A Prior Engagement (39 page)

Like every night they fell asleep together, they were wrapped up in each other—solid in love and content in happiness.

The next morning after saying good-bye, they went their separate directions—William went to the university and Evie went to work her shift at Bean There. At two o’clock, the bell chimed on the coffee shop door causing Evie to look up to see her mother walking through the doorway. Her parents had been on her mind ever since William mentioned them last night, but she didn’t expect a visit. She smiled, deep down happy to see her.

Her mother looked so excited to see Everleigh, but nervous to approach.

Tracy could see the resemblance and felt the instant awkwardness between them. “Take fifteen if you want.”

Evie took off her apron and went to her mom, glad she was there, and took her by the hand to lead her to a table outside.

“Hello, I’ve missed you,” Kitty Wright said in a soft and loving tone as they sat down.

Although Evie was glad to see her, the pain she held inside bubbled to the surface. “I want to tell you I’ve missed you, but you weren’t involved in my life enough before to be missed.”

Kitty could see the anger in her daughter’s eyes. “Everleigh, I came to apologize to you.”

“I don’t need your apology.” She leaned across the table and looked her straight in the eyes. “You don’t get to choose when we make up or even if we do. I do. That’s my choice. I make my decisions now.”

The pain of Everleigh’s tone flashed across her mother’s face. She looked down at her purse in her lap and then back up. “I deserve everything you’re saying to me and worse. I . . . I didn’t know and I know that’s not an excu—”

“No, it’s not. I tried to tell you and Dad, and I was dismissed as if I was insignificant to you. I pleaded to you that day on campus to listen to me.”

“We weren’t disregarding you. We were caught up in—”

“Honestly, Mother, I don’t give a damn what you were caught in.”

Her mother stood up. “Maybe I shouldn’t have come. Audrey warned me you might be hostile.”

“Hostile? This is hostile? I’m sorry if you’re uncomfortable hearing the truth. That truth is my reality and I was uncomfortable living it. This was my life that you, Dad, and Tom were destroying. You all made me believe I owed you something, like my happiness wasn’t worth as much as money or your happiness.”

Kitty sat back down, listening to her daughter. When Evie looked at her for answers, her mom said, “Audrey told us everything Tom did to you. We don’t deserve your trust or your forgiveness, although, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want it.”

Evie wasn’t open-minded to her parents, it felt too soon for that, but she wasn’t closed-hearted either. She dropped her head into her hands and closed her eyes. After a long, deep breath she exhaled, and looked up. “I don’t know if I can forgive you for what you put me through. You hurt me when you took his side over mine.”

Her mother reached across the table and placed her hand on top of Evie’s. “I understand. We failed you in many ways. I’m sorry. If I knew . . .” Kitty started crying. She couldn’t face her daughter, her shame overwhelming her delicate features. “I’m so sorry, Everleigh.” She stood up abruptly and dabbed at the corner of her eyes with her knuckles. Her daughter had been through hell and no amount of apologies would change that. “I’ll do whatever it takes to have you in my life again and I’ll be a better mother because you deserve one. You were always a beautiful light in my eyes that we somehow managed to dim by surrounding you with darkness. I’m truly sorry. I should go. I know your break is almost over.”

Evie stood up not knowing what to do, or think, or say. The feelings and words she had wanted to share with her mother for so long came rushing out. “I’m in love with William. One day, I’m going to marry him. He makes me that happy.”

An inkling of hope bloomed, and Kitty smiled, trying to be there for her daughter now. “Tell me more about him. Tell me about your William.”

Evie looked out at the street then back again. “I love him. I know he’s the one I’m supposed to be with.”

“Would you consider bringing him to dinner? Maybe Sunday. We would like to get to know him better.”

Evie looked at the sincerity in her mother’s eyes, and replied, “I’ll ask him.”

Her mother glanced at her watch, looking disappointed. “Your fifteen minutes is up, but I need you to know our home is always your home and you’re both welcome there anytime, Everleigh.”

Evie was sad they didn’t get to discuss more due to the time restraints. “Thank you.” She grabbed her mother and pulled her into a tight embrace. “We’ll be there for dinner. Thank you.”

Kitty Wright cried, but spoke through her tears. “I apologize we didn’t help you when you needed us. I’m so very sorry, Everleigh.”

They hugged one more time while professing their apologies and love for each other. When Evie returned to work, she smiled, feeling like she finally had the support she always craved from her family.

Chapter 33

Evie and William walked hand-in-hand into the lobby of her parents building fifteen minutes earlier than they were expected for dinner.

Walter smiled while holding the door wide open for the young couple. “It’s a pleasure to see you both again.”

“Thank you,” she said, feeling sentimental in his presence. She released William and grabbed the doorman into a tight hug. “Thank you so much.”

“I’m just an old softie.” He embraced her back. “Don’t get me started.”

She let him go and laughed as a tear slipped down her cheek. William handed her a tissue he took from the table in the lobby. With an arm around her shoulders, he said, “She’s been a bit emotional all day. It’s a big deal for us to be here.”

“William, I’m glad to see you again and not sneaking around like before, walking in escorting Miss Wright the proper way.” Walter was teasing William, but the message was clear.

The two men shook hands, and William said, “She’s right. We have a lot to thank you for. You’re a good man, Walter.”

“No thanks necessary.” Walter pushed the elevator button for them and smiled. “You take care of her, all right?”

“It’ll be my pleasure.”

Four minutes later, William was starting to sweat as they stood outside the Wright’s residence. He gulped and ran his hand through his hair.

“It’s all good now. No worries. Okay, baby,” Evie whispered while squeezing his hand in reassurance.

The door opened, and it was Evie’s father. Her mouth dropped open in surprise as he greeted them warmly, shaking William’s hands, and hugging his daughter. “You answered the door?” she asked as he held her.

“I was excited to see you.” When they separated, he looked Evie over. “You look well. Life is good?”

Evie hadn’t seen her father like this in years. He was smiling and actually looked younger to her with his happy expression.

Evie turned, her guard not down all the way and took William by the hand again, pulling him to her. “Life is very good. Thank you.”

“Well, come in. Come in.” Richard stepped to the side to let them enter the apartment. “I don’t know what’s keeping your mother. Maybe you can check on her. William and I can have a drink and a chat.”

Evie looked at William, silently checking to make sure he would be all right. He nodded and she kissed him on the lips then disappeared down the hall, leaving the two men alone.

Richard walked over to the antique cherry buffet table by the window and turned over two crystal glasses. He held up a decanter. “Whiskey, right?”

“Nothing too fancy. The Tennessee kind is good with me.”

Richard chuckled under his breath as he poured the two drinks. William may not have much money, but he had pride and that was currently on full display. Richard handed him a glass and said a toast. “To Everleigh.”

“To Evie.” William challenged with a smile.

Richard grinned while looking at his drink then looked back up at the young man in front of him. “Tell me how she’s really doing, please.”

“Her life has changed a lot, but she’s happy.”

“She looks happy. I can see it in her eyes. It’s as if there’s life back in them. It’s nice to see the change.”

William took another swig of his drink, choosing not to say anything and let Richard lead the conversation.

“It’s ironic that as a parent you think you’re doing things the best you can. Come to find out that you suck as a parent. This whole situation has been a real eye-opener.” Richard sat down in one of the wingback chairs, his face taking on a more somber expression. “I can already tell you’re a better man than I ever was. What you’ve done for my daughter, for my family, it’s more than most would do. I didn’t even know she had a friend at school and come to find out her deceiving us and Tom would be the very thing that saved her life.”

“She would have left him on her own. She was going to. Evie’s stronger than you give her credit for. She survived.”

“Yes, I’m slowly finding out more details of what she was living through because of us. I thought that union would solidify our family and get the Wright name the respect it deserves. I put a heavy burden on her at a young age, but I was blinded by so many things at the expense of Everleigh.” He huffed as if he was annoyed. “I’m trying to say thank you and apologize. I’m not good with either, I guess.”

William leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “I appreciate that, but as I said last week, you owe her the apologies, not me.”

Richard sat back and finished his drink. “Tom is going to be arrested. My contact will call me with the details.”

William lowered his hand just before taking a drink. “What?”

“I made a large purchase a few weeks ago. I bought the company right out from under him. My accountants found some discrepancies in the books after the buyout.” Richard’s voice was low, but firm and tinged with anger.

William stared at him, waiting for more.

“There was a board meeting four weeks ago and the members were not happy with his leadership. Because of Tom’s lack of attention to the details, the company was threatened by a takeover. I’m convinced the timing of it is not a coincidence. The fundraiser was just days earlier. From my understanding though, he hadn’t taken an active role for a while.”

“It must have been hard for him to squeeze work in when he was so busy trying to destroy lives,” William said, sarcastically.

“I wish I could say it was sweet revenge, but it’s bittersweet. It’s another example of how much he was fixated on my daughter in such a negative way. I’m going to make it up to her. I promise I will.”

Evie and her mother walked into the living room holding hands and smiling. William stood up to greet them. Evie kissed him on the cheek, not afraid to hide her affections for him then joined her father. William sat on the couch just as Audrey entered the room. She made a beeline for William, sitting down next to him on the couch. “Hi, it’s been a while. How are you?” he asked.

“Your brother has me all twisty-turny inside. He really has no right to be that cute. It’s damn near impossible to even look at him, much less talk to him. He’s too distracting in all the right ways with those great eyes and—”

“Yeah, I get it. No need to go into detail.”

They laughed.

Flopping back dramatically on the couch, she said, “We’ve decided to go to your alma mater next year.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah, Dallas said he still wanted to get your advice to make sure it’s the right choice, but I think he just wants your approval.” She laughed.

“He’s got it. He’s a good guy.”

“The best. From what I’ve seen, he takes after his big brother.” She smiled at William as she stood up. “Well, not that it matters, but I approve of you for my sis.”

He stood up and squeezed her shoulder. “Thanks,” he said, “That means a lot to me.”

“What you did for my family means a lot to me.”

He thought she was great for his brother. They were sharing a laugh when Kitty approached. “Hello, William.”

“Hello, Mrs. Wright.”

“Kitty, please.”

“All right.”

“Will you join me at the window? I’d like to have a quick chat.”

“Yes, ma’am.” His stomach turned as he joined her across the room, wondering what she wanted to talk about.