Gates of Paradise (Casteel 4)

Just at that moment Drake popped out of the entry from where he hd been watching the entire event, cheering and clapping.

"Hooray for Spaceship Annie!"

"Drake Ormand Casteel, how could you hide down here instead of being with me when I needed support?" I complained.

"That was just it," Drake explained. "Tony wanted you to do this without anyone assisting, so you would become independent that much faster."

"You're two conspirators," I chastised playfully. Secretly I was very proud of myself and happy Tony had made me do most of it myself. I looked behind Drake. "But where is Luke? Is he hiding, too?"

Drake's face soured. He looked at Tony, whose face was as solid as granite, his eyes a cold, dark blue, like two sapphire stones.

"He went on some orientation picnic arranged for all the freshmen."

"Picnic?" I looked back at Tony. "But I thought you left a message about the service, Tony."

"I did, with whoever answered the phone at the dorm. At least, my secretary did. She said there was a lot of noise in the background and it sounded as if they were having a big party."

"Didn't you call him yesterday, Drake? After you left here?" I felt my heart sinking, an empty, hollow, cold cavern replacing its warm pocket. How could Luke not be here? How could he not have responded?

"I called early this morning, but they had all already left."

"I don't understand."

"Just a mix-up, probably," Drake said. "He never got the original message and left not knowing about the service."

"How could there be a mix-up? This isn't some freshman dance. Whoever took the message must know how serious it is. He wouldn't be so casual as to forget or misplace it. No one can be that callous."

"He's not here," Drake said softly.

"But he would want to be here!" I cried. "It's . it's a service for his father, too!" I felt myself losing control. All of it was closing in on me at once--the accident, my parent's deaths, my injuries, Luke's absence. I had the greatest urge to scream and scream and scream. "I don't understand!" I repeated in a shrill voice.

Both Tony and Drake looked stricken. The expressions on their faces forced me to get hold of myself I didn't want to become hysterical and cause a postponement of the service. That was too important to me. Parson and the technician responsible for the mechanical chair quickly excused themselves and went out.

I pulled myself up stiffly in the wheelchair. "I'm all right." I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. "I'm all right," I lied. "Luke will just have to make a special trip."

"Drake, why don't you wheel Annie to the front and wait there while I fetch Miles to bring the limo around." Tony patted my hand and rushed off. Drake wheeled me to the front door. Just as he opened it, Mrs. Broadfield came up beside me, appearing as quietly and as-quickly as a ghost.

Drake moved me out and into the pool of sunshine that spilled over the portico and steps. The day did not reflect my sad and tragic mood. It was as though even Nature refused to pay attention to my feelings. Instead of dull-gray clouds, starch-white cotton-candy puffs scattered across the aqua sky. The breeze that brushed across my face and made some of my strands of hair dance over my forehead was gentle and warm. Everywhere I looked, birds fluttered and sang. The strong, fresh scent of newly mowed lawns perfumed the air.

All around me was life and happiness, not death and sadness. The sight of such a bright and wonderful day made me feel even more alone. No one could understand why, no one but Luke. If only he were here now, holding my hand. We would look at each other and he would nod knowingly. His fingers would entwine with mine, and I wouldn't feel as if the world were conspiring to make my pain even sharper. I'd feel able to fight back. The need and the desire to become a part of it all again would be overwhelming. More than anything, I would want to walk.

Desperately trying for that mood and strength, even without Luke's presence, I pressed my hands against the arms of the chair and willed my feet to press down on the footrests, but the muscles in my legs weren't cooperative. There was only a slight sensation traveling up through my calves and thighs. Disappointed, I sat back.

Miles drove the limo as close to the steps as he could. Tony and he stepped out just as the Reverend Carter appeared. He was a tall, lean man with sharp features and graying blond hair. Tony shook hands with him and spoke with him a moment and then the two of them, Miles following, came up the steps.

"This is my great-granddaughter Annie."

"God bless you, my dear," the reverend said after taking my hand into his. "You're a strong and courageous child."

"Thank you."

Tony signaled to Miles and Drake to carry me, chair and all, down the stairs to the car. I saw Rye Whiskey, dressed in an old black suit, standing by. His thin gray hair was slicked back and brushed flat over his head. His smile and his comforting and loving, soft eyes warmed my chilled heart.

We went through the great gate and turned right to the Tatterton family cemetery. As we drew closer and closer to the large marble monument, my heart ached, feeling like a small fist tightening and tightening until it could tighten no more. A small cry escaped from my throat. Drake took my hand and squeezed it tightly. When the car stopped, Drake opened the door and reached back in to guide me to the awaiting chair. He and Miles lifted me and placed me softly into it. Then Drake turned the chair and I came face-to-face with the tall stone that read:

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STONEWALL LOGAN ROBERT HEAVEN LEIGH BELOVED HUSBAND BELOVED WIFE .