Page 65 of Declan
“Elise?”
He stood, found his jeans, pulled them on, then walked out to the living room to find it empty. Had she left? Without telling him?
As he entered the kitchen, he flipped on the light, walked toward the fridge to get a bottle of water, when he saw a note against the coffee maker. Taking a deep breath, he picked it up and unfolded it. A lump formed in his throat as he read it…
Declan,
I’m terribly sorry for slipping away in the middle of the night, and I hold onto hope that you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me. The thought of looking into your eyes in the morning and witnessing the pain reflected there was more than I could bear.
I have no desire to go to New York, but as I lay awake for hours after you fell asleep, I realized that despite my heart’s protest, I need to prove something to both of us. I do love ballet, yet my love for you surpasses that. Clifton is where my heart feels at home, where I long to be, because you’re here. But I’ll go, though it feels absurd to leave when everything my heart desires is right here.
The thought of leaving you breaks my heart, but if by me going will ease your doubts about where I truly belong, then I’ll do it for you. I have nothing to prove to myself, for my heart knows the truth. You’re the one who must understand that mydesires are clear. All I want is you.
All my love,
Elise
He folded the paper again, placed it on the counter, then walked to the living room and sat in the recliner. His heart ached knowing he’d probably never see her again. He had never felt this kind of pain before and he knew, without a doubt, that it would take a long time to get over her. As he leaned his head back, tears rolled down his cheeks.
Chapter Ten
Elise stood in the room, watching the young dancers do their routines, but her mind wasn’t on them at all. She missed Declan so much, but he told her to go, though she didn’t understand why. She was so in love with him, and she knew he loved her, so why were they apart? She’d been in New York for a month now and she wanted to go home. Home to Declan.
“Elise?”
She turned to face Wynonna with a smile. “Hello, Wynonna.”
Wynonna put her arm around her. “They look lovely, don’t they?”
“Yes.” Elise sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m not having a good day.”
“You haven’t had a good day since you’ve been here, honey.”
“I’m sorry, Wynonna. I know I told you I’d give this a try, but I’m not really into it.”
“It’s that deputy, isn’t it? I could feel the sparks between you, and though he’s a cowboy, he is one handsome devil.”
A tear slid down Elise’s cheek. “I love him so much.”
“Then why are you here?”
“He told me to come here.”
“So, he wants you to see where you belong.”
Elise looked at her. “Do you believe that?”
“Don’t you?”
“I don’t know, even though that’s what he told me. It just cut me to the core when he said it.”
“Come sit down,” Wynonna said, leading her to a sofa in the room. “Girls, keep doing your routines.”
Elise plopped onto the sofa, then Wynonna sat down beside her and held her hand.
“Elizabeth, the man is obviously in love with you—”
“Wynonna—”
