“Yes. The Navy provided me with the opportunity to travel quite a bit. Plus, the military libraries allowed me to include a lot of historical research. Good thing I enjoy doing both. I usually try to write from a new location for each novel. It helps to not only inspire me, but keeps me busy as well,” replied Rick.
Anne sat spellbound as she listened. In the past, she found Rick to be an interesting man, but now time had only served to add to his intrigue. In all the years since dating Rick, she had yet to encounter a man who compared to his personality, character, and fascination.
“But there is a short coming to that,” Mrs. Croft warned, “You see, with nothing to tie Rick down, there’s no reason for him to stay in one place very long. Although this makes for good novel writing, it’s not conducive for family life. I mean, how is Rick ever to meet someone?”
The Admiral gave a merry laugh. “You’re in for it now, my boy!”
“Without a wife, a man soon wishes to be on the go again,” Mrs. Croft said with a pointed look in Rick’s direction.
Rick immediately picked up on it. “Oh, no! Here it comes again!” he said teasingly. “I’m getting out of here before my sister begins her inquisition on why I’m not married and how she wants me to settle down!”
Mrs. Croft sent Rick a challenging look, adding, “And right I should.”
Using a flirtatious voice, Etta unexpectedly spoke up. “I’ll rescue you,” she suggested and Rick looked slightly alarmed. “Oh…I didn’t mean…please don’t look so worried!” Etta continued, blushing. “I’m just talking about an escape to the dance floor!”
Rick smiled with relief, “Great idea!” He was glad of the offer as it allowed him an excuse to flee from his sister’s awkward probing. Etta stood and Rick took her extended hand, leading her to the dance floor. Anne watched as jealousy seized her emotions.
Just then Etta’s boyfriend, Chuck Hayter, walked through the restaurant doors. The Maitre d’ pointed him in the direction of their party and spotting Louise’s familiar face, Chuck made his way over to them. Louise couldn’t hide her surprise at seeing him and glanced nervously towards the dance floor.
Chuck greeted Louise and the rest of the group. “Your mom mentioned earlier that you all might be here,” he explained.
Louise politely made introductions, motioning to each in their party. “Admiral and Mrs. Croft; Anne; this is Chuck Hayter, a close family friend.”
Chuck was a cute but clumsy guy. He had all the right looks, yet unfortunately lacked a strong presence—but he adored Etta, and she seemed to like him too which was enough to endear him to the family.
“Where’s Etta?” Chuck asked Louise. This time Chuck followed Louise’s gaze just in time to see a laughing and flirtatious Etta on the dance floor with Rick. Chuck looked hurt, and rightly so.
Almost as if she sensed his injured gaze, Etta stopped dancing and looked over to where Chuck stood, seeing him crushed. Chuck stared at Etta with an accusing look, then turned to leave, his hurt quickly being supplanted with anger. Rick glanced between the two, swiftly connecting the dots while noting Etta’s anxious face as she watched the young man storm out of the restaurant.
Chapter 16
The fact that Rick was an author somehow made Anne feel more like a stranger to him than the girl he had once asked to marry. Back when they were together, Rick was content to remain a lifeguard at the swim and tennis club. To think he had joined the Navy and became a writer! It made Anne feel the length of their separation like never before. She only wished she could have been part of that season and been able to witness Rick becoming the man he was today. But what if we hadn’t separated? Would he have pursued this course of life? This question plagued her. Although she was happy for him, it also hurt to think he was able to accomplish these things without her.
She was extremely curious about his life, enough so that Anne found herself the following day entering a small local bookstore in pursuit of one of Rick’s books. Making her way towards the fiction section, a female employee walked up to her.
“Can I help you find something?”
“Yes, thank you. I’m looking for a book by Rick Wentworth,” Anne answered.
“Oh! I adore his novels! They say he’s the next Hemingway,” the employee gushed. “Which book are you wanting?” The girl scanned the shelf quickly and pulled out Rick’s first two books. She handed them in fast succession to Anne who was only allowed seconds to briefly look at them.
When the store clerk handed her the third and last book, Anne answered, “I really don’t know which to choose. Any recommendations?”
“Oh yes!” the employee grabbed the book from the bottom of the stack and placed it on top. “This is his first book and my absolute favorite! Obviously people agree with me ‘cause they’re making it into a movie!” Impressed, Anne looked at the cover and turned it over to read the book’s synopsis. The clerk continued, “It’s set back in the late 1700s… or mid 1800s…I can’t remember exactly, but anyway…it’s about a man who’s madly in love with this girl but, tragically her father disapproves.” Anne looked up, startled. The girl continued, “She’s from a very ‘snooty’ family who tells the guy to get lost. So, the man joins the British Naval Fleet, thinking that being at sea will—”
“Excuse me, miss…” an intruding customer interrupted. The employee turned to assist the other customer. Anne took advantage of the break to study further Rick’s other novels.
After the clerk was done, she turned back to Anne. “Anyway, it’s so beautiful…sad, but still terribly romantic.” The employee stared off into space and sighed. “I hear he’s in town. I would love to run into him. I have this fantasy that if he ever met me, I might inspire his next book.”
Anne smiled awkwardly upon observing the employee’s enraptured state. Good grief, thought Anne. Do all the young ladies swoon over him like this? It appears I’ll need to read his books and find out what all the hoopla is about!
Unfortunately, Anne’s work took priority to that of reading, especially after she had just shelled out nearly eighty dollars for the three books. That meant Anne had to buckle down to keep some revenue coming in. Sitting cross-legged on the ground later that afternoon, Anne was surrounded by her artwork and engaged in conversation with Carol on the phone. “Did you get that design I sent yesterday?” Anne asked.
Carol, back at her desk in Portland, Oregon, began shuffling through Anne’s designs to locate the sketches just sent. Finding them, she answered, “Yes, and I like them. However, what would you say to changing the tint to two different shades of pink rather than the blue?” Carol suggested, setting one of them aside. “Pink is really in right now.”
Anne picked up her copy of that particular design from the floor to consider the alteration. “I guess so, but I don’t know if it will look as good.”
“Well, see what you can do and send the revision to me by tomorrow if you can.” Carol turned in her chair to look out the window, and added on a more personal note, “How have you been holding up?”
Anne paused. “I’m doing okay.”
“And…” prompted Carol, knowing her god-daughter all too well.
Anne responded resolutely. “I think you were right; Rick has moved on. I just need to do the same.” It hurt Anne to admit it, but voicing it aloud, and to another person, was the first step to recovery.
Carol shared the same opinion. “It’s for the best.”
Anne nodded. “Yeah…” Although her mind was in agreement, Anne just wished she could get her heart to comply.
After the phone call with Carol, Anne moved her work downstairs so that she could spend some time with the boys. Mary came into the room to find Anne wedged between Little Charlie and Nicholas, both of whom were coloring.
“Anne, the girls and I are all going on a hike. I want you to come, too.”
Anne disagreed. “Mary, I’m right in the middle of something. Besides, who’ll watch the boys?”
“Clara said she’d watch
them. Please, if you don’t come, I’ll be bored to death with Louise and Etta.”
Anne got up begrudgingly, still resistant. “Where are we hiking to anyways?” she asked.
Mary looked at Anne as if she were having a blonde moment. “Does it really matter? Good grief! We live in beautiful Eastern Oregon…up some hills, I don’t know.”
Anne tried one more half-hearted attempt to wriggle out of it. “But I don’t have anything to wear.”
“I’ll lend you something. There! No more excuses!”
Anne succumbed and followed Mary to the master suite for some hiking apparel.
Chapter 17
Etta and Louise diligently stretched while Mary tried to fix her wind-tousled hair. Anne was unable to do either of these tasks. She felt too self-conscious and saw faults in herself that others didn’t see. The biker shorts her sister loaned her were extremely tight and Anne was sure every cellulite dimple was exposed for the world to see. Raising her arms was no good either, for it exposed her midriff, and although still reasonably trim, it wasn’t Anne’s favorite feature to show off.
“Hey, isn’t that Charles and Rick up ahead?” Mary said, shading her eyes. With horror, Anne watched the two approaching joggers. “Yes, it is!” Mary confirmed.
Anne’s grimaced, recalling her appearance. Great, she thought, Another time he can say how bad I look.
“Hello there! What are you ladies up to?” Charles asked as the men came to a stop beside them.
“We’re going on a hike. You’re welcome to join us if you’d like,” Mary said.
Charles agreed, “Actually a hike sounds much more fun than jogging. What do you say Rick?” he asked, turning to Rick.
“Count me in,” Rick answered without hesitation.
“Oh, no,” Anne mumbled. Well, after seeing me in this getup, Rick will probably be thanking his lucky stars we didn’t end up together, she mused.
Before Anne could object or try to escape, the party began heading onwards with her in tow. Despite the slight chill in the air, Anne took off her sweater and tied it around her hips which provided some rear and mid-drift coverage. Although this somewhat mollified her mortification, she still felt exposed and uncomfortable.
How do I get myself into these situations? Anne thought. This hike was going to be torturous in more ways than one.
Mary struggled on all the hills, slowing the party down. It didn’t help either that she took a water break every few minutes. Anne dutifully stayed behind with Mary, using any opportunity to tug at her shorts when Rick wasn’t looking.
Rick acted quite the gentleman when assisting Louise and Etta around rocks and large branches, but then neglected his manners when it came time to aide Anne and Mary. Anne felt of no consequence to Rick, which made her want to cry.
“Anne!” Etta yelled, breaking through Anne’s thoughts of self-pity. “You’ve got to see this! I hope you brought your camera!” Anne nodded, patting her backpack.
Once Mary and Anne reached the crest of the hill, they were greeted by an amazing view of the vast wilderness. The sun glowed, creating a magical moment. Anne eagerly pulled out her camera and began snapping pictures.
The overwhelming beauty before her caused Anne to temporarily forget the awkwardness she felt over her appearance. The artistic side of Anne came into action and Rick marveled at watching Anne in her element.
“Hey, Anne! Do you see that home down there?” Louise asked, pointing to a log house surrounded by trees near the lake. “It’s the Hayters’ place.” At the mention of this, Mary took on a sour expression.
Etta looked disconcerted. “Do you think Chuck will be home?” she asked Louise.
Mary rudely interjected, “Why should we care?” This outburst was prompted by Mary’s belief that the Hayters were beneath their family socially. As such, Mary was not in favor of Etta dating Chuck.
Louise disregarded Mary’s comment and answered Etta, “Why don’t you find out?” With that she grabbed Etta’s hand.
“I’d like to come too,” Charles said. “Besides, I need to use the bathroom. What about you Rick?”
Rick, sensing the discord, declined, “No thanks, I’ll pass.”
Charles turned to his wife with a look of pleading. Reading his mind, Mary answered, “I am not going down there. I don’t care for Chuck or his mother’s company.”
“Mary, we’ve known them for years. It would be rude if you stayed here.”
“I don’t care, I’m not going. Etta, I want you to stay here as well.” Mary took Etta’s other hand and pulled her towards herself.
In frustration, Charles breathed, “Fine. If you want to stay, stay.” He promptly turned and began walking down the hill.
Louise got a determined look on her face and wrenched Etta’s hand from Mary’s loosened grip, propelling her sister onwards to hurry after their brother.
Mary looked upset. “I can’t stand it when people say you have to do certain things just to be polite. I will not go down there. I am my own person. I don’t have to go out of my way for anybody, especially people like them.”
Rick, hearing this, was secretly repulsed by Mary’s contempt and obvious prejudice. Anne blushed with embarrassment and was thankful for Louise’s return a few minutes later.
“Rick,” Louise said, getting his attention. “There’s some blackberry bushes not far from here. Do you want to go pick some with me? I bet my mom could whip up a yummy cobbler with them—plus, they might be nice to nibble on while we wait.”
Rick looked over at Anne and her sister before answering Louise. “Sure. Some blackberries might really hit the spot right now.”
Louise and Rick wandered off. Mary watched them, and then feeling thirsty fumbled around for her water bottle. Raising it to her mouth, she discovered it was empty.
“I’m thirsty, Anne. Do you have any water? I’d like a sip.”
Anne opened her backpack and searched around for her water while keeping an eye on Louise and Rick in the distance. She found the unopened bottle and handed it to Mary who gulped it down greedily.
“How long do you think Charles and Etta will visit with the Hayters?” Anne asked.
Mary wiped her mouth. “Knowing the way Chuck and his mother go on and on, it’ll probably be an hour at the very least.”
Mary handed the water bottle back to Anne. Anne noted it was empty and sent Mary a piqued look as she placed the container back into her sack.
Mary, observing Anne’s displeasure, cried out, “Could I help it if I was thirsty? Surely you wouldn’t want me to become dehydrated?!”
Anne shouldn’t have been surprised. It was so like Mary to only think of her own needs. Had she known that Mary would end up being so inconsiderate, Anne might have taken a sip before sharing her water.
The two sat in silence for a while until her sister got restless. “I’m going to check and see what Rick and Louise are up to,” Mary said as she wandered off to find them.
Anne continued to sit there, waiting patiently, though a part of her also wanted to know what Louise and Rick were doing. To Anne, it seemed obvious that Rick found Louise fun and attractive. Anne suddenly felt lonely, ugly, and old. Wrapping her arms around herself, she believed she had nothing to compete with Louise’s youthful charms.
After ten or so minutes of these depressing thoughts, Anne realized she needed to relieve herself. Finding some isolated brush where she could be discrete, Anne quickly took care of business, praying the whole time that no one would stumble across her during this awkward moment. After successfully pulling up her borrowed tight biker shorts—which was no small feat—Anne suddenly heard the sound of approaching movement in the brush some hundred yards away and instantly became alert. She hoped it wasn’t a cougar. Listening more intently, she slowly began to recognize the voices of Rick and Louise.
As they moved closer, Louise’s words were unmistakable. “…no, I don’t think she would have gone if I hadn’t made her. Although Etta and I are sisters, we are very
different. Once I make up my mind, it cannot be changed, whereas Etta must be prodded wherever she goes. If I was in love with a man, nothing would ever separate us.” This last sentence was said in a determined voice.
Rick’s voice responded, “Wisely said. She is lucky to have you for a sister. Are Etta and Chuck engaged?”
“Practically,” Louise replied.
“Then why didn’t Mary want to visit with the Hayters?” queried Rick.
At this last question, Louise and Rick were coming into view as they continued walking in the brush below. Anne was now able to see them easily. This revelation made her realize that she was at risk at being seen as well. The thought mortified Anne, knowing that Rick most likely would think she was spying on them, especially since it was something she had earlier wanted to do. Color spread over her face in embarrassment as Anne sunk lower in the brush so as not to call attention to herself. In doing so she almost fell over. Luckily Anne stifled a scream before it escaped her lips and quickly steadied herself.
“Mary thinks they have no class because they don’t have money,” answered Louise. “She has too much of the Elliot pride if you ask me. Our family can’t help but sometimes wish that Anne had reconsidered Charles’ offer.”
Rick stopped dead in his tracks. “Charles wanted to marry Anne?”
“Uh-huh. But she turned him down. She would have made a wonderful sister. We all adore Anne. My mom thinks it was because Anne only considered Charles as a brother, but my dad believes it was because her friend Carol didn’t think my brother was good enough for her.”
Rick’s face clouded with anger, remembering his own rejection. “Why? Charles has money,” Rick said in a tone that rang with slight bitterness.
“Yes, but he doesn’t have connections. As far as Carol is concerned, nobody is good enough for Anne. Fortunately for Mary, Carol didn’t take any interest in whom she chose to marry.”
Anne watched them wide-eyed as they moved out of sight. If only she could read Rick’s mind at that very moment. What must he think about how I also rejected Charles’ offer of marriage? Does he even care? Is he jealous? Or is his apparent surprise only because another man actually found me attractive enough to ask me to be his wife? The sound of Mary stumbling back roused Anne from the questions she was certain she’d never know the answers to.
A Modern Day Persuasion Page 7