by Lyle, Linda;
“Let’s go, gorgeous. It’s cold out here.” He held his hand out to help her out of the car.
“Are you sure they’re open?” Her brows furrowed in uncertainty.
“It’s Saturday night. They’re always open on Saturday night.” He tugged her arm and she followed. Expecting the door to be locked, she was surprised when the door opened easily. “Ladies first.” He ushered her inside.
“Ms. Jordan and Mr. McCLintock. It’s so good to see you again. Would you like your usual table?” Mario’s voice held no hint of any trouble. Elizabeth couldn’t help wondering what had happened. Then as Mario turned to show them to their table Elizabeth gasped. The whole restaurant had been cleared and their favorite booth had been moved to the middle of the room. The table was covered in white linen and a dozen red roses in a crystal vase adorned the center of the table. It was set with real silver and china. The whole room was filled with flowers and the only lighting came from candles scattered about the room. The booth faced the picture window which looked out on the harbor. Elizabeth turned to Alex, her eyes wide in suprise.
“Do you like it?” he asked, tilting his head toward the room.
“Like it? It’s…it’s…”
“It’s what?” he asked, amused by her sudden lack of speech.
“It’s wonderful.” She gazed around the room once more. “How did you do it?”
“That’s my secret.” He held out his arm. “Shall we go in or would you rather stand here and look at it all night?”
She put her hand in the crook of his arm and entered the fairyland. She was pampered all evening. Food was brought without a word. When a wine bottle was brought out, Elizabeth felt a moment of indecision, but Alex quickly allayed her fears. He pointed to the label which read sparkling white grape juice.“It looks just like champagne.” She was delighted.
The evening went by like a storybook romance. Alex spent the whole night telling her how wonderful she was and how beautiful she looked. The waiters slipped in and out like ghosts. After the first course had been served, a string quartet appeared and began playing softly. Elizabeth began to wonder if it was all a dream, but it was real, and it was happening to her.
When the last of the dishes had been taken away, Alex reached into his pocket and pulled out two velvet boxes. She held her breath and her pulse began to race, as he took her hand in his.
“Elizabeth. A few weeks ago I told you that I loved you and I wanted you to be in my life. I meant every word of it. Elizabeth, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” Alex opened the smaller box and pulled out the largest diamond solitaire that she had ever seen. It sparkled in the candlelight. She nodded, unable to speak the words. He slipped the ring onto her finger and she turned it to catch the light. He kissed her hand and then pulled her close to him and kissed her on the lips. “You’ve made me a very happy man.” Alex picked up the larger box and gave it to her.
“What’s this?”
“Why don’t you open it and find out?” He leaned back and smiled, relaxed now that the hard part was over.
She pulled back the cover, revealing a diamond pendant and matching earrings. She gasped. He took the necklace from its case and put it around her neck.
“They’re a set. I thought we should keep the family together.”
Elizabeth fingered the necklace unable to speak. Alex pulled her close and whispered in her ear. “Let’s go home.” She closed the box with the earrings and gathered up her coat. Alex held her hand all the way home. They were both silent, unwilling to break the spell.
At the townhouse, Alex took her keys and opened the door. He didn’t wait to be invited. He walked in and put his coat on the back of a chair. She followed suit. He put in a Nat King Cole CD and pulled her into his arms. They danced slowly, circling the tiny space. He whispered her name and traced her face with the back of his knuckles. Then he kissed her neck softly, his arms pulling her closer. He kissed her deeper and deeper and she felt caught up in the warmth of the feeling. The music sounded far away. Elizabeth opened her eyes to find they had danced into the bedroom. Alex’s hand on the zipper of her dress brought her back to reality with a jerk.
“No, Alex,” she whispered, grabbing his hand.
“Come on, Elizabeth.” He coaxed kissing lightly along her neck.
“No. It’s not right.”
“Sure it is. We’re going to be married soon. It couldn’t be more right.” He continued to stroke her back. She grabbed both of his hands and pushed away from him.
“Alex, I want to wait until my wedding night. I want it to be special.”
“It will be special.” He tried to pull her back.
“Please, Alex. I want to wait.”
He pulled away, the anger obvious in his eyes, but he sounded calm. “Whatever you want, Elizabeth, but I can’t stay here any longer. I’ll see you in the morning.” He grabbed his coat as he moved toward the door. He was gone before she could say anything.
Elizabeth got ready for bed, but she could still feel the warmth of his body and then a new warmth flooded her face as she realized how close she had come. So many times she had ridiculed people for giving in to temptation, and here she had almost done the same thing. She knew that she was just as guilty of sin as the people she had judged, but instead of turning to God, she cried tears of shame into her pillow. The glitter of the diamond on her finger had turned to cold hard stone.
eighteen
Sunday morning, Alex was his usual self. He made no mention of the night before, and Elizabeth silently breathed a prayer of thanks. She wanted to forget the whole thing. Well not the whole thing, just the last part. She forced herself to think about Alex’s proposal and the beautiful, romantic evening. A smile appeared on her face at the memory of the candlelit room. Fingering the diamond on her finger, she slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. He looked over at her and smiled, causing her heart to flutter at the mere look of him. She basked in the companionable silence of the car. It was nice knowing that they could just enjoy each other’s presence. She leaned her head on his shoulder with a sigh.
“What are you thinking about?” His smile broadened and he looked down at her as if he knew the answer already.
“Last night. Our future. Everything.” She let out a contented sigh.
“Is that all?” he drawled.
“Is there anything else?” she replied, looking up at him through her lashes.
“How about how beautiful you look?” He rubbed his cheek against the top of her hair. “Or, how we are going to tell my parents?” She sat upright. “Don’t look so alarmed. They’re only my family, not a bunch of headhunters.”
His last words didn’t register because her mind was suddenly filled with an image of Scott. She was going to marry Scott’s brother. How in the world was she going to face him? He obviously didn’t think too highly of her. What would Alex’s parents think of her? Alarms went off in her head erasing the fairytale “happily ever after” atmosphere she had created. Alex was speaking, she tried to focus on his voice.
“Sweetheart, are you all right?” She realized Alex had asked her something.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?” she asked sheepishly.
“I said you don’t have to worry. They’re not a bunch of ogres.” He smiled down at her and patted her arm.
“Do you think…do you think…they’ll like me?”
“Like you? Of course they’ll like you. They’re going to love you. Father has always admired your work, and once they get to know you better they will adore you as much as I do. Now stop worrying your pretty little head about it. Everything will be just fine.”
Elizabeth nodded her head in agreement, but her eyes belied her true feelings. They were clouded with doubt and a flicker of resentment at his patronizing tone. What was she thinking? Alex was just trying to make her feel better. She swallowed back the resentment and leaned back against his shoulder.
“That’s better.” He patted her hand. “Now, we’ll j
ust pop over for dinner tonight and it will be all over.”
“Tonight!” She sat upright again. This time she turned in her seat and looked at him.
“Now don’t get upset. There’s nothing to worry about. I told them I had someone I wanted them to meet. We might as well share the good news while we’re there.”
The blood pounded in her ears, half out of nervousness and half out of anger. “How could you make plans without telling me?”
“I am telling you.” His face was implacable, and her anger mounted.
“I meant before you made plans.”
“I thought you would want to meet the family and share the good news as soon as possible.”
She breathed in deeply and tried to control her temper. It was just because she was nervous. There was no need to get angry. He was only excited to share the good news with his family.
“When are we supposed to be there?” Her voice was back to normal, but her attitude was still tense.
“About six. That way we can chat a little while before dinner.”
She might have said more, but at that moment they pulled into the church parking lot. Maybe the less said the better. There was no sense getting into an argument over it. He came around and helped her out of the car. She took his arm and fixed a smile on her face, but her back was stiffer than a pew as they walked to the double oak doors.
Elizabeth hardly noticed the sermon or the hymns they sang. Her mind was filled with dread at the coming meeting. Would Scott be there? She hoped not. She couldn’t stand the thought of dealing with his obvious dislike through what would already be a grueling experience. She tried to shake the thoughts away. Alex’s parents were bound to be nice. She shouldn’t think about it like this. She was just going to drive herself crazy.
The ending prayer couldn’t have come soon enough for Elizabeth. She pulled Alex toward the double doors, but he didn’t budge. He took her left hand and began showing off the ring to his friends. Murmured congratulations and little gasps of awe followed one right after the other as he displayed her to every passerby. She whispered forced thank-you’s and smiled, while on the inside she twitched with impatience. All she wanted to do was to get away. Finally, the last of the well-wishers left, and Alex walked her to the front doors. His arm, which had been draped possessively around her shoulders through the whole ordeal, suddenly dropped to his side. Once inside the car she let her feelings be known.
“Why did you do that?”
“Do what?” he asked innocently.
“Show me off like I was some kind of prize you had won.” Her hands were balled into fists in her lap.
“Sweetheart, I’m just proud that you’re mine.” The words should have made her happy, but for some reason she felt angry.
“I felt like I was on display.”
“I just wanted everyone to share in our happiness. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I’ll be more sensitive next time.” He gave her that sad-puppy look, and she felt her anger lessening. “Forgive me?”
“I suppose.” He gave her one of his heart-stopping smiles and she melted. She felt her face relaxing into a smile.
“That’s better. Now come here.” He pulled her close and kissed her hungrily. “I’ve been thinking about that all morning.” He ran his forefinger over her face.
“You were supposed to be thinking about the sermon.” She tried to look stern, but couldn’t hide the smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth.
“Who can think about a sermon when you’re sitting next to me?” She could feel the tension between them and knew he wanted more than just a kiss. She leaned back in her seat.
“Who’s going to be at dinner tonight?” Her question broke the connection, and he turned to start the engine.
“Just Mother and Father.”
“Do you always call them that?” she asked, suddenly curious.
“That’s what they are: my mother and father.” He looked straight ahead.
“Don’t you ever call them Mom or Dad,” she questioned.
“No.” His mood changed as quickly as the sun setting and no attempts by Elizabeth could draw him back into conversation. She finally lapsed into silence and looked out the window for the remainder of the trip.
Once in the restaurant, Alex returned to his charming self. Elizabeth was beginning to wonder which was his true self. The charming man beside her who had swept her off her feet or the silent and withdrawn man in the car. They spent lunch chatting about nothing in particular, trying to stay away from anything serious.
That afternoon, Alex took her to an art exhibit across town. She followed him around the room feeling decidedly out of place. The art that adorned the walls looked like meaningless globs of paint to her. Alex, on the other hand, chatted knowledgeably with the artists and other guests. She smiled and held on to Alex’s arm, nodding in agreement when necessary.
Finally, at five, they left the gallery. Elizabeth sighed in relief. Alex must have caught her mood for he commented, “Didn’t you enjoy the exhibit?”
“It was okay.” She tried to sound convincing. He smiled at her failed attempt.
“It’ll grow on you. Next time we’ll go when it’s quieter and I’ll teach you all you need to know about modern art.” She tried not to scowl in distaste at the mention of returning, only nodding in agreement. He held the car door for her. “Now, off to the parents.”
With each mile, she grew more nervous. Alex chatted easily about art, the family home, his childhood. Anything to keep her mind occupied, but she wasn’t listening. The only thing she could hear was the pounding of her heart.
They arrived promptly at six. The house was Victorian, complete with gables and a wrap-around porch with a swing. Elizabeth had dreamed of living in a house like this. A wild rabbit hopped into the shrubs, and she wished she could stay out here in the peaceful twilight, but Alex propelled her toward the door. A lovely woman in her fifties greeted them at the door. She had silver hair and dark blue eyes that contrasted with her son’s dark good looks.
“Hello. You must be Elizabeth.” She ushered Elizabeth in and enfolded her in a gentle hug. “Alex has told us a lot about you.” Elizabeth relaxed as she felt the welcome in his mother’s touch and smiled in return.
“I’m glad to finally meet you, Mrs. McClintock.”
“No need for all the formalities. My name is Katherine.”
“Thank you, …Katherine.” Elizabeth felt strange calling Alex’s mother by her first name, but the feeling soon faded in the warmth of the woman’s personality.
“Matthew, come here and meet Elizabeth,” Katherine called. Mr. McClintock came into the foyer and his presence seemed to fill every nook and cranny.
“We’ve already met, dear. She works for me, remember?” Matthew McClintock answered. He shook Elizabeth’s hand and motioned her toward the living room. Elizabeth noticed that father and son did not embrace, but merely inclined their heads in acknowledgment.
“In that case, you won’t mind if I steal her away to the kitchen for a little girl talk.” Her husband chuckled and waved them toward the kitchen. Elizabeth was stunned at the way a smile transformed his face from cold-hearted businessman to tender grandfather. She followed Katherine into a large kitchen decorated in antique white and country blue. All the appliances were white, including the old one-armed refrigerator.
“I haven’t seen one of those in ages.” Elizabeth pointed to the refrigerator. “Wherever did you find it?”
“It belonged to my mother. It’s old as the hills and breaks down about every other month it seems. Matt keeps urging me to buy a new one with an icemaker, but I love this old thing. It’s one of the few things I have left of my mother’s. That and my china.”
“I love old things.” Elizabeth wandered around the kitchen lovingly touching the old cabinets. Katherine checked the roast in the oven and then leaned back against the sink.
“I guess I don’t have to ask how you two met.”
“No. That’s
obvious.”
“What brought you two together? You’re not the type of girl Alex usually goes out with.” Katherine held up her hands in defense. “I’m not saying that’s bad. It’s just he usually goes for looks and not depth. Not that you’re not pretty. Oh my, I am getting myself in a fix.” Katherine’s cheeks flushed as she groped about for a way out of the situation.
“It’s okay. I know what you mean. I was surprised when Alex asked me out.”
“Dear me, I didn’t mean to say that you aren’t attractive.”
“I know you didn’t.” Elizabeth crossed the space between them and patted Katherine on the arm. “He asked me out for lunch one day. We went out and he kept coming back.”
“I can see why.” Katherine squeezed her arm and smiled. “Why don’t we take dinner in before those two get too engrossed in business talk?”
Together they brought the food to the dining room and Elizabeth felt at home. It had been a long time since she had helped her mother set the table. It was nice to be part of a family that she could call her own. She put down the last dish just as Katherine called the men in for dinner.
“Let’s join hands and pray.” Elizabeth looked up in surprise at Mr. McClintock. She could not get used to thinking of him as anything other than the boss. She squeezed Alex’s hand in delight as his father blessed the food. Alex returned the pressure. Dinner conversation consisted mostly of small talk about the firm, the weather, how they had met. After they had finished the main course, Katherine returned with plates of apple pie and a pot of coffee. As soon as his mother had finished serving everyone, Alex cleared his throat and tapped his water glass with his spoon. The clink brought silence, and Elizabeth’s heart seemed loud to her ears. Though, no one else seemed to notice.
“I have an announcement.”
“Yes, dear.” His mother looked at him expectantly.
“Last night I asked Elizabeth to marry me and she said yes.” Alex smiled and waited for their reaction.
“That’s wonderful, darling.” His mother was the first to respond. She obviously approved of his choice. His father was a little slower in reacting, but seemed happy.
