by Sarah Gay
“Rogue?”
“Indie. Independent. I can make a lot more money, put books out within months, instead of years, and not have someone else dictate what my title should be, what my cover should look like, etc., etc.”
“Five, you’re independent.”
“You said it,” she said in a feisty tone. “And, I can support us, if I need to. I really don’t mind, if you want to take some time to reevaluate.”
Paxton smiled.
“Why the smirk? I really can support us. I do make a decent living. And, going Indie, I could make a few times what I make now.”
“I’m not smirking. I have enough money to support us comfortably. Remember me telling you that my father sold his dot com business?”
“Yes.”
“He sold it for several million, which I inherited. My investment agency turned that into tens of millions.”
“I had no idea,” Annie said, her eyes widening. She felt a sudden thrill. “Is this what Elizabeth Bennet felt like when she saw Mr. Darcy’s estate?”
“Six, you aren’t a gold digger.”
“I may just become one.”
“Well, if you do, I’m not your dog. Kai is. He took his share of his father’s fortune, and started another tech business. He’s the billionaire in the family.”
The guilt reached all the way down to Annie’s toes. “How did Kai feel about my letter?”
“I think a little confused at first. He gets these delectable caramels from a girl he’s sweet on, with a letter that basically dumps him for his hot cousin. I guess you could say it ruined his day.”
“I need to call and apologize to him.”
“Are you kidding? He enjoyed every minute of his training, and he is not without fault. You treated him like gold, and he knew I would fight for you.”
“You would fight for me?”
“We did, actually. I won the wrestling match.”
“This, I have to see.”
“I brought some caramels with me.”
“You didn’t eat all of them in one sitting? I must be losing my touch.”
“Quid pro quo,” he said, resting a caramel on the dash in front of Annie.
She grabbed the caramel, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth in one fluid movement.
“Annie is short for Annalise.”
Paxton held a second caramel up in the air.
“Why do you run?”
Annie took in a deep breath, and looked to the side of the road for answers. “I’m trying to stop. I was engaged. We’d grown up together. Most of my first memorable moments involve him— first bike, first date, first kiss, prom. The list goes on. I guess the signs were there, but I was blind to them. I wanted my fairytale, so I went to the most romantic city in the world, Rome, to surprise him. I was told by his landlady that he had left for the opera house to warm up his voice before the show.” Annie shook her head. “I found him backstage, warming up a fellow cast member.”
“A fellow?” Paxton exclaimed.
“A female opera singer, a diva in the truest sense of the word.”
Paxton glanced down at Annie’s phone.
“Maybe you should take that. She seems really eager to get ahold of you.”
“She’s leaving a voicemail. I’ll check it in a minute. Oh, that’s right, I forgot to check that voicemail from the (801) area code,” Annie said, tapping her screen to retrieve her messages.
Annie placed the phone to her ear, and listened intently. She grasped Paxton by the arm with a firm squeeze.
“Everything okay?” he questioned.
“This is epic!” she said with excitement. “Are we almost to Milwaukee? I have the best news.”
Chapter 23
Paxton removed his violin from the back seat of the car as Annie placed Mr. Famous in his carrier. Perhaps she had become acclimated to the bitter cold of northern Wisconsin over the past month, because, at thirty degrees and sunny, she felt almost toasty. The directors of the nursing home may have felt the same, considering the glass fireplace in the entrance hall wasn’t lit.
The entryway was decorated for the season with an enormous artificial, white-tipped Christmas tree overtaking the reading nook. Paper snowflakes, made by the residents’ grandchildren, adorned the walls.
Annie looked down at the instrument. “How long have you been studying the violin?”
“I have practiced two hours a day since I was four.”
“Four? I’m trying to remember if I could even recite the alphabet at four. And you were reading music?”
“My mom started my training, utilizing a learning method where a child is exposed to instrumental music at a very young age, basically from birth. Then, when the child is ready, he copies the notes that are recorded in his mind, by reciting them with his bow onto the violin. Reading music came much later for me.”
“Was your mom a violinist?”
Paxton nodded. “She studied at Julliard.”
“So, she had horrible technique?”
“Basically,” he said, acknowledging her sarcasm. “I could never live up to her expectations.”
“I would guess that most people are thoroughly impressed with your talent.”
“I don’t need to impress most people, just one,” he said, caressing her cheek with the back of his hand as they entered Tim’s room.
Tim was asleep in his bed, wheezing loudly. With every slow inhalation, his chest labored to rise. As he exhaled, his lungs whistled out their anguish.
Annie stopped suddenly. Her heart sunk. Had it only been a day and a half since she had been with him? How could he have deteriorated so quickly?
She shook her head, “Shouldn’t he be on an antibiotic drip?”
“Looks like we’re past that.” Paxton took his great-grandfather’s hand in his.
Tim, now awakened by his visitors, began stirring.
“Who’s there?” he asked, attempting to open his eyes.
“Paxton and Annie,” Paxton said loudly.
“And Mr. Famous,” Annie interjected, placing Mr. Famous onto the bed. “He wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas.” She moved to Tim’s side, taking his free hand.
Tim gave a wide smile as Mr. Famous began licking his whiskery chin.
“This is the best Christmas I’ve had in years. I’m spending it with my two favorite people,” Tim whispered.
“Tim, I’d like to read you something.”
“My story? Part of my story?” he asked with enthusiasm.
“I’ll be including it in your story. It’s a letter addressed to you.”
“Addressed to me? Who’s it from?”
“It’s signed, ‘eternally grateful, Hannah.’ In her voicemail to me, Hannah asked that I read this to you, in person.”
“Hannah? Not sure that I know a Hannah.”
“Paxton, you may need to take over if I start crying,” Annie said, looking to Paxton.
He nodded his head in understanding. She had bawled in the car earlier, upon first opening the email that Hannah had apprised her of in the voicemail. But Annie refused to explain the contents of the letter to Paxton until she could read it, in person, to Tim.
“Dearest Soldier,
I am told that your name is Tim. My name is Hannah. I wish that I could have met with you face to face. Unfortunately, my physical health prevents me from traveling. I was born in Munich, Germany in 1933. I was a girl of thirteen at the end of World War II. My mother had brought her young family deep into the countryside, away from the burning buildings and heavy fighting, hoping to keep us safe. At the end of the war, we found ourselves in a remote farming village called Kramersdorf, a border town, only a few kilometers from Czechoslovakia.
My father was a prisoner of war at the time, and we had no means of protecting ourselves. All the men in the village were away fighting. We spent a safe, and relatively happy, year in Kramersdorf before we began our journey to locate additional family members.
When the war was ending, we knew
that we would be overtaken by either the Americans or the Russians. We prayed fervently that the Americans would prevail in reaching us first. If the Russians invaded our village, my mother had instructed us to eat a specific chocolate cake that had been locked in a buffet cabinet for several weeks. I now understand that she had laced that cake with poison. It would have prevented our suffering, as many of our people endured before their gruesome deaths at the hands of those enemies seeking justice.
Miraculously, we were not required to partake of that cake. We had angels protecting us on our borders. One of those glorious angels was you. I met a German officer, I believe a friend of yours, Henning, on a train in northern Germany. My mother was grateful to have had the opportunity to thank him personally for his protection, and for his willingness to surrender, allowing for the continued guardianship over our community.
I thank you most sincerely from the bottom of my soul. Thank you for being a soldier. But more importantly, thank you for being a good man.
I now live in the state of Utah with my second husband. I have twelve children, six from my first marriage, a set of triplets from my second and three step-children. My greatest pride comes from my thirty-four grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.
Thank you for allowing me to have this wonderful family and life. I am currently in the late stages of ovarian cancer, and understand that my life on earth is near its end. But, what a life I’ve had. Thanks to you. Bless you. I will find you in the next life, so that I might personally thank you there. Godspeed.
Eternally grateful,
Hannah”
Annie looked up from her phone. Paxton was leaning over Tim, wiping the tears from his eyes.
“Gramps, we need to meet this Hannah. You saved her family. And, what a family? Sounds like Utah stays true to its reputation. Two husbands, twelve kids.”
Tim motioned to the window. “Can you help me to my chair, and open the blinds?”
Annie rubbed her hands together with a renewed sense of hope. The letter seemed to perk him up, as if he were on the amend.
Once Tim was situated comfortably in his chair, Mr. Famous could nestle into his lap once again.
“My heart is warmed today. And Annie, your great-grandfather was there with me that day. We stopped several Russian soldiers from crossing. My conscience dictated that I keep my promise to Henning.”
Paxton sat tall and said, “Now you know what would have happened to Hannah and her family. People in heaven are waiting. They are dying to shake your hand.”
“Dying?” Annie whispered, her hands flying up into the air. “What are you thinking?”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” he responded quietly.
“It only really matters if one person is waiting for me,” Tim said, squinting his eyes to see the wedding photo on the wall.
Annie lifted the oval frame, and offered it to Tim. He brought it to his chest, then up to his face.
“I have missed you so much,” he said, touching the misty glass with his fingertips. “Paxton, she would want her to have it.”
Paxton nodded. He went to the dresser, and rummaged through the top drawer. A black velvet jewelry box opened in his hand as he got down onto one knee and presented Annie with the vintage ring.
Annie inhaled sharply. Her look of surprise transformed into a full grin.
“Annie, my great-grandmother wore this ring on her finger for over sixty years. Will you please accept this as a token of my love, and wear it for the next sixty?”
Annie nodded her head as Paxton placed the platinum band onto her finger. She admired how the round cut, blue sapphire gem matched Paxton’s eyes. Two sparkling diamonds were set on either side of the large sapphire. She felt herself begin to shake. Annie hoped, that in such an important moment, she would not become flustered and tongue tied.
She gave him a tender kiss, and said, “I cannot imagine life without you. Promise to love me as your great-grandfather loved his sweetheart, and my heart will always be yours.”
Tim clapped his hands. “My work is done here. Paxton, could you play for me, please? I’m going to close my eyes for a minute, and rest.”
“Your wish is my command. I love you, Gramps.”
“I love you too, boy,” he said, squeezing Paxton’s hand. “You, too, Annie. Love you both. You take care of my boy.”
“Always. I promise,” she said, gently stroking Tim’s arm.
Paxton stood tall. His body held in an erect, yet relaxed position. Suddenly, the violin sang more beautifully, and with more unblemished heart, than Annie could have imagined one man and one small instrument could muster. Within minutes, a small army of residents and nurses were assembled in the hall, straining to hear the sounds of a master, performing with complete devotion for his passing mentor.
Chapter 24
Timothy
The satin fabric slips from my fingers. I can’t hold onto it with this pressure pushing me toward the floor. My chest is weighed down, as if the barbell I was lifting has fallen onto my chest during an intense workout.
I stir to the harmonious sound of Paxton pulling his bow across the strings of his violin. His mother would be proud of him.
Well, I should know soon enough if she’s proud. Will they all be waiting for me? Will there be music and dancing? I’m drifting in and out of consciousness. Is this what it’s like when we die? Or is it just peace? Because I feel peace now, a tangible serenity. I can almost touch it.
I reach my arm out to feel the warm glow.
“Tim, can I get you something?”
Oh, Annie has such an amiable voice, just like my sweetheart. “Water,” I cough out. My words sound airy.
“Here. Sip this,” she says, pressing a straw between my lips.
I shake my head. I can’t get enough suction to pull up the water.
“Let me try this,” her voice echoes, “I’ll put a few drops into your mouth with a straw. Okay?”
I try to nod my head. I’m so tired. I feel like I could sleep for a week. Or for infinity. I chuckle at the thought.
“Gramps, are you laughing? Do you want me to keep playing?”
Cool drops of water moisten my parched mouth and lips. I try to speak. “Wedding, tell me about the wedding.”
“Relax back.” Annie’s voice twirls like a garden nymph dancing amongst the flowers. “We will be married in a field of tulips. My dress will be as white as your sweetheart’s, on your wedding day. But instead of a tight bun and traditional veil, I will wear my hair down in natural curls, with a garland of fresh flowers resting gently on my head. We will marry the day before Easter Sunday. The little girls will all be in their fancy pastel dresses and white hats, scattering pink petals, as their baby chicks and bunnies follow close behind them. I’ll be barefoot. I want to be able to feel the fresh, new grass between my toes. Paxton will be handsome and admirable in his military white tie and tails. And the best part, walking under the arch of swords as a married couple.”
Annie’s voice begins to fade. Maybe her great-grandfather, and my sweetheart and I, will be able to make the wedding. I can’t forget Paxton’s folks. Are we allowed to do that? I wonder. It would be really nice. I wake to a warm breeze.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” my sweetheart whispers into my ear.
Now this is heaven.
Chapter 25
Healdsburg, California
A yellow finch flew in through Annie’s open window, perching himself on her shower curtain as she pulled her hair up into a messy bun. She listened to his beautiful song for a minute before holding her hands up in the air to shoo him back out.
“It’s my engagement party. Paxton and I have invited all our friends to celebrate. I can’t have you making a mess all over my house today. Out you go,” she said as the bird fluttered back outside.
She stood looking out the window, breathing in the fresh spring air. The sunshine tickled Annie’s nose, causing her to sneeze. Healdsburg was divine. This is where she bel
onged.
A rapid knock on her door signaled the arrival of her first guest.
“Why hello, my shortest, most-dearest friend,” Annie said sweetly.
“I need your advice,” Keira, the capricious kindergartener said, sullenly. “Morgan and I broke up. I’m devastated.”
“I know just the thing,” Annie said, tapping her phone a few times.
The Bluetooth speaker across the room started playing a well-loved tune. “Tell me Keira, how loud can you sing? Cause girls just wanna have fun.”
Keira giggled as Annie ran to the kitchen to find them spatula microphones.
The house rang with excitement as Annie’s friends filtered in.
“Chocolate fondue, anyone?” Annie announced when the chocolate had reached the desired temperature and consistency.
As the guests began loading their plates with chocolate dipped fruit, Kai came to Annie’s side.
“You sure it’s my cousin you want, because I heard he’s trouble. With a capital T.”
“I’m impressed with your acting abilities. Turns out you’re more trouble and heartbreak than your cousin. Aren’t you?
Kai gave a triumphant smile, displaying his adorable dimple.
“Where is Paxton?”
Annie searched the room. Melanie and Greg were there with the baby. Tanya was in the kitchen, helping with the fondue. Even Itamae, her amazing sushi chef, had made it.
“Woohoo!” came a call from the front room, followed by gregarious laughter.
Annie walked to the front of the house. “What is going—?” Her mouth dropped open as she looked at her future husband.
Paxton walked up to Annie. His dark blue jeans were a perfect fit, nothing new. What sent Annie into a tizzy was his lack of a shirt. His bare chest, abdomen and back were scribbled with the capital letters T and H.