Engaged in Embellishments: Tulle and Tulips, Book 5.5 Read Free Page A

knew, Lori had only returned to the grounds once for a First Saturday fair. She otherwise avoided the place, saying it reminded her of a time when things had first turned darkest. It was where she’d tried to get lost when she was being pursued. It was where she’d been captured, and what had come after was nothing short of the torments of hell.
    He’d talked her into riding the wheel with him once, and held her while she trembled through the entire ride. “I’m never coming here again,” she said as she stepped from the bucket seat.
    He’d curled his arms around her, hugging her to his body and wrapping her in whatever warmth she would take. “Are you at least glad you did it this time?”
    She hesitated before answering. “Only because you were with me.”
    “You deserve a life free of pain and fear, Lori. I’ll do my part to make sure you have it.”
    She’d rested her fingers on his face and smiled. “I hope you’re patient enough for me to believe that.”
    “Take as long as you need.”
    The fair and wheel were gone now. Empty booths sat around, waiting to be filled for a fair or festival, and Trevor saw the past play out before him in vibrant color.
    The area surrounding him crowded with the sounds and smells of thousands of people visiting a fair. Oblivious people who didn’t give a first thought, let alone a second one, to a man holding a trembling woman and making promises. She’d asked for patience, and he gave it easily most days. On the days he struggled, he found ways to hide it from Lori, because the longer she took to accept him the stronger he believed she may never be ready.
    She wanted to believe to her core that she could trust him. He wanted to know just as badly that she’d committed every part of herself to him. Even the damaged pieces of her heart and soul she reserved for herself.
    If she was thinking things were going wrong between them, that darkness had again found a way in, she might retreat to old habits. The fairgrounds had been a long shot, but he had to try.
    Turning away from the locked gates, he headed toward the beach he’d followed her down before. The sand beneath his bare feet when he’d pursued Lori before had been just another surface to walk on. When they’d walked side-by-side and hand-in-hand it had been a cool balm of hope and promise.
    This time, with his mind and heart clouded by the fear of losing her again, the sand finding its way into his shoes was a grating irritant. Each grain felt more like a pointed pebble that had been designed to drive home the levels of his idiocy.
    Sinking down where they’d sat the first time, he pulled his phone out again. He dropped his forehead to his knees and the unanswered rings echoed in his soul.
    “You’ve reached Lori Mullins with Tulle and Tulips Designer Weddings.” Her voicemail picked up. Her tone was light and happy, hopeful and full of the love she had for her job and friends. And him. He wouldn’t allow himself to believe differently. “I cannot get to the phone at the moment,” her message continued, “but leave your name, number and the reason for your call and I will get back with you. Have a brilliant day.”
    “Lori.” He sounded defeated to his own ears. She was the one thing that could bring him to his knees and make him beg. “I let you down, and I can’t tell you how sorry I am. Please let me know where you are. That you’re okay. That we can talk. I really need to talk to you.
    “I’m at the beach; you know the spot. I’ll be here in case you want to talk before the wedding.” He sighed, doubting she would come to him. “If I don’t see you before, know that I’ll still be there for you. I love you, and I’m sorry I caused your heart pain.”
    Trevor ended the call, slipped the phone in his pocket, wrapped his arms around his knees and stared out over the water. Plans had always served him well, but he was coming up blank in the effort to think of a perfect apology.
    This time it