Three-Year Rule, page 11
Josh cringed at the idea of the stuffy agent hanging around his home. Elizabeth watched his expression turn sour and laughed. She said, “Don’t worry; I’ll meet him at the hotel.”
Amy and Randy came down the stairs with several suitcases and headed to the truck. Josh grabbed Elizabeth’s overnight bag and said, “Are you sure this is all you need?”
Elizabeth smiled and said, “I’m pretty low maintenance compared to Amy. She has a moisturizer for everyday of the week, three kinds of shampoo and four types of conditioner, an entire dresser full of makeup and it’s a good bet that at least one of those suitcases is dedicated entirely to shoes.”
Josh flashed a dazzling smile and said, “Have I told you lately how awesome you are?”
Elizabeth laughed and followed him out the door. She stood staring at the small stables at the rear of the clearing as Josh and Randy brought out the last of Amy’s bags. She turned to Josh as he closed the rear hatch and asked, “When will my stables be ready?”
Josh gave her a puzzled look and said, “They are ready now.”
“Then I want to buy some horses.” Elizabeth announced with a huge smile.
“Just exactly what do you know about caring for horses?” Josh asked as he opened the truck door for her. Amy and Randy climbed into the back seats as Elizabeth climbed into the passenger seat.
She said, “I fed my Uncles horses and I know how to brush them down and I’m a pretty good rider.”
Josh nodded and closed her door. When he sat down beside her he continued his questions, “So how often do they have to be ridden? How much feed do you need to purchase each month? How much straw do you need? Do you need hay too? Where will their water supply be? Have you checked the pasture for poisonous plants? What do you do if your horse gains too much weight? What do you do with a clumsy horse that continually gets bumps and scrapes? Are you keeping them in the pasture or the stables? If you keep them in the pasture what kind of shade do they need?”
Elizabeth frowned at him then glanced out the front windshield as Josh triumphantly turned the truck around and headed back toward the main road. She would not be defeated.
“Maybe I don’t know much about caring for horses but I can learn.” She announced with determination.
“Good luck with that.” Josh smiled at her.
The next morning Elizabeth walked in to the hotel restaurant to find Franklin waiting at their usual table. He rose and flashed a weak smile. This time he didn’t kiss her cheek when she arrived. Elizabeth assumed it was due to their last parting. She left him rather abruptly after his ridiculous suggestion of writing erotic romances.
She smiled brightly and said, “Franklin, it’s good to see you. How have you been?”
Franklin gave a sigh of relief and his smile brightened. He said, “Great! I’ve been busy promoting your next release. It seems your fans are eager to discover your views on post blending families.”
Elizabeth laughed and sat down as a waiter brought her a large glass of orange juice and filled her coffee cup.
“By the way,” Franklin said with a suddenly serious expression, “I received a phone call this morning from Sherriff Connor. He says you have a stalker?”
“Yes,” Elizabeth sighed and added cream and sugar to her coffee. “It’s been a terrible ordeal. He’s been in the cabin, caused Charlie to get hurt and followed us to Josh’s lake house this past weekend.”
Franklin frowned and motioned for the waiter. “The Sherriff asked me if I’d gotten any threatening correspondence for you lately and I have to admit that my team has received several rather odd postings on your blog.”
“My blog?” Elizabeth stared at him confused.
“Darling, every writer has a blog.” Franklin said with a knowing smile, “You’ve just forgotten because my people handle it for you along with your Facebook page, Pintrest and Twitter account.”
“Oh yes,” Elizabeth smiled. “You’re right, I hate those things, and I never know what to say.”
“Which I find extremely hilarious due to your chosen profession.” Franklin smiled. The waiter arrived and took his order. Elizabeth ordered a fruit plate and pulled out her IPad.
She opened the IPad and pulled up several files asking, “Did you receive the description? I emailed it last night.
“Yes,” Franklin nodded and added, “I also received the cover mock up from Amy. Very nice, but I was hoping to meet with her today or tomorrow to discuss it further.”
Elizabeth beamed with excitement as she took advantage of the moment she’d been waiting for, “That’s perfect because I want to discuss moving forward with Amy’s art career. I was hoping you could take her on as a client and connect her to some art shows. I have no idea how that works. I do think now is the time to move forward with her career, given her recent nominations for her cover art.”
Franklin’s face filled with a brilliant smile. He said, “You’re thinking like a business woman, Elizabeth. That’s an excellent idea and at your recommendation I’d be delighted to take Amy on as a client.”
“Thank you!” Elizabeth reached out and took his hand, “You are a good friend.”
“Not as good as you might think.” He added, “You could lose her. If she goes independent, she’ll have her hands full with her own career. There won’t be time left for you.”
Elizabeth smiled knowingly and said, “Amy has become such a good friend. I would love to see her spread her wings and fly. I can find another editor and cover artist. But I don’t think I will find another friend as precious as she.”
Franklin nodded, “Then let’s wrap up your next few months of publicity so my plate is clean to start work on Amy.”
Josh sat across the desk from Randy in the Sherriff’s office as Randy accessed Elizabeth’s Facebook Page and searched for any suspect entries. He glanced briefly at Josh and said, “Elizabeth’s Agent, Franklin Mallory is a no nonsense type of guy. When I told him about the stalker, he responded immediately giving me Elizabeth’s ID’s and passwords to all the sites his company controls for her. He said he recalled one of his workers sending him an email concerning a few semi-threatening entries on her Blog but he said that’s pretty common so he thought nothing of it.”
“Franklin’s an idiot.” Josh growled. He couldn’t take the prim and proper Franklin serious on any issue other than fancy clothing.
Randy suppressed a chuckle and said, “Then it’s a good thing I’m checking her sites personally. Although I can’t spend all day surfing the internet Wayne Grody called to report he’s lost a calf to that wolf pack. I’m going to have to get up to the reserve and drive them off again. You interested in giving me a hand?”
Josh leaned back in his chair and relaxed for the first time in days. He sighed and said, “Deer season is coming up. We need to get those wolves as deep into the mountains as we can or the deer will be so scattered the season will be a bust.”
Randy raised his eyebrows and added, “We don’t want any hunters running across a wolf pack at 4 o’clock in the morning while setting up for a deer hunt. That would be a very dangerous situation indeed.”
Josh nodded, “That’s the problem with wolves. You don’t see them coming until it’s too late. All right, let’s do it this Saturday. Jake and Molly will be back in town Sunday night.”
“Then it’s settled.” Randy announced moving to sign into Elizabeth’s Twitter account. “We’ll make it a day trip and the girls can hang out at my house. I seriously doubt a stalker would attempt a break in of a Sherriff’s house. Anyway, I’m teaching Amy how to shoot a handgun. I bought her a Cobra 380. It’s a tiny gun and she bought pink handles for it but it will do the job if necessary. It might not be a bad idea to teach Elizabeth the ins and outs of that shotgun.”
Josh laughed and said, “I’m afraid to have her shoot it. It will knock her on her ass and she’ll never pick it up again.”
Elizabeth pulled her SUV up the drive at Gene Weller’s farm. It was easy to spot. The farm sat right up against the road. The drive led into a large circle driveway that centered on the main house, barn and a field shed. She could see the stables a short distance away from the main road. Mr. Weller waived at her from the pasture as she climbed out of her SUV. He led a chestnut mare over to the fence and waited for her. Elizabeth stared at the gorgeous mare. It was dark brown; the only blemish was a white mark on its forehead. Behind it stood a gray speckled mare with a light gray mane, equally beautiful.
When she reached the long white vinyl fence Elizabeth smiled and said, “Thank you so much Mr. Weller for meeting with me.”
“My pleasure Elizabeth.” He said returning her smile. “This here is Mazie, she’s a two year old mare with a sweet disposition her sister Flo is behind me, and she’s a bit feistier so I thought we’d start with Mazie.”
“They are both beautiful!” Elizabeth said as she reached out to touch Mazie’s nose. “I want to learn everything about them and how to care for them before I take them home.”
Just then, Amy’s smaller SUV pulled into the driveway and Elizabeth added, “So does Amy.”
The next few days while Josh and Randy dug into Elizabeth’s past acquaintances and fans, she and Amy spent all their time at Mr. Weller’s farm.
Thursday afternoon Josh and Randy invited the girls to lunch at Sadie’s then took them to view Elizabeth’s house. They sat on the built-in bench on the deck out back taking in the view of the pond and the pasture that ran along behind it.
Elizabeth’s thoughts filled with her childhood adventures spent on this land. The camping trips and hikes her Aunt and Uncle took her on each summer. She whispered softly to Josh who stood beside her. Her voice was deep with emotion, “My uncle would pack up the horses and we’d ride them deep into the woods near the back of his property and camp. There’s a little brook that runs along the property line where we would fish and catch tadpoles. It was crystal clear and so cold. The bottom of the brook was full of sand and smooth colorful rocks, it was perfect.”
Josh wrapped his arm around her shoulders and said, “We should do that sometime. I bet we could find it. We could take Jake and Molly camping.”
“I’d like that.” Elizabeth said leaning against him.
“Speaking of Jake and Molly, they are coming home on Sunday.” Josh added gauging her reaction to the idea of meeting his children.
Elizabeth smiled brightly and said, “That’s wonderful! I’d love to meet them.”
Josh smiled pleased at her response. Amy and Randy went back inside to look at the house again. Josh decided to delve further. He turned to face Elizabeth and said, “We talked a few weeks ago about our expectations. You never really answered my question.”
Elizabeth gazed into his eyes confused, “What question was that.”
Josh smiled softly and said, “I asked if you were ready for a serious, committed relationship.”
“Isn’t that what we are in?” Elizabeth answered holding his gaze.
“Perhaps I should make myself clearer.” Josh’s smile vanished and his eyes held such deep emotion Elizabeth couldn’t breathe. He knelt on one knee still holding her hands and whispered, “Elizabeth Stewart would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Elizabeth gasped; this was not what she expected. She stood staring down at him unable to speak. She hadn’t even considered marriage to Josh, or anyone for that matter. Marriage was so permanent, so final. She didn’t take it lightly. Josh stared up at her waiting for a response. His eyes turned such a deep blue Elizabeth felt she was losing herself in them, wanting to say yes, but she was so frightened. Frightened of betrayal. She suddenly heard her voice said, “Josh, this is so sudden and so unexpected.” Why was she saying that? She felt herself pull her hands from his as she continued, “We hardly know each other. We’ve only been together for a few months.”
Josh rose; his face lost all color as his expression turned cold. He said, “A few months of being together constantly unlike other couples that see each other once or twice a week. I’d say these few months have been pretty intense. Elizabeth, I love you. I can understand your hesitance in becoming engaged. But I need to know that you are in this for the long run. Beth, I can’t introduce you to my children if we are not going to try to make this thing work. I won’t do that to them.”
Elizabeth reached out to touch him saying, “Josh, I love being with you. I cherish our time together. I do feel deeply for you.”
“Deeply?” Josh back away from her. He asked, “What the Hell does deeply mean, Beth? Either you love me or you don’t. It’s not something you have to think about, it’s something you feel. If you don’t love me now, then I seriously doubt you will suddenly fall in love me in six months or three years.”
“Josh, please. It’s not that simple.” Elizabeth moved toward him desperate to make him understand they had to give it time, to get to know each other before they commit.
“Simple? No, love is not simple. Actually, it’s made quite a fool out of me lately. I’ve followed you around like a lost puppy. I’ve spent every spare moment trying to discover who the maniac is that’s been stalking you, all for what? For your deep affection?” Josh stopped to study her expression. He asked, “What is it Beth? Are you scared? Are you afraid we’ll end up like your parents? They were cold, emotionless zombies that didn’t know how to show you how much they loved you. That’s not me, Beth. I don’t know what more I can do to prove to you how I feel.”
“If you could only read my book …,” Elizabeth stammered.
“Your book?” Josh said with astonishment. He stared at her for a moment then turned and went inside the house.
The drive home was quiet. Randy and Amy immediately sensed the tension between their friends. When Randy dropped them off at Josh’s house Josh climbed out of the truck without a word and headed into the house. Elizabeth said a quick goodnight and followed him inside.
She followed him to the bedroom and stood watching while he grabbed a pair of shorts and a t-shirt from his drawer. He turned and walked past her without as much as a glance. He called to her as he walked down the hallway, “I’m sleeping in Jakes room tonight. Your furniture is arriving tomorrow morning. Maybe it’s a good idea to get packed for the move into the house.”
He shut Jake’s door behind him. Elizabeth stood staring at the door unable to move. What just happened? Why couldn’t he understand they can’t possibly know each other? It takes three years for people to drop their guard and relax enough to show their true selves. Love has nothing to do with it. You could love someone desperately who is completely wrong for you and end up miserable for the rest of your life. She stared at the bedroom door in disbelief. She wanted to scream at it to tell it to open, tell Josh to come back, make him understand.
Instead, she turned and shut the bedroom door quietly. She walked slowly to the bed and fell onto the pillow sobbing.
Josh was gone when she woke up the next morning. Elizabeth quietly packed her bag and loaded Charlie in the SUV. She called Amy on her way to the new house and asked her to meet her there.
The first of the furniture trucks arrived shortly after Elizabeth did. Amy showed up a few minutes later. They kept busy instructing the movers and deliverymen where to place the furniture. Finally, as the last of the deliveries arrived Amy insisted Elizabeth sit down on her new living room sofa and relax. Amy went to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of wine. Amy found the box labeled crystal and pulled out two wine glasses. She poured the wine and handed one to Elizabeth.
Amy sat down on next to her and said, “Spill it. What happened between you and Josh? He was really upset.”
“His kids are coming home on Sunday.” Elizabeth said with a shrug.
“So …” Amy urged her to continue.
“He asked me to marry him and I said no.” Elizabeth eyes filled with tears as she calmly stated the gist of the situation.
“Why did you say no? You’re crazy about him. I’ve never seen you like this before?” Amy jumped up and grabbed her purse off the kitchen island. She dug inside and produced a package of tissues. Amy rushed back to Elizabeth and handed them to her.
“He’s so different from any man I’ve ever been with?” Elizabeth sobbed into the tissues.
“That’s why he’s so perfect!” Amy said hugging her.
“But we don’t even know each other?” Elizabeth stammered between sobs.
“What are you talking about?” Amy asked in surprise, “Beth, he knows you better than anyone, better than even I do. He can tell when you are upset or angry. He’s not intimidated by your bossy, know-it-all attitude, if you don’t mind my saying so. He’s a real man. Just like Randy. You can take them both at face value. They have no ulterior motives, they don’t need any. They are not complicated or intense. They don’t have high power conquer the world jobs. They are down to earth everyday Joes.”
Elizabeth stared at Amy trying to comprehend her logic. Finally, she said, “What would my readers say if the author of the Three Year Rule ran off and married a man she just met?”
Amy smiled and gazed back at Elizabeth. She said in a wistful tone, “They’d be thrilled that true love still exists.”
“I’d look like a fool.” Elizabeth snapped.
“So you write a new book called Love Conquers All.” Amy laughed undaunted by Elizabeth’s’ negativity.
“That’s ridiculous!” Elizabeth jumped up from the sofa and walked quickly to the kitchen. “You can’t possibly understand Amy. You’re a sprite, an enigma. You can plunge head long into a relationship and it will last forever simply because you are unyieldingly happy all the time.”
Amy’s smile vanished as she rose from the sofa. She followed Elizabeth to the kitchen and placed her wine glass on the counter next to the sink. Amy gazed down at the still full glass of golden liquid and said, “I’m unyieldingly happy because I choose not to surrender to negativity.” She turned to face Elizabeth and added, “I choose to move beyond the things in my past that threaten to drag me into a deep depression. Beth, I choose to take chances with my heart. I choose to live everyday ruled by my emotions. I choose to love with all my heart because if life is not about love and friendship, then I don’t why we exist at all.”
