Page 42 of A Family Affair: The Vow
The hurt look on his face said he had not expected such a chilly response. “I told you, I missed you, I…” His handsome face turned pitiful and when he spoke there was real sadness in his words. “It’s not the same with you gone. It’s different and not in a good way.”
“You’re the one who broke up with me, told me we didn’t fit and were on a different path. Isn’t that what you said?” She remembered the words, had burned them into her memory so she could pull them out, study them, and curse the man she’d believed had cared about her.We’re in an impossible situation and I don’t see that it can be resolved... This is not the trajectory I’d envisioned for us.... If we’re not in this together, I guess I don’t see the point... I’ll always care about you but we aren’t going to work.
But it didn’t matter anymore because she wasn’t angry with him, and she didn’t blame him...she just didn’t care.
His sigh filled the room. “I was so caught up in the promotion and trying to get it all right and the shock of you not being by my side. I reacted badly. I shouldnothave said those hurtful things to you and I realized that. I am so sorry.” Richard closed the distance between them, placed a hand over hers. “I want us to have another chance. All in. I can do it now because I see what I want.” His pale eyes turned bright, sparkled. “I want you, Rachel Darlington, I want you by my side. I want...I want us to be a team, partners in everything.”
Rae eased her hand from his, stepped back. “I’m sorry, Richard. It’s too late.”
“It’s never too late to get it right. We belong together. I couldn’t see how much until you were gone and it was like a piece of me just wasn’t there anymore. Nobody listens like you do. Nobody makes suggestions and offers solutions like you.”
“What are we talking about? Work? I got fired, remember? I’m sure you do, because you knew what was going to happen and you never warned me. Worse, you didn’t stand by me to help me through it.” Tiny spurts of anger slipped through her words. Maybe she wasn’t quite done being angry with him. “I wasdisposableand that’s exactly what you did with me once I lost my job. I don’t know what you could possibly say that would change what happened or anything thatcouldhappen. I don’t want that life anymore.”
His gaze narrowed on her, his lips flattened. “Of course, you do; you’ve just forgotten how good it can be. I’m not simply interested in working with you again; I want the personal partnership as well.” Richard’s voice dipped, turned persuasive. “I want you to be my wife.”
Rae tried to keep her expression even so he wouldn’t notice the horror she felt at the suggestion. She’d spent so much time believing that’s exactly what she wanted and yet it would have been a disaster. He wasn’t the right man for her. Richard was too self-centered and incapable of sharing himself or his true feelings. He was nothing like Vic—the man who owned her heart. “I’m sorry, but that’s not going to happen. You don’t really want to marry me. If you had, you would have suggested it long before I left.”
Frustration covered his face. “But don’t you see? It took your leaving to make me realize what I wanted. Come back. We’ll have a great life. We can get a dog if you want...maybe discuss a child. Whatever you want, Rachel. Please come back.”
She was certain this was as close to begging as he’d ever come. And yet, her answer was still no. “I’m sorry, I know there’s someone out there who can appreciate everything you’re offering, but that someone isn’t me.”
Her answer only seemed to agitate him further. “There’s a new position as director of operations in the online section of the company. You can have it. We need you.”
“What happened to the person who was in that position?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose, cleared his throat—a habit that gave him extra time to consider his answer—usually not the real one. “We had to let her go. She couldn’t keep up with the expectations required. And she didn’t want to work weekends at all. Apparently, the concept of ‘as needed and emergency situations’ didn’t have the same connotation as they did for you. Plus, the work was just average.” A smile crept over his face, spread. “Anyway, the position is yours if you want it. I already talked to HR and vouched for you with the CEO. The compensation package is unbelievable.”
Hmm. What were the odds that the renewed attraction was more about putting a qualified individual in an empty spot? Richard might care about her and he may be quasi interested in marrying her, but what would that marriage look like? Did he even know what love was? Real, all-in, deep love? Love was about a lot more than profit margins and bottom lines and maybe one of these days he’d see that just as she had. “Thank you for the offer, but I’m going to pass.” She worked up a smile, held it in place. “Coming to this town has given me a lot of time to think about what’s important in my life and how I don’t want my work to define me.” She sucked in a breath, blew it out nice and slow. “Goodbye, Richard. Please don’t contact me again.”
“Is that a no, or is there room to negotiate?”
Oh, the man truly did not understand people. “Yes, it’s a no and there’s no negotiating.”
“I see.” He buttoned his trench coat, checked his watch. “My flight leaves in the morning and I’ll need lodging.” He slid her a glance. “I’d planned to stay here with you, but...don’t suppose that’s a possibility?”
“No.”
“Of course. Well, best of luck in this quaint little town. We could have done great things together, but it seems you are indeed traveling another path...” The smile that covered his face this time was real. “By the way, I met your lumberjack.” A laugh followed by a sigh. “Interesting indeed.”
24
Rae dialed Vic’s number, waited. When the call went into voicemail, she ignored the twinge of uneasiness sifting through her. “Vic? Hey, just wanted to let you know I got the steaks and I’ll fix the potatoes and asparagus and see you around 6:30 p.m.” She touched the phone, drew in a small breath. “I’m looking forward to seeing you. We’ve got a lot to talk about.” And then “I heard you met Richard. I hope you ignored whatever he might have said because Richard can be cruel. Okay, then, I’ll see you soon.”Click.
Where was he? He could be in a meeting or working on a machine, or maybe Richard had twisted enough truths to make Vicnotwant to answer his phone. Rae shut down that last possibility. Richard knew how to manipulate situationsandpeople and she bet he told Vic about the job opportunity he’d offered her, the one that came with a big bump in compensation and a fancy title. So what? She wasn’t interested and Vic would know that.
Wouldn’t he?
These past weeks had taught both of them a lot—about themselves, each other, and what they could be as a couple. When she thought about the possibility of waking up with Vic each morning, spending time with him, sharing a meal and conversation, secrets and dreams, her heart swelled with love. ShelovedVic Tramont with her whole heart and she wanted to be with him, no matter where that might be. Why had she always considered small towns as less than ideal, suffocating, when, in truth, they could provide the exact opposite if one were open to seeing it. The people in this town had become her friends, her champions, and when they inquired after her it was because they really cared. They weren’t trying to compare themselves to her, see if they could find the cracks in her personality…
Of course, some were, but they were not her friends. There would always be those people who couldn’t find happiness in themselves and therefore didn’t want anyone to experience it. They let jealousy, fear, and pettiness take over and all that mattered was belittling someone in order to make themselves appear better. It never worked, at least not for long. While Rae might not have belittled anyone, her disregard for them and their feelings was just as harmful. Why had she thought that what she wanted was more important than someone else’s needs? Why had she never realized how destructive that belief could be to herself and others?
Her life changed the day she drove into Magdalena and was forced to face a past she’d wanted to forget. She’d avoided the place for too long, until duty and guilt brought her back. For that, she would be forever grateful.
And facing Vic? That had been her biggest torment because the man had the ability to see inside her soul to the lacking and insecurity that lived there. She’d argued and denied his observations, but deep down she’d known he was right, known also that if she didn’t change, she’d end up miserable, bitter, empty.
Vic had made her a better person and she wanted to tell him that, wanted to tell him he owned her heart. Did they have a chance at a future together? Oh, but she hoped so.
Twenty minutes later, Rae tried to call him again but the call went straight to voicemail. That led to texting.Where are you? I’ve been trying to get in touch with you. Please, call me.Four unanswered texts later, she worried something had happened. Or maybe his cell phone had died. Rae punched in the office phone number for ND Manufacturing, let out a long rush of breath when Betty Rafferty’s high-pitched voice answered.
