Month: December 2019

Sarah

Sarah sat patiently in the Audi’s passenger seat and smiled through the window at the man walking around to open her door. As much as she wanted to get out and look around, she loved it when Matt opened the door for her even more. When it slipped his mind, she happily waited in the car until he noticed. It usually didn’t take long. He always remembered… eventually.

Wiggling her toes she glanced down at her worn out sneakers. Hopefully it wouldn’t get too hot while they were hiking. Her door opened and she took his extended hand. She pulled herself out of the car to kiss him. Even after dating him for a year, kissing him just didn’t grow old.

She broke away reluctantly so he could close her door. Gazing past the parking lot at the trees crowding both sides of the path, Sarah couldn’t help but take a big deep breath. Being outdoors was such a big stress reliever!

Matt came up behind her and slowly eased his hands around her waist until she could lean back into his chest, enfolded in his embrace. For several minutes they stood there, enjoying the simple fact that they were together and in love. It was Matt who broke the quiet first by spitting out a few stray hairs of Sarah’s that had blown into his mouth.

With a giggle Sarah spun out of Matt’s arms and grabbed hold of his hand. “Let’s go.”

They were having too much fun to do any serious hiking as they meandered along the trail. Sarah drank in all the beautiful fall colors. How could she not be completely happy when she was not only surrounded by nature but also with the one person she wanted to be with for the rest of her life?

Shaking herself out of her thoughts she pointed up at a huge rock on the side of the path.

“That one!” She exclaimed.

“What about it?” Matt asked, using the distraction to pull her in under his arm. She didn’t hesitate to snake her arm back and around his waist. The closer the better.

With a small hip check, she nodded up. “I want to climb it.” She gave him her very best ‘duh’ face. “I want to stand on top and see the world at our feet.”

Laughing, he agreed.

In a matter of minutes they reached the base, all while pushing each other around like two year olds. With an exaggerated bow Matt proclaimed loudly. “After you, milady.”

Sarah shoved him a little. “You just want to watch me climb.”

All he did in reply was smile. Shaking her head, she began the climb. It took longer than she thought because Matt would randomly grab hold of her foot. He didn’t pull or anything dangerous, but it sure made it hard when she couldn’t pick up her foot to step up higher.

“Stop grabbing me!” She hollered down. As she heard him chuckle back, he snatched at her foot again.

“It isn’t me.” He wriggled his fingers up her legs like spiders, “It’s the rock monsters.” With a soft smack to her calf, he called up. “Don’t worry. I got it.” Again she took a step up, laughing.

Reaching the top, Sarah let out a whoop and did a little victory dance. Matt took his time.

While she waited, she turned in a full circle, looking out across the tops of the trees in every direction. Even the trail they had been following was hard to discern from up top.

Matt’s head popped into view. “What? No help?” He bemoaned.

With a laugh she reached her hand out, “Want some help Matty?”

“Peas!” He fake whined.

Both collapsed into giggles after she did indeed help him up. After several minutes laying there giggling and poking each other Sarah sat up and dangled her feet off the not-quite-steep ledge. Matt followed her over and gently wrapped his arm around her; effectively taking her in against him once more.

Sarah lay there, head on his shoulder, drinking in the view as well as Matt’s closeness. Far too often work, school, and well-meaning friends intruded on what little time they could spend together. This hike was perfect. Just the two of them for the whole day.

Matt stirred beside her, giving off an almost anxious air that hadn’t been there minutes earlier.

“What’s wrong?” She asked, still snuggling while attempting to look up into his face. He didn’t look at her but smiled quickly.

“Nothing.”

“Liar.” She softly accused. It wasn’t anger that filled her but curiosity. Why would he lie to her? And why on earth was he so nervous?

She felt rather than saw him shake his head. He didn’t answer her accusation. “Matt?” She questioned, seeking to pull his attention back.

He had begun to shake, his nerves getting the best of him and Sarah was beginning to worry. If he had to end their all-day date early she was going to be heartbroken. Already she started preparing for the worst. In an effort to pull him out of his fog she nudged him and asked, “Ready to climb down and keep hiking?” Even to her, her enthusiasm sounded forced.

Matt stood up and stuck his hands in his pockets, looking everywhere but at her.

Enough of the weird behavior. This was not how she was going to spend her day.

Sarah stepped right in front of Matt. Fists on hips she glared up at him. “Alright. Spill.”

“Huh.” His distracted gaze landed on her. Her in-the-face approach at least got his attention. “Oh sorry Sarah. I’m just a little distracted. It’s fine. I’m fine.”

“Well I’m not. Un-distract yourself.” She smiled and went up on tiptoes to give him a small kiss to soften her demand.

Under his breath he muttered, “Now’s as good as any.” Before she could question that odd comment her question was answered as he dropped down on one knee.

Sarah heart stopped and shock sprinkled across the absolute joy spreading over her features.

The nervousness Matt had been exuding disappeared and her confident and outgoing man made a startling comeback.

“Sarah. From that first date when we had a picnic in the rain, I have known you are such a special person. Everyday I am more and more certain that I never want to let you go. I want to be with you for eternity. Will you marry me?”

Halfway through his proposal Sarah was already nodding. “Yes!” she beamed.

He slid the ring on her finger and rose to kiss her. It may not have been perfect since she had sort of bullied him into spitting out the proposal without realizing what she was doing, but she was now his fiance.

“I love you Matt!” She exclaimed as she threw her arms around his neck.

Bethani

Bethani leaned back in her office chair, reaching her arms back as far as they would allow to stretch out her aching back. Glancing around the work floor she realized that she was once again the last to leave. She shook her hair loose from its constricting hair clip, brown curly waves brushing the tops of her shoulders, a freedom she rarely indulged in since her mother insisted it was horribly unprofessional to leave her hair down.

As hard as she tried, she couldn’t keep her focus for more than a few seconds on her large computer screen sitting to her left. Charts, spreadsheets and graphs covered the display. She laughed; it almost looked as cluttered as her physical desk.

In a steady rhythm she tapped her self-manicured fingers softly over the tops of the keyboard keys. Not enough to press any keys or anything, more of an absent gesture to help her think.

“Ms. Jacobs.” A gruff but not wholly unpleasant voice disturbed the quiet from behind her. “You are here rather late. Whatever you are working on will be here in the morning. Go home.”

Bethani attempted to stifle her startled shriek but wasn’t successful. Spinning in her chair she came face to face with her boss, Mr Hillier, whom she’d only ever glimpsed from a distance. Even more surprising than his presence was the fact he knew her name. In an attempt to cover her embarrassing display of surprise she blurted, “I didn’t realize anyone else was here.”

He grunted in response and headed back up to his office. She watched him go in and shut the door. She hadn’t ever met the boss, still hadn’t technically, since he hadn’t bothered with a hello much less an introduction. In fact, she was still reeling by the fact that he knew her name and had noticed she was still there. It’s not like she had been making noise. She peered up at his office, unsure if she should head out or stay and finish her assignment.

She dropped back down in her chair. Even if she wanted to leave, she couldn’t go. Her supervisor had happily assured her that if the project wasn’t polished and complete by morning she would be fired. Cruel, bitter woman. Bethani was stuck at her desk until it was done.

“I better get it done faster. Maybe he won’t notice I didn’t leave.” She muttered to herself as she went back to typing. For several minutes she made a whirlwind of progress.

“Ms Jacobs!” Mr. Hillier roared from where he now stood in his open office doorway. Bethani hesitantly peeked her head over her computer to look at him. He didn’t wait for a response. Instead he continued to holler. “Get in my office now.”

She hurried to comply. She couldn’t lose this job. 

Once inside his office she sat in the large plush chair opposite his desk. He sat with steepled fingers and a slight glare. Bethani watched as he took several slow, deep, bracing breaths.

“Why are you still here? I have a meeting with board members in Hong Kong and you are distracting me. ” His eyebrows arched in annoyance.

“I need this job sir.” Bethani struggled to speak above a whisper.

“And how would going home tonight compromise that job?” He demanded.

“Mr. Hillier, sir. I was informed this afternoon by my supervisor that if I did not complete my project by tomorrow morning I would be let go.” Bethani didn’t raise her eyes, focusing firmly on her own clasped hands.

“What project?” The curiosity in his tone pulled her gaze up to his now contemplative face.

“Carista.” Even as she said it his gaze darkened with mild anger.

“Carista?” He repeated. She nodded in confirmation. “Abigail is your supervisor then.” Again he surprised her by knowing who she worked under. “How much of this project are you assigned to complete?”

“All of it.” Bethani replied. Confusion spread through her. If he was going to fire her for staying why didn’t he just get it over with?

“I see.” He leaned back in his chair, looking decidedly more thoughtful as he looked at her across the desk. After a brief pause and slow inhale he nodded to her. “Since you have my attention, I would like to see what you have come up with so far.” He announced. 

Pulling everything she needed off her cluttered desk, she made her way back to his office to find him still sitting reclined in his seat.

“Sir, I…” 

He interrupted. “Adam.”

Startled, she blinked, “What?”

“The formality. I hate it. It is also after normal work hours. Please call me Adam, not sir.”

Bethani blushed. “Oh. Alright then, Adam.” Setting down the papers filling her arms she handed him the one on top. She proceeded to provide all the pertinent information and solutions she had been slaving over. He stopped her and asked questions throughout her makeshift presentation. Once she finished, he continued to look over her cluttered papers.

Unsure what to do, she quietly sat back down in her chair. She was surprised when he finally looked up at her again. He was smiling. A jolt of joy seared through her. He was stunning, smiling at her like that. 

“Well Ms Jacobs.” 

“Bethani.” She interrupted, the corners of her mouth curving up in the hint of a teasing smile.

His megawatt grin brightened as he nodded in acknowledgement. “Bethani. I must admit I find I am very pleased you chose not to leave when I told you to. This has all been very enlightening.” Adam motioned to the mess she had made of his previously pristine desk. “But now I must insist you go home. Your job is secure and I am impressed by your ideas and dedication. I expect to see you in my office tomorrow morning to discuss this in full detail. However, for now, allow me to walk you to your car. It is late and I would hate for anything to happen to you.”

“I can keep my job?” She sighed in relief.

Adam chuckled. “Without question, your job is secure.”

“Don’t you have a phone call with Hong Kong?”

Delicious warm shivers ran the length of her spine as she watched him stand and button his suit.

 “I have a few minutes to spare.” He said.

Bethani stood, smiling shyly. “Then yes, you can walk me to my car. I’m starving.”

As he came around his desk he offered her his arm. “Could I convince you to wait an hour and have dinner with me?” 

She cocked her head to the side. “A business dinner? As friendly coworkers? Or like a date?”

Adam leaned in close. “Most definitely a date.”

Bethani’s heart tingled as she dared to nod at the handsome man in front of her. “I’ll wait.”

Tieralee

Tieralee found herself toying with her starburst pendant, her fingers trembling. These high society balls made her anxious.  It was stifling. 

She stood on the outside of the swelling crowd, head bowed, eyes down. In a heartbeat she was shouldered roughly into the wall behind her. With a pained exclamation she looked up into a pair of sage green eyes, the surprise in them mirroring her own. 

Quickly the owner of those eyes righted her, sliding his hand softly down to take hold of hers. 

“Are you alright? Did I hurt you?” The intense sincerity with which he searched her face stole her clear thinking from her. 

“I…no…please do not worry yourself. I am unharmed. Only startled.” How long had it been since she last spoke to anyone? Relief flooded through her when her voice did not crack. The music for the next dance announced the beginning of a waltz.

“Still” he temporized, “I am appalled by my lack of manners. How may I make it up to you?”

“Sir, I do not even know you. Please do not worry over such a trivial thing.”

“Of a truth! Another bout of bad manners on my part!” He caught her hand in his and bowed over it. “I am Lord Braithwaite. Allow me to show my deepest apologies. Please honor me with a dance Miss…?” 

“Gibson.” She acceded, looking anywhere but into his intoxicating gaze. She struggled to figure out a way to extricate herself and reacquaint herself with the shadows of the nearest alcove as soon as possible.

“Wonderful. Miss Gibson.” He led her on the dance floor in a firm grip well before she could voice her dismay. Dancing with the handsome Lord Braithwaite was not a good way to stay out of her aunt’s scornful watch.

With his hand properly holding her in harmony with his movement, the warmth emanating from his strong frame lulled her to giddy acquiescence. It was exquisitely more exciting than what she had expected of her very first dance, and a waltz at that.

She was quite enjoying her forbidden interaction with Lord Braithwaite, until he opened his mouth.

“Now Miss Gibson, to whom do you belong to at this delightful little soiree?”

“My aunt.” She hedged.

His smile bloomed. “Ah, how telling.” He glanced away. “When you answered, you glanced her way to make sure she hadn’t seen you. Thus she is in that corner and you are only recently acquainted and don’t want to mess it up.” He paused. “That is, if I read that look correctly.” His gaze went from scanning the corner in question to piercing through her. “Why weren’t you standing with her?”

Tieralee blushed, dropping her gaze to his shoulder. This man and his eyes were far too perceptive. At a loss of how to answer, she stayed silent. 

She forced herself to keep her smile but could still feel him looking at her. With the end of the dance there came no relief, for he held her hand to his arm in the guise of escorting her. “Come, let us meet your aunt.”

“Please, leave it be. The shadows where you found me is where I aim to stay for the rest of the evening.” She pleaded softly.

“No I’m afraid I can’t allow that.” He smiled to cushion his bluntness. “We must be properly introduced through your aunt, for I plan to spend as much of the evening as I can at your side.” With this pronouncement he pulled her to a stop in front of her aunt. How he knew, she couldn’t say. “Lady Grenault, I must compliment you on pulling together such a wonderful event.”

Lady Grenault turned her full attention their way. “Lord Braithwaite. I am pleased you have enjoyed yourself thus far. Allow me to introduce my daughter Miss Alanna to you.”

Simpering and flouncing into view, Alanna dropped a deep curtsey to Lord Braithwaite. Tieralee burned with embarrassment at what was sure to happen next.

Lord Braithwaite bowed, drawing attention to the fact that he had her at his side by choice. It only took a few seconds but Tieralee knew the instant she was noticed. It was then she knew without a doubt, her aunt had expected her to stay out of sight in her room and most decidedly not in the ballroom.

Lord Braithwaite felt her tense and watched her wilt under her aunt’s silent scolding. Far too perceptive.

He forestalled any further conversation that would put Alanna forward and relegate Tieralee back to invisibility as he spoke. “I must beg your pardon for bringing this young lady into the conversation, however she has not been introduced to anyone and it seemed only appropriate to seek your impeccable guidance on whom would have such manners as to abandon their kin without a friend here, to be left alone, unable to properly meet anyone. She refuses to tell me who she is here with. Would you be able to enlighten me?” Tieralee looked up at the innocence plastered convincingly all over his face. Subtle.

“No need to be rash my Lord.” Lady Grenault fluttered. Based on her aunt’s simpering theatrics, Lord Braithwaite’s influence must have been great indeed. “She is my niece sir, and I was simply unaware she had arrived. Seeing how she has only arrived this evening from the country. I had assumed she would need more rest after such a long journey. Since she is here allow me to happily introduce her to you now. My sister’s daughter, Miss Tieralee Gibson. My dear, this is Lord Jamison Braithwaite.”

Tieralee did her best to curtsey prettily as the bow Lord Braithwaite presented her was impressively powerful. Immediately he placed her hand back in the crook of his arm. “Please excuse us Lady Grenault, I promised Miss Gibson an introduction to several of my associates.”

Tieralee followed him away from her aunt. Once far enough away she whispered up to him. “Though I am sure to be in great amounts of trouble for that conversation, I thank you.”

“No need to thank me Miss Gibson. I did it for selfish reasons.” He shrugged, refusing to release her hand from his arm. 

She stilled. “What would those reasons be?” 

“Well, I am sorry to say I may have been avoiding your cousin. And even if that were not the case, I couldn’t bear to not have the chance to get to know you better.” He caught her gaze with his, capturing her fully. Again, Tieralee found herself speechless and utterly drawn to him.  He continued with a grin, “And most importantly, I learned your name is Tieralee. Charming indeed.”

Maddy

I didn’t realize how close our faces were until our noses brushed. I took a step back, focusing on my breathing to stay calm, to hold it together.

Caden turned 17 yesterday. He now knows who he’s going to marry and I can’t figure out why it irritates me so much. All morning when I caught him glancing my way I couldn’t help but blush at his obvious attention. A part of me wants him to be my future. After all, we are best friends.

However, I am going to have to wait another year before I will find out for myself who my parents chose for me. With each engagement and subsequent marriage arranged and coordinated by parents, society deemed that children need not know the details until they were considered old enough to handle the responsibility. Yet that is not entirely true, because the boys find out when they are 17 while the girls have to wait until they are 18. The actual marriage doesn’t take place until both are 19 but still, they knew first. When did adults suddenly decide that boys were more mature than girls at 17?

When I asked my mother why I had to wait a year longer she laughed. “The longer a girl knows who she’s marrying the more she rebels and looks for a way out of it. Whereas the longer a boy knows, the more he gets used to the idea and looks forward to it.” 

I couldn’t disagree. I knew it would be very true in my case but I hated having all the guys in the school know and I was left in the dark. Caden was the last of my circle of guy friends to find out. Every one of their birthdays had come and they each had in turn become insufferable. I’ve grown to hate birthdays and what they did to my friends. Every birthday I got stares and every birthday Caden would take my guy friends aside to talk. After they talked everything would go back to normal. Caden saved my sanity. However this time it was Caden doing the staring. Who was going to have words with him?

By the end of the day I couldn’t stand it any more. I was walking out with Caden, Ben, Trate, and Eli when once more Caden looked my way. He was hiding something. So I whacked him as hard as I could.

I had waited until we weren’t on campus so we wouldn’t get in trouble but that was it; this is where my patience ended. 

“What was that for?!” He hollered before coming at me. I had been friends with these guys for most of my life so they no longer felt the need to refrain from seeking revenge when I hit them. In turn, I didn’t hold back my punches when they deserved it. 

I widened my stance, ready to absorb the full-on tackle I knew was coming. I was braced and ready but at the last second he swooped around and picked me up. 

“Caden!” I screeched. “Put me down!

My world began to spin. I clamped my mouth shut and hung on tight. How he kept his balance for so long while turning my world on end, I do not know. As he finally slowed I could feel his soft chuckle deep in his chest to which I clung. When did he get to be so strong? I didn’t notice before how much muscle he hid under those baggy old t-shirts.

He held onto me and nodded for the guys to keep going. Ben laughed, but then as they all started walking again Caden didn’t move to follow. After a minute he looked down and smiled, setting me down. “Ready to talk?”

“It’s just not fair” I stuck out my bottom lip and gave my most convincing pouty face. 

“Aww put that pout away.” He tucked my lip back in. “I know it bugs you not to know and I shouldn’t have stared.” I looked up into his face and searched for some sign that he would give me even a hint of what he now knew. Guys talked to each other. They were allowed to. I caught his ‘debating’ look and wanted to beat it out of him.

“Are you going to tell me then?” My hand found itself clutching his arm. I didn’t want to look desperate so I forced my hand to drop to my side.

I watched him pull his hand through his hair as he looked down the road at the other guys standing around waiting for us. Our friends, MY friends. His voice dropped to a painful whisper. “You know I can’t tell you.”

My breath hitched. I pounced on his wording. “But you know! You know! Tell me who!” Again my hands clenched his biceps. Who cares about looking desperate. 

Both his arms wrapped me in a huge solid hug as he bent to whisper into my ear. “I wish you were mine.”

I lost my breath. My heart dropped down to my knees as they buckled. If he hadn’t been holding me up I would have been on the ground. It wasn’t Caden. And he knew who it was. In that instant I knew I wouldn’t find out from him. For a second I blanked. All my brain could process was one phase over and over. It’s not Caden. It’s not Caden. It’s not Caden. I didn’t realize how much I had wanted and counted on it being him. And now that it was too late to try and do anything about it he admits that he wanted me to be his. “Do…do I know him?” I stumbled out.

His eyes closed. I watched as his face filled with sadness.  “Don’t ask me Maddy.”

I didn’t realize how close our faces were until our noses brushed. I took a step back, focusing on my breathing to stay calm, to hold it together.

I looked around and discovered that all the other guys were no longer quite so near, but were studiously looking anywhere but at the two of us. In a moment of clarity it hit me. Every birthday, all those talks, Caden was making sure I could still be his. They all knew I was supposed to be with Caden. That he had always thought we would be together. How could I not have seen before? It’s true he had always been so protective of me. But it didn’t click until now. 

Once again I faced Caden.

Before I could say anything else he swooped down and caught me in a kiss, his embrace tightening. My world narrowed in, focusing on the sensation invading my heart, permeating my being and capturing my very soul. I happily lost myself in what I was feeling. Never wanting it to end but knowing it was inevitable.

As he broke away he softly took hold of both sides of my face. I could look nowhere but at his tortured soul. “I would’ve chosen you, Maddy Raile. I still do. I’ll fix this.”