Beauty & the Beast

The Unexpected

The morning air was thick as I stepped out onto my porch and inhaled the sweet aroma of the honeysuckles growing just beside the two story home. A small smile had found my lips as I stepped down from the porch and looked up at the large wooden home. It was fancy and too big for one person but that did not matter. I was okay and moving on with my life, no more wishing he was here and wanting his touch. 

Straightening out my navy blue dress and tightening the white apron around me, I began into my rather large kitchen and started to make breakfast for my boys. I had hired ranch hands to help me with the business I had started and also to watch over me and my new found wealth. I started a facility for all the rich people who wanted nothing but the best for their show horses, race horses, and lets not forget the ungrateful little girls who wanted horses but did not want to take care of them.

I could hear the shuffling of feet and the moans and groans as two rather tall men stepped down from the stairs and into the kitchen. Mark was tall and handsome with blonde hair cut short. He still managed to make it look like a mess. He had chocolate brown eyes and the most amazing smile. The other man was Logan. He was taller than Mark and much more rugged. His hair was lightly longer than Marks and tousled about. They both smiled cheeky smiles and sat down at the table. 

"Good morning boys!" 

"Good morning Miss Elizabeth."

"I hope you are hungry. I mad sausage, eggs, and pancakes." Their eyes lit up as I set the plates down in front of them. They began to dig in as I poured a glass of milk for each of them. 

"Miss Elizabeth we have worked for you for a while now and I mean.... I know its none of our business but what is a young woman like you doing out here all alone?" Mark Shoved a large piece of sausage in his mouth and Logan elbowed him.

"What?!?" He hissed out and Logan scowled.

"It's fine Logan. I use to work for a great yet horrible man. It was not till almost a year ago that I left. He paid me generously and now I am here. I just want to live a simple life." The boys were both looking at me now with soft eyes. 

"Oh...." Was all mark could manage.

Before I could say anything further the door bell rang and finally my heart did not drop. I was over him and I knew he was not going to come for me. I walked to the front door and opened it only to see Roy our postal man with a stack of letters in his hand. 

"Miss Elizabeth." He bowed and I smiled.

"Roy, how are you today?"

"Good Miss I am good. Here is your mail."

"Thank you Roy!" I called out as he turned and began down the dirt road that lead to the main road.

Turning on my heels I began to flip through the letters, only two catching my eye I plucked them out and opened the first one. It was from my dearest sister, her letter look as though it was scribbled. Reading through the letter my heart skipped a beat. Cat was having trouble with Margret and her hateful ways. I put the letter down for a short moment and then smiled. She was on her way here and has been since Monday. I had begged her to come live with me but she would refuse it. I had finally gotten what I wanted. 

Placing that letter down I moved to the next one. Opening it I  began to read over the neat hand writing. It was from James and he had so much to tell me. He started off with a hello but by the time I finished the note he had gone through what the new maids have been doing wrong, how he hates the way the girls are with me being gone and lastly that he missed me. He missed me and was coming to visit with in the week.