by Kristi Rose
“This is my husband, Ed. Its hard to get him to pull him away from the horse talk that was likely going on over there, and believe it or not, he used to be a doctor—”
“I am a doctor. Just a retired one who runs a horse rehab instead. What can I help you with, dear?” He looked nothing like a doctor with his well-worn jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he should be working a tractor.
“This is Elizabeth. She’s half of the honeymooners we got that call about late last night. Look at her arms.”
Ed picked up her arm and inspected the welts closely. “You have allergies, Elizabeth?”
“Yes. Nothing serious. A few trees and shrubs. Maybe a certain type of grass.”
“Looks like you found some. I’ll get you some hydrocortisone to put on it, but you should take an antihistamine. It’s spreading into hives.” He nodded to her chest, and she ran a hand over the exposed skin by her throat she felt the welts. Elizabeth groaned.
“I’ll get you the stuff.” Fanny took her apple core and dirty clothes and hurried off again.
“You should be right as rain tomorrow. No pun intended.” Ed said, laughing at his own joke. “Come sit and relax.” He beckoned her to the couch.
“I need to give these to my husband,” she said. Enjoying the rush of pleasure saying the word gave her.
Elizabeth knocked on the bathroom door, pressed her ear to it and heard the shower. Easing it open, she called out, “I’m putting clean clothes here on the counter for you.”
“Thanks,” he said.
She kept her eyes from the shower and hobbled out as quickly as she could. This was new ground for them. Though apparently William thought her awkwardness was funny, because she could hear him laughing through the door.
A few minutes later he stepped out, dressed in sweats and a T-shirt much like the one Ed was wearing. He raised his brows. “What’s happened to you?”
“Allergies. Fanny’s husband is Ed, and he’s a doctor.”
Fanny came around the corner and handed Elizabeth a bottle of Benadryl and a tube of hydrocortisone cream. “Those fit you well,” she told William.
“What’s the latest with the weather?” William asked.
“We’re waiting for the all clear and we can go upstairs.” Fanny said while pushing Elizabeth toward the bathroom. “Get cleaned up. Ed will take a look when you come out.”
“Need help?” William asked as she hopped to the bathroom. He tossed her backpack in the room for her.
“I’m good.”
She made quick work of the shower, mindful of the people waiting, but the first chance she could get she was going to take a seriously long bath or shower. She wanted to let the hot water warm her for hours.
After taking the Benadryl and brushing out her tangled hair, Elizabeth exited the bathroom. William was waiting to carry her to the couch. Knowing Ed was going to take a look, she’d rolled up her pant leg. Her ankle was already starting to turn a dark color.
Ed palpated it, with only tenderness as her chief complaint. “It might need an X-ray, but let’s wrap it and see how it looks in twenty-four hours.” He did a quick crazy-eight pattern with the wrap, and the support provided instant relief. She downed an entire bottle of water in one turn and took the plate of cheese, bread, and cold cuts from Fanny, devouring it in seconds.
They were safe, relatively speaking. They were clean. They were fed.
For what they’d gone through Elizabeth couldn’t want for more than that. She let her head fall on William’s shoulder and snuggled next to him. Once the sirens went off, they could check into their room and—though awkward to be in a house with other people—possibly start their honeymoon.
Elizabeth did one heavy blink then gave into the darkness and fell asleep
Chapter 5
Elizabeth jerked awake, sitting up suddenly, and groaned as pain shot up her leg. Blinking several time, she tried to gather her bearings. William was snoring beside her, a soft light was on in the corner of the room. Other than William, nothing looked familiar. She tried to retrace her steps, but the last thing she remembered was taking the Benadryl and finally having a shower.
The walls were covered with light blue gingham, and lacy white linens with blue accents made up the bed. Dark Shaker furniture gave the room weight. It was comfortable without being kitschy.
Their clean clothes were folded on the dresser, and out the window was a fading sun. Elizabeth didn’t even know if it was the same day or not. She held up her arms and was pleased to see the welts had diminished in size.
She was famished. And an aspirin for the ache in her ankle would go a long way.
She eased off the bed the best she could, since she was stiff and only had one good leg for support. Trying to make as little as noise as possible, she shuffled from the room, bumping the bed’s footboard more than once. William was oblivious.
Coming from downstairs, she heard the murmur of voices and the clanking of dishes. She hopped down the stairs and shuffle-hopped toward the noise. The others were in the dining room finishing dinner. Elizabeth’s mouth watered, and she had to swallow several times to get it under control.
“Elizabeth!” Fanny rushed to her. “Get off your feet.” She pushed her into a chair. “You were out to the world. Wouldn’t wake up for anything. It’s a good thing we didn’t have a tornado, there would have been no rousing you.” The others laughed, and Elizabeth wondered what went down while she was in a Benadryl-induced sleep.
She felt tremendously better for having it, though, so she couldn’t complain.
“Everything with the weather went well?” She assumed, since the house was standing and the electricity was on, that the bad luck that had plagued William and her might have finally gone away.
“We took some damage to the barn, but the animals are all right thanks to Ed and your husband, running out in that weather after the tree fell onto the barn.”
No wonder William hadn’t stirred when she left the room and banged into some of furniture. He’d worked more after she’d called it quits.
“Are you hungry?” Fanny handed her a plate.
“Famished. Thank you.” Elizabeth would have to work extra hard to contain her desire to shove every last thing in her mouth with no regard for the manners her mother had impressed upon her.
The others continued their conversation, which worked well for Elizabeth. She didn’t want to stop putting food in her mouth to answer questions. When she thought she couldn’t eat another bite, Fanny placed a large triangle slice of apple pie in front of her.
“Tea or coffee?”
“Coffee, please.” Since setting out in the rental car, which felt like several days ago—not one—Elizabeth let herself relax. For the first time since the wedding, she stopped worrying about how they would be as a married couple. Holding on to unfounded fears was ridiculous and did no one any favors. She and William would be awesome as husband and wife. They’d been that way as a couple, and nothing would change.
This short excursion into a hardship of sorts had proven that. They’d worked as a team, kept each other going, and never turned on one another—even at their most frustrated or scared times. She felt William enter the room before she saw him. He slid into the chair next to her and smiled, sleep still clinging to his half-lowered eyelids.
“How are you?” he asked and kissed her forehead.
“Fantastic. You? I heard you rescued some horses.” She brushed her hand down the back of his head, resting her palm against his nape. This wonderful man was her husband.
William ducked his head, laughing. “We did. It was quite the adventure. You should be sorry you missed it.”
“Oh, I am. Hungry?”
He wagged his brows. “Yes.”
She read his meaning. She knew he was ready for their honeymoon to begin. She was too.
Fanny placed a plate in front of him.
“But first you eat,” Elizabeth whispered in his ear.
They chatted with the other couple
, newlyweds who raised horses and were at the farm getting assistance with a difficult one. It appeared Ed was known in the area as somewhat of a horse whisperer.
Savoring her coffee, Elizabeth placed her hand on William’s knee, letting it rest. They decided to stay the rest of the week, to relax and help Ed and Fanny with repairing their barn. Africa wasn't going anywhere. After a while, everyone but Elizabeth and William retired to their rooms for the rest of the night.
“Why did you just laugh?” William asked as he refilled her cup.
“Did I?” She hadn’t realized. “I supposed because I was thinking about the first time I saw you. You were in my running path and wouldn’t get out of the way. I thought you were odd, but handsome. Then I find you’ve come to put me out of business.”
William tried to protest, but she placed her hand over his lips.
“That’s what I thought at first. But you worked hard to keep Meryton Matchmakers open and to make sure the company would survive once you left. You helped protect Jane.” She held up her index finger on the other hand. “I am choosing to forget that you caused her great heartache, because you made up for it. You’ve helped with Lydia, and Anne, and so much more, and for a brief moment recently I was afraid we’d falter in difficult times, but look. We’ve had so many already, and we’ve done well.”
He mumbled under her hand, and she dropped it.
“What did you say?“
“I said we’ve done great!”
“We really have.” She snuggled up as close to him as her chair would allow. “I love you, Mr. Darcy.”
“I adore and love you, Mrs. Darcy.” He pulled her close and kissed her temple.
To take it further Elizabeth whispered something she never thought she’d say to William. Something naughty. She wasn’t confident enough to proposition him out loud.
William sucked in a quick breath.
“Sorry, lovebirds, I forgot my reading glasses,” Ed said, coming into the room. He glanced at them as he picked his glasses up from the table. His eyes widened when he looked at William.
Elizabeth jerked her attention to her husband.
“I’ve seen this before,” Ed said and put his glasses on.
Dark pink blooms were popping up on William’s face and neck. She glanced at his arms and saw them cropping up there as well.
“Are you allergic to anything?” She asked, feeling stupid that she didn’t know.
“No, why?” He wiped his hand across his brow.
“Come with me, son. I’ll get you sorted.” Ed gestured for William to follow.
William looked at her puzzled.
Elizabeth pointed to the spots on his arm and then motioned to his face and neck area.
William appeared even more confused.
He followed Ed from the room, and Elizabeth finished her coffee, the aspirin having kicked in and relieved the ache in her ankle.
A while later Ed came back into the room with Fanny.
“Where’s William?” She stood.
“I had to give him a sedative. He’s in bed,” Ed said. “He’s out cold for the rest of the night.”
“Was it an allergy? A sedative for what?”
“I’ll let Fanny explain. Good night, ladies.” Ed nodded and was gone in a flash.
Fanny smiled sweetly at her, and Elizabeth was confused. The way they were acting, it was as if she were the problem.
“What’s going on?” She gripped the chair’s armrest.
Fanny shrugged. “It’s funny really, and one day you’ll laugh about it together. Ed and I do.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
“When a man loves his wife as much as yours loves you, or mine does me, he can get a bit worked up about their first time.”
Elizabeth felt her face go hot.
Fanny continued. “They want to make everything perfect for you. William is that type of man, and it would seem the thought of actually getting to your honeymoon was a little too much for him to handle. The anxiety of it gave him hives.”
Elizabeth’s mouth dropped open. Then she plopped back into the chair and burst out laughing.
Yes, they were going to be just fine indeed.
Tomorrow was another day, and they had a lifetime ahead of them. The adventure had just begun.
Have you started at the beginning?
Included is a free bonus chapters where Darcy and Elizabeth begin.
I hope you enjoy.
Kristi
Chapter One
Lottie stepped from the house and eased the door closed with a quiet click. The dewy air was cool but would soon enough be too warm for her to enjoy the walk to her café. The sun, still tucked behind the ending night, brought with it the hint of a summer heavy with oppressive heat. Last year they’d had two brownouts. What would this summer bring?
With stun gun in hand, she slung her bag over her shoulder and began her peaceful stroll to work. The stun gun was because Bill forced her to carry it just in case. She didn’t like to think about what just in case meant. Besides, what could happen in the small farming town of Meryton? Would she get spooked by a cow? Possibly. Instead of considering the scarier possibilities, she liked to think about the day’s menu and new cupcake creation. Her taste of late had run towards spicy and feisty.
Oh, that rhymed. She should use that as the theme of the day.
“Morning, Lotts,” Bill said stepping out from the pasture and onto the walkway beside her.
“Jesus Christ,” she yelled and fumbled with the stun gun. It flew from her fingertips and landed somewhere in the grass. “You scared me to death, Bill. What do you think you’re doing walking up on someone in the dark?”
“I announced myself. You know that stun gun has a flashlight. You should use it. I almost couldn’t find you.”
“That’s the point. I’m not trying to give my location away. Just enjoy the walk to work. Sorry about the—er—using His name in vain.” It’s not like he hadn’t met her on the early walks before. It’s that she usually saw him before she heard him. Today, he had caught her completely unaware.
Bill flicked on a flashlight, the one she’d given him for Christmas that he carried on his keychain, and started searching the grass. “Some people think it’s bad—and nothing more—to say the Lord’s name in vain. I like to think that in a time when you were scared—or at the very least startled—you weren’t saying His name in vain but calling upon Him for help. That means a lot coming from an agnostic such as yourself. There’s hope for you yet.”
Lottie saw the little power-zapper in the grass and snatched it up. She flicked the switch and made it spark. “I prefer pagan,” she teased.
Bill held up his hands. “Pagan then.” He chuckled. “Temptress, even. With those wickedly sinful cupcakes. But you will not tempt me. No, ma’am.”
“Says the man who has a juvie record.” She clicked off the charge, turned on the flashlight and shone it in his face.
“Hey.” He blocked his eyes. “Those records are sealed, and you were sworn to secrecy. You pinky-promised.”
Lottie shook her head and walked backward. After all, she did have to get to work. She might be responsible for opening the café, now that her father was reducing his hours, but even then he had an uncanny ability to know if she was late or not. Lecturing her about the necessity of timeliness and responsibility seemed to give him great pleasure. “Who would have thought you would grow up to join the ministry, and I would—”
“You didn’t have my father.” He sighed heavily.
She knew it wasn’t from the weight of his childhood, which had been heavy indeed, that led him to the Church. But from the outcome. He could have had an entirely different life. One not so easy, enjoyable, and acceptable as the one he has now had someone not offered him support.
“If it hadn’t been for the de Bourghs and the Church, I wouldn’t be walking my pretty friend to work. I’d be walking the yards. Doing time. Deep within me, Lotts, there’s a d
ark criminal. An evil—”
She punched his shoulder. “Oh, please. However do you get your fix? Are there mass graves of abducted dogs behind seminary school, or are you a cat burglar we haven’t heard of yet?”
He snorted.
“Deep within you, Billy, was a scared kid who’d lost his mother and was stuck with a father whose querulous nature was exacerbated by his grief following his wife's death. You’re no more evil than I am.”
They nudged each other with their shoulders a couple of times and continued a few steps in silence.
“Hey, I forgot to ask. How’s the sermon writing from Pastor Rasch going?”
“If I keep up the good work, I might get the church when he moves on up,” Bill jerked his thumb toward heaven.
“That’s the plan? You going into the church?”
“That’s the push,” he corrected.
She inspected the path behind his shoes. “Are those drag marks?” Because he never talked about having his own church; she just assumed that was what he’d do. “Isn’t that what every pastor wants?”
“I never saw myself standing at a pulpit screaming hellfire and damnation.”
Neither did she honestly. She held the flashlight under her chin, the light casting upwards in the same manner camp kids did to spook others. “Hellfire and damnation, William Collins. A man of the cloth doesn’t want his own church?” She drew out the last word, hoping to make it creepy. “The world is coming to an end.”
“Precisely.” He pulled the light from her hand. “You’re freaking me out.”
“What do you mean precisely?”
“I mean, I went to seminary school so that I could be a help to people, kinda like a tour guide way from bad to good. And when the zombie apocalypse comes and I’m running for my life, trying to keep you safe, and blasting them away, I like knowing there’s something stronger than me out there. I like knowing I have someone on my team at all times.”
