The Choice: The Pocket Watch Chronicles

by Ceci Giltenan

  “She’s usually back a little after noon. It will take at least an hour for her to shower, have lunch, and make her coffee. I figure we need to wait another thirty minutes before we go in.”

  Daphne gave him a scathing look. “You figure? You figure? Why do you figure that?”

  “It takes about thirty minutes for the drug to begin working.”

  “What the hell’s the matter with you? Exactly how does Sara drink her iced coffee? Does she down it all at once?”

  “No. She drinks it while she works.”

  “So it might take her an hour to drink it all?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Then if we show up in thirty minutes, she might not have drunk enough of it to have much effect yet.”

  “So we’ll wait an hour or even two. If she downs the coffee all at once, it’ll still be working two hours later. And if she sips it, she’ll still have finished it long enough earlier for it to have started working.”

  “I don’t like leaving so much to chance.”

  “Then what do you suggest?”

  “I think you should stay in the apartment. Hide somewhere. Then when you know it’s working, call me.”

  “Now who’s the idiot? What do you think will happen if, by chance, she finds me hiding in her apartment? At least if I show up at the door and knock first, if she’s still awake and answers the door, I can tell her I’m dropping off my key and she won’t think anything of it. I’ll make a copy, just in case. I can give it to her and come back in an hour after the drug’s working more.”

  “I don’t like it, but I guess it will have to do.”

  Mark didn’t like it either. The whole thing was risky and entirely aimed at getting Daphne and Benjamin back together. He’d still have to regain Sara’s affection. Still, the only chance he had was if Benjamin and Sara were no longer together.

  ~ * ~

  Ben lay in bed with Sara cuddled up against him basking in the afterglow of their love-making. She called it “spooning” and that described it perfectly, snuggling as close as two spoons in a drawer. He didn’t think he’d ever get enough of Sara. She was an ardent and responsive lover in bed. But she was also smart and funny. He enjoyed every minute he spent with her.

  Sara yawned and stretched. “I forgot to set up the coffee for morning. Five o’clock comes early and I can’t face it without coffee.”

  “Stay there. I can do it since I’m the reason our day starts so early.”

  “Yes, but you’re the one who actually has to be up and out then. I can put on a bathrobe and curl up with my laptop.” She hopped up and padded to the kitchen.

  Benedict got out of bed anyway. Now was the time.

  Sara called from the kitchen, “Hazelnut or plain?”

  “Plain.”

  “Okay, but I get hazelnut tomorrow.”

  “Whatever you wish, my lady.” He took the small box containing the ring from his drawer, turned on the lamp on the bedside table, and got back into bed, sitting with his back against the headboard. He slipped the box under his pillow.

  A minute later she returned, climbed into bed, and snuggled next to him again. “What time will your driver be here?”

  “Twenty after five. Samuel said the drive to the office is only twenty minutes if we aim to be there well before six, but after six it could take an hour.”

  “You need to start thinking of him as ‘dad’ and I could drive you, you know.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “I know, on both counts. But even with no traffic that’s a forty-minute round trip, two times a day, and it will cut too much into your writing time. Besides, Sa—that is to say, my dad, fears that if the same young woman driving a Corolla drops me off and picks me up at headquarters, unwanted rumors may start.”

  “He’s probably right. How does he plan to bring you up to speed with company business?”

  “That’s one of the reasons he wants to start the day so early. At that hour of the morning, it will be just us. He will brief me on his day, giving me as much detail on the projects and people he’ll be seeing that day as possible, and I’ll shadow him for a while. That way I won’t appear completely at a loss. But he also released the news about my accident today, so if I do make a mistake or forget something, it will be understandable.”

  “That works for the memory loss, but how does he plan to explain your sudden interest in the company?”

  Ben chuckled. “Again, the accident. Evidently in the wake of the near fatal accident, I have taken stock of my life, realized the folly of my ways, and desire to become a contributing member of the business. He also wants me to appear to work short days for a while because I am still recovering. After we’re through with our morning briefing, I’ll leave through a private entrance and then be seen to come in the main entrance at about half-past eight every morning. Then I’ll leave the office at about half-past two. I should be here by three. It’s all to maintain the illusion that the accident was very serious.”

  “And he’s still okay with you staying here with me?”

  “Well, he’d prefer we lived in my home because of the security there, but he understands your need to finish your book as well as your desire not to be thrust immediately into the public eye. Not to mention my desire to be with you.” He kissed her. “So as long as we stay inconspicuous here, he’ll accept it for a while.”

  She nodded and sighed. “I know we’ll have to give this up at some point, but I like feeling ordinary.”

  “My sweet girl, you are anything but ordinary.” He nuzzled behind her ear until she giggled.

  “I’m glad you think so. You’re pretty special yourself. But we should probably turn out the light. It’s late, five comes awfully early and that’s assuming you only need twenty minutes to get ready.”

  “I’ll turn it off in a minute, but there is something I need to ask you first.”

  “What is it?”

  He turned so he was sitting on the bed facing her. “I may be a bit old-fashioned—

  She giggled. “You? No. Well, maybe just a tiny bit.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

  “You’re a wicked lass to tease me.”

  She leaned forward and kissed him. “Honestly, Ben, I love the old-fashioned side of you.”

  “Good, then you’ll understand this. Sara, I love you and I want you by my side forever. But living with you, outside the bond of marriage, feels wrong to me.”

  Her face fell. “You want to live apart?”

  He smiled at her. “No, my love, I don’t. I just said I want you by my side forever and I meant that. I want you to marry me.”

  She sat bolt upright. “What? Did you just propose to me?”

  He chuckled. “Yes, but apparently badly, so let me try again. Sara Wells, would do me the honor of becoming my wife.” He slid his hand under the pillow and pulled out the small velvet box, opening it for her to see the antique diamond ring with an intricately filigreed setting. “It’s the one you liked from the antique shop in Inverness.”

  Her mouth fell open. “You’ve had it since then?”

  He nodded. “The moment I decided to stay in this century, I knew that you were part of—well nearly all of the reason why. I adore you and with everything in me I believe we are meant to be together. We are quite literally soulmates. So Sara Fern Wells, my precious girl, will you marry me?”

  Her hand fluttered to her mouth and tears welled in her eyes. “Yes, Ben, I love you with all of my heart and I’ll marry you.”

  He slipped the ring from the box and placed it on the third finger of her left hand.

  She threw her arms around him and kissed him.

  “You’ve made me a very happy man, Sara. The idea of spending the rest of my life loving you is bliss.”

  “Bliss. Yes, that sums it up for me to.” She kissed him again.

  After a moment he broke the kiss, resting his forehead on hers. “As delightful as this is, we still have a bit of business to deal with.”

  She pulled away s
lightly and frowned. “What business?”

  “I understand we need a license to wed, but one can be obtained quickly. You deserve a beautiful church wedding, and we can have that eventually, but I would very much like for you to marry me this week. Then I won’t feel so wicked living with you.”

  “Ben, I would love to marry you as soon as possible, but your father will not approve. He’ll want prenuptial agreements in place to protect you.”

  “As I understand it, those agreements outline the division of property in the event of divorce.”

  “They do.”

  “I don’t intend to divorce you.”

  “I don’t intend to divorce you either, but your father won’t see it that way.”

  He kissed her. “You worry too much. I have already discussed this with my father. Because I no longer have access to most of the family and corporate assets, there is nothing to worry about. And before that changes, he will have the assurances he needs that we will be married until death parts us.”

  A smile as bright as morning sunshine spread across her face. “Okay, then. If you’re sure, I’ll marry you as soon as you wish. I’ll make some calls and figure out how we can do this.”

  He grinned. “I’ve already made the calls. It is necessary to make an appointment with the County Clerk for the civil ceremony to be performed. And we need to get the license at least two days before that. I was thinking we could be married Friday afternoon and we can go get the license on Wednesday.”

  “Somewhat of a foregone conclusion was I?”

  “Not at all.” He kissed her. “I was just committed to keep asking…” he kissed her again, “…until I wore you down.” He kissed her again, easing her backwards until she lay on the bed under him.

  “Mmmm. Maybe I should have played harder to get.”

  He reached over and turned off the light before kissing her yet again. “I’m glad you didn’t, because it would have taken much longer to get back to this.” He proceeded to make love to her again, exquisitely slowly, bringing her to the brink and holding her there. Finally, when she could stand it no longer, taking her over the edge and reaching ecstasy together.

  Chapter 14 – What if I Fall in Love?

  Wednesday, August 9, 2006

  Mark sat in his office presumably reviewing paperwork from yesterday’s sales. In reality, he couldn’t concentrate on anything. This whole thing bothered him but he’d agreed to it and if there was a chance of getting Sara back, he would take it. He looked at the clock for what might have been the fiftieth time that morning. Finally, it was half past ten. He left the office calling to the sales team’s administrative assistant as he did, “Tonya, I’m going out for a few hours. I have some errands to run and I have a friend who’s been ill.”

  Tonya smiled. “Give him my best.” As he’d intended, she assumed he was going to see Benjamin Talbot.

  “I’m taking a loaner. My Audi is being serviced this morning.”

  “Okay. See you later, Mark.”

  He drove to Sara’s apartment complex, arriving a few minutes before eleven. He drove through the parking lot and spied her car in its usual place. Good. Now he would just drive around a bit, returning to this lot every few minutes until her car was gone. He didn’t want to risk being seen. It was a typical hot, humid, August day and if he parked, he’d have to leave the motor running to keep the air conditioner on and that would definitely draw attention in the nearly empty lot.

  He left, driving around the area for about five minutes before returning to the complex by a different entrance. She still hadn’t left yet so he did another circuit, taking the time to stop at a convenience store to pick up a newspaper and something to drink. When he returned this time, her car was gone. He parked, and entered the building with impunity. It wasn’t unusual for him to be there, after all. While he didn’t usually come during the day—because Sara preferred not to be interrupted while she worked—it wasn’t unheard of. Still, today he was inordinately nervous and he felt as if the fact that he didn’t belong there was written on his face. He took the elevator to her floor, walked down the hall, and entered the apartment using his key. Again, something he’d done many times. Thankfully, he met no one. That too wasn’t unusual. This was an apartment complex largely occupied by young urban professionals who were all at work during the day.

  He closed the door behind him and glanced around the apartment. Nothing had changed. It was as cozy and comfortable as ever, fairly oozing Sara’s unique personality. You’re an idiot, what would have changed? It hasn’t been that long? Even so, it had been too long and being here, surrounded by her things, reminded him of just how much he missed her.

  “Better get to it then. The sooner this is done, the sooner I’ll have her back.”

  He went to the kitchen and as expected, a little coffee remained in the pot although it was less than he’d expected. He picked it up using a dishtowel that was on the counter. It’s probably better not to leave fingerprints. He dropped the Rohypnol into the pot, swirling the contents until it dissolved. It made the black coffee look a little cloudy, but he was fairly certain Sara wouldn’t notice it.

  He returned the pot to its place, put the dishcloth where he’d found it, and left. He covered his hand with the tail of his shirt to open the door from the inside and when he saw that the hall was still empty, used it to wipe any prints from the outside handle. He frowned to himself. Why does it matter? His prints were all over her apartment anyway—he’d been her boyfriend. Jesus Mark, it isn’t like you’re a criminal or something. You’re doing this because you love her.

  Again, he met no one as he left the building and got back into his car. Things were working perfectly. He drove away. He needed to watch for her to return but he wouldn’t do it from this parking lot.

  Although occasionally she did something else, she usually went to a health club in a large strip mall where she swam laps or took a class. He’d watch from there.

  When he arrived at the strip mall, he found her car near the health club. He parked well away from it, but in a spot where he had an unobstructed view of the doors. He went into a sandwich shop and bought something for lunch. He realized that if he sat at a table near the windows in the front of the shop, he could also see the entrance to the health club. Instead of taking his lunch to the car, he could sit here in cool comfort and keep an eye out for her. Although there was a chance she might see him here, that didn’t matter. He came here for lunch often enough that it wouldn’t be unusual for her to run into him.

  When he had nearly finished his lunch, she still hadn’t left the gym yet. He intended to return to the car and read the paper until she emerged, but a wrench was thrown into the works. An old friend from college, entering the restaurant, caught sight of him.

  “Hey, Mark, is that you? I can’t believe it. It’s been ages. You’re the last person I’d expect to run into here.” Jack Beall was a nice, always-do-the-right-thing kind of guy. Normally, Mark would have loved seeing him.

  “Jack, buddy, it has been a long time. How the hell are ya?”

  “Great. Let me grab my food and we can catch up over lunch.”

  Mark almost declined, wanting to tell Jack he was in a hurry. But it wouldn’t be good if, after that, Jack saw him just sitting in his car. He could still watch for Sara from here. “Sure.”

  They chatted for a few minutes about college days, before moving on to their current situations.

  “So, Mark, are you working in the family business?”

  Mark nodded. “Yup. Holland Imports.”

  “Do you like it? I mean, I know it was always the plan, but is it working out for you?”

  “Oh, yeah. I love it. I’m good at it. I love the cars and interacting with buyers.”

  Jack grinned. “Yeah, you would be absolutely fantastic at that, but it’s great to hear you enjoy it too.”

  “What about you?”

  “You know, I’ve always been more of a numbers guy. I’m working at a brokerage in
Silver Spring.”

  “Geez, this is a long way to come for lunch. Were you visiting your Mom and Dad?”

  Jack shook his head. “No, my folks moved south after my dad retired. But my sister still lives up here. She had to have her wisdom teeth pulled this morning and needed someone to take her, so I took the day off.”

  “That’s nice of you.”

  Jack shrugged. “She has a boyfriend who offered to go with her, but I was uncomfortable with that.”

  Mark frowned. “Why?”

  “I don’t know. She hasn’t been dating him very long and he doesn’t seem to take many things seriously. I knew she’d be a little gorked out from the stuff they gave her. I guess I was just a little worried he’d take advantage of that and do something stupid—you know, thinking it would be funny. I didn’t want to take a chance.”

  “You are definitely one of the good guys, Jack.”

  “Speaking of which though, I have to get back. After the surgery, I took her home and tucked her in. She’s resting now. I thought I’d pop out, grab some lunch for me and soup for her.” He motioned to the carry-out bag on the table beside him.

  “Well, it was great seeing you, Jack. If you’re ever in the market for a pre-owned luxury car, come see me. I’ll give you a sweet deal.”

  Jack handed Mark his business card as they stood to leave. “Always the salesman, Mark. If you ever need a new broker to invest your millions with, call me.”

  As they left the restaurant, Mark realized that while he’d been engrossed in conversation with Jack, he’d stopped watching for Sara. He glanced to where her car had been parked and it was gone. It had only been about fifteen minutes, so she wasn’t far ahead of him. It might even be better this way. There was no chance she’d notice him following her.

  He drove back to her apartment complex and, as expected, her car was once again parked in the lot. He drove to another lot, parked in the shade, rolled his windows down, and pulled out the newspaper. He would wait here for an hour or so before going back to Sara’s apartment.