by Julie Allan
Guest after guest found their way to Lizzie, singing the praises of her food and the beauty of the cake. Bennett brought both her and Aunt Dorothy drinks and plates of food and the three sat together watching the crowd. Mr. and Mrs. Lee came over. Mrs. Lee said, “Lizzie, you surpassed our expectations. We have heard rave after rave about the food.”
“All in a day’s work,” Lizzie smiled at the happy couple.
“So, where are you two headed for your honeymoon?” Bennett asked.
“We are off to exotic Antigua but we are staying tonight at the inn at Two Meeting Street,” answered Mr. Lee.
“Sounds romantic doesn’t it?” chimed in Aunt Dorothy. “By the way, I have put your bag in the limo so you are set to go.”
“Thank you so much, Dorothy,” Mrs. Lee said. “I suppose we better move on to cut the cake,” she added.
They watched as the two moved to the cake table and a crowd gathered around. Bennett headed back to the bar for a refill and after a while Lizzie became aware that he had not returned. She scanned the hall and saw him talking with a vivacious brunette who was laughing at whatever he was saying and her eyes narrowed as Lizzie noticed she kept putting her hand on Bennett’s arm in a very familiar way. He was obviously enjoying himself and Lizzie’s self-doubt came back in full force. He will probably end up with her and they will have beautiful children who wear coordinating smocked dresses, she thought.
“Who is that talking with Bennett?” she asked.
“That is Vivian, Mr. Lee’s niece from Cheraw. His sister’s daughter. She dated Bennett a few summers ago when she did an internship in Tommy’s office,” Aunt Dorothy answered.
Lizzie felt her face turn hot. She had not realized she had asked the question out loud. But now that she realized Aunt Dorothy was in the know, she pressed her for more information.
“So she’s an attorney? How serious were they? Does she live here?” She rapidly fired off the questions that were swirling around in her brain.
“Yes, not particularly and I believe she is back in Cheraw in her own law practice,” Aunt Dorothy replied. “Anything else your inquisitive mind is wondering about?”
“No ma’am,” Lizzie answered uncomfortably. “How about if I fetch us some cake?” Without waiting for an answer, Lizzie got up and moved across the hall to the cake table.
Mrs. Wilson came in from her left and gave her a side hug, “Lizzie, this cake is remarkable! This is the best food I have had at an event in years! Would you consider handling my mother’s one hundredth birthday party this fall?”
“Of course I would. Nana Gowdy is dear to my heart,” Lizzie answered and to herself thought, I bet Vivian doesn’t even know Nana Gowdy.
Lizzie collected the cake and a few more compliments and as she returned to the table she was pleased to see Bennett had rejoined them, minus the lovely Vivian. But she threw up a wall of defense mostly out of reflex and after dropping off the cake, pretended to check in with her staff and visit with other acquaintances around the room.
She carefully packed a special basket with samplings from the food table and a generous piece of cake and stowed it with the bags already in the limo. Shortly after, Amy’s children circulated among the guests handing out bubbles to blow at the happy couple when they made their escape to the suite awaiting them downtown.
When the newlyweds finally made their departure, the guests lingered, not wanting an end to the reception and soon many were making plans to carry the party to a new location. Bennett approached and asked if she was ready to go.
“Um, would you mind taking Aunt Dorothy home? I want to help my staff wrap things up here and get every thing back to The Biscuit Box,” she explained, aware that Bennett was studying her intensely with his piercing eyes.
She glanced at him momentarily then settled her eyes on the floor. He stared at her for what seemed to be a long time, and then finally responded. “Sure, okay.” Without another word, he headed over to collect Aunt Dorothy.
Bennett headed out to pull the car up. Before Aunt Dorothy followed him out, she swung by where Lizzie was standing and made herself busy with packing up supplies.
Aunt Dorothy leaned in close and said, “I would say your jealousy is matching the green of your frock, child. I would rethink the path you just put yourself on.” Then without another word, she kissed Lizzie on the forehead and walked away.
Lizzie felt tears well up in her eyes, but she blinked them away. Grabbing an apron, she put it on to protect her dress and put herself in work mode. It was well after ten when she had finished, transporting, cleaning and putting away all the things she had hauled over to the church. Well, at least there wasn’t any food to bring back. The guests had consumed most of it and out of what little was left, she had packed an assortment for the newlyweds. She had let the servers polish off the rest of it as they cleaned up.
When she finally got home, Aunt Dorothy had gone to bed. Lizzie was relieved as she had been bracing herself for a lecture on how she had treated Bennett. How different she felt from twenty-four hours before. After the rehearsal, she had been sure she and Bennett would slip right into romance at the wedding. Instead, she was sure she had ruined her last chance. Her sleep was not restful as she tossed and turned and dreamed of Bennett dancing away from her with Vivian.
Chapter Eighteen
A few weeks had passed and Lizzie had not heard from Bennett. He hadn’t even made his usual stops by The Biscuit Box. Lizzie felt herself sinking like a stone in the pluff mud. She had screwed things up again.
One evening Aunt Dorothy quietly patted her hand across the table and said, “Lizzie, inertia will get you nowhere. Only you can fix this and you need to do so soon, for both our sakes.”
She had graciously given Lizzie space since the wedding and had not inquired how things stood with Bennett. Now Aunt Dorothy was stepping in. She knew Lizzie had slid from contemplation to defeatism. Lizzie smiled back at her weakly and felt the tears begin to slide down her cheeks. Before she knew it she was wracked with sobs and Aunt Dorothy had moved around behind her enveloping her with her embrace. Once she had cried herself out, she sat up and said, “I need to come up with a plan.”
“Yes, you do child, yes you do,” Aunt Dorothy replied.
Lizzie mulled it over for a few more days and then called Amy and M.A. to arrange a girl’s night out. She needed to run her idea past her confidants and get any inside information Amy might have that would help her in her endeavor to win Bennett back once and for all.
Friday night the three friends met on the deck of one of their favorite beachside bars. It overlooked the volleyball nets on the Isle of Palms and Lizzie spilled her guts about her true feelings and the plan she was formulating to win Bennett’s heart.
“So, what do you think?” she asked.
“Well I think you have his heart already. It’s his mind you need to convince. I think he is unsure he can have your heart—that is what you need to convey to him,” Amy thoughtfully responded.
“I think the food part is a no brainer. Who can resist your cooking?” M.A. added.
“So, do you think he will come?” Lizzie asked.
“I know he will come. He is like a moth to a flame where you are concerned,” Amy answered.
“Gee, thanks,” Lizzie said.
“I don’t mean you’re destructive. I just mean he can’t resist you,” Amy explained, laying a hand on her arm reassuringly.
“You’re sure he has no interest in that Vivian or anyone else?” she probed.
“Absolutely not,” Amy insisted. “He was never serious about Vivian, and there is no one else,” she reassured Lizzie.
“Now you better move on this plan soon. I want to make you my sister-in-law as soon as possible,” Amy added.
“Plus, I want a chance to be part of a wedding where the groom actually likes me,” M.A. exclaimed.
“Thanks, girls. I don’t know what I would do without you,” Lizzie said. The three friends finished their drinks and looked out over the sand to the waves as the sunlight faded into dusk.
She selected Saturday as the night to implement the plan. That way, if it was a disaster, she could hide in her bed on Sunday to recover. She had gone home from The Biscuit Box at noon to shower and change. She had put on her white capri pants and her signature green halter top. She went back half an hour before closing time and sent her employees home, telling them she was going to close up.
She carefully dressed a table for two in the center of the dining room, complete with candles. In the kitchen, she began preparing a special meal, all of Bennett’s favorites—pan-fried flounder with a brown butter sauce, Carolina gold rice and a dark leafy green salad with homemade vinaigrette. She had planned his favorite apple pie for dessert, and would serve it with homemade ice cream.
She put the pie in the oven, the rice in the steamer and got the fish ready to go in the pan. Knowing, via Amy, he was finishing up on one of his charter boats, she called.
“Hello,” Bennett said.
“Hey, Bennett. It’s me,” Lizzie heard herself say lamely.
“I know. Your name shows up with your number,” Bennett said.
“Um ... I hate to bother you. I know you are not my landlord any more, but I am having a little trouble with what I suspect is a leak. Any chance you can swing by and take a look?” she asked.
“Uh, yeah, I am about to leave from the marina, so I should be there in about twenty or so.”
“Great. I left the front door unlocked, so just come on in. I might be back in the office when you get here,” she said, pleased her ploy had worked.
“Okay, see you in a few,” he said, and hung up.
Lizzie felt panic wash over her. She rushed back to the front to light the candles on the table and placed a card with his name on the plate closest to the door. She hurried back to the kitchen and peeked in at the pie. It was beginning to get a golden hue on the crust but not quite set in the middle. She put some oil and butter in a pan and turned on the burner. Lizzie decided to put the exhaust fan on as well. She did not want a fishy smell to take over the kitchen.
The salad! Lizzie flew to the walk-in cooler and yanked on the old ornery handle and walked in to gather the greens for the salad. She stood for a moment enjoying the effect the cool air was having on her composure. She scanned the shelves to see if there were any other ingredients she needed. Satisfied she had what she needed, she pushed on the release handle on the inside of the door. It fell right through the door and clattered onto the kitchen floor.
Lizzie froze in shock. She was shut in the cooler! Her mind raced as she looked around for anything she might use to help her get the door open. Setting down the greens, she threw her weight against the door. That only resulted in a bruised shoulder. She looked for something to put down into the door mechanism, but the best she could find was a twisty tie that had been around the greens. She straightened it out and attempted to use it to catch the latch, but after a few unsuccessful attempts, it slipped from her hand and disappeared down into the inner cavity of the door.
She felt herself begin to shiver from the cold. Through the hole where the handle used to be, she could hear the pan with the oil and butter sizzling. Great, she thought. I can see the headline now, ‘Love Sick Woman Freezes to Death in Fire.’ Surely Bennett would be here soon. He’d see what a disaster she truly was and walk away from her forever! Get a grip, Lizzie, you can get yourself out of this.
Unbeknownst to her, Bennett had just entered the front of the building and taken in the table set for two. He began reading the heartfelt declaration Lizzie had written out, because she knew she wouldn’t have the guts to say it.
Dear Bennett,
Sorry does not seem adequate enough a word to say. I wronged you all those years ago, when I misjudged you. In the past year, I have wronged you more times than I can count. The truth is, I have been afraid to admit to myself, and to you, that I am still in love with you. You have demonstrated time and time again that you are a man of integrity and honor. I don’t deserve you. If you would give me another chance, I want to become the woman you can be proud to call your own. If there is even an inkling that we have a chance, please sit down and pour the wine. I will join you soon with a meal I hope you will never forget.
Love, Lizzie
Bennett sat down. He could hear clanging sounds coming from the kitchen and he smiled. He poured the wine into the two glasses on the table. In the kitchen the pan on the stove had reached rock melting temperatures and the smoke, despite the efforts of the exhaust fan, finally set off the fire alarm.
Bennett burst in the kitchen, looked around wildly, and quickly spotted the pan. Grabbing the fire extinguisher hanging on the wall, he quickly put out the grease fire that had begun and turned off the stove. He looked around and began to worry when he did not see Lizzie.
“Lizzie?” he called.
Lizzie weakly called back, “I’m in the cooler.”
The exhaust fan made it too hard for Bennett to hear her so he called again, looking in the office and bathroom. He called louder, then again. Finally he walked over and turning off the exhaust fan. He heard a faint voice and his eyes settled on the broken cooler handle lying on the floor.Rushing over, he peered in the hole and their eyes met. “Hold on, Lizzie, I’ll get you out! I have some tools in the truck.” He dashed out front and came back seconds later with his tool box.
He located what he needed and took the door right off the hinges and scooped her up in his arms. She shivered uncontrollably and he vigorously rubbed her arms and back trying to encourage the blood flow.
“What the hell happened?” Bennett demanded.
“It’s that dumb cooler handle. I’ve been meaning to get it looked at. Tonight when I tried to leave the cooler, the whole dumb thing fell out,” Lizzie answered, shivering with every syllable.
He held her close and gradually her shivering subsided. “So you thought I could be reeled in with romance and flounder,” he said as he spotted the fish on the cutting board. Unfortunately, it was covered with flame retardant from the extinguisher.
“I was hoping so,” Lizzie answered meekly, not daring to look at him.
He continued to hold her tight. She did not make any effort to move away as they stood in silence for a few moments.
“I believe the fire department should be arriving any second,” Bennett said. “Your security system would have alerted them. Most likely they’ve sent someone to check things out.”
“Oh, I hadn’t thought about that,” Lizzie said, still not wanting to move out of his arms.
“I read your letter,” Bennett offered.
“Oh, and what did you think?” Lizzie asked as she peered up at him.
“Lizzie, I have loved you since we were four years old. You have had my heart all these years. That will never change. You already are the woman I would be proud to call my own. My question to you is do really feel the same? Or ... is this just a rebound from your failed marriage?”
Lizzie stepped back and looked directly at him. “Yes, I feel the same. I have loved you for as long as I can remember, and I will love you for always.” She was trembling now, but from emotion, not the cold.
“Are you sure?” he pressed.
“Yes,” she said, not breaking eye contact. “How do you know you’re sure?” he asked.
Without skipping a beat she said, “As Aunt Dorothy would say, ‘the eyes have it.’” With that, Bennett saw all he needed in those emerald green eyes staring into his. As the siren’s wail came closer, he pulled her to him and kissed her.
Book Club
Question Guide
Which character, or characters did you most connect with, and why?
How does Lizzie change
in the course of the book and what traits stayed the same?
What other characters did you see transformation in?
What theme or themes, was the author trying to convey in the telling of this story?
Do you think Aunt Dorothy was right to leave Lizzie while she was still floundering? Why or why not?
How does the the focus on the setting add or detreact to the story?
Why do you think Lizzie is so determined to think the worst of Bennett?
What emotions were evoked in you as you read?
At what point in the story did you decide if you liked the book or not? What helped you make that decision?
If you could ask the author any question what would it be?
About the Author
Author Julie Allan grew up an army brat, living a nomadic lifestyle until she landed in Charleston, South Carolina as a teenager. Now, her thirty-year love affair with the Carolina Lowcountry inspires her tales of spirited women that you’ll want to call friends. When she is not teaching elementary school or writing, you can find Julie at the beach, in the garden or hanging out with her beloved golden retrievers.
In addition to The Eyes Have It, Julie has three forthcoming Lowcountry novels. The Heart Knows It is scheduled for release in the fall of 2016. The Soul Believes It and Pearls of Wisdom will be released in 2017.
You can connect with author Julie Allan via her website, and on Twitter or Facebook. Reviews are always welcome and appreciated.