by Lyle, Linda;
Elizabeth sat dumbfounded. Her instincts had been right all along. To think he had been sleeping with another woman because she refused to have sex with him. Then when she had rejected him, he had taken his anger out on her as well. “I’m sorry, Carly. This was all my fault.”
“No!” The word exploded from her. “No! It was his fault and mine. I knew about you, but I kept going out with him. I should never have slept with him in the first place. But mostly it’s his fault. He needs help. I’m just glad you got out when you did.” Carly’s words faded as she finished, the moment of confidence fading as quickly as it had come.
“Nobody deserves what he did to you. It’s his fault.” Elizabeth reached out and touched the woman’s arm. Carly looked up into her eyes, and Elizabeth could see pain and gratitude mixed with uncertainty. Something passed between them, sort of kinship, and then was gone. “What are you going to do now?”
“I don’t know. They say I’ll probably have to testify.” Carly shuddered at the thought, and Elizabeth’s heart went out to her.
“I want to do anything I can to help.” Carly sent her a grateful smile.
“Thanks.”
“Here’s my number in case you need me.” Elizabeth started to hand her a business card, but realizing she no longer worked at McClintock and McClintock she wrote down her number on a piece of paper instead. “Call me any time, even if you just need to talk.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Carly said.
“Don’t say anything.” Elizabeth said good-bye and retraced her steps to the lobby. Now, she knew why the Spirit had led her here—he wanted her to know the truth. He had also shown her someone in need of a good friend. She headed for home lighter in spirit.
Elizabeth finished organizing the closet and cleaned two more before nightfall. She felt free at last from the worries and guilt that had plagued her since she had left Alex. He had made his choice and would have to live with the consequences. She had made her own. With her lifted spirits she had new energy which she put to good use, but now the energy was almost spent. One look in the hallway mirror told her she was in dire need of a bath. Her hair was falling out of a lopsided ponytail and a smudge of dirt was smeared across one cheek and most of her shirt. She felt hot and sweaty and ready for a nice hot, bubble bath. As she turned toward the bathroom, the doorbell rang. It was probably the Chinese food she had ordered. She grabbed her purse and ran for the door. Who cared what the delivery boy thought? She flung open the door and looked up into the eyes of Scott McClintock.
❧
Scott squirmed as he waited for her to answer the door. What if she slammed the door in his face. He couldn’t think like that. He was still arguing with himself when the door flung open. He saw the shock register on her face and she just stood staring with her mouth wide open. He took in the smudge, the messed hair, and rumpled clothing and thought how beautiful she was even at her worst.
“May I come in?” He waited for her answer, but it took a moment for it to register on her brain.
“I guess so.” She looked totally flustered. Her hand kept going to her hair or pulling at her wrinkled sweatshirt. Maybe having her at a disadvantage would give him the opportunity to say his peace. He followed her into the living room.
“So this is where you live? It’s very nice.” She made a noncommital reply and motioned toward the couch.
“Would you care to sit down?” The formality of the situation was beginning to get to him.
“Can’t we just drop all the formalities and talk like friends.”
“I didn’t realize that we were still friends.” The look of hurt on her face cut deep into his heart—he was the cause of that hurt. No matter how much he wanted to blame his brother, this was his own fault. He moaned and ran his fingers through his hair.
❧
Elizabeth had watched as he looked around and tried to make small talk, but his obvious distress tugged at her heart. She hated him for coming when she looked like this, putting her at a disadvantage. She smoothed the dirty sweatshirt and tried to smooth her hair, but it was no use. Her frustration came out in a sharp tone.
“I didn’t mean to be so cross.” Her admission seemed to lighten his mood. He looked at her and then crossed the room and put his hands on her shoulders. Gently, he pulled her down on the sofa next to him.
“I came here to apologize. It may be too late, but I need to ask for your forgiveness.” She started to speak, but he motioned her to keep silent. She waited for him to continue. “I went to see Alex today. I guess you’ve heard about his arrest.” Elizabeth nodded as he continued, “I didn’t realize until today who my brother really is. He’s a very angry and driven man who’s managed to cover his true self with a mask of calm control. “
Scott stood up and walked around the room. As Elizabeth watched him her heart went out to him. Her love for him swelled to the bursting point. Hope, which had died months ago, sprang to life. Scott turned to speak again.“Alex told me what really happened.”
Elizabeth’s anger began to burn as she listened to the lies that Alex had told about her.
❧
Scott watched her face grow angrier by the moment. He prayed for help from above. She had every reason to be angry with him. “I know it’s no excuse, but I’m sorry. I had no right to judge you.” Scott waited for her reply.
“Of all the…” she sputtered, but her words died. He waited while she struggled for control. “How could he do that?” Scott stared uncomprehendingly. Then it dawned on him that she was angry at Alex and not him.
“Then, you’re not angry at me? You forgive me?” Scott held his breath as he waited.
“Of course, I forgive you. You had every reason to believe your own brother. I, of all people, know how good he is at that.” Elizabeth watched Scott’s face relax in relief. Then a sudden doubt entered her mind—he probably felt convicted of judging her and only wanted forgiveness. Why would he want her as more than a friend? How could she even think of a relationship with him after what had happened with Alex? She struggled to hide her disappointment.
“You don’t know how relieved I am to hear you say that.” Scott smiled and her heart skipped. He hesitated and then asked, “Is there something wrong?”
“Nothing.” She stretched her face into a smile. “I ordered Chinese food. Would you like to share?”
“I’d love to. When did you call?”
“About five minutes ago, why?”
“Well, that should give you plenty of time to…uh… freshen up before dinner.” He was trying to tactfully tell her she needed a bath. Ruefully, she looked down at her clothes. She had to agree with him. “Why don’t you take a bath, and I’ll watch for the food?”
She agreed and walked calmly to the bedroom, chin held high. Once inside, she flew like a mad woman, pulling out clean clothes. She rushed through her shower, all the while her heart beating out a hope. She tried to silence it, but it would not. Twenty minutes later she came out of the bedroom a different woman. When she entered the kitchen, she found the food spread out on the table with two plates and wooden chopsticks. The lights had been lowered and a short fat candle flickered erratically.
Scott led her to the table, seating her with a formal flourish. They ate in a somewhat strained silence until Scott accidentally dropped a piece of shrimp. It thudded to the floor. They both collapsed into relieved laughter, causing a piece of rice to stick in her throat. She made a choking sound and Scott was beside her in a moment. A fit of coughing sent the rice flying across the table. As soon as she was breathing right again, Elizabeth realized that Scott’s arms were still around her. He kneeled down in front of her and held her hand. Looking down into his eyes, she saw something new in his eyes.
“Elizabeth, I have no right to ask, but I love you. I’ve loved you since I first met you. I know we’ve never talked about this—I don’t even know if you love me too, but I just don’t think I can make it through these next months without you by my side, and I don’t m
ean as friends.” Elizabeth tried to speak, but his words all came out in a rush. “I know that you are the woman God has for me in my life. I know the circumstances are not the best and any talk of a wedding will have to wait until things are settled down. But I’ve got to know if there’s a chance at all for us.”
Elizabeth’s heart beat faster with every word. He had barely finished speaking when she threw her arms around his neck. “Yes, yes,” she whispered into his ear. He pulled her closer, and she held on for dear life. “I love you too. I never imagined that you’d even look at me after I broke up with Alex. Yes, I want to be with you. Whatever comes, we’ll be together.”
“Whatever comes, God will be with us.” Elizabeth smiled up at him. Yes, God would be with them. She felt a peace steal over her heart. She had made God her choice, and he had given her the desire of her heart.
epilogue
The courtroom was buzzing as Elizabeth pushed through the door. She moved toward the front and sat down behind the defendant’s table. Katherine greeted her with a sad smile, patting her arm as she sank into the seat.
“You’re looking good, Katherine.”
“Thank you dear. I’m feeling much better. I was very lucky. God has given me a few more years yet.”
“I’m so glad there was no long term damage. When I saw you on the floor that morning, I was so sure you were dead. You can’t imagine how relieved I was when I heard that you were expected to make a full recovery.”
“Well, I still have a ways to go before I’m a hundred percent, but…” Her voice trailed away as Alex entered the courtroom. She reached a trembling hand to the railing, anticipating his arrival. Instead, Alex turned and went in a conference room with his lawyer. She relaxed her grip and leaned back in the chair.
Elizabeth tried to think of something to distract her attention. “Where’s Mr. McClintock?”
“He said he had some business to take care of, but he didn’t say what business. He was behaving rather strangely this morning.” Katherine’s face wrinkled in concern. “Where’s Scott? I though he was coming with you.”
“He called and said he would meet me here. Come to think of it, he was acting peculiarly this morning as well. What are those two up to?” Elizabeth muttered.
“There’s no telling with those two.” A faint smile lifted the corners of her mouth, a slight drawing evident in the uneven smile. “You know you’re going to have to quit calling Matt, Mr. McClintock,” she said, motioning at the diamond sparkling on Elizabeth’s left hand.
Elizabeth flushed and covered the ring with her right hand. Katherine reached out and took both of Elizabeth’s hands, turning the diamond to the light. “You have nothing to be ashamed of, Elizabeth.”
“It just doesn’t seem right to be so happy at a time like this.”
“Nonsense! I don’t know anyone who deserves happiness more than you. After the way you’ve been treated by this family, I’m surprised that you have anything to do with us, much less support Alex.”
“You have never been anything but kind to me, Katherine. As for Alex, I feel sorry for him. All those years of hiding his true feeling behind that cool facade must have been miserable. I’m just sorry that it had to come to this,” Elizabeth said as she motioned to the bench.
“Well, I knew from the moment I met you that you were destined to be a part of this family. It didn’t take me long to realize that you were with the wrong son.”
“It took me a while to straighten it out in my own mind, but my heart knew it all along.” Elizabeth shook her head. “I just wish I had figured it out sooner. Then, maybe this would never have happened.”
“No, my dear. Alex made his own decisions. He kept that bitterness bottled up for so long that an explosion was bound to happen.”
Just as Katherine finished, Alex and his attorney reappeared and made their way to the table. Alex glanced their way, but was unwilling to make eye contact. Elizabeth was so engrossed in thought that she jumped as a hand touched her shoulder.
“Didn’t mean to scare you,” Scott whispered
“You just startled me.” She grabbed his hand as he settled beside her. Matthew McClintock slipped into the seat next to Katherine just as the judge was entering the court. “Where were you?” Elizabeth whispered.
Scott put a finger to his lip, motioning toward the bailiff. Everyone rose at the court official’s command and then settled down to a hushed silence. “Alex McClintock, please rise,” the judge commanded. Alex stood up and waited to hear his fate, his hands clenched into fists. After a long silence, the judge continued. “After a discussion with the D.A. and the victim, it has been decided that all charges will be dropped on the stipulation that you will submit to counseling and will refrain from practicing law for one year. It is the opinion of this court that sentencing you to a prison term would only cause more damage. The victim agreed to this sentencing with the stipulation that the defendant refrain from contacting the victim during this time. Do you understand?”
“Yes, your Honor.”
“Good. Meet me in my chambers in twenty minutes to discuss the counseling agreement. Case dismissed.” The sound from the gavel echoed for several minutes before anyone moved. Alex sank into his chair, his head resting on the table. It took only a moment before the McClintocks were beside their son. Elizabeth watched from her place as Mr. McClintock pulled his son up out of the chair and into a bear hug. Alex’s limp arms soon tightened around his father. She could see tears flowing down his cheeks. The walls he had built around himself had fallen and left Alex vulnerable and unsure. Matthew reached out and pulled Katherine into the hug.
When they finally released him, Alex turned to Scott. “Well, golden boy, what do we do now?”
“I’m not really sure. I guess we’ll take it one day at a time.”
“Sounds good to me.” Alex held out his hand and said, “truce?”
Scott hesitated and then took the proffered hand and pulled Alex into a hug. “Truce big brother.”
“Does that mean I’m invited to the wedding?” Alex asked, his voice wavering.
“I think that’s something you should ask Elizabeth.”
Alex turned slowly, his eyes unwilling to meet hers. “Well, Elizabeth?”
“Of course you can come. You’re family, aren’t you?” Alex’s head jerked up and a weak smile trembled on his lips.
“I hope so. I really hope so.”
“Enough of this mushy stuff. Let’s go celebrate,” Matt McClintock bellowed. As they gathered up their things, Elizabeth whispered in Scott’s ear, “I have a family again.”
Scott pulled her into an embrace and kissed the tears that had slipped from her eyes. “That’s right and don’t you ever forget it.”
About the Author
Linda Lyle hails from Alabama with her first inspirational romance novel. She is an avid reader who became interested in writing in the eighth grade and keeps an extensive journal of ideas. Linda is very happy to be able to write wholesome and entertaining fiction that portrays her Christian values.
Dedication
To God who gave me just a hint of His creativity
and
To my parents who believed in me.