Between Land and Sea (23 page)

Epilogue

Five Months Later

It was a midsummer fantasy world, complete with fairies and butterflies. The pastel color scheme of pinks, greens, and creams enhanced the beautifully maintained English garden and grounds. Waiters dressed in head-to-toe white circulated with trays of fluted champagne glasses and hors d’oeuvres. Chairs were set up in front of a large gazebo where Barbara would soon be reading from her book. It was the perfect setting to launch
It’s Your Time
. And the weather had cooperated by presenting a blue, cloudless August sky and comfortable breezes blowing through the large trees that surrounded the house.

Barbara was impressed by what Doris Furness had accomplished and she couldn’t thank her enough. “It was my pleasure, Barbara,” Doris said. “I have to admit I received a lot of help from the party planner, caterers, and, of course, Belinda.” She beamed when she mentioned Belinda.

Barbara smiled when she heard Belinda’s name. In less than five months, her mother had met and charmed all her friends and acquaintances. Mario and Nico emailed her regularly and invited her to gallery openings and dinners whenever she visited Toronto. Elaine and Sharon had met her for lunch, and a few of Barbara’s co-workers had invited Belinda and Paul to their dinner parties. In turn, Belinda had hosted many of them at her summer home in Maine.

Belinda came to Chicago a few days early to help Doris with the last-minute preparations for the party. Doris would be going to New York to help Belinda with her book launch party next week. The two women chatted daily on the telephone and were developing a close friendship.

Doris excused herself and Barbara found herself wandering the grounds. Lost in her own thoughts, she was startled by the appearance of Kendra and Gillian at her side.

They stood before a display table and gazed at Barbara’s lovely books. Kendra spoke first. “Congratulations, Barbara. You’re on your way.” The older woman nodded in approval, and Barbara’s eyes glistened as she thought of Kendra’s abundant support.

Barbara looked down at the lovely outfit Kendra had given her. It was a light gauzy affair with graduated shades of green. It was unlike anything she had ever worn, and she had hesitated when she saw her reflection in the mirror. But Graham had told her she looked like a lovely butterfly, newly emerged from its cocoon.

“Are you nervous?” Gillian asked. “It looks like you’ll be reading to almost two hundred people.” She waved her hand to include the entire grounds. “Doris has spared no expense, and, for once, Edgar has not complained about the cost. She even bought a new gazebo just for you to read from.”

“I’m overwhelmed by all of this,” Barbara said. “I can’t even begin to repay her.”

“Doris is in her element,” Gillian said. “She’s attracted the attention of Stewart and his cronies and, of course, Belinda. She has many feathers in her cap. Edgar told us she’s talked to Melanie and Stewart about launching more of their books. She’s determined to become a patron of the arts in Chicago.” She spoke wistfully. “I’m going to miss seeing all that.”

Kendra spoke firmly. “That’s the only thing you’ll miss once you leave Chicago.”

Gillian was moving in with Andrew. Right now, he was living in New York, but he was hoping for a transfer to Hong Kong. Living with an international banker would involve a lot of travel and excitement, and she was up to the challenge.

Barbara was very glad to see Gillian looking so relaxed and content. Kendra had been right about Gillian and Andrew. She predicted they would marry soon.

Kendra turned to Barbara. “How’s the house coming along?”

Barbara became animated and started talking at length about the new house she and Graham were building on the outskirts of Cobourg. After that fateful meeting at the Greek restaurant, Barbara had moved into Paul’s pied-a-terre. The two-bedroom condo was only a ten-minute walk from Elaine’s building and one block away from the lakefront. In June, Graham moved in with her. They spent many weekends looking for the right property. After much discussion, they found their dream location. It fit all of Graham’s criteria and also allowed Barbara to continue working at Eagle Vision. She would now be presenting to groups at the east end of Toronto and beyond.

Gillian began to offer her a few decorating suggestions, but stopped when they saw Kendra’s expression. “Here comes trouble,” she muttered.

Stewart Tobin approached the three women with a martini in hand. He was dressed in Gatsby style, and was clearly the most handsome man at the party. Female eyes followed him, while male eyes looked wary.

“Greetings, lovely ladies.” He smiled widely at Gillian and Barbara and looked questioningly at Kendra. He extended his hand. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Stewart Tobin.”

Kendra shook his hand and gave him a cool, appraising look. “Kendra Adams.”

He was momentarily taken aback by her chilly demeanor and lack of interest, but quickly recovered. He turned to Gillian. “I hear congratulations are in order. When are you leaving for New York?”

Gillian replied in calm, measured tones. “I’m leaving at the end of the summer.”

He winked. “We must have lunch before you go. Have a few drinks and go down Memory Lane.”

Gillian smiled more widely. “That would be lovely. I’ll check with Andrew and let you know what works for us.”

Stewart frowned.

“Gillian, you must show me that lovely floral display that Belinda was talking about,” Kendra said. “I think it’s near the patio entrance.”

Gillian looked momentarily surprised but followed Kendra.

“Interesting friends,” Stewart muttered.

“They’ve been very supportive,” Barbara said. She shifted uncomfortably and realized it was her first time alone with Stewart.

“I’m sure they have.” He raised his eyebrows and shook his head. “But there’s more of a connection than mere friendship with those two and with the lovely Belinda. The four of you are linked somehow.”

“Belinda is my cousin. Our mothers were estranged for years and we lost touch with each other.” She and Belinda had rehearsed their stories many times.

“That’s one story, but I think there’s something else, something much more interesting and intriguing. Bradley and Armstrong are in on it, but Scott is clueless.” Stewart smiled confidently. “I love secrets and I love uncovering them even more. I’m looking forward to this challenge.” He toasted her with his glass.

Barbara could not speak. She had decided not to tell Graham about her mermaid origins. Paul approved of her decision, while Belinda and Gillian advised her to begin the relationship with honesty. For once, Kendra waffled. She didn’t think the timing was right, but agreed that the secret would have to come out sooner or later.

“That’ll be enough, Tobin.” Paul Armstrong appeared behind Barbara and took her arm.

Stewart saluted Paul and left.

“I’m here, Barbara. I won’t let anyone hurt you. Not now, not ever.”

“But what if he finds out?”

“How can he possibly find out? Like he said, there are only six of us who know. He can’t get to any of us. And if by some bizarre twist, he should learn out about your mermaid origins, how could he possibly prove it?”

“By some bizarre twist,” Barbara repeated.

“That’s right,” Paul said. “Imagine Tobin having a dark night of the soul and ending up on that special cove along the Malta shore. Distraught and lonely, he notices a lovely mermaid and approaches her. They fall in love and he decides to bring her back here. She tells him all about the Mediterranean tribe and, presto, he knows your secret.” He raised his eyebrows at Barbara. “What is the likelihood of that happening?”

Barbara laughed in spite of herself. She couldn’t imagine any of that happening to Stewart or even Graham, for that matter. She relaxed and hugged this man who had played such an important role in the lives of her grandmother and mother. And now he was extending that love to her. Her eyes saddened at the thought of Annabella. She had been horrified to learn how she had discarded Sarabella and Arabella, the less-than-perfect Bellas, and she shuddered at how callously she had treated Mirabella.

Barbara planned to have it out with Annabella, and she intended to have the upper hand in that conversation. She would insist that Arabella and Sarabella be reinstated as full-fledged Bellas on the island of Malta. She would also ask for another year of online support; she was not ready to give up her relationship with Lisa738.

“She’s proud of you, you know. She checks daily with the Numbers mermaid. She visited me last night and spoke in glowing terms about you.”

“Someday, very soon, Annabella and I will have the conversation.” But not today. Barbara would not let anything or anyone disturb this perfect day. She took a few deep breaths and cleared her mind of Annabella, Stewart, and all other negative thoughts. She looked across the garden and noticed the guests moving toward the chairs.

Paul smiled and offered Barbara his arm. “It’s time, Barbara. It’s your time.” They walked together toward the gazebo where Graham, her future, was waiting.