When You Least Expect It (43 page)

             
                                                                      ~~~

             
Amanda walked off the ramp and looked around. She didn’t see Ray.  She then noticed there were no hugs or tears from happy reunions. There was no one rushing up to meet their loved ones.  She was confused.  Since she found this odd, she went up to a flight attendant to ask what was going on.

             
The flight attendant smiled at her condescendingly.  “Honey, its past nine here; we lock the gates. Ever since 9/11.”  She pointed down the hall.  “Just go past the metal gates, your party is waiting for you there.”

             
She thanked her and turned towards the metal door. It’s been awhile since she had flown.  She had forgotten all the rules and regulations had changed.              Halfway to the doors she was very aware that she was the only one in the hall.  She turned around and looked down at the empty hall behind her, then slowly turned towards the metal doors.  She could see someone peeking through the window but couldn’t really make him out, she was sure it was Ray though.  With a sudden determination, she took a deep breath, threw her shoulders back, and with almost a skip in her step, walked briskly toward the doors, towards Ray.  She put her hand on the door and silently prayed that God would keep her safe.  She opened it.  Someone immediately handed her a beautiful bouquets of flowers and had enveloped her in a hug.

             
“You’re here!  You’re really here!  I can’t believe it.”

             
Amanda immediately recognized the voice; it was Ray.  She had not so much as looked at him yet, or hugged him, or anything for that matter.  She took the flowers, and looked up at him, shocked that he didn't really look familiar. “Ray?”

             
Ray smiled down at her.  “Yes, Mandy, it’s me.  It’s Ray.”

             
She took a good look at him.  Why didn’t he look like his picture?  Why was he just staring at her?  Why couldn’t she think of anything to say? 

             
“Let’s go get your baggage.  Are you hungry, we could go get something to eat?”  He noticed how nervous she looked.  She hadn’t said two words, and that was no exaggeration. 

             
“Coffee would be nice.” 

             
“Great, it’ll give us a chance to catch up.”

             
“Okay.”  The way he was looking at her made her so uncomfortable, as if he could pounce on her at any moment.

             
They waited for her luggage, not really speaking, Ray taking in every inch of her.  At one point, without really thinking about it, he bent down and kissed her on the head. 

             
Amanda was startled; she glanced at him and noticed how happy he looked.  Why wasn’t he as nervous as she was? 

             
He put his arm around her shoulders.  “I’m so glad you’re here, Mandy.” This was practically a whisper.  He didn’t want to scare her.  He dropped his arm when she didn’t say anything. 

             
“That’s my suitcase.”  She pointed to the large green wheel-on.  It matched the carry-on in her hand. 

             
Ray grabbed it, put his hand on the small of her back, and led her out to the car.  Once inside his car, he again just turned to stare at her.  “I can’t believe you’re here, Mandy.  I didn’t really believe this day would ever come.” 

             
Amanda shyly looked up at him, and when she did, he bent over and lightly kissed her on the lips.  Their lips lingered for more than a few seconds, and Amanda could almost hear the ‘clicking’ sound.  His lips were so soft, as was his kiss.  It was perfect.

             
Ray couldn’t believe how sexy her lips were.  He’d waited so long to be able to kiss her, and it was everything he’d imagined.  He looked in her eyes and smiled.  “I’m sorry; I couldn’t wait any longer to do that.”

             
She smiled, again, shyly. 

             
They drove to the diner, Amanda taking in the beautiful scenery.  Even though it was dark, she could tell that Portland was very different from El Paso.

             
“So what are we going to do while I’m here, Ray?  Do you have big plans?”

             
“No, take in some sights, my mom and Diego want to meet you, and then the trip to New York as promised.” 

             
“Great, we’re still going there.  I’m so excited about that.”

             
“We’ll do that over the weekend if that’s okay.  We’ll stay overnight, then see Manhattan, maybe even go up the Empire State Building.”

             
Amanda laughed.  Sounds like fun.”  She smiled to herself, this was going to be an even bigger adventure than she’d imagined.

             
They arrived at the diner, a cute little old fashioned kind that almost looked like a trailer with a building attached.  The hostess came to seat them and they both ordered coffee.

             
“Are you hungry, Mandy?  I ate earlier, but you order whatever you want.”

             
“I ate at O’Hare airport.  Coffee is just fine.” 

             
They talked and caught up on things.  Amanda found that if she looked down at her coffee while Ray spoke, it was like talking to him on the phone.  The Ray she knew, the comfortable Ray.  She had a hard time putting the face to the voice; this made it much easier for the moment.  She looked up and noticed he was puncturing his little creamer container with a fork.  “What are you doing?”

             
He turned it over into his cup.  “Why, I’m milking a cow.  Moo-oo.”

             
She laughed. 

             
“What’s even funnier, Mandy, is that I take my coffee black.  I don’t know why I just put creamer in it.”  Ray reddened.

             
She laughed even harder.  “A-ha!  You
are
nervous!”

             
He laughed with her, noting how cute she looked when she laughed and how wonderful she sounded.  “I guess I am a little bit.”

             
She had finally relaxed a little bit when Ray asked her if she was ready to leave. It was time to show her his apartment.

             
                                                        ~~~

             
Ray’s high-rise apartment building was impressive.  He lived on the eighteenth floor and the view from up there was beautiful.  Amanda stood in front of the window, willing herself to relax. 

             
He gave her the grand tour without even moving.

“You’re apartment is so teeny. Are you comfortable here, Ray?” 

              “It’s just me, so it’s fine.  When the girls are here it’s somewhat tight, but it’s full and happy, so it’s fine then too.  Can I get you something to drink?”  They walked the six steps to the kitchen.  He opened the fridge and blushed.  “Um, I can only offer you water.”

             
Amanda laughed.  “Some host you are!  No thanks, let’s just go sit and get to know each other.”

             
They sat on the couch and did what they did best; talk.  Ray held her hand and looked at her as if he’d never seen a woman before.  He drank her in, as if memorizing every feature, just in case he never saw her again.

             
Finally, Amanda yawned.  “Wow, what time is it?” 

             
“It’s midnight.  Are you getting tired?” 

             
“I think so.  What will the sleeping arrangements be?”  She tried to sound as nonchalant as possible.

             
“Whatever you want them to be, Mandy.  That is up to you totally.”

             
She sighed.  She just didn’t know.  “Ray, if I sleep in your bed with you, can we just sleep?” She knew it was asking a lot, but she wasn’t ready for anything more at the moment.

             
“If that’s what you want, sure.”  He was happy she wanted to sleep with him.  He’d imagined falling asleep with her in his arms for so long, and now it was finally going to happen.  He’d be more than content with it.  “Let me show you where you can hang your things, and I’ll give you some space to get ready for bed.  Well, as much space as this luxury apartment allows.”  They smiled at each other and he brushed her hair out of her face.  “Have I mentioned how happy I am that you’re here?” 

             
Amanda laughed.  “You have…about a hundred times.  I’ll be back.”  She went off to get ready for bed, relieved that at least for tonight, there was no pressure.

             
She washed up and although hesitant about taking off her make-up, did so anyway.  She put on her pajamas, a black short set with jumping sheep and crescent moons, and tentatively left the bathroom, after deciding she looked like a little girl at camp.

             
Ray was waiting for her in the living room.  He’d changed into sweat pants and a t-shirt.  You’d never know that they were two people spending the night together for the first time. 

             
“You look cute, Mandy.  Love those pajamas.”

             
She laughed. “I think I borrowed them from my five year old niece.” Ray laughed with her.

             
“Shall we turn in or do you want to watch some television?” 

             
“Let’s turn in. We can talk a little before we fall asleep.” 

             
They walked into the bedroom and Ray turned down the blankets.  “Oh no, I forgot to put the mint on your pillow.”  He laughed, trying to break the tension.  This was going to be a lot harder than he thought.

             
Amanda got in and looked up at Ray who was just standing there with his hands on his hips looking down at her.  She had to admit, he looked adorable.  “Getting in?”

             
He looked at her longingly.  “I was just savoring the fact that I have a beautiful woman in my bed.”  Ray got in and turned towards her.  “Well, what shall we talk about?” 

             
She went over and curled up in his arms.  “I don’t know.  Tell me what we’re going to do while I’m here.”

             
Ray told her in vivid detail about his plans for Portland, and what they might do in New York City, and when he waited for a response, he heard what seemed to be a quiet snore.  He smiled down at his houseguest.  She was sleeping soundly, and he hoped it wasn’t just because of the jet lag, but because she felt comfortable in his arms.  He drifted off to sleep holding her, happier than he’d ever been.

~~~

              Amanda woke up feeling wonderful.  She had showered, and Ray had made coffee and they were sitting at the table munching on and English muffin.

             
“I hope this is okay, we can get something else when we take off.  Today, we’ll be hitting Casco Bay and then taking the ferry over to Peaks Island.  If you feel up to it, maybe we can rent bikes and ride around the island.  How does that sound to you?”

             
“That sounds great.”  She looked out the window.  The sky was picture perfect blue, coupled with the green of well, almost everything, it took her breath away.  She was so used to her desert colored surroundings; it never dawned on her how different things could be. She turned and smiled at Ray, “It’s a perfect day.  I’m ready whenever you are.” 

             
“Did you bring a sweater?”

             
She looked at him incredulously.  “Why would I need a sweater?”

             
Ray laughed and grabbed two sweatshirts.  “We ain’t in Texas, little darling.  Let’s go find out why.”

             
                                                        ~~~

             
Amanda loved everything about Portland.  The crispness in the air, the colors of the trees, the cobble stoned streets, she loved it all.  She’d been glad that Ray brought the sweatshirt, because out on the ferry, it was cold!  She’d never been on a ferry before, and other than on TV; she had never even seen one.  She felt overwhelmed by everything, especially Ray.  He’d been so attentive, and trying so hard to make sure she had a good time.  He seemed just as nice in person as she perceived him to be long distance.

             
After the got off the ferry, having arrived on Peaks Island, they ate lunch at a quaint cafe, ordering Maine’s infamous lobster roll.  Amanda had never even heard of it before, much less had one.  They also ordered clam chowder, and it was definitely nothing like the chowder back home.

             
“I have to say Ray, this is delicious. It’s like nothing I’ve ever had before.  I knew it would be different out here, but it’s like a whole other world.”