The Magic in her Gift

by Missy Martine

  “Are you insane?”

  Sara barked out a short laugh. “Not exactly the reaction I was hoping for.”

  “I’m you friend, I’m not going to sugar-coat things for you. Hell, you wouldn’t want me to.”

  Sara shrugged. “That’s true.”

  Rachel leaned back in her chair and narrowed her eyes. “You have to know that Bart is giving you what he knows you want so he can hang onto all those lovely dollars, don’t you?”

  Sara lowered her eyes. “I know,” she said quietly. “I don’t care as long as I get what I want.”

  “Oh, honey.” Rachel pulled her into a hug. “You know it’s not too late to find real love. You just have to be open to it.”

  Sara pushed thoughts of Mel out of her head. “I have to take my chances while I can, Rachel. I’m not getting any younger.”

  “Baloney,” Rachel scoffed. “Women are having babies all the way into their fifties now. You’re only thirty-two years old so you have plenty of time.” She sat back in her chair and regarded Sara thoughtfully. “I do agree with his idea to sell the island though.”

  Sara frowned. “Why?”

  “If the place inspired all those erotic dreams, you need to stay away from it.” She held up her hand when Sara opened her mouth to speak. “I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with fantasizing, but it can’t rule your life. If you hang onto the place and keep having those impossible dreams, you’re never going to get out and look for the real thing.”

  Sara’s shoulders slumped. “I guess I never thought of it like that.”

  “What’s your dear mother have to say about all this?”

  Sara grimaced. “She’s gung-ho about the wedding.”

  “But?” Rachel drawled.

  “She’s been pressuring me to make Bart sign a pre-nup.”

  Rachel threw back her head and laughed. “What did Bart have to say about that?”

  “He reminded me that he never asked me to sign one before I inherited the money.” Sara ran her hands through her hair. “He seemed genuinely hurt that I’d suggest such a thing and reminded me of the plans we’d made to build a life together.”

  “What do you really want to do, Sara?” Rachel asked quietly.

  She thought for a moment and sighed. “I’m marrying Bart in two weeks and I’m going to do my level best to be pregnant before the end of the year.” She sat up straighter and gazed into Rachel’s eyes. “That’s what I want.”

  Rachel stood and pulled Sara to her feet. She gave her a brief hug and a smile. “Then that’s what I want for you, honey.”

  Sara breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks. That means more to me than you’ll ever know.”

  “Hey, you wanna get together tonight? We can polish off a pizza and a couple of bottles of wine.” Rachel gave her a saucy wink.

  “I wish,” Sara groaned. “Bart and I are having dinner at my mother’s tonight. We’re going to finalize the seating arrangement for the reception.”

  “Ugh, major mood-killer.” Rachel stepped toward the door. “How about tomorrow night?”

  “You’re on,” Sara promised. “I’ll bring the wine.”

  “I can’t believe you invited that dreadful, un-couth man to the wedding,” Gwendolyn Weller chastised her daughter. “He won’t fit in with anyone in either family.”

  Sara rolled her eyes. “Did you get an RSVP saying he was coming?”

  “Of course not. People like that don’t understand it’s polite to answer invitations. They just want to take advantage of people’s generosity. He’ll just show up if he’s coming. “

  “Let’s not fight about this, Mother. The man’s over eight thousand miles away. It’s doubtful he’d come this far for a free dinner and glass of champagne,” Sara said sarcastically.

  “All right, ladies. Let’s not get off track,” Bart begged. “Sara’s right, Gwen. It didn’t appear to me that Elias would have the money needed to come all this way just for the wedding. I think you can safely put that scenario out of your head and worry about something else.”

  “Very well,” Gwen sniffed. “I’ve made sure to separate all the families your mother requested not to be seated together. Here’s the final plan for seating.” She handed a stack of papers to Bart.

  He turned his attention to Sara. “Do you have everything packed up that can go? I want to have the movers there on Sunday.”

  She shook her head. “I’ve still got to box up my dishes and pack away my art supplies.” She tilted her head and frowned. “Have you cleared out some space for me to unpack my things?”

  “I’ve emptied out half the closet and dresser and made room for your things in the bathroom. That’s all the space you’ll need for now. I’m having all your things put in storage until we get the house built.”

  “Very sensible, Bart. When do you plan on building a house?” Gwen asked.

  “It’ll be a while.” He smiled at Sara. “What we want is going to cost so we’ll wait until the sale of the island is finalized.”

  “What’s holding up the sale? I thought the buyers were extremely interested.” Gwen moved to close the drapes.

  He shrugged. “We decided to wait until after the wedding to take care of all that. I want Sara focused on the happiness of our wedding and not on thoughts of her grandmother’s estate.”

  Sara knew her mother believed Bart was stalling so the money would not be hers alone so she jumped into the conversation. “I’m going to need you to clear out one of the spare bedrooms for my art supplies.”

  Bart clenched his fists and gave her a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I don’t have a spare room, Sara. Your art stuff will have to go into storage until we have a bigger place.” He shrugged. “It’s not like you’ll have time for it anyway.”

  Sara narrowed her eyes. “You have four bedrooms, Bart. Surely you can let me have one of them.”

  “One of those rooms I leave empty for Michael.”

  “Okay, what about the other one?”

  “It’s a guestroom, Sara. My family frequently visits and I often entertain out of town business clients.” He gave her a disdainful look. “Besides, you’re not going to smell up my home with paint and turpentine.”

  “I’m not willing—”

  “We need to keep one bedroom free for the nursery, don’t we?” he asked.

  “Sara,” Gwen scolded, “you don’t want to subject a baby to all those fumes. It’s not healthy.”

  Sara bit her lip and nodded. “You’re right, of course. I wasn’t thinking.”

  Uncharacteristically, Bart came and gave her a hug. “It’s okay, that’s what you have me for, love. Just put your trust in me and I’ll steer you right.”

  Sara let herself feel comfort in his embrace. Everything will be worth it if I can have my own child.

  Sara stared in the mirror and wondered if years from now anyone would mention how pale the bride was. The past two weeks had flown by. She’d worked out her notice at the school, packed up all her belongings and had a final fitting on the wedding dress. Now, she was moments away from walking down the aisle.

  “You look lovely, dear.” Gwen fluffed out her veil down her back. “It’s a shame you couldn’t have lost a little more weight, but I think they did an admirable job of designing this dress to hide your flaws.” The ivory-colored silk garment fit tightly underneath her ample bosom and dropped to the floor in a simple A-design. A thick panel of lace camouflaged her cleavage.

  Sara rolled her eyes at the backhanded compliment.

  “I think you’re crazy to let that asshole talk you into giving up your painting. You’re so good,” Rachel whined. Her dress was nearly identical, but in a gentle, lilac color.

  “Don’t be absurd,” Gwen huffed. “Her life will be much too full for her to be messing around with her paints. Just being Mrs. Bartle Everett III will keep her busy. She won’t need the distraction.”

  Sara smiled at Rachel. “Don’t worry about it, Rachel. I fully intend to go back to paint
ing once we build our house. I’m going to have a studio designed on the property so the smells won’t bother anybody.”

  “Very wise compromise, Sara.” Gwen walked toward the door and then turned back to give her a baleful look. “By the way, you’re sea captain friend somehow scrounged the money together to make the trip. He’s sitting in the back pews on the bride’s side.” She turned and walked out, shutting the door behind her.

  “What a bitch,” Rachel growled. “From everything you’ve told me about your grandmother, I wonder if your mother was adopted.”

  Sara smirked and studied her reflection in the mirror. It pleased her to think about seeing Elias again. She hadn’t heard her grandmother’s voice or had any dreams about Meloir since leaving the island. It left her with an abandoned feeling she didn’t understand and didn’t like.

  The door opened and the overly lacquered blonde head of the wedding coordinator peaked in. “It’s time, ladies.” She motioned to Rachel. “Come along, dear. You’re up first.”

  Sara followed them out into the hall and heard the sounds of the church organ. She watched as Rachel waited in front of the closed door for her cue to start down the aisle. Suddenly, the door behind Sara opened and a woman stumbled through. Her umbrella was damp and Sara realized it had begun to rain.

  “Oh, dear, I’m late.” The woman sent an apologetic look to Sara. “I’m sorry, dear. I don’t mean to be rude.”

  “That’s all right,” Sara soothed. “This weather could make anyone late.”

  The woman smiled and came closer. “Don’t worry. I won’t ruin your grand entrance. I’ll stay out here until you join your young man at the front of the church.” She patted Sara’s hand. “You don’t know me, I’m sure. My name is Eloise Canter. I’m a member of your mother’s bridge club.”

  Sara smiled. “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Canter. It’s very nice of you to come to my wedding.”

  “I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time, Sara.”

  Sara frowned. “Why is that?”

  “Your mother has a painting you did of the gazebo in Solomon Park hanging in her solarium.”

  Sara thought for a moment. “Yes, I remember that picture. I didn’t realize mother framed it.”

  “Yes, she did, and it’s quite beautiful. It brought back such wonderful memories for me.” Her eyes got a faraway look. “My Daniel proposed to me in that gazebo.” She gazed off longingly for a moment and then turned her attention back to Sara. “I’ve always wanted to tell you how much I loved that picture.” She patted Sara’s hand again. “You are a truly, gifted artist, Sara. I hope you realize what a gift you have and use it to make yourself and others happy.”

  “It’s time, Miss Sara.” The wedding coordinator motioned her forward to stand in front of the double doors. She heard the beginning strands of Mendelssohn’s Wedding March and the doors opened.

  Sara took a deep breath and took her first step onto the red carpet. She glanced to the side and encountered the sad, green eyes of Elias Jacobs. Her heart felt lighter the minute their gazes met. She nodded slightly and took another step.

  You’re truly a gifted artist, Eloise Canter had said. Use it to make others and yourself happy.

  Sara could hear Eloise’s voice in her head as clearly as if she stood before her. She swallowed hard and took another couple of steps.

  I’m leaving you my magic so you’ll have the ability to create your own happiness, Sarafina. You can make your innermost desires a reality. Trust in your heart and don’t be afraid to go after your dreams. Anything you can imagine is possible. Reach for your dreams, Sarafina. The magic is in your gift.

  She blinked back her tears when her grandmother’s voice echoed through her mind. She’d missed their connection.

  Sara stared at Bart standing at the front of the church. Closer and closer, she came to tying their lives together. His smiled appeared strained and uncomfortable as she joined him in front of the minister.

  Sara let her thoughts slip to back to the island for the first time in days. She could see the sailboat and dolphins in the distance after she painted the scene from her bedroom balcony.

  You’re such a gifted artist.

  The magic is in your gift.

  Over and over, the voices drowned out the words of the marriage ceremony. Then the voice she’d longed for each night whispered in her ear.

  You must send for me, Sarafina. Find the magic and call for me and we can spend an eternity together.

  Her fingers grew slack and her bouquet slid silently to the floor. She turned to Bart and smiled. “It’s my painting,” she cried. She turned and stared down the aisle, searching for twinkling green eyes.

  Chapter 9

  Elias stood in the center of the aisle, a broad smile decorating his face. He held his hand out slowly toward Sara. Blindly, she started toward her friend only to be stopped by Bart’s firm grip on her arm.

  “What the hell are you doing, Sara?” he demanded to know.

  She yanked her arm free and glared up into his face. “I can’t do this. The magic is in me and I can make my dreams come true.”

  Bart stepped back as if she carried some type of contagion. He shook his head slowly. “You’re as crazy as your mother.”

  Sara laughed and ran toward the doors. “It’s my painting, Elias.”

  “Sara, come back here,” Gwen yelled.

  Sara turned and saw Rachel grab her mother’s arm to prevent her from chasing after the bride. She turned and gave Elias a beseeching look. “I’ve got to get back to the island. Will you help me?” she begged.

  Elias’s smile got bigger as he grabbed her arm and hustled her out of the church. There was a long limousine waiting out front. When Sara and Elias came down the sidewalk, the driver jumped out and opened the door. As Elias helped her into the back seat, she heard her name screamed out. She turned and saw her mother on the church steps.

  “Sarafina Danner, don’t you dare embarrass me this way. Get back here right now,” Gwen demanded.

  Sara shook her head sadly and slid into the plush leather seat with Elias right behind her. “Go,” he yelled at the driver. In just moments, they were speeding along the interstate.

  Sara looked around the car and frowned. “Who does this belong to? This isn’t the limo I ordered for my wedding.”

  Elias shrugged. “I’d hoped you would come to your senses and I wanted to be prepared if you did.”

  Sara looked at him for a moment, threw back her head and laughed. After a few moments, she wiped the tears from her eyes and sighed. “I need to book a flight and get back to the island, Elias. I know what I have to do now.”

  He smiled and patted her hand. “I’ve got a plane waiting, Miss Sara. There are clothes on board so you can get out of this wedding finery.”

  Sara studied him carefully. “You have a plane waiting?”

  He grinned. “Did I forget to mention I’m not just the captain of the Magic Dreams?”

  Forty-five minutes later, Sara let him lead her onto a private jet. She’s stopped trying to make sense of anything after finding out that Elias wasn’t a poor sea captain. He ushered her into a seat and helped her fasten her belt.

  “I know you probably want to get out of this dress, but the pilot says we can take off right away if we hurry. I’ll give you some clothes once we’re at cruising altitude.” He reached inside his coat pocket and pulled out an envelope. “I found this on the floor in your room after you left. I figured you must have dropped it.”

  Sara glanced down. “That’s Grandmother’s letter.” She reached out a shaky hand and grasped the envelope. She raised her tear-filled eyes to Elias’s face. “Thank you, Elias.”

  He frowned. “For what?”

  She let out a shaky breath and smiled. “For saving me.”

  He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “Anytime, darling.” He started to walk away.

  “Where are you going?” she asked.

  “I’m going to give y
ou some privacy to read your letter. I’ll be up front with the pilot and I’ll come back when it’s safe for you to get up and change clothes.”

  Sara swallowed hard and tore open the envelope. With trembling hands, she pulled out a single sheet of paper.

  My dearest, Sarafina. You’ll never know how much I loved you and wanted to be a part of your life. I should have fought your mother harder, but at the time, I thought it was for the best that I let her have her way. I always put your mother’s happiness before anyone else in my life.

  Don’t make the same mistakes I did, Sarafina. Trust your heart to find happiness and let the magic make everything possible. I foolishly put the happiness of other’s before my own true love’s wishes. My selfishness doomed him and me to a lifetime of sadness and fleeting moments. Know that I always loved you, child, and my spirit will be with you forever.

  Sara thought back to all the paintings she’d found of Karl in her grandmother’s locked box. Her grandmother had kept her love alive over the years with those paintings. Each one represented a different period in his life. She’d kept Karl alive here, in her world on her terms. Karl told me he always wished she would visit his home. Meloir had said the same thing. Sara took a deep breath and relaxed back into her seat. I know what I have to do.

  Twenty-eight hours later, Sara wearily climbed the steps to her grandmother’s house. Excitement and anticipation had kept her awake on the plane and now she was running on pure adrenalin. As much as she wanted to move forward, she knew she needed to sleep.

  “Do you want me to stay here with you, Sara?” Elias asked. He’d carried a small bag packed with clothes her size from the boat.

  Sara smiled. “You’re welcome to stay if you want to, Elias, but you don’t have to. I’m going to get something to drink and then head to bed. I figure I’m probably going to sleep the next ten or twelve hours away.” She started toward the kitchen. “Do you want anything?” She chuckled. Of course, I have no idea what there is to offer. Did you clean out everything after we left?”