Yesterday's Tomorrows (29 page)

T
hese past few
days had been overwhelming with fear, sorrow, and enormous revelations. The police were making arrests, thanks to the combination of information from Charly’s letter, including the bank account numbers she’d attached, and from the investigator Holt had hired. It turned out Paul Regis was trafficking timber, importing wood from a protected tree in Russia and illegally selling it to the Chinese. I’d never heard of such a thing, but it was obviously profitable. It was his cut that he was trying to hide in case the Feds caught on. But apparently, he was also lying about the profit margins to his crime partners. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raided the corporate headquarters of the parent company and arrests had already begun, although it would be a long process until the Department of Justice would have everything they needed to go to court.

The men who’d held me hostage and shot Holt were paid thugs trying to pass as something more. They’d been hired by a couple of Paul Regis’s partners-in-crime, trying to rattle loose information so they could get their hands on his share of the money. Fortunately, they hadn’t been true professionals, just some idiots willing to break the law for some extra dough. They were daring enough to be bold and dangerous, but not smart enough to pull off their crimes. I guess it was true that if you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch. But we weren’t complaining. The one holding me had been shot by a sniper who arrived on the scene at the courthouse, and according to the police, he was singing like a canary to the Feds.

We still weren’t quite sure why Charly was at the courthouse. We thought it was possible that she was going to try to make contact with me that day. Maybe that’s why I felt like someone was watching me when we were in court. Regardless, somehow she’d seen what was taking place. I wondered if she planned to confront the gunmen and tell them what they wanted. A witness said she’d seen Charly start toward Holt and had almost made it to him when all hell broke loose instead. We’d just been so focused on the people involved, we didn’t even notice her until it was too late. It didn’t change anything; she’d taken a bullet that would have otherwise hit Holt.

I was still trying to process it all, but sometimes it felt like trying to separate water with a sieve. Sometimes there just weren’t enough answers for all the questions, but we knew enough to begin to attempt to put it all behind us.

Holt’s family met us at his apartment after he was released from the hospital a few days ago. With Holt’s help, I nervously told them everything. Needless to say, they were shocked. I clutched Holt’s hand, terrified his family would find me unworthy of their son, but the only thing they were upset about was why we hadn’t confided in them sooner.

Now three days later, I found myself trying to deal with one of the hardest pieces of the entire event.

“Are you ready?” Holt asked me for the second time this week. I knew he was worried about me.

“Not really, but I don’t have a choice,” I answered softly, biting my thumb while I gazed out the window.

We sat in Cal’s SUV along the green grass at the cemetery where Charly would be laid to rest next to our mother. It was a pretty cemetery, well-tended and lined with trees on the edge with a pretty stone chapel near the entrance. It was located on the other side of town where my parents had lived before I was born - before my father lost everything due to his drinking habits.

Earlier today we’d had a service at the church where Vic and Francine Barnes attended. They insisted on helping to pay for the funeral services, which I tried to refuse, but eventually accepted when Holt reminded me that they loved Lily like a granddaughter, and to let them do it for her. It was a fairly small assembly, but several parents from Lily’s school and the principal attended, and I could read the sincerity in their voices as they told me what a wonderful mother Charly had been. Others had taken time off from the law firm to attend. I didn’t miss the look of surprise on Holt’s face when he saw Linda Talbot wipe her eyes as she gave me a warm hug. He didn’t think his secretary had a soft spot anywhere in her.

There were a few cars behind us; others who had chosen to make the drive to the town where Charly and I grew up – all of the Andrews family, the McCloskeys, and the Barnes. Cal and Sara had driven us since Holt needed his pain meds for the long day, and I didn’t have a license.

“Take your time,” Cal said, turning around and smiling gently at me. “I’ll speak to the funeral director and just have him wait until you’re ready.” He and Sara got out, taking Cara’s carrier, and quietly shut the doors.

“How about you?” I asked him. “This can’t be easy for you, either.” The last time he’d been to a funeral had been to bury his wife, and I knew this couldn’t be easy on him.

Holt brushed his hand over my cheek. “I’ll be fine. It’s a hard day for everyone, but we’ll
all
be okay, I promise.”

“You really think so?”

“Maddy, I
know
so. That doesn’t mean it’s going to be a walk in the park. It doesn’t mean there isn’t going to be some tears and some struggles, but we’ll all get through, and you know why?”

I smiled, confident in my answer. “Because we have each other.”

His smiled beamed back at me. “That’s right, sweetheart. Whatever you both need, I’m here for you. And we’ll be here together for Lily.” His hand cupped my cheek, and I nuzzled into it. “I love you, Holten Andrews.”

“I love you, too.”

His eyes shifted to the cemetery and back to me. I wasn’t sure how I felt about today. It was an odd feeling. My sister had been lost to me long ago, yet it felt like I was losing her all over again. This time it was permanent, but with less anger. I grieved over not getting to talk to her, over what could have been. I wanted to rant at her, shake her for her stupidity, while simultaneously wanting to hold and hug her and tell her how proud I was of the mother she’d turned out to be and thank her for trying to look out for me.

I drew a calming breath and nodded. He opened the door and assisted me while I slid out. Everyone else had already gathered outside of their cars, patiently waiting for us.

“Aunt Maddy, is this where you and my mommy grew up?” a little voice asked.

I squatted down in front of the adorable little girl who had slightly darker hair and greener eyes than her mom or me, but no one could question we were related. “Very close to here, sweetheart. Did you see that big field we drove past? I used to play in it. I’d pretend I was a princess locked up in a tower waiting for a handsome prince to rescue me.”

She nodded solemnly. “Like Rapunzel. It was pretty.”

“It’s even prettier in the summer when the flowers are blooming.”

“Maybe we can come back and pick some flowers for my mommy.”

I smiled. “Sure. We can do that.”

“Did the prince ever come and rescue you, Auntie?”

I glanced at Holt and smiled before looking back at her. “He did, Lily. When I was least expecting him, he rode in and saved me.”

“Aunt Maddy? What’s going to happen to me?” Her little voice trembled.

Looking her straight in the eyes, I answered, “Nothing, honey. Nothing is going to happen to you, I promise. We have a few things to figure out, that’s all.” I pulled her into my embrace and hugged her tight.

Lily wrapped her arms around my neck and hung on for dear life. “Can I come live with you?”

Oh, this girl already owned my heart. I’d do anything for her, just as Charly said I’d want to do. “Would you like that, Lily?”

Lily’s chestnut curls bobbed up and down in an affirmative. “I love you, Auntie.” I thought my heart had been full when Holt told me he loved me, but now I saw how easily the heart had the capacity to grow when it came to love. I soaked it in eagerly, never having experienced it like this before.

After the interment, the rest of the families headed back toward Richmond, except this time, Lily rode with us. She was fascinated by baby Cara and sat in the middle row with her, while Holt and I sat in the back watching them. In a spontaneous moment, I asked Cal if he would mind taking a tour of the old town. Most of the storefronts were empty, abandoned homes dotted the streets, and many of those that were occupied looked worn and tired. When we passed the familiar trailer park, I clung to Holt’s hand. I shut my eyes tight and reminded myself how far I had journeyed since that day. Ironic how I’d come full circle.

“Auntie Maddy, look! There’s the field you told me about.”

My eyes flew open. “Cal, would you mind if I got out for just a minute?”

He pulled over to the curb while I pulled on my coat. Holt struggled to do the same, but I placed a gentle hand on his arm. “No,” I said softly. “I need to do this by myself.”

Reluctantly, he settled back in my seat. “Okay. But I’m here if you need me.”

I smiled. “And that’s what makes it different this time.”

I walked through the field, running my fingers across the top of the tall grasses. What I’d told Lily was true, it was much prettier in the summer when the wildflowers bloomed. But there was still something peaceful about the way the breeze rustled the pine trees on the edge several yards away.

I closed my eyes and imagined what it might have looked like once upon a time. I envisioned fields with ripe grains, a family garden close to the house with vegetables galore, and children running and playing hard in this very spot. I remembered how I used to think I was saving the flowers that had sprung up in their place from their fate of being choked out by the weeds.

Opening my eyes, I took a few more steps, and then I saw them – a patch of beautiful red flowers, blooming tall above the surrounding weeds, thriving
in spite
of their environment. Like me. Like Charly eventually had. Like Lily would.

I plucked one of the stems and headed back to the car. Holt was standing at the edge of the field. I smiled. I should have known. He was giving me my space, but staying nearby, reminding me he was there and would never leave me.

“What’s that?” he asked when I came to a stop in front of him, resting his good arm around my waist.

“A reminder,” I answered. When he raised his eyebrow in question, I explained, “A reminder of yesterday - the dreams I used to have, the experiences that have reshaped them, and the promise that tomorrow comes anyway.” I slid my arms up around his neck and pulled his head down for a kiss. “And I gotta tell you, Mr. Andrews, tomorrow is looking pretty damn fine from where I’m standing.”

“From here, too, sweetheart. I can’t wait to spend all of them with you.”

“
W
here’s Lily
?” I looked around for my niece. I’d just come home from tutoring at Mary’s after school clinic.

“She’s with Grandma Fran and Grandpa Vic. They went out to celebrate the end of the year.”

“Oh, I wanted to hear about how her last day of school went.” I felt oddly disappointed. Coming home to Holt and Lily was the best part of my day. Well, one of them. Waking up in Holt’s arms every morning was also tops.

It was hard to believe that three months ago the three of us moved into our own house. We had spent the months before letting Lily get to know both of us. We knew the worst thing we could do was to abruptly pull her away from the people she loved and trusted. She thought of Vic and Francine Barnes as her grandparents and Misty as another aunt. We weren’t willing to take that away from her. Misty and I would never be friends, but we managed to get along well enough for Lily’s sake.

We’d searched for a house in Lily’s school zone so that would remain consistent for her as well. The first house we walked in, we knew was it. It had almost everything we were looking for: a bright gourmet kitchen, large family rooms, plenty of bedrooms, a very private master bedroom, and a huge yard that Buddy loved. It even had a white picket fence. The only thing it was missing that Lily really wanted was a stable, not that Holt and I were sorry. Holt promised her we’d look into riding lessons over the summer.

Holt guided me to the couch. “We’ll pick her up tomorrow. Maybe this will make up for it. Sit. I have something for you, sweetheart.”

“You do?” I sing-songed as I curled up next to him on the couch.

Holt had spoiled me in all kinds of ways to make up for all the little things that I missed growing up, a huge family Thanksgiving, going overboard decorating for Christmas, big Easter baskets; even little things like having breakfast cooked for me when I woke up. Or moments like this when he surprised me out of the blue with a gift.

He placed a black velvet box in my hands. I looked at him in surprise. “What is it?”

“Open it and find out.”

As soon as I flipped the lid up, my hand flew to my mouth, and I almost dropped the box. Nestled on a bed of black velvet was a gold locket, almost identical to the one I’d lost the night of the fire.

“Holt, it’s beautiful!” With shaky fingers, I removed the piece of jewelry from the box and released the catch that held it closed. What I saw inside would have brought me to my knees if I hadn’t already been sitting.

“Wh…how…is that my mom? And Charly?” Each side held a picture of one of them.

Holt nodded. “While we were investigating the fire, I also asked Dave if he would try to find out anything he could about your mom. I don’t know how he did it, but somehow he was able to dig up a few pictures of her. I think he was able to find some people who knew her.”

“I don’t know what to say.” I was simply stunned.

“Here, let’s put it on.” He lifted the locket from the box, hooked it around my neck, and smoothed my hair over the chain.

I captured his hands and kissed each of his palms before pulling his head down to mine. “Thank you,” I whispered after I thanked him with a sweet kiss.

He held up a finger. “I have something else.” He reached behind him and pulled out a flat square package wrapped in gold foil paper.

I tore the paper to reveal a brand new Little Golden Book copy of Bambi. Now, tears started to flow. This man had not only given me my future, he was, in his own way, giving me back my past.

“I get why you loved this book, sweetheart. But I think you focused too much on the beginning of it, where Bambi lost his mother and felt so alone.” He held my hands that were holding the book and rubbed the backs of them with his thumbs. “I’m giving you this book to have again, only this time, I want you to focus on the end where Bambi’s life is full of friends who love and care about him. You have the same, Maddy. I know it’s been a hard journey, but you are loved by a lot of people, sweetheart. And nobody loves you more than I do. You’re my life.”

I was crying for real now. “It’s perfect. I love it, and I love you.”

He brushed the tears from my cheeks. “In that case, I have one more thing.”

I couldn’t imagine what else he could possibly surprise me with. He reached behind the couch once more and withdrew another flat square box, only this one was bigger and thicker. It was wrapped in glossy white paper and decorated in purple ribbon.

“Holt,” I sniffled. “This is just too much.”

He placed the box on my lap. “Never. Now open it.” He sounded nervous.

I slid a plain white box from the paper and lifted the lid. Underneath was more tissue paper, which when folded back, revealed another book. This one had a pale pink cover with an embossed darker pink ribbon entwined around the title, “Princess Madelyn.”

I looked up in amazement as I pulled the book from the box. He gently took the book from my hands. “I’d like to read a story to you.” He pulled me on his lap and opened the book. Once again, I gasped as I saw real photos on the title page. I immediately recognized a picture of my dad, Charly, and a pregnant woman who looked a lot like me.

Running a finger lightly over their images, I exclaimed, “Oh, my God! That’s…that’s my family.”

Holt nodded. “The picture in the locket wasn’t the only picture Dave found. Now sit back and listen.” I rested my head against his chest.

“Once upon a time, a king and queen and an older princess awaited the birth of a new baby princess.”

He turned the page, and there was picture of me as a little girl. “Finally, a beautiful baby girl named Madelyn Grace was born. But the queen died, and the family grew very sad. The King and Princess Charlotte tried their best, but one day a wicked sorcerer turned the King into a toad, and he wasn’t able to help his family anymore, so one day he hopped off and was never heard from again.”

I couldn’t contain the giggle looking at the illustration of a frog that somehow had contained some of my father’s features. I loved how after the first page, the rest of the pages had been illustrated with matching pastel watercolor pictures that looked like me and Charly.

“The two princesses had to leave their castle to live in a small cottage with their grandmother, but soon she, too, died. A dark cloud hung over the town.

“One day, an evil troll came to town and tricked the princesses. Princess Charlotte was able to run away, but Princess Madelyn was thrown into a dark dungeon. Every day she hoped and prayed that someone would set her free.

“Finally, the day came when her fairy godmother found her and brought a wizard, and they were able to break the spell that held the princess captive.

“Meanwhile, in another kingdom, lived a very handsome Prince named Holten. He’d been living under a spell that made him very sad.”

I snickered and poked him in the ribs at the way he emphasized the word ‘very.’

He tickled me back. “Shh. You know it’s true. Now listen to the rest of the story.”

I resumed my position.

“But then one day, he met Princess Madelyn, and she was able to break the curse. Prince Holten had never been happier, and he fell in love with the princess.”

He stopped reading, so I nuzzled Holt’s neck near his ear. “That’s a wonderful story, baby. How does it end?”

He turned his head sideways and kissed me. “Let’s find out.” He turned to the next page.

I sat bolt upright when I saw the drawing of the prince kneeling before the princess.

Holt’s deep voice continued, “Prince Holten loved Princess Madelyn so much, he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.”

I looked up from the book. Holt was gazing back at me, the love in his eyes so strong I could feel it. “Madelyn Stone, you came into my life when I was least expecting it. You challenged and pushed me, but mostly you showed me a kind of love I didn’t understand until you. You give and give and give, never thinking about the cost to you. You’ve been that way your whole life and I hate that it’s cost you so dearly. But I’m selfish, and I’m going to ask one more thing of you. I want it all, Madelyn. I want the entire fairytale with you. I don’t know the rest of the story after this, but I know I want it to always read Holt and Maddy. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

“Yes,” I cried as I flung my arms around his neck. “A million times, ‘yes.’”

I kissed him with all the love I had. Breathing hard, he finally pulled back.

“Maybe you should turn the page, then.”

Excitedly, I followed his instruction. The page opened to show a picture of a jewelry box, designed so that the lid popped up as the page unfolded. A diamond ring was tied with a ribbon to the box.

Holt untied the ribbon and took the ring. “I believe this belongs to you.”

He slid a beautiful solitaire diamond on my left ring finger. “You’ve had quite a story so far, Maddy. A tragedy, an adventure, and a love story all woven together. Now you deserve your fairytale ending.”

I stared first at my sparkling ring, then at him. And like the picture in the book, I wrapped my arms around my prince’s neck. “It’s so much better than that, Holt. It’s real. But it still ends with a happily ever after as long as I have you.”