Three Year Rule (The Rule Series Book 1) (7 page)

Elizabeth smiled and rolled her eyes saying, “Honestly, Amy. You deserve it. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Amy hugged her again as Randy came outside to check out the SUV. “Randy!” Amy rushed over to him. “Elizabeth gave me her car to trade in for my own truck!”

Randy glanced at Elizabeth and winked at her then said, “Wait just one minute. I’m not sure these mountains are ready for you in a pickup just yet. Have you gotten your truck driver certification?”

Amy stared at him in confusion and asked, “What?”

“Oh yeah,” Randy continued, “There are strict laws governing the operation of a pickup truck by petite urban blondes.”

Amy shoved at his chest with both hands frowning in annoyance but unable to hide her amusement. “Whatever,” she said as she turned back toward the SUV.

Elizabeth tossed Randy the keys, and he started the engine and popped the hood to listen to how it ran.  He said, “I think you made a good decision. It will get you anywhere you need to go.

“Thanks,” Elizabeth said, closing the hood and the doors. “Have you had dinner? I’m starving.”

Amy glanced at Randy, then back to Elizabeth, and said with hesitation, “We ate earlier but we were thinking of heading to Sadie’s later for a drink. Do you want to join us?”

“Sure,” Elizabeth answered and opened the front door of the SUV adding, “First I’m going to run by Joshua’s. I haven’t been able to reach him all day.”

Randy and Amy exchanged looks again, and Randy stepped forward slowly saying, “Uh... he’s working now. He’s been working all day. We actually have plans for the four of us to go to Sadie’s for dinner the day after tomorrow when you were supposed to get back.”

Elizabeth stopped and turned back to Randy.  He was acting strangely. He and Amy both were suddenly very uncomfortable. “He’s not home then?”  Elizabeth asked, gauging Randy’s response.

“Home?” Randy asked, glancing at Amy again, “Well I’m not sure... he might not be home.  He has plans.”

Amy moved to stand by Randy’s side snaking her arm around his waist and added, “Why don’t we head to Sadie’s now?  I’ll put Charlie inside, and we can head out unless you’d like to change clothes first.”

Elizabeth stared from one to the other then back again in silence, and then asked, “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Randy answered quickly in an innocent voice.

Elizabeth concentrated on Amy and asked, “Is he working?”

Amy’s smile disappeared at the change in Elizabeth’s tone from casual curiosity to impatient annoyance.  She released Randy and took a step closer to Elizabeth saying in a calm, quiet tone, “He asked us not to say anything to you. He wants to discuss it with you in person. It’s not a big deal, Beth really, everything is fine.”

Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed, and she asked, “If everything is fine, then why are you both acting so guiltily?”

“We aren’t acting guiltily.”  Randy began, and then stopped when Elizabeth turned her angry glare in his direction. He added, “Elizabeth, sometimes a man has something he wants to deal with in private.”  He stopped and frowned at how ridiculous his words sounded, then added, “Joshua has a personal problem he wants to deal with.”

Elizabeth couldn’t believe what Randy was saying.  Her jaw dropped open slightly, and her blood began to boil. “He’s with someone else isn’t he?”

“No,” Randy stammered. “That’s not it at all.”

Elizabeth glared at him, then turned to Amy and said, “I can’t believe you’re standing there allowing him to lie to me. I thought I meant more to you than just your boss. I thought we were friends.”

“Elizabeth,” Amy reached out to touch her arm, adding, “Calm down, it’s not what you think.”

“It’s not, is it? Then exactly what is it? What is such a big secret that it’s causing the two of you to share secret glances and lie to me?  Why are you acting guiltily? Am I such a monster, you can’t tell me the truth?  Am I so unreasonable a simple explanation is beyond my understanding?” Elizabeth spun, climbed into the SUV and slammed the door.

“Don’t go!” Amy rushed to the door. “Please! Let us explain!”

“You’ve said enough!”  Elizabeth snapped at her through the glass window and shoved the truck in reverse, sending gravel flying as she turned around and roared down the driveway.

Elizabeth felt strangely vindicated with the knowledge that Joshua was not the perfect man his pseudo persona portrayed him to be. Her fingers wrapped so tightly around the steering wheel her nails dug into her palms. A taunt scowl crossed her face; Joshua was in the arms of another woman. How dare he? How dare he act so devoted, so protective, so caring when all along he was looking for a new woman? We had an agreement.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she shoved them away. How could she be so naive to have fallen for such a fake? She knew better. All men were fakes. Most men would not stay faithful. A vision of her as a teenager, walking out of the local movie theater to find her father in the arms of another woman flashed through her mind. Even her father was unfaithful. A sob escaped her throat. She took a deep breath and began to cry.

She couldn’t understand why this hurt so much. It felt like Josh ripped out her heart and crushed it beneath the heal of his boot. Her stomach lurched with every breath. She considered pulling over to throw up. How did she manage to lose focus? Why hadn’t she maintained an attitude of discovery? Getting to know Joshua was supposed to be foremost in her mind. She was supposed to discover the real Joshua deep down inside. There was no doubt in her mind that he had secrets not yet revealed. So why did the idea of losing a man who was supposed to be a casual love interest hurt so much?

She turned onto the main road. Was she a fake, as well? Worse, was she one of those females that depended on a man as her reason for living? For her own self esteem. Had she lost her identity trying to conform to Joshua’s way of life? Had she molded herself into oblivion?  Was that why she had trouble writing her next book?

She released the gas pedal, and she glanced around at the inside of the SUV.  Did she buy this to fit Joshua’s life? She’d done exactly what she told her readers
not
to do. She’d jumped in headfirst and let her emotions rule the relationship. She was supposed to move slow and get to know him before falling in love.

Elizabeth glanced back at the road; she’d reached the turn off to Joshua’s home. The SUV was slowing to a halt. She glanced out the windows at the shadows of the mountains that surrounded her. Her mind went to her Uncle Wendell. His kind, scruffy face appeared before her. The idea of his constant warm smile and soft reasoning voice calmed her. He was the only man she’d ever known who never showed her his temper.  He was always in a good mood, always quick to laugh. She recalled so many times when her father was screaming at her for spilling her juice, or coming home with dirt on her clothes.  She remembered the nights she cried herself to sleep, wishing Uncle Wendell was her daddy. Her summers in the mountains were the best times of her life.

She took a deep breath and turned the corner. No, she wasn’t here for Joshua.  She was here because this was home. Joshua was a pleasant diversion while she waited for the house to be completed. He was something to pass the time. He was a summer fling, nothing more. Even so, he should have had the decency to break it off before moving on. He was wrong, and he was going to get an earful about it.

The evening sun floated deeper into the cloudless dark sapphire sky that slowly revealed a layer of shimmering stars spreading across the horizon. Elizabeth slowly pulled up to Joshua’s large two-story log cabin home. It had a four-car garage and a wraparound porch filled with tables and benches as if to welcome her. Elizabeth was surprised to see the house lit up like a Christmas tree. Every light was on. She climbed slowly out of the truck and headed to the door, determined not to lose her temper.

As she climbed the porch steps she could hear voices and laughter. He clearly wasn’t alone. She knocked on the door and shifted uneasily from one foot to the other. Joshua opened the door, and as soon as their eyes met he stepped outside closing the door behind him.

“Beth,” He said softly, “I thought you were staying in New York for a couple more days?”

“I can tell.” Elizabeth glared at him. “If you wanted to see other people, all you had to do was tell me.”

“What are you talking about?” Joshua asked confused.

“We agreed if we needed to move on we would break it off before taking another lover.”  Elizabeth began.

Joshua shook his head no and reached for her, “Beth, I have no idea what you are talking about, but now is not the time. I’ll call you in the morning, and we can meet for lunch.”

Elizabeth pushed his hand away and glanced past him at the door, asking, “Is that all you’re going to say? Can't you discuss it now? You don’t respect me enough to tell me to my face?”

“Beth, I don’t have time to explain at the moment and you aren’t making any sense,” Joshua said, “Please go home. I will call you tomorrow, and we’ll talk.”

Joshua turned around and went back inside, closing the door behind him.  Elizabeth stood staring at the door in silence. She glanced down at the ground suddenly feeling very stupid.  She was acting like a child.  If he had moved on then there was nothing to discuss.

She turned and climbed back in her truck, tears streaming down her face.

Amy snatched the papers from Elizabeth’s hands and headed for the front door.  Meeting Elizabeth’s gaze, she asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to take these to him yourself? You haven’t been to the house since before your tour.” Elizabeth answered her with a silent stare.  Amy sighed and spun, heading for the front door. She called over her shoulder as she disappeared into the bright morning air, “You’ll have to speak to him eventually. He’s been calling you every day for two weeks. He’s not going to give up.”

Elizabeth called after her, “Stop at the store, get some salad and dressing, please. I’ll have lunch ready when you get back.” She opened the refrigerator and pulled out some chicken breasts to marinate.

Amy turned the Mini around and headed down the driveway. She picked up her phone and called Randy. “Hi, babe, she’s alone.  Wind him up, and set him loose.”

Randy grinned at the sound of Amy’s voice. He walked out his office door and climbed into his truck as she spoke. He chuckled and said, “You make it seem like we are on a secret mission.”

“Oh, but we are,” Amy’s voice replied through the phone as he started his truck.

Randy added, “Roger that, and wish me luck. If Josh even suspects what we are up to I may not survive the encounter.”

Amy laughed and said, “See you in a few minutes.”

Randy headed up the mountain to the construction site. When he arrived the sight of the house stunned him. It had three peaked abutments that towered over the front of the house giving it almost a Victorian look, yet with a rustic flare. The large two-story house was covered with windows. The lot where it sat looked untouched. The full size trees and the natural underbrush came right up to the side of the house as if the house sprang from beneath the surface as naturally as the trees.

There were several pickup trucks sitting on the small area of open dirt that was to become the front yard. Randy pulled up behind Josh’s truck and parked. He turned to gaze through the trees to the right of the house. A few hundred yards through the woods he could see the frame of a barn under construction. Randy walked up to the open door and went inside to look for Josh.

He found Josh in the kitchen area with several men gathered around a table. Josh glanced up when Randy walked in and waved him over. The workers scattered as Josh shook Randy’s hand.

Josh said, “What brings you all the way up here?”

Randy grinned and said, “I wanted to see how the house was coming along. It’s gorgeous,”

Josh nodded and said, “Let me show you around. There's a huge deck on the back overlooking the valley.” Josh began as they headed out the back door. “We installed an oversized fire pit on the deck area. It faces toward the length of the deck. We installed a large gas barbeque grill on the far end, as well. It allows Beth a lot of space for a couple of bistro sets or couches and tables.”

They toured the interior of the house, which was still drywall. They finished Randy’s tour and headed out the front door as Josh explained, “The appliances should be arriving soon and the bamboo flooring. The HVAC’s been installed, so we should be completed in a few weeks.”

Randy stopped a few feet from his truck and turned to face Josh. He asked, “Have you talked to Elizabeth lately?”

Josh frowned and gazed past him toward the trees.  He said, “She won’t take my calls. I don’t understand what’s going on.”

Randy took a deep breath and began, “I think I understand why she’s avoiding you.”

Josh turned to face Randy’s gaze asking, “What is it? She was so upset the night she came to my house. She wasn’t making any sense. Did you tell her about my kids? Is that it? She’s freaked out because of Molly and Jake?”

“No,” Randy met his eyes with a stern gaze and continued. “I could be completely wrong about this, but I thought you should know, just in case it’s true.” Randy swallowed hard. He didn’t like lying to Josh, but this was for his own good. He and Elizabeth were perfect for each other. Josh needed a good woman in his life after what Joanne did to him. Randy blamed himself for allowing the situation to get so far out of control. “Amy told me that Elizabeth has been sick. She’s been throwing up a lot, especially in the mornings.”

“What?” Josh asked as he stared at Randy in confusion. “Throwing up in the morning?”

Suddenly Josh’s face went pale, and he took a step back from Randy. Amy pulled up the driveway, parked, and stared at them for a moment before opening the door and climbing out. Josh’s blank stare moved from Randy to Amy as she walked slowly up to them with the paperwork from Elizabeth in her hand.

“Beth is pregnant?” Josh stammered at Amy before she could say a word.

Amy’s eyes opened wide. She looked at Randy and said, “You told him?”

With that, Josh was gone.  He climbed into his truck, drove over a small section of brush to avoid hitting Randy’s truck, then roared down the driveway.  When his truck disappeared around the bend, Amy and Randy slapped their hands together in a ceremonial hi-five.

                                                                      ***********                                                                                   

Elizabeth opened the back door, allowing Charlie access to the backyard. She opened the old charcoal grill and used her tongs to pull the chicken breasts off the grill and onto the plate in her hand. Charlie dashed around the backyard barking like crazy at the trees. Elizabeth called her name and waited at the door while Charlie ran past her into the house.

Elizabeth placed the plate of chicken on the table and went to the fridge to get a pitcher of lemonade and a pasta salad she’d made earlier. Amy would be back any moment. She’d give her another five minutes, then call to see where she was. Suddenly Charlie rushed to the bay window next to the table and began to bark furiously. Elizabeth placed the pitcher and bowl of pasta salad on the table, and then glanced out the window to see why Charlie was barking.

She gasped at the sight of a large brown bear charging across the grass toward the house.  It was clear by the bear’s momentum it was not going to stop.  Elizabeth screamed, “Charlie!  Come here!”  She glanced at the shotgun sitting on top of the kitchen cabinets. She looked back at the bear. It was only a few yards from the house.  There was no time!  She screamed Charlie’s name again and ran for the front door.  A huge crash sounded behind her. She opened the door and ran outside.  The large tree that grew next to the house was her only hope. She ran to it and began to climb.

Charlie barked and snarled in the house. The bear roared and growled.  Charlie began to yelp. Elizabeth screamed her name in panic, “Charlie!  No! No!  Not my Charlie!”

Suddenly Charlie flew out of the house and ran across the lawn into the trees.  Tears streamed down Elizabeth’s face. A sob escaped her lips. She watched Charlie disappear into the forest. She screamed after her, “Run! Charlie! Run!”

The bear came slowly out the door. It glanced after Charlie but did not follow. Instead, it moved to the tree where Elizabeth was and began to climb.  Elizabeth scrambled up the tree and onto the roof of the house. She glanced desperately around for an escape route. There was nowhere to go!  If the bear reached the roof, she was dead!

Elizabeth ran to the edge of the roof. If she jumped, would the bear follow? Suddenly, the roar of a truck engine came through the trees. Her heart jumped as Josh’s truck rushed up the driveway. She jumped and waved her hands screaming for help.

Josh’s eyes caught Elizabeth’s movement on the roof.  She was jumping up and down screaming at him. She was pointing wildly at the front corner of the house.  Josh’s eyes went to the tree. His breath caught in his throat at the sight of the bear.  It was almost to the roof.  Josh gunned the truck and then slammed on the brakes as he reached the house.  His gun was already in his hand before the truck stopped.

Josh threw open the door and screamed at the bear.  “Hey! Bear! Here! Come down here! Come and get me!” Josh moved closer to the house to get a clear shot at the bear.  He could no longer see Elizabeth. He had to assume she was still at the far corner of the roof. His aim was away from her. The bear hesitated and glanced down at Josh. Then it began to slide back down the tree. Josh fired two shots at the bear, and it fell from the tree. Josh walked cautiously up to the bear and shot it again in the head. He immediately ran to the tree and began to climb.  His heart was pounding.

“Elizabeth?” He shouted as he climbed. “Are you all right? I killed the bear.”

“Josh!” Elizabeth called to him, rushing back to the tree.

Josh sprang from the tree to the roof to reach her. He pulled her into his arms and held her as the relief filled him. Elizabeth clung to him, trembling. He pulled back from her and checked her for injuries. Then pulled her against him and kissed her passionately. When he released her, he whispered, “You scared me half to death. I don’t know what I’d do if you were suddenly gone.”

“I’m not hurt.” She smiled through her tears then gasped, “Charlie! We have to get her. She fought with the bear then ran off into the woods.”

Josh took hold of Elizabeth’s shoulders and said, “Don’t worry, we’ll find her. Just try to stay calm. You don’t want to upset yourself any further.”

Elizabeth stared at him in confusion. Then turned toward the tree saying, “I’m fine, let’s go.”

“No!” Josh grabbed her hand and pulled her back from the edge of the roof.  “I’ll go get the ladder out of the garage, and you can use that to get down.”

Elizabeth frowned at him and said, “Josh, I’ve been climbing trees since I was six years old. I think I can navigate this one just fine. Besides, Charlie could be hurt; there’s no time to wait.”

She walked to the edge and reached out to grab the tree. Josh came up beside her and said, “Let me go first so I can help guide you down.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and stepped back allowing him access to the tree. When they reached the ground, Josh scanned the yard and said, “Which way did she go?”

Elizabeth pointed to the right of the stables, and they rushed in that direction. When they reached the trees, Josh noticed blood on the leaves of a large bush but remained silent. He didn’t want to alarm Elizabeth. Instead, he stood in front of the tree and allowed Elizabeth to pass. Josh suppressed the urge to rush blindly into the woods and find Charlie. He needed to stay close to Elizabeth. She’d been through a lot. He wanted to avoid any further animal contact. The scent of blood was in the woods now. It was entirely possible a coyote or even a puma could be close by.

Josh scanned the brush as they walked; Charlie had to be badly hurt to leave a trail of blood like this. The chances of finding her alive were slim. He braced himself for Elizabeth’s reaction when they found Charlie.

It didn’t take long before Elizabeth noticed blood on the grass. “Charlie,” she gasped rushing to follow the blood trail. Josh chased after her. Charlie lay only a few yards ahead of them. She was lying under a bush covered in blood. Elizabeth fell on her knees beside Charlie, sobbing.  Josh knelt next to her and examined Charlie.

“She’s alive,” Josh said and quickly scooped Charlie up and rushed back toward the house.  Elizabeth followed closely behind. She sprinted across the lawn when they cleared the trees. When she reached the SUV, she opened the hatch then ran into the house. She grabbed her purse, car keys, a towel from the bathroom, and pulled a blanket out of the closet, then rushed back outside.  By the time she returned Josh had Charlie in the back of the truck and was heading for the driver’s door.

“I’ll drive,” He ordered reaching out for the keys.

Elizabeth tossed him the keys, and then climbed in the back with Charlie. She pressed the towel against the blood flow coming from Charlie’s neck and chest. Her chest had a gaping wound revealing muscle and veins. Elizabeth pulled the blanket around her as best she could. Josh pulled his cell phone from his back pocket and called Randy.

“Randy,” Josh began, “Don’t talk, just listen. A bear attacked Charlie, and we’re headed to the vet. I don’t have their number on my phone so can you call and let them know we’re coming?”

Elizabeth brushed the tears from her eyes and called to Josh, “Tell Randy the bear crashed through the bay window into the house. Ask him to find Amy and make sure she knows what’s happened.”

Josh glanced in the rearview mirror at Elizabeth then said, “Randy, the bear apparently came into the house through the back bay window. I’ll get a couple of my men out here to board it up for you. We’ll need the bear’s carcass removed; it’s by the front door.” He paused, “Yes, I shot it. Is Amy still with you? Yes, we will meet you there.”  Josh glanced back at Elizabeth and asked, “How’s Charlie?”

Elizabeth met his gaze in the mirror and said, “She’s still breathing. I’ve put pressure on the wound. She’s not moving at all.”

Josh turned onto the main road and sped toward the veterinarian’s office that sat on the edge of town. He tried to concentrate on the road, but it was difficult.  Elizabeth had to be in her first trimester, and she’d had quite a shock.  He worried the roller coaster of emotions and physical exertion might cause her to lose the baby.  He glanced back at her again and asked, “How are you doing? Are you sure you’re all right?”

Elizabeth sighed and answered, “I’m fine, and I saw the bear coming. Charlie was barking at the window. When I looked outside, I saw it was charging across the lawn. I couldn’t get to the gun...” Elizabeth’s voice broke.