by Lauren Wood
“Why didn’t you tell me all of this at first?” She asked.
“Why? What good would it do for you to hear it? It wouldn’t make anything go away.” Johnny commented.
“I know but at least I would have known what you went through while I was gone.” She stated.
“I don’t want to drag you through it all. I can just tell you it was a living hell; I really thought I hated you for a while. But my love for you is far too strong for it to just disappear. I guess that night with Mary proved it to her, but to me as well. Honestly, before that night I would swear that I was over you. I know Mary thinks I lied to her the whole time, but I really didn’t. You messed me up bad when you left to go to Paris.” Johnny explained.
“I’m so sorry Johnny. I wish I would have realized how I felt before I stepped on that plane too. It would have solved a lot of problems, or at least changed this situation, and a few others. I wish we could go back to that day when we were in the woods. I would have said something else to you, would have talked about how it made me feel. I was nervous; I was shocked that we had just had sex. I mean how many years did I put you off? Suddenly I’m feeling all these emotions for you that simply make no sense to me.” Sally admitted.
“That wasn’t my problem. It was when you told me you were leaving in 3 days. I knew how I felt for you, and I had hoped it changed your mind. I know they say that a relationship shouldn’t be built on sex. But I don’t think I would change that happening that day. I would change what you told me right after though.” Johnny said.
“I would too Johnny. I wouldn’t have left. I missed you so much when I was gone. When you told me you wouldn’t talk to me anymore, I just died a bit inside.” Sally said.
“Imagine how I felt when you said you were going to Paris right after we had sex the first time?” He commented.
“No I can get it. Really Johnny, I’m so sorry.” She stated.
“Well now it’s in the past. If Mary does what you think she will, I don’t even know what I will do. I don’t know if people will believe the girls even after they change their stories. What I’m saying is that we may have to move someday. Otherwise I won’t be able to get a job, and you’ll have to support us.” Johnny said.
“How would you feel about going to New York or maybe LA? I could intern with one of the fashion designers there, and maybe still be able to do what I’ve always wanted to do.” She asked.
“We’ll compare the options and see what looks like the best choice. But I haven’t given up hope on staying here either. Both of those cities are so dangerous, I don’t know if I want to take a chance of you getting hurt.” He commented.
“I’ll be careful no matter where we go.” Sally stated.
“We have to get past this whole thing first. You would think that if Mary did what she said I would have gotten a call by now.” Johnny said looking at his watch.
“It hasn’t been that long since I left her, maybe 10 to 15 minutes now.” Sally tried to cheer him up.
“I just have this horrible feeling that it won’t go that way. That she won’t call, and the attorney won’t be able to plea bargain and I’ll be in jail for years. You’ll be out here by yourself and will get tired of waiting for me. Eventually, you’ll leave me for another man.” Johnny commented.
“Is that why you asked me to marry you, because you thought I would stick around longer?” She asked.
“It might have a little bit to do with it. But it is mostly because you told me I needed to decide what I wanted from you. So today I went to Grand Island and went ring shopping. I couldn’t buy anything in town, they wouldn’t sell to me. Can you believe that? Don’t answer it.” Johnny told her.
“I can believe it honestly.” She began.
He put up his hand. “I told you not to answer it. I know you’ve seen it.” He stated.
“I’ve unfortunately found out just how judgmental people are in our little town since I’ve been back. The lady in the mall wasn’t the only one. I meet a couple of other guys we went to school with before that, and they were the same way. Mr. Samuels wouldn’t even hire me because he had heard a rumor about us.” Sally said.
“Well that isn’t shocking to me.” Johnny said.
His phone rang and he answered it. “Yes sure Mr. Wallace.”
Sally watched as Johnny listened and talked to his attorney. She kept her fingers crossed and watched his face to try and figure out what he was hearing.
“Okay, yes sir. I understand sir. Alright, I’ll come down there in an hour. Sure, I appreciate it.” She heard Johnny say.
As soon as he hung up she asked. “Well, what happened?” She asked.
“She did call and rescind her story. The charges from her are going to be dropped. The DA is dealing with the other girls right now as well. In an hour I’m supposed to go to my attorney’s office and I’ll find out what happened with them.” Johnny stated.
“I told you she would call.” Sally said.
“Okay so you were right about that. But I am telling you we need to decide what to do now. I don’t think anyone will hire me here. So what place would you like to move too?” Johnny asked.
“I don’t care; either of the bigger cities would work. I’ll look up to see if there are any more in different cities as well. Maybe Chicago that might be a good place too.” Sally suggested.
“Look them up when I go to see Mr. Wallace. Do you want to get married before we go, or after we get to where we are going?” He asked.
“Well I would like my parents to come, but so many people in town have really made me upset. They judged you for a rumor, based on lies. We have to move because of those lies too. As far as I’m concerned there aren’t many people I would even want to come now.” She stated.
“Where ever we go we can fly them out. I don’t mind that, are they going to be okay with you marrying me though? You’re mom stopped talking to me after she found out about the charges, I don’t think she likes me very much.” He said.
“She will change her mind once she finds out that Mary was lying.” Sally said.
“No don’t believe it. I’m telling you Sally; people will still talk and think I’m guilty. But your parents can come if they want. I agree with you there are too many people who I wouldn’t want to see at the wedding. Look up the places and let me know where you want to move when I get back though. It may be a quick move though; I want to start our new life together on an up note.” He stated.
“Alright sweetie, I’m going to go home and talk to my mom and do some research. Let me know when you get back okay.” She kissed him and walked out the door.
Sally went inside and called for her mom. “Mom, are you home?” She yelled out.
“Yeah sweetie, I’ll be right down.” She heard her mom call from upstairs.
A few minutes later her mom was downstairs. “Hey honey, how was your day today?” Her mom asked.
“It was very nice actually. See what I got?” She showed her mom the ring.
“Oh it’s beautiful. Oh wait, is that from him?” Her mom’s eyes closed a bit.
“Yes it is mom. It’s from Johnny and I said yes. By the way so you know I also talked to Mary today, and she lied. Sit down and let me tell you the story.” Sally said.
Her mom sat and listened intently as Sally explained what Mary had a little earlier in the day to her. She left out details about sex and all that, but gave her mom enough of the story so she could understand Johnny was not guilty.
“Well I guess you were right to begin with.” Her mom said once Sally had stopped talking.
“I also need to tell you that we will be moving as well. Johnny will always have people looking at him like he’s guilty.” Sally said.
“What? Where will you move? When are you going? I just got you back from half way around the world.” Her mom cried out.
“Mom, its okay, maybe we’ll go to Chicago. It’s not that far away really, and you and dad can come out for the ceremony. We aren’t going to get
married in town.” She explained.
“Oh my little girl, she’s all grown up now. I’m so happy for you. You’re sure though that he’s not going to hurt you. Even though he didn’t rape those girls he was always in trouble for beating people up. They even said that old man Denton was in the hospital for a few months after he was done beating him up.” Her mom commented.
“Mom I talked to a guy today who told me a month. Then when I began asking him questions he admitted that old man Denton wasn’t even in overnight. People are over exaggerating things when they talk about Johnny. It was all a case of just making him look worse than what he is. Yes he did beat him up, and he knows he was wrong. But mom really I caused a lot of that anger in him when I left.” Sally explained.
“Well he did always love you so much. I guess you leaving would make him upset. But really he seemed to change right after you left so much.” Her mom said.
“Mom he was mad at me for leaving. We had gotten a bit closer a few days before I left and well something happened. We, well, had sex. I know mom, I know, I shouldn’t have sex before I’m married.” Sally said.
Her mom held up her hand. “I never said that, but I would think waiting would have been a good idea. But I know kids of your generation don’t look at marriage the same as us old folks do. But go ahead, so before you left you two had sex.” Her mom said.
“Yes and right after I told him I was leaving to go to Paris. He was hurt and upset. I was confused because I didn’t know why I found him so attractive. I got over to Paris and found out about him and Mary. It hurt me a lot, and made me realize just how much I cared about him. Now that I’m back I’ve already seen his attitude change.” Sally stated.
“My little girl, you did hurt him. Well I guess I owe him an apology too. I can understand why he was angry. It puts a whole new perspective on it.
***
Sally looked out the window of their little house in a Chicago suburb. Her belly was rounded and she was 9 months pregnant with their first child. She waited for her husband to come home from work.
“Hey honey I’m home.” Johnny said walking in the door. “How’s the most beautiful girl in the world?” He asked.
“I’m great. The baby has been really active today. I think he’s ready to come out soon!” Sally commented.
“Good, come on slugger, we can’t wait to see you.” Johnny kissed her belly and felt the baby kick.
THE END
MORE STEAMY ROMANCE BY LAUREN WOOD
SEDUCING COWBOY
Chapter 1
“I will not have any daughter of mine acting like this. You have embarrassed me for the last time and if you’re not careful, I might even consider sending you to live with your uncle in the backwaters of Alabama. Don’t think for a second that I’m kidding. As long as you live underneath my roof there will be rules that have to be followed. You may not be mine by blood, but you were given to me despite my misgivings. Your mother entrusted me to look after you, but it’s starting to feel like a burden.” A year had gone by since Lynn’s mother died mysteriously during a boating accident. From that moment on, Lynn had the penchant for getting into trouble with just about anybody that was willing to play on the other side of the legal fence.
“Just say what’s on your mind, Helen. You never wanted me in the first place and I do not see any reason why we have to continue playing this game. I’m 19 and I’m going to college in the fall. You may think that you have all the power, but all I need to do is get a job and then I can leave you in my rearview mirror. I hate you and you treat me like I’m a child who can’t live without you being under foot. I am my mother’s daughter and we both have the same temperament and stubborn streak.” I know that we’re going to say something that we’re going to regret. I’ve never wanted to be here. I can’t even dare to call her mother and I fight every instinct that I have to get close to her. One year and it has already felt like an eternity. I know that she’s trying, but the only thing that she’s doing is making it very clear that I can’t be here for very much longer.
“I don’t know how you can talk to me like this after everything that I’ve done for you. I wake up in the middle of the night to find you missing more often than not. I have no idea if you’re dying in a ditch or shacking up with some of your so-called friends. You may not be innocent, but at least you have kept your purity intact.” They both looked at each other in shock. It became readily known that Helen had been snooping into her diary. This was the last straw and the silence that followed that declaration was not for the faint of heart. The tension in the air was thick and you could see that they both had reached their breaking point.
“I can’t believe that you invaded my personal space by reading my private thoughts. I thought that I could at least trust you to stay out of my business. I don’t know how many times I’ve told you and made it abundantly clear that I don’t need you interfering. I can live my life with or without you.” They were in the car on the way to church and had just arrived when this big major blow out had occurred. Casting daggers at one another walking across the parking lot in their Sunday best did not go unnoticed by those that knew them very well.
There were mumbles of dissent amongst the congregation. Nobody dared stand up and say something, but everybody had their own opinion that they were keeping to themselves.
Deacon James took center stage and felt that there was something in the air. Everybody looked nervous and shifted in their seats like they didn’t want to be there. He looked around for the source and the animosity that was coming off of both Helen and Lynn wasn’t exactly hard to see. They were not hiding their emotions and being a man of the cloth, he decided that he would shine a light down upon them from where he stood at the front of the church.
“I see that we have something to deal with before I begin my sermon. I told all of you that I would not condone bringing your private life in beyond those doors. If you do, then you can expect me to involve the entire congregation. Lynn and Helen have some issues to deal with and we are going to help them find their way back into the light. Show them some encouragement. I’m sure that it’s not insurmountable like the boulder that was pushed up the hill.” Deacon James was bald and the light from above was shining on his head like his own personal halo. Being a good Texan, he understood that there were always squabbles, but all could be forgiven.
A couple of people started to clap and then the rest followed like the sheep that they were. Before long there was a chorus that had both Lynn and Helen looking around to find that they were now the center of attention.
“I am not going up there with you and there’s nothing and no one that is going to make me. You do whatever the hell you want, Helen but don’t expect me to play along with this charade. We will never be a happy household and I feel that you have violated my trust. I don’t know if that can ever be fixed. This has gone too far. It might be time that we cut ties and walk away. I don’t want to hate you and I try to get along for the sake of my mother. I really don’t know what she was thinking when she thought that you and I could work. I would be better off going my own way.” “I see the way that everybody is looking at me, but not even their influence is going to force me to stand up and be noticed. I don’t want this attention. If they don’t want me to scream, then they better stop looking at me like that. I can see in Helen’s eyes that she’s thinking about airing our dirty laundry for all the neighbors to hear. I’m sure that most of it has been spoken in hushed tones. Nothing goes on around here that the others don’t find out about eventually. I think it has a lot to do with Deacon James’s need to make everybody happy.
“They only want to help, Lynn. I don’t see any reason why we can’t let them in. In times of great trials we must always stand together. Life is about changes and nothing stays the same. I’ve done my best to guide you with a helping hand, but you have been resistant every step of the way. I can’t deal with this on my own anymore.” Helen had seen a premature graying of her hair in the last year
and the stress of dealing with a woman that was still grieving after all this time was weighing heavily on her shoulders. “I need to do this for my own sanity and you can stay there and sit and listen, but you will not leave here for any reason whatsoever.” Helen could see that her arms were across defiantly and she was basically stewing in her own juices.
Smoothing down her black skirt, she got up and faced the judgment of those that thought that they could be of any help. She felt scrutinized and for a girl that stayed to herself she had learned an inexplicable lesson that teenagers were hard to live with at the best of times. Helen’s cheeks were a rosy hue from the embarrassment of being called out like this. Taking a deep breath, she realized that the only way to get through this was with one breath.
“I see that somebody is being stubborn. No matter, I’m sure that once Helen speaks that Lynn will feel compelled to make some kind statement. Let’s give Helen a warm welcome and hope that the words within the pages of the bible will help her to lay rest to whatever this issue might be.” Deacon James considered himself to be a confidant to many. He had heard his fair share of sin and confessions. Some of them were not suitable for those of an impressionable age. “The only way to get through this is to give it a voice. Forgiveness is an amazing tool and one that is vastly underutilized in my opinion. Helen, tell us what has caused this rift between you and Lynn. We all know the back story. I’m sure that Lynn is still feeling the loss of her mother. That woman was considered a saint amongst all of us.” There was a silent bow from those sitting on the benches and from Deacon James himself.
