Whirlwind Ii: The Sequel

All Rights Reserved © 2001 by Margot Rising

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the publisher.

Writers Club Press

an imprint of iUniverse, Inc.

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Any resemblance to characters is coincidental. Some named cities do existing, but some places mentioned in the exisiring cities are fictional. Other towns, establishments and facilities are ficitional, although similar places may exist in the state.

ISBN: 0-595-20827-4 (sc)

ISBN: 1-469-70335-1 (ebook)

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Foreword

A STORMY DAY

IN OCTOBER.

MONDAY.

TUESDAY.

WEDNESDAY.

THURSDAY.

FRIDAY.

SATURDAY.

SUNDAY.

MONDAY.

About the Author

Dedicated to my daughter Marcia who motivated and encouraged my writing. To all the friends who proof read and stated their opinions. Without them, I would have stopped with the first book.

Foreword

People often think that love comes but once in a lifetime, but the capacity to love is never restricted to one person. How else could we love all of our children instead of only our firstborn? Some also think that romance can only happen to young people. Not true. People of all ages fall in love, and express that love just as deeply as youngsters. Ann and Todd met after each one has survived the tragic loss of a spouse. A touching romance did not end in marriage as they had planned. Walt Harmon, a music publisher has taken an ineterst in Ann’s music and in her. Can he make her forget Todd and fall in love with him?

A STORMY DAY

IN OCTOBER.

Ann sat in her chair, looking beyond her patio at the lake, watching the waves swell, with caps so white that they looked like peaks of frosting on a cake. It was very windy. The trees bent halfway to the ground, and the thunder was loud and the lightning was blinding. She had spent the last sixty-five years frightened of such storms, not so much the thunder and lightning, but the wind. She had spent many a summer petrified when tornados were in the area. Why wasn’t she frightened now? Did she finally reach the age at which those things don’t matter? Maybe she didn’t care since Todd left. Maybe going back to a way of life before she met Todd was no better than dying, for she truly felt dead inside. What happened? Why did he leave and change his mind about coming back?

Ann’s son-in-law had introduced them four months ago. Ann’s mind flashed back to the night they met. What was to be a favor to Dean, resulted in a whirlwind romance, the likes of which Ann couldn’t even imagine. Todd Remington was a businessman from Chicago who was investing in Dean’s project in Minneapolis. He had lost his wife two years before and was still feeling the loss. Dean had needed Ann as this man’s dinner partner. He had no idea how to keep a conversation flowing with this man’s grief so intense. He thought since Ann had lost her husband, and had learned to live with it, at least on the surface, that she would be more equipped to keep a conversation away from the tragedy. Ann had no wish to have a relationship. She was too old, too heavy, too everything. Her husband had died five years before, and she was resigned to living out her life alone and lonely. But it happened. She and Todd fell in love within a few days, and they were to spend the rest of their lives together. Who ever said that true love came just once in a lifetime was unfortunate indeed, for they obviously had never experienced a love much greater than any love before it.

Ann remembered with such fondness, but with so much emotion that it caused her unbearable pain. Why, God? Why do you let these things happen? Why didn’t you just let us grow old with nothing left except companionship, as we were so often told? I was learning to live without a man in my life. Why did you bring Todd to me and let me fall in love with him, only to let him leave me?

They were to be married in a week when Todd was suddenly called away. He had promised that they would always be together, yet he left alone. Ann’s cardiologist refused permission for her to travel until they could find what caused the irregularity in Ann’s heart rhythm. At first, Todd didn’t tell her why he had to go back to Chicago, but she knew it was serious. Ann was left with unanswered questions, with confusion and longing for the love she had lost. He never returned to Minnesota. He explained only that the business was failing and that he would have time for nothing except business. He said it was just as well that they had to be apart, because that would give her a chance to find out if what they had was real. She had been the one who said that it could not be what it seemed, real and lasting. It was just a whirlwind romance like you see in the movies, only not even in movies would you see the romance as intense and sincere with a couple their age. ‘It was foolish to think it was real,’ she thought. But she couldn’t have been so wrong. Was she that gullible that she could believe all the wonderful things Todd said? How could she believe he really wanted to marry her? She was hurt, deeper than she could ever remember hurting, even when Larry had died. Down deep, she knew that Larry didn’t leave her by choice. Some women were angry at their husbands for dying and leaving them, but Ann couldn’t blame Larry for being ill and dying. Maybe that was what made the pain so unbearable. Todd left her, evidently by choice. She didn’t mean enough to him to want to spend the rest of his life with her, as he had told her. More than that, she was angry with herself for allowing herself to believe that a man could love her so deeply. She would not be fooled again.

The telephone interrupted her thoughts. She listlessly picked up the receiver. Hello.

May I speak with Ann Winslow, please.

This is she.

Ann, this is Walt Harmon from Harmon/Wilson Publishers. Do you remember me?

Of course. Todd had spoken to this man months before about publishing her music, and had her send some copies to him. He told her that he would be in Arizona for a time, but would contact her when he returned and looked over her music.

I’m back from Arizona, and I’d like to talk to you about the pieces you sent for me to review. This is something difficult to handle over the phone; I would prefer to do it in person. Would it be possible for you to come to Chicago?

I—I don’t know. The cardiologist had done an electrophysiological exam to determine what caused the irregular heart rhythm. He was able to use radio waves to destroy the source of the problem, but she did not get permission to travel. On the other hand, she didn’t ask for permission once she realized Todd wouldn’t be in her life after all. She even wondered if her music meant anything to her anymore. Todd had loved it, but of course, he said he loved her too. Were they all lies? Maybe she was kidding herself, even about her composing. Maybe they shouldn’t mean anything to her. She certainly didn’t want rejection of any kind anymore. She didn’t know if she could handle it. Do you think my music is worth your effort?

There was silence for a moment. I wouldn’t be calling you if I didn’t like it. If you’d prefer not to come—

I’m sorry. It’s difficult right now to give an answer so quickly. I would have to think about it. Would you mind?

Not at all. Let me give you my phone number. Call me if and when you can come.

They hung up after speaking a little about the music Ann had written, which she had published herself. She should be thrilled, but it didn’t excite her in the least. She would have to approach this in a matter-of-fact business sense, logically and unemotionally.

Ann looked at the piano and the manuscript she had started. Tears ran down her cheeks. She hadn’t touched the manuscript since Todd called that he wasn’t coming back. Could she play what she felt so deeply, music in which she expressed her love for him? Music that she felt to the very core of her soul. But now

Her mind flashed back to their last day together, when Todd had to leave. He looked tired and troubled, but if the business was failing, why wouldn’t he? At first, she thought it was his pride, that he found himself unable to give her so many things, but she eliminated that from the possibilities, and there was no end to the possibilities that entered her mind, even to this day. How could he hold her, and kiss her and promise her so much, and have it end so abruptly? He, who promised to stay with her no matter what health problems she faced. He loved her, and wanted to be married as soon as possible.

He had called when he got to Chicago, and again the next night, but he told her that he would have to be in England for a few weeks, and would not be able to call often after that. He called after two weeks, and was impersonal and cool, after which there were fewer calls. Finally, there were none. Nothing had made sense and Ann was devastated.

She looked out the window. It wasn’t storming anymore. When did it stop? She had lost track of time. She was so lost in her memories that she didn’t know what was going on around her. How could that be? She had never felt this way before, but then she had never been so devastated before.

Hi, Mom, called her daughter, coming in the door.

Laura. I didn’t know you were coming today.

I have news for you, Laura said as she sat next to her mother.

News?

About Todd.

Oh. Ann’s voice was cold.

Mom, she said putting her arm around Ann’s shoulder, we know something isn’t right about this. Things aren’t the way they seem. Todd loves you, I’d stake my life on it, and you know it too.

That’s just what you want to think. Does a pile of bricks have to fall on you? He decided he didn’t want to spend his life with me after all. That’s not so hard to accept. Just look at me. Ann put her hands on her hips and her stomach. Why would anyone want me? Tears were in her eyes. I should never have gotten involved.

I wish you’d stop that. There’s nothing wrong with you, said Laura. I don’t care. There’s more to this than meets the eye.

Have you been reading your mysteries again? Please, honey. Lets drop it. He’s in England. Period.

Dean got a letter from him.

A small frown crossed her forehead. That’s nice. Why shouldn’t he? He invested in Dean’s project, didn’t he? Doesn’t that prove to you that he could have called or written to me?

Mom, just listen. Laura was frustrated. It seemed like her mother’s mind was closed, but she had to try. His secretary said she would see to it that all correspondence would be forwarded to him, and that she would do the same with anything Todd needed to get to Dean.

Ann sighed. I don’t see how you think that affects me.

Well, maybe it doesn’t. But don’t you even want to know about him? Wouldn’t you like to write him a letter and tell him how much you hurt? Or at least, write him and let him know you’re concerned about him.

The sooner I forget about him, said Ann stubbornly, the sooner I can get on with my life. It hurts too much to think about Todd. I don’t want to hurt anymore.

If you only meant that, Mom. Linda and I are both worried about you.

Why should you be worried about me? Hasn’t everyone been jilted at one time or another? I’m just older, and there’s no fool like an old fool.

You know he loved you, Mom. I’ve never seen any couple so much in love.

Ann was crying. "Don’t you think I want to believe that? Don’t you think I’d give anything to find out that it was something, no matter how terrible, that caused the break up? No. You know what they say, If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That says it all."

Linda wants you to come up to Lesterville and stay for awhile.

Ann had no wish to go to Lesterville and draw others into her self pity. It was sweet of Linda, but no. She would have to think of a very good reason without hurting Linda’s feelings. I—um—I’m going to Chicago."

You’re what? Laura’s voice was hopeful. Maybe what she said did reach her mother. Are you going to look for Todd?

No. He’s in England. I’m going to see a publisher about my music. Ann wondered if she would have decided to go if she hadn’t felt forced into it.

What publisher, Mom?

A friend of Todd’s. He had asked this man about my music, and I got a letter from him back in June, saying he’d be gone for a few weeks, but would call me when he got back. She shrugged. He’s back and wants me to come to Chicago.

Why didn’t you tell us?

I wasn’t sure anything would come of it, just like my little romance—maybe this is too good to be true too.

I don’t believe that. She squealed and hugged Ann. I’m so proud of you. When are you going?

I haven’t made up my mind yet. He just called a little while ago.

Do you have enough money? We can help you. I could go along.

Thank you, honey, but I have to do this myself. She sighed. I’ll use some of the CD’s that aren’t IRA’s. It will have to be treated like an investment in my future. I can only hope that it pays off.

It will, Mom. I know it will.

Meanwhile, I’ll have to get my music together. I don’t know if I should just take the piano pieces or—

Take it all. All he can do is say he’s not interested in the vocals.

I don’t know, she said thought fully. He’s interested in my piano pieces. The company may not deal with other kinds of music. I might be smarter to leave the others home. I can always send them later. Ann glanced at the incomplete sheet of music on the piano.

Laura’s eyes followed Ann’s to the manuscript. She got up and went over to the piano. You wrote something new. She was excited. When did you do this?

Four months ago. Ann looked down. I didn’t finish it.

Will you play it for me?

I don’t think I can.

Please try. She begged. Please?

Ann got up and went to the piano. She started to play cautiously, as if she were not sure what effect it might have on her. The beautiful strains filled the room with the love she had felt for Todd. The more she played, the more emotion she poured out. She could almost feel him holding her close, whispering in her ear how much he loved her, how he needed her. She recalled how his lips had found hers, and how they seemed to be the only two people on earth. She suddenly stopped playing, put her face in her