| Moire walked down the long flight of stairs and came out the door to the porch. She waited as the elderly woman joined her. �The ad said $750, right?� The apartment could go for so much more, but Moire wanted to be sure. �Oh the realtor told me to ask at least a thousand, but I�ll let you have it for $500 a month.� Moire raised her eyebrows. � I like you,� the woman said �and I think you would be a good tenant. I don�t need the money but at my age I have to be careful and I don�t want any trouble.� �I understand.� Moire noticed a young mother walk passed pushing a stroller with a small child. The house was situated on the northwest side of the university in an upscale community. It was one of a couple dozen houses that had been built nearly 80 years ago to accommodate the higher echelon of faculty and administrators at the college. All the other houses had been sold and most had been renovated into small apartments. Moire had been astounded at the transformation of the second floor. It had been advertised as a studio apartment, but in reality it was much more. Two large rooms flanked a small kitchen area complete with stove and refrigerator and a state of the art bathroom. �So, you like it?� The woman asked Moire. �Yes I like it, but I need a couple of days. You do understand, Mrs. Trumball?� �Of course.� She took Moir�s hand in hers. At 75 Penelope Trumball had seen her fair share of college coeds over the years. But there was something about Moire that moved her heart. The young woman was troubled and not just love sick, it went deeper than that. Penelope had lived in this house for nearly 60 years. So many students had walked through the front door that she lost track after the first few years. She had married at 18, being swept off her feet by the dashing George Trumball, who whisked her away to this college town right after their honeymoon. They set up house in this sprawling place and she had never lived anywhere else. She had been a widow for the last 15 years and even though she had been advised otherwise, Penelope had renovated the second floor for rental purposes. Over the years she had shied away from single students knowing that it could lead to late night parties and the like. So she had rented to mostly young couples, newly married and working their way through college. However, upon seeing Moire, she was sure that the young woman would prove a reliable tenant. �Can I let you know in a couple of days?� �Of course my dear. Most of the students now want those high rise apartments anyway. The local color of the community isn�t so important any more, just location and amenities. Take your time.� Moire felt such comfort from the woman and she just knew that if she made her decision to move out, she would be calling this house her home. She thanked Penelope and walked down the front stoop. When she got in her car she pulled out her phone. �Hi! Yes I�m done, I can meet you in five minutes.� She backed out the driveway, waving to the petite woman on the porch and drove off. ~*~*~*~*~ They sat in a booth back in the corner of the small restaurant. Their heads were close as they talked quietly as the conversation from the lunchtime crowd buzzed around them. A loud noise from the front of the restaurant caused Moire to pick up her head only to see her father storming towards their table. His voice boomed as he approached them. �Moire, get to my car right now,� he yelled as stood before her. �Daddy?� Her heart was pounding in her chest and she looked at Kathy not sure what to make of his sudden appearance. He had been her shadow all week. Never letting her go anywhere without her telling him her exact whereabouts. Even if she had wanted to see Brian, there was no way to escape her father�s constant eye. �I gave you strict orders not to,� he stopped mid sentence when he saw her lunch companion. She shook her head. �Oh daddy,� tears filled her eyes. �I didn�t want to have to do this, but I�m moving out.� Colin�s jaw dropped. �You�re what?� �You heard me. I�m moving out of the house. I can�t live like this. You�ve given me no alternative.� �Princess,� Colin dripped sweetness. �No daddy, it won�t work any more. I have mom�s trust and I�ll get a job, so now you can pursue whatever course of action you need to and I won�t be there to mess anything up.� Moire motioned for the waitress to bring the bill. Colin stood speechless. The waitress brought the check and Kathy and Moire each left some bills on the table and stood to leave when Colin stopped them. �No, stay. I�ll go, but Moire, please. Think about this. If you leave, the house, it�� he didn�t finish the sentence suddenly realizing without Moire at home the house would feel like a tomb. �I�m sorry daddy, but I have no choice.� She didn�t want to hurt him but she was not going to let him dictate to her. She stared at her hands resting on the table. Colin started to speak but thought better of it and walked out of the restaurant. �Moire? You okay honey,� Kathy tugged on her hand and Moire looked up as tears fell on her cheeks. �I�m fine,� she sobbed. �Kathy, I love him, but I just can�t live like this any more. Every morning he wants a detailed account of my day. I knew it. I knew letting Brian get too close, would cause all this.� �Brian?� Kathy wondered if it was that young man she had seen at the hospital that evening. �Moire, what haven�t you told me.� �He�s one of the owners daddy�s trying to buy out.� Kathy�s eyes grew large at her statement. �I�ve known him for years but lately, I don�t know,� she stopped. She knew. She had known for a while. She thought about him all the time and not having seen him since Monday hurt, but there had been no way to see him. Her father had been her constant shadow. �You don�t know what, Moire?� �He has me all turned around. Oh Kathy it�s so complicated.� �This is the guy you told me about a few weeks ago?� �Yes. I can�t get involved with him.� �Why?� �I just can�t. I like him, I really do, and the few times we�ve been together have been great, but it�s impossible.� �It�s only impossible if you make it, Moire. What does he mean to you?� �I don�t know,� Kathy gave her a questioning look. �Really, Kathy, I don�t know. One thing though. He�s comfortable to be around, even if he does like to tease me and mock my elevated station in society. But aside from that, I�ve never met anyone like him.� Kathy sat back and watched Moire�s face as she spoke. There was more there than she was willing to admit. Kathy had known Moire through a string of beaus and none of them had left her tongue tied like Brian. �Moire, listen to me,� Moire looked up and clutched Kathy�s hands, �follow your heart and if it�s not meant to be okay, but don�t let your father ordain your future for you.� Moire wiped her eyes and nodded. �So now, this is the guy I saw you with at the hospital right?� �Yes.� �So give me details, girl.� Moire laughed. ~*~*~*~*~ Moire sat staring into space while her father discussed the finer points of breeding with one of the younger less experienced owners. He had demanded she accompany him today to the track. When she refused to be ordered, he backed down and requested that she join him for the races. After he had walked out of the restaurant two days before, Kathy waited for Moire to fill in all the gaps, which were far from amusing. By the time Moire finished, her friend still didn�t see any obstacles except the ones Moire was putting in the way. Obviously, Brian wasn�t going to be intimated by her father. Moire argued but Kathy rebuked every one. Until she finally confronted Moire directly. �He�s gotten to you.� �No.� �Yes he has Moire.� �No!� �Don�t give me that. I�ve seen you leave a trail of men behind you and never look back. But now, he�s different and you know it.� Moire bit her bottom lip. �Come on, admit it. You like him.� Kathy stared at her and waited. Moire could feel her eyes boring into her. �Okay! I like him, but what good is it. I can�t see him with my being under 24 hour surveillance.� �No, but from what you told me about your little expedition this morning, you�ve given yourself a way. Take the apartment, Moire.� It sounded so easy and Moire had to admit that she fell in love with the place. She hated leaving her father alone, but what choice did she have. She was a grown woman and it was time. But she knew her father and he would never give up. She would constantly be looking over her shoulder. �You think?� �No. I know. Do it. You know it�s time. You owe it to yourself.� Moire knew Kathy was right. She should be on her own and up until now she had never really considered leaving the house. Moire tapped her fingers on the table. Nothing had really been resolved. Although she told Kathy she would take the weekend to make a decision. She hadn�t been back to the Littrell farm all week and Moire felt like she would burst if she didn�t at least catch a glimpse of Brian today. He had three horses entered in today�s field but so far she hadn�t spotted him. Moire was beginning to think he had sent Jake again and he had stayed behind at the farm. Wanting to escape, she excused herself saying she was going to the powder room and left her father and his eager student. After making her obligatory stop Moire went down to the field and found a spot on the rail. Brian�s horse was in this race, and if she couldn�t see him at least she would watch the race like he would. The post parade was called and the horses started down the track. As his horse came by Moire felt a hand on the middle of her back. �Would you like some company?� His voice washed over her and she nodded. He stood directly behind her. �I�ve missed you.� The words, barely a whisper sent shivers down her back. Moire leaned back against him slightly. �I�ve missed you too.� Nothing else was said as they waited for the horses to reach the gate. The race was a sprint and Brian�s entry finished third. Moire smirked knowing her father would be angry and more so if he knew she had money on his competitor. �Come with me,� Brian took her hand. �I have to collect my winnings,� she grinned as she showed Brian her tickets. �Not again?� �Always.� He shook his head and laughed out loud causing the people around them to turn and look at the two of them. �Okay, but meet me in the paddocks.� Moire glanced up into the stands knowing her father was probably looking for her. �Please?� Fifteen minutes later Moire was walking through the paddock area looking for Brian. She found the stalls he used for saddling his entries but there was no sign of him anywhere. She was about ready to leave when she felt a tug on her arm and was pulled into one of the stalls. �Brian!� She gasped as he led her to the back of the stall. �Shh.� He put his fingers to her lips. He just looked at her memorizing every part of her face. His fingertips brushed her cheek and Moire closed her eyes at his touch. It was just as she remembered. �We don�t have enough time to talk.� �But,� he took her in his arms. He had given her a whole week. Of course he knew that she probably couldn�t get away, but he didn�t care. And now he would have to let her get back to her father and there was no time for words. Taking his right hand he brought her face to his and kissed her. Moire grabbed his jacket as his lips played over hers. She felt the knot form in her belly and a small moan erupted at the back of her throat. As his lips eased up, she caught her breath, but it was momentary as once again he pulled her to him. When Brian backed away, Moire stood breathless. �I�ve wanted to do that since I left you on the porch,� he released her and Moire feeling unsteady leaned against the wall of the stall. �Come, I better get you back.� He held out his hand and Moire took it. Her head was spinning and all she could think about was that going back to her father was the last place she wanted to be at that moment. |