PROMISES OF THE HEART
Shelia A. Mills

CHAPTER ONE:

"Timeless Treasures Told"

Victoria stood in the window, watching him leave the comforts of her arms, as he drove slowly into the sunset and on his way out of her life. Thomas waved as his head was turning away from her. "What will I do without him? Will there ever be a time when we can be together?" She asked herself. The wind was blowing through her hair, as the autumn leaves had fallen at the side of the house.

Eric had left hours before, Eric her husband, in so many words. But, not in the way that she had needed for him to be. Eric was bold and perfect only in the ways that he had wanted to be. He was a mysterious man, in so many other ways. Yet, he had no remorse or guilt for the way that he had neglected the love that Victoria had chosen to give and would only dream of someday getting in return.

She had never planned to tell Eric of her feelings for Thomas, that she had felt from the very beginning. Whether it was for the fact that she felt he wouldn't listen or the fact that Thomas was Eric's best friend. The truth was intended to be hidden forever. He hadn't known, maybe it had been better that way. She kissed her hand and blew the kiss into the wind. "Maybe another time, another life, another stolen moment." Those were the words that she had whispered to herself.

She closed her eyes, remembering back to the first time, the first time that her lips had met with Thomas's lips. It had been such a strong feeling then and now that she was feeling it happen all over again. Opening her eyes to a country cottage and the day that her and Thomas had first met. Eric had come home from work with a friend, it had been Thomas. He was attractive, very sensitive and polite.

"Hello, how are you?" He asked her. She looked deep into his eyes. "I've known him since high school, we've been best friends for the longest time." Eric told her. "How long?" She asked him. "Long enough!" Thomas joked. "You couldn't have made it without me." Eric told him. Thomas laughed at him. "Not only did I make it without you, I am worth more than you." He said, with a smile.

"You don't have someone to hold as beautiful as my girl, every night like I do." Eric said, rubbing in the truth. "You're right there." Thomas agreed. Eric nodded his head. "But as close as friends as we are, I'm sure that you wouldn't mind me borrowing yours." Thomas smirked to Eric. "Sure, go right ahead." Eric told him, calling his bluff.

Victoria looked at the both of them, shaking her head in great haste. "It's nice that both of you think that I'm wonderful, but neither of you own me. Besides, the thought of being passed back and forth between the both of you doesn't seem very appealing to me." She let them know. Thomas raised his eyebrows and smiled. At that moment, she knew that he had at least considered the thought.

Remaining friends with her, was as far as she had wanted for things to go, so she thought. "He's staying here." Eric told her. "Excuse us for a moment." Victoria had told Thomas, wanting to have a chat with Eric alone. "That's fine with me." He told the both of them. "I'll just unpack my clothes and put them away, there in your spare bedroom." Thomas spoke, trying to give them their privacy.

She pulled Eric into the kitchen. "Did I miss something?" Victoria asked him. "What do you mean?" Eric answered, as if he had forgotten that they were engaged and would soon be married. She held her hands around the sides of his face. "Will you explain what is going on here?" She insisted. "Victoria, don't be upset. Thomas had to get away from Illinois and have a new start. If you would give him half a chance, you could learn to like him too." Eric suggested. "Yes, I'm sure that I could. But, does the place that he's starting over have to be here?" She asked, wanting for him to change his mind, so that they could continue to have a private life. She threw her hands up in the air, thinking how he hadn't even talked about it with her first. After all, they were going to be husband and wife. She was confused at the thought of Eric bringing someone else into live with them, be a part of their daily lives and around when they slept in the next room at night. "I thought that I was supposed to be moving in here in two months? We were supposed to be settling in together just before the wedding, just the two of us. Where will he fit in there? Is he going to be a part of our marriage? Maybe, we could all three live together and have him join us?" She said sarcastically, being very angry at him.

"I can't turn my back on him. He has been there for me time and time again, each time that I had needed him. We will still stay engaged, we'll only postpone the wedding." Eric told her. "Am I supposed to wait for you until you are ready to commit to one person and one project at a time? I can't live like that, good bye Eric." She said as she lifted her coat and headed for the door.

She didn't want to be second to anyone in his life. She had felt that if Eric couldn't put her first, then he couldn't make her a priority at all. Just as the door had slammed, Thomas came walking out of the bedroom. "I don't mean to intrude, but are you two finished talking yet?" Thomas asked Eric. "She's gone and in not in a very good mood. "Eric replied.

"Is she upset that I