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    Cupid's Disciple
    Cupid's Disciple
    Cupid's Disciple
    Ebook171 pages2 hours

    Cupid's Disciple

    By T. J. Robertson

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    About this ebook

    While working with Mandy Danforth, a bright but rebellious sophomore, Susan Colwell, a high-school counselor, meets and falls in love with her father. He, however, is caught between his daughter and Thea Bottomley, his fiancée, who, like oil and water, don’t mix and are vying for his love and affection. In the end, Mandy triumphs and willingly shares her love for her father with Susan.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherT. J. Robertson
    Release dateSep 16, 2012
    ISBN9781301672226
    Cupid's Disciple
    Author

    T. J. Robertson

    Although I’ve made my living as a teacher and guidance counselor, I’ve always had a passion for writing. Thomas Bouregy and Company published my novel, Return to Paradise Cove, under their Avalon imprint. Two of my one-act plays, A Different Kind of Death, and The Flirt, have been produced, respectively, in New Haven, Connecticut, and Sacramento, California. Short stories of mine have appeared in commercial magazines such as Action and True Romance as well as in certain literary and professional ones.

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      Book preview

      Cupid's Disciple - T. J. Robertson

      Cupid's Disciple

      by

      T. J. Robertson

      Smashwords Edition

      Copyright 2012 T. J. Robertson

      This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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      Chapter 1

      With her shapely legs, svelte thighs, and slim waist, one would’ve thought that the last thing Susan Colwell needed was to exercise. But for her, walking was more a form of relaxation than of exercise--particularly in times of stress. And the night before had been as stressful as it gets; for, as a guidance counselor at Concord High School, she had the daunting task of hosting the annual college fair. Although the event, which saw hundreds of students and their parents descend upon the cafeteria to get information about college entrance and chat with some fifty admissions officers, had been a success, she had arrived back at her apartment, drained and exhausted.

      So it was only natural that the next morning--a Saturday--just as the sun was peeking over the horizon, she would be sauntering along a woodland path on her way to her favorite destination, Walden Pond. Except for the sound of her footsteps rustling through the leaves that carpeted the floor, all was silent. Her only visible companions were trees that stood, like sentinels, along the path. The quiet solitude, scent of the pines, and nip in the fall air combined to form a natural elixir, which she savored.

      Just as she was ridding herself of the last remnants of stress from the previous evening, the sound of barking jarred here out of her complacency. On the crest of the knoll above loomed a German shepherd. She stopped abruptly and grabbed hold of the low hanging branch of a small tree, prepared to climb it if need be, but, fortunately, the dog kept its distance, eyeing her warily.

      Just when she thought she might have to remain there forever, a man, dressed in a red flannel shirt, down vest, and blue jeans came into view alongside it.

      Would you mind calling off that wild animal of yours? she snapped, assuming he was its owner.

      What are you doing, Leo, frightening this poor woman out of her wits? He leaned over and patted it on the head. While she was doing a slow burn over what she interpreted as his tacit approval of the animal’s behavior, he reached into his pocket and took out a tennis ball. Now go and play with this, he said, throwing it into the woods behind him.

      To her relief, the dog took off after it and she began moving up the path again. He’s really just a playful puppy, he assured her, the breeze tousling strands of his wavy, dark hair.

      You could’ve fooled me, she replied, moving abreast of him.

      Once and a while he does get a little territorial, Miss--Miss--

      Obviously, he was fumbling around for her name, which she had no intention of giving him. You really ought to keep it on a leash, she scolded, hurrying past him.

      This time he met her sarcasm with some of her of his own. Why? The dog’s not the one who’s trespassing.

      She stopped and whirled around only to find his amused, brown eyes staring down at her angry, blue ones. The only thing bigger than his eyes was the smile on his face. What do you mean? she snapped. This is part of the town forest.

      No, it’s not, he replied, pointing to a line of wooden markers, spray-painted a bright orange. The property from those stakes to the main road belongs to me. I’ve just had it surveyed.

      I’m--I’m sorry, she stammered, turning crimson. I--I thought it belonged to the town.

      He responded to her newfound civility in kind. That’s quite all right; apparently lots of people do. You may cross it any time you want.

      That won’t be necessary. She did a quick about-face, her long blond hair tumbling carelessly down her back, and began to retrace her steps.

      Hey, I hope I haven’t offended you. He took several steps after her but then thought better of it.

      No, she lied, glaring back at him, you and your furry friend have every right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness on your own property.

      How many times before had she taken that same route, she fumed, and never once had anybody interfered with her.

      The incident ruined her weekend--so much so that she was still stewing over it when she left for work Monday morning. Barbara Mills, her secretary--an efficient and hard-working woman in her fifties whose whole life since the death of her husband revolved around the school--greeted her with a formal, Good morning, Miss Colwell. She was the only member of the secretarial staff to address Susan that way and, despite all of latter’s good-natured attempts to get her to call her by her first name, she never would do so. Before Susan could respond in kind to her greeting, she said, Mr. Danforth, Mandy’s father, called a few minutes ago and said he needed to see you right away.

      Oh? Susan replied, her eyebrows quirking with curiosity. What did he want?

      All he’d say is that it’s about Mandy. He was upset--so much so that I told him to come down and we’d try to squeeze him in at eight thirty this morning. She paused before warily asking, I hope you don’t mind?

      Not at all; I’d like to meet him.

      I thought you would, she replied with a wry smile.

      Lately Mandy’s really changed, Susan said thoughtfully.

      Her wardrobe has; that's for sure.

      It’s more than just the way she dresses, Barbara. Her face clouded over with concern. In the short time she’s been with us, she’s gone from being happy and carefree to angry and moody. A lot’s going on at home and I’d like to learn more about it.

      Just then the telephone rang. You wish is about to come true; he‘ll be here shortly, her secretary replied, hurrying back to her desk to answer it.

      No sooner had Susan gone into her office and sat down at her desk than a voice asked, Has my father come yet?

      She looked up and found Mandy Danforth, a tall, gangling sophomore with an intelligent, freckled face, which, at one moment appeared cheerful and the next, gloomy--almost as if it couldn’t make up its mind which one it preferred--standing by the open door.. Her pink hair, khaki military jacket with the name tag—General Nuisance—displayed in bold letters above the upper right pocket, and army boots were outward signs of an inner rebellion.

      The shorter, heavier girl, who stood behind her, sporting the perpetual grin and dressed less ostentatiously in a denim skirt and matching jacket, was her friend and classmate, Buffy Healey. When Mandy had moved into town last year, the two of them, like errant planets, had been drawn into the same orbit.

      Oh, Mandy, just the person I wanted to see, Susan replied, motioning her to come inside and sit down.

      May I come in, too? Buffy said in jest.

      That goes without saying; neither one of you shows up any place without the other. While the two of them shared a laugh and sat down, she turned more serious and continued, No, your dad hasn’t come yet. Do you know why he wants to meet with me?

      It was Thea’s idea.

      Thea?

      His fiancée.

      The Wicked Witch of the West, her friend chimed in.

      Yes, she just flew in from California on a broomstick. Shaking her head more in anger than humor, Mandy looked across at Buffy and continued, Can you believe he’s actually thinking of marrying her?

      Since she’s his fiancée, I think that would be the next logical step, her friend replied wryly.

      Mandy rolled her eyes. Not if I have anything to do with it.

      The witch has cast some kind of spell over him, Buffy said with a flourish. If they do marry--

      Perish the thought! her friend interrupted

      But if they do, she persisted, she’ll whisk him off on the honeymoon on the end of her broomstick.

      One thing for sure, she’ll always be in the driver’s seat and my father’ll live miserably ever after.

      Turning more serious, Buffy said, Your father baffles me?

      In what way?

      With him running his own business, she said, gesturing with her hands, hiring, and firing people, I wouldn’t think he’d let a woman like her order him around the way she does.

      Haven’t you heard? the taller of the two replied mockingly. Love is blind.

      He certainly proves that.

      Suddenly, Susan, who all the while had been listening quietly but intently to their conversation, chimed in, trying to strike a positive chord, Surely she must have some redeeming qualities?

      She’s beyond redemption, Mandy replied tersely.

      She and Mandy are like oil and water; they don’t mix, Buffy explained.

      She’s convinced I’m going to end up at the Concord Reformatory.

      Tell her that’s impossible, her friend retorted with a laugh. There aren’t any women there--only men.

      Mandy shrugged. She wants to send me to someplace just as bad.

      And just where’s that? the counselor asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

      To a private school.

      But except for the fourth quarter of last year you’ve been doing well here, she protested.

      Mandy heaved a sigh of resignation. Try telling that to Thea.

      I will if she comes with him.

      Oh, she’ll be here, she replied, making a face. You can count on it.

      She wants to be present at Mandy’s execution, Buffy observed with a hollow laugh.

      You’re going to join us, aren’t you, Mandy? Susan asked, concern sounding in her voice.

      Are you kidding?

      Your father asked you to come, Buffy chastised.

      If we’re going to be talking about you and your class work, you really ought to be present to hear what’s being said, her counselor persisted. I’ll give you a pass back to class afterwards.

      Thanks but no thanks.

      Buffy sided with Susan, saying, She’s right, Mandy.

      I have great confidence in you, Miss Colwell. If anybody in the school will stick up for me, it’ll be you, she said, rising. Thanks for listening to me.

      To us, Buffy corrected, also getting to her feet. Ciao.

      As they were going out the door, Susan made a final plea. Think about what I just said, Mandy.

      Susan stepped out of her office and went to talk briefly to a teacher about the progress of a special-needs student with whom she was working. When she came back, she caught sight of a man--whom she assumed was Mandy’s dad--standing by her open door with his back to her. He was having an animated conversation with a tall, statuesque brunette, wearing a clinging beige knit dress, an array of jewelry, and too much mascara. At the sound of her approach he turned around and they both froze in their tracks, her blue eyes once again looking up at his brown ones.

      Is something wrong? his companion asked, surveying her critically.

      A faint smile toyed at the corners of his mouth. No, it’s just that Miss Colwell and I’ve already met.

      Yes, in the woods, she said, breaking off eye contact with him.

      Not on a sylvan tryst, I hope? the other woman observed wryly.

      Hardly, the blond managed to reply, blushing. He had a four-legged friend with him at the time and both of them seemed to take an instant dislike to me.

      I wouldn’t go that far, he said, his smile widening. This time I can only hope I’m not the one trespassing.

      No, she replied, matching his smile with one of her own. Since you’re in a public school, this time you really are on town property.

      I’m Cliff Danforth, he said, extending his hand, which she took like a present she didn’t know what to do with, and this is my fiancée, Thea Bottomley.

      She nodded coolly. I’m glad to see, Miss Colwell, that we both agree that dog of his has to go.

      Long after he had withdrawn his hand from hers, Susan could still feel the warmth of his touch. Nice to meet both of you, she replied. Why don’t you come inside and sit down?

      When the two of them were seated, she sat down behind her desk, saying, Unfortunately, I don’t think Mandy’s going to be joining us?

      But she has this period free; she promised she’d be here, he replied, his tone a mixture of annoyance and disappointment.

      See, I told you she wouldn’t come. Thea smirked.

      "She’s not happy

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