by Mona Ingram
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 the
y’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
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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
Prologue
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.”
Chapter One
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.