The Journey Home(33)
Author: Kelly Elliott

I sat back in my chair as my best friend talked about her engagement and how happy she was. “I can’t believe you tamed Jack,” I said. “I can’t believe Jack tamed you. I thought you said you’d never get married because of your parents’ divorce.”

She looked directly into my eyes, serious now. “I guess I figured that I had to stop being so afraid and take a leap of faith. Sometimes, I think, we have to learn to let go of the control we think we need in order to find what fate has in store for us.”

I could feel myself starting to frown, but I kept it together. I could tell that Monica was no longer talking about herself—she was talking about me.

I was happy. I had a boyfriend who wasn’t expecting anything from me. I had good sex and a wonderful job. I was able to travel and see the world. I had exactly everything I wanted—or so I pretended.

I took a sip of coffee as I eyeballed Monica’s ring.

My heart began to hurt as I admitted to myself that I longed for something else. Something I’d been pushing away for so long.

I SAT IN my car and took a deep breath. I’d hadn’t seen Lily in almost a month. She was now two months old, and I was sure she wouldn’t know me anymore. After returning from Seattle, I’d found out that Cale had taken Lily to his grandfather’s place in Colorado. I was only home two days before I’d had to travel for almost another two more weeks to see clients in Milan. Now I was finally back home on Beaver Lake, and couldn’t wait to see her. Lily.

My hands were shaking. I couldn’t kid myself—I was dying to see Cale, too. My phone buzzed and I quickly pulled it out to see a text from Andre.

Andre: I’m pulling up to your house. Can’t wait to see you.

I sighed and hit Reply.

Me: I’m just pulling up to Cale’s. I wanted to see Lily.

Andre: Wait for me there, I’ll be right over.

Me: Okay.

I sat and waited. Andre wasn’t even supposed to be here for another two days. He’d flown to Milan and spent almost the entire trip with me. Which turned out to be okay, since I didn’t even need to be there. Why my boss sent me there was beyond me.

I smiled as I saw the driver pull up and let Andre out. I opened my car door, got out, and practically slammed it. Andre was starting to smother me.

He came up to me and kissed me on the mouth. “Ciao, Bella.”

“Ciao,” I whispered back.

I turned to make my way toward the door. My hands were still shaking, so I dug deep inside myself to find the strength I needed to get through this. I rang the doorbell.

“One minute!” A female’s voice rang out. An instant pang of jealousy raced through my blood before I realized the voice belonged to the nanny. Cale must have been out of town, working. My poor Lily, I thought. She must be heartbroken with both Cale and me leaving her.

When the door flew open, I was standing face to face with someone I knew. At least I thought I knew her.

“Oh my gosh! Maddison, how are you?”

I stared at the tall blonde before me. She was dressed in a business suit that hugged her in all the right places. Her pumps made her even taller, and she stood about two inches over than me, even though I was wearing heels, too. Her skin was perfectly tanned, and her hair was done up in a perfect chignon. She was flawless.

I smiled politely. “I’m sorry. Do we know each other?”

She giggled and waved us to come in. “I sure hope so. I’ve been working for your father, Mr. Powers, for three years now.”

That’s where I know her from! “Cassidy?”

She nodded. “That would be me.”

I looked around the house for Cale, and finally found him walking into the living room with two glasses of wine. Lily was in her bouncy chair, sound asleep.

Cale called out, “How about red? That’s all I’ve got.”

Cassidy cleared her throat. “Cale, Maddison is here.”

He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw me. He smiled, but then saw Andre and began to scowl. “Back from Italy, I see.”

I swallowed hard. He’s moved on.

I nodded. “I didn’t mean to interrupt anything. I was so excited to be home. I rushed straight from the airport here to see Lily.”

Cassidy laughed. “Oh, no. This is not…”

“It’s no problem at all,” Cale said. “Would the two of you like to join us for a glass of wine?”

“Of course,” Andre replied.

At the same time, I nearly shouted, “No!”

I flicked my eyes between Andre and Cale. Cassidy reached down and scooped up my baby like Lily was her own.

I placed my hand on my stomach as she spoke gently to my Lily. My other hand went to my mouth. My baby. My Lily. I began to feel sick.

“Hey there, little princess,” Cassidy said. “Aunt Maddison is here to visit you.”

The horror in my eyes must have been seen by both Andre and Cale as they both asked me at once, “Are you all right?”

I shook my head and ran to the restroom. I slammed the door shut and slid down to the floor, tears streaming from my eyes.

Oh my God, what have I done? I’ve lost them both.

I wanted to control every single thing, but this was the one thing I couldn’t. I crawled over to the toilet and threw up.

I KNOCKED ON the bathroom door. I was positive I heard Maddie crying before she started puking.

“I’m fine,” she said. “Please, I just need a moment, Andre.”

It felt like I had a knife in my heart. That asshole couldn’t tear his eyes away from Cassidy long enough to come check on his girlfriend.

I cleared my throat. “Maddie, it’s me.”

I heard her sob. “Cale.”

I rested my head on the door and whispered, “Please let me in, sweetheart. Please.”

The door slowly opened and she stood in front of me, mascara running down her face. I wanted nothing more than to pull her into my arms and I tell her how much I missed her. How much I loved her.

“I’m sorry. I guess I just missed Lily more than I thought.” She spun around to the sink and splashed her face with cold water, attempting to clean up. I watched her intently. I knew that wasn’t why she was really upset. She obviously thought Cassidy and I were together. Cassidy calling her “Aunt Maddie” must have pushed her over the edge. I wasn’t even sure why Cassidy said that.

“Lily’s missed you too,” I said.

She shook her head. “How could you leave her alone?” she asked. “Don’t you miss her? Don’t you feel bad that a stranger is raising your daughter?”