When William arrived at Arlene's house, he found her looking puzzled and a bit concerned. She was dressed and ready to go and had two suitcases sitting just inside the door, too.
"You look radiant, Arlene," William said. He picked up her suitcases and started for the car. "I think I better get these in the car."
Arlene blushed at William's compliment. "Th...thank you, William," she said as she followed him outside.
William put the bags in the car's trunk, then he closed it and turned to Arlene. "Are you ready to leave?" he asked.
"I-I guess so," Arlene replied. "But...but William, where...where are we going? And why?"
"I'm taking you someplace where you will be safe," William told her.
He held the car door open and Arlene slid in. He went around, got in the car on the driver's side. He started the engine and drove away from Arlene's house.
As they rolled down the street, Arlene looked across the front seat at William. "What do you mean we'll be safe? William, what are you talking about? Where are we going?" she asked.
"I'm taking you to my family's lodge in the mountains," William replied, "Your ex-husband won't be able to find you there."
"Why...why would I be in danger from my ex-husband?" she asked. "William, what's going on?"
"I reported what he tried to do to the police," William told her. "The officer I spoke to suggested that it might be good if I took measures to ensure your safety until the matter is resolved."
Arlene's eyes widened and she went pale. "You did what?" she asked, shocked.
"I reported his blackmail attempt to the police," William said. "I couldn't do anything else. You have to understand, Arlene, I didn't do it because I was trying to protect myself. I simply could not allow him to continue harming you. That's why I'm taking you away for a time. I want you to be safe until the police apprehend him."
"But William, we can't hide forever," Arlene exclaimed, "And when we come back, Mel, he..."
"He won't be around when we come back," he replied. "The police officer I spoke to seemed quite sure your ex-husband would be in jail before too long. And that he would be staying in jail for a considerable length of time."
Arlene tried to comprehend what William was saying. As she did, another thought occurred to her. "But what about...about your parents?" she asked. "If there's a trial, they'll find out about you and me and..."
William looked over at her and smiled. "I no longer care whether my parents find out about us, Arlene," William replied. "I think it's about time I start acting like an adult, with a mind of my own. I love you, Arlene. You're the best thing that ever happened to me. I intend to spend the rest of my life with you, so I would have had to tell them about you sooner or later."
When the true meaning of what William said sank in, Arlene was almost overcome with emotion. "Oh, William," she said. Tears filled her eyes and she laid her hand lightly on his arm.
"Meanwhile, while we're at the lodge, we can spend time some together and enjoy ourselves," William said. "For the next week or so, we can sleep late, hike, go swimming, and go fishing."
"Swimming?" Arlene said. "I-I can't go swimming."
"Why not?" William asked. "Can't you swim?"
"That's not it," Arlene said. "I-I didn't bring a swimming suit."
William smiled at her and winked. "You don't need a suit," he said. "The lodge is in a very isolated area."
"Oh," Arlene replied.
Both of them were quiet for a while as they continued. Arlene found herself relaxing as Jamestown - and Mel Ott - fell farther and farther behind them.
"I'm glad you called the police, William," she said after a while. "I'm glad you did something to stop Mel."
"I should have beaten him silly!" William said. "The man deserves to be thrashed within an inch of his life!" He glanced over at Arlene. "He is never, ever, going to threaten you again. I wish I-I wish I had courage enough..."
Arlene laid her hand on his arm. "I-I'm glad you didn't try that, William," she said. "Mel's a bully. You aren't like him. I...that's why I love you."
Two hours later William drove through a small rural town. A few miles past the town, he turned onto a dirt road and continued to the end of it. There, a long distance from any other habitation, sat the Atherton lodge.
Arlene, stunned, looked around at the building in front of the car. "William, this is gorgeous!" she said when they got out of the car.
William took her hand and they walked around to the back of the lodge. She saw the lovely little lake that lay at the bottom of a gentle slope in front of the cabin. It was beautiful, an idyllic setting.
"There it is," William said. "We own all of the land around the lake, several hundred acres, so we have all the privacy we'll need."
They carried all of their things inside. Arlene was as impressed by the interior of the building as she was by the outside. The two-story house William called a "lodge," was made of real logs. It was looked rustic, but it was quite luxurious. The large kitchen was filled with modern appliances and the furniture in the living room looked expensive, but comfortable.