| Chapter 10 Blue and white striped tents dotted the field. The volunteers were beginning to gather even though it was only 7:00 a.m. The last two days had been spent erecting this tent city. Shelby had been present both days to assure that all was accomplished. It was going to be a hot day as the sun reaching its peak burned off the morning dew. The air was heavy and Shelby could feel the perspiration gathering between her breasts. All her planning had come to fruition and now all that was left was for the patrons to walk through the gates. Paddleboats were lined up at the dock, the Shetland Ponies were out for their morning workout and the aroma of the barbecue roasting over the open pit made Shelby�s stomach growl. As she grabbed a cup of coffee Elise called to her and Shelby took off. Her day had begun. While Shelby was dealing with last minute details, Brian was only waking. In the weeks since his encounter with Shelby Brian had invited her to lunch and dinner on numerous occasions. But each time, Shelby canceled at the last minute. Messages would be left on his phone or Elise would call to give him the news. He was convinced he had hurt her in some way and unless they talked about it, the issue would never be resolved. But that was never going to happen if he couldn�t pin her down long enough. He dragged himself into the shower. He knew she would be busy today so there wouldn�t be any chance for them to be alone. He stood under the spray letting the water wipe the last vestiges of sleep from his body. They had been good friends yet those last few months he noticed a cooling in Shelby, especially when he was with Laurie. She seemed to revert back to that formal business demeanor but it would unravel whenever she happened upon Brian and Laurie. As he dressed he remembered how Shelby kept her distance from the very first time Laurie had joined them. And where once she had joined in their late night parties, the last couple of years she stopped. Not even AJ could persuade her. Somewhere along the way something changed. Yet she denied it. But one thing hadn�t changed. Brian was still in love with her. That day in her office he had to control his emotions. If Ron hadn�t walked in, well it was probably just as well that he did. Otherwise Brian may have left with a bruised ego. So far all his attempts to see her had failed. So the next step was to find out what restaurants she frequented, where she shopped and had her car serviced. Brian grabbed his hat and sunglasses and headed out the door. He would think about that tomorrow, today was for the kids and they deserved his undivided attention. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Shelby left the trailer with a broad grin on her face. They had a runaway success the donations were proof. It was late afternoon and there were only a couple hours left but the grounds were still crowded. The food, drink, games, rides and the lake for cooling off had provided a wonderful day for everyone. As she meandered through the grounds she happened to see a young boy standing at one of the food tents waiting patiently. Shelby couldn�t see anyone behind the counter and decided to see if she could help him out. As she rounded the end of the tent she nearly fell over someone crouched over the freezer. �Found one,� Brian said as he stood up waving the Popsicle and hitting Shelby in the face. He turned around as Shelby yelped, the ice hitting her cheek. �Oh God, Shel, I�m sorry.� He touched her cheek as a red mark blossomed below her eye. �Hey mister, can I have the pop, please?� The young boy begged impatiently his hand stretching across the counter. �Oh sure, here you go.� Brian handed it to the boy who grinned as he ripped off the paper and shoved the cool sweetness into his mouth. Brian turned back to Shelby. She could feel her cheek beginning to smart and the redness was obvious. �Brian? What are you doing here?� She was still in shock at seeing him there hustling food. �Working,� he grinned �and smacking a beautiful woman in the face with a Popsicle.� He touched her cheek again and Shelby felt her legs go weak. She stepped back. �I am sorry Shel.� �It�s okay, really.� Before either could say anything else they were bombarded by customers. Shelby fell in step with Brian and they worked side by side filling the orders. He was fast and Shelby had all she could do to keep up with him. Most people didn�t seem to recognize him and Brian was comfortable just being one of many volunteers that day. When they finally had a lull, Shelby wiped her brow and took a bottle of water. �It�s not as easy as it looks.� She chuckled. �No. It took me a while today too, but once you get your rhythm going, it�s not so bad.� He leaned against the counter and just gazed at her. Her face was flushed and tiny beads of perspiration dotted her upper lip. Brian stepped toward Shelby and touched her cheek. �Does it still sting?� �No.� She removed his hand from her face but he wouldn�t let go. �Shel,� he held her fast. �Not now Brian.� He loosened his grip and she pulled away. �Then when?� Shelby shrugged. �We need to talk. There are things,� a young couple approached and Shelby went to the counter ignoring Brian as she filled their order. Brian hung back and waited, but they weren�t given a moments peace and before they knew it, it was time to close up. They worked independently of each other storing the food that could be saved into the coolers and the rest would be picked up to be discarded. Shelby was intent on packaging up leftover hot-dog buns when she felt a soft spray of water hit her neck. She turned to see Brian hosing down one of the large buckets and he wasn�t paying much attention to where the water was going. Again he hit her and she let out a scream as the water hit her back. �Gee Shel, I didn�t mean to douse you.� He laughed as she pulled the shirt from her body. �Oh you think it�s funny do you.� She went for the hose but Brian grabbed it first, taunting her with it. She knew him too well and Brian loved to tease. Shelby looked around but there were only a couple of buckets of coleslaw and chili sitting on the table. She hesitated only for a minute. If he wanted to play dirty so could she. She took two large handfuls and stood her ground. �Come on Shelby, I didn�t mean it.� She inched towards him and Brian backed off a bit not sure if she would really toss the food at him. �You don�t want to do this. Really you don�t.� �Why?� Shelby moved in again. �Because you won�t win.� Brian dropped the hose and grabbed her hands sending the coleslaw flying all over them. Shelby was not about to be bested as she went back to the buckets and took some more. �Shelby,� Brian backed off but she kept walking towards him and before he had a chance to stop her he got two handfuls in the face. Shelby laughed as Brian sputtered and wiped the shredded cabbage from his face. After that it was all out war. They smeared each other�s hair and clothing until they were both covered in a mixture cabbage and beans and collapsed on the ground. They looked like they had landed in a garbage bin. Brian looked at Shelby and started laughing. She was a mess and he knew he probably looked just as bad. He stood up and took her hand pulling her to her feet. �Come with me.� �I can�t see, I can�t see,� Shelby moaned as she tried to wipe the food from her face. Brian dragged her along but she seemed to resist and she continued to wipe her face. Jackie was on her way to lend a hand at the booth, when she saw them. She just stopped and watched as Brian picked up a reluctant Shelby and walked down to the shoreline. �Come on Shel, time for a bath.� Brian waded out into the water and dropped her in the lake Brian diving in right next to her. Shelby came up sputtering and was ready to give Brian a good tongue lashing when he surfaced next to her. Bits of food still clung to their bodies but the water had washed away a good bit. The water actually felt refreshing and wanting to get one last dig at Brian she dunked him and then submerged herself before he could retaliate. Shelby swam away and emerged a good distance from Brian. She stood up and began to head to shore when she felt a hand on her arm. �Shelby, wait.� She shook off his hand and continued out of the lake. Her shirt was stuck to her body and her jeans felt like a thousand pounds as she waded through the water. �You made your point Brian,� she continued, �you won!� She started up the embankment but Brian took hold of her again causing her to lose her balance and Shelby stumbled to the ground. �Leave me alone, Brian. Just leave me alone.� She tried to get up but slid again and landed face down in the grass. Brian knelt beside her and turned her over, there were tears in her eyes as he brushed the hair from her face. �Brian please, go away.� She turned her head, but he cupped her chin and made her look at him. �No, I won�t go away, because,� he didn�t finish. Even with her streaked face and her wet, dirty clothes her beauty came through. He couldn�t deny what he felt any longer and without thinking Brian leaned down and gently pressed his lips to hers. |