Finding Promise (The Promise Series, A Small Town Romance) (26 page)

Caroline drew on Luke’s support and her own rage that she’d
been bottling up inside her for as long as she remembered. “I’m not going back
with you Mother and Father. I’m more than satisfied with my life as it is and
don’t require your approval to live it. I would prefer that we part on more
amicable terms but will not condone your behavior towards me or my guest. You
are welcome to stay, of course, provided that you act with the right decorum
and don’t continue to insult me and my guests in my own home.”

“Caroline, you need to understand that if you make the
decision to stay here that we cannot continue to acknowledge you. We cannot
allow you to disparage our good name.” Her father’s voice was like cold steel.

The entire conversation or debate rather, argument was too
warm a word, was pointless. Resigned, Caroline gave in to the inevitable,
“Mother, Father,” she looked at them sadness filling her at what they’ve done
and what they couldn’t bring themselves to do. “I can’t be the daughter you
want me to be. I don’t want the life I had in New York again. So, either you
can accept that or, as much as it pains me, you can leave.”

Her mother was pale with fury, her eyes dark with
disapproval, mirroring the same expression on her father’s face.

“I can see that we’ve wasted our time, Elizabeth.” Her
father got up to leave, followed closely by her mother. “Until you can behave
in a proper manner, you will not be welcomed back into the family. Do you
understand me, Caroline?” She nodded, acknowledging that he was in essence,
disowning her. She didn’t want nor need their money. God knows that she’d had
it and it had made her miserable. She felt sad for her parents because they
valued money and reputation so much that they’d never experience what she’s
experienced the past few months; joy, hope, love and acceptance that does not
judge nor ridicule. 

“I’m sorry that you feel that way, Father, Mother,” although
her heart was breaking, her pride refused to allow her to cave in. She stood up
with Luke now and walked her parents to the door. “If you can find it within
yourselves to accept me and the decisions I’ve made, then you’ll be welcome
here.”

“For what it’s worth,” Luke intercepted, “I want you to know
that I’ll take care of her.” They were her parents and although his gut told
him that his words meant nothing to him, he had to say it because it was the
right thing to do.

Without even a farewell, her parents left. She stood with
Luke, on the porch, watching them drive away and only then did she allow herself
to break down. Holding onto Luke, she sobbed into his chest.  “I’m sorry,
Luke. I’m so embarrassed by their rudeness. I don’t know what to say.”

“You’ve nothing to be sorry for, Caro.” He stroked her hair,
knowing that there was little he could do to soothe the hurt she must be
feeling. “I’m just sorry that you had to go through with that.”

“There’s plenty I could think of to say about your parents
but it’s a long line of cussing words and I think we’ve had enough negativity
for the day.” He tilted her face up to his, “Thank you for standing up for you.
I was very proud of you this morning, more so than I’ve ever been. What I don’t
understand is how someone who’s so full of life and love can come from such
cold-blooded people.”

“I don’t get that either.” Faith said from the corner of the
patio where she sat with Rachel next to her. “We must’ve arrived shortly after
your parents did. The door was open and we guessed at what was happening in
there.” Faith pointed in the direction of the lounge. “We didn’t want to
intrude but couldn’t leave either. We love you, Caroline and wanted to be here
for you when they left.”  Faith and Rachel’s eyes were both filled with
unshed tears.

“Oh God,” Caroline groaned, hiding her face deeper in Luke’s
chest. “How long have you been here? Did you hear all of that?”

“We heard enough.” Rachel answered, getting up with Faith
and coming towards her. “If you get embarrassed because of them then I’m going
to be pissed off with you. When you told us of your life, I didn’t understand
what you were saying about needing to get away and to build your own life, but
after seeing them, I think you were sugar-coating things. They didn’t even
greet you or ask you how you were. There was no emotion, no fondness and least
of all, kindness and love. I think you’re very brave to have survived living
with them.”

“Thank you. You’re all very important to me too. That’s
partly what gave me the courage to stand up to them.” Turning, she looked up
into Luke’s eyes that were watching her carefully, “Having you next to me gave
me courage and reminded me of what I’d gained here.”

Luke still felt the frustrated anger he’d felt at her
parents stirring inside him. He hated that she was hurting now, not knowing
what else to do, he leaned down and gently kissed her cheek, “I’m glad that you
had me with you. I would’ve hated for you to go through that alone. I’m just
sorry that I couldn’t have done more for you. I was afraid that I’d lose my
temper and toss them both out the house.” He smiled at the fantasy. “I have to
admit that that rates as the weirdest conversation of my life.”

Caroline nodded her head in agreement, “That was bizarre
though, wasn’t it? I’d forgotten about all of that, the coldness, the demands,
the careless disregard for what I wanted and what made me happy.”  
Suddenly exhausted, she sat down on the porch steps.

“Can we do anything for you, honey?” Faith touched
Caroline’s shoulder.

“I’ll be okay. I think I need a moment alone. If it’s alright
with you, I think I’ll go for a walk before we have our meeting. I need to sort
out some of these feelings before I carry on for the day.”

Faith, concerned for her friend, responded, “Take all the
time you need. We’ve already prepared so much for the opening that the meeting
was probably just to settle my nerves anyway. You go for your walk, Luke will
tidy the house and Rachel and I will make breakfast and start running through
what needs to be done.”

Nodding her head in thanks, Caroline gave Luke a brief kiss
on the cheek before heading out the gate towards the cliff. She walked along
the edge of the road, beach grass brushing against her jean and breathed in the
fresh salty air. Tears sliding down her cheeks, she allowed herself to grieve. She
wept for the life she neither had as a child nor as a young wife to James. She
wept for the joy that she would never experience with her parents along with
their love, support and acceptance.

When she felt that she that she’d depleted her supply of tears
and heartache, she turned around and headed home. She was going home, she
realised, a home that she created and where friends waited for her, who loved
her with the kind of familiarity that just accepted. The home she now shared
with a man who offered her all that she did not get from her parents. They were
as much a partnership in their love as Rachel and Faith were her friends and
business partners. As short and bizarre as the whole episode had been, she’d
come to realise just how much her life had changed. Looking up at the house,
standing in nearly the exact same spot she stood in when she’d first arrived,
she allowed herself to acknowledge her achievements. She’d done so much more
than turn a house into a home, make friends and gain her independence. Even
more than the love she found with Luke, she’d come to accept who she was and
like what she found. She’d achieved what she’d set out to do when she left New
York, she’d healed. It was a liberating feeling. 

There was just one thing missing now. Following her gut, she
made another decision. But she had to hurry, she didn’t have much time.

--------

Her kitchen was bustling with activity. Caroline was
surprised to find Laurel, Patsy and the whole welcoming brigade sitting at her
kitchen table. By the understanding look on their faces, she knew that they’d
been told what had happened. Faith was at the helm, issuing orders to everyone
while they ate their breakfast. It was so normal, so chaotic that it made her
smile. She went to Luke, kissed the top of his head and sat down in the empty
chair next to him.  

Laurel turned to her and said, “Caroline, honey, we knew
that it was a big day for you three so we came to help. We’re all having a
breakfast and then we’ll get to all that Court Marshall Faith is barking out at
us.” Laurel pointed a fork to an indignant Faith, making everyone snicker and
lightening the atmosphere.

Seeing Caroline laugh made Laurel feel better. Faith had
phoned her as soon as Caroline had gone on her walk. Laurel wished that she had
been here to give that girl’s parents a piece of her own mind. But it wasn’t to
be, she thought disappointedly. How people can bring a child into the world and
treat her like that was beyond her comprehension. “Now eat up, honey. When
you’re done, you can tell us what to do and we can learn some of your secrets.”

“Thank you. We’ve lost some times so I appreciate the help.”
She’d heard the unspoken words. Laurel was really saying, “You needed us and we
came.” Letting it warm her, she smiled. 

--------

Caroline waited until after breakfast and Luke had been
reassured that she was okay, to get her friends alone, saying that she needed a
bit of girl time with them first.

“Are you okay honey?” Faith asked. Caroline’s tear-streaked
face was the only indication of the morning’s debacle. Caroline had already put
on her apron and looked ready to tackle the day.

“You look like you have something on your mind. Spill.”
Rachel was relieved that Caroline had survived the morning. As much as the day was
going to be nightmarishly busy, she was grateful that it would keep Caroline’s
mind preoccupied.

Beaming, Caroline pulled them into a hug. She loved that
they respected her enough to treat her normally.  “Thank you. Thank you
for being the friends that you are.” She pulled away and looked at them, her
mind scheming, “I need to do something and I need to ask if it’s okay with
you.” She began cryptically. “Faith, I’m sorry, but it’s going to interfere
with your plans.”

The opening night was an irrefutable success. They’d invited
nearly the entire town of Promise to the event and lured by the idea of free
food and curiosity, attendance was excellent. Caroline relished the sounds of
the party, the clink of glasses, and the buzz of conversation around her.

Everyone had had plenty to eat and drink and the food was
getting fantastic reviews. Many town residents had already placed orders, from
birthday cakes to catering for anniversaries. A few restaurants had approached
them, wishing to discuss wholesale orders for breads and desserts to enhance
their menus. Caroline was sure that she could be inventive enough to provide
each restaurant with its own unique offering. Fortunately Rachel, with her mind
always on the money, had an order book ready and Faith, ever the organizer, had
jotted down a few appointments. 

Caroline stood around a cocktail table with Rachel and
Faith, lifting their glasses to each other in silent recognition of their
success, their matching gold charm bracelets catching the light. They had done
it. They’d accomplished what they’d set out to do and believed that they would
continue to do so through collaboration and honing their strengths. It was a
close call though. Looking at the welcoming brigade, she was grateful for their
help. They’d followed her instructions precisely and it was largely thanks to
them that she’d been able to complete the preparation of all the food. Faith
had been great, orchestrating the whole event like the most pedantic wedding
planner on earth. Thanks to Faith, they had arranged extra cocktail tables and
chairs, courtesy of the inn. Floral arrangements dotted the shop, their simple
elegance well suited to the rest of the décor. Thanks to Rachel, they’d done it
all within budget with some change to spare.

“Not a bad job, ladies,” Rachel re-filled their champagne
glasses. “Even if I do say so myself, us being such exemplary young women and
entrepreneurs,” she quoted the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, making the
other two giggle, “this is going very well indeed.” Rachel was already
computing projected profits.

Caroline emptied her glass and squared her shoulders. “Wish
me luck.” It was time to follow through with her decision. Tapping a fork
against her glass, she drew everyone’s attention to her.

“If I may, I’d like to say a few words please.” Surveying
the crowd, she saw the crowd of friendly and familiar faces until she found the
one that she wanted. Strangely, she didn’t feel nervous at all. She
intrinsically knew that she had made the right decision.

“When I left New York, I was looking for some place but I
didn’t know what it was until I arrived in Promise. I wanted possibilities and
a new beginning. I found that but I also found so much more. I’ve found
friendship, family and the belonging that comes from being part of a community.
I found acceptance and a hole in my bank balance.” She waved her hand around,
indicating the bakery and making the crowd laugh. “But most importantly, I
found love in Promise, the love of the land, its beauty, its nuances and the
love of its people.”

She focused on Luke, locking her gaze onto his. “I found you
Luke. Through our love, not because of it, I found myself. Luke Edwards, I
would like to make a promise to you, in front of this town we’re both so fond
of. I promise to love you, care for you, through good and bad. I promise to
work with you to create a life together, one where we can look back, not at
regrets but at the adventures we’ve had and memories we’ve made.”