Flirting with Fifty

“I think you’re fascinating.”

He kissed her. “Thank you.”

She blushed and glanced around the room. No one was paying them any attention, but it was clear from the equipment being rolled in that this room would be used for today’s symposium sessions. The idea of being cooped up in here all day wasn’t as appealing as getting out and exploring further.

“I don’t want you to feel unsupported,” she said.

“I’m not breasts in need of a bra.”

“Or balls in need of a jockstrap?”

He choked on a muffled laugh, eyes glinting with humor. “Please go. I promise to tell you if something riveting happens.”

“Alright. But I’ll want a full report later.” She collected their plates, took them to the kitchen, and returned with a mug of tea for Jack.

He flashed her a smile that was as hot and sexy as they came. Paige’s heart thumped hard and she quietly slipped away.

It was a wonderful morning. The conference had arranged a park ranger to accompany the shuttle and Paige loved all the information on the history of the park, as well as the facts about Yellowstone itself, from Yellowstone stretching over three states with the majority in Wyoming, to the park being viewed as the greatest megafauna in the country. There was discussion on how Yellowstone was the site of the largest ancient volcano in North America, and that the volcano is still active today. Eventually the discussion turned to humans, and how people had lived in Yellowstone for eleven thousand years, and that Native Americans were inhabiting the area when President Ulysses Grant named Yellowstone as the world’s first national park.

Paige listened, riveted, glad to have the chance to see different geysers and hot springs. She noted the facts on the herds of bison, and how in 1902, fewer than fifty bison were left in Yellowstone, but today the number was above four thousand.

There was an easy walk along the boardwalk, and then a wait to see Old Faithful before lunch at a cafeteria adjacent to the historic lodge. A woman named Sheila sat down next to Paige. She’d introduced herself earlier as the wife of one of the visiting professors, her husband on the faculty of University of Georgia.

“We all wondered who he’d bring this year,” Sheila said, lifting the bun of her hamburger to squeeze on some ketchup. “We discussed taking bets but that seemed a little crass.”

Paige didn’t feel much like smiling. She glanced down at her chicken caesar salad, appetite gone as well. “How wonderful that you’ve been able to attend for so many years.”

“Yes, and Camille was at many of them, and then she wasn’t.” Sheila shrugged. “It’s been a bit of a revolving door ever since.”

“Hundreds of women,” Paige said, unable to hide her sarcasm.

“Oh no, a half dozen, maybe. It’s just that we liked Dr. Ormond so much. She’d become one of us.”

Paige counted to five, and then to ten, fighting her annoyance. Clearly Camille had been a big part of Jack’s life, but they weren’t together anymore and Paige really didn’t feel like hearing about her. Nor did she want to spend the rest of lunch, never mind the day, talking to Sheila. “I think I’m going to call home and check in with everybody,” Paige said, rising and picking up her lunch tray. She nearly threw it out, but then thought better of it, and carried her tray outside, finding a spot on a bench in the sun.

She shouldn’t let Sheila get to her, but the woman had gotten under her skin, stirring those whispers of self-doubt. Why had Paige come? What made her think she belonged here? She wasn’t a spouse, wasn’t a significant other. Why did she think she belonged?

Paige stabbed her salad and tried to eat a few bites. It was hard to chew, harder to swallow, but she forced herself to eat at least half of the salad, aware that it’d be a long time until dinner. As she ate, she pictured Jack—broad shoulders, lean torso, muscular frame. She could see his smile and his eyes, and that flare of heat he’d get in his eyes when he looked at her, but she wondered if that was how he smiled at all the women who’d accompanied him here. Did he make every woman he dated feel special? The way he made her feel special?

Picturing him at this symposium with lots of different women made her queasy. She closed the lid on her salad and walked it to a garbage can, throwing it away.

Paige avoided the gift shop after lunch, choosing instead to wander through the education center. She wished she’d come with her girls. She’d be far more comfortable with her daughters. When with her daughters, she had a purpose. She felt valued and needed. Paige didn’t feel either at the moment. No wonder Elizabeth had more children after remarrying. Motherhood kept one busy and shifted the focus onto the needs of others.

Finally, it was time to board the shuttle. Paige was quiet during the drive back to their conference, and once off the shuttle, headed straight for her cabin, where she shut herself inside and tackled work. She was still sitting on her bed entering grades when she heard a knock on her door.

She could tell just from the knock that it was Jack. Jack did everything with confidence and energy. Paige opened the door. “How did it go?” she asked, forcing warmth into her voice.

“Well. Did you doubt it?”

She smiled despite herself. “No. I’ve seen you in action. I’m sure everyone was enthralled.”

His gaze swept over her, a quick glance from head to toe before returning to her face. “What happened? You’ve lost your sparkle.”

“I don’t sparkle,” she answered grumpily.

“You do. It’s one of my favorite things about you.”

Paige started to deny that there was anything wrong before changing her mind. She was upset. She felt embarrassed. She dreaded dinner. “I was informed during today’s excursion that Camille used to come with you every year.” Trying not to fidget, Paige slid her hands into her jean pockets. “You’ve mentioned her to me before, but I hadn’t realized she played such a significant role in your life.” She saw his expression and hastened to add, “I’m not complaining. I was just caught off guard.”

He gestured to her half-closed door. “Can I come in so we could talk?”

She nodded and stepped back. Jack entered her cabin, closed the door behind him. She saw him glance around her cabin. Full-size bed with rustic headboard. Two nightstands. Two lamps. Rustic dresser. Yellow plaid curtains hanging at the windows. Rocking chair in the corner. “Is your room the same?” she asked.

He sat down in the rocking chair. “I have green check curtains, and a green blanket.”

Paige closed her laptop and sat down on the foot of her bed. “I don’t want to put you on the spot. In fact, I don’t want to know all the details of your personal life—that’s your life—but it was awkward today, when Sheila—”

“Sheila, was it?”