"All The Way"

Chapter 4

The home of Dr. Marjorie Stone

Eliot Stokes watched Marjorie Stones' strong, slender fingers turn the dinner plate, then slip it into the rinse water. Carefully he retrieved the plate moving it gently in his hands to drain the water, then drying it with his towel. How many times in the cozy confines of her kitchen had they completed this routine? The moments were too numerous to count.

Dark brown eyes, short straight brown hair, and slender frame, Marjorie was not a beauty by the standards of others, but to Eliot she was wholesomely attractive with an engaging smile and caring, friendly manner. He admired her love of teaching and infinite passion for history. Watching from the back of her classroom he observed how she engaged each student and filled them with her passion for history. It was rare to find such a talented teacher who could inspire as well as educate. Unfortunately, the university was blind to her talent and had not offered her a full professorship for a second time.

Eliot felt a wave of regret and anger. Marjorie firmly informed him the main purpose in her life was history and her students and not departmental politics. Tomorrow he departed for Utah and again she was selflessly teaching his class for the fall term. He felt frustrated that he still had not championed her cause and corrected the injustice.

Marjorie spoke drawing him from his thoughts, her voice soft and soothing.

"When I invited you here to review your class syllabus, I didn't expect you to clean up."

Eliot smiled as he eased the plate on the stack in the cabinet. "It's the least I could do for my last supper."

Marjorie's eyes widened, "Last supper!"

Eliot leaned against the counter, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "You forget in a few days I will be enduring Herbert Osmund's one pot concoctions in the wilds of Utah. This will be the last descent meal I will experience for some time. Herb informs me that I'm returning to Herb's Health Club and that he will have me down to fighting weight in no time."

Marjorie's eyes narrowed while checking him from head to toe. Eliot moved his feet in the smooth leather boots that reached to his knees.

"I decided I should break these in again, it's been awhile since I've worn them. We'll be in rattlesnake country you know." Eliot waved her to silence. "I'll be careful. I'm fully aware that I'm wandering around in their home. I'll watch for them."

She sighed deeply not fully convinced despite his assurances. Eliot quickly changed the subject.

"I've made arrangements for Hallie to join me as a summer intern at the site. She'll be working with Herb's graduate student on Anasazi pottery."

Marjorie smiled. "Hallie will love the opportunity, she's developed quite an interest in what you do, Eliot. Now that's she's graduated from high school she wants to explore new things and find a career that will make her happy."

Eliot turned and stared into the soapy water, his head lowered in thought. "I hope you're right. I hope I'm doing the right things; it's hard to know sometimes. My niece and I have had a difficult time since her parents died. Being the uncle I wanted to be to Hallie was far more difficult than I expected. She was a young girl entering adolescence." He shook his head. "It seems I could not exchange a civil word with the girl, without it becoming a chronic battle of wills. I am sure Hallie despises me."

She reached out and covered his hand with hers. "She doesn't despise you, Eliot. Hallie was angry because her parents were tragically taken from her. She was also entering the age where children do rebel. Your niece wanted to become more independent all the while you were trying to have her depend on you. I argued with my parents."

"You?" he asked in disbelief.

"Yes, even me. This is normal."

Eliot sighed, "I certainly hope you are correct for both our sakes."

She removed her hand from his and slipped it into her apron pocket. "I have something for you."

Eliot straightened, surprise on his face. She removed a small box wrapped in brown paper from her apron pocket and handed it to him.

Nervously she watched him unwrap it. He opened the red box and took out a smooth leather sheath. Unsnapping the cover he removed a Swiss Army knife. She took the leather sheath while Eliot's fingers opened each blade and the assortment of tools. He could not contain his surprise.

"What a wonderful surprise," He exclaimed.

Marjorie placed the sheath near his belt. "See you slip it on your belt, it will always be with you if you need it."

Eliot replaced all the blades and tools and unfastened his belt. Marjorie slipped the leather sheath onto his belt and refastened it.

"I don't know what to say," Eliot said breathlessly. Then quickly reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a coin.

"There's an old wives' tale that goes like this. If you receive a knife as a gift from a friend it will sever your friendship." Eliot extended the coin; she held out her hand and took it.

"A payment of five cents for the knife." He smiled. Marjorie tenderly moved her fingers over the coin, then impulsively slipped her arms around his neck and hugged him. "I shall worry about you."

He patted her back reassuringly. "Marjorie, I assure you I will be fine."

"But you will be in the middle of nowhere!"

Eliot chuckled as he held her. "It's an Anasazi settlement; people lived there at one time."

She sighed, resting her chin on his shoulder. "I could prepare your favorite breakfast in the morning."

"You spoil me, but I'm afraid my flight leaves very early in the morning. I wouldn't want to inconvenience you at such an early hour."

Marjorie bit her lips, feeling foolish. This was not a Harlequin novel she told herself, Eliot had not pulled her into his arms for a passionate kiss or swept her into his arms and carried her to her bedroom. As always they shared an evening as friends and nothing more. She released him and stepped back. Her friend could still see the concern in her eyes and patted his sheathed knife.

"You've given me protection Marjorie, don't worry."

She smiled.

"Thank you for everything," Eliot said softly in a reassuring voice.

She nodded, unable to speak, her throat choking, she knew he would be leaving soon.

"My flight is very early and I have a few remaining items to pack."

Eliot extended his arm; she slipped her arm through his and walked with him through her house to the front door.

"I appreciate your offer to housesit while I'm away. When you visited I hope I didn't burden you with my list."

Marjorie shook her head, trying to fight back the image of what she saw during the walk through his home. Her colleague was so involved in describing the plants in his studio he had not noticed her attention wandering to the charcoal portrait on his drawing table. She was thankful he had been preoccupied; she could not take her eyes from the drawing. The exotic eyes in the portrait reached out and captured hers. The image was so striking she could not look away. The hair swept around the woman's face in wild torrents and her lips were full and sensual. Who was she? What was he feeling when he drew the portrait? She had closed her eyes and looked away, trying to forget.

Eliot had slipped on his jacket and hat and noticed her distant gaze and grew concerned.

"Thank you for everything, Marjorie." He pulled her into his arms and rubbed her back. "Don't spend one more moment worrying. I will be fine, I promise."

Releasing her, Marjorie nodded sadly, biting her lip.

"Good-bye, Eliot." She spoke softly.

"Good-bye, Marjorie." Eliot tipped his hat to her as he stepped onto her porch, "and again my heart-felt thanks."

She watched him walk down her sidewalk, stop and wave before he slipped into his car. Marjorie waved in return, her fingers still caressing the nickel.

~~~tbc~~~