Distance of the Heart

by Agnes H Hagadus

  It was the fact Emily had felt like she was dying inside. She wasn’t certain if she would be able to walk through security, let alone walk to the plane. The worst part was the uncertainty of when she would be able to see Tabby again. If she were honest with herself, even if she knew when she would be back in Middletown or if Tabby and Nicky could come to Sacramento, it would be devastating the separation.

  And now she was here, burying a father she had never truly known. A man who had never cared for her. He had wanted Rick to take over. He had wanted two sons. Emily was surprised she had been given such a feminine name. If it hadn’t been her father’s mother’s name, she might not have been graced with it. So why was she feeling the tears mixing with the rain that had begun to fall.

  Mitch cautiously approached his niece. He had noticed the agony etched across her face when he had met her at the airport. No words had been spoken between them. While Mitch had never found a love like his niece had, he could understand. Not the same as the love between two soulmates, Mitch had looked for a love of family, of a child. He had found that with Emily.

  To see his niece, his adopted daughter, suffer like this was tearing at his soul. The only thing Mitch could continue to do was support her. Was to attempt to continuing investigating this Lena person. He didn’t buy that she was someone who was infatuated to the point of obsession with his niece. There was more to it than that. What, he didn’t know. But Sam had given him a couple leads. Ones he would have to leave his niece and nephew to their own devices.

  Emily turned and fell into her uncle’s arms. Mitch just held onto his niece. They both knew that soon Emily would have to make her way to the hospital. The twins’ mom was not well enough to leave. In fact, she had taken a turn for the worse while Emily was in Middletown. It wasn’t unexpected. And yet the timing seemed to go hand in hand with her father’s death.

  “Take me to the house. I need to change and freshen up before I…” The words didn’t need to be said. Emily knew her uncle understood what the next task she was expected to perform. She wouldn’t receive a reprieve. In the morning, she would be expected to chair the business and begin the transition period.

  Mitch supported Emily from one side, while Rick supported her from the other. What those at her father’s company didn’t know was that she was already planning on selling everything off. It wouldn’t matter if it had to be sold off in pieces, she would do whatever it took to distance herself from her family. At least the blood family that had refused to pay the ransom when she and Tabby had been kidnapped.

  Emily leaned her head against the glass. She was sitting in the back of a long, black limousine. Rick was sitting next to her. Mitch had chosen his rental. The therapist wondered if she were truly up for facing her mother. Being the one chosen by her parents wasn’t only unfair, it sucked beyond the telling of it. It was one way she envied her brother.

  The familiar, yet unfamiliar, scenery flashed by. Emily was once again reminded of how much time had transpired since her last visit. There was a part of her that was seeking out anything familiar. There were supposed to be comforts of home, weren’t there? Wasn’t there no place like home? And yet there was the old saying about never being able to go home again. It seemed that was true as Emily felt more and more out of place.

  The fact her home was back in Middletown didn’t elude her. It wasn’t the city, though she did love the mix of history and modern Middletown had brilliantly merged together. It was because of the people she had left behind. It was especially because of Tabby and Nicky. Without her soulmate, Emily felt distanced and incomplete.

  A familiar figure was standing in the kitchen when Emily finally made her way through the back entrance. It was the only drawback of using the rear entrance. It meant she would have to make her way through the kitchen and the chances of running into Lena increased, after all the woman was supposed to be the cook.

  “Hey Miss Dunst.” Emily cringed inwardly. She was grateful when Mitch placed himself between the cook and herself. “I took the liberty of making you a light snack before you have to leave for the hospital. I was wondering if you could pass along my sincerest sympathies to your mother. She is such a sweet lady and a wonderful employer.”

  Before his niece could do something she regretted, Mitch decided it was time to do more than just investigate the cook. “Darlin, why don’t you go freshen up like you planned on? I’ll gather something we can snack on in the car. I’ll make certain to include your favorite caffeine beverage.” The wink he gave caused Emily to hesitate for a moment.

  Had Emily not been so preoccupied by what was expected of her, she might have realized sooner what her uncle was attempting to do. Azure eyes brightened slightly at the realization that Mitch was giving her an out. “Thanks. I appreciate the moment alone to gather myself. The way I’m feeling, I need the caffeine even more.”

  Mitch watched as his niece pushed open the kitchen door. The man had worn his usual black mesh T-shirt, alongside the cargo shorts he was famous for. Inside the numerous pockets of his shorts were weapons. For some reason, Lena caused his guts to churn. That said a lot after having helped to face down one of the most famous mobsters that ever lived.

  Plus, Mitch was a bounty hunter by trade. He had faced many criminals over the years. He had done some things he wasn’t proud of. And yet, it was in the name of justice. It was in the name of protecting those that couldn’t protect themselves. His niece wasn’t necessarily one that couldn’t protect herself. Between himself and Sam, Emily could physically protect herself.

  It was emotionally his niece was fragile. And after spending too little time with her soulmate and having faced the fact she could have been HIV positive, Emily was more than vulnerable. It was not how he wanted to see his niece. It was not how he wanted to see anyone ever again. It was time to do something about it.

  “I know we haven’t spent much time together lately so I hope this doesn’t sound out of order.” There was suspicion written across Lena’s face. Mitch gave his most charming smile. It was one that normally gained him access to places he wasn’t supposed to have. “But I have to ask you. What are your intentions towards my niece?”

  Lena nearly sliced the fingertips off on her left hand. In fact, it was so close, she inspected them. There was stinging as she ran them under water. The cook held the fingertips wrapped with paper towel. There was no blood, yet they were throbbing. “I beg your pardon?” The glare was one Mitch was accustomed to receiving when someone had something to hide, if not guilty.

  “Look, Lady. My niece is stressed out enough. I won’t go into details, but you know part of it being employed here for the last six years, five months and two days.” The look remained fixed upon Lena’s face. But there was a flicker in the eyes. It was something Mitch had hoped to see. “And if my sister-in-law’s health continues to decline, you’ll soon be out of a job. Are you flirting with Emily because she’s beautiful, rich or some other reason?”

  There was a twitching of the lips. There was another flicker in those cold eyes. It took a moment for the complete composure to return. Lena was definitely up to something. If it was what Mitch feared, he would have to intervene. It wouldn’t be by involving Sam or the rest of the agency he now worked for. It would be his style. It would mean the woman standing before him, attempting to cover her tracks, would feel a world of pain.

  The same kind of pain Mitch had wished he had been able to deliver to his brother and sister-in-law. “I don’t know what you are talking about. I mean, yes I have flirted with Miss Dunst. But it’s not to gain her favor, I assure you. I know that she is taken. While I may be a lot of things, a cheater is not one of them. Only immoral people cheat on their spouses, married or not.”

  The words sounded…Nope. Mitch didn’t buy them for a millisecond. He had used the resources at the security agency to discover that as of six and a half years ago, Lena Emerson didn’t exist. His first retort to her was that she looked good for only being six and a half. This had to
be handled delicately, until the bounty hunter knew for certain of who Lena was and what she wanted with his niece.

  “I respect that answer.” Mitch appeared to relax. Unlike his counterpart, he could put on a show. There had been jokes with his old buddy that he could have been an actor. But the life in the public was not for him. He was better at living behind the scenes. He was more inclined to make the world a better place to live in, not entertain it. “But I’ll warn you now. If you hurt my niece or harm her relationship, I will hunt you down. There isn’t a place on this green earth you can hide. Have a nice day.”

  Mitch saw the lips twitching and anger flare up in the eyes before he turned to leave. He wanted to make certain that the message had been received. His niece had been through too much. While Emily was a strong, independent woman, everyone had their breaking point. Burying one parent while another was at death’s door was unbelievable to deal with. The added strain of not knowing for certain you and your lover could make it was beyond anything Mitch had ever known.

  Not that he had any experience in the love department. At least not like his niece was experiencing. Mitch’s one time came in a different country. It came a lifetime ago. And his love was now sadly long gone. For a moment, he allowed the memories he kept tightly locked away to wash over him. They would…No. The memories were buried behind twenty feet of bricks. Never to be removed, even by the strongest bulldozer or the most powerful explosive.

  All thoughts disappeared from his head as Mitch noticed his niece standing at the top of the landing. She was wearing a peach top with soft pink shorts. Sunglasses graced the top of her head. Her hair was masterfully sculpted and her makeup was conservative. She almost appeared like the carefree woman she had been in Middletown, before Anthony had kidnapped her for the second time and changed everything.

  The image before Mitch would make Monica proud of her daughter. Yet could anything cause the matriarch to be proud of her daughter? “I’d be happy to escort you wherever you need to go, my dapper looking lady.” Rick was on the opposite landing. Mitch had wondered what had happened to him. His niece had informed him of his potentially poor choices in boyfriends.

  Or did anyone have a chance when it came to the heart? There was suddenly a crack in the brick wall Mitch had erected. The bounty hunter took a firmer grasp on his emotions. He knew he had to be strong. Not forever, but for as long as Emily was dealing with everything she was. Until she could be reunited with the woman she loved and they forge a family that no one could ever break apart. “You look dapper as well, Rick.”

  Rick shrugged a shoulder. He couldn’t meet his uncle’s eyes. He knew he had been a coward over the past few years, especially when Emily had been in trouble. The kind of trouble that could have cost her her life. And the only reason it had been denied? Because she was with a woman now. “I thought, if it was ok with Sis, that I’d accompany her. See if I can help her with Mom.”

  Emily’s smile was radiant, if only for a moment. She didn’t hesitate in hugging her brother. There was a part of her that knew she had to have a discussion with her brother. For now, she would have to allow Rick to make his own choices in life. She would be there to help him when the fallout of it became too much or to celebrate the joys that came along with it.

  The former nurse hoped beyond hope that it would be joy they both celebrated soon. “Thanks, Bro. I want to get going before I lose my nerve. I had wanted to eat something before, but I don’t think with my nerves from the funeral and now facing Mom that it is such a good idea.” Rick nodded in understanding. Emotions always went straight to his stomach. Sometimes it was a good thing. Sometimes it was a horrible thing.

  They all looked at one another before a silent agreement caused them to walk out the front door, even though each of their vehicles was out the back door. For Emily, it was another way of avoiding Lena. While she had come clean about the potential for danger from the cook with Tabby, she was still worried that it could very well come between them.

  Even with Uncle Mitch looking into the woman’s background, Emily was worried. There were too many examples of people one either knew or didn’t know turning out to be untrustworthy. Simon could be a prime example of that. Her ex-boyfriend had presented himself as honorable. Hiding his gambling addiction had caused emotional harm to both Emily and her true soulmate.

  That was only a single example. There were so many Emily could refer to when it came to her best friend. For now, she would continue to lean on her uncle and her brother. In fact, she treasured the way they had fought over which vehicle to take. Both had wanted to be the one to escort her. It felt very good to be the one taken care of, if only for a little while.

  It wasn’t long until they were outside of the hospital. Emily glanced up, knowing her mother was somewhere near the top floor. It had to be the top as it was the best. While it was a joke from a movie, Emily knew that her parents had both felt this way. Only the best things in life would do. The more they cost, the better. It was part of the reason her father had worked so hard, neglecting the fact he had a family at all.

  They didn’t say a word as they entered. Mitch did his usual, which meant he found a secluded spot in the main waiting room. His laptop was in his hand. Emily wondered if it was more research on Lena or if it was something else he had planned. Either way, she had a feeling it had to do with her. While always protective of her, ever since having been kidnapped, not once but twice, by Anthony, her uncle had become even more protective of her.

  Emily was glad of her brother’s presence. She wasn’t certain if he’d actually accompany her when she faced their mother. Even Rick standing outside the door would make all the difference. Yes, Uncle Mitch was downstairs and would be there to wrap his arms around her. But he refused to enter the room. Partly it was because he wanted his niece to standup for herself. Mostly he was afraid of murdering his sister-in-law.

  There was the ever present sound of beeping. It was a sound Emily had become accustomed to while working at the hospital. No matter if she was assigned to the emergency room or the floor, the sounds of beeps were always constant. Sometimes she would awaken, drenched in sweat. It was because of all the pain she was helpless to stop. It was because of all the patients she had lost over the years.

  “I’ll be here if you need me.” Rick’s eyes were sad. But there was also fear in them. Emily couldn’t blame him. Her brother had suffered longer than she had with her parents’ tyranny. She wondered if her father or mother had been more difficult to deal with. Or were they both difficult to deal with, in their own ways.

  Instead of giving her brother a hard time for being a coward, Emily decided to show her appreciation for the support that her brother was attempting to give her. Who knew what the future held. Perhaps he would be able to grow up. Perhaps he would be able to adapt to the changes of life. She brushed his arm. “Thanks. I might just take you up on that offer.”

  Emily paused at the closed door. She turned around. Her smile was nearly radiant. “It just means you’re buying later.” The wink caused Rick to chuckle softly. Once again Emily was facing the door. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves. Finally, she opened the door. The increased volume of the beeping assaulted her and she nearly turned around, sealing herself from the offending noise.

  It was odd how one time Emily was in a hospital the beeping sounds didn’t affect her. Then there were times when it was nearly debilitating. The fact she had spent her morning and into the afternoon at her father’s funeral. Death had a way of magnifying the things one is terrified of. It wasn’t so much terrified as it was extremely painful reminders.

  “I was wondering when you’d show up. I know the funeral has been over for hours.” Monica Dunst looked like the shell of the woman Emily had visited only a few days ago. It was true that her mother most likely wouldn’t last long. “Well? I’m waiting.” While she might be near death, she was the same impatient woman. Or was it controlling? Or was it a bitch?

  Emily chastised hersel
f for the last thought. While her mother was a world-class bitch, it still wasn’t right for her to even think it. Especially when she was dying. “Mother, I’m only here for one reason. I’m here to tell you that I’m initiating the sale of the business. Rick doesn’t want to run it. I’m a nurse learning to become a therapist. There’s no one I trust to run it. Besides, my home is in Middletown. As for the funeral, we both know you had it recorded and already know what was said and by whom.”

  “You’ve changed.” Somehow Monica managed to sit upright. If it weren’t for easing herself into the position, she never would have managed it. “I thought it was only a blimp on the radar the way you spoke to me. I thought it was out of some kind of…” The matriarch’s mouth closed shut. There was a look in her daughter’s eyes she had never seen.

  “This isn’t the time or the place. But I have to say something.” Emily slowly made her way to the bed. The chair was comfortable looking, unlike the ones at the hospital she had worked in New York City. She remembered Melissa complaining about them on several occasions as the innkeeper had sat vigil at Sam’s bedside. Of course the imp of a woman had also used the opportunity to play matchmaker as often as she could.

  “I remembered a few things.” Emily didn’t want to sit. It was because she intended to say what was on her mind. Most likely her mother would either deny what she informed her of or she would call her a liar. Either way, there would be no closure from her mother. So why was she confronting the matriarch? Because Emily needed to express what had happened to her. To seek the answers she may never be granted.

  “The study?” Monica’s face paled with the mention of the location. “I was spending some time with Rick and Uncle Mitch.” Emily now sat down. Though her mother could still deny what had happened in the room, it was obvious something had happened. Perhaps if she waited it out long enough, her mother would admit to her part. Part in what was what Emily was still attempting to come to terms with.