Page 86 of A Twist of Faith
Dee bit her lip.
“I know it has to do something with your research. Does it mean a promotion? Charlottesville?”
Her expression must have given the answer because he sighed and looked up at the sky. “Fix me up and you get a one way ticket to Charlottesville? Is that what you wanted all along?” He moved close again and took her by the shoulders. “Is that all I was? All my family was to you? A climb up the success ladder?”
Tears snatched at her voice. “No. That’s not true.”
He let go, his gaze smoldering. “I’ve been used enough. Whatever you thought this was, it wasn’t love. Love doesn’t play games with a person’s heart.” He stepped back, his beautiful lips curled into an unfriendly snarl. “Enjoy your win. I hope it keeps you warm at night.”
Reese marched down the path without a glance back. The night air pricked at the tear trails on her face and she stumbled back to clutch a lamppost for support. She watched him walk away, until he disappeared into the shadows, hoping … praying he’d turn around and forgive her.
What had she done? Music and laughter drifted out to her, an ironic taunt. The life she wanted? She wiped at the tears and stepped back through the door, familiar voices and a long-coveted dream calling her to accept her success. But the ache of Reese’s pain, pain she’d caused, dulled her senses. Lost—she’d lost him. A comfort and joy which spread beyond the reaches of the walls of UVA or the promises of the past beat hollow in her chest. How could she go back to her past life without the Mitchells as part of her future?
“Adelina,” Dr. Lindsay’s voice called Dee back into the façade of belonging, but she knew the largest piece of her dream rode in a pickup truck back toward Ransom. “Where is your friend?”
Adelina swallowed the lump in her throat and searched for her voice. “He had to leave.”
“How unfortunate. He was such a pleasant person.” She offered a small shrug of her shoulders, smile warm. “But I hope it will not dampen your spirits too much. Your research and work ethic coupled with Dr. Russell’s adamant praise makes you the perfect candidate for us.”
Dee’s muddled thoughts reeled to a stop. “Dr. Russell’s praise?”
“She wasn’t too keen on you to start, but her comments over the past month have secured the reasons I chose you as the initiator in this new program. Dr. Russell spoke of how you’ve become part of the community, expanded your clinical interest to involve child therapy, and your initial student rankings have been exemplary.”
Dee forced a plastic smile. “Thank you, Dr. Lindsay. I am grateful for the opportunity.”
“We need professors who connect with students well, and Dr. Poe is retiring midquarter due to health concerns. He leaves a vacancy of experience in both child and adult speech disorders.” She inclined her head. “Someone with heart.”
Dee’s gaze zeroed in. Dr. Lindsay was askingherto leave Ransom midyear and come to Charlottesville?Not Alex Murdock?
“Hasn’t Charlottesville always been your dream?”
Dee looked back at the closed door where Reese disappeared. Charlottesville had always been her dream, long before Lou’s hugs, Brandon’s giggles, and Grace Mitchell’s cooking. Long before Rainey’s friendship and Reese’s kiss.
Her eyes warmed with fresh tears.Someone with heart?
“Adelina?”
Dee blinked. “Yes. Charlottesville has been my dream job ever since I was a little girl.”
“It looks like your dreams are coming true. I will send you a letter with all the particulars. You can expect it next week. Enjoy the spoils of your success.”
Dr. Lindsay shook her hand before returning to the ballroom.
Success?
She glanced at the beauty and glamour of the hall. Upper class academia in its entire splendor. Tinkling glass and murmured voices floated a welcome melody above the strum of a string quartet. Everything about it promised prestige, and a shadow of happiness.
Her father would have been so proud.
Then why did she feel like such a failure?
Dee stepped away from the ballroom and pressed her fist against her chest. Grace Mitchell’s words mingled with Pastor Brian’s sermons spun over and over in her mind. She’d witnessed love and family over the past few months. Grace and acceptance.
And though the dream of Charlottesville gleamed beautiful and good, the comparison to what she knew with the Mitchells fell surprisingly empty. Tears swelled anew, escaping her fragile hold on them and spilling down her face.
She couldn’t stay here like this. With a last look toward the ballroom, she retrieved her coat and marched out the door into the night. A second-best dream proved better than no dream at all. When Dr. Lindsay’s offer arrived, Dee would accept it. And if all went well, by Christmas Break, she could leave the past and all of her failures in Ransom and start afresh in Charlottesville … with everything but her heart.
Chapter 18
