Passion + Soulmates

Protagonist meets lady at art show, instant attraction, hormonal fog of lust leading to deep love. Story follows her family and extensive wedding preparation mostly in Texas Hill Country

Raw, uncontrollable,inflammatory, instant, merging, passion

Meeting

John, 33, walked out of moderately successful business diner to find no car. Security said, with embarrassment, that a drunk had T- boned the car but a replacement was 15 min out and would he like to return to the restaurant? No. I’ve enjoyed that pretentious place enough for the week. the gallery across the street was open and had a nice crowd. Curious he walked over, accepted a glass of wine and browsed. Very interesting, walls of striking evocative photographs, moody, smooth scenes of the city, rain. snow, spring. Talent. Nice, very nice.

As he circulated he found himself talking to the most striking woman he had ever imagined, much less met. As he looked up from a print framed on a table, the incredible green eyes gazed at him from a wild shock of fire red hair. He said Uhhhhhh

She smiled, causing his heart to almost stop, and said, ‘That a hello?’ Uhhhhhh. Finally, when his voice worked he said Hello, I’m John.

Clair 29, about 5’7” smiled, his your first visit?

Yes and I’m thinking of sending a lawyer for the drunk who broke my car an allowed me to be here. She smiled and he felt a tightness in his chest. They chatted for a while and he captured a couple more wine glasses from a passing waiter, as he handed one to her, he felt a jolt as his hand brushed hers. From her expression, she felt it too.

She recoiled from the jolt, what is happening, who is he, what am I doing, why now? Yes, 6’1 or so, handsome, gray eyes she couldn’t stop looking at but, really? He asked if she would like to continue the conversation in a quieter location. She never left exhibitions with customers. Never. Yes she heard herself.

They sat in quiet corner booth, sipping only their second drink in hours, talking of plans, regrets, lost loves, art, the city, long into the night, not as strangers learning each other but more like very old friends catching up.

Joined

She woke to several realizations, she had no idea where she was, her back was warm from a body, and she was nude. Oh god. Oh god. What had she done?

Well a sheet over her feet and a hairy forearm across her chest with its hand under her ribs didn’t really count. Breeze and sunlight poured through huge gauze curtains at what was probability a patio or deck.

She carefully shifted, the arm moving instantly, to see the same gray eyes that had mesmerized her the previous evening. She realized he had been watching her sleep. An odd but some how comforting thought. He smiled and said God you're beautiful. How about, glancing at his watch, lunch? All I have is the top n jeans from yesterday and, if I remember, they're a little worse for wear.

He rolled over, grabbed his phone from night stand drawer, turned off silent, dialed a number and said ‘Ms Jenkins, I have a lady here who needs clothes. Now. Please assist her’. And handed phone to her as he headed off to shower and dress. Ms Jenkins started with foundation and ended with shoe size. them asked Complexion? Men never think to ask dear. Red hair, typical complexion. Oh thank you. Items will start arriving on next 15 min. Clare asked ‘Does he do this often? Never. I’ve worked for family 30 years and I’ve never seen him buy so much as a scarf.

As she dressed, she thought about his phone a constant on, constantly watched extension of most men‘s arms. His silenced and tossed in a drawer while he paid attention to her.

As the clothes starting arriving Claire noted they were off the rack but at end of the rack she did not shop. She realized she desperately needed information on John when the shoe box revealed Christian Louboutin red sole heels, for LUNCH?

The restaurant in his building was packed with a line,
he nodded slightly and they were shown to a lovely table overlooking a park, screened from other customers by potted plants. John asked what she wanted, menu she asked. Oh, they will prepare whatever you want. They did. She saw a generous tip but no payment. When asked he said that would be moving money between pockets. She paused, you have an interest in restaurant? Something like that.

After lunch, she said she had to clear gallery and John went with her, packing photographs, frames, loading boxes. Clare did get some odd looks from friends. She had disappeared last night, something she never did, watering old casual clothes. And today she was dressed entirely too fancy for tearing down a show.

It did not escape anyone’s notice that they looked at each other constantly and took every opportunity for physical contact. One of the gallery workers smirked, got a bucket of water? General laughter that neither Claire nor John noticed.

John called his office, cancel everything he started… but your meeting… Cancel EVERYTHING until I say different. Understand? Yes sir.

Clair returned to her apartment, packing some papers, underwear, clothes, framed pictures. Her neighbor asked her who that was, what was she doing, where she was going, she said she had no answers but was going to look for some

Growth

Their life continued, growing ever closer. She had no doubt that she was loved, neither did John. A couple weeks later, after an excellent breakfast from Mrs Rogers, his housekeeper, she was nauseous. Mrs Roger’s gave her a look and made a call. She then announced, sit down I called doctor. House calls are actually made for major donors. Dr Patel, head of obstetrics, ran tests, smiled, and told Mrs Roger’s this was the best part of his job.

John was getting everyone coffee, Dr said ‘You’re fine. Minor nausea. It will be over in a few weeks, mom’

There is a fraction of a second between hearing something and processing it. As Claire’s mouth dropped and her eyes widened, there was a crash as John dropped coffee cups, sugar, creamer, pot, everything. He ran to Clare, swept her up, spinning around laughing, and crying. Patel said, that’s the response I love. He said his office would call Clare and schedule follow ups. No one noticed him leave, smiling.

Dr Patel called the next day. He said they had preliminary blood work from lab. Did you want to know? Boy or girl. John n Clare looked at each other, unspoken. No , not now they both answered.

Later in week, he was back, happy look. He said he was overriding their decision in light of detailed tests. They were having a boy. And a girl. In about 37 weeks Stunned silence. Beaming Ms Roger’s

The apartment was cluttered with slips of paper baring names. Lots of names. Lots of lots of names. Lots of discussion. Carroll Ann for her mother and his. Robert for his father. Yours he asked? Abandoned mom with three kids. Screw him. Wayne for beloved elder brother, lost in a desert war. Robert Wayne. Good solid names they decided.

He asked her if she would consider marriage. As they cuddled on couch. Yes, probably, she said but with twins she was rapidly going to resemble an olive on a toothpick.

A few weeks back, he had walked her through a jewelry show, ‘just understanding your tastes’ he had had said. She found she loved ruby but too large, too expensive. She had also had her hand size recorded.

After they were alone, he slipped off the couch to one knee, opened a small box, and asked her if she would spend the rest of her life making his life worth living. The ring was one of a kind, stunning, exactly what she’d like. An 3.8 ct oval pigeon blood ruby, bracketed by a pair of seed pearls, surrounded by matched diamonds. He didn’t mention it was around $250k. He didn’t care, she didn’t ask

Planning

They found an estate in hill country. At sunrise you could literally see for miles from hilltop, sunset light was what photographers would kill for. They booked dates. Her rather stunned photographer and videographer friends would gladly handle memories. Booked food. Booked their favorite bands. Told Ms Roger’s to pack, she was coming. Tears

Next, families. Clare called her mother and sister, aunts, and her one uncle. She said she was getting married, the date, that she would pay transportation as well as room n board while they were in Texas. And that she really wanted them there.

Then she got sisters sizes from her mom, everyone else from sister. Called Ms Jenkins. Told her how much she appreciated the help that first day, again, and she wanted her family to have that confidence for her wedding, which Ms Jenkins WAS TO ATTEND. Could
No one in her family was rich, or even well off. Knowing Johns casual disregard for money, she did not want his Inevitable ‘over the top’ gestures to spoil her family’s day. And looking good, with the self confidence it brought, was armor for them

John called his father to be met with Where the hell have you been? Do you know how many meetings and calls you’ve missed?

I’ve been taking care of important things. I don’t care about meetings or calls. I’m getting married, family is invited. The first and any subsequent people who denigrate her in any way will be summarily and publicly tossed out on their a*s. Let me know. CLICK.

And John knew his dad, he‘d throw a volcanic fit, scare the crap out of everyone in office, get a drink, or three, and call back calm.

OK,his dad said, you’ve never even HAD a wild oat. What happened? The night the car was T-boned, i walked across street to photography show. Met Clare. We’ve been together ever since. She is my world. Or was, now one of my worlds. What does that mean?

It means that in about 8 months we will introduce you to Carroll Ann and Robert Wayne. Grandpa. His father was NEVER at a loss for words. It was worth it. There was silence and soft Uhhhhhh sounds. John smiled and gently hung up

The next day, her mother called, worried about cost. And if manager would let her off without getting mad. Clare said John had money, wanted them at wedding and really did not take it well when someone blocked his plans just because they could. Later she called crying that manager had just laughed. John, mom has a problem with her manager. OK, let me call. Her mom called happy, someone has bought the restaurant chain and fired the manager. The new manager was happy to give her time off. Thanks John.

She mentioned that to Ms Jenkins’s who laughed. You need to know the skyscraper story. He was walking a lady through a NYC office block and doorman made a crack using pimp and w***e. John demanded an apology. They laughed. He bought the 55 story tower, fired the management company, and publicly tongue lashed the guard and fired him for cause. Most folks react 50 50 to good bad news. He is,more,50 500. When a woman is disrespected its more like 50 5000 She looked at Clare, just to know, for you he’d be 50 [unlimited]

Sister, aunts and uncle were ready. Clare said they would be picked up. Free to airport her mom asked? Kinda she said. Top end SUV limousine liveried driver picked everyone up an drove directly to side of a Gulfstream G650. Ms Jenkins was waiting. She had curtained off dressing areas and had complete wardrobes for everyone including luggage. At their questioning looks, she just said Clare wants everyone to feel and look great on her wedding day.

Meanwhile, Robert (soon to be Sr) showed up unannounced. With an expression John had never seen. He said a business partner at club said I should bring a lawyer and run off the little gold digger. I laughed at him, you mean like your daughter throwing herself at John at every opportunity for a decade? Pissed him off. Then told him you were con proof. I’m here to meet my future daughter in law, if that’s all right John beamed, Clare, come meet my dad.

And Clare walked in green eyes glowing, red hair tousled and radiant. Glowing as only happy mothers to be can.

Well son, you always had great taste. Glad to to meet you he said shaking her hand. She released his hand and hugged him. He hugged back and smiled. The names? He said, Wayne? Brother lost in desert war. Carroll? My mom, she’ll be at wedding. I look forward to meeting her, he said, meaning it.

On the Gulfstream, chaos. Three sisters and daughter of one trying on outfits at same time. The curtained off changing area had been repurposed as uncles refugee where he sat sipping top shelf scotch and wondering idly what the hell this all cost.

And, much more importantly, who the hell his niece was marrying.

Gathering

As Gulfstream landed Robert, John, and Clare were there to welcome them. The travelers looked harried but confident and sharply dressed. Ready for weddings. Her mother took one look at her, compared looks with her aunts, and said you’re pregnant. She smiled and as her uncle looked confused, said yes, twins in 8 months, Carroll Ann and Robert Wayne. Carroll was silent, tears started rolling down in a flood.

Clare continued, this is John and his father Robert. His mother Ann is no longer with us. Robert stepped forward, Ann would have loved sharing a granddaughters name with you. Carroll lost it completely. Robert and Clare enveloped her in a hug.

John stepped up, I’m John, let’s give them a moment and get everybody organized for ranch. They noticed several young men had quietly loaded all their luggage. In an SUV and were leaving. The car is over hear he gestured to a stretch limousine just behind the plane.

I’m Michael, Clare‘s uncle, could I ask,what did this cost? John paused, then said well I own the plane, the pilots and Ms Jenkins are employees so no extra cost for this trip. The clothes? I just asked Ms Jenkins to obtain wedding weekend outfits plus accessories of course. She is rather good at that. No idea of total.

Hearing that told Michael how much money John had. So much he didn’t think about it, at all

As Clare and the others walked past him, he noticed her ring, he asked about it causing the typical ring admiration society meeting. He got a very good look. As a retired jeweler he felt a cold shiver. He had been a neighborhood jeweler a good one, a successful one. He had never had a ring like hers in his,shop, never even held one. Once attention had eased, as Clare squeezed in a seat with John, she slipped the ring off and handed it to him with Let’s talk about it later.

John noted Michael looking at ring with loupe, caught his eye, and gave a very small shake. Michael smiled, nodded, and returned ring to Clare with It’s beautiful. She smiled.

Where are we going someone asked. North from San Antonio about an hour to Fredericksburg, or close. Not a real hotel, but close, an estate owned by a friend who is abroad, overlooking the Pedernales. Everything is set up but no daily maid service. Communal style dining room. Suites for everyone. As they were leaving, Carroll asked Robert if he was staying. No, I’ve met them. John invited everyone. I‘d have invited maybe 7; and called it quits

I have a nephew who thinks of himself as a social media influencer. And thinks it’s important he tried that on John at a big family social vent and John told him he saw an influencer as a indolent, incomprehensibly ignorant, wasting of a human life. If he comes, have your camera ready.

As the limo stopped, John and Clare got out, its about an hour, we need to welcome John’s family. See you later

The jets arrived. Unloading over dressed, entitled, family expecting to show this little nobody ‘photographer’ her place in an important family. Steve the influencer leading the way. The bulk came for diversion in a unique location, a wedding, always gossip worthy, free food, and a rematch Steve vs John. Most would eat, watch, and leave.

Clare and John greeted all with welcome and warmth. Got everyone and their luggage loaded into two limousines and headed to ranch. Ms Jenkins made sure Steve was not in their limo.

The ranch was actually a massive early 18 something Spanish mission sprawling across several hill tops, 18 to 24 inch walls that made moving between Rooms feel like a series of small tunnels. Extensive east patio would be perfect for sunrise ceremony West patio with its unbelievable evening light for dancing and celebration. It was now approaching evening and Clare's photographer friends were stunned at the light

Steve was marching around east patio saying It will have to do, move ceremony to 10 am for peak social viewing and get rid of that arch. NO from Clare. Steve said As an amateur you don't unde……

He stopped talking and listening as his phone had a message. As he was reading it, Clare gently reached over, took his phone, tossed it into large decorative fountain, and walked away.

The various family’s members on patio were shocked or amused. Robert and John were in hysterics laughing so hard they had to try holding each other up, when that failed, they slumped to ground. Robert got his breath first, boy I never thought you’d find anyone who could stand up to your crap. You have. Marry her. I can NOT wait to meet my grand kids! As fast as I can John said.

The staff had laid out supper. Fresh biscuits, a load of sides, prime Texas steaks, local venison, gulf coast shrimp, redfish, award winning Texas wines suitable for dry sunny climate, Viognier,  Roussanne,  Picpoul,  Tempranillo, Oma coffee. And a selection of Texas craft beers and cocktail mixings. Help yourself. Some of John’s family were complaining due to lack of staff. Everyone else ignored them and enjoyed the meal.

Clare stood clinking her knife on glass. No one can stop sunrise. You ALL have a wake up call for 5:30. Sunrise is about 7:07. John and I will be standing on patio joining our lives. I want you to join us. No one is going to wait. Good night all and she and John left. followed by most of the guests.

The Wedding

Just before dawn they stood, holding hands, always holding hands, before the officiant waiting. Neither looked back to check attendees. At first light, he said we are gathered to celebrate the joining of Clare and John’s life. They have vows, Clare??

I am joyfully joining John in whatever comes and welcoming our children with love and joy. I take him as my husband

John said we were soul bonded the instant we met. This, gesturing, is legal and family. You are my air, my oxygen. Our children are my life. I take her as my wife.

The two faced each other, holding both hands And said, in unison

Intreat me not to leave thee,
or to return from following after thee:
for whither thou goest, I will go;
and where thou lodgest, I will lodge:
thy people shall be my people, and
thy God my God:
Where thou diest, will I die, and
there will I be buried:
the Lord do so to me, and more also,
if ought but death part thee and me.

The officiant looked at both and said i pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.

Applause. A little metro-sexual cousin of someone in Johns family said Well that was so precious in a dismissive tone. The two aunts sitting next to him both slugged him and said Grow up. Steve and his plus one who still had a phone stayed far away from bride. And stayed very silent.

As the sun rose further everyone was congratulating Clare and John. They moved into dining hall for breakfast. Among the bangers, kippers, back bacon, eggs prepared every way, various potato dishes, pancakes, waffles, griddle cakes, etc wanted by well traveled audience, Carroll’s addition of unlimited Sous Vide Eggs Benedict with Sous Vide Hollandaise was a massive hit.

Everyone changed, casual clothes for walk around hill country ‘in the wild’. Then again, in late afternoon, party clothes for repeat supper, venison, gulf coast seafood etc. with the wine beer and cocktails stretching on.

Everyone ignored John and Clare taking an hour to change when everyone else took 15 min, max.

The bands who had arrived during afternoon and set up began doing alternate sets in the golden hill country sunset. the party was still going at the next sunrise although Clare, John, and most of their families were long asleep

Clare's various photographers and videographers friends were ecstatic looking back on the days filming. They spent most of the night creating photographic story of wedding and a companion video. They dropped it silently a couple of days later. In a month, it had more views that everything Steve and his friends had ever done, combined.

Breakfast was a reduced version of the wedding breakfast although Carroll's Eggs Benedict were still popular

Afterwards

John stood up, for most people a honeymoon is practice for living together as a family. Clare has been my family since we met, OK, the next morning. We don’t need spending time somewhere designed for pretentious fools. We like this ranch. the owner is not returning any time soon.

Most in attendance knew or strongly suspected that John was working very hard to structure a purchase of the estate. He just could not discuss it during negotiations.

I have an architect who starts by respecting integrity of old buildings like this, THEN makes amenities changes, facilities upgrades, better HVAC, more electrical, internal WI-FI, over haul of the 10,000 gallon cistern under main house, options for old destroyed stable, Expansion of flat area north of house for field sports.

We are moving to large double suit, with a grin, a nursery. Down the hall are several huge rooms, my new,company HQ. Suites on that floor reserved for company staff, they can commute barefoot.

Clare is my world but I can’t work near her, too disruptive…..From audience, ”Damaging to furniture and embarrassing to bystanders!”. He hung his head but continued, her photography studio and showroom, will be at front, near entrance

There are jokes about in-laws of honeymoon. I don't care. Relatives, Plus ones. Plus twos. Random addons. Same rules, clean up after yourself, polite and respectful to everyone or out the gate. Once and out.

John said one change, food and drink will continue communal and self serve. Weekly cleaning service will strip all beds , clean all rooms, bath included, and leave fresh linens on every bed. If you like a made bed, make it.

Carroll finally figured out that Johann really didn’t care that much about her eggs, he wanted to date Her. He was regional manager of restaurant chain she worked at. Replaced the folks John had fired before wedding. he had been trying to promote her for a year. Finally said he didn’t care about computer knowledge, he’d hire that from bright kids who couldn’t boil water. Giddy as a schoolgirl, she had confided in Clare. Who pushed her to say yes as hard as she could.

Somewhere during third date Carroll mentioned becoming a grandmother. Johann froze. Uhhhhhh you're John’s mother in law he stammered. Carroll, realized he really had not known, stood, grabbed his hand, and towed him to John‘s room. She explained, John understood said god bless, be happy. Clare beamed.

Michael met John’s jeweler. They bonded over shared history, chess, and good scotch. However his meetings
began to track more with the man’s widowed sister.

Time

The terrible two, almost two now, Anne and Wayne went tearing across patio with a couple of their endless dogs. Clare, heavily pregnant again, sat in one of the chairs John had had bolted to ground. Safer to push up, allowed her to position at exactly the same spot every day for her studies of gardens and landscape. One of the security men was standing just inside doors. He would not stop or bother her if she decided to wander into scrub for a picture, he’d do worse, he‘d call John

He was arguing, he’d loose. She was naming this boy John. John Jr. JJ

She loved being pregnant. It came easy for her. She loved feeling the life she was creating with her soulmate. He had asked how many kids she wanted. Smiling, she had said you can always stop. After a moment he had walked off muttering cold heartless woman.

©2025 Jim Bartlett