by Ciara Knight
Anna forced her shoulders back and her legs to remain standing, despite the fact she wanted to collapse onto the pale gold, cushy couch nearby. “I believe her that my father was a bad man, and I guess I believe the rest. It explains a lot.”
“Then why did she leave if he was no longer a threat?” Cynthia took the flowers, but clutched Anna’s hand tight.
“I don’t know, and she won’t talk about it. The sound of her voice before she hung up warned me that the rest of whatever she kept secret, was more to protect her than to protect me. Part of me warns not to push any more. I have the answers I need for now.”
“You're a better person than I am.”
Anna brushed the sheer veil behind Cynthia’s shoulders and opened the door. “I think I’m just tired of fighting for answers.”
“Listen, when this wedding is over, we’re gonna talk.”
Anna stomped her foot. “You will not come find me on your wedding night. Besides, you already had to postpone your honeymoon because of Andrew’s injuries. Take the one night at least, for God’s sake. We’ll talk in a couple of days.”
“Fine, but I need you to promise me something.”
Anna grabbed her own bouquet and followed Cynthia from the room. “What’s that?”
“You won’t disappear on me before morning.” Cynthia stopped at the end of the hall and waited for her to answer.
“I can promise that. I’m not my mother. I won’t run in the middle of the night.” Anna took one more look at Cynthia. “You’re more beautiful than any bride I’ve ever seen.”
“Until your day comes.” Cynthia opened the door to the narthex and summoned the bridal coordinator.
She scurried into the hall then back to summon Anna to the doorway of the sanctuary. Stained glass, telling the story of Christ’s life, cast rainbow light around the church with its beautiful wood-carved arches meeting in the center of the ceiling.
Music played and Anna stepped to the beat down the red-carpeted center aisle, admiring the wood pews and nicely dressed guests.
At the midpoint, she spotted Liam at the front, in between Mitchem and Andrew, and thought she’d drop on her knees in front of the altar and pray for strength. Lifting her chin, she trained her eyes on the ornate cross in front of her and managed to reach the marble steps to the altar.
The wedding march hummed through the gigantic pipes at the back of the sanctuary and everyone stood to face Cynthia in all her beauty. When she stepped onto the red carpet, Mitchem blew out a loud breath. “Wow.”
Even in all of Anna’s agony, she smiled at his reaction, enjoying the moment. Cynthia glided down the aisle with no man to walk her. She’d decided she only wanted to focus on the men ahead in her life, rather than the ones she’d lost in the past.
The room remained silent as the march finished and Cynthia reached the altar. All eyes were on the couple. The preacher stood at the front to join them as one. Anna took the bridal bouquet from Cynthia before she took Mitchem’s hand and they walked up the steps to light the candles.
Anna dared a glimpse at Liam, whose gaze was fixed on her. She eyed the grey lines in the marble floor then looked up at the stained glass, wishing for a miracle to heal her heart.
The preacher lifted his hand and prayed. Anna closed her eyes and tried to focus on the words, on this special moment in her friend’s life, but her mind kept drifting away to her own troubles. Her life, her memories, her future.
Liam helped Andrew to the front to present the rings to his father and Cynthia. The boy was a trooper, ready to take on the world despite his bandaged arm.
Whispers in the audience drew her attention to the people below. Everyone seemed mesmerized by the wedding vows of two amazing people. The aroma of candle wax and flowers surrounded them and brightened the already ornate church.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Anna blinked. The ceremony they’d shortened so Andrew only had to stay out of bed for a limited amount of time already ended, and she’d been so lost in her own world she’d missed most of it. She quickly gathered her thoughts and handed Cynthia her bouquet before fluffing her skirts and fixing them in the back for the couple march back down the aisle.
When she stood, Liam offered his arm and she had no choice but to take it. She forced a smile and walked down the aisle, barely able to catch her breath. Her treacherous body responded to the gentle stroke of his hand on her arm.
“You look beautiful,” Liam whispered.
The photographer ushered them outside for group photos. Anna busied herself with Cynthia’s dress, her flowers, her hair, anything to keep her hands and herself away from Liam.
“Okay, I think I got what I need. I want a few more of the groomsmen and then some of the bride and maid of honor.” The photographer ushered Mitchem, Liam and Andrew back inside the church.
“I’ll be right back. I’m gonna powder my nose.” Anna trotted back to the narthex and found the bathroom. Leaning over the sink, she fought to find her breath, forcing the tears to remain behind the flood gate.
The door opened and she stood, pretending to wash her hands.
“You okay in here? They’re getting ready for some more bridal pictures. Cynthia’s looking for you.” Cathy patted her on the back. “Come on, girl. You can get through this. You’re a tough little thing.”
“I’m fine. Let’s go take some pictures.” Anna checked her makeup in the mirror then headed for the door.
“Oh, there’s something Mitchem mentioned I thought you might want to know.”
Anna froze, gripping the handle of the door.
Cathy scooted up behind her. “Liam went to see his uncle to beg for him to sell you Historic Hall instead of selling to the university.”
Anna spun around. “But he hasn’t spoken to his uncle in years. They parted on bad terms. Liam said he’d never speak to him again.”
“Apparently he found the motivation to face him once again. It couldn’t have been easy. Only a man truly in love would tell his uncle that he’d leave Riverbend and never bother him again if he sold Historic Hall to you.”
“What?” Anna screeched.
Cathy popped a hip out. “Yep, Liam offered to leave if you could stay.”
“He can’t do that. This is his home. He loves it here. His godson, his best friend, his job, his whole life is here.”
Cathy checked her hair in the mirror then passed her and reached for the door. “Oh, no worries about the job. From what I hear, the university is gonna be none too happy he went behind their back to secure his uncle’s property. Something about getting tenure if he sealed the deal, or walking papers if he didn’t. Those professor types can be so brutal.”
“He can’t do that.” Anna opened the door.
“If you ask me, that sounds like a man who cares a great deal. ¬¬¬You gonna turn tail and run like your momma? Or you gonna stay and talk to him?”
Anna didn’t know what she wanted, but she knew she didn’t want Liam to lose his job and have to leave his home for her. She raced to where they were taking pictures, but Liam wasn’t there. “Where is he? Where’s Liam?”
Mitchem propped Andrew up against a column and put his arm around him for a picture. “We finished the groomsmen photos, so he drove ahead to the club to make sure everything is set for the reception.”
People flooded into the parking lot, all headed for Riverbend Club. Anna watched Mitchem tuck Cynthia’s dress neatly into the limo then help Andrew into the other side. They looked perfect. A family full of love and companionship.
Can I ever have that? Am I capable of slowing down and facing life here?
A line of brake lights led from the church to the main road. She needed to tell Liam to give up his quest on Historic Hall. It wasn’t for her. After sitting in traffic for several minutes, she double-backed and took side streets around to Riverbend Club on the other side of the river. To her relief, only Liam’s BMW and a few other cars were in the parking
lot.
She entered through the glass doors and took the elevator to the fourth floor where the reception was being held. When the doors opened, Liam stood in the foyer. She’d spent so much time at the wedding avoiding eye contact, she hadn’t noticed how dashing he looked in his tux. A GQ model with a hint of danger and a James Bond-esque air about him.
“Hey.”
Anna stepped toward him. “Hey.”
Liam cleared his throat. “I know you don’t want to talk to me right now, but I have to tell you that you look beautiful. Of course, you always look beautiful.”
“You look good, too.” Anna stumbled over her words, a nervousness taking hold of her thoughts. This was ridiculous. The man didn’t have anywhere else to go. She needed to leave and let him move on with his life. Let him settle down with a nice woman who belonged in Riverbend. “Listen, you need to let Historic Hall go, and I need to get back to real life. It’s been great, but this is a fantasy, nothing more. I’m gonna sell my place, too. No sense in keeping it anymore.”
Liam grabbed her hand and pulled her against him. “Don’t say that. I know you’re mad at me, and you have every right to be, but don’t give up on us. Not yet.”
Dryness coated her throat. She swallowed, trying to sooth the ache running from her mouth to her toes. “I never belonged in Riverbend. It’s always been your home. I was born to travel and move around. Home isn’t for a girl like me.”
“No, you can’t run away. You’re not your mother.”
The elevator dinged and people poured out into the foyer and attacked the silver trays of hor d’ourves on the table at their side.
“I’m going to make this right,” he whispered in her ear, his warm breath coating her earlobe and breaking her concentration. He disappeared into the crowd, but Anna knew it was time. Tomorrow she would go and let him live his life in peace, without the drama of the Baker girls.
With a forced smile, she worked the room. She shook hands and made introductions, but the entire time she fought the sadness crumbling her from the inside out.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The two-story brick building stood in front of him like a giant hurtle to happiness.
How could I have been so stupid? Liam pounded the steering wheel.
Headlights shone into his side window, before a car went through the roundabout at the end of the street and headed toward the university. The wood he’d pulled off the front of the building remained in a pile on the sidewalk, forgotten. The building had stood for so long, how could the university want to demolish it?
Wait. An idea flickered in his head. Old? Historic Hall?
He snatched his briefcase and retrieved Ms. Joiner's application, reading over her thesis title again. Cultural Timelines Based on Architecture. The title needed some work, but the idea was brilliant. How long had Historic Hall been a part of the industrial district?
He bolted from his car with cell phone in hand, his fingers flying over the numbers. With his breath held tight in his lungs, he typed architectural traits of historic buildings into the search engine of his browser and hit enter.
Kicking the brick over, he retrieved the key and entered the building. It was dark and gloomy, yet he felt the light inside him glow bright. The plaster on the ceiling had to be old, the stained glass on the second floor, the hardwood trim and floor, too. Everything Ms. Joiner had mentioned in their meeting. That girl would be his prize pupil in the spring.
He flicked through page after page, studying time periods of plasterworks and nineteenth century architecture. The room screamed old-world charm, but his novice real estate knowledge and his basic internet search only provided hope, not facts. He needed more information, and for once his uncle wouldn’t decide his life for him. Even if he couldn’t win Anna back, he’d give her this place. It was her turn to come home, the only home she’d ever known.
Squeaks sounded in the corner and something ran down the dark shadows along the wall. The smell of musty, old, damp wood highlighted the abandoned feel of the room, but Dalton could fix all of that. Him and an exterminator. Liam took several pictures of the plaster overhead, the flash on his phone’s camera lighting the space for a second.
When he finished, he hit his flashlight app and climbed the stairs to the stained glass window. After a few more shots, he leaned against the back wall and sent them all to Dalton then texted him.
Hey, man. You have more experience with renovating old homes than I do. Do these pictures show any historic significance? Trying to save Historic Hall from being demolished.
Liam paced around the upstairs, eyeing the roof ladder, Anna’s bedroom, the stained glass window, broken boards. In his mind, he could already see it restored to its former glory. A time of happiness and possibilities, instead of cob webs and lost dreams.
His phone rang, the caller ID showing it was Dalton. Liam’s heart thrashed against his ribs and he said a silent prayer before he answered.
“Hey,” Liam said, his voice cracking under the pressure of his last hope.
“I thought a phone call would be easier than texting back,” Dalton said.
Liam pushed from the wall and began pacing the long hallway again. “Yep, thanks. What do you think?”
“I’m no expert, but I did some work at the Timeless Tea house a few years ago. They’re on the historic register with the county due to their hardwoods dating to the mid-1800s. Also they have some plaster in their front room similar to what’s in these pictures. I’d say you have a good shot. You need to put in a request with the county to preserve it as a historic building. I have to warn you, though. Remodeling a historic property is more difficult. There’ll be a ton of rules to follow, and it’ll cost more than just tearing things down and rebuilding.”
Liam’s heart soared to the stars. “That’s great news. Thanks so much, Dalton.”
“As I said, I’m no expert.”
Yet, somehow Liam knew what Dalton said was the truth. Perhaps the entire industrial district could be saved. “I understand. Thanks, man. I’ll be getting back with you soon to start work on it. I hope you’re up for the challenge.”
“You know I love restoration projects, so I’m your man.” His baby cried in the background, and Liam could hear Sara call for him.
“I’ll let you get back to your family. Thanks again.”
“Sure thing, man. Have a good night.”
“I will.” Liam raced down the steps, formulating a plan to get Anna into Historic Hall. She needed to realize she belonged in Riverbend as much as he did.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Anna stood in front of Historic Hall, tugging her coat tight around her. She tilted the phone to her mouth. “What am I doing here? And why are you calling me on your wedding night?”
“We’ll be leaving in an hour. And you’re not going to make me come drag you there, and miss my night at the beautiful resort room Mitch booked for us, are you?”
“Fine, I’m here. Now what?” Anna sighed, looking up and down the street for any sign of what this was all about.
“Go to the roof.”
Anna stomped her foot. “No way. This is ridiculous.”
“My wedding, my rules.”
“Cynthia Gold Taylor, you’re not playing fair.”
She giggled. “I took a page out of the Anna playbook. Now stop whining and go. I’ll talk to you later.”
The phone went dead and Anna considered leaving, but knew Cynthia would abandon her night with Mitch, forcing him to drive her over here himself. They both wanted Liam and her together, and this was no doubt some ploy to get her to stay. It was a waste of time, but if it was the only way to get them off her back she’d go through with it. She’d go up, take a look around, but she wouldn’t get all sentimental and try to stay. Not anymore.
She reached for the brick at the front door, but it had been moved and the key was gone. Eyeing the street, she checked for Liam’s car, but to her relief, or disappointment, there was no sign of the BMW. No sign of a
ny car up or down the street. It was eerily quiet.
Light flickered inside the window, so she pushed open the front door to find tea candles lit all over the front room, and on the stairs to the second floor. She closed the door behind her, trying to ignore the warm glow of light, and marched up the stairs. Her heels clicked with each step and the boards creaked, announcing her approach. The trap door to the roof stood open. She paused, eyeing the stairs then the opening to the roof. If this was some sort of trick, it wouldn’t work. Nothing would change her mind. It was time to go back to work and leave these childish dreams behind.
One hand over the other, she climbed the ladder to the roof. More candles stood in lines along each side, leading to Liam who stood at the edge of the building.
She crawled through the opening and put her hands on her hips. “Liam Harrow, I don’t know what you’re up to, but this isn’t going to work. Now, we both need to grow up. Listen, I spoke to my mother and I know why she took us away. I don’t hate her any longer. I understand why she moved us around so much. But even if my father’s dead, this still isn’t my home. I never belonged here. It was a temporary stop for me.”
Liam took silent steps along the line of lights until he stood inches from her. “You say you don’t belong, that you have no reason to stay, but you do. Look up at those stars and find your wish. It’s up there. You just need to believe.”
“That’s a child’s game. I don’t have time for this. I need to pack and get ready—”
“For once, you’re going to listen, Anna Sue Baker. Now, come with me.” Liam took her hand and made her stand in their wishing spot. “Now, look up there and make a wish. A wish from your heart, not what you think is true.”
Anna shook her head. “Don’t do this, Liam. I told you I need to go.”
“Forget what you need to do. Look at that star. That one right there, and tell me what you wish for.”
Her lip trembled, but she refused to say the words. Instead, she pulled away, but he grabbed her from behind and spun her to face the street, nudging her chin toward the stars. “You might not say it, but I know what you wish for.” His arms tightened around her. “You wish to be home.”