Deep in the Heart of Texas (FF) - Part 2
*Previously….Asa and Nora planned a surprise trip to Texas
Asa's plan was to drag Bo out of the bar and bring him back home. He was having the cooks prepare all the foods for a real Texas barbecue.
Nora felt foolish stepping out of a huge black limousine in front of the bar, which really was a hole in the wall place.
She and Asa entered the bar. A few people turned to look their way, but other than that, they went unnoticed, much to Nora's surprise and relief. Her eyes darted around the room trying to find Bo, but it was so dark and smoky she didn't see him.
Asa and Nora made their way through the room and Asa spotted his son in the corner.
Bo was leaned over his glass, a cowboy hat scrunched down on his head.
A: There he is.
Asa pointed to the corner.
N: Where? I don't see him.
She looked at the figure in the corner. The profile kind of looked like Bo, she thought. But this man had a few days beard growth and mustache and his face and arms were tan.
'Bo!', Asa shouted. The man slowly turned his head and saw Asa and Nora standing a few feet in front of him. He smiled slightly. Now Nora had always thought that Bo was the most gorgeous man she had ever seen, but seeing him like this made her knees feel weak. She grabbed Asa's arm. Something about him looked so free and relaxed. She felt a twinge in her stomach as they approached him. Asa wasted no time.
A: Come on, son, we're going home.
Bo's mood quickly turned.
B: This is my home. Why are you two here?
A: Because you are neglecting my ranch.
B: Fine. Then why is she here? (Pointing his thumb toward Nora)
A: Nora is here as a concerned friend. I told her you needed help.
Nora ignored Bo's coldness and sat down on the barstool next to him. She shuddered to think that Melanie, of all people, had turned him into this. She placed her warm hand on his arm.
N: Hi, Bo. It's so good to see you. It's been a long time.
He turned and looked into her eyes. He just stared at her. She looked incredible. She herself was fit and tan and her hand felt so soft on his arm. He looked her up and down not quite believing what he was seeing….Nora Buchanan, cowgirl.
B: How's Matthew?
Nora was touched at Bo's question.
N: He's doing wonderful. He misses his Uncle Bo. How I wish I could have brought him with me. The Buchanan Ranch surely is something not to miss!
B: Uncle Bo. (He grunted and gulped down a shot of whiskey) Why are you dressed like that? Did pa put you up to this?
Nora felt uneasy at his question. Her hands glided over her clothes.
N: Do I look that bad?
Again, he stared at her.
B: No….no, you look great. Just different. I guess I'm used to lawyer Nora.
A: I think Nora fits right in! This life may suit her.
B: Again, why are you guys here?
A: I told you, son. I'm concerned about my ranch…and you.
B: There's no reason to be concerned. Everything's fine. Dody's overreacting. I just don't spend every waking minute of my time worried about a cow or a horse or hay or whatever.
N: I don't know, Bo. My Bo never hung out in bars at 11:30 in the morning.
B: I'm not "your" Bo anymore, Nora. I don't have a drinking problem if that's what you're implying.
While they were chatting, Asa made his way to the jukebox; he chose #6195 as the song. It was "Always on My Mind" - Willie Nelson's version (If you don't know this song, find it and listen to it LOL!)
Nora was talking to Bo, but he wasn't hearing her. He heard the song instead. Asa watched them from the other side of the room.
B: Red, would you like to dance?
Nora was taken aback. They hadn't danced in so long, let alone touched or held each other and this was a slow song. She hesitated.
N: I don't think so.
B: Come on, I won't bite.
He reached for her hand and led her to the dance floor. He wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her close to him. She succumbed to his touch and let him lead the way.
B: This is one of my favorite songs.
N: Yes….yes, mine too. It's lovely.
They danced the rest of the song in silence. Nora gently rested one hand on the back of his neck and the other firmly planted in his hand. Bo reveled in her touch. She felt so good next to him. He thought of a line from a Frank Sinatra song - 'What is dancing, but making love set to music'. Truer words were never written. He loved dancing with her and he missed it.
When the song finished, they held their embrace for a short moment. Nora spotted Asa out of the corner of her eye and knew what he had done. He chose the song.
N: I think we've been had.
B: What?
N: Your pa is mighty quick with a quarter.
Bo looked over to the jukebox and Asa was pouring in quarters and picking songs.
Bo laughed. His father never ceased to amaze him with his devotion in trying to reunite him with Nora. He thought it would stop when he left Llanview.
B: It was just a dance, Nora.
His mood changed so quickly again.
N: Why are you so cold to me? I'm here to talk to you, help you, nothing more. And by the way, you asked me to dance.
She walked away and over to Asa. She tapped him on the shoulder and starting walking to the door.
N: Let's go. (She shouted over her shoulder)
Asa looked over at Bo who stood in the middle of the dance floor watching her leave.
He charged over to Bo and got in his face.
A: Just what in the hell is wrong with you, boy? Get in your truck and get home.
B: Pa! I'm not 18; you can't order me around.
A: Why are you being so stubborn? That girl loves you and you love her!
B: Love? Jeez, pa, now you've got us in love and back together again. What is wrong with you? I think the smoke in here is fogging up your brain. That's your plan isn't it? You dragged Nora with you because you're still holding on to this Bo and Nora reunion, aren't you? Well, you're crazy. It was one dance. A simple dance. I have sworn off women for good - all women! Got it?
Asa laughed heartily.
A: It's not normal for a Buchanan man to be without a woman, especially you.
B: Oh, give me a break! You're such a chauvinist! The way I look at it, the Buchanan men are not such hot property anymore. I think we've hurt way too many women in Llanview.
A: You're drunk! I've seen the way the girls in here are looking at you. And Nora is number one on the list. She loves you and I know it. You two don't see yourselves the way others do. It's written all over your faces and in your body language. Now, I gave Nora the best room in the house. Plenty of room for two. You come home and set her straight.
B: You're impossible! Get out of my way!
He storms out past Asa, past the waiting limo, and to his truck. He slams the door and his radio blares out with the same song they just danced to. He shuts it off and speeds out of the parking lot and heads back to the ranch.
Nora is fuming. She is regretting that she ever picked up Asa's phone call. She kept looking out the window for him. She wanted to go back to the ranch and perhaps head back to Llanview. Bo was impossible to deal with like this. In plain English, he was being a jerk. Asa returned and they headed home.
N: I'm going back to Llanview, Asa. I think Bo is past my trying to help him. Besides, he doesn't want my help.
A: Nora, don't listen to him. You can't leave, you just got here! He's a stubborn ole cuss. You of all people should know that.
N: I don't know. I certainly didn't travel all this way to be treated like a stranger.
A: He loves you, honey. And I know you love him.
N: Asa, please! Don't go there. There is no Bo and Nora anymore. We're just friends.
A: And pigs can fly.
Nora laughed.
N: You are impossible! But, thank you for caring.
The limo pulled up to the house and Bo's truck was already there.
Nora was still upset and she got lost in the hallways trying to remember where her room was. She ended up in the kitchen, which had sliding glass doors leading to a large brick patio, inground pool, and hot tub.
The cooks were preparing the food for the barbecue. It looked like there was enough food to feed half of Texas.
Bo was swimming laps in the pool. Nora watched him. He saw her and got out of the pool. His wet, tanned body glistened in the sun. Nora felt weak again. She had to leave. 'Cut it out, Nora. He's just a man. A man who broke your heart'. She turned and left to find her room.
Bo wrapped a large towel around him and followed her. He called out to her, but she ignored him. She finally found her room and was about to close the door when he appeared in the doorway.
B: Red, I'm sorry.
N: I'm not your "Red" anymore. Please don't call me that.
B: Touché.
N: And you're dripping all over the floor. Please leave.
B: Let me talk to you.
He steps in her room and closes the door.
N: What are you doing? (She is uncomfortable at the nearness of him)
He walks into the bathroom and starts to dry himself off. He grabs another towel and runs it roughly over his hair.
B: Did you find any men's clothes in the closet?
N: No, I didn't. And just how does Asa know my bra size?
B: He what?
N: There are hundreds of clothes in that closet - all my size!
B: Hmmm, underwear too, huh? I have no idea. That is kind of strange, isn't it?
N: Kind of? It's creepy!
B: Well, Nora, I'm sure he didn't go around checking your drawers back home….um, so to speak. He must have asked someone.
N: Was it you?
B: No! Maybe Renee told him. Don't worry about it. Besides, he chose well. You look great today.
N: Bo, you are standing there half-naked in my bathroom, dripping all over the place. Please leave. We can talk later. Actually, no we can't. I'm going back to Llanview.
B: You can't leave. Look, I'm sorry. I want to make it up to you. Let's talk. Pa's preparing all this food. I'm sure you could use it. Last I remember, you never did eat properly.
Nora was determined not to fall for his charms, but she agreed to stay - for now.
N: All right. I'll stay - for now. I will make no promises as to how long I'll be here. I want to help you in any way I can, Bo. But, I will not be treated like an intruder in your life. Understood?
B: Great! I understand. And again, I apologize for earlier.
He starts to walk to his room.
N: Which wing are you in? (She laughs)
B: Right next store to you! Imagine that. (He enters the door a few feet away from hers and winks) See you outside in a few!
TO BE CONTINUED…..
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