Lucy eyed the clock. Eight already--oh, no!
She'd already hit the floor when she remembered there was no hurry today. She'd usually be headed to the city offices by this time of morning but her driving plans had altered that. And then her driving had altered her plans.
Feeling the heat of a blush, she recalled her helpless feeling when the car lurched into the flowerbed and the dumb mailbox. It was obvious cars weren't the benign devices she'd assumed. In one second she was in control and the next, in total panic.
Something occurred. Once she had the hang of driving a car, she'd be free to go to work on her own. Or to get away from home and find a life of her own. A life away from her overbearing father, if that's what she really wanted.
Something to consider. Of course it would mean reneging on her promise to her mom. Could she really leave him to care for himself? Could he manage alone if she did?
An image of Thom Hill re-emerged. He had been upset but he'd transmitted something else, a touch of amusement at her predicament. To his credit, he hadn't laughed. Not quite.
But he hadn't lectured her other than calling her dumb. And then he said he didn't mean it. It could have been worse. Much worse. He could have refused to teach her to drive, and then she'd never see him again. That would be a whole lot worse! Out of the clear blue, Lucy realized she wanted to see more of this handsome hunk. A lot more.
Faced with a leisurely morning, she opted for a good soak. Her dad would no doubt already be out on his morning walk, cane, limp, and all. He always got his own breakfast and went walking no later than seven for an hour or so.
After filling the tub and permeating the room with a heavenly raspberry fragrance, she hung her chenille robe on the door hook and climbed in. The warmth and delicious aroma soon had her dreaming again, this time about a good-looking jade-eyed cowboy riding a white charger. He'd rescued her from some awful disaster, then, after lifting her onto his trusty steed, they rode into the sunset on their way to paradise...
"Lucy!" A gruff voice bellowed in the distance.
How can a noise like that come from paradise?
"Lucille Fox! Where the devil are you?"
That isn't paradise. It's Father!
She yelled, "Up here. I'm in the bathroom."
Seconds later, his voice came from outside the door. "What are you doing, girl? You're needed down the street."
"What are you talking about?"
"At Green's house. Your Mr. Hill needs your help."
"I told you last night, Father, he's not my Mr. Hill." What could he need? Maybe he wants me to crush out the rest of those ugly plants. She giggled.
"What's so funny, Lucy? I don't get it."
"Nothing. Something just struck my funny bone."
"Well, it's good to know you still have one. I haven't heard you laugh for a long time." You haven't? Give me something to laugh about. "Are you about done in there?"
"Just about. I didn't think there'd be any hurry since I don't have to go to work."
"Ah, but you do. Hill's going to need you to help him."
"He seems to be a self-reliant kind of man. How could I possibly help?"
"For one thing, you can distract Herb Green. That crazy old man is raising cain."
"You think I can calm him down? I caused the mess. He'll probably want to get his gun out and use it on me."
"I don't think so, child. He's always had a soft spot for you, though why he does escapes me. But it's up to you."
"I guess it's the least I can do. Thom would have been within his rights to expect me to do it myself. I'll go."
"Good girl. I'd go along but after the way Green yelled at me this morning, I don't think I'd be of any use."
Lucy listened as his steps led away and downstairs. So my make-believe shining knight needs my help. Good. She lounged a bit longer, then got out of the tub and dried off, thinking what she'd say to the grumpy old neighbor. But her concentration was on the younger man, the handsome young man who'd occupied her dreams.
Thom Hill.
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