Possibilities: A Contemporary Retelling of Persuasion Read online

  When he met Allie, she’d been dressed in a pair of blue jean cutoffs and a faded work shirt. She was digging in a flowerbed. Frederick thought she was an employee and had shamelessly flirted with her for two days before he realized she was Richard Elton’s daughter. Another two days lapsed before Frederick understood she was also his boss. When the estate manager who hired him had explained that Mr. Elton’s daughter, Allison, managed the mansion’s landscaping, Frederick had imagined a high-heeled, red-lipped blonde who sat on the porch and flung orders at him. He never imagined a brown-eyed, pony-tailed brunette with dirt on her knees who simply introduced herself as Allie.

  By the time Frederick realized the Allie he’d met in the tulip bed was actually Allison Elton, she’d done a splendid job of flirting right back. They’d discovered a mutual enjoyment of plants and gardens. But Frederick had learned that while his interest was closer to a hobby and a means to earning an interim income, Allie’s love of the outdoors involved a master’s degree in horticulture. And while her father allowed her to manage the plantation’s yard staff, he refused to allow her to teach junior college, which is what she really wanted to do.

  After weeks of Allie’s silent invitations for more than just friendship, Frederick decided not to heed his mother’s warnings about the difference in their economic backgrounds. He liked Allie for who she was, and he was elated that he saw the same appreciation in her eyes. Even though Frederick respected his mom’s opinions, he fully believed that his Allie would never allow material issues to taint her heart. His belief in her had paid off.

  Pulling the Ford to a halt, Frederick turned off the engine and picked up the tiny velvet box from the passenger seat. He nudged open the lid with his thumb and examined the one-carat diamond twinkling in the evening’s light. Frederick had worked hard and saved to buy the ring. Still he’d wound up with a diamond bigger than he could afford—and a credit card balance he’d be chained to for a year, maybe two.

  But Allie’s worth it, he thought and couldn’t wait until they said “I do” and began their life together. Since he was scheduled to leave for boot camp in six weeks, he hoped to be married within the month. They’d already discussed having a private ceremony with only their parents and a few close friends in attendance. Nothing more. The fact that Allie wasn’t interested in plastering the society pages with pomp and finery made him love her all the more.

  Frederick shut the box’s lid with a snap and a smile. He planned to take Allie out to eat. After a sunset walk in the park, he’d give her the ring. His mind whirled in anticipation of the kiss that would seal their engagement.

  Even though Allie’s hand was twined with Frederick’s, her fingers remained cold. His hand’s warmth matched the blazing promise in his eyes. Throughout the evening the promise hung between them. His eyes grew more intense. And Allie had never wanted to hide more than now. No matter what she did, she could not get her hands to warm up. But then, neither would her heart. It was every bit as chilled as her fingers—and then some.

  The August sun torched the western horizon in a blaze of orange. Streaks of blue sapphire, gray, and amethyst shot out from the glowing ball like a final glorious statement on the whole day. The park’s pond mirrored the sunset while eager ducks zipped to and fro in quest of the morsels tossed by a trio of noisy children.

  Frederick led Allie toward an isolated bench near a clump of maples. Along with the scent of earth and bark and leaves, the alcove offered them privacy from most of the park’s guests without blocking their view of the pond and the lush greenery surrounding it. Tugging her down with him, Frederick settled onto the wooden park bench and squeezed her hand. He smiled into Allie’s eyes. Neither had spoken during the stroll through the park. Words weren’t always necessary when you are in love.

  Frederick leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. Overcome with the achingly sweet gesture, Allie held her breath and strained nearer. She closed her eyes, rested her hand on his chest, and invited a deeper kiss. Frederick’s intake of air hurled Allie into a new realm of heightened confusion. She loved this man with everything she was, but staying in the relationship meant the betrayal of the family she also loved.

  The image of her father’s disapproving eyes . . . and of her aunt’s disdain . . . made Allie break the kiss.

  “Wow!” Frederick exclaimed, his dark eyes sharpened with the anticipation of marital fulfillment. “Now that’s what I call a kiss!” Gazing at her lips, he moved in for another round.

  Allie flattened her hands against his chest and halted his progress. Another kiss like that one would make her forget all about her familial obligations, and Allie just couldn’t take the chance.

  “Frederick, I—we—I need to tell—to tell you something,” she stammered.

  “You’ve already told me more than I expected,” he teased and eased away with a mixture of respect and disappointment flitting across his features.

  Allie lowered her gaze to the top of his shirt that showed off those muscles Aunt Landon had noticed. But Allie also recognized that the shirt had come from the clearance rack at Walmart, while her simple cotton blouse and short skirt were the weekly feature at Macy’s. None of that mattered to Allie, but she knew it mattered to her family. And her family meant everything to her. Her mother’s premature death had taught her never to take her relatives for granted . . . and never to do anything against their wishes she might later regret.

  “What’s the matter, sweet thang?” He chuckled through the endearment and touched the end of her nose.

  “It’s just that . . .” she fretted and couldn’t even fathom the right words.

  The children’s approaching shrieks mingled with the ducks’ demanding squawks. Allie glanced toward the noise. The three boys had apparently lured the ducks far enough out of the water to try to catch them. The ducks, clued into the ploy, scrambled toward the pond while furiously quacking. The smallest boy lunged at the last duck, fell into the edge of the pond, and came out of the deal with a handful of tail feathers and nothing else.

  “Ah, man!” he cried as he sat up on the water’s edge. “I almost had him.”

  “Cool!” one of his compadres cheered.

  “Would you look at those feathers!” the other child admired.

  The violated duck streaked across the pond with enough verbiage to make any sailor blush. That is, if the sailor understood duck.

  Allie, overwrought with nerves, snickered. Frederick joined her.

  “That kid is drenched, isn’t he?” he mused. “Reminds me of me when I was his age. My mom stayed in a stew because I was always tearing my new jeans or getting grass stains on my church clothes.”

  “I bet you were a handful,” Allie teased.

  He winked. “I was. And by the time I was fifteen Mom taught me how to mend my own clothes. She said my future wife would never forgive her if she didn’t show me how to fix what I’d torn.”

  The word wife jolted Allie out of the humorous moment and sent her plummeting back into the abyss of despair. She gazed at the manicured grass and prayed for an easy way to break his heart.

  “Speaking of wife . . .” Frederick said and stood.

  Out of the corner of her eye, Allie noticed him reaching into his pants pocket and pulling out a tiny box covered in black velvet. She squeezed her eyes shut and prayed she was hallucinating. If she weren’t, this was worse than she’d dreamed.

  When he settled back onto the bench, Allie’s attention was riveted to him, whether she wanted it to be or not. No microphone could have broadcast his motives any louder than his jubilant expression. Her stomach churned. A nauseous bulge threatened her throat. The park began a slow spin that worsened her dismay.

  Frederick lowered himself to one knee, opened the box, and said, “Allie, I know we’ve already talked about getting married, but this makes it official. Will you marry me?”

  She gazed at a diamond that was much larger than anything he could afford. The stone exploded with blue-hued sparkles tha
t spoke of its quality . . . and this man’s love. Overwhelmed beyond logic, Allie moaned, clutched her midsection, and hunched forward. “God, help me. Oh dear God, help me. I am going to die!” she moaned.

  “Allie? You’re going pale. Are you sick?”

  “Oh no!” she wailed and covered her face.

  “Allie?”

  The pain exploding through her spirit was more intense than anything she’d anticipated. All Allie wanted was to make it stop. She had to get away from the diamond, the man attached to it, and the pure love he offered. She jumped up and blindly raced back in the direction they’d walked. As the tears streamed down her face, she wiped at them and did her best to navigate toward the parking lot. What she would do once she got there was still to be seen. But for now, the urge to run . . . the need for some space must be met.

  “Allie!” Frederick’s panicked calls followed close behind. “Allie, wait! Allie!”

  She glanced over her shoulder. When she looked back in front of her, it was too late to dodge the backless park bench inches ahead.

  “Watch out!” Frederick yelled.

  The bench’s concrete edge ate into her leg as she toppled forward and landed in a tumbled heap on the other side. She never thought the pain in her soul could be matched by any physical pain until arrows of agony screamed up her left leg. Allie coughed out a protest through her tears. Her lower leg was turned at an odd angle that could only mean one thing: She’d broken it.

  Three

  Forty minutes later Frederick paced the emergency room waiting area and could only imagine what being here for a life-threatening cause would be like. Allie had broken her leg, and he was on the verge of despair. If her life were in question, Frederick probably would have been facedown on the floor. So far Allie’s family hadn’t arrived. He’d called Landon Russ as soon as Allie was admitted, and he expected her family to be here any minute.

  For now, the only other occupants included a leathery-skinned old man and a young mother with a screaming toddler on her lap. Frederick had no idea who either was waiting on, but he could have done without the screaming. The noise raked his taut nerves as severely as the hospital’s antiseptic smell. His sense of guilt heightened. Frederick couldn’t get away from feeling that he was to blame for Allie’s accident.

  Frederick also couldn’t stop the haunting reality that her running had everything to do with the ring and proposal and nothing to do with an onslaught of illness. Never had he been so sure of anything in his life. After all, they’d talked of marriage several times, and Allie had seemed ecstatic about the idea and as sure of her love for him as any Juliet had ever been. As his concern mounted, so did his confusion . . . and the horrible conviction that he should have never been so sure of Allie.

  He stopped beside a drink machine, pulled out his billfold, and retrieved two dollars. After inserting the money, he grabbed the Coca-Cola and indulged in a mammoth gulp. The second the Coke fizzed down his throat, the hospital doors sighed open and Landon Russ stormed the waiting room like a mama bear on the trail of the one who’d harmed her cub. As usual she looked like an over-made magazine girl in high heels and a dress designed for someone fifteen years younger.

  Stepping forward, Frederick braced himself for the condescending gaze he expected of all the Eltons and their ilk. So far in their acquaintance, Landon had been outwardly warm and friendly, but her eyes reflected a chill that never failed to remind Frederick what side of town he came from.

  When Landon spotted Frederick, she veered toward him and didn’t give him time to utter a hello. “Tell me what happened!” she demanded. “Did you hit her or push her or—”

  “No!” Frederick boomed and liked Landon Russ even less.

  The baby stopped screaming. Frederick glanced toward the old gentleman. Sure enough, his attention was on Frederick and Landon; so was the baby’s and the mom’s, for that matter. As soon as Frederick focused back on Landon, the baby released a shriek that could shatter boulders.

  Frederick latched on to Landon’s arm and pulled her around the corner, toward the hallway they’d wheeled Allie down. “Listen,” he snarled into her face, “I don’t know what kind of a cad you think I am, but I’ve never hit a woman in my life. And I don’t plan to start now!” He released her arm.

  Landon’s stony face showed little reaction. Only her eyes revealed her fury and contempt. “So tell me what really happened, then!” She brushed his low-income germs from the arm of the short jacket covering the expensive dress.

  Frederick lifted his hand and huffed. “It’s just like I told you on the phone. We were at the park. She was running and fell over a bench.”

  “It’s not like her to be so careless,” Landon stated. “She was on the track team in college, even. Were you chasing her?” Her pointed gaze wouldn’t relinquish control, and Frederick decided the best recourse was honesty—complete honesty.

  “As a matter of fact, I was,” he said.

  Landon’s eyebrows flexed, and her mouth settled into a satisfied line.

  Reaching into his pocket, Frederick pulled out the ring box and juggled the Coke bottle while opening the box. “I had just proposed,” he drawled as Landon gaped at the blue-tinged diamond. He reveled in jolting the great Landon Russ. Her eyes huge, she lifted her gaze to his.

  “Is that thing real?” she asked.

  “Of course,” Frederick snapped, and a slow burn started in his stomach.

  “How did you afford—”

  “Oh! Is the ring real?” he mocked. “I thought you were talking about the box. I got the ring out of a vending machine.”

  Landon’s jaw tightened.

  Frederick hoped his sarcasm hid his doubts and pain. “I’d barely proposed when she went pale,” he continued like a reporter. “She started running across the park like a maniac. So yes, I was chasing her, but not because I was trying to hurt her. I was just . . . I was just following her, I guess.” He snapped shut the box and placed it back into his pocket. “Because I was confused and, well, I think any man would have done the same.”

  Landon shifted back, hardened her features, and crossed her arms. “Did Allie expect the ring?”

  “Nope.”

  “Then I know why she was running.”

  “Oh?” Frederick’s heart thudded.

  “Because she was going to break up with you tonight,” Landon said as if she were reciting a grocery list.

  Frederick refused to flinch.

  “But before she got the chance, you offered a ring and popped the question.” Every word held the finality of truth. “You know Allie. She wouldn’t hurt a fly. I’m sure it so overwhelmed her that she just wanted to run.”

  Frederick gazed past Landon to the nurses’ station. A klatch of employees intent on this file or that medication never registered his presence. Allie’s words when she saw the ring bombarded his mind: “God, help me. Oh dear God, help me. I am going to die!” An elevator’s ding sounded like the bell announcing the right answer on a game show. And Frederick felt as if he were being hit in the gut.

  “I guess it all makes sense, then,” he said and managed a half-smile that he hoped was nonchalant. Never had nonchalant cost so much. After downing a hard swallow of Coke, he allowed himself the luxury of a wince and hoped Landon attributed the reaction to the carbonated beverage and not the agony ripping his soul.

  “You know, Frederick,” Landon said and placed her hand on his forearm, “Allie comes from one of the wealthiest families in Georgia. It’s always better to marry within your . . .”

  Her gaze faltered.

  “I see,” Frederick said and couldn’t stop the bitter taint in his words. He gazed down at Landon’s perfectly sculptured nails and stepped away from her touch.

  She adjusted her purse’s shoulder strap and looked him in the eyes again. “Since you’ve been so honest with me, I’ll do the same. Allie and I had already discussed these issues this afternoon. And she came to her own conclusions.” Landon shrugged.

  �
��With help from you, I daresay.” Frederick’s words were void of the tremor starting in his legs.

  Landon narrowed her eyes. “Allie’s family means the world to her. More than any—any—” She flipped her wrist as if Frederick were an afterthought dish on a second-rate menu. “She’d never do anything against our advice.”

  “I see,” Frederick said again and decided he’d been played for a fool. Whatever Allie felt for him, it was nothing compared to her loyalty and love for her family.

  You were right, Mom, he thought. I should have listened to you.

  “You know,” Landon purred and crossed her arms, “I’m sure this is all very upsetting for you.” She touched his arm and leaned closer, but her hard eyes didn’t match her feigned concern. “If you don’t feel comfortable staying, I know Allie would understand.”

  Tempted to scrub at the place she’d touched him, Frederick gazed at the top of his discount boots. Landon Russ’s heels probably cost more than three pairs—no, ten—of his shoes. The price of his whole wardrobe probably didn’t even touch two of Allie’s high-class suits. But none of that had mattered in their relationship . . . or so he’d thought.

  His family had never taught him to value others more because of money. Neither had they suggested they were less valuable because they lived on a policeman’s salary. Nevertheless, Frederick had never felt so unworthy . . . like a dirty street urchin who dared touch the hem of the queen’s gown.

  Landon’s pointed suggestion that he leave Allie’s life posed itself as the only choice. Walking away would be so much neater than having to face Allie and hash through all the reasons he wasn’t good enough for her.

  I’ve been living a Cinderella fairy tale, Frederick concluded. Only this time Cinderella is a guy and there is no happily ever after.

  Without another word, he turned and stomped across the waiting room. When he neared the exit, he chose the manual door over the automatic one and slammed his fist against the metal bar. The glass door banged open. Frederick’s hand protested the abuse as profoundly as his heart protested his stepping out of Allie Elton’s life.