Read Online A Love for All Seasons by Bettye Griffin - Free Book Online

hadn’t even mentioned the name of the town, fearing he might get preconceived notions. She seriously doubted he was a gold digger, but sometimes people looked at her differently when she said the word “Westport.” It might not be the wealthiest town in Fairfield County—she believed New Canaan held that distinction—but it probably had higher name recognition as a city of privileged residents.
    She watched the scenery of the New Haven line pass by as the train moved south. Funny. She found it much easier to speak with Jack on the phone than she did being with him face-to-face. On the phone none of the disquieting feelings existed. She wondered why that was….
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    In his Stamford condominium, Jack felt pretty good about the way the conversation went. He’d forced himself not to dial her number until now, knowing she expected to hear from him well before this. A woman as good-looking as Alicia Timberlake was sure to have her fair share of admirers, all of whom probably contacted her as soon as they could. He, on the other hand, wanted to stand out from the pack. Instead he did his usual weekend errands—the barber, the dry cleaner, the supermarket. He spent Saturday afternoon playing basketball at the courts near his apartment, where a person could always get a game going. That night he went to a local club, but he saw no one who interested him the way Alicia Timberlake had. Sunday he went for a drive up U.S. Seven, a particularly scenic route with an abundance of fall foliage, then relaxed with the papers while watching football on TV.
    As the game neared its conclusion he finally reached for his cell phone and dialed her number. He would never know for certain if she’d been wondering if he would call or not, but he nonetheless felt convinced he’d done the right thing, largely in light of her evasiveness. He knew that Alicia’s saying her mother lived in “Fairfield County” had been no more an accident than when she recited her phone number, knowing he had no pen and paper. He was a resident of the county himself, but for some reason she didn’t want him to know exactly where her mother lived. Because of that, he suggested they meet somewhere. He couldn’t imagine her reasons—he wouldn’t care if her mother lived in a cave. He just wanted Alicia to be comfortable and without reservations about their date.
    He had no sooner hung up when the phone rang again. Pete’s voice came over the wire. “Hey there.”
    â€œWhat’s up?”
    â€œI’m calling at the behest of my wife,” he said.
    Jack pictured him smiling fondly at Rhonda. He suddenly felt quite alone.
    â€œBoth of us wanted to thank you for taking care of Alicia the other night. Rhonda, out of pure concern for your social life, also wants to know if you met any nice girls at the party.”
    â€œActually, yes. I’m having dinner with the hostess herself next weekend.”
    â€œAlicia?”
    â€œYes.” Jack picked up on the incredulity in his friend’s tone. “Something wrong with that?”
    â€œNo, of course not. I’m just kind of surprised, that’s all.” In the background Jack heard Rhonda say, “I’m surprised, too.”
    â€œWhy do you say that?”
    â€œI don’t think she’s your type.”
    â€œWhy? Because I’m a country boy from Docena, Alabama, and she’s a sophisticated city slicker?”
    â€œPlease. You’re about as much as a hick as Bill Clinton or Condi Rice. You don’t even have an accent. Listen, I’m the first one to say that just because a person is from a small town in the South doesn’t mean they just fell off a turnip truck. But Alicia’s…well, she’s different, Jack.”
    â€œI didn’t notice the antenna growing out of her head.”
    â€œCome on, man. I’m not saying she’s an alien. It’s her personality. I don’t