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Lillian hesitated. Her sister had been so patient and considerate up to this point. Lillian could at least think about it before putting the kibosh on the idea. She nodded, then turned and headed to the back door and freedom.
“Be sure to take your phone and call me if you need anything.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Don’t be sarcastic. You need a mother right now. I know I’m no substitute for the real thing, but I’m all you’ve got.”
Lillian’s eyes stung and filled with tears, and she paused with her hand on the doorknob and turned.
“I know,” she said. “I’m sorry. You are an amazing sister.”
Hannah hugged her, and for a brief moment, Lillian drew comfort. A hug from Hannah was like drawing near the sun.
“Go on then, shoo. Enjoy your day in the park. I’ll be here waiting with dinner when you get back.”
“Thanks, Hannah.” Lillian blew her sister a kiss and then opened the front door and followed the path to the park she had taken every day since she’d been home. The warm breeze kissed her skin, and she placed a straw hat on her head to keep the sun out of her eyes.
Gladys Morgan, the widow who lived next door, stopped digging at something in her flower bed long enough to wave a hand in Lillian’s direction. “Going walking again? Lovely day for it.”
“Thanks, Gladys,” Lillian said. “Enjoy the sunshine.”
This was all part of her daily routine. Every day, Gladys asked if she was going for a walk, and Lillian told Gladys to enjoy the sunshine—as long as therewassunshine. On cloudy days, Lillian advised Gladys to enjoy the day.
Lillian kept walking and turned left on the sidewalk. Three doors down, Rufus, the neighbor’s dog woofed his daily greeting.
“Hi, Rufus. It’s just me. No need to get riled up. Be a good boy now,” Lillian said.
Rufus wagged his tail and barked again behind the neighbor’s chain link fence, and Lillian had his blessing to continue her walk to the park.
Slap, slap, slap.Her sneakers scuffed the pavement until she hit the park entrance, where the pavement was replaced by soft grass.
She paused to take a swig from the water bottle she’d brought with her. A series of benches were scattered around the trail, leading past the pond. A couple wandered by, pushing a stroller. The big man, who Lillian mentally referred to as Fred, stood feeding the ducks as he usually did, nodding to her as she walked past and arriving at what she fondly thought of asherpark bench.
Lillian brushed some twigs out of the way and sat. For a while she remained that way, watching the glimmering surface of the pond and the quacking of the ducks, her mind drifting to the earlier conversation with Hannah.
Maybe he still has feelings for you.
Lillian huffed. Highly unlikely Tristan still cared for her now so much time had passed. Angelina had probably moved her stuff into his lonely mansion by now. And they were planning their wedding. Wouldn’t Angelina make a beautiful bride for a billionaire?
She gripped the side of the bench like she held on for dear life and watched as a few children ran in the park, their mothers hollering at them to slow down.
According to Hannah, Tristan had called every day to get an update on her condition when she’d been in a coma, but he’d stopped calling after he’d visited and saw she would recover. More than likely, he’d moved on with Angelina. Lillian should move on, too. But how could she, knowing he still believed her lies?
Since she’d been home, she’d kept herself away from social media and the local news, afraid she’d stumble upon news of Tristan. But maybe that had been the wrong tactic to take. Maybe Hannah was right. Maybe if she heard about and saw Tristan again, she could move past her feelings for him and get on with her life.
She pulled her phone from the pocket of her jeans and opened the browser. Before she changed her mind, she typed “Tristan King” in the window and the date and hit go. Almost immediately, a news article popped up with Tristan’s picture.
Her hands trembled as she clicked on the headline, which read, “Software Mogul King Participates in Annual Gates Mills Parade of Homes Tonight.” The article indicated Tristan’s house would be the star attraction of the event. Those who paid the price could enjoy a tour of the mansion followed by a garden party under the stars.
The article didn’t mention Angelina. Most likely, she’d be there, though.
Lillian swallowed hard. A counter on the website indicated there were still thirty-two tickets remaining. If Lillian saw Tristan again and how happy he was with Angelina, maybe she could gain some closure. She owed him a thank you for saving her life. Maybe this would be the best opportunity, and she wouldn’t feel so awkward? Since she no longer faced a life-or-death situation, more than likely the bond between them wouldn’t be as strong, and it would be freeing to see him again.
Her fingers hovered over the buy button. Her pulse sped up, and her chest tightened, but she couldn’t bring herself to click. Who was she kidding? Wouldn’t Tristan resent the intrusion again into his personal life? Wasn’t that how he’d reacted when Angelina said she wanted him back after she hurt him? Lillian had already caused him enough trouble. He was soon to be a married man and happy with his choice. Her appearance would only cause stress and make him unhappy.
She closed the browser and shoved her phone back in her pocket before she could change her mind. Tristan deserved his happy-ever-after with Angelina, and Lillian had no business disrupting it. She would just walk around the duck pond and then make her way home to help Hannah with dinner.
She strolled toward a group of ducks, who were taking turns dunking themselves upside down in the water to search for food. Maybe tomorrow she would see about getting her nursing license back. Maybe tomorrow she could forget about Tristan for a little while. Maybe tomorrow she could think about her future without feeling this never-ending heartache.
