“But you’ll keep in touch, won’t you? I would like to know how you are doing.”
Chance had just nodded, making no commitment. She’d called him a few times but when he’d not returned them the calls had become fewer then died away. His sister had left him too. Or was it more like he’d pushed her way? Had he done the same with Ellen?
The phone rang almost long enough that Chance thought he had a reprieve. Just as he was preparing to hang up a woman answered.
“May I speak to Abigail? Tell her it’s Chance.”
“Chance?” The sound of disbelief had him regretting so many things he’d left undone and unsaid.
“Abigail?”
“Yes.”
“I’m in town until after the Christmas holidays and I was wondering if you would like to have lunch?”
The pause was so long that he was afraid she might have hung up. Then there was a sniffle on the other end of the line. “Why don’t you come here for dinner? Tomorrow night at six.”
“Okay, I’ll be there.”
Chance drove up the drive to the large Tudor-style home built among the trees in an affluent neighborhood. This was his childhood home. There were few happy memories here for him.
He stood outside the front door for a minute before he knocked. As if she was standing behind it, waiting for him, the door opened and Abigail reached out and took him in her arms. “It’s about time, Chance-man.”
That had been her nickname for him growing up. He forgotten about it.
“It’s about time.” Now she was using that big-sister reprimand voice.
“I know. I should have come before.”
She pulled him into the house and closed the door. Her husband and children waited in the hall. The excitement in her voice couldn’t be denied. “Stan, Chance is here. Wendy and Jonathan.”
Chance was caught up in a whirlwind of hugs and hellos. What had he missed all these years?
Dinner was served in the same room where dinner had been served when his father had come home but this time it wasn’t a meeting of a family that was unsure of each other but of one glad to see each other. Chance hadn’t enjoyed a meal more since Ellen had left.
To his great surprise, his sister knew about his work and the family had numerous questions about the Travelling Clinic and Honduras. The discussion was open and frank, with none of the tension he’d expected.
As the kitchen help began clearing the table, Abigail suggested they have coffee in the other room. The living room was the same place but the furniture had been replaced with a more modern version. What really held Chance’s attention were the pictures. They were of the smiling and happy group of people who now lived in the house. There were even a couple of pictures of him and Abigail as children. Here he had been part of a family and hadn’t even known it. Abigail had not abandoned him.
Her husband and children joined them for a while but slowly drifted away as if they were giving him and Abigail a chance to talk.
“Chance, I’m so glad you are here. I have missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too.” To his amazement he meant it.
“I’m sorry we’ve been so distant for so long. I wished it had been different.”
He did too, but couldn’t admit it out loud.
“I should have done better as the older sister in keeping in touch. I shouldn’t have given up. You are my family.”
She had cared. Abigail had carried a burden as well. “There wasn’t anything you could have done. That was on me.”
“When you came home from school at Christmas you were so different. I couldn’t seem to reach you any more. After Daddy died you just never came around again. It was like you blamed me as well as Dad for sending you away.”
He had. His mother had been gone. His father hadn’t wanted him and his sister had said she couldn’t take him. There had been nothing secure in his life and he’d wanted nothing to do with her betrayal.
“I wish I could have made it different for you. Fixed it so you could stay with me, but Daddy would have none of it. He said I was too young to see about you and that you were going to learn to behave. That sending you off to school was the way to do it. I fought for you but he wouldn’t let you stay.”
All this time Chance had believed she hadn’t wanted him around. Had blamed her.
“Those weren’t happy years for me either and I know they weren’t for you. I hated that we were separated. I hated more that you wanted nothing to do with me. After a while I didn’t know how to bridge the gap. Then you wouldn’t let me and I stopped trying.”
“Part of that is my fault.”
“Then let’s just start here and go forward. Promise me we’ll see each other often. After all, we are family.”
Family. That sounded good. “You have my word.”
“We’ll see you at Christmas.” It wasn’t a question but a statement.
“I’ll be here.”
“Chance, you may not want to talk about this but I just want to let you know that I saved your half of the inheritance for you. It’s been in the bank, waiting on you.”
He would never have thought he would be interested in the money but he knew where he could put it to good use. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I would’ve never felt right about keeping it.”
After his evening with Abigail and her family Chance saw his past and his sister in a different light. Had he been unjust in his view of Ellen too?
Could he humble himself and beg enough to convince her he loved her and would never let her go again? He could if that was what it took to rid himself of the unceasing ache for her.
CHANCE PULLED AT his tux jacket. He didn’t make a habit of dressing up in one and he knew why. They were uncomfortable. Here it was a week before Christmas and he was going to some fancy party. He much preferred a T-shirt and cargo shorts.
He wasn’t fond of a dog-and-pony show but he’d participate in the gala if that was what it took to raise money for the clinic. Tonight’s event in the great hall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, if successful, should raise enough money to supply the clinic for the next year and give him start-up funds for a permanent building.
What he really wanted to do was find Ellen and beg her to forgive him for being such an idiot. If his sister could welcome him back, maybe Ellen could too. He had a feeling he would have to work harder where Ellen was concerned.
From wealthy and socially known families on both sides, maiden and married, his sister was well connected. To Chance’s shock she’d been on a committee that helped fundraise for the clinic for years. Abby’s group had already had this event planned before he’d called her. She’d asked him to attend and say a few words about his work in Honduras.
The great hall of the Met was already crowded with guests and more were arriving by the time Chance made it there.
“Doesn’t the place look beautiful with all the twinkling lights and the Christmas tree?” his sister said beside him after they had left her wrap