Another Man's Treasure (34 page)

“Her name was Daphne.  We were engaged for 2 years while in college and planned to get married after graduation.  Three weeks before graduation, Jude and I walked into a bar that was near the campus.  It was after our workout and we just wanted to blow off some steam.  Daphne was there…dancing with some Latin guy.  They were all over each other.” 

Ross took another deep breath and hesitated as the memory replayed through his mind.  Francine reached over and held his hand as she waited for him to continue.  “I lost it, Frannie. I pulled him off the dance floor, dragged him outside and beat the fuck out of him.  It took Jude and three other guys to pull me off him.  He went to the emergency room and I went to jail.”

“How long did you spend in jail?”

“Overnight.  Jude bailed me out.”

“And Daphne?”

“She came by my place the next day.  Jude was there.  She yelled, screamed and blamed me for driving her away. She said I was t
oo busy with my upcoming career to pay enough attention to her.  And she was pregnant, with his kid.”

“That had to be horrible to hear.”

“It destroyed me.  After graduation, I said my goodbyes to Jude and moved to California.”  Ross looked over at Francine and wiped a tear that had run down her cheek.  “I haven’t allowed myself to get close to anyone since.  There isn’t another soul on earth who knows that story other than Jude.”

“Ross, you can trust me with your story on one condition.”

“Condition?”

“You have to let go of it.  You have allowed that cheating bitch more merit than she deserves.  You can’t let her ruin the good man you are and what you have to offer.”

“Frannie…how do you know what I have to offer?”

Francine leaned over and kissed Ross tenderly on the lips.

“Because, Mr. Muscles, I can see it in those steel blue eyes.  There is gentleness behind them.  Besides, like the song says…
If you want to know if he loves you so, it’s in his kiss.”

“Frannie, I just don’t want a one night stand, and I travel so much…”

“Let me worry about what I can handle and what I can’t handle.  Let’s just get to know each other and see where this goes, ok?  How long are you going to be in Willow?”

“I don’t know the exact amount of time, at least a couple
of months.”

“Then we have enough time to see just where we are headed.”

Ross shook his head in amazement.  Francine was quite a woman.  He cupped her cheek and stroked her bottom lip with his thumb.  She leaned into his hand and rubbed against it. His touch sent a fire straight to her loins and desire flared up inside of her. 

Ross pulled Francine close and his massive arms enveloped her.  His lips traveled down to her neck and her scent was floral and subtle.  Ross pulled away and could see the desire in Francine’s eyes matched his own.  The phone rang and she let out a deep sigh
before answering the call.

“Francine Marsh.  Yes.  Just log into the server and put in your password and go the program file marked Utility…shit, never mind.  I’ll be right there.”

“Fuck, NOW?
 
Ross, I’m sorry.  That is one of the new trainees and he is having issues with the server.”

“Go Frannie, it’s ok.  How about we get together later?”

“Miranda is coming over after work.  How about I stop by the farm house after?”

“Perfect, I will see you then.”

Francine gave Ross a kiss good bye and left the office.  Ross watched her walk down the hall and then left.
Shit.

                                                       
**********

Miranda finished her morning run and felt wonderful. 
There is nothing like a run after the rain.
Everything looked and smelled so fresh and clean.  The trees glistened in the sunshine and the birds chirped their happy tunes.  She took a shower, then sat down with a box of papers and an empty file cabinet.  She liked things organized.  As she separated receipts and put everything t everytin folders, her eyes wandered to her engagement ring. 
Oh my God, it is simply beautiful.  Frannie is going to have a heart attack
!  Her phone rang and she answered with a giddy sound in her voice.

“Hello?”

“Hey Emme!”

“Bebe darling!”

The two laughed at the same time. Being silly came easy.

“I am getting out of work early today.  Want to come over in an hour or so, get an early start?”

“Sure, Frannie sounds good.  I might show up before you do and have a visit with Mama.”

“Sounds good. See you in a bit.”

“You got it. Bye, Frannie.”

Miranda hung up with Francine and called Mrs. Hedley to tell her that she was headed in her direction.  She was so excited to show them her ring! 

What the hell, I’m going now!

Miranda threw on her sneakers and drove over to the
Hedley’s.  Mrs. Hedley saw her drive in and met Miranda at the door.

“Miranda, so glad you came over early.  I have water on for tea.”

“Great, Mama H, love some.  Papa still working?”

“That he is, dear, that he is.”

“I have some great news for you, Mama H.  Great news for everyone.”

Francine pulled into the driveway and ran across the yard and into the house.

“Don’t start without meeee!”  Francine ditched her shoes at the door, ran into the kitchen and threw herself into a chair. “Ok, what did I miss?”

“Francine! My goodness, Miranda just got here.  No need to trample in here like a herd of elephants!  Miranda, dear, what’s your news?”

Miranda held out her left hand and flashed her ring.  Francine screamed and grabbed Miranda’s hand.  Mrs. Hedley gasped and her hands instantly flew into the air, then wrapped around Miranda’s neck.

“Saints be praised, Jude proposed.  Miranda, dear, I am so happy for you both.”

Francine just stared at Miranda’s ring as her tears dripped onto her hand.  She looked up and saw that Miranda was crying too.

“M…I am so happy.”

“Then why are we crying?” 

“It’s what girls do.  Mandy, I am just so incredibly happy and this ring! Oh my GOD, it is gorgeous!”

Mrs. Hedley poured tea and sat down and listened to her girls.
My girl is getting married…I couldn’t love her more if I gaveore if I birth to her.

“Frannie, will you be my matron of honor?”

“Are you shitting me?  Like you have to ask!  Of course I will!”

“Francine, language!”

“Mama, I am going to ask Papa to give me away.”

“He will be honored, my dear.  You are like our own daughter. We wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Mrs. Hedley patted the tears from her eyes and sat and listened to her girls prattle on and make plans.  It was music to her ears.  She dearly loved to hear them giggle.

                                                        ***********

Miranda and Francine noticed on their way to the farm house that Jude’s truck was at her place.  The lights were on so they stopped. 
Jude must have changed his mind and decided to come here tonight.

“Francine, go ahead in and I am gonna grab the mail.”

“Ok, I will go entertain the troops.”

Francine walked into the house and smiled, seeing Jude and Ross preparing dinner. Ross turned and smiled at Francine.

“Oh my god, he cooks too?”

“I have many talents
, Mrs. Marsh…many.”

“Where’s Mandy?”

“She went to grab the mail. S
he will be right in.”

They chatted for only a few seconds before they heard the scream.  Jude dropped the frying pan and ran for the door.  Ross and Francine were right behind him. Miranda was on her knees holding a letter.

“JUDE!”

“Mandy, I’m right here, baby!”  Jude dropped to his knees and grabbed her.

“What’s wrong?”

Miranda shook so hard she couldn’t hand him the letter.  Jude took it out of her hand and read it.  Francine dropped to her knees with Miranda and held her.  Jude stood up and handed the letter to Ross.

“What the fuck?”

Jude reached down and picked Miranda up. He walked towards the house with her in his arms as she sobbed.  Francine stood next to Ross, confused.

“What does it say, Ross?”

“Holy fuck, Francine. This is unbelievable.”

Ross handed the letter to Francine and she read it out loud.

             
             
“Mandy, help me.  I’m in danger.   David.”

THE END

I like to think I am here to learn. Learning lessons, acquiring knowledge puts me one step closer to my ultimate goal...love others without judgment or reservations. It is a powerful word...love. It is such a small word, but it can completely turn someone's life around, and heal them. Knowing we are ultimately connected with someone and not going thru life alone.  ~Wendy Jay

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http://www.facebook.com/WendyJayAuthor

I like to think I am here to learn. Learning lessons, acquiring knowledge puts me one step closer to my ultimate goal...love others without judgment or reservations. It is a powerful word...love. It is such a small word, but it can completely turn someone's life around, and heal them. Knowing we are ultimately connected with someone and not going thru life alone.  ~Wendy Jay

Please come by my Facebook page and say hello!