A Gift to Remember (38 page)

‘You know, I miss your mother every day,’ Katherine continued, in a rare maudlin tone. ‘Lauren was not only my sister but also my best friend, and I miss your dad too; Steven
was such a wonderful person, the kind of man I wish I could have met back then, and they loved each other so much. They loved you too.’

Darcy watched her carefully. Her aunt had never been one to dwell on emotion or regret, and it was strange for her to hear this now.

‘I remember when they asked me if I would agree to act as your guardian in case anything was to ever happen to them, and I honestly questioned their sanity. After all, Steven had sisters
and brothers, married with children of their own, people who were already properly equipped for parenthood. Unlike me,’ she said sardonically, ‘a childless, husbandless New York
spinster completely dedicated to her work. We both know I’m not exactly the warm and cuddly type.’ She briefly met Darcy’s gaze and the two exchanged knowing smiles. ‘But
you know, your parents were wise too. They knew that if anything were to happen to them, that you and I would need each other. Your aunts and uncles and cousins could have raised you, and I know
you would have been fine with any of them. But my sister, she knew
I
would need someone. And I feel terrible for admitting it, but it really was the best thing that ever happened to me.
You
were.’

Darcy couldn’t believe what she was hearing, and her eyes welled up afresh. She’d always felt that she was an inconvenience in Katherine’s life. Yes, she loved her aunt who had
always done her best for her, but still Darcy always got the sense that becoming a surrogate mother overnight was the
worst
thing that could have happened to Katherine Armstrong, who until
then, had had the world at her feet.

‘I suppose you could say that you saved me from myself,’ her aunt was saying. ‘I was becoming – had become – completely immersed in the city girl lifestyle. I was
drinking too much, and yes, sometimes using drugs too,’ she admitted to a completely flabbergasted Darcy, ‘not to mention getting involved with inappropriate men for inappropriate
reasons. And then you came along, twelve years old and completely lost, sending my life crashing down to earth. Yet while I know I’ve let you down in so many ways, ultimately you gave me the
opportunity to get a handle on my life and concentrate on something of real worth.’

Darcy was shaking her head. ‘I truly had no idea and I always worried that I’d held you back.’

‘Only in the best possible way. Who knows where I’d have ended up by now? But clearly it was too one-sided, as I suspect I deprived you of the emotional support you needed –
something I know you found in your beloved books. But Darcy, that was no bad thing, and please try not to view it that way. You have always been wonderfully imaginative, optimistic and open to the
greatest possibilities life has to offer, which is a true gift. And it will certainly prevent you from going down the same path as a jaded old cynic like me.’

‘That’s so not true.
You’re
the most optimistic person I know. You haven’t given up on me yet,’ Darcy joked. ‘Whereas I already know I’m a lost
cause.’

‘Don’t say that,’ Katherine begged. Then she paused and took a deep breath. ‘But seeing as we’re bringing things out into the open . . .’ she paused a little,
‘. . . I think now might be as good a time as any to come clean with you about something.’

Her aunt sounded so serious all of a sudden that Darcy looked up, terrified that she was going to tell her that she was ill or something just as terrible.

‘I’ve been seeing someone recently – a man,’ Katherine confessed softly, and Darcy looked up, amazed. Her aunt never, ever talked about her romantic life. ‘A very
nice one and I think – hope – you’ll like him. Because it seems he’s going to be a big part of our life from now on.’ With that, she tentatively extended her left hand
upon which sat a beautiful sparkling diamond.

Darcy’s mouth dropped open. ‘Oh my goodness!’

‘Do you mind?’ Katherine asked, her tone hesitant. ‘I’ve wanted to tell you about him for a while, but I wasn’t sure how you’d react.’

‘Are you crazy? How could I react with anything other than absolute delight!’ Darcy jumped up from the table and went to give her a huge hug. ‘Oh Katherine, I’m so
pleased for you. Congratulations, this is wonderful news!’ But she couldn’t believe that her aunt had felt she needed to keep her relationship secret.

‘I suppose I was worried that you might feel I was abandoning you,’ Katherine said gently, answering Darcy’s unspoken question. ‘After all, it’s been just the two
of us for such a long time.’

‘Is this the reason you’ve been trying so hard to get me coupled off?’ Darcy laughed, as comprehension dawned as to the true purpose behind Katherine’s repeated
matchmaking attempts.

Her aunt looked guilty.

‘But I’m thirty-three years old, and I thought – well, at least I
hoped
– that you didn’t feel responsible for me any more. I can’t even imagine what
it was like for you, all those years ago, being landed out of the blue with me. Which is why I wanted to give you your life back as soon as I was able to.’

‘Oh sweetheart, any sense of responsibility that might have existed was replaced a very long time ago with affection, pure and simple. I love you, Darcy, and all I ever wanted was to make
sure that you were happy. I suppose I wanted you to have someone to share your life with, someone a hell of a lot better than me.’

‘Please don’t say that – you did a wonderful job.’ Darcy’s eyes shone with fresh tears, unable to believe that her aunt was pouring out her heart to her like
this.

And as Katherine told her more about Francis Cartwright, a widowed businessman she’d been friends with for many years before the relationship had recently blossomed into something more,
she was amazed to discover the depths of her aunt’s actual feelings for her.

‘I’m fifty-three and way past any big white-wedding nonsense, but he was insistent on the ring,’ Katherine said airily. ‘Whether we actually bother going all the way to
the altar or not doesn’t matter. I know he’s the one for me.’

‘I’m so thrilled for you, really I am, and I can’t wait to meet him,’ Darcy said. She made a face. ‘Though I’d imagine he thinks I’m a right ogre,
seeing as you were afraid to introduce us before now.’

‘Absolutely not. With two daughters of his own Francis completely understands the situation, and it was my own issue, rather than anything to do with you. Though to be truthful, I am
pleased to have it all out in the open now,’ she chuckled. ‘You know how terrible I am at keeping anything under wraps.’

‘So you two are going to St Barts together then?’ Darcy asked.

‘Yes, and I was wondering if you wanted to join us?’

‘Sounds wonderful, but if you don’t mind I think I’d rather stay home this year,’ Darcy said. ‘I have a few things to catch up on and I’m not sure I could
take the time off work in any case.’

In truth, all she wanted to do after the drama of the last few days was curl up at home surrounded by the comfort of the things she loved. As much as she wanted to meet her aunt’s
fiancé, she just didn’t have the energy.

‘Well, if you’re sure? We can always arrange something for when we get back. Perhaps New Year’s dinner at my place? Nothing fancy, just a nice easy-going evening.’

‘Sounds perfect.’ Darcy smiled dully and her aunt reached across the table and clasped her hand.

‘Try not to fret,’ Katherine said, as if understanding yet again exactly what was on Darcy’s mind. ‘Yes, you might have come to a few unrealistic conclusions where this
man of yours is concerned. But don’t let that dampen that wonderful spark of imagination you own – that belief that in this world, anything is possible. It’s one of the greatest
traits a person can have, and I sorely wish I possessed even a smidgen of it.’

‘Thank you,’ Darcy said, feeling a whole lot better all of a sudden. Katherine was almost making it sound as though her imagination running away with her was a good thing, and she
guessed that in certain cases it had worked to her advantage.

But not in the case of Aidan Harris. In this scenario, she thought sadly, lifting her wine glass, her imagination had been well and truly out of focus.

Everything has to come to an end, sometime
.
L. Frank Baum

Darcy stood at the counter with Joshua in a packed Chaucer’s on Christmas Eve. She’d been on her feet all day, restocking shelves, helping customers with
recommendations, but mostly ringing up holiday purchases, and she couldn’t wait for her coffee break, when she planned to indulge in one of the café’s cinnamon mochas upstairs.
Heaven.

‘I wonder if you can help me,’ the next customer in line said. ‘I’m looking for a book . . .’

Darcy looked up, surprised at the familiar-sounding voice. And to see the even more familiar person standing in front of her at the countertop.

‘Aidan!’

Despite herself she felt somewhat irritated. Helluva time he’d chosen to come and pick up his phone and keys. But it seemed he’d also fancied doing some shopping while he was at
it.

‘The story is about two people whose lives collide one snowy morning once upon a time in New York,’ he continued, his brown eyes twinkling and his voice full of humour. ‘It has
kind of a slow beginning as the girl and the guy take a little while to get to know each other, but the one thing that’s obvious from the get-go is that they have a lot in common. Still,
there are many misunderstandings along the way, like when the guy gets knocked on the head and can’t remember who he is, and the girl gets the impression that he’s rich and successful
when really he’s just a regular Joe . . .’

He eyed her closely, and Darcy was unable to move her gaze away. ‘And an even bigger misunderstanding when his worried but
estranged
wife might lead her to believe they’re
still together.’

Darcy’s heart did a little somersault.

‘Possibly causing her to go right off the guy, and preventing her from getting to know him better – the
real
him. Oh, and there’s a cute dog in there too.’

‘I quite like the sound of that one myself,’ piped up the young female customer next in line. She looked at Darcy. ‘So what’s it called?’

Joshua sniggered. ‘I think maybe you and Jason Bourne should take this outside now – you’re confusing the customers.’

‘But it’s so busy. I can’t leave you in the lurch again,’ Darcy protested weakly, though she was dying to speak to Aidan properly and find out what else he had to
say.

‘It’s Christmas Eve, honey; people will be worried if they
don’t
have to wait in line. Anyway, Ashley will be back from coffee break soon. So go, go!’

Her heart pounding, Darcy duly grabbed her jacket from beneath the counter and followed Aidan outside.

She was
dying
to ask more, but didn’t want to interrupt the story – Aidan’s version of it.

He moved closer to her as they walked, close enough to touch. ‘So do you think you might know the one I’m talking about?’ he asked, those twinkling eyes causing her heart to
break all over again.

‘I’m – I’m not sure,’ she replied, playing along. ‘I think it might ring a bell, but there are a few gaps. Estranged wife, you said?’

‘Yes. Separated almost two years now. We’re –
they’re
, the guy and his ex, I mean – still good friends, and love their twelve-year-old daughter. Who is a
huge fan of books, by the way, and incidentally her current favourite is
The Princess Bride.
Which the guy happened to be reading with her just a couple of days before he got run
over.’ He shook his head. ‘Inconceivable.’

At this, Darcy couldn’t resist a smile and she listened as he continued.

‘So the daughter was starting to get concerned when she hadn’t heard from him for a little while, and couldn’t contact him. As was the guy’s sister, whom he was supposed
to collect from the airport the morning he got hit, so she had to make her own way to his house on Long Island – after leaving several messages on every contact number she had for
him.’

‘Sounds like a real mess,’ Darcy said, as they strolled on down the street, heading almost instinctively towards the Park. It was cold but she barely felt it, she was so wrapped up
in Aidan’s ‘story’, which was providing her with so many answers about the last few days. ‘I’m so sorry for getting things all wrong, Aidan,’ she said then,
feeling that an apology was way overdue. ‘But when Bailey led me to the brownstone and you had the keys, I didn’t think to question anything.’

‘Of course you didn’t, and it’s perfectly reasonable. And now that everything’s come back to me, I can completely see why the fog took so long to lift, as can Doctor
Mandeville,’ he added, looking sideways at her.

Darcy coloured. ‘The woman must be cursing me. So much for trying to help.’

‘Darcy, you went above and beyond the call of duty – way beyond – and I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done.’

‘All I’ve done? You mean delay your recovery by goodness knows how long and no doubt sending your poor family into convulsions wondering where you were these last few
days.’

Aidan approached a nearby bench and sat on it, a melancholy expression on his face. He looked at Darcy, who sat a respectful distance beside him. Then he sighed deeply. ‘Would you believe
they didn’t really notice anything until the day I came home?’

She looked at him, and though his voice was light, she could tell by his face that he was wounded.

‘What? But surely they were going nuts trying to find you, checking with the hospitals and phoning everywhere they could think of? I’m sure they were getting close to sending out a
missing persons report.’

But Aidan was shaking his head. ‘You must understand. Like I said, Tessa and I are separated so I don’t live at the family home in Long Island any more. I got a place nearby and I
see Mel, my daughter, a lot of course – as much as I can outside of when she has school, but most of the time she and her mother live their own lives, separate to mine. And I work in
Manhattan so I spend a lot of time here.’