Nothing To Chance

He’d left nothing to chance. At least he hoped he hadn’t. And he was good at planning, so this was sure to go off without a hitch. Ever since Tara had cajoled them all into taking part in her current festival of the week, St. Valentine’s Day.

“Come on, it will be fun,” she had encouraged her dubious team.

“Look, we’re used to you playing around with Christmas, and I don’t even mind the bunnies and chicks at Easter, though the live ducklings were a bit much last year. But Valentine’s Day, Tara? Is nothing sacred to you?” he had been the first to protest, but as usual to no avail.

Tara had compromised. “Okay, we won’t do everything I planned, but we will do…this one. Yes, this looks like fun!” She had grinned up at them all from her perch at the computer with such enthusiasm that no one had the heart to discourage her. “This is an ancient Valentine’s Day custom. And it’s easy to do. You have to claim the first person of the opposite sex that you see on Valentine’s Day for your Valentine.”

“And that would entail?”

“Oh, I don’t know, taking him, or her, out to lunch, doing absolutely everything together all day and then something special in the evening. Come on, this should be lots of fun.”

“I’ve never wished you were in a committed relationship more than I do right now.” He forgot who said that, but it was the general consensus of the day.

Of course they had all grumbled and flatly refused to participate…which is why he was perched out here in the freezing cold before the sun had even risen waiting to for the first glimpse of…

Okay why I have decided to write a short Valentine Story I don’t know, but I have and I really until today was not going to write one, I thought I would leave it to those who are better at writing fuzz and fluff but no here I am with a little something. Hopefully it will be short


“Sue” he cried out and Levi pawed her leg to attract her attention, she looked over to see Jack casually resting against his car and she led Levi over.

“Jack” she said warily regarding him suspiciously, he was dressed as though it were a Saturday and he wore a grin which captivated his whole face which lit up like a beacon on a stormy night.

“Hi” he said taking a deep breath still with the grin

“What are you doing here?” she asked suspicious

“I….” He started “I…..”

“Offering me a ride to work?” she suggested

“No” he said “No we have the day off”

“Did you say we have the day off?” she queried

“Yes, I took the liberty of arranging it so we both took a day off”

“You and me” she said checking she was reading him right

“Yes and Levi of course”

“Why?” she asked confused

“Tara” he simply replied

“What’s Tara got to do with it?”

“Everything, you know that thing she was on about a few weeks ago about the first person you see of the opposite sex on Valentine’s morning”

“And I’m the first woman you have laid eyes on?”

“Yes”

“Oh. But you said that you arranged for us both to have the day off, so you must have planned this”

“I did, carefully with precision you would be proud of”

“You’ve planned the whole day?”

“Yes”

“Okay but I have a question”

“What?”

“Why do you want to spend it with me?”

“I was hoping that would become obvious as the day progresses” he told her

“Okay, what are we doing?”

“Well to start with you need to go back and change”

“I do?”

“Yeah you can’t be wearing a suit, you need jeans a few layers on top to keep you warm and I’ll bring you back later to change before we go out tonight”

“We’re going to be out all that time?”

“Yes”

Sue sighed “This is not what I had planned for the day, I was going to go through the cases and didn’t we have an appointment with a Mr Burchett at eleven?”

“Re-booked for tomorrow” he told her smugly “Come on Sue humour me, please” his brown eyes begged hers and she knew he had won.

Yay another Rosa story!!! Can't wait .

Take care,
Kristen

Yeah Sue come on and humour him!

I can't wait to see what you have in store for them!

Jill

I'm liking this one already........but with J/S, how could I not!

This is me, dancing for joy. You're writing a Valentine's story!!!!

Yep -- definitely won me over. If she won't go, I will!

kav

how did he manage that!!!!!!!!!!!
Rosa you have amazing stories and this is going to be one of them!!!!you have a neat talent for writing hun ........


great start!!!!!!!!!!

Wow thanks for the feedback. I only hope I can write it in time I left it a bit late to start one really but that was becasue I really had no intention to enter.

Part 2


Sue came back down ten minutes later dressed as Jack had advised, he was still standing against the car this time he was holding out a cup of coffee to her and she took a sip still eyeing him guardedly but all he did was smile and open the door for her.

It was then she saw it lying on her seat and she glanced back at Jack who replied with a shrug, frowning at him she picked it up. It was a single rose, a deep burgundy colour with a note attached to it, which read ‘unconscious beauty’.

“Jack?” Sue queried looking at him

“It’s for you” he replied

“From you?” she asked

“Yes”

“What’s with the writing?”

“That will become clear later,” he explained and she frowned again puzzled over his words.

“Get in” he added “We’ve places to go” and she slid into the seat fingering the rose.
^^^^^

They sat side by side in the car and he drove along, Sue had asked where they were heading but Jack told her it was a surprise, she took the liberty to watch him out the corner of her eye admiring the way his clothes fit well and his hands which gripped the steering wheel, wondering what they would feel like caressing her skin. Blushing she turned and looked out of the window instead it was far too much temptation to look at him like that her thoughts never remained pure for long.

Jack knew she was watching him he felt her scrutinising gaze and willed himself not to look at her. He fixed both hands on the steering wheel to prevent one of them wandering to rest on her thigh knowing that the gesture would probably half scare her off before the day had even begun.

Rosa, this is wonderful!! You're writing a Valentine story!! What is this business about other people write better fuzz and fluff than you do?? Have you ever read any of your stuff???

Jack, what do you have planned for our fair damsel???

Joy

Great start, Rosa!

I gotta agree! Very fluffy stuff, here!

Fantastic Start.

Rebecca

Great start Rosa! As much as you was planning on not writing, I was planning on not reading another story. But a sneak preview on your first chapter captivated me, so now your story is in my bookmarks...

I like how Jack continues to tell Sue everything will be explained. I guess a lot more will have been explained by the end of the day, won't it?

WhooYooooo!! Rosa's starting a new story!! I just love your writing style and once again you gotten off to a great start! I'm EXTREMELY curious as to what Jack has planned for the day. And Sue, don't worry.....I'd have a hard time not watching Jack either! Isn't he just yummy!!

Can't wait to read more!

Yay! Glad to see you writing a Valentine story - and that it's J/S!

We love fluffy stuff ... waiting for more

i have to agree with suesfan !!!!!!!and i really think you have a neat talent for writing trust me.........


btw jack you can conrol your self!!!!! right???

can't wait for more!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm....

I'm in....

I'm in for....

I'm in for Jack....

I'm in for Jack and....

I'm in for Jack and Sue....

I'm in for Jack and Sue fluff....

Thanks for the feedback and sorry about the self doubt moment I had yesterday

Part 3

Jack parked the car at the bowling alley and looked at his companion beside him.

“Bowling?” she said, “You’re taking me bowling?”

“For starters” he replied reaching for the door and getting out, walking round to her side and holding the door for her. “You might want to leave the rose,” he added placing it on the dashboard. “Come on we’ve a tight schedule” and he placed a hand in the small of her back as they walked with Levi to the entrance.

^^^^^

Sue scored another strike and Jack wondered why he had thought this was a good idea she was winning by at least 150 points and there was no way he could catch up, thankfully they were soon moving on to their next destination.

Sue smiled to herself pleased that she was actually beating him, he was so smug this morning he needed to be taken down a peg or two even if it was like this, she made the mistake then of looking at him, his puppy dog eyes looked sadly at the score.

He caught her eye and said, “You play well”

“Older brothers” she said

“Oh” he said thinking that he should have remembered that from her ability to play pool.

“You’ve got a good score thought” she told him trying to make up for the fact this was the second game she had won with a wide margin.

“Yeah” he said not convinced

“Where we going next?” she asked having just scored her with her final ball another strike.

“Ah well that’s a secret” he said, “Come on I’ll shout you a coffee”

^^^^^

When they arrived back at the car Jack presented her with another rose “Jack?” she said as she sat down.

He looked intently at her and she was unable to read the jumbled emotions as they played out across his features. She fixed her attention on the rose, this one was coral and the tag read ‘desire’.

She looked up at him and he said, “Ready to go?” and she nodded not sure where they were headed but subconsciously aware that they would not personally be in the place where they started that morning come the end of the day.

sweet .... what's jack's desire



can't wait for more..............

Desire. I like desire.

Jill

Me too!!

Thanks for feedback Here is a little more


Part 4

They drove through the city and he headed for a park with a large open space, the day was chilly but bright and breezy and after he parked he fished out two pairs of gloves and handed one pair to Sue.

“They might be a bit big but better than not being able to feel your fingers at all” he said as he got out and went to the trunk and pulled something colourful, full of reds,blues and yellows.

He opened the rear passenger door letting Levi out and then opened the door for Sue.

“We’re going to fly a kite?” she asked

“Don’t tell me” he started “You’re a master at this too?”

“Actually no” she replied, “I tried as a child but I never got the hang of it”

“Well” said Jack secretly pleased that this was going to go more in his favour than the bowling “I’ll have to give you a lesson in the art of kite flying”

Jack proceeded to give a demonstration on kite flying and Sue read his lips and watched his hands as he steered the kite, after about half an hour Jack said “Your turn”

Sue did not complain as his arms slid round her body and they held onto the kite together she had trouble concentrating, as all she could think of was his body wrapped around hers, a feeling of security and warmth spread through her as she tried to focus on the kite flying as opposed to Jack. Jack was faring no better embracing her had perhaps not been one of his better ideas or maybe an idea he should have saved for later, but no he had done it now and to be honest he revelled in the feel of her in his arms.

Eventually he let go and moving to face her said, “You try on your own”

She smiled in response but didn’t say anything as she concentrated, Jack watched her and smiled even if they had only had this moment together it would have made his day. He felt something brush his leg and looked down to see Levi who looked up at him, clearly feeling left out and neglected, Jack ruffled the canine’s ears fondly before fixing his attention back to Sue.

^^^

Chilled but exhilarated from the visit to the park, Jack and Sue walked back to the car passing a drink stand along the way.

“Coffee?” she asked Jack, when he nodded she went to buy it and he took the opportunity to get back to the car to place the next rose in place.

She stood and looked at him and then the rose, picking it up she turned it over so that she could read the tag that accompanied it, it said ‘sincere love’ and was red. His hand came into view as he placed it over hers and she met his stare.

“I’m not sure where you’re going with this” she told him truthfully

“Later” was all he said which didn’t help her at all for he had given that answer already

But now her pulse was beating fast she was sure he could sense it, his hand did not move from hers but caressed her knuckles lightly and she gasped.

Her sudden response jarred him from his daydream and he said “Ready for the next activity?”

“We don’t get a break?” she asked

“That was it,” he said “Come on, no time to lose” he got out the car and took her by the arm as they walked back through the park together.

“We haven’t got Levi” she protested

“This is his break” Jack said as he hurried her through the paths and they stopped at their destination.

Sue looked at Jack who shrugged and said “What? I thought it would be fun”

I'm ... I'm ... stumped. What do Jack have in mind?

I like the roses with the tags !!!

What's Jack up to?
Bet it's wonderful.

I hope they left the window rolled down a crack for Levi
And I'm intrigued as well...but so far Jack has me so I bet it's going to be good.

kav

I can't imagine what he has in store for them now!!!

I love the roses!!

Joy

Is it figure skating? Is it rock climbing? Is it cuddling under a blanket in each other's arms watching the ducks on the pond? Personally...I would go for the latter!

I love the ideas Jack has planned for them. I hope it's all leading up to something even more wonderful!

what is that hudson up too?????????



rosa i believe you have the answer to that !!!!!!!


can't wait for more!!!!!!!!!!!

Just caught up and I'm loving it! Can't wait for more ...

Thank you for your comments

Part 5

Jack was beginning to realise that on the whole Sue was pretty good at fun sporty activity things and knew that he was losing at this game too, it didn’t matter not really the one thing which did however was that at the end of the day he had to win her heart.

“Don’t tell me” he said when she got a hole in one “You played miniature golf with your brothers too”

“You’re catching on, they were very competitive, still are” she replied

“Hey no fair” he protested when Sue scored her fourth hole in one.

“Would you like me to give you a chance to catch up?” she said sweetly batting her eyelashes at him to tease him further.

“No” he said placing his hand over hers just before she raised the club to strike the ball.

Time seemed to stand still as their eyes locked together and Sue had to remind herself to breathe. This is where he had the upper hand, when it came to her emotions and feelings that he evoked in her heart, mind and soul.

He had told himself to wait, that had been the plan but with her gaze on him like that all common sense fled, his heart was pounding in his chest, his blood pumping wildly through his body and he gently laid his lips on hers, in a feather light kiss.

“Hey” said a voice behind him breaking the spell “Are you going to play this hole or can we step round you?”

Jack looked at a big burly man with a woman who matched her companion well. He motioned to Sue and they stepped to the side so that the couple could overtake.

“Where was I?” said Jack gazing at Sue

“Here” she replied and moved in to kiss him, tentatively at first but as he responded she cupped his face in her hands and deepened the moment and all Jack could do in response was to steady them both, his hands at her waist and make the kiss one he would remember to his dying day.

^^^^^

Back at the car Levi was happy to see them, Jack produced another rose and said “For you”

She took it from him their fingers brushing accidentally and sending flutterings to the pit of their stomachs though neither voiced this to the other.

Sue fixed her attention on the rose it was red tipped, but mainly yellow and the tag read ‘friendship, falling in love’.

I like this day they are having!!!

Jill

I just love the way Jack put so much work into the right colors and tags for the roses....this one is just perfectly timed, right after their kiss

Rosa, I just love this!!!

Joy

That was a nicely written discription of their kiss. They are having a beautiful day, indeed.

he's so romantic...I wish I could have a day like that on Valentine!

that's so romantic !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your story is sweeter than a cup of hot chocolate

Thank you

Part 6

Again they shared the drive in silence they parked up and got out the car, walked along a wooded path Levi at their side. Shyly Jack reached for Sue’s hand, her fingers curled round his and he squeezed them ever so gently hoping she didn’t notice that his palms were sweaty with nerves. They rounded the corner to arrive at a clearing, with a table set for lunch. He pulled out a chair for her to sit in and joined her opposite.

Nervously he pointed at the vase where another two roses lay, taking them both out he gave them to her one red then other yellow the writing that accompanied them read ‘joy and happiness’.

A waiter appeared as if from nowhere and served them lunch with a special menu for Levi too. Sue eyed Jack sceptically still not sure of his, motive maybe, she thought, she should approach this in the same manner as she would a case, but he was looking at her with those deep, dark, brooding eyes of his and they threw her off any coherent thought pattern, it was all she could do to concentrate to eat the delicious meal before her.

“Jack” Sue said toying with the stem of her glass, he looked at and lifted an eyebrow in response as she continued, “This is all very lovely but I don’t understand”

He reached across the table and stilled her hand covering it with his “I explained about Tara”

“Yes”

“Well I wanted more than anything to spend the day with you without anyone else. A day for us”

“Okay” she replied biting her lip knowing that was all he was going to give right now, however he surprised her by taking her hand to his lips where upon her placed a tender kiss into her upturned palm.

Sue swallowed and wondered why the simple touch made her feel incredibly sexy. Sexy was something she only felt when around Jack. Her thoughts today were defiantly not platonic with the man sat before her and she willed herself to regain some semblance of control but she knew she was slipping fast.

^^^^^

Sue wasn’t surprised this time to be presented with another rose back at the car, she summoned courage and kissed Jack on the cheek “Thank you” she said.

The rose lay on her lap, it was a delicate red rosebud and the message said ‘loveliness’.

That was so sweet. I hope she is taking care of all these roses! They'll make a beautiful bouquet when he's done!

Jill

Rosa, I'm all mushy ... by the end of the day, it will be a miracle if Sue can still articulate any coherent thought or stand on her two feet !!!

Can I just say to everyone else so far. Great job.

Only if I can, too!

Rosa, you are doing a wonderful job. I love the roses and the little notes attached.

I just caught up your story and I have to say... It's great!!!! I love Jack's rose's messages to Sue... I love his game day... but I don't understand Sue... I think she has to feel what he is trying to tell her...

Can't wait for more!!!!


Restie

Thanks for feedback having a bad day so you have cheered me up

Part 7

Jack, Sue and Levi walked up the entrance of the zoo.

“Excuse me,” said a woman “Pet’s aren’t allowed”

“He’s not a pet,” said Jack “He’s a service dog”

“Oh I’m sorry, fine go ahead”

“Sorry” he signed to Sue

“Don’t worry about it,” she told him, still he slipped his arm about her shoulders anyway drawing her close to his side.

They strolled through the zoo, taking their time, talking to the animals and each other until he looked at her, his face alive with anticipation and said “I’ve got a surprise for you”

“Here?” she queried

“Yes” he said with a cheeky grin, taking her hand he led her to the seal and sea lions, Sue gave him a puzzled sideways glance but he just leant forward and kissed her nose playfully.

Approaching a zoo worker he said “Jack Hudson and Sue Thomas”

The man smiled and said “We’ve been waiting for you, come this way”

“Jack?” said Sue slightly worried

He turned and said “It’s okay, you’ll like this I promise”

They went back round to the entrance of the enclosure, the zoo guy turned round and said “Err the dog he can’t…”

“Yeah that’s what I’m here for” said Jack taking Levi’s leash, then to Sue said “We’re be watching from the other side, have fun”

“Jack, what, what?” Sue spluttered before looking at the man she was left with

“I’m Tom, would you like an overall? It can get messy”

“It can?” said Sue “What can?”

“Feeding time at the zoo”

“I’m feeding the seals?” she said incredulously

“Yeah is that okay?”

Sue shook her head trying to gather herself, finally saying “That’s wonderful. But how?”

Tom shrugged and said “I guess your boyfriend organised it with the zoo that’s how it usually occurs”

“But he’s not. He….” She trailed off wondering what else lay in store for her that day as she followed Tom and he explained about how to feed the seals.

The experience was amazing Sue had never done anything like it in her life, Jack watched from behind the glass enthralled with her beauty and innocence which touched his heart, but remembering to dig out his camera to get some shots of the occasion.

^^^^^

“That” said Sue when they had let Levi back into the car “was a brilliant idea Jack. I never, it was …lovely” she reached up and kissed him spontaneously surprising herself, he wrapped his arms around her as he leant back against the car pulling her with him as his lips lingered against hers.

^^^^^

Sitting in the car prompted him to present Sue with yet another rose, light pink in colour and bearing the word ‘admiration’.

Rosa, I love the picnic, I love the zoo, I love feeding the seals, I love everything!!!

Sue, just sit back and enjoy it!!!

Joy

What a sweet moment.