Joshua's Folly

by Dean, Taylor

  “Okay, okay…to never tickle Marisa again, ever, in this lifetime. I give, I give.”

  Marisa leaned over him. “Okay, I think we’re even now. Truce?”

  Josh smiled as his eyes sparkled dangerously. “Truce.”

  “Okay, Bethany, you can let him up now.”

  Josh sat up and cast them both menacing looks. “Free at last,” he said while rubbing his wrists as if Bethany’s grasp had made them hurt.

  Later, after tucking Bethany into bed, they closed her bedroom door only to hear her still giggling under her covers. Josh and Marisa faced each other in the hallway, smiling.

  “She loved every minute of that,” Josh remarked. “Should I be worried? Does she have a predilection toward torture?”

  “I don’t think so. I’d be more worried about the fact that she now thinks she can hold you down.”

  “Great. Wonder how she’ll use that against me? I mean, today it’s bubble gum, but tomorrow it’s the car keys.”

  “No worries. That girl adores her daddy.” Me too.

  “The feeling is mutual.” He took a deep breath. “How about a movie?” Josh inquired.

  “Okay,” she whispered.

  They cuddled up on the couch and Marisa spent the evening watching, but not seeing, listening, but only hearing the sound of her heart roaring in her ears.

  –7–

  A few days later, Bethany’s clothing arrived early in the morning. Marisa was still upstairs getting ready for the day and Bethany was still sleeping. Hence, Josh answered the door to the UPS delivery. Marisa stood at the top of the stairs as she listened to Josh and “Leila” visit. Evidently, the UPS girl had been making deliveries to the ranch for a couple of years now as they seemed as though they were long time buddies; that is if a first name basis was anything to go by. Marisa blatantly listened in on their conversation, feeling the green-eyed monster creep in at the edges of her psyche.

  “Joshua Kensington, how the heck are you? What’s it been, three days since the last time I saw you? I’ve missed you,” Leila told him teasingly.

  “Far too long, far too long,” Josh replied with a smile in his voice. “I’ll try to buy more things online. Tough job, but someone’s got to do it,” he laughed.

  “Anytime you’d like someone to take on that task, just let me know and I’ll do it for you, honey. Anytime,” she added with emphasis, double meaning very much intended.

  They visited in this manner for the next several minutes till Leila finally said she’d better get going with her delivery route. Their manner towards one another could only be described as flirty. But when Josh jogged up the stairs with Bethany’s huge package in tow, the incident was forgotten as they awoke Bethany and the mood in the room was suddenly akin to Christmas morning. Breakfast was forgotten as they pored over the items and Bethany modeled all of her new clothing as if she was a model on a runway. The compliments from her father made her grin widely as she stared at herself in the mirror as if it was the first time she’d ever really noticed what she looked like. Her self-confidence seemed to be growing by the day. She hugged both Josh and Marisa several times during the course of the morning and thanked them rather effusively. While she was an only child and rather doted on by both Josh and Constance, she was charming and filled with gratitude. Bethany was a pleasant child. Marisa found herself becoming more and more attached to her as the days passed.

  And Bethany wasn’t the only one she was becoming attached to.

  Bethany and Marisa visited the stables later that morning with Bethany proudly dressed in her new clothing, boasting a fancy french braid down her back, interwoven with a matching ribbon. Truly, Bethany challenged the limits of Marisa’s creativity with her hairstyle ideas. But Marisa enjoyed teaching Bethany grooming skills and Bethany loved every minute of it. She was a ‘girl’ through and through. She’d just needed a little prompting.

  However, Bethany also loved to visit the horses and informed Marisa, with great excitement in her voice, that when she turned six, she would be getting her very own pony. Her dad had promised to teach her how to ride and she had the ‘hardly waits.’ The horses didn’t intimidate Bethany at all, to Marisa’s surprise. She loved them, in fact, was slightly obsessed with them. She pet them and fed them carrots with no fear whatsoever. She had her dad’s blood in her all right. She’d probably be riding Carson by the time she turned ten. Who’d of thought? Sweet feminine little Bethany had a rugged side after all.

  “Hey, you two!” Josh yelled.

  Marisa turned to see Josh approaching them at a fast pace looking like the proverbial ‘Marlboro Man.’ With Josh as a father, how could Bethany not have a rugged side?

  “How are my two favorite girls?” he asked as he scooped up Bethany into his arms.

  “Fine, Daddy,” Bethany answered, wrapping her arms around his neck tightly. The sight warmed Marisa’s heart.

  “I’ll be ready to go on our ride in about thirty minutes, Marisa. That work for you?”

  “Yes, perfect.”

  Josh set Bethany down and she ran off, distracted by the lure of the horses. “She sure is happy.”

  “It’s a girl thing. Clothing sometimes has this effect upon us.”

  Josh chuckled. “I’m quickly learnin’ what makes girls tick. Having a daughter has a way of doing that.”

  “Really? What makes me tick?” Marisa asked with bated breath. She should’ve thought that question through before blurting it out.

  “Food,” he said straightaway.

  “Oh. Not very flattering, but very true.”

  “Ah, c’mon, with your gorgeous figure you can eat whatever you’d like. Besides, I like a woman who eats. I hate those women who pick at their food daintily and are scared of gaining a pound.”

  Marisa was momentarily speechless. The ‘gorgeous figure’ remark left her feeling stunned. “You don’t have to worry about that with me,” she stammered. “I think eating might be my hobby.”

  Josh smiled widely. “Just out of curiosity, what do you think makes me tick?”

  “We’re surrounded by it.”

  “Horses?”

  “All of it, the horses, the ranch, the cattle, the sun, the breeze…”

  “I get your drift.”

  “Am I right?”

  “Guilty. I hate being confined in the office all day. Unfortunately, it’s a necessary evil.”

  “I can’t blame you. The outdoors calls to you around here.”

  “Yes, it does. And we’ll be out in it real soon. I look forward to our rides together, Marisa,” he commented, his eyes on hers.

  “Me too.”

  The not-uncomfortable silence that sometimes happened between them happened again as they simply looked upon each other.

  “I had a friend from college visit me once. A city boy. He got up in the morning and asked if we had a gym around here. He wanted to go ‘work out.’ I told him, ‘yes, it’s the great outdoors.’ He took out a notepad and wrote down, ‘great outdoors.’ Then he said, ‘can you give me directions?’ ”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Wish I wasn’t.”

  “That’s hilarious and pathetic all at the same time.”

  “I know, right?” he said, grinning. “Jake’s waitin’ on me. See you in just a little bit,” he said and sauntered off.

  He seemed eager for their time together. The feeling was entirely mutual.

  And for the next two weeks, they didn’t miss a single afternoon of being together in the ‘great outdoors.’

  “Have you ever tasted Kobe beef?”

  “Yes,” Marisa answered. “Mary took us out for it quite often. She’s very proud of you.”

  At the mention of Mary, a reminiscent smile crossed Josh’s features. Marisa and Josh were lazing under a stand of small trees, doing nothing more than watching the clouds filter by. Marisa could honestly say that she loved ranch life. Of course, she was also well aware that she wasn’t the one doing any of the hard labor. Still, she loved
their afternoons together and found herself looking forward to their alone time with great anticipation.

  Jasper and Carson were tied to a tree nearby. Carson occasionally let out an exuberant whinny, letting Josh know he was raring to go. Jasper, who was calm as a summer’s day, completely ignored him. Nothing ruffled Jasper.

  Josh and Marisa sat across from each other, both of their backs to a tree. They’d removed their shoes and socks, letting their feet breathe. Marisa was surprised at how much cooler she felt with her feet bare. Josh occasionally rubbed one foot against one of her feet, attempting to tickle her. Marisa responded in kind, resulting in an occasional foot skirmish. In spite of their antics, their conversation didn’t miss a beat.

  “I’ve heard that the real Kobe beef from Japan is delicious, but Americans wouldn’t be able to eat much of it. It’s finely marbled with fat. Evidently this is the taste that the Japanese love. For Americans it would be like eatin’ the entire carton of ice cream instead of just one bowl.”

  “Is that a challenge?”

  “Here we go,” he muttered under his breath.

  “I could eat an entire carton of ice cream.”

  “I don’t doubt it.”

  “Do you want me to prove it?”

  “Please, no. I’ll take your word for it.” His eyes sparkled at her with mischief.

  “I’m sorry, go on…Kobe beef…”

  “After growin’ up on a cattle ranch, I was fascinated by the practices of Japanese ranchers. They pamper their cattle like babies. They feed them beer mash and sake. They even massage them. They believe that calm, content cows make better beef.”

  “What made you decide to enter the market?”

  “To save the ranch. I realized there was a huge market for this kind of beef in the United States and not very many distributors. It’s still a growing market and extremely lucrative. It’s a work in progress, but it was the exact thing we needed to help turn the ranch around. That and sound business practices, that is.” Josh bumped her foot with his and she bumped his back.

  “And you did it,” Marisa said, completely bowled over by him. He was amazing.

  “Once I got the ranch back into workin’ order we were turning a huge profit within two years and I was able to turn my attention towards the much needed renovations on the house and property. But none of this happened without a fight. Unfortunately, my father didn’t see things the same as I did. I laid out my plans for him and he disagreed. It was very disheartening. When he became ill and I took over, I immediately made arrangements to purchase a Wagyu Bull to cross-breed with my Angus cattle, thereby producing the American version of Kobe beef. I didn’t want to upset him, so he never knew what I’d done as he passed shortly thereafter.”

  “Do you massage your cattle?” Do you want to massage me? Oops. Did I say that out loud?

  “No, massages don’t actually contribute to improvin’ the quality of beef. At least, I don’t think so.”

  “I’m disappointed. I was looking forward to seeing that practice put into play.” Or experiencing that practice.

  “You’d be surprised at how many people ask me that. I’ve read that the practice actually began as a way to help the cattle who lived in rough terrain and didn’t get enough exercise.”

  “Interesting.” A brief wrestling match ensued between their feet as Josh’s big toe swiped the bottom of her foot, making her gasp. The bottom of the foot was simply unfair territory when it came to tickling. Marisa captured his right foot with both of hers and got him back. He threw his head back and laughed aloud. Their conversation continued as if nothing had happened.

  “You miss your dad,” Marisa commented, a statement, not a question.

  “Yeah. He’d be pleased with what I’ve done with the place.”

  What he’d ‘done with the place’ was downright amazing. He’d taken a bankrupt ranch and turned it into an extremely lucrative enterprise. “I think he’d be a little more than pleased.”

  “My dad was not an easy man to please. He was moody as anything. Did I ever tell you about the time I went on a road trip with him? The only road trip he and I ever went on in my life. He had some business to tend to in New Mexico and he invited me to come along.”

  “Tell me,” Marisa coaxed, keeping his foot prisoner. He didn’t fight it.

  “It’s a long story.”

  Marisa shrugged. “I have time.”

  “All right, but you asked for it. We hardly ever left the ranch. I was so excited I couldn’t sit still. While at first I was fascinated with the surroundings, I quickly tired of it. The dull landscape left me bored out of my mind. Not a good place for a ten-year-old, very active young boy. Dad sensed my restlessness and started to tell me about different creatures that inhabit the desert areas. That piqued my interest. He started tellin’ me about Gila Monsters, pronounced as heela, but spelled g-i-l-a. They’re considered to be an endangered species in southern New Mexico. I’d read about them before and knew it was spelled g-i-l-a. I listened raptly as he told me fascinating facts about them. They’re a venomous lizard with a bite like that of a pit bull. They bite quickly and hold on tenaciously. Even though he told me they grow to be only about two feet long and that they’re slow moving creatures, in my young mind I didn’t see the small lizard he was speakin’ of. I saw a big, slimy reptile with beady eyes, standing at least four feet high with a long, slithering tongue. After all, it was called a monster.”

  Marisa giggled, knowing this was going to be good.

  “My eyes began to scan the desert, looking for a giant lizard somewhere out there fixin’ to eat me. I asked my dad some questions about Gila Monsters. I didn’t realize it, but I was sayin’ it wrong. I was pronouncing the G as a hard G when it’s supposed to be a soft H sound. Every time I asked my dad a question about a Gila Monster, he would come back with, ‘it’s Hila Monster,’ emphasizing the sound of the soft H. I didn’t pay much attention, I just kept saying Gila Monster this and Gila Monster that, with a hard G. Now, mind you, my dad had a bit of a temper. Finally, in frustration he yelled at the top of his lungs, ‘Hila Monster!!!!!’ He yelled it with the soft H sound in an attempt to get me to say it correctly. But I, not realizing this, shot out of my seat and yelled, ‘Ahhhhhh, where????’ and then proceeded to duck down on the floor of the car, hiding in fear.”

  Marisa couldn’t help herself, the laughter bubbled forth, almost uncontrollably.

  “Go ahead, laugh at my expense. My dad did the same thing. He laughed so hard I thought he was goin’ to have a heart attack. I never did live that down. He liked to share that story time and again, to my great dismay.”

  “It’s a good story.”

  “I suppose it is, even if it makes everyone laugh at me.”

  “Only because it’s so cute.”

  “Cute is what Bethany is in all of her new outfits. Every day is like a fashion show.”

  It was true. “I’m having just as much fun as her, believe me.” During the last two weeks, they’d fallen into a happy routine. She and Josh went out for a run every morning in the Folly, then went up to their respective rooms to shower. Marisa then got Bethany up and ready for the day. Every morning Bethany picked a new hairstyle and Marisa loved styling her hair. Then they ate breakfast with Josh, showing off Bethany’s ‘new look’ for the day. She and Josh had continued with their afternoon rides everyday while Bethany napped. Secretly, this was Marisa’s favorite time of the day, the time when she could be completely alone with him. They always stopped somewhere for a break and sat close together. They spent the time talking about everything under the sun, whatever subject took their fancy at the time. Marisa was beginning to feel as if she knew him, as if she could look at him and know what he was thinking. They had become fast friends. She wasn’t just in love with him anymore, she really liked him.

  “I really love all of the things you’re doin’ with her, Marisa. She’s a different child since you arrived. Thank you so much.”

  “I’m enjoying my
time with her too. She’s a sweet child, easy to love.”

  Marisa and Bethany had all morning and afternoon to spend on their adventures, as Marisa called them. They spent hours reading from the new books they’d purchased. They rode bikes, visited the horses, baked cookies in the kitchen, and crafted homemade bracelets and necklaces to match all of Bethany’s new clothes. Bethany even made a masculine California-style bracelet for her dad, which he loved, and promised he’d wear it always and never take it off. This pleased Bethany immensely. They also persevered with the swimming lessons. The Bethany that Marisa had first met began to disappear and she was becoming confident, happy, and strong. Whatever Marisa suggested they do together, Bethany responded with alacrity. It was very endearing.

  “That, she is,” he said, releasing his foot easily from her grasp, and beginning to put his socks and boots back on. “You’re good for her, kind and loving. I learned to be kind the hard way. I was teasin’ one of the ranch hands mercilessly about his bald head one day. My dad pulled me aside and said, ‘Josh, you have a great sense of humor. Don’t use it to tear people down. Use it to build people up.’ I’ve never forgotten those words. Probably the best advice I’ve ever received.”

  “I think your dad was a good man.”

  “Most days he was. Guess we’d better head back. I have a day job,” he said with a disarming wink.

  They stood and faced each other. Marisa smiled at him and he smiled back. She stared into his eyes, willing him to kiss her. He didn’t break the eye contact, nor did he shy away. But he didn’t kiss her either. Instead, he flicked her under the chin as if she was his kid sister or something.

  It was the ‘or something’ she was hoping for.

  He plopped his cowboy hat onto her head, pulling it low over her eyes. “You look cute,” he said.

  Cute wasn’t what she had in mind. Maybe beautiful or gorgeous, perhaps even pretty.

  Guess cute would have to do.

  One hot afternoon, unbeknownst to Marisa and Bethany, Josh stood at the window on the second story of his home looking down onto the backyard. He’d finished with his work early and had gone in search of Marisa and Bethany. He found them in the pool. And it was more than obvious to him as he stood there thoughtfully and observed them, that Marisa was teaching Bethany how to swim. Judging by what he was witnessing, she was doing quite well. Marisa was amazing with Bethany. Actually, she was amazing, period. One minute she was playful and laughing, the next, an intelligent and mature woman with a promising career as a teacher. Bethany adored her and so did he. He found himself thinking about her at the oddest times. Her smiling face would pop into his head and there it would stay. He couldn’t stop thinking about her and when he wasn’t with her he was thinking about the next time he could see her. She had definitely made her way into his heart and she was there to stay. He hadn’t anticipated this at all. And then, there she’d stood in front of him at the airport, a total surprise when he’d least expected it. He admitted to himself that he’d felt an immediate attraction to her right then and there. He felt rather as though someone had hit him in the head and he still hadn’t recovered or even regained consciousness. Nor did he want to. He smiled as Marisa got out of the pool and jumped into the deep end while holding Bethany, who plugged her nose cautiously. They did this a number of times and Bethany seemed to be enjoying it. They seemed to be discussing something for awhile and then Bethany stood on the edge of the pool as Marisa tread water beneath her, holding out her arms to her. He could tell that Marisa was coaxing her into jumping in on her own. Bethany finally jumped and Marisa confidently caught her. Gaining courage, Bethany jumped to Marisa several more times.