by Paige Powers
Bryan had gone off to war and come back different. The normally happy-go-lucky man had returned a shadow of his former self. When he first returned home, he was barely recognizable. Reserved and withdrawn, Bryan had flourished when his family nursed him back to life.
Lizbeth had been part of that recovery process, but Cassie had never been able to figure out if that was because Lizbeth truly loved Bryan or whether he was just some sort of pet project for her.
It was a shame, because Bryan was such a good man. He was willing to be a provider and work hard for the woman that he loved. What was so wrong with that? Lizbeth did not have to capacity to care for anyone but herself. Cassie was completely sure of it. She had seen a glimpse here or there of a woman who could be worthy of a man like Bryan, but not often.
And now living in Owens Bluff, Lizbeth was even more of a brat. It was as if living in South Carolina shielded the fact that she was self-serving and focused on herself. She was surrounded by family who willfully protected her and coddled her. Here in Texas, they did not have the luxury of the Wilkes family to cushion them from her behavior.
Dealing with Lizbeth was like having the sun shine directly on you, burning and searing into the skin. She could be pretty abrasive and especially difficult.
Cassie could not think of one solitary reason to continue to be Lizbeth’s friend, but she did need the wages that being her lady’s maid paid and she would do whatever was necessary to maintain her employment. It would just be hard to continue to watch the woman cause stress in the life of a good man.
Cassie awoke each morning hoping it would be the morning that Lizbeth would say she was leaving and going back to South Carolina. She did not want to deal with Lizbeth anymore. As a matter of fact, Cassie wanted to stay in Owen’s Bluff and make a new life for herself.
She would make it a point to stop and ask Maria about the lay of the land and if need be, she would talk with Miss Sarah and Lily as well.
Stepping foot out of her hometown taught her that there was more life to live and she wanted to live.
There was no way that she was leaving.
She would let no one and nothing get in her way.
Chapter 6
“To what do I owe this honor?”
Bryan wiped the sweat from his brow, grinning. He was happy to see his fiancée arrive, but he knew that his workplace was not the space for a leisurely visit.
“I thought maybe I would surprise you. You have been working so hard, I just know it. The sun is up and I know that you just have to be famished.”
Bryan watched as a man helped his wife out of the carriage. He thought it must be the driver he hired. They certainly could not afford to keep hiring help, but Bryan was willing to do whatever was necessary to make Lizbeth feel at home here in Owen’s Bluff. He had also hired a cook. The cook was more for his sake than anything. Lizbeth could not cook and she was certainly not domesticated. Once they married, Bryan knew that not much would change. He just wanted life to run as smoothly as possible.
“Well, I certainly am hungry. I could definitely use a little something to quench my thirst as well.”
Lizbeth came forth, swinging a woven basket. “I have just a few goodies. You won’t believe how many great things I found at the market. These apples are positively fresh. Try one.”
She tossed him the apple, which Bryan caught in mid-air.
“You woke up early this morning and went to the market on your own? And shopped for food?”
He led them over to a grassy area near where he had been working for the morning. The day’s assignment was cleaning an extra room in the hotel, which was set for expansion.
“Bryan, you say that like you don’t believe that I could go and do some of the domestic things we need around the house.”
“Did Maria start this morning?”
“Oh yes, Maria. She is pleasant enough. And you surprised me with Chavez.”
“I thought that we could use a bit of help around the house.”
“Yes, especially since Cassie is practically unnecessary. Since we moved here, she has been completely out of wits. I am not sure she is even worth keeping as help.”
Lizbeth handed him a pre-prepared plate of food. She took the other plate and unwrapped it.
“I thought that Cassie was more your friend and less the help.”
Lizbeth shrugged. “Can’t she be both? I mean, back at home, Susan’s girl is her closest confidant.”
Bryan stared ahead. “Girl?”
Hands flying in the air, Lizbeth backpedalled. “Lady’s maid. Whatever.”
“Cassie’s a nice woman. She’s truly loyal to you and she’s been nothing but good to you. Would it kill you to appreciate her a little more?”
Lizbeth smoothed the blanket where they sat. “Kill me, no. But really, I don’t think that I’m mean to her. Is that what you think?”
“I think you could be a lot nicer.”
“Well,” she shrugged. “You certainly have a sweet spot for her.”
“I have a sweet spot for anyone who is a good person.”
Lizbeth quieted. She did not want to start a fight. She simply wanted to discuss with him the reasons why she needed to go back home.
She waited for him to finish eating. Her mother told her that a man could not make a rational decision on an empty stomach.
“Thank you for bringing lunch. I appreciate that.”
Turning to him, she batted her lashes, and feigned innocence.
“Bryan, you know that I would do anything for you.”
He turned to her. “Is that so?”
“I really don’t understand you. You act as if you are upset with me.”
Bryan neatly cleaned up their utensils and put everything from their lunch back into the basket.
“I’m not upset with you at all. It’s just that since we have been here, you have not been yourself.”
“Living in the hot sun in this dust bowl over the past few weeks will make a girl go crazy.”
“Is Owen’s Bluff really that bad?”
Pondering the question for the moment, she answered. “It’s not as good as being home.”
Bryan nodded and then they both sat in silence.
“Thank you for lunch. I suppose Chavez will be taking you back to the house?”
“Yes, he will. I’m glad that you liked lunch.”
He kissed her on the cheek.
“I’ll see you later at home, Liza.”
She smiled before going back to the carriage.
“Are you ready, Miss Lizbeth?”
“Yes, Chavez. Let’s go.”
He held his hand out to help her up into the carriage. As she rode through town, she tried to see what it was that Bryan saw in this town. There was nothing that intrigued her. Nothing excited her about being in or living in Owen’s Bluff. Her life was back in South Carolina. And there was nothing that would change her mind.
* * *
“Chavez, are you from here in Owen’s Bluff?”
“No Ma’am. I am from the next town over. But I have lived here in Owen’s Bluff for the past few years. I like it enough. It is very quiet.”
When Chavez responded, he did not give Lizbeth any eye contact. He stared at the road ahead as if he was only able to concentrate on their journey and not on the conversation she was starting.
“I’m not from here, as you probably know.” She was not sure why she was trying to force a conversation with a man she did not know.
He simply nodded and she continued.
“I’m from South Carolina. Have you heard of it?”
“Yes.”
“A small city near the coast. A beautiful place. Have you ever wanted to travel, Chavez?” She tried her best to be pleasant and calm as she tried to pull a conversation out of her driver.
She actually was not sure why she felt compelled to force a conversation with him. The fact that he seemed to be ignoring her turned her on more. She tried her best to get a good look at him h
ead on, but he never turned around, so all she could focus on was his profile.
“Travel sounds exciting, Miss Lizbeth.”
“What if we traveled soon?” She waited for his answer to her proposal.
When he responded, he turned to her face to face.
“Mr. Bryan employed me as your driver. It is my duty to take you wherever you would like to go.”
That was just what Lizbeth wanted to hear.
“Chavez, that fact is music to my ears.”
“My pleasure, Miss Lizbeth.”
For a moment, their eyes connected. Lizbeth was not sure what she felt in that instant. It was confusing and thrilling all at once.
“Chavez, do you mind taking me on a tour of the city? I’m not quite ready to go home yet.”
“As you wish.”
He turned the carriage down a dirt road.
“Where are we going?”
“Owen’s Bluff is a beautiful place. It is filled with out-of-the-way spaces that are serene. I hope you like where I am taking you.”
She sat back, quietly, a bit uncomfortable that someone else was in control of the situation. Lizbeth was used to getting what she wanted, how she wanted it, and when she wanted it.
They came upon a lush clearing surrounded by greenery, accented with wildflowers and cacti. It was breathtakingly scenic.
“I would never have guessed that a place like this existed here in town. All I see are dirt roads. Well, except for the garden in my backyard. It is the only piece of heaven on Earth here that I have experienced. Besides this.”
Chavez helped her out of the wagon.
“So I take it that you are happy with my suggestion?”
“Yes. I am. Thank you.”
She took a moment to walk around and explore. It made her wonder how those flowers had ended up in this place, an oasis from all of the dust and dirt.
“If there is such lush greenery, there has to be water somewhere near.”
“You are correct. There is a small brook there on the eastern border. It is one of the veins that brings water into our city. There is not much water nearby, so we cherish what we do have.”
Lizbeth walked a bit closer to Chavez. “This is absolutely gorgeous, Chavez.”
She felt the surge of electricity as his hand gently brushed hers and quickly pulled her hand away.
Chavez busied himself picking a few wildflowers.
“For you. Beautiful flowers for a beautiful woman.”
She gushed, her cheeks feeling hot. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”
He nodded. For the first time, she realized how attractive he was: strong jaw line, dark hair, brown eyes, and a small dimple in his right cheek. She was not sure how old he was. He had a boyish grin, but the soul of an older, mature person showed in his eyes.
“Maybe we should start back now.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “I should really be getting back to the house.”
They both paused before starting toward the wagon.
“We are now headed home, Miss Lizbeth.”
The words sounded like the best thing she had heard spoken all day.
“Perfect idea, Chavez. More than you even know.”
* * *
“Lizbeth, we were wondering where you were all afternoon.”
As soon as she walked in, Cassie rushed up to her.
“Oh, I just went for a little walk is all.”
She stared out the window, watching as Chavez brushed and fed the horses.
“How was lunch with Mr. Bryan? I hope you all enjoyed the fruit.”
She turned her attention to Cassie. “It was nice. We did enjoy the fruit.” Cassie’s question made her raise an eyebrow.
“Is there any reason why you are asking about my fiancé?”
Cassie shrugged. “No, not at all. I wanted to make sure that you both enjoyed the food that was packed for you. I want to make sure that what I selected from the market was up to your standards.”
Lizbeth turned her attention back to the activity outside. Chavez was heaving a bale of hay up into the wagon. His muscles bulged and sweat glistened on his brow. She watched as he continued working.
What she was feeling was confusing. She would never have any type of intimate feelings for someone like Chavez. He was definitely working class and not the type of man who would be suited for a woman of her status. There was no way that a woman like her could be involved with a man like him. They were from two different sides of life.
She was the daughter of a rich businessman, fiancée of a soldier and a man whose family owned a business. The Abbott family was nowhere near as rich as the Wilkes, but they made a respectable living farming. That made Bryan a more respectable suitor. But it did not mean that there was a spark between them.
Meeting Chavez made her acknowledge what she had always known: there was no passion between her and her soon-to-be husband. She had been able to deal with it thus far. She had love for Bryan. He was a good man and he treated her well. Any man that could deal with her ways was a good man. There had been times when she wondered how compatible the two of them truly were.
In the beginning, there had been that spark. There had been that attraction. She had thought of him day and night. But after he had come back from war, things had changed. He was more calm and every day, she saw less and less of that young man who had been restless and energetic.
The reason she fell for him was that Bryan was a bit of a rebel. He went against the grain. He was the man that went to her father and asked for her hand in marriage, even though he knew what her father thought of his family. That intrigued Lizbeth. Now, he seemed so settled and she wondered if she would ever see that glimpse of that man again.
When they first met, she’d felt that tingle in her middle – a warmth that made her want to have him extinguish it. Bryan was a handsome man, full of confidence when they met. That truly excited her. His kisses left her burning with fire and left her fully desiring the next time they would see one another.
Then he proposed and she thought that she would be the luckiest girl on Earth to have a man that adored her so. Now she was not so sure if he adored her. She was not so sure that he wanted her in the same way.
And she had all but forgotten what it felt like to have that kind of desire for another person. She had not felt that spark in so long. Seeing Chavez reminded her of what that felt like. It was a reminder what it felt like to desire someone. Down at the clearing, when Chavez touched her hand, she almost fainted with overwhelming emotion. That simple touch left her wanting so much more from him. It would be inappropriate and not ladylike to ask for more.
Asking him for more would potentially put Chavez in a situation that could be compromising. He was an employee and she was mostly sure that he would not want to choose between a tryst with her or his livelihood.
“Has something caught your attention out there?”
The sound of Cassie’s voice jolted Lizbeth out of her thoughts. Lizbeth quickly walked away from the window.
“Not at all. I was just thinking how life can be so full of changes.”
“That is so very true. Sometimes, you are placed in a position that forces you to change and do something different.”
Lizbeth was not sure what Cassie meant by her comment. It felt like her response was for more in reference to something that was personal to Cassie versus being about the conversation that they were having.
“Is there anything else I can get for you, Lizbeth?”
“No, not right now.” Lizbeth held up her hand. “I would just like to be alone for a while. I think I will read and relax.”
Cassie curtsied and left the room.
It was exactly what Lizbeth needed. She was feeling suffocated by Cassie’s presence and was not sure why.
She turned back to the window. Chavez was gone and she saw that Bryan had just arrived. Lizbeth knew exactly what needed to be done now. And she needed to do it as quickly as possible.
* *
*
Bryan brought the horses around to the trough to feed. He was starting to really appreciate how slow life was here in his new home. He had a new lease on life and wanted nothing more than to truly get settled in.
“Hello, Mr. Bryan.”
He turned to see Cassie standing behind him.
“You can call me Bryan.”
She stood there, eyes downcast. “I wondered how you liked the fruit that I picked out for you and Lizbeth today.”
“You chose that produce?” He stopped brushing the horse for a moment, while he regarded her.
She was blushing. “I did. I had you in mind when I chose the apples. I knew that those were your favorite.”
He chuckled to himself when he thought that Lizbeth had claimed to have gone to the market and chosen the fruit herself.
“I hope I did not do anything wrong.”
“Oh no, Cassie. You did a wonderful thing. Thank you for thinking of me.”
“You are very welcome.”
Bryan gave the horse a pat on the side. “Have you been in the house? Is Lizbeth home?”
He did not miss the fact that Cassie rolled her eyes at the mention of Lizbeth’s name.
“She is. She seemed to be so deep in thought and asked for some time alone. So I left her in the den to read in peace.”
“Would you like to go for a walk?”
Cassie looked around. “I would.”
“Life was relatively comfortable back East. We had family and everything and everyone that we knew back there. But I felt like it was time for a change.”
“Bryan, I completely understand the need for change.”
He looked over at the young girl who made him feel at ease discussing his feelings.
“You do?”
Cassie nodded. “I do. Sometimes change is necessary. What we need at one point in our lives may not be what we need in another. It’s a hard thing to do, making change. But we have to. Life is too short to spend it unhappy, or even worse: stuck.”
“So you would consider yourself stuck if you don’t change?” Bryan pondered.