DISCLAIMER is on the Introduction page
Betty was frantically looking through the drawers in the green room when Scott burst in. "Betty, what's wrong? What are you doing?"
She seemed to finally find what she was looking for. She grabbed a metal garbage can and set it on the table.
It finally dawned on Scott what she was up to. He walked over next to her and asked, "May I do the honors?" She nodded and with great ceremony, handed him the cigarette lighter and the airplane ticket.
Scott held the ticket over the garbage can and carefully lit it on fire. As soon as it got going, he dropped the ticket in the garbage can. He wrapped his arms around Betty and together they watched it burn.
Staring into the flames, Scott's thoughts once again returned to that small shop in Hong Kong and what the old man had told him. He didn't know if he believed in destiny or magic or whatever. All he knew for sure was that he had indeed found his heart's desire. His arms tightened around Betty.
She looked up and noticed him thoughtfully staring into the flames. "Scott, what are you thinking about?"
Scott rested his cheek on hers. "Betty, on our wedding night when we're snuggled up together in our warm bed, remind me to tell you the story behind the silk handkerchief. I think you'll find it interesting."
Betty felt a warm weakness spread throughout her body. "I can't wait." He leaned back to look at her with a smile and raised eyebrows. She blushed and hurried to clarify. "To hear the story, of course."
He laughed and kissed her forehead. "Of course."
Betty laid her head back on Scott's chest as his mood turned serious again. "Betty, when I saw my handkerchief in your trash can, I felt like my heart had been thrown away. I thought you were throwing me away. I thought..."
"Scott," Betty gently interrupted him. When she had his undivided attention, she asked softly, "What do you think now?"
Scott grinned the roguish grin she loved so much. He bent down to whisper in her ear. "Miss Roberts, are you sure you want an answer to that?" Someday, she would tell him what that voice did to her. She nodded. The tenderness and warm, sweet passion of his kiss was what Betty had been waiting for her whole life.
Much later, Scott took Betty's hand and led her to the couch. She curled up next to him with her head on his shoulder. He cuddled her close.
Betty whispered, "Scott, do you remember the day Veronica Rivers was leaving?"
"Sure."
"You came into my office wanting to talk to me about something, but you never told me what it was."
"You're right. I didn't."
"Well, what was it?"
"It doesn't really matter now."
She looked in to his eyes. "Scott, I want to know."
Scott couldn't seem to say no to this woman. With an exaggerated sigh, "OK, OK, I'll confess. I really didn't have anything to discuss. I missed you all week and was going to make up some excuse to be near you for a while, that's all."
Betty was incredibly touched, but laughed. "You were missing me? I don't believe it for a minute. You were having the time of your life."
Scott studied the small, delicate hand that was intertwined with his and became very thoughtful. "I should have been having the time of my life, shouldn't I?"
He turned to Betty and looked into her eyes for a long time and then whispered tenderly, "Betty, Betty, Betty. What have you done to me?" She settled back against his chest with his arms wrapped around her as he continued. "You know, when I was with Veronica, I'd tell myself I should be in seventh heaven. The old Scott Sherwood would have been. But I'd look at her blonde hair and wish it were auburn. I'd look at her icy blue eyes and wish they were a warm, soft brown. And when I looked at her lips..." He put his fingers under her chin, turned her face to his and gently kissed her.
"But then why did you spend so much time with her? It drove me crazy?" Something suddenly dawned on Betty. "You were doing it all for the good of WENN weren't you? You knew all the publicity could only enhance our visibility, help our ratings and our revenue. And it worked. You're brilliant!"
Scott pooh-pooh-ed the idea. "Oh, I'm not that noble," he continued with a twinkle in his eye. "Mostly I did it, hoping it would drive you crazy. I'm glad to hear my plan worked."
Betty hid her face in his neck and whispered, "It's so hard to believe you prefer plain, normal Betty Roberts over someone as beautiful and glamorous as Veronica Rivers. I think, in her way, she loved you."
"Betty, I'm going to say something now that is the simple truth. I love Betty Roberts and ONLY Betty Roberts and I will for the rest of my life. She gave me a heart I didn't know I had." Betty didn't know a heart could feel such joy.
########
Betty floated to work the next morning. She couldn't wait to see Scott again. She was sitting at her desk when Scott popped his head in. "Miss Roberts, can I talk to you for a minute?"
She looked up at him with a secret smile. "Of course, Mr. Sherwood. Come in." The second the door was shut, Betty rushed to his arms and kissed him thoroughly and completely. Her simple words belied the passion of her kiss. "Good morning. I missed you."
Scott was bowled over. "Wow! What a way to start the day!"
Just then, Mr. Eldridge walked in without knocking and they reluctantly pulled apart. "This telegram just arrived for you, Betty." Not taking her eyes off Scott's face. "Please just lay it on my desk, Mr. Eldredge." Then, with a grin as she echoed Scott's words to Veronica Rivers, "I have some unfinished business to take care of first."
"OK, but it's marked URGENT. It's from Victor and he wants you to move to Washington DC as soon as possible. I can tell you, I was so excited when Victor had me pick up your engagement ring." A puzzled look crossed Betty's face. She took the outstretched telegram. Mr. Eldridge innocently continued, "We sure will miss you Betty. When will you and Victor be getting married?" Scott tried, but couldn't, read Betty's face.
Betty quietly stared at the telegram for a long time contemplating its contents. She suddenly became energized. "I must call Victor right now. Scott, Mr. Eldridge, could I have some privacy, please?"
"Of course." Scott left the room with a sinking heart.
Betty's Journey of Discovery Series
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