Free Contract to Love by Annie Sauder-Wallen Page B

would turn, grab the key and lock up her store.  On Saturday, Elizabeth decided to visit some friends, while Lawrence decided to stay home and catch-up on business. 
                  In the middle of her meal, she received a phone call from the police saying her store had been robbed.  She hastily made her way back home.  All the furniture had been taken.
                  “Maam, the intruder appeared to have used a key to get in.  Have you given anyone a key?” 
                  “No, I haven’t...”  Elizabeth trailed off.
                  “Does someone know about the key?”  the policeman asked.
                  Elizabeth assured him no one knew, but her didn’t look very convinced.  He told her if she remembered, to give him a call. 
                  Oh, she was calling someone all right, but it was not the police.  She quickly dialed Lawrence's number with her shaking fingers.
                  “Hello?”  the deep voice answered.
                  “Where have you been tonight?” Elizabeth said trying to keep her voice even.
                  “What’s wrong, Elizabeth?” Lawrence asked concerned.
                  “You broke in my store, and stole my furniture!” Elizabeth said in a rush and on the verge of tears.
                  “Calm down.  Think about what you just accused me of.”
                  Elizabeth broke down and cried.
                  “There, there, now tell me how it happened.”  Lawrence comforted.
                  “Well,” sniffed Elizabeth, “someone used my key and broke in my store.  All my furniture downstairs is gone...” Elizabeth started sobbing again.
                  “Elizabeth, any one could have found that key.  It’s under the rock by the door.  Tomorrow you will call the insurance company.”  Lawrence dictated.
                  Elizabeth agreed and said she would call tomorrow.  She apologized about accusing him of doing the deed.  He assured her everything was all right.

 
    Chapter 4
    The insurance money came in, and Elizabeth used it to order new furniture.  Lawrence helped her pick out the most popular items.  She still felt bad about accusing him.  He would just shrug and say no problem.  They had been out to dinner every night this week along with plays, ballet, opera, and dancing.  At the end of each date, he would kiss her lightly on the lips.  Then turn and leave.  And yet, with each kiss her love deepened.  Yes, it was love.  She saw that fact staring at her in the mirror.  She loved in love.  Her blue eyes sparkled.  Her cheeks bloomed in color.  A permanent smile fixed on her face.  She couldn’t stop singing.  If she only knew how he felt.  He seemed to care for her, but was it love?
                  A crashing noise jarred her back to the present.  She rushed downstairs only to catch two masked men loading up the new sofa she had ordered last week with the insurance money.  She turned to run back upstairs and phone the police.  Then they turned.  They dropped the sofa.  One grabbed her arms.  The other pushed her to the floor.  The one with a black mask slapped her face and her nose started bleeding.  The blue-masked one leaned down by her ear and told her to take her business back where it belonged or she would pay the consequences.  How odd?  He had an Italian accent?  Then the black-masked one took the knife and sliced down her arm.  Elizabeth then passed out.
    ***
                  Elizabeth vaguely heard a frantic voice call her name.  Then carefully she was taken to the hospital.
                  Elizabeth woke up and looked around the room.  Then she heard voices in the hall.
                  “Mr. Karapelli, she will be fine. She was very lucky.  Just keep ice on her