Nephew's Wife, The (5 page)

“I like it, too, dear, but you need just a touch of makeup.  Not too much.  Your olive skin and dark eyes are masterpieces.”

              Ellen frowned.  “I’m out of makeup, Dolly. I haven’t worn any in years.”

“We can fix that.  I have all kinds in my dressing room.  You can borrow anything you like.  Then we’ll work on those shabby clothes.  How old is that outfit anyway?”

Ellen looked down at the frayed ends of her pants.  She’d had them since night school.

“Old!” She told Dolly with a laugh.  “But, I’ll have to wait for the rest, Dolly.  The movers are here with my stuff.”

“Go get settled in your room.” Dolly shooed her away.  “We’ll do the makeup and discuss your shopping trip later.”

“Would you like to go shopping with me, Dolly? I could sure use your help.”

Dolly beamed.  “I just might do that!”  

Ellen helped Dolly back in bed for her nap then skipped to her room where Celeste had the movers carry her boxed-up possessions.  Two men in company uniforms were waiting for her to sign off on their checklist.

“We packed everything but the furniture,” one of the two men said.  “The landlord helped. You didn’t have much.”

Ellen nodded.  She’d lived sparingly the past nine years.  After checking each of the six boxes, Ellen signed the receipt, and the men left.

Alone in the sunny, femininely-decorated room, Ellen took the time to sort through her meager wardrobe.  She boxed up the worst of her clothes to throw away.  None were worth giving to a charity.  What little items she chose to keep all but disappeared inside the queen sized, walk-in closet. 

Ellen unpacked her most valuable possessions last.  She placed family photos about the room then realized she had none of herself and Paul.  She’d hid them away years before. Hopefully, no one visiting her room would notice and ask her about it. 

              Her mother’s ornate jewelry box went on the vanity. Ellen opened it and fingered her parents’ wedding bands, its only contents.  Images of her parents brought fresh tears to Ellen’s eyes.  She longed for a love like theirs.  Thankfully, they hadn’t been around to know what she’d done to Paul.  They’d be so disappointed and hurt.

Ellen shut the jewelry case then turned back to the cardboard box.  She placed her grandmother’s Bible on the bedside table for easy reach.  On the built-in wall shelves, next to her books and small CD collection, she displayed her father’s military medals and the encased flag that had draped his coffin. The last item in the box was a colorful throw her grandmother had knitted for her their last Christmas together.  Ellen draped it over a chair next to the French doors.        

“There,” Ellen exclaimed when she’d finished.  It looked like home to her.  She’d be able to sleep sounder, knowing her family’s belongings were with her.  Her first night had been rough.  She’d cried herself to sleep.  Her eyes were so puffy and red that morning, Dolly insisted she take the whole day off.  Ellen scoffed at that idea.  She liked being around Dolly.  Underneath Dolly’s occasional grumpiness was a buoyant, positive personality.  Ellen needed that kind of role model in her life.

Ellen returned to Dolly’s room, and the two went through Dolly’s makeup until Ellen found natural hues to use.  While an amused Dolly supervised, Ellen fixed herself up with barely-there coats of eye shadow, mascara, blush, and lipstick. 

“It’s just enough to enhance your own beauty.” Dolly critiqued the finished look.

Ellen was shocked by her reflection.  Except for the age lines around her eyes, she looked exactly like she did when she was engaged to Paul.  It brought back stinging memories.

“You don’t like it?”  Dolly questioned Ellen’s gloomy expression.

Ellen managed a smile.  “It’s not that, Dolly.”

“What then, dear? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Maybe I have,” Ellen mumbled softly.  “I look like I did when I was in my early twenties.”

“Does it bring back sad memories?”  Dolly asked, somberly.  “This was supposed to make you happy.”

Ellen flashed Dolly a genuine smile.  “I am happy, Dolly.  I can’t get over how nice and generous you and Rand have been to me. I feel like I’m part of the family instead of an employee.”

Dolly’s eyes gleamed with tears.  “You’re like the daughter I never had, Ellen. It makes me happy that you’re so patient with me and put up with all my fussing over you.  Those other girls were too prissy and highfalutin to take this kind of time with me. They’d just run through their chores then chase after Rand. I didn’t even bother getting close to them.”

Ellen kissed Dolly on the cheek.  “And you remind me so much of my grandmother, Dolly.  She was a big influence in my life. You’ve made me feel so welcome here.  I’m glad we became fast friends.”

“Me, too,” Dolly said.  “Let’s talk shopping shall we?”

They made their plans then Ellen helped Dolly dress for dinner before returning to her room to change into the only nice dress she owned.  It was the basic-black sheath she’d bought for Paul’s service.  Unfortunately, she’d ruined her only pair of pumps so her ballerina-style flats would have to do.  The evening before, Ellen had felt out of place, wearing the clothes she’d arrived in. Rand and Dolly had both dressed for dinner.  Tonight, Ellen wanted to show she could be just as elegant.

On the way out, Ellen checked herself in the mirror.  She fluffed her hair with her fingers and smiled at her appearance.  No one would ever recognize her as the dowdy
suffering fiancée
.  A tingle skittered up her spine as she anticipated Rand’s impression of her new look.  What would he think, she wondered, then promptly scolded herself.  It was dangerous to flirt with such ideas.  Rand was her employer and, therefore, off limits. Besides, she had issues to work out before even considering the possibility of a romance, and she was a long way from that.

Satisfied with her appearance, Ellen stepped out of her room and ran smack into Rand who was on his way to see Dolly.  He caught her in his arms and steadied her back on her feet then widened his eyes at her.

“Wow! You look so—different!”
Lovely
had been his first choice, but Rand had clamped down on the word before it could topple from his lips.  He was mesmerized by Ellen’s transformation.  Even the simple, sleek dress took his breath away. 

“I decided to lighten my hair at the last minute as an extra disguise,” Ellen said, nervously.  Rand’s attentive eyes sent chills gallivanting all over her body. 

“A wise move,” he said without taking his gaze from her.  “You don’t look anything like you did yesterday.”

Uncomfortable under his penetrating gaze, Ellen turned toward Dolly’s room. “I was just going to get Dolly for dinner.”

“I’ll join you.” 

Dolly was where Ellen had left her, in her wheelchair by the window.  Rand filled Dolly in on his day while wheeling her to the elevator.  It was a repeat of the evening before.  All three boarded the small unit, and Rand pushed a button.  The doors closed, and the elevator descended quietly to the first floor where it opened up on a hallway near the dining room.

“Ellen and I are going shopping tomorrow,” Dolly told Rand over coffee in the living room after dinner.

Rand’s forehead wrinkled with worry.  “Are you sure you’re ready for that, Aunt Dolly?”

“I thought you wanted me to get out?” Dolly shook her head, impatiently.

“I’ll make sure she doesn’t do any laps at the mall,” Ellen teased.

“Cute.” Rand winked at her humor. 

Dolly swung the conversation around to the shopping trip, giving Ellen a rundown of her favorite dress shops she wanted to visit. Rand didn’t mind taking a back seat.  It gave him the opportunity to appraise Ellen.  Packaged in beauty and grace, she was a selfless, humble wonder.  Ellen was like no other woman he’d ever met.  She had a kind smile and deep, secretive eyes. 

It hadn’t taken her long to fit in.  He marveled at how comfortable she was with his aunt.  Her mannerisms were genuine, so fluid and confidant as if she was designed to be here.  There was nothing insincere about her. 
But
—something warned Rand she was much more complicated than she seemed.  She’d had a lifetime of heartbreaking experiences.  One didn’t get through those without scars.  He knew that for a fact. 

“Would you mind, Randolph?  Randolph!”  Dolly raised her voice.

“Huh?” Rand jerked to attention.  “I’m sorry, Aunt Dolly, I was—uh—thinking about the work I brought home.  I really need to get to it.”  He hated fibbing, but it didn’t matter.  He’d been found out anyway.  The eyes of both women were glued to him like a tongue on an ice cube.  Ellen fidgeted nervously from his intense scrutiny while Dolly scowled.

“I asked if you’d mind taking me back upstairs to bed.  I want to be rested good for tomorrow.”

“Of course, Aunt Dolly.” 

The three made their way back upstairs via the elevator.  Dolly was particularly quiet.  When they reached his aunt’s suite, Rand settled in the small sitting area off the bedroom while Ellen got Dolly ready for bed.  For some reason his aunt was upset with him.  He’d hear about it when they exchanged goodnights.                              

“She’s ready for you Rand.”  Ellen strolled in.  Her casual smile brightened the dim-lighted room.  “I have her all tucked in for the night.”

Rand stood and shoved his hands in his pants’ pockets.  The woman made him feel like a schoolboy, harboring a crush on his teacher.  “You’re amazing with her.  I’ve never known her take to anyone this soon.”

Ellen shrugged off the praise.  “We both need each other.” 

“I didn’t get a chance to ask how your first night went.” Rand closed the space between them. “Did you sleep well?”

“I never sleep well the first night in a strange place.” 

Rand smiled. “Hopefully, it won’t be a strange place for long.”

“I’m sure tonight will be much better.” Ellen dipped her head, shyly. “Thank you for having my things moved here so quickly.  My room feels homier now.”

“Good. If there’s anything I can do to make you more comfortable, please let me know.” The ceiling fan, set on low, swirled Ellen’s fragrance in the air between them. Rand’s lungs welcomed the fresh, floral scent.  It dazzled him as much as Ellen’s pretty eyes, peeking under feathery bangs.  A compliment balanced on the tip of his tongue, but he didn’t speak it. 

“Thanks, Rand,” Ellen said before turning to go. “I think I’ll take a walk outside and enjoy the warm night.”

Rand watched her petite frame and gentle curves move gracefully away from him.  Chills sprang up all over him. He was attracted to her, and it scared him.

“Randolph, take your eyes off Ellen and come in here!” 

Rand hurried in the direction of Dolly’s voice. “What are you talking about, Aunt Dolly?”

“Don’t try to fool me, Randolph.” Dolly pulled herself up and leaned back on her pillows.  “I saw your goo-goo eyes tonight in the living room.  You’re falling for Ellen.”

Rand sat down on her bed. “I thought you wanted me to be interested in someone,” he teased.

“Not Ellen!” Dolly snapped.  “The poor girl’s grieving. She just lost her fiancé. She needs time to heal.”

“I know that,” he agreed softly.  “Just because I appreciate her beauty doesn’t mean I’m falling for her.  I hardly know her, Aunt Dolly.”

“I don’t want her leaving,” Dolly grumbled. 

“You two connected fast.”

Dolly nodded.  “Ellen’s like the daughter I always wanted, but couldn’t have.  I like having her around.”  She gave Rand a sour look. “She’s very vulnerable now.  If you get flirty, she may take off.  It’s too soon for her to get involved with anyone.  Please, promise me you want do anything to make her uncomfortable.”

“You have nothing to worry about, Aunt Dolly.  I’m not interested in Ellen Todd.  I’m not interested in anyone.” Rand’s staunch tone said he meant it.  He wasn’t interested in anyone.  No more broken hearts for him. One was plenty.

“Don’t do this, Randolph.” Dolly sighed with frustration.

“Do what?”

“Refuse to love again.” She grabbed his hand before he could get up and walk away.  “Look at me, Randolph,” Dolly ordered when he threw his glance to the oil portrait of his uncle, hanging on the wall across the room.

Rand dragged his eyes back to her.  Dolly’s face was full of tenderness and emotion.

“Please don’t give up on love, darling.  Loving the right person is the most wonderful thing in this world.”

“I thought Lana was the right person.” Rand slumped under the memory.  “It was bad enough getting the cancer diagnosis.  Having Lana run out on me the way she did is not something I want to repeat. I can’t bear to go through that kind of hurt and humiliation again. I won’t.”

“God didn’t promise a life without pain and suffering.  Remember what James teaches us in the Bible.”

Rand nodded.  “When you have all kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy because troubles test your faith and give you patience.”

“Life is a series of obstacles.  The secret of getting through them is trusting God.”

“It’s not a matter of trusting God.” Rand hung his head in frustration.  He couldn’t find the right words to express his emotions. Glancing up, he continued, “I guess I just don’t know what’s right anymore.”

“God knows what He’s doing even if we don’t.  You may have to suffer several heartbreaks to get to the right person.  Look at Ellen. Nine years of patience at the bedside of her injured fiancé. She sacrificed her younger years to be with him.  Do you think in those nine years her heart was not breaking every day?”

“I understand, Aunt Dolly.” 

“Good! Consider it food for thought.” She patted his hand. “Now, I’d better get my beauty sleep if I’m going shopping tomorrow.”

Concern twisted Rand’s angular features.  “Are you sure about this? You haven’t been out and about in months.”

“I haven’t wanted to be,” Dolly replied, flatly. “I’m looking forward to picking out a wardrobe for Ellen. I think we should do everything we can to make her happy while she grieves. Besides, I can’t let her go around the house wearing those rags she came in with.”

Rand smiled to himself as he recalled the first moment he saw Ellen.  He’d not noticed the clothes, only her quiet beauty and humble spirit.