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“Yes, I’m sorry about that. And I’m sorry I scared you.”
“You did frighten me. I thought we might lose you.” I patted her hand before setting my own back on my lap. It was awkward for me to see her this way, especially after knowing what she’d done to herself. Or almost done to herself. She’d not succeeded. She was fine.
“I didn’t think anyone would care,” Lena said.
“You were wrong.”
“My father knows everything now, and he’s given me his blessing to marry Carl.”
“Really? That’s wonderful. I’m so pleased for you. Have you written to Carl yet?”
“Yes, Delphia took it to the post today. Father says if I’m feeling well enough, we’re going to leave tomorrow.”
“I hope you get everything you want.” I squeezed her hand. “I truly do.”
“I hope that for you, too,” Lena said. “Tell me everything. What’s happened with Addie?”
For the next few minutes, I told her what she’d missed, including our engagement. “I’m going to stay here, Lena. There’s a teacher position Alexander wants me to take.”
“Is that what you want? Because Father will make everything right with your job. He promised me.”
“I’m sure. I haven’t felt this alive since I was a kid. I want to be here, and who knows what can happen? This is where I’m supposed to be.”
“With Addie,” Lena said, nodding. “And the rest of them and the sky here, right?”
“That’s right.”
“I’m sorry about your family,” Lena said. “Your father must have been really angry.”
“Yes.” I smiled, even though there was a sadness in me that would never leave. One didn’t lose their father or even the idea of him without grief. “I did it, Lena. I did what I needed to do, and it felt good. It’s a remarkable relief to have it behind me.”
“I understand completely.”
“The Barneses have offered to bring my mother and sister here. Did they tell you?”
“Quinn mentioned it. I hope it will be the right thing for you, James. I do worry.”
“If they come,” I said. “We’ll take it as it comes.”
“Perhaps your father will find another way out of his financial difficulties,” Lena said.
“Perhaps.”
We left it at that. What else was there to say? Only time would answer these questions. For now, I was content, knowing that my favorite person in the world waited for me downstairs.
* * *
A few days later,Lena and her father departed for home. I stood on the platform waving as the train chugged away. Lena had promised to write when she was settled and had contacted Carl.
I’d brought them to the station alone, planning on stopping by to see Fiona and Li on the way home. A gardener watered pots of flowers as I drove up to the house. Li had built onto his original cottage to accommodate their large family. I let myself in through the gray picket fence and a garden teeming with flowers. I heard the young twins playing in the backyard. Given the time of day, Fiona would likely be there, too. I walked around the side of the house, taking in the sweet scent of lavender and roses.
Wisteria and vines woven through lattice and a stone walkway made a quaint scene. Fiona sat reading in a low-slung chair with a glass of iced tea on a small table next to her. From inside the house came the sounds of a violin. Li practicing. I’d know that beautiful tone anywhere. The small twins were on a set of swings hanging from a sturdy-looking wood contraption. They waved to me but went back to chatting together as I passed by them to stop at their mother’s feet.
“James, how are you?” Fiona jumped up to give me a quick hug before gesturing to the empty chair beside her. “Sit. Tell me everything. We’ve only just returned from our trip to Chicago, but I know the whole sordid story already.”
“Already?”
“Mama and Addie came by earlier. On their way to see Aunt Annabelle.” She shot me a mischievous look. “But we’ll talk about that in a moment. Have you just dropped Lena and her father at the train?”
