At Legend's End (The Teacup Novellas - Book Four)

by Diane Moody

  Oh Olivia,

  I pray you’ll find it in your heart

  to forgive me.

  I’m home. Please come.

  With open arms,

  Trevor

  She stuffed all the cards in her pocket and rushed from the room, wiping away tears of joy as she flew down the stairs.

  “Let me guess. You found the roses?” Trig teased as she rounded the staircase landing.

  “I just can’t‌—‌I’ve never seen so many—when did he—have you ever seen—oh never mind! I’ve got to go!”

  She grabbed Trig then Michelle for a quick hug. “Thank you! Thank you both! I’ll be back!”

  Moments later, the car had barely rolled to a stop in Trevor’s driveway before she cut the engine and jumped out. She dashed up the stone pathway to the front door then rang the doorbell and pounded on the door.

  “Trevor! It’s me! Open up!”

  Charlie’s excited barks grew louder on the other side of the door.

  Suddenly, the door opened wide and she flew into his arms.

  “Oh, Trevor!”

  “Oh, thank God you came! I didn’t know if you‌—‍”

  “I’m here, I’m here,” she cried, laughing again. “Trevor, I’ve never seen so many roses in all my life!”

  “I didn’t know what color you liked, so I got a dozen of each.”

  “And I loved them all. Every one.”

  With her arms tight around his neck, he wrapped his arms around her and leaned his forehead against hers. “Does that mean you forgive me?”

  “Yes. I forgive you. I forgive you! I was just so surprised. I didn’t know what to think. What . . . I mean, how did you‌—‍”

  “Come inside. You’re shaking like a leaf.” He herded her into the entry hall and closed the door.

  Charlie danced around their feet, her tail gently swaying back and forth.

  As Trevor took her coat, Olivia knelt down beside Charlie, cupping her head in her hands. “Oh, Charlie, I’m so glad to see you. How are you, sweetie?” She pressed a kiss against her silky head.

  Trevor planted his fists on his hips. “Well, that’s just great. I buy every rose in the county, and Charlie gets a kiss before I do.”

  Olivia stood and slid her arms around his waist. “All you had to do was ask.”

  He pulled her closer and kissed her with such passion, she could hardly breathe.

  “Olivia, I was so afraid I’d lost you. Afraid I’d scared you away.”

  “I’m here now. That’s all that matters.”

  He shook his head. “No, there’s more to it than that.” He tucked her beneath his arm and turned, heading toward the den. “There’s so much I need to say. Come sit with me.”

  Trevor took her hands in his. “I’ve never been so miserable in all my life as when I left you last night. I acted . . . well, it’s inexcusable, the way I treated you. I tried all night to convince myself to let you go. To give up what we’d found together and just go back to my pathetic, lonely life.

  “But I couldn’t do it. In my gut, I knew it would be better for you. You deserve so much more than I could give you. You’re much too lovely and gracious to put up with an incorrigible grouch like me.”

  “Trevor‌—‍”

  He touched his fingers to her lips. “No, please. Let me say this because you need to hear it.”

  She nodded. “All right.”

  “I didn’t sleep a wink last night. So I closed the shop and came home earlier today, hoping to get some rest. But I could not get you out of my mind. And then . . . I don’t even know how to describe what happened. One minute I was whining‌—‌for lack of a better word‌—‌ ‘God, what have I done?’ And the next minute, I heard someone telling me to pray. Twice. Not out loud, mind you‌—‌it was more like I felt it profoundly, if that makes sense. And the next thing I knew, I was on my knees pouring out my heart to God.”

  “Oh, Trevor . . .”

  “Long story short, I guess you could say God and I made our peace. I know it sounds absurd, but that’s what happened.”

  “It doesn’t sound absurd at all.”

  He smiled, squeezing her hands. “The crazy thing is how different I felt. Instantly. Like someone had built a fire to warm my heart again. I’ve never experienced anything like it.”

  She cupped his cheek and pressed a kiss there. “That may be the most wonderful news I’ve ever heard.”

  He placed his hand over hers. “I stayed there on my knees a long time, asking the Lord what to do about you‌—‌about us. Olivia, I don’t believe any of this is a coincidence. There’s a reason you came here. There’s a reason we met. I mean, think about it. Tourists rarely come to our neck of the woods this time of year, yet here you were. And whatever led you here, you quickly became one of us. I’ve never seen that happen before. Ever.”

  She arched her brows. “Really? Does that mean I’m one of the locals now?”

  “No, but I have connections,” he feigned. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  He wrapped his arm over her shoulders and pulled her closer. “When I was praying, I kept telling God over and over that I didn’t deserve you‌—‍”

  “Well, that goes without saying.”

  “Yes, and I’m fairly confident He agreed with me. But I promised if He’d give me one more chance with you, I’d do it right this time. I promised to overcome this stubborn nature of mine. I promised to pull the plug on my pride and anger issues. I despise those parts of me, and I’m sick to death of letting them sabotage every good thing in my life. Most of all‌—‌you. I promised I’d treat you with respect, and do everything I can to be worthy of you.”

  She was silent for a moment. A flicker of doubt surfaced again. This was all happening much too fast. Again. An hour ago she was ready to hop a plane back to Atlanta and forget about him. Was she truly ready for a serious relationship with him? Or was she allowing herself to be romanced by the flowers and hugs and kisses and all his endearing promises?

  He searched her face. “Olivia?”

  Looking into his eyes, she was startled to find something there she’d never seen before‌—‌humility and transparency. Oh, how she wanted to trust him!

  “I have to be honest, Trevor. After last night, I gave up on us. I spent most of today trying to sort it all out, and I came back to the MacVicar to pack my things. I knew I had to get away from here. Away from you. Because as much as I loved the time we had together‌—‌most of it, anyway‌—‌I remembered that being single wasn’t really so bad. Better single and content than pursuing a relationship that’s already‌—‍”

  “I know, but‌—‍”

  She pressed her fingertips against his lips. “Ah-ah-ah. It’s my turn. Let me finish.”

  “Okay.”

  “I knew I’d be better off single than pursuing a relationship that was already on such thin ice‌—‌or should I say, black ice?”

  He grimaced. “Touché.”

  She flashed him a sheepish grin. “Sorry. I couldn’t resist. What I’m trying to tell you is this. In my heart of hearts, I believed you were too much of a risk, and one I wasn’t willing to take at this point in my life.”

  She shrugged. “But on the way back to Caden Cove, I said one last prayer. I asked God to give me some kind of sign. Some kind of visible, in-your-face sign so there would be no doubt left in my mind.”

  Olivia smiled. “Then I walked into my room and found an ocean of roses. And call me a silly romantic, but I’m pretty sure they were my sign. A great big sign. And a really good sign.”

  He gathered her back in his arms. “To think I almost didn’t send them! I worried you might think I’d lost my mind.”

  He kissed her gently, and Olivia felt the affirmation all over again. “You might have lost your mind, but you found my heart.”

  “I love you, as best as I know how, with all my heart. You are a breath of fresh air in this dusty old bookseller’s life.” He sat up, taking both her hands in hi
s again. “I know you’ll think I’m genuinely crazy, but . . . marry me, Olivia. Make me the happiest man on earth. Say you’ll spend the rest of your life with me.”

  Tears pooled in her eyes as she reflected the sincerity on his face. She couldn’t breathe. If ever there were a time for a red flag to unfurl, this was it. But with each passing moment, not a single flag waved. No butterflies. No doubts. Not one.

  “I love you too, Trevor,” she whispered. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you!” Laughing, she found his lips and kissed him to seal the deal.

  Charlie barked and danced at all the excitement and placed her front paws on Trevor’s knees.

  “Come on up, little mama, and join the celebration.” He carefully lifted her onto his lap. “Your friend Olivia here is going to make our family complete. What do you think about that?”

  Her tail wagging a constant rhythm, Charlie flashed her goofy smile looking back and forth between them.

  “I’ll take that as a yes,” Trevor said. “Well, then. It’s unanimous!”

  They talked for hours, exploring all the possibilities that lay before them. Over dinner, they decided an April wedding would be perfect, agreeing to take their vows here in Caden Cove at the Lord’s Chapel.

  “I’ll finally be a local,” Olivia quipped. “Though I’m sure they’ll think I married you just for the privilege.” Her face fell as a thought occurred to her. “Trevor, would you mind terribly if we don’t tell anyone just yet?”

  “No, of course not. Any particular reason?”

  “I’d like to go home and tell my friends first. Especially Ellen. And I need to tell her face to face. In fact, I’d love for you to come back to Atlanta with me. That way, she can get to know you before I tell her.”

  He smirked. “Why do I feel like I’m going home to meet your parents?”

  “They’re not that old. You’ll love her husband Brent. He’s the most down to earth guy you’ll ever meet.”

  “What, like me, you mean?”

  “Oh sure. Just like you.”

  “I have to admit I’m a little hesitant about meeting Ellen. What if she doesn’t like me? What if she doesn’t give us her blessing?”

  “She just needs to get to know you. She’ll love you. I promise.”

  “Can I have that in writing, please? Our own private pre-nup?”

  “If it will put your mind at rest.”

  “Second thought, never mind. It’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

  Chapter 19

  Around eleven-thirty, Olivia returned to the MacVicar, quietly letting herself in the side entrance. She tiptoed up the stairs, tired but giddy, and ready for a good night’s sleep. She unlocked the door to her room‌—‌and gasped.

  There on her bed lay her best friend.

  “Ellen! What are you doing here!?”

  Ellen sat up and stretched with a rigorous yawn. “I heard there was a rose festival so I decided to come.”

  Olivia threw off her coat and gave Ellen a hug. “I can’t believe you’re here! When did you get in?”

  “Around seven, I think. I wanted to surprise you, but I couldn’t stay awake‌—‌” Another yawn bit off her words as she sat back down on the bed. “I asked Trig where you were, but he wouldn’t tell me at first. Said it wasn’t his place. Of course, he was putty in the hands of a professional like me. I laid it on pretty thick and he sang like a bird. Told me you were with Trevor.”

  Olivia felt her face warm. She turned abruptly to hang up her coat in the armoire. “Yes, I was. And I can’t wait for you to meet him. I know you’ll really‌—‍”

  “I didn’t come to meet Trevor. I came to see you. Originally, I planned on coming up for a couple of days just to surprise you. Then I got worried because your phone kept going to voice mail‌—‍”

  “My phone!” Olivia snatched it off the bedside table. “I forgot to grab it before I left.”

  “Uh huh. I’ve been calling for two days, Olivia. Are you telling me you haven’t been back here in your room for two days?”

  “No, no, no‌—‌I meant when I was here earlier.” She bristled. “Hey, did you just insinuate what I think you did?”

  “What? No. Well. Maybe? I don’t know, Olivia. You tell me. I had half a mind to drive out to Trevor’s house when it started getting so late. I even asked Trig where he lived, but he wouldn’t tell me. Which is just as well, because I was in no mood to pay a social visit.”

  Olivia plopped herself down beside Ellen and draped her arm over her shoulders. “Ellen, you have got to chill. Take a deep breath. Let me tell you about the last couple of days and put your mind to rest. It all started when Trevor won some rare books in an online auction.”

  She told her everything. From the impromptu trip to Boston, the silly conversations over lunch at the Union Oyster, and all the sights they saw while in Beantown. Propped up on pillows, Olivia told her about their drive home the night before, the accident on the interstate, and the awful fight she and Trevor had. She told her about the frigid silence the rest of the way home, and her seething anger that intensified with every mile. And she told her about crying herself to sleep, convinced whatever she had with Trevor was over.

  Ellen shoved another pillow behind her head and glanced around the room. “By the floral display, I’m guessing that’s not the end of the story. When Trig let me in, I thought he gave me the wrong room. Looked more like a mafia funeral than a guest room.”

  Olivia couldn’t help smiling as she gazed over the colorful bouquets dotting the room. “Yes, there’s more to the story.” She sat up and stretched. “But it’s late and you’re probably tired, so we can wait and‌—‍”

  “Not happening.” Ellen pulled Olivia back against the pillows. “Go on. You were saying?”

  Olivia turned sideways and propped her head on her hand. “Okay, okay. Where was I? Ah, this morning. Obviously I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night, and I woke up with a roaring headache.”

  She continued, telling Ellen about her stop at the pharmacy and her brief chat with Molly. She told about her drive to Kennebunkport and the resolution she made to go home to Atlanta.

  “On my way back, I prayed and prayed, then finally asked God for a sign. I know it’s not exactly a leap of faith, asking for something like that. But I just needed to know, Ellen. I had to make sure I wasn’t making a big mistake.”

  Ellen fingered a rose petal on the bedside table. “Then you walked in here and found all these . . . signs.” She slowly exhaled. “I can see how you might think‌—‍”

  “Think? How I might ‘think’ this was a sign? How could it not be a sign?” She stiffened at the look in Ellen’s eyes.

  “We’ve been over and over this, Olivia. Nobody wants to see you happier than I do. You know that! But you’re at a crossroads in your life right now and much too vulnerable to start a relationship.”

  Olivia pressed her lips together. “Then I’m guessing that means you won’t be coming for our wedding.”

  Ellen fell back against the pillows with a scoffing laugh. “Oh, sure. Like you’d marry a guy you hardly even know.” She raised her palms in surrender. “All right, all right, I’m sorry‌—‌I’ll stop playing mother hen. Good one, Olivia.”

  Olivia didn’t react. She simply tilted her head to one side and fastened a knowing smile on her face.

  Ellen’s laughter waned. “What?”

  Olivia arched her brows and looked away, feeling like a guilty Lucy to a suspicious Ethel.

  Ellen sat straight up. “Olivia?”

  Olivia looked back at her and shrugged.

  “Oh-no-you-did-NOT!? Don’t play games with me, Olivia. Please tell me you’re joking.”

  “I would, but I’m not, so I can’t.”

  Ellen scrunched her face. “Huh?”

  Olivia sat up and folded her hands in her lap. “Ellen, Trevor asked me to marry him and I said yes.”

  Ellen grabbed her hands. “Oh, sweetie, please, please tell me you’re not serious!”
/>
  Olivia broke free of her grasp. “How can you be so dead-set against it when you haven’t even met him yet?”

  “Because it’s just too fast!” Ellen jumped off the bed and started pacing. “I don’t care if he’s the greatest man who’s ever walked this earth! There’s no possible way you can know all you need to know about him in only a matter of days! Are you out of your mind?!”

  Olivia slowly scooted off the bed and went to her, grabbing hold of her arms. “Ellen? You’re my best friend. You always have been. But I really need you to calm down and hear me out. I’m not an adolescent child. And I’m certainly not a silly teenager with a crush on the boy next door. I believe with all my heart that this is right. I really do. I know this seems sudden and absurd, and completely out of character for me. But I really do love this man. He’s not perfect. Neither am I. But he loves me, Ellen. He wants to spend the rest of his life with me. Can’t you just try to give him a chance? Can’t you at least give me the benefit of the doubt until you’ve met him?”

  Ellen pursed her lips and shook her head. “I don’t know,” she said sympathetically. “I know you must think I’m such a jerk because I’m not accepting this, but I can’t just sit back and watch you get your heart broken.”

  “And I appreciate that. I really do. But what if he’s the one I’ve been waiting for all these years? Would you deny my chance at happiness without even meeting him?”

  “Of course I wouldn’t.”

  “Then can’t you please give him a chance? For my sake?”

  Chapter 20

  Trevor parked his SUV next to Olivia’s rental at the MacVicar. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and slowly exhaled. She’d called early, even before he’d read the paper or had his coffee. And he knew immediately something was going on by the much-too-cheery tone in her voice. She told him Ellen had popped into town to surprise her, and would he like to join them for breakfast at the inn?