A Rocky Path Read online

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  Instead of going back to bed, she went downstairs to the room where the old things were stored. She knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep, so she thought she would go through the things that she hadn’t gotten to the last time she was here and had found the ring.

  She looked through a lot of things and was about to quit. There wasn’t really anything of interest. Then she found a little chest with a lock. She couldn’t open it and had no idea where the key was. She was intrigued. She carried her find upstairs to her room and got out a nail file. She finally was able to pick the flimsy lock. When she opened the lid, she found letters…lots of letters. She could tell they were really old because of the paper they were on. They were all rolled up like a scroll and tied with different colored ribbons. She was delighted. She started to read….

  My dearest,

  I waited all night for you to come to me. I am so sad this morning because I didn’t get to see you. You know it drives me crazy when you ignore me this way. Please come to me tonight and make me happy.

  Your love.

  They were love letters! How romantic and exciting. She read another one.

  My darling,

  I can’t tell you how much last night meant to me. To feel your hands and your lips on my body. You took me somewhere I never thought I would go. We must be careful. If anyone finds out about us, our lives would be ruined. It might even mean our death. Until next time….

  Your love.

  Emily read several letters, her stomach fluttering from the love and passion she could feel emanating from each one. Who were these lovers from a time far into the past? She read until she was exhausted, finally falling asleep with a letter in her hand.

  Chapter Seven

  The next morning Emily was sleepy as she trudged downstairs for her workout. Jamie was there, as usual, so they worked out together. She was beginning to enjoy their routine and his company. He was much deeper than Sam and much more interesting. Maybe she just liked her men dark and brooding. Sometimes Jamie was that way and sometimes he wasn’t. She kind of liked that. It made him a little more intriguing.

  After the workout Jamie asked, “Hey, how would you like to go to dinner with me this evening? We can go ahead and tell Mom not to expect us this evening.”

  Her first impulse was to say no. She wanted to go down and meet Patrick after dinner, but another part of her warned her not to get too close to the mysterious man she had met on the rocks. Maybe she would be better off cultivating an interest in Jamie. There seemed to be something a little dangerous about getting involved with Patrick.

  “I think that would be a good idea,” she said. “I really need to get out of this house for awhile.”

  When they went to breakfast they told Sally to put two less places at the table for dinner. Then Emily went up to the third floor to work.

  “Good morning,” said Rebecca. “You have dark circles under your eyes. Didn’t you sleep well?”

  “It’s the strangest and most exciting thing. I found some old letters that came from the storage room downstairs. They are love letters and are very passionate. I read them until late last night. I still have some to go; I just couldn’t stay awake any longer.”

  “I would like to read them as well, when you’re finished. I wonder who wrote them.”

  “That’s the thing. None of them are signed. It seems like whoever wrote them and who received them were both living in the house. The letters speak of their lover coming to them in the night.”

  “I’m intrigued.” Rebecca said.

  “Me, too. During some of my free time, I think I’ll explore the room some more and see what else I can find. I would love to research this whole thing. I love a good mystery.”

  “Let me know what you find out.”

  Emily got to work on her regular duties as well as finishing up the planning of the party. She was so tired at the end of the day that she almost told Jamie she would have to beg off their date tonight. But then she decided not to. She hated to disappoint him, and she really did need some time away from the house. She was determined not to think about Patrick tonight when she was with Jamie.

  She dressed with care that evening. At breakfast, she and Jamie had discussed where they wanted to go and they had decided on a really upscale restaurant in town. So she was dressing up. It was kind of exciting because she hadn’t gotten to wear many of the nice things Rebecca had bought for her. She chose a maroon satin dress with broad straps and a low v-neck. It had a lace tie around the waist and the hemline was about two inches above the knee. She knew she looked great in it. She left her long, dark hair down, which is the way she liked it best, and she knew it was the most flattering.

  When she came down the stairs to meet Jamie, and he looked at her, there was a gleam in his eye that made her a little uncomfortable. Maybe she shouldn’t have dressed this way. She didn’t want to lead him on, and she had a feeling he might have feelings for her. But maybe she could learn to care more for him, too. She would make the most out of tonight and see how it went.

  “You look great!” he said. “Everyone in the restaurant will be envious of me.”

  She smiled at him. “Jamie, you’re exaggerating.”

  “No, I most certainly am not! Are you ready to go?”

  They rode in his bright red Camaro to the Lakefront Restaurant. It was situated beside a large lake, and they were able to get a table by a window looking out over the water. Emily decided on Parmesan crusted tilapia and Jamie ordered a steak.

  “Would you like wine with dinner?” asked the waiter.

  Jamie hesitated, then said. “Emily, if you want to order a glass of wine, that’s fine. I don’t drink.”

  “I don’t drink either. I’ll have iced tea.”

  Jamie looked relieved as he said, “I’ll have the same.”

  When the waiter had left, Jamie asked her, “Did anyone tell you why I don’t drink? No, don’t lie to me, I won’t be angry with anyone.”

  “Sam told me. I’m really sorry about what happened. And I admire you for staying sober for so long. That takes a lot of self control.”

  “I had no choice. I feel guilty every day for what happened. I don’t want anything like that to ever happen again.”

  They talked for a long time after they had eaten their dinner. Emily really liked Jamie. He would be a great guy to fall in love with, even though he was a few years younger than she was. But, for some reason, it just wasn’t happening. Her mind drifted back to Patrick and she had to put him back out of her mind.

  When they got back to the house, Jamie said. “Why don’t we take a walk?”

  They walked around the grounds and then sat down on a bench by the pool in the garden. He put his arm around her and they just sat for awhile. Then he bent his head toward her to kiss her. On impulse, she pulled back a little.

  “I’m sorry. Maybe I presumed too much.”

  Emily sighed. “No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

  “That’s ok.” He looked away from her.

  “No, it’s not ok.”

  She took his face in her hands and kissed him softly on the lips. Then he took her in his arms and pulled her closer to him. His kiss became deeper and she could feel his tongue exploring her mouth. Then thoughts of Patrick came to her, and she wanted it to be him holding her like this. She pulled back from Jamie.

  “I’m sorry, Jamie. I don’t want to lead you on, and I feel like that’s what I am doing.”

  He looked into her eyes. “Emily, you must know that I’m in love with you. Can’t you see it? We have been spending time together working out and really talking and getting to know each other. Surely you must have known how I feel.”

  “I guess maybe I was beginning to see that. Jamie, I really want to be your friend and spend time with you. But I just don’t feel the same way you do. I wish I could, really I do. But this isn’t something that I can control.”

  He stood up and ran his hand through his hair. He looke
d about as miserable as a man could be, and Emily’s heart went out to him, but she couldn’t deny her feelings. She stood up, too.

  “Why did you even go out with me? If you saw how I felt, why did you make it worse by making me think there could be something between us?” He was angry now.

  “Please, Jamie, I just wanted to spend time with you….”

  “Forget it! I don’t want to hear anymore. Goodnight!”

  He stalked off, leaving her standing there feeling miserable. She was afraid that she had lost a good friend. How could she have been so stupid? She went back into the house and walked upstairs feeling worse than she had in a long time.

  * * *

  That night she finished reading the letters. They were so sensual and loving, that it thrilled her to read them. She could tell that these two people really cared for each other, but that they were, for some reason forbidden to see each other. Maybe one was from aristocracy and the other from the lower class. It could be that one was a member of the McCulloch family and the other was possibly a maid. The last letter was a little disturbing and different from the rest.

  Oh, my dearest, what have I done? Something terrible has happened. I have to see you! I don’t know what I am going to do. You have to help me. Meet me in the usual place. I have done something I can’t undo!

  Your most faithful love.

  She was so intrigued that she planned to go downstairs tomorrow and look for more clues.

  Later, in the night, she dreamed that she was the writer of the letters and that Patrick was the one she was writing to. She dreamed that he came to her in the night. When she awakened the next morning from her dream, her pillow was wet with tears. Somehow she knew that a relationship with Patrick was never to be.

  Chapter Eight

  Emily went downstairs to work out, but Jamie was not there. He must have come down here earlier to avoid her because there were some used towels lying on the floor. It was sad that things had come to this. She certainly hadn’t wanted to cause trouble by coming here, but it looked like that’s exactly what had happened. She was almost afraid to go to breakfast for fear of running into Jamie, but she decided that they couldn’t avoid each other all the time.

  “Good morning!” said Sam, heartily. “How was your workout this morning?”

  “It was ok, I guess. I’m used to working out with Jamie, but he was gone before I went down this morning.”

  “What was wrong with him this morning, anyway? He was going out as I was coming in to breakfast and he was really grumpy. He grabbed a banana and ran off.”

  Emily sighed. “I’m afraid that was my fault. I should have seen that he was getting too close to me, but I ignored the signs. I went out with him last night, and then I guess I rejected him. I didn’t mean to hurt him, but I couldn’t just let him think I had feelings for him.”

  “Too bad Jamie can’t learn to guard his heart like I do. His feelings just run too deep. Some day he’ll learn. I guess you have to take a lot of hard knocks to harden your heart.”

  “So, did you take a lot of hard knocks? Is that why you’re so hard hearted?”

  Sam grinned. “Nah. I was just born that way.”

  Emily rolled her eyes, ate her breakfast, then went upstairs to work.

  During her lunch break, she went downstairs and got a sandwich. Then she brought it back upstairs, so she could talk to Rebecca, who hadn’t stopped for lunch yet. She was just wrapping up a chapter in her latest book, so Emily didn’t say anything until she was finished.

  “So, did you want to talk to me about something?” Rebecca asked.

  “Well, a couple of things.”

  She told her what happened with Jamie. Rebecca sympathized, but wasn’t overly concerned.

  “Young love is like that. Everyone has to deal with a broken heart from time to time. I had enough of those myself.”

  “I know; I just hate that this had to happen. The other thing was, I wanted to update you on those love letters I found. The last one was really strange. It talked about something terrible that happened, but it didn’t even hint at what it was. Do you know anything tragic that happened in this house?”

  “Over a period of about 200 years? I would say several tragedies could have happened. I don’t know what all is recorded about this house. You could always go to the library to find out some of the history. Actually, we have a pretty extensive library here. You may be able to find some information without going to the library in town.”

  The rest of the day proceeded without incident. At five o’clock, Emily and Rebecca quit for the day and went to their respective rooms to get ready for dinner. When dinnertime arrived, Emily was apprehensive as she went down the stairs. She had no idea whether Jamie would be at the table or not.

  When she arrived in the dining room, Jamie was already seated. She sat down, along with everyone else. She looked over at Jamie, but he ignored her. This was going to be a long meal!

  Sam, as usual, was unperturbed. “Well, aren’t we all just full of gloom and doom today? Oh, well, the food is good, anyway.”

  They managed to get through all the courses, but Emily could hardly remember what she ate. All she could remember was how Jamie ignored her the whole time. Even when she asked him a direct question, he turned away as if he didn’t hear her. Fine, if that’s how he wanted to play, she wasn’t going to beg him to talk to her.

  After dinner, she was anxious to get down the path and talk to Patrick. She was so bogged down by the negative feelings in the house right now that all she wanted was some fresh air and some pleasant company. Here came those butterflies again! How did this man make her feel this way just thinking about him?

  He was sitting on the rocks, drawing in his notebook. She hated to disturb him, so she just watched him for a moment. His dark hair was disheveled, as usual, and he had a scruffy growth of beard on his chin. The look was perfect for him.

  He turned to look at her. “I missed you yesterday.”

  “I went out to dinner. I was out pretty late, so I knew you would be gone by the time I got back.”

  He studied her intently. He seemed to be able to look down into her very soul. She felt exposed under his gaze and she felt her knees go weak.

  “So, were you in the company of a gentleman?”

  “Yes. A friend of mine. The housekeeper’s son. He’s really a nice guy. We work out together every morning….” She realized she was babbling.

  “So, did you enjoy yourself with this man?”

  “Well, we had a nice dinner and we talked for awhile. It was pleasant enough.”

  “Are you going to start seeing him often?”

  “Why are you asking me all of these questions, Patrick? You act as if you are angry with me!”

  “Forgive me,” he said. “I have no right to inquire into your private life.”

  “That’s ok,” she said. “I’m flattered that it matters to you.”

  “I didn’t say it mattered to me. I was just curious.”

  “Oh,” she said, blushing. “So, what are you drawing?”

  “Just the ocean. I spend a lot of time drawing the ocean. I always seem to see it in a different way each time.” He turned back toward the sea.

  “Let me see,” she said, looking over his shoulder. “Hey, that’s really good. You really are a good artist.”

  “Thank you. I am flattered. May I ask you a favor?”

  She said, “Sure, anything.”

  He seemed to hesitate, then said, “Will you permit me to draw a portrait of you?”

  “You want to draw a picture of me? Really? I don’t know what to say. Yes, I would be glad to let you draw me.”

  “Then you have to sit very still. Don’t say anything until I am finished. The sun will set soon and then the light will be gone. I want to draw you as the light is waning, so we don’t have much time.”

  She agreed, so she sat for a long time, a little self conscious, but also excited about sitting for Patrick. There was something sensua
l about knowing he was drawing every curve and angle of her face. It was almost like he was touching her. When he was finished, she was a little apprehensive about seeing the finished product. She was afraid he didn’t see her in a flattering light.

  When he produced the picture, she gasped. His interpretation of her face was so different than what she had expected. He drew her as beautiful! She was part light and part shadow, and one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen.

  “Patrick…this is too flattering,” she protested. “This woman is beautiful. She isn’t me! I don’t look like this.”

  “Emily, you do look this way. At least to me, you do,” he said softly.

  Tears sprang to her eyes. She didn’t know why she was getting so emotional. Her legs felt like water and her stomach was turning somersaults.

  “I-I don’t know what to say. Patrick, that is the most beautiful thing anyone has ever done for me.”

  He reached out and touched her face, then brushed back her hair. It was such a gentle touch, yet she felt it with every fiber of her being.

  “You are a beautiful woman. But now it’s time for you to go back.”

  She felt like she had been punched in the stomach. It seemed he was always telling her to go home. Was he not attracted to her? Was he just playing with her? She didn’t know how much more of this she could handle.

  “Why? Why do I have to go back now? I want to stay.”

  “I am leaving, too. I need to get back home. I will see you again soon. Goodnight, Emily.”

  He stood there waiting for her to leave. She thought about refusing, making him leave first. She wanted to hold her ground, but in the end she did as he wanted. She trudged up the path, disheartened by his behavior. She had been so excited about the picture, then it was like he just shot her down. This was definitely a mysterious man, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to deal with him anymore. She went to bed with tears on her pillow that night.