Just Me - M J Marlow (reading strategies book .txt) 📗

the river valley below. This was a beautiful spot and just being here usually calmed me down. But there was something about the man who had brought me here that disturbed me. He sat next to me and just watched me as I struggled to find some peace. When I finally gave up, I turned to look at him and saw that he had been appraising me quite closely. “So,” I said tightly, “did I pass?” He looked at me quizzically. “Whatever test you put me to, Mr. Layton. Did I pass?” “You surpassed all the criteria,” Layton replied with a pleased smiled. “Maggie, I have a business proposition to put to you.” “Business?” I saw the gleam in his eyes and I shook my head. “I can just imagine what kind of business you want to discuss with me and I am not interested.” “Without hearing the specifics?” Layton looked at me in disappointment. “How unlike you.” I looked at his sharply. “You have an insatiable need to know, my dear. It is one of the qualities that makes you so good at what you do.” “I do not think you want my skills as a researcher, Mr. Layton,” I said tightly. “You can take me home now.” He moved suddenly and I was trapped between his arms. I fought my fear and looked at him coldly. “Let me up.” Layton just smiled and his eyes were filled with the promise of something I did not want. His lips pressed against mine and the touch was gentle but the effect was devastating. I felt like I was being branded and I was terrified. I pushed him off of me and saw from his eyes that he had felt it too and he was as confused as I was. “Take me home, Mr. Layton,” I snapped at him. “There is nothing you have to say to me that I am interested in hearing.” Layton nodded stiffly and went to open the door for me. I slid inside, still shaking from what had passed between us with that simple caress. He did not say a word the entire trip back to my home. He let me out and saw me back to the swing. For a moment I felt like he wanted to say something more, but then he just nodded and took off. I sat on the swing for several moments with my fingers to my lips and wondered why they were throbbing. I heard the door open and saw Maxine standing there looking at me closely. “He’s after something, Maxie,” I said as I got up to go back inside. “I don’t like it.” “I talked to his mother while you were out,” Maxine nodded as she closed the door behind me. “Her son is looking for a wife and he’s told her that you are his choice.” “I don’t even know the man,” I protested as we went into the kitchen. I made myself some tea. “I don’t like the little I do know about him.” I looked at her in dismay. “Why me?” “He didn’t tell you?” Maxine asked as she came over to rescue the tea kettle when my hands were shaking too badly to hold hit steady. She set it on a cold burner and made me sit down. “He said he wanted to be with me,” I choked out, “because I was more intelligent and innocent than the women he usually associates with.” Maxine nodded. “He kissed me, Maxie, and I felt like he was branding me.” I shuddered and wrapped my arms around my body. “I don’t want anything to do with that man. He terrifies me.” “He is not the type of man you want to have anything to do with, Maggie,” Maxine agreed. She looked at the clock. “Joseph will be here with his nephews soon. It’s movie night,” she reminded me and saw me frown. “If you want to call it off…” “I would hate to disappoint the twins,” I said. “I just need to change.” I went upstairs and sat down on the bed in my room to think. How could one little kiss be so devastating? I touched my lips again as I went to the mirror to see if they had changed. I couldn’t see anything altered, but I felt as if something had changed. I shook my head and tried to forget the encounter so I could enjoy the evening. “Princess Maggie!” the twins yelled up the staircase an hour later. I smiled and smoothed the skirt of the deep purple dress with the lacing up the front that swirled around my knees. They had chosen it for me as a birthday present and so I wore it for them. I stepped out on the landing and saw that they were both dressed like they were going to church. Joseph stood behind them, smiling as they bowed. “Good evening, young sirs,” I smiled and curtsied to them. “Thank you for joining us for the entertainment and feasting.” I came down the stairs and they both hugged me as if I would break. I met Joseph’s eyes and all the terror of the earlier encounter with Layton fled from my mind. Joseph kissed me gently and it was warm and tender and filled me with a sense of peace that had been completely lacking in Layton’s caress. The twins were waiting in the living room as I took Joseph’s arm. I was impressed with how well behaved they were as we ate and watched the movie they had brought. When Ruth came for them, Joseph and I were curled up on the couch and I was sound asleep while the twins were bouncing off the walls. “They were perfect gentlemen,” Joseph said as he saw her. “Tell them I’ll take them fishing tomorrow.” “Who’s staying with Maggie?” Ruth asked worriedly. “She can’t be left alone, Joseph.” She saw his smile. “No,” she shook her head. “You can’t take her fishing with you, Joey. What about walking?” “She needs to get out into the fresh air, Ruth,” Joseph said as he got up and lowered me to the couch. “Maggie has been cooped up in this place over a week.” He saw her look of censure. “So come with us,” he suggested. “We’re only going to Miller’s Pond. It’s close enough to the road I can carry her in and out. We’ll set up a lounge for her and let her sleep.” He picked up the pill bottle. “She’ll have taken one of her pills, Ruth, so the boys won’t disturb her.” “You’ve really got it bad for her, Joey,” Ruth shook her head. She saw where her twins were headed. “Stay away from that shed, hellions! There’s nothing in there you need to be bothering.” She looked at her brother seriously. “Be careful with her, little brother. I want to have nephews and nieces of my own one day.” “Thanks, sis,” Joseph nodded. He watched his sister herd her sons homeward. When he turned back it was to find me watching him with a smile of my face. “So?” “The fishing trip wasn’t vetoed,” Joseph replied. He looked worried. “You really think we should do this? You’ve only been out of the hospital a little over a week. Doctor Norman said no excitement.” “Fishing is not exciting, Joseph,” I smiled up at him. I got to my feet and he had me in his arms immediately. I put my arms around his neck. “I’d better be in bed when Maxie comes or you will be in big trouble.” There was a knock on the door and I looked confused. “It’s too early for Maxie,” I frowned as he set me back down on the couch. “Who could that be?” Joseph went to answer the door and I could hear his voice as I got my juice and sipped at it. Whoever it was had no intention of leaving and I was not surprised when Joseph returned. My eyes widened as I saw who followed him in. Layton stood there with another bouquet of violets and snowdrops in his hand. “Maggie,” he smiled at me warmly. “I wanted to apologize for what happened earlier.” “That was kind of you, Mr. Layton,” I said as I took the flowers from him. “They’re lovely. Thank you.” I looked up at Joseph. “Could you put these in a vase for me, Joseph?” I asked him as he stood there glaring at the man. “I’m sorry. You haven’t met Sheriff Joseph North, Mr. Layton…” “Her fiancé,” Joseph broke in, holding out his hand. He saw the man flinch slightly. “Mr. Layton,” he mused. He knew that name and the feeling he got from it was not a good one. “Nathaniel Layton?” “Don’t believe everything you read about me, Sheriff,” Layton said as he knew what the man was thinking. “Allegations are not confirmation of wrongdoing. I expect to be fully exonerated any day now.” He looked at me and saw that I was intrigued. “I did not come here to discuss my business dealings,” he reminded us both. “I came here to find out how my charming little friend is doing.” “Joseph?” I touched his hand and he looked away from Layton. “The vase?” He nodded and left the room with a great deal of reluctance. “Now, Mr. Layton,” I said the moment he was out of the room. “Suppose you tell me why you’re really here.” “You are a very perceptive and plain speaking young woman, Miss Grady,” Layton smiled as he sat on the heavy coffee table and looked into my eyes. “I’ll speak just as plain then.” He took my chin in his hand and smiled as his thumb stroked my lips gently. “I want you.” “Excuse me?” I choked and looked at him as if he’d gone insane. “You can’t be serious.” “On the contrary, precious,” Layton said as he leaned closer. “I couldn’t be more serious. I have decided that you are going to be my wife.” “No,” I shook my head. “I’m already engaged. Didn’t you hear Joseph?” “A childish infatuation,” Layton sniffed. “You are made for something more than spending your life buried here in Briarton. I can give you that.” I could see how some women might find this man attractive. His confidence was heady but it was not the type I appreciated. If I were going to have any life, it would be one that I chose for myself. And I had chosen to be with Joseph. So when Layton leaned down to kiss me, I did not hesitate. I slapped the smug bastard across the face and heard Joseph come running. “Joseph,” I said as I glared at the stunned man. “Mr. Layton was just leaving. Please see him to the door.” I smiled at the man briefly “Thank you for the lovely flowers, Mr. Layton.” Joseph made Layton leave and then carried me up the stairs as the rain that had been threatening all day began to fall. We did not discuss Layton and I was glad. That man made me feel very nervous and uncertain and I did not like it. I saw the lightning flashes as he set me down on the bed and I was thrilled. I loved thunderstorms; they always made me feel energized. I asked him to set the rocking chair up by the French doors and put me there and he shook his head. It didn’t matter how I pleaded, he was not listening to me. I sighed heavily as he made me take my medication and then made me comfortable in the bed and went downstairs to wait for Maxine. I got up six hours later, knowing it was a stupid thing to do; but I was so tired of being in bed I was ready to scream. As I got close the wind whipped along the back of the building and the doors