A Modern Day Persuasion (10 page)

How do I get myself into these situations
? Anne thought. This hike was going to be torturous in more ways than one.

Mary struggled on all the hills, slowing the party down. It didn’t help either that she took a water break every few minutes. Anne dutifully stayed behind with Mary, using any opportunity to tug at her shorts when Rick wasn’t looking.

Rick acted quite the gentleman when assisting Louise and Etta around rocks and large branches, but then neglected his manners when it came time to aide Anne and Mary. Anne felt of no consequence to Rick, which made her want to cry.

“Anne!” Etta yelled, breaking through Anne’s thoughts of self-pity. “You’ve got to see this! I hope you brought your camera!” Anne nodded, patting her backpack.

Once Mary and Anne reached the crest of the hill, they were greeted by an amazing view of the vast wilderness. The sun glowed, creating a magical moment. Anne eagerly pulled out her camera and began snapping pictures.

The overwhelming beauty before her caused Anne to temporarily forget the awkwardness she felt over her appearance. The artistic side of Anne came into action and Rick marveled at watching Anne in her element.

“Hey, Anne! Do you see that home down there?” Louise asked, pointing to a log house surrounded by trees near the lake. “It’s the Hayters’ place.” At the mention of this, Mary took on a sour expression.

Etta looked disconcerted. “Do you think Chuck will be home?” she asked Louise.

Mary rudely interjected, “Why should we care?” This outburst was prompted by Mary’s belief that the Hayters were
beneath their family socially. As such, Mary was not in favor of Etta dating Chuck.

Louise disregarded Mary’s comment and answered Etta, “Why don’t you find out?” With that she grabbed Etta’s hand.

“I’d like to come too,” Charles said. “Besides, I need to use the bathroom. What about you Rick?”

Rick, sensing the discord, declined, “No thanks, I’ll pass.”

Charles turned to his wife with a look of pleading. Reading his mind, Mary answered, “I am not going down there. I don’t care for Chuck or his mother’s company.”

“Mary, we’ve known them for years. It would be rude if you stayed here.”

“I don’t care, I’m not going. Etta, I want you to stay here as well.” Mary took Etta’s other hand and pulled her towards herself.

In frustration, Charles breathed, “Fine. If you want to stay, stay.” He promptly turned and began walking down the hill.

Louise got a determined look on her face and wrenched Etta’s hand from Mary’s loosened grip, propelling her sister onwards to hurry after their brother.

Mary looked upset. “I can’t stand it when people say you have to do certain things just to be polite. I will not go down there. I am my own person. I don’t have to go out of my way for anybody, especially people like
them
.”

Rick, hearing this, was secretly repulsed by Mary’s contempt and obvious prejudice. Anne blushed with embarrassment and was thankful for Louise’s return a few minutes later.

“Rick,” Louise said, getting his attention. “There’s some blackberry bushes not far from here. Do you want to go pick some with me? I bet my mom could whip up a yummy cobbler with them—plus, they might be nice to nibble on while we wait.”

Rick looked over at Anne and her sister before answering Louise. “Sure. Some blackberries might really hit the spot right now.”

Louise and Rick wandered off. Mary watched them, and then feeling thirsty fumbled around for her water bottle. Raising it to her mouth, she discovered it was empty.

“I’m thirsty, Anne. Do you have any water? I’d like a sip.”

Anne opened her backpack and searched around for her water while keeping an eye on Louise and Rick in the distance. She found the unopened bottle and handed it to Mary who gulped it down greedily.

“How long do you think Charles and Etta will visit with the Hayters?” Anne asked.

Mary wiped her mouth. “Knowing the way Chuck and his mother go on and on, it’ll probably be an hour at the very least.”

Mary handed the water bottle back to Anne. Anne noted it was empty and sent Mary a piqued look as she placed the container back into her sack.

Mary, observing Anne’s displeasure, cried out, “Could I help it if I was thirsty? Surely you wouldn’t want me to become dehydrated?!”

Anne shouldn’t have been surprised. It was so like Mary to only think of her own needs. Had she known that Mary would end up being so inconsiderate, Anne might have taken a sip before sharing her water.

The two sat in silence for a while until her sister got restless. “I’m going to check and see what Rick and Louise are up to,” Mary said as she wandered off to find them.

Anne continued to sit there, waiting patiently, though a part of her also wanted to know what Louise and Rick were doing. To Anne, it seemed obvious that Rick found Louise fun and attractive. Anne suddenly felt lonely, ugly, and old. Wrapping her arms around herself, she believed she had nothing to compete with Louise’s youthful charms.

After ten or so minutes of these depressing thoughts, Anne realized she needed to relieve herself. Finding some isolated brush where she could be discrete, Anne quickly took care of business, praying the whole time that no one would
stumble across her during this awkward moment. After successfully pulling up her borrowed tight biker shorts—which was no small feat—Anne suddenly heard the sound of approaching movement in the brush some hundred yards away and instantly became alert. She hoped it wasn’t a cougar. Listening more intently, she slowly began to recognize the voices of Rick and Louise.

As they moved closer, Louise’s words were unmistakable. “…no, I don’t think she would have gone if I hadn’t made her. Although Etta and I are sisters, we are very different. Once I make up my mind, it cannot be changed, whereas Etta must be prodded wherever she goes. If I was in love with a man, nothing would ever separate us.” This last sentence was said in a determined voice.

Rick’s voice responded, “Wisely said. She is lucky to have you for a sister. Are Etta and Chuck engaged?”

“Practically,” Louise replied.

“Then why didn’t Mary want to visit with the Hayters?” queried Rick.

At this last question, Louise and Rick were coming into view as they continued walking in the brush below. Anne was now able to see them easily. This revelation made her realize that she was at risk at being seen as well. The thought mortified Anne, knowing that Rick most likely would think she was spying on them, especially since it was something she had earlier wanted to do. Color spread over her face in embarrassment as Anne sunk lower in the brush so as not to call attention to herself. In doing so she almost fell over. Luckily Anne stifled a scream before it escaped her lips and quickly steadied herself.

“Mary thinks they have no class because they don’t have money,” answered Louise. “She has too much of the Elliot pride if you ask me. Our family can’t help but sometimes wish that Anne had reconsidered Charles’ offer.”

Rick stopped dead in his tracks. “Charles wanted to marry Anne?”

“Uh-huh. But she turned him down. She would have made a wonderful sister. We all adore Anne. My mom thinks it was because Anne only considered Charles as a brother, but my dad believes it was because her friend Carol didn’t think my brother was good enough for her.”

Rick’s face clouded with anger, remembering his own rejection. “Why? Charles has money,” Rick said in a tone that rang with slight bitterness.

“Yes, but he doesn’t have connections. As far as Carol is concerned, nobody is good enough for Anne. Fortunately for Mary, Carol didn’t take any interest in whom she chose to marry.”

Anne watched them wide-eyed as they moved out of sight. If only she could read Rick’s mind at that very moment.
What must he think about how I also rejected Charles’ offer of marriage? Does he even care
?
Is he jealous
?
Or is his apparent surprise only because another man actually found me attractive enough to ask me to be his wife
? The sound of Mary stumbling back roused Anne from the questions she was certain she’d never know the answers to.

Chapter 18

When Etta and Charles returned, Chuck tagged along to accompany them for the remainder of their hike.

Rick stole a look at Anne in time to see her extract a water bottle from her backpack for a needed sip of water. He watched as she became frustrated, remembering that Mary had already finished it.

Grimacing, Anne placed the empty container back into her pack. Rick slowed his pace to hand Anne his own water bottle. Anne looked up at Rick curiously and took it, showing surprise and gratitude on her face. Inwardly, she wanted to cry at his thoughtful gesture. She tried not to read into Rick’s chivalrous act, but found herself half-elated and halfhoping.
Can it be that despite the long passage of time Rick still holds some fondness for what we once had
? Anne instantly chastised herself for these whimsical thoughts. She was being foolish and leading herself on. What Rick did for her, he’d probably do the same for anyone—simple as that.

Struggling with her wishful thoughts, Anne followed the group to the top of a knoll overlooking a beautiful and serene lake. Ducks swam across its surface effortlessly, prompting Anne to take a few pictures with her camera. Over the gentle sound of the water pressing against the river’s bank, the party heard the sound of an approaching boat.

“Look, Rick! It’s your sister and her husband!” Etta exclaimed.

Sure enough, the Admiral and Mrs. Croft could be seen coming downstream, maneuvering their craft towards the bank.

“Ahoy there!” Rick said. “What are you two up to?”

Rick’s sister smiled in greeting. “Mr. Croft wanted to feel as if he was on the sea again, so I suggested we rent a boat.” Mrs. Croft gestured indulgently at her husband.

The Admiral in turn smiled, “Whatever will make Sophie happy.” It was evident the couple were still in love after many years of marriage.

“You all look beat. Have you been walking long?” Mrs. Croft asked the group. “We have room for one more in the boat if anyone is tired, isn’t that right, Mr. Croft?”

Her husband scooted over, leaving an empty space, and asked, “Who will it be?” as he patted the metal bench.

Rick quickly approached the boat and mouthed an inaudible comment to his sister.

Sophie looked at Anne, and promptly asked, “Anne, why don’t you join us?”

Anne looked hesitant at being singled out. “Me?”

“Why, yes. It will save you a good two miles.” Anne was indeed tempted as she was tired from the walk.

Rick, sensing her indecision, came over and ushered Anne to the boat before she could refuse. His touch on her back and hand caused her breath to catch. Anne looked back at Rick to see if he had noticed, but he avoided eye contact.

Once settled in the boat, Mrs. Croft asked, “Comfortable?” Anne nodded and smiled in answer to her question.

Anne was still reeling from the feel of Rick’s touch on her. She wondered if he’d experienced the same electrifying jolt. In addition, her mind was swirling with unanswered questions.
Why did Rick single me out for the choice ride on the boat
?
Was it out of concern because he noticed I was exhausted, or was it so he could flirt to his heart’s content with Louise after I’d left
?

“Okay! See you back at the Musgrove’s,” shouted the Admiral. He was ready to be on the move again and with that, pulled the boat away from the shore towards home.

Once they were a distance away from the rest of the group, Mrs. Croft turned to her husband. “So, what do you think about Rick spending so much time with Louise and Etta?” Her question pulled at Anne’s heartstrings.

“I think he’s come to the realization it’s about time to settle down,” he answered.

Anne couldn’t blame Rick for wishing to find happiness with someone other than herself. After all, she had been the one who postponed the relationship, albeit with much persuasion from her father and Carol. Still, Anne had hoped things would have turned out differently.

Anne had never wanted the relationship to end. Far from it! Instead, she’d fervently hoped that Rick would have stuck around to secure her father’s blessing. Under the circumstances, it was no wonder her dad was resistant, considering Rick was just a high school graduate working part-time as a lifeguard. At 20, Rick was content to live from paycheck to paycheck, seizing any free moments for fun. In reflection, Anne understood now why her father and Carol objected. Yet one thing she could not come to terms with was their concept on social standing. That to Anne, was flat out prejudice. However, instead of Rick attempting to gain her father’s confidence, he simply vanished from her life.

“Anne, which one do you think Rick likes better?” asked Mrs. Croft. The unexpected question jarred Anne.

Fortunately, the Admiral responded before Anne could even compose herself enough to address the question. “I put my odds on Louise. She is a spirited little thing and rather easy on the eyes.”

“I don’t know,” Mrs. Croft said hesitantly. “I think he’d prefer the disposition of Etta more.”

Anne looked away, finding herself depressed. All this talk about Rick with another woman was painful to say the
least. She couldn’t wait to get home so she could privately break down in tears.