Primrose Lane

by Debbie Mason

  As he sang the final chorus, everyone whooped and cheered, including George.

  Griffin raised a glass. “About time you finally figured it out. We were gonna give you another week.”

  Finn rested the guitar against the picnic table. “Seriously, you’re trying to tell me you guys knew I was in love with Liv before I did?”

  “Yep, we made a video and e-mailed it to each other,” Liam said, but Liv wasn’t listening to them anymore because Finn had taken her in his arms.

  “You love me,” she said, with maybe the tiniest hint of a question in her voice, but the love and wonder drowned out the doubt.

  “Yeah, I do. Who knows, maybe they’re right, because as much as it feels like I’ve been with you forever, it feels like I’ve been waiting for you that long too. I love you, Liv. Thank you for being patient with me, for not giving up on me.”

  “I couldn’t give up on you even if I wanted to. We should thank George. If it wasn’t for her, we wouldn’t be together, and I’m so happy that we are.”

  “We would have found each other eventually. We were meant to be, Liv.”

  “You’re such a romantic.”

  “I’ll show you just how romantic if we can get Mia to invite George for a sleepover.”

  They barely made it into the house without ripping each other’s clothes off. Finn kicked the door closed, flipped the lock, and then picked Liv up. She wrapped her legs around him. His hands went into her hair. Hers went into his. They both groaned when their lips finally met…and then again when her phone buzzed in her beach bag.

  “You have to get it.”

  It wasn’t a question, but still, she heard the hint of one. “I know,” she said, acknowledging both his frustration and the fact that phones needed to be answered with George at a sleepover.

  The call went to voice mail.

  Finn curved his hand around her neck and drew her close to plant a kiss on her mouth as though to remind her of what was to come. “Call them back, and I’ll take Wolfie out.”

  She nodded, doing her best not to reveal her panic. At the nape of her neck, her hair was standing on end. It was Stanley. A text came in. She swallowed before reading it, preparing herself.

  It might be good news. Celeste and Walter could have given up their bid for custody. They’d refused to go to mediation. Their court date had been set for September. Maybe it had been moved up. She needed to know. She forced herself to look.

  Livy, call me. It’s urgent.

  Finn followed Wolfie back inside, glancing at her as he closed the door behind him. “Everything okay, babe?”

  “Everything’s wonderful.” And if only for tonight, it was going to stay that way.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Finn was upstairs in bed enjoying a leisurely morning with his wife when Wolfie began barking and racing from one end of the main floor to the other. “What the hell? I took him out last night at eleven. He should be able to hold it till”—he looked at his watch—“ten.”

  Rolling off the bed, Finn went to grab his board shorts and T-shirt off the floor. They weren’t there. He got up and walked to the chair where Liv had left them neatly folded. He returned to the bed as he pulled the T-shirt over his head, leaning in to kiss his naked wife. “Don’t move, I’ll be back in five minutes.”

  He planned to take advantage of their kid-free house. “Okay, dog, let’s…,” he began as he reached the bottom of the stairs. Wolfie didn’t race over to him as expected because the dog was barking at something out the front window.

  Finn went over to take a look, and then wished he hadn’t. A silver Audi was parked in front of the house. Stanley was here, and from the looks of it, he wasn’t alone. There was a dark-haired woman in the car.

  Sunday seemed an odd time for a visit from a court-appointed social worker, but they often made them without warning. Though it didn’t explain why Stanley was here…unless it was bad news. Or good, he quickly amended. After last night, the only thing he’d accept was good news.

  He heard Liv coming down the stairs and turned. She’d put on a robe. Glancing from Wolfie to Finn, she bowed her head, her fingers whitening around the wooden railing. “It’s Stanley, isn’t it?”

  She didn’t sound completely surprised. Upset, worried, but not entirely surprised. “You were expecting him?”

  “He was the one who called last night. He texted that he needed to speak to me. He said it was urgent.” She raised her gaze. “I just wanted last night to be perfect. I just wanted to be able to pretend that everything was wonderful for one more night.”

  He walked over and framed her face with his hands, ducking to meet her eyes. “Everything’s going to be okay. We’ve talked about this, remember? We keep fighting until we eventually win.”

  “I love you,” she whispered. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “You’d do the same thing—you’d fight. Only now you don’t have to fight alone. You won’t be alone again, Liv. I’m here for you, always.”

  There was the sound of a door slamming, and then another one. Finn let Liv go. “There’s a woman with Stanley. It might be a court-appointed social worker, so you should probably get dressed,” he said as he walked to the window. “Dammit, Liam’s just pulled up with George. She must have wanted to come home early.”

  “We should have talked to her about this, Finn. Warned her—” Liv began as she ran to the door. They reached it at the same time, opening it to hear George call, “Mama! Mama!”

  Liv looked up at him with a tremulous smile, her eyes swimming in tears. “I didn’t think anyone would call me mama again.”

  He put his arm around her and kissed the top of the head, lifting his hand to greet his brother. But Liam had turned to watch George run to Stanley’s car, hurtling herself into the arms of the dark-haired woman.

  From where she sat with her cheek pressed to her partially open bedroom door, Olivia could hear George’s mother speaking as her melodic, accented voice floated up the stairs from the kitchen where she, George, Finn, and Stanley were gathered.

  Olivia had excused herself only moments before to get dressed. She’d felt like she was going into shock. She’d needed a moment before meeting the woman who’d stolen her husband and now was going to steal the little girl she’d come to love. But just as Olivia had turned blindly to run into the house, George had spotted her and Finn and had dragged her beautiful mother across the front lawn to meet them.

  It was all Olivia could do to remain standing. Without the support of Finn’s arms around her, she would have dropped to her knees. It was her worst nightmare playing out before her. She couldn’t fight George’s mother for custody of her. A brittle laugh escaped from her at the thought. George had a mother, a young, beautiful mother who loved her. She didn’t need Olivia anymore.

  She bowed her head, pressing her fingers to her lips to hold back the sobs that were piling up one after another in her throat. She had to stop thinking about herself and think about George. It must feel like the greatest gift, a miracle, to the little girl. Her mother had returned from the dead. And it wasn’t like Olivia would never see George again.

  At least she hoped George’s mother would allow Olivia to see her. Isabella hadn’t been able to look Olivia in the eyes. She was deferential, almost shy with her. With the men, she’d been outgoing and bubbly. Though it could have been nerves. She appeared slightly malnourished, but other than that, she’d fared well in the hands of her captors. As Olivia had heard from her spot by the door, Isabella didn’t blame the rebels for kidnapping her. She’d spent her time in the remote camp treating their injuries and illnesses. Two weeks ago, she’d saved their leader’s life. In exchange, she was granted her freedom.

  Olivia got up and went into the bathroom to splash cold water on her face.

  There was a knock on her bedroom door. “Livy?”

  “Come in, Stanley.” She quickly wiped her face with a damp cloth before reentering her bedroom.

  Stanl
ey was sitting on the side of her unmade bed. He looked up at her and shook his head and then patted the mattress. He put his arm around her when she sat beside him. “Goddammit, Livy, I’m sorry. I wish I’d never gotten in touch with you that day.”

  “I won’t lie to you. It feels awful and terribly unfair, and that makes me feel horribly selfish. But you were right. I needed her, Stanley. I needed George. And because of her, I found Finn.” She wiped at her eyes. “Do you think Isabella would be open to George visiting us once in a while?”

  He nodded and took her hand. “She didn’t know, Livy. She didn’t know you and Nathan were still married. It was George who pushed for them to get married two years ago. Isabella’s offered to have their marriage annulled. She’ll do whatever you want her to do.”

  “No, I took care of everything the night you told me about Isabella and Georgina, remember? I’d like to give Isabella the town house. In trust for George, of course. If she needs anything—financially, I mean—I’d like to help until she gets on her feet. I’m sure there’ll be an opening for her at Mass General. If not, I can pull—”

  Stanley gently squeezed her hand, his expression pained. “Livy, she’s going back to Kenya. She and George fly out tomorrow morning.”

  “Tomorrow? But that’s so soon. I thought...I thought…Stanley, would you mind giving me a moment? I need to get dressed.”

  It’d taken ten minutes in a hot shower followed by a thirty-minute conversation in her head while blow-drying her hair, putting on her makeup, and donning a white top over a pair of pink capris for Olivia to reach the point where she felt she could talk to George and Isabella without breaking down. She wanted to organize a going-away party for George and hoped Isabella would be open to letting her stay with them one more night. Olivia was giving herself a mental pep talk when Isabella’s lilting voice floated up the stairs.

  “I’m not trying to steal you away from DWB, honest. But the work we’re doing in underserviced communities with HIV and AIDS is groundbreaking, Finn. We’re making a difference. It will be hard for Georgina to leave all of you. She’d be so happy if she thought you would join our team, wouldn’t you, darling?”

  “Why don’t we talk about that later, Isabella? George wants you and Stanley to meet her bunny. She made the maze herself.” The back door opened, and their voices faded.

  Olivia felt sick. Her heart raced, and her legs went weak. She leaned against the wall, slowly lowering herself onto the stairs. She didn’t know how long she’d sat there before Finn appeared.

  He took the stairs two at a time to reach her side. “Hey, sweetheart, hey, it’s going to be okay.”

  The back door squeaked open. “Come see my room. Me and Livy decorated it.”

  George’s voice broke Olivia from her stupor. “I…I have to go. I want to arrange a goodbye party for George. I’m going to talk to…Julia. She’ll help me.” She lurched to her feet.

  “No, Liv, you’re in no shape to drive. Come on, just stay. We’ll talk.” He took her face between his hands, his eyes searching hers. “You promised, remember? You promised to talk to me if you get overwhelmed.”

  George was talking to her mother, their voices coming closer. “I can’t. I can’t talk right now. I can’t breathe. I…I won’t be long.”

  Finn called after her as she ran from the house, her car keys in hand. She couldn’t stay. It was happening all over again. Isabella was taking Finn from her just like she’d taken Nathan. She was young and pretty. She was a doctor who shared his passion, and she had George, a little girl Finn had come to love too. They were all leaving her. Everyone always left her.

  It was like the Range Rover had a mind of its own, and she found herself driving under the stone arch of Greystone Manor. She’d found solace here: a new life, a new love. For a few months, she’d found her happy. And now here she was, devastated, lost, and alone again. She’d come full circle. She hadn’t been looking to start over that long-ago September night. Just like today, she’d been running away.

  Closing the Range Rover’s door, she locked her purse inside. She needed some time to be alone and to think. She wouldn’t let either Finn or George leave without saying goodbye. But goodbyes were devastating, heartbreaking, and she’d need her strength to get through this one.

  She turned at the sound of the waves hitting the rocks at Kismet Cove, reminded of the day George had arrived. The beach had been the little girl’s introduction to Harmony Harbor, the manor, and Finn. She’d feel close to them there. She’d sit on the rocks and watch the waves roll into shore. She’d figure out how to say goodbye and how to go on.

  She took the path down to the beach and found a place nestled between two large boulders where she wouldn’t be obvious to anyone looking out the manor’s windows. The warmth of the rocks and the sun beating down on her head took away the chill that had seeped into her body upon hearing what Isabella said to Finn. Her breathing slowed, taking on the rhythmic ebb and flow of the waves.

  Now that the panic was leaving her, she could think rationally. She should have talked to Finn. She shouldn’t have run out on him like that. On George either. She’d take a few more minutes and go home. She felt the weight of someone’s stare and glanced over her shoulder. There was a woman walking along the path behind her. Olivia recognized her. She’d worked at the manor. Ivy, she thought her name was. She wasn’t sure if she was looking at her or looking out to sea, but Olivia smiled just the same.

  Colleen banged on the window in the tower room. “Olivia, run! Run, Olivia!” she cried. Ivy was right behind her and had picked up a rock. Colleen threw herself against the window in the tower room. “Bejaysus, let me out! Free me from the manor so I can save Olivia, please. If it means I’ll be stuck roaming the grounds of Greystone forevermore, I’m willing to make the sacrifice. Please, Lord.” She squeezed her eyes shut as Ivy brought the rock down on the back of Olivia’s head.

  Colleen was crying, but there were no tears.

  Meow.

  “She’s done what she set out to, Simon. She’s killed her. She’s killed Olivia.”

  There was a thump and then…Meow. Meow.

  “Can’t you see my heart is broken, Simon? I can’t…” He was sitting on the window seat, bumping his head against the glass, trying to get her attention. She prepared herself before leaning out to look. “Where’s she taking her? She must be alive. If Olivia was dead, Ivy’d let the tide take her out to sea. Hurry, Simon. Help me. We need Jasper to get the book.”

  She raced through the manor in search of Jasper. She finally found him polishing the entryway table. “It’s Olivia, lad. She needs us. Jasper!” she shouted, but he didn’t look up, squirting the polish onto the dark wood. She howled her panic and frustration, pushing at the vase of irises.

  “Stop it this instant, Madame,” Jasper said, grabbing the vase and hugging it against his chest.

  “You’re worried about your flowers when Olivia’s life is on the line? You can save her, my boy. But the only way you can is if I can make you understand what’s happening right beneath your nose. You need to read the book. It’s there; the clue is there. In Patty’s story.”

  It was no use. Colleen followed Jasper around for more than an hour and hadn’t been able to get through to him. She was practically hoarse from nattering at him, and what limited ability she had to move things about was even more limited. She was using too much of her energy. She had to conserve it in hopes that Jasper would finally relent. Simon had given up twenty minutes ago, but Colleen couldn’t. She couldn’t give up on Olivia.

  She felt a surge of hope when Finn entered the manor. The lad looked upset. She prayed he was here because he knew something was amiss.

  Colleen followed him into the study.

  “Sophie, have you seen Liv?”

  “No, is she okay? Liam told me about George’s mother showing up. I was going to give Olivia some space before calling to check on her. Is there anything we can do?”

  “Oh, you poor child, Olivia
. I don’t know why some suffer so much and some not at all. And now Ivy has you.”

  “She’s not good, Sophie. I’m worried about her. But she’s here somewhere. Her Range Rover’s in the lot, and her purse is inside.”

  “Maybe she’s in the tower room or went to talk to Lexi or Ava.” Sophie pushed back from her desk and took out her phone. “Call your brothers. I’ll call everyone I know.”

  “She mentioned going to see Julia about helping throw together a goodbye party for George. I called Julia. She says Liv never showed.”

  “I’m happy for George and her mom, but my God, poor Olivia. This has to be devastating for her, Finn.”

  And for Finn. The thought hit Colleen like a ton of bricks and nearly brought her to her knees. Finn had finally come home and found a woman he could love. He’d let her into his heart, and now there was a very good chance he would lose her. And then they’d lose him. This time they’d lose him forever.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Colleen paced behind Jasper in the ballroom. They knew now. They knew Olivia was missing. Finn was beside himself.

  “Sure, I have hundreds of pictures of her, tons of them.” Finn angrily scrolled through his phone, raising it for the detective and Chief Benson to see. “But what does that have to do with anything? You’re wasting time. My wife is missing. Everyone in town knows her. They don’t need a picture.”

  Word had quickly spread, and people from town had gathered at the manor to offer their help in searching for Olivia. Members of the Widows Club were coming through the doors of the ballroom now, along with Olivia’s friends, Julia, and the rest of the business owners on Main Street.

  Aidan, Griffin, and Liam turned at the sound of Finn’s raised voice and moved quickly to his side. Aidan put a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “They’re just doing their job, Finn. We’re going to find her, okay?”