“I was trying to do the right thing and save you from being hurt,” Ethan explained with frustration. Couldn’t she understand where he was coming from? He had one failed marriage behind him and he had already decided marriage was not for him, and Elizabeth Daniels was not the casual-sex type of woman. He pulled over in front of the diner. “I do like you, Liz. Can’t we try to be friends?” Ethan didn’t understand his own emotions. He was sure he didn’t want to enter into a serious relationship, but for some reason he didn’t want to lose all contact with Liz.
“I don’t need or want your friendship, Deputy White. I have plenty of friends,” she replied angrily, swallowing past the ache in her chest. His words were like sharp arrows going through her heart, destroying her last drop of hope she had concerning him. “Thanks for the ride, Deputy. Let’s go back to avoiding each other because I am no longer interested in getting to know you. I think I know all I need to know.”
“Liz, wait, don’t leave mad,” Ethan began with frustration, but Liz ignored him. Liz got out of the car and slammed the car door hard. She was so angry! Men! They were all the same. Love was a hopeless thing. Her friends may have gotten lucky but this time luck wasn’t on her side.
Liz went inside but didn’t feel up to eating anymore. Her appetite was gone and her stomach was tied up in knots. She wanted to break down and cry but she held it all in. Her mother had always told her showing emotions in public was not ladylike. She had really liked Ethan and now she was disappointed in the turnout. Liz sat at the counter. Why did she have such bad luck in the romance department? Was it her? Maybe she was lacking something. She had Gary who only wanted her for her dad’s business and wealth and Ethan who didn’t want her because of her dad’s wealth. What was a girl to do?
“Honey, what’s wrong?” Liz looked up to see Ally Clark watching her with concern. Liz put her chin on her hand and said one word. “Men.”
Ally patted her hand in sympathy, shaking her head. “Say no more, honey. Men are a pain in a woman’s rear. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them.”
Liz giggled, sniffing into a napkin and nodded. “Just coffee, Ally.” Ally poured her a cup of hot coffee and went back into the kitchen.
Lacy walked up behind Liz, patting her back. “Are you okay, Liz? I saw Ethan drop you off.” She didn’t mention that it looked like they were arguing.
Liz nodded but didn’t explain. She tried her best to smile as if nothing was wrong. She didn’t want to break down in public. “I’m here to help out with the invitations.” Liz had promised Lacy she’d help her address the invitations to mail out for the wedding, which was in three weeks on Christmas Eve.
“We’re closing up in a few minutes, so why don’t we do them at your house? Then we can relax and talk,” Lacy suggested and tried to make her friend smile. “Ryan suggested to his mom this morning that we should just put an ad in the paper for the wedding since she is inviting the whole town, but Ally wasn’t amused with that idea so here I am with the big pile of invitations to address and mail.”
Liz laughed, picturing Ryan being serious about the idea. “You have to admit, it’s not a bad idea and it would save a lot of time and stamps.”
“I heard that, young lady,” Ally chided Liz from the kitchen.
Lacy laughed out loud when Liz yelled out, “Sorry, Ally, it’s a terrible idea.”
Chapter 4
Lacy drove them to Liz’s apartment. They cleared off the coffee table, throwing a bunch of couch pillows on the floor to get comfortable. Lacy pulled out a bottle of wine from her bag with a big smile, along with the invitations.
Liz grinned. “All right, girlfriend.” Liz went to her kitchen and grabbed two glasses. The wine was sweet and helped to relax her after the stressful day she just had. As they filled out invitations, Liz told Lacy about Ethan with tears in her eyes, letting all her hurt feelings out. “First Gary and now Ethan. Right now cats are sounding better and better,” she joked.
“I’m so disappointed in Ethan. I thought him better than that. How dare he judge you. That rat! Liz you are smart, strong, and so beautiful. If Ethan can’t handle that then you don’t need him. You deserve better,” Lacy stated firmly in defense of Liz.
Liz interrupted Lacy’s tirade and held her hand tightly. “I’m so lucky to have friends like you and Stella. You all are good for my ego. I’m mostly mad at myself because I can’t stop thinking about him. I don’t even know him that well but I am so attracted to him. It’s like I looked into his eyes and the rest was history just like a fairy tale, but in romance books the hero feels the same way. It’s just my luck Ethan looked at me and said no way.”
“Men can be blind, but if you want I’ll knock him upside the head for you and see if that clears his vision,” Lacy suggested eagerly, looking like she was ready to jump up and go find Ethan.
Liz laughed out loud and put her wine glass down before she spilled it. “Honey, you can’t go around saying things like that. You are about to be a sheriff’s wife.”
Lacy just gave her a smile and shrugged. “I didn’t even know Ethan was married before,” Lacy said, puzzled, taking a sip of wine. “It must have been a long time ago
since no one has mentioned it, not even him, but I’ll get the story out of Logan.”
“Why ask Logan and not your boyfriend?” Liz asked with real curiosity.
“Ryan is too stubborn to give personal info out on his employees but with Logan all I have to do is pout and look sad,” Lacy explained with a laugh. “Works every time.”
“You are so bad, girl.” Liz giggled, feeling better. She might not be lucky in the romance department but she had two best friends that she could count on and a successful business to run. She didn’t need a man!
The two girls filled out the invitations and finished the whole bottle of wine, talking about Lacy’s upcoming wedding. Lacy was lying on pillows on the floor and Liz laid on the couch. “Wine on an empty stomach does not feel good.” Liz groaned, realizing they skipped dinner but feeling too lazy to get up.
“I probably shouldn’t drive,” Lacy whispered. “My head hurts and I’m dizzy. Did I mention I’m not much of a drinker.”
“Stay the night. I don’t want to be alone,” Liz said, hating to feel this vulnerable but Ethan had wounded her deeply with his words. She dreamed of Ethan often and it hurt to know it would never be anything more than that now.
“Okay, I will,” Lacy said, understanding Liz needed a friend right now. She picked up the phone and called Ryan at the station. “I’m staying the night with Liz tonight because I’m tipsy.” Lacy giggled, slurring her words when Ryan answered the phone. “And tell Ethan White he is a snake and a rat and no longer my friend, and Liz is a great girl and he lost out,” Lacy said, letting the anger she felt with Ethan out but then ruined it by giggling some more when she heard Liz laughing loudly behind her. She hung up the phone without saying good-bye.
* * * *