Emily stood at the sink after finally urgently relieving herself. She took a wet paper towel to attempt to waken her sleeping body. It was the price of not sleeping much the night prior and sleeping on the plane. The only thing that would wake her up at the moment was yet another cup of caffeinated beverage. At this point, she needed more than caffeine. She needed something sweet as well.
It could wait until Emily was out of the airport. She made her way through the crowded airport, searching for the baggage claim. As she waited for the luggage to begin piling onto the conveyor belt, the therapist once again had her cell phone in her hand. She turned it off from airplane mode and waited. It wasn’t long before it was vibrating in her hand, notifying her that she had several new texts.
Her heart sank as she realized, once again, there was no word from her soulmate. Emily sighed as she placed her phone back in her pocket. She was near tears for more than one reason. Her defenses were down as she noticed her suitcase had finally been delivered. As she reached out, a hand grabbed her suitcase. Her heart began hammering in her chest, her head was pounding and she became lightheaded.
Strong arms were guiding her to a nearby bench. It could be the fact she had not eaten in six hours. It could be the lack of sleep as of late. Normally, even when terrified or shocked, she did not react this way. It took several moments for her breathing to return to normal, as did her vision and heartrate. “You scared me half to death, Mitch.” A soft chuckle was the response. “I guess I’ve been really distracted. I didn’t even see you on the plane.”
Mitch was wearing something respectable for him. It was a black pocket T-shirt and black blue jeans shorts. The sunglasses were already gracing his face as he knew that the likelihood of sun in Sacramento, California was good. It might not be Los Angles, but it was still California. A place he had vowed only to return because of business. Sometimes vows had to be broken.
Especially when it came to his niece. Mitch had always thought of Emily as his daughter, more so than his niece. After the way his lunkhead brother had disowned her, merely for loving a woman, the relationship had strengthened even more. He was very protective of her. While he might not be able to stay full-time with the business Sam had started still in its infancy stages, his daughter was more important.
“I was way back in economy.” Mitch knew his niece would say something, seeing it was his money that had aided in her upgrading to first-class. “I hadn’t planned on being able to come.” His gaze was scanning the people around him. It was his nervous habit, as always. “Sam insisted that I join you the first three or four days. She wants to make certain you are settled in before I return. So I’m just following boss’ orders.”
“And I bet Sam’s only following her boss’ orders.” Emily chuckled softly. Mitch eyed his niece, realizing she was all right. Especially after the attempt at a joke. Or was it the truth? The therapist watched her bounty hunter uncle retrieve her two suitcases for her. She wasn’t surprised when she realized all that her uncle had brought was his carryon.
“I’ve taken the liberty of informing Rick his services, at least for now, aren’t necessary.” As they stood, Mitch insisted on handling his carryon, as well as his niece’s luggage. They slowly began walking toward the car rental area. “I’ve already reserved a little number you might not like. Before you say it, they didn’t have any motorcycles.”
Emily burst into a fit of giggles. Even with sleeping the entire flight, she found she was still exhausted and the levity was much appreciated. Especially when it came from her uncle who was not known for his sense of humor. The tall blonde sighed heavily as she knew the reason behind her tiredness. She was grateful when Mitch insisted on being the one registering for the vehicle. It wasn’t long before they were in a pickup truck. Something not normally seen in Los Angles but was a little more common in the Sacramento area.
The nurse watched the many familiar buildings, monuments and scenery flash by. For not having been back in about a decade, things hadn’t changed much. Emily wondered if that meant her brother was the same. There was no doubt about if her parents had changed. When the tall shadow of the hospital loomed over her, she cringed. She knew it was where she was supposed to go first, but there was no way she was emotionally ready for that. Would she ever be?
The distance driven was short, but because of the constant traffic, it took forever to arrive at Emily’s childhood home. Home. It wasn’t like the bed and breakfast. It wasn’t because it was a three story, twenty-two room mansion with tennis courts, Olympic size pool and a small atrium. It wasn’t a home because there was no love involved. There was no caring, whatsoever. It had felt more like a youth camp for offenders, rather than her home of over two decades.
Emily shoved those thoughts from her mind as her uncle pulled into the long, gravel driveway. She shook her head. She often wondered as a child, and now as an adult, why her parents wouldn’t pave the driveway. Or at the very least would have it landscaped with white stones or something. They made it to the circle drive. It was almost as if her brother had known they were arriving as the front door opened, Rick stepping out. A small wave was given.
“Go on. Say hello to your brother.” Mitch watched as the two merely stared at one another. “You haven’t seen him in over a decade.” Emily tore her gaze away from brother. “Order. Move.” When his niece still didn’t move, the bounty hunter shoved her from the truck. It took a bit for the therapist to steady herself once again. Mitch reached over and locked the door, preventing her only true means of escape.
The glare Emily graced her uncle with caused him to laugh. Mitch quickly removed himself from the truck, picking up all three pieces of luggage. He easily strode past his niece who finally found the ability to move her feet. The bounty hunter barely nodded at his nephew as he shoved past the young man. He knew his brother and sister-in-law would want their daughter in her old room, if only so they could continue their attempt to control the young woman.
Emily watched her uncle make his way up the staircase. It split to the right and left, Mitch turning to his right. The therapist cringed as she knew he was heading for her childhood room. One she knew had been left as a shrine to her. Rick had sent her pictures of the room. It was creepy how her mother insisted everything remain the same. It was creepy how nothing, not even their opinions on love, could change.
“He hasn’t changed much.” Emily turned to really look at her brother. While he was technically younger, he seemed years older than her. There was gray peppering his raven hair. There were dark circles under his eyes. There were pronounced wrinkles around his eyes. Their eyes met. It was the only thing that was truly familiar to Emily. Those eyes remained the same. “And neither have you.”
The old Emily, the one that came out to play at times, would have thanked him for the compliment. But the changes she had been through were subtler than her brother could see. They were the same subtle changes she noticed in Abby. Now her best friend had been through so much and had a right to change. After all, she had thought her fiancée had been dead for over four months before they had been reunited.
“You’d be surprised, little brother.” Rick practically growled. Emily knew it was a hated nickname. They were only two minutes apart, but technically she was the older sibling. “There’s the fact I’m in a relationship with a woman to start with.” When her brother merely shrugged, she continued. “Or the fact Mom and Dad both refused to pay a ransom we both know they could afford to set me free.”
Rick shifted his weight. This was not the same sister he had known so many years ago. This was not the same sister he, on extremely rarely occasions, spoke to on the phone or had a conversation via skype. What their parents had done to her, refusing her…The young man sighed. The only reason he had not stood up for his sister was because he was weak.
The young man had attempted to make it in the real world. Rick had been nearly everything under the sun at one time or another. Finally, he had accepted the position their father had of
fered. It was nothing more than a salary. He sat in the office. Neither he nor his secretary ever did anything to earn their salary. Talk about being a complete and total failure.
Here was his sister. Emily was strong. She had been through so much. Coming to terms with the fact she was in a relationship with a woman was one thing. Having your parents deny to do what every parent is sworn to do another. Rick sighed heavily. He hadn’t any children, yet he knew. If a child of his came to him, whether it was for emotional, physical or monetary support, he would do everything in his power to aid them.
“I’m sorry.” The words seemed so inadequate in the grander scheme of things. But what could he do? What could he say? As the eldest, Emily was in the position to take control, whether she wanted to or not. “Why don’t I buy you a drink and you can tell me more about this Tabby woman. I understand she’s quite the sweetheart, as is her son.”
For the first time since she had left for the airport, Emily had a pure smile on her face. It was as if a goddess was touching her the smile was so bright. What they needed to discuss could wait. Right now, the therapist knew the second best medicine was reconnecting with at least one member of her family. “Sounds like the best offer I’ve had…well since some strange guy offered to give me a lift from the airport.”
Mitch had quietly descended the stairs. While Emily wasn’t at one hundred percent, she had heard his soft footfalls. Instead of saying anything, the bounty hunter merely winked at his niece. The two exchanged a knowing glance before they all headed into the study. It was a room that was well-stocked with various drinks. It was also where there were many hidden secrets. Ones Emily hadn’t even allowed into her conscious memories.
As Emily sat by the fire sipping at her wine, she regaled her uncle and brother of her initial meeting with a certain nurse. Tabby had been the one to flirt with her. The meeting in the diner had led to something the therapist had never done. She had accepted the fact it wasn’t a one-night stand. At the time, it could very easily be. But it had felt different the instant Tabby had stroked her arm while they were still in the diner.
Of course Emily left out a few important details. She regaled them with tales of Nicky and how close they had grown. But there were obstacles. There were always obstacles. It was called life. But was her life ordinary? It didn’t feel like it. It felt like she was living an extraordinary life. The kind some writer with a vivid imagination would come up with.
But who would be so cruel to separate two soulmates, just as they were beginning to find their way back to one another? Who would be so cruel to have one of the lead’s characters’ mother suffering from cervical cancer, odds of survival nearly zero. Who would be so cruel to have the same character’s father have been in a horrendous airplane crash. One of those two-seaters that normally no one walked away from but now the man was lying in critical condition, unable to make decisions for himself.
Who would make it so those same parents would have elected to have their oldest, most responsible child be given their power of attorney? Not just medical, but in all things? It just didn’t seem fair that a writer or god/s or fates would do this to one person. Yet Emily knew that this was life. That things happened we can’t explain. That we are dealt a hand and have to play without wild cards.
The thoughts were depressing Emily to no end. She downed the rest of her wine, needing a little space. Even from two people that seemed to support her unconditionally. She was still a little leery of her brother, but her uncle would be there for her always. “I think I’m going to take a little walk. I need to burn off the alcohol before we go to the hospital. And hopefully getting something real to eat.”
The two men watched the leggy blonde stumble as she walked. Emily made her way out the side door. It led to the small atrium garden. Of all the places on the property, this was the place she loved to be. It was peaceful no matter the time of year, whether the flowers were in bloom or not. As she made her way to the center where a statue of an angel resided, she felt a familiar pull.
Without thinking about it, Emily pulled her cell phone from her pocket. Her eyes nearly popped out of her head when she noticed she had three new texts. The first was from Abby. Her friend was worried since she had neglected to inform her that she had landed safely and she was at the mansion she had grown up in. The text being the easiest to deal with, she quickly shot off a response.
The second was from the hospital stating her mother was asking for her. Emily hadn’t ever heard of a hospital where they texted requests from their patients. But then this was her mother and she would find someone she could buy. Unfortunately, there were too many people in the world who could easily be bought. She was experienced in that herself, as well as hearing of the tales of Abby and Sam.
The third was the one that had her eyes slowly returning to her head. Tabby. After so long, she finally had a text from her girlfriend. It didn’t say much. It did say she missed her, as did Nicky. To some, that wasn’t anything. To some, it would be a disappointment. But to someone who hadn’t had a glimmer of hope for the future, it was everything. It was…Azure eyes closed, causing several tears to escape bloodshot eyes.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()
“Mom!” The voice sounded urgent and yet Tabby knew most likely it was only the fact she hadn’t been in the room when he had awakened. She wanted to find a place of her own, if only so that the two could have more privacy than they shared now. Nicky was at that age when he wanted to be his own little man. “Are you all right?”
Talk about your loaded questions. Tabby ran her fingers through her blonde locks as she stood from the porch swing. Her son was looking good. He was looking healthy. The nurse was terrified of the appointment she needed to take him to later in the week. It was a follow up. A routine screening to make certain the leukemia had not returned.
“I’m fine. Just wanted to watch the sunrise. I lost track of time.” The way Nicky had his head tilted, Tabby was certain her son realized she was anything but fine. Perhaps it was from spending so much time with the Walker clan, Adam and Conrad in particular. They were good influences on him. In some cases, it seemed they were too good of influences on him.
By that Tabby meant the brothers had taught her son about being observant. They had taught him about being mischievous. They had taught him about standing up for what was right and wrong. Even the ability to attract trouble, she would be eternally grateful for Adam and Conrad teaching her son. Nicky had been alone far too long.
“Are we going on that picnic today? I wanted to pick out the perfect spot for my birthday party.” Tabby was relieved when her son had moved on. Though the look in those young eyes informed her she hadn’t heard the last of the morning disappearance. “Adam says there’s this perfect place to play near a little stream. It’s full of tiny fish and perfect for wading.”
“Sounds like an amazing place. We’ll take a picnic. You can ask Adam and Conrad to come. In fact, you can ask anyone you want.” The familiar eyes wouldn’t maintain her gaze. In that instant, Tabby knew her son wanted this to be time they spent alone. She couldn’t blame him. There had been so much that had happened. “Or it can just be me and you. Whatever you want, soon to be birthday boy.”
Tabby ruffled her son’s hair. The beaming look upon his face was enough to inform her she had guessed right. “Why don’t you get dressed for a day at the park? I’ll see what goodies Melissa has for us. If it’s too much trouble, we can always stop by the diner and maybe have something not so healthy.” It was one of the many things she was grateful for to Sierra and Desiree. They had paid her very well.
And now that she was to be a part of the security firm, Tabby would continue to be paid well. She could splurge every so often to spoil her son. And she could save to one day purchase a house for the two of them. As she watched her son run off, her heart constricted. It hadn’t been that long ago that she had wanted a house that was perfect for the three of them.
Before Tabby could make her way into the bed
and breakfast, a familiar figure was standing in the doorway. Melissa had overheard the conversation. She had seen the look on the young nurse’s face. While not knowing the entire story that had happened between Tabby and Emily, the matriarch knew enough. She knew that these two were not unlike her daughters and simply needed a nudge in the right direction to once again find one another.
“I think we need to have a chat.” Tabby glanced over the matriarch’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. He’ll be several more minutes. I heard him talking animatedly to the rest of the Walker clan. Seems he’s excited about the picnic and the upcoming birthday party.” When the nurse hesitated, Melissa gently took her by the arms. She guided her to the porch swing. “Sit. Relax for a moment. Better yet, listen.”
Once again, Tabby’s gaze was at the door. She knew Melissa was only attempting to help her, in her own way. But this was her son she was being kept from. Still, if it was advice that might just help her with Nicky, who was she turn down such valuable advice? Deciding it was best just to relax and allow her friend to have her say, she leaned back.
“There was once a headstrong young woman. Her name was Sam.” Tabby tilted her head, not surprised the story had to do with Melissa’s daughter. “Because one woman, crazy woman I might add, broke her heart, she closed herself off from emotions. All she cared about was pleasures of the flesh instead of taking the time to get to know her conquests and possibly forge a future with them.”
Tabby could not help but blush at the way Melissa was so blunt about her daughter’s past. If the matriarch noticed, she chose not to say anything. Instead she continued with her tale. “One day, she met the other half of her soul. It was love at first sight. They had so many obstacles to overcome, including the fact Abby was married and had not allowed herself to realize her attraction to women. There was also the fact Sam couldn’t bring herself to trust her heart with anyone.”
Distance of the Heart Page 2