DAWN PAIGE GREY Young Adult Romance

Chapter 40 - Letters

Dawn’s father greeted her with a tight hug. “Everything is going to be just fine now you are home again.”

“Dawn I am here for you too honey.” Her Aunt said.

“Thanks Aunty Eve but I am fine, really I am. Being home with my family is the best medicine for me and the best place to be right now. It’s just a pity my brothers are away herding cattle for a couple of days.”

“They’ll be back before you have time to miss them too much.” Her Aunt said smiling.

“Andy thanks for bringing her home and thank you so much for rushing to my little girl’s rescue.” Her father shook Andy’s hand. “Please stay for dinner and you’re welcome to stay the night instead of rushing back home. In fact stay as long as you like.”

“Thanks Mr Grey, I’ll stay the night but head off tomorrow. Going to join my brother for a couple days of twin time.” Andy smiled at Dawn. “I can see your family will be in your corner now, but if there is anything …”

“Thanks Andy, you’ve done so much for me already and I’m sure we will be seeing loads of each other from now on.” Dawn smiled and gave her friend a hug.

Andy’s arms wrapped around her and he kissed the top of her head. His six foot three frame towered over her five foot height. He loved her to bits and to him she was like a porcelain doll that needed to be wrapped up in cotton wool and looked after.

“I can see you have a really good friend in Andy.” Her father said. “You are always welcome here anytime Andy. Please don’t feel you have to wait for an invitation either. Our door is always open for you.”

“Thanks Mr Grey.”

“Oh Dawn, there are two letters on your bed for you. They arrived while you were away.” Her Aunt said.

“Thanks Aunty Eve I will have a look after dinner.”

“Your Dad said you are hoping to find a job in Perth now. Well I have an opening at the Wedding boutique. Maybe if you learn to make wedding dresses you won’t be so eager to tear them to pieces in future.” Her Aunt smiled.

Andy frowned at Dawn. “You tear up wedding dresses?” He asked.

“A whole other story I will tell you in time, but maybe I should’ve realised it was a sign back then.” Dawn looked at her father. “Sorry you had to end up paying for two dresses that in the end didn’t make me very happy.” 

“It’s all water under the bridge now Honey. Best forgotten and move on.” Her father smiled and stepped forward to hug her. “Come on, let’s all go into the kitchen, I think dinner is almost ready.”

After dinner Dawn went up to her room and found the letters on her bed. She hesitated before opening them. She recognised Luke’s handwriting on one of them and decided to open the other one first.

Dawn, 

First I’d like to apologise for the punch up at your wedding. I am sorry for causing such a fuss and crashing your wedding when I wasn’t invited.

When I watched you saying your vows to Luke, as much as it upset me I knew you really did love him and the brief moment we shared was just that – a very brief, well I’m not quite sure what it was, but it’s over, gone and never to be repeated.

I do hope you’re okay. I heard about your marriage ending and I’d just like to say how truly sorry I am. I would never wish anything awful like that to happen to you and I honestly do mean that.

Whatever it was that caused your marriage to end so abruptly I do hope you will recover from any hurt it has left you with. From the little I know of you and what Annie has told me, you are a strong person and will come through this even stronger.

I am not sure what happened between you and Annie. She never said, but has since left for England to live and work there now.  I have moved back home to stay with my Dad and he has a full time nurse when I am away at work, now that Annie is no longer here.

I do hope that the fleeting moment we shared has not caused you any unnecessary stress and that we might meet for a coffee sometime in the future. If not, I understand you need to make a clean break and move on with your life.

My only wish is that we had met on different circumstances. I hope you will find that someone special who will make you happy and be worthy of your love.

Sincerely yours

Jace

Dawn felt a lump rise in her throat. How had her life got so twisted and messed up in such a short time? She had not only lost a friend in Annie, but the brother she was closest too had been hurt too and now Chris had taken off to work on a cattle ranch somewhere in the outback thousands of miles away from home. Her marriage had ended on her wedding night. The man she thought she loved the past four years had betrayed her. She could never trust him again and never wanted to see him again. Right now her life looked dismal and she definitely didn’t feel as strong as Jace had mentioned in his letter.

She read the letter again and a tear rolled down her cheek. What would she do if she could turn the clock back? Maybe not marry Luke after all… as doubts had started creeping in before the wedding.

“Ohhh!!” Dawn cried out. “Why when I want roses does my life deal me lemons?” A tear dropped down onto Jace’s letter smudging the ink.

Andy knocked and walked in. “Dawnie, oh Sweetie.” He went and sat beside her and hugged her. 

She put her head on his shoulder and passed the letter over to him to read. Andy read in silence.

“Sweetie I am glad he wrote. At least it shows he has feelings and doesn’t only think of himself.”

Dawn nodded and picked up the other letter.

“Who’s that one from?” Andy asked.

“Luke.” She replied. With trembling fingers she ripped the envelope open.

Andy moved away and gave her space to read the letter.

My Dearest Dawn 

I have no excuse for what happened on our wedding night, but I want to assure you Annie and I never slept together. We shared a kiss and nothing more and yes I was very attracted to her and yes I started having doubts about us. Annie and I did talk and she said she could never do anything to hurt you and nothing would happen between us and I told her that I loved you and would never go back on my promise to make you my wife, even though we both knew something had passed between us.

Sadly emotions got the better of me that night and I guess the doubts resurfaced unconscientiously and after everything that happened, maybe I am not the right man for you.  I am really sorry for breaking your heart and I’m not asking you to forgive me, but please accept my apology.

It may please you to know that Chris did break my nose on your behalf and sadly our friendship is over too.

Should we pass each other in Perth I will understand if you choose to ignore me.  I do hope in time you will find it in your heart to forgive me and not hate me as much as you do now.

I wish you every happiness for the future and I’m sure you will find a man more worthy of you love than I am.

Luke 

Dawn sighed and handed the letter to Andy to read. He read in silence and nodded.

“Dawn you are better off without him, you do realise that, don’t you?”

“I guess I do. It’s all just such a mess.” She dissolved into tears and Andy hugged her.

“Cry Dawnie, just let it all out and then in the morning start life anew, putting all this behind you. I will be here for you and stay as long as you need me.”

Dawn hugged him and buried her face into his chest and let her tears fall freely.

Her father stood at the door and smiled at Andy. He was glad he was there for her as her brothers were all out doing a cattle round up for market.

Andy smiled back and nodded. No words were needed and he knew he was right where he was supposed to be at that moment.