CHAPTER 4

They’d both chosen such different paths after college. Cass had gotten her business degree and had every intention of opening her own marketing company, but when offered a modeling career that quickly made her a household name, she stayed with it and gave up her other plans.

Liz’s big city journalism career had been cut short after her move to the country but she didn’t seem to mind. She still took plenty of pictures and wrote when the mood struck her. She’d known in her heart during that last year at NYU that the kind of pressure journalists faced everyday was really not her cup of tea. She’d faced the firing squad a few times with her editor at the school paper and it had scared her a little. She was always afraid that she could never keep up. And besides that now that she had Bill, she wanted an unfettered life, one that would still lead to adventures, one that would unfold more humanely and without a time frame, and more than anything one that would not always feel pressured. She’d also started hinting about wanting to start a family and this was the place she’d wanted to do it at. This is why, when she first saw the house, the idea of three bedrooms appealed to her greatly. They would have room for a nursery as well as a place for guests to stay.

The last stretch of road before their house was always so incredibly beautiful and serene. The little cabins were set back from the road, hidden amidst groves of trees that for now were barren. She’d seen them in summer and remembered their majesty. The leaf-laden branches would sway back and forth like Hawaiian dancers doing the hula as the breeze touched them, passing through them like soft caresses. Seeing them stripped clean to the bone only showed another side of their beauty. The gnarled trunks portrayed the art of nature at it’s best. They swirled and curved and allowed the groves to have a beautiful natural architecture about them. The branches reached outwards like fingers striking a pose each with their own personality, each with their own story of age and stamina and survival.

Everything seemed wonderfully familiar as she pulled into the driveway. It always felt like she’d come home here even though she’d only been there a few times over the last year. It was obvious that they’d been putting a lot of time and effort into fixing things up. Most impressive was the extensive landscaping. Their place was like a little slice of heaven on earth as far as she was concerned and what they’d accomplished so far seemed to compliment the pair’s personalities. She could see the touches that Liz would have contributed, such as the different sized azure blue potting pots, along with a few stray red and purple ones. She had always been the one to see how color could enhance things allowing them to stand out when the time was right. Cass knew that in the spring and summer and even part of the fall, these colorful attributes would be bursting with an array of color. Oh yes, Liz loved her plants all right. They would eventually be filled with annuals and vegetables and would never look barren until the last hope of heat and sunshine faded because winter had arrived and even then she’d probably find something that might possibly survive under layers of freezing snow and ice. And even though there was a certain femininity to these smatterings of color, they blended so effortlessly with touches she could only attribute to Bill. Those would be the solid railroad tie borders that wrapped around the flower beds, the birdhouses he continuously constructed using up any old building materials, and of course the project car that had been sitting up on blocks since shortly after they’d moved in. Bill had promised Liz he’d finish it over a period of several months, but there it was, a few years later, still a project. He had finally admitted to her that he really didn’t know that much about cars so it had become a trial by fire kind of process that would likely end up taking a few more years to complete. Liz would never admit to him that she really didn’t mind his having a project like this because often times it gave her an excuse to spend quiet time with him.

On more Saturday afternoons than she could remember, especially when the weather was warm, she would make a jug of ice-cold lemonade and take it outside and just watch him quietly putter away at the engine. He’d come up for air after working underneath the car and would always smile at her. He loved seeing her stretched out in the hammock they’d strung between to gigantic maple trees. Sometimes he would join her there and they’d cuddle up and look at the sky between the branches above them. They’d made many plans there, and once even tried to make love but that didn’t work out very well. They had twisted and turned until they eventually upset it and both of them landed on the ground with a thud.

Cass was a little surprised to see so many cars parked in the driveway. She had purposely dressed down for this food fest thinking it would just be the same people couples that came every year. They were used to her showing up as though modeling would be the last thing they peg her for.

She looked down at her old worn jeans and baggy tank top and sighed. She knew her hair would be a big mess after the drive so she grabbed the brush she always kept stowed in her glove box for just such an occasion and tried to fix herself up a little. She added a touch of lipstick and finally just said to hell with it. However she looked would have to suffice. It seemed she always looked this way when she got there so why should she change now. They wouldn’t expect anything different of her. She was not a model when she was here, she was just a girl visiting her friends.

She got out of the car, grabbed her bag out of the trunk and headed for the house. She rapped on the front door more as a formality because she knew they wouldn’t be inside. She heard voices coming from around back and threw her duffel bag over her shoulder and made her way around the side of the house to the backyard. She counted seven people as she came around the corner. Liz spotted her immediately and called out.

“Cass, you’re here!” she said getting up to greet her dearest friend. Bill came over and gave her his famous bear hug.

“If they could only see you now, the big model from the city gone country,” he said jokingly.

“Personally, I think they should all see you like this to really appreciate how well you clean up.”

“Oh, I bet you say that to all the girls I’m sure,” Cass teased as she gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“Come on, I want you to meet everyone,” Liz said pulling her towards the others. “Everyone, I want you to meet one of my dearest friends Cassidy Lindley.”

Those she didn’t already know exchanged hellos, and those who did know her gave her big hugs. Liz, who always seemed to have something up her sleeve, then dragged her by the arm down towards the edge of the water where one other guest was watching the gentle little waves roll up to the shore. Liz tapped him on the shoulder and he turned around.

“Beau, I’d like you to meet one of my best friends, Cass Lindley. Cass, this is Beau Foster.”

“It’s nice to meet you Cass,” he said holding his hand out to shake hers.

Standing there with the sun behind her, it seemed he was looking at an angel. He took her hand to shake it and for a brief moment neither one spoke. Liz took this as her cue to split and did just that.

“Nice to meet you too,” Cass said, trying to get some saliva back into her mouth. She felt a shiver run through her body almost like she’d stuck her finger in a light socket. She thought that maybe she could just stand there like this, his hand in hers, forever. He was truly the most handsome man she’d ever laid eyes on and she found herself instantly attracted to him.

“Can I get you a drink? I know it’s a long drive for you,” he said as he forced himself to release her hand.

“As a matter of fact, I’d love something tall and frosty,” she said. The rest of the world seemed to shrink away, like there was no one else around them. He turned and headed back to one of the fully stocked coolers to grab her a beer. Cass followed closely behind him like a puppy that had found a new toy. She never had time to meet anyone with her busy schedule so this was a nice surprise.

Liz caught Cass’s eye and smiled. She could tell by the expression on her face that she’d done good, that her plan to introduce these two had not been in vain. While Beau retrieved the beers Cass walked over to Liz who was now sitting on the picnic table next to a few of her guests. Cass gave her one of those looks, the kind that says you may or may not be in trouble and both girls laughed.

“So, did I tell mention I was inviting a few new people out for the day?” Liz said, the devil sparkling in her eyes.

“No. I think you left out a few details,” Cass said as she smiled and shook her head. “I should have known better though. You were always the mischievous one.”

“So, what do you think? Nice crowd?” Liz let out a laugh.

“You’re an instigator. A troublemaker, you know that?” Cass said. “Does this Beau happen to live around here, or is he another import like me?”

“He lives a couple of hours away, up the lake road, and no, he won’t be staying here for the weekend as you will be,” Liz said.

“But, what about first date sex? Has marriage warped your sense of priorities that much already?” Cass asked innocently.

“I only put two and two together, the rest is up to you girlfriend.” Liz winked at her friend. When she saw Beau approaching with two bottles of beer she stood up and went to see if Bill needed any help.

The day seemed to vanish in record time. The sunset on the water couldn’t have been more picturesque. The gulls swooped down like acrobats skimming the surface of the water. Their silhouettes in the orange and yellow glow of the sunset made it seem like they were performing a water ballet. It was breathtaking to watch them glide graceful off to wherever it was they went at night.

After the sun went down everyone found a place around the blazing bonfire Bill had built on the beach. Liz was busy roasting marshmallows and passing them around, but most of the guests were just lying back in the sand, watching as the stars began to appear in the darkening sky.

“Would you care to join me for a walk along the beach?” Beau asked Cass who was sitting next to him.

“I think I’d like that a lot.” She said and began to get up. Beau jumped to his feet and turned offering her his hands so he could pull her up. She brushed the sand from her pants and told Liz they’d be back shortly.

“Take your time kids, no hurrying here,” Liz said.

They walked along quietly for a while taking in the beautiful moonlight and the gentle breeze. Cass turned to say something to Beau but the words never made it out of her mouth. She tripped over a partially hidden log and fell face down into the warm sand. Beau had tried his best to catch her but she’d fallen so fast he didn’t have time to grab her. She lay there for a moment completely stunned at suddenly being prone. She rolled over onto her back and saw that he’d gotten down on his knees next to her to help her get up.

“I told you one beer was my limit, but I had to let you talk me into a second, and then a third. You realize this is all your fault,” she said as she spit the sand out of her mouth.

“Are you okay?” Beau said trying not to laugh.

“I’m fine, thank you very much,” she said.

“So I’m to blame because you can’t control yourself?” Beau said sitting down next to her brushing back the hair that had fallen across her forehead. He couldn’t help but notice how soft and silky her skin felt beneath his fingers and how is glowed in the moonlight. She really was angelic and he was quite taken by her beauty. What really sealed the deal for him though was that she was just a nice girl, not fancy or unapproachable like he expected her to be.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked trying not to laugh.

“Yes, it’s just my pride that’s a little dented at the moment.” She laughed as she looked into his eyes. They were warm and sensual, and fiery green and seemed to look right through her. She turned away shyly and looked out over the water. He did not want this moment to end so instead of helping her up he lay back in the sand next to her and started explaining the constellation system.

After a while she asked him how he knew so much about the stars and he confessed that he’d been a science junkie in school.

“So you were one of those nerdy guys with his head in a book all the time," said said.

“No. Not all the time,” he replied. “Okay, well, most of the time yes, but I also played sports, so I wasn’t your typical nerdy guy. I was a jock nerdy guy okay?”

“That’s the best kind in my books.” She said trying to picture him as a high schooler. She was sure he must’ve been the boy all the girls drooled after.

They talked for a long time that evening and Cass felt extremely comfortable with him. He was a simple unpretentious kind of guy, something she didn’t run into in her business. There, everyone had an agenda, a self-importance that was so obvious sometimes it was almost laughable. But he seemed different, more sure of himself but in a very subtle way.

He was tall and muscular and it was hard not to notice the muscles rippling under his t-shirt when he moved. His dark hair matched her own and it seemed to lay haphazardly as though it had been styled to make him look ruggedly disheveled. He was in her book, an extremely sexy specimen of a man.

Cass had not felt this relaxed and happy in a very long time. Too much time had passed since she’d been in any kind of relationship and it had not bode well in the end. The last guy she’d been with was one of the photographer’s she worked with quite often. They’d been dating for a few months and had gotten intimately involved. It wasn’t wonderful but it worked for her since she didn’t have a lot of time to put into a relationship. He was willing to settle for that, which after thinking about it for a while disturbed her somewhat. It didn’t make sense to her until she discovered that he was sleeping with half the models in New York City. After that she decided that being alone was better than sharing. It was easier and she wouldn’t get hurt again.

“Liz tells me you’re very successful,” Beau said.

“I do alright. Just bidding my time until Prince Charming comes along and sweeps me off my feet to live in his castle or his cottage in the woods,” she offered. “I know that seems a little old fashioned, but I remember reading all those stories when I was little. I used to dream about all the beautiful clothes the women got to wear back then. Maybe that’s how I ended up in this crazy modeling business. I get to wear the best of the best for free. Funny how things work out like that,” she said smiling at him.

“That’s all it takes? A castle or a cottage? Nice clothes?” he said as he played with a strand of hair that had blown across her face.

“Well, not exactly. I suppose the castle part is pushing it a little,” she said, laughing.

“Castle sounds kind of fun, nothing wrong with that,” he said.

With the cool night breeze, and the sound of the water gently caressing the shoreline, it seemed as if this night had always been meant to happen. They talked for another hour before they decided to rejoin the others. Neither of them really wanted to move but they did anyway.

“I thought you two had run off forever,” Bill said as they walked back towards the fire.
“No. Not yet anyway. Apparently, I’ve overlooked the castle. I’m in need of a castle it seems,” Beau said as he looked at Cass.

“I see,” Liz said smiling at the two of them. “I know a good real estate agent.”

“I’ll have to get that number from you,” Beau said playing along. “Speaking of real estate, I’ve got a big morning at work. I really should be going.”

“But the night’s so young,” Liz said knowing very well just how late it was.

“I know, but a man wanting to build a castle has to go to work,” he offered knowing it would amuse Cass.

“I’ve heard castles can be pricy these days. You’d better get your butt in gear,” Cass said even though what she really wanted was for him to hang around for just a little while longer. She was completely infatuated with him.

He really wanted to stay as well but the reality was, he did have a big morning and he still had a little over an hour’s drive ahead of him. He would’ve liked nothing more than to sleep on the sand, under the stars with this beautiful woman cuddled up in his arms. He didn’t want their time to end but knew he had to force himself to go otherwise he’d be no good for anything tomorrow. He gave Liz a hug and thanked her for a wonderful day.

“Care to walk me to the car,” he asked Cass.

“Sure.” She really wanted him to stay a little while longer as well, but couldn’t bring herself to say so because she knew very well that the bewitching hour was upon them.

They walked around to the front of the house and stood by his car. He turned to face her then reached out and took her hands in his. There it was again she thought to herself—that shiver that ran through her just like when he’d first shook her hand. The hair on her arms stood up at his touch.

“I would love it if tomorrow you could join me after work for a picnic and a little sightseeing. We could take a drive.” He wanted to spend as much time with her as he could until she had to return to the city.

“Well, I don’t know what Liz has planned for the weekend. She usually has some crazy scheme cooked up. Why don’t you call me in the morning, okay?” she said, all the while knowing that no matter what excuse she had to come up with, she would do anything to spend the day with him. Something about him, his touch, his voice, his sultry looks, felt incredibly right to her. She felt drawn to him like a moth to flame.

“Till tomorrow then.” He didn’t even attempt a kiss, just turned and got into his car. He looked out the window at her then started the car and began to drive away.

Cass watched him pull out onto the road and stood there in the dark until the roar of his engine could no longer be head. She turned and went back into the house and went to the kitchen where she heard Liz’s laughter.

“So, my friend. You seem quite taken with our distant neighbor. Could this be love at long last?” Liz asked Cass laughing. She was always so sure of herself; something Cass had always envied about her crazy friend. Liz was leaning back against the counter and Cass took a good long look at her. Could she have been so out of touch with her friend not to have known something else was going on?

“Can I ask you something…personal?” Cass said grinning.

“Yes. The answer is yes!” Liz laughed.

“Oh God. I knew something was different about you but I just couldn’t put my finger on it with all the, well, distractions going on around here today.” She went to her friend and threw her arms around her. “I’m so happy for you, for both of you. How far along are you? And when exactly were you planning on telling me?”

“Well it took you long enough to notice first of all. Did you just think maybe I’d put on a little weight and didn’t want to hurt my feelings?” Liz asked.

“Well I didn’t even know you were trying yet and you never mentioned it. I can’t believe it.” Cass was aglow for her friend.

“The truth is, we weren’t really trying. It just sort of happened,” replied Liz.

“And are you happy about it?” Cass asked with concern.

“I’ve never been happier in my life. Bill is like a new man. He thinks he’s stud of the beach now. Every night he goes running through the house, naked as a jay bird, pointing to his groin and telling me how lethal he is.” She said laughing.

“I still can’t believe it. That’s why you look so great. I guess it’s true when they say you glow. When is the baby due?”

"Sometime in February. It’s funny. At first I was scared to death. I somehow couldn’t see myself as ‘mom’, but now, I keep seeing us playing on the beach, building sandcastles and running around. It all seems like a miracle. When we were trying years ago, nothing happened and now, well, I guess old age has made us fertile.”

“You say that as if you’re ancient. I don’t consider twenty-eight to be over the hill. “ She too could see them on the beach, not only building sandcastles, but the future. “Oh I envy you. You’ve got it all kiddo.” She thought of her empty life. It was a great life in so many ways but when it came to matters of the heart it was all work and no play.

“Believe me, it has its moment, and speaking of moments, I think this is ours,” she said patting her belly. “Time to hit the sack. You know where your room is,” she said turning to leave. “Oh, and by the way, you have a good time tomorrow, and don’t worry about us. It’ll be nice knowing you’re off having a good time. He’s a pretty great guy.”

Later that night, as Cass lay in bed, she kept seeing Beau’s hair tossed by the wind and those eyes. They were like azure pools, kind and gentle, and she knew she could get lost in them. Just thinking about him sent shivers down her spine. She rolled over and turned out the lights knowing that for the first time in a long time she would fall asleep with a smile on face.