Making Her Own Way

What Real Love Is

The next morning Eleanor got up early and made the filling for her cake. She placed it in the fridge just to keep it away from the men. She made French toast for breakfast, fresh orange juice, coffee for Ross and tea for Joshua along with crisp bacon. She dressed in a pair of high waisted black pants, with an aquamarine top with short black jacket. The men were up and sitting at the table waiting for whatever smelled good. Ross again was knocked speechless; she was just so beautiful. Joshua kicked him under the table, jarring him to the present. Ross told her "If we could figure out where you hide whatever smells so good, we would have placed it on the table?" She said, "I put it in the warmer." He said, "what?" She showed him the door on the stove off to the left that kept everything warm. They had a pleasant breakfast, Eleanor placed Joshua pills with water in a glass beside the bed. She also placed a frozen Alfredo's sauce and chicken she had cooked out to thaw so all she had to do was heat it then make the pasta. Ross asked, "where her car was?" Eleanor said, "oh I walk it is good for me and it isn't that far." Ross said, "my car is in the garage do you want a lift?" She said, "no I really need to get exercise." He said, "okay I will see you tonight." She told him to be careful driving and she walked away while he watched.

Eleanor arranged for a shareholder's meeting in two days, she talked to Human Resources and told them what her numbers came to, asking if they could confirm the amount within one hundred thousand. She called a company in London, that a shipment had been delayed for over two weeks. She told them if it were not in Cornwall by the end of the week, she was cancelling the order which was a million dollars and placing it with one that could deliver. She wondered if this was what she wanted to do the rest of her life. It really what she had intended when she had taken the business and administration class to get the extra credit. It was just something to keep her mind busy. Now she was in a position that paid very well but it was not her specialty helping people who needed her.

Ross was working in the fields when Elizabeth arrived, she came up to Ross and told him she was sorry that she realized she was out of line. Ross said when were you going to tell me about the pregnancy, she wrapped her arms around him and said, "are you happy?" He said, "I am ecstatic for you and Francis," she said, "what?" Ross said, "Elizabeth we only slept together two weeks ago there is no way that child is mine especially since my father found out about it the day after I got back. Besides, I have finally came to the realization that I don't love you, I don't even like you." Elizabeth said, "at least we have something in common I have never loved you; you were just a means to an end." Ross said, "I figured that out yesterday. Good luck Elizabeth I hope whatever you do or whoever you decide to do, your happy, I just thank God it is not me!" Elizabeth walked off in a huff, Ross felt happy for the first time in a long time.

Ross went into the house showered packed a bag and put in clean clothes. He could not wait to see his dad and Eleanor. By the time he got there he was so ready to eat. His dad left him in, Ross said, "what time will Eleanor be home I am so hungry?" His dad said, "well that cake is in the refrigerator." Ross said, "but if we eat it, we will be in so much trouble." Joshua said, "son when did that ever stop us. Go cut us a slice it will hold us over until dinner?" While they were eating and groaning at how good it was, the door opened, in walked Eleanor when she saw what they were eating she said, "I am glad you decided to eat desert first because you will not be getting any more of that cake for dinner!" They both pouted, Eleanor had to run to her room before she burst out laughing the famous Poldark pout.

Eleanor made the noodles, heated the chicken, and Alfredo sauce. She set the table placing the cake at the place beside her. Ross and his dad kept glancing to the cake while they ate. Eleanor knew they were salivating hoping she would renege on her statement no desert for them. The meal was good but there their sweet tooth was winning out. Before Eleanor had a chance to clear the table Dwight and Caroline stopped in. Caroline gave Ross the evil eye while Dwight gave him a sly smile. Ross was only thinking how they could cut that cake so it would feed them all. He was sure Joshua was thinking the same. The doorbell rang again this time it was Verity and Andrew. Ross exchanged a look with Joshua wondering how they could save the cake! Eleanor was ready to burst from holding the laughter in they were so obvious. She cut the rest of the cake serving Joshua and Ross last. Verity and Caroline asked what kind of cake it was? Eleanor said, "as you know I am from New York, there is a town in Pennsylvania called intercourse it is in Lancaster County they make what is called gobs places call them whopper pies, well this cake is a gob cake because the filling is the same as what is in the individual cakes." Ross said, "there is really a town called intercourse?" Eleanor nodded, "yes, it is beside the village of Bird in Hand!" They all started laughing. "You're pulling our leg," Dwight said. She said, "look up Lancaster County Pennsylvania and search those names they are real places."

Andrew said, "well I don't know if the places are real, but this cake is awesome." "I am sorry the pieces are so small it was raided by the Poldark sweet tooth father and son act," Eleanor informed them. Verity snorted, everyone burst out cry laughing, except Ross and Joshua. Once they settled down, Verity said, "what is the meeting about for shareholders?" Eleanor said, "since the beginning of the year we have almost doubled the shareholders profits. While our workers are struggling to put food on their tables. I am suggesting we increase the wages for the factory workers by five percent. I feel that will go a long way to help our economy, keep our workers loyal, keeping our skilled workers in our factory." Verity said, "I think that is an excellent idea, but I have my own job as a lawyer that supports me. My father and brother will not be so keen!" Eleanor told her, "Being a shareholder should not be the only income you have unless you are extremely wealthy and live off the investments you make, even then you must take an interest in the companies. Like you said, you work, I work, Ross works so they need to get a job or have other investments to supplement income. To get rich off the back of your workers is not an economically sound practice." "Here, here", said Andrew. Dwight said, "that is very business savvy for a nurse." Eleanor said, "I study various course during school. In high school I had Accredited College classes for extra credit most in business." Once everyone left Ross helped Eleanor clear up and clean the kitchen. Once it was done, he helped his dad get ready for bed. Eleanor brought in his water and pills and wished him good night. Ross and Eleanor sat in the living room. Ross spoke first, "you amaze me with your beauty, your intellect, your compassion, your cooking skills and your loving personality." She looked at him shyly and said, "thank you." "Do you miss being in the state," Ross asked? She said, "I miss my brothers but not much else." "My father told me you had six brothers why didn't they come to live with your aunt and uncle," Ross questioned her? He could see he was making her uncomfortable, so he said, "if I am overstepping you don't need to tell me." "My mother died during childbirth my father would come home drunk beat her senseless then rape her. That is how all us kids were conceived. We never had enough to eat so being the eldest and the only girl I was fed last. I was trained to do housework, laundry, and dishes as soon as I could walk. If I didn't do it right, I would get back handed from my mom then dad would come home and back hand my mother. Once she died, I became the punching bag. He took the strap to me more times than I can count the last time my eldest brother ran next door after dad passed out and got a neighbor. My back and buttocks and thighs were cut so bad from the buckle that they rushed me to the hospital I needed over 100 stitches. I was not allowed to go back, my Uncle Drake found out and brought me here. My uncle said, my brother Sam got the address from a card and told him to call them". Ross said, "how long did this happen?" "My mommy died when I was twelve and the beating stopped when I came here. I was sixteen so the beatings lasted for four years." Ross said, "the last time was the only hospital time?" She shook her head, broke my arm twice, I had my jaw broke once, ribs I had broken, I learned to fix them myself. I think my mom did try to protect me, but she couldn't stop him. I think that is why she was so strict with me."

Ross thought I didn't always get along with my father, but I can't remember ever having a hand raised to me in anger, now here is this amazing woman who should be angry at the world, but she sees nothing but the good, God, I love her. At that thought he was jolted to realize that he has loved her since the day she made the banana cake. He told her she was amazing, and he was so lucky that she came into their lives. Ross got up and help her up off the sofa. She asked, "do you think we can spend next week at Nampara; I really miss taking my walks on the beach". Ross told her, "It may have to be the falling weekend because we want to go visit Claude to see if he might like to come home. I have you to thank for that to, I never understood why father sent him away. Now I do and I want him home where he belongs. He said, "you know you are always welcome there, but we will have to keep the doors locked to keep she who must not be named out!" Eleanor asked, "do you think I may be able to go with you to see Claude? If not, that is okay if you and your father want to go by yourself, I shouldn't have asked?" Why shouldn't you have asked, you are part of this family now and forever. Claude will love you; you are more then welcome I will tell dad tomorrow," he said? Eleanor said, "thank you, I think I may be a better judge if I knew his feelings on being there or coming here, where he is now is like a home to him, he grew up there." Ross said then it is a go Father, you and I will go to Stonehenge, Wiltshire, to see Claude." They laughed going up the stairs.