Echoes of Edinburgh (16 page)

With a warm smile, Robert kissed the top of her head. “I love you, too, kiddo. You walked into my heart the minute I saw you standing in the Castlehill Gardens, this stunning girl who stole my breath away. It brought me back to Kentucky for the first time in many years, a place I'd tried to put out of my head. Seems the Lord had other plans. You're all the best parts of your mother rolled into one beautiful woman every bit as strong but with a certain softness. You have a keen intelligence even sharper than your father's for how to run the horse farm, and he was one mighty smart man. Harmony Lane needs you, Shelby. I'm thankful you'll be coming back to us soon. Permanently.” He tweaked her chin with a loving smile.

Shelby moved her hand over her heart and watched as Robert retrieved his jacket from a wooden wall peg beside the kitchen door. “I've seen the way you look at Lily, Pops. It's not just a dream. The love's still there, isn't it? For both of you.”

He pushed his arms into the sleeves of his jacket. “Your Aunt Lily is another reason I think your daddy wanted me to come back to Kentucky, although he said nothing in the letter. He probably figured I could read between the lines.”

She smiled. “To use your own words, all in God's plan. And worth the risk.”

Robert returned her smile as he buttoned his jacket. “Aye, it is, Shelby. Now, do me a favor when you go back to Chicago tonight.”

“Sure. Anything.”

Digging into the pocket of his jacket, Robert pulled out something flat and small. He crossed the kitchen and handed it to her. She suspected it was a photograph, much like the ones she'd received in an envelope from Harrison along with a short, sweet note, her only contact with him in three achingly long months. Months of soul-searching, praying, and seeking the Lord's plan for her life.

A quick glance confirmed it was indeed a black and white photograph, but its subject surprised her. “Did Harrison give this to you?”

A small smile lifted the corners of Robert's lips. “No. I borrowed that insanely small camera of his a few times and took this picture during dinner the night you two were at my house. Neither of you paid me any mind because you were too busy laughing, lost in each other. Take a good, long look.” Robert tapped the photo with one finger. “Harrison told me black and white photos reveal more raw, honest emotion than photos with the distraction of color. This photo clearly shows a man in love. And the woman who loves him right back.” His voice gentled, and Robert hesitated before speaking again, something she'd come to expect before he'd said something weighing on his heart.

“Is that love something you're willing to throw away?” His eyes softened. “I hope you'll take to heart the mistakes of a man who—by the grace of God—is getting a second chance in life.”

“You've been talking with Harrison, haven't you?”

Robert nodded. “Aye, I have. But he's honoring your wish. You told him you needed time, so he's giving you that time. And, as I said, figuring out things for himself.”

“Pops, do you honestly believe he'd be happy settling down in one place?”

A slow grin creased his face. “Only one way to find out, honey. Talk to Harrison. Soon. Share your heart and tell him what you're thinking. He's a good man, an honest man after God's own heart. I can only pray you won't squander that love or take it for granted. I doubt you'll ever find a finer man.” Robert headed toward the kitchen door but paused with one hand on the doorknob. “And Harrison couldn't find a finer woman than you, Shelby.”

After he left, Shelby slumped back into her chair. Everything Pops said was true. How could she ever have doubted Harrison's intentions? Oh, what a fool she'd been. But was it too late? From what Robert said, it might
not
be, but she knew it was up to her to make the first move and reach out to Harrison. If nothing else, she needed to let him know how much the time spent with him in Edinburgh had meant. How she regretted spouting the words that must have wounded him by sounding like she didn't trust him.

“I do trust you, Harry,” she murmured. “I love you.”

When the tears welled in her eyes and threatened to fall, Shelby shook her head. Too many tears had already been shed. It wasn't time to dwell on the past. Time to focus on the future. Leaning both elbows on the heavy oak table made by Grandpa Harmon, she prayed like she hadn't since before her father's death. Prayed like never before. Prayed for direction and wisdom.

Share your heart. Tell him what you're thinking.

Shelby ran up the stairs to her bedroom and retrieved her laptop. She carried it down to the kitchen table and started an e-mail, the most important e-mail of her life. Convincing clients to buy, sell, or trade was so much easier.

“This is ridiculous,” she said aloud after reading through the e-mail numerous times. “Say what you need to say, proofread it, and push the
SEND
button.”

Her thoughts returned to that last morning in Edinburgh. Sometime before she'd left the hotel, Harrison had delivered a final yellow rose and a card, leaving them outside her suite. On the card, he'd written:
Psalm 37:4:”Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
”

“Here you go.” Closing her eyes, she said a quick prayer and sent the e-mail on its way into cyberspace. “Harrison Reed, wherever you are in the world, I hope you get this message.”

 

 

 

 

22

 

One Week Later—Harmony Lane

Shelby's pulse raced as she prepared for her guests' arrival. The thought lingered in her mind that perhaps Harrison might show up today, but she couldn't get up her hopes only to have them dashed again. Her heart might not survive.

Who else but a romantic fool would believe Harrison would come charging up the long driveway to Harmony Lane like a prince on a white horse to rescue her—from herself—because of one e-mail three months after Edinburgh? Not that she'd begged him to come, but she thought she'd been fairly persuasive.

Shelby blew out a sigh. The fact that he hadn't bothered to respond to her e-mail was telling enough in itself. He must have finally given up on her and moved on with his life. She didn't want to believe it, but she was tired of coming up with rationalizations and possible excuses.

Robert and Lily had done all the legwork for setting up the program, but now she knew—just as Harmony Lane was her legacy—the Miriam Foundation was Harrison's legacy. She was right when she'd guessed it was more than a job to him, but at the time, she'd had no idea why. He'd told her it was his lifeblood. Turns out, it was, in more ways than one.

In a few minutes, the first group of children from the Miriam Foundation would arrive, laughing and chattering with the excitement of spending time with the horses. Not only would it be therapeutic for the kids, but it would also be a balm for her weary, hurting heart.

Time for another pep talk. “Square your shoulders and go out there and embrace this opportunity to bring wonderful changes to Harmony Lane. Get on with your life and make Mama and Daddy proud.” Great. Now she was talking out loud to herself.

Jonas approached the front door, but Shelby waved him off. “I'll take care of this.”

The wise, dark eyes of her father's longtime employee fell on her. “Miss Shelby, I've never been more proud of you. Your Mama and Daddy are smilin' from Heaven for what you're doin' here with these young folks. I always knew you had that special Harmon spirit and compassion. It's in your blood, but you don't see it so much in young people these days. You're the lady of the manor now, and you're doing a mighty fine job of it.”

Shelby gave him a watery smile. “Thanks, Jonas. That means a lot, especially coming from you.”

“Only tellin' the truth. Can't tell you how much we're all lookin' forward to having you back with us again. If you don't mind my sayin', it's where you belong.” Robert's sentiment about her mother always belonging here at Harmony Lane came to mind, and tears stung her eyes. She'd never been so emotional in her life as in these past few months.

Oh, Mama and Daddy, how I miss you
.

“I'd better scoot back into the kitchen now and help Nan with the lunch for your guests, or she'll be givin' me an earful tonight,” Jonas said.

Shelby watched as, shoulders hunched, Jonas shuffled down the hall in the direction of the main kitchen. His face had earned a few more wrinkles, his hands new frailties, but Harmony Lane was also this man's home. Jonas would never leave of his own accord and neither would she ever want him to go. Both he and Nan had been with her family since before she was born.

The doorbell rang, loud in the quiet of the home. “Time to play mistress.” When she opened the door, bright sunshine flooded the front hall. “Welcome to Harmony Lane, ladies.” Stepping aside and opening the door wider, Shelby ushered them inside.

“Miss Harmon? I'm Sylvia Donigan.” The pleasant-faced woman had a kind smile that brightened her entire countenance. “I've brought three of our children to visit today. This is Samantha, Isabel, and Dani.” The three girls, ranging in age from about eight to twelve, bobbed their heads and offered Shelby shy smiles when Sylvia called their names.

“It's very nice to meet you. Please call me Shelby.”

Isabel's hazel eyes shone as she lifted her head to the high ceiling, her mass of dark, spiral curls flowing down her back. “Is thish a manthon?”

“Looks like one to me,” Dani said. In contrast to Isabel, she was fair with light blonde, short straight hair. Shelby's heartstrings tugged as she saw how heavily Dani leaned on her cane, a metal leg brace wrapped around one leg.

“It's where I grew up,” Shelby said.

“Do you still live here?” That question came from Samantha. Her big blue eyes bore into hers with the intensity of a reporter determined to get the real story behind the vagueness of her response.

“I live and work in Chicago now—”

“You live in two places?” Samantha scratched her head covered with red curls. “Which one do you like best?” Ah yes, this one was the heavy hitter.

“This is my home, and I've decided to move back here to Harmony Lane.”

“Girls, that's enough questions for now.” Sylvia shot Shelby an empathetic glance.

Robert and Lily walked into the room, hand in hand. What a handsome couple they made. Nodding to Sylvia, they gave the girls friendly smiles.

“This is Robert and Lily,” Shelby said by way of introduction. “They're going to take you to the stables in a golf cart and introduce you to Sugarplum, Nutcracker, and Prince. You're going to love our horses. They're gentle and love visitors, especially the ones who feed them.”

All three girls giggled. “Those are silly names,” Samantha said.

“Samantha, let's not—” Sylvia's tone held a warning.

“It's fine.” Shelby smiled. “My parents used to take me to see the Nutcracker ballet every Christmas, and I always wanted to give some of our horses those names.” They were also the older horses—the ones better-suited for the therapy program. “You can help Robert and Lily exercise and feed them. Would you like that?” A chorus of cheers greeted her in response.

“I'm sorry for all the questions,” Sylvia said as Robert and Lily led the children through the front hall, headed to the back of the house. “They're naturally curious, but you never know what they're going to say. For some of the kids, especially the ones with severe cases, not knowing how long they'll be around makes them want to experience more of life while they can. Makes you appreciate the things in your world—and the people—that much more, wouldn't you say?”

“You're right,” Shelby said. “Children are very honest, and I can appreciate that. They can teach us a lot about living. The key is stopping long enough to listen.”

“Exactly,” Sylvia said. “One of the men is waiting outside, and he asked to speak with you privately.”

Shelby raised a brow. “Do you mind telling him to come back in three hours? That'll give us plenty of time with the horses and to have lunch together. I'll wait here and then walk with you to the stables.”

A concerned expression flittered over the woman's features. “He has a couple of questions to ask you that I can't answer. Sorry, but he specified he'd like to speak directly with Shelby Harmon. He seemed pretty insistent.”

Shelby sighed, hoping whatever it was he wanted to discuss wouldn't take long. “I'll go out and talk with him then. If you want, go out the back door and follow the pathway. It'll lead you straight to the stables. It's not far. If you would, tell Lily and Robert I'll join you all shortly.”

Relief glimmered in Sylvia's eyes. “I certainly will. Thank you.”

Shelby hurried into the kitchen, grabbed her jacket, and shrugged into it as she moved back through the living room and out the front door, pulling it closed behind her. The sun's glare was blinding as she spied a sleek, dark Mercedes with tinted windows parked in the middle of the circular driveway. A white van was parked behind it, and its driver was hunched behind the wheel.

In spite of the sunshine, the early November air was chillier than she expected. Crossing her arms over her middle, Shelby hurried toward the van. “This had better be good,” she muttered, wondering why the driver hadn't stepped out of the van if he'd wanted to speak with her. Probably trying to stay warm.

As she approached, the door of the Mercedes swung open and a tall man stepped outside.

She stopped walking and her heart sputtered.

Wait a minute
.

 

 

 

 

 

23

 

Something about the man was very familiar and Shelby moved her hand over her brow, shielding her eyes from the blinding sun. After closing the car door, he walked toward her. Her breathing slowed to a crawl as he closed the distance between them, and his handsome features came into view. Those high cheekbones, that square jaw, that rugged walk...that smile.