Wendy spotted Morris waiting by his car at the pick-up lane and ran to him. “Thank you for picking me up. Let’s go.” She planted a hasty kiss on his cheek and jumped into his car.
He leaned into the open driver’s door. “What about your luggage? And what’s the dadburn hurry?”
“Get in, get in, no luggage, no time to explain until we’re on our way to Rye.” When he finally got in and pulled out into the flow of traffic, she asked, “Where’s the white bomb parked?”
“Rye? What in the blazes? And I sold the white bomb almost two years ago. Betzi made me get rid of that thing after we got married. You know that.”
Did she? Yes, there, a memory of his griping about it. He loved the old Ford. “Can this go faster?”
“Wendy, are you in some kind of trouble? You didn’t borrow money at one of the casinos and lose too much to pay them back, did you?”
“It’s more serious than that. Hurry, hurry, hurry.”
“You’d better tell me what this is all about.”
“I will. Just head to Rye as fast as you can. The interstate is probably the quickest way. As soon as you’re on it, I’ll start explaining.”
The moment he pulled onto the interstate, he turned on the cruise control and turned to her. “Okay, young lady. I want an explanation for all this crazy behavior. You are not acting like the Wendy I know.”
“I’m sorry, Morris, but you’re the only one I can turn to. You once told me you thought you went back in time…to find Betzi.”
“I told you that? When?”
“In the future.” How’s that for getting to the point?
“Did you take any drugs while you were in Atlantic City?”
“Just hear me out. You told me how much you loved Betzi when you met her back in college, that you felt you belonged together. I had that exact same feeling about a man. I felt that if I went back in time, I could free him from a marriage he was obviously chained into against his will. And then I did go back. That’s when I called you.”
“All this happens in the future?”
“Well, did you tell me all this about Betzi yet?”
“No.”
“Have you told anyone about thinking you traveled back in time?”
“Of course not. I figured everyone would think I was a nutcase, and—so you’re saying I’m going to tell you in the future?”
“Yes, you did tell me after I told you about the first time I went back in time. You speculated that because Zachary and I were meant to be together, and our destiny was screwed up, I was supposed to go back in time and fix it.”
“And?”
“I went back in time. I’m back in time now.”
“You mean you’re from the future now?”
“Yes. Do you believe me?”
“I don’t know. I want to believe, but—”
“Remember how you felt when you stood at the street corner and saw Betzi. Your gazes met. You almost spoke, and then her husband derailed your connection. And when you came back, she remembered seeing you. Because you had changed the past.”
“Lordy, you do know the story.” He rubbed his nose, watching the road ahead for several seconds. “If you are back in time right now, why do you need my help?”
“I need to go back another day. I’m not sure I can do it. If anyone would know, you would.”
“Why do you need to go back another day? You’ve got me utterly lost.”
She told him about her trips back into the past, and especially the one she was on right now. Again, Morris sank into his thoughts. She didn’t know if he was considering the situation or having her committed.
“What’s this fellow think about you popping in and out of his life?” he asked at last. “Does he believe you’re from the future?”
“At first he thought I was a ghost. Then his guardian angel. But now I think he believes.”
Morris’s mouth dropped open. “Guardian angel? And what was his name again?”
“Zachary. Why are you looking at me like that?”
A grin broke out on Morris’s face. “It was you then.”
“What was me?”
“Two years ago, out of the clear blue, Betzi called me. She told me a man and a woman had come to her door late one night. The woman wanted her to call me and was about to give her my number when she was gone. The guy who was with her, and I believe his name was Zachary, told Betzi the woman was his guardian angel. The angel had disappeared but told him I lived in Boston. Betzi called directory assistance and found me. It turned out the angel saved Betzi’s life. She had—”
“Breast cancer, and she was so depressed, she wasn’t even going to seek treatment for it.”
Morris nodded. “But of course, you already know. This all makes sense now. When I called to thank you for reuniting Betzi and me, you knew nothing about it. When Betzi met you, she was sure you were the angel. Again, you denied it. We could never figure out why you weren’t telling us the truth, and yet you seemed genuine. You didn’t know a Zachary. It’s puzzled us for years.”
“The Wendy of five years ago really didn’t know anything about it. So, you believe me?”
He laid his hand on hers. “Yes, I believe you.”
“Thank God. And just in time. We’re almost there.”
They took the exit into Rye, and Wendy directed him to the winding road leading to the Van Buren residence. “Go slow. I’m not sure if anyone will be home.” As they turned the last bend, sun glinted off a late model Mercedes Benz in the driveway. He backed up.
“Great. How are we going to get into the house if his grandmother is there?” Panic fluttered inside her as she saw the time: almost four o’clock. She couldn’t afford to miss the time door. If she returned tomorrow, she might miss the murder again. And look what happened the last time she’d missed her opportunity. “What are we going to do? I can’t just knock on the door and ask if I can stand by the stairs for a minute or two.”
“There has to be a way. How are you at sneaking into houses?”
She smiled. “I’m getting better. I’ve had to sneak in the last two times. But come to think of it, I got caught both times and had a crazy woman nearly kill me.”
“Hmm. Did you get back? In time, I mean?”
“The second time. Let’s do it. There’s no time to sit and ponder.”
After pulling the car off the driveway, they walked through the wooded area until they reached the house. “I hope I don’t scare the poor lady,” Wendy whispered. “Crap. She recently lost her husband. I hate this.”
“I look harmless. I'll try to explain if you go back and she’s flipping out.”
“You do not look harmless.” She surveyed him. “Well, you look like Albert Einstein. Maybe that will comfort her somewhat while you explain why a strange woman is in her home. Or better yet, disappeared in front of her eyes.”
He sniffed. “Don’t you take that tone with me, young lady.”
“Sorry. I’m a little stressed right now.”
They crept up to the back door. Wendy peered through the window. The kitchen was clear, and she carefully tried the doorknob. Locked. Fortunately, the key worked in that lock as well, and she stepped inside.
A television blared in the parlor, but the living room was empty. She crept along the wall, peered around the corner into the dining room, and crossed that opening when she saw it was empty. She knew the layout of the parlor and, if his grandmother was watching television, she’d be turned away from the reception area.
Maybe.
Wendy’s eye sought out the stairs first. Thank God the statue was there. Then she looked at the grandfather clock: five minutes past four. She tiptoed up to the statue by the window. The crystal heart dangled from the gold chain, as big as it had been the first day she’d seen it. Knowing the dancing lights would begin any second, she stood at the bottom of the staircase. Morris remained in the kitchen, on-hand if needed.
Wendy heard a gasp from above her. Whirling around, she saw an older woman standing at the top of the stairs. Gran, as lovely as she’d been in that portrait, though much older looking. Gran’s eyes were wide with surprise and fear. Wendy only hoped the dancing lights would take her away before Gran reached the bottom of the stairs and questioned her presence there.
The woman’s legs buckled, her eyes rolled back, and she fell. She slid down ten stairs before Wendy reached her.
“Morris!”
His footsteps padded on the wood floor, and he slid around the corner. “What did you do to her?” He ran forward to help lift her weight.
“I didn’t do anything to her! She fainted when she saw me. God, Zachary didn’t say anything about her having a weak heart.”
Morris pressed his finger to her neck. “Pulse is strong if a bit fast. We should get her to a bed.”
“I know where her room is.” They carried her up the stairs and to the charming room that had so entranced her.
They laid her gently on the lace bedspread, arranging her as though she’d merely taken a nap instead of a fall.
“I hope she’s all right,” Wendy said, checking her over. “I don’t see any bruises or cuts.”
“She looks okay. After you’re gone, I’ll make sure someone comes by to look in on her.”
As they turned to leave, Wendy spotted the painting on the wall. The painting of love meant to last forever. Then she saw a silver urn on the dresser. An engraved plate read “Joseph Van Buren, my beloved soulmate.” Wendy’s own heart hurt as her gaze drifted again to the painting.
Morris touched her shoulder. “Wendy, we’ve got to get downstairs. You’re missing your door to yesterday.”
Reality sprung back, giving her a shove out the door and down the stairs. There were no dancing lights, nothing. She turned to the grandfather clock. It was four fifteen. Too late.
“I’ve missed the door! What am I going to do?”
“First, you’ve got to calm down. Then we can examine the situation. You said the door opens at a little past four o’clock. Does it only happen once a day?”
“As far as I know it does. The first time I went back, it was really just a fluke that I found the right time. I happened to be standing there when I saw the statue, and it sort of pulled me over to it. Then the grandfather clock chimed four times, and the lights started.” She touched the statue. “Of course, it wasn’t a fluke at all.”
Morris turned from his inspection of the crystal heart. “I thought you said we had to be here by a little after four. We didn’t even get here until five minutes past. We were already too late.”
“No, we weren’t. The time the lights start dancing moves back by a few minutes every time I go back.”
“Hmm, that’s odd,” Morris said, rubbing the bridge of his nose thoughtfully. “So it’s not time that triggers the door. And if it’s not time, what is it?” He walked to the statue again, angling himself to look through the crystal heart at some point outside the window.
“You told me it was the sun’s position in relation to the crystal that caused the time transfer.”
“I was coming to that conclusion again.” He measured the angle with his arm. “If it takes the sun’s rays to activate the door, then we’re way off right now.”
Wendy’s heart fell. “Does that mean we were too late to begin with? That we didn’t have a chance at all?”
He turned around with a smile. “Actually, it means we’re too early.”
Early. She nearly choked from relief.
“I believe so,” he said. “What month are you returning to the past from?”
“February.”
“Ah, I see. Because of the season change, the sun rises earlier now than it does in the winter. It won’t reach the point it does in February for another couple of hours, I would guess.”
“A couple of hours? What are we going to do for another two hours? Gran is going to wake up by then.”
“We have to stay close by to monitor the sun’s angle. Two hours is, after all, just a guess. We’ll have to hide around here. You know this house better than I do. Where’s a good place to duck into for a spell?”
“Well, I’ve had some experience with the closet by the front door. It’s pretty dark with all the coats and stuff, and I doubt there’s a light.”
“I just hope she doesn’t call the police when she wakes up. I—”
A terrified scream shot through the house. Morris and Wendy looked at each other and simultaneously said, “She woke up.”
Wendy grabbed his hand and led him to the closet. She pushed her way through heavy wool coats to the back, followed by Morris. Then tucked themselves into the very back corner, displacing some boxes and two pairs of boots.
They could hear Gran padding down the stairs. “Who’s here?” her voice sternly asked. “I know I saw someone in here.” In a lower voice, “I think I saw someone in here.”
Wendy’s heart pounded as Gran walked past the closet to check the front door. Déjà vu. Her footsteps led away as she no doubt checked the other rooms. “Maybe I’m just going loony,” her faint voice said.
As the time dragged on, Morris periodically activated the light on his watch. When the time drew near to emerge from the closet, Wendy’s heart began racing again. Gran would have her ear perked for sound.
Morris stayed hidden in the closet but within view of the staircase. Wendy peered around the corner. The television in the other room was still on, though on a lower volume. Gran was nowhere in sight. Since that had been the case last time, it didn’t really comfort her.
“The lights!” Morris whispered, pointing at the statue.
Colors spun about the room, growing quickly in intensity. Wendy held her breath as she walked toward the bottom of the stairs. The lights surrounded her, tickling her, breathing that vivid feeling of life into her. When she looked at Morris, he was looking not at her but to the left.
Gran stood several yards away, staring at Wendy amidst the dazzling array of colors. She placed her hand over her heart, but there was no fear in her eyes. Just awe and disbelief. When Wendy looked back at Morris, his expression was the same as he watched her disappear into the darkness that surrounded her.
The first thing Wendy became aware of was the instability of sand beneath her feet. The blackness of time travel was replaced by the darkness of night. She quickly gathered her senses. She already knew where she was and what she had to do. The only thing she didn’t know was how much time she had.
Two darkened figures walked far ahead of her, silhouetted by a light in front of them. The smaller one walked faster, pulling away from the taller one. Wendy started running toward the figures, gambling once again that one of those people was Zachary. She had no choice but to take that chance. She screamed out to Zachary, but the wind whisked her words to sea. Someone else, however, had taken notice of the desperation in her voice.
“Are you all right, lady?” a voice asked.
She saw the two couples who’d witnessed the aftermath. Toward the Boardwalk, angry voices rose. She turned back to the couples. “Someone call for the police. Go get help, please!”
Wendy looked again at the two figures ahead. The small one dashed toward the Boardwalk. Toward the fight. Zachary followed a second later, yelling something Wendy couldn’t hear. It was all happening too soon. She was out of time again. She tore down the beach, using every ounce of energy she possessed, sparing none even to yell. The men were fighting now. Zachary and Jimbo. She couldn’t stop it.
As she reached the light, she nearly knocked down Ramona, who stood there like an idiot. Pushing her out of the way, Wendy watched in horror as Zachary and the killer fought for control of a bloody knife. There wasn’t time to warn him not to touch it. There wasn’t time to think about the best plan of action. So she made it up as she went along. Wendy lunged toward the two men, grabbing hold of Jimbo’s arm as he tried to bring the knife down at Zachary.
“Angel! What are you doing? Get out of here!” Zachary yelled.
The killer tried to pull free of Wendy’s grip, using force beyond her own strength. As she felt his hand starting to slide free, sliding nearer to Zachary’s throat, she shoved his hand aside. It swung down, missing Zachary but slicing Wendy’s arm. Jimbo knocked her backward, and she fell onto the sand a few feet away.
Another man joined the fight, and Wendy backed away, pressing down on the cut with the palm of her hand to stop the bleeding. Only one thought dominated her mind: what if by trying to change history, Zachary was killed?
The sound of sirens in the distance only slightly comforted her. She watched Zachary and the other man wrestle the killer down, wrenching the knife free of his fist. They held him fast as he tried to violently twist free. When Zachary saw her blood, anger burned in his eyes. He turned to Jimbo, muttered something she couldn’t hear, and reared his fist back. As it made contact with the man’s face, his body jumped, then slackened.
“I got him,” the other guy said. One of the witnesses. “Go.”
Zachary rushed to her side and gathered her in his arms. “Angel, are you all right?”
A woman screamed at the guy, “Are you crazy, Steve? You could’a been killed!”
Zachary took off his shirt and wrapped it around the cut on her arm. Wendy couldn’t even bring herself to look at it. The blood on Zachary was too much to bear, even knowing it wasn’t his. Seeing her own blood would probably make her faint.
“You’re going to be all right,” he said as he knotted his shirt. “It doesn’t look bad.”
Flashing lights and sirens filled the air. Within minutes, cops swarmed around Jimbo, relieving the other man of his duty to make sure he didn’t come to.
Zachary held her tighter. “Wendy, what in the name of God were you thinking, running in like that?”
She smiled up at him, the pain numbing her thoughts. “I’m your guardian angel, Zachary.”
He gathered her up in his arms while Steve flagged down one of the paramedics. As they headed toward the stairs, a plain-clothed man approached. “I’m Detective Clawson. Don’t go too far. I’m going to need to interview all of you.”
Zachary pointed at Ramona, who was trailing a few yards behind them. “Start with her. She’s the reason I joined the fight. She just ran right over to two fighting men, and I have no idea why.”
Steve said, “I can’t believe your lady saw what was happening from that far back. When she told us to call the police, I knew something was going down. I sent Ken and Terry to get help while we followed her.”
Zachary looked at Wendy. “Yeah, she’s a pretty amazing lady.”
“Thank you.” Wendy reached out toward Steve, who clasped her hand. “Thank you so much.” For being a witness in a much better way.
A few minutes later, she sat in the back of the ambulance. She still hadn’t roused the nerve to actually take a look at her wound. Zachary watched with a pained expression as the medic treated and wrapped her arm.
“Is it bad?” she asked with a grimace.
“Not too bad. I think you’ll live, anyway.”
The paramedic laughed. “The fright of it may have shaved a few minutes off her life though. Okay, Wendy, you’re all set. You’ll need to see a doctor to have the stitches removed. Keep some Tylenol nearby for when the pain medication subsides.”
When the paramedic walked around to the front of the van, Detective Clawson appeared. They both gave him the details of the murder and fight thereafter, and even Clawson was amazed that Wendy had seen the scuffle from that distance. “It’s odd how both these women you know threw themselves into a fight.” He gestured with his pen over his shoulder. “That one, though, I can’t figure out. I mean, I get jumping in when someone you care about is in danger.” He included them with a sweep of his eyes. “But to jump in when two strangers are fighting over drugs and money…” He shook his head. “I don’t get it.”
“What did she say her reason for doing that was?” Wendy asked.
He took the two of them in. “Apparently she’s in love with you and distraught over you loving this one. She admitted that she wanted you to fear for her safety. Truth is, she could have gotten you killed. I’d stay away from that one if I were you.”
Wendy could see Zachary mulling over Ramona’s insanity. She’d tell him the truth later. But she didn’t tell the detective the truth, giving him a phony name and address. She couldn’t have him call the Wendy in this time, asking about an event she knew nothing about.
Once the detective had jotted down all the information he needed, he tipped his hat at Wendy. “That was a brave thing you did back there. Take care of that arm, y’hear?”
When he left, Zachary smiled at her sheepishly. “Guess my angel is human after all.”
“You’d never believe what would have happened if I hadn’t jumped in when I did. All my trips to you, everything I’ve done, culminated in that one moment.”
“You knew that was going to happen, didn’t you? You were sure enough to tell those two couples to get help when you couldn’t even see what was going on. You couldn’t see what was actually happening, could you?”
“Not exactly. But I knew what was going to happen. You told me tomorrow.”
“I told you tomorrow?”
“Yes. This situation turned out completely different…disastrous. But it doesn’t matter what almost happened. It’s over, Zachary. It’s really over.” She wrapped her good arm around his neck and kissed him. The realization that she’d won finally washed over her.
He helped her to her feet, looking into her eyes. “I hope it’s not over. Guardian angels are supposed to be with their chosen person forever, you know.”
The dull, throbbing feeling in her arm vanished, the crowd of people faded, and the flashing lights disappeared. They stood alone in their sacred space, the word “forever” wrapped around them like sunshine.
“Let’s get out of here,” Zachary murmured. “Back to Rye. I’ve had enough of this place.”
“Anywhere,” she whispered.
He reached around and pulled out his wallet. “I’m going to call the travel agent and see if she can get you a flight back with me. For all I care, Ramona can stay here. I’m done with her.” He leaned over and planted a kiss on her nose. “Let’s go back to the room.”
He settled onto the bed fifteen minutes later and arranged for her flight. As he pulled out his credit card, a yellowed slip of paper fell to the floor. He read off the numbers, oblivious to the note.
She picked it up and saw her father’s name. Dad? Why would he have Dad’s name—it hit her when she saw the date written after it: May 14. Her father was going to die in a matter of hours! She opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. He looked up at the squeak she’d uttered instead. “Wendy?” He dropped the phone and reached for her. “No, don’t go!” But it was happening already. The fading away, sounds becoming echoes, and then darkness.
The blackness lifted, leaving her vision blurry with tears. She had lived without her father for almost three years, yet she felt as though she’d just lost him again. All of that old pain rushed in over her. But she’d succeeded in her main goal, though even that joy was hard to hold onto. Would Ramona find another scheme to trap Zachary? She had three years to figure something out. Wendy didn’t want to know the outcome just yet. Everything was a blur, and she squeezed her eyes shut, wanting to come to terms with what might have been and what might be.
Soft organ music drifted from somewhere. Had she come back to her previous jump time? Would Gran be standing there, perhaps aiming a shotgun at her? She blinked, clearing her eyes and looking around in disbelief. Instead of being at the bottom of the stairs, she now stood in a lovely room, decorated with flowers and lit with an old-fashioned pink lamp. When she turned, her breath caught. Standing in front of her was a beautiful bride in an ivory silk gown adorned with lace and pearls. A veil, shimmering in glittery dust, flowed from her curls, and in her hand, she held a bouquet of roses.
Wendy stared at the woman. The woman from her dreams. The woman in the mirror. Tears filled her widened eyes. Her.
“Tears? Are those tears I see in my girl’s eyes on the happiest day of her life?”
Wendy whirled around, dropping the bouquet and covering her mouth to stifle a gasp. Her heart was pumping so hard that she couldn’t move. “Dad?” she uttered, the word barely audible. She ran to him, nearly tripping over layers of ruffles and lace. Tears now streamed down her face as she touched the contours of his. “Dad! Oh my God, you’re here.”
“I’ve been here, sweetheart. Are you all right? You’re looking at me like you saw a ghost.”
She couldn’t even answer that question. He wouldn’t understand that he hadn’t been there. He tolerated her patting his shoulders, his arms with curious patience. “Wendy, are—”
She threw her arms around his shoulders and pressed her cheek against his chest. “Dad.” She just said the word, absorbing this new reality.
He laughed softly as he squeezed her tight. “Is my girl getting cold feet? It’s perfectly normal. This is a huge change, and you’ve only dated for nine months.”
She could feel a smile that stretched across her face as she pulled away, still taking him in. “You’re here,” she said again, as it really sank in.
He fluffed her veil. “Even if I had died that day, I would have been here. Nothing could have stopped me from being with you on this day. Of course, if it hadn’t been for my heart attack, you and Zachary would have never met.” He chuckled. “He stayed at the hospital nearly as much as you did. When I saw that sparkle in your eye, I knew I had to get better fast so I could keep an eye on you two.”
Zachary had done it! He’d saved her father…and connected with her at the same time. Her father had said they’d been dating for nine months. So it was still two years before—she didn’t care. She hugged her father again. “I love you so much.”
Memories of the hospital came to life. Zachary had shown up at the architectural firm and, even though they were closed, begged her father to schedule a meeting with him that next week to go over some plans. Thank God he had. Her father suffered a heart attack as he’d looked at his schedule. Zachary had performed CPR and revived him.
She remembered seeing him for the first time, feeling so grateful that he’d saved her father’s life. During those days at the hospital as her father recovered from his triple bypass, over cups of coffee and cafeteria meals, she’d gotten the impression that Zachary was there more for her than for her father. She loved his sweet manner, sense of humor, and the intense way he looked at her. He’d become her friend, her confidante. Then her lover. It had felt as though he’d always been there, living somewhere inside her all her life. They were connected on a level beyond her comprehension.
Zachary had bought out Ramona’s half of the boatyard, and the last anyone had heard, she’d moved to France. There were even rumors that she’d become a nun.
As those memories grew vivid, she found even more. It was like waking from a dream and trying to collect all the elusive pieces. There was something else…something…it flitted away like a butterfly. She could see a boardwalk, like the one in Atlantic City. But she’d only seen it on TV. Hadn’t she? A memory of a teenaged version of Zachary staring at her in disbelief fluttered through her mind and disappeared, too.
“Wendy? Wendy, I’m losing you again. That’s what you did before, fluttered away on a daydream.”
Fluttered. That word again.
She turned to her father. “Dad, why do I feel like I’ve been away from you for a long time?”
“Well, you’ve spent a lot of time with Zachary. But we see each other at the office five days a week. It’s probably because you’ve been so preoccupied.”
“You’re right,” she said with a smile. “I’m so glad you came back here to see me, Dad. Where’s Mom?”
“She’s waiting down with everyone else, no doubt sharing thoughts about the universe and energies around us.” She thought she saw the ghosts of Zachary’s granddad.” He leaned close and whispered theatrically, “Honestly, I think she just saw him in their portrait. You know how entranced she is by it.”
A tap on the door preceded its opening. A woman peered in and chimed, “It’s time. Are you both ready?”
Gran. Alive. not freaked out by Wendy’s presence.
And wearing a necklace with a crystal heart. The sight of it thrummed through Wendy’s soul. What was it about…
“Dear, are you all right?” Gran asked.
“I think she’s a little overwhelmed,” her dad answered when Wendy did not.
The woman with the beautiful white hair waved her hand with a chuckle. “It’s not like there’s any doubt these two aren’t meant to be.” She met Wendy’s eyes with a twinkle in her own. “It’s destiny.”
“Definitely,” her father said. He looped his arm around hers and started to lead her to the door. “Ready?”
Wendy swallowed back nervous butterflies that were rapidly turning into pterodactyls. After a glance at her father and a deep breath, she said, “I’m so ready.”
Her father gave her a reassuring hug. When they parted he said, “Before we go, I’d like to give you your wedding gift early.” He pulled out a tiny square of carved wood from his pocket and placed it in the palm of her hand.
She held up the plaque and read the inscription. “Jordan and Van Buren Architects and Associates.”
“I had the sign maker carve me a replica of our new sign. I hope you approve…partner.”
She started to hug him but stopped when that familiar music beckoned. Why did it feel as though she’d heard it a thousand times?
He led her out and to the top of the stairs. Then stopped. “Your bouquet. You dropped it. Hold on, everyone!” He ran back to the room, and she took a moment to scan the reception area below. Her mother, ensconced in a dress with cloud-like ruffles, waved and blew a kiss. Morris and Betzi watched like a second set of parents, him winking at her as though they shared some secret.
And there stood Zachary, rocking back and forth. His gaze followed the looks of the others to the top of the stairs. He took her in, from the top of her veil to the bottom of her dress, and shook his head in disbelief. Soundlessly, she saw him mouth, I love you, Angel.
She whispered, “I love you, too.”
Angel. Even that sweet nickname he used evoked the feeling of something forgotten. How had he come to call her that? She was certainly no angel when it came to him.
“You’ll have plenty of time for that later,” her father said as he joined her, handing her the bouquet. “Now it’s time to walk down those stairs to your destiny.” The fragrance of roses drifted up, surrounding her and tickling her senses. He nudged her, pulling her back to the present.
The bridal procession started, and slowly, ever so slowly, she began her descent, her father’s arm hooked in her own. And as she neared her destiny, as her father had put it, she couldn’t help but think that somewhere, somehow, she had been there before.