Hector dragged the mower back to the shed then came round front. Cut grass sticking to his calves and shoes, hair
curling around the cap due to sweat and humidity.
"There. That's done. Won't have to worry about losing anyone." He said with a grin. "And no one can sneak up too."
Andi grinned as she looked at him. Yeah. There had to be something wrong with her if she found a sweaty, dirty man
so very attractive that way. She straightened up from where she'd coiled the hose.
"I didn't have time to go back inside and get you another drink yet." The mischief started dancing in her eyes. "I could
just let you drink out of the hose if you'd rather." Her grin spread. "I've gotten to be a very good aim with it."
"Now that is multi tasking at its best." He said with a chuckle. "Hose me off AND I get something cold to drink. Or
lukewarm." Since the hose was in the sun and all. "And I think your aim is lacking, I thought the point was to spray the
poodle and whatever horde comes this way, but somehow I ended up getting the brunt of it."
She laughed at him, coming over to wind her arms around his shoulders and tipping her head to look at him from
under the brim of her hat. He was hot from the sun and smelled like sweat and cut grass.
"Who says my aim was off?" She asked, long fingers trailing slow up the back of his neck to play in his damply curling
hair under the brim of his cap. She continued as if she wasn't. "I hit the poodle and I couldn't very well take out Mrs.
Johnson. She had food."
"Oh, I see. Just innocently caught in the crossfire." He said with a chuckle and kissed the tip of her nose. "I tend to get
that, the innocently caught somewhere idea, you know."
He had his arms around her, hands loosely clasped at the small of her back as he grinned. "But I think I'm done with
all the yard work now. For now."
"I never said it was innocently." She protested before her grin spread, eyes dancing. Pleased her body relaxed into
his. They were both going to end up in the shower anyway. Tipping her head to keep from poking him with the brim of
the hat, she slid a kiss against his mouth. Promising before she drew back with a bright grin. Teasing. "You are rather
hot. We should get you out of those clothes. But only if you're very sure you're done." One of her nails trailed lightly
against his throat. "I wouldn't want to interrupt anything after all."
"I'm very sure." He said with a grin."And ask anyone, I'm an innocent force of nature in a complicated world." And he
managed that nearly with a straight face, but failed at the last minute. "Come on, let's get you out of the sun and see
how many freckles you earned today."
She laughed as his summary of himself and than her eyes lit and her grin widened.
"I've been ever so busy at that" she promised. Slipping out of his arms but only to take his hand and lead him back
into the house. "So you'll have to count very, very carefully."
Food shopping for the cook out was just going to have to wait a while longer.
"And recount, since I don't want to have a mistaken count. Perfectionism is very important, in the things you can be
perfect with. Like counting. Over and over again." he said with a grin as he closed the door behind them. The house
was nicely air conditioned....he'd miss that.
The bedroom was all the way upstairs and that was simply too far away at the moment. It was the vague thought as
she stepped back into his arms. That - and anyone that said he wasn't talkative simply wasn't paying attention.
'Over and over again' had her stomach doing wonderful things when he drawled it with that smile.
"Accuracy is important." She agreed. Lips against the edge of his chin. "Concentration." The bottom of his lower lip.
"Attention to detail." Her long hands slipped under his shirt to move against the slick skin of his back. "Very close
attention to details." She murmured.
"Of course." He said, keeping focus on matters at hand. Luckily for him (and his focus) the matters at hand were quite
something to pay attention to! He easily shed the shirt, and tossed it until it was hanging haphazardly off the coat
rack, his baseball cap on some random end table, along with hers.
"Attention to detail, along with persistence, is the American way."
Her knees were threatening to go along with her concentration so she simply backed up into a wall, drawing him with
her. Nails light but starting to curve against the moving muscles of his back. With his help it was easy to wiggle out of
the pants.
Mouth against his she managed to focus enough to answer.
"Do think I rather like - the American way."
"Good." He said, tangling his hand in her hair, removing the baseball cap, the other hand bracing himself against the
wall and her. "Never underestimate Americans." He said with a chuckle. "We're always full of surprises." He kissed her,
long, then pulled away. "Also very much into concentration and focus." He said with a teasing grin. "Come on, I really
do need a shower."
Her eyes were going smoky but her lips still curved in answer. Leaning in to kiss him again, she made a humming
noise. Offering no help as her hands slid down to his hips.
"All right." She agreed with a grin. "But I find I rather fancy you hot and sweaty too."
He laughed. "Really? I'll have to remember you said that when we're back in Africa and showers are hard to come by."
He said with a grin, seeing he was getting no help from her, picked her up so her legs went around his waist and
started up the stairs to the bathroom.
Leaving clothes in piles along their journey, and using up all the hot water again, they did manage to actually shower,
though the water was cold by then. But in the heat and humidity of Louisiana, that was a welcoming blast.
She was glowing as she rubbed her damp hair with a towel and the smile she gave him when he came out into the
bedroom was full of pure joy and deep warmth.
"Have I told you lately how happy I am?" She asked, hair damp and tangling around her bare shoulders. Moving over
to snuggle in his arms, eyes dancing as she raised her face to him. "Because I am. So happy."
"Yeah, I know. Water heaters do that to you." He teased. He kissed her, and might have gone for more, when he spied
the clock. "Oh shit." He said with a chuckle. "We have to get the food, or we're going to have a riot on our hands."
Reaching behind himself toward the dresser he picked out his clothes by feel. Luckily all his clothes 'matched' each
other.
"Dare them to venture into the house if they see the clothes strewn all up the stairs." She laughed. Spending an only
slightly longer amount of time getting clothes and getting dressed herself. Pausing to kiss him again just because as
she brushed out her hair. Winding it into a braid, she asked:
"So what exactly do we need to bring? And what's everyone else bringing? And - " she paused and turned to look at
him wide eyed. Edges of her lips starting to smirk. "Are you actually the one that instigating a shopping session?"
"Food shopping is entirely different. I tend to do that sometimes all on my own." He said with a chuckle. "Hamburgers,
hot dogs, rolls, ketchup, mustard, pickles. The staples. The rest are bringing the trimmings." The different salads, the
desserts, the side dishes. Mostly because no one trusted him to do much more than barbeque, and it was an old habit.
"Oh. Well. That's entirely different, yeah?" Andi agreed in a voice that said she was humoring his distinction. Then she
leaned over to kiss him again before wiggling into her shoes. "We should get the clothes from the stairs and ceiling
fans and wherever else they ended up too." She teased as she headed out the door of the bedroom. It actually wasn't
too far fetched. Their only salvation was probably the fact that there hadn't been many clothes to start with.
"It's completely different." He said with a chuckle as he picked a shirt off the railing. "Food shopping is all about
survival, since I don't own a farm or anything. Gift shopping? Not really. It's a distinct difference." He said with a
chuckle, grabbing his keys as he placed his 'pile' on an empty chair.
Andi added her 'collection' to his on the chair. Making a quick check to be sure that they'd at least gotten the
potentially embarrassing items. Then she slipped his arm through his, fingers linking his longer ones as they stepped
out the door.
"Some would suggest gift shopping at certain times is about 'survival' too." She pointed out. Wondering if his sisters
were ever going to get the things he'd picked out for them. She hoped so. They were nice gifts and, whether from his
imagination or not, they were from Hector. She also hoped she wouldn't have to be around for it. She'd done enough
'family' for now. She'd been good and now she just wanted to spend time with people that actually liked her.
"Do we need soda too?" She asked and then paused. Shutting her eyes to inhale the smell of fresh cut grass. It was a
wonderful smell. And, lips starting to curve, one she'd never think of exactly the same way again either.
"Tommy's bringing beer," just because Hector didn't drink by choice didn't mean his friends couldn't, "should make
some more sun tea. So I guess for the newly acquainted Southerner, we should pick up some soda for you. Only so
much of that stuff I can make you choke down."
She chuckled, relaxing into a comfortable stride that matched his as they started walking.
"Considering you drink most of mine most of the time, I think that's a sound plan." No one could say she hadn't given
the odd stuff a good try. And it wasn't that she didn't like it. Or like it. It was just - too odd for her to form an opinion on.
"I like lemonade." She offered, giving him a smile. "Isn't that a bit 'southern'?"
"Okay, that it can be." Hector allowed. "I think Steve's bringing that." Or Steve's latest girlfriend at any rate. Someone
was. He was sure he had heard it mentioned. If not they had powdered mix in the kitchen cabinet. He handed her her
helmet and got on the bike, waiting until she was on, then went on toward Mr Haskins' shop, getting all the staples and
issuing an invitation. Which was accepted. Barbeque invitations usually were in these parts, even if you didn't like the
person. Which wasn't a problem with Mr Haskins.
They came out of the grocer's a bit heavier than they'd gone in and Andi was grinning. She'd gotten some things for
her Da to experiment with when they went to see him. She watched while Hector packed the bike and than slipped on
behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Resting her chin against his shoulder she asked:
"Should I be concerned with this 'marshmallow' casserole his wife is going to bring?"
"Absolutely not." Hector said. "Her ambrosia is, well, nearly sent by the gods, if you're into polydeism." He chuckled
and started the bike up, going back to his house where Tommy's car was already. "Oh boy, better put the fire
department on alert now."
Andi laughed as she slide off the bike, pulling off her helmet. Doubting Tommy was just patiently waiting for them to
get home to get the party started.
"I haven't mentioned it, but I like your friends." She leaned in to kiss Hector before helping with the grocery bags. "And
I like that they let themselves in."
Tommy was already in the kitchen. And there were sounds coming from the back porch. He chuckled when he saw
them and tossed a finger to indicate the faint sounds.
"You were almost out of sun tea, man."
"So you put Amy to work? Good. No freeloaders at this party." Hector said as he set his bags down on the counter.
"Started the grill up, should be ready for those burgers in a bit." Tommy said with a wide smile.
"Remember...there is a difference between well done and crispy." Hector teased.
"Yeah, yeah. What can I say? I'm a man. Fire good. Raw bad."
Andi flashed Tommy a smile of greeting and then went about either putting things away or putting them out. And she
didn't forget Mrs. Johnson's dish as she slid it into the oven and turned everything on for the proper amount of time.
"Hey." Amy, a tiny woman with enough dynamite in her that it should have taken three more of her just to contain it,
poked her head in the door. "Hey, Andi, hey, Hector. What'd you do to the dog? It's not barking?"
"Oh I fed it one of Tommy's burgers." Hector said off handedly, getting a punch in the arm from Tommy.
"You know, I can actually see that." Amy said.
"Don't mind her." Tommy told Andi. "She's a vegetarian." Punctuated by the fact that Hector tossed her a head of
lettuce to do the salad with, since that was one of the jobs she'd volunteered for.
"It sounds delightful." Andi commented. Giving the other woman a wink. "Unfortunately I'm English. There's actually
laws on the books about not being able to eat vegetables of any kind. With exemptions for potatoes, of course."
"You don't know what you're missing." Amy walked over to join her at the counter as Andi pulled down the cutting
board and knives for her, as well as several larger bowls.
"Hey. No recruiting." Tommy shook a large finger. Shot Hector a warning look. "Once they go over to the dark side it’s
all over. They start trying to slip all kinds of unnatural things into meals when they think you're not paying attention."
"You want unnatural come eat an MRE." Hector said with a chuckle, bringing out the salads that had been stashed in
the fridge.
"So vegetarianism is the dark side?" Jo said, coming in with Rachel and loads of pastries and things. "Thought
lesbianism was."
"Only to red blooded unattached males." Tommy replied.
"So, so far, you're everyone here is safe." Andi grinned her greeting. Rinsing off cherry tomatoes in the sink while
Amy cut up the larger version of them into slices both for the salad and the burgers. She lifted her chin to gesture.
"Things that don't need any more prep time can go on the kitchen table until it’s time for them to make their
appearance outside."
"Hey, yeah." Amy commented, not watching as she sliced and making Tommy cringe. "That picnic tables not going to
be long enough to hold everyone AND the food. Don't you have anything else, Hector?"
"Oh no." Jo stated, unloading at the kitchen table. "You did NOT just ask him to go rummage for something. If he goes
in that garage all the men are going to disappear in there with him in a short amount of time. Not that that won't make
things easier but who's going to do all the work while we sit around and chat?"
"I'm sure I can find something all on my own." Hector said. "Of course carrying it out is another deal entirely.....come
on Tommy...."
"See?' Jo said laughing as she grabbed the ketchup and mustard. "Time limit guys, or I'm coming in with my dark side
self. I swear."
"Yes, my master." Tommy did a surprisingly good impression of Darth Vader and Amy chuckled after him as he and
Hector exited, Andi leaning over to catch a quick kiss from her boyfriend on his way out.
"He's such a nerd." Amy shook her head. "I swear he'd sneak into Sci Fi conventions if there was one nearby."
Jo laughed.
"I'd pay good money to see him 'sneak'."
Rachel cleared her throat.
"So." She started innocently enough. "Is anyone going to explain that small pile of rumpled clothes near the foot of the
staircase on the way in?"
"Oh." Andi' ears and cheeks washed with color. "Bugger." She gave a slight cough. "I'llberightback." She commented
on her exit back toward the hallway.
"Oh no, it's us girls, we want details." Jo said with a laugh, blocking the way. "You so owe me. This is the closest I get
to straight sex you know."
"Closest we want to be too, but the details are fun." Rachel piped up, knowing she started the whole thing and loving it.
Amy laughed. "Hey girl talk the American way. Welcome to America."
Hector heard part of that as he and Tommy made a quick exit for the garage and chuckled.
Andi laughed and ran her tongue over her front teeth. Measuring Jo the way she would an opponent on the basketball
court. Trying to contain the smile.
"One detail." She clarified. "And then I get to go get the clothes before someone else comes in the front door and gets
the grand tour without moving past the stairwell, yeah?"
"Well be the judge of that!" Amy declared, flourishing the knife as if it were a great deal less lethal. "It’s got to be a
good detail!"
"Right." Andi visibly braced herself. Trying not to laugh at the situation. "After Hector finished mowing the lawn he was
rather hot and sweaty. With his hair going all curly the way it does when it gets damp. We - mm, came in the front door
and I really need to make sure there aren't hand prints on the wall just inside the door or on the stairs either. Ta." And
with that she did a false dodge and pivoted past Jo. Through the door and into the hallway before everyone's minds
refocused enough for reaction.
"Daaaamn." Jo managed. "Did that just mean what I'm thinking it meant?"
"Better have." Amy commented. "Because if she just meant they left dirty hand prints on the railing because they
touched them while walking casually upstairs I'm going to be really, really pissed."
"Clothes in a pile in the staircase?" Tommy asked Hector as they were in the garage looking for something they could
mock up as a picnic table.
"Clothes by the stair case. Big difference." Hector said with a chuckle.
"Uh, not really." Tommy said. "Good going man. Knew you had it in you."
"No you didn't. And had what?" Hector said, finding some small picnic tables formerly used as the 'kids' table when he
was younger and starting to clear them off.
"Oh you know." Tommy said. "It."
"Ah. Like the shoe." Hector said wisely.
"Exactly."
"So - I'm not going to ever be able to look at that staircase the same way again." Jo was commenting. "Up until this
point it was just 'that place I chipped a tooth falling down when I was thirteen'. Now it’s... not."
"I kinda like it." Amy commented cheerfully. "Now we can just wiggle our eyebrows at her whenever we're near it and
watch her go red."
"She does do that red thing cute." Rachel agreed as she checked the macaroni. "I didn't know people still blushed in
this day and age."
"I blush all the time." Jo grinned. "You just can't see it on me."
Amy flicked a cherry tomato at her and laughed.
"Oi, more company" Andi announced as she came back into the kitchen. Followed closely by Sara and Pete. Jo
relaxed.
"Wow." Sara commented dryly. "You've already eaten all the men."