Then he pulls away, an invisible string tugging on my heart, nearly ripping it from my chest as he offers me that smile that stole my breath the first day I met him.
“Be strong, love.” He waves and then hops into the car, where Rupert is already waiting for him.
Lamar gets into the car, it starts, the taillights shine, and then they take off, pulling out of the driveway.
Aunt Kitty continues to paddle as she says, “Goodbye, our Englishmen. Goodbye.”
I take a seat on our porch steps and bury my head in my hands as more tears rack my body.
Please…please let him come back. I didn’t know how much I wanted him, needed him, until he had to leave.
Chapter Forty-Eight
THEO
I drop my suitcase in the entryway of my parents’ home, the eerie silence of the house reflecting the way I feel inside.
Rupert and I didn’t speak the entire way back home.
Not in the car.
Not at the airport.
Not on the plane.
Even Lamar was shaking from the lack of communication.
And when we got through customs, we parted ways, not a single word uttered.
I don’t even know what to say to him at this point. I think I spoke my piece, and if he wants to approach me, he can, but what I said to him, that’s about it. I have nothing else to say.
Reaching into my pocket, I pull my phone out and shoot Renley a quick text. I let her know when I landed, but she didn’t respond, probably because she’s still sleeping, given I landed at nine thirty this morning and it’s a five-hour time difference.
Theo:Just got to my parents’ house. My father was transferred here this morning. I’ll talk to you after I see him. Love you, Gossy.
As I’m pocketing my phone, the telltale sound of heels click-clacking across the wood floors announces my mother’s approach right before she appears. Older now, she still maintains a poised composure, her hair done in a low bun at the nape of her neck, her makeup expertly done, and even though it’s early and her husband just had a heart attack, she’s wearing a reasonable pair of trousers and a crisp white blouse.
“Theo.” She greets me with a kiss on each cheek. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Got on the first flight I could,” I say, even though technically there was one before the one I took. I was selfish and squeezed out a little more time with Renley before I had to leave.
“Well.” She straightens her shoulders. “The doctors think he will make a full recovery, but given this scare, I believe there are some things he wants to talk to you about.”
And that’s what I was afraid of.
“Well, I’ll go talk to him.”
My mother stops me with her hand to my chest. “Please, go clean up first. Gordon has laid an outfit out for you on your old bed and all your toiletries are in the bathroom.”
“It’s just Father,” I say. “He has seen me straight off an airplane before.”
She shakes her head. “We are expecting company. Now go wash up.”
“What company?” I ask.
Mother looks at me as if I have three heads and should know what the hell she’s talking about.
“Neil and his daughter. Honestly, Theo.” She shakes her head and starts to walk away but I quickly stop her.
