"Heavens, who would have thought one human being alone could create such a ruckus," Martha muttered as the family helped her return the master cabin back to its normal state. Wadding up the used sheets with a fury, she handed the bundle to Candi, and then shaking out a fresh bottom sheet, she tossed it up in the air and Carolyn grabbed it on the other side of the bed. "Candi," Martha instructed, "you take those down to the laundry room and you Jonathan, pick up the Monopoly game and put it back in the game closet."
Silently the two women quickly finished making the bed, and with a definite "There!" Martha gathered up the rest of the linens and laundry and headed down the stairs.
Looking around the newly straightened room, Carolyn allowed herself a happy giggle, and stretched out her arms and fell backwards onto the bed with a solid flop. "Ah, back in my own bed at last," she said happily. "And it suits you well," the Captain offered, sitting down on the edge of the bed, intrigued as she stretched out, so very pleased at last to have her room back to herself. Startled, she started to sit. "Belay that Madam, you've entertained and nursed that mewling mackerel for a long while, you've earned some time to relax."
"As have you Captain," she said reaching over to prop a pillow under her head looking up at him, feeling a bit uncomfortable at the suggestive closeness, but intrigued at the same time. "You were a gracious, albeit unwilling host as well." Rolling over on her side so she could face him better, they watched each other quietly for a moment. "Captain, I wond. . ." she stopped in mid-word, her face suddenly going quite red. "Are you well Mrs. Muir?" he said concerned. "I, uh, yes, yes I'm fine, it's just I was going to ask you a question, and I realized it might sound . . . a bit suggestive."
"Far be it from me to refuse to answer a lady's question, especially a suggestive one," he said leaning closer to her. "Please go ahead. What intrigues you in such an interesting manner?" "Well," she paused trying to decide if in fact she were willing to continue, but swallowing, she started again. "Well, it's just this was your bedroom . . ." "It still is Madam," he said with a glint in his eye. "Yes. I, yes I know that, but what I wondered is if I have taken over your side of the bed, or did you sleep on the other side?"
Taking some pity on her, he stood and walked out into the middle of the room. "You know," he said to the air, "I'm not entirely sure I recall. It has been quite some time since I actually occupied this bed. And never with anyone quite so lovely." Looking out the corner of his eye, he noticed her blush again with satisfaction. "So you had 'guests' in your day?" she questioned.
Turning again to face her, he let a moment of quiet settle around them, "No M'dear," he said willing her to look at him, "such things were not acceptable for a community leader in a small town. Now ask me about other locations, and well, I would have to admit . . . " "Never mind," Carolyn said, with a cutting tone she regretted the minute it left her lips. "Do not be concerned," she heard him say, as she lay there, eyes closed, "If we are discussing this room, this place. . . this bed," he continued with a meaningful pause, "there is only one woman I've ever truly wanted to be in my home, in this bed with me." She felt herself flushing again, this time the cause far from embarrassment. Refusing still to meet his eyes, she thought carefully before continuing, "It's important, isn't it to know what you truly want and to say it aloud, don't you believe? For both of us I think, that may be harder to admit to, even more than loneliness?"
"I admit I hoped one day, I would be able to share that truth with someone," he said, looking over at her with undisguised longing. "And I admit," she started. "Don't admit it," he said, "one day, perhaps it'll be something that requires no effort to explain. Until then," he sighed aloud, "enjoy your peace, your bed and the rest you so fully deserve."
To her immense frustration, she felt him disappear from sight, but in truth, she now knew, he could not disappear from her heart. Rolling over, she gave her pillow a fierce series of punches before dropping off to a disturbed rest. "Hum," she vaguely heard Martha from the hallway a moment later, "Jonathan, Candi, looks like your Mother is taking a well deserved break; let's give her some peace and quiet. Downstairs both of you!"