Chapter 24

 

The car lurched to a halt and Elora looked up to see Trevor standing in the open doorway, ready to give her a hand out.

“What am I doing here?” She glanced from his hand to his face. As always, Trevor’s hair was perfectly streaked and his hands lightly tanned. He wore a pair of well-pressed dress pants and a smart silk shirt and tie.

“You were upset.” Trevor’s hand remained steady as he waited for her to accept his help. “So I brought you to my apartment to give you some time to collect yourself.”

“I’m sorry I bothered you.” Elora wiped at a stray tear. “I should be going home.” Home reminded her of Caitlin. Thinking of her daughter reminded her that she should be at the farm right now. Not here with Trevor in front of his apartment.

“Why don’t you come in for a minute and get freshened up?” Trevor suggested.

“I don’t want to go anywhere with you.”

“I guess I deserved that.” Trevor rested his arm across the top of the door. “And I just want you to know I’m sorry I acted such a jerk all those months ago. I should never have said those things I did.” His totally unexpected speech snapped her momentarily out of her grief. “It was the shock, I guess,” he elaborated. “And seeing you now, so upset, reminded me just how special you are. You were always one of the strongest people I knew, and I let you down when you needed a friend the most.”

Elora balled the damp tissue in her hands and continued to sit in Trevor’s car, staring up at him.

“I’m not going to let you down now.” He gave her a sad, sweet smile. “Just allow me to act the part of friend right now.”

Elora shook her head. “I’m in love with someone else,” she whispered, and a few fresh tears began to fall.

“I can see that.” A strained expression crossed his face. Trevor closed her door and climbed back in on the driver’s side. “Let me take you home,” he offered. “You should probably get back to Caitlin; I know how much she means to you.”

“Caitlin’s at the farm with Veronica and Patrick,” Elora said between sniffles.

“I’ll take you there.” Trevor put the car in gear and pulled out into traffic. “I think I remember the way, and if not you can always give me directions.”

Some time later Elora asked, “Why are you doing this? Being so nice to me.”

Trevor took a long time in answering, and when he did he said, “I lost something precious when you left. I didn’t realize it at the time, I was so caught up in my career, your career, and everyone else’s careers, and it finally hit me at a luncheon a few weeks ago when you weren’t there. You always had that special star quality that held everyone enthralled, even the media had the greatest respect for you.” He glanced across at her. “I’m sorry I never fully appreciated you until after you were gone.”

“I’m flattered,” she finally managed to splutter. “But please, don’t think we could ever go back to what we had before.”

“I know we can’t,” Trevor said. “I know we could never be together again; I know I’m not the right man for you. Believe me when I say this, I will always think of you as the one I let slip away.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Then say nothing. But maybe in the future you could think a little more kindly of me. That is,” he said as he gave a self-deprecating chuckle, “if you ever choose to think of me at all.”

“I could always use a friend, Trevor.” Elora touched him on the arm. “And thanks for being a good friend right now.”

“My pleasure.” Trevor smiled. “And now, which exit am I supposed to be looking for again?”

An hour later, with the sun slanting low behind the trees, they drove up the long drive that led to the old farmhouse where it sat perched on a gentle rise. On the left-hand side of the lane several horses ignored them as they drove past, while on the right-hand side blossoming bushes scented the air with their sweet fragrance. The moment the car stopped two border collies ran out barking to greet them but ceased when Elora alighted. Absently she patted their black and white heads.

“Lori! Where have you been all this time?” Veronica charged out of the house, hard on the heels of the two dogs. “Paul’s called twice and we were beginning to wonder if you two decided to elope.” She came to an abrupt halt when she spied Elora’s companion. “Jesus, Mary and Joseph! What in God’s name are you doing with him?” Veronica asked. “You were supposed to be coming here with Danny.”

“So that’s the mystery man’s name.” Trevor leaned negligently over the open door of his car and crossed his arms. He must have seen the pained look on her face. His voice lost all levity when he asked, “Elora, are you okay?”

Elora could only stand and nod. She didn’t trust her voice not to break if she tried to speak.

“Lori, what’s wrong with you?” Veronica asked, exasperation lining her voice. “One minute you’re on cloud nine with Danny and the next you’ve run off with Trevor, of all people. What is going on here?”

Elora could only stand there biting her lip as she tried not to break down again. It was Trevor who came to her defence. He walked around to her side and draped his arm around her shoulders. “Be gentle with her, Veronica. Something happened between her and this Danny fellow that’s breaking her heart.”

“I don’t understand.” In a single smooth move Veronica approached Elora and wrapped her arms around her.

“I guess I’ll just be going then.” Trevor let her go and stepped back.

Elora heard him leave but was unable to bring herself to even thank him for the ride. She still felt too fragile to speak or move. She simply allowed Ronnie to hold her as if she were a child and not a grown woman with responsibilities of her own.

“Mommy! Mommy’s here,” Caitlin’s voice intruded upon the moment. With pigtails flying, the child launched herself down the steps and straight at Elora. “Come see the kitties,” she implored. “There’re lots and lots of kitties.”

Elora took a deep, steadying breath and pushed herself out of her friend’s comforting embrace. She wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand and pasted a smile on her face for her daughter’s benefit, then opened her arms to the happy child. As always, Patrick brought up the rear. Elora found it impossible to meet his eyes.

“Hey, Caitlin Anne,” she whispered. More strongly she added, “Are you being a good girl for your Auntie Ronnie and Uncle Patrick?”

“Course I am.” Caitlin squirmed out of her mother’s arms and grabbed her by the hand. “Come see, come see,” she implored. In the same breath she asked, “Who’s that?” She pointed her pudgy little hand in the direction of the lane.

Elora turned, half expecting to see Trevor coming back, and was shocked instead to recognize Danny’s car driving up the road towards them.

“No,” she moaned. She tried to step back, but her left foot stumbled off a rock and she heard a crack and felt her leg wobble. Dear Lord, not again! Trapped, she stood rooted to the spot.

Danny jammed on the brakes and slammed to a halt. He flung open his door and leapt out.

Elora found her voice. “You never told me your name was Aidan Barrington-Smith!” She clenched her hands into fists at her side. “How could you not tell me who you were?”

Behind her Veronica cried out. “Oh, Lori! No!”

Elora was unable to move as he ran towards her. All she could do was cover her face with her hands.

“She’s not my mother, Lori!” Danny shouted as he closed the intervening distance. “She’s your mother but only my stepmother.” He reached her and gathered her in his arms. “I damn near had a heart attack myself when I first thought we might be related, and then I figured that’s why you bolted.”

“What?” She felt light-headed. She lowered her hands and stared at him.

He held her head in his hands and gazed deeply into her eyes. “You’re not my sister, sweetheart,” he whispered. “You’re my woman.” 

He kissed her thoroughly. Against her mouth he whispered, “You’re my life, my love. And I am never, ever going to let you go.” 

Elora’s breath caught in her throat. She pulled back and stared up into his shining eyes. Her gaze roamed over his beloved features.

“What are you saying?”

He lowered his head and brushed her mouth, her cheek, her temple with his lips. His lightest touch sent shivers of delight coursing through her overwrought system.

“I love you,” he feathered the words into her ear. “I love you,” he whispered into her hair. “I love you,” he breathed against her mouth.

“I love you, Danny,” Elora flung her arms around his neck. “I love you so much. When I thought I’d lost you….” A shudder wracked her slight frame.

“Are you rescuing my mommy?” Caitlin insinuated herself between the adults and peered up at them.

Dan laughed and ruffled the child’s head. “I think your mommy’s in the middle of rescuing me, Princess.”

“She can’t,” Caitlin protested. “Cause then you’ll turn into a bum!”

He laughed out loud. “How about if I turn into a golf bum?” he asked. “I can move to Lunenburg with you and your mommy and pursue all my dreams at once.”

“Really?” Caitlin squealed. “Yeah!” She jumped up and down.

“Really, really!” Dan echoed as he scooped up Elora and swung her around. In the commotion her broken prosthesis accidentally fell off.

“Lori! Your leg!” Veronica shouted. “Oh my goodness. Your leg just fell off.” She held her hands to her face. It was impossible to tell if she was trying to stifle tears or laughter.

Elora chuckled when Danny set her down gently and held her near. “It’s just a leg.”

She clutched at Danny for support. Laughter bubbled up and spilled forth as she looked around at the stunned faces surrounding her. In relief their laughter joined hers.

She balanced herself on her good leg and wrapped her arms around his neck. She pulled his face down for a kiss. “I could never live without you.”

Danny whispered back as he returned her kisses, “I don’t want to go on without you in my life.”

“Are you sure?” Elora pulled back and glanced up at him. “I wouldn’t want you to feel like you’re being rushed into anything here. I’d hate for you to regret anything later.”

“The only thing I would ever regret is if I didn’t tell you the truth right now – just how much I love you and need you in my life. I want to make you my wife and Caitlin my daughter.” He scooped the child up and planted a kiss on her forehead. “You are the single most beautiful woman to me, and I plan to live my life with absolutely no regrets. And the only way to do that is to ensure that both of you are in it.” He brushed his lips over hers. “No word of a lie.”