"Well, I didn't expect to run into you again. It's Leah, isn't it?"

Leah looked up and found herself face to face with the same older woman from earlier. Ideene's hazel eyes held concern much like they had on their first meeting. Only this time, it seemed to be for Leah and not Wren.

Embarrassed at being caught crying, Leah ducked her head. "Yes, I'm Leah." She patted her cheeks with her fingers' tips, dabbing at the moisture. "Do - do you need something? If you need help, I can call Butler Wren to assist you."

"Oh, no. No need to call Wren. To be honest, my feet are aching, and I just need a small rest. I'll be fine in a moment."

Leah couldn't resist glancing at the woman. Weariness deepened the lines in Ideene's face; concern rose inside Leah. "Oh, I'm sorry...that your feet hurt. If I could drive, I would get your car for you."

Gentleness softened Ideene's features. "That is very kind of you to offer, but walking is what keeps me out of the nursing home. Thank you, though. What a sweet girl you are."

Leah flushed again, memories of her treatment of Wren rising. She ducked her head again. "I suppose you didn't think so earlier... That I was sweet, I mean."

"No. No, I didn't. To be honest, I was kind of angry with you when I saw how you were treating my Wren."

Tears once again stung her eyes. "I - I don't regret it!"

There was a moment of silence before Ideene spoke. "Now why would you not regret treating another human being like that?"

Leah sqeezed her eyes shut, the movement forcing the moisture in them to fall as tears down her cheeks yet again. Her chest tightened with guilt, and no witty response came. The question itself convicted her. She opened her eyes to see a white kerchief resting on her floral skirt. Whether it was from the condemning question or the small act of kindness, Leah's turmoil erupted into a series of sobs. A soft hand began to stroke her back and the murmured words, "It's okay to cry," touched her. Cry she did.

Finally, when the sobs lessened, Leah cleaned her face and blew her nose in a rather loud manner that seemed to surprise Ideene, but Leah just offered a wobbly smile. "Thank you," she said.

"I didn't do much. Sometimes, women just need a good cry. I know I do!"

Leah nodded. She fidgeted with the soiled handkerchief. "It's been a long time since I cried like that. I - I can't really remember the last time."

"Hmm... I'm glad you did."

"Yeah..." There was another pause before Leah's head ducked into her hidden position behind her silky tresses. "I do regret it," she whispered.

"I had a feeling you did. If you don't mind my asking... What caused you to go to such extremes? Is Wren unkind?"

"He's been nothing but kind."

"Then why?"

"Because... I'm scared."

Ideene frowned. "Of Wren?"

"No. I-I'm scared of myself." Leah looked up as buried fear broke free of its cage. "I'm scared because he is so good. I'm scared I might trust him." Then to herself, thought, I'm terrified because he makes my heart flutter in a way I can't control.

"But don't you want a butler that you can trust?"

"I - I suppose, but I overheard Wren say he is leaving after a year. What is the point in learning to trust someone if they are just going to disappear from your life? Wouldn't that just cause more pain later?"

Understanding dawned in Ideene's weary gaze. "I think I see what you are saying, but the answer might be in another question."

Leah scowled. "I hate answers like that."

. "Well if you don't want to hear it, I -"

"No! I do! What question?"

Ideene chuckled. "You are a funny one, Leah. Now tell me. Is it really less painful to shut people out of your life? Does it bring you joy to hold others at arms length because of fear? Because it seems to me you are more lonely than you want to admit."

Leah blinked in surprise as she processed what was being said. Ideene continued. "And to be clear, just because Wren plans on leaving doesn't mean he's abandoning you. He is moving on to the next stage of his life, but whatever friendship you two develop can continue."

Leah's brows wrinkled. "I suppose that's true."

"Saying goodbye is part of life. People come and go. It would be wise to stop trying to hide from it. One thing I have learned is to appreciate the people in my life for however long I might have them. I would rather have memories of laughter, friends, and joy than loneliness and fear to look back on."

"Create memories?" Try as she might, the young heiress found it hard to recall many memories that were full of joy. "I - I don't have any that stand out to me. The main ones are - sad."

"Well, maybe it's time to start creating some good ones. Let's start with this. "

Before Leah could react, she found herself pulled into a gentle embrace. But it was the words Ideene whispered in her ear that touched her.

"I love you, Leah Kingsley, and Jesus loves you even more."

**************************************************************

"There you are!" Wren's anger simmered as he glared at the girl leaning on the black sedan. In one sweep he skimmed her from head to toe, checking for injury. The tremendous amount of relief that rushed through him was... disturbing. His hand trembled the slightest, and he shoved it in his pant's pocket. "Where have you been? Why didn't you answer my calls?"

The angry retort he expected never came. Instead she stared at him with an unreadable expression. Her arms were crossed over her chest, and her eyes were puffy from obvious crying.

"I was thinking," she said, softly.

Wren dragged in a deep breath. "Thinking, eating, shopping. Whatever the excuse, I can't protect you if I don't at least know where you are!"

"I'm sorry."

Wren raised his brows. "You're sorry? For what? Embarrassing me? Scaring the heck out of me? Tell me, Leah, which one are you sorry for now? I've been running around like crazy trying to find you, and then the amber alert on my phone starts blaring that a teen girl was abducted."

Her eyes rounding, Leah opened her mouth to speak. But Wren wasn't finished. He closed the distance between them and slammed a hand on the vehicle behind her, his anger mounting. She flinched but met his gaze, squarly.

"When are you going to stop being selfish? What about Fiona? I know you care about her. Have you even stopped to consider how much you worry her?"

Leah cleared her throat, nibbled her bottom lip, dropped her gaze. Wren narrowed his brows, forced his glare to stay on her eyes. "Sorry," she said again, even softer than before.

Wren stepped away in defeat. Why had he even tried to reach her again, to make her feel some guilt? Leah Kingsley wouldn't change. "You don't even care, do you?"

Leah startled visibly. She looked up. "No, I mean..yes. I - I do care. Now...I want to..." She closed her eyes as if frustrated with herself. "I didn't care, but I want to start. I am sorry for everything you mentioned and for scaring you. Thankfully, that abduction wasn't me."

Wren searched her face, her eyes, her body movement, and for the first time, he noticed a change in her demeanor that hadn't been there an hour ago. Still, it was hard to believe she wasn't faking it. And he was weary of her games. "Okay," he said, finally. He wanted to say more, but it was all he could manage for the time being. He motioned her aside and when she scooted over, opened the back seat door. Leah moved forward, almost hesitantly. Then, she thrust a candy bar at him.

"Mrs. Ideene said it was your favorite. I - I bought you one."

Wren stared at it, stunned. Leah flicked him a nervous glance. He took it, fingered it. Could it be Leah was truly ready to try at their--albeit strange--relationship? But before he could say anything, she darted into the vehicle like a scared rabbit. Wren's heart softened.

"Thank you. Twix is my favorite."

****

When Wren closed the door in a gentle manner, Leah breathed a sigh of relief. She watched as he rounded the car and climbed into the driver's seat, her heart still pounding like a drum. He'd stood close. So close. Grant it, his reasons were because he was angry with her but that was beside the point. She still smelled his cologne even now. She bit her cheeks to keep from grinning.

Yet, worry still niggled at her. Would it truly be okay to let him in her life? The fear that followed since her mother's disappearance struck again. Then, precious words burned brighter.

"I love you, Leah Kingsley, and Jesus loves you even more."

Wren's gaze connected with hers through the review mirror, and regret washed over his face. "I'm sorry I yelled at you."

"I'll forgive you if you'll forgive me." She offered him a genuine smile and felt strangely pleased when his lips tipped in a slow grin.

"It's a deal."

"Good. Let's go home, Butler Wren."

Leaving the bustling town of Springfield behind, Leah rehearsed everything she'd heard that day, and little by little, hope overpowered her fear. Ideene was right. It was time to open her heart.

More than that.

It was time to create beautiful memories.