Once Upon a Winter's Heart (13 page)

“I have been working on this relationship for two years, Emma.” Anne shook two fingers in Emma's face. “I have invested myself completely in this relationship. I've been supportive of everything Lane's doing. I set up that fundraiser. And what about Tristan? If you don't care about me, what about your nephew?”

“I love Tristan,” Emma said with tear-filled eyes. Anne's words were still tearing away at her inside. “And I love you too, Anne.”

“If you love me, you will back off from Lane, Emma.”

“But you don't under—”

“I understand this, sister. I've worked on this relationship for two years. And you're here for less than two weeks—and you think you can unravel all my hard work. Well, you might've turned Lane's head for a day or two—probably because you bought that ridiculous seascape, and I'll bet you knew what you were doing when you did. But, mark my words, dear sister, I will win him back. You'll see.”

“Don't be so sure of that.”

Both Emma and Anne turned at the sound of his voice—both were equally shocked to see Lane standing in the shadows near the stairs.

“I'm sorry to be eavesdropping,” he said as he stepped into the light. “But I heard raised voices and was concerned. When I heard my name mentioned…well, I thought that was an invitation to join in.” He walked up to Anne with a stern expression. “I considered you my good friend, Anne.
Nothing more.
I've tried to make that perfectly clear from the start. I've never asked you out once. I've never made a single advance. All I've offered you was my friendship. If you misread that as something more, I'm sorry.”

Emma looked at Anne. Her eyes were wide and her face looked pale.

“I never meant to hurt you,” Emma quietly told her. “But you deceived me, Anne.”

Anne turned to look at Emma. “I deceived
you
?”

“You led me to believe that you and Lane were a couple. You insinuated that he'd sent you those roses. But they were from someone else. Someone who truly does love you, Anne. They were from Gerard.”

Anne's mouth twisted to one side.

“I'm sorry you felt like you were investing yourself in a relationship with me,” Lane told her. “I thought you were helping with the fundraiser and everything just because you cared about the kids and the community. And I'm sorry that I didn't realize that you wanted more than just friendship.” Now Lane stepped closer to Emma, slipping his arm around her shoulders. “And I'm sorry if my feelings for Emma are upsetting to you. But I'm sure you'll get over this. Much sooner than you expect. Don't worry, Anne, you'll move on.”

Anne snatched up her purse with angry eyes. “Well, maybe you two deserve each other,” she snapped as she rushed out of the back room.

“Wait,” Emma called. “I need to unlock the door for you.” She hurried, catching Anne at the door. “I really am sorry I hurt you,” she said as she fumbled with the key, getting it into the lock. “And if it's any comfort, I was holding back my feelings for Lane. It wasn't until I found out about the roses…how you tricked me…that I let my guard down.” She clicked the lock open.

“Whatever!”
Anne jerked open the door and slammed it so hard that the shade rolled up with a loud snap.

As Emma watched Anne storming away, she suddenly recalled one of the few times when she'd had the courage to cross her strong-willed little sister. Emma had been in high school, and one night when she was getting ready to go on a church hayride, Anne threw a horrible fit, saying it was unfair that the hayride was just for the high school kids. Anne was only in middle school at the time, so Emma refused to take her. Anne was so enraged that Emma felt certain she'd never get over it. But by the time Emma got home, Anne had two of her friends over for a slumber party and all was forgotten…although probably not forgiven. Hopefully Lane was right, Anne would get over this much sooner than she expected.

Early on Valentine's Day morning,
Emma heard the doorbell ring and was surprised to find her dad at the front door. In his hands was a small bouquet of red roses and pink carnations. “These are for your Nona,” he said quietly. “I don't suppose she's up yet?”

“I just heard her stirring.” Emma opened the door wide. “Want to come in and wait? I already got coffee started.”

“Coffee sounds good.” He checked his watch. “I've got about thirty minutes before my first appointment.”

After they were settled in the kitchen with their coffees, her dad admitted that he'd heard about the sisterly feud from Emma's mother last night. “I hate to say it, but I could see that one coming from miles away.”

“I guess I should've seen it too.”

“At first your mom was all worked up that you'd put the moves on Anne's man.” He chuckled as he lifted his coffee cup. “But I set her straight on that one.”

“Thanks.” Emma took a sip.

“Anyway, your mom's happy about you and Lane. So am I.”

“I wish Anne were too.”

“Unfortunately, your sister doesn't seem to know a good thing when she has it, Emma. She's always been a grass-is-greener sort of girl, you know?”

With her eyes on her coffee, Emma just sighed.

“That's what happened between her and Gerard.”

She looked up. “What?”

“Oh, no one will come out and say it, but I know it's true. More than thirty years of practicing law…a man learns to read people. Even ones in his own family.”

“What are you saying, Dad?”

“Can you keep this between me and you?”

“Of course.”

“Anne started getting chilly toward Gerard shortly after Lane came to town. Now I'm not blaming Lane, because I'm sure he didn't realize what was going on. Anne is brilliant at convincing people to see things her way. You know that as well as anyone.”

“Yeah.” Emma nodded emphatically.

“Suddenly Anne was finding fault every which way with Gerard. The poor boy couldn't do a thing right…in her eyes. But from what I could see he was a good provider and a good father. Tristan adored him. Still does.”

“I know.”

“But Anne was shutting him out, pushing him away. Naturally, that'll bring some strife into a marriage.”

“But why would she do that if Gerard was such a good guy? I mean, I've always thought Gerard was a good guy. But why would Anne throw all that away?”

“My theory is that she believed she'd outgrown Gerard. They were so young when they married, it makes some sense. Anne got the job at the gallery, and she suddenly felt very important. And I think she felt like she deserved someone more prestigious than an insurance salesman for a husband. She saw Poppi befriending Lane…and she decided he was just what she needed.”

“Oh…” Emma thought about her conversation with Gerard. “Do you think there's any chance that Anne and Gerard will get back together?”

He shrugged. “Well, now that Anne's been knocked off her high horse…maybe.”

“I know Gerard wants to make another go of it.”

“I'd say his chances are better now than ever.” He smiled at her. “Maybe you can help your sister think this whole thing through. I mean after she's had some time to cool off. You might be able to influence her a little.”

Emma was just agreeing to this when Nona came into the kitchen. Dressed for the day, she greeted them both cheerfully.

“Happy Valentine's Day,” Rob said as he kissed his mother on both cheeks. “I brought these for you.”

Nona's eyes lit up. “Poppi always got me flowers for Valentine's Day. Sometimes it was just a single rose. But he always brought home something.” Now her smile faded slightly.

“Well, you can just pretend that these are from both Poppi and me,” Rob told her. “And now I better get to my office, or my client will throw a fit.”

Shortly after lunch the doorbell rang again. This time it was a delivery man and for the first time in her life, Emma received flowers on Valentine's Day. To her relief they were not red roses.

“
Oh, my
!” Nona exclaimed as Emma carried the enormous bouquet of multicolored tulips into the living room. “Are those from Lane?”

“Yes.” She'd already read the card, which simply said,
To Emma, Love Lane. I will see you tonight.
“Aren't they beautiful?”

“Oh, my, yes.” Nona smiled. “It feels like springtime just to look at them.”

“I'll put them right next to your bouquet for you to enjoy.” Emma set them on the marble-topped table by the front window. “In a way these are partially from Poppi too,” she said as she pulled on her coat.

“But they are from Lane. How can they be from Poppi too?” Nona asked curiously.

“Poppi was a mentor to Lane. It was Poppi who helped Lane to believe in love and romance again,” Emma explained.

Nona nodded. “Yes, I know all about that.”

Emma leaned down to kiss her cheek. “Don't forget that your lady friends are coming for the tea party at four. Make sure you get yourself a nap before they come…so you won't be worn out.”

Nona smiled and waved. “Yes, yes. And I know where the food is that we fixed last night, Emma.
I am fine.
You go to work and do not worry about me,
dolce
. And let's not plan on dinner tonight. I won't want more than a piece of toast by then anyway. Happy Valentine's Day,
cara mia
!”

“Happy Valentine's Day to you too, Nona.”

Emma's feet felt light as she walked to town. Today was going to be a good day. She knew it. However, when she turned onto Main Street, she felt a trace of sadness to see the Hummingbird Gallery across the street. Unfortunately, Anne was probably not having a very good day. Not that there was much Emma could do about it.

The bookstore was in good spirits. Cindy informed her that business had been brisk all morning, and Virginia's mother-in-law had been released from the hospital and was expected to make a full recovery. Even Gattino looked festive with a red bow around his neck.

“Will you take the Valentine's decorations down tomorrow?” Cindy asked her.

“Oh, I don't know.…” Emma sighed as she gazed up at the colorful hearts and cheery cupids. “There isn't any hurry, is there? I kind of like seeing them up there.”

“Sure,” Virginia said. “Why not leave 'em up?”

Tristan came into the bookstore after school, and, as usual, Emma treated him to a cocoa. “I got lots of cool valentines,” he told her as they sat down at the table by the window. “Wanna see?”

“Sure do,” she said as she sipped her latte.

One by one he took them out, explaining who had given him each one. As he chatted happily, she kept an eye out for a certain tall handsome guy. But to her dismay Lane had not made one appearance in the bookstore this afternoon. However, she wasn't worried. She felt certain she would see him before long. At least by tonight, according to the card with her flowers.

“Those are some very cool valentines,” she told Tristan as he stuffed them back into his pack. “Thanks for showing them to me.” Now she got an idea. “Did you give your mom a valentine yet?”

His brow creased. “No. Should I?”

“Yes, of course, you should.”

“I don't have any money to buy anything.”

“That's okay. We can find her something here. I'll help you with it.”

So after he finished his cocoa, they went over to the valentine table and Tristan looked around, finally deciding on a box of chocolates and big musical card.

“Do you think she'll like this?” he asked as he signed the card.

“I know she will.”

“I don't need to get her flowers,” he said as he slid the card into the envelope. “Dad sent her a great big bunch of roses. Pink ones this time. That's her favorite color too.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. And she was so glad about the roses that she let me talk to Dad for more than ten minutes last night. I talked to him for about thirty minutes I think.”

“Really?
”
Emma felt incredibly hopeful.

“Uh-huh.” He paused in licking the sticky part of the envelope. “And Mom told Dad that she was thinking about going to Disney World too.”

“Oh, Tristan, that would be wonderful if she went with you.”

“I know.” He nodded as he sealed it closed. “I'm praying that she will.”

“Me too,” Emma promised. “I'll be praying too.”

“Should I take this to her now?”

“You bet,” she told him. “And give her a big hug and a kiss too. I have a feeling she needs it today.”

He wrinkled his nose then nodded firmly. “Okay, Aunt Emma,
I will
.”

Emma watched as he hurried out the door, looking both ways before he crossed the street. And as she watched, Emma kept her promise and prayed.

Lane arrived just as she was closing up the store. “I had to go to Seattle for a special Big Brothers Big Sisters meeting today,” he explained as he hugged her. “Did you get my flowers and my message about tonight?”

“I did. Thank you.”

“Well, I tried to make us a dinner reservation in town,” he said as she locked the door with them still inside. “But all the good restaurants were booked until around nine. And I knew with Nona, you wouldn't want to stay out that late.”

“That's true.” Grateful that he understood, she told him about Nona's Valentine's Day tea party that she and her widow friends were having right now.

“Good for her.” Lane unbuttoned his coat. “So, unless you think it's a bad idea, I thought maybe we could have a little Valentine's Day dinner right here tonight.”

She looked around the cozy bookstore. “Really? Right here?”

“Do you mind?”

“Not at all. I love this place.” She waved her hand. “And look, it's all decorated.”

“By some real pros too.” He grinned. “Dinner won't be fancy tonight. But I did order some things to be delivered. Is that okay?”

“That's perfect,” she told him. “Food is really secondary to company.”

He embraced her again. “See why I love you?”

She blinked. “Did you just say what I thought you said?”

He nodded. “I do love you, Emma Burcelli.” And now he kissed her and it was even more wonderful than the first time.

Her heart was pounding hard, but she knew what it was telling her. “I love you too, Lane,” she said quietly. And they kissed again.

“I knew that I loved you the first time I saw you,” he said as he ran his fingers through her hair.

“Really? When was that?”

“Well, the first time was at Poppi's funeral service. I knew who you were right away. And I could hardly take my eyes off you.”

“You knew you loved me then?”

“Well, I probably wasn't calling it love yet. But you had my full attention.”

“You caught my attention that day too…when you spoke about Poppi in the church. I was really touched. But then I heard you belonged to Anne…my balloon was burst.”

“If I'd only known you'd believed that. It was never true, Emma. Not in my mind anyway. What a mess this all could've turned into.” He shook his head. “So the next time I saw you was at your parents' home. Did you know that I was watching you?”

“You were watching me? I thought I was watching you.”

He laughed. “I saw you interacting with guests, being so helpful, so caring, so genuine…I tried not to be obvious, but I couldn't take my eyes off you.”

“That's so funny. And I was trying not to feel jealous of Anne because I believed that you guys were a couple.”

“But it really sealed it for me when I found you sitting with Tristan in your parents' sunroom. I could tell you were trying to encourage him and I know he was really hurting. And I could tell whatever you were saying to him was working. You seemed so sweet and sincere and beautiful.”

“You thought all that back then?”

“I did. But it seemed like every time I tried to make a connection with you, you would hold me at arm's length. I started to think that you really didn't like me.”

“That was because of Anne.”

“I know.”

Now Emma told him about what Tristan had said about the pink roses.

“Hope springs eternal,” he said as he touched her cheek.

“But I want to make a rule for tonight,” she said quietly.

He just nodded. “Yes, I agree. We won't talk about or worry about your sister.”

“Thank you.” She smiled. “I am praying for her though.”

He glanced at his watch now. “The food should be here soon, but I'm guessing they're busy because of Valentine's Day.”

“Even if no food comes,” she murmured, “I won't complain.”

“See why I love you?” He kissed her again. “Well, if the food doesn't get here we'll just feast on wine and chocolate,” he teased.

“What are we waiting for?”

“You're right! You get the chocolates and I'll get the wine.”

“Don't forget Dean Martin,” she told him.

“Happy Valentine's Day, Emma.”

“Happy Valentine's Day, Lane.”

As they hurried off to get their provisions, Emma knew it was going to be the happiest of Valentine's Days ever. Romance and love were not dead after all—they never had been. As she heard the happy strains of Dean Martin singing “That's Amore,” she felt certain that Poppi was smiling down on them right now. And as she hurried back to the lounge area, where Lane was waiting with a big bright smile and a pair of wine glasses, she knew that this was simply the beginning of a lifetime of Valentine's Day celebrations to look forward to in the future.