Weeping Willows

A Hunting We Will Go

Chapter 52

Elizabeth jogged blindly all the way to the little oasis not even stopping to take in the sights along the way this time. As she broke through the moss curtain that had hidden it away from prying eyes Elizabeth fell to her knees completely out of breath. She stared at the serene water of the spring cursing herself for not thinking of grabbing a suit before making the trek here. It was too long of a way to go back just for that and honestly, she didn't want to go back yet. Making up her mind Elizabeth stripped down to just her underwear and sunk in. Really her underwear covered more than most bathing suits these days anyway. Taking a breath, she dunked below the surface of the water willing the world to just fall away. She hadn't been under long before she broke the surface gasping for air. Rolling her eyes at herself she decided perhaps trying to hold her breath under water right after taking a run perhaps wasn't the smartest idea she'd ever had. Flopping herself out on the bank she let her legs drift in the water as she watched the clouds glide lazily by with the occasional flock of birds skate on the upper currents.

It was some time later that her little hideaway was disturbed by an irritated Amazonian and a sneaky photographer. Elizabeth didn't even notice the two of them break through the moss curtain too lost in her meanderings. Lauren was hell bent on ripping her a new one but found herself at a loss for words as she looked around her. Jan, not having any idea that something was amiss, couldn't miss the photo op that presented itself. Taking a picture of Elizabeth laying among the foliage she smiled as she reviewed it and sent it off. Lauren looked at her puzzled until Jan showed her the phone causing Lauren to laugh hysterically. The laughter of the two women pulled Elizabeth from her dreamy state. Bending her head back a bit at the neck she looked behind her frowning at the sight of the other two.

"What are you two doing here?" She asked thoroughly confused as to how they even found her little hideout. Elizabeth had been under the impression that no one but the Bennett family knew this place was here. Well the Bennett's and Elizabeth but that was only because of William's letter. With that thought she remembered that Lauren had read the letters too, just a couple days ago. While Elizabeth hadn't told Lauren about this place it wouldn't have taken much to put two and two together if they had been looking for her and couldn't find her. Lauren and Jan sat down on the bank beside her looking around.

"Mason called me saying he thought you could use a friend. He wasn't sure what had happened between when you left his office and when you drove away, but he said you were definitely upset." Jan told her while snapping pictures of her little haven.

"This place is amazing Lizzy."

"Wait until the sun goes down, it's like nothing you've ever seen before." Lauren got excited checking the time on her phone.

"So, what exactly did happen today?" Jan asked from behind her camera. Because of the overly large piece of equipment Elizabeth couldn't tell what expression was on her face. Blowing out an annoyed breath she turned her gaze back up to the sky.

"Ryan called after I got out of my counseling session. All I asked him was who the friend was that was helping with the research. He got really quiet and wouldn't reply. I thought maybe the connection was bad, so I tried saying his name before I hung up and tried again. He told me he had to go, and we could talk again later. Right after I heard a woman ask him who he was talking to and then he hung up. I don't know what to think."

"Oops." Jan said before setting her camera down before whipping out her cell phone and typing in buttons. Elizabeth leaned up on her elbows glancing at her with curiosity.

"Shit." Lauren bit out whipping her head in Jan's direction.

"What's going on guys?" Jan groaned dropping her phone to the ground.