Chapter One-1928-
The sweet smell of her mothers cooking woke her, as always. She had had the dream again. The one of Josh, of the night she had met him. 2 years ago. As she brushed her waist length auburn hair, she thought of him. His easy manner. Those dark emerald eyes. His thick dark hair, but most of all she thought of his tantalizing smile. The same smile that she has dreamed of every night since she first saw it. Just thinking about the way his lips curved up, made her smile and blush. She didn't understand why he has stayed in her thoughts after all this time. That night was the first and last time she ever saw him. Although, she has never stopped keeping an eye out for him. Waiting for his return, especially on rainy nights. She always found herself sitting by her window until late at night watching the dark, empty road. She just knows he will return. She could feel it in the pit of her stomach.
She walked down to the kitchen and her mother. "Oh, Lizzie Good morning." Her mother kissed her head as she sat down to eat. "I was just about to wake you." Elizabeth looked at her mother. Even nearing old age she was beautiful. Her auburn hair streaked with gray, in an elegant twist at the nape of her neck, her skin fair to perfectly contrast her deep ocean blue eyes. Elizabeth had gained much of her looks from her mother, especially the willowy way she was built. Although, she did inherit her fathers icy, cold blue eyes, instead of her mothers.
"No need to wake me mother," she paused and smiled as her mother turned to her. "Your food always does the trick." Elizabeth let out a chuckle as her mother just looked pleased.
"Well, there was a young man here." At those words Elizabeth's heart raced 20 times faster. Could it be that Josh finally returned? Why wouldn't he come when she was sure to be awake? Had he been thinking of her as well? "He had said his name was, well oh my i can't remember, but a handsome boy he was." Elizabeth's heart, she feared would leap out of her chest. It had to be Josh. Had to be. Why had he waited so long to return? It didn't matter as long as it was him and he did return. "Works at the bank with your father. Very tall, blonde haired young man. Scott. That's it. A very charming young man Elizabeth. Avery good opportunity for you. I do believe he said he stopped by to ask you on a morning stroll. When i told him that you were still in bed, he said maybe i could ask you to see him at the bank when you did awake..." At those words Elizabeth tuned her mother out as she felt her heart dangerously slow. That wasn't at all what she had wanted to hear. She knew Scott was smitten with her. The whole town knew, he made it all to obvious. He was very agreeable to look at, very sweet to her, but she never blushed from one of his boyish grins. She never felt that need to see him again after he left. It wasn't his face that she dreamed of, or his name that never left her mind.
Although, Josh has never returned. Not even once. Scott, however, never left. Maybe Elizabeth's mother had a point. Maybe Elizabeth should allow Scott to call on her, after all it has been 2 years she has kept Scott waiting. 2 years she has waited for Josh's return. It was time to let go. He must not have been nothing but a mere passing stranger. In those few moments they had shared, he never indicated he was smitten with her. If he has been he would have returned. Would he not?
"So, what do you say Lizzie?" Her mother was waiting on her answer. An answer to a question she did not hear that is.
"I am sorry, i did not hear your question mother." Elizabeth blushed from her own ignorance. It was seldom that she allowed herself to get carried away with her thoughts, that is when she was not thinking of Josh she didn't.
"I asked, if you wanted me to fix your hair for you,before you went to the bank." Even as her mother asked, Elizabeth didn't like the idea. What would people think? A young girl, visiting the bank for nothing more than to see a boy. They will say she is smitten for sure. Also improper, what was her mother thinking?
"But, mother, do you think that is really proper? To visit Scott while he is at work? People will talk." And that's the last thing she wanted. To be linked to Scott. She had a much better picture of who she rather be linked to. If only she could see him again,even just a glimpse.
"Now, Elizabeth. Scott is a very nice young man. One who can take care of you. Provide for you. And he is clearly smitten. Take a chance. You may not wish for marriage today, but he is the kind of man your father and I want and approve for you to potentially marry. You are not getting any younger Lizzie. You do not wish to be alone do you?"Her mother had both hands on her hips and the annoyance looked misplaced on the normally happy face. Elizabeth knew her mother meant well, and only wanted the best for her. She was probably right. It seemed her choice's were limited. Scott or old lonely maid.
"Alright mother. I will go see Scott. If only for a brief moment." It made Elizabeth's heart kick, almost as if in protest, but her mother's smile made it worth it.
*~*~*
As Elizabeth walked to the bank, she felt like every pair of eyes were on her, even though she knew nobody was looking at her. Her mother had fixed her hair a little to tight and it had made her head begin to pound. She wore a simple and modest sun dress and her favorite white flats. However she knew people would still find something wrong with her attire. Since Scott was one of the towns wealthiest young men, he was sought after and gossiped about quite often. To often for her likes. Subconsciously that was probably why she found herself pulling away from Scott. He was too much in the light she tried to stay out of. Yet Elizabeth never understood his fascination with her. She never let on she was interested, and knew nothing more about him other than his wealth and that he worked with her father. So clearly it was frustrating that her mother was pushing her towards him. Well, she thought, even if it only pleased her mother, she would talk to Scott.
"Hi, I am here to see Scott Haring? Is he in?" I asked the front clerk politely. The man smiled at me like he knew my secret and pointed towards Scott's office door which was open. "Thank you sir." Elizabeth smiled her sweetest smile and walked away towards the office door. It seemed like suddenly out of nowhere her palms were damp and she was at a loss for what to say. What was she to say? Should she just stand here at his door and wait for him to speak first? Yes, that is exactly what she was going to do. Unfortunately it didn't take him long to notice her there.
"Elizabeth, it's so good to see you. You look breath taking." Scott's deep voice broke her from her thoughts. She looked at him and followed his gesture for her to sit down across from him. As she did she remembered her manners and smiled.
"Thank you Scott that is very kind of you." Elizabeth wasn't sure of what to say next. She glanced at the big clock in the bank and started to count down the minutes until she could leave without being rude. It wasn't short enough regretfully. She looked around and noticed a lot of things that must have shown his personality, little small things. One that caught her eye entirely was a small soap stone statue. "That is beautiful. What is it?" She stopped herself from reaching out and touching it and looked up at Scott and saw his brilliant smile.
"It's a turtle, see? You can hold it." He looked pleased as their hands brushed as he handed it to her. "I was sorry i missed you this morning. It was worth it though. Getting to see you now, here. My office is greatly improved with you in it Elizabeth." He spoke as she turned the turtle in her hands. She was taken aback by his words and hoped dearly that nobody overheard him say that. She placed the turtle back on his desk.
"Scott, you are really to kind. A stroll does sound lovely. Maybe tomorrow morning or the one after." She tried changing the subject, as his words did not once cause her to blush and she just wanted him to let her leave already. She was beginning to feel much more than just uncomfortable.
"Yes, although i can not do it tomorrow morning, I have a meeting, but the day after absolutely," He was interrupted by a light knock on his door. "Hello, Mr. Chisum. Come right in, Elizabeth and I were just finishing up." Elizabeth stood up and smiled at Scott. As she turned around she almost ran right into Mr. Chisum. As he caught Elizabeth her icy cold blue eyes locked with his dark emerald eyes and her heart raced instantly.
"I am so sorry ma'am. I need to be more careful." When he smiled her heart dropped. Her eyes scanned his face, then his dark thick hair. It couldn't be. Not here. Not now, in front of Scott.
"No, the fault is all mine, sir. If you will excuse me, Scott, Mr. Chisum..." Mr. Chisum removed his hand from around Elizabeth's waist, but held on to her hand. Her heart wouldn't slow down, couldn't slow down, despite Scott's being in the room. It was as if it was only the two of them.
"Please, call me Josh." He said as he lifted my hand to his lips and that amazing caress she had felt 2 years ago plagued her heart and her thoughts and her heart skipped a beat. As he lowered her hand she felt that same disappointment she felt before. "We have met before ma'am have we not? I would not forget a face as beautiful as yours, Lizzie." A sly grin passed his lips as she walked away dazed.
Why after 2 years did he come back? Chisum, Josh Chisum. He used her nickname, not even Scott uses her nickname. Oh my, Scott. All that happened in front of Scott. What must he think of her. What will everybody say now. She was there to see Scott, she made it obvious she was there to see Scott, and she ended up in Josh's arms. It was so hard not to be like that with him, when she was with him, it was as if they had known each other forever, been together forever. What was she supposed to do now? Now that he was back. Was he back for good? Or was he here just to mess with her head like he did 2 years ago. Only time will tell. She will know for certain next time she runs into Josh. Elizabeth knew for certain she would run into him and she would run into him again soon...
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