What the Heart Sees

Chapter One

Come on Beth. Get a move on! The horn of Aaron's Saab convertible blew in accent to his impatience. For someone who always seemed concerned with propriety, it was beyond Beth why Aaron would stand outside her home and yell. She could imagine her neighbors peering from behind blinds to leer at Dr. Aaron McAfee as he made this breech of etiquette.

Beth shook her head as she threw more clothes in the suitcase that sat on the foot of her bed. Why does he have to be such a jerk about this? she mumbled.

When she and Aaron made plans for their weekend trip to his parents, he agreed to pick her up around ten a.m. She should have known him well enough by now to know that in Aaron McAfee’s world that translated into 9:30 a.m. Why couldn’t I pick a man that’s perpetually late? She wondered as she shoved her make-up kit in the bag.

The door to her modest two-story home banged shut. Aren’t you ready yet? he yelled from the foot of the stairs.

Beth slammed her suit case closed and zipped it. Aaron McAfee, I swear if you yell at me one more time, I will throw this suitcase at your head, she said as she stormed down the stairs. Sometimes, Beth thought Aaron was the most charming man she could have hoped to meet. Then there were the times she thought she needed her head examined.

We need to get on the road, he said tapping his watch.

We agreed to 10 a.m. If you look at the clock that gives me at least 15 more minutes, so keep your shorts on, she countered, stopping at the bottom of the staircase and almost nose to nose with Aaron. What's the big rush? Your parents know we’re coming so it's not like they are going anywhere, are they? She brushed past him.

Where are you going? he asked following closely on her heels.

To the kitchen for a cup of coffee and maybe some toast, you mind?

Do you have to? I just had the SAAB detailed.

Yes, I have to. And I promise I won't spill anything in your precious car. The sarcasm seeped through her voice as she kept a steady pace through the living room and into the kitchen.

Want some? she asked while dark liquid poured into her purple GODDESS mug.

No. I just want to get going.

Look, if you are in such an all-fired hurry to get there, then go! You don't need me. Fire flashed behind her dark eyes.

Beth could see Aaron take a mental breath. Baby, he began. Don’t be like that. You know I don’t want to go without you.

Then please give me a break. She tempered her tone. I don't want to fight with you all weekend.

Beth studied Aaron closely. He was attractive in a boyish way. His jet-black hair seemed a stark contrast to his light blue eyes. At any given point in the day he appeared neatly shaven, and no matter how expensive his clothes, he always seemed to be little boy playing dress-up.

However, looks could be deceiving, since he was one of the most sought after cardiologists in Montgomery. Not to mention the most sought after bachelor. At least that was what the Montgomery-Advertiser said in their spread on the Top 10 Most Eligible Men of Montgomery.

Beth remembered staring down at the front page of the paper's Living Section when the department secretary had brought it into school to show her. She and Aaron had only been dating for three weeks when the article appeared. It wasn't until that layout that Beth learned she was seeing the most sought after bachelor in the Heart of Dixie.

She and Aaron had met at a fundraiser for the hospital where he was on staff. Beth and a colleague of hers, Morgan Cook, had been asked to provide the entertainment that evening. Beth played the piano, while her friend sang. The gig had been arranged through Beth's dearest friend, Marty Williams, who just happened to be on the board of trustees for the hospital.

During their fifteen-minute break, Aaron approached Beth. Would you like something to drink? he had asked as he handed her a glass of wine. At first Beth glanced behind her to see who he was talking to. Then she realized she stood alone. She thanked him, but declined since she still had to perform.

Maybe after then, he had said as he took her hand and lightly brushed the back of her knuckles with the warmth of his breath. That was the beginning of their comfortable, if not slightly odd, relationship. For the life of her Beth could not figure out why the highly sought after Dr. McAfee would wish her company, but he did. However, at this particular moment she wished he hadn't. Her brows knitted together in frustration.

I'm sorry, Beth, Aaron cooed. I didn't mean to be so pushy. You know I don't like to drive. He gave her his best puppy dog eyes.

You know, that seems an odd statement when you take your car into consideration.

You know the old saying about men and their toys. He gave her his best light up the room smile.

Beth sighed. She always fell for that smile. Unfortunately, I do. But I am telling you now, Aaron McAfee, if you are going be to like this all weekend I'm staying home.

I said I was sorry, darling, he said, placing a tiny kiss on the end of her nose. I'll be better. I promise.

Beth tossed him a sideways glance that said, I really don't believe you. In her heart, she longed for this to be a great weekend, but with Aaron's attitude she began to wonder if it was going to happen.

In the few months that they had been dating, Aaron had been nothing but a gentleman. In fact, he had been too much of a gentleman in Beth's opinion.

Why don't you put my stuff in the car? All I need to do is get some toast and I can put my coffee in a travel mug.

Whatever gets us there the fastest. He turned on his heels to leave, then turned back before asking if Beth could forgo the toast. After all there would be crumbs, he added then dashed from the house.

Watching out the window Beth could see Aaron as he placed her bags in the trunk of his convertible. The top was down and unless she wanted a nest of tangles in hair, she knew she had best pull it back into a ponytail.

Beth sighed as she looked at the bread she was holding. Maybe she should stay home. She checked out the window again. As usual Aaron was on his cell phone. Beth snorted in frustration.

After checking to insure all electrical appliances were turned off, Beth retrieved her baseball cap and piled her hair under it. Okay, Beth, we need to be positive here. This weekend is salvageable, she thought. Maybe once he’s away from the hospital, Aaron won't be so stressed.

Beth took a deep draw from her coffee and finding the sugar versus cream ratio acceptable, gathered the rest of her belongings and went to meet Aaron at his car.

By the time Beth reached him, Aaron was off the phone and buckled into his seat, engine running. By his actions it was hard to tell, but a part of Aaron was actually looking forward to this weekend. It would be great to get away from his concerns at the hospital.

What he did not look forward to was seeing his family, but if he was going to ask Beth to marry him, he knew she needed to at least meet his parents first. It was a no-brainer that his mom and dad would love her. For that matter, so would his sister. His brother on the other hand? Well, since when was Daniel's opinion any of his concern?

Aaron watched as Beth walked out of her townhouse toward the car. He tried to suppress the shudder that ran along his skin. Beth was far from the typical Aaron McAfee woman. She had a pleasing face, though it was round. Even Aaron had to admit her doe like eyes were exceptional. Even though she was as tall as he, Beth’s height was acceptable. In fact Aaron was used to tall women on his arm.

However, he preferred his women a bit more athletic, less...plump. If he had to wager a bet Beth had to outweigh him by at least fifty pounds. Actually, he considered himself lucky that Beth had not pushed the physical part of their relationship. Then again he knew she wouldn't. Having her as a wife was one thing. Having her as a lover was totally different. Luckily she had other attributes that helped her less appealing parts. Shaking off his thoughts, Aaron smiled genuinely as she climbed into the convertible.

Chapter Two

The ride to Aaron's parent's farm was glorious. It seemed like the perfect autumn morning. Leaves along the highways had barely begun to turn a russet and scarlet. The air was filled with the familiar smells of fall.

Fall had always been Beth’s favorite season, though there was no logic as to why. Sure spring was beautiful and summer was nice, but it was the fall that made her feel alive.

With the top down on the car, it was almost impossible to carry on a conversation, unless the car was stopped or Beth wanted to yell. She had tried conversing with Aaron, but found him to be an unwilling partner, so she gave up and enjoyed the scenery.

Most of the drive was off the interstate. Although the highway they traveled was four lanes, there were very few signs of life. On occasion the solitary gas station whizzed by, but sparsely populated areas did not bother Beth. She had grown up in rural Tennessee and was accustomed to small towns.

She hadn't realized how far from the beaten path their trip had taken them, until she began to notice the roads no longer had names, but were being referred to only by county road numbers. They had turned off the main four-lane onto highway 231 and then onto a two lane county road dotted with farms. Every so often a restaurant seemed to spring from the ground. In general they were named for the family that owned it, such as Walker's or Granny Emma's.

Beth was lost in thoughts of nothing important when Aaron abruptly pulled his car into a small filling station called the Fill'er Up, seemingly in the middle of nowhere.

What's wrong? Beth asked.

Nothing's wrong. We're about 15 or so miles from my parents place and I wanted to warn you about something.

Warn me? About what?

My family. he said looking downward as his hands tightened about the steering wheel.

I don't understand.

I just don't want you to be surprised by what you see.

Okay, she paused. But Aaron, I'm lost here.

My parents are not the most educated. My mother has always been a stay at home mom and my pop is a just farmer.

So, what's wrong with that?

I didn't want you to expect a fancy house or fancy people. That's not what you are going to get, and I didn't want you to be disappointed.

Beth placed her hand on his. Why on Earth would I be disappointed? I'm sure your parents are lovely people. They raised you, so they can't be all bad. She gave him a reassuring smile. You should know I don't care about that.

Unknowingly to Aaron, his comments gave Beth pause. If only he knew of her humble background, would his opinion of her change?

Aaron smiled broadly. Beth, you're the greatest! He kissed her quickly on the cheek. I knew you would understand.

He gave a quick check in the mirror and used his fingers to comb most of his hair back in place. Then he checked his teeth among other things. Beth sat in silence wondering why he cared. They were just going to start moving again and his hair would be right back the way it was.

As intriguing as Aaron’s grooming habits were to watch, Beth's attention wandered to her surroundings.

As she and Aaron sat on the side of the road near the Fill'er Up Quick Mart. Beth read signs plastered about the windows denoting this or that special. Trucks and cars whizzed in and out, stopping long enough get a snack or gas. Three men in disheveled jeans and work shirts stood peering into the back of a beat up older model pickup. There was no way of telling what they were pointing to or discussing. Whatever it was, Beth mused, was surely more interesting than watching Aaron preen.

As they drove through the town of Henley, Beth was taken back to the small town where she had grown up. It was amazing how much Henley and Stanton had in common. There was nothing much to either of them, except a few shops along Main Street, which was actually the main highway.

Jan's Beauty Box sat next to the Polk Salat Grill, which was next door to Miss Olivia's School of Dance and Deportment. Beth smiled. She had lived so long in the city that she had forgotten how charming and quaint a town like Henley could be.

When she had left home at twenty-one, she swore she would never come back to a town like this, and so far, she had kept that promise. It just did her heart good to know places like this still existed.

Beth saw a sign for the twenty-fifth Annual Pumpkin Festival and noted the dates were for the upcoming weekend What fun! Beth loved small regional festivals. Over the past few years she had developed a habit of sneaking off to attend them when the chance arose. It was her guilty pleasure. That and Snowballs with all their pink coconut fluff and creamy marsh-mellow goodness.

Did you see that sign? she asked.

What sign?

The Pumpkin Festival. It's this weekend. Think we could go?

Why would you want to go to a stupid thing like that? He shot her a quick glance.

Beth's elation quickly deflated. I thought it sounded like fun, she answered, dejected.

Fun! It's about as much fun as watching the grass grow. That thing is nothing but backwoods hicks coming out to see and be seen. Then they stuff themselves with enough grease and sugar to clog every artery in their body. No thanks. I'll stay home.

The subject of the festival was dropped. Beth did not want to argue nor did she want Aaron to know how much he had actually hurt her feelings. Instead she focused on the road and the cotton fields as they passed. Why did I even come? she wondered.

Twenty more miles before I can get out of this car and away from him. I'll never make it. The thought shot through her brain before she could gauge it. Beth slumped back in her seat and adjusted the bill of her cap farther down over her eyes. She looked at the odometer in agitation, but had no idea how many more miles were left.

But there was one tractor, actually the man driving it that did get Beth’s attention. It was all Beth could do not to turn around in her seat to get a better look as they passed.

The man was gorgeous. At least from a distance he was gorgeous. Broad shoulders strained against his t-shirt as he turned the wheel of the large John Deere and looped away from the road.

Definitely not like the others. A guilty little smile quirked the corner of her mouth. She glanced at Aaron to make sure she wasn't being conspicuous. Luckily he was ignoring her.

Moments later the car turned into the driveway of his parent’s house, Beth was aghast. The way Aaron had spoken, she half-expected a dilapidated shotgun house with the roof falling in and chickens roosting in rickety rockers on the porch.

Instead she saw a typical two story white farmhouse with a large front porch lined with rockers and beautifully maintained yard. Well what yard there was. The house actually sat back from the road in the middle of acres and acres of white-topped cotton fields. Behind the house sat two barns. One was a traditional red barn; the other was more of an open metal shed with large bay doors, which looked to be where the heavy farm equipment was kept.

The glassed storm door opened and a short stocky woman appeared. A smile lit up her face as she wiped her hands on the apron tied tightly about her plump waist.

She hurried off the porch waving madly. Beth looked up at her, as she removed the baseball cap she had been wearing, and tried in vain to slip tendrils, loosened by the wind, behind her ears.

That's my mom, Aaron said as he climbed out of his car.

I would have never guessed, Beth chuckled. The woman was built just like her son. Height wise, not weight wise. Beth doubted Aaron had an ounce of fat anywhere on him. So now I know where he gets his height, or lack thereof. Not that Aaron was short. He was at least five eight or so.

Margaret McAfee, better known as Maggie, met her son with open arms hugging him so tightly Beth half expected the sound of cracking bones.

Mom, you're choking me, Aaron managed to wheeze out.

What? Maggie asked.

I said you're choking me. He pried himself loose.

Oh. Oh. Sorry dear, it's been so long since I've seen you. She held him at arm’s length, inspecting him from top to bottom. Let me look at you.

It hasn't been that long. Aaron protested.

Long enough, the woman snapped back.

Beth walked around the car to stand next to Aaron. Mom this is my friend Beth Ranier.

Nice to meet you, Mrs. McAfee said, as she pulled up to her complete height of five foot to look Beth up and down.

Thanks for letting me come, Beth smiled.

Any friend of Aaron's is welcome here. Both Beth and Aaron stood in awkward silence. Finally it was Maggie that broke the ice. Well, let's not stand out here all day. Come on in.

Are you going to get the bags? Beth asked.

I'll come out and get them later, unless you need something right now.

No, I'm good.

Once inside Beth was greeted with incredibly yummy smells. Obviously Aaron's mother had been busy preparing lunch while she waited on their arrival. Beth's stomach growled so loudly Aaron turned and shot her a scolding glance.

I can't help it, she said. Someone wouldn't let me have breakfast this morning.

Aaron just gave her a blank stare and steered down the hallway, past the living room into the kitchen.

I hope you are hungry, called Maggie McAfee. Beth made a cursory glance of the living room as she passed. It, like Maggie, seemed comfortable. A fireplace with its large mantle was on the wall to the right. As Beth passed she caught brief glances of family pictures making a mental note to come back and inspect them later.

They walked into the spacious kitchen. A counter, completely covered in food, separated the kitchen from the dining area. A round oak table sat in the center of the dining section. It overlooked a glassed—in room, which had obviously been an addition to the house within the last few years.

Beth was amazed. Almost every type of vegetable was represented. Her stomach growled louder in anticipation of the feast that lay before her.

Everything smells wonderful, Beth commented.

It ain't much. Most of it came from the garden out back. Mrs. McAfee pulled a piping hot pan of cornbread from the oven and plopped it upside down onto a plate. As she removed the cast iron skillet, the bread fell out perfectly as steam filled the air. Guess it's not quite as fancy as what you're used to, but I think it will taste okay.

I'm sure it will be fantastic Momma, Aaron added as he positioned himself on a stool next to the counter.

His mother walked near the sink and picked up what appeared to be a walky-talky. Y’all come on in. Lunch is ready. She spoke into the little black box.

Be there in a minute, returned a gruff male voice.

That must be Aaron's father, Beth thought. Mrs. McAfee, do you need any help with things? I could set the table if you like.

Mrs. McAfee stopped in mid-motion and looked at Beth. For a moment Beth thought she had grown an extra head or something. That won't be necessary. We are going to buffet, but you could help fix the drinks. Maggie finally commented. Glasses are there on the counter. Ice is in the icebox. There is tea on the counter or cokes out in the pantry. Aaron knows where they are. She pointed toward the closed door on the opposite side of the room.

Beth