On A Wing And A Prayer Part 7

Oh my G.o.d! she thought to herself. I didn't expect him to pick up on my distress like that. Now what do I do? she asked as she pushed herself away from the computer and started to pace. What do I do? What do I do? she repeated. Okay, Rox. Calm down. It's only a concerned reader. So you gave a little more away in that last note than you intended. So what? So the guy wants to help. He's probably lonely and sees you as someone he can talk to from a safe distance. What can it hurt?

Rox read the post again and made a rash decision as she sat back down at the computer.

Ca.s.s stared at the new mail indicator for several moments before clicking on it, refres.h.i.+ng her inbox. There on the screen appeared the address

"Huh?" Ca.s.s said out loud. "I just e-mailed her!"

Thoroughly surprised that she had received a reply back within minutes after sending her last post, Ca.s.s hesitated to open it ... afraid it would be a "Dear John" letter of sorts, asking her to discontinue corresponding with the author. Finally building up the courage to open the note, she double clicked on the icon next to Rox's userid. It read: "Hi Ca.s.s... Do you have time to meet me in chat?"

CHAPTER IX.

Ca.s.s JUST SAT there staring at the message. Chat? She wants to meet me in chat? she asked herself, suddenly feeling the urge to throw up. Oh my G.o.d ... I didn't expect this. Okay, Ca.s.s ... it's just chat. Stop being such a baby, she thought as she selected 'reply'.

"Hi Rox. I didn't expect a reply so soon. Sure, I'd love to chat. Name the place, and I'll be there," she typed before hitting the send b.u.t.ton.

Moments later, the new mail message flashed again. "Go to this url: www.alienchat.com. I'll meet you there in a jiff."

With shaky hands, Ca.s.s entered the chat room, logging in as 'flyboy'. Come on, Rox ... d.a.m.n, I'm so nervous, she said to herself as she tried to be patient while waiting for the author to enter the room.

Within moments, the name 'alien' appeared on the screen.

"Rox?" Ca.s.s typed.

"Hi Ca.s.s!" came the reply.

"Hi yourself," Ca.s.s returned nervously, her heart beating furiously in her chest.

"How are you?" Rox asked.

"Fine, and you?" Ca.s.s replied, feeling really stupid with these polite, nerdy responses.

"I've been better," Rox typed.

"I sensed that from your last e-mail," Ca.s.s commented. "Are you all right?"

"For the time being," came the vague reply.

"Look, I know you don't know me, but I'm a really good listener if you want to talk about it," Ca.s.s offered.

No response.

"Rox?" Ca.s.s typed.

Several moments later ... "Ca.s.s, I'm having a bit of a problem right now that I need to work through, that's all," Rox replied.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Ca.s.s asked.

"No, not really. It's kind of complicated. Let's just say that it's a situation I have to live with for a while," came Rox's reply.

"Well, if you need someone to talk to, you have my address," Ca.s.s offered.

"Thanks Ca.s.s, I really appreciate it," Rox said.

"So, you're working on a new book, huh?" Ca.s.s asked, changing the subject.

One could almost feel the sigh of relief in Rox's words as she typed, "Yes, I'm making pretty good headway. I had a bit of a setback due to an injury, but things are moving forward pretty steadily now," she explained.

Ca.s.s frowned at the mention of an injury, but brushed it aside and proceeded to engage in a hour-long discussion about the lack of romance in science fiction novels.

At the end of the hour, Ca.s.s was truly captivated by this woman she knew only in print. She found her to be bright, intelligent, kind and warm hearted, with a bubbly, outgoing personality that was truly contagious.

Rox felt all giddy inside. She found herself a.n.a.lyzing the feeling several times during the chat session, wondering why this person had captivated her so quickly. After all, she had only exchanged a few e-mails with him, but she found him to be bright, intelligent, kind and warm hearted, traits she had seldom seen in the men she had a.s.sociated with in her past.

Finally, with the time approaching 2 a.m., Rox yawned, and realizing the time, she steered the conversation toward an end.

"Well, Ca.s.s. I must say I have enjoyed your company, but the hour is late, and I really must get some sleep if I plan to be productive tomorrow," she typed.

Ca.s.s looked over at the clock and was shocked to see 11 p.m. in red digits. Jesus, Ca.s.s, it's 2 a.m. where she is! she exclaimed to herself. Into the computer, she typed, "Rox, I am so sorry, I didn't realize it was so late. This three hour time differential can certainly fool you. I'd better let you go so you can get to bed. I really enjoyed our chat. I'd like to do it again sometime if you are available."

"I'd like that, Ca.s.s. Until later then, goodnight." Rox typed.

"Goodnight Rox," Ca.s.s replied.

Ca.s.s watched the screen as the words "alien has left the chat room" appeared on the screen.

Sighing deeply, Ca.s.s shut down her computer, then sat back in her chair. Picking up Rox's latest book that she had lying on her desk, she turned it over and looked at the promo picture. A smile came to her lips as she savored the warm feeling in her chest from the past hour spent with this beautiful woman.

Rox logged out of chat and returned to her ma.n.u.script. Finding it difficult to concentrate, she picked up her hot chocolate and walked out onto the widow's walk surrounding the third story of her home, and leaned against the railing. The storm had ended and the night was now cool but clear, with the stars so low in the sky, they appeared touchable. Looking out over the dark ocean, she sipped her drink, and savored the warm feeling inside her chest from the past hour spent with her new friend.

Wednesday morning rang clear and bright as the sun shone through the open shade to fall on Ca.s.s' face, heat from the rays waking the sleeping woman. Opening her eyes, she looked at the clock and groaned. "7 a.m.?? Why can't I ever sleep in on a day off?" she said out loud. She was scheduled for another two day trip into Mexico on Thursday and Friday, and as usual, home for the weekend, so she was really looking forward having this day off.

Laying there in bed, Ca.s.s' mind soon turned to the chat session from the previous night. She couldn't keep the smile from her face as thoughts of the red headed author invaded her consciousness. G.o.d, that woman is something else ... beautiful, intelligent, beautiful, intuitive, beautiful, informed, beautiful, she thought as her grin widened, and a warm feeling spread through her stomach and lower abdomen. Ca.s.s' eyes widened at the sensation. Wow! I haven't felt that ... I mean, REALLY felt that since ... well, since Patti! she admitted to herself.

Reaching her arms over her head, she stretched her long form, arching her back into the mattress, and thrusting her b.r.e.a.s.t.s toward the ceiling as a whimper of satisfaction escaped her throat. Climbing out of bed, she donned her running clothes and headed out for her normal 5-mile trek, ending at Angie's diner for breakfast.

Walking into the diner, she threw her arms around Angie and gave the older woman a big hug. Angie was a little taken back by the gesture, and looked into Ca.s.s' face questioningly.

"What?!" Ca.s.s asked mischievously.

"What are you up to Ca.s.sidy Conway? You look like the cat who ate the canary," she commented to the taller woman.

Ca.s.s smiled broadly. "Now that's one canary I would definitely like to eat!" she commented, blus.h.i.+ng at her own brashness.

Angie noticed the blush as she walked the younger woman to her usual table. "New lady friend, Ca.s.s?" Angie asked, chuckling.

Ca.s.s blushed some more as she sat down and held the menu in front of her face. Angie wasn't to be dissuaded. Reaching forward, she pulled the menu down and leaned over into Ca.s.s' face. "You know I won't go away until you 'fess up," she said.

Ca.s.s was trying her best to hold back her excitement. She way dying to tell someone about Rox. Grinning broadly, she leaned in to meet Angie nose to nose. "Coffee first, gossip second," she said, holding her cup up to the waitress.

Angie smiled and grabbed her cup. "Be right back..." she said, running off to fill Ca.s.s' cup and grab one for herself.

Coming back to the table, Angie sat down and slid Ca.s.s' coffee over to her. Ca.s.s took her time stirring and tasting the flavorful brew. Angie was bursting at the seams with antic.i.p.ation.

"Caaaaa.s.sssss...." she said menacingly.

Ca.s.s grinned evilly, then finally gave in, feeling sorry for her friend. "Rox," she said.

Angie's brow creased. "Rocks? What do rocks have to do with anything?" she said, confused.

Throwing her head back, Ca.s.s laughed out loud. "No ... no ... Rox, as in Roxanne," she said, placing a large hand over her friend's.

"Roxanne," Angie stated flatly. "Roxanne ... who? Come on, Ca.s.s ... a little more information would be good!"

"Angie ... Starflight? ... You know ... Roxanne Ward?" she said incredulously.

"Roxanne Ward ... the writer?" Angie asked, her mouth open in awe. Seeing Ca.s.s grin and nod her head vigorously, she added, "Just how did you meet her?"

"Well, I haven't actually met her yet, Ang. We've traded e-mail a few times, and talked for an hour in chat last night," Ca.s.s explained.

Angie sat back in her seat, her eyebrows lifted into her hairline. "Now what kind of relations.h.i.+p is that?" she asked.

Ca.s.s smiled. "A safe one, Ang. Don't you see, we get a chance to know each other a little better before meeting face to face. It's perfect," she said, taking another sip of her coffee.

"Weird is what it is!" Angie exclaimed. "Ca.s.s, what ever happened to boy meets girl ... er ... sorry ..., girl, meets girl, girls get to know each other, girls fall in love? You know - the old fas.h.i.+oned way to meet a mate," she complained.

"Progress, Ang, progress," Ca.s.s said as her stomach suddenly announced itself to the ladies.

Ca.s.s looked up at Angie with a slightly embarra.s.sed flush on her cheeks.

"I guess I'd better progress my b.u.t.t into the kitchen and feed that beast, huh?" Angie said jokingly. "How about the special this morning?" she asked.

Ca.s.s glanced over at the specials board and saw French toast, sausage and home fries listed there. "Sounds good to me!" she said, sending Angie on her way.

Sitting back in her seat and crossing her long legs under the table, Ca.s.s picked up her coffee cup and brought it to her lips. I wonder what you're doing right now, Roxanne Ward? she said to herself.

Roxanne carefully rolled over onto her side to look at the clock on the bedside stand. 11:30 a.m. Geesh, half the day is gone already, she admonished herself. Rox, why do you do it? You get to bed in the wee hours of the morning, then sleep half the day away.

Rolling onto her back, she looked up at the ceiling and tried to remember what had kept her up so late. A smile suddenly broke out across her face. Ca.s.s, she thought. Wow ... I can't believe we spent an entire hour talking like we were long lost friends. He really seems like a nice guy. I wonder what he looks like? she asked herself. Five minutes later, curiosity got the bet of her as she climbed out of bed and padded gingerly to the bathroom. d.a.m.n, I can't believe I'm still so sore. Nikki's right ... I really need to do something about Chris, she thought as she took care of bathroom ch.o.r.es then headed to her office.

Reaching down, Rox pressed the power b.u.t.ton on her hard drive to boot up the computer. While it was powering up, she set up a new pot of coffee to brew, and retrieved a container of fat free yogurt from the small refrigerator on the shelf. As she stood in front of the computer eating her yogurt, she thought about what Ca.s.s would think if he saw her now. She was sure she looked a sight, with her hair standing on end and a collection of blue, purple and green hued bruises covering her face, neck and arms. She could only imagine what her back looked like after the whipping the other night.

Finally, the boot up was complete. Reaching over, she grabbed the coffee pot and poured herself a cup. Setting it on the desk, she sat down and logged on to the Internet. After selecting 'new message', she started composing ...

"Hi Ca.s.s,

I wanted to drop you a line to say that I really enjoyed chat last night. It has been a long time since I had such an interesting discussion about my work. My normal audience isn't usually interested in such things. I would very much like to chat with you again some time.

Btw.... you have an advantage ... you know what I look like, but I am at a loss. Wanna share?

Let me know when it is convenient for you to chat again. I work out of my home, so nearly any time is okay for me. Drop me a line and let me know.

I'll talk to you later,

Rox"

While she was rereading the message, she heard a voice call to her from the first floor.

"In the office, Nikki," she yelled loudly over her shoulder.

Moments later, the small blonde appeared at her left shoulder, out of breath from climbing two flights of stairs.

Rox looked at her friend. "You know, you really need to go to the gym ... you're out of shape, girl," she said, "although, the way you and Jerri go at it all the time, you shouldn't need exercise," she teased.

Nikki swatted her on the shoulder, causing her to wince.

"Ooohhh, sorry, Rox! I forgot about the whip marks ... sorry," she said again, looking over her friend's shoulder at the computer screen. "Ca.s.s?" she asked. "Whose that?"