"Has anyone else been here?" Anne asked, hoping Rick hadn't already come and gone.
"Rietta and my parents were here earlier, but when Louisa ordered everyone out, they went for lunch. They've been here since this morning when she first woke up. We drove up as fast as we could and got here about an hour ago."
"And that's when you called everyone?" Anne asked.
"Well, just you. I figured you'd tell your family later."
Anne grimaced, wondering if her father and sister had said something to make Charles reluctant to share the news. Or maybe he had gathered, from the years of being their in-law, that they thought little of his world.
"And Rick," Charles continued as an after-thought, "Cause I know he'd want to know, but he didn't answer. Probably has work. He had to leave town a few days ago, but I have no idea where he went. Could be abroad for all I know."
Anne's hope withered within her. If that was true, then Rick may not come at all. So much for hoping to meet him at the hospital. Asking for his number was the only option now.
She gathered her courage. "Hey, Charles, about Rick—"
Mary abruptly gasped, looking past Anne. "What's he doing here?"
Anne whirled around, expecting to find Rick striding toward them, but to her surprise, it was Rick's friend, Harv, who limped his way down the hallway. He waved at them with a face of concern, as if not sure how well he would be received. Mary walked away in a huff and he hesitated, but Anne hurried toward him with a welcoming smile. "Harv!"
"Anne!" He said with relief. "Glad to see you again. James let me know they might be waking her up today. How is she?" He directed the question to Charles who hadn't moved while Mary sat by herself further down the hallway.
"You have impeccable timing," Charles said. "She awoke a few hours ago."
"That's good! Congratulations. And, her head?"
"Not as bad as we imagined, but not perfectly in the clear," Anne stated and Charles nodded, confirming her words.
Harv winced. "I see." He shifted his weight. "Is, uh, James around?"
"He's with Louisa. Do you want to see them both?"
"If it's okay with you?" Harv asked Charles.
"Of course. Anne, you can go with him, but keep quiet. Noise upsets her."
They both nodded and headed into the room. Louisa lay on the bed, her eyes closed, as unmoving the last time Anne had seen her except, this time, her hand lay enclosed in James' hand. He sat with elbows on the bed, his book propped up against Louisa's side, reading out a poem that described the Connecticut countryside in such heart-wrenching terms, it was as if that state had been sucked away by an alien force and would never be seen again.
Anne and Harv stood awkwardly together, not sure if they should interrupt the serene moment. Then James came to the end of his poem and Louisa turned her head and smiled at James like a maiden to her dear knight. He leaned forward, hungrily eating up the attention. Anne knew that hunger. It was how she felt whenever Rick was around, acting like a forlorn little puppy, desperate for any pat on the head.
Harv coughed, ruining the moment, and James rose to his feet, but no embarrassment heated his cheeks. Only pure excitement. "Harv!" he announced in a loud whisper. "She's awake!"
Louisa smiled at them like a dying queen on her deathbed. "Anne, is that you?"
Anne smiled, relieved she was remembered. "Yes, it's me." She walked toward her and grasped her free hand—the other was still in James' hand. "How are you feeling?"
"My head aches, but I think I'm okay."
"They gave her some medicine for the pain," James said. "She's a little out of it."
Anne patted Louisa's hand. "Get well, soon, then."
Louisa murmured something, her eyes closing.
"She tires quickly," James said. "But I'm sure she was happy to see you."
Anne smiled. "It's okay. I get it."
"Hey, Harv," James asked. "Is it okay if I stay a few more days here? Louisa said she'd like it if I did."
Harv shrugged, but Anne caught the wince he tried to hide. "Yeah, take as many days as you need. Everyone's back from the retreat so we have enough help right now."
"Thanks." He sat down and rubbed Louisa's hand while he began to read another poem. Harv glanced at Anne, silently asking if she wanted to go. She nodded and they withdrew, leaving the couple to themselves.
"She's really taken a liking to James," Harv said to Charles as they exited the room.
"Yeah, it's weird. But the doctors said she might have some abnormal desires. Not that her liking James is anything bad,” Charles added in a rush.
“No, I understand. James has been under a lot of stress himself. It’s good for him to have something to do. And this could all be just a phase.”
“Yeah. The doctors said to let her do what she wants until they’ve ascertained the level of damage. But, she did ask for Rick at one point."
Now it was Anne's turn to hide a wince. Poor Rick. What if he really loved Louisa, only to find his good friend, James, had replaced him because of his soothing voice? Would his heart be able to handle another rejection? And would he utterly refuse to give Anne a chance after that?
"When is Rick coming?" Harv asked and Anne could have hugged him. That was exactly what she had wanted to know.
"I've sent him some texts and left a voicemail, but who knows when he'll get it—" Charles, stopped, a grin sprouting across his face. "There he is now!"
Anne froze as heavy footsteps pounded behind her. He was here. Really here.
Hoping her smile wasn't as jittery as her stomach, she turned to face him.
"Sorry, I was on an airplane when you called," Rick began. So, he had been out of town. And came back solely for Louisa, not her. Anne's hopes plummeted.
"I came over as soon as I could," Rick continued. "How is she?"
"She's doing okay. We don't know all the damage yet, but she asked after you."
"She did?" He seemed genuinely surprised as if it hadn't occurred to him she would think about him.
"Yeah. Do you want to see her?"
Rick hesitated for a moment and Anne was stunned to see his eyes dart to her. Unfortunately, she just stared stupidly back. His eyes reverted to Charles. "Yes, if that's okay?"
"It is, but you'll need to whisper and be quiet. Noise upsets her."
"All right."
Anne fought to not vent her frustration with a sigh as Rick walked away from her. Since Charles and Harv stood next to her, they might think her irritated sigh was related to them instead of herself. If only her befuddled brain could come up with a reason to go with Rick into the room. Except, what would she do then? Watch him see James and Louisa look fondly at each other? And witness him withdraw from both Louisa and her?
No, she was better waiting out here, hoping for the best. She turned to Charles, desperate to start a conversation to help ease the wait, but he headed off toward the pouting Mary. The only other person left was Harv and he looked rather lost.
"Hey, you okay?" She asked, moving toward him.
He mustered up a smile. "Sorry, I'm fine. It's nothing."
He didn't look fine at all. Hazarding a guess, she asked, "Is it about James?"
He looked at her as if wondering if she could read minds. "What do you know about James?"
"Um, that he's a good man, good with horses, and really likes poetry. And he lost his fiancé last year."
"Did he mention that fiancé was my younger sister?"
"Oh, Harv, I'm so sorry. He said she died of a disease from a tick."
"Yeah, she did." He looked around the hallway as if expecting to find her ghost haunting the walls. "Being in a hospital again, it brings back all the memories. Fanny's sickness was sudden. She was laughing and running one day, then in a hospital bed the next, ebbing away until she was gone. And James, he used to do exactly what he's doing now. Sit by her bedside, reading his poems."
"Is that not good?"
He sighed. "I have nothing against Louisa. Really, I
don't. I'm sure she's a great girl. It's just...well, I’m really hoping this sudden infatuation is just a phase. Some weird grief thing. Fanny was my baby sister. And it hasn't even been a year. For him to care for someone else so quickly..."
Anne laid a hand on his arm, wishing she could ease his pain. "I'm sure this has nothing to do with your sister. James has a big, loving heart that has a giant hole in it right now. He needs to dote on something other than horses."
Harv gave a weak smile. "He does have a big heart. And he loves those horses fiercely. I just thought...well, my wife would tell me I'm being selfish, I'm sure. But I thought his love for my sister would stand the test of time. It's why I thought they'd make such a good pair."
Anne sighed. "It's not always fun having a love that stands the test of time." Like her stubborn love of Rick who still wasn't paying attention to her. So much for thinking he had forgiven her.
He raised his eyebrows. "What do you mean?"
Anne wished she hadn't said anything. "I, uh, I just mean, it's nice to be able to move on, to not be stuck on one person."
He laughed. It echoed throughout the dreary hallway. "You make the idea of a soul mate sound like a prison."
She glanced toward the doorway where Rick stood, his back to her, his attention on Louisa. "It can be like a prison. You have no idea."
He stepped toward her. "I have a soul mate. My wife. And I can assure you, it is no prison."
"Yes, but she's with you. Imagine her being gone."
"But I couldn't imagine falling in love with someone else. It would be wrong. It would cheapen my love for her."
"I'm sorry, I don't mean you're expected to fall in love with someone else or that it's bad to expect you to move on. All I'm saying is that for those that want to move on, being unable to can be unbearable."
He looked at her for a long moment. "You lost a love." It wasn't a question.
She gave a small shrug. "Happens to a lot of people, I guess."
"How did he die?"
Anne glanced at Rick, very much alive, only five feet away, and yet miles away from her heart. She switched her gaze to her hands in case Harv deduced who she was talking about. "He's not dead. He found love elsewhere."
Harv clasped her shoulder. "Then he can't be the love of your life. If he couldn't see your worth, then he's not worthy of your love."
Anne ducked her head. "I know. But, sometimes," she pressed her hands against her chest, "your heart won't listen to logic."
"Yeah, I can understand that."
"And," she raised her head. "James could be the same. He's young. To force him to love only one woman the rest of his life..."
"Ah, I see where you are going. You know, you're really good, Anne, cause I was just standing here, thinking, you should move on yourself." He blew out his breath. "All right, I'll concede. It's going to be hard, but I'll be happy for James, whatever he chooses to do. But Anne," he grinned at her, "you sure you don't want to be a counselor? You're very good with people. I feel like I could bear my soul to you right now and you'd know exactly what to say."
Anne flushed. "I'm not that good." She flicked her eyes toward the one man she rarely knew what to say, but to her shock, he had turned around. She stiffened. Had he heard their conversation? When did he start to eavesdrop? And why?
"Rick," Harv called, obviously unfazed if Rick had overheard or not. "How are you holding up?"
"Good," Rick said, giving his friend a quick glance before his eyes focused on Anne again. She had no idea what her face looked like, but she hoped it didn't show the nervous confusion crashing inside her. Rick took a step forward, opening his mouth, but Charles suddenly intervened.
"Hey, Rick, if you're done with Louisa, can I talk with you for a minute?"
Anne could have throttled Charles. Why was someone always interrupting when Rick seemed ready to say something important?
"I should head out," Harv announced. "I have some errands to run while I'm in Boston. Will you walk me out? Or rather," he held up his cane with a grin, "limp out with me?"
Anne forced a laugh even though inside, she desperately wanted to stay rooted to her spot. Rick might come back and talk to her and she didn't want to miss that opportunity. Then again, she could stand there awkwardly while Charles and Rick talked for an hour or so. And besides, if Rick really wanted to talk to her, he would stick around, right?
Hoping she wasn't making the worst mistake of her life, she walked with Harv toward the elevator and inwardly lamented how slow Harv moved. It would take forever before she could hurry back.
She chided herself. Harv had sustained a massive injury and probably dealt with daily pain. It wasn't fair to expect him to gallop to the exit simply because she was in a hurry. Still, she couldn't help being happy when they finally reached the elevator—except the irritating machine seemed to take forever to rise to their floor.
"Would I be horribly rude," Harv asked, leaning on his cane, "if I asked the identity of the clueless man who broke your heart?"
Anne froze at first, but as the scenario of Harv finding out it was his own friend that had scarred her heart played out in her head, she couldn't help chuckling. "I'm afraid it's a secret I won't divulge."
"Taking the secret to your grave, eh?"
She smiled. "Something like that."
The elevator pinged open and they entered it. "Well, I know I'm being a hypocrite, but I do hope you find a way to move on. You're an amazing woman, Anne. The way you handle people, your steadiness, your empathy for others—that's a rare combo of talent. Any guy would be lucky to have you."
Anne ducked her head, well aware her cheeks were flaming. "Thanks."
"And, if you want some help, I do happen to know quite a few single guys. Military type, mind you, but don't mind their rough exterior. They have hearts of gold, I swear."
The mental image of Harv bugging Rick to ask her out made her laugh. "Thanks, but I think I'll forge ahead on my own." Assuming Rick would stay in one spot long enough for her to talk to him.
They meandered toward the lobby in silence, Harv taking his sweet time and Anne, resigned to his slow pace, following along. At the entrance, Harv stopped. "Well, I shall be off. My offer of dates still stands if you ever change your mind."
"Thank you. That's very kind," she began to say but paused as her phone pinged. "Sorry, let me just check—" The blood drained from her face. The notification clearly claimed that an email sat in her inbox—an email from Rick.
Chapter 28
Anne stared at her phone, half expecting the notification to disappear, a product of her mind, instead of actually being real. A warm hand wrapped around her arm and Anne realized she was teetering.
"What's wrong?" Harv asked, struggling to hold her up while also hanging onto his cane. "Bad news? It's not about Louisa, is it?"
"Uh, no," she managed to get out and corrected her stance. "It's nothing about Louisa. It's, uh, something else."
"How terrible is it? You look like you're in shock. I think you should sit down." He limped her toward a chair. "Should I get a nurse?"
She shook her head. She wanted him to go away. To disappear. For everyone to disappear and leave her alone. There was an unread message in her inbox from Rick and all she wanted was to devour every single word. What could he possibly have written? And why an email? She was only a few floors below him!
"Are you sure?" He sat down next to her and Anne inwardly groaned. Harv was a good man, but now was not the time to be so concerned!
"I'm fine, really." She stood up to prove her point. "It's an email from an old friend of mine that I had thought I'd never hear from again."
He blinked. "So, it's happy news?"
"Yes, I'm sorry for worrying you. I was caught by surprise, that's all, but I'm fine now."
"Ah." He hefted himself to his feet. "Well, in that case, I'll leave you to it. I'm sure you're wanting to read it and I'm ruining the moment, aren't I?"
She smiled. "Yeah, something like that."
"Well, I hope it's from a nice single guy," he winked at her and then headed out the door. Anne laughed. It was exactly from a nice, single guy. The one single guy she had been obsessed with for over eight years!
Once he was gone, she sat back down, took a deep breath, then opened the email.
Anne,
I know I should do this in person, but you left and I don't know where you went and I still don't have your number and I just can't stand this anymore. I don't even know if you check this email anymore, but I have to reach you somehow. I overheard you and Harv. You're right. Finding a soulmate that has moved on is the worst, but I thought I was alone in that punishment. I had no idea you felt the same. I had hoped for it, you have no idea how I've hoped for it, but I couldn't make out your feelings. You were always so calm and composed and I thought for sure you had moved on. But if what you say is true, that despite tossing me out the door those eight years ago, that I somehow survived in that wonderful, caring heart of yours, and that you still love me then please, let's start again. But, if I'm a fool and your words with Harv were for someone else, then don't mention this. Don't reply. Or anything. And I'll be out of your life forever.
Anne wanted to scream, jump up and down, or run around the lobby entrance or do all three at the same time. Rick loved her! Still loved her! Never stopped loving her. Oh, if she had wings, she'd be flying. Flying straight into his arms—oh, what was she thinking? He was just a few floors above her and she had legs, didn't she?
She bolted to the elevator and jammed the call button far too many times, but she didn't care. The elevator wasn't moving fast enough. She couldn't wait to see his face. To see it light up like before. She jammed the button again. Why was it so slow? She had been waiting eight years for this moment!
The elevator finally arrived and swallowed her in it, then heaved itself up to the proper floor before releasing her from its jaws. She fled down the hallway, her heart pounding as fast as her legs, and turned the corner, expecting to find Rick standing in the middle, arms wide open for her.
But only Charles and Mary stood like sullen guards.
Persuading Him: A Modern Persuasion Retelling (Pemberley Estates Book 1) Page 23
