Jack guzzled down his coffee after nearly swallowing the blueberry muffin whole. He sat the mug in the sink. Turning the tap, he partially filled it with water before turning to swipe his briefcase off the kitchen counter. As he walked past his wife, he caught her around the waist and pulled her to him. Squeezing her tightly, he nibbled for a moment at her bottom lip before kissing her much too quickly for her liking. “See you later sweetheart,” he smiled as he released her. He hurried towards the door. Turning, his chocolate brown eyes filled with the love that made her feel cherished, his lips curled into a lopsided grin. “I love you.”
“I love you too, darling,” Sue smiled. With a small wink, he was gone, leaving her to sigh with disappointment. This was the first really tough case since their marriage three months earlier. It seemed to fill every minute of every hour of the day and had for nearly two weeks. It left them little time for more than the briefest of caresses and lingering kisses that left her wanting more. Unconsciously, she licked her lips, wishing she found his there instead the residue of blueberry he had left behind. Long days led to short nights where exhaustion led to falling asleep in each other’s arms and left behind a deep ache for his gentle caresses as he fanned the flames of passion that smoldered just beneath the surface. Blast this case!
Feeling Levi’s paw against her leg, she turned and noticed the light blinking on the phone. Hurrying across the room, she chuckled as she noted the familiar number on the display. Quickly, she connected the laptop by the phone. Picking up the microphone, she smiled. “Good morning, Granna. You just missed Jack.”
“I didn’t call to talk to Jack this morning, sweetie.” Sue’s smile increased as she read Jack’s grandmother’s reply. “I called to see how my beautiful granddaughter is doing this morning.”
Sue sighed. “Okay.”
“Just okay?”
“Yeah.”
“So that case still interfering with things?”
“Unfortunately. Jack and I barely have time to say ‘Good morning’ before one of us is rushing out the door. Then there’s the new house. I know Jack loves being out in the country, but with a 45 minute commute…”
“I know, sweetie.” Sue could almost see the kind dark eyes wrinkling at the corners as a soft smile curled the aging lips. She felt the creeping heat of a blush across her cheeks as she realized she was rattling on about things she was sure the older woman was not interested in. “And Jack is bound and determined to make everything work. The house, the commute, the case. And he’s so engrossed with those things that he hasn’t really looked into those hazel eyes of yours lately, has he?”
“How did you…”
Sue could almost see the shoulders of the older woman shaking with laughter as she read her reply. “Because he’s just like his grandfather. When Jack’s Pops and I were first married, he had just bought the farm. He was determined to make a go of it. To prove to those parents of ours and all the other naysayers that we could have a bumper crop that first summer. And we did. But we also had to sacrifice some of our intimacy along the way. At least until we were able to find a mutual meeting place where we could find the balance between being farmers, husband and wife, and lovers.”
“How did you do that?” Sue couldn’t believe she’d just asked Jack’s grandmother that question. She was glad the older woman couldn’t see the rosy hue that painted her cheeks.
“Exactly what I’m going to tell you to do. Pray for rain, child. Pray for rain.”
~.~.~.~.~
“Great,” Jack groaned as he pulled out into the highway. “Just great.” The clouds were rolling in from the west, dark and ominous. He could see the sporadic flashed of lightening that whitened the gray for a moment. This was all he needed today. Rain.
He and Bobby had planned this operation for the last week. It would be the last piece of the puzzle before they could stamp this darned case closed. Then, he could get back to building his life with Sue. He missed the nights spent talking and loving and snuggling. Two weeks was a long time to do more than fall asleep with Sue curled in his arms. He didn’t know if Sue was missing their time together, but he sure was.
Still, he had to solve this case. It was the first big case since their marriage. It was his chance to prove to everybody that their new marital status would not affect the team or its efficiency. Unfortunately, the closeness he shared with Sue was suffering at the moment. But he’d make it up to her. If only this rain would hold off for a few more hours. Just then, the sky opened up – big, fat drops splattering on the windshield. To add insult to injury, the car lurched, sputtered and stalled, steam pouring from beneath the hood. “Great!” he yelled at the nothingness of the car and surrounding highway.
His cell phone rang just as he reached for the car door handle. “Hudson,” he growled.
“Now is that anyway to talk to your elders, young man?”
Jack couldn’t help but smile as his grandfather’s voice resonated in his ear. “Pops. What are you up to this morning?”
“Just checking up on my newlywed of a grandson. How’s life?”
“Busy,” Jack groaned. “This big case is hanging over our heads…”
“And you’ve just got to solve it. But what you’d really rather do is spend the day locked away in your new house with your lovely new bride all to yourself.”
“How did you know?”
His grandfather’s laughter sang in his ear. “Hey, I was a working newlywed myself in my younger days, son. I know where you’re coming from. And from the way you just answered the phone, you’ve hit a roadblock.”
“Rain,” Jack sighed. “We’ve been planning this operation for a week now. The only thing that would postpone it is…”
“Rain,” Pops supplied.
“Yeah.”
“Well, son. Take an old man’s advice. Call up that team of yours. Tell them the operation’s on hold due to weather. Turn around. Go home and spend some quality time with your wife.”
“I’d like to do just that, Pops,” Jack groaned. “But I think the radiator hose just blew on the car.”
“How far from the house are you?”
“About a quarter mile.”
“Walk, son. Get out and walk. I promise you it will be worth it.” Jack was just about to hang up the phone when he heard his grandfather give one last piece of advice. "And when you get home son, really look into those hazel eyes of hers."
~.~.~.~.~
Sarah Rose walked into the living room just as her husband of over fifty years hung up the phone. Henry smiled at his bride as he turned off the Weather Channel. “I just hung up with Jack,” he chuckled. “Seems it’s raining in the D.C. area. Kind of an unexpected shower according to the weatherman.”
A sly smile crossed Sarah’s lips. “That’s funny,” she chuckled. “I talked with Sue not ten minutes ago.”
“And what advice did you give that new granddaughter of ours?”
The smile grew larger as dark eyes twinkled with mischief. “I told her to pray for rain.”
Laughter of a shared secret echoed through the room as the couple thought back to that day so long ago. They’d been married for three months and suddenly, life seemed to get in the way.
It’s 98 in the shade an’ Mr. Rose is rollin’ hay.
Eighty acres down an’ ten to go.
Clouds are buildin’ in the south, he knows time is runnin’ out,
An’ there goes that tractor’s radiator hose
There ain’t no tricks in his straw hat; he walks a quarter mile back.
Miss Rose hears him slam that ol’ screen door.
What he sees as wasted time is a blessing in disguise,
Oh, he’s cussin’ what she’s been prayin’ for.
For sure Gramma and Grampa Hudson give good advice!
fantastic A Challenge story from Kim and what a wonderful start 
and don't forget to look into those beautiful hazel eyes. 
Pity Sue was already dressed for the day. Or was she? 
Im with you there tina but im also not sure who I am
and then... 
Tere
Beautiful.... 