Broken Match

By Renee Aronis

The continuing story of Erin March and David Elliott.

Erin's journey home doesn't go as planned, with jet lag and Todd making unwanted advances, though the divorce papers do get signed. She rushes back to David, realizing that their ties are too strong to break over a few words spoken in anger.

During a week a

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laura Boede
• Release date: Sep 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9781736798355

Book preview

Broken Match

RENÉE ARONIS

Copyright © 2022 Renée Aronis

Publisher: L. Boede

All rights reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

ISBN-13: 978-1-7367983-4-8

Cover design by: Mian Abdur Rehman

To Scott: my love,

my motivation,

and the man who brightens my darkness.

The star by which I sail my life to—

Oh, and also my favorite.

Other Books in this Series:

Meet Your Match

Striking of the Match

CONTENTS

Chapter One – Farewell For Now

Chapter Two – Loose Ends

Chapter Three – Surprise! I’m Home!

Chapter Four – Insecurities

Chapter Five – Up the Mountain

Chapter Six – What Must Be Done

Chapter Seven – Memories of Days Gone By

Chapter Eight – Getting Things Sorted

Chapter Nine – Sleeping Beauty

Chapter Ten – Fare Thee Well

Chapter Eleven – Early

Chapter Twelve – Peckish

Chapter Thirteen – A Train Bound for London Towne

Chapter Fourteen – New Home, New Rules

Chapter Fifteen – Shared Spaces

Chapter Sixteen – Bad People

Chapter Seventeen – Roger’s Registry

Chapter Eighteen – Monday at Her New Home

Chapter Nineteen – Dirty Secrets

Chapter Twenty – Mr. Elliott returns home

Chapter Twenty-One – The Things You Find Hidden

Chapter Twenty-Two – Tilly

Chapter Twenty-Three – Set Up

Chapter Twenty-Four – Roger’s News

Chapter Twenty-Five – Antenatal Visit

Chapter Twenty-Six – Roger’s Long Haul

Chapter Twenty-Seven – Dreams

Chapter Twenty-Eight – Return to Edinburgh

Chapter Twenty-Nine – A Busy, Busy Day at Owlgate

Chapter Thirty – An Episode to Remember

Chapter Thirty-One– Supper With a Stranger

Chapter Thirty-Two – Letters For Rebuilding

Chapter Thirty-Three – Time For Bed

Chapter Thirty-Four – The Morning After

Chapter Thirty-Five – Books and Curious Things

Chapter Thirty-Six – Family Meeting at the Curiosity Shop

Chapter Thirty-Seven – Tired and Hungry

Chapter Thirty-Eight – Amusements

Chapter Thirty-Nine – Act Your Age

Chapter Fourty – Bad Dreams and Family Bonding

Chapter Fourty-One – Another Nightmare

Chapter Fourty-Two – David Takes Issue with The Spare Room

Chapter Fourty-Three – Repercussions

Chapter Fourty-Four – What To Do?

Chapter Fourty-Five – Really?

Epiogue – Clive Makes His Move

Acknowledgements

Chapter One

Farewell For Now

Erin March didn’t look back at her new friend, Roger Blackwood, as she entered the terminal at Edinburgh Airport. She knew she might not stop crying if she did, and she needed to stop. It seemed to her that all she’d done was cry since meeting David Elliott, the forty-five-year-old tall, dark, and handsome Scottish actor who just happened to be the treatment match for her disease, the Fertilis Defect.

It was difficult for her not to dwell on the events of the last week, especially the reason she was leaving his mother’s beautiful home, named Owlgate. Memories of her horrible encounter with David’s nearly identical cousin, Bran, tried to overwhelm her as she stood in line at security. His putrid breath on her face and the eyes of the snake tattoo on his chest, just barely visible in the dark spare bedroom in Roger’s flat, assaulted her at random and without warning.

That experience was bad, very bad, but David’s reaction to the news was even worse. He’d been at his wife’s funeral with their children when it happened and wasn’t there to protect her from the man who had terrorized his life since childhood and whom he hated with a passion. Not only had he not been able to protect her, but Bran had already been taken away to an in-patient rehabilitation hospital, so he wasn’t able to exact his revenge.

In his frustration and rage, he chose to lash out at everyone, including her. Roger had tried to defend her, but David insulted her and broke her heart. Once he finally calmed down and realized what he’d done, it was too late to take it back.

She’d decided to go home and get some things settled, promising David’s mother, Annis, and her partner, Millie, that she would return. She had also spoken to David and assured him that she still loved him, and all she needed was a little time to sort out her feelings, vowing to come back as soon as she could.

In all honesty, what she really needed to do was prove to herself that she was strong enough to leave. Her nature was to run back into her lover’s arms, no matter how he’d hurt her, but she had to take a stand for her own self-esteem and find out if she could trust him and her heart. Her heart palpitated as she thought of her true love. He’d begged her not to leave, but she had always been too quick to forgive and forget in past relationships, only for the pattern to continue.

There was no question of her returning, though she knew David and his family weren’t convinced. The way Roger had asked about it in the car had proven that to her. When he said that they’d miss her, her heart hurt, knowing just how much she’d miss them too.

The flight was on time, and Erin boarded her first-class flight from Edinburgh to Green Bay, Wisconsin, with a heavy heart. She hoped she was doing the right thing by leaving David after his horrible fit of temper. She just needed a day or two to heal and get the divorce from her husband, Todd, started.

Thankful for the first-class seat, she settled in for the long flight home. Outwardly, she was pleasant and friendly; however, that was just her own autopilot kicking in. Inside, she didn’t care. She tried to sleep, but her mind was too worked up. As soon as she’d doze off, a memory would wake her with a gasp.

The layover went smoothly, and her flight landed in Green Bay at six-fifty pm, which was only a few minutes late. It was nearly one am in Edinburgh, and she was exhausted. She was fed up with all the flying and waiting, with too much time to think and do nothing. At seven-fifteen, she finally got off the plane and made her way to the baggage carousels in the small, open airport to wait some more.

After twenty minutes, the bags and luggage began to appear, riding around the track. Too tired to fight the crowd, she waited, leaning against the wall. She watched the people in line for rental cars at the far end of the room, glad she’d be able to use her own. When the crowd at the carousel thinned, she saw her bag coming her way, so she walked over and picked it up.

She made her way toward the exit, wanting to find a taxi and get to the hotel as quickly as possible. Erin? she heard behind her and turned. She saw a woman she and Todd had gone to church with many years earlier, although she couldn’t for the life of her remember her name. How are you, and how’s Todd? she asked, smiling and expecting a nice, happy answer.

Erin knew her next question would be ‘And what church are you two attending now?’ and when Erin said ‘none,’ she’d tsk and shake her head. Then, she’d encourage her to find one, telling her how they’d just started going to such and such church. She’d tell her to check it out because the pastor was really great or the music was amazing or whatever.

She didn’t want to stand there that long, so she answered with full disclosure, Honestly, I’m really quite exhausted right now, and I don’t know how Todd is because we are no longer together. Actually, I need to go, but it was nice talking to you. It was apparent the woman wasn’t expecting that response. The woman stood gaping as Erin hurried out the sliding doors.

She made a beeline for the row of waiting taxis and stopped at the first one she saw. While she got into the car, the driver put her suitcase into the trunk; however, when the driver returned and asked where she was going, Erin realized she didn’t know. The hotel information was in her UK phone, and it wouldn’t open the forwarded message David had sent her. Her US phone was dead.

Shit! she said, and the driver looked at her in the rearview mirror. Sorry, uh, please take me to 1324 Whistlers Way. If she went to her former home, she could at least get her car and wouldn’t have to mess with that in the morning.

She nearly fell asleep in the taxi and realized it was almost two-twenty in the morning back at Owlgate. The house would be quiet; David would be asleep in his fantastic bed, naked, and— Her thoughts were cut short as they pulled into the driveway. The driver got out, took her suitcase out of the trunk, and Erin gave her a tip before she left.

It was eight-thirty, and she figured Todd would be getting ready for bed since he had to wake up early for work the next day. She didn’t see any lights on in the house, so she hoped he was already asleep. Using her house key, she quietly let herself in.

As soon as she opened the kitchen door, the lights came on. Todd was standing in the opening to the hallway that led to the bedrooms in only his pajama bottoms, smiling at her the way he’d done for fifteen years. Hello, Erin, he said. You look good.

Hi, Todd. Sorry if I woke you, I just thought I’d get my car— she began.

You didn’t wake me. I took off work tomorrow so I could get the paperwork ready. I also filled your car with gas and took it through the carwash, he interrupted.

You didn’t have to do that, she said, wishing he wasn’t being so nice to her.

Wasn’t a big deal. I thought you’d go right to your hotel.

Erin lay her purse on the kitchen table, took out her old American phone so she could read David’s message, and then searched for the charger, but it wasn’t in there. Fuck! It’s dead, and of course I forgot my charger! she said, sitting hard on one of the dining chairs. I’m too tired for this crap! She lay her arm on the table, placing her head on top of it. She was starting to feel jet lag creeping ever so slowly upon her and needed something to go right.

You can use mine; I’ll get it, Todd said and left the room. A moment later, he was plugging the charger into an outlet above the kitchen counter and then took her phone from her to plug it in.

Thank you. I’m just so tired. It’s past two in the morning in Edinburgh.

Why don’t you stay here? You can use the spare room. You know—you… don’t want to be alone when the jet lag hits, he said carefully.

She knew he was right; she hadn’t thought of that when she’d decided to run away on this foolish trip. Let me see where I’m supposed to be staying. She could feel herself falling asleep where she sat and fought it vigilantly until she heard her phone making noises on the counter. She stood wearily and found the message, though there wasn’t a hotel in the itinerary at all.

What the— Are you kidding me? she said. It was then she remembered she’d asked David to have Tina add it, last minute, at breakfast. He forgot! Good night nurse! I don’t have energy for this—I just don’t. She looked at Todd and realized she was going to have to surrender. Fine, I’ll stay here. And David is going to be livid about it! she thought.

Good, now let’s get you into bed before you fall asleep where you stand.

——

Todd took her phone out of her hand and set it on the counter. Then he led her like a child to the spare room. He turned down the covers and stood, not sure what he’d be allowed to do next. He wanted to help her off with her clothes and then have her say she missed him and wanted him back so he could make love to her.

My suitcase, she said.

He left the room and returned, bringing it with him. He put it on the bed and unzipped it, ready to help find whatever she needed. Todd, she said softly, You should go now; thank you for your help.

He acted as though he was okay with that and turned to go. Goodnight, Erin, sweet dreams.

Night.

He walked out of the room, his heart aching as it had when she’d left two weeks earlier. He took off his pajamas and got into the bed they’d shared for so long. He lay staring at the ceiling, trying not to think about the love of his life in the next room or what he wanted to do with her.

Todd didn’t know how long he’d been asleep, but it didn’t seem that long when he heard a noise coming from the other room. Without thinking, he rushed into the spare room. Erin was sitting on the edge of the bed, crying, and holding something on a chain around her neck. He knelt in front of her, took her hand in his, and brushed a hair off her face.

Erin! Are you alright? I heard a noise, he asked tenderly. She looked at him and stood, trembling like a frightened child. He stood and held her by the shoulders. Erin, calm down. He knew it was jet lag, but she looked truly scared of him. What’s the matter? It’s just me, he said as she launched herself over the bed to the other side of the room, knocking the bedside table over in her rush, and cowered in the corner.

Go away! I don’t want to have sex with you! Please, go away, please! she pleaded with him. She was shaking and crying, her words sounding like someone begging for their life.

Who said anything about having sex, honey? I was— He then realized he was naked. Shit! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to— He left the room to put his pajama bottoms on. When he returned, he stood at the spare room door and watched her try to make herself as small as she could, seemingly to hide from the maniac who wanted to molest her. I’m so sorry. I—I didn’t think—It was stupid of me. Can I come in now? I put my PJs on, he said apologetically.

She was shaking her head and trembling. Erin, are you okay? I’m coming in, but I won’t hurt you. He’d seen the same behavior in cornered animals. They would either lash out and attack whatever they found threatening or cower and try to hide. Even with the jet lag, he couldn’t understand why she’d be that afraid of him.

Then he remembered what he’d done after the game night. He’d tried to take her against her will, and he felt truly ashamed of himself. Oh, Erin, I promise I won’t hurt you or try to make you do anything—I was so wrong when I tried to force you. It’s not like that now, I swear! He walked to the table on the side of the bed nearest him and turned on the lamp. He went to where she was curled up and sat on the floor next to her. Please trust me. I know you’re suffering from exhaustion and jet lag, but please, let me help you.

There’s nothing you can do! she cried, I shouldn’t have left, and I shouldn’t be staying here! I’m an idiot! God! What time is it? Can I—Is there a flight back home tonight? I need to go back! Where’s my phone? Surely David’s awake by now—I need to talk to him! I need to be with him! What is wrong with me? Why was I so stupid to leave like I did? God, Erin! Oh my God, what if he—What if he changes his mind—What if I’m really not good enough? she said, sounding panicked. She was talking very fast, not giving any space for a reply between her thoughts as she spoke. She eyed him, then suddenly bounded over the bed and ran out of the room in nothing but her underwear and a light t-shirt.

He watched her grab her phone and start typing while she sobbed, muttering to herself. He went to her and took the phone out of her hands, seeing a message to David. He knew anything she sent in that state wouldn’t be wise, and she’d regret it when she was back in her right mind. Come sit with me. Tell me what’s wrong, and I’ll listen to you, alright? You can send your message in the morning, he said as he led her to the living room and sat next to her on the couch.

She stared at the floor, crying. I was angry, and I thought a few days away would be a good thing, but I was so wrong. He’s going to hate me and find someone else. I’m so stupid! What am I going to do? she said and then put her face in her hands and sobbed.

Todd touched her shoulder and watched her heart aching for whatever had happened over there with him. He leaned closer to her and pulled her toward him. She put her head on his chest and cried, wrapping her arms around him. He could feel her tears running down his stomach and wanted it to last forever.

Her breath cooled the hot tears as she gasped. He kissed the top of her head and put his arm around her shoulders, feeling them shudder as the sobs wracked her tired body. He held her until she became quiet, remembering the many times he’d held her while she struggled for air during one of her episodes. He’d also held her, years earlier, when they’d gone to England together, helping her through the horrible effects jet lag had on her.

She would be alright in the morning, but she needed him then, and he was so glad to be there for her. This is probably the last time you’ll be able to hold her; make it count! he thought sadly. He felt her breathing become more regular, with only a few shuddering breaths as evidence of her earlier distress.

He knew it was wrong to be thinking about it, but he could feel her breast against his arm through her t-shirt, and it felt so good. Knock it off, you idiot! She won’t appreciate you getting a stiffy like this! But it was too late, his loose pajama bottoms were tented in the front, and he was very aware of it. He didn’t want her to get upset again, so he tried not to move and to think of anything other than her soft skin and bare leg against him.

Unfortunately, she slid down his chest to put her head on his lap, as she used to do while watching movies together. She scooched her hips away from him, wanting to stretch out on the couch. When her head found his lap, she froze. He could feel her start to breathe heavily and presumed it was in fear, not excitement. I’m sorry. I can’t help it... you’re just so lovely, and—

She sat up, looked at him, and then at the tented pants. I have to go. I can’t stay— she began, but he couldn’t help himself. He could see her nipples through her light top; they were so close, and he longed to touch them. He knew he’d regret it, but he leaned over and kissed her, placing his hand over her soft, full breast.

To his utter astonishment, she didn’t bolt or fight him. No, it was worse; she became rigid and held her breath, not kissing him back. He could feel her trembling and regretted his decision, but his cock was thinking by then, and he was having a hard time controlling himself.

He was getting angry that she wasn’t responding to him, even though he also knew she wouldn’t. If I could just make her remember me, she’d relax and let me take her—I just know it! He slowly moved his hand down over her underwear, foolishly taking her lack of movement as acceptance. She started to shake violently. Just one more second! he thought, desperately. "Just remember me and how I used to love you, please," he said, not meaning to say it out loud.

Somewhere in his fogged-up mind, he heard her say, I remember, and I want you to stop. She was trembling, and yet still, as if she were standing on an IED she’d just tripped, knowing it would explode if she moved and she’d be dead, blown to bits. Please take your hand off me. She carefully took his hand and lifted it off her crotch.

Again, he was thoroughly ashamed of himself and his lack of self-control. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, he said. Yeah, you should go now—I just thought—Never mind.

——

Erin stood, hardly able to walk for the tremors running through her body. She made it to the spare room, then ran to the master bathroom, heaving into the toilet. Whether it was morning sickness or sheer terror, she didn’t know. How will I ever be able to tell David? He’ll never get over it! she thought.

After flushing the toilet, she walked back to the spare bedroom feeling drunk and woozy from the adrenaline coursing through her body. She hadn’t known if he’d force her or not, and yet, somehow, she’d kept her head and managed to get him to stop. Driving in the state she was in was a bad idea, so she locked the door and put the chair under the doorknob, hoping she would be safe enough to get a few hours of sleep.

——

Todd saw her phone sitting on the counter. He decided to read what she’d written to her lover, the one who stole her away from him.

E: David, my live! I’m sorry I left yipee! I cant believe I was do stupid. Please din’t be mad! I want too come home right new. I’m at my horse. There wasn’t a hotel on the message from Tina, so I an here. I ned you, and I won’t lane yippee again. Please don’t be angry. Oh, good! I’m do stupid!

Sounds like they had a fight; maybe he’ll leave her, and then she won’t have anyone to hold her while she cries! he thought bitterly. He unplugged her phone, took his charger back to his room, and plugged it into the wall. Then he sat on the edge of the bed. You’re an idiot! A damned, fucking, idiot. What in the hell were you thinking! She deserves someone better than you’ll ever be!

He was actually afraid of his behavior. He’d never, in all his life, been that way before she’d started treatments, and he didn’t know where it was coming from. He never wanted to be out of control like that again; it truly scared him. The clock read four-twenty am, and he wasn’t tired, so he got dressed. I’ll just have to find something to do until the divorce attorney’s office opens and then they draw up the paperwork. Hopefully, she won’t leave town before she signs the damned thing. Just before he left the house, he thought he’d better leave her a note, so she didn’t just up and leave.

Chapter Two

Loose Ends

Erin woke at ten-thirty, feeling groggy and exhausted. Once dressed, she moved the chair away from the door. Though she didn’t think Todd was still there, she was nevertheless cautious about leaving the room, just in case. She opened the door and took a few timid steps out into the hallway, saw the note on the kitchen table, and read it.

Erin,

I will be getting the paperwork ready while I’m gone, so please don’t leave town. I’ll let you know when it’s ready.

-Todd

Sounds like HE’S angry at me! She made herself a cup of tea and looked at her phone, seeing her unsent message to David. Good night nurse! I’m glad I didn’t send that! She began a new one.

E: I arrived safely and am at my house. It was late when I got here, and there wasn’t a hotel in the itinerary. I had a rough night and want nothing more than to be back home with you. I’ll be back as soon as possible. I love you.

Just thinking about him made her want to cry, but she had a lot to do before Todd got back. As soon as the stupid papers are signed, I’m going straight to the airport. She’d just noticed the stack of boxes and rolls of tape Todd had obviously set out the night before when she received a reply.

D: I’m glad you arrived safely. I’m sorry I forgot about the hotel. I’ll ask Tina to arrange one for you tonight, unless...Well, let me know what you want to do, and I’ll have it arranged for you. I hope all goes smoothly whilst you’re there. I miss you terribly, and I love you, darling. X

E: If Todd can get the paperwork in order today, I won’t need a room. If I do, I’ll get one myself using the card you gave me. xoxo

She taped several boxes and took them to the living room to pack her Pop Vinyl figures and some of her other tchotchkes, but they were gone. She searched the cabinet under the shelves, and there they were, looking out at her. When the box was full, she took a picture of the contents for insurance reasons. This wasn’t a trip across the state, it was across the world, and she wanted to make sure everything arrived intact. She taped the top then wrote David’s London address on it.

She went through the whole house, including the attic, which was empty except for a few tattered porn magazines, and finished in the basement. The safe held her birth certificate, social security card, and two old savings bonds she could cash out while she was in town. A few other bits and pieces of her life, mostly jewelry, were put into her purse for safekeeping.

She wasn’t filled with sadness and regrets that time as she came back upstairs into the kitchen, only urgency to return to Scotland and her true love. There were a few fragile things in some of the boxes, so she left them open; she’d have to buy extra padding at the FedEx when she got there. Everything else was taped and labeled, so she started taking them to her car. As she set the last one down, she heard a notification on her phone. It was Todd.

T: Papers are ready. Come sign them. Here is the address.

The place wasn’t far, so she went inside, grabbed her purse and suitcase, did a quick sweep of the house to make sure she hadn’t missed anything, and then responded to Todd.

E: Be there in ten minutes.

She took one last look at her home of fifteen years. There were so many memories, though she knew she’d make new ones, and everything would be okay.

——

Todd sat in what seemed like the largest conference room they had at the attorney’s office. His stomach was in knots as he watched the condensation bead up and then roll down the side of the bottle of water he’d accepted when he arrived twenty minutes earlier. After he left the house, he’d driven around aimlessly, taking turns trying to figure out why he’d behaved so stupidly and beating himself up over it. Finally, he decided to go there to wait.

His phone chimed, and he saw Erin’s message, which made him feel a bit nauseous, knowing he’d have to face her after assaulting her. He stood and began pacing while the legal aid set out the paperwork on the table. It’s all so final, he thought as he stepped up to the open manila folders lying on the desk.

A memory came back to him of seeing two similar folders on Doctor Nanavala’s desk, only a few months earlier. I should’ve known this would happen. We really were stupid to think we could go back to our normal lives after something like that.

Yeah, and who could blame her? You weren’t the best husband, were you? You took her for granted and resented having to be her caregiver. You knew how much she hated those fucking magazines, and you just couldn’t resist—

I should’ve used my phone! She’d never have known if I’d used incognito mode!

You idiot! She always knew! You’re such a fool!

Can I get you anything else, Mr. March? the aid said, interrupting his thoughts.

No, thanks. My wife... I mean... Erin will be here in about ten minutes.

——

Erin’s emotions were scattered as she entered the attorney’s office. Feeling tired, she told the receptionist she was there for the March divorce and was led into a room where Todd and the lawyer were sitting. She took a seat and listened as the woman explained, in boring detail, what each of the many pages said. When that was over, she asked if Erin was satisfied with everything.

Yes, she said and then signed her name under Todd’s. She was then asked for an address where the official documents should be sent once they were officiated by a judge. She gave them David’s London address since it was still in her mind, adding, ‘Care of Mr. D. Elliott.’ Are we done here? she asked impatiently.

Yes— the attorney began.

Good. Todd, please do not follow me; thank you. She just wanted to go. There was a lot to do before she could leave town and she didn’t want a fight. She was out the door and halfway to the exit when she heard him behind her.

Erin! Wait!

She turned to face him, seething with anger. You—can stay away from me! Don’t come another step closer, or so help me God, I’ll take you to court for sexual assault, she said, making sure the receptionist could hear her.

He stopped and stood with his hands out. Okay, I won’t come any closer. I wanted to say that—I’m sorry, and—Well, I hope you have a good life with him. Goodbye, Erin, he said, then he turned and went back into the office.

Erin hurried to her car and drove to the FedEx building, where she mailed the boxes with insurance, which cost a bloody fortune! She put it on David’s credit card and left feeling like things were finally going in the right direction. After that, she stopped at her bank and cashed her EE savings bonds, which didn’t take long, then she took out the money she’d been saving for another trip to the UK and closed her personal account. Next, she stopped at the post office and changed her address, forwarding her mail to London.

She couldn’t think of anything else she needed to do, so she drove home and called for a taxi to pick her up. A thirty-something man picked her up and helped her get her much heavier luggage into the trunk. Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the airport, and the driver took her suitcase out of the trunk for her. She gave him a tip, thanked him, and rushed into the small terminal. At the ticket counter, she explained to the attendant that she already had a ticket leaving the next day but wanted an earlier flight.

The woman informed her of a flight leaving at three-twenty with only a two-hour layover in Chicago. That meant she’d be in Edinburgh at seven-fifty the next morning. Erin was ecstatic. Perfect! Thank you so much! she said and waited for her new boarding passes.

As she walked away from the check-in desk, she realized she hadn’t eaten anything, so she went through security, then grabbed a cold sandwich and a bag of chips from the vending machine near the waiting area. There was no way she was going to miss the flight!

At three-eighteen, they started boarding the plane and everything went smoothly. The layover at O’Hare went well; she bought a magazine and kept her purse close to her. The next flight boarded on time, and seven hours and thirty-three minutes later, she was in Edinburgh!

She knew she’d probably go through jet lag again, but she also knew David would hold her, and he wouldn’t try to hurt her. She nearly kissed the ground when she entered the airport! Wanting her return to be a surprise, she didn’t call Roger to come for her; instead, she found a taxi and had it take her directly to Owlgate. She could have cried, being back where she should be.

Chapter Three

Surprise! I’m Home!

Erin gave the taxi driver a generous tip, then stood in front of the old door in the brick wall with the wrought iron owls decorating it. It was early enough that the street was free from the reporters who were trying to cover both Susannah Elliott’s untimely death and the photograph of the woman kissing David at her funeral. That was a relief, though, for all Erin knew, they might have given up by then.

She pushed the heavy door open, closed it behind her, and then rushed up the horseshoe-shaped drive, moving as fast as she could, hindered by her heavy suitcase, to the grand entrance stairs. The large house with its pillars and climbing ivy looked more beautiful to her than it had ever done. She left her luggage at the bottom of the staircase for Roger to bring in later and ran up the nine stone steps.

She rang the brass doorbell and laughed when she heard the dogs going crazy. She admired the brass knocker, toe plate, and doorknob as she stood, wiping her shoes on the rough doormat, though she knew they weren’t dirty. The door opened to a shocked Millie, who put her hands over her mouth and then pulled her inside.

Ach! Praise be tae God for bringin’ yeh back tae us in one piece! she exclaimed. Ye’re a sight for sore eyes! David’s been beside himself—Well, he’ll tell yeh, I reckon. He’s no’ come down yet, so why don’t yeh go up and tell him ye’re home! You can greet everaone else afterward. I’ll give yer excuses at breakfast, she said and then gently pushed Erin toward the staircase.

Thanks, Millie, she whispered and then ran up the stairs, so excited to be back! She hurried down the hall, put her hand on the door to his room, silently turned the knob, and pushed it open. He had the curtains drawn, so she could barely see the shadow of his body under the blankets. She closed the door and stood at the side of the bed, listening to his breathing. It was staggered and choppy like a young child’s when they’ve been crying for a long time, and her heart was torn apart.

David, she whispered, and he froze as though he’d heard a ghost and needed to be still to find out if he’d hear it again. I’m home—

He sprang off the bed, holding her in his arms, weeping, just as he’d done the night before she’d left. Oh, thank God! Ye’re here! I thought I’d have tae wait another day! he said, trembling and crying with joy.

I—learned something, David. I can’t live without you; I love you, and I need you, she said. They stood, forehead to forehead until finally, Erin put out her hand and touched his chest. His heart was beating hard and fast, and she looked up at him. I’m glad I’m home.

Please dinnae leave again! Stay with me forever, he said tenderly. "I need you as well; ma heart feels dead without you near me. I was just repentin’ tae God for not keepin’ ma end