’s chatter ended. Staring at Randa, she waited for her response. Customarily Randa liked to take her time in replying to Taylor because it tested her patience and it gave Randa a gratifying laugh.

Finally Randa said, “We talked and we danced under the moon and the stars. He also invited me to ride horses today.”

“And?” Taylor inquired, waiting for more.

“I accepted!” Randa said, laughing loudly. Taylor picked up a spare pillow and hit her with it. Randa knew that Taylor was disappointed and wanted her to reveal more intimate details. Randa grabbed her own pillow and hit Taylor, starting a pillow fight. While growing up, the girls loved to engage in them. They were caught by Fox, who was standing in the doorway and looking at them jovially, while raising an eyebrow. The girls fell into a giggling heap on the floor.

“I’m making breakfast for you two giggle boxes.”

“Okay Fox, we’ll be right in. We were just having a little girl talk this morning.”

“Yeah right, I can see that Taylor,” Fox said laughing on his way back to the kitchen.

Randa leaned over and gave her a hug. “I love you girl.”

“I love you too Randa. Beat you to the breakfast table!” Taylor yelled as she ran out of the room.

Randa shook her head, got up, and started getting dressed, putting on her faded denim blue jeans. She was thankful for pulling her Ariat Fatbaby boots out of the back of her closet and bringing them this weekend. They were a little scuffed, but perfect for a day of riding. She did not want John to think that she was a city girl. She felt at home either place, in the city or in the country. Each environment possessed a special appeal.

Randa brushed her teeth and ran a hairbrush through her long hair, noticing how it shined. Randa gazed in the mirror and acknowledged silently that even without any makeup she looked fresh and lovely.

Fox and Taylor were already seated at the dining room table, filling their plates with thick Southern biscuits, creamy pepper gravy, sausage links, sunny-side up eggs and orange juice. Randa was famished. She quickly sat down and began to eat.

“Did you sleep well?” Fox asked.

“I did.”

Randa smiled and looked at Taylor.

Taylor chimed in, “Me too.”

“Will John be joining us for breakfast?” Randa asked.

“No,” Fox replied. “He went into town to get some supplies. He wanted me to let you know that he would have everything ready for the ride by 10:00.”

“That’s perfect. I am so excited! I can’t wait! John seems to be a great guy.”

“He is Randa. His parent’s divorce affected him deeply though. He is a bit reserved when it comes to feelings and relationships with women. Though he seems very ahhh…..taken with you.”

“And I’m very taken with him,” Randa said smiling. “I did sense some pain in his voice when he was talking about his parents last night, but no worries Fox. I have a fantastic intuition about John, even if it’s just a friendship we’re creating,” she said as she winked at him.

“If things do progress with y’all, I just ask that you always treat him fairly. Johnny Boy is like a son to me and I’ve seen him struggle through enough hard times.”

Taylor and Randa burst out laughing and Fox’s face turned bright red.

“What did you call John?” Taylor asked.

“Taylor Marie,” Fox began in a flustered manner. “I don’t think your Mama gave you enough swats when you were little. You grew from a mischievous child into an ornery adult. Sheesh! What I am about to say is to go no further, understood?”

“Yes,” the women agreed simultaneously.

“When he was a toddler, John started calling me ‘Foxy,’ so in turn I started calling him ‘Johnny Boy’ and the names just kind of stuck. It never embarrassed John, so I never let it embarrass me. But the day after his parent’s marriage broke-up, he started calling me ‘Fox’ like everyone else does, so I went back to calling him ‘John.’ He seemed to change from an innocent child to an almost jaded grown-up overnight. Sometimes Johnny Boy just slips out. End of story.”

Randa and Taylor smiled, but no one spoke.

Finally, Randa said, “Fox, if there’s anything that I am; it’s that I’m true to the people that I care about.”

Fox took Randa at her word and nodded in deep appreciation.

“Hi there!”

“Hello,” he replied deeply.

John was staring at her and she flashed her alluring smile at him, enticing him to come closer. She was just as stunning as he remembered.

“You look so beautiful this morning Randa,” John said as he walked up to her, giving her a big hug. Realizing what he was doing, he quickly backed away. He felt the desire in his heart, but his head told him that it might be too soon.

“Thank you John.”

Randa was comfortable with the embrace and enjoyed it. She knew that his gesture was sincere.

“Are you ready for our ride?”

“Yes, I am! I ate an absolutely yummy breakfast courtesy of Fox and his incredible cooking skills.”

“He is a great cook. Unfortunately, that’s one thing he didn’t teach me to do, though I can grill-up a mean rib-eye steak. Do you like those?”

“Mmmmm that is my favorite cut of beef. I am definitely a meat and potatoes girl. I was raised on that kind of food, but when I am in Nashville working, I eat dinner with business associates frequently and that has exposed my taste buds to lots of different ethnic cuisines. My grandmother taught me to prepare a lot of her Southern recipes, but since I am single, I don’t cook elaborate meals very often unless I am entertaining.”

John professed, “I’ve always been lucky enough to have great cooks in my life, even when I’m working on the North Slope. There are ‘man camps’ there. They are buildings with dorm-like rooms primarily full of men. They also have a full kitchen staff headed by a gourmet chef. We have our choice of delicious, filling meals, in fact, just about anything a person could want within reason, including lobster and steak, are available every evening meal. All of the companies, including my father’s, like to keep the employees’ energy levels at their highest because the cold can be very, very draining.”

“It must be pretty strenuous,” Randa commented.

“It can be. My first trip there was when I was thirteen. My Dad took me that summer. It’s a place unlike any other. The cold whiteness that you are surrounded by seems to be pure perfection. That’s the best way that I know to describe it. It gets into your blood. Much of the time life seems easier there, at least for me. You can totally throw yourself into your work and forget about everything else. However, that was one of the things that led to the downfall of my parent’s marriage. Dad was working so hard to create a legacy for us that he crossed that invisible line and ended up losing my Mom and our family life together.”