by Ciara Knight
Cynthia dropped her hand to her hip. “It’s his hand. They’re going to have to operate. He’s beside himself, worrying about his ability to continue playing the violin. And oh, he’s so good now. I know he’s only in grade school, but we’re talking scholarship-good someday.”
Liam moved to Cynthia, leaving a cold void at Anna’s side. “Listen, he’s alive, and suffered no major life-altering injury. This is a good thing. I’ve known Andrew since he was born and that kid will beat the odds to play the violin again. He stood strong for his father when his mother passed away. He found you, and pushed you and Mitchem together before you even realized you were in love. He’ll find another gift to wow the world with if his hand can never play again. But have faith because if there is a way for him to play again, he will.”
Cynthia’s chin trembled.
“Now, you get in there and keep your chin up and that beautiful smile of yours on, because everything is going to be fine.”
Anna wanted to hug Liam for being so amazing, for soothing Cynthia into remaining calm. But she couldn’t. Not anymore.
Cynthia took in a long, deep breath. “You’re right. That soon-to-be son of mine is the most amazing kid I’ve ever known.” With a quick about-face, she busted through the double doors with renewed energy.
“You could smooth talk a special ops veteran into wearing a tu-tu,” Anna said with mock awe.
Liam threw up his arms. “I can’t win.”
She snagged his sleeve and stopped him by her side. “For once, I got to see that power of yours working for good. Thank you. I didn’t have a clue on how to make Cynthia feel better. Yet, in a matter of seconds, you pieced her back together. I wish I had that gift. I’m afraid I’m not great with people.”
Liam rested his shoulder against hers, his head dipping to the side and brandishing that James Dean crooked eyebrow lift he'd already perfected as a teenager. “You? Not good with people? You’re joking, right?”
She forced her shoulders to remain in place and tilted her head, batting her long Marilyn Monroe lashes at him. “I’m good at getting what I want, when I want and how I want it.”
“I have no doubt,” Liam smirked, a trademark expression of his.
Too tired to play, or battle, with Liam any further, she shuffled to the double doors and peered through the rectangle slat windows. “I’m just not good at being there for people I care about. I never have been. When my mother…” Her body felt the weight of failure and disappointment, pulling her into a slump. She faced the wall and rested her head to the cool brick.
Hands, Liam’s strong hands rested on each of her shoulders. “Tell me.”
She thought about the way they used to tell each other anything and everything. He was her best friend, confidant, a part of her. “I could tell the sixteen-year-old Liam, but I can’t talk to this Liam. Not this grown-up, moved on Liam Harrow.”
Liam squeezed, his fingers placing just enough pressure to relax her shoulders that had crept up near her ears. “Grown-up? I thought you accused me of having never grown up. Which is it?” he said, his tone light and playful.
With a twirl, she planned to perfectly execute a comeback of epic proportions, but instead found herself in his arms. He took a half step forward and clasped his hands behind her neck. The overhead speaker squealed before some woman spoke, her voice sounding like the teacher from old Charlie Brown cartoons. The sounds of the hospital broke through as bells rang, a gurney wheel squealed, and a moan sounded, but it all seemed so far away. “Liam.”
He remained still, his gaze penetrating hers as if he were trying to look deep into her thoughts and touch her soul. Each breath came in short bursts. ¬¬¬¬
“Why won’t you tell me what happened after you left? I wrote to you. I did everything I could to find you, but then you stopped writing. If you found someone else and moved on with your life, then fine. If so, why are you back now? You’ve been here on and off for the last year, so don’t tell me you’re only here for Cynthia and Mitchem’s wedding. You come home and light up this town, then disappear in the night.”
“Don't be dramatic. I have a career that keeps me traveling all over the world. When I return to Riverbend, it’s to see Cynthia.”
“I see.” Liam backed away, his hands sliding off her shoulders and returning to his sides.
Why couldn’t she feel this connection with anyone else? Lord knew she’d tried. No sheik, prince, or diplomat had made her heart beat this fast. Maybe a little flutter on occasion, but never Liam fast.
The doors swung open once more and Cynthia stepped out with scrubs on. “Are you going to be in the room with Andrew during surgery?” Anna screeched a little louder than intended.
Cynthia’s forehead scrunched in confusion until she followed Anna’s gaze to look down at her front. “Oh, this. No, I spilled coffee down the front of my shirt so they lent this to me. Listen, his surgery is scheduled for one o’clock. James Benjamin from Creekside called in a few favors and they’re bringing in the best pediatric hand specialist available, who also happens to be a violinist.”
Anna snagged Cynthia’s trembling hands. “That’s great news. See? Everyone’s on board to help Andrew. He’s an amazing kid. Listen, why don’t we take you home to shower and get some rest then you can—”
“I’m not leaving. Mitchem isn’t leaving either. Andrew’s awake now. He’s scared and needs us right now.”
Anna squeezed her hands. “Okay. I’ll have Liam take me home, and I’ll go pick up your clothes and get some for Mitchem, too.”
Cynthia glanced at Liam then back at Anna. “You don’t have to do that.”
“Please, I’m going insane out here. I need to do something to help.” Not to mention it would get her away from Liam, away from all the confusing thoughts and the hope that he brought with him.
“I’ll do one better,” Liam said. “I’ll drive Anna home so she can shower then I’ll do the same, and we’ll both bring clothes back for you, along with some of Andrew’s favorite things.”
Anna wanted to argue that it wouldn’t be a good idea. Any idea that involved her and Liam together wasn’t good. But the smile on Cynthia’s face stole her resolve. Great. Needing a minute, and a place to think about how to get away from Liam, she said, “Sounds good. I’ll be right back. I’m gonna go to the powder room first.” Anna released Cynthia’s hands and focused on putting one foot in front of the other as she tried to figure out a plausible reason of why his idea wouldn’t work. But as always, Liam stole her thoughts from her head, her will, and her heart.
Chapter Four
A woman’s voice called some kind of code through the speaker overhead. Cynthia stiffened, but Liam took her elbow and led her to the waiting room chairs. “It’s okay. That was for the Obstetrics floor. Here, take a seat for a moment. You need a break.”
She nodded and sank into a chair. Liam took her hands and rubbed them in the hope of comforting her. “You’re doing great. I know Mitchem would be going nuts without you by his side. Thank you for being such an amazing woman.”
“I don’t know how amazing I am. I feel like I’m going to fall apart at any moment.”
Liam chuckled. “You fall apart? I doubt that. You, next to Anna, are the strongest person I know. It’s part of why I hired you as an interim professor for my arts and humanities program.”
Cynthia squeezed his hands. “I hope you’re right. Oh, and the fact your best friend is marrying me had nothing to do with it.”
He was happy to see a hint of her normal playful personality, but it quickly faded and she sat for a few seconds until she sighed. “Anna is strong, but fragile all at the same time. I’ve been sworn to secrecy, and I might ruin my friendship with her if you tell her I told you this, but I’d rather lose a friend if it means she finds happiness.”
Liam scooted closer, his pulse racing and his palms sweating. “If you feel it’s something I should know, then tell me. I can keep a secret.”
Cynthia wet her lips and
squared her shoulders. “She came after you.”
Liam leaned back, his mind searching the past. Finally, he shook his head. “You’re mistaken. I searched for her, I wrote to her. She’s the one who stopped responding and disappeared on me.”
“No. Your letters stopped coming. From what I understand, when they left Riverbend, her mother fell into some sort of deep depression. Anna cared for her, did all the chores, fed her, clothed her. Her mother was nearly comatose, but Anna did her best.”
“She never told me. I thought she was happy out west.”
Cynthia nervously eyed the hallway in the direction Anna had gone. “No, not at all. But one day, she came home and their bags were packed once more. Her mother said it was time to go, so they moved. She wrote to you the minute they arrived in Arizona, but you never wrote her back. Anna was so pleased when her mother was finally out of bed and had started working again that she never dared rock the boat until she graduated high school.”
A door clicked down the hall and Cynthia stiffened. “Every time Anna mentioned returning to Riverbend, her mother would have another episode. Anna didn’t want to risk losing her mother again, so she and I decided to spin a story so she could get away for a while. Anna told her mother we were going on a girls’ long weekend ski trip. It was around Christmas time, so her mother wasn’t too suspicious. We drove all the way to Tennessee without stopping. She found your uncle, but he said you had gone away to college and moved on with your life. She left a letter with him, but still didn’t give up. We found out from Cathy West that you went away to the University of Tennessee, so we drove there and searched the campus. At the last moment, when we knew it was hopeless to find you in such a huge crowd of students, we spotted you walking out of a building.”
“Then why didn’t she come talk to me, tell me she was back. I’d waited for her in Riverbend until my uncle sold our building and kicked me to the curb.”
“We couldn’t. Your mouth was busy. You were in a lip-lock with some girl, your arm around her. Happy. You’d moved on with your life.”
Liam searched his wayward college memory bank and settled on that Christmas. He couldn’t even remember the girl’s name. He’d buried himself in superficial romances in hopes of forgetting Anna, but it never worked. “I—”
“Shh. She’s coming back. Do with this information what you will, but don’t hurt Anna. If you don’t want to be with her, despite what Mitchem’s told me, then keep this to yourself and let her leave Riverbend. If you do care, then show her.”
“Is everything okay? Is Andrew okay?” Anxiety riddled Anna’s words.
Cynthia stood with a forced smile. “Yes, I was just leaning on Liam a little before I returned to Mitchem. He’s convinced me I’m strong enough to handle whatever happens.” She patted Liam’s shoulder. “Thanks for the pep talk. I better get back inside. I’ll see you both soon.”
Liam only nodded, his mind spinning out of control at the possibility of a misunderstanding having kept them apart all these years. He had a thousand questions, but one glance at Anna and he knew he had to seal his mouth until he figured out a plan to deal with all this. He had to get her talking about the past and weed through the details until he could explain how he truly felt about her and what she saw that day.
“What is it? Are you two keeping something from me?” Anna asked.
Liam bolted up. “I, um…no, of course not.”
“What’s wrong with Andrew? Tell me,” Anna said, her voice wavering with emotion.
Liam settled behind his wall of sophistication and flattery. “Nothing. Trust me, if there was she’d be the first to tell you. You’re her go-to girl.”
Anna bit her bottom lip, tinging the pink with a hint of raspberry.
He remembered those lips, full and sweet. He shook his head and gathered his thoughts. “Okay, let’s get going. We need to bring them some supplies before Andrew heads into surgery.” Liam snagged her coat from the back of the chair and held it up for her to slide her arms into the sleeves.
“I think you should drop me at home. That way I can shower and get clothes and stuff from Cynthia’s place, while you go home to shower and retrieve Mitchem’s clothes. It’ll be quicker that way,” Anna said. She buttoned her coat and headed out the front door without waiting for a reply.
Liam followed and ran into the back of her. “Woah.” He clutched her arms to keep her from tumbling forward. White covered the ground, trees, everything.
“When did it snow?”
Liam eyed the covered cars and bushes. “I didn’t know we were expecting any. Good thing I parked in the garage. Why don’t I get the car and bring it around to you?”
Anna lifted her chin. “I’m fine. I’ll walk.” She took two steps and her feet flew out in front of her. Liam grabbed hold of her around the waist and they both plummeted to the icy, hard ground.
A sharp pain radiated from Liam’s leg, but he kept hold of Anna. “You all right?”
Laughter. Sweet, deep stress-relieving laughter filled the silent morning. Anna’s chest shook in his arms with each outburst. Liam couldn’t help but laugh, too, at the both of them tangled together on the front walk of the hospital parking lot.
“Okay, maybe I’ll let you get the car. These shoes aren’t made for walking on ice,” Anna said in between laughs.
Liam pulled her closer and tried to maneuver his legs under him. “I don’t think mine are made for this either. Two bad marks for current fashion. I think I’m going for practical for the rest of today.” He hoisted Anna to her feet and managed to prop her against the wall.
“I’m with you. I don’t think I have to worry about any fashion photographers being here to post my picture in the tabloids on a day like this.”
Liam brushed off his backside and coat sleeves. “It’s gotta be hard always being in the public eye.”
“Sometimes.” Anna’s lips drooped at the corners, causing Liam’s heart to stutter. He never liked seeing her unhappy.
“That doesn’t sound like fun.”
Anna’s teeth chattered and her hands shook. “Life isn’t supposed to be fun.”
Did she seriously believe that? “Let’s resume this conversation in my car. Wait inside until I pull the car around. Let’s get you out of these wet clothes and warmed up.”
Anna sucked in a quick breath.
He moved so close, their noses touched. “I meant so that you wouldn’t be cold anymore.”
She didn’t say anything, but her pupils widened with an ocean of possibilities.
He slipped from her, and left her thoughts firmly where he wanted them while he half-skated, half-walked to the parking garage, up the stairs and to his car. The garage was surprisingly quiet, especially for a hospital. It had to be the snow. It blocked the distant noises and left the world in peace. With the heat cranked to high, and her seat warmer turned on, he headed down the ramp.
There had to be a way to keep them together, a way to bring up the past and talk about what happened between them without throwing Cynthia under the proverbial bus. What could he do to initiate…
The house.
Anna had reacted so sadly to seeing Historic Hall, the building she’d lived in for over four years. He stopped at the exit from the garage and retrieved his phone from his coat pocket. Flipping through his contacts, he found his realtor, the one who’d helped him with the last three properties he’d invested in around Riverbend. He glanced at the time, but decided he’d done enough business with the man to merit an early call. Besides, he was an old friend.
The phone rang twice before he answered. “Hi there, Liam. Ready to find another investment property, are we?”
“Hi, Robert. I’m not sure. I have a strange request. Do you know who currently owns Historic Hall, the building that was a museum up until a few years back and an antique store before that? My uncle used to own it until around ten years ago. If so, I’d like to get the keys to see inside.”
“I’m sure I can get those and take you o
n a tour.”
Liam slid his credit card from his pocket and hit the window button. “I actually would like to see it alone. I know it’s a strange request, but I knew someone who once lived there, and I wanted to check out what kind of shape the building’s in with her.”
“Oh, okay. I’m sure I can arrange something,” Robert said.
He slid the credit card into the payment machine and waited for the gate to raise in front of him.
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
“I’ll call you in a few hours and let you know.”
“’Kay. Sounds good. Later.” Liam hit the end button on the car’s console screen and headed to the front of the hospital to find Anna.
Her nose was pink and her arms were wrapped around her middle. He wanted to hold her and keep her warm but knew they needed to talk, to work through a decade of confusion and half-truths. He wanted to call his uncle and ask why he'd lied to Anna ten years ago. Why he never told Liam about her visit, despite Liam’s constant moping and wallowing in self-pity. How could the man who raised him keep something so important from him?
He needed answers, and something told him taking Anna to Historic Hall would give him that chance. Now, he just had to figure out how to get Anna there.
Chapter Five
The morning sun rose high in the sky, reflecting silver specks off the mounds of snow piled at the edge of the road. Liam turned onto her street at the outskirts of town near the river. Wind whipped the white dust up and over his car. “I always loved this area. I have a few homes over here I rent to some college students.”
Anna eyed the rooftop of her home, the only part she could see from this angle. It was silly she’d bought a house in Riverbend, but part of her always thought she’d return some day. Of course, it was also a respite from work and press. None of the tabloids visited Riverbend, Tennessee. “I didn’t know you owned real estate.”
Liam hit the button to defog the windshield once again and warm air flooded the car. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”