‘Your mother took the opportunity to save me the humiliation of a public rejection. She likely thought I’d be grateful.’
‘My God, Summer, she had no right! Why didn’t you come to me? Why weren’t you honest with me?’
‘Because I was scared, and I was weak, and your mother had only confirmed everything I believed back then.’
‘She was the reason you left?’ I choke out.
All that pain, all that wasted time—two decades!—because my mother couldn’t keep her mouth shut.
‘And still you’re trying to help her?’
‘No, Edward. I might have thought she was the reason back then. A month ago, even. But the truth is I’m the reason I left. She only brought my departure forward; I would have left eventually. We both know that.’
I stare at her. Unable to believe it...not wanting to believe it. Much preferring to blame my mother for my heartache than the woman I’ve never stopped loving...
But was she right? Back then, would she have left anyway, to pursue all those adventures, all those charity expeditions? Would she have kept on running for fear of being rejected, like her mother and so many foster parents had rejected her before?
I can’t deny it’s possible.
But not now.
Things are different.
She’s different.
I know that, having witnessed her tonight, this past month...
Surely now she can see how worthy she is and how perfect our life could be if we walk it together...follow the path Gran forged and make it our own.
I know I need to lay my heart bare—that it’s the only way to make her see. And then our life together can start in earnest. No more wasting time, no more doubt.
‘Perhaps. But what of now, Summer? What of the future?’
Summer
He looks serious. More serious than I’ve ever seen him. And he wants to talk about the future...
‘The future?’ I say...wary, unsure.
‘Don’t you see?’ Passion heats his words, and his chocolate eyes are molten. ‘If you stay here you can carry all this on. You can keep Glenrobin at the heart of the community. Use the estate, its wealth, its connections, to give back on another scale. There is so much more you could do...so much heart you have to give, Summer. You and Gran came from very different backgrounds, but you have no idea how similar you are. And with your childhood, your insight into what it’s like...’
My childhood, my background...
I swallow down the feeling of inferiority, because in Edward’s eyes I’m no less for any of it. He’s trying to tell me I belong here—and, hell, didn’t I feel it? Standing up against his mother. Feeling that sense of belonging deep in my bones.
But for how long? How long before he peels away the layers and realises I’m not worthy of his attentions, his praise, his love...? Because that’s what I see in his eyes right now, and I don’t want to stick around and see that light go out.
‘You could take these charity efforts to the next level, Summer. Go national—international, even.’
I give a heady laugh. ‘And there I was thinking you’d caution me into walking before running.’
‘Not when you’re as capable as you are.’
For a second I lose myself in that look, those words. Feel his warmth, his encouragement, his passion seeping beneath my skin, heating my heart, making me want so much more than I can ever possibly have.
‘Now you’re just trying to big me up after your mother’s attack, but I don’t need you to.’ I try and dismiss it all. ‘I’m fine.’
‘I know you’re fine. That’s not what this is about.’