Authors: Nancy Hopper
Elaine blinked as though the memory made her want to cry. "He told Ben to cut me loose, and he'd pay. When Ben asked him how much, the man told him he'd give him a hundred dollars if there would be no questions about where I'd gone, or who with. Ben readily agreed. I went with the man."
"He held my wrist tightly, and took me to a very fine car. We drove a long time, and neither of us said a word. It turned out that the man was very rich. He took me home, bathed me, bought me some lovely clothes, and voila -- he had himself a princess. He waited until he'd had me checked by a doctor. Then he proceeded to make me his own private whore."
"Oh, Elaine." Tasha sighed.
"No, don't pity me, I adored him! I loved him madly. He gave me everything, and he spoiled me rotten. And I learned from him how to be a lady. I learned everything I needed to know. He just wouldn't love me. He had no intention of marrying me. So, eventually I left him."
"Where did you go?"
Elaine shrugged. "Across several states, so he couldn't find me. I got a job in a seamstress shop, and learned the secrets. When I had enough money, I started buying my own material from the wholesalers, and I was on my way."
"Wow." Tasha complimented. "And you never saw the rich man again?"
Elaine got a funny, faraway look in her eye as she stared at Tasha. "No. But I will always love him, and no one else. It's a pity he's not capable of the same."
Tasha sighed heavily. "So, he was unfaithful to you, too?"
Elaine's smile flashed with bitterness. "Yes. Actually, he was. But again, I really can't be sorry. It helped me understand that he was just another stepping stone, although I've never been in love with another man. He wasn't holding any illusions before me."
"Harsh, if you ask me." Tasha objected.
"Yes. But darling, that's life, isn't it? All too often, anyway.”
Tasha considered. "I guess it certainly can be."
“
Like you losing your husband, with a little girl and a baby boy to raise.” Elaine said softly.
Tasha and Elaine went back to Elaine's place for the night, and left Timothy sleeping in the hotel room, with a note and a phone number. He called at eight-thirty the next morning, sounding very foggy.
"Tim, did you sleep well?" Tasha asked with a yawn.
"Yeah, but what about your flight?" he asked worriedly.
"Oh, it's at noon." She replied lightly.
"I hope you're ready for some fireworks at the airport today." He warned softly.
"Huh?" Tasha stammered.
"Chances are, Pattie's caught on to your plans, and if I don't miss my guess, she's going to be there with bells on."
"Oh. I thought she was on her way to Venezuela?"
"She's been there and back again. I wasn't there, and if I know her she's steamed up, and ready to sting. Let me see if I can get a flight around the same time, and ward her off. Better yet, I'll come to Salt Lake. She might be smart enough to try to catch you there, instead. Give me your flight information." He prodded.
Tasha obliged him.
Tim called Norman Nielsen and promised him a television spot if he'd wrangle a flight to Salt Lake for him with Tasha. It worked, and he threw in limo service for the morning, as well. Then Tim called Tasha, and told her and Elaine to be ready at precisely nine o'clock. That's all the information they got.
Elaine could not help laughing when she peeked out the curtains and saw the black limo pull up at nine o'clock sharp. "Oh, my. Tasha, I do hope you are ready to go."
"Is he here?" Tasha called.
"Oh, boy. He sure is." Elaine confirmed. "My Lord in Heaven! You'd better brace yourself. This man means business."
Tasha went to the front door with her suitcase in hand, and opened it. She promptly stopped cold, and stared.
There was a limo at the curb. It was the finest black stretch limo that Tasha had ever seen. Coming up the walk to Elaine's house was a man. He was wearing black Western Alligator boots with an undercut heel; and a very fine, collarless black suit. Under the coat he wore a stunning, royal blue collarless shirt with black leather trim. He carried a calf-length leather coat; and he wore a black Stetson. His belt was also black Alligator, and it had a buckle of Sterling engraved to sparkle in the sun, and an Onyx running horse carved and inlaid, rippling muscles and all. A fiery diamond sliver was fit for the horse's eye. But it was nothing to match the sparkle in the man's blue eyes. He carried a dozen red roses.
"Well, good morning." Timothy drawled. He took off his hat and gave her a sultry smile as the unruly lock of hair fell into his eye. He pulled her into his arms, and kissed her as if he hadn't seen her in a year. Tasha swore her bones were melting, and when he stopped, she was amazed to find that she could still stand up. She did notice that she was still kind of swaying in his direction, and he settled his arm around her waist to keep her ambulatory.
"You are looking more beautiful than I've ever seen you, and that is saying something." He complimented, taking in the teal suit and royal blouse that she'd bought from Elaine. She had royal blue shoes to match, and her royal blue coat.
She had her hair done in a very feminine, turn of the century kind of bun, that was very fluffy and had tendrils falling here and there.
“
Well; excepting the red dress.” He qualified with a grin.
"Thanks." She gasped. "So are you, Tim." She said brightly.
He laughed at her, in a low voice. "Hope you haven’t changed your mind, again. You look ready to bolt this morning, young lady." He answered carefully.
"No. Not at all." Tasha assured him shyly.
He grinned. “Good. I’m going to get a ring on your finger as soon as I possibly can, so you won’t ever forget that you’ve promised.” He teased, filling her arms with roses.
"Mr. Rain, you'd make Waylon cry for envy." Elaine accused him dryly, putting Tasha's bag out, and locking her front door behind her. "The girl doesn't stand a chance, does she?"
Tim cocked an eyebrow. "I sure hope not." He growled. "It has required some convincing." he told Elaine succinctly. The flash and twinkle in his eye revealed his frustration; and yet also, his delight in the woman under his arm.
His flashing smile was all the brighter as he'd let his mustache get fuller and longer than ever, while in South America. Tasha found him even a bit more dashing than before, if that were possible.
Tim took them to breakfast at a restaurant that served a superb breakfast buffet, and then the limo finally took them to the airport. On the way, Tim turned to Tasha and prepared her for what he suspected was coming.
"My sources tell me that we can probably expect to have company at the airport when we get there. I hope you ladies are up to it, this morning. It's going to require some faith. Can you stand?"
"I think so." Tasha answered uncertainly.
"I know how rough she's been on you in the past. But I think she's out of ammo. Actually, I think she's going to come after me this time, because I haven't backed down. So, you may well be watching some real fireworks. Just pray, and stand in faith. Have faith in the Lord; and trust me, Tasha. I won't let you down, no matter what it looks like. I may have to be both very kind, and very harsh, in turn. It’s Pattie’s day of reckoning. Can you do it?"
Tasha looked none too confident or excited, but she nodded.
"All right, then stand back and watch the hand of your God." He chuckled. "He will have His way, today.”
"Now, you two please, just stay put in the limo for ten minutes. That should give me time to be located by our friends, once I'm inside. Just come in the same entrance I go through, and look for the ruckus. If there isn't one, go directly to our gate and wait for me there. The flight number is 510. All right?”
Tasha nodded nervously.
"Now, if there are any reporters at the gate, you tell them that you have no comment at this time. Do the broken record routine, if you have to. Any questions?"
"I don't think so." Tasha answered hesitantly.
"And don't be afraid. I think I'm going to finish the game, this morning. Hang in there, all right?" he encouraged.
He smiled down at Tasha, and kissed her lightly. “Don't worry. Trust me.” he urged gently. Then he got out, and walked away. The limo driver followed, with Tim and Tasha's luggage.
Elaine gave Tasha a worried glance She looked a bit pinched, poor darling. How much more could she be expected to endure? Elaine wondered tiredly.
They waited patiently in the limo, talking about little things, for ten full minutes. It seemed like an hour. Then they got out, grabbed Tasha's carry-on bag and purse, and went into the terminal.
All was quiet until they went up the escalator; then they saw Tim standing in an open area, talking to reporters in front of two television cameras. A crowd was building.
Though Tasha and Elaine were scared spitless, it seemed a very friendly atmosphere – and Tim was smiling, obviously at ease. He had the crowd chuckling, and he looked incredibly handsome and swarthy, in his black suit.
A woman dressed in a bright red pant suit came stalking into the area, just as Tasha and Elaine approached from the other side. It was Pattie Danniels with her camera crew, and she was clearly steamed.
"Timothy Rain, why didn't you tell anybody you were leaving Venezuela ahead of schedule?" she shrieked. "I spent money I didn't
have,
just to go down there and find you! Only to find out that you were gone, and back
here
! What does this mean?”
Tim turned and looked surprised to see her, as her crew scrambled to set up. "Hello, Pattie. Sorry about that. I wasn't aware that I had a responsibility to keep you posted. I'll try to do better." He teased.
The crowd chuckled, and Pattie finally seemed to realize that she was throwing a tantrum in a less than ideal situation. She eyed the other television camera crews with anger, but she buttoned her lip.
Tim smiled at her; and the glow of his warmth fell on Pattie, and spread over her like warm honey. He stepped close to her, and put a hand on her arm. His hat was in his hand, and his hair was falling into his eyes as he looked down at her.
"Pattie, I guess I really do owe you an apology. I had no idea that you were so upset with me. Why don't we stop this media war, and deal with the issue that's really bothering you? Come on, now. You're angry because I embarrassed you at that party in Cincinnati, aren't you? Isn't that what started this vendetta against me? Tell these people the truth."
Elaine grabbed Tasha's arm, and they stared into one another’s' eyes with alarm. Tim was really pouring it on -- absolutely oozing the charm. It was extremely unnerving to watch him operate.
The warmth that he was pouring out to Pattie could be physically felt. It was not sexual -- but it was masculine, and it was love, and compassion, and very deep caring. For Pattie.
Pattie Danniels blinked shocked eyes, and stepped back a full foot away from Tim. Then she covered her face with trembling hands, and began to weep violently.
"I never wanted anything from you, except for you to notice that I was alive!" she cried. "I never asked for anything in this life except for you to
love me
!" she wailed.
The crowd began murmuring and staring with shocked expressions at the twosome.
Tim reached out and put a hand near the side of Pattie's head, at her cheek, being very careful. Though her eyes were covered, and she could not see what he was doing, she crumbled at his feet. The crowd gasped.
"So that's why you're trying to discredit my ministry, and ruin any relationship I try to have, Pattie?" he asked gently.