Deanna stood in the lobby of Ross Enterprises talking with the receptionist, Tara. She'd been in New York almost two months. Troy had finally reached his limit and ordered her back to Chicago. Her heart was very heavy as she thought of the night she'd seen Aiden and the woman at Delmonico's. How could they be that close, breathing the same air, yet not being able to connect? Maybe it was not meant to be. As soon as the thought surface she forced it away. It was Wednesday, and in a last-ditch effort she'd hope that he would show up for the staff meeting. He didn't.

Tara saw the woeful look on Deanna's face. She wished it was something that she could do. "I'm sorry things didn't work out for you."

"Seems to be the story of my life."

"Like I said, the only time I saw him and the lady that you mentioned was one day when I was coming to work, but they were leaving."

"Do you remember anything about the girl?"

"Only that she was really pretty and they were laughing. He waved to me and then they got on the elevator."

"That's good to know. Whoever she is makes him happy."

Tara smiled at Deanna. She's got to be his mother. Thinking of the first time they'd met, she recalled how it was her main concern to find out if Aiden was happy. Only a mother would be that concerned about his happiness. "You don't have to answer this, but you're his mother, aren't you?"

Tara's words startled Deanna. She didn't know what to say. Then she realized by not saying anything she was affirming it anyway. She sharply drew in her breath, then slowly exhaled. "Yes."

Tara saw the emotional strain on Deanna's face. It was tugging on her heart. She buzzed someone from the back office to come up front. "An emergency has come up and I need to leave."

"We'll call in for a temp to cover the rest of the day, Tara."

"Thanks."

She left the office and nodded for Deanna to follow her. This poor woman needed some help. Tara could feel the sorrow flowing from her.

"God, bless you, Tara," said Deanna as they stepped into the elevator.

***

During the last few weeks Nanna's romance seemed to have been clipped and she was so agitated about it. Bruce would show up all times of the day or night. If it wasn't him, it was Michelle. She didn't like having to shuffle Major around to keep them from running into him. "I'm just checking on you," Bruce would say, "You know Aiden and Jas asked me to make sure you were okay." In order, not to stir things up, she went along with it. Now, Nanna was wearied. She knew that Michelle must have told Bruce something and was actually surprised that she'd kept things quiet for as long as she did. When she saw, Bruce come through the door she decided to address the matter.

"Good evening, Nanna."

She nodded. "Bruce."

He proceeded to sit down in the lobby as he always did. He picked up the evening newspaper on the coffee table and began to read. Bruce said the same thing he'd been saying for the last few weeks. "I'm just here to help, if you need anything."

Nanna snatched the paper away from Bruce. He looked up startled. "You're a little rascal, that's what you are. What did Michelle say that's got you showing up here any moment in my day?"

The emphasis on the word my, had Bruce's ears ringing. He knew this response was eventually coming. That infectious smile of his, lit his face. He innocently said, "What, Nanna?"

"What my blazing britches. You know - what."

"Who is Beauregard?" The unwelcomed thought of the kiss sprang in his mind. It sent a shiver down his spine.

"None of your business. It's just none of your business. Now, I've got to get back to my life and I want you and Michelle to stop snooping around here. I'm doing fine."

Just then Major came from the direction of Nanna's quarters. Nanna put her hand over her mouth and shook her head. His hair was wet, as if he'd just showered. She watched as Bruce's eyes widened, making a connection since there were no other rooms in the area of Nanna's quarters. Major hadn't seen Bruce sitting there, yet. He had been checking his jean pockets looking for something.

"Arabella, have you seen my pills."

This wasn't the first time Major had forgotten where he'd placed his medication. It was just the absolute worst time for him to forget. She knew where it was but couldn't say it in front of Bruce. The medication was sitting on the night stand next to her bed. The way Bruce glared at her she felt like a school girl being castigated by her father for kissing a boy behind the barn. "No...no...but don't worry about it now, Beauregard."

When Major heard Nanna call him Beauregard his eyes snapped up. She'd sent an alarm for him not to say anything else. He tilted his head and gave Bruce a once over.

"Bruce, this is Beauregard."

Major nodded.

Nanna turned to Major. "This is Michelle's husband. Now Bruce, I know Michelle has probably told you that this is a terrible man that has come to take the inn away from me. I know she's got you all riled up about imminent domain but that is not the case."

What? Bruce's pulse soared. His heart slammed against his chest. It was then that he realized that when he and Michelle had discussed Major they were not talking about the same thing. Obviously, she didn't know about him being a love interest. And Bruce didn't know this was the man that was connected with imminent domain. His eyes darkened. Is this old man taking advantage of Nanna's heart to get the inn? Stay cool, Bruce. Stay cool. He had to hear all of what she was saying and needed to keep a straight face. It was hard to keep his lip from twitching, but he managed to steady it.

"Beauregard and I have come to an understanding. The inn is not in any jeopardy."

Bruce was seething. All this time I've been trying to find out about their relationship. This man is only here because he wants the inn. Good, Lord. She's too blind to see it. How did Nanna get hooked up with this awful man?

Bruce stood up and tipped his head to Major. "I'm certainly glad you've come to that understanding. Michelle and I will mind our manners." He steadied his voice so that the angry tremors didn't voice out. Don't you worry about anything, Nanna. We're going to take care of you. "Good bye, Nanna."

"Thanks for understanding, Bruce."

"Sure, I get it," he glared at Major, then stalked out of the inn.

***

Tara had never seen the inside of a suite at the Ritz Carlton. Her eyes absorbed the elegance of the room, beautiful gold embossed wall paper, dense cream carpet, and expensive furnishings. She walked through the spacious penthouse suite making her way to the gold upholstered chairs in the living room area. She sat in the chair viewing Central Park from the huge picture glass window. "Beautiful view."

"The park looks different when you see it from twenty-two stories up, doesn't it?

"It's amazing." She thought about the wealth that Deanna must have to be able to stay for nearly two months in this palatial suite. She quickly concluded that whatever had gone on between she and Aiden, money could never fix. She glanced into the beautiful bedroom, seeing Deanna's packed suitcases. It touched her heart that Deanna had come all this way and would be leaving empty. I hope I can say something that will encourage her.

Deanna sat on the gold sofa across from Tara. "Thank you for coming, Tara. It's not many people that I can talk to."

"I'm a good listener."

Deanna really didn't know where to start. This was Aiden's employee. She knew that there was only so much that she could say, but she desperately needed to vent. Deanna knew she needed to talk to someone that didn't know her so that she wouldn't feel as if she were being judged. She fidgeted with her fingers a long while, contemplating what she'd say.

Tara saw her struggle and tried to make things easier for her to open up. "I get the feeling you're worried over things done in the past. Obviously, your relationship with Aiden is a failure. But are not all the failures in yesterday?

Deanna nodded her head.

"It's a mistake to keep looking at yesterday because it's gone. It's never coming back."

"Tara, my past haunts me. It has clouded everything in my life. It's like darkness is covering me... suffocating me."

Tara felt so inadequate to speak to this woman, but she knew deep inside that this was meant to be. She ushered up a silent prayer to God for guidance. She sat quietly for a moment waiting for the right words to form in her mind. Then the words came. "The only thing that gets rid of darkness is light. It destroys darkness. Sounds like to me that you need to step up into the light."

Deanna looked up astonished. "Step up into the light?" The words were so profound that she sat there shaking her head. She'd been running her entire life. She ran from Billy Bob, ran from her responsibility to Aiden, and ran from Ellijay. Embarrassment and shame had caused her to run. Even with her relationship with Troy, she was running from telling him the truth. She'd never stepped up to anything.

"Yes, step up," said Tara, "Turn the light on, the darkness has no choice but to scatter."

Deanna felt like she was standing under a waterfall - cool refreshing waters suddenly dulling her pain. "Tara, you don't know what that means to me." She walked across the room and embraced her. "I will never forget what you've done for me. I know what I need to do, even if I never get Aiden back."

"You'll get him back. Trust God."

"All right. Thank you, dear. I have a request would you mind taking me to the airport?"

"I'd be glad to."

"Let's have dinner first. I have a little more time before my flight."

"That would be great," said Tara.