by JoAnn Durgin
“What do you mean?” Shelby took another sip.
Robert lowered his mug and massaged the fingers of one hand over his brow. “He always envied my relationship with your mother even though I told him we were good friends, nothing more. With Katie and me, it was more an emotional connection. We worked the farm together, so it was only natural we got to know each other well. We talked, we had fun, and we understood one another. Tommy realized I was falling for Lily at some point before I enlisted, and he strongly encouraged that relationship. When I came back to Kentucky after my time was up in the Army and discovered Lily had given up waiting for me and married David”—he blew out a deep sigh, the long-ago pain etched in his expression—“I more or less blamed Tommy for letting it happen while I was gone.”
“So, that’s why you didn’t speak to each other for all those years?”
He nodded. “Aye, lass. Regrettably so. By the time I wised up and realized I’d made him the scapegoat for my own failings, it was too late. It probably wouldn’t have made a difference in the way things turned out, but all the same, I should have been man enough—friend enough—to ask your daddy’s forgiveness. One of the biggest regrets of my life is not making peace with Tommy.”
Shelby reached across the table and squeezed his hand. “Daddy wouldn’t have written the letter and asked you to come home if he didn’t respect you. Just like I know it was in God’s plan for me to be the one to find you and deliver that letter.”
“That’s part of what I wanted to tell you. In the letter, he said if I was reading it, then it meant he’d passed on.” Fingering the handle on his coffee mug, Robert cleared his throat. “He invested me with a very important responsibility, Shelby. As you know, Harmony Lane was vital to him—his lifeblood and heritage—but your daddy asked me to watch over what was infinitely more precious.”
Shelby’s eyes misted, and she waited, knowing in her heart what his next word would be.
“You.”
Robert rose from the chair as she jumped up and ran around the table. Wrapping her arms around him, she leaned her head against his chest, allowing her tears to fall. “He was taking care of me even then.” She burrowed into him, loving how he smelled like hay and horses, like her father. More than that, Robert held her close and seemed to understand her. Love her.
When he tilted her chin, his eyes were wet. “I don’t expect or ever want to take your father’s place, Shelby, but it’s my great honor to be a part of your life.”
She noted this man’s quiet strength, his goodness. “I think you’ve been part of my life a lot longer than either of us could ever know.” With a small laugh, Shelby moved out of his embrace. “That probably made no sense.”
“You make more sense than you know.” The same words Harrison said to her in Edinburgh. The deep ache in her heart twisted her emotions all over again.
Shelby grabbed a tissue from the counter and dabbed it beneath her eyes. “Sometimes I wonder how all this would have played out if I’d never made that promise to Daddy.”
A smile relaxed Robert’s features as he carried his empty mug to the sink. “All in God’s plan.” He turned and leaned back against the counter, arms crossed. “Your story with Harrison’s not done either. Surely, you know that.”
A quick sip from her mug confirmed the hot chocolate was now lukewarm, losing its appeal. Shelby avoided looking at Robert, afraid he’d read her indecision. “I love him, Pops, but when I heard you two talking that last night in Edinburgh—” She shook her head and heaved a sigh. “In my heart, I knew I’d misunderstood. We shared too much for Harrison to betray me.” Following Robert’s lead, she took her mug to the sink and rinsed it.
“The truth? I was scared when I took off from your house that night.” Shelby lifted her gaze to his. “Scared of giving away my heart. It made me say some ill-advised, really dumb things. I never meant to hurt him, Pops.”
“I know that, and so does Harrison. As I said before, you’re one of the smartest people I know. Harrison’s faith is strong. Aye, you hurt him, lass, but he knew he had to let you go in order to figure things out for yourself. Find out your direction, find out his own direction, and where he might fit into your life. If it helps put things in perspective, Harrison has plenty of his own money. And the Miriam Foundation is more than just a job.”
“That was apparent from the start,” she said, shaking her head. “I could tell how invested he is in the foundation.”
“With Harrison, it’s intensely personal, Shelby.”
“What exactly do you mean?” Shelby lifted her gaze to Robert’s, searching his strong, weathered features.
“Honey, Harrison is the foundation. Sure, he has people on the payroll, and his dad is still a figurehead, but our friend pretty much runs the foundation now. Does a great job, too. The Miriam Foundation is doing some terrific work around the world.”
Stunned, Shelby glanced up at him. “I realized in hindsight he’d never specifically mentioned the foundation by name when we were in Scotland, and I never asked. Pops, why do you think he didn’t tell me?”
Robert shrugged. “Only Harrison can answer that question, but if I may hazard a guess, I suspect it’s because women in his past have been overly impressed with his family credentials. Call it a trust issue, perhaps. I’m sure he liked the idea of getting to know you—and vice versa—without the foundation being a factor.”
“He told me all about it, but not that it was his own family’s foundation.”
“Named after his mother, as a matter of fact.”
Shelby slapped her forehead and groaned. “How could I be so dense?”
Robert chuckled. “Not dense, but you were a woman falling in love. Love has a way of clouding our minds from clear rationale. We see what we want to see.”
“I completely misunderstood and jumped to the wrong conclusion,” Shelby said. “I was incredibly dense, and Harry was right. He knew I needed something exactly like the program we’ve set up here now at Harmony Lane, and he encouraged me to come home to Lexington for good.” Seemed Harrison could see what she needed but she’d been blinded to it. “By the way, the first group of kids from the Miriam Foundation is coming next Saturday. Sylvia Donigan called yesterday to make all the arrangements.”
Robert planted both of his big hands on her shoulders. “Harrison’s more than worth the risk.”
Life was full of risks. Love was a risk, but Robert was right. “Harrison loves his work. I can’t tie him down to one place. I don’t think he’d be happy for long.”
“Maybe it’s not your decision to make,” Robert said. “Do you trust me?”
“Of course, I do. You wouldn’t be here at Harmony Lane now if I didn’t, no matter what Daddy wanted.” As soon as the words slipped out, regret rushed through her. “I’m sorry,” she said. “That sounded incredibly entitled and high handed.”
“You’re the boss now,” he said. “You’re strong. All your training in school and your position at the brokerage firm has made you tough to handle the decisions that need to be made. But you have a very tender heart. Tommy knew all that, too.”
“And you’re so much more than a hired employee, and you know it. I love you, Pops.” The last statement was almost a whisper, and another glimmer of regret passed through her for not telling him until now. How long overdue those words were.
With a warm smile, Robert kissed the top of her head. “I love you, too, kiddo. You walked into my heart the minute I saw you standing in the Castlehill Gardens, this stunning girl who stole my breath away. It brought me back to Kentucky for the first time in many years, a place I’d tried to put out of my head. Seems the Lord had other plans. You’re all the best parts of your mother rolled into one beautiful woman every bit as strong but with a certain softness. You have a keen intelligence even sharper than your father’s for how to run the horse farm, and he was one mighty smart man. Harmony Lane needs you, Shelby. I’m thankful you’ll be coming back to us soon. Permanently.” He tweaked her c
hin with a loving smile.
Shelby moved her hand over her heart and watched as Robert retrieved his jacket from a wooden wall peg beside the kitchen door. “I’ve seen the way you look at Lily, Pops. It’s not just a dream. The love’s still there, isn’t it? For both of you.”
He pushed his arms into the sleeves of his jacket. “Your Aunt Lily is another reason I think your daddy wanted me to come back to Kentucky, although he said nothing in the letter. He probably figured I could read between the lines.”
She smiled. “To use your own words, all in God’s plan. And worth the risk.”
Robert returned her smile as he buttoned his jacket. “Aye, it is, Shelby. Now, do me a favor when you go back to Chicago tonight.”
“Sure. Anything.”
Digging into the pocket of his jacket, Robert pulled out something flat and small. He crossed the kitchen and handed it to her. She suspected it was a photograph, much like the ones she’d received in an envelope from Harrison along with a short, sweet note, her only contact with him in three achingly long months. Months of soul-searching, praying, and seeking the Lord’s plan for her life.
A quick glance confirmed it was indeed a black and white photograph, but its subject surprised her. “Did Harrison give this to you?”
A small smile lifted the corners of Robert’s lips. “No. I borrowed that insanely small camera of his a few times and took this picture during dinner the night you two were at my house. Neither of you paid me any mind because you were too busy laughing, lost in each other. Take a good, long look.” Robert tapped the photo with one finger. “Harrison told me black and white photos reveal more raw, honest emotion than photos with the distraction of color. This photo clearly shows a man in love. And the woman who loves him right back.” His voice gentled, and Robert hesitated before speaking again, something she’d come to expect before he’d said something weighing on his heart.
“Is that love something you’re willing to throw away?” His eyes softened. “I hope you’ll take to heart the mistakes of a man who—by the grace of God—is getting a second chance in life.”
“You’ve been talking with Harrison, haven’t you?”
Robert nodded. “Aye, I have. But he’s honoring your wish. You told him you needed time, so he’s giving you that time. And, as I said, figuring out things for himself.”
“Pops, do you honestly believe he’d be happy settling down in one place?”
A slow grin creased his face. “Only one way to find out, honey. Talk to Harrison. Soon. Share your heart and tell him what you’re thinking. He’s a good man, an honest man after God’s own heart. I can only pray you won’t squander that love or take it for granted. I doubt you’ll ever find a finer man.” Robert headed toward the kitchen door but paused with one hand on the doorknob. “And Harrison couldn’t find a finer woman than you, Shelby.”
After he left, Shelby slumped back into her chair. Everything Pops said was true. How could she ever have doubted Harrison’s intentions? Oh, what a fool she’d been. But was it too late? From what Robert said, it might not be, but she knew it was up to her to make the first move and reach out to Harrison. If nothing else, she needed to let him know how much the time spent with him in Edinburgh had meant. How she regretted spouting the words that must have wounded him by sounding like she didn’t trust him.
“I do trust you, Harry,” she murmured. “I love you.”
When the tears welled in her eyes and threatened to fall, Shelby shook her head. Too many tears had already been shed. It wasn’t time to dwell on the past. Time to focus on the future. Leaning both elbows on the heavy oak table made by Grandpa Harmon, she prayed like she hadn’t since before her father’s death. Prayed like never before. Prayed for direction and wisdom.
Share your heart. Tell him what you’re thinking.
Shelby ran up the stairs to her bedroom and retrieved her laptop. She carried it down to the kitchen table and started an e-mail, the most important e-mail of her life. Convincing clients to buy, sell, or trade was so much easier.
“This is ridiculous,” she said aloud after reading through the e-mail numerous times. “Say what you need to say, proofread it, and push the SEND button.”
Her thoughts returned to that last morning in Edinburgh. Sometime before she’d left the hotel, Harrison had delivered a final yellow rose and a card, leaving them outside her suite. On the card, he’d written: Psalm 37:4:”Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
“Here you go.” Closing her eyes, she said a quick prayer and sent the e-mail on its way into cyberspace. “Harrison Reed, wherever you are in the world, I hope you get this message.”
22
One Week Later—Harmony Lane
Shelby’s pulse raced as she prepared for her guests’ arrival. The thought lingered in her mind that perhaps Harrison might show up today, but she couldn’t get up her hopes only to have them dashed again. Her heart might not survive.
Who else but a romantic fool would believe Harrison would come charging up the long driveway to Harmony Lane like a prince on a white horse to rescue her—from herself—because of one e-mail three months after Edinburgh? Not that she’d begged him to come, but she thought she’d been fairly persuasive.
Shelby blew out a sigh. The fact that he hadn’t bothered to respond to her e-mail was telling enough in itself. He must have finally given up on her and moved on with his life. She didn’t want to believe it, but she was tired of coming up with rationalizations and possible excuses.
Robert and Lily had done all the legwork for setting up the program, but now she knew—just as Harmony Lane was her legacy—the Miriam Foundation was Harrison’s legacy. She was right when she’d guessed it was more than a job to him, but at the time, she’d had no idea why. He’d told her it was his lifeblood. Turns out, it was, in more ways than one.
In a few minutes, the first group of children from the Miriam Foundation would arrive, laughing and chattering with the excitement of spending time with the horses. Not only would it be therapeutic for the kids, but it would also be a balm for her weary, hurting heart.
Time for another pep talk. “Square your shoulders and go out there and embrace this opportunity to bring wonderful changes to Harmony Lane. Get on with your life and make Mama and Daddy proud.” Great. Now she was talking out loud to herself.
Jonas approached the front door, but Shelby waved him off. “I’ll take care of this.”
The wise, dark eyes of her father’s longtime employee fell on her. “Miss Shelby, I’ve never been more proud of you. Your Mama and Daddy are smilin’ from Heaven for what you’re doin’ here with these young folks. I always knew you had that special Harmon spirit and compassion. It’s in your blood, but you don’t see it so much in young people these days. You’re the lady of the manor now, and you’re doing a mighty fine job of it.”
Shelby gave him a watery smile. “Thanks, Jonas. That means a lot, especially coming from you.”
“Only tellin’ the truth. Can’t tell you how much we’re all lookin’ forward to having you back with us again. If you don’t mind my sayin’, it’s where you belong.” Robert’s sentiment about her mother always belonging here at Harmony Lane came to mind, and tears stung her eyes. She’d never been so emotional in her life as in these past few months.
Oh, Mama and Daddy, how I miss you.
“I’d better scoot back into the kitchen now and help Nan with the lunch for your guests, or she’ll be givin’ me an earful tonight,” Jonas said.
Shelby watched as, shoulders hunched, Jonas shuffled down the hall in the direction of the main kitchen. His face had earned a few more wrinkles, his hands new frailties, but Harmony Lane was also this man’s home. Jonas would never leave of his own accord and neither would she ever want him to go. Both he and Nan had been with her family since before she was born.
The doorbell rang, loud in the quiet of the home. “Time to play mistress.” When she opened the door, bright sunshine flood
ed the front hall. “Welcome to Harmony Lane, ladies.” Stepping aside and opening the door wider, Shelby ushered them inside.
“Miss Harmon? I’m Sylvia Donigan.” The pleasant-faced woman had a kind smile that brightened her entire countenance. “I’ve brought three of our children to visit today. This is Samantha, Isabel, and Dani.” The three girls, ranging in age from about eight to twelve, bobbed their heads and offered Shelby shy smiles when Sylvia called their names.
“It’s very nice to meet you. Please call me Shelby.”
Isabel’s hazel eyes shone as she lifted her head to the high ceiling, her mass of dark, spiral curls flowing down her back. “Is thish a manthon?”
“Looks like one to me,” Dani said. In contrast to Isabel, she was fair with light blonde, short straight hair. Shelby’s heartstrings tugged as she saw how heavily Dani leaned on her cane, a metal leg brace wrapped around one leg.
“It’s where I grew up,” Shelby said.
“Do you still live here?” That question came from Samantha. Her big blue eyes bore into hers with the intensity of a reporter determined to get the real story behind the vagueness of her response.
“I live and work in Chicago now—”
“You live in two places?” Samantha scratched her head covered with red curls. “Which one do you like best?” Ah yes, this one was the heavy hitter.
“This is my home, and I’ve decided to move back here to Harmony Lane.”
“Girls, that’s enough questions for now.” Sylvia shot Shelby an empathetic glance.
Robert and Lily walked into the room, hand in hand. What a handsome couple they made. Nodding to Sylvia, they gave the girls friendly smiles.
“This is Robert and Lily,” Shelby said by way of introduction. “They’re going to take you to the stables in a golf cart and introduce you to Sugarplum, Nutcracker, and Prince. You’re going to love our horses. They’re gentle and love visitors, especially the ones who feed them.”
