Scorching Heat Down South

Chapter 10

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As she unlocked the door to her cottage Sally called her through the kitchen window and Claire walked over to her house. She desperately wanted a moment to herself to sort out her thoughts and get a grip but she couldn't possibly ignore her friend and surrogate mother. She walked past their lovely flower garden. Which they had both painstakingly coaxed to life and diligently maintained. A smile drifted across her lips as she saw the fruits of their labor. The garden was in full bloom with a variety of flowers. Zannias, hydrangeas, cosmos, dahlias and many more. The work they had put in had definitely paid off.

Claire walked into the cozy, well lived in home. The wooden furniture was warm and well used but still comfortable and pretty. Sally had lots of pictures hanging on the walls, some were of the day she'd gotten married. She had been a beautiful eighteen year old bride, with a huge bright smile on her face as she looked up to a tall handsome young man with light hair and eyes. They looked very happy. The rest of the pictures documented their lives with their children as they grew up.

"Sally?" She called out when she didn't see her in the living room.

"I'm in the kitchen dear, my lasagna is just about ready. You know you turn away for a moment and it's all burnt to shit."

Claire chuckled to herself. Over the years as Sally had gotten older she'd started cursing a lot more. Claire supposed it was true what they said, the older you got the less you cared what people thought. She walked into the kitchen and sat down on one of the chairs around the tiny round table that was probably older than her as was almost everything in the house. "It smells wonderful."

Sally straightened from the oven and removed a casserole dish with a beautifully, crispy brown lasagna and set it on the counter. She was short and had salt and pepper hair, aged milky eyes that had once been a vivid clear blue, her face was wrinkled and weather worn. Her fingers were old and twisted but still capable of doing hard work and Claire loved her dearly. Sally was a wonderful cook and had taugh her everything she knew. "I have a nephew coming over for dinner tonight. I think the two of you would get along quite well.

Claire laughed wearily, "No Sally. I won't allow you to set and up again."

Sally frowned and put her hands on her waist, "And why the hell not?"

"The last two blind dates were horrible. Besides I'm happier single." Claire replied sarcastically. "More women are choosing to stay independent and forgo marriage and children these days you know. You really must keep up with the modern trends Sally." she ended in a mocking tone.

Sally snorted and gave her a knowing look, "Now, don't give me that missy. Ain't nothing good will come out from being alone. I would know, I've been doing it for damn near fifteen years. But I have children and grandchildren who love me, I had a husband who was nuts about me. I had a fulfilling life, darling. That's what you need."

Claire rubbed her temples, an outward expression of the tension she'd been feeling. Sally had efficiently echoed her earlier thoughts.

She smiled tiredly, "Maybe I'm destined to be alone Sally. I could be one of those people who just aren't supposed to be in relationships."

"Oh come now child, save the dramatics for the soap operas. You're young and very beautiful. Plenty of men would go crazy over you if you gave them half a chance."

She sighed, "I suppose you're right." Maybe it was time to put the past behind her and at least try to form a connection with someone. Who knew! Lightning could strike. Twice!

But she thought it highly improbable. Maybe instead of lightning she could settle for something less. Maybe a spark, even a tiny one would have to do. She certainly wasn't growing any younger. Her fixation with Levi was probably irrational. It had only been one kiss for crying out loud.