| |
“YOU STOP THAT!” CHARLIE laughed as an orange paw batted her hand. Thomas had decided to help with the weeding and he’d been pouncing on everything that moved. His ears pricked up and he ran off, hearing the motor of the ATV long before Charlie. She stood up, wiped the sweat from her brow, and looked down at her muddy knees with a wry smile. Just weeks before she’d never have been caught with mud on her knees. Jason rounded the corner of the barn and her heart did the now familiar tap dance inside her chest.
“Hi,” she said as he came to a stop. “Thomas and I were working in the garden.” She took a closer look at him. “What is it? You look like you’re going to burst.”
Jason pointed to the west. “We’re going to lose the light in a couple of hours.”
“It’s called night, Jason. It happens once every twenty-four hours.” What was the matter with him?
“Very funny Miss Smarty-Pants. Just for that I won’t tell you what I found out.”
“Out with it then, before you self-destruct.” She removed the gardening gloves and slapped them against her leg. “Come on inside, I’ll get you some lemonade.” She could use some herself, plus she was beginning to wonder what he was talking about.
* * *
“...AND WE WERE LOOKING in the wrong place the whole time.” He finished his lemonade and held out his glass for more.
Her hand trembled as she refilled his glass.
One glance at the calendar and the enormity of his words sank in. “That only gives us a few hours,” she said, her heart pounding with excitement.
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.”
“Then what are we doing here? Let’s go.”
* * *
PERCHED ON THE BACK of the ATV, Charlie moved her mouth closer to Jason’s ear. “You say there used to be a whole row of trees here?” she asked over the noise of the motor. The access trail was gouged from the recent rain resulting in a rough ride but she didn’t feel a thing except the taut muscles of Jason’s stomach.
“Yeah, but most of them were uprooted. Brad says these ones were cut back and grew up again.”
“Lucky for us they survived.” She jumped off the ATV the moment he killed the motor and started to untie the metal detector and the shovel. “I’m scared, Jason. It’ll be awful if we’re disappointed again.”
“I know what you mean.” He gave her a long, meaningful look. “But I’m willing to give it a go if you are.”
“More than ever,” she said and forced herself to look away. “This is it.” She strode to the highest spot on the ridge and then looked back across the valley. “Remember what I said yesterday about feeling that I’d missed something?”
He nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, I do.”
“When you mentioned that this was all one farm a light bulb flickered on in my head, but it was too dim. Or maybe it was me who was too dim. I should have connected the dots.”
“Well we’re here now. Let’s make the most of it.” He took the shovel from her hand. “No shoveling for you today. Not with those sore hands.”
“I won’t argue.” She switched on the metal detector and took a deep breath. “Here goes.”
“Got something,” she said a moment later over the high pitched squeal of the detector. Jason dug, and came up with a shell casing.
Charlie grimaced and continued. She would not get discouraged...not yet. The machine squealed again and she waited while Jason dug and sifted through the soil. “Let me guess,” she said. “A nail.”
He kept his head down. “Nope.”
“A penny.”
“Nope.” He rose to his feet and the smile on his face gave her the answer she had hoped for. He held out his hand. On his dirt-encrusted palm, the plain gold band gleamed dully. “It’s a ring. Right where you said it would be.”
Charlie didn’t feel the tears running down her cheeks. “I don’t believe it,” she said, reaching for the ring. “We found it!” She brushed off the remaining dirt and held it up to catch the remaining rays of the sun. For a brief moment the ring seemed to shimmer and glow. Then the sun slipped below the horizon.
Jason leaned on the shovel, watching as she rubbed the ring against her jeans. “What do we do next?” he asked. “I didn’t plan much beyond this point.”
“Neither did I.” Her mind raced. “Okay, here’s what I think. I should take the ring to the attic. That’s where her presence is the strongest. That’s where she left the clues.”
“I’ll take your word for that.”
“And if it’s gone before we go, we’ll know she got it.”
“Before we go where?”
“The dance hall. I wouldn’t miss this for anything.” Charlie shoved the ring in her pocket and climbed on the ATV. “What are you waiting for?”
Jason held up a hand. “Wait a minute. I thought you said Janelle went to Regina. How do you propose to get inside?”
“She did, but if she was here she would approve, I’m sure of it. I still have the key from when I did the cleaning. Please say you’ll come with me.”
“After we’ve come this far? I wouldn’t miss it.” He paused. “Are we going to tell anyone about all this?”
Charlie thought for a moment then shook her head. “This is something I’d rather keep between us. And Harm and Charlotte, of course.”
He laughed, and they roared down the hill toward Janelle’s farm.
“I’ll clean up and be back to pick you up around nine thirty. If I remember correctly, the moon came up around ten last night.”
“Don’t be late.” Charlie was already nervous.
“I’ll be here.” Jason waved and sped off.
* * *
CHARLIE WAS BESIDE herself with excitement when Jason’s truck pulled into the driveway shortly before nine thirty. She ran down the steps and climbed into the passenger side before he could get out.
“The ring is gone,” she said breathlessly. “I just checked.”
* * *
CHARLIE’S HEAD SWIVELED from side to side as they drove through the silent town. “It looks different without all the fairy lights.”
Jason reached over and squeezed her hand. “You sound anxious.”
“I am, a bit. Pull in here and we’ll go in the side door.” She looked up at the darkened building.
“My hands are shaking” she whispered a few moments later. “I can’t get the key in the lock.”
“Here, let me try.” His voice was barely audible.
“Why are we whispering?” she asked, clutching his arm.
“I don’t know. You started it.” With a soft chuckle, Jason turned the key and the door swung open. “Boy, it’s dark in here” he said, his voice still subdued. “Where’s the light switch?”
Charlie dug in her bag and brought out a box of matches. “I thought we’d light some candles. What do you think?”
“Very romantic.” He caught her chin with one hand and tipped up her face for a quick kiss. “Are you trying to seduce me, Miss Scarlett?”
She looked into his eyes and in that moment she knew she loved him. “The thought had crossed my mind.” She waited for him to speak but he simply placed a hand over his heart. It was the sweetest, most poignant gesture a man had ever made to her and cemented her decision to stay in Clearwater Springs.
“But first,” she said, shaking a second box of matches. “Let’s light all the candles.”
By the time they were finished, the dance hall glowed softly and they stood side by side, observing the effect. She slid a hand into his. “Where do you think we should wait?”
Jason glanced toward a row of windows high up on the wall. “When the moon gets higher, it will shine through there.” He stood up and moved to the dance floor, a few feet from the carousel pole. “It will shine right about here. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if...”
“If she appears in a shaft of moonlight?” Charlie finished his thought, and then looked at him as though seeing him for the first time. “You really are a romantic, aren’t you?”
“I wasn’t always like this.” He held out his arms and she walked into them. “It’s your fault, you know.”
Charlie’s heart skipped a beat. “It’s the atmosphere,” she stammered. “And the story about Harm and Charlotte. That’s all.”
“You think?” he asked. The corner of his mouth lifted in a devilish smile. “Are you saying you had nothing to do with it?”
“Well...”
“Well nothing. It’s you, Charlie. You showed me that it’s okay to dream a little, to be romantic.”
“I did?” She was tongue-tied again, but that suited her just fine. As long as he kept looking at her like that, she didn’t care if she ever spoke another word.
“Yes, you did.” He led her across the hall, his arm firmly around her waist. “Let’s go outside. I want to watch the moon come up.”
Charlie stopped beside the CD player. “We could put on some music. You know...set the scene.”
“I’m for that.” Jason randomly slid some CDs into the player. He adjusted the sound downward and they moved out into the starry darkness.
They took their place at the railing, shoulders touching. The water below lapped against the shore and as though on cue, a shooting star blazed across the horizon. They watched until it disappeared.
“You know what that means.” He pulled her closer. “It means I get to kiss you.”
“I thought it meant good luck.”
“That’s what I said.” His lips, warm and tender, brushed over hers with tantalizing softness. A soft gurgle of pleasure escaped her throat as his arms enfolded her. “Again,” she murmured, and this time the shooting stars exploded inside her head.
“Do all farmers know how to kiss like that?” she asked when she could catch her breath.
“Dunno,” he said, twirling her around in time to the music. “I haven’t kissed very many.”
She looked up into his laughing eyes. “Are you ever serious?”
“All the time.” He caught her against his chest. “I’m the boring one, remember? That’s why you’re so good for me.”
“You’re good for me, too. Even though I could have throttled you the first time I saw you.”
“No kidding!” His eyes flashed with amusement. “As if I could forget.” He led her into another series of intricate steps and she followed effortlessly.
“Am I really good for you?” he said after a while.
“Are you fishing for compliments again?”
“Whatever it takes.”
Her steps slowed and his hands slid down to hold her around the waist. They swayed together like reeds in the water.
“Being here has been good for me.”
He pulled back in mock consternation. “Thanks a lot.”
It was important that she make him understand how she felt. “You’re part of this place.” She hesitated. “The best part as far as I’m concerned. What I mean is that it’s a whole new way of life for me. You work hard and I like that. And here people are good to each other, to their friends and neighbors.” She shook her head. “I’m not saying this very well.”
“You said it perfectly.” He tipped up her chin. “Couldn’t have said it better.” His mouth covered hers and she let herself float on a rising tide of sensations. When he pulled away, she almost lost her balance. He turned her slowly, and no words were needed.
The moon was well above the horizon, flooding the sky with light.
“That’s the most beautiful moon I’ve ever seen.” She slipped her hand into his. “I’m afraid, Jason. What if it doesn’t work?”
“There’s only one way to find out.” He guided her to the door; they opened it tentatively and slid inside to stand with their backs against the wall. As the moon rose, the silvery light inched lower, creeping across the floor until it illuminated the spot Jason had pointed out earlier.
“Nothing’s happening,” she whispered. “Oh Jason, I can’t stand the suspense.”
He squeezed her hand. “I think we should move farther away.” He blew out most of the candles as they passed and they slid into a booth in the shadows. “Let’s just watch.” He put an arm around her and brushed his lips against her temple. “It’s going to be all right, you’ll see.” Charlie’s body stiffened and she stared at the open doorway.
Jason turned slowly and his hand tightened almost painfully on her shoulder. A tall figure filled the opening. “Who’s that?” he whispered. He blinked as though questioning his own eyes.
Charlie’s excitement was palpable; she had to fight to control her voice. “That’s Harm.” She shot a quick glance at Jason. “You can see him?”
“Clear as day.”
Harm paused in the doorway and his eyes swept the dance hall, resting for a moment on Charlie and Jason before continuing on. There was a moment’s silence as one CD ended and another started...a collection of waltzes.
Charlie squirmed on the bench. “Should I talk to him?” You know, tell him about the ring?”
“Let’s wait a minute,” Jason said, his voice taut with anticipation. “I think he sees something.”
Harm’s eyes remained fixed on the shaft of moonlight as he moved forward.
A woman’s figure appeared, materializing slowly as though emerging from a heavy fog. Charlie’s nails dug into Jason’s thigh.
The woman turned away from Harm and her gaze rested briefly on each carousel horse as she slowly took in the interior of the dance hall. Her long skirt fell in soft folds, barely sweeping the floor as she turned around. The remaining candles flickered, and in the soft light her lips turned up in a smile.
“She looks as though she’s remembering something” Charlie whispered in Jason’s ear, “but I don’t think she sees him.”
“Patience.” Jason couldn’t believe how much Charlotte looked like Charlie. “Let’s wait and see what he does.”
Harm seemed to glide as he crossed the dance floor to the pool of light. Eyes full of love, he watched Charlotte’s slow pirouette. His hand reached out and then he withdrew it, hesitant to break the spell.
As though sensing his presence behind her, Charlotte stilled. Her hand flew to her neck and the gold ring gleamed on her finger.
“Charlotte.” Harm’s voice was hoarse with pent-up emotion.
At the sound of his voice, Charlotte’s eyes closed for a moment. Then she turned to the man who had never stopped loving her.
“Harm,” she cried softly. And then she was in his arms, crushed against his chest. She lifted her lips, and in that heartbeat of time Charlie believed in eternal love.
She buried her head in Jason’s shoulder. “I can’t watch,” she said. “It’s too personal.”
“No, look,” he said. “I think they’re going to dance.”
Charlie turned back to the couple on the dance floor. Shimmering with magical luminescence, they set out in a waltz, seemingly oblivious to the couple in the shadows.
“What happens now?” Jason asked.
“If they’re lucky, I think they’ll leave.” As she spoke, Charlie realized that the moon had risen past the open window. Inside the dance hall, the light was fading.
The dancers swirled past one last time. As they did so, Harm looked directly at Charlie and nodded. Charlotte smiled in her direction, and for a moment Charlie thought she caught the scent of lavender. And then they were gone.
Jason slumped back and raked his fingers through his hair. “I wouldn’t have believed it.” He rose slowly and pulled Charlie to her feet. They were silent as they extinguished the remaining candles. Within a couple of minutes they had locked up and were back in his truck.
* * *
“I’M STILL HAVING A hard time wrapping my head around this.” Jason navigated through the sleeping town and onto the highway. He draped an arm over the back of the seat and she slid closer. There didn’t seem to be anything left to talk about; they remained silent as they drove along the deserted highway.
He drove past Janelle’s driveway and she looked up at him, silently questioning.
“I’m not ready to let you go yet.” He gave her a gentle squeeze. “Are you okay with that?”
She nodded and they were soon bumping along the service road which led around behind Jason’s house. They stepped out of the truck and looked overhead. The moon was partially hidden behind a cloud, but it still cast enough light to dim the stars. They walked hand in hand through the house and out onto the front verandah. Fireflies danced over the lawn, an extension of the magic they’d just witnessed.
Jason stood behind her and cradled her in his arms, his chin resting on top of her head. She’d never felt so secure, so loved.
“Do you believe that love lasts forever?” she asked, her voice little more than a whisper. “After what we saw tonight, I think I do.”
“For them it certainly did.” He turned her around, looked deeply into her eyes. “What about us?”
“Why Rhett, whatever are you suggesting?” She looked up at him, batted her eyelashes.
“Well, Miss Scarlett. I was hoping you’d follow up on your threat of seducing me.”
“It wasn’t a threat, Jason.” She turned suddenly serious. “But I don’t want our story to be like Scarlett and Rhett’s.” She placed a hand on his heart. “I don’t want the fairy tale; I want something real. Something that’s going to last forever.”
He covered her hand with his. “Do you have any idea how much I love you, Charlie Mitchell?”
“About as much as I love you,” she said, smiling into his eyes. “But I was hoping you’d show me.”
He led her into the house. “It would be my pleasure. Now and every day for the rest of our lives.”
* * *
The End
* * *
Keep up-to-date with what’s new!
To receive notice of Special Offers, Free Books, or New Releases, check out Mona’s website: http://www.monaingram.com
* * *
Message from the author:
Thank you for reading.
If you enjoyed this book, I would be grateful for a review where you purchased it.
* * *
About the Author:
Mona Ingram is the author of more than four dozen romances. Many of her stories take place in British Columbia, where she has lived since the age of twelve. In recent years, she has lived in the Okanagan Valley and on Vancouver Island. In addition to reading and writing, traveling and bird watching are among Mona's favorite pastimes.
* * *
Please keep reading for an excerpt from
––––––––
Full Circle
THE PRIVATE JET HAD been descending for several minutes. Bella shuffled the papers she’d been holding and slipped them back into her briefcase. Trying to study the reports had been a waste of time...a futile attempt to divert her thoughts. She looked across the low table and into the eyes of the man who had been her partner for the past fifteen years. Sometimes it angered her that he could read her so well whereas she rarely knew what he was thinking. Those dark eyes studied her now, and she thought she caught a hint of sadness behind the sweeping black lashes.
The cabin attendant paused beside their seats. “The captain has asked me to inform you that we’ll be landing in ten minutes.”
Bella glanced up at the young woman. “Thank you, Laura. Would you ask the captain if he could circle Willow Bend before we land? I’d like to see it from the air.” The flight would land at a nearby airport, the Willow Bend facility having been closed long since.
“Certainly, Miss Thompson.” The attendant nodded and went forward.
Bella looked out the window. “I’ve never seen Willow Bend from the air,” she murmured. “I wonder if I’ll be able to see any changes since the last time I was here.”
Rafael watched her closely but he remained silent; she hadn’t really expected him to answer.
The aircraft made a slight change of course, then dropped one wing and commenced a slow circle around the town. Sun glinted off the river and an invisible hand tightened around Bella’s heart. There were times when it seemed like yesterday that she’d confronted Jeffrey beside that river. She forced herself to continue looking and spotted the high school with its adjoining football field and bleachers. A few blocks beyond that was the section of town where she’d grown up but she couldn’t spot her parents’ home among the jumble of roofs. On the gentle rise across the river the homes were statelier; here and there swimming pools flashed brilliant blue in the late afternoon sun.
And there it was. The old Lambert textile mill. Silent these past ten years. She didn’t know what she’d expected to feel when she saw it. After all, her father had worked there most of his life and had lost his job along with hundreds of others in the town. She edged forward on her seat to get a closer look. The heavy wire fence that had once encircled the mill was gone. In its place, strategically placed trees and shrubs lifted their leaves to the sunshine. A few cars and several pickup trucks were parked between the bright yellow lines in the newly paved lot. For the first time since leaving California earlier today, Bella experienced a surge of excitement. Excitement mixed with apprehension.
She tore her gaze away and looked at her partner. “You’re sure we’re doing the right thing?” she asked, uncharacteristically nervous. “It’s such a big step, opening a new production facility.”
“Bella.” She loved the way he said her name. “We’ve been over this many times.” His gaze softened for a moment. “What you’re doing is a wonderful thing. You’re giving this town a chance to get back on its feet.” He didn’t need to look down at the mill; he’d been here half a dozen times already. “Besides, it’s too late now.”
Twenty years earlier.
It was overcast the day Bella found out she was pregnant. Madonna was singing Papa Don’t Preach on her bedside radio and she gave a strangled laugh as the words filtered into her consciousness. She held the stick in her hand, backed up unsteadily and sat down on the edge of her bed.
The test confirmed what she already knew. The signs had been there for weeks now, but she’d clung to hope the way a man clings to a life raft in stormy seas. And her life was about to get stormy; she knew that for a fact. With one hand on her stomach, she rocked back and forth, slowly accepting the reality of her situation.
She wondered what Jeffrey was doing right now. They didn’t see each other every day, but today was Friday, and they usually grabbed cold drinks and went to “their place” by the river; a quiet, sheltered spot carpeted with pine needles. They jokingly referred to it as their love nest, but it was in fact a place where they dared to dream of a future together. It wouldn’t be easy; they knew that. Bella’s mother was a skilled dressmaker who worked at home, and her father worked at Lambert Textiles, whereas Jeffrey was the son of Edward and Judith Lambert, owners of Lambert Textiles and Willow Bend’s largest employer.
She and Jeffrey had been together since the spring, when he’d broken up with Angela Sterling. At first she couldn’t believe that Jeffrey was interested in her; she didn’t consider herself beautiful like many of the other girls, or sophisticated, like Angela. She smiled to herself, recalling how she’d been so nervous around him at first. But as the days got warmer and she began to know him better, she relaxed and accepted the fact that he was interested in her...in what she thought and had to say. The sex had been a natural extension of their growing affection for one another. Bella thought of it as “making love” even though Jeffrey had never used the same term. Come to think of it, he’d never called it anything. She glanced at her watch. He’d be getting out of school and wondering where she was. She’d never lied to him before, but she’d made an excuse for missing school this afternoon, saying she had a Doctor’s appointment. He’d forgive her when she told him the news.
Another nervous spasm gripped her stomach; a clear indication that it was time to find him and get it over with. The longer she waited, the harder it would be. She had no idea what she was going to say, or how he would respond. They often finished each other’s sentences, as though they’d been together forever, but today was different. She didn’t have the faintest idea what to expect from him when she made the big announcement.
She shoved all evidence of the pregnancy kit in her bag, checked her appearance in the mirror and crept downstairs. A murmur of voices reached her from the dining room...or it used to be the dining room before her mother converted it to her workshop and consultation room. When Mom had mentioned a bridal fitting this afternoon, Bella had sighed with relief. It was the perfect opportunity to sneak in the back door, go upstairs, and do the test.
The back door closed quietly after her and she went through the gate at the back of the yard and down the lane that ran along the back of the properties. Clouds scudded across the sky and she shivered, even though it was the warmest part of the day. Within minutes she was approaching the river, and her steps quickened.
Jeffrey’s car was parked in the usual spot, partly hidden behind some bushes a quarter of a mile from where they usually met. Her pulse quickened as she pictured him there, sitting on the blanket he always brought, waiting for her.
He wasn’t there, and the blanket wasn’t spread out under the pines. She opened her mouth to call, and then spotted a flash of color down by the river. He’d worn her favorite shirt to school this morning; pale blue denim. She took a few more silent steps on the pine needles and paused for a moment to drink in the sight of him. Dark brown hair curled at the back of his neck, and what she could see of his skin was bronzed with an early summer tan.
He bent and picked up a handful of stones, sorted through them and started to skip them on the tranquil waters of the slowly-moving river. Watching him she frowned; his movements were jerky and un-coordinated. Something was bothering him. Maybe his father had been on his case again; asserting himself was a constant battle for Jeffrey. His father expected him to take over the business, but Jeffrey had no interest in the textile mill. He loved animals, and wanted to be a veterinarian. Bella had a feeling his father would win that battle.
She took a few steps closer and he seemed to sense her presence. He turned slowly and she could see at once that he was troubled. Dark smudges of color under his eyes gave him a haunted look and as his gaze met hers the ground shifted beneath her feet. Did he know? Her fingers unconsciously clutched at her bag.
“Jeffrey?” she said tentatively. “Are you okay?”
He looked at her for a long moment, then shook his head. “No,” he replied, his voice little more than a whisper. He closed the gap between them and took her hand. “Come on, let’s go sit on those big rocks,” he said, drawing her along the bank of the river. “We have to talk.”
She followed him, heart pounding in her chest. This wasn’t the way this conversation was supposed to go. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. He was definitely stressed. As a matter of fact, he didn’t look anything like the Jeffrey she knew.
He settled her on a flat rock and sat down across from her. When he finally raised his eyes he looked at her as though he was trying to memorize her face. Prickles of apprehension crept up Bella’s spine.
The silence lengthened until she could no longer stand it. “What is it?” she asked, knowing instinctively that the answer would change her life. Even more than it had already been changed today.
“There’s no easy way to tell you this, Bella.” His gaze met hers for an instant, and then shifted away. “I’m getting married.”
Bella must have heard wrong, because she thought he’d said he was getting married. “I’m sorry, what did you say?” Her voice was surprisingly calm, but her heart was thundering in her chest.
His eyes closed for a moment. “I’m going to get married. To Angela.”
Bella couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Angela Sterling?”
“Yes.”
“But why?” She could hear the plaintive tone in her voice, but she didn’t care. It was a fair question, and she deserved an answer.
He lowered his head into both hands. “She’s pregnant,” he mumbled. “I found out last night when she came over to the house with her parents.”
This wasn’t happening! Bella leafed through a calendar in her mind. “But how can that be?” she cried. “You broke up with her months ago. How come you’re just finding out now?”
He raised his head, his gaze darting around before landing on her face. “She asked me to drive her home after football practice one day last month and we...I...” The words started to tumble out. “She wanted to get back together; she was begging me and I was saying no, but she...” He blushed. “She got me at a weak moment, and we had sex.”
The silence was broken only by the sound of a bumblebee and the river lapping against the shore. “Let me get this straight,” said Bella slowly, fighting for composure. “You had sex. While you were supposed to be with me. And now she’s pregnant.”
He nodded.
“And you’re going to marry her.” It pained her to say the words, but she had to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.
She stared at him and it was as if she were looking at a stranger. How could he do this to her? Strangely enough, she could picture him marrying Angela. “And how does Angela feel about all this?”
“I don’t know.” He raked his fingers though his hair. “No, that’s not true. Actually, she seems quite happy about it.”
Bella could imagine the triumphant look on Angela’s face.
“I’m sorry, Bella.”
“I’ll just bet you are.” Where had that come from? Within the space of a few moments she’d found a backbone she didn’t know she had. She stood up and grabbed the bag that held the confirmation of the life growing within her. “You know something, Jeffrey Lambert?” She stuck her face inches away from his. “You’re not only a cheat but you’re a spineless asshole.” She climbed the bank until she stood over him. “You may think you’re sorry now, but that’s nothing compared to how you’re going to feel when I get through with you.”
“What do you mean?” He looked genuinely concerned.
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to tell anyone about our little love nest. But some day I’m going to make you pay for this. I don’t know how or when, but trust me, you’ll pay.”
He looked at her as though she’d grown horns. And maybe she had. She gave him one last look then turned and walked away. It wasn’t until she got closer to home that she started to shake. How could she have gone from loving him to hating him in the space of seconds? It had been surprisingly easy, and she had the feeling that she’d need every ounce of anger she could dredge up to help her though the next few weeks.
“You told him you’re going to make him pay?” Her friend Carla made a face. “What kind of stupid threat is that?”
“Oh, I don’t know, Carla. I was just so disgusted by his admission that he’d had sex with her.” Bella had changed her mind about going home and was sitting with her best friend in Carla’s back yard.
“What did you expect? He’s a guy. A woman offers, they take.”
“What about you and Ethan? You wouldn’t say that about him.”
“That’s different.” Carla paused. “We’re different. I mean, who’d ever think an Italian American and an Irish American could get along for this long without any major battles?”
“It’s been known to happen. Besides, we live in a small town in the south. Things are supposed to be different here. Family values and all that.”
“Speaking of which, Ethan wants to go to New York.” Carla picked up her lemonade and studied the condensation rolling down the sides of the glass.
Bella was glad of the change of subject. “Whatever for?” She’d never considered leaving Georgia.
“Two reasons.” Carla put down the glass and looked steadily at her friend. “First one is that he’s got the acting bug and he knows he has to go to New York if he’s going to pursue it seriously. The second is that he doesn’t have confidence in the future of the mill.”
“Really?” Bella frowned as she considered her friend’s words. “What makes him think that?”
“He works in shipping, remember? He sees how much raw material comes in and how much finished product is being shipped.” She paused, watching her friend carefully. “He says they’re only producing about half what they were when he started three years ago.” She took a sip of her drink. “He doesn’t think the mill has more than a few years left. This town is going to be hit hard when it finally closes.”
Bella spoke her thoughts. “My Dad’s always said that having only one major industry in a town is a dangerous thing.” She glanced at her friend. “It’s like that study we did in Economics this year, isn’t it?”
“Exactly. This town of a perfect example of what can happen when you have all your eggs in one basket. Our family bakery will be affected, but it will survive; people still need to buy bread. It’s families like yours that will really suffer. Your dad works for the Lamberts and your mom’s business depends on people with money.” Carla took a large swallow of lemonade. “Speaking of your mom, does she know about this?” She gestured to Bella’s stomach.
“No, and I don’t know how I’m going to tell her.”
“Ha!” Carla gave a short, disbelieving laugh. “She knows.”
“No she doesn’t.”
“Bella Thompson. Listen to yourself. Your mom may have had only one child, but she knows what it means when she hears you puking your guts out every morning. Trust me, she knows.”
Bella placed a hand protectively over her stomach. “Do you think so?”
“Oh, yeah,”
“I wonder why she hasn’t said anything?” Bella looked at her friend thoughtfully. “Assuming you’re right, it will make it easier to tell her.”
“Look, kiddo. I know you’ve only had a couple of hours to get your head around this, but do you know what you’re going to do?”
Bella had thought about little else. “First of all, I’m going to go to Doc Farnham and get it confirmed.”
“No, no, no.” Carla shook her head emphatically. “Definitely the wrong move.”
“What do you mean?”
Carla scooted forward on her seat. “Listen to me, Bella. We live in a small town in the south. It may be the nineteen nineties, but this is a conservative town where people gossip for a living. Your Dad works for the mill and your Mom takes in sewing.” She sat back and waited for her words to sink in. “I agree that you have to go to a doctor for a check-up, but not here. Not in this town.”
Bella looked at her friend. “How do you know all this?”
Carla shrugged. “My cousin Maria.”
“Oh.” Bella vaguely remembered the abrupt departure of her friend’s cousin.
Carla put a gentle hand on her arm. “Go home now, Bella. Tell your mom before your dad gets home. It’ll make you feel a lot better.”
Bella gave her friend a lopsided smile. “When did you get so wise?”
Carla shook her head. “I just wish I could be of more help.” She squeezed Bella’s arm, then let it go. “Call me if you need me, okay?”
* * *
“BELLA, COULD YOU COME in here please?” Her mother called her as soon as she stepped through the back door.
“Hi, Mom.” Bella stood in the open French doors that separated her mother’s workspace from the rest of the downstairs. “How was your day?”
Her mother ignored the question and waved a hand impatiently. “Sit down, dear.” She pushed her chair back from the sewing machine. “Are you pregnant?” Her gaze moved to Bella’s stomach. “I want you to tell me the truth.”
“Yes, I am. How did you know?” It was a stupid thing to say, but she hadn’t expected such a frontal assault and needed time to think.
“I’ve heard you in the mornings.” Her mother looked away, out the window. “Have you confirmed it?”
“I did a pregnancy test today.”
Her mother looked startled. “Where did you buy the test? Not at our CVS, I hope.”
Carla had been right; it was starting already. “No, Mom. I bought it last weekend when I went to the mall near Atlanta with Carla.”
“Does she know?”
“Yes...she’s my best friend. I told her I was going to go to Doc Farnham and she warned me against it.”
“Yes, she would,” her mother said vaguely. “After that business with her cousin Maria.”
“You knew about that?”
“Bella, this is a small town.” Her mother paused, took a deep breath. “A very small town. People talk.” She looked up. “It’s Jeffrey, I suppose.”
Bella nodded. It was evident her mother had been thinking about this.
“Have you told him?” Her mother’s eyes narrowed.
“No.” It was Bella’s turn to look away. She spoke dispassionately. “I went to meet him after I took the test. I’d planned to tell him, but he had some news of his own.”
Her mother waited.
“He’s going to marry Angela.”
“Angela Sterling?” Her mother had made several items for Angela’s mother, wife of the town’s leading attorney. “I got the impression from Mrs. Sterling that they broke that off a while ago.”
Bella continued, dry-eyed. “They did, but according to Jeffrey, they had some sort of an encounter last month and now she’s pregnant.”
“What a mess.” Her mother pressed the fingers of one hand into her forehead. “Don’t these young people have any restraint?”
“Was it so different in your day?” Bella surprised herself, but held her ground.
Anger flared in her mother’s eyes, but soon subsided. “No, I suppose not.”
They sat in silence for a few moments, each lost in her thoughts. Finally her mother spoke. “There’s a church in Atlanta that has a home for unwed mothers. I think you should go there.”
Bella studied her mother. She couldn’t blame her, really. Willow Bend was a small town, and a pregnant daughter reflected badly on any mother. “Is that what you want?”
“It’s what I would prefer, yes.” Her mother spoke with conviction, but couldn’t meet her eyes.
“What happens when I get there?” Bella was fairly sure she wouldn’t like the answer.
“You’ll go there before you start to show, and live there. You’ll get medical care, and have your child in the hospital adjoining the facility.” Her mother twisted a piece of fabric nervously. “And after the child is born, it will be given up for adoption.”
Bella nodded. “And then I come back here, like nothing happened?”
Her mother looked up, startled. She obviously hadn’t thought that far ahead. “Yes, I suppose so.”
“No.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I said no. I’m not giving my child up for adoption.” Her voice started to rise, but she made no effort to lower it. “How could you suggest such a thing?”
“Lower your voice.” Her mother looked nervously out the front window. “People will hear you.”
“That’s what this is all about, isn’t it?” Bella leaned toward her mother, her voice low and steely. “It’s about making sure people don’t find out. What about me?”
Her mother lifted her head. “You lost your rights when you had sex with that boy.” She stood up and walked toward a side window. “Your father and I have talked it over and he’s left all the decisions up to me.” She turned back to Bella. “You either agree to this, or you’re on your own.”
“Just like that?” Somewhere in the back of her mind, Bella admired her mother’s determination.
“Yes, Bella. Just like that.” Her mother braced herself against the back of the chair, and Bella noticed that her hand trembled slightly. “There isn’t any other way.”
“All right.”
Her mother took a step forward. “You’ll go to the home?”
“No, I’ll go out on my own.” Bella’s stomach was bunched in knots, but she managed to speak calmly. “But I won’t wait. I’ll go within a couple of weeks.” She held her mother’s gaze. “And no, I won’t change my mind.”
* * *
Full Circle is available at
All major e-book retailers
