Mayne Attraction: In The Spotlight

by Ann Mauren

  The emotion was seeping through.

  He looked a little concerned as he put his hands on my shoulders.

  “Of course. It’s my pleasure. Being good to you is the best part of my life. And you’re the most deserving creature imaginable.”

  I bet you won’t feel that way in an hour from now…

  “I wish that was true. Maybe someday you’ll find the perfect girl for you.”

  I had to have the courage to look him in the eyes. He deserved that much. He was still a little unsure about where I was coming from or going to with this, but he joked and said, “Well, until then, you’ll do nicely.”

  And he kissed me. It was soft and sweet and heartbreakingly romantic.

  “Until then,” I agreed with a smile, after he’d released me, eyes moist but not leaking. Then I opened the door and stepped out into the hallway.

  Chapter 37 – Big Brown

  The gift shop was deserted except for the clerk. She rang out my gilded music box with a ceramic maple leaf painted in high gloss red on top. She was gone in the storeroom for a minute or two to find the box that came with it. I used the time to wind it slightly and listen to a few notes of ‘Oh Canada!’ while I waited.

  Looking triumphant, she returned with the gift’s original packaging and lovingly re-secured it in preparation for shipment with the movements of an expert. Handing me my packaged up purchase with a look of satisfaction she smiled and bid me good day. I began to walk out of the store, but an idea had just sparked, so I turned back and asked, “Oh, and can I get the largest bag you have?”

  She looked at me like I was crazy but complied wordlessly. I thanked her once again and stood there for a moment folding it down to maximum compaction, stowing it inside my daypack.

  Gray was sitting down just outside in the lobby, reading the sports section of a USA Today. I moved toward him.

  “Why did you bring your daypack down here?” he asked as he looked up to view my approach. If he searched it I would be dead in the water.

  “It makes a nice purse,” I answered and then pressed on to the next item on the agenda. Holding up the music box I said, “I’m going over to the business center to see about having this shipped. It shouldn’t take long. I’ll be right back.”

  “That’s fine. You’ve got about ten minutes still.”

  He looked back at the article I’d interrupted and began reading again.

  In the business center the young man was very helpful and re-packaged my music box in a slightly larger box with foam peanuts to make it more secure. I filled out the paper work and the UPS label and paid the shipping charges. But instead of handing over my box I said, “Now, I’m wondering if I could ask a favor. I’d like to talk the UPS person myself when he gets here. It’s sort of confidential, but very important to me. Could that be arranged?”

  He looked totally bewildered but was still pleasant and said, “Certainly.”

  “Good. Here’s my cell phone number. Please call me when he’s ready to leave and I’ll come right over. I’m just going to be next door in the restaurant. I’d like to be able to talk to him in private, so would you have him wait for me back there?” And I indicated the service area behind him. “I know it’s kind of unusual, but it’s really important.”

  “Okay. He should be here any time now. I’ll call you before he goes. And you’ll bring that?” he said, pointing to my box.

  “Yes. Thanks so much.”

  Dan Gregory had arrived slightly early and now father and son were coming toward me, checking on my progress in the exportation of Canadian souvenirs.

  Dan scooped me up in a big, decidedly fatherly hug, complete with back rubbing.

  “You look lovely, but how are you feeling this morning, Ellie?”

  He was all gentlemanly and sincere concern.

  “I’ll live.”

  It was supposed to be a joke, but it was a little off. They still laughed indulgently.

  It was nice that his dad was here with him. At least he wouldn’t be alone; although once Gray figured out what I’d done he might prefer to be.

  I had the cell phone in my pocket, so that I would be sure to feel the vibration of an incoming call. We ordered our breakfast and I messed with my tea, somewhat absentmindedly, while the Gregorys discussed the previous evening’s baseball highlights. Apparently they’d watched about an hour and a half of one game live in the ER waiting room.

  I checked my phone to make sure I hadn’t missed the buzz, but there were no calls. It was quarter after ten. He must be running behind. Oh well, it would be nice to eat breakfast first.

  And I did. Scrambled eggs with cheese, four slices of thick bacon, a slice of white toast and a huge glass of fresh squeezed orange juice that cost more than my breakfast entrée.

  At ten forty-five my phone buzzed. I held it up so that Gray could see I was getting a call.

  “Oh, I need to take this. Please excuse me.”

  I put the phone up to my ear, but in a distracted manner I said to Dan, “If I don’t see you again, thank you so much, for everything.”

  Hopefully he’d think that I was assuming he might be taking off soon, instead of the other way around.

  “Hello?”

  “Ms. Mayne? The UPS man is here and he’s ready to leave.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  When I approached the business center I walked right around to the opening at the counter and the clerk showed me through the door and out to the dock area. Then he stepped back into the office to give me some privacy with the handsome and muscular and very curious man in the brown uniform.

  “Good day. So…what can Brown do for you?”

  It sounded off the cuff and I laughed. He was alluding to the company slogan. I had a brown tee shirt that asked that very question. It had been sort of a lame re-gift from Hoyt when they’d first rolled out the slogan. It was lame, but it didn’t deter me. I wore the shirt constantly.

  I looked over my shoulder and feigned concern, though it was rooted in realism.

  “I need help,” I said in a low tone. “I’m trying to run away from my boyfriend and I want to ride with you out of here.”

  He was instantly concerned, taking me very seriously.

  “Why don’t you just call hotel security, or the police?”

  “No,” I shook my head and then added, “let me show you something.”

  Opening my wallet, which I had ready, I pulled out a brown business card. Pointing to the name printed in gold I explained, “That’s my dad. If you can get me to your branch, he can get me out of here. I’ll catch the first jump seat back to Louisville, where I live. Please.”

  Hoyt would like it that I’d called him my dad.

  He did some quick deciding and then eyeing the UPS label on the top of my box asked, “Is that going too?”

  “Yes.”

  He took it from my hands, nodding big in an exaggerated movement.

  “Okay. We’re on camera here. You’ll need to step out the front of the hotel and walk down the entranceway. Turn right on the main street and I’ll pull up from behind. You can jump in the passenger side and then we’ll be on our way.”

  He seemed excited. I definitely was. This was going to work. I could feel it.

  “Okay. I’ll see you outside. I’ll be the one in the blue cap,” I said.

  He headed off to his truck with my parcel and I went back inside to the business center. I thanked the clerk and walked back across the lobby stepping inside the Ladies’ Room. Securing the handicapped stall door, I quickly switched into the brown tee shirt I wore constantly, the lame one, pushing the old one back in my pack. Then I tucked my hair under my blue Kahurangi cap, placed my pack inside the large gift shop bag and proceeded through the lobby and out the front entrance.

  In a calm but quick pace I made my way out of the parking lot and down the drive until I had reached the main drag. Turning to the right I started walking on the sidewalk, away from town. I’d made it about a half a block when
I heard the sound of a truck engine in the distance behind me. I didn’t turn around or slow down—I just moved closer to the curb continuing onward until it pulled up beside me.

  As I walked down the sidewalk, it felt absolutely surreal, this notion that here I was taking a stroll down a beautiful flower lined avenue on a pleasant sunny morning in a town overshadowed by a huge and majestic finger of the Rocky Mountains, knowing that in a second or two I’d be hopping on a UPS truck as a getaway vehicle.

  There was a steady flow traffic going by, but I heard the deep engine sound of a large, diesel powered vehicle downshifting as it slowed behind me.

  At exactly that moment someone grabbed my hand and swung me around.

  “What are you doing?”

  Ash’s eyes were dark, angry almost.

  “Taking a walk?”

  It came out like a question. I glanced fleetingly over his shoulder to confirm the approach of my brown transport, now rolling more slowly, unsure of the maneuver now that I had been approached by a third party, who had not been anticipated by either of us.

  Why did I think I could get away with this?

  “Are you running away?” he demanded, not letting go of my hand. The anger I thought I was seeing became more clearly evident as pain, only tinged with anger.

  “No. I’m just walking…”

  Away. He’s not stupid—he’s not going to buy it.

  I tried to sound innocent, but I was busted, and we both knew it. The UPS truck reached me now, pulling to stop as Ash looked over at it, confused. I glanced at the driver and flicked my eyes and chin forward, as if to indicate ‘leave now, but come back in a minute.’ He seemed to get it and drove off.

  “What’s going on? Were you planning on hitching a ride with the UPS guy? Is that why you were talking to him before?”

  Oh, of course he caught that. Why did I think this would work?

  “What are you talking about?” I asked, digging deep for as much dumbfounded uncertainty as I could channel. After all, faking stupidity shouldn’t be too hard for me.

  He just looked at me, those piercing eyes cutting through all my nonsense.

  “Ellery, would you really try to leave without telling me?”

  He was hurt. His warm thumbs were rubbing tiny soft circles into the top of my hand that was still in captivity.

  Yes. I’m just that ridiculous—especially for thinking I could get away with it. The truth then. Just give him the truth.

  “I just need some space and a little time, okay? Please don’t take that away from me. Just let me take my walk before somebody sees you. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. What I need most right now is for you to trust me.”

  He let go of my hand.

  “What are you doing? I don’t understand,” he pressed.

  I knew you wouldn’t, that’s why I planned on asking for forgiveness as opposed to permission.

  “I’m walking away from Gray. And the less you know the better,” I said, looking back toward the hotel.

  Taking a deep breath, I held it, and then started again.

  “I’m going away for awhile, but when I come back, you’re the one I’ll be looking for, so don’t be too hard to find, okay?”

  I turned around like that was it, and started walking again. That wasn’t it, though. He grabbed my wrist again, tighter this time.

  “Ellery, no! Please Love, just listen to me. If you want to get away then let me take you. I can help you. I’ll hide you better than you can hide yourself. I’ll keep you safe, and we’ll be together.”

  It was the most desperate and out of control state I had ever witnessed in Ash. It was also the most direct and nearly impossible to decline plea he’d ever made. It almost broke my resolve. It sounded like a great plan—way better than mine. I could feel my body starting to slide into him as I fought with myself. After all it was exactly what I wanted…right?

  “I’ll marry you, if that’s what you want,” he offered, then sensing my reservation he continued, “or not. I’ll still take you anywhere you want to go. Please. Please Ellery. I’m begging you. Just please don’t leave like this. Please don’t leave without me.”

  His eyes were red around the edges, and wet looking. They held my own eyes in a beam that I couldn’t escape. Through an act of sheer will I closed my eyes and experienced immediate release. I opened them up again but kept them carefully downcast and out of locking range.

  It was perfectly sunny but a huge drop fell from the sky at my feet, where I was now looking. And then another.

  Ash’s fingers were on my face, wiping my tears.

  Tears? I reached up as well, and sure enough, my eyes were draining in torrents.

  I laughed, feeling embarrassed. I had promised myself I wasn’t going to cry. That was what yesterday had been for—to get it all out of my system.

  “Was it my shirt?” I asked, diverting myself and him, hopefully.

  “What?”

  He was confused.

  “My shirt. My old brown UPS shirt. Did you recognize my shirt?” I asked.

  “Yes, but I was expecting something to happen when you went to the Ladies’ Room given your history with quick changeovers there.”

  I took a chance and looked at him. He smiled, but it was sad and tentative, not humorous, but not piercing, either.

  “Darn it.” I sniffed and laughed in quick succession. “I knew I shouldn’t have given that part away.”

  I wiped my eyes with the front edge of my tee shirt. Clarity returned, along with my sense of purpose. This was going to work out. I was going to do this the right way. I was not going to give in to temptation. I was going to be strong. I was ready now. But it already hurt. I took a big breath and spoke in a rush.

  “You have to let me do this. It’s not about turning my back on you, Ash. I just need to prove some things to myself, to test myself. If you’re there making it easy, doing everything for me, I won’t get the answers I really need. I have to prove I can make it on my own for a while. I have to see what it’s like to make my own decisions with no safety net to bounce into. I just…I need to grow up.”

  I paused to gather courage for the hard part that was coming up next. He was scanning my face, searching for the chink in my resolve. Or maybe he was agreeing with me. There was no way to tell. I pressed on.

  “Monica, and Gray….and the team, and…even you…all of you make too many decisions for me that I should be making for myself. I don’t want to be a puppet any more. And I don’t want you to marry one—you deserve better than that. I have to learn how to pull my own strings. Starting now,” I said, imploring him with my eyes.

  He dropped my hand again. With my fingers free I slipped the aquamarine off and handed it to him. He sucked in a quiet breath, no doubt in surprise at this unexpected, totally callous move. I noticed his free hand immediately moved to cover his wrist, perhaps in defensive anticipation of some kind of mandatory accessory exchange on my part.

  “I need you to have this reset…if you ever want to use it again…on me or somebody else,” I explained.

  His eyes looked through me and far away, maybe to the future, maybe to the past, but he wasn’t there with me anymore.

  It was selfish and wrong, but I moved in and hugged him as tight as I could. He didn’t hug me back. Then I reached up and pulled his face down close to mine, staring into his eyes until he came back from where ever he’d been. Peering deep into my eyes, his possessed a look of loss and deep sorrow that seemed to change their very color, making them darker than I’d ever seen them before.

  I decided I needed something I could refer back to, something that would make this terrible moment slightly sweet, and bearable, since I knew my mind would keep coming back to it, without my permission. So I kissed him, not hard, just passionately, with as much emotion and need and love as I could transfer, feeling his warm skin on my hands where I held him just behind his ears where his neck and hairline met. I pushed my fingers in, just slightly, feeling his soft hair as it br
ushed in between and over my fingertips. I felt, and smelled, and tasted, and listened to him, but I didn’t look. I just imagined happiness instead. I knew I wouldn’t want to remember the look on his face at this moment. I would just imagine his look when we did this again…when I was coming and not going…whenever that would be. Then I moved my lips to his ear.

  “I love you, Ash. Only you. Never doubt it. But…you, uh…you don’t have to wait for me, if you don’t want to. I’ll understand.”

  I could barely get that last part out.

  “Yes, I do, Ellery. Take what time you need—and don’t feel bad about it. I’ll be waiting for you, patiently. Waiting for my woman to come back to me…I promise you,” he said, and he put the ring in his pocket.

  I couldn’t stand to look in his eyes. I turned quickly, free now, and started walking again. A little faster than before, halfway hoping to be grabbed again, but relieved more and more as it appeared he truly was honoring me by honoring my request.

  After a minute I heard that low engine sound coming up from behind. I turned around and Ash was gone.

  Amazing!

  Up pulled the truck, stopping for me this time, and then I was on my way.

  “How many more stops do you have, Doug?” I asked as I put on my seatbelt.

  I had seen his UPS identification on the dash.

  “Just a few. Is everything all right? You can hide out in the back if you want,” he suggested, no doubt in response to the delay we’d experienced on his first approach.

  “It’s fine. That was somebody I met when we were hiking this week. He just happened to see me and wanted to say hello.”

  I tried to be cool about it, instead of flipped out. I don’t think I succeeded, but he was polite anyway and didn’t press it.

  “Do you have another hat? I could pretend to be a ride-with, like a new hire or something,” I asked after a moment of silent appraisal on his part while we waited at a traffic light.