A Simple Misunderstanding (Corbin's Bend)

by Kathryn R. Blake

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Hello?”

  “Mom? It’s Elly.”

  Silence. “Eleanor, what a surprise. However, as usual you called at a rather inconvenient time. I was just leaving. I only picked up the phone because I thought you might be the caterer. We’re having a party Saturday night.”

  Her mother’s parties were social occasions filled with dozens of influential people getting elegantly intoxicated. Not at all what she needed. “Oh. Okay. I won’t keep you then.”

  “How’s Arthur. I always did think he was good for you. Hopefully, he’s managed to curb your impulsiveness over the past six months. He writes us occasionally, did you know? Well, he sends us e-mails, but it’s almost the same thing.”

  “No. He didn’t tell me.”

  “We never hear from you, so it’s nice to learn some of the things you two are doing. Are you enjoying Colorado and Caleb’s Bend?”

  “It’s Corbin’s Bend, Mom. Colorado is colder than Connecticut. Drier, too.”

  “Well, thank you for the weather report, dear, but I must run. Was there anything important you wished to discuss with me?”

  Only that my husband nearly killed me and I’m going to file for a divorce, so I may be homeless in a few months; however, I suppose you wouldn’t consider those trifling details important. “No. Sorry to bother you. Enjoy your party.”

  “Oh, we will. Good-bye.”

  “Bye.”

  With that door firmly shut in her face, Elly rubbed her pounding head and dialed Brent next.

  “Jerry, glad you called. I have the papers Elly needs to sign. Unfortunately, they’re rather detailed, so they will take her awhile. I’ll bring them over around six, if that’s okay with you?”

  At a loss, Elly realized Brent couldn’t help her. No one could. “That should be fine, Brent.”

  “Elly! What’s wrong? Are you all right?”

  Tears clogged her throat as her dull, throbbing headache sharpened into a migraine. “I’m sorry. I need to go. See you at six.”

  She quickly hung up and didn’t answer the phone when it rang again. Instead, she went into her bedroom and checked her purse. Only fifty dollars cash and her credit cards were all under Arthur’s name. He’d insisted she cancel the ones she’d procured before they got married, and he refused to let her apply for any new cards under her married name. Finances were his responsibility, so he would provide her with everything she’d need.

  Fifty dollars wouldn’t be enough to cover one night’s stay in even the sleaziest motel in Colorado, and she didn’t own a car. Arthur didn’t approve of her driving, either. Trapped by her lack of foresight, Elly sat on the edge of the bed and held her piercing head in her hands. She wasn’t often plagued by migraines, but when she got them, they debilitated her until sleep was her only recourse.

  Knuckles rapped at the door in firm persistence. “Elly, it’s Brent. Let me in, please.”

  With her eyes closed against the light, she stumbled into the living room so she wouldn’t have to shout, but didn’t open the door. “Jerry’s in the clinic, Brent. I’m not dressed and my head hurts, so I’m going to go back to bed. I need to sleep for a while. Sorry for disturbing you.”

  “Elly, I know you’re scared, but we have options. Let me in and we’ll talk.”

  “No, Brent. I don’t mean to be rude, but please go away. I’d rather not be with anyone right now.”

  “Did you take anything?”

  “What?”

  “Did you take anything to help you sleep?”

  In the snap of two fingers, she realized what had him so worried. “No. I’m not suicidal, just tired.” And unhappy, and upset, and scared, and in pain, and….

  “Promise me you’re only going to rest and won’t do anything drastic, and I’ll leave.”

  Elly had heard Brent was a bit of a mother hen and couldn’t help but smile at his genuine concern for her.

  “I promise, Daddy Carmichael.”

  A sigh followed by a reluctant chuckle. “Careful, kitten. Daddy owns a whole arsenal of paddles that will make you want to bite that saucy tongue of yours.”

  Though Elly didn’t doubt he spoke the truth, she also knew Brent Carmichael wouldn’t think of laying a hand on her without Jerry’s express permission, much less a paddle. However, Charmagne Kendle, Brent’s current girlfriend, had most likely received a close-up and personal demonstration of Brent’s entire inventory by now. She smiled at the image of Char’s expression if she’d heard Brent’s softly spoken threat, then winced. “Sorry, but I’m fine, and I won’t do anything drastic. Promise.”

  “Better. See you at six.”

  * * * *

  Elly awakened to the sound of voices talking quietly in the living room. She glanced over at the clock on her bedside table. Six PM. Wow, that migraine really did knock her out. The pain was reduced to a dull ache above her left eye, now. Slipping out of bed, she drew on the clothes she’d laid out earlier and got dressed.

  “I’m worried. Think we should get Marcus over here to take a look at her?” Elly recognized the concerned voice as Brent’s.

  “No. At least not yet. We had a discussion earlier that upset her. I don’t think she slept well in the hospital either, so I’m pleased she was finally able to sleep today.”

  “But all day, Jerry? Fine. Were you aware she called me earlier?”

  “No. What did she want?”

  “I’m not sure, since she refused to say, although I got the impression she was considering running.”

  Jerry groaned.

  “What did you say to her?”

  “Lots of things, but in essence I threatened a good, old-fashioned bare bottom spanking for her recent defiance. However, I also intimated we might need to find her somewhere else to stay.”

  “Now why would you go say something like that?”

  “Because I want what’s best for her, Brent, and if she won’t obey me about simple rules intended for her health, we need to place her with someone who will keep her in line better than I can.”

  “Ah. And you’re afraid you’ll hurt her.”

  “Of course I am. But I’m not going to sit back and let her run me over like a freight train, either. She thinks she can wrap me around her little finger.”

  “She can.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence, friend.”

  “You’re welcome, but I didn’t mean it as an insult. You’re a gentle man, Jerry. You want to make things better, not cause harm, and there’s nothing wrong with that. You’ve had strong feelings for Elly Benson since you first laid eyes on her. It tore you up inside to watch her being abused, so now you’re trying to make up for it by giving her the rope and distance you think she needs. But what if she were an animal who’d been mistreated by its owner? Would you let a cat or dog roam about unfettered and unrestricted for fear of causing it more harm?”

  “No. Of course not.”

  “No. Because you understand animals need boundaries to feel safe. Elly already feels safe with you, now you have to discover what she needs to feel loved and desired. You won’t be able to do it all on your own. No one could. Setting and enforcing guidelines to assure her she’ll be protected under your care is a good start, but once we break her legal ties to Arthur, you need to let the lady know she’s more than a bird with a broken wing to you. And threatening to place her in a new nest is one of the worst things you could have done for that girl’s self-image. I’m surprised she didn’t beg you for a spanking instead.”

  “She did. Last night. But I don’t think she meant it.”

  “I did.” Elly strode into the room holding Jerry’s thong. Both men turned to stare at her.

  “I don’t want to be with anyone else, Jerry, but I’m afraid if I stay here you’ll only end up hating me. And losing your friendship would hurt me far worse than a paddling with this thing.” She tossed the thong onto the coffee table.

  “Is that what you threatened to spank her with?” Brent asked as
Jerry strode over to Elly. “You are a soft touch, Douglas.”

  Ignoring his friend, Jerry reached up to put the back of his hand to Elly’s forehead, but she clasped his fingers in hers to prevent the physical assessment. “I’m fine. Honest. I had a migraine earlier, but I’m better now.”

  He gave a nod and led her over to sit on the couch beside him. “I want to talk more about what you said a few seconds ago, but Brent came with some papers for you to fill out and sign, if you’re up to it.”

  “Sure.”

  Brent gave her a grin, and she smiled back, grateful to him for his insight and understanding.

  * * * *

  They moved to the kitchen table, where Brent laid out the restraining order, deposition, petition for divorce, case information and court summons forms Elly needed to fill out. She glanced down at the papers, suddenly overwhelmed by the action she was taking. These would serve as the final nails in the coffin of her marriage, and she was the hammer driving them in.

  “Where is he?” she asked, her throat tight.

  “Benson’s in jail right now for committing a hit and run, damaging community property and engaging in menacing behavior by irresponsibly firing a weapon in a public area. He’s called a lawyer, but we intend to request the judge refuse him bail by asserting he’s still a danger to others. Unfortunately, I doubt we’ll gain much traction there.”

  Afraid of what Arthur might do if he returned, Elly posed her next question. “Do you think he’ll try to come back to Corbin’s Bend?”

  “He’ll need some of his things, I’m sure, but he won’t be allowed to wander, and he will most likely be under police escort the entire time. He won’t hurt anyone else here again, Elly. We’ll make certain of it, I promise.”

  “What’s going to happen after I fill these out?”

  “The restraining order is intended to keep him away from you—legally. The case information document, petition and summons are all needed for your divorce. The deposition paperwork is your official declaration to the police, stating what happened. Normally, that form would be filled out by a law enforcement officer at his station, but I have some friends at Boulder PD whom I managed to convince time was of the essence and you were in no condition to make a trip. One of them offered to come with me tonight, but I requested to be allowed to do this with you privately. The police witnessed how Arthur threatened you, Elly. They don’t doubt your word, but having your statement in writing makes it a matter of public record.”

  Public record. Her accusation would serve as a blot on Arthur’s official profile. He would be publicly shamed by this, by her. When she hesitated, Jerry sat beside her and held her hand.

  “He did this to himself, Elly. It’s not your fault. None of this was your fault.”

  She glanced over at him. “I’m still his wife, Jerry.”

  Jerry drew back an inch. “And I’d like us to change that as soon as possible. We can’t contemplate a future together if you remain tied to Arthur. But as I said, the choice is yours. You need to decide where you want to be in a few months, and with whom.”

  Elly nodded and reached for the pen Brent held out, except he didn’t let go, so she met his gaze.

  “Fill in what you can, but don’t sign anything. All right?”

  At her nod, he released the pen into her grasp and she started to write.

  The two men gave her space, but remained in the room with her, offering silent support. She thought this would be easy. She was wrong. Though Elly had no desire to return to Arthur, she didn’t wish him ill, either. Her fingers trembled as she wrote about the things he did to her, but she didn’t stop. If she stopped, she might not be able to muster the courage she needed to continue.

  “I convened a meeting of the housing board today, and we voted to evict Arthur. We’re aware he’s acquired some influential friends, but the law is on our side. As far as I’m concerned, he’s no longer a member of Corbin’s Bend.”

  “What about his shares?” Jerry asked. “He owns equity in the community, and from the little I’ve seen, he’s not the sort to accept defeat easily, with or without grace.”

  “We’ll buy him out at a reasonable price. His contract stipulates we control who can purchase his shares. He can try to fight us in court, but as I said, he not only broke the rules of Corbin’s Bend, but the laws of Colorado. I don’t think there are many lawyers who’d want to take his case.”

  “But you said he can come back to pick up some of his things,” Elly repeated, not sure she wanted to be here when he did.

  “He’ll be allowed to collect a few personal items from your house under supervision, but those will be limited to his clothes and grooming aids. Any belongings considered communal property must remain in place until the details of your divorce have been determined.”

  “What about me? I don’t own any shares in Corbin’s Bend, so I have even less right to be here than Arthur.”

  Jerry opened his mouth to respond, but Brent held up his hand to stop him.

  “Do you want to be here, Elly?”

  “What difference does that make?”

  “Answer my question, please.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t belong here. I won’t be happy, and I’m going to make others miserable as a result.”

  Brent sat back in his chair. “Do you want to stay married to Arthur?”

  She glanced down at the paperwork she’d started to fill out and shook her head again. Even if she didn’t belong in Corbin’s Bend, she no longer wanted to be married to Arthur. The only man she wanted right now was Jerry, except being with him would only end up hurting them both.

  “Then I suggest you finish filling out those forms. You’re among friends here, which means you’re safe. Let’s tackle one problem at a time, and our first problem is getting Arthur out of your life. All right?”

  Recognizing he’d made a valid point, Elly tried to focus on the pages before her, but the words all swam together.

  “Let’s leave her in peace for a moment,” Brent suggested, taking Jerry’s arm. “You and I can step out front to talk.”

  She could tell Jerry wanted to object, but he reluctantly followed his mentor outside while Elly grappled with her runaway emotions and settled down to the task before her.

  By the time she had the last form nearly completed, Brent returned to the kitchen. Jerry wasn’t with him. She glanced toward the door with a frown. Where did he go?

  “Almost done?”

  Blinking back tears, Elly realized Jerry preferred not to be with her right now, so she nodded. Her body aching and her spirit defeated, the dull pounding in Elly’s head merely added to her misery.

  Drawing a cell phone from his pocket, Brent made a call. “Jonathon, it’s Brent. Can you come over now? Thanks.” He hung up.

  Elly glanced up in alarm.

  Noting her reaction, he said, “I requested Jonathon Travers be available this evening to join us.”

  Though Elly had never met Jonathon Travers, she knew he was the Housing Board Secretary for Corbin’s Bend. What she couldn’t comprehend was the reason Brent had asked him to come over tonight. “Why?”

  “Legal documents require notarization, Elly, and Jonathon’s a notary. You need to sign the forms in his presence so he can notarize your signature. Relax. He won’t be reading anything you wrote.”

  Jerry stopped at the kitchen door, hands pressed deep into his back pockets. The sense of relief flooding through Elly at Jerry’s presence made her lightheaded. She released her breath, unaware she’d been holding it. Though she suspected he was still unhappy with her, he’d returned and that was all that mattered to her. She gazed at him in silent appeal, but he merely gave her a nod, then stepped over to a cabinet and took down some glasses.

  “What would you like to drink Brent?”

  “Truthfully? A beer, but I’ll take whatever you’ve got.”

  Jerry removed two dark bottles from the refrigerator. “Elly, what would you like?”

 
She’d already told him what she wanted, but this wasn’t about her, was it? “Cola?”

  He removed a can from the refrigerator, added ice to one of the glasses, poured, then set both the glass and the can beside her. Next, he opened the bottles of beer, handed Brent one and tapped the neck of his bottle against Brent’s. “To happier days. Cheers.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Jonathon Travers joined the party, but declined a drink. Instead, he sat at the table beside Elly.

  “I was taught never to speak ill of others, but your husband is one cold-hearted bastard, Mrs. Benson. Any man who deliberately hurts and kills an animal deserves the death penalty in my opinion.”

  “Here, here,” Jerry said, taking another swallow of his beer.

  Jonathon opened the small case he’d brought to remove his seal and an inked stamp. “When you’re ready, I’ll notarize your signature and get out of your hair. I’m sure you have other, far more pleasant things you’d rather be doing.”

  “Thank you.” Mere seconds later, her petition for a divorce was signed and notarized.

  Elly thought she’d experience remorse or relief, but was overcome by numbness instead.

  His eyes alight with an understanding smile, Jonathon gave her a gentle peck on the cheek, assured her things would get better and slipped out as quietly as he came in.

  “That’s it for now,” Brent announced as he slid the documents inside a manila envelope, then with a few more words of farewell to Jerry, he also left. The house seemed ominously still when it was only the two of them again. Elly missed Muffin, but suspected getting her back wasn’t an option right now.

  “I’ll fix dinner,” Jerry announced.

  Elly stood. “I’ll help.”

  “No. You can go sit in the living room until I call you.”

  “But—”

  He whirled around. “Elly, I’m not in the mood for any sass right now, so I’d greatly appreciate it if you’d do as I requested for once. I’ve asked Marcus to come over later to check you out, so you can rest until he gets here.”