Joshua's Folly (18 page)

“Is there a good reaction?” Josh queried.

“Good point. Other than pain, they said some people don’t have any symptoms for one to two hours.”

“I object. They can’t write off pain as
no symptoms
.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” Marisa said with a shiver.

“A bad reaction, huh? Just my luck.”

“You’re very lucky. You’re gonna be fine.”

“I’m fine because you’re at my side, and for no other reason than that,” he said, suddenly sobered. “Get over here,” Josh muttered. “You’re too far away.”

Marisa kissed him lightly on the lips and climbed onto the bed with him, resting her head on his chest, feeling safe in the circle of his embrace. He wasn’t out of the woods yet, but he’d survived, thank goodness.

“I hope the nurses don’t kick me out for this.”

“I won’t let them. Thank you, Marisa, thank you so much. You were absolutely amazing. You saved my life.”

“I did what anyone would’ve done.”

“You rode Carson. That’s a miracle in and of itself.”

“I think we’re friends now. Maybe.”

“Carson doesn’t make friends. But he might make an exception for you.”

“I’m honored.”

“In all seriousness, I’m sorry I took you out into the field. I know better, especially with all the warnings about rattlers this year. I shouldn’t have done it.”

“Maybe we were both just a little distracted and not thinking about danger.”

“Guilty,” he said lightly. “Absolutely and utterly guilty.”

“We’d been still for so long, I think we startled the heck out of that snake.”

“That makes two of us,” Josh agreed.

Marisa gazed up at him as they exchanged a long look. In spite of their banter, she knew that they both recognized the significance of their recent precarious situation.

“I’m so glad you’re okay, Josh,” she whispered. “I was so scared.”

“I heard you passed out once your job was done.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“You held it together and did what you needed to do. I’m impressed.”

“I couldn’t lose you. I don’t want to live without you in my life, Josh. Ever.”

“Stay with me,” he said in response. “Please.”

“For as long as they’ll let me,” she told him.

I’ll stay, Josh, I’ll stay forever with you. Just say the word.

–11–

It felt good to be up and around again. Josh had been down for about two weeks after the rattlesnake bite, not an easy task for someone who hated lounging in bed all day with a passion. But Marisa had kept him company and in the end, it hadn’t been that bad. Not with her around anyway, otherwise it would’ve been pure torture. They’d lain around watching movies together, practically exhausting his entire DVD library. Sometimes she read to him, and sometimes they simply kissed the time away. They’d played every game Bethany owned at least twenty times, and to be honest, it was one of the most memorable times of his life. Go figure. For the first time in what seemed like forever, he felt like he had a real family: father, mother, and child. It was an amazing feeling and it made him realize that life with Marisa would be very, very good.

Presently, Josh found Marisa and Bethany sprawled out on the living room floor, a mass of mail surrounding them. They were giggling over some postcards as they read each one aloud. He loved watching the two of them together. Bethany was so happy with Marisa. The two of them had bonded in a way that had surprised him. They’d loved each other from the moment they’d met, which he found entirely endearing. Unable to help himself, Josh stood and watched them for several minutes before making his existence known.

“
Miss Michaels…you are pretty.
How about this one, Bethany, it’s from the quietest kid in the class,
Miss Michaels…I love you.
I can’t believe it.”

“Look at this one, Marisa.
Will you marry me, Miss Michaels?
” The postcard was covered with red hearts.

They collapsed into a giggle fest after that one.

“I had a class full of Romeos last year,” Marisa stated with a chortle.

“What’s all this?” Josh finally asked, feeling curious.

Marisa immediately smiled at him as her eyes lit up at his presence. He loved it.

“Hi Josh, I didn’t hear you come in.” Then in response to his question, “These are postcards from my first grade class last year. I asked them to mail me a postcard with a handwritten message on it. If they did it, I promised them each a postcard from Texas. This is my class.” She handed him a class picture, obviously proud.

As Josh studied the photo, a mixture of emotions crossed his mind. His eyes rested upon Marisa. She stood next to the imprint that read, ‘Miss Michaels, First Grade.’ She was stylishly dressed in slacks, a turtleneck, and a belted sweater. His thoughts dwelled on her clothing. It dawned on him that he’d never seen her in winter clothing. Such a simple little thing and yet it suddenly made him feel as if he hardly knew her. She had a life, completely separate from him. He knew nothing about that life. He didn’t know, for example, what kind of car she drove, or for that matter what color it was. He didn’t even know what her schedule was, day-in and day-out. Life hardly existed beyond this ranch for him. He’d never bothered to ask her much about her life in California. He wondered why she still lived with Mary instead of getting an apartment of her own.

“Are you planning on teaching again this Fall?” Josh asked, curious as to what her reply would be.

She visibly hesitated over her response. He knew why. Things were coming to a head and he knew they needed to make some life changing decisions. Her cheeks flushed red as she came back with, “As of right now, yes.”

Good answer.

She had a plan for her life and she was moving forward with it. She was waiting for him to make the next move. It was all up to him. In the meantime, she had to go on with her life, she couldn’t ignore her responsibilities. Of course she had to make plans, it would be foolish not to. She couldn’t let her future dangle while waiting for him to say the words that would change her life.

Still, he was pretty sure her thoughts were in the same place as his.

At least he hoped so.

Marisa smiled to herself, thinking that she found herself in Josh’s arms at the strangest times. She and Bethany were working on simple needlepoint projects and her mind was wandering to thoughts of Josh. When she’d met him at the stable for their ride that afternoon, a hand had suddenly reached out from a dark corner as she walked by, grabbing her and pulling her into the private spot, smothering her face with kisses.

“You’d better be Joshua…” she’d mumbled, “or I’ll punch you in the nose.” The only response she’d received was a low, throaty chuckle, but she knew it was him anyway. She knew his taste, his touch, his smell by then.

Just this morning, she’d slipped into his office while Bethany was busy with a coloring project. She’d closed and locked the door behind her, giving them privacy.

“I have two minutes.”

He stood, immediately dropping whatever he’d been working on, walking towards her with single minded intent, a small smile on his face. He embraced her, and they collapsed onto the couch, kissing wildly, laughing at their behavior in between their kisses.

After a few minutes had gone by, Marisa declared, “Okay, time’s up, I have to go.”

He moaned with displeasure. As Marisa left, she turned for one final glance at him. He was already back at his desk, looking completely unruffled. He winked at her. “Stop by anytime, Miss Michaels. You don’t need an appointment,” he said nonchalantly, making Marisa guffaw loudly.

Right now, however, Marisa found herself yawning for the tenth time as she watched Bethany work the needle through the fabric with surprising dexterity. Lack of sleep was getting to her, but she wouldn’t trade it for the world. Two a.m. hot chocolate had become something they did at least three times a week, taking great lengths to try and surprise each other in their sleep. This added an entire new dimension to their relationship, one that Marisa loved. Just last night she’d woken up with Josh lying next to her, fake snoring loudly with a big pillow stuffed under his shirt, mimicking a huge beer belly. It shocked her and she laughed so loudly she was sure she had awoken Bethany.

A few nights ago, Marisa had woken up Josh by bouncing on his bed as high as she could, dressed in her pink pajamas. She’d yelled, “Wake up, Kensington—it’s you and me time!” The sight made him laugh so hard he couldn’t even kiss her and keep a straight face. Before that, Marisa had woken up to Josh tickling her bare feet, after he’d carefully removed her socks. She told him that was the lowest of the low. She got him back by waking him up with a feather, lightly tickling his chest. Josh said his personal favorite was the time she woke him up by lighting several candles around the room, and turning off the closet light that he always left on for her. He woke up to her on top of him, kissing him. He said that at first he’d thought he was dreaming, but it was very real. Marisa’s personal favorite was the time he simply climbed into bed with her and waited to see if she’d notice. She didn’t wake up till morning and found him sound asleep in her bed. She didn’t let him live that one down. She teased him mercilessly. He apologized profusely and she finally told him, “Josh, do I look like I’m mad about it? You won’t hear any complaints from me.” Needless to say, he never tried that one again.

Despite the consequences of having very little sleep, the night had become their private time when no one was around to disturb them—no ranch hands, no Constance, no Bethany—no interruptions. It had become their favorite time together and they still managed to get up and jog through the Folly every morning.

Regardless of their levity with one another, there was an intensity to their kisses and their touch that left Marisa reeling. Even though Josh kept things from going too far, they were out of control and she knew it. She was wildly in love with him.

Marisa knew what could exist between them, she knew the promise of magic that a life together held. She held onto it and savored it in her heart.

“Marisa?”

“Huh?” Marisa tried to snap out of her drowsiness and pay attention to Bethany’s work on her needlepoint. It was a profile of a horse that looked eerily similar to Carson—Bethany’s choice—no surprise there. She was making it for Josh. He’d already told her he was going to frame it and hang it in his room. This delighted Bethany to no end.

“Are you falling asleep again?”

“Oh, sorry Bethany. Maybe we should go for a bike ride in the Folly. I can’t seem to keep my eyes open.”

The consequence of two a.m. hot chocolate with Joshua Kensington.

It was worth it.

Josh and Marisa slowly meandered through the Folly, simply enjoying the warm summer evening and the tranquility of the night. Bethany was safely tucked into bed and Josh was glad to have some alone time with Marisa. Now that he was back to a full schedule after the snakebite, he missed spending every second with her. He held her hand in his as they slowly strolled, the silence comfortable. The Folly seemed especially beautiful tonight or maybe it was just because Marisa was at his side. He reflected on the past few weeks, unable to keep a small smile from forming on his face. He loved every minute with Marisa. It was relaxing to spend time with her, he felt entirely at ease in her company. Their relationship felt effortless and he knew from experience how rare that was. It was now August and the annual barbeque was only a couple of weeks away. Josh was looking forward to introducing Marisa to his friends and acquaintances in the neighboring area. Honestly, he wanted to introduce her as his fiancé, but knew he shouldn’t rush things. There was still plenty of time.

“I love it here, Josh, I absolutely love it here,” Marisa commented lightly.

Josh immediately found himself wondering if she would love it here if she lived here on a daily basis—after the novelty had worn off. The thought made him frown.

At his silence, she said, “That doesn’t make you happy?”

“Sorry, of course it does. I’m glad you like it here.”

“I don’t like it, I love it.”