When Love's at Work Read online

  Bob knew he needed to go home and tie up loose ends. He already formulated the plan of how he would ask Meggie to marry him. As the two remained linked, oblivious to all others on the beach, Bobby imagined Meg’s face as he drove up in the white Mustang.

  His original idea had been to ride up on a white horse, but his fear of the animal made that plan unpalatable. Besides, he planned to rent a suit of armor and he didn’t think he’d be able to get on and off the horse with all that metal on. He wanted to be her knight in shining armor, not her knight who couldn’t lift his leg or fell off his steed. He hoped it would be romantic as hell.

  He’d hand her two dozen red roses tied with a silk ribbon and, of course, he’d bend down on one knee. Then he planned to hand her the key to the Cravens’ place and tell Meggie that she had the key to his heart and he wanted to give her the key to their new home together. Damn if he didn’t feel a tear escaping his left eye at the very thought.

  “Are you okay?” Meg asked, pulling back slightly so she could look into Bob’s eyes.

  “Yeah. Yeah. I think I got a speck of sand in my eye or something.”

  “Want me to kiss it and make it all better?”

  “Absolutely,” Bobby replied, allowing Meg to play nurse to his invisible wound. He could definitely get used to this.

  “Where the hell is he?” Purity said as she paced in her office.

  “His plane got in hours ago,” Sheila offered, realizing it would be of little help. “Maybe he decided to take the rest of the day off or something. He’ll probably be in tomorrow.”

  Purity couldn’t wait any longer. She wanted to know what he decided and she wanted to know now. Anything would be better than waiting around for someone else to map out her future. She turned her computer off and said to Sheila, “I’m going over to his house.”

  Sheila thought better of the idea, but saw the look of determination on Pure’s face, so kept silent. As Sheila returned to her desk, Alex McCallister stepped into Purity’s office. Purity had her back to the door and thought the sound was Sheila returning. “I mean, seriously, why hasn’t he called?”

  “Maybe he was waiting until he had the information he needed before he called,” Alex said.

  Pure froze. She didn’t want to turn around. Why did Alex always show up at the most inopportune times? And, why in the hell did her heart beat faster and her stomach do those silly flip-flops whenever he was around? Purity resumed breathing and turned to face Alex. Damn he looked good. Can he possibly look even better than the last time she saw him?

  “Hey,” she said, a bit too breathily. Pure felt like her knees might give way, so she sat back down in her office chair. “Long time, no see,” she said, trying to sound nonchalant as she reached for a file folder from the large stack on the left side of her desk. In her effort to seem unflustered, she accidentally pushed the file folder pile a bit too hard and they all went cascading toward the floor. Alex’s quick reflexes went into action and he caught them mid-air. As he began placing them back on Pure’s desk, Purity noticed that Alex’s wedding ring was absent from his finger.

  Joy shot through her like a spark igniting gasoline. She didn’t care if she seemed too eager and she didn’t care if he thought she was crazy, she jumped out of her chair, scurried around the desk and threw herself into Alex’s arms.

  The sudden impact thrusted Alex backward into the chair Sheila had recently vacated.

  “What in the hell?” Alex half-laughed, half-admonished.

  “You’re not wearing your wedding ring any more,” Pure explained. “I’ve been waiting for days and days and days and days,” Pure exaggerated. “I should have given you a 24 hour time limit or made you make your choice on the spot or,” Purity paused, “I don’t know. But, does this mean what I think it means? Are you choosing me, Alex?” Purity’s hope-filled question hung in the air.

  “Purity Indigo Zyetta,” Alex began, “will you marry me?” Alex hadn’t planned to ask Pure this way. He hadn’t planned to even pop the question for months. They barely knew each other. The one thing he did know, with every fiber in his being, was that he never wanted to be separated from Purity again.

  Purity grinned so wide she thought her head would split right open. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” she exclaimed, and then showered Alex’s face with enthusiastic kisses. “I love you, Alex.”

  “I love you, Purity.”

  By this time, Purity was wrapped snugly in Alex’s lap. He had one arm around her back and one arm resting on her stomach. Pure wanted to remain in the moment as long as possible. Nothing else seemed to matter. All thoughts of Callie had been banished.

  Purity took Alex’s left hand in hers and gazed at the thin white stretch of flesh that the sun hadn’t seen in twelve years.

  “Don’t get too used to not wearing a wedding ring.”

  “Not a chance.” Alex pulled her closer to him in a warm embrace. His heart felt light and the burden he had been carrying on his shoulders appeared to have lifted the minute Purity said yes to their life together. Happiness had eluded him for far too long. When he looked in Purity’s eyes, he saw his future clearly for the first time.

  Chapter Ten

  At 6:15pm Courtney and Meg met Purity at her office. The self-defense class Meggie had signed them up for was being held at The Kids’ Place. When Meg told Purity, her response had been, “Maybe I should read up on the programs offered here, huh?”

  The three women headed over to the building where the class was taking place when Purity blurted out, “I’m engaged!”

  Shrieks of joy could be heard clear across the parking lot. Heads turned, watching the friends exchange hugs. Meg wanted all the details, as did Courtney.

  “I knew Alex was a good guy,” Meg said.

  “Well, I have to say, while I’m happy that both of you have men in your life, what in the hell is wrong with me?” Courtney asked. “I’m funny. I’m hip. And, I can be nice,” Court paused, “when I want to be.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with you,” Purity assured her pal. “You just haven’t found the right guy yet.”

  “Or girl,” Meg added.

  Purity’s eyebrows lifted in surprise, “Is there something I don’t know about?”

  “No, I’m just saying…” Meg answered, but was interrupted by Courtney.

  “I hate to disappoint any deep-seated fantasies you might have about me being a lesbian, but I’m not. I like men. Preferably dark-haired, athletic looking men.”

  “I wasn’t trying to…” Meg tried to explain herself when Purity interrupted.

  “She’s teasing you, Meg,” Pure said.

  They reached the entrance and walked single file into the facility. They found the room assigned for the class and were surprised to find Sheila Martin and Charlie Mankins were leading it.

  “Are you presenting this class?” Pure asked Sheila.

  “Hey, Purity. Yes, I’m presenting the class. I didn’t know you were going to participate.” Sheila motioned to Charlie to join her as she greeted Pure and her friends.

  Introductions were made all around and Purity remembered that Charlie was the teenager that attended the meeting in Texas with Alex.

  “You never told me you taught self-defense classes,” Purity said.

  “You never asked,” Sheila replied.

  True enough, Pure thought.

  Tapestry waved at her friends and said, “I saved you seats.” The women sat down as the class began.

  The class was excellent and all four women learned a lot. They especially enjoyed the hands-on techniques. Meg definitely took a bit too much pleasure dumping Courtney on her butt when she was role-playing being Meg’s attacker.

  When it became Purity’s turn, Charlie donned the attacker’s padded suit and attempted to grab Pure around the neck. Purity felt the air in her lungs thicken. Her heart was racing and panic was quickly rising high in her throat. Her legs and arms became numb. Charlie didn’t realize how terrified Pure was and kept up his strangle hold.
Purity began lashing about wildly. Sheila recognized the look of alarm on Pure’s face and intervened, making eye contact, using a firm tone and a calm demeanor.

  It only took a few minutes for Pure’s heartbeat to return to normal. Now she felt foolish. Like she had overreacted.

  Charlie apologized to Purity as Meg, Tap, and Courtney surrounded their friend for support.

  “I felt like I couldn’t breathe,” Pure paused. “This class is not going to be useless to me if I can’t get past my fear. Can I try it again?”

  “Are you sure?” Sheila asked, not wanting to put undue stress on Purity. She worked with women in abusive relationships and experienced traumatic encounters and knew that pushing someone before they were ready could be detrimental to their healing process.

  “I’m sure,” Pure said with dogged determination.

  This time when Charlie made his attack, Pure thought of Derek Worthington. The smirk on his face while his hands were squeezing her throat, the way the weight of his body pinned her in place so she couldn’t move freely under him and how he had vowed, on more than one occasion, that he would return to finish the job he had started.

  A surge of terror, wrapped firmly in anger, desperation and a desire to not be identified as a victim coursed through her body in waves. Pure slammed her elbow hard into Charlie’s ribs, then used the force of her body as she leaned slightly forward and then thrust her body weight backward so her head hit his chin, making him stumble backwards. She turned around to face her attacker. She took the heel of her right hand and shoved it straight into his nose as she screamed, “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” Charlie bent over to catch his breath and Purity held both her hands tightly together as she raised them over her head and then delivered the final blow directly on to Charlie’s back. He fell to the floor like a ton of bricks.

  The entire class cheered Pure’s victory. Her friends knew it was not only a physical victory, but an emotional one as well.

  Purity hoped her newfound verve and skill would enable her to fight against Derek when the time came. She knew in her heart that it wasn’t a question of if the time came, it was a question of when.

  “Want to see what I learned today?” Pure asked as she and Alex were sitting in front of his fireplace eating sandwiches and drinking fruit smoothies.

  “Sure,” he said lazily.

  Before he knew it, Pure had him in a headlock.

  “Tell me you love me,” she said teasingly. “I won’t let you go unless you tell me.”

  Alex tried to laugh, but Pure’s grip really was tight.

  “I love you.”

  “Say it like you mean it, McCallister,” Purity stated, tightening her grip slightly.

  “I love you more than my Porsche.”

  “And?” Pure asked mercilessly.

  “I love you more than my Harley.”

  “And?”

  “I love you more than life itself,” Alex said, his tone quieter and more serious.

  Pure released her captive from the harsh grip and replaced it with a tender embrace.

  “I love you more than life itself, too,” she replied softly.

  “Does that mean I can keep the Porsche and the Harley?”

  “Do you want me to hog tie you?”

  “Could be fun,” Alex said, entwining his fingers in her hair and pulling her close for a heated kiss.

  Purity couldn’t think straight when Alex’s lips were on hers. Time seemed to stand still. Even the wood snapping in the fireplace seemed to melt away in the shadow of their love.

  Courtney was feeling sorry for herself, something she almost never did. She was deliriously happy for Pure and Meg, but she had seen best friends turn to acquaintances quickly upon becoming involved in a relationship with a man. She hoped the bond she shared with Meg and Pure wouldn’t diminish over time now that they were living into a new vision of their future.

  Her mind wandered from the thought of her pals to her latest project. She couldn’t wait to get her hands on the new pottery wheel in her spare bedroom, which served as her work room. Pure always said her entire home was her work room, which was partially true; however, most of her supplies were kept in the one room. Of course, things did seem to spill over into all other areas of her house. Wasn’t it just yesterday she found her charcoal pencils by the refrigerator in the kitchen?

  A man would only complicate her life. Better to focus her energies on the creative arts. Too bad paintbrushes didn’t keep you warm at night or tell you they loved you.

  Meg and Bobby were eating up their cell phone minutes like candy. It had been two weeks since Bobby left for Boulder and Meg bemoaned to Pure about fifteen times that she missed him so much she thought she would die.

  Pure empathized with her friend. Especially since she had been spending most of her free time with Alex.

  One thing had been gnawing at the back of Pure’s mind. She didn’t want to bring it up, and possibly cause waves in her relationship with Alex, but she couldn’t help but wonder when he was going to mention that he had bought Mrs. Cravens’ house for her.

  She already knew she couldn’t accept such a gift, but why hadn’t he told her about it? What was he waiting for?

  The Back-To-School Carnival was only a week away and everything was still humming along smoothly. It made Purity nervous. She was used to things going awry at the last minute and stumbling on bumps in the road.

  “Let’s just be thankful things are going so easily this time around,” Sheila advised.

  It was good advice, Pure thought. Good advice she couldn’t take. Worrying was almost an art form for Purity. If there wasn’t something to fill her thoughts or a list to be checked and rechecked, she didn’t know quite what to do with herself. Alex had a few ideas.

  It had become quite a challenge to leave his arms night after night. Everything in her wanted to toss her beliefs aside and go to bed with him. She made that mistake four times previously with men she loved and she didn’t want to make it a fifth time. She loved Alex and he loved her. It was a magical and wonderful feeling to be able to trust a man again. Pure had wondered if it was even possible any more. Alex showed her that it was.

  Pure wished she never had sex before so she could give Alex a love that was completely pure. Pure, not only her name, but the way she felt when she was with Alex.

  Alex received a confirmation letter from his lawyer stating the divorce paperwork had been received by the court. Callie decided not to contest the divorce and signed the papers willingly, although not without a disdainful look on her face when Alex showed up on her doorstep promptly at 4:00pm two Friday’s prior. She hadn’t said one word to him, just signed the papers and slammed the door in his face.

  That had been fine with Alex. He didn’t wish ill will on Callie, but he wanted his freedom back so he and Purity could pursue their life together.

  The only dark cloud Alex could see on the horizon was Derek Worthington. He knew he was still out there and could show up at any time. He had dreams about Purity being kidnapped and much worse. He wanted Derek behind bars.

  Pure shared with him what happened at the self-defense class. Alex almost headed over to Derek’s home when he heard the news, but Purity stopped him. The best defense is a good offense she had told him. That’s why she had taken the class, made sure she wasn’t alone when she went places at night, and was constantly on guard for any signs of Derek Worthington. She also carried pepper spray and a small pair of sewing scissors that had sharp points.

  He knew Purity didn’t want to live her life in fear, but he also knew that he saw a shadowed apprehension cross her face from time to time. In those moments, he knew that Derek Worthington was inside her head.

  The lawyer’s letter said the divorce would be final in three months. He had hoped it would be sooner.

  Derek Worthington had been biding his time. He laughed when he saw Purity and her friends at the self-defense class. Like that would stop him from carrying out his plan. He had shown great restraint and
patience by not contacting Purity, only observing her actions. He decided the carnival would be the perfect place to bring his fantasy to fruition.

  He enrolled in the Crescent City Clown College a week ago. Just in time to volunteer to work at the carnival. He would go unnoticed easily in his multi-colored wig, polka dot pants and face paint. Derek had scoped out the grounds and gotten his hands on the layout for the event.

  As Derek waited across the road from Alex’s home for Pure to leave, he muttered, “Slut.” She had been at his home every night for weeks. Shoving her affair in his face. It had taken him six months to get Purity to sleep with him. She spread her legs for Alex in less than two months. The thought made his anger surge and he gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white.

  She was practically dancing as she made her way to her car. Alex stood in the doorway, silhouetted by dim firelight. “How romantic.”

  He followed Pure back to her home, making sure not to get too close as to arise suspicion. When she got out of her car at her apartment complex, he wanted to jump out, grab her and throw her in the trunk. He was tired of all the waiting. The anticipation was almost too much to bear.

  Just a little while longer. Then he would show Purity Indigo Zyetta who was in control.

  “I’ll see you at 4pm today,” Bobby said to Meg from the airport.

  “I can’t wait,” Meg exclaimed excitedly.

  “Me either,” Bobby replied. He had made all the arrangements except for one. “Oh, and Meggie,” he paused.

  “Yes?” Meg questioned.

  “Let’s meet up at Mrs. Cravens’ house.”

  “Why there?”

  “Trust me.”

  “I trust you,” she replied. “I’ll be there at four.”

  After hanging up, Meg immediately called Purity. When she answered, Meg nearly shouted, “Bobby’s almost here!”