We were never,evergoing home.
I was never leaving him.
I was in deep with him.
And he needed me.
So I was going nowhere.
Fortunately, from our discussion before it all went downlast night, I knew Mom agreed with this.
So we were set.
We were here, and here we would stay.
And I couldn’t say I didn’t grieve our family, my friends,the concept that I’d never again drink a Diet Coke.
But the truth of it was, at this point, if I was given achoice, I would choose here.
Maxine.
Ansley.
And Loren.
As the ride was short, on this thought, it was over, I knewthis as the carriage swayed to a halt.
And as was obviously her wont, Aunt Mary didn’t delay inbringing the drama.
She released the catch on the door, kicked it open with herboot, and shouted to Edgecomb, one of our footmen, who was currently racing tothe carriage, “You there!Stop dallying!See to these steps this instant!”
I couldn’t swallow that giggle.
Loren gave my fingers a squeeze on his chuckle.
We were then treated to the highly enjoyable show of AuntMary trying to exit the carriage at the same time keep a hat on her head thatwas bigger than the door to said carriage.
She managed it.
Loren alighted before me so he could help me out as Edgecombwas escorting Aunt Mary to our front door, which was thrown open before sheclimbed the second step.
“Auntie Mary!”Maxine cried, darting down the steps.
I stopped dead.
I’d never seen her so animated.
They embraced.
I heard Aunt Mary mumble, “My beauteous beauty.”
Maxine sprung back.
“You’re here!”
“I am, my dearest,” Mary confirmed.
“You metSattieand Lorie?”sheasked.
