Joshua's Folly (6 page)

Marisa and Bethany then spent the late afternoon out on the grass in the backyard, reading books. Marisa couldn’t believe how well Bethany could read. She was at least at a second grade reading level. As they spoke and visited, getting to know each other, Marisa also saw how intelligent she was. She could carry on a conversation with surprising clarity. After they had read for a long while, Marisa found herself aching to be in the Folly once again.

“How about going for a bike ride?” she asked Bethany.

Josh had told her there were several bikes available in a shed. Bethany’s bike had training wheels on it and Marisa could see how reluctant she was to ride. Regardless of her advanced language skills, physically she was slow and rather delicate. Marisa realized she rarely ever rode her bike. There wasn’t really anyone for her to ride with and in spite of the amazing backyard at her disposal, she couldn’t imagine Bethany riding bikes by herself in the Folly. Too lonely, big, and scary for a delicate five year old. It took only about a half an hour, however, for Bethany to realize she was having fun. She started to ride a little faster and take corners with confidence. Soon she had a huge smile on her face as she realized she could ride her bike almost as fast as Marisa. Marisa was, of course, going slow and letting Bethany catch up to her, but it was the confidence boost she needed. The Folly was perfect for bike riding and Marisa was still completely astounded by its existence. It spoke to Josh’s character and told her exactly where his heart was. She was awed by him—no surprise there.

Before they knew it, an hour and a half had passed. Marisa had an idea. “Bethany, I don’t think you need those training wheels anymore. Want to take them off? I’ll stay with you and hold onto the bike till you’ve got your balance. You might fall, it’s true, but it’s the only way to learn. We can start out on the grass, that way if you fall it’ll just be on the soft grass. Want to try?” Marisa coaxed. She knew if they could ride bikes every day, Bethany’s physical strength would improve.

She could see the wheels turning in Bethany’s little brain. She was tempted. “Okay, but don’t let go till I get my balance.”

Marisa promised. They removed the training wheels and off they went. They spent a long time on the grass with Bethany pedaling like mad and Marisa running alongside her, holding onto the bike, then letting go, only to have her crash. Marisa thought she would give up. She was so ultra feminine and sweet, but she was a determined little girl once a challenge was issued and she didn’t want to quit. When she crashed on the concrete, just outside of the grass, Marisa was sure that would be the end of it. Her poor knees were bloody and bruised and she had a good cry while Marisa bandaged her knees with gauze and tape. She looked as though she’d been in world war three. She clung to Marisa for awhile, just wanting to be held. But then she still wanted to try. She knew she’d almost had it. And after another forty-minutes of practice, she was riding like a pro across the grass with a huge smile on her face. She had a lot more strength than Marisa had at first thought.

The first thing Bethany wanted to do was show her dad. They knocked on Josh’s office door and were told to come in. Josh’s expression registered shock at the sight of his little daughter with blood stained, bandaged knees, but Bethany literally beamed at him as she said in her breathy voice, “I have a surprise for you, Daddy. Come outside and see.”

Josh scooped her up in his arms. “What happened to you?”

“A few battle scars, but worth it in the end,” Marisa told him as Josh clearly wondered what was going on.

Several minutes later, standing outside, being told to watch the grass, Josh was completely astonished at the sight of Bethany riding her bike across the lawn, grinning from ear to ear while one hand waved at him furiously. Not only had she mastered riding her bike, she was doing it with one hand.

Josh turned to Marisa, looking stunned, “How’d you do that?”

“What can I say? She’s a genius.”

Josh suddenly picked her up and hugged her, twirling her in the air, leaving her a little breathless. Then he ran over to Bethany and did the same. Bethany squealed with delight at her father’s admiration.

Marisa smiled to herself.
Oh my.

At dinner, Bethany practically fell asleep over her meal. The physical activity had left her tired, but it was a healthy tired.

“I’d better get her to bed,” Marisa said as she picked up Bethany, who rested her little head on her shoulder.

“I’ll help.”

They went up the stairs together and helped a very sleepy little girl quickly get into bed. Josh caressed Bethany’s forehead softly, moving the hair out of her eyes.

“Good night, Josh,” Marisa told him as she started to leave.

“Marisa, wait.” He followed her out into the hallway. “It’s early. Would you like to do somethin’? We could take a walk in the Folly. Then, maybe watch a movie.”

“I’d love to. And a movie sounds relaxing.” She paused. “Wait, will it be scary or funny?”

“Oh, definitely funny. I have it on good authority that funny movies are the way to go.”

“Good answer.”

“I’m a fast learner.”

Once outside, Josh held out his arm, a true Texas gentleman. She willingly linked her arm through his. They walked through the Folly in a comfortable silence, simply enjoying the warm summer evening. As Marisa had guessed it was even more beautiful, even enchanting, in the dark of night.

“Josh, can I ask you something?”

“You just did,” he said, throwing her earlier remark back in her face.

“Okay, I deserved that,” she said, feeling lighthearted and comfortable with Josh.

“Sure. Anything,” he clarified in all seriousness.

“Does Bethany’s mother ever try to see her?”

“Elizabeth? Nope, I haven’t heard from her since the day she left. I don’t even know where she is. She gave me sole custody of Bethany.”

“Do you want Bethany to have contact with her?”

“Not really. I married her just after college graduation, a little impetuously, mind you. It was a reckless thing to do. We hadn’t even known each other for that long. After being home-schooled, I went to college at seventeen. By the time I graduated from college I was still pretty young and felt as though I could conquer the world. I brought Elizabeth home to the ranch naively assuming she’d love it just as much as me. Of course, that never happened. It didn’t help any that I was completely obsessed with my plans for the ranch and she was bored out of her mind. Frankly, she hated it here. Having a child didn’t improve the situation. She took off when Bethany was only six weeks old.”

“I’m sorry.” Sensing his discomfort over the matter, Marisa decided to change the subject. “Do you realize that Bethany is an excellent reader? I would estimate that she’s at least at the second grade level.”

“I knew she read well, but, no, I didn’t know that.”

“The books we read together today, she practically knows them by heart and I was wondering if…” she hesitated, a little unsure how this would go over. Here she was, brand new to his home and already making requests.

“If Bethany needs anything, then yes, you have my permission to purchase it for her,” he said, anticipating her question.

“I’d like to buy her some new books. Some that will challenge her a bit. Is that okay? I can order them over the internet. We don’t need to make a trip into town.”

“I think that’s an excellent idea. I didn’t realize…thank you.”

“There’s just one more little thing.”

“What?” he stopped and faced her.

“Can I order her some new clothes?”

“What’s wrong with what she has?”

“Nothing. But she only has about six outfits. She’s a girl and that’s simply not enough,” Marisa informed him in all seriousness.

He studied her with a befuddled expression for several seconds. Then he started to laugh, he tried to hold it back, but couldn’t help himself.

Marisa understood his mirth. It was a ‘girl thing.’

“Yeah, you can order her more clothes. Constance usually takes care of that. I realize she’s very economical and I don’t think fashion is something she thinks about much.”

“Thanks. Just you wait, she’s going to look soooo cute.” Bethany was about to become her very own live dress-up doll.

Josh said nothing for a few moments. His hand cupped her cheek lightly. “Thank you, Marisa. She’ll love that. It’s exactly what Bethany needs in her life—a woman to teach her how to be a young lady.” The lights in the Folly cast about a magical glow, making the night seem dreamlike. The wind rustled in the trees behind Josh as if an air of excitement, an air of anticipation, had rushed through them.

“I wasn’t sure how you would react to my requests. I was a little nervous, I admit.” She couldn’t look away from him. His eyes were mesmerizing.
The real reason I’m nervous is because you’re touching me and I’m not sure what’s happening
. But she wasn’t about to admit that as his hand softly caressed her cheek.

“Whatever you need, it’s yours,” he said as he reluctantly lowered his hand. “How about that movie?”

Once inside, Marisa settled herself on the large couch and, to her surprise and pleasure, Josh sat right next to her, thighs touching, shoulders pressing together. And as the movie began he put his arm around her casually and she rested her head on his shoulder. His hand caressed her shoulder softly, up and down, to the point of extreme distraction.

This felt good. She hadn’t expected this to happen and as she stared blankly at the screen, her thoughts wandered. Josh had always been her childhood crush, but it was a fantasy and she knew it. In her heart, she came here wanting this to happen, wanting to fall in love with him and wishing that he would take one look at her and fall in love too. But she knew enough to know, deep in her soul, that these thoughts were fantasies. But now, sitting here like this with him, it dawned on her, just as it had yesterday, that this could be real. She could fall in love with the real man, not just her imagination of the man. He made her weak at the knees, one smile from him and her heart raced. She figured he couldn’t possibly be all that she had imagined. But he was and so much more.

She knew she shouldn’t be snuggled up to him like this, not after knowing him for such a short time. But he was so warm and when he’d draped his arm over her, she couldn’t help but cuddle up to him like a small puppy. She felt herself melt into him and she liked it, she liked it a lot. If he was uncomfortable, he gave no sign of it, quite the opposite in fact. After all, he was the one who’d initiated the contact. And there was lots of room on the couch for him to scoot over if he so desired. This was unexpected, hoped for, but unexpected nonetheless. She wondered just where this was going to lead.

She couldn’t wait to find out.

–4–

The next day, Marisa went about Bethany’s morning routine with her as planned. Constance normally brushed her hair and there it stayed all day long. It was clean and brushed, but it was just kind of…there. Marisa spent time talking with Bethany about different hairstyle ideas and Bethany decided on one excitedly. When it was finished, Bethany looked in the mirror and then hugged Marisa tightly. Marisa knew she and Bethany had already bonded in a way that even surprised her. Marisa’s heart swelled as she hugged her, knowing she loved this little girl much more than she’d ever thought possible.

It was when they entered the dining room for breakfast and Bethany gave her dad his morning hug that she realized what an effect the new hairstyle would have on Josh. He seemed a little dumbfounded. He had her turn around as he examined it closely. Two tightly woven french braids graced Bethany’s head and back with two pink bows on each end. Her bangs were curled under and she looked adorable.

“How’d you do this?” he asked as he looked at Marisa with new eyes.

“It’s called a french braid. It’s not hard. I can teach you how to do it.”

Josh scoffed, undoubtedly thinking he could never pull it off. He told Bethany she looked beautiful and she beamed.

Was it her imagination or did Bethany sit just a little taller at the table that morning? Marisa found herself realizing that she would never underestimate the power and influence of a mother. She had been with Bethany for a short time and could already see the effect she alone had made in her young life. It felt good. She looked up to find Josh smiling at her and she smiled back.

Oh yeah, he felt good too.

Marisa proceeded to lather her bagel with butter, cream cheese,
and
raspberry jam. Then she grabbed a healthy serving of scrambled eggs and several pieces of bacon. She crumbled her bacon and mixed it with her scrambled eggs along with a nice generous dollop of raspberry jam.
Perfect.
As she took her first bite, she looked up to find that Josh’s eyebrows were raised as he watched her apprehensively. So what if she veered towards…
interesting
eating habits? Once again, he didn’t comment. He didn’t have to; the look on his face said it all. Marisa liked to pretend her eating habits weren’t weird at all. She’d found that if she didn’t try to make excuses for them, no one made comments. Josh was no exception.