Page 64 of Dreams That Bind Us
Suddenly the way he’d left, his final words to Anna, played through his mind: his shock and anger, and the cold announcement that he was leaving. He didn’t even say goodbye, and all because she had given him a message from his mother.The very thing that had ended her previous relationships in heartbreak and what he’d promised he would never do.
He’d call her soon, apologize and explain his reaction. But first, he had business to finish before he could close this chapter of his life.
I’ll make it right with her…somehow.
Anna's gaze followed her hands as she guided the handheld planer over the top of the cabinet, smoothing out the uneven spots and rough edges. This was her favorite part of building furniture, watching the raw wood become art under her fingertips. She lost herself in the rhythm and let the piece create itself. It soothed her tender nerves even though her shoulders and back ached from the repetitive strokes.
It had been two weeks since the disaster, and she welcomed the physical pain. Even though she tried not to think about what happened, a total disaster was the only way she could describe that final morning with James.
She'd put her faith in a man again and he demonstrated why that had been a mistake. She should have seen it coming, known it was inevitable. It had happened time after time after time, but she’d foolishly believed that James was different.
Now she knew better.
For that lesson, she could be grateful. It wouldn't happen again.
It had taken some effort and hours of meditation, but she'd rebuilt her psychic walls and finally felt more in control of her emotions. It had been a gut-wrenching rollercoaster since James left, which now felt like an eternity ago. The days had drug on as she slowly returned to her old life.
She cringed, remembering how she'd texted him the day after he’d left, but it had gone unanswered. There was only heart-shattering silence.
James was ghosting her, and she guessed she could understand why. Receiving a message from his mother, for whom he was still grieving, must have been a jolt to his system, especially when it had come out of nowhere.
But this experience was far more painful for Anna than the others had been.
She had believed James was different than those other fools she'd dated. Her aunt had been right. All her earlier boyfriends had been weak and simple, boys acting like men.
But James had been different. Or so she’d thought.
He was all man, incredibly strong in so many ways and her match in every way. But sometimes, even that wasn’t enough to overcome fear and prejudice.
And even Aunt Louise got it wrong occasionally. To be fair to her aunt, they both had been wrong before. But this time, Anna had been so certain James was the one.
Now here she was, working around the clock to complete this last furniture order for The Majestic as fast as she possibly could. She was determined itwouldbe the last order she would ever complete for James Armstrong and any organization affiliated with him. She’d enjoy the hefty boost in her bank account and focus on making the pieces she loved for the gallery.
Or maybe she'd finally travel like she had always dreamed. After clearing the guilt she’d clung to surrounding her parent’s death, she no longer feared flying. She was free to go wherever she wanted.
The paycheck from these orders, coupled with what she’d banked when James bought out her warehouse, was enough for her to go for as long as she wanted. Suddenly, being gone from Key West for an extended period of time was very appealing.
Anna blew a stream of air across the top of the cabinet, watching with a measure of satisfaction as the sawdust scattered, revealing the deep amber finish.
She loved working with walnut. There was something strangely rewarding in the wood's deep earth tones and texture that truly appealed to her. Of course, it helped that it was also incredibly durable and withstood high humidity environments.
Her computer pinged on the desk across the room and she shot the device an annoyed glare. Now was not the time for interruptions. She was ready to prime the cabinet for the stain finish.
Her frustrations had peaked two days ago when she’d lost her cell phone while supervising a delivery pickup. As she helped load the piece of furniture, she’d unknowingly dropped her phone on the ground and watched in horror as the truck drove over it.
She hadn’t yet determined whether it was a blessing or a curse. But with her schedule stretched to the limit, she’d decided not to replace it right away.
At the time, it had seemed like a logical choice, but now her computer was driving her nuts with the emails flooding in from vendors and clients.
There was another ping and yet another right after. With a short growl of frustration, Anna stood, grimacing as her lower back contracted in protest. She stretched back and forth and blinked as her computer alerted yet again that more emails had arrived.
It was probably Aunt Louise who was busy planning an exciting trip to Italy with Carl. Her enthusiasm was running high and Anna had received plenty of emails over the last several days about their preparations.
With a huff, she ambled over, rolling her head around to loosen her neck, then scrolled to her email.
She stared blankly at the message from Gus, numb at what she read.
Finally got a response from James. He’s out of town for the near future. Let me know when the remainder of The Majestic’s order is ready for delivery. You know how to reach me if you have any problems.
