Spouse Hunting

by Scott, Lisa

  A couple people gasped.

  “Elizabeth, could you come in my office please?” Dave said, crossing his arms.

  Up went her hand. “No, Dave. I can’t be here one more day, never mind a few more decades. This really isn’t what I want. Not anymore.” She shrugged. “I don’t think it ever was. But I’m going to find out what is.”

  She went to her desk to gather the few things she might want to keep, and Dave followed her over. She turned to him. “I hope this stops any talk of layoffs. I’ve made your decision for you.”

  Dave looked at her and shrugged. “I guess you have. I’m going to miss you. Good luck, Elizabeth. I hope you won’t regret this.”

  She smiled. “I won’t.”

  When Dave went back in his office, Debbie and Theresa rushed over.

  Debbie wiped away a tear and hugged her. “What am I going to do without you?”

  Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Debbie.

  “Wow. I’m impressed. Where did that come from?” Theresa asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  Theresa quirked an eyebrow. “Couldn’t have anything to do with your spouse hunting.”

  Elizabeth playfully whacked her arm. “House hunting.”

  “If you say so.”

  She gathered up a small box of things and walked down to the registrar’s office.

  “Can I help you, dear?” asked the woman behind the desk.

  Elizabeth set down the box, took a deep breath and smiled. “Can you tell me which art classes are available for the summer session?”

  ***

  Henry did the mental math again, but he already knew he was short. With just five days left in the month, he was still one-hundred fifty thousand dollars short of the sales goal. That was just one sale. That’s all he needed. But none of his clients was even close to deciding on a house. Sure, there was some interest here and there, but the Millers wanted to see at least five more houses before deciding, so they were out. The Jacobs were on vacation. And what about Liz? He sighed, just thinking of her.

  He knew she loved that log cabin. Knew in his bones it was the right place for her. So why wasn’t she interested in it?

  And why wasn’t she interested in him?

  He called her on his cell and left a message. “Liz, it’s Henry. Have you made a decision on that log cabin? I think our second showing…went really well. If you want to make an offer you better do it soon, or you’re going to lose it.”

  But then again, if she put an offer on the house, he wouldn’t see her anymore.

  He shook off the bad feeling, busied himself the rest of the day with calls and set up a few showings. And when the receptionist told him he had a visitor at quarter to five, the last person he expected was the one he was most desperate to see.

  “Liz? Come on back to my office.” She was here during business hours. Had she ducked out of work early to come in with an offer? Then he smiled to himself as he led her down the hall. Maybe she’s here to see me.

  He knew what kind of offer he’d really like, and it didn’t involve the house. Then he noticed what she was wearing. A pair of jeans and tight sweater that showed off her assets nicely. He doubted she’d worn that to work. “What’s going on?” He closed the office door.

  She sank into one of his chairs. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking the past few days, Henry. Ever since this weekend.”

  He nodded and smiled. “I’ve been thinking about that a lot, too.”

  “I’ve also been thinking about a lot of other things. And you were right. You found me the house of me dreams. The house I never knew I wanted.”

  Henry smiled. “You’re going to be the sale that puts me over the top this month. I was waiting on one special sale, and it’s you, Elizabeth.” He stood up from his desk and walked over to her. He was pleased with the sale, but didn’t want this thing with her to end.

  She pursed her lips and shook her head. “I’m not buying the house.”

  He sat down. “Why not? You said it was perfect for you. Hell, I love that house.”

  “Henry, you helped me realize a lot of things. The type of house I want, and some things I definitely don’t want. Like buying a house alone. That’s what was missing from all those other perfect houses. I was telling myself I should buy a house for all the logical reasons. But my heart wants to wait until I have someone special to find a home with.” She pressed her hand against her chest. “You told me to listen to my heart, and when I finally did, that’s what it was telling me. A house won’t be a home if I’m there alone.”

  He shook his head and was quiet for a moment. “So, you’re going to start riding horses again.”

  She shrugged. “I’m going to give it another chance.”

  He looked at her and nodded. He hoped she would follow that up by saying she wanted to give him a chance.

  But she didn’t.

  She reached for his hand. “I’m so sorry I can’t help you break that record.”

  He shook his head and forced a smile that usually worked on most folks. “Don’t worry about it. If you’re ever back in the market, I hope you’ll think of me.”

  Elizabeth didn’t smile back. She swallowed hard and took a deep breath. “Of course I will.”

  ***

  Elizabeth went out to her car, closed her eyes and cried. She should have just told him how she felt about him. Even though it would have hurt to hear him say that he didn’t feel the same way, and that he thought she knew he was just pulling out all the stops for the sale. She’d been honest about everything else today, why not that?

  Maybe because her heart could only take so much in one day. She’d been honest enough to return to her true love—art. She’d been honest enough to admit she wanted real love back in her life. But she just wasn’t ready yet to let it back in. Because another heartbreak this early in the game could spook her off for good this time. God, she needed a drink.

  She drove out to the log cabin and parked at the end of the driveway, gazing at the house she’d love to have. But it wouldn’t be the same living there alone, especially after the time she’d spent there with Henry. And without a job, the money she’d saved for a house would go a long way supporting her through school. She couldn’t totally do away with logic. In fact, she might need to downsize her current apartment.

  Driving away, she wondered if she could erase the memories of that house and Henry and everything that happened there. Then, feeling like she wanted to start with a clean slate on all accounts, she called her sister when she got home.

  “Hello?” Julie said.

  Elizabeth heard music in the background. Steel drums? She shook her head. Whatever she had cooked up for the wedding, she had to support her. “Hi, Jules.”

  “Elizabeth!”

  Relief rushed through her at the sound of her sister’s happy voice. “I’m so sorry for the things I said. It was mean. I know you’re excited about marrying Jim. And I really want to be your maid of honor again.”

  “Oh, Elizabeth. About that…you can’t.”

  She nodded to herself. “I understand.”

  “No, you don’t. You can’t be my maid of honor…because I’m already married. Jim and I eloped! We’re in the Bahamas! We got married on the beach this morning.”

  Elizabeth’s mouth opened and closed. “But all your plans?”

  “Stupid, overboard and expensive. You were absolutely right. And when you mentioned us being able to buy a house with all that money, it got me thinking that I’ve got to be more practical like you, now that I’m getting married. Time to be a bit more responsible. So we’re going to be house hunting when we get home.” She squealed and Elizabeth could imagine her jumping up and down.

  “No. You don’t want to be practical like me. You were right. My life is a sorry mess, which is why I quit my job and signed up for art school.”

  “Shut up!”

  Elizabeth grinned. “I did. And I’m happier than ever.” But not entirely happy. Not yet. Baby step
s…

  “If only we could find you a guy.”

  “Yeah.” Oh, she’d found the guy. She just had to find the guts and the faith to tell him. And she still wasn’t sure that was going to happen.

  “Gotta go, Elizabeth. We’re swimming with dolphins in a little while and then…who knows? Love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  Too bad she wasn’t brave enough to tell Henry the same thing. Because it was true.

  Chapter 13

  Henry scanned the print out for the log cabin. It was a shame she wasn’t going to buy it. It was a steal for the price. Four acres of land; that pond and that guest house. He knew Liz felt at home there. Hell, so did he. It had been depressing to go back to his dinky apartment that weekend. Alone.

  You should buy it. That surprised the hell out of him.

  He set down the print out and walked over to his window. He could buy it. He’d been scrimping and saving to open his business. Something he hadn’t thought about too much since meeting Liz. Sure, he was preoccupied with beating the sales record, but he hadn’t really stopped to think about what owning his own business would really mean. If he thought he was back-against-the-wall busy now, what would it be like opening his own place…running the business, recruiting agents and still trying to list and sell properties?

  He sat down and stretched back, kicking his feet up on the desk. How long would it take before he could actually relax, enjoy his success and start a family? He told Liz she needed to unwind. He could certainly follow the same advice. Maybe there was a reason his father never opened his own office. Maybe the old man knew something Henry hadn’t realized.

  Henry tapped a finger against his chin. Why did he really want to open an office? It was to best his Dad. To do something his father hadn’t done. He set his feet on the floor. It wasn’t really about what Henry wanted at all. All this time he’d been trying to help Elizabeth discover what she wanted and he wasn’t asking himself the most basic questions.

  He hopped out of his chair and paced the office. He grabbed the print out, his car keys and the ones to the log cabin. He wanted to see what he really felt about the place. Too bad Elizabeth wasn’t around to slip her fingers over his eyes.

  He drove the fifteen minutes to the house and was consumed by a feeling of calm as he pulled up the driveway. He let himself into the house and sat in the couch, staring out over the pond. He smiled, remembering their boat ride. Groaned, remembering the hot tub. He stepped out onto the patio and surveyed the land. This really was a retreat. It was a special place that he’d love to come home to every day. He wanted more than numbers and deals in his life. He wanted what he’d had with Elizabeth. He understood what she meant about not wanting to do it alone. It would be hard to be here without her.

  His chest tightened when he thought of her. He’d thought he was just being inventive with his techniques to show her what she wanted. Never imagined he’d end up wanting the real deal, wanting her. He crossed his arms and blew out his breath. He didn’t get the girl, but he wasn’t going to lose the house.

  He pulled out the print out and looked it over again. If he bought the house, it would count as a sale. It would put him over the top for the month, beating his father’s record.

  He set the paper down. Suddenly that wasn’t so important anymore. That record meant more to his father than it would ever mean to him. It didn’t take long to decide he’d let him keep it. He pulled out his phone and left a message for the realtor who’d listed the log cabin.

  “Hi, it’s Henry Watson. I want to put in an offer on the log cabin, but I won’t be able to do it for a week. Let me know if any one else is interested before then.”

  He crossed his arms and decided to tour the property that would soon be his. But would he ever be able to shake away the memory of Elizabeth?

  ***

  Elizabeth finished her fourth picture of the rowboat on the pond and wondered what she’d do with them all. Was Henry angry with her for wasting so much of his time and not even getting a sale? I hope he broke that sales record.

  In the two weeks since she’d left her job, she’d been a whirlwind of activity. She made more than twenty paintings and approached two restaurants to display her work for sale. She’d already sold one for two hundred fifty dollars. She sent another one to Julie and Jim as a wedding gift.

  But realizing the painting efforts wouldn’t be enough quite yet to support herself without burning through her savings, she created a website to help artists with their publicity. She’d gotten several inquiries already and figured she could bring in some nice money each month.

  She was happy, but also a bit sad. Sad that she hadn’t made these changes sooner. But of course, she hadn’t met Henry sooner. He’d been the catalyst for all this change. He thought he was helping her find a house. He helped her find so much more.

  Except for the nagging hole in her heart she hoped to fill some day. With someone like him. She looked through her log cabin paintings again and picked out her favorite. She stood back and looked at it. Yes, she wanted to give it to him. As a thanks for his time. For the change he’d helped her find.

  She bundled up the painting and drove to his office. Would he still be there? Maybe he had broken the record after all and left the office already. She carried the painting in the office and approached the reception desk.

  “Is Henry Watson here?” Her heart was pounding. Would he always have that effect on her? Probably.

  “Just one moment,” the receptionist said.

  Her heart nearly burst when she saw his face break into a huge smile. “Liz! What are you doing here?”

  “I have something for you.”

  He looked at the package in her hands, intrigued. “Come on back to my office.”

  She followed him back, noticing the magnificent rear view, again. Ah, well.

  She sat down in one of his chairs, looked up and smiled, wondering if he could see through to her heart. She held the painting out to him. “This is for you. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to buy a house from you, and I wanted to thank you for all your help. You have no idea what it meant to me.”

  He leaned against his desk and took the painting from her. “What is this?”

  She clasped her knees. “A painting. For your new office.”

  His mouth opened then he closed it. He unwrapped the painting. “This is the pond at the log cabin.”

  She nodded. “It was my favorite one.”

  He stared at it, and tilted his head. “Wait, did you paint this?”

  “I was an art major long ago.” She shrugged. “Actually, I am again. Thanks to you.”

  He set the painting down. “What do you mean?”

  Feeling giddy, she shook her head and laughed. “I’ve made a lot of changes the past few weeks.” She told him about quitting work and signing up for art school.

  “Why did you ever quit art school? You’re really good.”

  She drummed her fingers on her thigh. Her eyes wandered around the room, wondering how much she should tell him. Then she spotted a glass dish on his desk filled with sand and stones that looked like the ones they’d skipped at the pond. A dried up flower was tucked in, too.

  He caught her looking at it, and his cheeks flushed. “Souvenirs. I like to remember special times.”

  She was stunned. All those times had been important enough for him to bring back a little token? Was that dried up lilac from that very first house? She thought her heart might burst.

  “Tell me. I really want to hear what happened, Liz.”

  Was she ready to do this? “It was a guy, of course.” She told him the story, even all the horrible parts, and was shocked by how its power over her was gone.

  “I’m so sorry. Guys suck,” he said. “We really do.”

  “No. Not all guys. Not you. I tried for so long to tell myself I didn’t need a man, that a career would be enough; that I couldn’t ever risk being hurt again. That’s what my brain told me, pretty convincingly. What
my heart wanted got good and buried.” Her breath caught in her throat. “You helped me find it again, Henry.”

  He smiled and looked down at the painting. “I’m glad. It would have been a shame to let talent like this go to waste.”

  Her eyes wandered over to his dish of souvenirs again. Tell him how you feel about him. She stood up. “So, thank you. For everything. Do you think that’ll look nice in your new office?”

  He set the painting down and fixed his gaze on her. “I’m not opening an office.”

  Her hand covered her mouth. “You didn’t break the sales goal. Because of me.”

  He squeezed her shoulder. “No, not because of you. And it doesn’t matter. The sales goal doesn’t matter.” He looked into her eyes. “You’re not the only one who figured out what they really want. And what I don’t want. And I don’t want my own office.”

  Her gaze drifted down to her feet and she summoned the courage to look in his eyes. “So, what do you want?”

  He spread out his arms. “More than just this.”

  She nodded. Had their time together possibly meant more to him, too? She glanced at the dish of rocks again. Why, oh why, couldn’t she admit what she felt? “Is the house still for sale?”

  He shook his head. “No. It’s not.”

  Her heart tumbled. “I knew someone else would fall in love with it.”

  He grinned. “You’re right. It was me. Maybe I couldn’t have the girl I wanted, but I wasn’t going to lose the house, too.” His eyes locked on hers. “But I really, really wanted the girl.”

  Her heart fluttered up into her throat and she couldn’t find the right words.

  He stood up and set his arms on hers. “From the moment I first saw you.” He shook his head. “I tried to tell myself it was just business. I thought you were playing along.” His brow furrowed. “I thought I was, too for a while. But I wasn’t. Were you?”

  She summoned up the courage and risk she’d buried long ago and looked straight into his eyes. “The real reason I didn’t want to buy the house is because it wouldn’t have been the same without you.” Those words felt good finally coming out.