Free Contract to Love by Annie Sauder-Wallen

 
     
    Chapter 1
    Elizabeth anxiously watched the embers of the fire burn her new furniture store.  Oh, how she dreaded telling her father.  John Sanders had argued with his daughter about moving so far away, and opening his chain furniture store.  Elizabeth wanted to make her father proud.  Her brothers had made a success of their furniture stores.  Now she wanted to prove to all of them she could do it.  But her dream was burning around her.
    “Ma’am, the damage seems to be contained in only one room.  You sure were lucky.  The fire seemed to be cause by and electrical outlet.”
    “Thank You.” Elizabeth said absent-mindedly.  Her mind already thinking about what to say to her father.
                                                                                                                                                ***
    The next day Elizabeth spent cleaning the room that had the most damage.  Her father begged her to come home, but she told him she would still succeed.  She could make the store a success.  He finally agreed to send money to pay for the damage since she still had no insurance.
    “Hello.”
    Elizabeth swirled around so caught up in her own thoughts she had not heard anyone come in
    “Hello,” she said tentatively.
    “I see you have had trouble lately.”
    “Yes, can I help you?” Elizabeth asked still unsure.  Her father had warned her to be wary of other people.
    “My name is Lawrence.  I live down the street.  I was wondering if I could help you clean?” Lawrence asked.
    “You want to help me? Why?” Elizabeth wondered. 
    “Well, you are my neighbor.” Lawrence answered.
    He was tall, dark, and handsome.  His hair and eyes were as dark as night.  His boyish grin whispered of mischief.  His strong, powerful arms could hold her in the dark of night.
    “Ms. Sanders, are you all right?” Lawrence asked.
    “Um, yes, of course. If you are sure you want to help, those boxes could be taken out.” Elizabeth stammered.
    “Sure.” Lawrence answered easily.  They worked the rest of the afternoon chatting comfortably.
    “Thank you for your help, neighbor.” Elizabeth smiled.
    “Sure, no problem.  Since we have been working all evening, how about supper tonight?” Lawrence asked smoothly.
    Elizabeth chewed nervously on her bottom lip.  Should she go out with him?  After her earlier thoughts, she wasn’t sure, but they got along so easily that afternoon.  They talked about furniture, birds, weather and nothings.  But could she trust herself and her thoughts?
    “Well, what do you say, Elizabeth?”
    “Ok, I would love to.” Elizabeth agreed.
    His strong hand grasped hers lightly and he led her out the door.  Where had that electric shock come from that shot up her arm?  Had she imagined it?  Lawrence didn’t act like he felt anything.  He just smiled his boyish smile.  Oh, those lips!

 
    Chapter 2
    After a week of hard work, Elizabeth and Lawrence had set the store to rights again.  It soon would be time for the new reopening.  Elizabeth and Lawrence seemed to get along so well.  His help was almost too good to be true.  He just appeared at the moment she needed him the most.  Every evening he would come by and help her clean.  Then they would go out to supper to a nearby restaurant.
                  On Sunday night, Lawrence had called and invited her to a celebration dinner.  Tomorrow would be her grand reopening.  She quickly accepted.  Now she had to decide what to wear.  Since last week, she couldn’t stop thinking about the man.  His dark eyes and hair, and those strong, powerful arms.  She wanted this evening to be perfect.  Should she choose the sleeveless black dress or the low-cut red dress?  The red dress!
                  Ding-dong.
                  Elizabeth