Elizabeth's Choice

by Lyle, Linda;

  She went down to the large conference room which had been transformed for the party tonight. Elizabeth and Morgan spent the afternoon decorating the tree and hanging tinsel and other decorations. The tree would only be seen tonight and then everybody would be gone for the holidays. It seemed a waste, but Alex insisted on it. The room soon looked like a winter fairyland with little white lights strung everywhere and the tree topped with fake snow. The smell of spiced apple cider began to fill the room as the caterers arrived and began to set up the buffet table. There was the traditional eggnog, as well as caviare and champagne. The elder McClintock did not approve, but made this one concession to his son. Soon the room began to buzz as groups began arriving from different parts of the office. At five o’clock, Elizabeth realized that Alex had not appeared yet.

  True to form, he arrived fashionably late at five-fifteen. He searched the room until he spotted her behind the bowl of eggnog and then closed the space between them with a minimum of effort. He pulled her smoothly into the kitchenette and closed the door, capturing her mouth in a kiss before the door clicked shut.

  “I missed you,” he whispered, pulling her close to him. The embrace was so tight, Elizabeth felt trapped.

  “I missed you to.” Elizabeth pushed back to give herself some space.

  “Then why are you pushing me away?” His eyes pierced into her.

  “I’m just hot. I’ve been working all afternoon and this room is a little stuffy.” She lied, but he accepted her excuse without comment. He relaxed his grip. “What have you been up to?”

  “Just some follow-up work.” The vagueness of his answer made Elizabeth feel vaguely uneasy. Before, he always included her in his work, telling her all about his cases. Maybe they were both feeling the strain of their parting. She decided that now was the time to sort out the matter of where she would spend Christmas and New Year’s.

  “Alex. I’ve been thinking about our last conversation.” She hesitated, looking at his chest as she prepared her arguments. “I’m glad that we’re going to your parents for the holidays. I really want to get to know them.”

  “That’s good.” His smile was that of a man who was confident that he had won the battle. He started to speak, but she interrupted him.

  “But…” His smile faded. “But, I also want to go see my friends after Christmas. I thought we could go to their house for New Year’s. My friends haven’t even met you yet.”

  “I thought we had decided that we were spending the holidays with my parents.” His lips were set in a line, a look she often saw on his face as he went into court.

  “No. You announced that we were going to your parents. Then you left before we had time to discuss it.”

  “Family is more important than your friends.”

  “My friends are my family.” Her eyes turned dark at his tone. “They were all I had when my parents died.”

  “Well, now you have us. We’re your family now.” His lips turned up in the corner, imitating a smile. But there was no warmth in his eyes. He put his arms out as if to comfort her, but she pushed away.

  “They’re still my friends.” Her chin came up and she looked him squarely in the eye.

  “Yes, of course they are, but since this is our first holiday together don’t you think we should spend it with my family? You spent Thanksgiving with your friends. I’m sure they’ll understand.” His face returned to its normal position, knowing he had made a point she would be hard pressed to argue.

  “I would still like to spend New Year’s at Hope’s.” She remained firm despite his arguments and charming smile.

  “Why don’t we wait till later to talk about New Year’s? Let’s just enjoy tonight.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek and then pulled her back into the party.

  He was soon making the rounds. Elizabeth put on a smile, but inside she was still angry. She knew that no matter what he thought, she was going to Hope’s house for New Year’s.

  Elizabeth told herself to forget it. She was not going to let it spoil her evening. She moved from group to group, catching up with friends. Soon, she was laughing and chatting. She caught Alex watching her from across the room. He smiled, but it was his victory smile from the courtroom. She smiled back because other people were watching, but it felt plastic on her face.

  After the party, Alex insisted that she ride with him, but she argued that it wasn’t safe to leave her car at the empty office building for two weeks. Alex finally agreed and they took separate cars. The silence was a relief to Elizabeth, and it allowed her to work out her thoughts and cool her temper. She wondered if they were really suited for each other after all. Of course they were. All couples went through a period of adjustment. They would both have to learn to give and take. Then why, a voice whispered, am I the one making all the adjustments? The thought followed her all the way to the McClintock’s house.

  Alex helped her unload the presents and her bags and showed her into a room on the second floor. It was decorated in blue, her favorite color, and it had a bay window with a seat. She ran her hands across the cushions and looked out the window. She had always wanted a room like this with a window seat where she could curl up and read. She felt Alex’s hand on her shoulder.

  “A penny for your thoughts.”

  “I was just thinking how much I wanted a room like this when I was growing up.”

  “Then you shall have it. Whatever you want.” He pulled her into his arms. And when she looked into his eyes, the look of the lawyer had been replaced by the look of a lover. He kissed her slowly and deeply and then released her with, “Good night, darling.”

  “Good night.” All the fight seemed to leave her. Here was a man who wanted to give her everything. She felt ashamed that she had doubted him. Still, as she snuggled under the covers, the question still echoed in her mind: Why am I the one making all the changes? She pushed the thought away, replacing it with the image of his parting words and a dream of their new life together.

  twenty-one

  Elizabeth awoke to sunshine streaming through the bay window. It took her a moment to realize where she was. The McClintock’s home. She fluffed the pillows and sat up to look around. Katherine’s touch was evident in this room with its blue flowered wallpaper and pale blue carpet. The bed was covered with a white down quilt and trimmed in ruffles and lace. The curtains matched perfectly along with the accent cushions on the window seat. With two sons and no daughters, this room was probably Katherine’s only chance to be totally feminine in her choice of decorations.

  The wind howled in the trees and whipped around the house. Elizabeth snuggled underneath the covers. A glance at the clock told her it was time to get up, but her spirit rebelled. Just a few more minutes. She stretched like a cat woken from a long nap and then threw back the covers. Searching through her suitcase, she found a fleece suit of deep navy and white with socks and casual shoes to match. The guest room had its own bath decorated in the same colors with a seascape theme that was relaxing. As she soaked in the tub, she noted the pictures of lighthouses, shells, and colored pebbles placed carefully around the room. Katherine certainly had a knack for decorating. At that moment, Elizabeth felt the itch to decorate a home of her own. Ideas sprang into her mind of how each room would look. Her enthusiasm dissolved when she remembered that Alex’s house was already decorated, and he certainly wouldn’t want her changing his perfect house.

  Finally the water cooled, and she got out of the tub. She looked at her image in the mirror as she brushed her dark hair. What do I really want? Still no answer from the girl in the mirror. She shrugged and pulled her hair back into a navy bow at the nape of her neck. Within minutes she was dressed and on her way.

  As she went down the stairs, the scent of bacon and coffee greeted her. She followed the smell into the kitchen where Katherine was busy flipping an omelette. There was no trace of the men.

  “There you are, dear. I was just about to go and call you for breakfast.” Her future mother-in-law was dressed cas
ually today in an outfit similar to her own.

  “Where are the menfolk?”

  “Out. Matthew had an appointment with a client in Washington, and Alex went along with him. He didn’t want to wake you, so he told me to tell you to relax and enjoy yourself and that he would be back for dinner.”

  “Oh.” Elizabeth felt her body relax. Somehow, with Alex gone, she felt free. Free from what she wasn’t sure.

  “Now, just sit down and relax. Breakfast will be ready in a minute. I hope you like omelettes.”

  “They’re my favorite.”

  “Great.”

  Katherine served up breakfast, and they ate in quiet companionship. Then they made short work of the dishes and left the kitchen spotless. Katherine told her to make herself at home, while she ran some errands. Left alone in the house, Elizabeth began to explore.

  Each of the rooms had its own theme, but all of them were done in either a blue, brown, gray, or ecru. The master bedroom was at the back of the house on the first floor with a connected master bath. The carpet was ecru, but was almost completely covered by an antique cherry bedroom suite. Besides the living room, dining room and kitchen, there was also a TV room with a pool table at one end. Upstairs there were two more bedrooms and another bathroom. The first room was obviously Alex’s because his suitcases were laying on a chest at the end of the bed. It was the essence of neatness. Instead of posters of sports stars on the wall, Alex had honor awards and busts of Shakespeare and Beethoven as bookends. The next room was the guest room where she was staying. At the back, Elizabeth opened the last door. One whole wall was bookshelves filled to capacity. She saw almost the complete collection of “Hardy Boys” mysteries. Scattered around were trophies for different sports, mostly basketball. The bed was slightly rumpled as if the occupant had left in a hurry. There were stacks of annuals and magazines scattered across the floor. It looked as if he still lived there.

  Curious, Elizabeth picked up an annual from the top of the stack. Flipping through the pages, she found pictures of Scott and Alex in high school. One picture caught her attention. Scott was surrounded by his parents as he received an award. Alex was standing next to them, but seemed separated somehow. But it was his expression that caught her attention. He was looking at Scott with contempt. Something about that picture made the hairs on the back of her neck stand at attention. She closed the book and placed it back on the stack. She left, closing the door quietly behind her. She felt as if she had been eavesdropping or spying.

  Back in the guest room, she unpacked and made up the bed. She straightened the bathroom, although it was really not dirty. Wandering downstairs, she hesitated to disturb the silence by turning on the television. Finally, she set up the pool table and practiced for a while. She had just finished game two, when she heard Katherine’s car pulling into the drive. She hurried to put everything away as if she were a child caught playing with something forbidden.

  Elizabeth enjoyed the afternoon with Katherine. They talked about Alex as a child, Elizabeth’s family, and the state of the world. The two women had a lot in common. Elizabeth was almost disappointed when she heard the car in the drive.

  “They’re home earlier than they planned,” Katherine said, her eyebrows arching into little upside down Vs. Both were surprised at such an early return. Alex and Matthew McClintock were known for their timing. Either they arrived exactly when they said, or they were fifteen minutes late.

  The kitchen door swung open, and Elizabeth stifled a gasp. Katherine’s enthusiastic greeting covered Elizabeth’s lapse as she jumped up and hugged her youngest son. Scott looked almost as surprised to see her sitting at the kitchen table as she had at seeing him come through the kitchen door. Her heart began to pound, so she took a deep breath to steady it.

  “Scott! What a nice surprise!” Katherine pulled him over to the kitchen table and motioned toward the chair between Elizabeth and herself. “What brings you by?”

  “I just thought I’d drop by to see my favorite person.” Scott smiled at his mother and her smile widened.

  “You old charmer you. You know just what to say.”

  “Well, it’s the truth.” The warmth of his smile filled the kitchen.

  “That’s sweet. You’ve met Elizabeth haven’t you dear?” Scott turned to Elizabeth and nodded, but his smile had lost all its warmth. It seemed as though a bitter-cold wind blew through the kitchen. Elizabeth shivered.

  “Are you cold, dear?” Katherine asked, concern shadowing her face.

  “No, someone just stepped over my grave.” Katherine’s face wrinkled in confusion causing Elizabeth to laugh. “That’s an old wives’ tale which says if you shiver when you’re not cold someone has just walked over the place where you will be buried. My mother used to say it all the time.” The laughter fled from her face as memories washed over her at the mention of her mother.

  “I’ll have to remember that,” Katherine said. She started asking Scott questions about his business and the house he was working on to ease the tension. Elizabeth swallowed her grief and looked up to find Scott watching her with—could it be?—compassion. Then the look faded and the cold hardness returned.

  A sharp, howling wind whipped around the house, moaning like the voice of some lost soul. The voices in the kitchen stilled as they listened. Elizabeth shivered again.

  “Your grave must be in a busy place,” Scott noted. She looked up in surprise. It was the first time he had spoken to her in a normal voice.

  “You’re probably right. With my luck, I bet it’s under a freeway.” For a moment, a smile flickered around his mouth then disappeared. It wasn’t much, but Elizabeth’s heart soared with joy. Maybe there was a chance. A chance of what? she chided herself. She was going to marry his brother. Well, at least they could be friends.

  Elizabeth went about preparing dinner with a light heart. Scott had agreed to stay, and he was being friendly. Suddenly, the evening ahead took on a whole new glow of possibilities.

  Dinner was almost ready at seven, but there was no sign of the two men. Katherine began to pace the floor. Matthew had said they would be home around six, but no later than seven. Matthew McClintock was never late without calling. Scott tried to push aside her fears, but she continuously went to the window to look down the long drive.

  The phone rang, causing everyone to jump. They had lapsed into a silent vigil in the living room and the sound of the phone was ominous. Katherine hesitated for a moment and then hurried over to it.

  “Hello…Oh Matthew, where are you?…Really!…That’s terrible…Tomorrow morning?…Okay. We’ll see you then… Good night, dear…I love you.” Katherine hung up the phone and let out a deep sigh.

  “What is it?” Elizabeth asked, still on edge.

  “There was some kind of spill on the beltway. They were stuck in traffic for over two hours before the police allowed people to cross the median and return to D.C. Matthew said there were still a couple of things that needed checking so they decided to stay over until tomorrow afternoon and give traffic a chance to clear up.”

  “Oh.”

  “I’m sorry, dear. I should have asked if Alex wanted to speak to you.”

  “That’s okay. He can call back if he needs to tell me anything.” Elizabeth relaxed. Even though she was a little hurt that he hadn’t wanted to speak to her, she was also relieved that he wasn’t coming home tonight. She caught Scott looking at her intently. When their eyes met, he turned his head quickly.

  “I guess that means more food for me,” Scott said, slapping his hands together.

  They returned to the kitchen and set the table. Somehow it seemed cozier and more comfortable to eat in there. Part of her was afraid that if they ate in the formal dining room Scott would return to his formal manner of previous weeks. They enjoyed a delicious meal of steak, baked potatoes, and salad. It was the best food Elizabeth had eaten in ages. Maybe it wasn’t the food, but the company that made everything taste so good.

  They soon had the kitche
n cleaned up. Scott dried while Elizabeth washed and Katherine cleaned the table. Katherine finished quickly and went into the laundry room to put in a load of washing. They worked in companionable silence. Elizabeth daydreamed of doing this every night when she was married. The dream was short-lived when she remembered that Alex wouldn’t be caught dead in the kitchen. They would have hired help to do all their cooking and cleaning. A frown appeared as she thought about it.

  “Something wrong?” Scott asked.

  “No. I was just thinking.”

  “It must not have been a pleasant thought.”

  “I was just thinking how nice it is to have a home.” She knew it was true the minute the words left her mouth, but she hadn’t meant to say anything. Somehow Scott brought her out of her self. She told him things that she had told few other people.

  “I agree.” He put away the last dish and threw the towel over the rack to dry. “How about a game of cards?”

  Elizabeth was stunned, but quickly agreed. He told her that Katherine preferred to go to bed early, but would stay up to keep Elizabeth company. This way she could go to bed without feeling guilty. In a few minutes, Katherine came in already looking drowsy. When she saw Scott and Elizabeth playing, she made her excuses and went to her room. They played until after eleven amid laughter and conversation. It was just like before.