Better With You

by Ellen Joy

  “What if she falls?” Lucy whispered, concerned.

  “Then her mother will be there to help her.”

  Lucy nodded.

  “You did good, Lucy,” Elizabeth whispered to her.

  Lucy looked up. “What did I do?”

  Lucy had no clue she was a hero. “You saved their lives by giving them a home and love.”

  She thought about it for a moment, and folded her arms. “I guess. That’s what I’m going to tell during share-time at school tomorrow. I’m a hero.”

  Elizabeth wrapped her arm around Lucy’s shoulders as they watched Ella lift herself up again on her knees. She pulled her back legs underneath her to hold her hindquarters up. Everyone stayed silent, holding their breath as the foal began to stand, wobbling on its knobby knees as Anastasia, exhausted, encouraged her baby with a few nudges and a lick.

  “She’s about to stand!” Lucy whispered joyfully.

  “She is!” Michelle exclaimed, covering her mouth with both hands. “She’s trying to get up.”

  Everyone gasped as the foal struggled up, slipping with her front hooves, but gaining control. The new foal showed no fear. She picked herself up, her legs as straight as pins, though trembling. Anastasia nudged Ella again to help lift the foal’s bottom, and she took a step.

  Suddenly everyone cheered, then hushed themselves, laughing at their reaction and the clumsiness of the sweet foal. Elizabeth, now choked up, noticed Adam looking at her. Just as Adam stepped closer, Lucy wrapped her arms around Elizabeth’s waist. “Thank you, Dr. Elizabeth, thank you for everything you did for Anastasia and Ella.”

  Elizabeth held Lucy in her arms, still looking back at Adam, but said, “You’re most welcome, Lucy. I couldn’t have asked for a better assistant.”

  “Hey, what about me?” Dr. Johnson joked, which made Lucy laugh.

  “You, too, Dr. Johnson,” Elizabeth said.

  “Did you know I met Elizabeth about twenty years ago, right on this very farm?” he said to Lucy. He saw a spark in her, too.

  Elizabeth smiled at the memory of helping Dr. Johnson all those years ago. Back then, she had wished she’d be standing in the middle of this exact barn having this exact moment. The joy Elizabeth felt built in every part of her body, especially when she saw Adam moving toward her.

  “Elizabeth,” he said. “Can we talk?”

  He gestured toward the door, to the east fields, where she could see white daisies blowing in the breeze. The farm never looked more beautiful than at this time of year. She followed him out of the barn.

  Once they were alone, Adam began, “I’m sorry for keeping things from you. The truth is, I didn’t want you to know how seriously complicated everything is in my life. I didn’t want to ask you to have to deal with all of it.”

  “You didn’t have to ask me anything. You just had to trust me.”

  He reached out and squeezed her hands. “I’ve been miserable without you. I don’t want to go without talking to you, or seeing you, or being with you.”

  Her heart fluttered at the thought he was as miserable without her as she was without him.

  He stepped even closer. “I love you, Elizabeth.”

  “I love you, too.”

  He let go of her hands only to wrap her into his arms and kiss her. She moved into his embrace. From inside the barn, she heard cheering. Dr. Johnson even whistled as Lucy and Michelle clapped. Laughter escaped them both. Adam swooped Elizabeth into a dip, and kissed her again.

  The Next Chapter

  Elizabeth closed up the last box and threw the packing tape on her mattress, now sitting on the floor in her living room. Almost all her furniture had been moved to the farm by Adam and her brothers.

  Lucy was in charge of introducing Joan to Mildred and the puppies, but the introductions panicked the old girl, and she had been hiding in the laundry room since.

  Elizabeth walked around the bottom floor of her cape, assessing what else needed to be done, as a wave of mixed emotions swept over her. Her little house represented her coming into her own. Elizabeth had worked on every room and in every corner of her yard. She’d miss her view of the water from her bedroom window, and her walks to the beach. She’d miss Mr. Palmer’s banter, and Mrs. Villemarie’s dog. This place had helped make her the woman she was today.

  As she walked upstairs, going from room to room one last time, the move becoming more real by the moment, her stomach fluttered at the thought of waking up the next morning on the farm, in Adam’s arms.

  After finding a few random items in the guest bedroom, she was descending the stairs when Michelle walked into the house.

  “Hello?” she called out, before seeing Elizabeth on her way down.

  “Hey.” Elizabeth smiled, bouncing down the steps. “You ready?”

  “Your brothers are insane. They were competing to see who could move more boxes, and packed the moving van already.”

  Elizabeth shook her head but laughed at how efficient their sibling rivalry could be. She had a feeling her parents encouraged the competition to get their chores done faster, before they started beating each other up.

  “Do you have more boxes out in your car?” Elizabeth asked, looking out at the white sports car Michelle refused to trade in. By winter, Elizabeth had a feeling she would be changing her mind.

  “Don’t worry about me.” Michelle set down a box in the middle of the living room. “You have plenty to do.”

  Elizabeth pulled the keys to the house out of her bag and passed them to Michelle. “Here you go.”

  Michelle held the keys in her hand, staring at them before looking up with tears in her eyes. “Thank you, Elizabeth. Really, thank you for everything.”

  “Of course!” Elizabeth reached out to her to hide her own tears. The two women held onto each other before letting go. Over the past months, Michelle had worked at rebuilding her relationships with Lucy and Adam, and in doing so, became a good friend to Elizabeth. The two women had hardly anything in common except for Lucy, but that’s all they needed. Elizabeth became Michelle’s greatest supporter, helping her find a job at the library and introducing her to her family. And in return, Michelle had kept her word. She had rented a summer cottage for the past month, continued to stay sober, and became part of their new family. But as the weather turned colder she needed to find another place, and Adam finally convinced Elizabeth it was time for her to move to the farm.

  Adam had been wary of Michelle and Elizabeth’s friendship. His trust in Michelle still had a long way to go, but Elizabeth believed in Michelle, just like she did with Lucy. She believed he’d get there some day.

  “Well, I guess I better head to the farm.” Elizabeth couldn’t believe this was it.

  “Good luck with Harry and Anne.” Michelle pretended to shiver. Adam’s parents had not warmed up to the idea of Michelle being back, but were willing to let it go since Elizabeth could be such good friends with her. “Tell your family thanks again, for me.”

  “I will.” Elizabeth stalled for a second longer in front of the door. “Call if you need anything.”

  Michelle smiled then waved at her. “Shoo.”

  Elizabeth stepped out, with the last box in her arms, onto the front stoop. She looked out onto Weathervane Drive. She was really moving to the farm with Adam and Lucy. This was really happening.

  THREE FOLDING TABLES sat in the middle of the screened-in porch to make room for everyone to sit. All of Elizabeth’s and his family sat together, except for Lucy. She took her lunch from the swinging bench on the other side of the porch, refusing to move Joan from her lap until she woke.

  “She needs to rest. She’s been through a lot today,” Lucy explained when Adam asked why she didn’t just move Joan.

  Elizabeth fluttered around the table, like she did during every meal, making sure everyone had everything they needed.

  “Dad, do you want more bread?” she asked, holding out the bread basket to John.

  “Yes, thank you.” He grabbed a slice
and buttered it.

  “Do you have more salad dressing?” Lauren asked, holding up an empty container.

  “Yes, let me go grab it.”

  “Elizabeth, sit,” Adam tried to reach out, but missed her as she walked back into the kitchen.

  “Thanks,” Lauren said as Elizabeth came back. She returned her attention to his sister Emerson, who came up from the city. “So, where do you live in Boston?”

  “In Southie, right on Telegraph.”

  “Oh, that’s a great location.” The two sisters continued to talk about restaurants in the area.

  Elizabeth scurried past him with the butter dish and he tugged her close to him. “Elizabeth, sit down and join us.”

  She looked out at the table. “I will.”

  He knew she was about to flutter away, so he pulled her into his lap, refusing to let her go. She put her arm around his neck and put the butter dish down next to her empty plate. She kissed his cheek and then hugged him, resting her head on top of his.

  “And you said you came with a lot of baggage.” Her eyes moved in the direction of everyone sitting at the table.

  “No worse than the seventeen degrees of separation we have with Patrick Henry?” Adam said wryly, looking out at his parents discussing their lineage with the crowd.

  “I love you.” She leaned over and kissed him lightly on the lips.

  He smiled as they separated. “I love you, too.”

  “Ohh!” The mothers ogled.

  “Get a room!” Matt shouted from the other end.

  Justine rolled her eyes,

  Adam raised his hand and then stood up keeping Elizabeth by his side. “Lucy, want to join us for this?”

  “Join you for what?” Her focus was on petting Joan.

  “Lu.” He jerked his head at her and blinked his eyes twice, hard, so she’d get it. She moved Joan aside without another word and sat in Elizabeth’s empty seat. Adam smiled as the chatter died down, and Elizabeth looked at him in wonder. The butterflies in his stomach now felt like raging bulls.

  “I wanted to thank everyone for coming and helping us out today.” He started to feel dizzy as he spoke. His mouth suddenly parched.

  “We’re happy to help, honey,” his mother said, holding up her spritzer.

  “Here, here,” her father said, holding up his own whiskey.

  “We’re glad somebody wanted to take her,” teased Jack from the other end, as Lauren jabbed him in the stomach with her elbow. “Ouch.”

  “Ha, ha,” Elizabeth said back, but returned her attention to Adam.

  “And there was a reason why I was so persistent in getting you all up here today.” Adam could feel his hand shaking as he reached into his jeans pocket. “Because I wanted everyone to be part of this moment.”

  He turned to Elizabeth and grabbed her hands. In the background, he heard Lauren gasp. He tried to keep his focus on Elizabeth even though from the corner of his eye he saw his mother, nodding her head as his knee hit the ground. His father said, “Attaboy!” once he held out the ring, letting go of Elizabeth’s hands. She immediately covered her mouth, laughing.

  “Dr. Elizabeth Sarah Williams, will you marry me?”

  “Say yes!” Lucy yelled out, making the whole room burst into laughter.

  Elizabeth pulled him up on his feet, her eyes sparkling. She had never looked more beautiful than she did at that moment.

  “Yes! I say yes!”

  The screen porch erupted in celebration as Adam took Elizabeth into his arms and kissed her.

  EVERYONE CONGRATULATED them before they went home. By the time the sun began to set, Elizabeth was exhausted. She and Lucy walked to the barn and brought the animals in from the fields. Ella acted a bit temperamental and wanted to stay out in the pasture and play.

  “Not tonight,” Lucy scolded her. “It’s time for bed.”

  The foal trotted around her, dodging Lucy, but as soon as she saw Anastasia follow Elizabeth into the barn, she charged ahead to catch up to her momma.

  Mildred and Bessie guarded the goat’s gate, having herded their charges in earlier. The new puppy definitely had some sheep dog in her. With the animals locked in for the night, Elizabeth brought Lucy upstairs to get ready for bed.

  “Let’s wash that face of yours.” Elizabeth wet a wash cloth under the sink and snuck another glace at the ring on her finger.

  She and Adam had talked about getting married, but she hadn’t expected him to propose. Now. That night. And of course he did it perfectly, exactly how she would have wanted it, with their whole family there to share in the moment, on the farm where they would spend the rest of their lives together.

  Adam had insisted they get all new stuff together. He wanted Elizabeth to decorate the house in her own style. She said it didn’t matter, but was secretly glad to get rid of the black leather couches he had from his old place. She bought three new leather chairs in front of the kitchen fireplace. It tightened the space, but she looked forward to a winter night, sipping hot cocoa together next to the fire.

  Adam appeared in the door and gave Lucy a kiss goodnight. “Time to get to sleep.”

  “Ahh, come on, one chapter?” Lucy begged.

  “Lu, it’s already been a long day and you’ve stayed up way past your bedtime,” Adam insisted.

  Lucy turned to Elizabeth, her eyes pleading.

  “One chapter and then bed,” Elizabeth said with a fake sternness. She ignored Adam shaking his head at her.

  As Elizabeth read at Lucy’s bedside, she couldn’t believe she could fit any more joy into her life. As she closed the book, Lucy looked as wide awake as she had earlier.

  “Not tired?” Elizabeth said, holding the book on her lap.

  “Will I have to wait until you get married before I can call you Mom?” Lucy asked, her face serious, almost concerned. The question made the joy grow even more. She had hoped Lucy would at least drop the Doctor part of her name, but to be called mom made the joy almost hurt.

  “You can call me whatever you want.” Elizabeth leaned over and squeezed her.

  “Because, you can call me your daughter, if you want.” Lucy’s eyes showed apprehension, as though Elizabeth might say no.

  “I already consider you family. I’d love to call you my daughter.”

  Her worry immediately disappeared. “I talked to Michelle about it, and she said she was cool sharing the name ‘Mom’ with you.”

  Elizabeth smiled. Michelle had given her more than just a shot with Adam. She was open to Elizabeth and Lucy’s relationship being strong and for that she would be forever grateful.

  Lucy wrapped her arms around Elizabeth and kissed her on the cheek, then stuffed herself under the covers. Elizabeth pulled the covers tighter around her and leaned over one last time to kiss her on the forehead. Lucy took the book and opened it back up.

  “Want the light on for now?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “Good night, Lucy,” Elizabeth said, shutting her door.

  “Good night, Mom,” Lucy said, with her head already in the book.

  Elizabeth held her hand over her heart, making sure it wasn’t about to explode as she stood outside the door, taking in the moment.

  “You coming?” Adam shouted up from the bottom of the stairs.

  “Be patient,” she said as she walked down the creaky staircase, remembering the first time she had seen Lucy on these steps all that time ago.

  Adam waited at the bottom. He held a glowing lantern, and offered his hand as she stepped down.

  “What are you up to?” she asked, narrowing her eyes with suspicion.

  “You’ll see.” He opened the screen door. Night held onto the last of the summer air, but she still shivered. “Don’t worry, I have blankets.”

  She stepped out onto the porch and the whole back yard was lit with candles and lights strung along the fences. He walked her to the chairs set up in front of the fire pit. Flames crackled as sparks flew up and disappeared into the night sky.


  “It’s perfect,” she whispered.

  He pulled her into his arms and they began to sway from side to side, dancing in the grass, the chirping of crickets the only music. Elizabeth rested her head on his shoulder, and they moved in sync with each other.

  “I could never sleep before you came,” he said, and she could feel the vibrations of his voice against her cheek, resting on his chest. “I always made excuses that it was the noise, or lack of noise, or the bed, or whatever.”

  He continued to slowly twirl her in a circle, keeping to the cadence of the night’s sounds.

  “But then I met you and I started sleeping better. I felt better. Everything became better with you.”

  “We need a sign.” Elizabeth looked at the house, to the porch’s empty wall.

  “A welcome sign?” he asked.

  “No, one of those signs with a saying, something like ‘Life’s better with you’.” She could picture it in her head. “That way, every time we’re out here, we’ll remember how much love was here tonight.”

  Adam stopped dancing and cupped her chin in his hands, leaned down, and kissed her.

  Safe with You

  One

  Rachael laid all the money she could afford for a ticket on the counter. “One way to Camden Cove.”

  The gentleman behind the dividing glass dragged the cash across the counter and counted it out, his attention on the computer screen. “Want a receipt?”

  “No thanks.” She adjusted her baseball cap as far down as possible, looking over her shoulder.

  Then he looked up. It only took a second for his expression to change. He squinted to get a better look at her freshly swollen black eye. She eyed him back, challenging his stare, which made him look away. She’d put on her sunglasses, even if they hurt her face.

  He slid over her ticket and she swiped it up without another word. With her sunglasses back on, she walked to the bus terminal. She’d wear them the whole rest of the ride, even as the sky darkened from the storm brewing over the city.

  With each step, she checked behind her looking for Nick, trying to find his face among the crowd. Could he be out there? She knew he’d come looking for her as soon as he figured out she left.