Page 31 of Gift of Hope

What on earth is he talking about?

My curiosity is at an all-time high.

I follow Harvey through the exit door further down the corridor that leads out toward the barns, when off to the side I see some form of development fenced off.

“What are you building here? Are you expanding?”

We’re standing in front of the building site when Harvey renders me speechless.

“This space is going to be for a new dance movement therapy studio. Josey and I did some research and we think with the help of a friend, it would really benefit the center. However, we’re not in a hurry because we have approximately two years before we hope the position will be filled.”

Harvey’s talking in a roundabout way. All I hear is dance movement therapy, friend and two years. Surely that’s too much of a coincidence.

I’m on high alert.

Not only because I was asked to keep an open mind, but because he and Josey are in on this together.

“Alright, Harvey. What’s going on?” I pop a hip, still holding Asher in my arms.

With a long-winded sigh, he begins from the start and while I have questions along the way, I slowly come to the realization this is all for me.

“Harvey...” The warm teardrops making their path down my face say all that is left unsaid.

“We were a mess when you left. Josey stayed in her room, ignoring me and everyone around her; I tried using Tag, but she wouldn’t let him in either. I couldn’t walk into the Center at all and hid in my home office like before you first arrived. I was such a jerk to you. I thought by blocking you out, that I’d be protecting us from heartache. I was very wrong.

“Josey showed me your press release and told me about some of your conversations over the phone. We both formulated a plan in the hope you’d one day come back to us and we’d be a part of your fresh start. I’m in awe of you, Eve. Your passion for helping others is very much like how my sister used to look at the world. When she first set out to make this place better, she had so many ideas and she made it all a reality—a successful one at that. I wanted to find a way for you to thrive here too. Josey came to me with her ideas and we formulated our plan. With my help, we’d love for you to operate and be the head therapist for our new department.

“Evelyn, once your study has come to an end, we want you here with us—I want you here with me. I miss you. You once said a long-distance relationship wouldn’t work but look at how often you’re on the phone with Josey. We can find the same time, too. I can come to you on weekends or you can come here to Thousand Oaks while on breaks. I know we can make this work. Please say yes.”

Yap yap.Asher chimes in.

“Harvey, this is a lot to take in. I don’t know if I’m ready for this. I have two years of hard work ahead of me-”

Harvey is now awfully close to me. There’s no tension, only wanton need. My breath hitches then Asher becomes restless in my arms, wanting down.

Coming back to an upright position, I barely have time to register Harvey pulling me into him and his lips coming down on mine. Everything about this man is irresistible. His stare, warmth, kindness and gorgeousness. I open up to him, and the kiss intensifies until I’m melting into his embrace, relying on him to hold me up.

“Yes,” I speak softly, while I catch my breath.

Harvey’s eyes grow wide, and his smile becomes blinding. “Yes?” he questions me, hoping he heard correctly.

“Yes, I’d love to take you up on your offer. Actually, both of them. I’ve missed you, too, Harvey. Asher also. When I left, I knew I’d made one of the biggest mistakes of my life. It took walking away for me to figure that out. I’m sorry I hurt you in doing so.”

We both hold on to each other. Me, afraid it might all be taken away, Harvey for my return.

“What was the deciding factor for you to change your mind? I know what I read in the media, but I want to hear it from you.”

“Talking to the media made me realize dancing isn’t in my future. Not professionally. I want to help people gain their hope, courage, movement and strength, like you and your center helped me.” It’s incredibly hard to hold this conversation while I can’t stop crying.

“You were very much your own strength, Eve.”

“No, the whole FORT Center family was. I couldn’t have done any of it without any of you.”

“Well, you’ll be an important part of our family in time. Though, if I’m honest, you already are. You helped some of us too, Eve. More than you’ll ever know. I love you beautiful. Welcome to the FORT Center. Welcome home.”

“I love you too, Harvey.”

Yap yap yap.

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