Stone Cold Surrender - Brenda Jackson [49]
Corey shook his head. “No. There was one woman I took up with a year or two later, when I worked for a while as a ranger in the Tennessee Mountains. I tried to make things work with her, but couldn’t. We stayed together for almost a year but she knew my heart belonged to someone else. And one day she just took off and I haven’t seen her since.”
Stone nodded again. “So when you saw Abby three weeks ago, that was the first time the two of you had seen each other in over thirty-two years?”
Corey smiled. “Yes, and we recognized each other immediately and the spark was still there. And after a few hours of conversations—she told me her life story and I told her mine—we decided to do what we couldn’t do then, all those years ago. Steal away and be alone. After talking to her it was plain to see she had lived a lonely life just like I had, and we felt we owed it to each other to start enjoying life to the fullest and to be happy. She’s only been here three weeks but Abby has brought nothing but joy and happiness to my life, Stone. I can’t imagine my life without her now and she’s assured me that she feels the same way.”
Stone stopped walking and stared at his uncle. “What are you saying?”
A huge grin spread across Corey Westmoreland’s face. “I’ve asked Abby to marry me and she’s accepted.”
Madison stared at her mother in shock. “Marriage? You and Corey Westmoreland?”
Abby smiled at her only child as she handed her a dish to dry. “Yes. He asked and I accepted. Corey and I met and fell in love the year before I entered Harvard. My parents had already decided my future was with your father and I was the obedient daughter who wouldn’t defy their plans.”
Madison continued to stare at her mother. “So I assumed right. You and Dad never loved each other.”
Abby reached out and took her daughter’s hand in hers, knowing that Madison was probably confused by a lot of things. “In a way, your father and I did love each other but not the way I loved Corey. As long as your father was alive, I was determined to make our marriage work, and I did. I was faithful to your father, Madison, and I was a good wife.”
Madison knew that was true. “So you came out here hoping that you’d run into Corey Westmoreland again?”
Abby smiled as she shook her head. “No. For all I knew Corey had gotten on with his life and was married with a bunch of kids. I knew he had wanted to become a park ranger, but I didn’t even know if he still lived in this area. Imagine my shock when I went out to dinner that night and he walked into the restaurant. He looked at me and I looked at him and it was as if the years hadn’t mattered. I knew then that I still loved him and I also knew that the most joyous part of my life was the summer I met him.”
Her hand tightened on Madison’s. “But that doesn’t mean your father didn’t bring me joy. It means that with Corey I can be someone I could never be with your father.”
In a way Madison understood. During the past two days, she had behaved in ways with Stone that she had never behaved with Cedric. “So when is the wedding?”
“In a few months. We decided to wait until after his nephew Thorn’s next race. That way Corey can make the announcement to all of his family at one time. The entire Westmoreland family always attends Thorn’s races.”
Madison sighed deeply. “What about you? What about your life back in Boston?”
Abby smiled. “I plan to keep Abby’s Manor since there’s definitely a need for day-care facilities for the elderly. And it will continue to be managed the same way it’s being managed now. Everything else I can tie up rather quickly. My friends, if they are truly my friends and love me, they will want me to be happy. I haven’t been involved with anyone since your father’s death over ten years ago. I’m hoping everyone will understand my need to be with him.”
She then stared for a long moment at her daughter. “What about you, Madison? You are the person who concerns me the most. Do you understand?”
Madison met her mother’s gaze. Yes, she