One by one, he listened. He smiled. He encouraged them.
And one by one, they pierced his heart.
* * *
“YOUR EX-HUSBAND, the one you came here to talk about two days ago, is our founder.” Sara stood just off to Brett’s right side with Ella, watching him.
“Yes.”
“You knew he was the founder of this place?”
“I was married to him when he bought the land. So yes, I knew.” She’d heard the dreams first. For a couple years. She’d helped with the plans. Had thought The Lemonade Stand was going to be their project. Together.
And then he’d cut her out of his life. And away from everything she’d invested her heart in for so many years.
She’d invested in Brett because she loved him.
And she was never going to be free of him for the same reason. It wasn’t about control or manipulation, being a groupie or too dependent, or being a victim. Some of those things played a part, but ultimately, between her and Brett, it was the love that mattered.
That was the bond that was stronger than all the others.
Stronger than fear.
As the room eventually cleared, Sara looked at her. “So what now? Does Lila know?”
Shaking her head, Ella looked at Brett. “No,” she said. “But she needs to meet him. Do you know when she’ll be free?”
“Not for sure.” Sara frowned. “I wasn’t there when the call came in, but I know it had to do with the sexual abuse of a female police officer.” At that point Sara couldn’t say more if she wanted to. “She’s probably going to be late. But I’m assuming...” she glanced at Brett as he turned to them, “you’d like a look at the place?” He looked to Ella. “It’s her call.”
Brett wanted to leave. Would probably sacrifice a limb or two to make it happen. She read that much in his expression. But he’d made it through the hardest part. She couldn’t have been prouder of him.
“It’s up to you,” she said. “I’d like to show you the grounds. It’s dark, but they’re lovely at night. And we could get a look at the offices and therapy rooms now while they aren’t in use. But...it’s up to you.”
His smile was slow in coming. But when it came, when he said, “Lead the way,” Ella allowed hope to reenter her heart.
* * *
BRETT WAS GLAD when Sara Havens finally left them to themselves. The woman saw too much.
Ella showed him the hallways, the conversation areas, the cafeteria and state-of-the-art kitchen. She showed him offices, therapy rooms, a library that rivaled the public institution downtown and a multipurpose theater-style auditorium complete with stage and sound system.
He was impressed. Beyond impressed. His money hadn’t paid for much of what he was seeing. Donors and volunteers made The Lemonade Stand what it was. But his dream had been realized far beyond his expectations.
Eventually they ended up outside in the Garden of Renewal—a natural masterpiece designed by Grant Bishop, Darin’s brother and Lynn’s husband. Ella sat down on a bench by a fountain, and he joined her. Happy to give his knees a rest.
“I know my hour’s up, so you’re no longer under obligation to do what I say, but I want you to marry me, Brett.”
All of the breath that had just started flowing through his lungs again disappeared in a whoosh.
“I know you’re worried about the possibility of a latent rage lurking within you. I know there’s no guarantee that it isn’t. There are no guarantees in life. There are only chances. I know the risks in loving you, Brett. It’s a chance I choose to take.”
Brett wanted to shoot a basket. In a really high hoop. To take a scalding hot shower and sit out by his pool. Instead, he had to sit on a bench and respond.
But before he got around to it, Ella started in again.
“The best we can do in life is face our challenges head-on. To look them in the eye and decide how best to deal with them. One by one. You taught me that.”
It was his way. To not put off the unpleasant, but rather, deal with it as the quickest way of getting rid of it.