Page 61 of The Heiress
“But—”
“No,” Mom said definitively, her head shaking with vigor. “Please, Phoe. Your Dad and I had a good talk. We’re doing what’s best for you.”
I closed my eyes, filling my chest with as much oxygen as it would take, wishing everything could go away. It was hard enough waiting for my body to heal and recover, the legal issues were another headache on top of it. Mom’s arms encircled my waist and I let my head fall onto her shoulder. I was happy to stay there, didn’t want to leave the warm cocoon of her embrace.
“Where did they come from?” She pulled back sharply, obviously spotting the bunch of flowers over on the table.
I shrugged cluelessly, curious to her reaction when she found out Mr. Frank had romantic intentions as Max had suggested. She sniffed at the variety of pink, yellow and purple flowers in its own white vase before plucking a card from their midst. I stood tapping my foot on the floor impatiently.
A gasp emitted from Mom’s mouth, but her words were unexpected, “It’s from Elisha.”
I was at Mom’s side as if I hadn’t suffered major trauma six months before. “Elisha?” I queried, up close noticing gold glitter sprinkled over the petals. I was pretty sure flowers weren’t naturally flecked with gold.
Mom held up the card, reading the words aloud. “Laura and Phoenix, thank you so much for having me over the Thanksgiving weekend. I had so much fun and learned I have so much to be thankful for. Love Elisha.”
I peered over Mom’s shoulder, rereading the words in my head. She had such neat handwriting, all the letters even and straight, except for her name which she’d written in cursive.
“Isn’t that lovely?” Mom said, holding her nose close again. “But she shouldn’t have. She’s such a sweetheart.” She carefully carried the flowers into the living room, taking an excessively long time in arranging the vase on the side table, turning it a hundred times when I was dying for her to check Elisha’s room.
Dread settled in the pit of my stomach as the room was indeed empty, bed made, no sign of any suitcase. Boarders would arrive back at school today, but there was no reason for Elisha to go so early when we were only a ten minute drive away. And if she’d gone, why hadn’t she waited to see me? Unless...
Mom finally looked puzzled. “Do you think she called a taxi? I’ll call Barb and check she went back to school.”
She bustled downstairs while I glimpsed into the bathroom. Everything was tidy, towels in the hamper, whereas I was in knots. If she had left...what did that mean?
I wandered down into the kitchen, my heart heavy as Mom confirmed that Elisha had gone back to school by taxi. But why? That’s what I wanted to know. Without saying goodbye.
As if reading my mind, Mom said, “It’s a shame she didn’t wait to say goodbye. I could have taken her back, but maybe she had to get on with some study. Though I’m sure you’ll see her tomorrow?” Her eyebrows rose in assumption.
Yeah, I would probably see her in photography class.
But now I was hurtling toward complete despair, convinced I’d been mistaken, that the kisses had meant nothing to Elisha—that she’d left early to avoid me.
After all, she was the Ice Queen—cold, aloof and without a heart.
Chapter 18
