by Ciara Knight
“I’m good with that. It’ll give us time to talk in the car.” Anna followed him to the other lot. Liam opened the door with his normal gentlemanly composure, but this time his smile slipped.
She fiddled with the vents for the heater, trying to muster some courage, while he backed out of the parking space. “Liam, I—”
“All this makes no sense. When my uncle told me about you and your mother arriving in Riverbend, he was ecstatic, like a little kid on his first trip to Disney World. I’d never seen him like that before. When you lived here, we went on picnics and ice skating and to movies. It was as if we were a family.”
“You don’t think we’re related somehow, do you?” Anna blurted, the thought too impossible to face.
He chuckled, a loud stress-relieving laugh that filled the car. “No. I know for a fact I have no siblings. My parents died when I was seven. My uncle never married and I don’t think he would’ve encouraged our dating if that were the case.”
Anna let go of her death grip on her purse. “Whew. That’s good news. I’m not the Jerry Springer type.”
Liam turned west away from campus, instead of toward the river.
“Where are we going?” Anna asked.
“To find answers. I know that’s the only way you’ll ever let go of the past and face your future.”
He knew, somehow he always knew what she was thinking. Even when they were kids. “Do you remember when I planned to run away?”
“Do I? I had to chase you for five blocks.” Liam maneuvered around the round-a-bout, leaving university property, then headed down toward the industrial park.
“You were always so observant,” Anna said. “Did you ever notice anything about your uncle’s behavior those last few weeks before we left?”
“No, but I’m afraid my uncle was right about one thing. When you were around, I couldn’t focus on anything else.”
Her chest heated at his confession. “My mother said the same thing about me.” She reached out and took his hand, holding it in the hope of soothing his pain. “I know your uncle adored you. Something happened that caused my mother and your uncle to change.” She held up the sheets of charred paper. “I think this confirms my suspicions, but all it does is show that something happened, but no evidence of what. Liam, what if something terrible happened? And there was that conversation I overheard the night before we left. You don’t think there was an accident or something they covered up?”
Liam turned the wheel with one hand and guided them into a parking space in front of Historic Hall. “My uncle involved in a cover up? Mr. By-the-Book? Doubt it.”
Anna eyed the storefront. “Then what happened?”
Liam didn’t say a word. He just opened his door then walked around to open Anna’s. “Let’s go see if we can figure anything else out.”
After retrieving the hidden key, they walked into the large open storefront as if looking at every speck of dirt under a magnifying glass.
She stepped on boards and studied walls, looking for a trap door into another world, a world with answers. She picked up the receiver of a long-ago disconnected old yellow corded phone. “Geesh, this is ancient.” Her mind slipped back, as if her touch connected with her previous life. The phone slipped from her fingers and hit the floor.
Liam raced to her side. “What is it?”
“Earlier, I remembered my mom burning those letters in her fireplace. That’s how I found them. I remembered more now. The phone. My mother took a call. I only heard muffled conversations, but I remember sitting at the top of the stairs and trying to listen in on what she said. I was so desperate. She’d said we were leaving in a week? Remember that?”
“Yes, of course.” Liam rubbed her back in small circles, soothing her. “But then you were gone.”
“Yes, that night we left. She took a phone call and I heard her say something like I know what you did, and, You’re a murderer.”
“Who was she speaking to?”
Anna shook her head. “I’m not sure, but I think it was your uncle. That’s the only person she ever really spoke to on the phone. For some reason, she remained alone most of her life. Now that I think about it, it was strange how she never had any friends.” Anna clutched his forearms to hold herself up on her trembling knees. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe we shouldn’t look any further. If only my mother would tell me the truth. Perhaps if I confront her with this news, she’ll finally tell me what happened. Or maybe you can track down your uncle.”
The way his eyebrows knotted and his lips pressed together told her Liam had no desire to ever speak to his uncle again. “I don’t know where to find him. And with all this new information, I’m not sorry I told him I never wanted to see him again. He wanted to control my inheritance as a way to keep me in line. The moment I could stand on my own two feet, I knew I needed my own life.”
Anna stroked his cheek, feeling the light stubble on his firm jaw line. “I understand. I guess that leaves my mother and this place.”
Liam stepped away from her for the first time. Ever. His pulling away from her was like a vice grip on her heart. Then he faced her with the most intense gaze she’d ever seen on him. Tears pooled at the corner of her eyes at the thought of losing him, but she wasn’t being fair. She knew that. He deserved better. His face softened and he lifted a hand toward her.
She swiped the tears from her eyes. “The dust is getting to me. Let’s get some air.” The boards creaked under her feet as she stomped up the stairs to the second floor. The cold rungs of the ladder to the roof were slick, but she managed to wedge herself against the wall and shove the trap door open then climbed up onto the roof. After a few breaths of fresh air, she was able to compose herself. To stay focused on the truth and not on her feelings. To face reality and not run away, like her mother did. To finally either accept or free them both from this hold they had on one another.
After another long breath, she turned to find Liam only a step behind her. He swooped her into his arms, his lips pressing to hers. The world tilted like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, then rocketed toward the sky at the speed of light, swishing, turning, careening out of control. Floating, weightless in the blissful air of a dream. No reality. Just Liam. Liam kissing her.
Chapter Fourteen
The chilly winter air heated around Liam. He’d waited for days, months, years to have Anna in his life again. He swore patience and understanding, but he failed. Failed to control his desire. But how could something wrong bring such joy to his life?
He held tight and she responded with passion and love. The world faded away and all he heard was the thrashing of his heart, and the feel of hers against his chest. If only he could indulge for a lifetime, but if he wanted to ensure she wouldn’t be gone tomorrow, he had to let her go.
He broke their kiss, despite every neuron in his body firing its complaint. Her eyes blazed, her face flushed, her beauty surpassing any Renaissance painting he’d ever admired or taught about. She was and always would be perfection.
They stood panting in one another’s arms. Anna tilted her head to one side. “What’s wrong? I thought…” She moved from him to the edge of the roof.
He quickly moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her middle, clutching his hands in front to lock her to him. “You thought right. I’m sorry. You just took my breath and words away. That was amazing.”
“I thought so, too.” Anna rested her head back on his shoulder. “Look toward the river. On a clear day, you can see it from here. It’s beautiful. I remember how we used to sneak out there. I’d pick wildflowers and bring them home to Mother.”
“It's beautiful up here. I hope someday this area will be restored.” He braced himself at the thought. He needed to tell her to enjoy the view now since it would be gone soon.
She twisted away and with a playful grin winked. “Follow me.”
With a half-skip, she raced back to the trapdoor and down the ladder. He stole one more look at the river and the roof where they’
d spent so much time. Where they’d had their first kiss, and possibly their last.
He shuffled down the ladder and found Anna on the first floor, spinning around in front of the large display windows. “I think you’re right. This could be amazing. Imagine samples along this wall.” She twirled the other direction. Since when did Anna twirl? “Over here I’ll have rows of accessories, and back here I’ll have fabric in a spectrum of colors. And you’re right. This would make an excellent space for a platform.” She smiled, a smile full of life and happiness.
“Anna, I need to tell you something.”
A car honked outside and he hurried to the windows to find Dalton’s car. With everything going on, he’d forgotten about asking him to check out the place for renovations.
“Who’s that?” Anna asked, peering out the window.
“That’s Dalton.”
“Your restoration guy?” Anna flung herself into his arms and planted a kiss on his cheek. “You’re amazing, Liam Harrow. How did I survive all these years without you? I mean, I’m still not sure how I’ll continue my company while I set up shop here, but I’ve always been a workaholic.”
The front door swung open and Dalton offered his hand. “Hey, man. I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”
Liam took his hand. “I didn’t know the timing. It’s been a crazy day. We actually need to head out and grab some food so we can take it to Mitch, Cynthia and Andrew.”
“Okay, I’ll just take a quick look and give you an idea.” Dalton flipped open a notebook and walked on by before Liam could stop him. He didn’t want to waste his time, but there was really no harm in hearing what he had to say. Maybe he could take it back to the board.
Anna followed Dalton around the storefront like a little, lost orphan. “Oh, and there's an upstairs with two bedrooms and a bath this way.”
Liam followed them both up to the second floor and stood by, watching Dalton look in the attic, kick walls and peel back boards with water damage. After an investigation of some pipes in the bathroom, he headed to the crawl space under the building. Anna stood nearby, biting her bottom lip. What had he done? He’d talked her into this idea and now he’d have to tell her it was gone. Certainly they could find another space to open, but he knew deep inside she loved this place. She’d said it was the last place she ever felt happy.
“Okay, well, I got a good look around,” Dalton announced as he crawled back out from under the building. “Of course, with old buildings you could always have some unexpected things come up. The pipes are copper so they should be solid, as long as you don’t want to reroute anything or move stuff around. The kitchen's a gut job, of course, and I’m suspecting you need all new wiring. As far as the foundation goes, it looks solid. I did see some updates had been done to it. It appears some asbestos was removed at some point, so that’s good. So overall, it’s mostly superficial work, minus the wiring. Costs can range, though, depending on the amount of restoration and what kind of rebuild you’re hoping for on the plasterwork, tiles, hardwood, etcetera.”
Anna clapped her hands together. “That’s great news. Can you write up an estimate on what it would cost to repair this old place, keeping as much of the original charm as possible?”
Liam opened his mouth to stop this, but Dalton cut him off.
“Sure. I’ll have something for you tomorrow.” Dalton headed for the door. “I’ll let you two get over to Mitch’s. Send Sara’s and my respects. Hopefully we’ll see all of you at the wedding. There is still a wedding, right?”
“Yes, they are still planning on going through with it. Honestly, after their first wedding being flooded, I’m not sure they can take another set back. Liam and I are on it, though. We’ll make sure this wedding happens,” Anna said, her voice almost bubbling with excitement.
“That’s great of you, two Okay, I’m off.” Dalton tipped his cap at them both.
“Thanks so much.” Anna walked him to the door. Liam needed to talk to her and tell her the truth. Then he’d call Dalton and explain what happened before he worked on an estimate.
Anna closed the door and rested her head against the glass.
Liam took in a deep breath and prepared himself for the disappointment he knew he would cause her with his next words.
“I’ll stay,” she whispered, her voice vibrating.
Air shot from his lungs as if someone had sucker-punched him. Liam spun her around and clutched her face. “What did you say?”
“I’m going to buy this place and try to fix it up while we figure things out. I can’t keep one foot away and the other in Riverbend. It’s time for me to claim what I want. That’ll take the pressure off us both and allow us time to get to know each other again. To know who we are now and stop holding onto our childhood memories and fantasies.”
Liam gulped down the rise of stinging truth. He had to tell her that this place would be gone. That if the university wanted it, she couldn’t afford to battle with them over it.
He raked his hand through his hair. How could this have happened? Everything he’d ever wanted, Anna, a life in Riverbend with her by his side, would vanish in the night once again.
“What is it? Do you not want me to stay?” Anna straightened to her modelesque pose.
“No. I mean, yes, I want you to stay more than anything,” Liam confessed, his inner voice screaming for him to tell the truth. She’d been lied to enough. But when her lips pressed to his, the words vanished.
Chapter Fifteen
“You can’t cancel the wedding!” Andrew said, his voice raising in a prepubescent squawk.
Anna lowered into an armchair across from Cynthia and Andrew, careful not to spill the warm cup of tea in her hands. “I agree with Andrew. There’s no reason for you to cancel. I’m going to pick up your dress in the morning then I’ll meet you at the tea shop for your bridal shower after you’re done at Andrew’s appointment.”
Cynthia placed a protective hand on Andrew’s head. “I’m not leaving Andy tomorrow.”
“Yes, you are.” Mitchem entered the room, his normal put-together look replaced by dark circles around his eyes and a rumpled shirt. “I’ll be here with him all day.”
“I know, but I don’t want to leave. Not right now.”
“Wait.” Andrew held up his good hand. “I don’t want a smother mother.”
“A what?” Cynthia drew back, her eyebrows raised.
Liam held a knuckle to his mouth to stifle his laughter, and Anna turned her head away to hide her own smile.
“You always push me to work hard and do better, to be my own person. That’s part of the reason I wanted you as my mother so bad. That and you make Dad happy. I got hurt, but now I’m going to get better. Please don’t cancel the wedding, not because I did something wrong.” Tears pooled in the edge of his eyes.
Anna wanted to reach out and hug him. Perhaps she did have some dormant maternal instincts.
Cynthia took his good hand in hers. “What are you talking about?”
Andrew bowed his head, his shoulders rising and falling twice. “I went in the old barn ’cause of a dare. I knew it wasn’t safe, but I couldn’t let Bully Billy embarrass me in front of Kenzie and the entire school. I didn’t have a choice.” He took a stuttered breath. “The roof collapsed because I had to pull a board from the frame.” His chin touched his chest.
“Andy,” Cynthia gasped.
Mitchem rounded the couch and crossed his arms over his chest. “Why would you do that? We’ve spoken about good choices and how you never do things you know are wrong just to look like a big shot.”
Liam clutched his coffee mug with one hand and held up the other. “I think Andrew feels bad enough about what happened. You’ve learned your lesson, right?”
Andrew nodded with a sniffle. “Yeah.”
Cynthia cradled him to her side. “I think Liam’s right. He’s definitely learned his lesson.”
The weight of that comment filled the room and Mitchem sat on the coffee table, placing
both his hands on Andrew’s knees. “I agree. You won’t be punished this time. I think you’ve been punished enough.”
Andrew sniffled and Anna took a sip of her tea, the warm cinnamon and spice soothing her nerves.
Andrew sat up and wiped his nose with his sleeve. “You see, you have to go to the bridal shower and get married. If not, it’ll be all my fault.”
“Oh, hon. Don’t think that,” Cynthia said in a soothing tone.
Liam cleared his throat. “I think we’ve got some planning to do if we’re gonna have some guys over tomorrow. Right, junior best man?”
Andrew shifted to face Liam and high-fived him. “Yes, sir.”
Mitchem stood. “Okay, then it’s settled. Now let’s get you up to bed. I’ll even let you watch a movie while you rest.”
Mitchem kissed Cynthia on the forehead, and Anna could almost feel the love he had for her. He’d come such a long way opening his heart after his wife died. It was a miracle to watch them together now. “You stay and chat with Anna, Liam and I will take Andrew upstairs.”
“Will you come read our book later?” Andrew asked.
“Of course, we are on the most exciting part. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.” Cynthia smiled, a motherly smile. She’d mastered the art of parenthood quickly. It seemed wrong she couldn’t have children of her own, but God knew what he was doing bringing them together.
Liam didn’t look at Anna, he hadn’t looked at her since they left Historic Hall. She waited for them to climb the stairs then joined Cynthia on the couch. “How are you holding up?”
Cynthia relaxed back into the couch. “I’m much better, thank you for everything. Listen, how did it go with Liam?”
“This week is about you—”
“No, please. I want to talk about anything but me right now. I’m too nervous to talk about the wedding, and I’m too tired to talk about Andrew. I long for a distraction. Now, tell me how things are between you. Did you make any decisions? Did you talk to your mother?”