Love Will Find a Way

Whiskey Creek Press
www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Copyright ©2006 by WHISKEY CREEK PRESS

2006 by
Herb and Billie Houston

Other Books by Author Available at Whiskey Creek Press:

www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Brush Country

LOVE, An Anthology

Dedication

~~For Margie Houston~~

Chapter 1

Emily Franklin closed the ledger in front of her. “That takes care of the household accounts for this month.” She turned to face her husband, Robert. “Sorry I took so long, but this couldn't wait."

"Couldn't you have done it tomorrow?” Robert gave his newspaper an impatient flip before laying it aside.

"I do volunteer work at the library tomorrow. I have to take Boo to the vet. And I promised your mother I'd go by the nursing home to visit Aunt Beth. Then there's that meeting with the Historical Society tomorrow evening.” Emily spread her hands in a helpless little gesture. “I had to do this tonight."

Robert's voice was caustic. “So I run a distant fifth behind a volunteer job, a Labrador retriever, an old maid aunt and your civic obligations?"

"That's tomorrow.” Trying to ease the tension that throbbed like an open wound between them, she added, “Tonight you have my undivided attention."

"Really.” He lifted one dark eyebrow.

"Don't be sarcastic. You've worked late every Tuesday for the past six months. How could I know you'd come home early?” Guilt was replacing Emily's anxiety. She had been busier than usual over the past several months. Maybe Robert was feeling a little neglected. “Don't fret. After Larry's graduation I'll have a little more free time."

"I'm sure you'll find new projects to take up the slack.” At forty-seven Robert Franklin was still an extremely handsome man—tall, with a well-proportioned body and aquiline, almost patrician features. His hair had once been black as ebony. It was now feathered with silver and beginning to recede. “Maybe I should have called earlier for an appointment."

"That's not necessary.” Emily flinched at the tone of his voice. “Neither is your sarcasm."

He apologized without conviction. “Sorry."

"If it's about your parents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary, Debra and I have already begun to make plans.” Robert had said more than once that he wanted this to be an elaborate celebration.

"I'm sure you and my sister have the situation well in hand.” Robert was on his feet and prowling across the room.

"We have made tentative plans. I'm thinking of renting the hall at the Civic Center,and hiring a band, then—"

"I thought
I
had your undivided attention.” Robert stood with his back to her, staring out the window at a pale and setting February sun.

Emily's uneasiness was giving way to frustration. “Have I done something to displease you?"

Robert's shoulders slumped. “I'm a little edgy tonight.” Turning, he faced her. “It's nothing."

Emily's patience was wearing thin. “It must be something if you think it's more important than plans for your parents’ golden wedding anniversary celebration."

"And what do you think is important, Emily?” Robert asked with a taut jerk of his head. “Where are
your
priorities?"

"You seem terribly unstrung tonight.” She shifted in her chair. “Is this about one of the boys?"

"Our sons are eighteen and twenty-three years old,” Robert reminded her sharply. “We no longer have any
boys
."

Emily struggled to control her irritation. “It was a figure of speech.” A disturbing thought surfaced. “Are there problems at the office?"

Robert said, “I don't want to talk about work."

Emily laughed to cover her annoyance. “Then what do you want to talk about?"

"I've reserved a room for us at the Rustic Inn in Wimberly. I thought we might go there for the weekend. That is if you can spare the time."

Emily caught her breath. They had gone to the Rustic Inn often during the early years of their marriage. Recalling those bygone days evoked sweet, romantic memories. Her uneasiness gave way to cautious joy. “I'd love to. I'm surprised you can spare the time."

"I'll make time.” Robert came back across the room and sat down.

Emily's voice softened. “Do you know how long it's been since just we've gone away together for a weekend?"

"Not really,” Robert said. “Make your excuses. I need some time with you and God knows we don't have any privacy here."

That was a strange thing to say. Emily looked around the elegantly appointed living room. “We're alone now, except for Boo.” She nodded toward the sleek black Labrador retriever that lay stretched out, sound asleep in front of the fireplace.

"For how long?” Robert asked caustically. “Until Larry comes charging through the door with half a dozen friends? Or Kevin calls to tell you about his new apartment or his new job, or an odd assortment of relatives or friends decides to drop by unannounced, or you get yet another urgent telephone call from one of your many charities or projects?"

For no reason she could explain, Emily sought to justify the situation. “We have children and a host of friends, you have family and I'm involved in civic and school activities ... It goes with the territory."

"I'm not complaining.” He sounded almost contrite. “At least I don't mean to be."

"You've been working too hard.” Emily narrowed her eyes in her husband's direction. He looked tired, almost haggard. “A weekend away will do you good. I'll call Berta tomorrow. I can explain to Mrs. Perez on Thursday at the PTA executive meeting—"

"Spare me the details and just get it done,” Robert interrupted.

The censure in his tone made her ask, “When would you like to leave?"

He stood and put his hands in his pockets. “Would Friday evening around seven be all right?"

"Friday at seven would be fine.” Emily stretched and yawned. “Let's go to bed. I can begin to tie up all these loose ends tomorrow."

She was almost to the door when Robert said, “I have to go back to the office."

"Tonight?” Emily asked and then offered a half-hearted apology, “I'm sorry.” Her husband of twenty-five years had just asked her to go away with him for a romantic weekend. She should be able to make allowances for his having to work late in order to keep that rendezvous. Still she couldn't help asking, “Can't it wait until tomorrow?"

"I'm sorry but I have to go."

"Over the past six months you've spent more and more time at that office.” She knew she should shut up but she couldn't. “Sometimes I wonder what the attraction is there."

"What is that supposed to mean?” Robert was suddenly defensive.

"It means that I never see you anymore. You work late three or four nights each week. When you are home you're too tired to do anything but fall into bed and sleep.” Emily tried to smile. “I miss you when you're not here at night."

Robert's look said he doubted that. “We'll talk over the weekend."

It took some doing, but by Friday afternoon Emily had made all the arrangements for her weekend trip. She was standing on the porch with her suitcase beside her when Robert pulled into the driveway. He was thirty minutes late.

Braking the car, he leaned across and opened the door. “Sorry I wasn't on time. I see you're ready to go."

"I've been ready for thirty minutes.” Emily put the suitcase into the back seat. “You could have called. I was beginning to wonder if you'd had an accident.” She got into the front seat and closed the door.

"Something came up at the last minute.” Robert pulled the car into drive.

They had passed the city limits and Robert was pulling onto the access road before Emily spoke again. “Do you know how long it's been since we were in a car together going away for a weekend?"

Robert turned to glance at her before looking back at the road. “Since before Larry was born."

He did remember. “We left Kevin with your mother and dad and drove up to Wimberly for a three-day weekend. You didn't know I was pregnant with Larry. I still remember the expression on your face when I told you."

Robert maneuvered the car into the flow of freeway traffic. “We'd agreed not to have another child. I didn't think you'd get pregnant without talking to me about it first."

Even now Robert didn't believe her second pregnancy had been an accident. “I didn't plan for Larry. He just happened.” Remembering made Emily smile. “I was so sure he would be a girl. But when he got here, it didn't matter that he was Larry instead of Lorrie.” She sighed. “Those were happy days."

"When I got over the initial shock, I was glad, too.” Robert asked sadly, “Where did those happy days go?"

His words had a chilling effect. “Does that mean you're not happy now?"

"That's not what I said.” Robert's tone warned her against pursuing the subject.

But Emily couldn't stop. “You implied as much. Is that how you feel?"

Robert pulled around a slow-moving eighteen-wheeler. “Since when have you cared how I feel?"

Much more of this and they would be quarreling. Emily didn't want anything to spoil this weekend. “I've always cared and that was a thoughtless thing to say."

Robert reached for the stereo. “Would you like to listen to music?"

She suspected that he preferred music to conversation. “Sure."

The soothing voice of George Strait drifted out into the air.

Emily leaned her head against the seat and feigned sleep until pretense became reality.

It was past nine when they pulled into the drive of the Rustic Inn. By the time they were settled in their suite, it was almost ten o'clock. Emily frowned as she looked at the two double beds that stood against one wall of the room. “Couldn't you get a room with one king sized bed?"

"We'll have to make do with this.” Robert tossed his hat on one of the beds. “I'll order dinner.” He reached for the telephone. “What would you like?"

"Something light, it's too late for a heavy meal.” Emily opened her suitcase and began to hang garments on a rack. “I brought you a pair of sneakers and a warm jacket. I thought we might walk down the scenic path behind the inn tomorrow. Even in the middle of winter the view should be beautiful."

Robert put his hand over the telephone receiver. “Will chicken salad be all right?"

"Chicken salad is fine.” Emily hung up the last garment, grabbed her overnight case and hurried to the bathroom where she quickly showered before putting on a new satin gown and robe and slipping her feet into matching slippers. The ensemble had cost a mint, but she thought, as she glanced at her reflection in the mirror on the bathroom door, that it was worth every penny. The robe fit snugly over her firm breasts and small waist, and clung delicately to her slim hips and long, well-shaped legs. It was the perfect shade of green to complement her auburn hair and hazel eyes. Leaning forward she studied her heart shaped face and small figure and liked what she saw. “Not bad for a middle-aged, old married woman.” When she smiled, her mirror image responded in like manner.

The food was delicious; Emily devoured her chicken salad and ate a portion of her homemade apple pie. “You're missing a good meal.” Robert had hardly touched his food.

He didn't answer. She wondered if he'd even heard her. “How do you like my new robe?” She hated fishing for compliments but it seemed that was the only way she could get one.

Again, there was no response. “Robert! I'm talking to you."

His head snapped back. “What did you say?"

"I asked you how you liked my new robe."

His eyes scanned her slim figure. “It's very nice."

"Very nice, is that the best you can do?” She grimaced in good humor. “I was hoping for glamorous or maybe even sexy."