Hometown Series Box Set

by Kirsten Fullmer

  “What a fiasco,” she muttered, letting go of the wheel with one hand long enough to press down on the top of her head to keep it from flying off.

  Elliot, of course, had saved the day with his usual aplomb. Never once had he seemed one bit embarrassed at having been caught freshly showered at Lizzie’s house early in the morning. He’d been the epitome of calm and cool, asking her parents about the weather and the drive from Boston, all the while ushering them into the kitchen and seating them at the table to eat the breakfast Lizzie had prepared for him, acting as if he and Lizzie had both known the older couple would be arriving. He’d kept the conversation so engaging that Lizzie hadn’t needed to utter a word.

  Once her parents were seated, he’d smoothly mentioned that Lizzie would need to slip out to feed the animals. When she’d returned he’d whisked her back out the door, practically before she’d tugged her feet from her overalls. He’d gabbed all the while to her parents over his shoulder about being late to the spa and being so glad they’d had a chance to meet.

  Even through her daze of horror, Lizzie could clearly see her mother’s fascination with Elliot. She knew without a doubt that the more engaging Elliot was, the more her mother would be impressed. The older woman had oozed polite manners and was nothing but civil and pleasant to Elliot, which was a sure sign that Lizzie was in trouble. Her mother was already absorbed in an epic safari to snag Elliot for her daughter, and nothing on heaven or earth would stop her now.

  The few miles to the spa passed quickly and soon Lizzie was pulling to a stop beside Elliot. By the time she’d collected her computer bag and purse and climbed from the car, he was at her side.

  Tugging her bags from her cold, stiff fingers, Elliot placed them on the car seat, then pulled Lizzie into his arms, murmuring reassurances. “It’s okay, baby, come here. Let me hold you for a minute. That was a shock, wasn’t it…” Almost as if she were a child who’d fallen and scraped her knee.

  Lizzie was silent, allowing him to hold her but offering no response. Being numb was her only defense for the assault headed her way. A raging tornado would not be more of a threat to her and her home.

  Elliot pulled back, his eye scanning her face for some sign of how she was feeling. “Are you okay?” he asked, tucking a stray curl behind her ear.

  “No,” she muttered.

  “Look, I know you need to get into work, but we have things to talk about. Justin and I are planning— so I think I can— never mind that, you will figure out this thing with your parents, I know you will.”

  Lizzie snorted and reached for her bags. Then, turning, she tried to move away.

  Elliot caught her hand, pulling her back to face him. “Just smile for me and we’ll talk later. I need to see you smile.”

  Lizzie pursed her lips, staring off over his left shoulder. Finally, she sighed and met his eye, smiling sadly. “I’m sorry this morning was a disaster. You were amazing.” She blushed. “Last night was incredible…”

  A grin broke across Elliot’s face, causing Lizzie’s heart to skip a beat. “It was, wasn’t it.”

  Kicking the gravel by her feet, Lizzie glanced up through her lashes. “I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

  “Deal,” he replied, backing toward his car with a lifted hand.

  Lizzie trudged up the spa steps and across the porch. Once inside she closed the door and leaned against it, sighing into the silent room. Tara’s head popped up over the back of the sofa where she’d been lying in wait for Lizzie.

  “There you are!” Tara gasped, pulling herself up from the sofa to stand. Bags circled her eyes, dark against her pale face.

  Lizzie dropped her things on the front desk and hurried to her friend’s side. “How long have you been waiting here? Are you all right?”

  Tara waved her off. “I’m fine, just— I’m not here to talk about me, I want to know about you and Elliot.”

  Lizzie sat on the edge of the sofa and pulled on Tara’s hand, forcing her to sit down beside her.

  Tara tucked one leg under her and hugged a pillow to her stomach. “Well, what happened? Tell me everything,” she said, her eyes round and her face finally showing some color other than green.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Lizzie began, but Tara wouldn’t have it.

  “Look, I know Elliot stayed at your place and you two were all touchy-feely when you left the picnic, so don’t act like nothing happened,” Tara stated emphatically. “I’m not trying to get all up in your business or anything, I just want to know if you’re happy.”

  Lizzie shrugged one shoulder. “Elliot’s great…”

  “Okay, I lied, I want all the details!” Tara exclaimed, leaning forward in anticipation.

  Lizzie laughed, easing the tension in her shoulders. “To start with, my parents showed up while Elliot was in the shower this morning.”

  Tara reared back in shock. “Oh no!”

  “Yup,” Lizzie nodded. “Freaked the crap right out of me, I assure you.”

  “Didn’t they call and let you know they were coming?”

  Lizzie scoffed. “I wasn’t really into answering the phone last night…”

  “Right…” Tara drawled, picturing the scene in her mind.

  Silence hung between the two friends as they both visualized the chaos.

  Tara cleared her throat. “Everyone will be here any minute, and I still want to know more about Elliot, but for now, plan on dinner at the inn tonight with your parents.”

  Lizzie began to protest and Tara raised her hand to interrupt. “I won’t take no for an answer so just stop it. Call your mother and tell her come on up to the inn, they are staying there. Tell her dinner is at six, that will give you just enough time to change and come back.”

  Lizzie looked unsure so Tara continued. “Elliot will be there…”

  Unable to suppress a grin, Lizzie shrugged again. “Okay, thanks, Tara. Want me to bring anything?”

  Tara was already off the sofa and halfway to the door. “Nope, just your lovely self.”

  Lizzie stood and waved to her friend as Tara passed Gloria and two clients coming through the door.

  Tugging at the hem of her white lab coat, then reaching up to check her bun, Lizzie collected her resolve and decided to get on with her day.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Elliot headed down the stairs of the inn, ready for dinner. Tara had mentioned that she’d invited Lizzie’s parents, which he’d agreed was a wonderful idea. The hum and chatter of multiple voices greeted him as he rounded the corner of the landing, and by the time he reached the bottom step it was obvious that more people were in attendance than he’d expected. The living room overflowed into the kitchen with people standing, sitting, and laughing, but near silence descended at his entrance and all eyes turned toward him.

  Straightening his shoulders and rising to the occasion, as was his way, he once again noted that Smithville never ceased to surprise him at every turn. It had taken him a day or two to find his groove in this crazy town, but he was getting the hang of it, if he did say so himself. The trick, he’d found, was to expect the unexpected.

  Tara shouldered through the crowd to take his arm. “Elliot, how dashing you look tonight.” She smiled warmly, offering support and friendship.

  He grinned down at her. “Thank you, you look lovely as always.”

  Justin moved to stand at Elliot’s other side, his expression grim. “Sorry about this,” he muttered out the side of his mouth as he raised his rocks glass to his lips. “I promise I had nothing to do with it.”

  Tara tossed an irritated glace toward Justin, then smiled radiantly toward the crowd. “Elliot, you know Julia and Chad…” she began.

  He nodded to the handsome couple standing near the fireplace. They smiled in return.

  “And of course Lizzie’s parents,” Tara continued.

  Elliot’s gaze lit on the older couple seated on the sofa. Lizzie’s father sat happily munching on a tiny wiener wrap pinched in a napkin, with crumbs
falling like rain onto the wide belly of his white button-up shirt. Lizzie’s mother sat primly, her back stiff and her oversized purse clutched in her lap. She’d changed from her earlier pantsuit into a print dress, complete with stockings and sensible but fashionable pumps. She quite resembled the Queen of England.

  For the first time, Elliot noticed Lizzie leaning against the doorway to the kitchen. She was wearing a new bohemian country-style outfit, and his gaze eagerly ate her up. She forced a tiny smile with a shrug.

  A brief pause ensued as the group considered Elliot and Lizzie’s responses to the situation. Justin tossed a grin toward Chad, who smiled down at Julia.

  Shifting gears, Elliot patted Tara’s hand in assurance, then shrugged her off to move forward and greet Lizzie’s parents. “It’s so nice to see you both again,” he said, confidently settling onto the sofa next to Beatrice and spreading his long arm behind her.

  Lizzie’s mother shifted nervously, flustered over Elliot’s attention.

  “I can’t wait to hear what you two have been up to today, Beatrice…” he drawled, seemingly oblivious to her discomfort.

  The older woman sniffed. “There isn’t much to do in this place, I assure you…”

  Lizzie’s father licked his fingers, popping them out of his mouth one at a time, then craned his neck looking for the tray of wieners.

  Tara interrupted. “You met Winnie and Becky that first morning at the spa.” She gestured toward the two ladies peering curiously from the kitchen doorway.

  Elliot was not likely to have forgotten that morning. He’d acted a fool, spilling his coffee on his shoes. He remembered Winnie handing out donuts, and, of course, the brightly dressed Becky flirting outrageously with him.

  Winnie stepped forward, wiping her gnarled hands on her apron. She extended her hand and smiled warmly, her face a wreath of wrinkles, her eyes twinkling. “Elliot, I’m so glad to see you again.”

  He stood, but instead of taking Winnie’s hand, gave her a warm hug, charming the old lady to the core.

  “Oh my land,” Winnie twittered as she backed away, straightening her apron, her face glowing.

  Becky came forward, her hand out, her multitude of bright jewelry jangling. “Hasn’t taken long for you to make yourself at home here, has it?” she teased, winking at Lizzie over her shoulder.

  Lizzie blushed.

  “Becky,” Elliot said with a flourish, drawing the attention back to him. He bowed over Becky’s hand. “It’s a pleasure.”

  Taking an extra moment to bask in Elliot’s attention, Becky tittered like a schoolgirl, then finally backed toward the kitchen, her gaze never leaving Elliot’s face. She sidled up to Lizzie and nudged her in the side with one elbow. “Yup, prince charming indeed.”

  Lizzie tried not to roll her eyes as Elliot’s gaze met hers, his expression full of humor. It was obvious to him that she was focused solely on surviving her parents’ visit.

  Winnie’s voice broke the silence as she collected the tray of wieners. “Dinner will be ready in a bit, why don’t all of you move on out to enjoy the evening on the porch. Becky and I will call you when we’re ready to sit down.” Not waiting for a reply, she shooed the crowd toward the porch with one hand.

  The group shuffled, and a low buzz of voices rose as they prepared to go outside. Justin held open the front door, grinning at Julia and Chad, who obediently led the group. Elliot stood and took Lizzie’s mother by the hand, causing the woman to stiffen in surprise. She collected herself and offered him the first polite smile of the evening as she rose from the sofa. Lizzie’s father stood, then turned back to snatch up two more wiener wraps from Winnie’s tray before following his wife out the door.

  “I’ll get drinks,” Lizzie offered, turning toward the kitchen. Tara headed across the room to help.

  Elliot watched the women scatter with a shake of his head as he led Beatrice through the door. The evening was beginning to take shape, and if his guess was correct, fireworks would ensue.

  Justin dropped the door and jumped toward his wife and Lizzie. “No way.” He grabbed them each by an elbow and turned them back toward the porch. Both protested and he raised his hand to stop them. “Ladies, this is your event, now get out there and referee.” He gave them each the evil eye, letting them know he had no intention of sorting out the social quandaries of the gathering. “I will handle the drinks.” With that he turned and headed for the kitchen.

  Lizzie sighed and glanced toward the front door, her expression grim.

  “Oh come on, it’s not a firing squad,” Tara assured her friend, taking her by the arm.

  “Might as well be…” Lizzie muttered, allowing Tara to drag her across the room.

  * * *

  The second Lizzie stepped onto the porch, she wished she’d hidden in the kitchen. Her mother was on her in a flash. Tara moved to intervene, but Lizzie motioned for her to stay back, that she could handle her mother.

  “What on earth are you wearing?” Beatrice hissed, taking Lizzie by the arm and yanking her to the edge of the porch, away from the group of friends filing toward padded wicker porch chairs.

  Lizzie glanced down at her leather boots peeking out from under the lace-trimmed flounces of her handkerchief skirt. Clutching the cuffs of her fringed leather jacket, she pressed the studded edge into her palms, knowing full well she’d intended to send her mother into hissy fits with the outfit. “What’s wrong with this?” she asked innocently. Guilt lay in her chest for egging her mother on, but she was determined to put her foot down and mark her territory. Her home and her style were not negotiable.

  Pinching Lizzie’s arm in anger, her mother turned them further from the group and scowled. “You look like some kind of— hippie cowgirl.”

  Once again, Tara stepped up to Lizzie’s side, but the miserable girl smiled at her new friend and nodded for her to return to the rest of the group. Drowning in her own personal nightmare, Lizzie turned her attention back to her mother, noticing that the older woman’s lipstick was bleeding into the pucker marks around her mouth. Vowing to never become so angry that her lipstick wanted to run away, Lizzie sighed. “I like this outfit, Mother. It fits my mood.”

  “You never cease to amaze me, Elizabeth!” Beatrice continued. “I finally understand that you came here to catch a fine young man, yet you appear to be doing everything you can to drive him away!”

  Exasperated beyond belief, Lizzie didn’t even know where to begin denying her mother’s outrageous claims.

  “Ladies.” Elliot’s smooth voice broke up the argument as he draped one arm around Lizzie and one around her mother. “Come sit by me,” he crooned. “I’m feeling a bit like a fish out of water.” He led them back to the group of friends, his hand on their backs to be sure they complied.

  Two loveseats faced each other across a low coffee table, with two wicker chairs on each side to complete a square. Julia and Chad had selected the chairs on the far side, and Lizzie’s father sat in a loveseat with its back to the house.

  Seeing that Elliot had the situation in hand, Tara perched tentatively on the edge of a chair across from Julia and Chad, her eye on Lizzie.

  Expertly, Elliot settled Beatrice into the wicker couch next to her husband, then pressed Lizzie into the loveseat across from them. Settling next to her, completely relaxed, he leaned back and put one arm around the back of the seat and crossed his ankle over one knee, his pristine loafer bobbing.

  Silence settled over the group as the group nervously stared at each other. Beatrice and Lizzie’s father appeared oblivious to the discomfort they’d created. Heads turned as Justin came through the door carrying a tray containing glasses of lemonade, as well as the pitcher, complete with ice cubes clinking and lemon slices bobbing. He placed the tray on the wicker coffee table, and Tara leaned forward to hand drinks to each of her guests.

  “One for you…” Justin crooned as he snagged the glass from Tara’s hand and extended it toward Beatrice. Tara jumped in surprise and eyed Justin in ques
tion. He smiled innocently and came around to sit next to her.

  Julia took a glass with a timid smile and sipped her lemonade, then cleared her throat, obviously feeling the tension filling the air. She glanced toward Beatrice, who was taking a first tentative sip from her glass. “So… I hear you drove over from Boston,” Julia began, her voice low and quiet. Then, uncomfortable with everyone’s attention on her, she blushed and glanced toward Chad for assurance.

  Chad placed his hand on her knee and grinned, picking up where she’d left off. “Yes, how was the drive?”

  Busy gulping lemonade, Lizzie’s father didn’t appear to hear the question.

  “Our Cadillac always does well on long drives,” replied Beatrice as she peered into her lemonade glass, leaving little room for further conversation about the drive.

  Ice clinked against glasses and a cricket chirped across the yard as silence fell across the group once more.

  Elliot glanced at Lizzie and was nearly seared by the sour look on her face. He shifted in his seat, dropped his foot to the floor, and leaned forward to place his glass on the table. “So, what made you decide to visit Smithville?” he asked the older couple smoothly, the only one daring to tackle the elephant in the room.

  Everyone’s eyes darted from Elliot to Lizzie’s parents and back, waiting. Lizzie rolled her eyes and peered off into the yard. How could he be so callous as to bring up the whole uncomfortable situation? Whose side was he on?

  Beatrice appeared to be fighting some inner battle, her arched eyebrows rising, then lowering only to rise again. Finally, she licked her lips and looked up from her glass. “We came to see our daughter’s new home, of course,” she replied, her expression leaving no doubt she found that home lacking.

  Tense silence washed across the group. Lizzie gulped her drink, wishing she were miles away. But then, she’d already gone miles away and it hadn’t helped. Was there no escape?

  “I love her house,” Tara stated, clearly daring Beatrice to counter the comment. “I saved the place, you know; it was left vacant for years and needed attention.”