Echoes of Edinburgh (14 page)

“Have a seat and let me tell you about your father's letter.” When Robert motioned to the sofa, Shelby stared at him for a moment before settling on it with Harrison beside her. She reached for his hand, and he laced their fingers together, giving her immeasurable comfort.

“After your mama died, Tommy started thinking about the future of Harmony Lane, and he'd started to face his own mortality,” Robert said. “If anything unforeseen happened, he knew he could count on you. Little could he know what happened a few years later, but in the letter, your father asked me—if anything happened to him—to consider coming back home to Kentucky and”—his gaze met hers—“taking over the management of Harmony Lane. He said his top man at the farm was planning to retire in a few years.”

Unable to speak, Shelby's eyes widened, and she forcibly closed her mouth. This was far beyond anything she'd hoped. Her pulse raced. Her head throbbed.

“Our grandfathers and fathers had all been close friends,” Robert said. “In the letter, your dad told me he'd always admired their work ethic and knew I'd inherited that same loyalty. At one point, Tommy and I had been close, Shelby. Almost as close as brothers.” His last words sounded forced, and Robert paused a moment, clearing his throat. “Tommy said, and I quote, ‘Any man who can run a castle is the man I want to watch over Harmony Lane.' He asked me to come home again. Home to Kentucky.”

Shelby's heart swelled when she glimpsed his deep emotion. Releasing Harrison's hand, she crossed the room to stand before Robert. “Pops, is coming home to Lexington and managing Harmony Lane something you'd consider?” Her heart galloped like one of her thoroughbreds. Putting a hand on her chest, she willed her pulse to slow, all the while knowing it was a lost cause.

The Adam's apple in Robert's throat moved up and down. “I've been thinking about it this week, ever since you gave me the letter. I've done some soul-searching and prayed about it. For one thing, it depends on whether or not the current owner agrees.”

Shelby swallowed the lump in her own throat. “Tell you what. If you'll agree to come home to Kentucky and manage Harmony Lane, I'll remain the owner. I promise you that much.”

With a smile stretched wide across his face, Robert extended his hand. “Aye, Shelby. I would. It's time, and I feel this is where the Lord is guiding me.”

A tear slipped down her cheek. “I'd rather have one of your hugs.” When he opened his arms, she willingly walked into her future, in one sense. The future of Harmony Lane. Not that Robert was a substitute for her father. No one could ever take her daddy's place. But, without a doubt, the Lord—through her dad—put this special man in her life. Seeing Harrison's smile, she released a deep sigh.

Robert pressed his lips to her forehead. “Your daddy was also a very practical man, lass. He asked his lawyer to draw up a contract with my name on it and gave me the name and phone number where to contact him. Plenty generous terms, too.”

Shelby half-laughed, half-cried. “Daddy was always very persuasive.” Raising her head, she smiled. “When can you start?”

“How does a month sound?”

She smiled at the tenderness in those wise, compassionate eyes. “You've got yourself a deal. But I need to ask you about something else.”

“If this is about Lily, I don't know.” Robert rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Would I be chasing a dream? Is it possible to think that after all these years Lily might still hold some small affection for me, a broken down old man who might want to start over again?”

“You're neither old nor broken down.” Harrison glanced up at Robert. “It's more than a dream, Pops,” Harrison said. “Time to take your own advice.”

The hint of a grin upturned Robert's lips. “Which advice is that? I recall telling you once that life is for the young, and you don't always get what you want.”

“I'm talking about four words you said to me in the farmer's market not so long ago.” Harrison darted a glance Shelby's way. “She's worth the risk.”

Shelby's pulse jump started and she glanced between the two men. This night was full of revelations. She needed a moment to process the emotions swirling in her mind like the leaves falling from the hundreds of trees at Harmony Lane in October.

“If you'll excuse me for a minute.” She left the living room and walked down the short, narrow hall to the small bathroom.

Standing in front of the mirror, Shelby bowed her head, wanting to pray for the decisions that needed to be made—not that everything in her life, or Robert's, or Harrison's, could be solved in this one night. This being her last evening in Edinburgh, her emotions were at an all-time high, confusing her with great possibility while overwhelming her with harsh reality. Not since her father's death had she been so uncertain. This past week had been one of the best weeks of her life, and she'd never forget it.

Other than a few rushed words in her mind, she found herself incapable of praying. Clutching the sides of the porcelain sink, she shook her head.
What am I going to do, Father?
Raising her head, she wiped away a few tears and splashed water on her face.

The two men waiting for her in the living room, as perceptive as they were, would be able to tell she'd been crying. Ah well, it couldn't be helped. She heard them talking when she stepped back into the hallway. Although they spoke quietly, the acoustics in the small house were acute. So was her hearing.

“I'm sure Shelby's got plenty of her own money, independent from Harmony Lane.” The words came from Harrison, spoken low.

Shelby's heart skidded to a stop. With one hand over her mouth, she clutched her stomach with the other hand. What was Harrison saying? More importantly,
why
would he even say such a thing? How ironic that money was both the bane of her existence and yet the core of her professional career. She'd also seen how it could corrupt and destroy someone's life if they allowed the love of it to take control. She knew the Bible verse about the love of money being the root of all evil.

“Harmony Lane's been extremely successful through the years.” Robert was speaking now. “I'm sure Tommy and Katie left her a substantial trust fund and enough to...”

Lord, help me
. The words faded as fresh tears filled her eyes. Shelby's pulse throbbed in her ears. She slumped against the wall, breathing hard. She tried to assimilate what she'd heard, rationalize what Harrison's words meant. Why would he discuss her financial situation with Pops? Rising anger battled for precedence with hurt. How
dare
he? Was this all a charade to somehow swindle money from her? Or from Harmony Lane? She didn't want to believe such a horrible thing, but what else
could
she think?

Lifting her gaze to the ceiling, Shelby closed her eyes.

Father, has this all been a game, a joke, a
lie
?

 

 

 

 

20

 

A deep sense of betrayal began to snake a bitter, insidious path into Shelby's conscience. Forcing down another sudden, huge lump in her throat, she closed her eyes and prayed for the strength to make it through the next few minutes without dissolving in a puddle of tears in Robert's house. Numbness descended upon her heart, squeezing so hard she thought she'd collapse. Gasping for air, Shelby stumbled down the hallway. She needed to get out of there.

Swallowing her tears and her remaining pride, she walked as quietly as possible back into the living room. Her purse sat on the floor. Snatching it by the strap, she grabbed it and hurried to the door. “Thanks for the great dinner, Robert.” Blindsided or not, she could still be polite.

“Shelby? Where are you going?” Harrison was beside her in a split second. Gratifying, yes, but it wasn't enough to stop her.

“Home.” She darted a glance at Robert, trying to ignore his expression of shocked surprise. “I'll call you from Chicago.” Flinging open the door, she stalked outside. It was all too much. She felt like her head was going to explode.

Harrison called to her from the open doorway. “Shelby? Don't go like this. Stay. Tell us what's wrong.”

Stay
. She wasn't about to pay heed to that pesky little voice inside her or Harrison's pleas. Look where it had gotten her. Oh, she'd gone and really done it now. Fallen in love with a man who might only want her for her money, making him no different from most of the other men she'd met. That would explain why he'd devoted so much time to her.

Was Harrison merely a handsome charmer with a devil-may-care attitude who flitted around the world befriending lonely women with money to help fund his foundation or his personal lifestyle? All those things he said before? Had they all been lies, intended to ingratiate himself into her life for his own selfish purposes? She didn't want to believe such things. Oh, what a muddled mess she was.

“Shelby! Wait!”

“Not this time, Harrison,” she said, gritting her teeth and picking up her pace.

His boots pounded the pavement behind her. She was no match for him. “Please,” he said, putting both hands on her shoulders and turning her around. “Talk to me. Tell me what's upset you so much that you ran flying out of the house. Robert's concerned, and so am I.”

“Maybe you should have thought of that when you were—never mind. I was wrong to come to Scotland, wrong to think...wrong to feel.” Blinking back tears, she inhaled a deep breath. “I wish I'd never come to Edinburgh.”

When she dared to glance up at him, she saw the hurt. It pierced her like a knife, but it couldn't be helped.

“Do you think finding Pops was wrong, Shelby? Please don't say you believe that. Deep down, you know it's not true.” He lifted her chin with his hand. “I'll never believe meeting you was wrong.” When she turned her head, unable to look him in the eye, he dropped his hand. “Where's this anger coming from?”

“Honestly, Harrison, I don't know what to think anymore. I just need time and some space,” she said, her voice barely more than a whisper. “Please allow me that much. I'm going to get on the plane tomorrow, go back to Chicago, and get back to my normal routine.” Her eyes found his. “Turns out Scotland has been a dream. A beautiful dream, yes, but an illusion, too good to be true.” She shook her head. “I made this time in Edinburgh—and you—what I'd always hoped to find in my life, but it's not real.” A tear slipped down her cheek, and she let it fall.

“Let me go get the car keys, and I'll drive you back to the hotel. We need to talk this through. I can't let you run away, not without you giving me a fighting chance.” Harrison's voice was as firm as she'd ever heard it, and while it warmed her heart, she couldn't do this. Not now, and maybe never.

“I'll manage. Thanks all the same. I'd appreciate it if you'd call a cab for me.”

Harrison blew out a breath. “Look, I don't know what happened in there tonight, but you're not walking out of my life. I won't let that happen. You're too important.”

Shelby bit the inside of her cheek and watched as he walked to the curb and whistled. Waving to a cab at the far end of the street, he repeated the harsh, ear-splitting whistle. Within seconds, the driver stopped at the curb. She'd had no idea a cab would be so close, but maybe it was a good thing for a quicker getaway. Her heart breaking, she swallowed more tears.

Opening the door, Harrison stood aside, his expression confused and bewildered. He grabbed her hand as she started to climb into the back of the cab and pulled her around to face him, forcible but never rough. Off balance, she clutched his arms to stay upright.

“Whatever I've done, Shelby love, forgive me. I've fallen hopelessly in love with you.” His voice was deep and huskier than she'd ever heard it. He brushed a kiss on her cheek and then angled his mouth toward hers. “I never want to let you go.”

“I can't,” she said, struggling for breath and pushing against him. “I have to go.”

Kisses wouldn't sway her this time, and she needed to distance herself from this man. All the feelings came crashing down around her, threatening to drown her in a sea of her own insecurity and fear.

“I love you,” he said again. “Stay. Let's figure out where we go from here.”

Shelby addressed the cab driver. “I'm sorry for your trouble. Please go on your way.”

The driver tipped his cap and then drove off.

She turned back around to face Harrison. Never had she felt more bewildered or confused.
Lord, please give me Your words
.

Harrison remained silent, but the muscles in his jaws clenched and his arms found their way across his chest.

“Harrison, for one thing, you have a father and a sister to go home to if and when you want, but who do I really have?” Shaking, Shelby ran her hands up and down her arms although she still felt more numb than cold. “You were right. I have neighbors and sorority sisters who might invite me to a garden fundraiser, and work colleagues, but they're more interested in gaining access to my professional contacts than getting to know me on any kind of personal level.” The admission was difficult to make but regrettably true all the same.

Harrison moved toward her, his expression determined. “You're missing the big picture, Shelby. The most important people in your life are always there for you. Yes, your parents are gone, but that doesn't mean there aren't people who care for you.”

She stared at him. “What do you mean?”

“How about the people who've served a generation of your family—the ones who've tended the horses, cleaned the stables, cooked the meals, washed the cars.” He stepped closer. “I wish you could see and hear yourself when you talk about Harmony Lane. You become so animated your eyes light up. It's your passion, and you don't even know it. You've told me about Jonas and Nan and all the terrific people there. They're not simply employees hired by your mom and dad. They're so much more. Those people are your friends...your
family
. I doubt you'll find anyone else more fiercely protective of you. They're the ones who've been there all along, watching you grow up into this beautiful and self-sufficient woman standing in front of me now.” His eyes, so brilliant, flashed in the light from a street lamp. “A woman who thinks she can make it on her own in the world without help from anyone else.”