Love At Last (Lily's Story, Book 3) (7 page)

I smiled, pleased she was willing to try. “I think that’s a great idea. Stop by anytime. I’m usually around.”

She returned my smile. “I’ll do that.”

“Thanks, Trish.”

She nodded and closed the door. I pushed Natalie’s stroller back down the driveway and continued further down the street, enjoying the relative cool of the morning. In the spring I’d taken Natalie on frequent walks, but lately it had been so hot that I’d mainly stayed inside. I decided I should start getting out early in the morning and enjoying fresh air and sunshine with my baby girl.

We walked for half an hour before turning around and heading back home. As I passed Trish’s house, I smiled, grateful for a good neighbor who was willing to help out when asked.

A few days later she stopped by while Natalie was napping, and I brought her to the backyard to play with Greta. I showed her which ball was Greta’s favorite and handed it to her to throw.

“That’s okay,” she said. “I’ll just watch you for a few minutes first.”

“Okay.” I threw the ball for Greta and she raced after it, then picked it up and dropped it at my feet. I scratched her head as I told her what a good girl she was. We did this several times, then I held the ball out to Trish. “Do you want to try it?”

She took the ball from me. “Okay.” She held it out for Greta to sniff, and when Greta sniffed her hand, then licked it, she smiled. Then she threw it and Greta ran after it, then brought it back and set it at her feet. “She’s a smart dog.”

I nodded, proud of my Greta. “I know. I’m so glad I got her. She’s a great companion.”

Trish threw the ball a few more times, then I suggested we sit on the porch to give Greta a break from the heat.

“She’ll keep playing even when she should stop, just to please me, so I need to make sure and stop when I think she’s had enough.” I made sure her bowl was full of water, and sat on the porch step. Trish sat next to me.

“You didn’t tell me where your cruise is going.”

I grinned. “Alaska. Have you ever been there?”

She smiled. “Yes. That is beautiful country, and it should be nice when you’re there.”

“That’s what I understand.”

Trish came over two more times before my trip, and decided that she felt comfortable enough with Greta that she was willing to take care of her. The day before Natalie and I left, I brought the key over to her house. “Thank you so much for taking care of Greta for me. I really appreciate it.”

“I’m happy to do it. I’m glad she got to know me—she really is a good dog and I feel much more comfortable with her now.”

“Good. I’ll let you know when I’m back.”

“Have a fantastic time, Lily.”

That was the first time she’d called me that—she’d always known me as Kate before, although lately she hadn’t said my name at all. I felt pleased that our friendship had progressed over the previous few weeks.

I stopped by the mailbox on my way home and was surprised to find a letter from Trevor’s mother, Marcy. It had been over a month since I’d been to see her in Las Vegas and I was curious what she had written. I wheeled the stroller up to the front porch and brought Natalie inside, then sat on the couch and opened the letter.

“It’s from your grandma,” I said to Natalie as she reached for the paper in my hand. I held it just out of her grasp as I read it.

Dear Lily,

I wanted to take a moment and let you know how much I enjoyed seeing you and Natalie last month. I’m sorry you felt the need to leave early, and I’m even more sorry about the things Chris said. Like I told you before you left, the rest of the family doesn’t feel the same way he does and we’d like you to come visit again.

I felt like I hardly got to know Natalie at all and I would really like to get to know her better—and I’d like to make sure she knows me. Please consider coming for a visit. If it would make you more comfortable, I won’t invite Chris over while you’re here. I know his wife, Melody, would like to see you though—as would the rest of the family.

I’d also like you to know that the invitation to move here is still open. I know you are on your own, and as you know, I don’t have any daughters, just daughters-in-law. I’d like to have the chance to get to know you better.

I don’t want to pressure you, but please let me know what I can do to persuade you to come spend time in our home.

Love,
 

Marcy

As I reread the letter I felt her sincerity, and tears filled my eyes. She was right. I had no one. “Except you, baby girl,” I whispered as I snuggled Natalie closer. Even my friendship with Marcus seemed to be in jeopardy. At least his mother, Trish, had warmed to me.

I decided to give Marcy another chance. After putting Natalie in her swing, I wrote a letter to Marcy letting her know that I would come for a visit in a few weeks. I didn’t tell her I was going on a cruise—I figured she’d worry about Natalie going and I didn’t feel the need to explain myself—then I put the envelope in the mailbox and flipped up the flag.

The next morning I woke early, eager to get going on our big trip.

Chapter Eight

Natalie and I arrived at the Sacramento airport early and I dropped our luggage off with a curbside porter, then parked in the long-term parking lot. We caught a shuttle to the terminal, made our way through security, and walked to the gate. I was glad I’d been able to print off our boarding passes at home. I kept Natalie entertained as I waited for our flight to be called.
 

With Natalie on my hip, and the diaper bag over my shoulder, I made my way onto the airplane. The airline didn’t have assigned seats, so I chose the first empty seat I came to. I sat Natalie in the seat while I placed her diaper bag in the overhead compartment, then I sat in the window seat and put Natalie on my lap.
 

I watched as the other travelers got on the plane, and smiled inwardly as people glanced at Natalie, then passed by the empty seat next to me. I couldn’t blame them for not wanting to sit next to a baby, but as more and more people streamed onboard, I knew someone would have to eventually sit next to us as the flight looked like it would be full.

Sure enough, the last person to board stopped at the head of the aisle and looked out over the rows of seats, then looked at Natalie, frowned, and sat in the seat next to mine. I would have felt sorry for him, except I knew Natalie was an easy-going baby and would probably be just fine. The man looked like he was only a few years older than me, so at least I’d have someone my age to talk to during the flight—assuming he wanted to chat.

“Hey,” he said as he sat, glancing at Natalie again and pretty much ignoring me, then he immediately pulled out his laptop and seemed to immerse himself in reading a document. In the moment I’d looked at him, I’d noticed that he was quite attractive—strong jaw, light brown hair, blue eyes. It was obvious he didn’t want to talk, and I assumed he was on his way to Seattle on business.

I turned my attention to Natalie to make sure she was happy and comfortable. As the plane took off, I put a pacifier in her mouth, and thankfully, she accepted it. The flight was just under two hours. I fed Natalie a bottle of supplemental formula partway through the flight, and before I knew it, we’d arrived. The man next to me got off as soon as the doors opened, but I waited until everyone else had deplaned. I had plenty of time before the ship left, so I was in no hurry.

When everyone else had left, I took the diaper bag out of the overhead compartment and carried Natalie to the baggage claim area. Several shuttles to the pier were waiting nearby, and the driver of one of them helped me get my bags onto the shuttle, and then Natalie and I boarded. A short time later we pulled up to the drop-off point and the ship came into view.

This is going to be so fun, I thought as I gazed at the massive ship. A worker helped me unload the bags and get them checked in, then I took Natalie to the check-in area, got our boarding cards, went through security, then headed to the boarding area. I hugged Natalie closer, excited to finally be here. I glanced around, looking for Alyssa, but didn’t see her. She’d given me her room number in an email, and the plan was for me to meet up with her once I’d gotten settled in my room.

As I followed the other cruisers toward the ship entrance, I didn’t see any other babies and wondered how many would be on board. Oh well, it didn’t really matter. I was there to see my friend get married and to enjoy a week in Alaska. I looked up at the ship and noticed the rows and rows of balconies. I smiled, glad I had decided to splurge even more and get a balcony room. I’d figured it would be nice to be able to sit on the balcony when Natalie was napping. The room had cost more than an interior room, but since I didn’t know if I’d ever go on a cruise again, I’d decided to make this trip as fun as possible.

It was our turn to enter the ship. I handed our cards to the man at the entrance and he placed them into a machine, then we walked through the metal detector. He handed the cards back to me, and I tucked them in my pocket. The first thing I wanted to do was go to our room and freshen up.
 

The first room we entered was decorated with bright colors, had towering ceilings, and on one side of the room I saw glass elevators.

“Look at this place,” I murmured in Natalie’s ear. I carried her toward the elevators and punched the button to go up. A moment later the doors opened silently and we walked in, along with some other people. I pressed the button for the eighth floor and we moved smoothly upward. A moment later the doors opened and we stepped into an area bustling with activity. Cruise ship workers were organizing stacks of luggage on multiple carts, then taking them down one of two hallways.
 

I walked over to the entrance of one of the hallways and looked at the range of room numbers that were down that way, then headed down the hall. I noticed that all the rooms were odd-numbered, and my room was an even number, so I went across the foyer to the other hall and walked down it, looking for my room number. A short time later I found it.

“Here’s our room, sweetheart,” I said to Natalie, who observed our surroundings.

I slid my key card into the slot and the door clicked. When I walked in, I immediately saw the crib that I’d ordered, as well as an umbrella stroller that I had arranged to rent while on board. I smiled, pleased that my baby’s needs were being taken care of. I’d packed lots of diapers, and since I was still mostly nursing her, food wouldn’t be a big issue.

I placed the diaper bag on the bed, and carrying Natalie, we checked out the room. There was plenty of closet space, and though the bathroom was small, it was sufficient. There was no tub—just a small stand-up shower. But I was certain I could manage to bathe Natalie when needed.
 

I paused and looked at my reflection in the large mirror. Natalie squirmed in my arms, but my eyes were drawn to my face. I’d lost all my baby weight, and my hair had grown to shoulder length since I’d chopped it off when I’d run from Trevor, and now it was back to its natural dark color. I smiled, pleased with my reflection. I didn’t look so different now than when Alyssa had last seen me. My changes were all on the inside. I gazed at myself, and knew I’d changed from the innocent girl who had first met Trevor.

Holding Natalie on my hip, we left the bathroom and went onto the balcony. The Seattle skyline was right in front of us. “Look at that view,” I said to her in wonder. The day was pleasantly warm—much cooler than at home—and I enjoyed the gentle breeze. After a few minutes I carried her back inside and before long her eyelids became heavy—I wasn’t surprised that she was tired after our busy day. After I put her down in her crib, I picked up the phone on the desk and dialed Alyssa’s room.

“Hello?” she said after only a moment.

“Hi, Alyssa!”

“Lily! You’re here!”

“Yes. I’m loving it already.”

“I’m so glad you made it.”

“Me, too. Are you busy?”

“Not at all. Do you want me to come to your room?”

“Sure. I just put Natalie down for a nap.” I gave her my room number and a few minutes later she knocked on the door. I opened it, and after she walked in, I threw my arms around her. “It’s so good to see you,” I said as I pulled away from the friend I hadn’t seen in over a year.

She looked me up and down. “You look great. Just as beautiful as I remember.”

I smiled under her compliment. “So do you. I’m so excited for your wedding.”

Natalie made a noise, and I whispered, “Let’s go talk on the balcony.”

Alyssa nodded, then gazed down at Natalie for a moment. She looked at me and mouthed,
She’s so cute
.
 

Thanks
, I mouthed, then we walked out to the balcony. I closed the door behind me, but could see Natalie from where we sat.
 

“Oh my gosh, Lily. I can’t believe you’re here.”

I grinned. “I know. I’m so glad I decided to come.”

She looked at me expectantly. “Tell me everything that’s happened.” She paused, a look of concern and sadness on her face. “I heard Trevor died.”

I told her everything that had happened since I’d last seen her—how I’d found out I was pregnant, how Trevor had become abusive, how I’d run, how he’d locked me up, how I’d gone into hiding, how I’d met Marcus, how Trevor had found me, and then, how he’d died.

She slowly shook her head. “Wow.” She gazed at me for a moment. “You seem to be doing okay.”

I smiled. “I really am. Marcus is my good friend now.” I felt a twinge of sadness that that was all he wanted to be. “And Natalie and I have made a home for ourselves.” I paused. “I’m happy.”

She touched my hand. “I’m so glad.”

“Now tell me about you and Ty.”

Now she grinned. “I can’t wait for you to meet him. He’s with his parents right now, but I’ll introduce you to him after Natalie wakes up from her nap.”

“You said in your email that you’ve known him for a while, but you got together when you went home for a visit?”

“Yeah. We were friends in high school, and last summer when I went home, I ran in to him and the sparks just flew. I guess the timing was right. He’s a great guy.”