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A small tear slipped down the older woman’s cheek, and it was only then that Maureen registered what Elise had just said.
“Alex.Alex was a—”
Elise nodded.“As I said, it was a different time.We never could have been together.”A smile crept across her face.“From the moment I met Alexandra, I knew she would change my life.She was my lover, my best friend, the mother of the little girl who became the light of my own life, and eventually, she became my wife.We were married before she passed.We had eight amazing years together.I wouldn’t have traded it for anything.The world truly has come a long way.”
Maureen squeezed Elise’s hand gently before releasing it again and sitting back in her chair.“It really has.”She shook her head and took a moment to absorb everything Elise had been through.“I’m sorry your story had to end that way and you didn’t have more time.”
“Oh, like I said, dear.There is no such thing as a happy ever after.Just happy for right now.And I’ve beensohappy.We never know how much time we will have.So be happy.Be happy now, with whatever that looks like and whatever life gives you.”
“That’s good advice.”
“Damn straight it is.”
Maureen laughed.
“Maybe that happiness is with your Adam?”Her smile was mischievous but Maureen’s faded.
She’d always wished that Adam would be her happy ever after.Or, as Elise had put it, happy for right now.Either way, on some level, Maureen had to admit that for most of her life, she had secretly thought of Adam as herone.
But what if he wasn’t?
What if, after all this time and years of wondering, never mind the last few months when she’d secretly hoped that maybe now, maybe finally, itwastheir time…what if he didn’t come?
What then?
“He’ll be here.”Elise spoke without opening her eyes, reading her mind.
“But the storm…”
“He’ll be here.”
Before Maureen could speak again, or protest that the storm was too intense, there was a ruckus at the front desk, followed by the front door of the inn opening with a rush of wind and snow, along with two heavily bundled individuals covered in a layer of snow.
Maureen rose from her chair and took a tentative step toward the commotion.Adam?It couldn’t be.Or could it?
Through all the layers of clothing and snow, it was impossible to tell who the individuals were.Even if Maureen knew what Adam looked like after all this time, there wouldn’t be any way to know whether he was one of the new arrivals.Yet…
She took another step forward and then another.
Behind her, she was certain she’d heard Elise say, “I told you he’d come.”
But it wasn’t until one of the snow-covered individuals turned to face her and pulled off his knit cap that she knew for sure.Adam’s green eyes, set in a familiar, but older face, looked directly at her.His smile widened as he searched the room, his gaze finally landing on her.
“Maureen.”He shook his head a little, as if he couldn’t believe it was her.“Sorry I’m late.”
He looked so different.But at the same time, he looked exactly the same.
“Adam.”
Maureen stepped closer, Elise and the conversation they’d been having completely forgotten.Her only focus was on the man in front of her.He’d come.He’d made it through the storm.He hadn’t stood her up.Again.
“How did…” She shook her head and tried again.“They said…” Words continued to fail her.“But the roads are…”
“The roads are closed.”He chuckled a little and brushed snow from his jacket.“Trust me.They are very closed.I’d only made it to the turn-off from the highway when I ran into the closure.They told me there was no way I would make it up here tonight.”
“But here you are.”
“Here I am.”His grin grew even wider, if it were possible.“Nothing was going to keep me from meeting you tonight, Maureen.”Adam’s face got suddenly serious.“I made that mistake once before.I was not going to stand you up again.”
