Harvest of Hope
At
The House of Four Seasons
By Atonia Walpole
Part 1:
Diane woke in her lovely bed on the first of September and stretched. She’d slept soundly ever since she came into the house. Andy left two days ago and she’d had a little time to herself there. She ventured out to walk around but not far and not off a pathway. She still used her cane though, in truth, her ankle felt better than it had since she broke it.
She remembered the date and frowned. Whoever he was would be arriving today. Sounds from the room across the hall let her know the house was making ready for him. Truly she wished he was not coming. She didn’t like things like this, almost like a blind date that wouldn’t go away. Oh, well, she got up and went into her bathroom. The big soaking tub had cleaned itself overnight. One thing about this place she did like was the automatic cleanup and food service. Magic did have its advantages, she decided.
She dressed in a pair of black jeans and a white silk shirt, hating the comfortable shoes she put on, but heels were no longer part of her wardrobe. Running her hand over the scar on her ankle, she thought the soak in the tub must have done her some good. It wasn’t quite so blaringly…there...this morning. Finding her cane, she made her way carefully down the stairs to the kitchen where a pot of coffee awaited her.
She took her cup to the living room and turned on the CD player. Today it was Great Big Sea. She never knew what was going to play and found the novelty of the whole thing kind of fun. She opened the front door and immediately noticed the old Saab parked by the garage. “Oh, God, is he here already?” she said to the empty room.
He’d never been to the house before and found the whole idea odd and unbelievable, but here he was, standing on the bluff looking out at the angry sea. He thought maybe he should have gone to the door and knocked but he wanted to see the view blocked by the house. He'd smelled the sea before he got to the front door and walked around to the back. He’d been briefed, knew why he was here and what brought him from his movie world…magic.
Something about the old car and the music playing tugged at Diane’s memory. She closed the door and walked back through to the kitchen to warm her cup of coffee and looking out of the window over the sink, she saw him standing on the bluff, hair blowing about. It was Cal McAffrey from State Of Play. Well, what a nice surprise! She’d seen the movie in the spring. Magic at work. It was hard for her to take it in but he was here. She poured out another cup of coffee, opened the back door and walked out to where he stood. It was cloudy and damp and the wind was playing in his hair.
Cal turned just before she reached him and smiled, “Good morning, Diane.”
“Cal…like a cup of coffee?” Any nervousness she’d felt in the kitchen upon seeing him was gone.
“Yeah, thanks a lot. Beautiful place here.”
“It really is. You should see the whole of it.”
“Maybe I will. How’s your ankle?” She was much more attractive than her description had led him to believe. Bright hazel eyes surrounded by thick dark lashes and her hair had a hit of autumn about it.
“You know about that? It's better this morning. I walked out here without my cane.”
“Maybe we should go sit down? You don’t need to stand out here.” He took her arm and escorted her back into the house.
Diane remembered him clearly. He’d seemed approachable, warm and caring and she had been attracted to him in the movie. Despite his slovenly ways he was likeable and honest. Would he be the same here in this place? She’d caught a scent as they came through the door, the same scent she’d smelled in the hallway upstairs. She hadn’t tried to open the door to his room. It was a spicy scent with warm undertones.
“That better?” He had seated her in the living room and turned, looking around for the source of the music, “You like GBS?”
“Yes, I do. I have several of their CD’s. I’m not a cripple, Cal.”
“I never thought you were, but no sense standing when you can sit.” He sipped his coffee. “Where’s your cup?”
“I left it in the kitchen.” She started to get up but he was already down the hall.
“Thank you, Cal. I should ask you if you’ve had breakfast.”
“I haven’t but don’t think you have to jump up and do anything right now…finish your coffee.”
“Oh, I wasn’t going to. I’ve found anything I want to eat will be provided by the house…nice that.” She smiled and sipped her drink.
“Nice for you since you’re on vacation.”
“Yes, well…I may as well be on vacation. I lost my job. My daughter insisted I go somewhere and enjoy myself for a change. This was all her idea. Of course she didn’t know about…you.”
“I must have been lost in the fine print.”
“You were quite a shock. I didn’t know who it would be but I’m glad it’s you.”
“So am I,” he smiled and finished his coffee.
Cal was a nice guy, friendly and open, but he was a little nervous. This companion thing was way out of his realm. He didn’t think he was a fit companion for himself much less anyone else…especially the woman across from him.
“Did you know about this place before you came?”
“Truth…no, I didn’t. I got a message on my computer telling me what was about to happen, explaining the whole thing. Fantastic, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it is…unbelievable. Well, I’m hungry. How about you?”
“Sure, I’m always up for food. Can you manage?”
“Yes, don’t help me. I need to get up by myself. I have enforced weakness in my leg now.” Diane hated her infirmity. She’d never been one to ask for help or to have to depend on someone else to help her around. It embarrassed her in front of Cal.
“When did you break it?” he asked when they sat down at the table.
“April 14, a day that will live in infamy, to borrow a phrase. I was running up the stairs at the court house and the next thing I knew I was rolling, sliding back down and my ankle was…badly broken.”
“Ouch!”
“Yes, it was,” she smiled and picked up her fork. “And I can’t wear heels anymore. I loved heels”
Cal bit into his toast and smiled. He liked her.
It began to rain later in the morning so outside activities were brought to a halt. She showed him around the house, and they ended up in the library.
“Is this yours?” He saw the lap top on the desk.
“Yes, I thought I might use this time to construct a resume and maybe send it out, put out some feelers.”
“Maybe I can help you with that.”
“Oh, that’s right. You are a writer.”
“Where are you from? Where do you live, to be more precise.”
“Arlington, Virginia. I have a house there. At least I got that. I’m sorry, I didn’t men to add that. I really do not intend to be one of those bitter ex-wives.”
He sat down at the desk. “What happened, or don’t you want to talk about it?”
“The usual, somebody younger…up and coming…you know. I was yesterday. He was looking for tomorrow’s edition.”
“That must have been a hard pill to swallow?”
“It was,” she played with her cane, “but it’s over now. You’ve not been married, have you?”
“No, I managed to avoid that trap somehow.”
“Do you really think it’s a trap? I think it’s a commitment.”
“Avoided that, too. I let someone get by me one time and never made the time to find another.”
“How old are you, if I may ask?”
“Forty-four…yesterday’s news.”
“I wouldn’t say that. I am, though, amazed you’ve avoided marriage. Confirmed bachelor now, are you?”
“Not confirmed but definitely not looking for it.”
“Yesterday’s news…both of us. I wonder if that’s why the house chose you to come?”
“Ha, it must have been looking in the funny papers.”
“I don’t think so,” she smiled at him. “I saw your movie and liked you then and I like you now.”
“Mutual like.” He met her eyes briefly, wondering what she saw in him to like.
“You haven’t seen your room. Would you like to go upstairs?”
“Uh, yeah, we can do that.” He watched her struggle to her feet, suppressing the urge to take her arm.
“I’m okay once I get going.”
Diane pulled herself up the stairs and walked with him to his room. She was curious now and wished she’d looked in before he came.
He opened the door to a room full of mismatched furniture, but of good quality. There was a king-sized bed with a blue plaid comforter and a pile of pillows, a comfortable chair by the fireplace with a table and lamp, a bookcase and a CD player. The flat screen TV was mounted above the fireplace and a stack of DVD’s rested on one of the shelves in the bookcase. A wardrobe and an oriental rug on the floor completed the space.
“Looks like a room, a lot neater and cleaner than mine,” he commented and moved over to the stack of DVD’s, shuffling through them.
Diane was trying to identify the scent, his scent. She realized it reminded her of lemon, bergamot, maybe verbena, something woody. It fit the man who tossed his coat carelessly on the chair.
“Mine’s across the hall.”
He turned with a twinkle in his eye. “Is that convenient?”
“Oh…I don’t know…it might be.” She bit her lip and turned, walking into her room. The house had made her bed and tidied up after her.
He followed a minute later. “Spicy vanilla.”
“Sorry?”
“Your room, that’s what it smells like. It’s nice you’ve got a balcony.” He walked over and looked through the French doors, closed now to keep out the rain.
Spicy vanilla, was that her? Diane had to think about that a moment. “Oh, the balcony? Yes, it's really nice when it’s not raining and I can leave the doors open. You can hear the ocean from here.”
“I’ll bet it makes for a good night’s sleep.”
“I’ve slept very well here this past week.”
He turned, taking in the comfortable-looking sofa and the TV over the fireplace that was filled with dried hydrangeas in a basket. She also had a stack of DVD’s and he walked over and went through them.
“Would you like to watch a movie?”
“Be something to do since it’s raining…if you would?”
“Sure, pick something out. You’ve got a stack in your room, too.”
“Anything in particular you want to watch?”
“What have you got there? I haven’t even looked at them yet.”
He looked up and grinned, “Chick flicks.”
“All of them? I don’t have to watch them. Find something you’d like.”
He went through another stack and came up with Cape Fear, the original version. “My place or yours?” he asked, raising a brow.
“We’re already here if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t visit many feminine bedrooms. If I make a mess, throw me out.” He slid the DVD in the player and sat down on the sofa beside her.
“I won’t throw you out. Get comfortable…take your shoes off, prop your feet up, whatever.”
He kicked off his loafers then untied her shoes and pulled them off for her. The house provided a bowl of popcorn and a couple of Cokes. He took a drink of the Coke, “Tastes funny straight up.”
“You don’t like Coke?”
“I usually add a little Jack to it.”
“Eat popcorn. It’s too early in the day for Jack.”
“You’re probably right about that.” He stuck a few pillows behind him and settled in the corner of the sofa with his feet propped up on the seat. Diane settled in the opposite corner, also propping her feet on the seat.
“I always liked this movie. Robert Mitchum is such a great bad guy.”
“Yeah, me, too. It’s better than the remake I think.”
They watched the movie, commenting here and there, munching popcorn and shifting their feet and legs around. Diane’s were leaning on his and his would lean on hers. He finally leaned over, picked up her hand and pulled her up beside him so she was lying in front of him.
“You don’t mind, do you?” he asked close to her ear.
“No…I don’t.” All thoughts of popcorn left her, but he kept reaching over her for a handful now and again, finally letting his arm drop around her. She hadn’t lain with a man other than her husband in over twenty years. Andy tried but in the end she opted out. Now she was wishing she hadn’t. At least it might have prepared her for Cal.
Cal was having thoughts of his own with her bottom tucked up close to him. The message he’d received about coming to this house had a little line in it that kept running through his mind. Whatever happens, happens. He hadn’t exactly been celibate but it had been a long time, a damn long time. He tried to concentrate on what was happening on the boat but his body was betraying him.
Diane was full of anxiety. She didn’t know how to go about this. Maybe it was too soon? After all, he’d just arrived before breakfast. They hadn’t really had much of a chance to get to know one another. What kind of a person was she to be entertaining such thoughts anyway? He shifted slightly behind her. Maybe he was uncomfortable with this, but then he had pulled her into this position. She felt his hand in her hair…oh.
He was trying to pull a piece of popcorn from her hair. He was a slob, probably had popcorn all in her sofa.
“Sorry about that,” he said, dislodging the popcorn and tossing it back in the bowl. “I knew I’d make a mess.”
“Are you uncomfortable? Should I sit up?”
“Yes, I am and, no, you shouldn’t.”
Diane turned her face and looked up at him. His face inches from hers, she watched his eyes move to her mouth. He was going to kiss her….
He was so out of it. This was not the way, he thought…oh hell…kiss her,you dumbass!
It was a soft kiss, the first one that left Diane wanting more. He kissed her again, this one becoming passionate, and his hand traveled over her hip and back to her stomach up to her breast where it stayed, kneading gently.
Unnoticed by the couple on the sofa, it had grown darker outside with the storm moving in. The house had quietly lit candles around her room so that it glowed softly…intimately. It was hopeful.
“Are you okay with this?” he asked huskily, his hand now under her blouse, touching her skin.
“Yes, I think so. I haven’t…been with anyone else but my ex. I’m not sure I know…that I can…” he kissed her again and there was no way to stop it now. Her hand traveled behind his neck, his hair tangled in her fingers. He was different, so different from her ex.
“It won’t bother your ankle, will it?” His voice was deep, almost a whisper against her ear.
“I have an ankle?” She felt giddy, all sensations from her thighs upward. “The bed…”
He sat up, bringing her with him. “You’re sure?” He was sure he wanted her but unsure he could please her.
The house made the bed ready, uncovering the silky cotton sheets, pleased with itself for choosing Cal for her. He was proving to be above expectations.
She answered him by standing and moving toward the bed, unbuttoning her blouse with trembling hands. He came up behind her and finished the job, pulling her blouse slowly over her shoulders. He unhooked her bra and let it fall to the floor, cupping her breasts in his hands and kissing her neck. She unbuttoned her jeans and turned to sit down to pull them off, unable to stand the weight of her body on one leg. Cal pulled them off, admiring her body as he did so.
Diane was conscious of her body. It wasn’t as taut as it once was. Breaking her ankle had stopped all her walking and morning yoga. She felt flabby and out of shape. He’d started on his own clothes. His shirt was off, his jeans were off. He left his sleeveless undershirt till last, conscious of his own body. Too many chili cheeseburgers lay around his middle but his arms and shoulders were muscled and strong. He lay down with her and loved her as though she were the most beautiful, desirable woman in the world. For him she was, and he took away her fears about her body and her sexual abilities.
She lay in his arms feeling satisfied and loved as she hadn’t in a long time. “That was wonderful, Cal.”
“Thank you for trusting me. I wasn’t sure…it’s been awhile.”
“Umm, you had nothing to worry about.” She buried her face in his neck. It all felt so right so good.
Part 2:
The days ran one into another. Diane had lost count, wasn’t sure what day it was, but it didn’t matter, nothing did but Cal. She was lost in him. It had not occurred to her just how vulnerable she was when he came, how much she needed him. He made her feel whole again, restored her faith in herself, and made her feel feminine and sexy; something she’d not felt in an awfully long time.
She’d hardly noticed her ankle for the house magic was slowly healing her. Each day she was stronger and had tucked her cane in the wardrobe. Soon the slight limp would be gone and the thin traces of her surgery would disappear. She was so caught up in her new found ardor she failed to notice, but Cal did.
Enjoying an early morning walk down one of the many paths on the property, he commented, “You’d never know you came here with a broken ankle.”
“That’s true. Every day it seems to be better. I think this place is what I needed. I can’t remember ever feeling so relaxed…and loved.”
“Better than physical therapy.”
“Oh, yes, my doctor was going to set me up for that before I came here. He said I wasn’t coming along as well as he’d hoped. There were probably a lot of reasons for that.”
“I hope they’re gone now, all those reasons. You’re a fantastic woman, Diane.” He stopped and pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
“Oh, Cal, it’s you. You’ve healed me from within.”
He looked into her eyes, recognizing what was there for him. She loved him. He could feel it, almost taste it, but there was nowhere for it to go. He was beginning to love her, too, but he was aware of the days passing, two months and he would be gone back to his movie world…and where would she be then?
“It’s not me that’s healing you, Diane. You’re doing yourself. I think you’ve found yourself again. You’ll leave here a lot stronger than when you came. Don’t put it all on me.”
“I don’t want to think about leaving. I don’t know what you feel for me but I love you.”
“Yes, you do know what I feel.” He took her hand and began walking again.
She’d been pushing the thought of his leaving back in her mind. She wanted this to go on forever and wished he hadn’t brought it up. She knew, of course, that she could stay here but he wouldn’t be with her. She’d fallen headlong into it, a relationship with someone she could not have. It was cruel and the more she thought about it the more it cut deeply into her.
He sensed a change in her. They’d walked around the pond and come to a wooden bench, so he sat her down. “What is it, Diane?”
She felt tears pricking her eyes and bit her lip. She couldn’t look at him and concentrated on the leaves floating on the pond. “I think I’ve lost control of myself. I knew after Andy left what to expect. This is only temporary, three month's vacation and then it’s over. I’m just not prepared for that…for it to be over. I can’t help it. I’ve fallen in love with you.”
He lifted her chin. “I love you, too, but we both know what this is…right?”
“Part of my brain knows, the other part doesn’t care. It wants you.”
He gathered her in his arms. “You’ve got me, Diane, all of me, right now, here, today, and for the next two months. Don’t waste time thinking about what’s ahead. We’ll deal with that when it comes. I said ‘we’, understand?”
“Yes, I think so. I’m sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about.” He kissed her softly.
He knew he was going to have to do something about this situation. She’d just come through a hard time and he didn’t want to leave her worse than he’d found her. There had been no information about this kind of thing in the instructions. What do you do when you fall in love? Whatever happens…well, it had happened. He knew what the options were but he wasn’t sure she could handle that.
“Tell me about your daughter, the one who sent you here.”
“Mary, she’s lovely and so intelligent. She’s gone to England for a year to study on an exchange program. I would have taken a student myself if it hadn’t been for my present circumstances. It’s not really a year. She’ll be back in summer. She’s sending me emails daily and sounds like she’s having the time of her life.”
“She’s seventeen?”
“Yes, and I’m going to miss her birthday in December.”
“Where will you be in December?”
“Oh, dear, I don’t know…working, hopefully. We still need to put together my resume.”
“That’s right we do.” So she wasn’t planning on staying. He took a breath. “We’ll get started on that.” He hugged her a little tighter. “What have you told her about your vacation?”
“I’ve described this place to her but I haven't mentioned magic…or you.” She looked at him. “I wouldn’t know how to go about that or what to say.”
It bothered him a little. She wasn’t going to stay…hadn’t mentioned him. “Probably a good thing. She likely wouldn’t believe it anyway.”
“She’s still very much attached to her father. I don’t know if she holds out hope there or not.”
“Do you…hold out hope things can be put back together?”
“No…never, Cal. Some things can never be repaired. No, that’s over…gone."
“Let’s walk back.” He could not complicate things with his own feelings, could not. He raised his head, letting the breeze blow through his hair.
The weather turned cold in October. Walks were accomplished with down jackets and yet they walked every day the weather permitted. Diane felt the strength returning to her ankle and her weakened leg. In fact, she hardly ever thought of it when she began to walk. She felt healthy and vibrant. Her long, dark hair was shining as were her eyes, especially when Cal was near. She made use of the clothes she found in her wardrobe, including the dark brown, low-heeled boots.
They took trips into Gloucester and explored all the little villages on Cape Ann. Halloween found them in Salem, taking advantage of all the hokey tourist attractions that sprung up this time of year. She pointed out the coffee shop where she’d met Andy. Cal met her eyes for a moment, ever aware of time passing. Diane found him a perfect companion. He was comfortable to be with, enjoyed the same things she did, was highly intelligent and a good conversationalist, well-read and interested. He was exactly what she wanted in her life.
Diane found her old resume on her lap top for him to use as a base and wrote down what she’d done since coming to the law firm that had let her go. He spent a few hours one afternoon writing her resume. Diane lay on the sofa in the library while he worked and read a book, answering questions when he asked.
“It’s done. Come and give your approval.” He got up from the desk chair and Diane sat down and read it.
“How could anyone not hire me after this, Cal? Excellent! Thank you.”
“Thank me after you find a job. You should try looking in DC. It’s a commute but your chances would be better. They’re always hiring lawyers.”
“And that’s where you are.”
“Well, heh, yeah.” He wouldn’t be anywhere she would find him, sad fact. He walked over to the French doors and watched the snow fall. He’d tried very hard not to fall in love with her and not to let her know how deeply his feelings went.
Diane heard something in the tone of his voice, got up and walked over, putting her arms around his waist and leaning her head in the middle of his shoulders. He closed his eyes.
“How long does it take to fall in love, Cal?”
“Forty five days.”
“Thirty.”
“I fought it longer.”
“I didn’t fight at all. What are we going to do?”
“There’s nothing, Diane, nothing acceptable that we can do.”
“What do you mean 'acceptable'? What isn’t?”
He turned in her arms and placed his on her shoulders. “Nothing I would ask you to do. Let’s don’t even go there.”
“But if there’s a way…”
“There isn’t, not for us.” He wouldn’t tell her the only way they could ever be together would be for her to accept the house’s magic and establish four seasons, three other companions. That was the only way he could return to her next fall. “You’ve got your resume and a job to find, your daughter will be returning in the summer, you’ve got a life to begin again.”
“It’s going to be awfully empty without you. I can’t begin to tell you what you mean to me. I thought I was through with love, but you…there will never be anyone, Cal, no one could ever take your place.”
“You’ll find somebody,” he heard himself saying. “I could write you another resume. You have so much to offer. I know what you’re capable of.” He took her face in his hands and kissed her.
He took her out to dinner on Thanksgiving, determined to keep everything upbeat. The little restaurant in Rockport was warm and cozy. Outside the ground was covered in snow and the sky was heavy and gray. They were seated by a large window that looked out over the docks and the lobster boats.
“We should be eating lobster,” she commented when the menus were handed out.
“We can. Eat anything you want.”
“But it's Thanksgiving and turkey is the special today.”
“You’re bent on tradition, Diane.”
“I guess I am. Certain foods for certain holidays. I think you have to do that. Otherwise it’s just another day.”
They ordered drinks, Jack Daniels for him straight up. He looked at the glass and thought he’d not been drinking as much since he’d come here. That was her influence on him, he mused, taking a sip.
Cal ordered a bottle of wine for her. “I’ll never drink all this.”
“Take it home. Finish it tonight.” She wasn’t much of a drinker he’d noticed, an occasional glass of wine and once in a while a Bailey’s. He’d tried on occasion to get her a little drunk but she had too much control of herself and knew when to switch to water.
She surprised him that night, taking the bottle of wine upstairs to his bedroom, where they’d spent little time. For once that control she tried to maintain slipped and he was the recipient of all her pent up emotions and passion. He handled her tears and met her passion with his own.
It snowed all night and the next morning they couldn’t see the drive for the blizzard. “How will you ever get out, Cal?”
“More important, how will you?”
“I don’t know. Hopefully it will clear before the end of the month.” They only had three more days. Every moment was precious. She slipped her arm around his waist. “I don’t like to drive in snow.” Secretly she hoped if they were snowbound on the last day, maybe he could stay. She wanted him to stay. She buried her head in his shoulder.
It was the last day of the month. November was about to draw to a close. The snow was still piled high in drifts but miraculously the drive was clear. Cal loved her for a long time that morning, drawing out each touch, each movement. He knew he had to go. He kissed her, rolled out of his bed and searched for his clothes.
“Cal, I want to say something.”
“You don’t have to say a thing, Diane,” he said softly, zipping his jeans.
“I know I don’t but I want you to know how special these last three months have been, how you’ve shown me how to love, although I really don’t think I’ll ever find anyone like you.”
“I should hope not.” Buttoning up his shirt, he smiled.
“I’m serious. I have hope, Cal, hope for the future. When I came here I was at the bottom. Now my ankle is healed, magically, I suppose.”
He sat down on the side of the bed and tied his shoes. “Don’t forget to look in DC for a job.”
“I won’t, even though I know I won’t find you there. You’ll be there somewhere just out of sight and I’ll keep looking for you.”
He picked up his coat and sat down on the side of the bed again. “I love you, Diane, more than I’ve ever said, more than you will ever know.” He kissed again and left the room.
Diane buried her face in his pillow and cried for awhile, then she got up and washed her face. Taking a last look around his room, she went out and closed the door. She had to pack and get on the road herself while the weather was clear. She had a flight to catch and a life to begin.