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Italics denotes thoughts
Betty couldn't resist the beautiful sunset. Sunsets were one of the things she missed since moving to the city. Instead of going inside, she wandered around to the west side of the barn and found a comfortable seat on the hay stacked next to it. She leaned back and drank in the sweet smell that reminded her so much of her happy childhood.
The sunset was spectacular, but it couldn't keep thoughts of Scott from creeping in. She contemplated the blunt things her mom had said to her. She admitted that the uncompromising words made Betty wake up to the fact that Scott could very well walk out of her life for good one day and it frightened her.
The shifting colors and clouds melded into a deep golden pink. The whole sky seemed on fire. Betty's lack of sleep the night before began catching up with her and she closed her eyes. She thought back over the day - watching Scott with her family. She admitted he had surprised her. He had been so comfortable with her parents. He had treated Chet, who could be extremely obnoxious, so patiently, taking the near hero-worship in stride. And when he turned the full Scott Sherwood charm on Maggie, the poor little girl didn't stand a chance. She smiled when she remembered how Maggie had cried for 'Unca' Scott when it was time for them to leave. Who would have thought Scott Sherwood would not only like kids but also be so good with them? It boggled the mind.
The setting sun felt warm on Betty's face. She tried to imagine what her life would be like without Scott. He kind of reminded her of a spectacular sunset. He brought something special to otherwise routine days – warmth and excitement and a sense that something very exciting was right around the corner. What she had refused to acknowledge for a very long time, though, was that he wasn't just all flash and show that burned bright only to quickly die. There was also a solid and deep goodness at his core. He just kept it very well hidden most of the time.
Her body grew heavy. She yawned. He deserves to find real happiness... Her thoughts trailed off and her breathing became deep and regular.
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A cool breeze lifted the tendrils of Betty's hair and made her shiver. She opened her eyes. It was dark except for the golden harvest moon hanging low in the eastern sky. She wondered how long she had been asleep and worried that Scott might have already left before she got to talk to him.
"Betty?" A soft voice inquired from the darkness.
She sat up. "Scott, I'm right here."
She could see his silhouette approaching her. The gentle song of the crickets surrounded them as he sat down next to her. She moved closer to his warmth. "You certainly are a hard one to find. Trying to hide from me?"
She laughed. "I really wasn't trying to hide. I guess I fell asleep watching the sunset."
"Well, I'm leaving and just wanted to say goodbye." He stood up and extended a hand to her. "Come on. Walk me to my car." She put one of her hands in his. She loved the feel and look of Scott's hands. They were strong and dry and masculine. He pulled her up next to him. She shivered again. He rubbed her hand a bit. "Your hands are like icicles." He took off his jacket and put it around her shoulders over her sweater. It felt like the most natural thing in the world when he left his arm around her. She could see the glint of teeth in the moonlight as he smiled down at her. "We need to get you warmed up." Betty didn't confess that her shiver had nothing to do with the chill in the air.
As they approached the house arm in arm, Betty looked up at Scott. "Let me go get my family. I know they'll want to say goodbye to you."
"It's already taken care of. When I couldn't find you on my first attempt, I went back and said good-bye to everyone. They probably think I'm long gone." He squeezed her shoulder and whispered in her ear. "It's just you and me, Betty Roberts." She felt his voice all they way down to her toes. They both fell silent, lost in their own thoughts.
When they reached the car, Betty turned to him and took one of his hands. "Scott I want to thank you for being so nice and patient with my family. I know they can be a bit much to take. Especially for someone like you who doesn't like this kind of domestic..."
Scott put a finger to her lips and gently scolded her. "Betty, I had a great time." He looked over at the farm house with its warm, inviting lights blazing and said, "True, I'm not used to family get-togethers like this and I've avoided them like the plague in the past, but I never knew it could feel like..."
In the light from the windows, Betty could see a far away, almost lost look in his eyes. A soft sigh escaped from his lips and he looked back at her with a wry smile. "Let's just say I never knew what I was missing."
Betty wanted to cry for the lost little boy who never knew a normal, happy childhood with a loving family. Betty wondered what kind of person she would be now if she had been raised the way Scott had. She feared she wouldn't measure up to him. She suddenly felt very much in awe of this complex, proud man.
Impulsively, she leaned up and softly kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you for bringing me home and thank you for staying today." His sad brown eyes looked into her soft ones. He dared a glance at her soft inviting lips. An image suddenly intruded into his mind of the kiss she and Victor would share after he slipped the diamond ring on her finger.
He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Instead, he straightened his back and let loose of the hand that had been holding hers.
Betty could feel him, once again, withdrawing from her. Quickly, she tried to prevent it. "Scott, do you think we could talk a little longer? There is really something I'd like to discuss. Maybe we could go for a short drive..."
Scott started backing away from her. "I'm sorry Betty. I really should be going."
"But, Scott, I really..."
Scott reached his car and opened the door. He took one last look at the woman for whom he'd do anything – anything, that is, but watch her marry another man.
The look on Scott's face was scaring Betty. Why was he looking so defeated and sad? Why did she suddenly feel like she was never going to see him again?
She hurried toward him. "Scott, please don't go yet. I..."
"Good bye, Betty." The car door slammed and before Betty could do or say any more, Scott's car disappeared down the road in a cloud of dust and gravel.
Betty stood staring down the empty, moonlit road until Ida came out and took her little girl in and put her to bed.
Some time during the night, Betty got up and sat in her window seat, staring out into the night with Scott's jacket to keep her warm.
Betty's Journey of Discovery Series
Go to Betty's Journey of Discovery#21 - Missing in Action!
Go Back to Betty's Journey of Discovery#19 - Thanksgiving Food For Thought!
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