Between Land and Sea (22 page)

Chapter 42

Barbara slowly opened her eyes and took in the small, cramped office with piles of paper scattered on every available surface. Her eyes traveled the room and finally settled on the beautiful, red-haired woman sitting next to her. Mirabella. Her mother. So she hadn’t been dreaming.

“You certainly know how to create drama,” Mirabella said. “Four men, five if you count the manager, gathered around you and made such a fuss.” She smiled ruefully. “The manager thought you would be more comfortable in his office.” She handed Barbara a glass of water.

Barbara drank from the glass and tried to focus her attention. She remembered meeting Mirabella, Paul, and Graham. “I didn’t know Graham was Paul’s son.”

“You spent four months in Carden and didn’t figure that out? Especially in that town.” Mirabella shuddered.

“You lived there?” Barbara asked.

“For almost five months.” She continued bitterly. “All those people constantly asking questions and poking into my business. I made it very clear to Paul that I would stay with him only if we moved away. I couldn’t and wouldn’t spend the rest of my human life wasting away in Carden. You were smart to get away. I’m certain you have a better arrangement here. But I’m curious. How did you manage it so quickly?” She looked at Barbara with interest and envy.

Barbara gave her an abbreviated version of her life on earth. As she spoke, she noticed Mirabella’s eyes widening in surprise until, finally, a look of horror appeared on her features. “So, in less than a month, you could be homeless and manless.” She shook her head and muttered, “I’ll have to work fast.”

“
Now,
you feel that you have to do something for me? What has changed, Mirabella? You left three days after I was born and never looked back. When I arrived on earth six months ago, you didn’t bother to call or visit. You sent Paul who graciously gave me free accommodation, but with an expiration date. You . . .” She gasped for air and stopped to drink more water.

“Annabella has turned you against me.” She looked toward the door. “We have some time. I asked Nico to order for us.” She looked directly at Barbara. “Are you ready to hear the truth?”

Barbara opened her mouth, but then decided against sarcasm. Instead, she nodded and waited for Mirabella to continue.

“Annabella was grooming me for a position as an elder. In time, she promised I would assume leadership of the Mediterranean tribe. I obeyed her and was happy in the kingdom. When I reached the quarter-century mark, she surprised me with a celebration. Mermaids and mermen from all ends of the kingdom came to the feast. It was there that I met my twin, Sarabella, for the first time.” Mirabella’s eyes watered and she took a moment to recover. “I was shocked to learn of her existence and to hear why she had been banished to Crete. You see, she wasn’t a perfect Bella. Her eyes were a mixed color and her lips were not as full as ours.”

Barbara’s eyes widened. “I find it hard to believe that Annabella would have cast her away for such minor differences—and at birth.”

Mirabella’s lips tightened. “Annabella expects perfection. I was furious with her and demanded she reinstate Sarabella at Malta. Annabella mocked my convictions and warned me to stay away from Sarabella, but I couldn’t get my twin out of my mind. The night before she left for Crete, Sarabella and I swam along the Malta shoreline. It was there that I met Paul. While we both flirted with him, he favored me. Sarabella was jealous and swam away. She went directly to Annabella and told her.” Tears of betrayal welled in Mirabella’s eyes.

Barbara leaned forward and hugged her. Mirabella appeared surprised by the contact, but continued. “I was glad to see Sarabella leave the next morning. She blew me a kiss as she swam away with the rest of the Crete mermaids. Annabella was furious and forbade me to see Paul again. At that point, I was confused and felt betrayed by both Annabella and Sarabella. I ignored Annabella’s orders and spent a few more nights with Paul. He left for Canada and promised to come back for me in a year’s time. He needed to get his affairs in order. I said nothing to Annabella and resumed my duties as her heir apparent. During that time, I agreed to procreate and presented her with two small mermaids. She—”

Barbara interrupted, “Two small mermaids? So, I have a twin as well.”

“Yes, another imperfect Bella was born. Arabella had dark brown eyes that frightened Annabella. She snatched her away while I was sleeping and sent her to Crete with one of the mermen.” Mirabella’s lips hardened. “I imagine Sarabella raised her along with her own brood of less than perfect Bellas.” Hot tears were streaming down Mirabella’s cheeks. She dabbed at her eyes with a tissue and struggled to compose herself. She gulped down some water and resumed her story.

“I was still feeling weak from giving birth, but I struggled to swim up to shore. A year had passed, and I knew Paul would be coming. I needed to see him desperately. He found me in a bad state and spent most of the night comforting me. When Annabella couldn’t find me, she swam up to shore and confronted both of us. Paul stood up and reprimanded her. To my surprise, Annabella backed down and said nothing. I don’t know exactly what transpired, but the following day, I found myself in Carden.”

“Just like that. What about the transformation process?”

“I remember nothing,” Mirabella said. “I was so distraught after losing Arabella, I couldn’t think straight.” Her voice softened. “I couldn’t even hold you. Paul negotiated everything with Annabella. He made sure that I emerged with all my looks intact and enough continued support for two years. While my tablet was not as advanced as yours, it still allowed me to adapt quickly to the human world. Paul was there, every step of the way, guiding me.” She took a deep breath and glanced over at Barbara. “We couldn’t take you with us. You were too small for the transformation process.”

Barbara’s head was whirling. What she had heard was beyond belief. But one fact still troubled her. “I still don’t understand how Annabella could give in so easily to Paul. I’ve never known her to relinquish control so easily, especially to a human.”

“I wondered about that as well,” Mirabella said. “At first, Paul waved away my questions, but one night after a few drinks, I heard the rest of the story.” She took a deep breath, steeling herself in preparation. “Paul had vacationed in Malta many years before he met me and had often visited our favorite cove. One evening, he met a beautiful mermaid and had a brief fling with her. While there was never any talk of her leaving the kingdom, he thought about her often.”

“So, who was this mermaid?” Barbara gasped, “No, it couldn’t be!”

“Yes, it was Annabella. When he saw me for the first time, he thought I was Annabella.”

Barbara sat there, speechless, and continued to gaze at Mirabella.

“A few months ago, Annabella appeared to Paul in a dream and whisked him away to England. Paul was shocked by your appearance and furious with Annabella. He wanted to set you up in New York, but Annabella persuaded him to give you a fresh start in Carden. She didn’t think you were ready for New York, and she worried about my reaction to you. Paul agreed to Annabella’s plans and arranged for you to live in one of his apartment buildings. That woman, the superintendent’s wife, Rita, kept tabs on you and reported weekly to Paul. When we heard you had a job and were involved with Graham, we relaxed and looked forward to meeting you when you were ready.”

Barbara couldn’t believe what she was hearing, but she knew it was the truth. She had just watched the perfect, aloof Belinda Armstrong become the mother she never had. The two women embraced. Barbara pulled away first and looked questioningly at Mirabella. “Why couldn’t you just pick up the phone and call me? What were you waiting for?”

“Why couldn’t you pick up the phone and call me?” Mirabella repeated. “You had my number on your résumé. Annabella told Paul you had figured out our connection months ago.”

Barbara shook her head. “I thought you didn’t want anything to do with me. That’s what Annabella said.”

“My mother never forgave me for leaving,” Mirabella said.

“Does it bother you that she visits Paul?”

“She only started visiting him when you came into the picture. And all they talk about is you.” She shuddered. “Better she talks with him than with me.”

“She visited me a couple of times,” Barbara said.

“Hmm, did she disturb you?”

“She advised me to stay in Carden. She didn’t approve of my motives.” Barbara stopped and looked guiltily at Mirabella. She couldn’t bring herself to tell Mirabella about her competitive nature.

Mirabella raised her eyebrows, but said nothing. A knock on the door startled both of them. Paul opened the door and peered in. “Are you girls ready to come out now? The food has arrived, and to be truthful, it’s getting a little uncomfortable out there.” He cleared his throat. “Four men at a table, with two so openly . . . well, you know.”

Mirabella burst out laughing and turned to Barbara. “He’s a bit homophobic.”

Paul frowned. “Bella, keep your voice down. Some of these people might be related to Nico. I don’t want to start anything tonight.”

Mirabella gave him a reassuring smile. “Give us a few minutes to freshen up and we’ll be right out.” She added airily, “Oh, and by the way, Isabella needs our help. She’s practically homeless.”

“Mirabella!” Barbara looked at her angrily.

Paul laughed and shut the door quietly.

Chapter 43

Belinda Armstrong was back and ready to take charge.

As soon as she re-entered the dining room, she took aside one of the servers and arranged for Graham and Barbara to have their own table. Mario and Nico looked delighted while Graham said nothing. “Paul will cover both tables.” Paul shook his head and muttered something unintelligible. Many of the other patrons watched the scene with amusement.

Barbara started to protest as Graham whispered, “It’s best to go along with whatever she says, especially in a public setting. It cuts down on the drama.”

Barbara waited for the server to finish arranging the food on the table before speaking. “I’m glad to see you, Graham. I’ve missed you.”

He nodded and said nothing. They ate quietly for a while. The food was delicious. Barbara made a mental note to thank Nico for ordering, but then realized that Graham had ordered the same dishes. He had probably ordered for her. That was a good sign. Everything from the avgolemono soup to the lamb dish and honey-soaked baklava was delicious. Occasionally, Barbara would catch Graham looking at her and smiling to himself.

While their table was quiet, Belinda’s table was more animated. Nico and Mario were at their gregarious best and Belinda was holding court. As for Paul, he was content to sit back and let the others carry the conversation.

“She likes to run the show and he lets her.” Graham spoke in a low voice.

“Yes, she definitely likes to be in control and have the last word.” She was still not too happy about Belinda’s off-hand remark to Paul. She didn’t want Paul Armstrong to think she wasn’t capable of handling her own affairs, nor did she want him to step in and solve her problems. Not now. Not after she had come so far and accomplished so much on her own.

“Nico and Mario told me about your new car,” Graham said.

“Yes, I’m leasing a Corolla. I returned the BMW yesterday.”

“That must have been hard.”

“I was attached, maybe too attached, to that car. I finally realized that it’s just transportation and not an extension of my personality.” She added, “It was fun shopping for a new car, though!”

“I don’t imagine Tobin was too happy.”

“No, he wasn’t. But he finally realized we don’t have a future together.” She frowned. “He’s agreed to maintain a professional relationship. I’ll see how that works out. If it’s too uncomfortable, I’ll get another agent for my next book.”

Graham nodded. “Good.”

“When I went to Chicago, he turned on the charm and showered me with attention. I wasn’t expecting to be pursued by a wealthy, younger man. And when he sent me the car, I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t bring myself to give it back.” She looked down at her plate. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about him sooner.”

Graham was looking intently at her. There was wariness in his eyes, but no anger. She took a deep breath and continued. “I’d like a second chance with you.”

Graham put his hand on hers. “I’ve had time to think about you, about us. The last three months have been hell without you. Everywhere I turn, I am reminded of you. I can’t hike, ski, snowshoe, cook, or even walk without remembering what you said or did. And the Cardeners don’t help. I still get looks of pity and concern. I think every woman under the age of eighty has dropped by to see me with a casserole, pie, or plant.”

“They care about you,” Barbara said. “And they’re trying to help, in their own way.”

“I know I should be grateful to have so many people concerned about my welfare, but it is suffocating.” He nodded toward Belinda. “I’m beginning to understand how Belinda felt when she first arrived in Carden. As Dad’s third wife, she was under a lot of scrutiny. She couldn’t take it and persuaded him to leave the area. At the time, I thought she was selfish, but I realize now how that small town atmosphere can be stifling.”

Barbara squeezed his hand and encouraged him to continue.

“I’ve decided to leave Carden.”

Barbara’s eyes widened in surprise. “Maybe you should think this through.”

He drained his wine glass. “Gwen and Sam got married a few weeks ago in Las Vegas. I’ve decided to give them the house as a wedding present.” He looked toward Paul. “It’s ironic how life turns out. When Dad and Belinda decided to leave Carden, he gave me that house as a gift. I must say it helped heal the rift between us. And Marjorie did her best to run interference between us. It took me a long time to forgive him for leaving my mother.”

“Is that why you don’t use his name?”

“When I turned twenty-one, I was still angry at him, and decided to change my name legally. Scott is my mother’s maiden name.”

The young woman with the cool, blue eyes would find happiness in Marjorie’s house. And her mother’s spirit would be free to roam there. “Gwen must be ecstatic.”

Graham’s face broke out into a smile. “They’ve asked their banks for job transfers. Gwen will be working in Oakville and Sam in Mississauga. Carden is a perfect location for them.” He added, “I checked with Peter first, of course. He doesn’t mind. He likes the West Coast, and Megan has all her family out there.”

“What about your shop?”

“My assistant, Pauline, is interested in buying the shop. Lately, I’ve been spending less time there and more time in Vermont or travelling around the province. It doesn’t make too much sense to continue living in Carden.”

“But what will you do? Where will you go?”

“I’m going to paint full time, teach a few courses, and maybe write another book. See where that takes me.” He looked directly at Barbara. “But first of all I’m going to find a place where I can build my own dream house.” His eyes strayed toward Paul. “I’ve spent most of my life in my father’s house or one subsidized by him. It’s time to choose where and how I want to live.”

Barbara could hardly breathe. He couldn’t leave now, not when they were so close to reconciling. “In Vermont?”

“No, I’m staying right here in Ontario. I honestly don’t know where I’ll end up, maybe near a lake and some ski hills. A nearby conservation area would be nice.”

Barbara could hear the pounding of her heart. She wanted lazy Sunday mornings in bed and long walks along the lake with this solid and warm man. She wanted to look over his shoulder and help him plan and decorate his dream house. She wanted to be part of his life. Would he let her?

She swallowed hard. “Do you plan to stay with Gwen and Sam until your house is built?”

Graham laughed and shook his head. “I’m not barging in on newlyweds. I think I’ll try being homeless for a while.” He smiled and leaned forward. “Let’s be homeless together.”