Worthington Wives

Chapter Ten

The next morning, Reyanna got up and got herself ready as if going to work at the hospital, pulling her hair up into a messy bun and just putting lip gloss on. After she readied herself, she took Avery Sr to the bathroom and then got him dressed in casual attire to take him downstairs.

When Reyanna brought him downstairs, Agnes scrunched her face up, looking at him. “We have proper attire in this household”, she said, scrutinizing Reyannas choice of clothing.

“I’m sorry Mrs Worthington, but Mr Worthington, my patient will continue to do his therapy, and it’s difficult for him to do so in a suit,” Reyanna explained.

“Very well, and how about you arriving in your pajamas? We don’t do that around here,” Agnes said with indignation.

“Yes Ma’am, this is in fact my uniform. The same uniform that is acceptable in hospitals worldwide,” Reyanna explained. Ben clasped his hand over hers and nodded.

“When working here, I prefer you wear the classic uniform of your profession,” Agnes told her. “Yes Ma’am, as you wish. I will order some uniforms today,” Reyanna told her.

Ben could see the flush on Reyanna’s neck from her frustration. He squeezed her hand and smiled at her. “Can we eat, now, Mom? I’m starving,” he said. “Yes, of course, Bon Appetite,” she said.

Reyanna was helping Avery Sr clean his face after his meal, and Ben came to them. “Dad, can I borrow your nurse for a moment before I go to work?” He asked, taking her by the hand. “Go” Avery Sr said. “I’ll be right back,” Reyanna promised.

Ben took Reyanna to the parlor and shut the door behind them. “You handled her perfectly!” Ben said, laughing and cupping her sweet face in his hands. “I’m so proud of you,” he said, smiling at her. “You’re tiny but you can be fiesty when you need to be,” he said with pride. “The Ice Queen may have met her match,” he joked.

“Here”, he said, “this is yours.” He handed her a credit card. “It’s got a $50,000 limit on it. Spend it on your uniforms, clothes, jewelry, anything you want. If you use all that, I’ll get you another one,” he told her. “You sure you’re okay with the white uniform thing?” He asked. “Yeah, it might be fun for a change,” she said.

Ben got a mischievous grin on his face. “What are you thinking?” Reyanna asked, fixing his collar. “Mom didn’t give you specific directions. It would be fun if you got some sexy uniforms to wear,” he said, laughing.

“No! I’m not doing that! Besides, you told me I can’t dress that way around you,” she reminded him.

Ben put his arms on her waist. “Only because I don’t want to fight my brothers over you,” he said, looking intently into her eyes. “

“Well, you won’t have to worry. I’m not that kind of girl,” she said, poking him in the chest.

“I’ve got to go. Don’t let Mom bully you, okay?” He said, still holding her waist. He playfully rubbed noses with her. “Eskimo kiss,” he said. “See you this evening,” Ben said, reluctantly letting go of her.

Reyanna breathed in deeply and felt her rapid heartbeat after he left the room. “Mr Worthington, what you do to me!” She said aloud for no one to hear.

When Ben arrived home from work, he received an unpleasant suprise from his mother. “Look, Avery! We have a guest for dinner tonight. Angelica is here,” Agnes said proudly showing their guest.

Angelica was pretty, not gorgeous, but she was dressed in her finest dress with way too much makeup and her hair professionally styled. “Angelica, welcome,” he said politely.

“Mom, have you seen Reyanna?” He asked, more to agitate her than to get an answer.

“Your father’s nurse is attending to her duties, son. Don’t be rude. Sit and talk to our guest,” his mother said. Ben looked upstairs but decided he would sit and be polite.

“Avery, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you. I’ve heard you’ve been spending a lot of time in Roanoke. I assume you had business to attend to,” Angelica said, prying.

“Yes, I spend a lot of time on the road. I’m hardly ever home,” he said, trying to discourage her. “Excuse me, I need to get this message,” he said, going into the parlor.

“You know that dress I told you not to wear?” He asked Reyanna on the phone. “I want you to wear it tonight, right now,” he said. “Mom has invited the girl she wants me to marry. Come downstairs looking like you did that night,” he told her. “Okay, see you in a few,” he said.

Ben arranged for Garland the butler to bring his dad downstairs so Reyanna could devote her time to getting ready. When she came downstairs looking absolutely stunning, Ben went to her and delicately took her hand and delivered a kiss to it. “You look amazing,” he said, admiring her.

Angelica saw the whole exchange and was very insulted. “Avery, you have a guest!” Agnes scolded. “Yes ma’am I do,” he said, not taking his eyes off Reyanna.

“Angelica, may I introduce a very dear friend of mine, Miss Reyanna Elswick from Salem, Virginia,” he said, bringing her into the living room. She’s a nurse in Roanoke, which is where we met,” he explained.

Reyanna offered her hand to Angelica, but the woman ignored it. “What’s going on here, Avery?” Angelica asked with fury building.

“I’m not sure what you mean, Angelica,” Ben said, holding Reyannas hand in the crook of his arm. “Is this woman with you?” She asked, looking hurt.

“Yes, yes she is, Angelica. Why do you ask?” Ben questioned her. “I was under the impression that we were to be wed, that’s why I ask!” Angelica said, standing. “And now I find out that you have been seeing a nurse in Roanoke?!” She said, stomping her foot and crying.

“I’m sorry you were given that impression Angelica, but my mother is not in charge of choosing a wife for me,” he told the woman. “I was not even aware that Mom had made these promises behind my back,” Ben said. “I’m so sorry you were misled. It was not my intention to hurt you,” he said.

“I’m leaving!” Angelica shouted. Agnes tried to apologize, but the woman was far too angry to appease.

“You have embarrassed this family,” Agnes shouted at Ben. “Now the Tarkington family will be at odds with us. You have no idea what you have done!” Agnes said with bitterness.

“And you! Who do you think you are, parading around here like Avery’s fiancé or something?” She scolded Reyanna.

“That’s exactly who she is, Mother”, Ben declared. “Reyanna is the woman I choose to spend my life with, to share my name, and have my children. If she will have me,” he said, looking Reyanna intently in the eyes.

Ben dropped to one knee before her and pleaded. “Reyanna, my love, will you marry me?” He asked seriously. “Yes!” Reyanna said, nodding with tears in her eyes.

“Gold digger”, Agnes mumbled as she stormed out of the room.