Love Lost, Love Found
Written by Holly Custer
Copyright © 2000
 

Krystel was reading a book by the fireplace when Biscuit began growling and whining. The Great Dane rose to his huge paws and padded to the front door. He pawed and whined at the door as though he had to go out and do his business.

Krystel got up and pushed the curtain away from the window. She peered through the window and saw that it had started snowing again. It was dark, so she couldn't see very well. Biscuit continued to whine and scratch at the door. Krystel tried to comfort and calm the dog, but he would have none of it.

"Mark, something must be wrong outside. Biscuit won't quiet down. He's really having a fit."

"Honestly! That dog of yours is a pain!" He said good-naturedly as he walked into the living area. "I'll take Biscuit and we'll find out what's bothering him. It's probably just a rabbit though."

Mark pulled on his heavy, winter coat and scarf. He pulled his Stetson on to his head. Being a cautious person, Mark grabbed and loaded a pistol from the gun rack. Krystel watched as her older brother and her dog headed out into the snow flurry that was steadily making headway into a full-blown blizzard.

It seemed like an eternity before Krystel heard a pounding on the door. Quickly, she jerked open the door. Biscuit bounded in and laid down in front of the fire panting. Mark followed more slowly. He was holding up a man who was half-unconscious. Krystel went to the other side of the man and helped Mark take him to the spare room. They placed him on the bed with some difficulty because he was such a large man.

Krystel went to the kitchen and made some chicken broth while Mark undressed the man and settled him in bed.

Standing at the stove and stirring the soup, Krystel couldn't keep her thoughts off of their unconscious guest. Before she had left the bedroom she had gotten a good look at his face. He was very handsome. His face was lean and tanned. His lips were full and sensuous. She wondered what color his eyes were.

Slowly, Scott Innes opened his eyes. He looked around the unfamiliar room. His eyes halted on a beautiful, young girl sitting in a chair next to his bed. She was sound asleep and couldn't have been more than seventeen years old. She may have been as young as sixteen. Gingerly, Scott sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He felt a bit lightheaded, but otherwise he seemed to be fine. He looked around and saw a man's bathrobe laying across the foot of the double bed. He pulled it on and tied it around his waist.

At that moment, Krystel awoke. It took her a minute to realize that her patient was sitting up gazing at her. She smiled shyly at him and immediately noticed that he had chocolate brown eyes.

"You are exquisite when you sleep." He said his voice deep and mellow. Krystel was speechless. He completely flustered her. She stood to her feet. She tried to think of something to say, but she had been left tongue-tied. Finally, she just laughed her hands twisting in the folds of her skirt.

"Th-thank you. I-I'll get your clothes and let you get dressed." Krystel stuttered out as she turned to the closet and pulled out his clothes. She practically threw them at him and hurried out of the room. Scott stood staring at the door for a time, then he threw his head back and laughed in sheer delight. The girl was precious. He had fallen in love with this naive girl the minute he had met her. She was his soul-mate and they belonged together.

Krystel stood at the window in her room. She wasn't really seeing the scenery outside of her window. She was thinking of the gorgeous man with chocolate brown eyes talking to her brother in the living area. She had fallen in love with him. Something had touched her soul about him. She couldn't explain it. She just knew that she wanted to be with him for always.

That evening, the three of them had a lovely dinner. Scott proved to be an entertaining dinner companion even though his brown eyes kept straying to the lovely face of Krystel. Mark took note of this and of Krystel's flushed face and lowered eyes. He frowned in contemplation. He didn't like this, not one bit.

After the meal, Scott and Mark went to the living area or so she thought. Krystel swiftly and expertly cleared the table. She put away the leftover food and proceeded to fill the dishpan with hot, soapy water. Turning to go to the dining room, she ran into Scott. They stood staring at each other for long moment. Gently, Scott's hand strayed to her face. He brushed back the wisps of hair that had come loose from the thick, reddish-gold braid that hung down her back. Unconsciously, Krystel raised her face to his. He covered her mouth with his mouth in a gentle, sweet kiss. Krystel was caught up in a whirlwind of emotions as her lips parted under his gentle assault.

"Oh, Scott, I love you." She whispered her lips red and swollen from his tender ministrations. Her arms went around his neck as he pulled her to him to kiss her again.

"I love you, my precious." He whispered against her mouth. His arms caressing her back and stopping to rest on her slender waist.

"I think that is quite enough." Scott and Krystel jerked apart in embarrassment. "Scott, I must ask that you leave my home. Krystel, go to your room." Mark ordered firmly.

"But, Mark-------"

"Krystel, NOW!" He thundered. Krystel looked up at Scott and burst into tears as she turned and ran from the room.

"Mark, what is the problem? Krystel and I love each other. We want to be together." Scott asked turning to the shorter man.

"Do you realize how old she is? She will turn seventeen next week. I don't appreciate you assaulting my sister and taking advantage of her in my own home. You have only known her for one short day!" Mark answered with determination strong in his voice and eyes.

"Did you even ask how she felt?"

"She doesn't know how she feels. She's just a child. She doesn't know her own mind yet." Mark stated not sounding so sure of himself now.

"Fine, Mark, I'm leaving. If I have to, I'll wait till you feel she's old enough. I love her and won't ever stop. I'll wait for forever if I have to." Scott said firmly. He turned and walked to the living area. He pulled on his jacket and left.

Mark sighed and went to talk to Krystel. He stopped outside her room. He could hear her weeping. Her sobs tore at his heart. He had never heard her cry like this before. He turned away and went out to the barn to think.

Several years later, three to be exact, Krystel was living with her aunt in Willow. It was one hundred and fifty miles from the ranch where she had fallen in love with Scott Innes. Mark had sent her here the day after he had caught them kissing in the kitchen. Krystel had not seen Scott since. She had never forgotten him and was still in love with him. She had never forgiven Mark for taking Scott away from her.

"Krystel, dear! Are you ready yet?"

"Yes, Auntie, I'm on my way down right now." Krystel checked her coronet of thick braids. She twirled the curly wisps of hair around her fingers and fluffed out her bangs. She smoothed out her skirt, smiled at herself in the mirror and then left the room.

"Oh, Krystel, you look lovely!" Auntie looked somewhat nervous. Krystel noticed. She wondered why.

"Thank you, Auntie. Is something wrong?" She asked.

"Good evening, Sis." Krystel stiffened at the familiar voice of her brother, Mark.

"Mark." She answered quietly. She turned to her aunt. "Are you ready to go, dear? We don't want to keep our host waiting."

"Of course, dear. Mark, are you coming?" Auntie asked tentatively.

"I had better stay here, Auntie. I don't think I would be welcome tonight." Mark answered with a gentle smile for his aunt.

"All right, Mark. We'll be back later. Make yourself at home, dear."

"It was good to see you, Krys." Mark said softly stepping in front of his sister. He forced her to look up at him. She saw the hurt she had caused him and knew she wouldn't feel good about herself until they had talked.

"Auntie, could you wait for Krystel in the buggy?"

"Of course, Mark, dear. I'll be waiting, Krystel."

"I won't be long, Auntie." Krystel smiled.

"Krystel, I'm so sorry-------"

"Oh, Mark!" Krystel threw herself into her big brother's arms. "I'm the one who should be sorry. I love you no matter what! You only did what you thought was best for me-------even though you were wrong."

"It's Okay, Krys. I should never have interfered, but you were only sixteen. Do you still love him?"

"Yes, Mark. He is my heart and always will be. Have you seen him?"

"Yes. He is doing well. I also heard he had sold his ranch and was moving to California."

"Oh." Krys was thoughtful. She turned to her brother. "Would you go with us tonight, Mark?"

"I don't think so. You go and have some fun. I love you, Sis."

"Love you, too, big brother." She reached up and kissed her brother on the cheek.

At the dance, Krystel talked to all the people she knew. She danced every dance with men she knew and men she didn't know. She had a wonderful time. Then-------she saw him.

One minute she was dancing gaily, the next, Scott Innes stood before her. He was just as tall as ever and just as stunningly handsome. His chocolate brown eyes rested on her lovely face.

"Scott." Krystel whispered her slim hands covering her mouth. "I-I can't believe it's really you." She reached up a hand to gently touch his handsome face. He captured it in his and held it firmly.

"Hello, Krystel." Scott smiled warmly. "Can we talk somewhere?"

"Of course. There's a garden out back." Krystel led the way. They walked through a set of French doors into a magical night. Dozens of fragrances wafted through the air at the mercy of the gentle, dancing breeze. Krystel walked down a stone path to a hidden gazebo that was covered in ivy and trailing vines of all kinds. Krystel turned to Scott and threw her arms around his neck. Slowly, reluctantly, Scott disentangled her slender arms.

"Scott? What's wrong?" Krystel asked hurt in her voice.

"I'm married, my precious." He turned away not wanting to see the beautiful blue eyes fill with tears and lost hope.

"Married?" Krystel asked in a small voice as if she didn't know the meaning of the word. "I-I thought you loved me, Scott. You told Mark that day after I ran from the room that you would wait forever."

"I know I did, love, and I meant it. I love you as I have never loved anyone else. Yes, I love my wife." Scott said seeing the puzzled look." She is a good wife and a wonderful mother." Krystel felt like she had the wind knocked out of her. She could hardly breathe. "I will never find the passion with her that I found that few minutes alone with you. Touching you, holding you, kissing you." Scott turned to her with pleading in his eyes. "Forgive me, Krystel. It was her mother's dying wish that we marry. Kayla is-------was my stepsister."

"Oh, Scott."

"Krystel, let me hold you one last time."

"Scott, we don't have to lose each other. I-I'll be your mistress. We'll always be together. We can love one another. We can be one." Krystel cried desperate for any tie to the man she loved.

"No, Krystel. I would never ask that of you. That is a position so beneath you. You deserve to be loved and cherished. I have to go, Krystel. Always remember that I love you." He whispered.

"Scott, don't leave! Just another minute." Krystel reached up and clasped his face with her hands. She pressed her mouth to his. He had no will to stop her. They pressed close together and relived the last moments they had spent together. Krystel once again felt the passions stir as her lips parted and submitted to his passionate, but gentle onslaught. Slowly, they separated desperately wishing they could be together knowing they could never be again. Without words, Scott pressed her hand to his lips and turned away. He did not look back. Krystel sat down on the wooden bench in the gazebo and wept tears of sorrow and heartache.

Several hours later, Mark found her sitting on the bench and staring off into space. As he sat down, her tired eyes turned to him. Without accusation she asked him. "You knew, Mark, didn't you?"

"I'm afraid I did, Krystel. He wanted to talk to you himself and tell you himself. I respect him for that. He's a good man, Krys. Don't ever think bad of him."

"I won't, Mark. He will always be my first love. I won't forget him------ever."

"You all right, Sis?"

"I'm fine, Mark. I'll make it." She answered sadly.

"Let's go home."

Years later, Krystel still remembered the lost love of her youth. In fact, after their spouses had died and their children had grown. Their youthful love had been rekindled and their hearts and hands joined together as one. They spent their twilight years taking care of one another and loving one another.

One morning, their housekeeper found them both in bed hands clasped and peaceful, gentle smiles on their faces. They had died quietly and together in their sleep. Their love would live on into eternity.

THE END