Moments in Time: The Complete Novella Collection Read online

  He nodded. “She lost him a second time. And that time, forever. It just about killed her. She’d spent years trying to come to terms with his death, and she was healing gradually. But you will always remind her of him… because of the connection you had to him.”

  “Unfortunately, I can’t change that. I fell in love with Nick before I found out he was Chris’s brother. I don’t want to give him up, if that’s what you’re asking me to do.”

  He laughed. “I’d never ask you to do such a thing. We don’t choose who we fall in love with. I wanted to make sure you understand why Leonor is hesitant to let you in.”

  “Do you think she ever will?”

  “I can’t say.” He rubbed his beard. “But there’s something you can do.”

  “What’s that?” At this point, I’d do anything. If I couldn’t get along with Nick’s mother, it was bound to affect our marriage later on. He’d always be caught in the middle, unable to take sides.

  “Go talk to her. Just the two of you.”

  “Would she let me?”

  “You won’t know unless you try again.”

  I was quiet for a long time as I recalled the fire in Leonor’s eyes. “I’ll try.”

  “Then my job here is done. It was really nice to meet you, Carlene. I can see why my son fell in love with you. Welcome to the family.” He stretched out his hand to shake mine.

  I smiled and pumped his warm, firm hand. “Thank you. I appreciate you coming by.”

  “I’m sure you and Leonor will smooth things out. Then we’ll have dinner together as a family, to celebrate your engagement.” He smiled and laughter lines crinkled around his eyes.

  “I’d like that very much.”

  After Bill left, I sank down onto the box labeled Books with my head in my hands. It helped to know someone in Nick’s family was on my side, but I dreaded seeing Leonor again. What if we couldn’t mend the broken bridge between us?

  But from the look of things, I had to take the first step. And I’d do so before Nick returned home. I just needed to figure out exactly what I was going to tell her so as not to hurt her even more.

  ***

  All packed, sealed, and labeled boxes were moved to one side of the door, ready to be picked up by the moving truck later in the afternoon. Only three of my old boxes were left; I planned to go through them to get rid of things I no longer needed. I opened one of them, which turned out to be filled with books and CDs. I sealed it again. I never got rid of my books, and CDs were slowly becoming extinct, so I held on to the few I had.

  I pulled the second box toward me and froze. Scrolled across its top were the words Chris’s Belongings, written in green marker pen. After his death, I’d found the box under our bed with a Post-it Note that said “Things to remember me by.”

  Holding my breath, I slowly opened it. I’d never looked inside it before. It would have been unbearable. But I was moving on to a new life with Nick. Chris was no longer a part of my life. But could I really throw his things away—the only proof he had ever lived?

  Inside was Chris’s favorite cap with a lightning symbol across the front. I’d won it for him at a darts festival we had attended a year after we started dating.

  I reached deeper into the box and lifted out a stack of movie tickets held together with an elastic band. All the movies we’d gone to see together. I sniffled and placed them next to me. Maybe I’d keep those. Next, I lifted out a stack of white envelopes, also held together with an elastic band. At least fifty of them, with no names or addresses at the front. I pulled off the band. Frowning, I opened one, and when I saw the first words, my heart swelled—and broke.

  Dear Leonor (Mother).

  I refused to read on. The letter was not meant for me.

  The first time Chris opened up to me about being adopted and how he felt his mother had discarded him, I’d advised him to write to her, to tell her how he felt, lash out if he must, so he could lighten the weight on his shoulders. He never told me he had followed my advice.

  I wiped my cheek with the back of my hand, then slipped the letter back into its envelope. These letters belonged to Leonor, and they were probably the missing link—the best way I could reach her. Offering her an opportunity to hear from her son would be priceless, surely.

  The rest of the things in the box of Chris’s favorite belongings were a Rolling Stones CD and a journal. Except for the movie tickets, I’d give everything to Leonor.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Even though Leonor had agreed over the phone that she would meet me, I expected her not to show up. But her back was ramrod straight as she strode toward the table I had reserved at Delucia. We’d gotten off on a bad foot the last time we were here; maybe it would be the right place to start over. I stood up and forced a smile. “Thanks for coming, Leonor.”

  She nodded and pulled out a chair. “You have something you want to say to me?”

  “No, not me,” I said. “Someone else.”

  “Miss Adams, I understand you’ve called me here to convince me of your innocence in my son’s death, but I’d like you to know that to me, you’ll always be guilty. We can never be friends. But since my husband persuaded me to come, please say what you have to say.” She folded her hands in front of her.

  “Should we order first? I thought it might be nice to talk over lunch.”

  “I’ve already eaten.”

  I sighed and reached into my bag. “If I only wanted to talk, I’d have told you what I wanted to say over the phone. I wanted to give you something.”

  Leonor narrowed her eyes.

  I pulled out the stack of envelopes that I had tied with a Stalford ribbon. “These are from Chris. Years ago, I encouraged him to write to you. I didn’t know he had.”

  Leonor’s hands shook as she almost snatched them from my hand. She blinked a few times and brought them up to her face, pressed them to her lips and closed her eyes.

  It was almost as if she’d forgotten I was there.

  “If you want to talk, please give me a call.” I picked up my purse and stood. “I have more things that Chris cherished. Let me know if you want them.”

  ***

  “Did my mother call?” Nick asked over the phone two days after I’d met up with Leonor. I’d told him about Chris’s belongings and the letters, and my plans to give them to her.

  “No. Maybe the cut is too deep and I won’t be able to fix it.”

  “I’m sure she’ll call, sweetheart. Keep me posted.”

  “You know I will. I can’t wait for you to come home.”

  “Just one more day. How does our new home look?”

  “It’s really beautiful. The interior decorator went beyond my expectations.”

  Before Nick had left for China, we’d discussed the décor of our home and jotted down our thoughts. The day he flew, he hired an interior decorator and several contractors to put the pieces of our vision together in the shortest time possible. I didn’t have to lift a finger, which was a relief. All the packing and worrying about my relationship with Leonor had worn me out.

  “Perfect. I can’t wait to get back so we can warm it up. Every room, if you know what I mean.”

  “I know what you mean.” I laughed. “You naughty boy.”

  “Sweetheart, I have to go. I’ll give you a call tomorrow. I love you so much, Carlene. Never ever forget that. I look forward to starting our life together. Don’t worry about my mom. I’ll talk to her again when I get back.”

  “Okay. Your dad is great, by the way. He invited me for a drink yesterday to ask how it went with your mom.”

  “I’m glad you two are bonding.”

  “Me too. Now go and do your job so you can get back here fast.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  “I’ve always dreamt of looking like a princess on my wedding day.” I lay on my stomach on our queen-sized bed, flipping through one of the glossy magazines strewn around Melisa and me.

  “What girl doesn’t?” Melisa thumbed through anot
her magazine. “Our wedding was on a cruise ship. It was so romantic.” Melisa’s face darkened.

  “I’m so sorry you and Scott didn’t get the chance to spend the rest of your lives together.”

  Melisa sighed. “At least I got a few years with him. There are people who never get that chance.”

  “You’re right.” I squeezed her shoulder.

  “Now let’s get back to planning your happy day.”

  “I really think I should follow Nick’s advice and hire a wedding planner. There’s so much to do.”

  “Why in the world don’t you?”

  “At first I wanted to be involved in every little detail, but I’ve been so exhausted these days. I admit I’m overwhelmed. Invites, flowers, food, clothes… it’s too much. I can’t believe some brides do it all alone.”

  The doorbell rang, and Melisa cocked an eyebrow. “You expecting someone?”

  “Not that I know of.” I shrugged, slid to the edge of the bed, and slipped on my slippers. “Maybe the interior decorator has some last-minute details to discuss with me. Find me the perfect dress. I’ll be right back.”

  “You got it.”

  I glided along the wide marble corridor and down the sweeping staircase to the front door. I twisted the handle and pulled the door open. A gasp escaped my lips.

  Leonor stood in front of me, hair in a tight bun, heavy makeup on in an attempt to hide the dark circles under her eyes and diminish the puffiness. It didn’t quite work. “I’m sorry I didn’t call first,” she said.

  What a transformation. Could the letters have changed something inside of her? Better not to raise my hopes just yet. “No problem. Do you want to come in?”

  “Yes, please.” She surveyed her hands, and I noticed she carried a white silk–covered, crystal-encrusted box. “I brought you something.”

  I stepped aside and she entered, her eyes flitting from side to side as she studied the interior of our house. “You have a beautiful home.”

  “Thank you.” Was her sudden kindness here to stay?

  “Can we talk?”

  “Sure.” I led her to the living room and offered her a seat. I sat on the opposite end of the couch, out of her reach. Just on the off chance she was here to attack me.

  She placed the box on the cushion between us and crossed her legs. “Carlene, I came to thank you for the kindness you’ve shown me, despite the way I’ve treated you.”

  I blinked. Was I hearing things?

  “It was unfair of me to blame you for Chris’s death, even if there is sufficient evidence that you were not responsible.”

  “I understand why you did it.”

  “I needed a scapegoat, I guess.” She clasped her hands. “I’d never stopped blaming myself for giving away my child. I couldn’t live with the guilt of having lost him, so it was easy to place it on your shoulders.”

  “I really did love Chris.”

  “I know that now. He mentioned you in every one of the letters.” She paused. “Thank you for giving them to me. He told me about his depression and how you tried to get him through it. He seemed to have loved you so much. Thank you for having been there for my son and showing him love.”

  A tear slid down Leonor’s cheek, making a streak in her makeup. “I’m glad you came into our lives so I could get to know my son.” She wiped her cheeks. “He told me all about himself, what he loved and hated, and that he loved me, even if he didn’t know me.”

  “He really did. You gave him life. He believed you must have had a good reason for giving him away, and he so wanted to meet you one day.”

  “But it didn’t work out that way.”

  I shook my head. “The depression got too heavy for him to carry. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

  Leonor nodded and stood. To my surprise, she came over and hugged me. “And for yours. I’m sorry for what you had to go through. You’re a good person. I can understand why both my sons fell in love with you.” She released me again, and this time my eyes were misty, too.

  She went back to the couch and picked up the box. “This is for you.” She removed the lid to reveal a gorgeous ruby necklace that must have cost a fortune. “An engagement gift,” she said, lifting it out of the box and placing it in my hands. “Welcome to the family.”

  I had all but given up hoping Leonor and I would ever have a relationship. I was glad I gave her another chance to come around. “This means a lot. Thank you.” I wrapped my hands around the necklace, which was cool against my skin.

  “No problem.” She smiled, revealing the whitest teeth I’d ever seen and a dimple on each cheek. “I’m also here to offer my help.”

  “Help?”

  “I spoke to Nick, and he said your wedding is coming up soon. You must have a great deal to accomplish in such a short time. I’d like to help.”

  “No, you don’t have to. I plan on hiring a wedding planner.”

  She clasped her hands together. “I’m a wedding planner by profession. It’s what I used to do for a living before I started up my cosmetics company.”

  “Really?” My eyes widened. “That’s amazing.”

  “It would really mean a lot to me if you let me help. It would give us a chance to get to know each other.”

  Joy radiated through my chest. “I’d love that. Thank you, Leonor.”

  “Call me Mom,” she said.

  A moment passed as I allowed her words to sink in. Then I beamed. “Mom.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  As a small child, I’d dreamt of a princess wedding with a horse carriage and doves released into the air when my prince and I said I do. And Nick was prepared to give me the wedding of my dreams, no expenses spared. At first, he’d written down an amount I could spend on the wedding that blew me away. But after everything that had happened, all I wanted was Nick. In the end, I agreed to a quarter of that amount for an elegant and intimate ceremony and asked him to donate the rest to the Oasis Shelter. Nick happily agreed. In addition, he was now in the process of having a second Oasis Shelter built, with enough beds to fit a hundred people, and was hiring staff members to care for them. He was also renovating the original shelter and replacing all the old appliances and equipment.

  I settled for a breathtaking ivory wedding gown of tulle, lace, and silk, and a romantic evening wedding in the garden of our home, with a sea of sweet-smelling flowers and lanterns hanging from tree branches. The pond and fountain were illuminated with hundreds of tiny lights to create a magical ambience.

  People from all walks of life attended our wedding. My foster parents, Tim and Cora, flew in from Germany, and I was overjoyed to welcome Sam, Lilliana and her husband, plus my other colleagues from Stalford—who had finally welcomed me into their circle of friendship. My friends from Oasis—both staff and a few residents—were also present, wearing new clothes Nick had chipped in for. Then, of course, Nick’s family, friends, and business partners were there as well.

  Despite the great differences in social class, no one seemed out of place. As I sat at the wedding table during the reception, holding Nick’s hand, I even spotted Donny, an old friend of mine who had once been homeless, talking to a movie star.

  “Looks like everyone’s getting along great,” Nick whispered into my ear.

  “I told you they would.” I grinned and kissed my new husband on the lips.

  “Time for you to dance the night away, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson,” said Melisa, my maid of honor, interrupting our kiss.

  Perfect timing. I’d been meaning to talk to her. “Honey, I’ll join you in a bit. I need a quick moment with Melisa.”

  “That’s fine. See you on the dance floor, Mrs. Johnson.” He kissed my forehead.

  “Melisa,” I said when Nick was gone. “I kept my promise to you. I broke out of my shell and started a new life. It was terrifying, but look where I’ve landed.”

  “You did great. I couldn’t be prouder of my best friend.” She hugged me.

  “I want the same for you,” I said with tears
in my eyes. “You deserve another chance. If one presents itself, no matter how terrifying it may seem, don’t be afraid to take it.”

  Melisa laughed. “What are the chances of me landing a multimillionaire husband?”

  I shook my head. “It’s not about money. It’s about love and living again. I wouldn’t care if Nick were poor.”

  “I’m damaged beyond repair, inside and out. Who in their right mind would want me?”

  “Shut up. You’ve been through a lot, but you’re strong and smart. Plus, you’re gorgeous.” I always found it hard to believe Melisa was oblivious to her own beauty. The jade green, mermaid-style bridesmaid dress she wore accentuated her curves, and her fiery corkscrew curls were pinned to her head in a flattering updo. “I saw a few men staring at you tonight.”

  “So what do you want me to do?”

  “I’ve fulfilled the promise I made you, and now I’m giving it back to you. Please keep it for me.”

  Melisa sighed and pursed her lips. “I’ll try.”

  “That’s all I can ask for.” I kissed her on the forehead and left to dance with my husband, who had just finished a dance with his mother.

  “By the way,” I said, drawing close to him and whispering into his ear as we began to spin gracefully across the floor. “I have a wedding present for you tucked away somewhere.”

  “What is it?” He squinted his beautiful green eyes.

  “I can’t say, except that you’ll have to wait nine months to see it.”

  Nick stopped dancing and his eyes widened. “You are… We are?” A grin split his face.

  I laughed. “Yes, we are,” I said. “Two months.”

  He kissed me hard on the lips, then picked me up and swung me around until my head spun.

  “Put me down!” I pushed at his chest, giggling. “I don’t think that’s good for the baby.”

  “Oh, sorry.” He lowered me to the ground and held me close as we danced to the song that had played in the café the first time we kissed. We swayed into our future, our bodies cushioning our perfect little promise. Our new beginning just a heartbeat away.